JACOB HAMBLIN,
A NARRATIVE OF HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, AS
A FRONTIERSMAN, MISSIONARY TO THE
INDIANS AND EXPLORER,
DISCLOSING
Interpositions of Providence, Severe Privations, Perilous
Situations and Remarkable Escapes.
FIFTH BOOK OF
THE FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES,
BY JAMES A. LITTLE.
Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of
Young Latter-day Saints.
JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE,
Salt Lake City, Utah.
1881.
THE FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES,
I.
MY FIRST MISSION, by Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon. Price, 25 cts.
II.
A STRING OF PEARLS, from the pen of Prest. Taylor and others. Price, 25
cts.
III.
LEAVES FROM MY JOURNAL, by Prest. Wilford Woodruff. Price, 25 cts.
IV.
GEMS FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS, by Bp. A. A. Kimball, Bp. Benj. Brown, and
others. Price, 25 cts.
V.
JACOB HAMBLIN, a narrative of his personal experience, as a frontiersman,
missionary to the Indians and explorer. Price, 35 cts.
PREFACE.
In issuing to the public this, the Fifth Volume of the Faith-Promoting
Series, we feel that we are making an addition to our home literature
that will be appreciated by the Saints generally. The manner in which
the former volumes of this Series have been received, encourages us to
entertain this hope.
Brother Jacob Hamblin has spent the most of his life as a faithful,
humble worker in the cause of God. Though he has labored as a
missionary such a great proportion of his time during the past
forty years, it has been in a sphere which has not brought him into
prominence before the public. Even his name has seldom appeared in
public print. Brother Hamblin has never sought notoriety. He has been
prompted by motives far more noble. He is such a modest man that he
would be content to ever remain in obscurity. Indeed, it was only after
earnest solicitation that he was induced to narrate, for Brother James
A. Little's pen to record, the incidents herein published, However,
though not written for that purpose, we trust the publication of this
book will result in making him better known and appreciated by his
brethren and sisters. It is a simple, unvarnished recital of incidents
of thrilling interest, remarkable adventures and special manifestations
of providence, that we think cannot fail to entertain and benefit all
who read it.
Brother Hamblin's testimony of God's goodness towards him, and His
willingness to answer prayer, should inspire and strengthen young
Latter-day Saints. His cheerful self-denial, his devotion to the work
of the Lord, and the joy he has found in it should stimulate them to
zeal in emulating his example. His portrayal of the policy pursued by
the Saints in dealing with the Indians, should enlighten strangers who
may read this book upon a subject about which this people have been
greatly maligned.
There are many important lessons to be learned from the narrative
herein published, and we trust that it may prove profitable to all who
read it.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Early incidents of my life--Providential care over me--Marriage--Hear
the Gospel, and embrace it--Signs follow--Opposed by relatives--Predict
my Father's baptism--My Father Healed in answer to prayer.
CHAPTER II.
Arrival at Nauvoo--My first interview with the Prophet Joseph--Some
first impressions of the character of the gathered Saints--Go
east on an important mission--Death of the Prophet--Return to
Nauvoo--Providential circumstance on the journey.
CHAPTER III.
Sidney Rigdon strives for the guardianship of the Church--He urges his
claims at the Conference--Brigham Young, President of the Twelve, and
others of the Quorum appear in the stand--A remarkable testimony that
the mantle of Joseph had fallen upon Brigham Young--Persecutions of the
Saints--Baptism of my Parents--Preparations for the exodus--Sickness--A
Methodist comforter--Answer to prayer--Harvest of Quails--Miraculous
incidents on the journey to Utah.
CHAPTER IV.
Locate in Tooele Valley--Indian troubles--Escape death by an Indian, by
following the warning of the Spirit--Hunting Indians--Sudden aversion
to shedding their blood--Decide to protect them at the risk of my
life--Sent again to hunt and kill Indians--Testimony that the Lord did
not want me to kill them, but to carry peace to them--A dream and its
fulfillment.
CHAPTER V.
