During the next three days I arranged affairs of the company, some

of the men being directed to locate springs, to act as guides to the

companies coming, attend to our mail, etc., and on the 15th, with S.

B. Tanner, Ira Hatch, and J. B. Reidhead, set out with six mules and

a light wagon to search a road for vehicles between Moencoppy and the

Oriba village. Hans Funk and E. Tietjens, with a four-horse team, went

to the top of the hill to haul water for our animals, and from there

our party proceeded along the Indian trail three or four miles, then

struck out over the trackless, sandy plain, to avoid rugged buttes and

deep gulches that rendered the trail impracticable for wagons. We went

on about fourteen miles, and camped in the sand; I was quite ill.

Next day we traveled about twenty-five miles in a southeasterly

direction, over sandhills and up a long wash, to a divide, where we

made dry camp. We met four hunting parties, and two of the hunters

camped with us. The following morning we went on seven miles, to the

pools of water where the Oribas were camped with their flocks of sheep

and goats. Each flockmaster stood guard over his animals, for his turn

to get at the pools. We passed on three miles to the Oriba village,

located on the crest of a steep bluff. The houses were built close

together, and there were about five hundred inhabitants. Those Indians

obtained all their water from a well about a mile distant, and the

carrying of the precious liquid was going on day and night, while the

Indians were praying continually for more water.

Leaving the Oriba village, we proceeded onward over a rough and sandy

country, reaching the Mohave Springs, where the Hopees water their

stock, on the 18th. That night we experienced a fearful windstorm. On

the 20th we came to the Little Colorado River, and on the 23rd arrived

at the place selected on my first trip for a settlement. Between this

time and my previous visit five houses had been built there, so our

purpose was interfered with a little. Next day we chose a place for the

pioneer camp, and S. B. Tanner and I started back to meet the company

from Utah which was to occupy the locality as a settlement, and which

had been following us closely. We met the newcomers that day, and

returned to the site that had been chosen.

It was at this place that the first disagreement in the expedition

occurred. Captains Smith, Lake and Allen had charge of three sections

of the company. I invited them and others to a meeting to consult

over what should be done, and there presented to them my letter of

instructions from President Young and my appointment as president of

the mission. Captain Lot Smith opposed my presidency, and Captains Lake

and Allen failed to give me support. Things were not pleasant, and

the meeting was dismissed. Next day matters in camp were in a rather

confused condition.

The succeeding day was Sunday, March 26th. Lot Smith called a meeting,

and invited me to speak. I recounted what we had done in searching out

and selecting this place for settlement, and welcomed the company to

it; I also gave information and instruction concerning the country.

When I finished, Lot Smith assumed charge of the meeting, and paid no

further attention to me. Next day I invited him, and also Major Ladd,

to take a walk with me. They came, and I asked Brother Smith what he

intended doing. He replied that he was going ahead independent of me.

I told him he had insulted me and trampled upon my God-given right,

through President Young, who had appointed me to preside over the

Arizona mission, and if he would persist in doing wrong he must bear

the responsibility. He was very defiant, so we separated. I called

Brother G. Lake, who had informed me that Lot Smith seemed to think he

was in charge of the companies but he (Lake) knew it was my place and

would sustain me. I told him he had betrayed my confidence, for when it

came to the test he had failed to keep his word. I advised him to think

the matter over, and as I had decided to return at once to Moencoppy,

our party bade good-bye to the newcomers, and we started. This was on

March 27th.

On the 30th we reached the lower crossing of the river, and camped, the

stream being too much swollen to cross. S. B. Tanner shot a deer, and

by about five hours later he and the others brought in two more deer--a

valuable addition to our stock of provisions. By Saturday, April 1st,

the river had fallen, and other companies having come up, we crossed

and held a meeting. Next day another meeting was convened, and I called

David E. Fullmer to return with us, which he did. In a meeting held at

the old Arizona camp on April 4th, at which there was a large number of

those who had recently come from Utah, my letter of instructions from

President Young was read, and the brethren unanimously sustained me as

president of the mission. Our party continued the journey, and after

much toil reached Moencoppy settlement on April 7th. I was quite ill at

this time.

We continued the work necessary to establishing a settlement, but

there were so many difficulties that some of our company, which had

been increased by additions from Utah, began to feel discouraged. I

admonished and cheered them, causing them to feel better. We also

arranged for some of the company, in charge of S. B. Tanner, to go

up the Little Colorado River and secure twenty-three land claims for

us. This party started on Monday, April 17th. On the 22nd a Brother

Phillips came from Moencoppy and said a small company had reached there

without water, and that their teams were so exhausted that they could

not travel longer than about noon. We comprehended their suffering

condition, gathered all the barrels and kegs we had, and filled them

with water--about one hundred gallons--and Brothers Roson and Thompson

went to their relief. I then made out some notices to put up, giving

instructions so that other companies should not be caught in the same

predicament as this one had been.

From time to time our numbers were augmented by additions from Utah,

many having come in and located at the places we had selected. Among

those who joined us at Moencoppy was my son-in-law, H. O. Fullmer, and

my daughter, Rachel E. On the 17th of May the members of our settlement

proceeded up the river to where S. B. Tanner and party had taken up

land for us. There was some dissatisfaction in the company, but after

prayerfully considering the situation all was made right. Then, on May

19th, Brothers Tanner, Haskell and I started on an exploring trip. We

were gone till July 3rd, and traveled several hundred miles, going

north and east through the country of the Navajos, the Moquis and the

Zunis. We saw the villages of each, and also many ancient ruins. We

passed over some good country, but much of it was very rough, and our

trip was an arduous one.

While on this journey we were traveling along the Rio Perco, a

tributary of the Rio Grande del Norte, when, on June 17th, as we were

following a trail through a forest, an Indian stepped out from the edge

of the undergrowth, held up his hand, and said: "Stop! Who are you,

where do you come from, where are you going, and what is your business

in the Navajo country?"

"We are Mormons from Utah," was our response, in Spanish, the language

in which our interrogator had spoken.

"Stop your wagon under this tree," continued he, indicating a place,

"and talk to us; for we hear the Mormons have the history of our

forefathers. The Americans and Spaniards say you claim this, but we

know they often speak falsely, and we wish to learn from your own lips

whether you have such a record, and how you came by it. We want you to

stop here till our people come together, and you can tell us the truth."

By this time another Indian had presented himself. We turned aside as

ordered, and the first Navajo said to the newcomer: "Show these men

where water is."

Seth B. Tanner and Thales H. Haskell unhitched our team, and led

them to drink, the Indian going as guide. I was asked to get out of

the wagon, and as I was doing so a large number of Indians appeared,

coming from all directions. Almost before I realized it, there were

two hundred and fifty to three hundred Navajos there, men, women and

children. My chair was taken out of the wagon, a blanket was spread for

me, and I sat down, the Indians sitting close around. Two chiefs, whom

I learned were Juan San Juall and Jualito, sat as near to me as they

could, and one of them said, "If you have the book of our forefathers,

tell us about God and them, and how you came by the book."

I produced a copy of the Book of Mormon, told them it was a record of

God's dealings with their fore-fathers, and explained to them how it

was revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith by an angel. As I proceeded to

tell what was in the Book of Mormon, tears came to the eyes of many in

the audience, and some of them spoke out, "We know that what you say is

true, for the traditions of our good old men who never told a lie agree

with your story. Our forefathers did talk with God, and they wrote; and

when they became wicked and went to war they hid up their records, and

we know not where they are."

At this point the chiefs and about ten other leading men rose up and

embraced me, saying, "Continue to tell us of God and our forefathers,

for it does our hearts good to hear of them."

I talked on for a time, and when I was through, Messrs. Tanner and

Haskell, who had listened to what had been going on, bore witness that

what I had said was true. We remained with the Indians for dinner,

and they wanted us to stay longer, but we felt that it was better

to proceed on our journey. This meeting, one of the most sudden and

singular in my experience, occurred in New Mexico, about thirty miles

north of the old mail route from Albuquerque westward. When it was over

we continued our journey south and west, turned west to Fort Wingate,

then on to Fort Defiance, and through the Moquis villages to our

settlement.

On the day of our return to Moencoppy, July 3rd, Brothers Roson and

Thompson came to meet us with barrels of water--a relief that we

appreciated greatly. We were highly pleased to learn that all was well

in the settlement.

Soon after this I released two of the missionaries till October 1st,

to visit their families in Utah, and five others till November 1st,

for the same purpose. During July and the early part of August we

were engaged in tending and gathering crops, and the work incident

to establishing a settlement, which was by no means easy. We also

visited and endeavored to keep on good terms with the Indians, and for

ourselves did so; but there were some of the Navajos who seemed bent

on making trouble, and who complained that the settlers on the Little

Colorado had taken some of their animals. Finally, on August 6th, we

received word from the Indian council that a delegation of chiefs

would meet with us in three days, to accompany some of us on a visit

to the "Mormon Chief," to settle the alleged grievances. Ira Hatch and

I set out that same evening to meet the delegation. I took very ill,

and it was only through the best care and with great effort that I

could travel, but we were determined not to disappoint the Indians. I

received marked attention from Ira Hatch, also from J. D. Lee and wife

at the Moenabbey, and in a few hours was able to move around again as

usual. We met the Indians, and made the journey north, reaching Salt

Lake City on the evening of August 22nd, the Indians being lodged at D.

B. Huntington's for the night.

Next day President Young met the delegation in his schoolhouse,

and talked over the supposed wrongs of the Mormon settlers to the

Navajos--for they were only supposed, as it turned out. I acted as

interpreter, using the Spanish language. Efforts had been made to find

some other interpreter who could talk the Navajo dialect, but in vain.

Everything was made satisfactory to the red men, who remained in Salt

Lake City four days. At this time a delegation of Shoshones from Bear

River came with George Hill as interpreter, and these met the Navajos

and the two tribes "buried the hatchet." Then the Navajos received a

few presents and returned to their homes.

I had a conversation with President Young, in which I told him I had

come from Arizona not to return unless he ordered me to do so. A few

days later he met me and said he had been thinking over my mission. He

intended to press onward in settling Arizona and New Mexico, and as

I knew what that country was, he thought I had better travel through

Utah and lecture on the prospects of the work in the southern mission,

and also call for volunteers to accompany me in returning to Arizona.

He told me further that I was to take up collections among the Saints

for the support of myself and family, and for an outfit for myself.

In pursuance of these instructions he gave me a letter to the Bishops

and other authorities. This document mentioned my missionary labors in

Arizona, said I was directed to lecture among the Saints on the mission

work and take up contributions, and counseled the authorities to render

me assistance in harmony with the call made of me. It closed as follows:

"Brother Brown is also authorized to receive the names of those who

are willing or desirous of helping to build up the Kingdom of God

in that region. We learn that the brethren are discovering new and

desirable valleys in the neighborhood of their present settlements, and

elsewhere, and it is our intention to keep pushing out and onward as

fast as prudence and the whisperings of the Spirit of the Lord shall

dictate.

"We desire the active co-operation of our brethren in this important

work, and shall be pleased to receive a goodly list of volunteers

through Brother Brown, consisting of men who love the Gospel,

have faith in the promises of the Father, and have the integrity,

determination and zeal of true Latter-day Saints. We have no fear that

too many will respond to this invitation, as the rich valleys south and

east of the Colorado offer homes for hundreds of those who desire to

extend the curtains of Zion in that direction.

"We are informed that some of the brethren entertain the idea that it

is better to be called by the authorities to such missions than to

volunteer. To such we will quote the saying of the Lord to the Prophet

Joseph Smith, as contained in the Doctrine and Covenants: 'He that

waiteth to be commanded in all things is a slothful servant.'

"Ever praying for the welfare of Israel, I remain your brother in the

Gospel,

"BRIGHAM YOUNG."

This letter was dated September 16, 1876.

