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
There was not money enough on earth to have hired me to stay. I had
left home for only a few days and was not prepared to remain so long
away; but I remembered my assertion that any of us would stay if called
upon. I could not back out, so I selected Thomas Alexander and Ben
Hampton. I am satisfied that two more faithful men to stand under all
hardships could not have been found.
That night we were called together and organized as a branch. Dan W.
Jones, Thomas Alexander and Ben Hampton were chosen to preside, with J.
Laty as clerk. The rest of the company was composed of the following
names: John Cooper, John Hardcastle, John Shorton, John Chapel, John
Galbraith, John Ellis, John Whitaker, William Handy, William Laty,
Edwin Summers, Rossiter Jenkins, Elisha Manning, Henry Jakeman George
Watt, George Watts and ------ -----
Captain Grant asked about our provisions. I told him they were scant,
but as many were suffering and some dying, all we asked was an equal
chance with the rest. He told us there would be a lot of worn out
cattle left; to gather them up and try to save them.
They consisted mostly of yearlings and two-year-old heifers, some one
was taking through.
The storm had now ceased to rage and great hopes
were felt for a successful move. We were daily expecting more help and
often wondered why it did not come. Next day all hands pulled out, most
of them on foot.
After getting my camp regulated a little and giving some instructions,
I got on my horse and rode on to see how the train was moving along.
All were out of sight when I started. After traveling a few miles,
I came upon a lady sitting alone on the side of the road, weeping
bitterly. I noticed she was elegantly dressed and appeared strong and
well. I asked her what was the matter. She sobbingly replied, "This
is too much for me. I have always had plenty, and have never known
hardships; we had a good team and wagon; my husband, if let alone,
could have taken me on in comfort. Now I am turned out to walk in this
wind and snow. I am determined not to go on but will stay here and die.
My husband has gone on and left me, but I will not go another step."
The train was two or three miles ahead and moving on. I persuaded her
after a while to go on with me.
This lady, Mrs. Linforth, and her husband now live in San Francisco,
California. They could not stand the hardships of Zion; but I believe
they are friendly to our people.
After overtaking the train and seeing them on the move. Captain Grant
asked me to go back with instructions for the brethren left with me;
then to come on next day and camp with them over night.
On calling the company together at the fort that night, I told them
in plain words that if there was a man in camp who could not help eat
the last poor animal left with us, hides and all, suffer all manner of
privations, almost starve to death, that he could go on with me the
next day and overtake the trains. No one wanted to go. All voted to
take their chances.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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