A Remnant of the Old West

A REMNANT OF THE OLD WEST By H. R. Merrill, Brigham Young University When the Latter-day Saints pulled into Salt Lake valley in their covered prairie schooners, and other vehicles not quite so comfortable or efficient, they found here a copper colored people who had claimed this territory through right of possession for how many centuries no one can even guess very accurately. These people at that time, though unlettered in the ways of civilization, were, in their way, a powerful people. The coming of the white man, though he came with hand stretched out in friendliness, set in motion those forces which had practically eliminated the Red Man from the territory of the far eastern portion of the country. Today the Utes are gathered on their reservation, and though many retain their ancient customs, ±ie Red Man of 1847 will soon be of the romantic past. Only ? Full blooded Utes who gave an evening of Indian songs, music and dances in Provo memory in the minds of the aged will be left of that romantic race that lived in wigwams, hunted and fought with the bow and arrow, and danced their tribal dances and sang their tribal songs upon the plains of Utah.

866 IMPROVEMENT ERA In Utah we have at least one man, perhaps more, who is striving earnestly to preserve some of these traditions for the information and the entertainment of future generations. That man is Professor Willard Hanson, of Vernal. Some years ago Professor Hanson com- posed The Sun Dance Opera, a very creditable piece, based upon the famous Sun Dance of the Utes. This opera was presented several years ago by the Music Department of the Brigham Young University under the able direction of Professor A. C. Lund. Special scenery was provided and a number of Utes were brought in from Vernal in order that the color might be proper. Since that time, Professor Hanson has stuck to his job. He is determined to do all in his power to keep some of the dances and the Ute Indians who recently gave an exhibit of native dances in Provo tribal melodies alive. But like all other dreamers, he is finding thai his own state and his own people are not interested enough to go out of their way any to help him. He is keeping on, however, and if his courage remains as strong during the next decade as it has re- mained during the last, he is going to do some splendid things for the Ute Indians, and also for his state, in a historical way. Recently Professor Hanson brought a number of full-blooded Utes to Provo where he gave an evening of Indian songs, music and dances. The Indians were beautifully costumed and seemed really to enjoy the performance. They gave an exhibition of the Circle Dance, the Bear Dance, a part of the Sun Dance, the Hand Game Song, and a number of other interesting Indian pieces. During the

A REMNANT OF THE OLD WEST 867 evening a part of the Sun Dance Opera was presented, Professor E. H. Eastmond, himself an enthusiast, having painted a large scene especially for the performance. The evening was one long to be remembered by everybody. There were scores of people in the audience who had never really seen an Indian taking part in any of his tribal ceremonials, and there were dozens who had never seen a fully dressed Indian Medicine Man, or who had ever known anything of what a Medicine Man was sup- posed to do. Many pronounced the evening to be the most interesting of the Lyceum season, and yet Mr. Hanson with help attempted to take his Utes to Salt Lake City and other towns, but could not make proper arrangements. The Bear Dance was probably the most interesting ceremonial of the group presented. This dance seems to be original with the Utes, Mr. Hanson said in explanation. It is a spring festival in which the coming of spring is celebrated. The Bear enters into the sport because the bear comes forth from his hibernation in the spring. The dance is really a pageant in which dancing holds the major interest. In the end the bear, a man supposed to represent that animal, is properly killed and skinned. Professor Hanson is at present working upon an opera which will be based upon this spring festival of the Utes. The Indians are an interesting people. As a remnant of the Old West they occupy a romantic place in history. Professor Hanson hopes to get his Utes upon some Lyceum course in order that the world may have a last glimpse of these tribal customs which will soon pass away from the earth forever. To a Latter-day Saint, the Indians ought to be especially interesting, and the work now being done by Pro- fessor Hanson, who has been called the Cadman of Utah, ought to seem of more than passing interest and of considerable importance. Provo, Utah. For Saving Life At the general session of the conference of the Y. M. M. I. A. at the Tabernacle at 2 p. m. on Saturday, June 7, a very interesting presentation of a Certificate of Honor took place, granted by the National Court of Honor, Boy Scouts of America, New York City, to Sterling Larson, a young scout of Richmond, Utah, who in 1923, saved the life of a companion from drowning. The incidents relating to the praise- worthy action of the young man were related by one of the scout officers, and President Anthony W. Ivins, national representative for the L. D. S. troops, before the congregation, in a few well chosen words, with the boy on the stand by his side, delivered to him the Certificate of Honor, the whole proceeding being very effective.