Mission to Southern Utah--Locate at Harmony--Remarkable Prophecies
of Heber C. Kimball fulfilled--Indians Harvesting--Indian "Medicine
man"--Indian woman healed under our administration--Accompany a
hunting party--A fight for a squaw, in which I am compelled to take
part--Sickness--Take my family to Southern Utah--Build a fort on the
Santa Clara--Rain in answer to prayer--Counsel from President Young--We
refuse to administer to the sick until they are washed--A sick boy
dies, and the Indians grow mad and threaten us--We follow and pacify
them.
CHAPTER VI.
Retributive justice to the Indians--We gain influence by it--The
Lord gives the Indians testimonies of the truth--War between two
bands of Indians--A woman burned to death from revenge--Promptings
of the Spirit--Stolen horses recovered--Government among the
Indians--Appointed president of the Indian mission--Visit of Apostle
George A. Smith--United States army on its way to Utah--Elder Smith's
advice to the Saints--Mountain Meadow massacre.
CHAPTER VII.
President Young requests me to pilot a company to California--Save a
white man from being tortured by the Indians--Indians determined to
kill the company--I pacify them--Elders Ira Hatch and Dudley Leavitt
sentenced to be killed by the Mohaves--Elder Hatch softens their hearts
by offering a prayer--Allowed to escape on foot.
CHAPTER VIII.
President Young's Indian policy--Expedition to Los Vegas and Colorado
Rivers--Suspicious steamer in the Colorado--Learn its purpose--Go after
a load of lead--Our horses stolen--Eat poison cactus--Led by the Spirit
providentially.
CHAPTER IX.
Visit to Salt Lake City--Interview between Elder George A. Smith and
Governor Cumming--Elder Smith urges an investigation of the Mountain
Meadow massacre--Governor Cumming objects--Appointed sub-Indian
agents--Nearly killed by a fall from a tree--A remarkable vision--First
mission to the Moquis--Description of their towns, customs and
traditions--Some of the Brethren remain with them--Difficult journey
home--Moquis prediction.
CHAPTER X.
Second trip to the Moquis--Two Elders left to labor with them--Lack
of success, owing to traditions of the Indians--Third mission to
the east side of the Colorado--George A. Smith, Jr., shot by the
Navajoes--Very trying experience--The wounded man dies in the saddle,
while traveling--Forced to leave his body unburied--Bitter reflections.
CHAPTER XI.
Arrival at Spaneshanks' camp--His friendly spirit--Return home--Journey
in the winter to recover the remains of George A. Smith, Jr.--Destitute
condition of my family.
CHAPTER XII.
Many Saints called to settle Southern Utah--Destructive flood on
the Santa Clara--Narrow escape from drowning--Another visit across
the Colorado--A new route--Moquis Indians pray for rain--Their
prayers answered--Three Indians return with us--Their devotion and
reverence--They visit Salt Lake City.
CHAPTER XIII.
The Moquis visitors taken home--Singular presentiment of my Indian
boy--The route south of St. George taken the second time--Cataract
Canyon--The lost Moquis and the "medicine man"--Meeting with the
brethren who had been left at the Moquis towns--Explorations about the
San Francisco Mountains--Return home--Great suffering with thirst--My
Indian boy dead and buried, as he had predicted he would be.
CHAPTER XIV.
Change in the spirit of the Indians--Some insight into their
privations and trials--They threaten hostilities--Difficulties
with them settled--A kind, peaceful policy the best--Visit to the
Moquis towns--The people are invited to live with the Saints--Their
objections to removing--Hostile attitude of the Navajoes--Return
home--Suffering with thirst--A providential supply of water--Dr.
Whitmore killed--Severe sickness--Healed in answer to prayer.
CHAPTER XV.
Travels among the Indians--Watching the frontiers--Trip to the
Moquis towns--Great raid of the Navajoes--A good opportunity lost of
recovering stolen stock--Skirmishes with Raiders--A peaceable agreement
with the Navajoes desirable--Visit of President Young to Kanab.