Soon afterward I went as directed, traveling and lecturing in northern

Utah, with a visit to Almy, Wyoming; then worked my way southward in

the various counties, to Richfield. I lectured sixty-five times, and

secured about eighty volunteers, mostly from Sevier County. Ira Hatch

came up with me and at Richfield we separated, he taking my team and

going to Kanab, and I returning home to provide for my family and

then rejoin him at the town last named. I found several of my family

quite ill, and there had been one death--my Aunt Polly, who died on

Christmas day, a few days before my arrival home.

The opening of the year 1877 found me with my family, who soon began to

amend in health. I was also able to supply them fairly well with what

they needed for sustenance during my absence, as the Bishops and Saints

whom I had visited had been very kind and liberal, in response to the

invitation of President Young to promote the interests of the southern

mission by rendering assistance to me so I could proceed to that field

of labor.

CHAPTER LXII.

AGAIN IN ARIZONA--SETTLING DIFFICULTIES AMONG THE PEOPLE--OUR

RESERVOIR BURSTS--NEWS OF NOTABLE EVENTS--PREPARE TO REPEL AN

INDIAN RAID--INDIANS QUARREL, AND THE TROUBLE PASSES OVER--FUNERAL

AT MOENCOPPY--EXPLORING TRIP TO THE SOUTHEAST--A WHITE INDIAN

CHILD--MEET THE HEAD CHIEF OF THE NAVAJOS--HIS ADDRESS, AND

PROPOSITION TO ACCOMPANY ME TO SALT LAKE CITY--AGREE ON A DATE FOR

THE JOURNEY--CONTINUE MY TRIP OYER INTO NEW MEXICO, THEN RETURN TO

MOENCOPPY--ACCUSATION AGAINST ME DISPROVED--INDIANS GATHER TO GO TO

SALT LAKE CITY--MAKE THE TRIP--AT PRESIDENT YOUNG'S DEATHBED--VISIT OF

THE INDIANS--HONORABLE RELEASE FROM MY MISSION--RESUME HOME MISSIONARY

LABORS--IN PRISON FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE.

MY stay at home was brief, and the 26th of January, 1877, found me

again at Kanab, ready to proceed southward. Three days later the start

was made, and on the morning of February 5th we reached Moencoppy.

The people there were in poor spirits, and considerably dissatisfied.

During my absence they had sowed about fourteen acres of fall grain and

had built eight log rooms. On my arrival, A. S. Gibbons made complaint

against S. B. Tanner, for they had had a disagreement. Tanner was found

to be in error, and made the matter right.

This trouble settled, the work of plowing and planting and setting out

trees, was proceeded with. Friendly Navajo and Oriba Indians visited

us, and as the United Order was being preached to the Church at that

time, I gave my views on the subject in an address at the Thursday

evening meeting, March 8th. Again on Sunday, the 11th, I preached to

the Saints, telling them plainly the wrong that was in their neglect

of duty and disaffection. My remarks had quite a salutary effect, and

matters moved more smoothly.

Shortly after midnight on the morning of March 23rd, the message was

brought that our reservoir had given way. We hurried out, but had to

wait till daylight before we could do effective work in repairing the

dam. In the meantime the Indians were greatly excited because the water

was injuring their crops, and we had to pacify the red men as best

we could, and make good the damage. Two days after this my daughter,

Mrs. Fullmer, became a mother, and I rendered her necessary care and

attention.

On March 31st we received mail with the news of the result of the

presidential election, when Hayes and Tilden were the candidates, also

of Amasa M. Lyman's death, and of John D. Lee being sentenced to be

shot. On April 4th we received tidings of Lee's execution.

Our time was well occupied now with the work around the settlement;

I also engaged in studying the Navajo language, preparatory to an

extended visit among those Indians. All went well till May 8th, when

I learned that the Piute Indians intended to steal our animals. Chief

Patnish was dead, and his people were angry. For the first time in the

history of the mission, we called out a guard, gathered our animals

and property, and provided against a raid on the part of the savages.

We were assisted by some friendly Navajos. At our inspection we

ascertained that we could fire eighty-five shots without stopping to

reload. On the 17th, two Piute Indians came in and informed us that a

council had been held to discuss the raid on us, but the vote was six

to five against molesting us, and the council broke up in a fight. The

five Indians who were in favor of attacking us started to seek the

assistance of the Ute Indians, while the others came to our side. A

week later we had a talk with some of the Piutes, and the threatened

trouble was averted.

A funeral occurred in the settlement on May 27th--that of Minty, the

little daughter of W. J. Johnston. I preached the funeral sermon. For

some time previous to and after this occasion my health was quite poor.

On June 1st we had another Indian scare, and made ready for attack, but

the alarm was without sufficient cause.

Before this time several of our company had endeavored to learn the

Navajo language, but met with little success; so I determined to

study the Indian language and customs myself, that I might be able to

talk freely with the red men. Accordingly, on June 4th, I went up the

Moencoppy Wash to Chief Hustelso's camp, about twenty-five miles. It

was arranged that I should be left there alone, except that Ira Hatch's

eight-year old girl was to stay with and wait on me. The Indian camp

was located two or three miles from where George A. Smith, Jr. was

killed some years before, probably by the same Indians.

H. O. Fullmer and Ira Hatch went with me, and eight Navajos assisted

in letting my wagon down into the Wash, where I was left. The bed

of the stream was perhaps three thousand feet below the plain above

on the north side, while the cliffs on the south towered up almost

perpendicularly about five thousand feet. The Indian camp was in the

deep recess, the descent into which was both difficult and dangerous. A

wagon could not be drawn down or up by team, but for a thousand feet or

so had to be lowered from one cliff to another with ropes. In one place

the Indians had cut eighteen steps, to enable them to get their animals

up and down; and then occasionally a horse would go over and be killed.

In this place the first night gave me a decidedly lonesome feeling.

Chief Hustelso was friendly, but not so his people, except a few

old men. The young men were very surly, and would not talk. Some of

them were shooting arrows, and I tried to be friendly and proposed

to shoot with them, but three of the young braves drew their bows on

me, as if intending to kill me. I made no headway that night, and I

realized the gloominess that had prevented my companions remaining

there and learning to speak the Navajo tongue. The next day or two I

was threatened and illtreated, the burrs taken off my wagon, and I was

subjected to other annoyances. The little girl with me did fairly well,

for, being a half-breed Indian herself, she affiliated with the Indian

children without difficulty.

Then the Indians became less offensive in their conduct day by day,

and I learned rapidly to converse with them, and began to experience

kindness at their hands. Several strange Indians came from a

considerable distance to see me, and on June 12th, about three hundred

and fifty Navajos gathered around to hear me tell them of the Book of

Mormon, its discovery and contents. Book in hand I related to them

the story of the volume being the history of their forefathers. Some

laughed at me and others asked most searching questions, which I was

able to answer satisfactorily in their own dialect.

Then came the inquiry, "If it is our book, how did you get it? Did you

steal it?" I was getting pretty well puzzled, owing to my imperfect

acquaintance with the Navajo language. I told them that the book was

obtained in the east, about so many days' journey off. But I could not

explain to them that it was in a stone box in the Hill Cumorah, and

that the writings were on gold plates, for I did not know what terms to

use to convey my meaning. One Indian told me the book could not have

lasted so long as I said, because paper would decay, he knew that.

In order to learn what hill was, I made a small hill of sand, and by

comparison with the mountains and much explanation I learned the word

for hill.

I had noticed, almost up to the plateau above, some slate rock; and

after great difficulty I managed to climb and get several pieces

of slate down, being aided by the little girl. Then I improvised a

stone box, set it in the sand hill, placed the book therein, and thus

ascertained how to say stone box, in Navajo, and explained that the

record was deposited therein. I was almost beaten to tell of gold

plates, for I did not know the words to use. At last I bethought me of

a brass suspender buckle, and pointed out that what I was referring to

was like that, but was not that; and a little piece was worth several

silver dollars. Then one Indian recognized what I wanted to say, and

gave me the word for gold, on the coins of which he had seen small

letters. I was thus able to explain that the record was on plates

of gold; but the way I learned to do it was one of the marvelous

experiences of my life, and illustrates the difficulties I had to meet

in learning the Navajo language.

When I reached the point of telling how the Book of Mormon plates were

preserved and obtained, my audience was quite in touch with me, and

they rejoiced and wept while I told them further of its contents. From

that time no friendship was too great for me, and before my departure

I spent a day, by invitation, viewing Indian sports. By June 20, I was

through at Hustelso's camp and ready for a journey of exploration which

had been planned.

On June 21st our exploring party, consisting of six persons, including

my son-in-law and his wife and child, started on a trip, the general

direction of travel being a little south of east. Our journey led us

through some good country, and some that was very rough. We went a

short distance into New Mexico, and obtained considerable knowledge

of the country and its inhabitants, there being many Indian villages,

houses and farms on the route we traveled. As we were crossing over a

broad mesa, on June 27, after passing the Fort Defiance road, we met

with a strange person among the people. This was a fullblood Indian

girl seven or eight years of age, with white hair, blue eyes, and skin

as fair as the fairest white person.

Next day we reached the camp of Pal Chil Clane, a Navajo chief at

whose place a council had been appointed. From there a messenger was

dispatched to Totoso-ne--Huste, the head chief of the Navajo nation. On

the evening of the following day that chief arrived in the camp.

A consultation was held on June 29th with the chieftain, at which we

informed him of our desire to settle the country, to teach the Indians

the Gospel, and to aid in improving their general condition; we also

told of the Book of Mormon, a record of the Indians' forefathers, which

had been made known. The chief responded that it was a departure from

his usual rule to come and see the white men. Before this, they always

had come to him, or he had sent good men to meet the government agents

and others. This also had been his custom with the Mormons up to that

occasion. Among other things he said:

"When I heard that you had come, I quit work and came to see you. My

heart is glad at the meeting with you, and that I see your wagon there,

and the brush shade that your men have built. Stop here four days, and

many of our best men will come and talk to you, for a great many of

our people want to go and see the Mormons. We shall have a big talk

and know what to do. We are glad that you come among us as friends,

that you are making a road through our country, and that you have built

houses at Moencoppy. We want to live with you in peace and let your

animals eat grass in peace. But water is scarce in this country, there

is barely enough for our numerous flocks and increasing people, and our

good old men do not want your people to build any more houses by the

springs; nor do we want you to bring flocks to eat the grass about the

springs. We want to live by you as friends. I sent some good men with

you last year, and they say you talked one talk all the time. The great

Mormon father he talked straight all the time. I think that a good road

to travel in. I have had two daughters prisoners among the Apaches

for many years but have never left my home to search for them, for I

love my home and my people, and I do not love to travel. I have sent

good and true men to search for my children, and have appealed to the

American captains in different places, yet my daughters have not been

brought back. I am an old man now, and it is hard for me to travel long

roads, but I wish to see the Mormons and my father their captain. I am

inclined to go with you. I want twenty-five or thirty men to go with

me, and one or two women, to see your women and learn how they do. I am

much pleased to see you and your daughter and her baby. I want to see

more of your people. The Americans and your people differ in religion.

The Mormons say their captain talks with God (Pagocheda), and Americans

say God does not talk to men. We do not know what to believe. When God

talks to us, then we shall know. Until then we want to live as friends."

After our talk we separated, he promising to return in three days.

He came, and I accompanied him to a Navajo religious feast, where I

was introduced to thirteen chiefs and over two hundred other Navajo

Indians. This was on July 2nd. It was decided that some of them would

go to see the Mormons, and be at Moencoppy in thirty-eight days. Then

we bade the Indians good-by, and proceeded on our journey, going over

into New Mexico, and back to Moencoppy, where we arrived on July 15th.

There were quite a number of Navajos, Piutes and Hopees there, and I

had to talk with them and three Mexicans till quite late.

A week later, on July 22nd, I declined to administer the sacrament,

owing to the feeling of dissatisfaction among the people. A. S. Gibbons

and M. P. Mortensen circulated reports against me, that I had used

provisions contributed to the mission, and I had a full investigation

made; this showed that the accusation was entirely wrong. Other

meetings were held subsequently, and the ill feeling that had arisen

was dispensed with. The mission affairs then proceeded smoothly again.

