Tintic War

Since my last report the Indians have generally been rather quiet, and have, in a few instances, returned some of the horses which they had previously stolen. One exception, however, to this is a portion of the Utahs [Utes], under White-eye, Anthro, Peteeneet, Sand-Pitch, and Tin-tic, who with their bands numbering above six hundred, came into the settlements about the last of May [1858], from the vicinity of Fort Bridger, with very hostile feelings and apparently only awaiting the advance of the troops from that point to make a general attack; as it was, they committed many depredations by stealing horses, killing horses, sheep, etc. Since, however, they have learned the peaceable advance of the troops, their hostile feelings appear to be somewhat subsiding.

Great Salt Lake City, October 1, 1858. -- Some little excitement has prevailed in the neighborhood of Spanish Fork during the last few weeks arising out of some dissatisfaction among a land of Utes, and some outrages committed by them. The Indians here are divided into different bands, and the band in question, which numbers probably only about a hundred, and who are led by two chiefs, Tintic and Battice.

Some two weeks since they surprised a dwelling and outraged the persons of a woman and a girl, and on last Saturday, while a man was driving a wagon along the road, he was fired upon by a party of them and narrowly escaped with his life, and they have made repeated threats.

Spanish Fork, the scene of these outrages, is about sixty miles south of this city. The Indians have within the last week broke up their former encampment in that neighborhood, burned their "wicky-ups," or lodges, and fled to the mountains.

In a narrative of the "Tintic War" John Banks, one of the founders of Spanish Fork, thus tells his interesting story:

"The inhabitants had no more trouble with the Indians during the winter and summer of 1854-1855, but late in the fall of 1855, what is known as the Tintic War broke out in Cedar Valley, the Indians killing two brethren named Carson, who were at the time herding sheep, and a boy thirteen years old, named Hunsaker. After killing the herders the Indians stole and drove off all the stock they could secure, and took them into the lower end of Tintic Valley. Colonel Conover called upon J. W. Berry for twenty men to secure the stolen property. The pursuing party came so close upon the Indians, in the lower end of Tintic Valley, that they took fright and left the stock behind, with the exception of a few saddle horses, which they took with them. The stock left behind was recovered without much difficulty and driven back home. This ended the Tintic war, and the Indians remained friendly for a number of years."

"In February, 1856, T. S. Johnson, United States Deputy Marshal, came to Palmyra in pursuit of Indians, who had been committing depredations on the whites, expecting that he would find some of them with Peteeneet's band, but failed.

"He then received word by express that the Indians had killed two of the Hunsaker's herdsmen, on the west side of Utah Lake, and that a herds-boy was missing who was supposed to be killed also, for the Indians had taken the whole herd of cattle. Peteeneet, the chief of the Indians on Spanish Fork, being friendly disposed, was consulted.

"Peteeneet was grieved at the hostility of Tintic and his band, and remarked that Tintic had ears that were of no use to him. He had had good counsel given him, but he would not hear it, and he (Peteeneet) wanted Peantich, the Indian guide, and three others, when they would find Tintic, to cut off his ears, as they were of no good. This talk was just before the marshal, with about seventy-five men, left Palmyra Fort for the west mountain. This was a very exciting time.

"We camped the first night on the north end of the so-called west mountain, where we experienced an extremely cold night, without any bedding save our saddle blankets, and were not allowed to have any fire after sundown.

"When the day dawned we learned that several of our men had frozen feet, and consequently had to return home.

"William Fairbanks, of Payson, had his feet frozen, but would not return. Early in the morning we saddled our horses, and the orders given, ‘Mount, Forward march.' Fairbanks would continue the march, notwithstanding he suffered much during the expedition.

"We had not gone far before we struck the trail of an Indian, which track we followed on the ice across the Utah Lake, till we came to the dugout where Hunsaker's two herdsmen had been killed. We then took our line of march west, to where the Lehi men had been killed in the cedars.

"The blood was lickered in the sand, which caused quite a sensation. Orders were given to scout. Scouters returned with an ox, which was soon killed, and a time of general sharpening of sticks to roast the beef for dinner took place. Meanwhile the officers consulted each other as to the best course to pursue, and decided that the men be divided into tens to examine the most likely places in order to ascertain which way the Indians had gone. This was soon found out, and the signal was given that the trail was discovered, and all the company marched up the canyon, leading to what is now called Tintic Valley. The name of the place originated in the expedition, it being until that time unexplored by white men.

"We learned that the Indians had taken a southwest direction and we had to encounter very deep snow, and exceedingly cold weather, so that it was nothing strange to see cattle standing up, braced in the deep snow, frozen quite stiff. Here we expected to get our supply of food in coming back, provided we did not overtake the Indians. We pushed forward as fast as we could, and as we came on their camping places, we could learn how fast we were gaining ground on them. We made three days of their travel in one day. The third day we saw their camp fire smoke, but we did not like the location, as it seemed like we were marching right into an Indian fortification. Passing a heavy body of cedars, we found ourselves on the edge of the big desert, where we were glad to see some stock and picked out the best beef from seventy-five head, for we had not had anything to eat that morning. Our Indian guide said it was about six miles to the Sevier river, and orders were given to march thither and water our stock, as there was no trail to follow, the Indians having scattered in every direction, and our horses had not drank since we left the Utah Lake.