CHAPTER XVI.
Visits among Utah Indians--Meet Major Powell--Employed to accompany
him--Council with the Shi-vwits--Major Powell's description of it.
CHAPTER XVII.
Journey to Port Defiance--Interesting visit among the Moquis
towns--Arrival at Fort Defiance--General council of the chiefs of the
Navajoe nation--Great peace talk--Return home--Treaty of peace in one
of the Moquis towns--Stolen sheep recovered for a Navajoe.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Moquis Indians destroy many Navajoes--An Oriba and his wife
accompany us home--Peace talk with the Piutes--A dream and its
fulfillment--Tuba's prayer--Choog, the Indian prophet--His
prediction--Fatal fire in Kanab.
CHAPTER XIX.
Visit of Tuba and his wife to the Washington factory and flouring
mill--Many Navajoes come to trade with our people--Take Tuba and his
wife home--More talk about the death of Young George A. Smith--Saints
called to settle in Arizona--They become discouraged and return to
Utah--Navajoes murdered in Grass Valley--War imminent--Sent to settle
the difficulty--Two miners accompany me--Indians call a council.
CHAPTER XX.
Indians assemble--The council lodge--Accused of lying to the
Indians--Informed that I must die--Privilege granted the Smith Brothers
of escaping--They refuse to desert me to save their lives--Violent
speeches--Young Indians eager for revenge--Interpreters afraid
to speak--Indians propose a compromise--350 head of cattle and
horses demanded--I refuse to pay for a crime the "Mormons" never
committed--They threaten to burn me--My coolness creates a favorable
impression--An agreement--We regain our liberty.
CHAPTER XXI.
Smith's version of the trying ordeal--A graphic description from a
Gentile standpoint--Explanation.
CHAPTER XXII.
Start home--Meet emigrants to Moancoppy--Visit Presidents Young and
Smith--Return to meet the Indians--Providence favors me--Hastele fails
to meet me--Return home--Moancoppy mission broken up--Sent with D. D.
McArthur to establish a trading post--Hastele visits Kanab, and starts
to the Sevier to learn about the murder--I stay at home--Testimony that
I should accompany him--Indian Discernment--Hastele is satisfied.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Visit Port Defiance--Mr. Daniels, inspector of Indian agencies--His
prejudice against the "Mormons"--Mr. Trewax, the preacher--Peace
talk--Mission re-established.
CHAPTER XXIV.
Company start to visit the Arizona settlements--Disaster in the
Colorado--Bishop Roundy drowned--Explore a new route--Promise
fulfilled--Visit settlements--Severe experience on homeward
trip--Assurance of approval from President Young--Trip across
the Colorado in search of a criminal--Moquis ceremonies to bring
rain--Conclusion.
JACOB HAMBLIN.
A NARRATIVE OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
CHAPTER I
I was born in Salem, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, on the 6th of April, 1819.
When I was three months old, my father removed to Geauga Co., in the
same State. That country was then a wilderness, covered with a heavy
growth of timber. In my early life I assisted my father in chopping
timber and clearing land.
It required twenty faithful days' work to clear one acre, and render it
fit for the harrow and a crop of wheat. In about three years the roots
of the trees would decay, so that the soil could be worked with a plow.
In 1836, I removed, with my father, to Wisconsin Territory. I remember
passing through Chicago, then a mere hamlet, but now a large and
wealthy city.
Seventy miles north-west of Chicago, my father, in company with two
friends, Messrs. Pratt and Harvey, located at a place called Spring
Prairie. It was the most delightful country I had ever seen. It was
beautiful with rolling prairies, groves of timber, numerous springs of
pure water, and an occasional lake abounding with fish.
My father and I each made a claim on eighty acres of government land
which was expected soon to come into the market. I was not yet of age,
and my father, wishing to return to Ohio for his family, proffered to
give me the remainder of my time, during the summer, if I would take
care of the crop already sown.