It was on the morning of August 8th that the Navajo Indian delegation

began to assemble for the journey north, Totoso-ne-Huste among the

number, and by the 10th all were ready for the start. The journey was a

hard one much of the way, but when we got among the settlements in Utah

we were well treated, and the Indians highly pleased. We reached Salt

Lake City August 28, 1877.

The next day I visited President Young. He was very ill, and I merely

called to see him. The great pioneer and prophet who had done so

much for the opening up and settlement of the Great West was on his

deathbed. The magnificent work of his life was over. In half an hour

after I left his room, the noble spirit passed from his body, and he

slept in death, awaiting the resurrection morn.

On the evening of August 29, the _Deseret News_ published the following

regarding the Navajo delegation and myself:

"Indian Delegation.--Last evening Elder James S. Brown arrived from the

south with a delegation of Navajo Indians, one of whom is a woman, the

first female Navajo, we believe, that has ever visited this part of

the country. Garanu Namunche, or Totoso-ne-Huste, the former being his

Spanish and the latter his Indian name, is at the head of the party. He

is, in fact, the head chief of the Navajo nation. He is accompanied by

two other leading men, Honeco, brother of the former, and Esclepelehen,

son of the same. In June last Elder Brown and a party of brethren

visited the northeastern part of Arizona and the north-western portion

of New Mexico, and found a strong spirit of inquiry among the Navajos

relative to the Mormon people, their methods of farming, manufacturing,

and in relation to their institutions generally. These inquiries were

incited by the report of the Navajo delegation which visited this city

a year ago, and these composing the one now here have come to see,

hear and examine for themselves, that they may be witnesses of the

same things. Brother Brown and party held a council with the Indians

at the camp of Pal Chil Clane, about two hundred men of the tribe

being present on the occasion, including Totoso-ne-Huste, the leading

chief already mentioned. It was then that the latter proposed to pay

the present visit. Manlete, or Pahada Pahadane, is the war chief of

the nation, but in the estimation of the tribe is second in rank to

Totoso-ne-Huste, although the whites, or "Americans," recognize the war

chief as the head. The delegation are stopping at the house of Brother

Brown, and have been visiting the leading places of interest in the

city today. Elder Brown purposes taking them north to Bear River on

Monday."

On August 30th, the Indians and I met Daniel H. Wells, who had been

counselor to President Young in the First Presidency. At that interview

President Wells told me I had performed a great and good work, and

to ask me to return to Arizona was too much to require of me. I was

therefore honorably released from that mission. Subsequently I received

a formal release from President John Taylor, who succeeded to the

presidency of the Church.

After the funeral of President Young, which was held on September 2nd,

I accompanied the Indians as far south as Gunnison, Sanpete County,

on their way home. There I bade them goodbye, and returned northward,

to resume my missionary labors, traveling and lecturing among the

settlements in Utah, southern Idaho, and western Wyoming. I also

purchased a tract of eighty acres of land on the Redwood Road, in the

western part of Salt Lake City, and worked on that in the spring and

summer, traveling and preaching in the autumn and winter as President

Young had directed me to do.

Thus my time was occupied till the spring of 1892 with the exception

of the months of March, April and May, 1888. With a firm conviction

that plurality of wives was a law of God. I had entered into that

relationship honorably with a sincere purpose to follow the right. My

family were united with me in accepting this union as of the highest,

holiest, most sacred character in the sight of the Most High. I

could not feel to cast aside my wives whom I had married under these

conditions, and therefore, on March 12, 1888, I was sentenced to prison

on a charge of unlawful cohabitation, the legal term applied to living

with more than one wife, the law being specially directed at one of the

religious practices of the Latter-day Saints. The judgment pronounced

against me was three months' imprisonment in the penitentiary and to

pay a fine of one hundred dollars and costs, which amounted in my case

to twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents. I paid the fine and served the

term, less the time allowed for good behavior, and was released May 28,

1888, having been in prison two months and sixteen days.

As was the case with other Mormons in my position, our offense was not

looked upon even by non-Mormons acquainted with the circumstances as

containing the element of crime; but our incarceration was in fact an

imprisonment for conscience sake, that being the position in which the

law found us. A term in the penitentiary under those conditions and at

that time, while a severe hardship, especially upon one in my state of

health, was by no means a moral disgrace, since those who had to endure

it were of the better class of men, whose uprightness, honor, integrity

and sincerity were beyond question in the community where their lives

were an open book.

CHAPTER LXIII.

VISITED BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH--CALLED ON ANOTHER MISSION TO THE

SOCIETY ISLANDS--PREPARE TO RESPOND--A BLESSING BY APOSTLE LORENZO

SNOW--APPOINTED TO PRESIDE OYER THE SOCIETY ISLANDS MISSION--ATTEMPTS

TO DISCOURAGE ME FROM UNDERTAKING THE JOURNEY--SURPRISE PARTY BY MY

CHILDREN--FAREWELL RECEPTION IN THE WARD HALL--START ON MY MISSION,

ACCOMPANIED BY MY SON AND OTHERS WHO HAD BEEN CALLED--VOYAGE TO

TAHITI--MADMAN ON BOARD THE VESSEL--AT MARQUESAS ISLANDS--STRANGE

CHARACTERS--TATTOOED WHITE MAN--HIS PECULIAR CAREER--CATCHING

SHARKS--ARRIVE AT PAPEETE--MY RECEPTION THERE--MEET NATIVE JOSEPHITE

PREACHERS, WHO SEEM CONFUSED--ELDERS FROM UTAH GREET US--IN POOR HEALTH.

ON March 30, 1892, President Joseph F. Smith called at my residence

in Salt Lake City, and handed me a letter written by an Elder who was

on the island of Tahiti. At the same time President Smith asked me

how I would like to take another mission to the Society Islands, in

the South Pacific Ocean. I told him I did not wish any man to call me

on a mission--that my health was not good, and such a journey as he

suggested was a big undertaking for one in my condition. He replied

that he would leave the letter for me to read, and would call the next

day to learn what I thought of it. He came according to appointment,

and informed me that the First Presidency wanted me to undertake the

mission. I replied that when properly called I was not afraid to go, as

I had faith that God would not require of any man more than he would

have the ability to do if he were faithful. The day following this

conversation I visited the First Presidency and learned that they were

a unit in requesting me to go to the Society Islands.

From this time I began to settle my affairs to meet the call. On April

8th, I was set apart for the mission, Elder Francis M. Lyman being

mouth in the blessing. On the 15th, I went to Ogden on business, and

while on the train met Apostle Lorenzo Snow, who told me he felt the

spirit of prophecy. He said that the mission I was going on should

be one of the greatest I had ever performed; that I would prosper

therein and be blessed with more power and influence than ever before;

that the Lord would be with me to sustain and comfort me, and that my

family should be provided for. As he spoke I felt a thrill of testimony

through my whole being. When he concluded he took from his pocket

two five-dollar gold pieces, remarking that he had been a missionary

himself, and insisted that I should take the money, keep it till I got

in a close place, and then use it, which I did.

On April 22nd I received at President Woodruff's office a letter of

appointment to preside over the Society Islands Mission, which included

the Society and Tuamotu groups, comprising from eighty to one hundred

islands and an area of about fifteen hundred square miles. About this

time I had many visitors, a considerable number of whom expressed

surprise at my being appointed to such a mission at my time of life

and in my condition; for I was sixty-four years of age and walked

on crutches and one foot, as I had to abandon my artificial limb in

Arizona, owing to the intense pain it caused me. One man said that

he would not go in my situation for ten thousand dollars. But these

discouraging remarks did not raise a doubt in my mind of the propriety

of the call.

On the 24th of April I was engaged in writing, when my children

and grandchildren to the number of sixty-five burst in upon me in

a surprise party. We had a happy time and I gave them a father's

blessing. Then we repaired to the Seventeenth Ward meeting house, where

members of the ward had assembled, and I preached a farewell sermon and

took an affectionate leave of the people.

I sold some of my real estate to pay the expenses of my journey, and

for my family; also received contributions in money from a number of

friends; and on April 26th I started on my mission, accompanied by my

son Elando. We stayed over night at Ogden, then continued on to San

Francisco, arriving there April 28th. On April 30th we boarded the

barkentine _City of Papeete_, which sailed the next day.

The sea voyage occupied the entire month of May, Tahiti coming into

view on the evening of the 31st. Our fare, cabin, was seventy-five

dollars each. The first few days out we had headwinds, and there was

a goodly share of seasickness. On the 10th a native of Tahiti, named

Manhele, commonly known as John Bull, became violently insane, and

had to be restrained. On the 12th he freed himself and crawled out on

the jib boom, from which he was about to plunge into the sea, when he

was secured. It took five men to handle him. At five o'clock on the

morning of the 15th it was discovered that the madman had made a fire

by rubbing two sticks together. Fortunately he was detected in time to

prevent the ship being set aflame. A few days after this occurrence his

condition improved and continued so to the end of the voyage.

It was at the Marquesas Islands on May 26th, when we sailed into port,

that I went ashore with the rest of the passengers, and met a native

of Rapia, a very uninviting person in appearance. The people warned us

to beware of him as he was a savage and had killed five men. He told

me he had seen me forty years before on his native island, and related

circumstances of the event that convinced me his statement was true.

[Image: Marquesas Fire Dancers]

The next man I spoke to ashore was John H. Rumrell of Boston,

Massachusetts, who was taken prisoner by natives on the Marquesas

Islands in 1847, and in the following year was tattooed from the tip

of his nose to just above his eyebrows, and back to his ear on the

left side of his face; on the right side the tattooing went from the

lower part of the nose back to the ear; while above the eyebrow, and

reaching to the ear, was another strip. The ink was pricked in with

human bone. He said that it was because of this tattooing that he

would not return to his people. In his experience he had been without

clothing for years. He had two sons and one daughter, and lived like

the natives in every respect. He related how that on one occasion the

natives had killed a white man and cooked and ate him, and at the same

time they had killed a colored man, who was eaten raw, before the

flesh was cold. Mr. Rumrell said he seldom heard from his relatives

in Boston. He seemed almost oblivious to everything except what was

immediately before him; he took as little interest in civilization as

did the natives, and I have not found a lower class of people in the

South Pacific than on the five of eleven Marquesas islands which were

inhabited at the time of this visit.

The captain of our vessel informed me that the inhabitants of the group

numbered about four thousand eight hundred souls, and that there were

ten deaths among the natives to one birth, the chief cause of this

mortality being the opium habit. The French governor was trying to

prohibit the use of the drug, but so far had not been successful.

On the voyage down to the Marquesas we saw many flying fish, whales and

other varieties of the finny tribe. On May 12th the sailors caught two

sharks, and after cutting them up threw them overboard. We left the

port of Taihai, in the Marquesas, on May 28th, and on the 31st sighted

Tahiti, entering the harbor of Papeete on June 1st, after considerable

trouble.

I remained on board till the afternoon. Mr. Dorence Atwater, formerly

United States consul there, came on the vessel, and recognizing me told

me he had an empty room that I was welcome to occupy with my friends

until I could do better. I felt that this courtesy had been offered as

an answer to my prayers to the Lord. I accepted the invitation and we

went to the house he had been speaking of, from where we returned to

the wharf, and he bade me good evening.

While resting myself a moment near a group of natives I spoke to them,

when one came forward and asked why I was there. I replied that I had

come to preach the Gospel. At this he called four of his companions and

introduced them as Mormon missionaries of the Reorganized Church of

Latter-day Saints, or followers of young Joseph Smith, the Prophet's

son. I told them I did not belong to their organization, but to the

true Church of Saints, the same as when I was on the islands before.

They seemed surprised and confused, and after a pause inquired if I

knew the Josephite missionaries that came from America. I answered

that all the true Mormon missionaries came from Salt Lake City and

vicinity. Then I asked if they knew where I could get a bed, and after

consultation one of them said I could go with him. My baggage, however,

was not through the custom house, and the captain suggested that I had

better stay on board, so I went back to the vessel.

