FAMILY HISTORY COMPILED BY DARLENE NEBEKER HUTCHINGS ODENWALDER

April 27, 2014

Richard Nebeker
Adopted son of

John Nebeker

y great-great uncle was a Native American. I have known this, it seems all my life. I was told by my mother (Anna Althea Betty Nebeker Hutchings) that I should feel honored that he was part of our family. I would like to share what I know about (Pautaunnt ) Richard Nebeker. The information compiled here is from newspapers and family histories. I hope someday his Native Family learns what happened to him and that they know he was loved by many brothers and sisters and now by many nieces and nephews. We are honored to call him our great uncle. Darlene Nebeker Hutchings Odenwalder 2014

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Richard Nebeker (1856 - 1906)

is my great grand uncle John Nebeker (1813 - 1886) father of Richard Nebeker George Washington Nebeker (1864 - 1937) son of John Nebeker brother to Richard George Washington Nebeker Jr (1886 - 1919) son of George Washington Nebeker Anna (Betty) Althea Nebeker (1908 - 1991) daughter of George Washington Nebeker Jr Darlene Nebeker Hutchings Odenwalder I am the daughter of Anna (Betty) Althea Nebeker

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Richard Nebeker Once Traded for Horse to Save Life Killed in Sewer.
SALT LAKE HERALD (Salt Lake City, Utah) June 26, 1906 Article found at the U of U Marriot Library and Library of Congress Transcribed in its entirety by Darlene N. H. Odenwalder April 3, 2014

ichard Nebeker a fullblooded Shebit, Indian, 55 years of age, whose life was once saved by a man who traded a horse for him met death in the bottom of the sewer extension at Eleventh West and

Eleventh North streets, shortly before 10 oclock yesterday morning. He was struck in the abdomen by a steel bucket loaded with earthen which was being hoisted out of the trench twenty feet in depth. His body was lifted from the trench by means of a rope. Dr. Charles F Wilcox was summoned but before he reached camp Nebeker had died. The bucket which weighed about 400 pounds broke from its carriage. Just as it hooked onto the cable running to the dump and fell into the trench several workmen were under it and a rush was made to escape being crushed. Nebeker slipped and fell against the side of the trench where he was pinned between

the bucket and wall. The broken carriage ran back into the engine house, breaking considerable machinery and damaging the cable. After the accident took place operations were shut down and it will be several days before the machinery can be repaired. Justice Dana T Smith ordered an autopsy over the body which was held last night at S. D. Evans undertaking establishment County Physician E. W. Whitney and his assistant Dr. E. Van Colt found that a blood vessel had been ruptured in the abdomen causing a hemorrhage which resulted in Nebeker's death. After the autopsy it was decided that an inquest was unnecessary.

Boy Bought for Horse

Old Dick, as he was familiarly called by those who knew him was brought up by John Nebeker a pioneer of 47 who moved to Dixie with the first band of Mormons in the early 50s. While across the Utah line in the deserts of Arizona. John Nebeker met a band of Apache Indians armed and painted. They were hostile and tried to make trouble for Mr. Nebeker and his associates who were in search of grazing grounds and watering places for horses and cattle. These war painted Indians proved to be the remnant of a victorious band of Apaches which had engaged in deadly conflict with the Shebit tribe, which inhabited that region. They had taken captive a number of children whose parents had been killed and were intending to kill them when they returned to their villages to hold a war dance. Old Dick then a boy 4 years of age was one of the captives. John Nebeker traded a horse for Dick and made peace with the war -painted band. When John Nebeker returned to St George he brought Dick with him and reared him among his Children. Dick was taught to handle shovel and do farming work in general. During the cold winter nights he was taught with the other children to read and write. He was bright in many respects and as he grew up he was taught the Christian religion. Dick was told the story of his capture, and the death of his parents and how he came to be with the Nebeker family. In his childhood Dick was frightened at his own race. Whenever an Indian was in sight Dick would run to the house and hide under the kitchen table. Until he was a young man the story of his parents death and his capture remained with him. He despised his race and hated to be called an Indian. He loved John Nebeker and watched him with jealousy when favors were granted to others of the family. Dick worked hard to please Mr. Nebeker and when he moved to Rich County came with him.

He knew no Indian characteristics and was robbed by his race of all he owned.

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Spurned by White Girl

for the son as he had for the father. About eight years ago he decided to take up land on the Fort Hall reservation. He was fitted out by Ira with provisions a team and wagon and farming implements. When he left was told that at any time he was welcome to come back to the ranch. Dick took up a quarter section of land but he was simple and honest. He knew no Indian characteristics and was robbed by his race of all he owned. He came back to the Nebeker ranch and worked there until three years ago. He became jealous of a white man who was foreman and bossed the men. Dick wanted to herd a bunch of cattle, but another man was given the job. Dick was kept about the place doing odd jobs. This he felt was beneath his dignity after his long years of service. He could not bear it so he packed up his things and left. The day he quit the ranch he was told again that at any time he was welcome to come back.

While Dick was a young man he fell in love with a white girl who lived not far from the Nebeker ranch in Rich County. He never approached the girl knowing she hated him. He did her favors and eyed with jealousy the young men who went to see her or talked with her. This love drove Dick to desperation. He left the Nebeker ranch for a while on account of it. Once or twice he took to drink which crazed him but a word from Mr. Nebeker straightened him out again. When John Nebeker died he was a heartbroken. He afterward went to the home of Ira Nebeker a son who was kind to him. He worked as faithfully

Wandered Two Years

During the past two years Old Dick, whose coarse black hair was streaked with gray roamed about unhappy and friendless. He worked at any kind of labor. For several months he was in Boise, Ida. Later he went to Montana and recently came to Salt Lake. He had some money when he came here, but soon went to work on the sewer where he met his death. Old Dick had a good go heart his friends say. He was known from Dixie to Cache County. His body now lies in the morgue, but the funeral arrangements have not been completed. The Nebeker family were in informed of his death and they will see that he gets a deserving burial.

NOTE: THE ARTICLE WAS TRANSCRIBER EXACTLY AS IT WAS WRITTEN

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was taught by my mother to be respectful of all people and to listen and learn from them. We all want the same things, to provide for our families and to have a good and happy life. Often because of bigotry some are not able to have what so many of us take for granted, equality. The article transcribed on the second and third page was upsetting to read but the head line was disturbing to me. I know it was a different time, but the head line of the article made me sick to my stomach. Here is the actual copy of the newspaper. Darlene N. H. Odenwalder

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Other articles found regarding the Accident.

The Salt Lake City Telegram June 26, 1906 Volume:5 Issue:1381 Page 5

The Salt Lake City Tribune June 26, 1906

Richard Nebeker

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Richard Nebekers life story published in the The Nebeker Family Reunion Announcement August 12, 1978

Richard Nebeker

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Memories Richard Nebeker

I never was afraid of the Indians as my father, John Nebeker, raised an Indian boy which he had legally adopted. The Boy's name was Pautaunt Richard Nebeker, and I loved my Indian brother very much.
Nettie May Nebeker Kearl
Heart Throbs of the West: Volume 1 Indian Chiefs of Pioneer Days

e
The Nebeker Family Book published in Spring 1979 page 73 paragraph 3