Summary:

Grass Valley to Antelope Isle to Paradise

"Daddy Stump, Fruits of a Free Trapper"

In the early 1800s, a rugged Mountain Man and free trapper known as "Doc," "Daddy," or "Father" Stump established a log cabin in the lush Grass Valley, he was known as a Bear killer, lived in what was known as Willow and eventually Cache Valley, Utah. This was long before the arrival of the new settler Pioneers who built their fort in the river bottoms to the south near present day avon..

During the mid to late 1830s to 1840s, Daddy Stump roamed the mountains and valleys, living off the land, harvesting native trees for building, and cultivating the first-known Peach Orchard in Deseret Territory. His winter abode was on Antelope Island, enjoying its milder climate.

As the first Latter-Day Saints (LDS) settlers arrived in July 1847, Daddy Stump, an early "Original Fur Trapper," was already in the mountain meadows with his herd. Despite not being a member of the LDS colony, he maintained friendly relations, assisting them in settling on Antelope Island and sharing his knowledge of the region.

Chief Wanship, or "Good man," played a crucial role in this narrative. A tall and compassionate Timpanogos, he was possibly an in-law to Daddy Stump, residing in present-day Payson, Utah. Chief Wanship's friendship and contributions to the settlers, including information on edible plants and game, led to the naming of the town of Wanship in his honor.

Chief Wanship's insights might have influenced the migration of Bison to Antelope Island, as reported by Osbourne Russell in 1841. Wanship's son's family and the Fremont expedition observed the natives moving off the island, possibly following the Bison, indicating a familial relationship with Daddy Stump.

Tragically, Daddy Stump's life met a violent end when Ute Squaws attacked and killed him, cutting his throat and burning his cabin in 1860. This event, recorded by John T. Garr, highlighted the challenges of coexistence during that era.

In the mid-1850s, harsh winters took a toll on the settlers, resulting in the loss of livestock. Daddy Stump faced pressures from the encroaching settlements and struggled to sustain his way of life. Despite these challenges, his legacy lived on as the settlers flourished, organizing under Cache Valley authorities and naming their settlement Paradise.

Reflecting on Daddy Stump's contributions, a peach rum was named after him, honoring his role in the region's development. This true tale emphasizes the delicate balance between settlers and the land's original inhabitants, showcasing an era defined by migration, coexistence, and cooperation.

The story loops back in time to detail Daddy Stump's early years, his interactions with Chief Wanship, and the evolving dynamics between settlers and natives. The narrative captures the essence of a bygone era, where rugged neighbors navigated the complexities of forging settlements and trusted neighborhoods, then pursuing paradise amidst changing landscapes and shifting allegiances.

Longer Versions:

In the early 1800s, a Mountain Man and free trapper known as "Doc," "Daddy," or "Father," Stump erected a log cabin south, long before of where, the new settler Pioneers, then built their fort in the river bottoms, south in the lush Grass Valley, later known as Willow and eventually Cache Valley, Utah.

During the mid to late 1830s to 1840s, Daddy Stump peacefully migrated up and down the Mountains and Valley. He lived off the land, felling abundant Cedars, Silver Oak, and other native trees for building structures and setting up gardens, even the first known Peach Orchard in Deseret Territory which the LDS were calling their new claimed home far away in the west. He was living winters on what later became Antelope Island, in the valley of the Great Salt lake with a the milder winter climate.

As the first Latter-Day Saints (LDS) settlers, also known as Mormons, arrived in the area 24 July 1847, Daddy Stump apparently an early "Original Fur Trapper" of the French Auguste Chouteau days of fur trading for the Parisian, European market, was already up high in the Sweet grasses with his herd apparently of smaller American range Bison. From his launch from the St. Louis, French colony development. Later perhaps the HBC, he broke off [theory]) and more than likely, already migrated up to the mountains of pristine, Willow Valley to fish, trap, hunt, gather, herd, and cache (store up) for the harsh winter months as usual routines and native family Mountain Man life suited his preferences, he stayed around and thrived. Perhaps, oblivious to what was to come. He kept respectful, hospitable, and fair, even kindly neighbor relations with the green horn, flat-lander newcomers over the next decade even helping them settle, ranch and farm on Antelope Island sharing his knowledge of the region. This was how he learned from his adoptive tribal clans as he married into their family, which was the way. They called themselves back then the Latter-Day Saints, but were branded the Mormons, and were harangued, by non - believers.

