FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS.
A TRUE YET THRILLING NARRATIVE OF THE AUTHOR'S
EXPERIENCES AMONG THE NATIVES.
BY DANIEL W JONES.
PUBLISHED AT THE
JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE,
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. 1890.
COPYRIGHT APPLIED FOR.
PREFACE.
The Scriptures tell us that the truth should not be spoken at all
times. Does this imply that a falsehood should ever be told? I think
not, but simply means that silence is often profitable.
In answer to the solicitation of many friends, I have concluded to
write something of my personal history and experience in frontier
life, especially relating to that portion spent among the Indians and
Mexicans. In doing this I shall aim to write the plain, simple truth. I
have to trust mainly to my memory, never having kept a journal. I have
preserved a few letters that will aid me, but the greater part of this
history will be given as it comes to my mind, just as it occurred to
me at the time, modified or strengthened, as the case may be, by after
circumstances.
One rule I shall endeavor to follow--to speak the truth without malice
toward anyone. This will doubtless be hard for me to carry through, but
I make a record of the desire, that it may be continually before me.
If the educated reader should find any mistakes in this book, please
do not spend much time or money in pointing them out, as they may be
too common. No one has been paid for a literary revision. The Author
has used his own language and style. The unlearned will be able to
understand the language without the use of a dictionary.
The Author.
INDEX.
CHAPTER I.
Cross the Plains with Volunteers to Engage in War with Mexico--Attacked
by Mounted Comanches--Remain in Mexico About Three Years after the
War--Indulge in Many of the Wild and Reckless Ways of the People, but
Abstain from Strong Drink and the Worst Vices--Acquire a Knowledge of
the Spanish Language
CHAPTER II.
Learn of the "Mormons"--Leave with a Company Bound for Salt Lake
Valley with Eight Thousand Sheep--My First "Big Scare"--Surrounded
and Threatened by Indians Many Times on the Road--Surrounded by Five
Hundred Well-Armed Warriors Demanding the Death of a Man from our
Camp, as the Chief's son had Died--Meet with an Accident Which Nearly
Resulted in my Death
CHAPTER III.
My Scrutiny of the Mormons--Employment as an Indian Trader
--Acquaintance with "Winter Mormons"--A Proposition of Theft--Loomas
Threatens my Life--My Resolve to Kill him--He Finds his Death at Other
Hands
CHAPTER IV.
My Baptism--Walker, the "Napoleon of the Desert"--Raids in Lower
California--He Tricks the Mexicans--Extinction of the Tribe
CHAPTER V.
Patrick and Glenn Fail--Patrick a Rascal--He Robs Enoch Reece
CHAPTER VI.
My Visit to Salt Lake City--Introduction to Brigham Young--Ordained a
Seventy--Judge Brochus' Speech
CHAPTER VII.
The City Santa Fe--Traditions Concerning it--The Early Settlers--My
Desires to Travel--The Slave Trade
CHAPTER VIII.
Governor Brigham Young Checks the Slave Trade--The Prosecution of
Offenders--A Noted Trial--A Cruel Argument to Induce Mormons to Buy
Indian Children
CHAPTER IX.
My Marriage--Peaceful Life Among the Savages--Dr. Bowman Seeks
Trouble--He is Killed by the Indians--The "Walker War"--Its Cause--A
Thrilling Situation
CHAPTER X.
My Interview with Brother George A. Smith--My Ill-natured Remark--He
Wins me by Kindness--His Noble Character--Peace with the Indians
CHAPTER XI.
President Young Calls for Volunteers to meet the Hand-cart Company--I
Join the Party--Names of the Company--One Party of Emigrants Found in a
Starving Condition
CHAPTER XII.
Myself and two Companions Sent to Search for Missing Companies--We
Find Them--Our Cool Reception at One Camp--Apathy Manifested--Terrible
Sufferings
CHAPTER XIII.
Short Rations--Wagons Unloaded of Their Freight and Loaded With
Emigrants--Myself and Company Left to Guard the Goods--One Sister's
Discouragement
CHAPTER XIV.
We Kill our Cattle to Keep Them from Wolves--Visit from two
Brethren--Letter from President Young--A Mail Company Nearly Perishes
CHAPTER XV.
