}
–Photographed 2015 by David Walton
Thales Haskell Family
In 1881, after the main body of Hole-in-the-Rock pioneers had established the
settlement of Bluff, Thales again received a letter from Elder Erastus Snow calling him
to assist the Bluff settlers in their endeavors to establish peaceful relations
with the local Indians. Obediently, Thales moved his family to the San Juan country,
first building a small home near the Davis’ family in Montezuma. Eventually he
moved to Bluff where he felt his family would be more protected while he was away
from home. During this time, Thales was instrumental in helping the settlers
interface with their Indian neighbors. In particular, he was often called upon
by Bishop Jens Nielson to aid the settlers in retrieving stolen livestock.