Microfilm of two of George W. Bean's diaries, one kept from 1855-1856 and one from 1891-1897. The 1855-1856 diary details interactions between Mormon missionaries at Las Vegas, New Mexico, and local Indians, including baptisms, trade, and some hostilities. Included are Bean's account of a journey from Las Vegas to California across the Mojave in October-November 1855 (which included stops in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, the San Gabriel Mission, and El Monte) and of travels between Las Vegas and the "Colorado Muddy" in 1856. Bean also references an encounter with the "murderers" of J.W. Gunnison, an Army captain killed in an Indian massacre in 1853 remarks on the camp visit of explorers Jules Remy and Julius Lucius Brenchley, who published "A Journey to Great Salt Lake City" in 1861 mentions his attendance of a performance of J.H. Martineau's "Missouri Persecutions " and describes various interactions with Las Vegas Mission President William Bringhurst. Portions of the diary are in pencil and are partly illegible. The 1891-1897 diary centers on Bean's daily life in Utah, including trips to visit family and friends and attend conferences in Provo, Sanpete, Salt Lake City, Parowan, and Bunkerville. It also includes a description of the Bean Company entering construction bids and a High Council trial for allegedly breaking contracts, and includes a biographical sketch of George Bean. The diaries (frames 118-248) are on the same reel as MSS MFILM 136 and MSS MFILM 137. The Huntington also has a typescript of the 1855-1856 diary (HM 72278). All inquiries about this item should be directed to the H. Russell Smith Foundation Curator of Western Historical Manuscripts at the Huntington Library, San Marino, CA. Microfilm. San Marino, Calif. : Huntington Library Photographic Dept., 1949. 1 microfilm reel : negative 35 mm. Forms part of the Manuscripts Department's Mormon file, c.1805-1995. George Washington Bean was born on April 1, 1831, in Adams County, Illinois. In 1847 his family converted to Mormonism, and in the same year Bean travelled to the Salt Lake Valley in the company of Jedediah Grant. In 1849 he went to Provo, Utah, where he lost his hand in a cannon explosion. During his recovery from this incident, he came into contact with Brigham Young, who commissioned Bean as an Indian interpreter, making him a Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry in 1867. Bean spent most of his time traveling in his role as Indian court interpreter, including his years with William Bringhurst's Mission in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He also served as a probate judge in Sevier County, Utah, and was made a Patriarch by the Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1893. Bean died in Richfield, Utah, on December 9, 1897.
Bean, George Washington, 1831-1897 Brenchley, Julius Remy, Jules, 1826-1893 Bringhurst, William Indians of North America--New Mexico Mormon missionaries Mormon pioneers Mormons--Utah--History--19th century Mormons--West (U.S.)--History California--Description and travel New Mexico--Description and travel Utah--Description and travel
Source
Mormon Manuscripts at the Huntington Library Mormonism and the West, Huntington Digital Library
Provenance
Microfilm of original loaned by Mrs. Flora Horne through Juanita Brooks, December 7, 1948.
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