"We camped on the Sevier that night. Early next morning we found thirty head of horses, but no sign of an Indian. Thence we traveled up the river in a northeasterly direction and came out at Nephi.

"The Nephi cattle herd was kept west of the city, and when the herdsmen saw such a body of horsemen approaching, they hastened to town and reported that the Indians were about to make a raid.

"The inhabitants rallied to a point on the north side of the herd to save the cattle. There being a raise of land intervening between us, the one party could not see the other for a little while. The next time they saw us the supposed Indians were making for the settlement, and would take the town ere any of the citizens could get back.

"It was a time of general rejoicing with the Nephites when they found that the supposed Lamanites were their friends; and, on the other hand, we rejoiced on being well treated, and having plenty of good food to eat, having had nothing for seven days previous but fresh beef, without salt.

"Weary and tired, we appreciated the comfortable beds and happy rest afforded us that night. Next morning we, with grateful hearts, shook hands with our Nephi friends and started for home. We made Spanish Fork that night, carrying with us the first news they had of us since the day we left home, and great was our mutual joy."

The settlers of Utah County had no more trouble with the Indians during the years 1854-1855, but in the winter of 1855-1856 what is known as the Tintic War broke out in Cedar Valley. The District Court having issued a writ for the arrest of Chief Tintic for the commission of depredations upon the settlers, U. S. Marshal Heywood put the writ into the hands of his deputy, "Tom" Johnson, who came to Provo and enlisted a posse of about forty men, among whom were Alexander Williams, Wm. M. Wall, bishop of the Second Ward, two of Col. Conover's sons, W. D. Roberts, George Parrish, John Clark and Isaac Bullock.

The posse started from Provo and went by the way of Lehi, where they camped the first night. Colonel Conover accompanied the posse as far as Lehi, at which point he left for Great Salt Lake City to seek advice of Governor Young, the then Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Meantime word had been sent to warn the herders and settlers on the west side of the Utah Lake to come into the settlements for shelter. It was agreed between the Deputy Marshal and Colonel Conover that the posse should await the Colonel's return with advices from Governor Young, but after his departure the main part of the posse proceeded on into Cedar Valley. Johnson, with a part of the men, went to the north settlement, while about ten men were detailed to go to the South Fort, afterwards known as Camp Floyd. This division of the posse, which was under the command of Deputy Marshal George Parrish, finding Tintic with his band camped near the fort, proceeded to the camp to arrest the chief, who refused to surrender, whereupon Parrish took hold of him and the fight began. It was a short but very spirited engagement, in which there were four warriors and one squaw killed and several wounded and one of the Carson boys killed. A messenger was sent to notify Deputy Marshal Johnson, who came immediately with the remainder of the posse, who next morning followed the trail of the Indians and found them camped on the side of the mountain in the cedars, on the east side of Rush Valley. A parley was held, but the Indians refused to surrender and fired upon the posse. It being late in the evening the Deputy Marshal deemed it wise to return to the fort with the intention to pursue the next day; but in the morning they found the Indian camp broken up and the Indians going in a direction where they would be overtaken by Colonel Coverer's company. The posse gave up the pursuit, turned attention to the security of the settlements, and in searching for the bodies of the the other of the two Carson brothers and young Hunsaker, they were found where the Indians killed them.

Meantime Governor Young had given orders to Colonel Peter Conover to raise a company of the militia of Utah County, pursue the Indians and recover the Hunsaker herd of cattle which had been driven off after the killing of the herdsman. Accordingly, Colonel Conover, with 80 men pursued, crossed the Utah Lake on the ice, and took the-trail of the Indians where they crossed the mountains. The company pursued all day and camped in Tintic Valley, just out of the mouth of the canyon. On the second day the pursuing party came so close upon the Indians in the lower end of Tintic Valley that they took fright and left the stock behind, except a few saddle horses, and the expedition returned with the stock. This ended the Tintic war, and the Indians remained friendly for a number of years afterwards.

Fairfield (Camp Floyd) was first settled in 1855 by William Beardshall (and 16 others). Its first bishop was William Cunnington. In January, 1856, the Indians attacked the fort and killed George Carson and John Barow while they were herding the stock of the settlers. This led to the Tintic war. The settlers, for safety, moved to Cedar Fort, but returned in the spring of 1857 and planted their crops, which they left standing in the fields on the approach of Johnston’s army into Cedar Valley. During the summer Camp Floyd was established south of the stone fort, across the creek.

Dr. Hurt, the Indian agent, who decamped from the Indian farm, to create an excitement in his favor, in pretense for personal safety has collected a band of Indians in Uintah Valley, among whom is the murderer Tintic, and placed himself as their chief at their head, to make an attack on the southern settlements, and promising not only blankets, powder, etc., but a share of the pillage, as the reward of their nefarious acts.

