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.
We arrived in the Republic of Mexico on Friday. It was not long before
everyone in El Paso knew of the arrival of Mormons. We were stared at,
but nothing occurred until Sunday that indicated anything unusual. On
Sunday we concluded to go to the Catholic church, the only one in town.
The building was crowded. We stood in a group near the entrance. There
was quite a jam of people around as, and many furtive glances and dark,
wicked looks were directed toward us.
About the worst element in Mexico can be found in Paso del Norte, or
El Paso. Padre Borajo (pronounced, borah-ho) officiated. After the
usual services of tingling bells, kneeling before the cross and various
performances common in a Mexican Catholic church, services were over.
The padre who was quite old and lean (something very unusual for a
priest; most of them being rather corpulent) mounted the stand, and in
a very impressive manner, commenced to warn the people against us.
These were his words in substance:
"The world's history gives an account of great plagues that have
visited the world from time to time. Mankind has been subjected to
great calamities, such as wars, storms, cholera, small pox, great
drouth and floods. We of this land have been subjected to many plagues.
The murderous Apaches have made war upon us for many years. We have had
our ditches and dams destroyed by floods, so that some seasons we have
had to suffer hunger.
"We have had many revolutions and thousands have been killed. Lately
we have had the grasshoppers come and destroy every green herb and
product. But all these things have made war only on the body of the
man. None have had a tendency to destroy the soul.
"Now of all the plagues that ever visited the earth to curse and
destroy mankind we have the worst just come to us and there stand the
representatives of this plague. Look at them. Their faces show what
they are.
"Thanks to God we have been warned in time by the Holy Pope that false
prophets and teachers would come among us.
"These men," pointing to us, "represent all that is low and depraved.
They have destroyed the morals of their own people, and have now come
here to pollute the people of this place." (I thought if that was so we
had a hard job on hand.) "They have no virtue. They all have from six
to one dozen wives. Now they have come here to extend the practice into
Mexico. _I denounce them_. Yes, here in the presence of the image of
the Virgin Mary, I denounce them as barbarians. * * And I want you all to
get their books and fetch them to me and I will burn them."
As Brother Tenney was not present, I was the only one of our party who
perfectly understood his words. I began to feel as though it would be
best for us to get out of the crowd before the spirit got too high, as
some fanatic might be tempted to slip a sharp knife in among our ribs.
We managed to work ourselves gradually out of the crowd which filled
the door yard for several feet. When clear we walked straight way to
our quarters, where I translated all that had been said. It was taken
down at the time and to the best of my memory was about as here given.
We could not help but be amused at the old fellow's vehemence, and our
first introduction to Mexico.
For some days after this when women in the streets would see any of us
coming, they would jump into the first door and close it and then look
out through what all Mexican houses have in their doors--a peep hole.
Some of the women who ran from us were of the class that do not often
scare at a man, yet they acted as though they dreaded us.
We managed to pass quietly along never seeming to notice these actions,
but often had a hearty laugh when we got to our quarters.
On enquiry we learned that the laws of Mexico, under the new
constitution, required all religious services to be performed in a
structure recognized as a church building.
One liberal-minded gentleman, Esperidion Sanches, gave us much
information. He said the law simply required the presiding officer of
a town to recognize a house for the occasion, and put the police to
protect it; but if the civil authority was under the influence of the
priests, they could baffle us and forbid us preaching in any house
except a regular church edifice, erected solely for religious worship.
Sanches told me the Jefe Politico of Paso del Norte, was an affable
gentleman but a strong Catholic, and he doubted if we would be able
to get the privilege of holding meetings. When we called upon the
gentleman he told us that he understood the law forbade any religious
services performed except in a house especially erected for religious
purposes.
I tried to reason with him. He listened to me patiently, but said no
difference how unreasonable the law might seem we would have to submit.
I then asked him if the law defined any particular material to be used,
or size, or shape the house should be built, that possibly we might
take it in hand to build a church. This he could not answer.
I visited him several times but to no purpose. The laws forbade all
street preaching. I felt determined not to be beaten. There were a
number of the better class of citizens visited us and protested against
the way the priest had talked about us, saying that none but ignorant
fanatics would sustain such talk.