During his absence, I had the misfortune to cut one of my knees. I
took cold in it, and it became much inflamed and swollen. The family
with whom I was living did not think I could get well. The swelling
had reached my body, and as soon as it extended a little farther, the
people expected me to die. I quite despaired of ever seeing my parents
again.
In my childhood, I had imbibed a belief that there was a God who would
hear my prayers when I was in trouble. I managed to drag myself a short
distance into a hazel thicket, where I besought the Lord to have mercy
upon me, and not let me die.
That evening, a Mrs. Campbell called at the house. She said she was
passing by and felt impressed to call in, but did not know for what
purpose. After explaining to her my situation, she said "I now know why
I came in here, for I can bring that swelling all out."
This was accomplished by steaming, and I soon got about, and again had
the privilege of meeting my parents and other relatives.
The second season after this occurrence my father told me that, as I
had been a faithful boy, I might go and do something for myself. I took
a bundle of clothing, and travelled westward 118 miles to the Galena
lead mines. I worked there nearly a year.
Twice during that time I barely escaped being buried about 100 feet
under ground, by the caving in of the earth. At one time, when 200
feet below the surface of the ground, a rock fell on a man who was
working with me, and killed him instantly. While dragging his mangled
body along the drift, and arranging a rope by which to raise it up the
shaft, such an aversion to mining came over me, that I did not go back
to my labor again. I returned with the money I had earned, and paid for
my land.
In the autumn of 1839 I married Lucinda Taylor. She, as well as myself,
had a numerous circle of relatives. I enclosed my land with a good
fence, built a comfortable house, and made up my mind to live and die
on the place. I believed the Bible, but was without faith in any of
the religious sects of the day, and had given up all hope of finding a
religion that I could believe to be true.
In February, 1842, a neighbor called at my house and told me that he
had heard a "Mormon" Elder preach. He asserted that he preached more
Bible doctrine than any other man he had ever listened to, and that he
knew what he preached was true. He claimed that the gospel had been
restored to the earth, and that it was the privilege of all who heard
it to know and understand it for themselves.
What this neighbor told me so influenced my mind, that I could scarcely
attend to my ordinary business.
The Elder had left an appointment to preach again at the same place,
and I went to hear him. When I entered the house he had already
commenced his discourse. I shall never forget the feeling that came
over me when I saw his face and heard his voice. He preached that which
I had long been seeking for; I felt that it was indeed the gospel.
The principles he taught appeared so plain and natural, that I thought
it would be easy to convince any one of their truth. In closing his
remarks, the Elder bore testimony to the truth of the gospel.
The query came to my mind: How shall I know whether or not these things
are so, and be satisfied? As if the Spirit prompted him to answer my
inquiry, he again arose to his feet and said: "If there is anyone in
the congregation who wishes to know how he can satisfy himself of the
truth of these things, I can assure him that if he will be baptized,
and have hands laid upon him for the gift of the Holy Ghost, he shall
have an assurance of their truth."
This so fired up my mind, that I at once determined to be baptized,
and that too, if necessary, at the sacrifice of the friendship of my
kindred and of every earthly tie.
I immediately went home and informed my wife of my intentions.
She told me that if I was baptized into the "Mormon" Church, I need not
expect her to live with me any more.
The evening after the Elder had preached I went in search of him, and
found him quite late at night. I told him my purpose, and requested him
to give me a "Mormon Bible." He handed me the Old and New Testament.
I said, "I thought you had a new Bible." He then explained about the
coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and handed me a copy of it.
The impressions I received at the time cannot be forgotten. The spirit
rested upon me and bore testimony of its truth, and I felt like opening
my mouth and declaring it to be a revelation from God.
On the 3rd of March, 1842, as soon as it was light in the morning,
I started for a pool of water where I had arranged to meet with the
Elder, to attend to the ordinance of baptism. On the way, the thought
of the sacrifice I was making of wife, of father, mother, brothers,
sister and numerous other connections, caused my resolution to waver.
