The Object of our Mission--Our Arrival at Chihuahua--Our Generous
Landlord--We call on the Governor--Interest Aroused Concerning
us--Interview With Robbers.
Before writing any further account of our travels and experiences in
Mexico. I will explain as briefly as I can the cause of the mission
being called and the expectations entertained by many.
The Book of Mormon teaches us that the gospel is to be carried to the
remnants, that is, the natives of America (Indians.) The promise is
that the natives will receive the gospel and rejoice in it.
The census of Mexico shows that there are over six millions of pure
blooded Indians or descendants of the ancient races inhabiting
this country. Now when this mission was opened a great many became
enthusiastic over the prospects and expected great things of us, the
first missionaries to Mexico. I remember writing to my wife while in
El Paso, referring to this spirit, telling her that many would be
disappointed in the mission, but that I should not; that I should
be satisfied even if we did not baptize a single person; that our
mission was more as prospectors going through to prepare the way,
and that President Young so understood it. We were to be governed
by circumstances and not to feel disappointed if we could get to
distribute our books and learn about the country and make friendly
acquaintance with the people. That was all that would be expected of
us on the trip. This was our calling. We were not sent to baptize and
organize branches, neither were we forbidden to do so. That was an open
question to be decided upon according to the openings made.
There were two parties in Mexico, the Catholics and Liberals. We kept
our eyes open for the latter as we were always safe with them.
When we reached the city of Chihuahua, I desired to find a stopping
place with a Liberal. The Liberals of Mexico believe in religious
liberty, please don't think they were like Utah Liberals(?). We did
not wish to seem partial to either, and did not like to make a direct
enquiry. I was well acquainted with the old customs of this place,
having lived there for some time, so we drove up near the Catholic
cathedral. I knew that any good Catholic, passing in front of the
church, would take off his hat, but a Liberal would pass along with his
hat on.
In 1847, when I was there, _all_ had to take off their hats, or run the
risk of getting a good pelting with rocks. But it was not the case in
1876, the time I am now writing about.
I soon noticed a large, fine-looking man coming along who did not
raise his hat. I asked him to direct us to a good maison or hostelry.
I felt sure he would send me to the right place which he did, to the
maison San Francisco. A maison is a large building with rooms, corrals
and stabling where you can rent accommodations and sustain yourself,
generally with stores of provisions kept by the proprietor to sell to
travelers, connected.
On arriving and taking rooms and stables, I went to the landlord and
told him we had left our money at El Paso, to be expressed to us, and
we wished him to credit us for a few days for such provisions and feed
as we needed. He said, "No sir. I will not do that."
I was "stumped" and did not know what to do as we had but a few dollars
with us. Our outfit was first class and valuable, and we had not
expected to be refused.
While I was wondering in my mind what to do, the landlord stepped into
a room and soon returned with a large, well-filled pocket book, and
handed it to me saying. "There is money, take what you want, and when
yours comes, you can return it. If I should sell you things on credit,
you might think I took advantage of your circumstances and charge you
more than if you had money. Take what money you want, look around and
buy where you can do the best."
I thought how very different from the average white man whether Gentile
or Mormon.
The landlord proved a true gentleman in every respect, giving us much
useful information and treating us kindly during our stay.
As soon as we got cleaned up and rested a little, we called upon the
governor and presented the letter received from the Jefe Politico of
El Paso. He received us kindly, saying that he had heard about us, and
laughingly said he had heard of Padre Borajo's speech and hoped we were
not so bad as the padre had represented us to be.
Governor Ochoa was an intelligent, liberal-minded man and was much
respected. His name is still held in respectful remembrance in
Chihuahua. He was known to be truthful and honest. He was quite learned
and understood well the condition of Mexico.
After explaining our reasons to him for visiting Mexico, he said he
was glad to have us come among them; that he believed our principles
taught to the people would do them good. He also said that he was
well acquainted with the lands of Mexico and would give us all the
information he could to help us understand them properly, so we could
report correctly to Brigham Young.
The governor recommended us to the Jefe Politico of Chihuahua who
furnished us the public cockpit to preach in. Printed notices were
circulated. The editor of the official paper gave us a favorable notice.