Central to this tale was Chief Wanship, also known as "Good man," a tall, dark, thin

Timpanogos, son of Chief Pe-teet-neet or San-pitch and related to Walkara maybe, by

marriage. From present-day Payson, Utah, and most likely an in-law to Daddy Stump.

Chief Wanship wore a long buffalo robe over his shoulder, resembling a Scotsman in folds.

He spoke the native tongue of the Shoshone and was renowned for his friendship and

compassion toward the hungry and starving settlers, supplying crucial information on

edible plants and game. This friendship led to the naming of the town of Wanship in honor of his significant contributions, perhaps because of his kindly in-law relationships with Bear killer or Daddy Stump. On pages 121-122 of Osbourne Russell's journal of a Trapper where he recounts the Family mentions of Wanship's "Want-a-sheep's" sons and eldest daughter being family, spent on the [Antelope] Island and a man from the same Nation being the Snake speaking Nation.

A few years later, in the Fremont record Wanship himself came with warriors collecting payment for the Game John C. Fremont and Kit Carson took to feed their men, that year was two years later in 1843. This event was only a few years following Russell's 1841 Hospitable Stay with the Timpanogos mis-identified as the Ute's, they were however Eutas' possibly due to intermarrying between the two nations. At the Camp of Wanship near present day Magna, Bacus Works Salt Lake, Utah, they had a very Hospitable encampment as described in Osborne's Journal.

Chief Wanship's insights may have played a role in the migration of Bison to and off

Antelope Island. He wore that Robe In 1841, Osbourne Russell reported Chief Wanship's

observations of Bison migrating from the mainland to the island without swimming.

Wanship himself may have lived on the island from time to time as did his son's family from time to time as the seasons changed, they followed the Bison, and family. During the Fremont expedition's exploration of the Great Salt Lake in 1845. They saw natives moving off the island. Was Stump with them? And soon to follow, were they following the Bison sign? So quite apparently in a family relationship with Daddy Stump as a common in-Law. Adopted into the Tribe.

Tragically, Daddy Stump's life ended a little shorter when reported Ute's Squaws attacked and killed The Old Doc. Stump, cutting his throat, and burning his body in the Cabin he lived in for most of his adult life. So many years. As a report by the Garr Boys, John T. Garr gave in late July or early August 1860.

John Garr, eldest son of Fielding had also Married into the Shoshoni Nation, a taboo, taking "Susan Hio "Susie" Wigegee to wife. And having one son Johney, who died tragically in early fatherhood himself, in Cache Valley history. This Doc. Stump's murder event left an indelible mark on the settlement and emphasized the challenges of coexistence during that time. As recorded in the History of Cache Valley.

Daddy Stump and John T. Garr were the only Anglo men to remain when the call to go south came from Brigham Young, who was keenly aware of this non-colony trapper. When Sydney Johnston's Army Command was coming to quell the rumored "Mormon Rebellion" later, better known as "Van Buren's Blunder," The two Anglos stayed apparently with their half breed families. Does their affiliation reflect a possible family tie together because relatives trust is blood deep, and that is thicker than friendship?

History has borne out by the fact that the incompetent Executive's Office was staffed by a Buffoon, that in history's perfected vision, failed miserably to quell this Nation's worst "Chastening by the Almighty!" to date, the Civil War, predicted years earlier by their Martyred Joseph Smith Jr. referred to as the Prophet.

Then relief, the new Republican's party Lincoln, who almost Immediately recalled the Utah, Camp Floyd garrisoned, and thinly spread out, one to Two thirds the Army's numbers to save the Union from the seceding pressures of the Southern States newly Elected President, Jefferson Davis of the Confederated Southern States Capital, as the leader countering VanBuren's flailing and failing inklings.

Now replaced by Lincoln, this action effectively Split the Army's Utah Garrisoned troops and allegiances' in almost a perfect dividing of allegiances to the North and South as the Band of Brothers split ways back to the divided states. The States the warriors went to most of their Careers' Glorious bloodied ends. And once again the Old' trapper seen em come, and he seen em go. From his mostly Peaceful Paradise in the Mountains with friendlies, mostly. Just like the other Trappers', Gold Rushers', coming and going.

