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 I awoke in the afternoon I went to see Bro. Smith intending to ask
his pardon. On seeing me he took me by the hand, laughing heartily,
asking me if I felt any better, and talking in a very pleasant manner,
giving me no chance to apologize. Many years afterwards he spoke of it,
and laughed about it as a good joke. I relate this to show the nobility
of his character, being above small prejudice. I have met others who
ought to be as good as Brother Smith, who would never have forgiven me
if I had made such a remark about them.
How long the war continued is a question. Active hostilities were kept
up more or less according to opportunities during the summer of '53.
When the Indians had a good chance they would steal or kill. Some were
more or less peaceable when it suited them. I never went out to fight
as I made no pretensions whatever of being an Indian fighter. I did
my portion of military duty. I assisted in various ways in helping to
protect ourselves against the natives, but I always made it a rule to
cultivate a friendly feeling whenever opportunity presented; so much so
that the Indians always recognized me as a friend to their race. I had
learned some little about military affairs while in Mexico. I assisted
in organizing and drilling the militia from time to time. I also acted
as adjutant under Col. P. W. Conover as early as '51. afterwards filled
the same position under Col. Pace in '53. I did not like the office and
resigned, but was induced to accept the office again for the purpose
of making out returns to the government for services rendered by some
of the Utah militia. These returns were accepted, the men paid, and
land warrants issued. I was assisted by L. J. Nuttall and G. W. Hickman
as clerks. After this Brother Nuttall was appointed in my place and
continued to act under Col. Pace to my knowledge, as late as the Echo
Canyon War.
President Young advised the people to wall in their towns. This puzzled
the Indians. We told them it was our intention to shut them out and
have no more to do with them. This they did not like for there was
no great length of time, but what some of the different bands were
on friendly terms with the settlers. Walker finally said if we would
quit building walls, they would quit fighting. But the good peace was
broken, and there was always some of the whites holding grudges against
the Indians. Still we called it peace. The local troubles are matters
of general history. I aim to deal more with that which is not written.
I always considered the natives entitled to a hearing as well as the
whites. Both were often in the wrong. The white men should be patient
and just with the Indians and not demand of them in their untutored
condition the same responsibility they would of the more intelligent
class. Further along in this history we will see the Indians' defence.
CHAPTER XI.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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