BLACK HAWK SUES FOR PEACE
The Black Hawk War was
diminishing in intensity as the decade wound to a close. Indian depredations in
1868 were decreasing substantially, probably due in part to the severe would
Black Hawk suffered at the Battle of Gravelly Ford. Two years later, he was
still suffering the effects of the wound. Nevertheless, Ute war parties made
occasional lightening raids into Millard County. Round Valley took the brunt of
the attacks. In May 1868, a small raiding party swept down on the Round Valley
herd and drove away fifteen horses. The herd was struck again in March 1869
with the loss of another one hundred head of livestock.
The following month, Brigham
Young and his entourage passed through Fillmore on a tour of the southern
settlements. On April 20, they advised the citizens of Fillmore to remain
vigilant in providing for their own safety and for the common defense. A
general militia muster of the Pauvan Military District was held at Pioneer
Creek south of Holden on October 20 and 21. As a member of the militia, Paul
was no doubt present. Col. Thomas Callister drilled the troops for two days and
sent them home. Sporadic Indian attacks continued into 1872, but major conflict
ceased after 1869.
Black Hawk was gravely ill in
1869. Shortly before his death, he made a pilgrimage to some of the towns that
he and his warriors raided during the previous five years. His mission was to
make pace with the Great Spirit and to obtain forgiveness from the settlers
before going to his grave. Later in April, he obtained permission from Bishop
Callister to speak at Sunday services in Fillmore. The meetinghouse was filled
to capacity for the two o’clock meeting. The Pauls were no doubt present. The
air was electrified when Black Haul entered the room. “With head erect and
dignified steps, an unperturbed as a white general,” the ailing Ute chief
walked to the front of the chapel escorted by Bishop Callister. He was seated
on the stand between Callister and the aged Reuben McBride. Black Hawk’s
presence caused a “mild furor.” Thomas Memmot of Round Valley wrote that it required
“much self control by the people to stand the pressure, considering the amount
of suffering and loss the people had received through that Indian.” After a few
preliminary remarks, Bishop Callister introduced his guest. Black Hawk stood
next to the pulpit rather than behind it. With Reuben McBride’s son acting as
translator, Black Hawk spoke to the congregation in his native tongue. It was a
scene almost without parallel in American history. Black Hawk portrayed his war
as a matter of necessity. The white settlers had seized the traditional hunting
and fishing grounds of the Utes. Some of his tribe had been abused and even
killed by white settlers. He claimed to have no personal animosity toward the
Mormons but was compelled to attack them because his people were starving.
Black Hawk expressed remorse for the loss of life and even denied responsibility
for some of the killing. In the end, it was forgiveness that he sought.
At the conclusion of this
remarkable speech, Bishop Callister asked for a vote of forgiveness and invited
the congregation to express their views. Several in the congregation were not
easily pacified. Reuben McBride, whose daughter was widowed in one of Black
Hawk’s raids, leaped to his feet and launched into a tirade against the old
chief. Turning to Black Hawk, he screamed, “You black murderer, you killed
Bishop Call, one of the best friends the Indians, and you murdered Sam Brown
for his money; you black devil! I will NOT forgive you.” Black Hawk never
flinched during McBride’s assault. Callister then called for a vote. The motion
passed with McBride casting the only dissenting vote. Black Hawk then moved on
to Holden under militia escort, where he presented his case to another skeptical
congregation. He died soon afterward and was buried near Spring Lake Villa in
Utah County, where he was born. (Clifford L. Stott, Faith and Reason: The
Nicholas Paul Story [2007], 197-98)
