Below is a concatination of all known writings of Kumen Jones.  The intent is to allow concurrent searching of all documents using the text search feature of your web browser (usually CTRL-F)

PREFACE TO THE WRITINGS OF KUMEN JONES

Consisting of Notes, Historical scraps, etc.

One purpose of this story is to show that we do not have to go back to ancient Israel, to the ancient Nephite or Jeradite times in order to show up the hand of Providence in the blessing and preservation of the Lord's children whenever or wherever they are loyal and true to Him, and live the Gospel.

The San Juan (Utah) pioneers have tested this question out through the years of intense times and trying conditions since we were called on this mission in 1879.

I am the last one of the original pioneers who was of age when we landed in what is now San Juan County. The only one who is left here in this, or near-by part of Utah, and there are many people old and young who are looking up any items of early history of San Juan.

There seems to be a disposition to wish to give me more credit than is due me. I don't think of a scrubbier, more dishonorable game than this would be on my part, to attempt to put this over. I freely acknowledge that there will be errors found in my writings, as many years had passed since I started to write, at the suggestion of a number of influential people, among them, three or four governors of our State of Utah.


[These writings of Kumen Jones are being copied and in some cases slightly revised under the direction of Albert R. Lyman. There will be no attempt made to arrange these stories in their chronological order, but they will appear here as they occur in the books and notes submitted for copy.]
Ellen Lyman, scribe

NOTES ON SAN JUAN MISSION

Decided to send exploring party 1878:

At the suggestion of Apostle Erastus Snow, himself a pioneer, statesman, colonizer and patriot, whose prophetic visions pierced the future, the decision was reached to plant a colony somewhere in the neighborhood of the "Four Corners" where the territories of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and the State of Colorado cornered together.

This was a a stake or district conference held at St. George in the latter part of the year 1878. And at a stake conference held at Parawan, Iron County, Utah about the 27 day of December 1878, a number of young men were called to explore this part of the country, with that aim in view under the direction and leadership of Silas S. Smith of Paragoona, Iron County, Utah, who proved to be a prudent, wise, resourceful man, particularly well equipped by nature and experience for a leader in that undertaking.

Company start April 15, 1879:

After a little more than three months preparation, on the 15 day of April 1879, a start was made by the Iron County boys consisting of the following from Paragoona: Silas S. Smith, Captain, Silas S. Jr., John A., Jesse J. Steven A., and Albert Smith, all sons of the leader.

From Cedar City: Robert Bullock, John C. Duncan, John Gower, Thomas Bladen, George Perry, George Urie, Kumen Jones, H. J. Nielson, James L. Davis and family. From Parowan: Harrison H. Harriman and family, George Hobbs, James B. Decker, Isaac Allan, Adelbert McGreggor, Hanson Bayles, P. R. Butt, Zacheriah Decker, Nelson Dalley, John C. Dalton, and sometime later John Buttler from Panguitch and Hamilton Thornton from Pinto Creek, joined the party on the San Juan River.

The Route:

The company, leaving Paragoona traveled up Little Creek Canyon down Bear Creek up the Sevier through Panguitch, past Upper Kanab, through Johnsons, past the north end of Buckskin mountains to Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River and on the main Arizona road to "Moancopy," afterwards named Tuba City. The company layed off at this point, sending out an exploring party to find a way to cross the Navajo Reservation to San Juan River, (this being their objective.)


This party was made up of the following: Robert Bullock, Kumen Jones, and Nathan Tanner who accompanied the party as interpreter. This party followed up the Moencopy Wash, out to "Red Lakes" over marshes past by the head of Lagoona Creek by Kayenta and later crossing the Chinalee about 35 miles from the river, and on to the San Juan River, following the main a north earterly direction, coming on the river at the Brewer Bottom, about 4 miles below the mouth of McElmo Creek and about the same distance above the Montezuma wash.

Soon after passing Chinalee Creek, one of the party was sent back to bring up the company who had remained at Moancopy, where they had been royally treated by John W. Young and others of that village.

Captain S.S. Smith's leadership shown:

It soon became apparent that water was going to be the source of our greatest anxiety, and wherever a damp place was found, shovels, spades, and picks were soon brought out and digging for water commenced, and as a rule, plenty of water was soon secured, which fact was easily used to our advantage with the quick witted Navajos, as they were told that the watering places would be theirs as soon as we passed on, this news was soon spread, and the Indians ahead were all anxious and gave us a hearty welcome, occasionally bringing a mutton out to show their appreciation. It may be added here that some of the watering places developed by the company some time later have been used up to the present as permanent waterholes.

An incident occured before reaching the Chinalee showing the tact of our captain. Upon passing a large camp or village of Pahutes, one of their number (later known as Peeagament) came blustering out and demanded $500.00 before the train would be allowed to proceed through his country. The Captain's being the first team, a short stop was made to try and passify the old fellow.

A few mild explanations were attempted, the only effect being to cause the old man to press his demands in a higher key. Noting this, Smith ordered him out of the way, and proceeding some distance, struck camp for dinner. The captain quietly passed the word around camp that it would be the right thing to give the Indians a little something to eat, or other small gifts such as tobacco, etc. Especially the small children were to have something to eat, but no one was to give the noisy old fellow anything or notice him in any way. The result soon made the wisdom of this course apparent as the Indians old and young were all jolly and friendly, and the old man was a psychological study, thoroughly whipped and the lesson seemed to last him all his life.

Barring the above, our travels through the reservation was agreeable and pleasant on both sides, and reaching the San Juan on the last day of May we crossed the next day.

During the following two months, exploring parties were out at all points of the compass and those who were left at camp were kept busy making roads, taking up claims, and working on a dam that was being built in the river by a family by the name of Mitchell, whom we found on the river on our arrival, having come down from Colorado the previous year.

August 13, 1879 Start for home:

On August 13th orders came from the captain to make ready for a start for home by way of the Salina Colorado road or trail. A part of the company including the captain remained on the river waiting for mail of importance to the expedition that was expected from Apostle Erastus Snow.

A start was soon made and road making was again the "order of business." They followed the Recapture wash about 25 miles and followed up Mustang Mesa to the foot of Blue Mountain, thence going around the east base of the Blue and making a camp at what afterwards became known as the Carlisle Ranch, and just recently purchased by Redd, Perkins, Adams, and Dalton.

At this date this was the most beautiful and promising location that had been found since leaving Iron County. Many tons of excellent hay could have been cut. Deer, sage hens, jack rabbits, cottontails were plentiful.

After the arrival of the captain and the party, another start was made, and at this point an opportunity was afforded us of finding out how much difference there may be sometimes in men's opinions.

The three scouts who had been ahead reported as follows: 1) It would be practically impossible to make any kind of a wagon road down "Peter's Hill." 2) In one month there could be a way worked so that the company could get down the hill. 3) In five or six days a way could be worked so as to let us pass down the hill.

After some counseling, it was decided to tackle the "Peter's Hill" proposition and next morning all hands went to work, and by night, rocks were moved, trees were cut and a few dug-ways were made, so that the next day the company not only passed down the hill but made 20 miles on the homeward journey.

Traveling on through Dry Valley we struck the old Santa Fe trail at Coyote wash. Our route from this point led through Little Grand Valley, where Moab now stands, Crossing Grand (now named the Colorado) and Green Rivers, through Castle Valley, over the mountain range and down Salina Canyon into Sevier Valley, reaching our homes September 16th and 17th.

In direct travel they party had made 900 miles, not counting side trips, explorations, etc. They had made 275 miles of new road, thoroughly explored the country outlines for us by the authorities, maintained friendly and pleasant relations with all Indians and white men who were met on the way. Order and discipline (both military and church) were maintained, as kind and friendly feelings were almost always the prevailing sentiment permeating the whole camp all the way through.

Religious devotions were attended night and morning by the whole camp, or in groups when the camp was separated for any purpose. Observance of the Sabbath was maintained by resting and "cleaning up," and for the benefit of those who maintained camp on the river, a Sunday School was organized.

The 4th and 24th of July were fittingly observed, with programs, sports, etc., which were participated in and royally enjoyed by all members of the camp as well as visitors from the Mitchell Rance, and straggling Indians who enjoyed the artillery part of the program.


The humble writer of these early incidents of, or in, the early history of the San Juan Mission, wishes right here with uncovered head, to render honor and praise to the memory of Silas S. Smith, who so wisely and faithfully managed and in such a quiet careful way, acquitted himself in the responsible position that had been placed upon him by the authorities of the Mormon Church, proving very conclusively that no mistake had been made in his being called to that important position.

Silas Smith:

Silas S. Smith, as I knew him and as I sized an old man up from the beginning of our acquaintance, being myself an inexperienced back wood young fellow in the rough, after fifty years I find that my first impressions are fully justified. Quiet, unassuming, careful, resourceful, nothing flashy, but when the occasion required, there was a real man behind it all. In case he knew he was right, fear was the last thing he thought of if he thought of it at all. Thus, with rich and full experiences along so many lines, he was prepared to meet almost any problem or emergency that pioneering may bring out.

He had a good full understanding of the Gospel, and was well up on financial matters, practiced economy and thrift; was true to the Church, and loyal to the authorities of the Church, State and County.

Silas Smith filled many places of responsibility in the Church and State. He passed through the early Utah Indian troubles, thus acquiring experience that proved an asset to the San Juan pioneers who were surrounded on all sides by Utes, Pahutes, Navajoes, etc. who were not always friendly. Being isolated from all other white settlements, it was soon discovered that outlaws and renegades from all Indian tribes, made this their headquarters. The rough broken nature of so much of the country offered an excellent hiding place, secure from pursuit.

Our dealings and contacts with the Indians in our early pioneering days followed the wise, friendly, fair policy introduced by Silas S. Smith as the leading spirit, and Thales H. Haskell as interpreter and contact man, both past masters in their places, with both of whom I enjoyed the most friendly association, and for the humble measure of success I attained in assisting the maintaining friendly relations whith these descendants of the prophets Lehi and other Book of Mormon characters, a major part of the credit goes to Smith and Haskell.

I feel that I am getting old (75) but I pray that the good Father will permit me to retain my faculties of mind and body as long as I remain in this mortal state, at least enough so that I may do some good for myself and fellow-pilgrims, and bring glory and honor to His name as well as His works and His people.

It is not in my power to appreciate fully the many, many good things the Lord had given to me and that is in store for all of His children who remain true and faithful to Him until we reach the end of this mortal trail, getting more patient, charitable, and kindly disposed, especially to the household of Faith, and all Indians, loving the truth and all that is good and true and hating all evil and impure things in the sight of heaven, and our store of charity to be broad enough to cover the human race--everyone.

Above all give charity for and to the erring ones. They are the ones to do the worrying and our charity should be broad and sincere to cover the whole human race.

General Move to San Juan Mission:

During the latter part of October 1879, the greater part of the pilgrims that were to make up the company, booked for the San Juan Mission as then called, were on wheels headed for the Colorado river at a point east of the Escalanta desert, the supposed route having been looked out in the summer previous by Bishop Schow, Charles Halls, and others of "Potato Valley," but the exploring could not have been thorough, as later developments plainly proved, as the road or makeshift that answered them temporarily for a passageway, was abandoned within 12 or 15 months, another route having been opened up about 30 miles up the river to "Halls Ferry" on the Colorado river, and intersecting the "Hole-In-The-Rock" road about 8 or 10 miles southeast of the river crossing.