That evening Elders Joseph W. Damron and Wm. A. Seegmiller,

missionaries from Utah, came on board and asked if there were any

Latter-day Saints there. I introduced myself, then my son Elando, and

Elder Thomas Jones. Elder Damron insisted that we go on shore with him

for the night, which we did, and my son and I were comfortably located

at the home of Tiniarau, where we remained some time. The other Elders

went to a house about three miles distant, but next day moved to Mr.

Atwater's place. For some days I was very tired and in poor health, and

remained at the house talking to people who called.

CHAPTER LXIV.

FIRST SABBATH IN TAHITI--MEET SEVERAL PERSONS WHOM I KNEW OVER

FORTY YEARS BEFORE--HOW THEY REMEMBERED ME--SEEK PERMISSION TO HOLD

PUBLIC MEETINGS--WIDOW OF MY OLD FRIEND, JOHN LAYTON, CALLS ON

ME--OTHER FRIENDS--PREACH TO THE JOSEPHITES--GOVERNOR REFUSES TO

PERMIT US TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETINGS--GET ADVICE OF THE UNITED STATES

CONSUL--A LAWYER'S COUNSEL--JOSEPHITES TELL OF B. F. GROUARD--I

EXPLAIN HOW HE HAD TURNED INTO THE WRONG PATH--THE CHURCH NEVER

DISORGANIZED--MISSIONARY LABORS--GREETING A FRENCH ADMIRAL--EARLY

MISSIONARIES TO TAHITI--THEIR SEVERE EXPERIENCES--SIXTY-FOURTH

ANNIVERSARY OF MY BIRTH--LEARN OF MORMONS WHO WERE HANGED FOR

HAVING KILLED A POLICEMAN IN THE TROUBLE WHEN I WAS ARRESTED ON

MY FIRST MISSION TO THE ISLANDS--MEET A NATIVE OF PITCAIRN'S

ISLAND--HIS STORY--VISIT TAUTILA--SEVERE VOYAGE--A BAPTISM--SAIL FOR

TUBUOI--AMONG STRANGERS--CELEBRATION OF A FRENCH FETE DAY--DINE WITH

THE GOVERNOR--PEOPLE BECOME LESS UNFRIENDLY TO US--BREAKING OF THE

CLOUDS--BAPTIZE TWENTY-FOUR PERSONS--ENCOURAGING RESULTS OF MISSIONARY

EFFORTS.

OUR first Sabbath in Tahiti (June 5, 1892,) we attended the Josephite

meeting. The service was very brief, and the people seemed worried.

Next day several of the Josephites called on me, and after a lengthy

conversation told me they knew I spoke the truth to them. I was also

visited by a number of friends who were young when I was on the islands

before, but who remembered me. One who came from Anaa said he was

present when I first landed on that island, and he knew of my labors

and my having been arrested by the French. He remembered me by my

voice, and said the people who heard me then would know me in the same

way, if they did not by seeing me. Many natives came and said they were

glad to see and hear me, though they had been born since I left the

country.

A Mr. Henry, a son of a former minister of the Church of England,

called, and I loaned him a Voice of Warning. He invited me to spend the

evening with himself and wife, but I had an appointment. I went next

evening, however, and passed a very enjoyable time, as I did on several

occasions afterwards. During that week I was visited by very many

people. Mr. Atwater gave us the privilege of holding public meetings

in his house, but we understood it was necessary to get the permission

of the director and secretary of the interior for the province, so

Mr. Atwater and I called. That official said we were to submit the

application to the governor, and he would notify Mr. Atwater of the

reply. On Saturday evening I talked on the market grounds to a large

number of people, several of whom recognized me as having been on the

island forty years before. That evening, at the wharf, I also met with

an aged man from Anaa, who had known me on my former mission, and who

said that if I would go there the people would follow my teachings.

On Sunday, the 12th, who should come to see me but Mrs. Layton, a

native, the widow of my old friend John Layton. I had seen her in San

Francisco. My own sister could not have been more pleased to see me,

and I was very glad to meet her. She gave me the best history of my

former friends on the islands that I was able to obtain. Next morning

I took a short stroll, then returned to the house. The other Elders

distributed tracts among the English-speaking residents of Papeete,

and I received another call from Mrs. Layton, who brought her little

granddaughters and also a man--the son of an old friend of mine--who

said that on my former visit to the island I had named him Iatobo,

after my own Tahitian name.

It was while taking breakfast, on the 14th, with a Mr. Mervin, some of

whose children had been blessed in the Church, that an old lady who

came up, recognized me, and shook hands so persistently that it seemed

as if she did not intend to let go, and did not do so for some minutes.

She had seen the French officers take me away from Anaa. The old lady

had known me on sight, though forty years had passed. The same day I

met an aged man who also recognized me from having known me before.

That same evening I was given the privilege of addressing the Josephite

meeting and told them how and by whom the Gospel had been brought to

them, and which was the true Church. I tendered my services to preach

in their meeting house, but my offer was not accepted.

On the 16th I started with Elder Seegmiller to visit the old prison

where I had been incarcerated by the French, but the distance being

too great I had to give up the journey. Next day we received from the

governor a reply to our application for permission to hold public

meetings. Our request was denied, the reason assigned being that we

believed in polygamy. We had no disposition to let the matter rest

there, so we called on the United States consul for advice. He told us

to make application in writing for permission to preach, and if refused

to submit it to him. This we did on the 20th, and next day received an

unfavorable answer. The governor asked what we taught, and we told him.

We stated that we did not teach polygamy. The reason he then gave for

refusing us the permission desired was that there were enough religions

there and he did not want another established. Mr. Atwater suggested

that we consult with Mr. Bonett, formerly director and secretary of the

interior, and an able lawyer. We did so, and he informed us that it was

not necessary to get permission to preach, but that we must notify the

mayor or justice of the peace of the time and place of our meetings.

To return a few days: On Sunday, the 19th of June, we attended a

Josephite meeting, where all were friendly but the presiding officer;

yet after meeting he told us to come and eat, sent a half-caste to wait

on us, and otherwise was quite attentive. After dinner we talked to

the audience, who appeared well pleased. They said B. F. Grouard had

set native songs to American tunes, and that he had also sent letters

endorsing the Josephite church; he had been one of the first to preach

the true Gospel to their fathers, as I had been, and they were confused

at my coming, for they could not refute what I had said. I was under

the necessity of telling them how that Grouard had turned into the

wrong path--an action which they admitted was quite possible. After

our talk this day we felt that we had done our full duty towards those

Josephites in explaining to them the true condition of affairs.

On the afternoon of the 20th my old friend Mahana Toro called, but did

not seem so friendly as in former times. He was about seventy years of

age, and very much broken in health. He also had joined the Josephites

under the misapprehension that they were of the same Church as I was. I

told him the difference, that the Josephite organization was distinct,

and was not the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which

never had been disorganized. He then seemed to feel more kindly towards

me, and visited me on subsequent occasions, bringing gifts of oranges.

My health was very poor, and at times I was quite ill. I was able

most of the time, however, to get around, and to preach to the

people, either those who called on me, or those I had the privilege

of visiting. My missionary companions were also energetic in their

labors. Occasionally we had the opportunity to extend our acquaintance

into prominent circles of society. For instance, on June 27th, we

attended a select party in honor of the French admiral. There was a

grand illumination. I also visited captains of vessels engaged in

traffic between the islands, and had pleasant chats with them on

the principles of the Gospel. I did not fail to talk to the natives

whenever occasion offered, and this was frequent. On July 2nd, in the

market square, a large crowd gathered around me as I preached, and

most of them acknowledged the truth of the principles I taught. Then,

lest the police stop me for raising an excitement, I changed to asking

questions, as in conversation, so no offense could be taken by the

officers.

I learned an interesting bit of missionary history on July 3rd. This

day, I met Mr. J. S. Henry, who said his father was one of the first

Christian missionaries on the islands, having come to Tahiti in 1797.

They had a very hard time of it. For years their clothing was made of

the bark of the bread-fruit tree, and they had gone barefooted for a

long time, their shoes and clothing having worn out. They had been five

years without receiving any supply from their society. My informant

was born on the island. I loaned him a copy of the _Deseret News_, which

contained sermons by President Wilford Woodruff and by Elder C. W.

Penrose, who was editor of the paper at that time.

Monday, July 4, 1892, was the sixty-fourth anniversary of my birth, and

I was spending it in far off Tahiti. I had but few callers that day,

and consequently but few congratulations. I continued my efforts to

make myself more proficient in the Tahitian language, and from day to

day proceeded with the duties that rested on me. July 12th an aged man

Tematu called on me, saying that he was from the island of Anaa, and

had been my servant on the occasion of my former visit. He told me of

the four members of the Church that were hanged by the French; for in

the trouble then they had killed a policeman and had wounded severely a

Catholic priest. The names of the executed men were Tefaitina, Reifara,

Maru, Mafeuta and Temutu.

Among the very aged people I met was one who called on me on July 18,

Timou, aged one hundred and three years. I also met, at a blacksmith

shop, on July 21st, a native of Pitcairn's island, William Christenson.

He was a descendant of one of the mutineers of the British ship _Bounty_.

He told the story as follows: The _Bounty_ sailed from England in the

year 1689, the company intending to collect plants from the South

Sea Islands. They called at Tahiti, and made their collection, then

got some natives and their wives and some other women on board, and

put out to sea. Fletcher Christenson, first mate, and some of the

crew mutinied, getting control of the vessel. They put the captain,

whose name was Blythe, and those who wished to go with him, into the

best boat, supplied them with such articles as they desired which

were at hand, and set them adrift. This party subsequently reached

England, while the first mate and crew ran the ship into a small bay at

Pitcairn's Island, where they wrecked the vessel, taking the supplies

on shore. All went well for a time, till the native men became jealous

of the white men and killed most of them. Afterwards, at the instance

of the remaining white men, the women killed the native men who had

escaped in the former trouble, so there were left but two of the white

men and the women. These, and after them, their descendants, lived on

the island, which was but a few miles in circumference. The population

increased to about four hundred souls, when the British government

moved them to Norfolk Island. Some of them returned to Pitcairn's, and

at that time (1892) there were one hundred and thirty-six souls on the

island, every one belonging to the Seventh Day Adventists, and all

speaking the English language. Mr. Christenson said that the only names

of the mutinous crew he remembered besides those of the captain and his

own progenitor, were John Adams, ---- McKay, John Mills, Isaac Brown and

---- Yindle. Christenson's story does not harmonize precisely with the

generally accepted history of the affair, but I have given it as he

related it.

For a considerable time we had endeavored to get passage for some

of the Elders to the island of Tuamotu, but were unsuccessful, so

we divided Papeete into missionary districts, Elder Damron and my

son Elando taking the east side, and Elders Seegmiller and Jones the

western district. During the latter part of July and the greater

portion of August, I was quite ill, and was troubled greatly with

neuralgia. On August 14th, we applied to the Josephites for permission

to speak in their house, but it was refused, resulting in quite a

discussion among the members of the Josephite congregation, some of

whom were quite friendly to us. On the 23rd my son Elando and I left

Papeete, by invitation, for Tautila, going in a boat in which there

were four other men and a woman, the latter being a sister of the owner

of the craft. When we got off Haapape the wind became so high that the

men were obliged to row for the shore, and we found refuge in the home

of Terumana, a native, who fed us on native food and gave each of us a

good bed.

We had to remain there till 11 p.m. on the 25th, when we started to sea

again, the night being pitch dark. The woman made me as comfortable

as was possible in the small boat, and all went well for a time with

the exception of seasickness. Then it came on to rain very hard, and

we were all wet. Early in the morning we ran into shore, and the men

in charge of the boat asked us to pray, which I did. We then proceeded

on our way with a cocoanut each for breakfast, and at half-past eight

p.m., on the 26th, reached the mouth of a river on Tautila.

