My Interview With Brother George A. Smith--My Ill-natured Remark--He
Wins me by Kindness--His Noble Character--Peace With the Indians.
WHEN the troubles began Brother George A. Smith, who was presiding in
Utah county was in Salt Lake City. There was much confusion in the
county. All the cattle belonging to Provo, twelve hundred head, were
got together on the lake bottom. Barney Ward and I were placed as guard
over them, with orders not to let them get away. We stayed with them
until we were about worn out. No one would come to our relief till
Brother Smith came to give directions. On the third day we heard he had
arrived. I went in early to see him. I had not slept for three nights
and had been in the saddle most of the time, consequently I did not
feel very good-natured. As I was going up to Brother Smith's house I
met three of the principal brethren on the street. They asked where
I was going. I told them to see Brother Smith. They replied that he
was not up and I could not see him. I answered, "I will go and see."
Sure enough they were right and somewhat sarcastically said, "You will
learn some day to not be in such a hurry." I was very angry and made an
ill-natured remark.
After going and getting my breakfast I went back to G. A. Smith's
house. He was sitting by the door in company with the men I had met
before.
Brother Smith shook hands with me saying, "I understand you called me
a big lazy lout. What do you mean by such talk? Did you say it?" I
replied "Yes sir. I have been up with Brother Ward three nights herding
cattle; he is with the cattle now, we are worn out and cannot stand
it any longer; I thought when you only rode from Salt Lake City in a
carriage, and have slept all night, you could just as well get up and
attend to business as for us to be up three nights. That is why I said
it."
Brother Smith turned to one of these men, saying, "Go get some men and
relieve Brother Barney immediately. Bro. Jones go home and go to sleep;
when you wake up you will feel better." I felt ashamed for Bro. Smith
manifested no anger.
When I awoke in the afternoon I went to see Bro. Smith intending to ask
his pardon. On seeing me he took me by the hand, laughing heartily,
asking me if I felt any better, and talking in a very pleasant manner,
giving me no chance to apologize. Many years afterwards he spoke of it,
and laughed about it as a good joke. I relate this to show the nobility
of his character, being above small prejudice. I have met others who
ought to be as good as Brother Smith, who would never have forgiven me
if I had made such a remark about them.
How long the war continued is a question. Active hostilities were kept
up more or less according to opportunities during the summer of '53.
When the Indians had a good chance they would steal or kill. Some were
more or less peaceable when it suited them. I never went out to fight
as I made no pretensions whatever of being an Indian fighter. I did
my portion of military duty. I assisted in various ways in helping to
protect ourselves against the natives, but I always made it a rule to
cultivate a friendly feeling whenever opportunity presented; so much so
that the Indians always recognized me as a friend to their race. I had
learned some little about military affairs while in Mexico. I assisted
in organizing and drilling the militia from time to time. I also acted
as adjutant under Col. P. W. Conover as early as '51. afterwards filled
the same position under Col. Pace in '53. I did not like the office and
resigned, but was induced to accept the office again for the purpose
of making out returns to the government for services rendered by some
of the Utah militia. These returns were accepted, the men paid, and
land warrants issued. I was assisted by L. J. Nuttall and G. W. Hickman
as clerks. After this Brother Nuttall was appointed in my place and
continued to act under Col. Pace to my knowledge, as late as the Echo
Canyon War.
President Young advised the people to wall in their towns. This puzzled
the Indians. We told them it was our intention to shut them out and
have no more to do with them. This they did not like for there was
no great length of time, but what some of the different bands were
on friendly terms with the settlers. Walker finally said if we would
quit building walls, they would quit fighting. But the good peace was
broken, and there was always some of the whites holding grudges against
the Indians. Still we called it peace. The local troubles are matters
of general history. I aim to deal more with that which is not written.
I always considered the natives entitled to a hearing as well as the
whites. Both were often in the wrong. The white men should be patient
and just with the Indians and not demand of them in their untutored
condition the same responsibility they would of the more intelligent
class. Further along in this history we will see the Indians' defence.