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
Many were puzzled over this proclamation, not knowing but what it was
intended in earnest, but the majority knew it was a mistake as we
had only asked for the lands occupied by the Indians. There was now
a complete revulsion of feeling toward me by the old settlers. They
acknowledged I had won. I was looked upon as a person who would never
give up. All knew I had made the fight alone during the whole time. I
was assisted by my family only and it stands on the record in the books
of the settlement that my labors were not sustained by my associates.
So for this reason I claim the right to speak singly. I would rather it
had been different for I knew good works had been done by others but
as they have placed their names on record as never having sustained me
I will have to let them take their choice. As "bungling" as I may have
been I got the Indians their lands.
It was nearly a year before things were straightened up and put to
rights. Finally President Hayes modified the grant giving the Indians
only the lands they occupied. During the whole of this time the Indians
were steadily improving their farms, helping to enlarge the ditch,
and generally advancing in good behavior; and with a few exceptions
becoming moral and industrious; raising good crops, selling large
quantities of wheat and sustaining themselves without help from anyone.
Once our place was visited by an Indian inspector who reported the
Indians in a better condition than any on the government reservations.
Many had been baptized.
I had by this time become quite unpopular among those who, I thought,
ought to be my friends. I had gotten into the habit of resisting every
one who opposed my labors with the natives. Such seemed like an enemy.
When I saw the Indians firmly established on their lands I desired to
sell out and go on to Mexico.
Persons were appointed from time to time to take my place with the
Pimas. But little progress was made until my eldest son, Daniel P. was
placed in charge of them. A school house was built, and some few now
took an interest in helping along the work.
Sisters Susanna Brady, Susan Savage and a Sister Harmon, formerly of
the Sixteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, commenced teaching the children
who made rapid progress. Many of them at this time can read in the
third and fourth readers, calculate figures and write a very good hand.
Sister Harmon has taught them music. Many of the young people are good
singers, one having learned to play the organ.
Many of the older natives are intelligent and often speak in meeting
with much force and understanding.
An effort was made by a company to buy me out but not being able to
agree among themselves it failed.
My farm was quite valuable. From the products of it I had paid most of
the old debts.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account