Our host was Mr. Hiotina, and his wife's name was Teumere. She was

an invalid, her frame almost a skeleton, but she was a very bright

woman intellectually. Her memorizing of Scripture passages was truly a

marvel. The next day after our arrival was Saturday, and many people

came out of curiosity to see us. On Sunday, the 28th, about sixty

people assembled, and our host requested us to hold religious services,

which we did. While I was preaching on faith, repentance, and baptism,

taking my text from the third chapter of Matthew, an old lady went

over to my son, who was near the door, and requested baptism. This was

the first application of the kind made to us on the island. The lady

had been a member of the Church, but had become negligent. At 5 p.m.

that day she was baptized by Elder Elando Brown, and I confirmed her

a member of the Church, there being many people present, among them a

Protestant minister.

We stayed on Tautila until September 9th, visiting among the people and

preaching and talking to them, as opportunity afforded, though we could

not get a house to preach in. On the 9th we returned to Papeete, the

voyage being very rough and trying. I could hardly stand on my crutches

when we landed, at 10 p.m.

On the 11th we arranged for four of us to go to Tubuoi, but the

governor informed the captain that he could take but two white

passengers, so on August 15th Elder Seegmiller and I left on a vessel

bound for the island named. The voyage lasted till the 20th and was

decidedly uncomfortable. We did not have sufficient food, there was no

bedding, and the water on board was filthy. Worn and exhausted, we were

glad to get ashore at Tapuai, where we were coldly greeted. We secured

a comfortable lodging room, so far as appearances were concerned, and

plenty of fleas for bed-fellows. Our room-mate was a young man named

Alexander Drolett, interpreter for the French captain of a government

schooner that was lying in the harbor. There we met Tapuni, a native

Josephite preacher who had been on the island about five months. He

tried to be sociable, but was ill at ease, apparently being discomfited

by our arrival. We found the people generally very distant, as if they

did not wish us there. Mr. Drolett, however, was kind and sociable, and

we had the privilege of explaining to him the nature of our calling on

the islands.

September 22, 1892, was the one hundredth anniversary of the first

French republic, and a feast and holiday had been proclaimed. Flags

were hoisted, and the people gathered to the feast. We were among those

invited, and were seated at the table with the captain of the French

schooner and his interpreter, and the governor and his wife, also

Tapuni. About ninety persons were at the feast. Dinner was served in

French and native styles blended. This was followed by singing, and by

dancing and contortions of the old heathen fashion, until I was worn

out.

The following day the French schooner left, and Elder Seegmiller and

I sent a letter to our brethren at Papeete. As we were in the house

a policeman called and gazed at us for a time, then left without

speaking. Next came the native governor, Tahuhuetoma, who entered

without noticing me, but I slapped him on the shoulder and asked him

if he had eyes, whereat he spoke, but had little to say. Then came a

native, Tehaheatihi, from the village of Mahu, on the south side of the

island. He was very friendly, and said he had joined the Josephites

but had discovered his mistake. I was quite ill, so could not accept

his invitation to accompany him to Mahu, except on the condition that

he furnish a conveyance, which he promised to try to do. Our landlord,

however, told us not to trouble, but to remain till Sunday, when we

would all go to Mahu, and could speak to the people there. He said

Tapuni was not pleased, but that made little difference.

Next day was Saturday, the 24th--the occasion of greater kindness to

us from the natives than previously; for two children aged ten and

twelve years brought us some food, as did also the governor's wife. On

Sunday further friendship was displayed, and the people came to ask

us questions; but we were unable to go to Mahu, and were refused the

privilege of speaking at the religious services in the place where

we were. On Monday, however, we went to Mahu, where we met twelve to

fifteen men, with whom we had a pleasant visit, talking to them quite

freely.

During that week we met a number of people who exhibited a kindly

feeling towards us in conversation. Some applied for baptism, but

I advised them to wait. By the end of the week the clouds over the

mission began to break. When Sunday came there was a religious feast,

but we were not allowed to take part, so, with about five natives, held

services of singing, prayer and conversation. Again in the afternoon

we had a meeting at which about thirty persons were present, and I

explained how the authority had continued in the Church from the

Prophet Joseph to the present organization. At that meeting Elder

Seegmiller spoke publicly in the native tongue for the first time.

There were several applications for baptism, and on the following

Tuesday, October 4th, Elder Seegmiller baptized twenty-four persons,

whom I confirmed members of the Church. Thus the missionary work on the

island was opened up again, with a fair start for prosperity.

CHAPTER LXV.

MIRACULOUS HEALING--MEET AND CONFOUND THE JOSEPHITES--FURTHER

MISSIONARY SUCCESS--MEET A NATIVE WHO WAS PRESENT WHEN I WAS

SENTENCED TO BE BURNED--ELDER JOHN LAYTON'S GRAVE--ARRANGE TO RETURN

TO TAHITI--DISAPPOINTED--PREACH A FUNERAL SERMON--FORBIDDEN TO HOLD

PUBLIC MEETINGS--BLIND WOMAN ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS OLD--HER

TESTIMONY--ADMINISTER TO HER FOR HER EYESIGHT, AND SHE IS ENABLED TO

SEE A LITTLE--SHE PRAISES THE LORD--PREACHING AND BAPTIZING--SAIL

FOR PAPEETE--AN ODD CARGO--HARD VOYAGE--HELD BY A CALM--LAND ON

TAHITI--SAIL FOR AVAROA--ON A WELL-ORDERED SCHOONER--CALL AT VARIOUS

ISLANDS--LANCE A CARBUNCLE--CHRISTMAS DAY AT SEA--WATERMELONS--A

BEAUTIFUL RESIDENCE AND CORDIAL WELCOME--PERFORM THREE MARRIAGE

CEREMONIES--CONFERENCE OF SAINTS IN THE TUAMOTU ISLANDS--MEET A NATIVE

CHILEAN--VISIT VARIOUS PLACES--PUBLIC WELCOME--FISHING--ON THE ISLAND

OF ANAA--VISIT WHERE I WAS IMPRISONED--GRAVES OF THOSE CONCERNED IN

THE TROUBLE THEN--WARRANT SERVED ON ME--SUMMONED TO THE GOVERNMENT

HOUSE--WARNED AGAINST CREATING A DISTURBANCE.

IT was on October 6, 1892, that the first case of miraculous healing

after our arrival occurred. We were becoming recipients of greater

kindness from the natives, and that day Roai, the oldest man on

the island, was brought to us, shaking violently with a chill. He

appeared to be dying. Some cocoanut oil was brought--no other was

obtainable--and we blessed it and anointed and blessed him, when the

chill immediately left him. He rested well, and next morning was in his

usual good health.

On the 7th there was quite an argument among the people as to whether

the Josephites or the Mormons should have the meeting house. The

decision was in our favor, and we were also offered a house in the

village of Taahuaia. The Josephite preacher, Tapuni, wanted to hold

joint meetings with us, as we both followed the same form of baptism;

but we refused, as we could not make any alliance with him. We

represented the true Church of Jesus Christ, while his organization was

by persons who had been excommunicated, and had not divine authority.

When Sunday came we held three meetings, blessed fourteen children, and

took dinner with the policeman. Next day, the 10th, we ordained Ote an

Elder, and added nine persons to the Church by baptism. On the 11th we

met a man--the fourth on the island--who was on the island of Raivavai

when the natives had built a fire to burn me, and when I was delivered

by the power of God. They claimed to have been present when I was

sentenced, but denied taking any part in the proceedings.

Friday, October 14th, we bade the Saints of Mahu farewell (having, the

day previous, ordained two Elders, two Priests, one Teacher and one

Deacon) and went to Taahuaia, where the people were quite indifferent

to us. From time to time, however, we were able to converse with some

of them, and baptized several. On the 23rd, the governor gave us

permission to hold meetings, and we began doing so. I visited the grave

of Elder John Layton on the 24th, and on the 25th arranged to leave on

a schooner for Tahiti. My health had been quite poor for some time. I

did not go on the boat, however, for it was so heavily laden that there

was no room, so it sailed on the 27th without me. Monday, October 31st,

I preached the funeral sermon of a little girl.

On the 5th of November, the Josephite preacher and his wife called

on me. In the evening a special meeting of the people was held, the

purpose of which was kept secret from us. That night I dreamed I was

on trial and the judge said he knew I was not guilty, but because of

the demand of the people he would have to give judgment against me and

assess a fine of twenty dollars, which the court would pay. I awoke and

told Elder Seegmiller the natives had made a decision against us, as we

learned the next day, when the governor withdrew from us the privilege

of holding meetings.

We went to Mataura on November 7th, to see a man possessed of a devil.

The evil spirit was dumb, and for three years the man had not spoken

to anyone, but sat or laid around. We also visited the school where

there were about thirty students, and the teacher called one pupil to

the blackboard, where the exercise in writing required of her was well

done. Then we called on Tetuatehiapa, the oldest woman on the island.

She was one hundred and twenty years of age, and had been blind for

eight years. The people said she had insisted that she would live till

the servants of God came from Salt Lake City. When told who we were she

rejoiced greatly, and exclaimed, "I always said you would come again!

The Lord has brought you, and has prolonged my life till you came. I

rejoice exceedingly at the mercies of the Lord!" On November 8th, we

baptized her with seven others, and on the 10th administered to her for

her blindness by laying hands on her head and blessing her. When we had

attended to the ordinance she stated that she could see a little, which

was more than she had done for eight years. "God be praised for His

mercies," she said.

Sunday, November 13th, I preached twice to large congregations at Mahu,

where we arrived on the 11th. We also had a number of applicants for

baptism, and on the 14th eight members were added to the Church by the

ordinance, and we blessed two children. A Catholic priest called on us,

and I had a pointed discussion with him on authority in the Church, and

the true Gospel. We parted good friends, he promising to come again

next day, but he did not do so; although he passed by the house, but

never looked towards us. On the 16th we added five more souls to

the Church by baptism.

Our missionary labors continued in different villages, and on November

23 Elder Seegmiller baptized the school teacher at Mataura, also two of

the governor's daughters. On the 21st the captain of a schooner that

had called at the island told us we could go to Tahiti on his vessel,

starting on the 24th. Elder Seegmiller aided me in preparing for the

voyage, and I bade farewell to the people, who were very much attached

to us. I shook hands with the governor, when his eyes filled with

tears, he kissed me, and was so full of emotion that it was difficult

for him to speak. In due time the vessel sailed, Elder Seegmiller going

on it to Mataura, three miles down the coast, where he went ashore, as

we had agreed, and I was alone so far as a missionary companion was

concerned.

At Mataura the French police justice and his wife, a Marquesas woman,

came aboard, and at 6 p.m. we weighed anchor. The schooner was very

much crowded, the cargo including four women, two children, fourteen

men, three horses, twenty hogs, one goat, one dog, about one hundred

chickens, eight or ten turkeys, eleven thousand cocoanuts, and a lot

of other things. The most comfortable place I could find was on the

companion-way, where I sat, as I was not able to use my crutches on

the vessel. The first night out I found I could not sleep in my berth,

as it was too cramped and the tobacco smoke and foul air were too much

for me, so I camped on the companion-way with my blanket, and was very

seasick. The next night I fared about the same, and it was pretty hard

on me; but the third night, Saturday, I went below before the others

did, and obtained a fairly good night's rest.

Sunday, November 27, we sighted Tahiti, but a heavy rain and calm

held us back over Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On the last-named

day the crew caught a shark, and we had some of it boiled for supper.

Thursday, December 1st, we landed at Papeete in a heavy rainstorm, and

quite exhausted. I was met by my son Elando, and once on shore I was

refreshed with palatable food and good news from my family. We spent

our time the next fourteen days in missionary labors in Papeete, to

the best advantage, and on the sixth baptized eight persons into the

Church. My health was decidedly poor at this time.

We had arranged with Mr. Henry Marvin for passage on the schooner

_Avaroa_ to the Tuamotu islands, sailing on December 15th. We left

on the date named and though we had some headwinds and calms, we had

a good voyage; for the captain (a Hawaiian) and crew were agreeable,

the vessel was kept clean and in perfect order, and the table was well

supplied with a good variety of food. We sighted several islands, and

on the 20th stopped at Niau, which has a population of one hundred, all

members of the Josephite Church. Their presiding officer and a number

of his people came on board and gave us six chickens and six baskets

of cocoanuts as a token of friendship. I talked to them on the Gospel

message I had to deliver as a missionary.

