Shoshone Chiefs

Historical records indicate that the Shoshone people in this area in 1863 were part of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation. This group had several notable leaders.

The most prominent chief in the area was Bear Hunter, who was considered the principal leader and war chief of the Northwestern Shoshone. He resided in the Cache Valley and along the lower reaches of the Bear River, an area that would have included the Mantua region.

Another significant chief was Sagwitch, who was a cousin of Bear Hunter and a close companion. Their bands often traveled and made decisions together.

These chiefs were key figures in the events leading up to and including the Bear River Massacre on January 29, 1863, which occurred near the present-day border of Utah and Idaho. The massacre by the California Volunteers/militia was lead by Colonel Patrick Edward Conner and was a terrible tragedy for all, especially the Northwestern Shoshone, resulting in the death of hundreds of men, women and children, including Chief Bear Hunter himself. Sagwitch survived the massacre and later, along with other chiefs of the Northwestern bands, signed the Treaty of Box Elder in July 1863, which brought a period of peace to the region.

-Scott Larkin