The greater part of the company had gathered at the forty-mile spring early in November 1879. There were representatives from practically all the counties, from Weber, south to Washington.

After the arrival of President S.S. Smith at the above mentioned rendezvous, matters took on a business aspect and parties were sent ahead to ascertain the possibility of the proposed route across the Colorado river which was some twenty miles northeast from camp.

The first exploring company had not gone far when they met a party of prospectors returning with their burro packs and told us it would be useless to attempt to make a road where the proposed route had been pointed out. They said "If every rag, or other property owned by the people of the territory was sold for cash, it would not pay for the making of a burro trail across the river."

In the journal of Platte D. Lyman, describing the prospects at that time and place, the following occurs: "Worst country I ever saw. Some of our party are of opinion that a road could be made if plenty of money was furnished, but most of us are satisfied that there is no use of this company undertaking to get through to the San Juan this way."

However the boys went on, and crossed the river. (The boat improvised for that purpose was a box about 10 feet long and same width as a wagon box, one shovel and one spade were used for oars, and two of the boys bailed water out while two plied the "oars." The water being low in the river, we crossed without any serious difficulty. Several of the boys were detailed to look over the country at and near the river and four (George Hobbs, Wm Hutchings, George Lewis and Kumen Jones) were fitted out with a blanket each and lunch for a few days scouting farther out in the country.

Explorers report different opinions:


After about one week's trampling, the boys returned and gave in their reports, and there were about as many different kinds of reports as men. As a sample, the four that were out farthest toward San Juan reported as follows: 1) It would be out of the question for the company to attempt to get through on this route. 2) With some assistance from the legislature, (that was about to convene) and by all the camp uniting in the undertaking, we could get the wagons and stock through, but no permanent road could be made. 3) A good road may be made over the proposed route in a few weeks without much trouble. The fourth did not report.

Several meeting were called by the men at the head and it was finally the almost unanimous decision to go to work and make a way to get through. One thing or condition that made for this decision, was the fact that on account of deep snow on the mountains over which we had just passed, it would be almost impossible to return for several months; accordingly, preparations were soon underway to commence work.

Organization of camp effected:

December 14th, 1879, the following traveling organization was effected:

Captain Silas S. Smith 4th Ten Henry Holyoak
Assistant Captain Platte D. Lyman 5th Ten Z. B. Decker Jr.
1st Ten Jens Nielson 6th Ten Samuel Bryson 
2nd Ten George W. Sevy Clerk C. E. Walton
3rd Ten Benjamin Perkins Chaplain Jens Nielson

Captain S. S. Smith returns to the settlement to obtain assistance:

Next day after above organization of camp, Captain Smith returned to the settlements with the view of obtaining assistance from any source. Especially from the legislature, and the authorities of the "Mormon Church," both of the latter coming to the assistance. The legislature $5000 and the church $500, whereby powder, provisions etc., were obtained, also several extra men were sent out to assist in the road work. They were mostly men who had had experience in mining where powder is used. Good progress was made, and a hearty good feeling prevailed throughout the whole camp.

In a camp consisting of 90 or more men, about 30 women, 60 children, moving in 83 or more wagons through an extremely rough country one would naturally look for some trouble and accidents, but this was not the case, all was hustle and harmony.

Explorers sent out. Hardships endured. Divine guidance:

About this time Dec. 17th, it was decided to send men out to look over the proposed route to ascertain whether it was possible to get through to the San Juan, at the point where the former explorers had made locations during the summer before, and for this purpose George W. Sevy, L. H. Redd, George Hobbs, and George Morrill, were chosen or volunteered. They took with them only four animals, a small quantity of provisions and bedding, expecting to replenish their lunch bags when arriving at the camp of those who had remained on the San Juan the fall before. But in this they were somewhat disappointed, as provisions had run very low, with this camp. In fact the outlook was so slim in the provision line that the explorers did not feel justified in remaining long enough to recuperate after their long hazardous journey, but at once prepared for the return trip, only remaining at the river camp one day. The trip out had taken 12 days and the return 11 days.


The scouts sent to check up on the country between Colorado River and the San Juan some 125 miles up.

Just before reaching the camp at Montezuma, the party who went out in the spring, for the exploration, met two miners who were making the start to hunt for the lost pasheekine mine reported by Navajoes and others as being very rich in silver and which had been worked by Navajoes, but had been lost as the few Indians who had worked it were killed off by the soldiers when they were being rounded up several years before, when they were taken to Santa Fe.

These prospectors tried to persuade our scouts to go out with them, promising that they would lay over for them and would let them in on the big sure thing mine. Had our men fallen for this wild proposition, it may easily have resulted in failure of the San Juan Miss, at least at that early date, for the following sad reason. These two men (Myrick and Mitchell) were killed by the renegade Pahutes, and a few Navajoes as they, the prospectors were returning, with their pack animals loaded with ore supposed to be from the lost mine. For particulars of this fateful event see story by Albert R. Lyman, printed in Improvement Era (October 1936), "The Outlaw of Navajo Mountain" which has the particulars as fully and accurate as possible.

Our men would most likely have met the same fate and our company could not have got the news of what became of them for a month or two, and a great portion of our camp were strongly of the opinion that with such a terror of a country for a road as it appeared to them that would have been enough to put finis to the whole undertaking, that was as far as that almost impossible route was concerned.

Our Church is not easily turned aside from going through with any measure they undertake and the San Juan mission would no doubt have been carried out but on other lines, President John Taylor, Erastus Snow and Joseph F. Smith and others at the helm, were not weak-kneed, all being used to unusually hard and cruel opposition, especially where Church or religious movements were involved.

This exploring trip of those four men will always be remembered by all those who were acquainted with it, and more especially those who were acquainted with it and who took part in it, as one of the hardest and most trying in the way of perseverence and persistant endurance as well as one where the participants must have had the assistance of our Heavenly Father of any undertaking connected with the settlement of the San Juan Mission. It has been a source of wonder to all those who have become acquainted with the country through which those explorers traveled, since those early days, how they ever found their way through deep snow, and blinding snow storms in such a broken, timbered country all cut to pieces with deep gorges, for such a long distance, without compass', trail, and much of the time no sun, moon, or stars to help them in keeping their course, and the only answer that helps explain the mystery must be that a kind Providence came to their assistance in answer to their humble fervent prayers.


George Sevy was a man of sterling qualities about 40 years of age at this time of indomitable courage. Sturdy, honest, fair, in all his dealings, with men accustomed to hard work together with about all the qualities for an ideal pioneer. Upon the organization of the Bluff Ward, he was chosen as first counselor to Bishop Jens Nielson, but conditions not known at the time came up later making it necessary for him to change his program, and we next hear from him in Old Mexico where his ability was soon discovered and he was made a bishop.

He raised a large family. Several of his sons became later prominent in busines and other ways in our state. Brother Sevy was all man and will enter Celestial Glory.

Lemuel H. Redd Sr. (also about 40 or 45 years old at the time of which we write) was a man of strong characteristics of a kind, fair disposition, full of experience in all things associated with pioneer life, full handed in a financial way, wirey in body, agreeable and a traveling companion. And altogether well equipped for an arduous journey such as we attempted to describe above. Brother Redd also was blessed in standing at the head of a very large family, many of whom have taken an active and important part in the development of the San Juan Mission also in Mexico and other outposts. He passed the latter part of his life in Mexico where a number of his children now reside.

Hobbs and Morrill were young men, about 24 years of age. They came from strong sturdy stock, and are sure to have been first class citizens in the localities favored with their membership.

The four scouts (Sevy, Redd, Morrill, Hobbs) are deserving of more credit for the part taken by them. It will take one more gifted as a historian than I am to weave in to the beginning of this wild rough job.

It would seem that the two hundred mile stretch from "Forty-mile" Springs down the desert southeast of Escalante to Bluff, Utah, could have been planned for one of nature's hideouts for wild animals. Desperadoes, and the outlaw Indians who were in full possession of it when we arrived, and for many years after. How those L. D. S. scouts made that trip and returned, all alive with the weather, food, shortages, etc., all against them may, as many other obstacles encountered by those pioneers of early days, be credited to the kind Providence whose service we were in held out His hand. Having gone over this same country many time riding after cattle it seems more impossible as time passes.

Upon the return of the above mentioned explorers they reported that it would be possible to make a road through to the San Juan, as by far the roughest and most difficult country was at and near the "Hole-In-The-Rock" or within a few miles of the Colorado River where work was being pushed as fast as possible, with the tools, that was in the camp.

A long and interesting story could be written about the travels and workings of this large, well organized, good natured, jolly camp, but for the purpose of this little story I will just say that the great majority went to work in earnest and a good healthy Christian atmosphere pervaded the camp. Sabbath was observed singing hymns, and prayers were attended to at least each evening, and occasional dances were had, more especially at the "Hole-In-The-Rock" where nature had made the smooth flat rock floor on purpose.

Camp Broke Jan. 26th, 1880:


January 26th, 1880, after about six weeks work and waiting for powder, etc., a start was made to move the wagons down the hole. I had a well broken team and hitched it on to B. Perkins wagon and drove it down through the hole. Long ropes were provided and about 20 men and boys held on to the wagons to make sure that there would be no accidents, through breaks giving way, or horses cutting up after their long lay off, but all went smooth and safe, and by the 28th, most of the wagons were across the river and work had commenced again on the Cottonwood Canyon another very rough proposition. There was another item that was important. The matter of finding forage for the workhorses, for it will be readily seen that there was a great many animals needed to move the 80 odd wagons of the camp and the open country was limited, and many hands were occupied with that part of the work.

April 6th, 1880 San Juan River was reached:

After working and traveling nearly two and a half months, on the 6th day of April, 1880, the future site of Bluff was reached and surely the Hand of Providence had been over the traveling pilgrims. No serious accidents had befallen any of them, only two tip-overs, several babies had been born, provisions were anything but plentiful, but good health prevailed, and the roughest wagon road in North America had been gone over, without any serious smash-ups or break-downs. About 325 miles had been traveled, 210 of which had been over an unsettled country through which a wagon had never gone before. The main portion of the camp had been 5 1/2 months on the journey, and everybody as well as the faithful work teams were ready for a rest. However, many were more or less disappointed in the country, and if their teams had been able, many more would have accompanied the few who moved on.

Besides H. H. Harriman and family, George Hobbs, and Jas. L. Davis and family who had remained on the river since the S. S. Smith party came in the summer of 1879, we found our old friend and neighbor Thales H. Haskell here, having been sent in by the Church authorities to act as Indian interpreter, which was a pleasant surprise to all old friends.
___________

[Brought from inside front cover, explanations as to my reasons for attempting to write]

My friends who know me best will wonder why I attempted such an impossible work. Had I been a natural or trained historian, with what I have gone through, or have witnessed, all through the whole of my frontier life and experience, I should have something worth while to tell, and be able to tell it to good advantage.

My first job, as I recall, was that of a herd boy. At first I guarded only our own milk cows, and then our neighbors arranged for me to look after their cows along with ours. It was not long before I had partners. As I recall it, this grew into a regular town cow herd, run by Jimmy Clark, who stuttered very badly, and who, sometime later, suffered a broken neck, or at least a badly injured neck, leaving it very crooked, but he made a faithful herder.