We went ashore on the island of Apatai on the 23rd, as Mr. Marvin

had some business there. The people were rather indifferent to us as

missionaries. I visited the governor, who said he had been my servant

on the island of Anaa when I was there forty years before. He was very

much afflicted with a carbuncle on the back of his head and neck, and

could move about only by crawling on his hands and knees. I lanced his

carbuncle, and he recovered.

Christmas Day, 1892, was spent on the schooner _Avaroa_, and we sought

the coolest place we could find and ate watermelons, thinking of our

mountain home and the loved ones in Utah. Next day we sailed into

port at Taroa, and were met by Elder Joseph W. Damron and some native

Saints. I was welcomed to the home of Mr. Mapuhi, a seven-roomed frame

house, built on pillars of coral stone and beautifully furnished in

American fashion. The place seemed perfectly lovely, and a surprise for

us in the way of a spring mattress to sleep on was doubly welcome. The

following day was the 27th, and I had the privilege of preaching to a

good audience.

The 28th of December was Wednesday, and the morning was marked by the

receipt of an invitation to a triple wedding and feast to be held

that afternoon at the government building. I attended and by request

performed the marriage ceremony for the three couples. I also availed

myself of the opportunity to address the assemblage briefly on the

subjects of marriage and baptism for the dead. This day I had the

unusual experience of standing in the door of the house where we were

lodging and viewing a large school of whales pass by.

New Year's day, 1893, was the time for a conference of the Saints to be

held on the island of Faiti, so preparations were made on December 29th

for us to leave Taroa. On this date I met a native Chilean, who said

he came from San Antonio, about thirty miles south of Valparaiso. When

I heard this, it called to my mind a statement of Dr. J. M. Bernhisel,

that he had learned from the Prophet Joseph Smith that that was near

the place where Lehi and his colony, told of in the Book of Mormon,

landed in America, on their journey from Jerusalem. In the afternoon we

started, on Mapuhi's schooner, for Faiti, six boatloads of the Saints

going along. Our vessel had twenty persons aboard. The wind was fair,

and on Saturday, December 31st, we reached Faiti, landing about 9:30

a.m. Our reception was rather cool, as we were ushered into a large

room, almost bare save a long table and a few chairs, and were left

alone much of the time. However, we had good beds at night. In the

morning, Sunday, January 1st, we held meeting, and I called for those

who had known me on my former mission to stand up. Seventeen persons

arose to their feet, and stated that they remembered and recognized me.

Our meetings at conference were well attended. The presiding officer of

the Church in the Tuamotu islands was a blind man, and he asked me a

number of questions to satisfy himself that I was the same one who had

been there forty years before with Elders Pratt and Grouard. I baptized

him at that time. When he was fully convinced he remarked that if I had

not come he would not have received the young missionaries, referring

to Elders Damron, Jones, and my son Elando.

It was January 4th before the people gave us the public reception that

was customary. At the ceremony an aged man related how they had prayed

that I might come back to them again, to teach them the true Gospel.

That day the French gen d' armes made some charges of irregularity

against the owner of our boat, saying the captain had not the proper

papers. It was generally understood, however, that the trouble

originated with the Catholic priest. Matters were finally settled. Next

morning I went fishing with our landlord and caught six nice rock cod,

where the sea was ten fathoms deep. The water was so clear that through

a glass we could see the bottom, with the myriad beauties and great

variety of fish at that place. The anchor of the canoe got fast in a

coral reef, and our host dived down and released it.

We continued to hold meetings all the week to give the people a correct

understanding of our mission; then, on January 9th, my son Elando and

I sailed for the island of Anaa, arriving there at noon that day, and

being warmly welcomed by the people of Tuuhora, where we landed.

On the 11th, I walked over the ground where I had been held a prisoner

by the French government, and visited the cemetery where was the grave

of the policeman who had been killed in an affray subsequent to my

departure. On the afternoon of the 13th, I visited the graves of those

who were hanged by the French government for their part in the tragedy.

Upon my return from the cemetery, a warrant was served on me by a

policeman. It was in both French and English, the English translation

reading as follows:

"_Monsieur Jacob, Ministre Mormon:_

"The gen d' arme chief of port at Anaa invites Mr. Jacob (James),

Mormon minister at Tuuhora, to come to the government house at Tuuhora

(Fare Hau), to listen to a communication which he desires him to hear.

"Cy. Cours,

"The Gen d' arme Chief of Post.

"Tuuhora, 13th January, 1893."

Of course I responded to this invitation from the chief of police, so

with my son Elando reported as requested, to listen to an order made

by the governor of the Tuamotu group of islands. The chief of police

warned us particularly that if we caused the slightest disturbance

among the people over the meeting house, or otherwise, it might result

seriously to me. This was repeated six times, in an emphatic tone of

voice. The officer refused utterly to hear anything from us, saying, "I

follow out my instructions. You must not step your foot inside of the

meeting house at Temeraia, nor the house here."

Finding it was useless for us to say anything, we bade the chief of

police and the interpreter (Mr. Burns, an Englishman) good-bye, and

left them to their stench of strong drink.

CHAPTER LXVI.

PREACHING AND VISITING--PEARL FISHING--PLACE OF MY ARREST IN

1851--ACCIDENT TO A YOUNG MAN--INCIDENT WITH THE GOVERNOR OF ANAA--SEE

A LEPER--CAPTURE OF AN EEL--CONFERENCE ON ANAA--TIME OF DEDICATION

OF SALT LAKE TEMPLE--SPECIALLY INTERESTING MEETINGS--NEW ELDERS FROM

UTAH--START BACK TO TAHITI--ANOTHER FUNERAL SERMON--MEET THE FRENCH

GOVERNOR OF THE TUAMOTU ISLANDS--HIS CORDIAL GREETING--ARRIVE AT

PAPEETE--APPOINTMENTS FOR THE NEW MISSIONARIES--FAIL TO GET A PASSAGE

TO TUBUOI--MY HEALTH VERY POOR--LEARN OF THE DEDICATION OF THE SALT

LAKE TEMPLE--ELDERS UNANIMOUS IN THE DECISION THAT I SHOULD RETURN HOME

BECAUSE OF MY ILLNESS--I DEMUR--CONCLUDE TO GO--TROUBLE ON ANAA--MY

SIXTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY--NOTABLE KINDNESS OF A NATIVE CHILD--SAIL FROM

PAPEETE--DIFFICULTY IN LANDING FROM SMALL BOATS--IN THE SOCIETY

ISLANDS--REACH SAN FRANCISCO--ARRIVE IN SALT LAKE CITY--REPORT THE

SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF THE SOCIETY ISLANDS MISSION.

AFTER the severe warning from the governor, we returned to our

missionary labors, preaching to the people as we could find

opportunity. The Sunday following this occurrence (January 15th) we

had three well-attended meetings in a private meeting house, and

on Monday we went in a boat to Putuahara, a town of two thousand

people on my first visit but now dwindled down to a place with less

than sixty inhabitants. All the ablebodied men were away, engaged in

pearl-fishing. This is the place where the people killed the French

policeman and severely beat the Catholic priest, as already stated.

We conversed with and preached to the inhabitants until the 25th, when

we went to Otopipi, but returned that same day, as our friends there

were absent from home. Our missionary work in Putuahara continued till

February 4th, when we again went to Otopipi. Next day being Sunday I

had the privilege of preaching to a large congregation. There were

thirty-one native members of the Church present. Many of the people in

attendance were Catholics, and my remarks raised quite a discussion

among them, some of them being for and others against me. Early

on Monday, according to previous arrangement, we sailed around to

Temeraia, receiving a hearty welcome there.

At this place we met the granddaughter of John Hawkins, once an Elder

in this mission and now a Josephite. I also visited the spot where I

had been arrested in the year 1851. The house had been cleared away

since then, and an old wrecked boat occupied the site. We held meetings

and had a large attendance, though the weather was intensely hot and

oppressive, and my health quite poor.

On February 17th a young man named Temia fell thirty-five feet from a

tree and broke his arm in three places, the bones coming through his

skin in one place. With such hot weather, and no surgical or medical

attendance available, it looked as though his chances for recovery

seemed slight. We visited him again on the 28th, and his case looked

even more serious. We administered to him, and he ultimately recovered.

Towards the latter part of the month the people began to feel more

friendly to us, and received us more cordially than at first.

While we were in meeting on March 1st, the governor passed, and as

he was averse to recognizing us then as previously, I called to him

and asked the reason. His reply was that it was not wise to do so. I

continued to talk with him, and he became more sociable, confessing

that it was the darkness of his heart that had caused him to act so

improperly. I advised him to repent of his sins and ask the Lord to

give him light, and he felt better. Two days after this I beheld the

unusual sight of a leper, as one passed the house--a painful picture

to behold. The third day a man and his wife were baptized into the

Church. A visit to Tuuhora was made on March 6th. and on the return

voyage, while diving for pearls, an eel was discovered under a rock

in deep water. It took quite a light to capture it, but it was a fine

one--about four feet long. We went to Putuahara on March 13, and during

the remainder of the month continued our missionary labors, meeting

with no unusual experiences.

On March 31st, Elders Damron and Jones came from Fakariva, and

native members of the Church began to arrive in preparation for our

conference, which was set for April 6th, 1893. At 7 o'clock that

morning we assembled in conference, being the same actual time when

the Saints were meeting for the dedication of the Temple in Salt Lake

City, Utah--10 a.m. at the latter place. I explained to the Saints in

conference the nature and importance of the event just named. Elder

Damron also spoke on temple building, and after the close of our

meeting we went to the seashore, where we held a short service, and

my son Elando baptized five persons into the Church. We also ordained

three native Elders and appointed two of them to preside over branches

of the Church. The conference continued till Sunday evening, and all in

attendance had a most enjoyable time.

We had received word on Saturday that eight Elders had arrived at

Papeete from Utah, and at the close of conference we decided that we

had better return to Tahiti as soon as possible. Next morning we bade

farewell to the weeping Saints, and set sail for Tuuhora. From there we

took passage for Taroa. On April 12th, we stopped at Apatai, where I

went ashore and met a number of people whom I had baptized on my former

mission. They did not display much of a hospitable feeling, as none

invited me to their houses.

Taroa was reached on April 16th, and the hearty welcome there was

highly appreciated after a voyage which had been very unpleasant to me,

as I had been quite ill. We were met by Messrs. Marvin and Mapuhi, and

escorted to the latters fine residence. It being Sunday, we attended

meetings. My son Elando was also called on, on on April 21st, to preach

the funeral sermon over a young man who had died of consumption.

On the morning of April 27th, the schooner _Avaroa_ came into port,

having on board the French governor of the Tuamotu group, also the

native governor of Taroa. We had a friendly chat with them, the

Frenchman saying he had been in Salt Lake City. He invited me to visit

him when I went to Fakariva again. Next day the people assembled to pay

their respects to the governor, and we also had another pleasant chat

with him.

We started from Taroa on Monday, May 1st, on the _Avaroa_, but as the

vessel was going out to sea she struck on a rock which disabled the

rudder, and it took till evening to repair it. Then we sailed for

Fakariva, reaching there the following afternoon. The French governor

went ashore, and later we did the same. Next morning we took breakfast

with him, being invited to come again whenever we were on the island.

That afternoon we sailed for Tahiti, reaching Papeete harbor on

Saturday, May 6th, and meeting there Elders Edward Sudbury, Frank Goff,

Frank Cutler, Eugene M. Cannon, Carl J. Larsen, Thomas L. Woodbury,

Fred C. Rossiter and Jesse M. Fox, all from Utah.

At a meeting of the missionaries held on May 13th, Elders Carl J.

Larsen and Thomas L. Woodbury were appointed to go to the Tuamotu

islands, Elders Frank Goff and Jesse M. Fox to Tubuoi, with my son

Elando and myself and the others remaining on Tahiti for a short time.