Our Food Exhausted--Rawhides Cooked and Eaten--Our Fast-Day--An
Unexpected Supper--A Providential Food Supply
CHAPTER XVI.
Kindness of Indians in Providing Food--Express from Salt Lake
City--Visit from an Indian Chief--Scanty Food Supply
CHAPTER XVII.
My Severe Toil in Getting to Camp--Three Stray Cattle Come to the
Fort--The Second Company of the Y. X. Express Passes us--Our Hunt for
the Cattle--Two Days' Travel Without Food--Our Safe Return to Camp
CHAPTER XVIII.
Pulling Sticks--"Rawhides Against Corn"--Our Buffalo Hunt--
Dissatisfaction at the Food Rations--Permission Given to Eat all that
was Wanted--Ben Hampton's Prophecy--Its Fulfillment--A Relief Party
Arrives--Tom Williams' Party of Apostates--He demands the Goods Under
our Care but does not get Them
CHAPTER XIX.
Ample Food Supplies Arrive--I go to Salt Lake City--My Report to
President Young--He Approves it--I am Accused of Stealing--My
Vindication
CHAPTER XX.
My Trading Trip--President Young Asks me to Meet some False
Charges--Wicked Reports Concerning me--Their Unjustness made
Manifest--The President's Stern Reproof to my Accusers--An Excellent
Recommend
CHAPTER XXI.
The Echo Canyon War--An Invading Foe--Plans for Checking its
Progress--Peace Declared--Pardon Granted--The True Cause of the
Trouble--I Work at Saddlery--The Unjustifiable Killing of Yates--Visit
from Indians
CHAPTER XXII.
The Troops Ordered from Camp Floyd to New Mexico--I am Solicited to
Act as Guide--Through the Killing of an Ox I am Charged with being a
Traitor to the Church--The Trial--My Acquittal--I Desire to Return
Home, but am Forced to Continue as Guide
CHAPTER XXIII.
Difficulty in Finding the Trail--The Character of our Commanding
Officer--My Discharge as Guide--A Proposition to Kill Stith--Rejected
by Moore and Myself--Arrival at Santa Fe--The Confidence of the
Quartermaster in me
CHAPTER XXIV.
Leave Santa Fe for Home--Attacked by Robbers--A Shower of Bullets--A
Hard Ride--Incidents of our Journey--A Novel
CHAPTER XXV.
Martin's Cruel Treatment of us--Baker's Kindness--Our Journey
Home--Reception by our Families--Our Claim Against the Government
CHAPTER XXVI.
Duties at Home--Building the Provo Canyon Road--Indulge in a Row--Move
to Salt Lake City--The Black Hawk War--List of the Slain--No Help from
the U. S. Troops
CHAPTER XXVII.
I Decide to Visit the Hostile Indians--Tabby's Message--My Ruse to
Avoid Being Killed or Driven Away--Tabby's Relenting--The Design to
Raid Coalville Frustrated
CHAPTER XXVIII.
My Discharge by the Government Agent--I Prepare, in Mid-Winter, to
Again Visit the Indians--Bradley Sessions Accompanies me--Our Terrible
Journey and Sufferings--Reception at the Agency
CHAPTER XXIX.
I Visit the Indian Camp--Our Big Talk--Some of Their Grievances--The
Kindness of an Indian in Providing me a Horse
CHAPTER XXX.
Another Trip to Uintah Agency--Confidence of the Indians--My Return
to Salt Lake City--Call on Secretary Delano--G. W. Dodge Visits the
Indians as a Peace Commissioner--Speech of Chief Douglas--Treaty with
Grass Valley Indians
CHAPTER XXXI.
Whisky Sold to the Indians--I Forbid the Traffic--Douglas and his Band
Demand an Order for Fire-Water--They Threaten to Kill me--My Trick
on them for Threatening me--Mr. Dodge Orders the Indians Back to the
Reservation--They Refuse to go--Trouble Brewing--Peaceable Settlement
CHAPTER XXXII.
The Killing of an Indian Near Fairview--His Friends Visit me--I Advise
them to keep the Peace and they do so
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The Salt Lake City Election in 1874--Deputy Marshals Attempt to Run
Things--Mayor Wells' Order--The Mob Dispersed--Captain Burt and his Men
Make Some Sore Heads
CHAPTER XXXIV.
