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Show 2 - PARCHED TIMES - JUNE 15, 1996 HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT OF NORTHERN SAN JUAN COUNTY, UTAH —-from the writings of Frank Silvey They stole a bunch of horses from Spud Hudson and others, then went on to their camp at Dodge Springs. They knew the cowboys would soon be on their trail. so they broke camp at once, taking all the stock with them. They steered toward the south and west of the Blues, to that country un- (This continuing series is from the Silvey writings which capture much of the color and feeling of the eariy settlers in known to the whites and so well known to the Piutes. The cowboys soon discovered that their horses had been southeast Utah.) stolen. for they trailed the horses and saw Indian pony tracks behind the main bunch of horses. Trailing them to Dodge Springs they formd the Indian camp deserted, and they saw tracks leading westward. As this bunch of cowboys numberedonlyaboutadozcn,andlcnowing theIndianshada The Killin of Dick Ma Afew days ter this event, the ban of Piutes near Dodge Springs. numbering it is thought about forty besides squaws and papooses and old men to look after the extra ponies and goats, left the main body of Piutes and force of forty or fifty, it was folly to follow them. Returning to the Double Cabins, they scoured the country for reinforce— ments. In a couple of days they had about thirty-five men. struck out on a foraging trip to the Big Bend of the Dolores River and Mancos. In this district they gathered up a bunch of the settler's horses and started for their camp near the Blue Mountains. Near the Big Bend of the Dolores, Dick May (a brother of Billy Mays), rode over a ridge and saw the Indians driving a bunch of horses. Thinking that they probably had some stolen horses with them, he rode over and stopped the bunch. No doubt he saw some of his own and his brother's horses as well as several of neighbors', as some of these horses were caught after the La Sal Mountain fight. Billy May came in sight of the Indians about this time and saw his brother trying to cut out some of the horses. He heard a shot and saw his brother fall from his horse. Being unarmed he could not do anything. The Indians hastily left, driving all These were chiefly cowboys, with a few prospectors and ranchmen. Taking up the Pirte trail, it ked westward for awhile, then as soon as they had reached the south side of the Blues, the trail turned suddenly north toward Indian Creek, thence up Hart Draw Canyon to Hatch Ranch (not at that time named). The progress of the Piutes was slow, as they had their goats with them, so the cowboys gained on them steadly. However, the cowboys were about four days behind them when they started, so it would be a long chase unless the Piutes made a stand to fight along this route. It has often been wondered by old-timers who have been over this route, why the Indians did not make a stand and fight, at many places along the route. For a good many but two head of horses that got away from them. One of the horses found a little later bore a May brand. places would have proven to have been a trap for anyone f01- As soon as the Indians disappeared, May rode to where his brother had fallen. Dismounting, he found that his broth— lowing, where a few men could take a stand against great odds in numbers and could almost completely wipe out their pursurers. It is surmised that the Piutes thought the whites er had apparently died at once from a bullet which penetrated his chest near the heart. Jumping on his horse he galloped home. A neighbor was there and May told him what hap— pened. They circulated the news of the tragedy as fast as pos- would not follow them for a greater distance than the canyons and rim rocks of the west side of the Blues. There were many places in this district that were only passable single file for some distance, while rocks. trees, and rim rocks sible, but settlers were few in number those days and it was above the trail made many ideal places for ambush. several hours before any one could be reached. Finally four men were gathered and the body of Billy May's brother was buried Upon leaving Indian Creek and coming up Hart Canyon, the cowboys noticed the Indian's sign growing fresher. A poor, played-out Indian pony and a couple of goats found The news spread. Mancos people were notified, as also were the people of Rico and Disappiontment Valley. A number of Dolores River and Mancos settlers missed horses, and they felt certain the Indians had them, but the country was so isolated and thinly settled, it was slow work to get enough men together to cope with so large a number of Indians; to follow them, revenge the killing of Dick May and repossess the stolen horses. Besides, the Indians knew the country and had all the best of the fight. Finally a few men came from Durango, Mancos and Rico and these with the Dolores River boys, made about sixty men who were willing to follow the Indians. They elected Billy May as their Captain. At the same time Captain Dawson and his men got off a little in the lead of the May bunch and started following the Indian's trail leading northwest toward the Blues and the La Sal Mountains. Near Cahone they found the body of Dave Willis, a pioneer rancher of Mancos who had been out hunting horses. From all evidence the Indians had killed him. The body was buried near by. Going to Piute Springs they found the body of an unknown prospector who had been killed in a small cabin near the spring. The body was buried about a hundred and fifty yars east of the spring. The Indians on arriving at the Vega, needed fresh horses. here led the cowboys to believe that they would overtake the Indians in a short time. The cowboys were now out of grub of any kind and they had gone for twenty-four hours without eating. They were in a strange and unexplored country for them, and following a desperate bunch of Indians who had left a trail of blood from the Dolores River to the Blue Mountains. Some of the cowboys began to get nervous. About half way up Hart Canyon they made a halt and discussed the situation. Here the trail made a mule shoe bend for about a mile, in order to head a narrow canyon. The rim rocks of the main trail on each side of the narrow amyon made an ideal place for an ambush or a trap for the cowboys. Tom Peppers, a prospector from the La Platta Mountains was the first to s .. "Boys," he said, I'I'his don't look good to me. We do not know the country ahead, and the Indians have all the best of us. I am in favor of turning back and trying to find another trail out of the valley. The Indians are bound to make a stand soon and we have no chance against such odds." John E. Brown. Dudley Reece, Green Robinson and Peters were among the Cowboys. Brown said, "Boys, we are handicapped in a way, but we have been following the Indians a long way, so lets not MORE SILVEY, p. 6 |