Now back in time, again, just a bit to the mid-1850s, the settlement faced harsh winters, leading to the loss of eighty percent of the settler's perpetual immagration huge livestock herd, and Antelope Islands Tithing herd and creating difficulties for Daddy Stump. He faced the encroaching settlement pressures and struggled to support his way of life. Which was even rumored to include Bison herding methods. Or was he just following them to their summer forage and pasture? A very Logical and learned pattern from his Native families migrating ways. This is mentioned in the New Pioneers Book they base their beliefs' in.

Despite these challenges, Daddy Stump's legacy lives on. The settlers flourished, bringing cattle herds, and building structures in the valley. The settlement was organized under Cache Valley authorities, named Paradise for its idyllic setting. His Island Friend's the Garr Boys and he helped each other out on the Elk Horn Ranch creation and workings. He is mentioned as "others" possibly referring to the non-colonists mostly referring to the "Baptized" difference of the in's and out' go of the

Kingdom's Gentile's mission to the Lamanite / Indian / Nobel Savage / Savage / Heathen / Uncivilized continuum of the Western Paradoxical - Paradisical continuum to the pursuit of Zionistic pursuits. A construct of the God given rights recognized by the Constitution and other founding Documents of this Grand Experiment The United States of America. Of this Experimental, foundational, metaphorical structures, construct and model, we fight and struggle for these high ideals, or we loose them to tyranny.

Reflecting on Daddy Stump's Mountaineering spirit, a peach rum was named after him, paying homage to his contributions to the region's development. Thanks to Dented Brick Distillery for the "Daddy Stump Peach Rum" vin. 2022 in remembrance of the distilled Peach mash Alcohol "Medicine Water" that the Doc. Moniker was possibly earned by the old Bear Killer. It may help to think of him as the character of the Old Mountain depicted in the classic movie Jerimiah Johnson staring Robert Redford. Except that his real life was much, much, more fruitful and impactful.

This true tale based on the life and times of Daddy Stump, Chief Wanship, John Turner Garr and oh, so many greenhorn families' showcases the delicate balance between settlers and the land's original inhabitants, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of an era defined by migration, coexistence, and cooperation. There were no communities, no socialistic ideals, no commissions, no Czars over lakes, Plains, Nations and Empirical pursuits yet again. They were quite simple rugged neighbors, doing good and neighborly things as to the pursuit of paradise, or happiness, they were pursuing it! Or Paradise developed, and they did it, good and bad they did their best and worst!

In those Pre-Darwin, Pre-Marxist-Leninist days when it was better to show one-another how and where to catch a fish, rather than create a fish industry. And so it went in those simpler times, mostly.

Note: The text has been expanded to incorporate the information about Chief Wanship, John T. Garr adopted into the Shoshoni Tribe, and "Others" and their significant role in the settlement, highlighting their compassion and contributions to the community, err neighborhoods. The narrative now includes his impact on the settlers and how the town was named after him, as well as his connection as an -in-law of Daddy Stump or his membership into their Nations. © 2023 Jayson Stump

So the longer version: An older Mountain Man and free trapper named "Doc., Daddy or Father Stump" had long ago built a log cabin just south of the fort in the river bottoms of Grass Valley, later Willow, and eventually Cache valley, Utah. The years came and went most peaceably in the mid to late 1830's- 1840's. There was time to fell abundant Cedars, Silver Oak, and other native trees to rough out for building structures. Even time to clear, till, and plant a garden, herbs, and even a fair sized Peach Orchard on what became his Wintering and milder climate valley compound defensible Antelope Island winter home.

This was, as it was observed by the new comers, green horn, first LDS settlers (Mormons) arrived, he migrated up to the spring - fall mountain valley to fish, trap, hunt, gather and herd a great deal along the streams, in what is now Ogden valley thru Ogden canyon and even North Ogden Pass through present day Liberty, Eden, and up over the lower passes to Avon, Utah. He was friendly and accommodating as a neighbor, but he was not a member of the LDS colony, though he aided and helped them immensely on Antelope Island, with the swelling tithing herd of three thousand

head of cattle and his Fall, Winter and Spring Ranch Dwellings. He lived by himself, at times, others not so much!

