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
This caused Senor Trejo to reflect and study about the people, so much
so that he made it a subject of prayer. Finally he dreamed that if he
would go and see the Mormons he would be satisfied. Accordingly he sold
out all his interests in the Islands, together with his commission,
etc., bade farewell to his people and friends and came to this country
a stranger, not knowing anyone or enough of the spoken English to ask
for a drink of water. Unfortunately, he was introduced to President
Young by a party that did not stand very high in the estimation of
Brother Young. I have forgotten the name of the one introducing him.
This had rather an unfavorable effect upon President Young, and it was
a long time before he gave him his confidence. Trejo never resented the
suspicion, only said: "He will know me some day."
Brother Brizzee took Trejo home with him to live. He commenced studying
hard, reading and translating the Voice of Warning the best he could.
He acquired very rapidly an understanding of the English language, and
being a graduate of the highest schools in Madrid, as soon as he got a
clear understanding of the text he could write the same in Spanish, his
native tongue.
Here I wish to correct an error that exists in the minds of a great
many who suppose that Spanish is not the language of Mexico. Pure
Spanish is the language of Mexico just the same as pure English is
the language of the United States. Just as the uneducated speak bad
English, just so the uneducated Mexican speaks bad Spanish. Anyone
learning Spanish correctly will scarce perceive the difference when
talking to a native Spaniard, a Mexican or a Californian.
Senor Trejo soon became convinced of the truth of the gospel and
was baptized by Brother Brizzee. After qualifying himself somewhat,
he commenced on the Book of Mormon at our earnest solicitation. My
house being completed, I moved my family to Fairview, Sanpete county.
Brother Trejo expressed a desire to be with me. He said I understood
the written language somewhat better than Brother Brizzee. Brother
Brizzee had associated more with the people than I had and talked
quite fluently and understood Spanish very well, but had not studied
the written word so much as I had. It was arranged with good feelings
all around seemingly, that as soon as I was settled at home that Trejo
would live with me and we would work together translating. When Brother
Trejo came, I rented an office for him where he would be undisturbed
through the day. In the evenings we would read and correct together.
In the spring Brother T. returned to the city. I began to feel like
reporting to President Young, for we had everything ready, as it seemed
to me, to do something. With this before me I came down to Salt Lake
City, met Brother Brizzee and told him how I felt. His answer was that
he was sick of the whole business; that he had been up to the office to
see Prest. Young and could not get a hearing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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