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Show The Ogden Valley News Volume XXX Issue VI Page 9 June 1, 2023 Were Shoshone Utah’s First Christians? Peter Skene Ogden Discovers Shoshone “Christians” on the Weber River practicing a cultural hybrid Christianity at By Dave Martin Brass and Silver.” - May 23, 1825 Shoshone with cross In May of 1825, Ogden City and Ogden Valley namesake Peter Skene Ogden had his infamous encounter with American trappers on the Weber River in present day Mountain Green. This well-documented episode has spawned great historical interest over time and the site is marked today by a monument just off a west bound rest stop on I-84. If you haven’t seen it, and you love local history, it’s worth your time to visit this legendary location. During this historic encounter on the Weber River, one of the most interesting, yet incidental observations between the meeting of Peter Skene Ogden and Provo City’s namesake, Etienne Provost, is recorded in the journal of William Kittson, Clerk and 2nd in command to Mr. Ogden. Kittson notes that the Indian guides (Timapnogos Shoshone) in the company of Provost’s trappers were wearing crosses around their necks - “Here we are situated on the borders of the Utas lands, indians belonging to the Spaniards. They are, as we are told mostly all Christians, and three of them whom our men saw, bore the Cross to their necks made of The implication of this observation raises intriguing questions. How was it these Shoshone Indians were wearing Christian crosses? Where did the crosses come from? Why did Kittson characterize them as “indians belonging to the Spaniards?” In 1776, 50 years prior to the 1825 account given by William Kittson, the EscalanteDominguez Expedition met and endeavored to convert Timpanogos Shoshone living on the shores of Lake Timpanogan, today’s Utah Lake. The “Brass and Silver” crosses worn on the necks of the Shoshone were likely gifted by Escalante to the parent, if not grandparent generation of Provost’s Shoshone guides. This would explain where the crosses came from and how Provost’s Shoshone guides had them in their possession. Of course, this begs additional questions. What can be ascertained by Kittson’s statement - “They are, as we are told mostly all Christians?” Who told Kittson? Fellow trappers? The Shoshone themselves? Were these Shoshone the time or were they merely wearing these Christian tokens ornamentally? History records that Escalante and the Spanish Padres never returned to the Timpanogoos Shoshone on the shores of Lake Timpanogan, as they had promised and no Spanish missions were ever established among them. In the end, that might have been a good thing. It could be reasonably safe to conclude, “the indians belonging to the Spaniards” belonged more symbolically than functionally. Furthermore, all signs of Christianity among the Shoshone had vanished by the arrival of Mormon settlers in the 1850s. One is left to wonder what happened to the Spanish Christian influence on the Shoshone observed on the Weber River in May of 1825? What we do know, and history sadly bares out, the Shoshone didn’t fair well under the subsequent influence of Mormon Christianity. We acknowledge and honor the historical Shoshone heritage and presence in our beautiful Valley and surroundings. From The Past . . . Annual Huntsville Charity Yard Sale Slated for July 6 - 8 By Chelsea and Josh Slade It’s time again to get ready for the annual Huntsville Charity Yard Sale! This massive three-day yard sale will be held July 6 - 8 and is open to the general public. This year we will host a free pancake breakfast for all shoppers Friday, July 7 from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.! Thank you Rock House Financial for providing the breakfast. As in prior years, all proceeds from the Charity Yard Sale will be donated to the Seager Memorial Clinic, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit free medical clinic in Ogden, and to local families experiencing a hardship. DONATE - We would love for you to donate your gently used clothing, books, toys, tools, household items, and other knickknacks. We are accepting furniture this year that is in good condition but not over 30 pounds! This year, donations will be accepted only from June 19 through July 3. You may drop them off any time during those days at the Slade home (8870 E. 500 S.) in Huntsville. In order to keep this massive event manageable, please do not donate any of the following items: • Ripped, stained, broken, torn, or nonworking items • Furniture that has been incompletely refurbished/restained/rebuilt, etc. • Furniture over 30 pounds • Mattresses • Televisions VOLUNTEER - If you would like to volunteer at the yard sale, we need help sorting donations. To help sort, come by any time from June 30 through July 5. Signs will be up instructing you where to place items, and we will be there to supervise. OUR GREATEST NEED is for help cleaning up after the sale ends. Please come at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, ready to work! We could easily put 80 people to work for three hours that day, boxing up leftover donations, taking down canopies, and cleaning up the yard sale area. If you can drive a pickup truck or trailer that day to haul leftover donations down to thrift stores in Ogden, please email Chelsea at cjbros88@gmail.com. If you have questions, please reach out to Chelsea Slade at 385-288-8415 or at cjbros88@ gmail.com. Last year’s Charity Yard Sale was a tremendous success. We raised over $25,000 and have helped some truly wonderful Ogden Valley families and were able to support a lot of patients so they could get free medical care at Seager Memorial Clinic. We are so grateful for the help and support we received! Thank you Ogden Valley; we love you! VALLEY VETERANS FROM 2000 Pictured, standing from left to right are Clark Olsen, Mack Stallings, Haynes Fuller and Steve Bolek. Seated: Mark Olsen, Bill Poulter and Rex Fuller. Photo from The Ogden Valley News June 15, 2000. Students Identified in Photo From the Past Thanks to Don Clawson and Leilani Grange for identifying the names of the students in the fourth-grade class photo in the May 15, 2023 issue of The Ogden Valley News. Valley School Fourth Graders, 1955 – 1956 Front row: Gary Lund, Gary Fackerel, Donald Peterson, Tom Brady, Gilbert Wangsgard, Steve Matthews, ?, and Don Clawson Middle row:Sherry Olafsen, Darryl Thurston?, Jeff Shaw, ?, Earl Randall, Sheryl Anderson, Dee Staples, Linda Avondet, ? Gilbert Wangsgard/ Carl Lindsay, Wayne Wood, and Glenda Shupe Back row: Jerry Miller, Stephen Spencer, ? Jerry Sorensen, Sherry Avondet, Drew Robbins, Corliss Plum, ?, ? Ron Johansen Principal Rulon Glen Miller, teacher Mrs. Hardy If you can identify any of the missing names, call Shanna Francis at 801-745-2688 or Jeannie Wendell at 801-74-2879. 2668 Grant Avenue, Suite #104A, Ogden, UT The Ogden Valley News is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please mail, email, or call Shanna at 801-745-2688 or Jeannie at 801-745-2879 if you have material you are willing to share. Wednesday Night Saturday Night Sunday Morning First Friday 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 8:30 a m. Fr. Joshua Marie Santos 801-399-5627 FrJoshuaS.Stambrose@gmail.com Saturday 5:30 p.m Sunday 8:00 a.m. or by appt. Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary, Middle School, and High School Providing a challenging, college-focused education in the proven tradition of Catholic schools, for the families of the Ogden Valley. We want to teach your children! For information on our program, financial assistance, tours, or application, please call 801-393-6051 or 801-394-1515. 801-612-9299 |