President Young Requests Brother Brizzee and Myself to Prepare for a
Mission to Mexico--Mileton G. Trejo Joins the Church--His Remarkable
Conversion--I Report to President Young that I am Ready--One Hundred
Pages of the Book of Mormon Translated into Spanish and Printed
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Missionaries for Mexico--We are to Explore the Country--Our Outfit
and Mode of Travel--Our Stubborn Mules--Incidents of the Journey
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Our Explorations--Arrival at Phoenix--We Push Forward on our
Journey--Camp Among Thieves--A Meeting Held with Indians--Its good
Results
CHAPTER XXXVII.
We Visit the Governor of Arizona--An Indian Country--My Talk with the
Natives--The Custom Officer--He Favors our Entry into Mexico
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
A Priest Warns his Congregation Against Mormons--We Find Some
Friends--Our Plans for the Season--Letter from President Young--Threats
of some Rowdies--The Peaceful Results
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Justice in Early Days--We Prepare to go Further--Our Letter of
Introduction--Loss of our Animals--We Trail and Find Them
CHAPTER XL.
The Object of our Mission--Our Arrival at Chihuahua--Our Generous
Landlord--We Call on the Governor--Interest Aroused Concerning
us--Interview With Robbers
CHAPTER XLI.
We Decide to Visit Guerero--Meeting at Concepcion--We Prepare to Return
Home--The Priest at Temosachic--His Kindness to us--Testimony of a
Stranger
CHAPTER XLII.
Experience at El Valle--We Travel Through a Dangerous Indian
Country--Soldiers on the Move--Visit from an "Old Timer"
CHAPTER XLIII.
Narrative of our Visitor's Life--His Early Studies and Aspirations--His
Marriage to a Deceitful Wife--He Flees to California--His Wife Assumes
Repentance and he Returns to her--Further Hypocrisy
CHAPTER XLIV.
We Meet Leading Brethren in Arizona--Arrival Home--Incorrect Reports
Concerning me--My Horse "Tex"--Meeting With President Young--He Accepts
our Labors
CHAPTER XLV.
A Colonizing Mission to Mexico--I Prefer to be Relieved--My Wish
Not Granted--The Company Who Volunteered--Our Start From St.
George--Parting With President Young
CHAPTER XLVL.
We Locate on Salt River--Letter from President Young--We Commence Work
on our Ditch--Hire Indians to Help us--My Associations with the Red Men
CHAPTER XLVIL.
Deceit of my Interpreter--Indians Apply for Baptism--Some True-Hearted
Natives Receive the Ordinance--Help Given on our Ditch by the Pimas and
Maricopas--The U. S. Agent Forbids my Interfering with the Indians
CHAPTER XLVIII.
I am Accused of Conniving with the Indians to Steal--My
Arrest--Investigation and Discharge--The Fate of Witches Among the
Natives--I Interfere to Prevent their Murder--Captain Norval's
Threat--His Mistake
CHAPTER XLIX.
Opposition to the Indians--An Exciting Meeting--A Commission Appointed
to Investigate Indian Water Claims--Efforts to Rob the Natives--Armed
Men Begin to Gather--Peaceful Settlement
CHAPTER L.
I Decide to Devote Myself to Personal Interests--Summoned as a Witness
in Indian Difficulties--My Own Troubles--I Meet the Demands of my
Brethren Though it Takes my Home
CHAPTER LI.
I Remove to Tonto Basin--Death by Accident of my Wife and Child--Return
to Salt River--My Official Duties There--Trip to Old Mexico
CHAPTER LII.
Accidental Shooting of my Son-in-law--My Opinion of Early Colonization
by the Saints--I go on an Exploring Trip--I Find the Land Described by
President Young--I Endeavor to Make a Purchase but Fail
CHAPTER LIII.
Other Brethren Visit my Proposed Purchase--Their Good Report--Death of
my Son, Wiley--My Return to Salt Lake City--A New Invention
CHAPTER LIV.
The Apache Indians--Ideas Concerning God--A Statement Concerning
the Jesuits--Treachery of Kerker--Slaughter of the Apaches--The
Navajoes--Colonel Chavez' Horse Race--Loss of Government Horses--War
with this Tribe--The Yaqui Tribe--The Tarumaries--A Peculiar Custom
CHAPTER LV.