The accounts of Chief Wanship's son, perhaps Daddy's son in Law visiting and living on the Island with other Indians and demanding payment for his game when J. Fremont and Kit Carson's exploring party took a few Antelope as they came thru mapping key right into this time period. This seem to tie very closely to Father Stump's local and possible family ties, if the old adage of "No man is an Island," bears sway of his eventual demise.

The (UTE) Indian's Squaws, as one account is recorded, attacked the Trapper / Bear Killer as he was also known and killed him, cutting his throat and burned him in his cabin allegedly. How they [LDS Settlers] gained this intelligence has yet to be discovered. The newer settlers found the charred bones and buried them. This act naturally excited the people and caused them to be more cautious than ever. The guards were maintained night and day at the fort, and the men always went in groups, well-armed, to the field to put in and look after their crops and in the canyons for logs and wood, as another journal records.

During the summer several families arrived, among whom were David James and family, of Salt Lake City. The settlement at that time was in Box Elder County and was not settled under the Cache Valley organization. But there was a natural barrier, being a range of mountains between the settlement and Brigham City, it was thought best to organize under the Cache Valley authorities. Apostle Ezra T. Benson and Bishop Peter Maughan were therefore asked to organize the settlement which they did in February 1861. Mr. David James was chosen as bishop. Apostle Benson previously was so impressed with the beautiful little cove with its surrounding hillsides covered with timber and the fine meadow lands in the river bottoms and with the magnificent

view of the valley to the north, that he exclaimed, "This is like a Paradise." He suggested the name for the settlement and it was unanimously adopted.

Since "Sploosh" is already taken by the 2000's Hit Movie "Holes," we will give the old Trapper Nod of approval to the Antelope Island Mountain Man's Name use, for the distilled spirits, "Daddy Stump Peach Rum." He had already built in other Yuta's / Mexico Territory, where Trappers like he and the noticeably young Miles Goodyear and other Mountain Men and trappers called Cache Valley then Grass valley, due to the abundant sweet grass enjoyed by the large Bison or original, Wan ka Ta Tanka herds. Latter Day Saint Pioneer families came in, led by the Garr brothers after Doc. or Daddy Stump had showed them his best mountain forage spots for his herds summer grazing and apparently now by appropriation, theirs also.

So, they brought their cattle herds, built cabins, Dugouts, then had to Fort-up soon after, due to growing Lamanite/ Indian since the Newer Book of Mormon accounted for American Indigenous historical stories of tensions over settling and running off the land, raiders, thief's and robbers. Again, like a continuing cycle of now newer historical accounts. In what they were claiming as their best hunting and wild food foraging and gathering places, the migratory patterns of forging and storing Caches of winter foods and Plews (Tanned animal skins) was being threatened, broken, or denied not only for Lamanite /Indian, but also the wild balance of game herds and predators.

Now, at this time mid 1850's or so, and within many hundreds of yards of his Summer Pasture & Trapping Ranch Cabin, they settled. Once again, demonstrably, a sign of his good nature. Though it was recorded that he began to, like the Lamanites, feel the encroaching settling pressures upon the pristine landscape of the valley. Paradise lost?

He was already "Settled" in the mid 1830's and a "Free Trapper," considering the time it takes to grow an Orchard, build Cabins, a Barn, corrals, assorted smoke and other houses and structures. He was located, as the story goes, two and a quarter miles from where the new prairie Schooner pilgrims Fielding Garr and family's built the Adobe Brick, still in use Historic Ranch house on the Island.

It is long and well established Stump, summer grazed his Herd [Beeves as Chief Washakie called them, or Bison perhaps hybrids] in the Cache Mountain's South Canyon area, and drove to free ranged them at his Mountain Man Settler ranch cabin, up in the lush grass meadows, and Chokecherries of Original Mini Boa Ogai, he knew from his long years of trappings, comings, and goings, and apparent family raising, but Daddy and father implies close familial ties in these accounts.

