Forty Years Among the Indians: A true yet thrilling narrative of the author's experiences among the nativesJones, Daniel W. (Daniel Webster)
History
Forty Years Among the Indians: A true yet thrilling narrative of the author's experiences among the natives
Jones, Daniel W. (Daniel Webster)
Frontier and pioneer life -- West (U.S.); Indians of North America; Latter Day Saint pioneers -- Biography
There were a great many wanting saddles. More than I could possibly
supply, so that it was easy to put Yank off. I allowed the idea to
still prevail that I had to leave and would not sell any Indian a
saddle without the understanding that I could remain long enough to
make another. I was not in the least afraid, but this suited me for
I had not yet made terms with the raiders. Finally snow fell in the
mountains. Jim said. "Now you can let Yank have a saddle; he will go
with the rest on a hunt, and not go to Coalville." About this time the
greater number of the Utes were starting on their fall hunt. Yank came
in offering me some buckskins for a saddle. I told him I was going
home; that I was afraid when Tabby and the good Indians went away that
he would kill me. He said I was a fool to think so; that I was a good
man and all the Indians liked me and none of them would kill me. I then
sold him a saddle I had ready.
The Indians explained many things to me about the management at the
agency. Saying that the former agents stole most that the government
sent them. They did not know how the new agent would be, but agreed
if I would be their friend and tell "Washington" the truth, just how
things were done it would be different. They believed "Washington" was
honest, had a kind heart, and when hungry men came to him crying for
something to eat, that he made Indian agents of them and sent them out
here to the Indians. They did not think this was right for they needed
all that the government gave them and there was nothing to spare for
the agents to steal without leaving the Indians hungry.
Tabby said that some of "Brigham's Bishops" helped the agents to steal
and this made the Indians mad, causing them to raid upon the Mormons
and to excuse themselves by saying that if the Mormons did not help to
steal their provisions they would have enough; but as it was, they had
to steal Mormon cattle, and when the Mormons followed them, sometimes
they had to fight; but would just as soon get the beef without killing
anyone as to have to kill them.
The question may be asked was there any truth or reason in this? I
thought at one time of writing up some facts that can be proved, giving
circumstances and names which would clearly show that the Indians had
reason to talk as they did. If blood was shed and the cause originated
through the speculative act of some man who ought to have known better,
the day of reckoning will come without my calling them to account in
this little history.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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