Letter to the Deseret News--A Brief Review of Mexican
History--Characteristics of the People--Land Grants and
Purchases--Peculiarities of Land Titles--The Climate of Mexico
CHAPTER I.
Cross the Plains with Volunteers to Engage in War with Mexico--
Attacked by Mounted Comanches--Remain in Mexico about Three Years after
the War--Indulge in many of the Wild and Reckless Ways of the People,
but Abstain from Strong Drink and the Worst Vices--Acquire a Knowledge
of the Spanish Language.
In the year 1847, I crossed the plains with the volunteers from St.
Louis, Missouri, going out to take part in the war with Mexico. At that
time the Comanche Indians were a power on the plains. The Battalion I
belonged to was attacked while in camp on the Arkansas River. On the
opposite side of the river were sand hills. Wood was very scarce in the
region and on arriving in camp, it was customary for a number of the
most active young men to go out in search of fuel, generally "buffalo
chips."
On looking across the river there was seen a few small piles of what
looked like driftwood. This had been placed there by the Indians as a
decoy; but no suspicion was felt at the time, as we had heretofore seen
no Indians, neither was there anyone along who understood the Indians'
"tricks."
Some thirty men started in haste for this wood. Only one man taking his
gun, one other had a small pocket pistol. A few of the most active men
secured the wood piled up, whilst the others remained gathering the
scattered sticks and picking berries that grew among the sand-hills.
Suddenly there charged upon them about twenty-five mounted Comanches.
Using their long, sharp spears they would ride a man down, spear him
through, catch him by the hair, and scalp him without dismounting.
They killed and scalped eight men, wounding and scalping another that
recovered. Although there was a battalion of infantry and a company of
cavalry in camp, this was done before help could reach the men. The men
in camp rushed across the river, firing at the Indians, who retreated
as soon as they were in danger. The cavalry company mounted and pursued
for some time but could not overtake the Indians. This was my first
introduction to Indians.
After this we were more watchful. Many attacks were made and men
killed in those days in open daylight in what might be termed a fair
field fight, while others were surprised, and sometimes whole parties
murdered, as was the mail company at Wagon Mound in 1849. Some of them
were personal friends of mine.
At that time, in common with white men generally, I looked upon all
Indians as fit only to be killed.
After the war was over, I remained in Mexico until July, 1850. Of my
stay in that country for some three years, I will give only a brief
sketch and write that which has a bearing on my future life and
actions, as will be given in this work. There are many things that have
occurred in my experience which might be interesting to some but not to
the general reader.
I will say this, and say it truly, I took part in many ways in the
wild, reckless life that was common in that land, so much so that I
often felt condemned, and longed for something to call me away from
where I was, and lead me from the evils I was surrounded by. I had much
pride, always believing myself better than many others. This caused me
to preserve myself from degradation. There was a feeling continually
with me, that if I would keep my body pure and healthy, I would yet
find a condition in life that would be satisfactory to me.
This spirit enabled me to abstain from strong drink and other worse
vices that I could see were destroying the lives of my associates.
Notwithstanding this, I found enough to practice in the way of
gambling, swearing, fighting, and other rough conduct to feel heartily
condemned in my own conscience.
While in Mexico I formed a kindly feeling toward many of the Mexican
people, studied the Spanish language, so as to read and write it and
act as interpreter.
My mind often reverts to those days. I had been left an orphan at
eleven years of age. I then left all my friends and relatives and went
out into the world alone, probably as willful a boy as ever lived. No
one could control me by any other means than kindness, and this I did
not often meet with. The result was, I found myself among rough people
in a wild country among those who knew no law but the knife and pistol.
The old Texas Rangers and many of the Missouri planters being the
leading characters.
I often wonder how I got through, and I can only account for it in one
way: I did not like this way of living. I felt condemned, and often
asked God in all earnestness to help me to see what was right, and
how to serve Him; telling Him I wanted to know positively, and not be
deceived. I felt that the people of this age ought to have prophets to
guide them, the same as of old, and that it was not a "square thing"
to leave them without anything but the Bible, for that could not be
sufficient or the people would not dispute so much over it. These
feelings grew upon me, and I began to be more careful of my conduct,
and felt a greater desire to leave the country.