Item Detail
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17305
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1
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0
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English
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Diary
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Mormon Diaries, Journals, and Life Sketches (Transcriptions) [Microfilm]
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Washington, D.C.
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Library of Congress
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Reel 1, Item 7
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January 1, 1852 to March 9, 1852. Volume I contains a short diary from Bean's youth. In it, he describes loitering about Salt Lake City, as he is only occasionally employed by the local court as an Indian interpreter and bailiff. He later tours Uintah Valley, Utah with a group of traders as their interpreter. Bean paints an interesting picture of marriage celebrations in Utah Territory and his own expectations of marriage as a twenty-one-year old bachelor. December 4, 1854 to March 25, 1855. In volume II, Bean continues to write of his work as a bailiff and interpreter. It is in this capacity that he accompanies Orrin Porter Rockwell on a mission to the Pahvant Indians to discuss the Gunnison Massacre. Bean records much of the negotiations between Rockwell, acting as agent for the local government and LDS Church, and the Indians. Upon his return to Salt Lake, he is called on a mission to Las Vegas to teach the Piute Indians. Until he reaches Las Vegas, most of the entries consist of the time stopped and started, where camped, distance traveled that day, the quality of the land, and the weather. Upon reaching the settlement, Bean describes exploring the surrounding area, undertaking agricultural activities, and the organization of a social club, the Lyceum, in the new town. He often writes of his participation in public debates held for entertainment. Much of the diary includes his daily interactions with the Piutes, including the founding of a school to teach the local Piute dialect to Mormon missionaries. Later, Bean participates in a cattle drive to Los Angeles and takes part in a number of public works projects. He also travels to the Muddy River and back to obtain salt for the Las Vegas settlement.