As my pace slackened, some person appeared to come from above, who, I
thought, was my grandfather. He seemed to say to me, "Go on, my son;
your heart cannot conceive, neither has it entered into your mind to
imagine the blessings that are in store for you, if you go on and
continue in this work."
I lagged no more, but hurried to the pool, where I was baptized by
Elder Lyman Stoddard.
It was said in my confirmation, that the spirits in prison greatly
rejoiced over what I had done. I told Elder Stoddard my experience on
my way to the water.
He then explained to me the work there was for me to do for my fathers,
if I was faithful, all of which I believed and greatly rejoiced in.
On my way home, I called at the house of one of my neighbors. The
family asked me if I had not been baptized by the "Mormon" Elder. I
replied that I had. They stated that they believed what he preached
to be the truth, and hoped they might have the opportunity of being
baptized.
The following day Elder Stoddard came to my house, and told me that he
had intended to leave the country, but could not go without coming to
see me. For what purpose he had come, he knew not.
I related to him what my neighbors had said. He held more meetings in
the place, and organized a branch before leaving.
When my father learned that I had joined the "Mormons," he said he
thought he had brought up his children so that none of them would ever
be deceived by priestcraft; at the same time he turned from my gate,
and refused to enter my house.
Other relatives said that my father knew better than to be deceived
as I had been. I answered them by predicting that, much as he knew, I
would baptize him into the Church before I was two years older.
All my relatives, except one brother, turned against me, and seemed to
take pleasure in speaking all manner of evil against me. I felt that I
was hated by all my former acquaintances. This was a great mystery to
me.
I prayed to the Lord and was comforted. I knew that I had found the
valuable treasure spoken of by our Savior, and I was willing to
sacrifice all things for it.
My wife's father took great pains to abuse and insult me with his
tongue. Without having any conception how my prediction would be
fulfilled, I said to him one day, "You will not have the privilege of
abusing me much more." A few days after he was taken sick, and died.
Soon after the death of her father, my wife asked me, good-naturedly,
why I did not pray in the house or with her. I replied, that I felt
better to pray by myself than I did before unbelievers. She said that
she was a believer; that her father had appeared to her in a dream, and
told her not to oppose me any more as she had done; and that he was in
trouble on account of the way he had used me. Soon after this she was
baptized, which was a great comfort to me.
In the autumn of 1842, Elder Stoddard returned to the country where I
lived, to labor in the ministry, and ordained me an Elder.
About the same time my wife was taken very sick. By her request, I
administered to her, and she was immediately healed. I visited my
father and told him that signs followed the believer, as in the days
of the apostles; that I was a believer, and had been ordained an Elder
in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that the signs
followed my ministrations.
He ordered me out of his house for believing such nonsense. I went out,
reflecting as to whether or not I had done wrong in predicting that I
would baptize him in less than two years.
Some time after this he was taken sick, and I went to see him. My
mother told me he had the spotted fever, and that there was no hope of
his recovery. She believed he was dying, and so it appeared to me; but
I thought that God could and would save him if I prayed for him.
I retired to a private place, and prayed to the God of Abraham to have
mercy on my father and heal him, that he might have an opportunity of
obeying the gospel.
It was a moonlight night, and when I returned to the house my mother
stood at the door. She spoke to me very kindly, and said:
"Jacob, the fever has left your father; he has spoken and wants to see
you."
As I approached him he said, "The fever has left me, and your mother
says that you came to me and went away again. What has made such a
sudden change? Do you know?"
I answered that I had prayed for him, that I was a believer in the
gospel of the Son of God, and in the signs following those that believe.
"Well," said he, "if it is the gospel, I would like to know it; but if
it is priestcraft, I want nothing to do with it."
Soon after the sickness of my father, I sold my home, gathered up my
effects and started for Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois.
In passing my father's house I found him quite well, and he desired
me to remain over night. He showed much interest in the principles
of the gospel, and, when I left his house in the morning, the Spirit
manifested to me that my father and his household would yet accept the
truth.