On my starting out to herd cows, I took a pair of small mules to look after for a Mr. Dilly, and while there was no regular bargain entered into, when spring time came and the mules were put again to work, I was paid off and released from further obligations. My part of the pay check was a bull pup, enough calico for a shirt, a pair of store pants, dark striped; and a boy's store hat. I doubt whether I have ever felt as wealthy since as I felt on that pay day.

Our dear mother made all our clothing from our shoes up and she exchanged labor with the shoe man for our shoes. When I dressed up in my store clothes, I "swelled up" with pride.

That bull pup turned out to be the only real dog I ever had, and it spoiled me for having any other dog.

After I was six years of age and until I was ten or eleven I attended school, and although I played hookey once in a while, I did not run away from Sunday School. I felt that I wanted to become a naturalist, to find out about the animal and vegetable kingdom.

Right here may be a good place to take a backward look and "cast a figure over the past," as Haskel used to say. I rather favored the idea of preparing to follow blacksmithing, and made several attempts, by working with three different smiths at Cedar, two of them imbibed too freely, and the other was soon tired, so my blacksmithing aspirations died out.
Indian Missionaries:

The names of war heroes are had in great honor among all people and nations (more or less justly so) even the savage has some way of showing his respect or reverence for those who have shown courage in battles. Then we have organizations of veterans and the common soldiers from the "G.A.R." to the different societies down to those who have taken any part in a campaign of even a month's or a few days length. We have great honors to bestow upon our inventors, composers, explorers, editors, statesmen of all grades and stations; philanthropists, reformers, financiers, businessmen of all grades, humorists and etc. But whoever heard of the Old Indian Missionaries being given any recognition only among a very limited number of immediate relatives and friends, and many times even among their own neighbors, they are more or less slighted and their self-sacrifice is not appreciated.

But we surmise it will be different when the Allwise Father of us all goes to mete out rewards and punishment to His children as their lives have merited. In His Allwise wisdom and justice He will say to the faithful Indian Missionary, "Come, Inasmuch as you are willing to give up wealth, comfort, worldly pleasure, your social standing, and all that man naturally seeks after and enjoy, to become peacemakers in its broadest and truest sense." "Come! I have real honor and joy for you, that shall never end, but shall grow sweeter and brighter as time goes on, and your families who have shared the sacrifice with you shall also participate in the honors and blessings that shall never end."

Within the body of Thales Haskell was one of the purest, brightest, kindest, interesting spirits; high minded, brave to a fault, always too big to do or think anything low or unworthy. "A man among men" that could be trusted and that was an all-around true friend.


On very rare occasions he imbibed a bit freely, but those who will reflect a moment will readily account for this in taking into account the many, many years he had spent among the Indians away from family and civilization; and we'll all join those who were fortunate in being intimately acquainted with him in saying that he belongs among the real peace makers referred to heretofore. His services were indispensible to the Indian situation. The Lord bless his memory was the order of the day.

Those who had decided to remain at Bluff, which had been selected as headquarters, at least for the present. Locating and surveying a townsite, also a canal to get water from the river out onto land and arranging for camping grounds etc., kept everybody working but "pa" and he worked double time.

In the fore part of May several teams were sent back for provisions that were hauled to the river (Colorado) by teams from the older settlement and our boys went to bring the stuff from that point, George Sevy, Hyrum Perkins, and myself and there may have been one other outfit, am not quite clear as to the exact number.

The weather was exceedingly hot and teams thin in flesh, we necessarily had to make haste slowly. We met President S. S. Smith soon after starting out who came to Bluff and effected a temporary organization for the carrying on of the work. Platte D. Lyman was put in charge with Jens Nielson as counselor or assistant. Sunday School was organized with James B. Decker as Supt. and gave good safe counsel to pioneers.

The George Sevy company returned in due course of time with the flour, etc., which had been sent down the Colorado river by the Church authorities, and which was sorely needed by the pioneers at the future site of Bluff, Utah. Ordinarily this trip would not be of sufficient importance to go on record, but some future historian, especially one who has gone over the route traveled by the pioneers of San Juan between Escalante and Hole-in-the-Rock to Bluff, Utah, will not call that trip unimportant.

Late in the Fall of 1881, I made another trip as far as Escalante for freight which had been left there by William Hyde who, in that year, opened an Indian trading post on the river. This was late in the Fall, and Bishop Jens Nielson rode with me as far as Escalante. We rode in separate outfits from there to Cedar, where the bishop remained till the spring of 1882.

When I returned with my load from Escalante, I overtook an outfit at the river, and we were about the last teams to pass that way. Bishop Nielson and others came another route, leaving Hole-in-the-Rock road a few miles out east of Escalante, and traveling down the Escalante Wash. Then they turned northward through Muley Twist and down Grand Wash to Hall's Ferry on the Colorado River, joining again with the former road four miles north of Hermit Lake, or Pagahrit, as the Indians call it.


This route was again changed to come through Rabbit Valley over into the head of Grand Wash, and intersecting the former road where it came out of Muley Twist. This was traveled for a few years and again changed by turning eastward around the north end of Henry Mountains, following the east base of the mountain and turning down Trachyte Wash to Dandy Crossing, going from there eastward up through White Canyon and joining the old road at Harmony Flat, south of Elk Mountain.

Harmony Flat got its name from a party of the original pioneers who came from New Harmony who laid over there a few days to hunt some of the horses that had strayed away.

The distance from Escalante to Bluff by the Hole-in-the-Rock road, or the Halls Crossing way through Muley Twist, was approximately 200 miles. Through Rabbit Valley from Loa to Bluff by way of Dandy Crossing, it was about the same distance.

It has been many years since any vehicle of any kind has been taken over any of these roads, that is, over the whole distance. They have all been abandoned, and they have to be repaired in some places even before a pack outfit can be taken over them.

To one who crossed the Colorado at Lee's Ferry in 1879 and who in the following four years crossed at Hole-in-the-Rock, Hall's Ferry, Dandy Crossing, and at Moab where the crossing had to be made by fording with small boats, the experience of traveling those roads under conditions prevailing then, gives one a great sensation of pleasure in traveling our modern highways in autos or on railroad trains, at Grand Junction and at Yuma where bridges span the Colorado.

It may be that the experience we had in traveling those roads under conditions that prevailed in those early days, gives one a great sense of pleasure in riding over these improved modern highways in an auto, or a modern railroad train, "leastwise" the desire to go over it again in the covered wagon has entirely left me, and I enjoy riding in the new style, "just like a kid."

I have traveled all trails or roads approaching Bluff, Utah from all directions, and before I pass on I would like the pleasure of traveling over both the proposed new routes, that is, from Blanding by way of Mexican Hat suspension bridge, Monument Valley, Tuba City, and Lee's Ferry bridge; and from Blanding by the Natural Bridges in White Canyon, Dandy Crossing and the scenic wonders near Rabbit Valley, joining Bryce Canyon highway at Fish Lake, when these highways are completed and improved.

When I have traveled these highways and have seen an Indian school completed and in use at Bluff, I will be ready to pass on.
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The County Organization of San Juan: Silas S. Smith put the matter of a County organization up to the legislature, in the territory of Utah, which was in session in the winter of 1879-1880 at Salt Lake City, Utah. The Governor appointed and the legislators agreed to the names of James Lewis as Judge for the new County; C. E. Walton, Clerk; Platte D. Lyman, Jens Nielson and James B. Decker as selectmen; Benjamin Perkins, Assessor and collector, and Kumen Jones as County Superintendent of Schools.
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COPY OF AN AGREEMENT of the committee for an Indian School at Bluff: San Juan County, Utah agrees to relinquish all right to the Piute Strip, including all the land west of the tenth meridian in Utah west to the Colorado River, in consideration for which the Indian Department were to remove the Indians from the north side of the San Juan River east to Montezuma, where the Navajos were to have the country from the river up the west bank of Montezuma. This was to be somewhere near the state road then to a line more or less direct to the McElmo Wash. The Utes and Piutes were to give up all allotments filed on along Recapture Wash and the lower end of White Mesa, remove the Utes and Piutes from the country as soon and as many as possible. The government was to build a highway across the reservation from Bluff to Tuba City, and put up an agency and school at Bluff, Utah, to care for the Piutes north of the San Juan River, and care for and educate the Navajo children from the northwestern end of their reservation.
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THE SAN JUAN MISSION A MIRACLE ALL THE WAY THROUGH:

The big kind hearted Lincoln had ended slavery in the United States, and the brave Kit Carson had rounded up the Navajos at Santa Fe, from which they had been turned loose stripped of any thing on which to live. Besides this, President Brigham Young had made two treaties with the Navajos before it worked.

Here is where and when the idea of the San Juan Mission was born, about 1877 in St. George. The death of President Young delayed the execution of the plan till the latter part of 1878, when about 100 men, most of them young men, were called at a conference held in St. George.

There are two powers that work among mortal men, a good and an evil power. Any movement for good and tending to move men upwards is always met by the evil forces which oppose and fight it. My purpose in this humble effort in writing about it, is to convince my children and my descendants of the fact that this San Juan Mission was planned, and has been carried on thus far, by prophets of the Lord, and that the people engaged in it have been blessed and preserved by the power of the Lord according to their faith and obedience to the counsels of their leaders. No plainer case of the truth of this manifestation of the power of the Lord has ever been shown in ancient or in modern times.

This humble writer of the story of the San Juan Mission sees now, in looking back over it, the inspiration of appointing Erastus Snow as head colonizer of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. He was of natural wisdom backed up with wide experience, he had more than ordinary good common hard sense, and above all, he had the inspiration of the Lord.

The appointment of Silas S. Smith to lead the explorers, and the first scouts, who looked out the way to San Juan, and located the pioneers at Bluff, is proof that he was the right man for that difficult work. He was a natural leader of wide experience in many lines. He was acquainted with Indian, with legislation, Church organization and Church History, a relative to the martyred prophet.
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W. T. SHELTON


Indian agent, W. T. Shelton and others: The habit of seeing and feeling that the hand of Providence is plainly made manifest in the affairs of men is an interesting and profitable study. It enables us to understand some mysterious happenings that otherwise would remain unsolved mysteries.

When W. T. Shelton was sent in to superintend that part of the Navajo reserve extending along the north side of this reservation west of the 110th meridian, and next to the San Juan River on the south, it was a streak of good fortune for the Mormons as well as for the Navajos. He proved to be a real friend towards the latter, and absolutely free of prejudice towards the former.

He understood the Indians and their needs. He and his queenly Christian wife had no children of their own, and their natural love for children found vent towards these bright young brownies of the canyons and cliffs and sandhills of the Navajo lands. The kind, friendly feeling soon grew to be mutual, for the youngsters reacted nicely to the treatment he offered them.

Supt. Shelton if questioned, could give two or three reasons for every move he made towards the development of the Shiprock School plant. For example he provided a small building to serve as a hospital and when they had patients brought in for treatment, he would invite some of the brightest of the natives that were convenient and would have them follow the doctor and nurse in their treatment of the ailing ones.

