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
The Jefe had the reputation of being a very kind and affectionate
father, extremely fond of his wife and children, so I called on him at
his residence. He received me kindly and expressed regret that we were
going away. Said that he had had his opinion changed about the Mormons.
"From the way in which your company have acted I think the Mormons
would make good citizens, and I would like to have you remain."
I told him our duty was to travel through the country and visit with
and explain to the people our principles and make friends with them,
in anticipation that some of our people would, in time, come into his
country and make homes; that they were now coming this way; that we
had, on our trip found country and reported back the same, and that we
had received word that several hundred were getting ready to follow
upon our tracks to colonize the places already reported.
"Well" said he, "all you will have to do will be to do as you have done
here. When you first came we all thought you bad men. You have stayed
here and behaved yourselves in a manner that we now look on you as good
men and respect you. You can do the same wherever you go."
I replied "Yes, you are right, but it will take a long time. We desire
to visit a great many places. I have a good kind wife at home whom I
love dearly. I have a number of little children near the ages of yours
here. I love them; they are fond of me."
He looked at me a moment and then said; "That is so. I understand your
feelings and will give you a letter that will introduce you to the
Governor, or wherever you go, and you do not need to wait three months
to introduce yourselves."
He gave us the letter, stating that we were gentlemen of good behavior,
etc., etc.
We bade good-by to our numerous friends and started to Chihuahua in the
latter part of March.
By this time it was known throughout the state of Chihuahua that Mormon
missionaries were in the country. The reception given us by the padre
had also been heralded abroad. This caused the more liberal minded
to sympathize with us. Wherever we stayed we were kindly treated. We
managed to keep posted where to apply and who to avoid. The liberal
people notifying us against the rabid Catholics.
The first day's travel from the Rio Grande brought us to a station
where water was supplied in a large tank. A few soldiers were stationed
here as a guard against the Apaches that sometimes raided the ranch.
This was an important camping place, being the only water found on a
75 mile drive. Grass was plentiful and travelers often camped here for
their teams to rest.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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