This gave us an opportunity to explain our mission and principles to
many that would not have listened if it had not been for the _padre's_
rabid talk. Finally an idea occurred to me. President Young had
presented me with a good new set of saddler's tools before leaving
Salt Lake City. He had said that they might help me out sometime when
nothing else would. So I called once more on the Jefe Politico. He was
always patient and polite.
After talking a while about the meeting house I told him I had given
up the idea of holding meetings until I went to Chihuahua and saw the
governor. This seemed to please him for he desired peace, and he was
afraid for us to attempt holding meetings in Paso del Norte, as the
people were much under the influence of priest-craft.
I asked him how he would like a saddle shop started. He said it would
be a good thing; that many people needed saddles and had to pay a high
price for them; that he thought I could do well making saddles; in fact
much better than preaching, as no one would pay me for preaching, but
would be glad to pay me a big price for a good saddle.
When I talked with my companions, showing my plans, all agreed with me.
So we rented quite a large house for a saddler shop. I hired a bench
and vise, put up my tools, bought some timber and went to work making
saddle-trees. My son Wiley assisted me.
Soon the people began to call in to look at my work. As there was no
law against conversation, especially in one's own house, we soon got to
having quite respectable audiences and the spirit of friendship grew up
toward us.
Some of the brethren went over on the Texas side, to Ysleta, to winter
where the stock could be fed more cheaply than in El Paso.
Brothers Tenney and Smith, did not want to go on into Mexico, so we
agreed that they should have the privilege of laboring in New Mexico
among the Pueblos and Zunis, and then return home. As they never
reported to me, all I know about them is what I have learned from
others. Brother James Brown took charge of that field of labor.
About this time I received the following letter:
"Salt Lake City, U. T.,
"January 22nd, 1876.
"_Elder D. W, Jones, El Paso, Texas_,
"Dear Brother:--I was more than pleased to receive your favor of
the 10th inst., and was much interested in its contents, not to say
amused at your account of the oration by the padre, as an introductory
greeting into Mexico. Like you, I doubt not but that the opposition
bodes good for you, and the success of your mission. I feel that it
would be wise for you to visit the old original blood as much as
possible. Let the Catholic church alone; if its members wish to hear
the truth, expound it to them as to any other people, but do not debate
with them. And as to the curses of the priests, you need not regard
them as much as you would a mosquito, in the season of the year when
these insects trouble.
"Be cautious in your labors and movements; do not court opposition, but
move steadily on, presenting the truths of the gospel to those who will
hear you, and inviting all to become partakers of the gospel of the Son
of God. You have the faith and prayers of all that you will be able to
do a good work, and I have no doubt but that you will see me again in
the flesh yet many times.
"Brother James S. Brown has returned from his visit to Arizona. He left
the brethren of his party building a fort at Moencoppy, 20x40 feet.
Whilst in that country he, with three others, went a long distance up
the Little Colorado River, from the Moencoppy, passing up beyond where
you crossed. He fully substantiates the statements made by yourself
and the brethren of your party with regard to the desirability of the
upper valleys of the Little Colorado as settlements for the Saints. We
have called about two hundred brethren, whom we think of dividing into
companies of 50, to settle on the Little Colorado and adjacent country.
These brethren will mostly be ready to start by the 1st of February. A
most excellent spirit prevails with regard to this mission amongst the
brethren, and numbers more would have been willing to have gone had
they been wanted. We shall send down a grist and saw-mill during the
summer. Among those called is Elder Lot Smith, who will have charge of
one company of fifty.
"Since my letter to you of Nov. 8th, addressed to Tucson, we have had
a very peaceable and quiet time. Judge White set me at liberty, soon
after, from the unjust imprisonment of Judge Boreman for contempt.
Brother Reynolds has again been tried, convicted for obeying the law of
the Lord and sentenced to two years' hard labor in the U. S. House of
Correction at Detroit and $500 fine. He appealed and was admitted to
bail. The appeal will come up in June.
"Brother Cannon has been seated in Congress; his contestant has
not made much of a show yet. I notice by the telegrams that Mr.
Christiancy, senator from Michigan, has introduced a bill to provide
for challenges to jurors in trials for bigamy and polygamy; that it
shall be sufficient cause, for the rejection of a juror, that he has
more than one wife living, or that he _believes_ it morally right for
a man to live with more than one wife. Well, the faster it comes the
sooner the end will be.
"Our legislature is now in session with plenty of work provided for it.