The Tintic War.

In the year 1856, the Indians, a part of the Utes, again became hostile, and a sufficient number of them went on the war path to make it expensive, and annoying to the settlers . The Indians were stealing cattle and horses in Utah and Cedar Valleys and a sub-chief of the Utes named Tintic was the ring-leader of the hostiles, some of whom dwelt in a valley subsequently called Tintic, and others in Cedar Valley; both of these valleys lies west of Utah Lake. The Indians killed two herdsmen, Henry Moren and Washington Carson, Feb. 21, 1856. When these two men did not return when expected a search was instituted by the citizens.

A Posse Went In Pursuit Of Chief Tintic And Band.

Deputy Marshal Thomas S. Johnson came to Provo and enlisted a posse of about ten men who, armed with writs of arrest, issued by Judge Drummond, in Utah County, set out for Cedar Valley to apprehend the murderers. The posse started from Provo and went by way of Lehi where they camped the first night. Colonel Conover accompanied the posse as far as Lehi, at which point he left for Salt Lake City to seek advice from Governor Brigham Young who at that time was also superintendent of Indian affairs.

The posse proceeded into Cedar Valley, and while Johnson with part of the men went to the north settlement, ten men were detached to go to the south fort, afterwards known as Camp Floyd. One division of the posse was under command of Deputy Marshal George Parish. The posse stayed at Cedar Fort during the night, and on the following morning sent interpreter John Clark to the Indian camp, about a mile southwest of the fort to talk to Chief Tintic and his followers. He went to the chief's tent, where several Indians were present. Tintic treated the matter with contempt, and spoke vilely of President Young. The Indians were talking of keeping Clark there until dark, and when he should start away, they would kill him. He (Clark) understood them; he had on an overcoat and carried two revolvers under it on his belt. He had walked to the camp, and as he was fast on foot (being considerable of an athlete) he intended on leaving to dodge round as he ran. Thus, if they fired at him, they would not be likely to hit him, so he said afterwards.

While talking, a squaw on the outside called out, "Mormons coming." The Indians, while in conversation, had stripped and painted in their war-paints, and prepared for fight; they had their spears set up against the tent handy to get at. When the company came up, Deputy Sheriff Parish got off his horse and came into the tent, walked up to Tintic, caught him by the hair with one hand, and with revolver in the other said: "Tintic, you are my prisoner." Tintic grabbed the pistol with one hand and jumped, the pistol went off and shot him through the hand; he broke loose and went through the back of the tent; then firing commenced. Tintic's brother Battist aimed his rifle at George Parish and fired, but the gun-barrel being knocked aside the bullet missed its mark. One of Parish's friends then drew his revolver and shot Battist through the head, killing him instantly.

A general fight followed in which one of the posse, George Carson was mortally wounded, one squaw and three or four Indians were also killed and several wounded. At this juncture, John Clark, the interpreter, ran back into the tent and got two guns and four or five bows and quivers of arrows, ran out, untied Tintic's and his brother's horses, jumped onto Tintic's horse and led the other. He laid down on the horse as he rode away, with bullets whistling by him, but escaped without injury. All went back to the fort. A messenger was sent to notify Deputy Marshal Tom Johnson who came immediately with the remainder of the posse. That night the Indians killed two boys, by the name of Henry Moran and William Carson who were herding sheep on the west side of Utah Lake.

The next morning the posse followed the trail of the Indians who left during the night, and found them camped on the side of a mountain in the cedars on the east side of Rush Valley. A parley was held, but the Indians refused to surrender and fired upon the posse. It being late in the evening the Deputy Marshal deemed it wise to return to the fort with the intention to pursue the next day; but in the morning they found the Indian camp broken up and the Indians going in a direction where they would be overtaken by Colonel Conover's company, the posse gave up the pursuit, turned attention to the security of the settlements, and in searching for the other two, Moran and Carson and young Hunsaker, a thirteen year old boy whom the Indians had also killed; they found them where the Indians had killed them.

Meantime, Governor Young had given orders to Colonel Peter W. Conover to raise a company of the Utah County Militia, pursue the Indians and recover the Hunsaker herd of stock which had been driven off after killing the herdsmen. Accordingly, Col. Conover, with eighty men pursued, crossed the Utah lake on ice, and took the trail of the Indians where they crossed the mountains.

The company pursued all day and camped in Tintic Valley, just out of the mouth of a canyon. On the second day the pursuing party came so close upon the Indians in the lower end of Tintic Valley that they took fright and left the stock behind except a few saddle horses; and the expedition returned with the stock. Bishop Nephi Packard, to whom we are indebted for some of this information says "While at the fort, the citizens brought in the bodies of Moran and Carson, frozen stiff. Their bodies had been mutilated, and when they were thawed out with warm water for the purpose of dressing them, it created a stench which together with the sight of their mutilated bodies, made him sick. They were buried there."