Patrick and Glenn fail--Patrick a Rascal--He Robs Enoch Reece.
I remained in Manti until April, 1851, when I, still in the employ of
Patrick and Glenn, came down to Spanish Fork and helped to open the
first farm on that stream; it was known as the Reece farm. Here we
had many Utes about us. I often traded with them and they were always
friendly remarking that I had a different expression in my eyes, a more
kindly look than the people in general had for them. The fact is, I
felt from the depths of my heart sincere friendship for them, and no
doubt manifested it in my looks. My employers had failed in business,
having no capital to commence with, and turned over their property to
the Reece Brothers of Salt Lake City.
Patrick proved to be a rascal. When I called on him for a settlement
he denied the most he was owing me. He was then in Provo, in charge of
several thousand dollars worth of stock belonging to Enoch Reece, who
was sending him out to meet his train of merchandise coming in. He was
to meet it at Green river. I was determined to make him pay me before
he went on. Finally, he offered to settle by arbitration, naming a
person.
I felt safe with this proposal and asked him if he would abide the
decision if I would. He answered yes. I felt sure of the money, for I
had great confidence in the person chosen. He seemed a just and good
man and in my simplicity I supposed he would be able to judge correctly
in the case. I was careful not to make any demand excepting what I knew
to be perfectly just. Mr. Patrick denied in toto my account, and the
arbitrator decided that I was attempting to wrong Mr. Patrick. This
was a "stumper" for me, but I said I would stand it, and inasmuch as
I had to pay for the privilege, I intended to tell all hands what I
thought of them. I then told the arbitrator that he had believed a lie
and condemned the truth, that some day he would know it, and that Mr.
Patrick would get away with Brother Reece's property, for he had proven
himself a thief. Enoch Reece was present and resented what I said,
telling me to stop talking, but I made my little speech all the same.
About six weeks afterwards I met Brother Reece in Provo and the first
words he said to me were: "Well, Brother Jones, what do you think has
occurred?" I replied, "Patrick has got away with your stock." "Yes,"
said he, "he has sold the whole of it and 'sloped' for Oregon." I
told him I was glad of it, for he might have listened to me. I also
learned afterwards what had blinded the arbitrator. He was owing Mr.
Patrick some five hundred dollars, and the latter had told him he
could wait six months for all except what was owing Jones; so all that
was decided in my favor he had to look up. Consequently it was easy
to understand why Patrick did not owe me much!!! I had not belonged
to the Church long, but if any one had hinted to me that my faith was
shaken in Mormonism by this unjust decision, I should have resented it
as an insult. To me it was simply a human weakness which Mormonism had
nothing to do with.