If the members feel it consistent or necessary to attend to all that
is suggested they will have to be very wary and prudent, or our ever
watchful enemies will introduce some bills that, if enacted, will prove
snares and pitfalls. They will have to work for nothing, for Congress
has allowed the U. S. Marshal to spend the appropriations for the
payment of the legislature and passed a law prohibiting the legislature
from passing any act to pay themselves out of the Territorial Treasury.
"The new building of the Z. C. M. I. is a great success. It is lighter
than the most sanguine expected. It presents, now that the elegent
front is on, a most handsome and imposing appearance. We expect to
commence business in it about the 7th of March.
"My health is generally good; occasionally I catch cold and then
I suffer from rheumatism. I hope the temple at St. George will be
sufficiently near completion at die end of February to enable me to go
down at that time and dedicate the lower portion.
"With love to yourself and all the brethren associated with you, and
with constant prayers that you may enjoy all the blessings that in your
heart you can righteously desire, and that abundant success may crown
your labors, I remain
"Your brother in the Gospel,
"Brigham Young."
I did very well with my saddle work, earning enough to assist some
little in keeping up expenses. The brethren with me were all diligent
and acted in a manner to create a respect for our people and religion.
We had meetings quite often on the American side of the river, that
were generally well attended, and good order prevailed during the whole
winter, with one exception.
We were informed one Saturday that there was a crowd of Irish Catholics
that intended to rotten egg us the next day, Sunday, if we attempted to
preach in Franklin. I told our informers, that we expected to preach
and hoped the Irishmen would change their minds.
There was an old acquaintance of mine, Tom Massey, who knew me in Santa
Fe. Tom told these Irishmen that he did not know what religion had done
for me, but unless it had done more than is common, they would not meet
with much success, and advised them not to try it.
Massey was a saloon keeper and gambler, and was considered authority on
all questions that had to be settled with the knife and pistol, and I
think his advice had some effect.
However, next morning when meeting opened there was quite a large
audience. About the time I commenced speaking the Irish gents came in,
sat down near the door, and soon began groaning.
I walked down near them and told them that I was capable of making all
the noise necessary, provided the audience wished to hear my noise, but
if they preferred theirs to mine they could say so, and I would give
them the floor.
Several in the audience called for me to go on and told the disturbers
to keep quiet. They made no more disturbance. This gave me a good text
and I explained plainly the gospel of repentance; referred a little to
my experience in that country when a boy. I could talk plainly as there
were persons present who had known me and knew that I was rather a hard
case in a rough-and-tumble-go-as-you-please fight.
I told them our doctrine required us to forsake all of our evil ways
and to be willing to bear all kinds of persecution meekly; that I had
endeavored to school myself in these principles and hoped that I had
succeeded; but that I was not quite certain yet; and that I hoped I
would be spared the trial for a year or two longer before having to
be thumped for my religious belief as I might not be prepared to take
abuse with a submissive spirit.
In explaining Mormonism I said that the gospel did not debar a person
from any pleasure he desired to enjoy. Brothers Pratt and Stewart
followed and spoke on the first principles of the gospel.
After meeting was dismissed the leader of the disturbers met us at the
door. He asked me to go and take a drink with him. I told him I did not
drink liquor.
"Then you go back on your own words, do you?" he questioned.
I asked him what he meant. He said "While preaching you made the
statement that your religion allowed you any pleasure you desired."
"Yes sir, but drinking whisky is no pleasure to me and I do not desire
to drink any."
"Well, do you ever eat anything," he asked.
"Yes, we are all good eaters."
"Well then come with me to the hotel and I will pay for a good dinner
for as many of you as will come."
Brother Pratt and some others went along. We had a good dinner and when
we went to go our friend said, "If any body bothers you let me know and
I will lick them for you. I like to fight but would rather fight for
you boys than to fight you. Good bye."
To finish this,--some ten years after as I was sitting at the dinner
table at Pueblo, Colorado, I noticed a man looking across the table at
me. I soon recognized him as my Irish friend.
I spoke and asked if he knew me. "Yes, I know you. How are you?" he
asked, reaching across the table and shaking hands with me.
"Have you ever thought of me?" I enquired.
"Yes a thousand times."
I told him I had often thought of him, and with a few more words we
parted. I feel an interest now in this man and would be glad to meet
him again and know his name.
I can say that I have often observed, in the course of my experience,
that every man, even the worst, has something good about him if
properly treated.