We may easily guess that it would be somewhat different from the treatment of their own medicine man. However, I am a firm believer that the Indian people, as most of the Heathen peoples, have their prayers answered and that their sick are healed by faith however different they may approach this question than do the Christians.

As soon as Agent Shelton discovered that his Mormon neighbors were friendly and were interested in the welfare of the Indians it pleased him as being something "new under the sun." One of his major troubles was keeping peace between the Indians and settlers bordering on the reservation, and the friendship between us soon became warm and mutual, and each was in a position to render assistance to the other.

For instance, he as agent, seeing the demoralizing influence of gambling, undertook to discourage it in every way possible, and asked traders and all settlers living near the reservation to cooperate with him.

He also wanted to use the Indians in all unskilled labor on a school and in preparing to operate a farm in connection with the institution. For several reasons he did not wish to pay high wages, the school was solely for the Indians, and if they got their money too easy it would be a greater temptation to use it in gambling--an almost universal weakness among them. We were more than willing to cooperate with him in these matters and many others, more especially where the Indians would be helped to a better standard of living.


Supt. Shelton and the Sectarian school people couldn't find any common ground where they were able to cooperate and there was more or less friction between them from the start, finally resulting in Supt. Shelton's removal. This was through the Indian Right's Association which was largely dominated by Sectarian influence. Several of the schools on the Navajo reserve were operated by the different denominations. Shelton was not a policy man but frank and straight forward asking no special favors of friend or opponent. He understood the Indians and their limitations and opportunities and he had the respect of all the better well disposed men of the nation. He had a system of putting his regulations over with refractory individuals, and at the same time winning their respect.

In regards to the Mormons, if there was any prejudice in him, it was in our favor right from the start. As soon as he discovered our attitude of friendship toward the Indians it may be that this very thing had something to do with the trouble with him and other religious people, and that his attitude towards us brought about his removal. It was a great disappointment to us, and we believe it was an irreparable setback to the Navajo nation, as well as to our government which has the job of bringing the Indians up and out of the condition they are in.

Of all the Indian agents or superintendents we have contacted since we landed in San Juan, Supt, Shelton stands way in the lead as a man of ability to help the Indians. However, since Shelton's day here, the Indian agents have aimed to be fair with us and to give about the best that is in them for the benefit of the Indians, but they just simply didn't know how. At least this is the honest opinion of a commoner who wishes every human being well and I feel that I am a little better man because of my association with Supt. Shelton.
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NOTES ON EARLY SAN JUAN:

Some checks and balances that assisted in holding bad forces from gaining too much power in early San Juan history: A group of young fellows came in from the eastern part of the United States, the Ptelomy brothers, Ervin McGrew, Louis Pauquin, Henry Goodman, James Frink, Bob Hott, Bob Moncur, the McGalyards and others. There was George Hudson of the Hudson and Green company, O'Donald, Pat and Mike. They were fairly well educated and had been brought up in good Christian homes and were men who stood for law and order. They were without the knowledge of just who the Indians or Lamanites were but they had the business sense to see that their safety depended on keeping on friendly terms with the Indians and that fact naturally added strength to the forces of peace. The Mitchells were the exact reverse, trouble makers.

Quite early in the game of our pioneering there was a change made in the northern division of the Navajo reservation. A former agent who was prejudiced against the Mormon colony at Bluff and a similar Mormon colony at Fruitland, New Mexico, was replaced by W. T. Shelton. Providence must have suggested this change for it turned out to mean so much to the best interests of the San Juan Mission as well as the welfare of the Saints in New Mexico. Best of all it turned out for the best of the Navajos themselves for in Mr. Shelton they were getting a broad gauged Indian man as Supt. at Shiprock school.


No other change could have been made with just one or two men involved that could mean so much to the pioneering of this whole region and for the real good and advancement of the Navajos. It is just another instance of showing that Providence is over all, especially where much is at stake in the program of Latter-day Saints. On the other hand, the program for the upward movement and progress of His work is met with forces to oppose and tear it down.
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FIFTY-EIGHT YEARS

A record as between pioneers of San Juan County, Utah, and San Juan Indians. Between the years 1879 and 1937, there have been 85 killings in the county, about half Utes and Piutes, and half white men. Twenty-five of the worst of the Indians have died from unknown causes, not from natural causes, such as common ailments, but they could not, or would not, tell as to what ailed them.

Following the Navajo war, in which about all the nation was rounded up and starved into subjection by Uncle Sam's army, in which the noted Kit Carson played a prominent part, the Navajos were turned back on their reservation in an extremely destitute condition. It was a case where their only choice was in stealing and robbing their nearest neighbors, or starving themselves. From the best information we have, there were but few of them starved to death, but many of their young, able-bodied men became adept at stealing. Southern Utah offered a fruitful field for their practice of cunning exploits, as the Colorado River provided a natural barrier against the pursuit of their marauding bands.

The Utes on the north and east side of the Navajo reserve offered them sure punishment if they ventured in that direction, as their late experience had taught them. If they went east they would encounter the soldiers, and there was nothing for which they could be justified in venturing south, so the southern part of our then territory was their only field for operation, and they worked that field successfully for a number of years to the serious disadvantage of their victims, until a treaty was concluded between the Mormon people and the Navajo nation.

That treaty was conducted by President Brigham Young through the medium of Jacob Hamblin on our side, and the Navajo chief, Manuelito, on the side of the Navajos. This was the early "seventies" and the Navajos, as such, have kept their word fairly good.

Navajo Frank was one of the exceptions in that treaty-keeping arrangement, and I shall give a short sketch of his history. At the time of which I now speak, 1881 to 1884, Frank was between 24 and 27 years old, and as good a speciman of vigorous manhood as one could wish to see. Besides his own language, he could speak Piute, Moki, Mexican, and he had quite a smattering of English. He was of a jolly good nature, and what we would now call a "mixer."

One Saturday afternoon about three o'clock I turned to our foreman, "Ben" Perkins, who had the oversight of our crew of ditchworkers, and said I wished to be excused for the balance of the afternoon as I wanted to cross the river and look after my horses. "Uncle Ben" rather objected at first, but as I insisted, he finally said "all right."


Removing my clothes and carrying them on my head, I was soon on my way down on the south side of the river, and had not gone far when I came to an opening on the grove of cottonwoods that covered the bottom, so that I could see a horseman going up next to the cliff nearly half a mile away. He was riding what I recognized as my pet horse, Old Frank. I made off across the bottom calling loudly for the person to stop which, a little to my surprise, he did.

It proved to be our friend, Navajo Frank, who put up the story that his own horse had left him, and he intended to return my horse as soon as his own was found. But my catching him riding my horse away, only confirmed my suspicions that he had been slipping away with ponies that we had been missing for the past two or three years.

After scolding him and telling him that I did not believe his story, I took my horse and went down to where my other horse was, crossed back over the river and went home feeling that I had been prompted from the unseen world to look after my horses, and that I had discovered at least some of the source of our losses.

A short time after this another horse or two was missed and could not be found. Bishop Nielson suggested that Thales Haskel take another man or two with him and follow Frank Navajo and try to locate the missing animals. Brother L. H. Redd, Jr., and myself were chosen to accompany Haskel. It was several days before we were able to locate our friend, Frank. With the voluntary assistance of other friendly Navajos, we finally caught up with him riding one of our lost animals.

Brother Haskel eyed Frank seriously for some time and then quietly but seriously told him that if he continued to steal from the Mormons he would take sick and die. Haskel said but very little more. Frank gave us the "horse laugh" but gave us the stolen horse and we started for home. 

Frank carried on his devilment for a short time, and then it was several months before he was seen or heard of again. But what a change had come over him--you could scarcely believe he was the healthy, rugged Indian we had known some months before. He was thin and haggard. His full chest was all sunken in, and he made inquiry for Haskel saying he wanted Haskel to write a letter to the Lord and tell the Lord that Frank would never steal from the Mormons again if his life was spared. Our old friend, Haskel, in the meantime, had moved up to Fort Montezuma, and Frank was told to go up there and see him about it.

Frank went up and told Haskel his story and plead for Haskel to intercede with the Lord for him. But Haskel told Frank he could not promise him for sure what the Lord would do, as Frank had been warned but he had had no ears. But it might be that if he would cease all his stealing and use his influence with the other Indians to have them stop their stealing and be friends to the white men, he might get well.

Navajo Frank is still living (1919) and while he is not the man physically that he was in 1882, he has never been known to give the settlers any more trouble. His first wife quit him while he was sick and in trouble, but he married another woman with considerable property, and has gotten along well and has used his influence for peace and honesty.

This instance may seem strange to some, but there were so many who knew of it at the time, that it could have been substantiated in any court of justice.


Apostle Erastus Snow, in speaking to the people in public soon after they located in Bluff, said that "Inasmuch as the Latter-day Saints of the San Juan Mission would live their religion and obey counsel, the Indians who would not be friendly, but would steal and persist in their hatred and meanness towards us, that the hand of the Lord would be made manifest in their destruction."

The story of Navajo Frank is only a sample of the many cases where the above promises or prophecy was fulfilled to the very letter. "Aunt Mary" and myself and several neighbors counted, on one occasion, 14 of the worst of the Utes and Piutes that had died off within a few years, all of them healthy-looking men. At that time we could name them all, and tell what family they belonged to.

We read of the ways in which the ancient Israelites were delivered and how the Nephites were delivered from bondage and from the power of their enemies, of the Hebrew children from the fiery furnace, and Daniel in the Lion's den, etc., but the hand of the Lord in the preservation of the San Juan colony from the savage Indians is as marvelous to me as any of the miracles of old, for we were absolutely at their mercy.
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WATER STOCK, LAND TURNED IN, etc.

In case the new organization wishes to use the land and water stock in the company, and if (for any cause) there should be a failure of the C.S. Plan, the land, water stock, etc., should revert back to original owners. This is a matter that should be understood and made plain to all parties concerned. Everyone with a good sound heart hopes and prays that it will succeed steady and go forward, not backward, but more of us are pretty well accustomed to looking out for ourselves and family connections, and the jar may be too sudden. We may have to go thru a "trimming" before we are prepared for the Enoch, or U. O. or the plan that worked so long and successful in the Nephite and converted Lamanite days, after the Savior's visit to this continent in His resurrected body.
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SAN JUAN MISSION

At the time the Navajo Nation was conquered along in the 60's by Kit Carson they numbered about 14,000 souls. They were held for some time; their property was destroyed or taken from them, even their peach orchards, etc., were cut down, and when turned loose they were in a destitute condition, and being turned back to their reservation where water for irrigation is scarce, rainfall light, soil for the most part not rich in plant life, the poor Indians were in a sad plight, and being naturally thrifty, industrious, hardy as a race from their point of view, they had been robbed, and if robbing was the white man's game they may as well try their hand. 

The Utes on the north of them, and the small Indian tribes south of them were for the most part shiftless and had nothing worth stealing, so that all that was left for them was to cross the Colorado River and replenish their cattle, sheep, and horses from the settler's herds of southern Utah to the west and northwest of their country, and for some few years they were very successful, making some 


large hauls of horses, sheep and some cattle; finally getting so bold that they would enter good-sized settlements by night and helping themselves to teams and saddle animals from barns, corrals, etc.