The harsh 1855-1859 winters loaded the mountains with deep Snow, killing many of the new settlers stock, about seventy five percent winter kill recorded for those years. Thus stressing all the regional Native Nations even more to add to the unbalancing of the Ecosystem, also decimating the Martin and Willey Handcart Companies in the high mountain plains and passes of Wyoming, in the place near Devil's Gate, and High Elevation South Pass where many are buried, and more buried as they climbed elevations near present day Atlantic city Mining ruins and ghosting town remains.

Imagine those relentless Snows raised the Great Salt Lake so that Boats had to be constructed such as the "Timely Gull" Sail Barge for ferrying livestock and others by Entrepreneurs like Mathew W. Dalton, to access the now isolated Island, and navigate the now deepened Great Salt Lake. Doc Stump was forced to temporarily hunker down in his Mountain Ranch house unable to retreat to his Private Island sanctuary. So, in one fail swoop the elements combined to make short work of all his life's labors', and his philanthropic polymath life's work. He's all but forgotten.

Was it the well documented Inter-Nation war raids, between the Shoshone, Cheyenne, Blackfoot, Flathead, Goshute, Crow, Nez Pérez, Pawnee, Utes' and other regional Nations that put him under, or rubbed him out?

Probably not the Shoshone, of which he was rumored to have had a long trading and friendly commerce with and perhaps family with being known as Father and Daddy Stump. Or perhaps it was raciest attitudes against the white man or maybe fierce killing raids on each other's Camps and Grounds, that coaxed him over to the Island's defensible Fortress? Perhaps it was the summer hatch of no-see-um, and biting black gnat, mosquitoes, flies and other biting bugs that drove him back into the beautiful Mountain's grassed pastoral and willowed valley that nurtured his venerable life for so many long, perhaps not so lonely years, as there is something about the title "Daddy" that earns family man honor with respect. . . He was arguably, the first Peach Orchard grower, Rancher, and possibly called his home my private Island.

So, perhaps first Private [white-Anglo] Island owner of the Wild Frontier. What is to be made of all the vague stories, correlates, conjecture, multi-vectored journal accounts of this venerable Mountain Man also known as "Bear killer?" As Mormon LDS settlers moved in locally, he became the neighborhood friend and advisor. He surely did, as recorded, help allay stresses of new settlement and assist, even help herd and keep the Church Tithing Herd as meeting's with Brigham Young and leaders in SLC, signaled by fires on Ensign Peak, called and required Fielding Garr to ask his care of the large and growing herd, and family oversight while keeping his own free ranging animals. Some of the accounts in Family Journals document and record that he did model adept

individual rugged skill, technique, and resourcefulness to the Fielding Garr family's operations of Church Island tithing herd also known as the Island perpetual Immigration fund.

The immigrant work assignments as ability afforded the immigrants to work off their passage to ZION expense. The Garr sons, especially the Eldest John even modeled himself after {Jonas} Daddy Stump's choice of a wife by marring Susan Wegeet a Shoshoni Maiden from which Marriage they were blessed with a son named Johnny! A very dignified looking young man and future father mentioned on MendonUtah.Org Web page and is a very good online source for these stories.

The First Peach Orchards in Willard, Box Elder, Utah were seeded by Matthew W. Dalton, perhaps using pits from Daddy Stumps Island Peach Orchard which can still be seen today, possibly as the remnants of the historical Church Island Silk Mission Mulberry tree Grove / Appropriated Peach Orchard. It is reasonable that the use of a prior proven and "abandoned" Peach Orchard makes one mighty fine "appropriated" Mulberry Grove, for feeding silkworm stock assets, seen as a Cash Crop for Feeding the Dying Fur Trade for Hats, and feeding exports back to Europe's new demand for the Fashion-conscious Parisians. This correlate of transplanted or seeded Orchards in Willard is supported by the fact that Dalton et. al. had built boats, Sail, then Steam powered, to navigate the Great Salt Lake after those exceptionally long wet and deep Snows of the mid-nineteenth Century as the spring runoffs' raised lake levels, like experienced in the mid 1980's, and now once again seem to have cyclically returned! ~ Doc. Spinja. . . To be continued © 2023 Jayson Stump

Remember to leave a free Flower at the bottom here in his memory. . .