Fourth wife of Chief Kanosh. A Bannock Indian, Sally was captured by a rival tribe in 1847, the same year the first party of pioneers came to Salt Lake Valley. Her dress, trimmed with fox tails, gave her away as the daughter of a chief and her tormentors were being more than usually severe, cutting her with knives, then inserting burning brands into the wounds. A pioneer who heard her screams purchased the girl, thought to be about 7 years old, and brought her to Brigham Young.

Sally grew up in President Brigham Young and wife Eliza Decker Young's household, but not as an equal of the leader's own children. She was trained as a "helper" (Brigham did not like to use the term "servant") and was not taught to read and write. Nevertheless, she grew accustomed to the niceties of the Young home and white society.

When Kanosh visited the white leader and spotted Sally, he immediately made an offer for her - six horses. When Brigham refused, Kanosh raised the ante to nine horses. Young still would not consent, arguing that Sally should be free to choose for herself, since she had been reared in the white tradition. Kanosh was reduced to the white man's way - courting.

To convince Sally of his sincerity, he picked up the hot flat iron with which she was ironing and pressed it to his bare chest.

*According to one account by Susa Young Gates, one of President Young's daughters, Sally was subsequently kidnapped by Walkara (Kanosh's Brother) and rescued by Kanosh.

However it came about, Sally eventually capitulated and married Kanosh. She was encouraged by President Young, who felt she could influence the Indians and help them learn white ways. She was very unhappy, however, living in a wickiup in the Indian style. The couple eventually was given a log cabin by Bishop Culbert King on his own property in town. Through the week, Kanosh in buckskins mingled with his people in their wickiups, leading with a strong hand. On weekends, he donned the black suit the bishop gave him and went to church with Sally. He preached
the funeral sermon when one of the local bishops died.Sally preceded Kanosh in death.

Source Kate B. Carter Daughters of the Utah Pioneers
Desert News 08-08-1978 03-12-1996

Fourth wife of Chief Kanosh. A Bannock Indian, Sally was captured by a rival tribe in 1847, the same year the first party of pioneers came to Salt Lake Valley. Her dress, trimmed with fox tails, gave her away as the daughter of a chief and her tormentors were being more than usually severe, cutting her with knives, then inserting burning brands into the wounds. A pioneer who heard her screams purchased the girl, thought to be about 7 years old, and brought her to Brigham Young.

Sally grew up in President Brigham Young and wife Eliza Decker Young's household, but not as an equal of the leader's own children. She was trained as a "helper" (Brigham did not like to use the term "servant") and was not taught to read and write. Nevertheless, she grew accustomed to the niceties of the Young home and white society.

When Kanosh visited the white leader and spotted Sally, he immediately made an offer for her - six horses. When Brigham refused, Kanosh raised the ante to nine horses. Young still would not consent, arguing that Sally should be free to choose for herself, since she had been reared in the white tradition. Kanosh was reduced to the white man's way - courting.

To convince Sally of his sincerity, he picked up the hot flat iron with which she was ironing and pressed it to his bare chest.

*According to one account by Susa Young Gates, one of President Young's daughters, Sally was subsequently kidnapped by Walkara (Kanosh's Brother) and rescued by Kanosh.

However it came about, Sally eventually capitulated and married Kanosh. She was encouraged by President Young, who felt she could influence the Indians and help them learn white ways. She was very unhappy, however, living in a wickiup in the Indian style. The couple eventually was given a log cabin by Bishop Culbert King on his own property in town. Through the week, Kanosh in buckskins mingled with his people in their wickiups, leading with a strong hand. On weekends, he donned the black suit the bishop gave him and went to church with Sally. He preached
the funeral sermon when one of the local bishops died.Sally preceded Kanosh in death.

Source Kate B. Carter Daughters of the Utah Pioneers
Desert News 08-08-1978 03-12-1996