However, the Navajoes made no attempt to kill the settlers only as they were followed too closely and as they thot almost compelled to fight or be killed themselves. They lost a few of their number, but it may be they thot that belonged in the game. The people became alarmed; put the matter up to the Governor of the Territory, and the Church Authorities. The latter decided to head the trouble off at its source by sending Jacob Hamblin with other Indian missionaries out to the Navajo Chiefs with an invitation to the leading men or the Navajo Nation to come to Salt Lake and talk the matter over with the view of coming to a better understanding between the Mormon people and their friends, the Indians. The mission was entirely successful, the Navajo Chiefs coming to Salt Lake, where the matter was fixed up, trouble composed, and all concerned feeling fine, the Navajoes returning to their homes, their horses loaded with presents, and feeling that they had found new friends.

Not long after the treaty of peace of "gentlemen's agreement" (as it would be called now, 1922) an event occurred that upset, for a time at least, all the work of our peacemakers, as follows: A party of Navajoes, 4 brothers, were in thru the Mormon settlements on a trading expedition. Having traded their blankets and other trinkets for ponies, etc., they were returning home and camped near the head of Grass Valley, at what was known as McCarty's Ranch, where they were overtaken in a heavy snow-storm and were forced to lay over for a time, and getting out of provisions killed a calf. The McCarty's coming on to them camped at their ranch, and seeing signs of their having killed a calf, opened fire on the Navajoes, killing all but one, and he fled very badly wounded, and from the way the Indians describe his condition on reaching the reservation, it seems a miracle how he ever made the long journey without food, very scanty clothing, and having to swim the Colorado in the condition he must have been in, taking into account also the season of the year. The Indians of this ill-fated party were connected up with one of the most influential families of the western part of the reservation. Naturally this created great excitement, it going thru the nation with electrical effect, instantly calling forth a declaration of war. Quite naturally the Navajoes laid the killing of the Indians to the Mormons, as it was in the Mormon country. Word was sent by friendly Indians to Tuba City of the war spirit that was developing and that all was off in regard to the peace understanding of recent date. The Church Authorities, upon learning of the new trouble, hastened to send a few select old standby Indian missionaries over to inform the Navajoes that the killing of their friends was the work of "pilicans" (non-Mormons.)


Under conditions that prevailed this mission of Jacob Hamblin, Ira Hatch, John Smyth (and others whose names I have been unable to obtain) required the taking of their lives in their hand, and the stuff of which real men are made of, to face the situation and convince the overwrought Indians of the truth that the Mormon captains or their people had broken faith with them. The story of Hamblin, and the Smith Brothers who stood by him as true brave men would do, of the night and day of praying, pleading, etc., in an attempt to convince the enraged savages of the truth; of their final decision that he must die, and the Smith boys could return home, as they knew they had had nothing to do with the killing, of the Smith's prompt refusal to leave Hamblin, and of the working of that unseen power, which is not of this earth, finally softening their savage spirits, and of their agreement to send representatives with Hamblin to Salt Lake to test out the truth of his representation.

The story of Hatch and Smythe has not been so well published, they having gone out in another direction, ran onto the homes of the families and close relatives of the murdered Indians, where the wounded man who escaped at the time of the killing lived, and whose wounds had not yet healed. A noted chief named Peagone, a giant physically, and a man of wealth, being the father, or uncle of the unfortunate victims of this story. This chief called a hurried council, to which the wounded man was brot, the excitement being almost unbounded. Now Ira Hatch, having previously married an Indian girl, which according to Indian custom amounts to joining the tribe, which fact of itself placed him beyond danger of being seriously molested, so that left Smythe as the only one to deal with, and from the starting of the council he was to pay the extreme penalty, the mode only was up for discussion: Hatch doing the talking; and knowing justness of their cause, the far-reaching results of it, the weight of his responsibility rested heavily upon him, but his pleadings appeared to add fury to their savage natures. Some of them were proceeding to gather wood for the roasting, some were sharpening long knives, occasionally making threatening gestures by drawing knives across, and dangerously close to his (Smythe's) throat. 

After hours of pleadings, protests, etc., when it seemed utterly hopeless to continue the attempts to soften or appease their determination to take revenge on the man who was entirely at their mercy; Bro. Smythe, who had sat thru the trying ordeal without showing the least symptom of fear or weariness, told Elder Hatch to ask permission to pray before they proceeded to put their decision into effect. This request when interpreted to them immediately caused a profound silence which continued throughout Bro. Smyth's calm and fervent prayer, at the conclusion of which the Chief requested the words of the prayer to be interpreted to the Indians. Brother Hatch told them that Elder Smythe had asked the great spirit to bless the Navajoes, cause that their eyes may be opened and their hearts softened so that they might see that the Mormon people were their true friends, and that in case they put him to death to forgive them as they believed him and his people guilty of the killing of their friends. The effect of the humble prayer, the calm bravery of Bro. Smythe was magical. The big chief called all the Indians inside the large council hogan, sent his men to get the brethren's horses, stood in the door to hold all the Red men inside, and told the two men to go home before the Indians had time to change their minds again. The suggestion made to the Navajoes by the two delegations noted above, that the Indians in company with Hamblin and Hatch or others go to the place of the killing of their friends the previous winter, and investigate for themselves, was accepted, and some of the leading Indians, in company with the Indian missionaries, went over the ground and found that the brethren had told them a truthful story, the Indians being treated so well by their friends, that peace between the Navajoes and the Mormon people was left on a sounder basis than ever. And this good understanding may be made permanent, the idea of extablishing a permanent outpost or settlement out among or near the Indians was born. And with this object in view a call was made for about 150 young people from the southern part of the Territory to go out and establish homes, for the purpose of fostering and encouraging and maintaining friendly relations with the Indians, Navajoes and Utes, Pahutes, etc.

It is the purpose of this little humble story to show that the San Juan Mission has been to some extent at least, a success; and also to secure to the Church leaders, and especially those true, brave, peacemakers, (the Indian Missionaries), their need of honor and credit, (as far as this effort of one having been associated in a more or less humble way with the "Mission" from the first, I put in no claim, only as having taken an humble part in fostering peace between friends, or those who should live in friendly relations together.)

The effects of the patient, kindly labors of the Mormon missionaries was apparent. The Indians, especially the Navajoes, had the name Mormon associated in their minds as friends, and from President Silas S. Smith (who had had more or less experience in dealing with Indians,) and our old friend Thales H. Haskell, I got ideas and pointers that was a help to me in the part that fell to my lot later. For example, "Always be plain, frank and straight in talking with them." "Treat with them as you would with children." "Don't accuse or charge them with wrong doing without being sure of your grounds or never attempt to run a "bluff." As a rule you will be safer without a gun or weapon of any kind, if your aim is to be a peacemaker."

Be unselfish, patient, let them do most of the talking; get their viewpoint and deal with them from what they think is right.

One faze of our experience with the Indians has been to meet and overcome their tendency to leave their reservations, and encroach upon the cattle and sheep ranges that we have used for many years. After we had been located in San Juan for a number of years, and the Indian Agents discovered that it was the "Mormon" policy to treat Indians right most of them gave us the privilege of keeping the Indians off the ranges we had been accustomed to use, but while we all understand that Indians as well as whites have to have to a certain extent the same right to the use of the public domain, still there's an unwritten law which governs in this matter among people who have right ideas as to actual prior use and have more or less range improvements. However, among all people there are a few who are inclined to encroach upon their fellows. To the credit of the Indians along this line, be it said that while we have met some determined resistance and taken some time and patience, we have never failed to make our point, and better still, after we have come to a peacable understanding, the Indians have never broken these agreements. 

At one time many years since the renegade band of Utes and Pahutes gathered and located in about the center of our winter range northwest of Bluff, on what is named Black Mesa. They were ugly and saucy, and while we were unable to catch them at it we knew by the cows that had been seen by our cowboys with big fat calves would be found bellowing around without their calves. One of the boys speaking of the Indians at that time said "they were all fat and saucy, even to their dogs, and they had dozens of them." The situation becoming almost unbearable, Bishop Nielson of Bluff called a council of all those interested, and decided to send a committee of our men out and take up a labor with them and see if we could not prevail on the friendly ones to help us put an end to a conditon that could not be permitted to go on. I had been sick, but the Bishop and other authorities insisted that if reasonably possible, I should go, which I finally consented to do, and this controversy turned out as the dozen or more other like undertakings. After calling out some of the older, and some of the more peacably disposed ones, they finally agreed to remove as we asked, and even these poor, ignorant renegades kept their word.

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INDIAN MISSIONARIES: Jacob Hamblin, Smith Bros., Smythe, Hatch.

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STORY OF SAN JUAN BY A SMALL PART PERFORMER.

At the breakfast table the first morning after returning home from St. George, Utah, where "Aunt Mary" and I were married in the temple, (this was Dec. 19th, 1878) I told the family of a dream I had during the night. The main features of the dream were about as follows: In company with others, most of whom were strangers to me including Indians, we were all busily engaged at the building of a large stone building, in which the Lamanites were deeply interested. The country was strange and new to me. Near the place of our operations was a river that I could see, the water of which was not quite clear. As this dream had left quite an impression on my mind, I asked our Mother to interpret it for me, and without hesitating, she said, "You will be called with others to go and live among the Indians." This was Dec. 22nd, 1878. About a week after this date word came from Parowan, Utah, that 16 young men had been called to make a scouting trip out in the country in the neighborhood of the "Four Corners" where the state of Colorado, and the territories of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah corner together.

Left Iron Co., April 14, 1879. For the personnel, etc., route, traveled, distance, direction, etc., what we found and short story of Indians, etc.

Oct. 24, 1879. The general move for San Juan, the Cedar City contingent left home; only two or three of those who had made the summer trip started out on the second movement. See page 7 {Perhaps in another journal?} for some of the high points of this.

TIMES WHEN FAILURE STARED PIONEERS IN THE FACE

There have been many times in San Juan Mission history when "Failure" seemed to be in the "Cards" for us, even before the main company of pioneers got far on the journey moving out to locate permanently here. This occurred at the "40 Mile Springs" down on the Escalante Desert, 40 miles from the town of Escalante. Scouting parties had been out as far as the Colorado River, and met the vanguard of the moving company, and informing them that an impassable barrier had been discovered at the said river, a "council" was called, and other scouts were sent ahead, and about two weeks was spent investigating up and down the river, with the result that nothing more favorable was found than "The Hole in the Rock", found and reported favorable by the scouts ordered out from Escalante the summer before by Church authorities. Their report sent to headquarters at Salt Lake City and forwarded to our leader, Silas S. Smith, is what started us out this route, but the Escalante scouts were looking for a road that would be a great blessing for their town and could not see the actual condition; they could see an opening in the solid wall and could see the river about 2000 feet below, and what appeared to be a fairly open canyon leading out to a flat topped mesa on the east side, all looked favorable to them, but to the 20 or 30 scouts from our company upon a little further examination, appeared impossible.

Test #1 for the San Juan Mission. By this time it was getting well along in November and extra heavy fall of snow on the Escalante Mts. had the road blocked from our getting back home. Many of the men of the company had been called as on a mission and that served as an urge to go thru, as it did for "Father" Escalante 103 years earlier, when he and party went thru all kinds of hardships in this same neighborhood, in the winter of 1776, when for his church he was bent on finding a better and shorter trail connecting the missions of Santa Fe and California.

