Page 47 - 2003 DT 12 Issues
P. 47
Big Medicine, continued from p. 1 ○ Shortly after we arrived here, we as- ○ ○
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sembled all the chiefs, and made an ○
○ Desert Trumpet
allowed the missions to be self-sustain- ○ ○ agreement (treaty) with them to make a ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Editor
ing. Sadly, there was a downside. The ○ ○ settlement on their lands. We agreed to ○ Barb Wolin
immunity that whites had to many dis- ○ treat them well, and they were to observe ○ ○
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eases did not extend to Indians. They ○ the same conduct towards us, and with ○ ○ Contributing Editors
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succumbed in shattering numbers. Then ○ all white men. As with their attempt at ○ ○ Louis C. Kleber
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Jack Ryan
mission life itself became more ○ agriculture, this effort failed. There was ○ Tom Pfaendler
restrictive and less tolerant. With the ○ ○ dissension even among the Mormons ○ ○ H. Dan Wray
secularization of missions by Mexico in ○ ○ and rejection of a representative from ○ ○ Layout, Design & Publishing
1834, a harsh civil and military admin- ○ Brigham Young who claimed authority ○ Norm Kresge
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○ Christina Wilkinson
istration took its toll on relations with ○ to take men from the mission for min- ○ Barb Wolin
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the Indians. Now, it was all downhill. ○ ing operations. The Paiutes became ○ ○
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Protestant missionaries were present ○ disgruntled and raided the fort. Just two ○ The Desert Trumpet is published monthly
mainly to the north, and particularly the ○ ○ years after construction, the Mormons ○ ○ by and for FORRC members. Statements, opin-
ions and points of view expressed by writers are
northwest. The Spanish and the Catho- ○ ○ abandoned it. ○ ○ their own and do not necessarily reflect those of
lic Church seemed to have a lock on ○ In the end, the missionaries had a ○ FORRC. Please submit all articles, photos and
○ ○ artwork NLT the15th of each month by calling
territories to the south. The Mormons, ○ measure of success and failure. And ○ 515-5350. If you are interested in becoming part
○
however, were an exception. Brigham ○ there were light moments, too. At Green ○ ○ of the Desert Trumpet Committee, contact Edi-
○
Young had a vision of linking the settle- ○ River, Utah in 1836, a number of startled ○ ○ tor at 256-8043.
FORRC is a 501 (3) (c) organization dedi-
ments in Utah with Pacific ports. One ○ ○ white women were kissed by Indians ○ ○ cated solely to the welfare of the Red Rock
route lay to the south . . . and Las Vegas. ○ who heard that it was a gesture of friend- ○ Canyon National Conservation Area. FORRC
○
In 1855, he sent 30 Mormon ○ ship among the Europeans. Summing it ○ ○ provides volunteers and funding for projects in-
○
missionaries to build a fort in the Las ○ up, Indians were puzzled by much of the ○ ○ cluding environmental education, teacher
workshops, natural resource protection, cultural
○
Vegas valley where there was plentiful ○ white mans way. In his book, The Real ○ resource monitoring, hike programs and other
water and grass. They would teach the ○ ○ Americans, A. Hyatt Verrill recalls how ○ ○ services. Annual individual membership is
$10.00. General meetings are held four times a
Paiutes the ways of agriculture, as well ○ ○ one Indian observed: The missionaries ○ ○ year; Board meetings are held on the second
as Mormon Christianity. Both failed. ○ come to us, but each tells us that his re- ○ Tuesday of each month at Sahara West Library
○
John Steele, who designed the fort, wrote ○ ligion is the only true religion. If the ○ ○ unless otherwise posted. Messages may
○
be left at 255-8743. Visit our website at
to a friend: I planted three acres of corn, ○ Christians cannot agree, how can we ○ ○ www.friendsofredrockcanyon.org
○
oats, peas, beans, etc., and my oats came ○ Indians feel sure . . .; ○ ○
up most beautiful; and so did everything ○ ○
else, but . . . the saleratus killed it, and I ○ ○
will not have three bushels of corn on it. ○
○ Boot Tracks, continued from p. 5 ○ your eyes and feel the cool air brush
Relations with the Paiutes began ○ ○
○ against your face. A dragonfly lights on
well enough. The leader of the Mormon any litter that might have been lying ○ ○ a moss-covered stone. The sun glints off
missionaries, William Bringhurst, wrote, around, you can retrace your steps and ○
○ ○ of the rippling water. Its amazing that
head back up to the main trail. A little ○ this lush green place can exist here in
○
○ ○
farther west, youll come to a sign mark- ○ the middle of the desert.
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Kids Behaving, continued from p 6 ○ ing the end of the official trail and the ○ ○ Of all the trails at Red Rock, Ive
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○ beginning of the wilderness study area ○
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for getting the horse ready for his first public ○ ○ ○ hiked this one the most frequently, prob-
outing; Scott Bahan (BLM) for annual Red ○ (WSA). Here, the trail forks. The South ○ ○ ably because of the easy access, but also
○
Rock entrance passes to the winner and run- ○ route goes up to the top of a ridge and ○ ○ because of its great diversity and beauty.
continues west toward Mt. Wilson. This
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ner up; Laurie Howard (NWHA), Willie ○ And theres something about a waterfall
○ is a popular area for rock climbing and ○ in the middle of the desert that is unex-
Stephenich (Friends), and Kirsten Cannon ○ ○
○ you can usually spot a few people dan- ○ pected and delightful. During the spring
(BLM) for publicity support; Alice Stewart- ○ gling from the cliffs. The North fork will ○
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Hatchet (RRCIA) for the certificates; Chuck ○ lead you along the creek with several ○ ○ months, when the water is flowing and
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the desert is blooming, First Creek Can-
Williams for video and event photos. ○ opportunities to stop and explore. Just ○ ○ yon delivers a solid eight-boots out of
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And thank you, American Spirit, for ○ pull up one of the big rocks in the middle ○ ○ ten on my Hikeometer. ;
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your spectacular beauty, courageous heart ○ of the streambed and relax under a ○ ○
and gentle patience. ○ ○ canopy of trees. Sit quietly and listen to ○ ○
Beauty is as beauty does. the water bubbling around you. Close ○
FORRC/June 2003 Page 7
