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
When this decision was given I went to the President of the Stake and
showed it to him. He expressed himself surprised, saying that he had
always thought me over-tenacious about the Indians' rights. He said I
could appeal it. I told him it would take time and trouble, and I felt
like paying the fine and letting the matter rest, but that I feared
there was a disposition to crowd me. The time was so short--only ten
days allowed--and that money was scarce and hard to get. He replied
that all that could be expected was for me to consent and pay as soon
as I could. I told him I feared not, as the whole proceeding showed
malice.
I went back home and wrote the Bishop a letter, saying that I would
abide the decision and that he could take charge of a lot of wagons
and stock which myself and sons owned that were now at home on the
ranch. I gave a list of the same, and they were worth over one thousand
dollars. I told him he could take charge of the whole of it or that he
could pick and receive sufficient to cover the fine, and I would hold
myself in readiness to assist under his counsel to get the money out
of the property. If my offer was not properly worded I would sign any
agreement that might be required of me; but when the letter was read
one party remarked, "Jones has followed his rule and gone contrary to
what we expected."
CHAPTER LI.
I Remove to Tonto Basin--Death by Accident of my Wife and Child--Return
to Salt River--My Official Duties There--Trip to Old Mexico.
My offer was unfavorably received, and I was told to have the cash
ready to pay by the time named. I counseled with those who presided
over me, and though the advice I received was contrary to my ideas
of justice and right, I followed it, though it was at the complete
sacrifice of my home acquired by years of toil and hardship. I was
determined to retain my standing in the Church at any cost, and leave
judgment with the Lord, who will eventually deal out strict justice to
all men.
I was so much used up now that I felt like hiding up for the balance
of my days. I settled up my affairs in Salt River and moved to Tonto
Basin, where but few people could live, the place being small. I
commenced to make me a farm and fix for a quiet life. My family were
kind and good to me. My wife was one of the noblest and best women that
ever lived, and was so acknowledged by all who knew her.
On settling in Tonto my nature was to improve. I soon got started an
extension of the public ditch and a road to the lumber region. My
wife assisted in organizing a Relief Society, and everything seemed
prosperous for future peace and happiness, but my misfortunes were only
commenced. During the winter it rained almost incessantly. We were
living in a large tent with a shed in front. One day, during a storm,
this shed fell, killing my wife and babe two years old. She was the
mother of fourteen children, but seemed just in the prime of life and
vigor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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