Our Church wished to plant a colony near the Navajos of Arizona, New Mexico and the Utes of Colorado, and Paiutes of different clans (some renegades) of this corner of Utah. Our business was to "cultivate and maintain friendly relations with them" in anticipation of the time when missionary work would be opened up with them as a remnant of the house of Israel "to be gathered together again in the due time of the Lord."

Out of all the scouts from the company, only two of them gave any encouragement to the idea of attempting to make a way thru on this route, one saying we could make a road thru in about a month. The other one thot that by securing powder, tools, and provisions, also a few experienced miners, a way may be made to get thru, but no permanent road could be made, unless our U. S. Government would take hold of it.

Here is where a decision was made that has affected the San Juan mission for all time. The country would have been settled, but it would have been under a different lineup, for that same bunch could not have been gotten together again.

The miracle of this decision came just as soon as the leaders of the company gave orders to sail on, sail on. It went thru the camp like an electric shock, and all was good cheer and hustle. Captain Smith started back with a large team and light buggy, with some of his sons with horses to assist in breaking a trail thru the snow. The next we heard from him he had been successful in obtaining the necessary tools, powder, provisions, experienced miners (thru Church authorities), and a five thousand dollars appropriation from the Territorial Legislature then in session, all of which made it possible to blast and work our way thru. This will be known while the earth remains in its present shape as the impossible being made possible thru religious influence and loyalty, just as Father Escalante 103 years earlier faced snow, cold, starvation, savage Indians and this same rough impossible country, to find a trail that would connect the Catholic Missions of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the missions out in California, without having to face the long round about high mountain country north, or the trackless, waterless hot sands of the southern route. End of failure #1.

Second breakup of mission is threatened. An extra freshet, or flood in the river washing out about 2 miles of the head of the canal, along with other discouraging problems, both the pioneers as well as some of the leading authorities of our Church felt that we were overmatched, as members of our colony kept dropping out of the game, leaving such a small force to overcome such a flock of problems, the sluggish, changeable river carrying so much silt, and subject to raising and falling so sudden being the most serious for so few.

Accordingly, Pres. Joseph F. Smith, with others, came out for the purpose of releasing, and locating the colony in a more favorable locality, and still remain near enough to the Indians to accomplish the object had in view in the original call and not have to throw away the sacrifices already made in a failure.

After carefully and prayerfully going over the situation with the members of the courageous, depleted little colony, Pres. Smith and Apostle Erastus Snow, and others, decided that this mission should be maintained. This location situated so that a direct contact could be had with the Navajo Nation on the south, southern Utes on the east, and the mixed scattering bands on the north, must be held. Our mission and business was to cultivate and maintain friendly relations with the remnants of scattered Israel, preparing them for the gathering after the fullness of the Gentiles shall come to pass, and the more wicked part of them (the Gentiles) may be destroyed. This is near at hand and causes one to shudder at the very thot of it.

After making a canvas to find out just how many would be willing to stay and "hold the fort" until reinforcements could be called in to help carry on, Pres. Smith and Apostle Snow blessed the church members who were at the meeting being held at Bluff, Utah; blessed those who had made all preparation to move away, in a spirit of kindness and sympathy, hoped they would prosper and succeed in finding favorable locations, and especially remain loyal to the Church. Then in the spirit of prophecy said, "I promise those who are willing to remain and face this difficult situation that they will be doubly blessed of the Lord," and turning to Bishop Jens Nielson said "For your obedient and steadfast response at this time, you shall be blessed and prospered of the Lord both in spiritual and temporal things."

The above prophecy and promise came to pass, every whit. Again religious impulse and the spiritual urge prevailed over all discouraging elements. Another threatened failure had been averted. Under a Bishop (Jens Nielson) who thot and planned in terms of a Ward unit and members who trusted in his spiritual and financial ability, as well as his native justice, all united in making a record in Church activities, as well as temporal affairs, that brot commendation of Church authorities and surprise from friends of our little colony. This record consisted of missionaries sent out, tithing and fast offerings paid, attendance at all Church meetings and activities, Church papers, magazines, periodicals, etc., subscribed for. The credit of this community was gilt-edged with banks, merchants, farmers, and stockmen of southwestern Colorado. Our relations and dealings with our Indian neighbors for many years, with very few minor exceptions, were very peaceable and considering the conditions involved as to the ranges, etc. (where our interests could easily have caused differences), we got along remarkably well together. In later years, thru outside influences, a few unfortunate incidents occurred to mar our otherwise neighborly history.

Third Crisis: Colorado as a state, at an early date in our San Juan History attempted to have their Indians (the Utes) removed from the southwestern corner of that state into San Juan County, Utah, just across the line from the west end of their reservation. The persistency of our neighbors on the east has been worthy of a better cause, going so far at one time as to pack their Indians up and order them to move over into Utah; or at least all that would "fall" for their "bluff". But our Utah state officials failed to see it in that light, and lost no time in coming in and calling the bluff. After engaging in a more or less prolonged pow wow during which some strong language was used, the Indians promised to return peaceably. Col. D. F. Day was removed from his acting agency with some mild censure by his superiors, thus ending peaceably what might have resulted in serious trouble. At another occasion a tentative arrangement was entered into whereby the pioneers of our county were given the privilege of choosing a place or lands in Colorado in exchange for our places in Utah for the Indians, but that arrangement did not get far.

The Indian Rights Association (IRA) the great majority of whose members are good, well meaning people, but who are unfortunate sometimes in choosing men to direct the policy of their organization have made it difficult and dangerous for all settlers, prospectors, stock men, living near the reservations; and many of the agents in charge of the different schools or other activities between Indians of their different reservations and our government officials of the IRA assume that their place is to defend their clients, as a lawyer is supposed to do, right or wrong, and when we take in to account that this tied up with some officers of the government, makes it easily to be seen how the advantage would be lopsided in the Indians favor, but it has not worked out as the eastern sentimentalists figured. The progress of the Indians was retarded, they drew false conceptions as to what was right or wrong in living their lives and in dealing with their neighbors about them. Those of us who knew these things do not feel to censure the Indians (many of them were peaceably inclined) for the serious trouble that was the direct result of the unwise leadership of their supposed "Washington Friends."

The unfortunate trouble and outcome of it (the particulars of which are related elsewhere) reveal one of the outstanding evidences of the hand of providence in the affairs of His spiritual offspring, in the preservation of the lives of our boys from the bullets of their misguided neighbors. To me if the hand of our All wise Father was not in that unhappy affair, how could it be explained away. None of our boys received a scratch, and the young Paiute who resisted the officer of the law, and the leader of the outlaws (Posy) were all that were killed or wounded in the War which was carried on in the roughest part of a broken, rocky, timbered country, which afforded the Indians all the advantage, they being familiar with the caves, cliffs, and every turn of the extremely rough trails, also having better guns, some high-powered ones, than any of our boys had.

We have the Indian problem very much unsettled on our hands yet, but with the experience of the past to guide us we may face the future with faith and unafraid. The Lord has taken care of the San Juan people even many times in our misunderstandings when we have been more or less at fault among ourselves, when the way has been made difficult, and dangerous by some of our prejudiced neighbors, butting in and knowingly misrepresenting us to government familiar and also to the Indians.

These outside people and influences have been the foundation of practically all our differences and difficulties with our Lamanite neighbors from the time of our first reaching the San Juan. It has been our settled policy from the first landing in 1879 to the present, to secure, by fair and friendly means, the confidence of the leading spirits, as well as all the peaceably disposed Indians of the different band. Knowing from whom these Indians sprang, our friendship for them could easily be sincere and strong.

THE WINNING OF MISS SAN JUAN COUNTY: Approximately six million acres, out of the state's fifty-four million acres, or one-ninth part of the State of Utah. There are two mountain ranges, Elk and Blue; and part of the LaSal range. The balance of the county consists of high and low mesas, cut up with rough canyons heading mostly in the mountain ranges and running in all directions, emptying mostly in the Colorado and San Juan Rivers. A small part of LaSal Mts. drains into the Dolores River. The Elk range of mountains has many millions feet of lumber standing untouched to this date (1935.) A small portion of the land which is suitable for dry farming has been reclaimed from its natural state, as yet only enough to assure settlers that it may be done successfully.

A few stock men first entered the county in the fall of '78. The Odonall's Bros. (Pat and Mike) turned cattle loose at the Dodge Spring, two miles south of Verdure Creek, and there were parties located at the mouth of McElmo on the San Juan River by the name of Mitchel in the spring of 1879. For an account of the colony that located at Bluff, Utah and Montezuma on San Juan see original record.

Mention should have been made in the proper place before that we found Peter Shirts on River (San Juan) in the first days of June, 1879. He had wandered in from Escalante the fall before (1878), with two burros, saddles, etc. He had been out thru the Montezuma Valley, over on the Dolores, up and down the San Juan River, etc. Don't recall whether he came in by way of Lee's Ferry or crossed Greene and Grand Rivers, and followed the old Santa Fe Trail, which forked at the Coyote Wash west of where La Sal was located, one branch going out towards Montezuma Valley and one fork going up thru dry valley past where Monticello is located, crossed Devil Canyon on down to San Juan, and up San Juan River to Canyon Largo and over to Santa Fe. A few light wagons had followed this old trail out to Colorado by way of La Sal up the "Steps" over to Paiute Spring, past Dove Creek to Dolores, one fork being to Animus La Platta, coming in to join the one up San Juan at the mouth of Canyon Largo. However, opinion is divided as to whether any of these is really part of the old Santa Fe Trail or not. Peter Shirts was an intelligent scout and should have made some valuable history and have it laid away some place in L.D.S. history as he was the first to discover much new in Utah and other states.

Ute and Paiute and Navajo Indians were wandering thru the impossible country, with no signs of permanent homes or farms, or other permanent improvements. The only sign of wagon traffic of any sort was where a few wagons had followed what went by the name of the "old Santa Fe Trail", crossing the Grand River at where Moab was located 1879-1880. However, an Old Rock Fort, partly fallen or torn down, that had been built by Mormon missionaries to Indians some 10 or 15 years earlier (Little Grant), but whom after having serious trouble with the roaming bands of Indians--several being killed on each side--the missionaries withdrew, being at a great disadvantage on account of numbers and the rough, broken nature of that country. In fact almost the entire county offers an excellent place for an outlaw element, or as the Book or Mormon calls "Gadianton Robbers" "Hold out", in carrying on their depredations. It seems, from all the history we were able to get, that many who had been outlawed from Arizona, Colorado, and southern Utah, took advantage of this big, rough holdout, to ply their rough stuff for a living, and whenever other avenues were closed to them they would steal, fight, and otherwise carry on among themselves, especially would these terrible rows occur between the wise Paiutes, who would unite against Navajoes who were more numerous, and it would be war to the limit.

In case this trouble would begin on the north side of the River (San Juan) the Utes from Colorado would be called on for help, and the Navajoes would get out of it the best they could, leaving the spoils to the conquerors, and conversely if the racket opened on the south side of the River, the Navajoes would fall heir to the spoils of war. Usually there would be prisoners fall to the winners. This led to slavery. However, the Navajoes would offer a difficult problem to this question as they felt as a tribe or nation much superior to the Utes or Paiutes, especially, and would take any and every chance to escape, but not so with the Ute or Pahute boy or girl, who would find living conditions so much better in almost every way that with kind treatment by the wise old Navajoes, many of the captives would soon be won over to liking the change.