In the evening, at the time of meeting, quite a respectable
congregation had gathered. The cock fighting was still going on, but
soon closed. Many persons there at their national sport remained to
hear us.
As I was the only one who could speak in Spanish, Brother Tenney having
gone north, I had to do the preaching. It was quite a task but I knew
the native politeness. No Mexican will ever jeer a foreigner if he
tries to speak their language. They will listen attentively and try to
understand. I understood Spanish quite well, but had never spoken in
public and, no doubt, made many blunders. However, our audience seemed
pleased.
When meeting was over many came and shook hands with us and said
they liked what had been preached. One aged blind man who had held a
discussion with the Bishop of Durango, said he had been preaching our
doctrine for years. He showed us a report of his discussion. The old
fellow, although very poor, had made a name that is known far and wide.
No one could answer him. He came to our rooms next day and talked for
a long while. We gave him some of our books to distribute. He lived at
Jabonero, southwest from Chihuahua some two hundred miles. He said the
honest people of Mexico would believe our words. The old man manifested
a great desire to have us go to his town. I have never heard of him
since, but we were all impressed with his honesty.
By invitation we visited Gov. Ochoa several times. He explained fully
to us the condition of government lands. He said the Mexican government
made big offers of land to colonizers, but the fact was, they had no
good land; that all desirable tracts for settling were covered by old
grants with titles. He desired us to say to Brigham Young that if he
wanted lands for his people they must be bought from the owners; and
for him not to be deceived by any offers coming from the government of
Mexico. He said their offers were polite and looked pretty on paper,
and sounded well when listened to; and he really believed that if they
could do as they offered to they would.
"The Mexicans are naturally kind and polite, but inasmuch as they have
neither land or money," he said laughingly, "you must take the will for
the deed."
This I reported to Prest. Young on my return home, who received it as a
fact, and remarked: "Why should there be good lands left in the heart
of Mexico, when they had given out grants clear into California, New
Mexico, Arizona and even into this territory?"
We remained some three weeks in the city. A great many persons called
upon us, some to enquire about our religion with sincere interest,
others for mere curiosity. Among our visitors were some notorious
robbers from Arizona who visited us often. We could not avoid them as
they passed for gentlemen, and really acted as such. One was a small,
heavy-set Dutchman, who seemed to know all about the big mail robbery
on the southern route in 1875, as also about the robbing of Golinsky,
of Silver City. The other was a young man from Silver City who robbed
an old Dutchman of some fifteen hundred dollars, not far from Mecilla,
while they were traveling together. The old man had been to California
for five years, had mortgaged his farm, or bought it with a mortgage
given as security, he had saved the money to pay up and was on the way
home full of joy to meet his wife and children. He had traveled all the
way from California on horseback and alone, not even a pocket pistol
to protect himself He carried a fifteen hundred draft and some little
money. He looked quite poor. No one would have suspected him worth
robbing.
This young man got in company with the old fellow and they traveled
and camped together. The Dutchman confided his good luck to the lad,
who could not stand the temptation but made the old man give up; the
boy rode ahead and got across the line, changed his draft and skipped.
We saw both while in El Paso. The old man came in hunting the robber,
where we heard his story. The young fellow told my son Wiley all about
the job, and expressed himself sorry, saying he was of good family but
was now ruined for life.
In talking to the people we found that many adhered to and respected
their ancient traditions. They also retained a respect for their native
lineage. This spirit prevailed strongest among the Liberals.
The power of Catholicism had been broken and a new constitution adopted
under the leadership of Juarez, who had overcome Maximilian. Juarez was
a pureblooded Indian. His most active helpers and the main portion of
his army were composed of natives. So at the time we were there it was
respectable to be called Indigine, or native. This class received the
Book of Mormon readily and manifested much interest in the same.
While in Chihuahua we sent out copies of the book, five in a package,
to each town and city throughout the republic, wherever there was a
mail.
The clerks in the post office assisted us for three days. All their
spare time they were packing and directing. Each package was directed
to the officers of the place with a request to read and distribute them
among the people. We sent to all the head officers of the different
departments a package. I received letters of acknowledgment from some
of the principal men.
Among the rest Sr. Altamarano, a full-blooded native and a high officer
of state; I got several letters from Doctor Rodacanaty professing to
have had a vision showing him the truth of the Book of Mormon.