Through Mr. Marvin we engaged passage on a French man-of-war going to

Tubuoi, the captain giving his permission. But after we had packed

our trunks and purchased our provisions for the journey, the captain

suggested that we had better get a permit from the governor. We tried

to do so, but that official responded with an abrupt "No." So we had to

await another opportunity.

For some time previous to this date my health had been poorer than

usual, and it grew worse, so that it was with difficulty I attended to

missionary labors and to conducting the mission affairs. I continued

at work, however, the best I could, and my fellow-missionaries were

devoted to their duties. Some of them were in the best of health, but

others were not so fortunate; indeed, one of them, Edward Sudbury, was

under the necessity of returning home shortly after the date of which I

write. On May 25th we received mail telling us of the dedication of the

Temple in Salt Lake City, and the notable events connected therewith.

I had tried to get a hall in which to hold meetings for the European

residents of Papeete, my last efforts in that line being on June 13th,

but I was unsuccessful, so we had to do without, and endeavor to reach

them and the natives in other ways. On June 25th we held a council

meeting of all the Elders on Tahiti, eight in number, at which methods

for the best conduct of the mission were considered. Among other events

of the meeting was the unanimous expression by my fellow-missionaries

of the opinion that my state of health was such that I should go home.

A motion that I do so was put and carried, all but myself voting in

favor of my going by the next mail steamer, which sailed July 8th. I

thought that if conditions improved before that time, I would be at

liberty to remain longer in the mission field. Elder Sudbury was also

in such health that he was booked to start home at the same time, and

my son Elando was selected to accompany us, and give me the attention I

needed.

My health showing no signs of improvement, passage was secured on

the brig Galilee, bound for San Francisco. On June 27th we had seen

two persons from Anaa, who informed us there was trouble there,

the missionaries not obtaining their rights to preach. I gave such

advice as I felt would be safe to follow, and Elder J. W. Damron, who

succeeded me in the presidency of the mission, was left to deal with

affairs.

On July 4th, my sixty-fifth birthday, John Hawkins, one of my

fellow-laborers of forty-two years before, who had apostatized and

joined the Josephites, called, with others. He was particularly bitter

towards the Church. That day little Tapura, between six and seven years

old, brought me, of her own volition, a large and beautiful bouquet of

flowers--an act of kindness scarcely to be expected in one so young.

She is the daughter of Mr. Topaz, who was very kind to us.

The day previous to our going on board, the neighbors brought in

bananas and cocoanuts for our use on the voyage, and we were treated

well. We bade farewell to friends and associates, all being sorry at

the parting, and on July 8th I sailed for the last time from the harbor

of Papeete, island of Tahiti. The words of Apostle Lorenzo Snow, spoken

to me before commencing my journey, had been fulfilled. Though this

mission had not been so long as some of the others I had filled, it had

been one of the greatest and best I had performed, so far as relates

to the work I had been the means of accomplishing in reopening and

establishing the Society Islands mission.

Our vessel this voyage was very different to those we often had to use

in our travels from place to place, even in the same island. We also

bade adieu to the native method of landing from boats, which always

brought discomfort and often serious peril. For illustration, it was

no uncommon thing, when approaching harbor, to have to pass through

breakers across a coral reef where there was barely room for the boat

to glide between the rocks. Sometimes the vessel would be run close

to the opening, the occupants would spring out on to the rocks on each

side of the passage, and seizing the boat, would hold it there till

the large or "three-twin-sisters" wave came along; and then, by its

aid, would drag or push the boat through in safety. In such times as

these my lame condition was hindersome to the extent of being more than

annoying; it was exasperating. But I always got through, though it was

hard work, and my companions gave the needed assistance with perfect

willingness.

The voyage to San Francisco was without particular event more than is

usual on such occasions, as was also the journey from San Francisco to

Salt Lake City by rail. We reached home about the middle of August,

and were welcomed cordially. I reported to the First Presidency the

condition of affairs in the mission, the progress we had made, with the

difficulties that were to be met with. Elando and I had been absent for

sixteen months, and had worked with diligence to perform our part.

Our efforts had been blessed of the Lord, for many people who had been

astray from the path of life were led to direct their footsteps in the

straight and narrow path. The Society Islands mission had been reopened

successfully, and yet continues to prosper, the membership in the

Church there being quite numerous.

CHAPTER LXVII.

INVITED TO THE MIDWINTER FAIR, SAN FRANCISCO, AND ACCEPT--JOURNEY TO

CALIFORNIA--KIND TREATMENT RECEIVED--AN HONORED GUEST--WRITE A PAMPHLET

ON THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD AT SUTTER'S MILL RACE--FIRST ACCURATE ACCOUNT

PUBLISHED--AGAIN AT HOME--PREPARING MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY FOR PUBLICATION--A

GREAT TASK--PROGRESS OF THE WORK--MY HISTORY OF THE FIRST MISSION TO

THE PACIFIC ISLANDS--UTAH'S SEMI-CENTENNIAL JUBILEE--NOT A UTAH PIONEER

OF 1847--PIONEER JUST THE SAME--MORMON BATTALION RECOGNIZED IN THE UTAH

CELEBRATION--INVITED TO JOIN IN THE PARADE--COMPARATIVE NARROWNESS OF

COMMITTEE'S COURTESY--LETTERS FROM CALIFORNIA, REGARDING THE PIONEER

CELEBRATION THERE IN 1898--INVITED WITH THREE OTHERS OF THE MORMON

BATTALION, TO BE SPECIAL GUESTS AS THE SURVIVORS OF THE PARTY THAT

DISCOVERED GOLD IN CALIFORNIA IN 1848--APPRECIATION OF THE COURTESY

EXTENDED BY CALIFORNIANS.

AS my health was far from satisfactory, I was able to do but little

after my return from the Society Islands in August, 1893. I gave my

farm some attention, and traveled occasionally among the people. In

February, 1894, I received an invitation from James H. Love, manager

for the concession of the '49 mining camp at the Midwinter Fair, in

Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, to be present there. The invitation

came to me through Israel Evans, of Lehi, Utah, who had been with me in

California in 1848. I accepted, and in company with Israel Evans and my

son James T. Brown, went to California in the month named.

This visit to California extended about thirty days. We were treated

with the greatest kindness. Our place of lodging at the miner's cabin

on the fair grounds was comfortably fitted, and besides viewing the

most excellent exhibits of this notable Midwinter Exposition, we also

visited most of the places of interest in the locality. We were honored

guests in every parade, and nothing more could be desired in the way of

courtesies to make our stay pleasant.

While in California on this occasion I wrote my pamphlet. "Authentic

History of the First Discovery of Gold in Sutter's Mill Race,

California." This was the first accurate history of that event I had

seen in print, all the other accounts having been gathered from hearsay

and broken narratives, while I had the advantage of being an actual

participant in the historic occurrence.

In March, 1894, I returned home, and continued my ordinary labors, my

health being considerably improved. At this time I began preparing

my journal for publication, having to rewrite it to place it in

presentable form, as much of it had been noted down under very adverse

circumstances; it was also necessary to condense it greatly, many items

of real interest being abbreviated to a considerable extent.

I believe now that if I had realized at the outset what a great task

it was, I should not have attempted it, notwithstanding the fact that

I was fully aware that my life's experience had been filled with

unusually interesting episodes. But I had not been accustomed to giving

up a work once undertaken with a good aim; so I have continued to the

present, and as I prepare this chapter, the earlier part of the work is

in the hands of the printer. The only literary experience I have had

previous to this work is writing a history of the first mission to the

Pacific Islands and the subsequent progress of events in the Society

Islands mission up to 1893, the manuscript of which history was filed

with and is now a part of the records of the Church historian's office.

In July, 1897, Utah's Semi-Centennial Jubilee was celebrated, the

occasion being the fiftieth anniversary of the entrance of the Mormon

Pioneers into the valley of the Great Salt Lake, July 24, 1847. The

chief ceremonies were in Salt Lake City, July 20th to 25th, and I had

the honor and pleasure of being present. I had not the privilege of

being classed as one of the pioneers, for these were limited in the

celebration to those who reached Utah in 1847, and I did not arrive

there from the west till 1848. With the Mormon Battalion members,

however, I was a Mormon pioneer, in the memorable journey across the

country to the Pacific; I was also a pioneer in California, and later

in Utah and surrounding places. The committee on the semi-centennial

celebration, however, noted the fact that the members of the Mormon

Battalion were entitled to recognition in connection with the Utah

pioneer band, for the work of both was intimately associated. In

pursuance of this, there was sent to me under date of July 19th, a

letter containing this announcement:

"Survivors of the Mormon Battalion, the Nauvoo Legion, Captain Ballo's

Band, and the Martial Band, are requested to meet at Pioneer Square on

Tuesday next, July 20th, at 9 o'clock a.m., sharp, for the purpose of

marching in advance of the original band of Pioneers to witness the

unveiling ceremonies upon that occasion. Those who are able to walk are

earnestly requested to do so, but those who are too feeble to walk will

join them at the Monument.

"Hoping to see you with us at the appointed time, I am,

"Yours respectfully,

"H. F. MCGARVIE,

"Assistant Director-General."

I responded to this limited notice, in common with other members of the

Mormon Battalion at hand. But the summary treatment was in such strong

contrast to the consideration and courtesy extended at the Midwinter

Fair, and subsequently at the California Golden Jubilee, that its

effect was to enhance greatly, in the minds' of those who participated

in the California and the Utah celebrations, the admiration for the

California managers in their broad and thorough comprehension of the

amenities of such historic public events. But I must add here that the

Mormon Battalion members, whose journey west was over another route

than that followed by the companies which came direct to the Salt

Lake Valley, were fitly honored in the hearts of Utah's people as of

the pioneer band in the great west. December 1, 1897, I received the

following;

"1216 HYDE STREET, SAN FRANCISCO,

"November 29, 1897.

"_Mr. James S. Brown:_

"DEAR SIR: The celebration committee of the Society of California

Pioneers, expect, though as yet no formal action has been taken, to

invite yourself, Mr. J. Johnston, Mr. Azariah Smith, and Mr. Henry W.

Bigler, who were with Marshall at Coloma on the 24th of January, 1848,

to come to San Francisco as honored guests of the Society, and at its

expense, to participate in the semi-centennial celebration of that

eventful day, on the 24th of January next.

"If we should send such an invitation to you, will you come and be with

us? Letters from Mr. Bigler and Mr. Smith lead me to hope that they

will accept the invitation.

"So soon as formal action is taken, you will be informed either by

myself or by the secretary of our committee.

"Yours truly,

"JOHN S. HITTELL.

"A member of the Celebration Committee."

My response was that if my health would permit, and all things were

satisfactory, I should be pleased to accept such an invitation. I

received another letter from Mr. Hittell, under date of December 15th,

in which he said:

"_Mr. James S. Brown:_

"DEAR SIR: This evening the celebration committee of the Pioneer

Society adopted a resolution to invite you to attend the Golden Jubilee

of California, as an honored guest of the Society, which will provide

you with first class transportation from and to your home, and take

charge of your hotel bill from the 22nd of January till the 31st of

January, 1898, in this city.

"Mr. B. H. and Mr. H. B. Luther, brothers, say that they were at Coloma

on the 24th of January, 1848, as boys, with their father and mother.

Do you know them and remember when they reached Coloma? They say their

mother, who was with them there, is still living."

Under date of December 25th, Mr. Hittell also wrote me:

"_Captain James S. Brown:_

"DEAR SIR: Please let me know the amount of the railroad fare from Salt

Lake to Ogden, so that we may forward the sum to you by letter; we

expect to send you a ticket from Ogden to this city, including a lower

berth in a sleeping car.

"We hope that you, Bigler, Smith and Johnston will all come in the same

car. I have addressed a similar letter to each of the other three.

"Thanks for your letter of December 20th. I was satisfied that Gregson

and the Luthers were not at the sawmill on the 24th of January, 1848.

"I suppose the best train would be the one leaving Salt Lake City at

9:10 p.m., on January 20th, arriving at San Francisco January 22nd, at

9:45 a.m. Does that suit you?"

