In general the Saints at Tuba appear to have lived at peace with their
Indian neighbors, save in 1892 when Lot Smith was killed. The simple tale
of the tragedy is in a Church record that follows:
"On Monday, June 20, 1892, some Indians at Tuba City turned their sheep
into Lot Smith's pasture. Brother Smith went out to drive the sheep away,
and while thus engaged he got into a quarrel with the Indians and
commenced shooting their sheep. In retaliation the Indians commenced
firing upon Lot Smith's cows and finally directed their fire against Lot
Smith himself, shooting him through the body. Though mortally wounded, he
rode home, a distance of about two miles, and lived about six hours, when
he expired. It is stated on good authority that the Indians were very
sorry, as Smith always had been a friend to them."
The Author here might be permitted to make reference to the impression
generally held in the Southwest that Lot Smith was a "killer," a man of
violence, who died as he had lived. Close study of his record fails to
bear out this view. Undoubtedly it started in Utah after his return from
Mormon Battalion service, when he became a member of the Mormon militia
that harassed Johnston's army in the passes east of the Salt Lake Valley.
There is solemn Church assurance that not a life was taken in this foray,
though many wagons were burned in an attempt, October 3, 1857, to delay
the march of the troops. Smith (who in no wise was related to the family
of the Prophet Joseph) became a leader in the Deseret defense forces, but
there is belief that in all his life he shed no blood, unless it was in
connection with a battle with the Utes near Provo, in February, 1850. In
this fight were used brass cannon, probably those that had been bought at
Sutter's Fort by returning Mormon Battalion members. According to a
friendly biographer, "There never was a man who held the life and liberty
of man more sacred than did Lot Smith." Ten years after his death there
was re-interment of his remains at Farmington, Utah.