At Bear River Massacre site, the names of the dead ring out

Identities of the 40 Shoshone who were among the victims in 1863 were discovered recently.

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Watkins said she was moved to learn that the Shoshone who died at Bear River hailed from throughout the region, from Nevada to Wyoming to Idaho to Utah.

They were all gathered at the Bear River, which has hot springs, for the Warm Dance to hurry along the spring.

"It’s time we not only name people but that history becomes more personal," said Watkins. "That’s what names do."

Among those at Tuesday’s ceremony were descendants of one of the Army soldiers, Ricky Jones and his son, Ryan Jones, who traveled from Tulsa, Okla.

Ricky Jones’ great-great grandfather was shot in the elbow and the hip in the first wave of the fight, Jones said. His best friend, a fellow soldier, died at Bear River.

Jones, who grew up hearing "the white man’s" version of the story, says he has learned much by becoming friends with Timbimboo-Madsen, the tribe’s cultural affairs officer.

"Battle," he said Tuesday, "is not a good thing."

kmoulton@sltrib.com

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