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Show 2 - LIGHTNING TIMES - JULY 15, 1996 HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT OF NORTHERN SAN JUAN COUNTY, bloody rags were found along the trail. At about two o'clock, the cowboys' bunch that had been left at Hatch Ranch in order to follow up UTAH —-from the writings of Frank Silvey Captain Dawson and his men, now arrived on the (This continuing series is from the Silvey writings which capture much of the color and feeling of the early settlers in southeast Utah.) battleground. Their progress had been slow as after the long trip all the horses had been tenderfooted, some lame, and many of the boys had to walk and lead and pull their horses after them. BILLY MAY ARRIVES At twilight they saw a cloud of dust up the trail and soon Billy May's bunch arrived. May explained that they did not arrive sooner because they had thought they could find another trail off the mesa and cut in ahead of the Indians, thus surprising Near sundown Billy May's bunch returned and reported that the Indians were making fast time in a northerly direction, and as their own horses were about "all in," they thought it useless to follow further unless fresh horses could be obtained. After Little Castle Valley, they found no trail off the rim, much discussion it was thought best to stay over a day or two and rest their horses, scout around and pick up the horses left by the Indians and see if they could find a fresh mount. The next day they found a number of the Dolores stolen horses and many B and were forced to turn back. Dawson replied, 'We (Hudson) horses, but they were all poor and leg- have had hell here all day, and we don't know how many men have been killed. It's just too bad you were not here with us. More than likely we could have routed the Indians out of their trap." Darkness had. now fallen and in a short time Pat McKinney and the remaining of the advance guard joined the main body of men. As all must have water weary. They were rounded up and placed in charge of four cowboys. The goats were not bothered, went wild and mixed with the mountain sheep for many years. The writer and several others have seen this cross of mountain sheep and Indian goats many times in the them. After riding many miles along the rim of and something to eat, they took the wounded carefully as possible and retired two miles southeast to a large spring where they spent the night. At daybreak the next morning they were all in the saddle with the exception of two men who were left to care for the wounded men. Nearing the battle ground they could see no sign of Indians but they sawa number of ponies and a lot of goats. Using caution, they made a flank move— ment and gained a small hill where they could overlook the battle ground. Not a sign of human life could they discover. There being much open ground ahead where they were safe from ambush, they again struck the Indian trail. But on this trail there were no goat tracks and only about a fourth of the pony tracks that there had been before. It was thought that the Indians had selected their best horses during the night and had quietly moved on, and no doubt they had seen the white men had been re-enforced at sundown by the Bill May men. It was decided that May and his men would follow the Indians while Dawson and his men returned to the battle field, look up the wounded, if any, and bury the dead. This task was a sad one for Dawson and his men. They found no lower Coyote Wash, and Silvey Pocket districts. W: called them "Ibex" as their horns looked like the pictures of a South American Ibex. The courier sent to Rico changed horses many times (and he was gladly furnished the best). He arrived in Rico, 140 miles from the battleground in 22 hours. Quickly the news was given out that the RicoDisappointrnent boys were trapped by the Indians on the Northwest side of the La Sal Mountains. Rico was at that time a lively mining camp of about 1,500 men composed of miners, prospectors, teamsters, saloon-keepers, and merchants. The news spread like fire, and all was hurry and excitement of men quickly gathered in the streets to learn the news and what was best to do. John Clark was the Sheriff at that time, a tall former miner and prospector. He said, "Boys, we must organize and get out of here at once to try and help our boys who are trapped and a number killed by the Indians near the La Sal Mountains. Get horses, a little grub, a good gun and plenty of cartridges as soon as you can and assemble here on the Main Street. Remember, get good horses that are fat regardless of who the owner may be.” The writer's brothers, Jack and William Silvey, wounded men, but there were ten dead, four in the and C. B. Kelly had just gotten into Rico from a gulch, and four near by on open ground. These long trip from Arizona and their horses were leg- bodies were buried. Upon searching further, they found the bodies of the two Wilson brothers. On the weary, but Jack saw a slick, fat horse near by, saddled and mounted him and rode down the street toward hillside, where the Indians had been, they found the the bunch now assembled and almost ready to start. dead body of one old squaw and a little further on "Hey, that is my horse," shouted a salon keeper, run- they found a dead Buck Indian. These seemed to be the only dead Indians who were killed in the battle, but no doubt several had been wounded as many ing out on the street and heading off Jack. "Get off of him, and damn quick or I will have you arrested." MORE SILVEY, p. 7 |
