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.
The wagons being sent out for the goods soon began to arrive.
Provisions were not in question now, as we had plenty. There was also
a big Y. X. company, Levi Stewart in charge, going down to stock the
road, and a company of Elders traveling with hand-carts came through
from Salt Lake City. It was about one week from the first arrival until
the last of these arrived.
President Young had sent me several letters containing instructions
of various kinds pertaining to my duties; but one particular letter
of definite instructions how to arrange many things, had not arrived.
I kept waiting for it, as there were many things to do that I had no
instructions about. I kept enquiring but no letter came. Finally all
were in. I asked some of the older and more experienced Elders what I
should do. Their answer was that they were also expecting instructions
and that they were more in need of counsel than able to give it.
There were over two hundred teams now on the ground, many of the owners
beginning to get impatient at the delay. I was at a loss what to do, so
I went out after night and asked the Lord to help me out. I told Him
I desired to do exactly what was best, but did not know a thing about
it, and made this proposition that I would take my clerk with me in
the morning, and when a question was asked me by any one what to do,
I would tell the clerk to write down just what first came to my mind.
And if that was right to please remove the spirit of oppression that I
was laboring under and allow me to go back to the fort and enjoy myself
with my friends. My mind was at once entirely relieved. I went and
passed a pleasant evening.
Next morning without saying anything about the lack of instructions we
commenced business. Soon some one asked whose teams were to be loaded
first, I dictated to my clerk. Thus we continued. As fast as the clerk
put them down, orders would be given, and we passed on to the next. We
continued this for four days. Everything that I felt to be my duty was
done. All the teams were loaded up, companies organized and started
back, men detailed to remain a while longer. Elders furnished flour,
and a great deal of business was done. A memorandum was kept of all
this.
I hitched up a team and started for home when everything was in
shape. I reached Salt Lake City a few hours ahead of the freight
teams, and went to President Young's office. He was very glad to see
me, expressing much sympathy and saying that if he had known of our
suffering in time he would have sent us supplies at any cost. I acted
a little stiff for I did not know whether my management of the last
business would be approved of or not, but I was determined to defend my
actions, for I knew I had done the best I could.
Soon Brother Young asked me if I had attended to everything in order
before leaving. My reply was, "I hope I did but do not know."
"Well, you acted according to my instructions, did you not?"
"I don't know. I did not get any instructions, and it was pretty hard
on me."
I handed him my book saying: "Here is a report of what we did; I hope
it is satisfactory."
Brother Brigham asked his clerk, T. D. Brown, about the letter of
instructions. Brother Brown said a few days after the last of these
companies left, in looking over his papers he found a letter directed
to D. W. Jones. It was the letter that should have been sent.
Brother Brigham commenced reading my report, and as he read would
remark, "That is right; this is right. Well, you seemed to get along
all right."
I began to feel pretty good. Finally Brother Brown was told to look
over the letter, which was very large, containing many items of special
instructions. My report agreed with the whole of it. This confirmed
me more than ever in my faith in inspiration. Also in the honesty of
Brigham Young and his counseling, for if his instructions had not
been honest I would never have been inspired to anticipate them. The
trouble lies with us; we many times want to dictate the inspiration,
or, in other words, put forward our own ideas and desires and call them
inspirations.
I met my mother-in-law in Salt Lake City and heard from my wife and two
children, who were living with Father P. Colton in Provo. We started
for home the next day, where I met my family after so long and severe a
trip. It was with joy and thankfulness that I greeted my wife, who was
one of the best and most faithful wives that ever blessed a husband.
This was the spring after what is known as the winter of the
Reformation. The reformation move was doubtless intended for and
resulted in good; but like everything else where good is found the
devil comes along to see what's up. So it was nothing strange if while
browsing around he had a hand in some of the moves of men. This I soon
became satisfied was the case now, and I did not take much "stock" in
what some people called reformation.
When I left Devil's Gate, it was with the understanding that I was
to return there and take charge of the place as a Y. X. station, but
Brother Brigham countermanded the order, saying that I had had enough
of Devil's Gate for one man.
As I was so sure of going back when I left Devil's Gate I had left
my gun, saddle, a wagon that I had traded for, as well as a lot of
carriage springs that I had gathered up.
In these days there were many things thrown away on the plains that
were of value, and it was profitable to go back with teams and gather
up wagon tires and other things which had been abandoned. I spoke to
Brother Brigham about this. He said he wished me to stop in the city
long enough to help deliver the goods to the owners. Patrick Lynch and
myself were appointed to take charge of them.
I soon learned that strange stories had been put in circulation about
me. I was accused of stealing and hiding away thousands of dollars'
worth of goods. As there was no communication between us and the valley
how this started was a mystery, only to be accounted for by men's
imaginations. So strong was the belief in my guilt that about the time
the reformation was at its height in Provo, a teacher came to visit my
wife, telling her that she ought to leave me and marry some good man. I
could give the name of the teacher, but he is now dead so I will spare
his memory. My wife answered, "Well I will not leave Daniel Jones. I
cannot better myself, for if he will steal there is not an honest man
on earth." I always appreciated the answer.
One family who I will also spare as _they_ are not yet dead came to
search my house for stolen goods but did not find any. They professed
to be very sorry for having come. My wife treated them with perfect
civility; no doubt they were ashamed of themselves and are to this day
when they think of the indignity. While delivering their goods I was
often accused of having robbed people. The goods formerly spoken of
being divided to _cache_ were never replaced and I had to bear the blame.
Again, before the trains had stopped in the snow-storms, so I was
informed by some of the brethren who stayed at Devil's Gate, there had
been a number of heavy boxes emptied, the goods stuffed into sacks and
the boxes broken up for firewood. The owners of course looked in vain
for their boxes. Many sacks of goods remained at the Tithing Office
for a long time before being identified by the owners of the goods. I
believe the most of these articles finally got where they belonged.
But in the meantime I was "Paddy Miles' boy," who had done all the
mischief. Brother Lynch felt so indignant that he reported these
accusations to President Young when I received the following letter:
"President's Office, Great Salt Lake City,
"June 11th, 1857.
"_To the Bishops and Presidents in Utah_,
"BELOVED BRETHREN:
"Inasmuch as there are some persons disposed to find fault with the
management of Brother Daniel W. Jones while at Devil's Gate, we feel
desirous to express ourselves perfectly satisfied with his labors while
there, and with the care that he has taken of the property intrusted
to him. He has our confidence, and we say, God bless him for what he
has done. The men who find fault with the labors of Brother Jones the
past winter, we wish their names sent to this office, and when the Lord
presents an opportunity we will try them and see if they will do any
better.
"Brigham Young,
"Daniel H. Wells,
"George D. Grant."