The first log cabin in Yosemite was that of James C Lamon in 1859.  Lamon went to the valley from Mariposa, where he had operated a saw-mill and lumber business until 1858.  It was Lamon who built the old Hutchings cabin which later became known as the Hutchings House, or upper hotel. Hutchings residence shortly after makes him one of  the two earliest settlers in Yosemite.  In his book, "Heart of the Sierras, The Yo Semite Valley," published by the old Pacific Press Publishing House in Oakland in 1887.  Hutchings points out that it was shortly after he took up permanent residence in Yosemite that an Indian presented himself.  The Indian was bridgeport Tom, the medicine-man husband of the late Louisa Pa-Ko-Ma-Nie.  Tom.  Hutchings employed Tom to do odd jobs about his Yosemite property and tells the story of how Tom's life was once saved by him (Hutchings).  "A few weeks after this he wanted to pay a visit to his people, whose camp was some 40 miles below;, and as he said, "eat-ee blead (bread), and go "hab fandango," Hutchings related.  "It may be cause for wonder that the best of good fond, when provided and cooked by white people, is only satisfactory for a time to the Indian.  He longs...........for "acorn blead".  It is an apparent physical necessity to him.  But, upon Tom's return an almost uncontrollable excitement seemed to quiver through his whole frame...........Breathlessly sinking upon a chair, a wild, agonizing frenzy distorting his every muscle while gleams of fire seemingly shot from his eyes, he gasped...."Indian men came Kill-ee me!"..........."Tom', I said, 'what on earth have you been doing that Indians should want to kill you."  Indian man say I kill-ee one Indian.  I no kill-ee Indian man.  Indian man kill-ee Big Meadows.  I no go Big Meadows- I go Bull Creek.  They think I kill-ee him........and Indian men- five (counting o his fingers) come kill-ee me.'.."Tom, you sure you no kill-ee Indain man, eh,"  I asked. "I sure I no kill-ee him."  "All right, Tom, then I hide you somewhere, " I consoled him.
BRIDE TO THE RESCUE
"This had been successful accomplished but about 20 minutes when up came the five Indians mentioned by Tom', 'armed to the teeth' as the saying is, sweating and almost out of breath........One of them inquired in pretty good English, "have you seen Indian Tom?"  "Oh yes, Tom was here about half an hour ago.  Is there anything the matter?"  "Yes, Tom killed an Indian at Big Meadows"  "Yes?"  I questioned, "Why, Tom told me he did not kill the Indian in Big Meadows.  He said some Indians thought so, but that he was not at Big Meadows- he went only to Bull Creek." "Yes. Tom killed Indian man at Big Meadows.  If we find Tom we kill him." the spokesman said.  "that is Indian fashion."  "But Tom told me he did not go to Big Meadows.......if you kill Tom and Tom did not kill Indian then the Sheriff of Mariposa will take yo to jail, and by and by they will hang you, as they ought to do , if you kill an innocent man.  You Indian men too fast, and too hot.  You cool  down a little.  Then, when you find man who did kill Indian, have him taken to Mariposa.  If found guilty they will hang him and save you all the trouble'.........Although they took reluctant departure........they evidently thought Tom was not far away.  THey were frequently seen near, and upon the lookout.  IN about three days after their first appearance they absented themselves, and nothing more was seen of any Indian for over a week.  Then two Indian women came to me and asked if Tom had been there.  I replied he had- about a week ago. 'So.' I suggested, as thought questioning the truth of Tom's relation, ' so Tom kileed an Indian at Big Meadows, Eh?"  'No , no, no' the women replied, "tom no kill-ee Indian at Big Meadows.  Two Indian men see Sam Well kill-ee Indian at Big Meadows.  Tom no kill-ee him.  "When I see Tom I am to tell him that, eh?'  I questioned.  "Yes, yes, I  Tom's wife.' "Oh, that's the way the land lies, is it? All right, If I see Tom I tell-ee him.
FAITHFUL SERVICE
"Tom was soon seen, and the  case stated." Hutchings; narrative continues.  "then he wished me to invite them over.  Asking them if they were not hungry (and it was a rare site  to see an Indian that was not) and receiving an affirmative answer, they soon were eating where Tom could catch sigh of them without being seen, and in a few minutes.... they were all walking happily in the bright sunshine as fearlessly free and as happy as children. When the would -be avenging Indians made their reappearance a few days subsequent to this denouncement they acknowledged......reluctantly .......that Tom was proved to be entirely innocent of the crime; as two other Indians had see the murder committed by another man, whose resemblance to Tam had caused the mistaken identity that would (unreadable copy) they found him at the time of their impetuous search. This thrilling incident very naturally made Tom's heart warm kindly and strongly towards the one who had afforded him such timely succor in the hour of his extreme need;' and there can  be but little doubt that it brought about his unwavering devotion and faithful services thereafter, in the best interest of all our family.....The assertion, therefore, that gratitude is an absent guest to every Indian's heart is not. true.  This heavenly quality welled up bounteously, not grudgingly, in Tom's heart, and flowed perennially in kindly actions.  Tom had succeeded in conquering the natural reticence of his race; and it is to this that I am so largely indebted for many interesting facts concerning it....." Hutchings wrote.  There is , of course, much more to Hutchings' early story of his life in the High Sierra.  But we conclude here with the same thought you are no doubt harboring.  Was Bridgeport Tom's bride of that early year the girlsih Louisa Pa-Ko-Ma-Nie Tom?

transcribed from the Oakland Tribue, January 29, 1956
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