Tharps Log
Tharp also noted the substantial Native American population, which to its later dismay, welcomed him graciously:I first located my ranch where I now live in the summer of 1856. There were about 2,000 Indians then living along the Kaweah Rivers above where Lemon Cove now stands. Their camps extended up along the rivers on the South Fork to the Cahoon Ranch, the North Fork to Kaweah, the East Fork to Kane's Flat, and the Middle Fork to Hospital Rock in Sequoia National Park. The Indian chief was named "Chappo" and he was a fine man. The Indians told me that I was the first white man that had ever come to their country. But few of them had ever seen a white man prior to my arrival. The Indians all liked me because I was good to them. I shot many deer for them to eat as they had no firearms and knew nothing about firearms. I liked the Indians, too, for they were honest and kind to each other. I never knew of a theft or murder amongst them.
