Utah Centennial County History Series - Sanpete County 1999

O n 14 June 1849, twenty-three months after the initial party of Mormon pioneers arrived in Utah, Brigham Young received a visit from Ute chiefs Wakara (anglicized to Walker) and Sowiette and a band of Ute Indians. They came to Salt Lake City to ask the leader of the white newcomers to permanently locate Mormon people in the central Utah valley named after Walker's brother, Chief Sanpitch. The valley was described as good land with much water.

Seeking both to gain the Indians' favor as well as find a suitable living environment for the burgeoning population of Saints-and envisioning the center of the Mormon kingdom being even farther south-Brigham Young sent an exploring party to determine the viability of honoring Walker's request. Led by Chief Walker, the party of investigators, consisting of Joseph Horne, W. W. Phelps, Ira Willes, and D. B. Huntington, camped on the present site of Manti on 20 August 1849. They explored the area for a few days and were entertained there by the local Indians. Upon returning to Salt Lake City, they reported favorably on the possibilities of settlement.'

Following the advice of the scouts, Young called Isaac Morley to