Trouble with Indiginous Americans

This is NOT a picture of my relatives, darn it.

Rollins Don Carlos Shepherd

b. December 8, 1830 d. December 25, 1909

Rollins Don Carlos Shepherd was my great-great grandfather. He freighted supplies from California to Beaver, Utah and had many experiences with Indians which roamed through Arizona and Nevada in those days. This story was related by his daughter Valie:

"On one trip he came upon the remains of another freighter who was traveling ahead of him. His wagon had been burned and the man left dead. His horses had been taken off by the Indians. My father was quite undecided whether he should turn back or go on. But he decided that the settlers needed the supplies, so he went on.

He had driven on for several miles when he heard a groaning sound coming from the bushes by the side of the trail. He stopped and found an Indian, weak and dying from thirst. He gave him water and decided to put him into his wagon and not leave him there to die. When the Indian was able to sit up, he rode on the wagon seat. They had traveled several hours when a band of Indians raised up from the bushes, ready to kill again. It was then the Indian raised up from his seat in the wagon and gave a signal to the band of Indians that this man was a friend. He told them how he had been given water and placed in the wagon to rest. The Indian stayed with him until they had passed through the stretch of dangerous Indian country, and were out of danger of an attack.

Father said that the same Indian met him when he came through on the next trip. He found it a very good thing to have a loyal Indian friend."