The conditions described above were in full swing when our people appeared on the scene at San Juan, and feel sure that we may justly claim much of the credit for assisting in bringing about a better way of getting on with one another.
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There has been and there are still many strong, high-class Indians among most all the Indian tribes, as well as "outlaws", and I am glad and thankful that it has been my lot to live and labor among some of them, and also it pleases me to know that much of the prejudice that prevailed has modified on both sides, but the Indians are improving, and sorry to say it the American White races are standing still or retrograding in many ways. The time is drawing near when the Indian or "Lamanites" will come to their own, when the scripture will be fulfilled, when a "Nation will be born in a Day." I should be pleased to take part in that event. With my memory there has been very little of the time within my memory when the Indian has had a square deal from the agents or other authorities who have contacted the Red Man, and while I believe it has been the desire of the heads of the nation (American) to give the Indians a square deal, very few of the agents and those under them have really measured up, and the result has been the Indians have not made the headway they may or would have done under good leadership. Some years ago I met and became quite well acquainted with the Chief of the Navajo Nation, and all things considered, he would have measured up with the heads of the civilized nations. His name, Manuelito, was honored by white people that knew him, and was loved by his own people, and had he the training and background of favored races he would have made many of the rulers of modern times look like thirty cents--weight somewhere over 200 lbs., quiet, unassuming, was a wise, careful leader for his people, who numbered about fifteen thousand at the time of the advent of the L.D.S. pioneers at the site of Bluff, Utah, April 6, 1880. Chief Manuelito exercised a kind, wise influence over his people as far as the Mormon pioneers were concerned. It was a providential arrangement among the many other problems confronting our little colony.

NARAGUINUP, UTE CHIEF, 1880. Another outstanding character who was chief of the Colorado Utes, in connection with Manuelito (of Navajoes), tried to keep peace between his people and the Whites; and it is an easy matter for me to say and think that a kind and wise providence arranged this program and thereby made possible the settling of our San Juan country at that early date by a people who understood the Indian, from whence he came, and where he belongs, and what part he will take on the program of the near future. I may not live to witness, or take part in the happenings of the future, but I see in my mind's eye that great changes are due in the near future.

I am not up to date on the statistics of the Utes of Colorado, but as was our policy, made friends of the leading peaceably disposed ones, among all Indians we contacted, and when all the best ones were won over to our side this gave us the advantage when trouble arose, and we naturally worked this point all along the line.

Not being as well posted on the Ute question as Navajos, I may be off on some points. "The Southern" Utes are located in the southwest corner of the state of Colorado, about 900 at Towaoc (formerly Navajo Springs), where a nice large school is established, also a hospital, and formerly there was between one and two thousand located at Pine River, and another allotment in the Uncompahgre in the north central part of Colorado on one fork of the Gunnison River. I'm unable to give details as there has been changes going on, and I have not kept up to date on Ute history. But in early days I knew many of the Indians from the Navajo Springs and the southwestern Colorado Utes, and the majority of them were a well-behaved bunch of Indians, and were a great help to us in keeping our San Juan renegade outfit in line, at least partly so. On the other hand there would be occasionally some of the Colorado Utes get in trouble and would come down, and would have no trouble in getting help, and were it not for a few of our San Juan Indians on our side who were good dependable fellows, many times we would have been over-matched. But that does not seem to be on the program. "There must need be opposition in all things." (Alma, Book of Mormon) This is doubly true with the Gospel or many things the Savior or Our Heavenly Parents have to do with.
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REFLECTIONS AT THE PASSING OF ROY JOHNSON, adopted son of Ezekial and Annetta Nielson Johnson.

What is man that he should be proud, or the son of man, that our Heavenly Father should go so far and do so much for him to try to save him and give him eternal life. This constitutes His glory, and the blessings are all ours, helpless, dependent creatures.

It was no accident that "Zeke" Johnson, missionary to the Northwestern States, was led to meet the child Roy "Northern" and whose condition and environment (having lost his mother, and whose father had given away to that soul destroying habit of drinking) appealed to him, and he was willing to take the risk of adopting the child into his own family, and raise him as his own, and for the kindly noble way the family did their part, great honor and credit has and more especially will be theirs in the eternity to last forever.

Brother Roy entered into the spirit of the Gospel, accepted of the splendid education offered in the organizations of our Church, and as time went on he accepted of another gift from the Lord, better than lands or gold, an helpmate with good common sense, an abiding faith in the Gospel thru whom they have brot five good healthy children into mortality, and with whom they have laid the foundation for a kingdom, the limit and greatness of which no mortal mind may grasp. As far as Brother Roy, himself, is concerned, the second chapter of his full life closed yesterday when the exceptionally beautiful services in the Blanding Chapel, and sweet service at the cemetery ended. We all believe that the Eternal Life Insurance he took when he was eight years of age was kept in fairly good shape by his living up to the requirements by the payment of his dues and his obedience to all the laws, and working when and where he was asked to work. We will look and wait with happy and fond anticipation to join him and his sweet little family at the opening of Chapter Three of this wonderful charming story, which will never end. He has passed all danger of failure. He will now have the pleasure of meeting the One Perfect Judge who will check up on his time, receive his initial time check with the welcome plaudit, "Well done, my son, Thou has been faithful over a few things, and I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou in to the joy of the Lord." He will join the spiritual forces in a bigger , more extensive work than is here for mortals to take care of for the reason that the "dead" are more numerous than the living, and we have more relatives "over there" in the spirit land. For the lack of specific knowledge on this line of my subject, I will return to the promising little part of the Roy Johnson's kingdom in embryo. For some wise and glorious purpose they have been left to face this mortal "test" without their worthy scout, father and husband, whom they will sorely miss, but the Lord will care and provide for them, with the assistance of some of the best relatives and friends in the world.
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JIM JOE

My friend Jim Joe (Husteen Joe) Navajo. We first met at Bluff, Utah, in the summer of 1880. Jim was about 18 to 20 years of age. I was 24. It was soon apparent, to an observer of human nature, that Jim was above the average of his people. I think he was raised by one of his uncles, who was a prominent leader among the Navajos of the northwestern part of the Navajo reservation, industrious, thrifty, careful with his means, hard worker, large manly fellow. By the time he took unto himself a wife he was full-handed (a young man among the Navajos wins a flock of sheep and goats with his bride)--as a rule, as the sheep are owned or claimed by the women while she lives.

Jim always has looked upon lying or stealing as beneath the standards he set for himself to follow, always frank, open and straight-forward in his life and dealings with friend or foe of any color or class.

Many times he has helped us regain property that was stolen from us by whites as well as Indians; sometimes has joined officers of the law in hunting desperate characters such as bank and train robbers, cattle and horse thieves, and many times has followed his own people and made them return small items they had pilfered.

Just one instance--A party of tough characters selected a camp about 35 or 40 miles below the town of Bluff in an out-of-the way locality, rough, broken, very seldom visited by the white folks, and were working up a trade with the Navajos and Paiutes, trading our cattle for ponies and also Navajo blankets, silverware, etc. But as soon as our good standby (Jim) got wise to their stuff, he very promptly notified us and accompanied the officers, leading them to their camp, also notified the Indians that they would have to return the cattle, come in and reclaim their ponies, etc. It was some time before all of the cattle were reclaimed, but Jim accompanied us out on the reservation to get cattle that had been driven some distance away and Indians were a little loath to give them up, as in many instances, whiskey was an item mixed up in many of the deals. The effects of the whiskey had all disappeared, and they were out some in the transaction, but Jim stood by us like a "brick" until we recovered about all our stock, and the thieves were convicted (Jim, with other Indians, even going to Salt Lake City as witnesses.)

William T. Shelton for many years supt. of the Shiprock Indian School, in the northeastern district of the Navajo Reservation, attempted many times to induce Jim to work on his police force, but the uniform and star, etc., had no charms for Jim, but he preferred to be free and especially disliked the limelight. But Supt. Shelton insisted that he would hold Jim responsible for the behavior of the Indians in his neighborhood, as he was about the only one the Indians would listen to. Thus the matter rested, Jim consenting in a way to talk to the Indians and try to keep them going straight. An incident occurred soon after this last understanding was had, to show that Jim's heart was right. A very prominent old Navajo, who was wealthy and influential among the tribe, got in some difficulty with the Supt. and an attempt was made to discipline him. I think he wanted to put his old wife away and marry a young one, and the authorities were trying to stop that old custom that had prevailed among the Indians, and on the other hand, the older women thus deserted would take her sheep, and pick up a timid inexperienced young Navajo to "get even" with the old boy.

To return to the trouble, the Indians rallied around the old man and became so serious that the noted old standby General Scott was called upon to compose the trouble, but before Gen Scott could locate the offender the Navajo Nation was worked up to a frenzy of excitement and were gathering and driving their stock out on "Black Mountain" where the women and children would herd them, while their warriors would go out and put Uncle Sam thru a good trimming. The excitement and war spirit got down in Jim Joe's "sphere of influence," and Jim was unable to reason them out of the air by telling them they had all gone crazy. Jim had been out to Washington and around where he had got the U. S.'s number pretty well, and knew that the Navajos wouldn't make a breakfast lunch for him. But Jim wasn't able to pacify them, but finally got a bunch of 25 or 30 to come in, as Shelton the Supt. had told Jim that in case he came on to something he was not able to handle, he better go and talk with Tugelchee, and he would tell them what would be best. They were finally talked out of committing suicide, and that Jim was right--only another evidence of Jim's sound judgment and dependability. The truth finally filtered into the excited minds of the Indians, who gradually withdrew from their senseless undertaking and left Gen. Scott and the old Navajo to talk matters over, leaving friend Jim still climbing in respect of Whites and Reds.

There are lots of Indians, both Navajos and Utes and Paiutes, that are worthy of our kindest respect, considering their condition and opportunities, but take Jim all around from first to last, he's in a class almost alone. My last experience with him was just a few days ago. His eyes have gone back on him, and I have been trying for nearly a year to have him put in a hospital where his eyes could be treated, and finally after having a doctor come in and examine his eyes, who after looking him over decided a good chance for overcoming the cause of his blindness, if taken where he could have the proper care and treatment, but after the Indian authorities have been milling about his case and not deciding where to have him taken, I took a chance myself and took him out to Kayenta, where the government has a good hospital, but are treating only T. B. cases. But after my insistence, the doctor in charge finally consented to care for him until the head supt. came and decided where to place him. One of the reasons the agency people had for an alibi for not having Jim's case attended to was that the doctor who made the exam for Jim said that Jim had told him and also had told the Navajos that he would not go to any hospital, nor would he leave home, as he had no confidence in their doctors. Anyway, he was about ready for the junk man and would hang around home. In one of my visits since he had lost his sight, he told me that he would do whatever I thot best about being taken out for treatment; so when I got ready I made arrangements for a young Navajo (Randolph) who could speak English fairly good to accompany us on the trip, and as Jim lived off the highway some distance, I had Randolph go down from Bluff in the evening before we were to start for Keyenta with auto. Jim was to make ready and meet the auto out on the road next morning. Next morning about the time for Jim to leave his home, rain began to fall, and I hardly expected, under the circumstances, but when Randolph told Jim that Tugelchee would be on the road for him, Jim was there, rain and all. Riding in the closed car made Jim very sick, and here again, the genuine sport came to the surface. He would laugh it off, saying pretty soon, all right. Late that evening, after a good bath and lunch, and located in a clean cot with an educated young Navajo attendant with whom he could talk, under those circumstances we bade him "adios" with a bright smile on his face while he was telling us of his appreciation, and it looked as tho he was going to feel at home and with a prayer in my heart that his sight may be restored, I felt repaid.

