We started to clear off the land to plant the crops forth-with, but the heat was terrible. The Indians were very shy at first, but good kind treatment won them over in time so that we used them for much of our labor. We sent out runners to gather in the Lords of the Soil, but it was about ten days before the proper ones arrived. After they learned our intentions, they made good promises and we made some and then set to work to clear off some willows and brush. We taught them to be honest, truthful, industrious and peaceful, and to keep good feelings among the Indians and with our people. Meanwhile, myself and our Santa Clara brethren went down to the Colorado River and thence down said river as far as El Dorado Canyon, suffering terribly from the heat. For instance, our dear old
Father Hulet who was in company, gave out eight or ten miles from the Vegas, and the rest pushed on until we reached a green spot which proved to be a spring and stream of warm water, where we drank about a gallon each and sent Brother
Isaac Riddle back to fetch Brother Hulet who was found leading his horse and trudging on foot not having strength to get on his horse. He arrived safely just after dark, by the aid of Brother Riddle and his good mule. We planted corn about the first week in July and had a good crop, also some fine squashes and melons and garden truck.
| The Indians were soon partially converted to habits of industry, and helped us to grub the land, make adobes, attend the mason and especially to herd the stock. They were fairly honest and soon joined the Church. During the summer most of the adults were baptized and in many ways showed improvement. They herded the Emigrants' teams as they stopped on their way to California. They irrigated our land and assisted in making adobes and in construction of a fourteen foot wall around a space of one hundred and fifty feet square, which constituted our mission fort. Myself and Brother James T. S. Allred of Sanpete County, Utah, were the Interpreters for the Camp the first year. We also did a great deal of exploring in the mountains and along streams extending from the El Dorado to the mouth of the Rio Virgin River. We discovered the transparent ledges near the Rio Virgin, of Crystal Salt, tall ledges of it. |
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| We also found and opened a lead mine in the mountain range southwest of Cottonwood Springs, thirty miles from Las Vegas. This was worked for a turn under charge of N. V. Jones of Salt Lake City, assisted by other Elders. About sixty tons of lead were shipped mostly to Salt Lake City and the rich silver slag was left on the ground for some enterprising Americans to carry off in time. It proved to be worth considerable money, and the mine was afterwards re-located and worked by others. The purpose of our explorations was to extend acquaintance with all the Indian Tribes and Bands which we did, viz: the Pahgahts, or Colorado Piedes, Moapats, or Muddys, the Pahruchats, or Rio Virgin, the Panominch, or western Piedes, the Quoeech or Diggers, the Pahrouegat Valley, and the Iatts, or Mohaves—a more intelligent industrious tribe located at Cottonwood Island, on the Colorado river, eighty or ninety miles below our settlement where they raised cotton, grain and other products. We found excellent timber in the high snow mountains to the west about thirty miles away. The lead mine was in the same range. This was reported to President Young and he said to work the mine, as lead would be useful for tools and bullets, as pioneers had a few moulds, but he limited the workings |