The next communication on the subject was as follows:

"EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA PIONEERS, NO. 5,

PIONEER PLACE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA,

"January 7, 1898,

"_James S. Brown, Esq., Salt Lake City:_

"DEAR SIR: The Society of California Pioneers invites you to attend the

Golden Jubilee Celebration of our State, and to accept the hospitality

of the Society in San Francisco, from the 22nd till the 31st of

January, 1898. Enclosed find a pass from the S. P. R. R. Co., for your

passage from Ogden to San Francisco and return. We send you today by

Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express, fifteen dollars in coin to pay for your

sleeping berth and meals on the way. We have engaged a lower berth for

you on the Pullman car which leaves Ogden on the night of Thursday, the

20th instant.

"The reception committee will meet you on the Oakland boat on the morning

of Saturday, the 22nd, and will wear the badge of the Society. Should

you miss seeing them you will go to the Russ House, where we have

engaged rooms and board for you.

"Should you not be able to come, please return the enclosed railroad

pass, and notify the ticket agent at Ogden that you will not use the

sleeping berth.

"Yours truly,

"J. I. SPEAR, Secretary.

"P. S.--We have arranged to have your railroad pass extended for thirty

days if you wish it. S."

Like my Mormon Battalion companions who were with me on the memorable

24th of January, 1848, I could not but feel highly gratified at the

courtesy extended, and look forward with pleasure to the commemoration,

under so favorable circumstances and with such marvelous progress as

California had made in civilization, of the fiftieth anniversary of a

notable event, which at the time of its occurrence, came to us in the

midst of hardships, fatigue and almost exile from home and relatives,

yet was a world-wonder in the results which followed the announcement

to the world of California's great gold discovery.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

TRIP TO CALIFORNIA--MET BY THE COMMITTEE ON RECEPTION OF THE SOCIETY

OF CALIFORNIA PIONEERS--RECEIVED WITH GREAT CORDIALITY--HONORED GUESTS

AT CALIFORNIA'S GOLDEN JUBILEE--THE CELEBRATION--COURTESIES EXTENDED

TO MORMON BATTALION MEMBERS PRESENT AT THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD--RETURN

HOME--RESOLUTIONS BY SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA PIONEERS--REPORT OF

RECEPTION COMMITTEE OF CALIFORNIA GOLDEN JUBILEE--SKETCH OF

MARSHALL'S SURVIVING COMPANIONS--COMPLETE MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY--MY SON

HOMER ACCIDENTALLY KILLED--THE OLD FOLKS--PUBLICATION OF LIFE OF A

PIONEER--CONCLUSION.

IN response to the invitation from the Society of California Pioneers,

I left Salt Lake City on January 20, 1898, in company with Henry W.

Bigler, Azariah Smith and Wm. J. Johnston, who, like myself, were

guests of the Society. We reached Oakland, California, January 22,

and were met by Mr. John H. Jewett, president of the society, and a

committee consisting of Messrs. John S. Hittell, Almarin B. Paul,

General Wm. H. Pratt, and Misses Anna P. Green and Mary M. Green. The

ladies pinned badges of the Society of California Pioneers on the

lapels of our coats. We were received with the greatest cordiality, and

were taken to the Russ House, San Francisco, where we were comfortably

lodged, being shown special consideration by the proprietor and

his amiable wife, and from that time on we were given the best of

attention. Nothing that could be done was too good for us, and language

fails to express our high appreciation of the courtesy and kindness

bestowed.

Whenever we attended any of the functions of California's Golden

Jubilee Celebration, or desired to visit a place, carriages were at our

service. January 24th was the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery

of gold at Sutter's mill race, and there was a magnificent pageant in

celebration of the event. We occupied the post of distinction in the

procession, our carriage bearing the legend, "Companions of Marshall."

We were the only survivors of that notable occasion, fifty years

before. The place of honor was also accorded to us at the celebration

ceremonies in the evening at Wood's Pavilion, and on the 27th we were

at a reception in Pioneer Hall, and greeted the multitudes, old and

young, anxious to see and shake hands with us; and at the Mining Fair

our treatment was characterized by the same cordial and distinguished

welcome. The celebration ceremonies lasted the entire week. When at our

hotel we were besieged by reporters, and hundreds of people called to

see us, and get our autographs. Our photographs also were taken for the

Society of Pioneers.

Outside of the celebration proper, there was the same magnanimous

kindness. I could not name all the citizens who extended to us marked

courtesies, but feel that I must specially mention Captain John T.

McKenzie of the steamer _San Rafael_, who was very attentive, also Hon.

Irving Scott, manager of the great Union Iron Works, at which place we

had a particularly interesting visit and entertainment.

Two of my companions started home on January 31st, and the third on

February 2nd. I stayed a few days longer, visiting my brother at

Petaluma. I also went to many other places of interest, then returned

home, all expenses of my journey being provided. A few days later I

received the following:

"EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA PIONEERS, NO. 5,

PIONEER PLACE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA,

"February 9, 1898,

"_James S. Brown, Esq., Salt Lake City, Utah:_

"DEAR SIR: I have the honor of advising you that at the monthly meeting

of the members of the Society held at Pioneer Hall on Monday, February

7, 1898, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

"_Whereas_, The Golden Jubilee just passed marks the second grand event

as connected with the first discovery of gold in California, and as all

pioneers feel gratified at the universal desire of the people to pay

tribute to the pioneer days, now be it

"_Resolved_, That the Society of California Pioneers tenders its

thanks to the press generally; to the state and city officials; to the

military as a body; to the various mining associations; to the Native

Daughters and Native Sons of the Golden West, and to the many other

organizations that participated in making the grand pageant of January

24th a splendid success. And be it further

"_Resolved_, That the thanks of this society are also tendered to

Henry W. Bigler, James S. Brown, Wm. J. Johnston and Azariah Smith,

the companions of Marshall, in lending their presence for the Jubilee;

and especially do we appreciate the efforts and labors of the

executive committee of the Golden Jubilee, and we also return thanks

to the Southern Pacific Company for complimentary passes to the four

companions of Marshall to and from San Francisco and Ogden, also for

its liberal contribution to the Golden Jubilee held under auspices of

the society; and also to Irving M. Scott on part of the Union Iron

Works, for the invitation to the companions of Marshall and members of

this Society to visit the works, and the placing at our disposal their

tug for the trip, and further for the many courtesies extended to all

by the several officers connected with the works while there.

"J. H. JEWETT, President."

On February 20th this note came:

"1316 HYDE STREET, SAN FRANCISCO,

"February 18, 1898.

"_Mr. James S. Brown:_

"Dear Sir: Your letter of the 16th inst, with the news that you

had arrived safely at home, has given me pleasure. I felt some

responsibility for my part in bringing four old men so far away from

home, but now that I know all have arrived in good health at Salt Lake,

I congratulate myself that events have turned out so favorably. I have

had no letter from Mr. Bigler or Mr. Smith, but they will write to me.

"I spoke promptly to Mr. Spear, the secretary, about sending fifteen

dollars to pay for the expenses of your return trip, and I understood

him to promise that the money would be transmitted to you by check.

"The Pioneer Society will long preserve a pleasant recollection of

the participation of the four companions of Marshall in our Jubilee

celebration, and personally I shall always be glad to hear of their

welfare.

"Yours truly,

"JOHN S. HITTELL."

Here is the closing communication in relation to my latest visit to

California and the occasion which caused it:

"San Francisco, March 9, 1898.

"_Mr. James S. Brown, Salt Lake City:_

"DEAR SIR: Enclosed please find a copy of the report of the reception

committee of the Golden Jubilee:

"_To John H. Jewett, President of the California Pioneers:_

"The reception committee appointed by the Society to receive its guests

attending the celebration of the Golden Jubilee on the 24th of January

last, begs leave to report that its task has been completed.

"On the morning of January 22nd all the members of the committee

received and welcomed the four companions of Marshall on the overland

train at Oakland, and escorted them to the Russ House, where, under

the direction of President John H. Jewett, they were provided with

comfortable accommodations.

"These four men, the only survivors of those who were with Marshall at

Coloma when he discovered gold there on Monday, the 24th of January,

1848, are:

"I. Henry W. Bigler, born in Harrison County, West Virginia, August

28th, 1815, who in his diary made the only written record of the gold

discovery on the day of its occurrence. He is now a resident of St.

George, Utah.

"2. Azariah Smith, born at Boylston, New York, on the 1st of August,

1828, who, on the first Sunday after the discovery, wrote in his diary

that gold had been found in the preceding week.

"3. James S. Brown, born in Davison County, North Carolina, on the 4th

of July, 1828, who recollects that on the evening of January 24th,

1848, H. W. Bigler said he would write in his diary that something like

gold had been discovered, as it might be important some day. He resides

in Salt Lake City.

"4. Wm. J. Johnston, born near New Baltimore, Ohio, on the 21st of

August, 1824, and now resides in Ramah, New Mexico.

"These four men are all clear in mind, and for their years, strong and

active in body.

"In the procession on the 24th they occupied a carriage marked

'Companions of Marshall.' On the evening of that day, they were

entertained in our hall with special honor, and two days later they

held a reception in the same place. Various members of our Society,

and especially Captain McKenzie, showed them much attention. They

were guests of honor at the Mining Fair on the opening evening. Hon.

Irving M. Scott, manager of the Union Iron Works, gave them a special

entertainment at his shipyard; and other citizens contributed to make

their stay in our city pleasant. The whole Jubilee week was a round of

festivity for them.

"Messrs. Bigler and Smith were escorted to their returning train at

Oakland on the 31st of January. Mr. Johnston two days later, and Mr.

Brown in the next succeeding week. They all reached their homes safely,

and all have written to members of the committee acknowledging the

attention and honor shown to them by the Society of California Pioneers.

"As they are the only persons now living who saw gold in the days of

its discovery, their attendance at our semi-centennial celebration

connected our Jubilee in a highly interesting manner with the great

event which it commemorated. We may add that personal acquaintance with

these venerable men has been a source of pleasure to all members of

this committee, as well as to many other Pioneers.

"Respectfully submitted,

"JOHN S. HITTELL, Chairman.

"ALMARIN B. PAUL,

"W. H. PRATT."

Upon my return home, I again gave attention to this autobiography,

which proved no light task, as my health has been far from good.

On the 14th of December, 1899, a keen sorrow came to myself and family.

My son Homer, in his twenty-sixth year, died on that date, as a result

of injuries received at a cave-in at the Silver King mine, Park City,

Utah, three weeks before. When war broke out between Spain and the

United States in 1898, he enlisted in response to President McKinley's

call for volunteers, and became a member of Troop C, Utah Volunteer

Cavalry. After his return from California, where the cavalry was sent,

he was married, the event occurring two months before the accident

which cost him his life. On December 19, he was buried in Salt Lake

City, the funeral services being held at the Seventeenth Ward assembly

rooms.

In the summer of 1898, I was added to the list of Utah's Old Folks,

attending the excursion to Lagoon, Davis County, in July, 1898, to

Geneva, Utah County, in July, 1899, and again at Lagoon on July 6,

1900. The Old Folks include all people over seventy years of age,

independent of creed, race or color; these are accorded receptions,

excursions, and similar happy courtesies, as marks of honor and respect

to the aged. The central committee having this highly appreciated

undertaking in charge has for its chairman the Presiding Bishop of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

By the close of 1899, I had completed the preparation of my life's

history for publication in a neat volume, and soon thereafter arranged

for the printing, which at this date, July, 1900, is accomplished. Now

that I have reached the seventy-second annual milestone of my life, I

realize that the period for especially notable or thrilling events in

my mortal career is past; and in the publication of my autobiography, I

sincerely trust that this humble final extended labor on my part will

achieve the principle aim of its performance, that of doing good to

those who live after me, in the witness its record bears of the mercy,

power, and goodness of God, and the latter-day progress of His great

and loving design for the blessing and salvation of His children. With

this attainment, the influence of the record, LIFE OF A PIONEER, will

be in accord with the sincere desire and earnest effort of my soul

throughout life.