NAVAJOS RELIGION, etc.

There are aristocrats among Indians as well as among Whites or any other color, and I think sometimes they wear that attitude as becomingly or more so than some other classes of people, and many Navajos have comely-well-shaped features, as well as traits and characteristics that are desirable and praiseworthy. All they need is the right kind of education and training to bring them to the front. As far as my experience with all Indians has been, that I have no trouble in gaining and retaining the friendship of practically all that I have become acquainted with that have been on the square or reasonably so.

We would have had very little trouble, even with the renegade Indians, were it not for the interference and underhanded work of some of our outside neighbors, some of whom misrepresented us to those Indians and also to Indian department people. There have been just a very few of those trouble-makers, as we have been well treated and in our dealings and associations have neighbored together in the most friendly way with the great majority of the good, fair pioneer people about us.

As to the religion and traditions of the Indians of this part of the country, as near as I have been able to get it from some of their older leading men, whose duty it is to learn and teach legends, etc., to their people. Navajos believe the first two (Navajos of course) came out of a big cavity in a large tree, near the ground (connecting up with trees, etc., of Eden.) They have a more real story of the flood and some saved in a big boat; a hazy story of the Tower of Babel; of the two rival beings, The Creator, and Satan--Paco-cheete, and Chindee. They believe in a literal resurrection, that we will have physical body, very much as we are here, only all will be peace, the hunting will continue, only there will be no drought or sickness or misery. They have a more or less clear idea of the former visit of the Savior, of His teachings, and that He will come back and restore peace and good will again, only it will be by force, by means of his enormous size, being so large that He may stand with one foot on the western sea shore and one other foot on an island of the sea. Their understanding of the moral law is more or less distorted. However, it is no more mussed up than those of our moderns; and in their native state before the advent of the white man (speaking of the Navajos) their moral and sexual regulations were on a higher standard than the average people of the white race, and for natural unaffected modesty the Navajo maidens have the world beat or equaled. Every homebuilder has his door face the east so that where possible he may see the sun as it rises, as there is a place in their worship for the sun raising and setting, and making sand paintings. They have quite an elaborate harvest home celebration, which the whole nation takes a hand in, feasting, singing, and dancing. They also have special occasions when they meet, such as for sickness, especially for prominent members of their tribe. Also in case of drought, famine, etc., and they have special songs for the different occasions, such as war songs, hunting, sickness, for rain, harvest, marriage celebrations, etc., in all of which the women folks all join.

The Navajos had a tribal organization which was a kind of a theocracy, or religo-political arrangement with which any serious breach of tribal laws or customs was tried, offenses of a tribal nature would be heard before a court consisting of the head chief, with his two assistants, and twelve head men, who were located at different points of their country or reservation so that each division may have access to at least one "Head Medicine Man," to whom all trivial matters were referred for settlement. It was also the business of each of this council of twelve to call members of his district together occasionally to rehearse the legends, songs and ceremonials of the nation or tribe.

Manuelita was the head chief when the San Juan pioneers landed (1879). Beleethlezin (Blackhorse) was one of the two councilors and Huska was one of the 12 district judges. This latter is one from whom I obtained most of my information about Navajo History. He was a born orator. I have heard him harangue a gathering of his tribe for hours, and not able to understand but little of what he was saying, but he was an expert at getting his message over to one, by signs, etc., when occasion required. But they have a language to use with their own people and a very different one they use in talking with all other people.

When the government took over control and located them on reservations and established schools, etc., the agents or supts. organized a police force, which finally did away with all the old tribal order, and have all the time up until the present time persuaded them to forget many of their old superstitions, such as going to all kinds of trouble to avoid meeting their mother-in-laws, also having a deadly fear of occupying a hogan in which a person had died, or they would not go near a person who had met with a serious accident, nor would they allow anyone else for a certain length of time to see if the one hurt was going to survive enough to call for help, and many other oddities too numerous to mention.

They have great faith in their medicine men, both in healing their sick and also in praying and singing for rain to save their crops and bring grass and feed for their stock, and it is my firm belief that the father of us all hears and answers their petitions as well as others of His children. The Navajos are a thrifty and resourceful race, and show their Jewish blood and shrewdness, etc., making bargains, etc. They are a healthful, virile race of people, having a dry rough country they are used to hardships, cold and hunger and privation, for had they been without these traits and the experience they could not have survived the ordeal they passed thru during and after the trouble with Uncle Sam with Kit Carson as guide, and later Captain, the history of which is so devoid of an excuse that those who were responsible for it have left very little record for the public, and since I have become acquainted with their country and have gathered from the Navajos themselves and others who were in a position to know the conditions those people were left in after that ordeal, that whatever prejudice I had towards the Indians for crossing the Colorado River and helping themselves to cattle, sheep and horses belonging to the Mormon settlements in southern Utah has been at last greatly modified if not entirely obliterated. From their standpoint they had been grossly ill-treated and robbed, so they felt justified in trying their luck at robbing, and in doing so made victims of innocent parties, in fact their own friends and sympathizers, and also a people who knew what it was to be robbed, plundered, and driven away from their homes. I suppose these experiences were what caused a sympathetic fellow-feeling to develop between us and to head off any trouble in the future when the San Juan missionaries were called to come and live near them.

Instead of Navajos belonging to a "vanishing" race, they are increasing quite rapidly, being three times as many as when we came to this country. Their country is naturally dry, and for a number of years lately the climate has been much drier than usual, and at this time many of them are in hard lines, even for food and clothing and an exceptional cold stormy winter must cause more or less suffering (1921-32 winter.)

The great majority of these Indians are hard working, thrifty and given half a chance will succeed in living comfortably well, but some of their customs are a handicap to them; for instance, in case of sickness they will drop everything, go or send for their doctors, gather their own relatives and friends, and go any distance for medicine and spend days, weeks, sometimes months, neglecting their own affairs, feeding the singers and using their food and money, horses and sheep, many times going bankrupt and having to start all over again. Again there are as is usual with any class of people some that are shiftless, drifting from one camp or village to another, gambling and living off the more thrifty ones. It seems impossible for a Navajo to eat in their own home and see one of their tribe present not eating with them, and thru this trait of character some are imposed upon. The Navajos as a nation do not waste any useful substance, there being one exception, that is when they are out on their hunting trips. Many times in the past when deer or other game was plentiful many time they carried along with them little but the hind quarters and the hide, sometimes only the hide, but as a rule, if weather conditions were favorable, they would "jerk" the meat.

Navajos are lovers of their offspring, especially the boys, and they will make almost any sacrifice in reason for them.

Marriage with the better class is solemnized with more or less pretentious ceremonies, exchanges of gifts, the singing of their special marriage songs, sprinkling of the sacred meal which has been blessed by their medicine man, who also gives the participants a solemn lecture, and the contract is lived up to as good as among white folks. Considering their condition, they have us beat.

They have ability along artistic lines, which is shown very prominently in their handiwork, weaving and also in their metal and woodwork.

There is a more or less disappointing feature in regard to the idea of civilizing the Indian, in that for some cause the young people from among them who have attended most of the white man's schools have not reacted to the education offered in those schools as favorably as could be wished for. For example, White people who employ them will tell you that they get better work and can depend on the Indians taken in their native state than the educated ones, and the usual verdict is that this is more noticeable in what are termed "mission schools" than government schools, as in the latter it is said the discipline is more strict, and they are taught thrift and economy and habits of industry.

I have become very much prejudiced in favor of the Navajo as a nation.
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THE WOMEN OF SAN JUAN

No history of the struggles involved in the pioneering of San Juan County would be complete without the heroic part taken by them was recorded. Not only their fears, worries and heartaches were contributed to the energy used in the problems solved, but the actual physical, spiritual and intellectual assistance contributed all the way along its development. The Creator Himself knew His job was only half done when He put Adam together, and straightway improved on the little practice He had had and improved on that first job by making the helpmate a little better for the strenuous life of this mortal existence. It is natural that men on an average will hold out longer at heavy work, but even in this there may not be as much difference as we have habitually supposed. They have had something more important to follow and have not practiced up on hard, heavy work. Had they done so they may beat us to that also. The winter the big company worked the road on the way moving to San Juan, 1879-80, the women folks had the hardest, most disagreeable time of the journey, as it was one of Utah's coldest, stormiest winters, as stock of different kinds were reported frozen to death on the ranges and in corrals at the homes. The women cared for camps, cooking food out in the open, there being very few tents, and firewood was extremely scarce, and much of the way no shelter. There was but one camp during the coldest of the winter where we had plenty of wood and some shelter from the cold winds. That was in Cottonwood Canyon after crossing the Colorado River. Toward the last of February and thru March the cold eased a little. Even then we had extremely cold, disagreeable spells, but fire wood was plentiful. The wagon box was the only "house" or home, and even they were filled pretty well with tools, small implements, a stove, etc., to be used at the journeys end. This besides provisions, clothing, etc., and this inconvenience, continued for about another 6 months before our first log cabins were ready to occupy, but Oh, what a luxury to get out of the blazing sun under a cool dirt roof, even if the floor was dirt too. The men folks could get away from the home most of the time but the women folks were tied down to these inconveniences, and to look back now to those early days and think that the log cabins with their dirt roofs and floors were to serve as our only home for 12 to 14 years, no wonder that as I have told my friends many times that only once I have been very thankful that I was not born a girl, and that's been all the time.

There is once in a while a man who appreciates his wife and his mother, but the majority of us just don't know how. I expect we will have to get well on into the next estate before it dawns upon us just where the women's place is in the general scheme of things. In addition to the hardships and privations of ordinary pioneer life in a rough, sandy, rocky country, with the bare necessities, and none of the luxuries of life, long distances from R. R. communication or neighbors of any kind, with the exception of Indians, and they were saucy and mean many of them. We were up against a determined effort to get the whole of San Juan County for the Indians by strong and influential parties from Colorado and elsewhere. This movement persisted for many years, and acted as a hindrance to the improvement and development of our country and making permanent homes, etc. and the women folks were the hardest hit for it put off the time when more and better conveniences could be furnished them. No one felt like making permanent improvements while the spectra of having to pick up and move on again stared them in the face. And now, after naming and describing the foregoing trying conditions, we have the most important and most soul and body testing experience of all to name, which is the bearing and caring for the souls of men. The majority of San Juan pioneers were young married people, and all of them believed in being obedient and fulfilling the first great commandment given to our first parents of the race--to multiply and replenish the earth. And their record fully shows their faith and works along that line. Here again we have to remove our hats, make as graceful a bow as we can, and say, "All honor to Motherhood."

Our pioneer mothers found a partial reward in later years in seeing their sons and daughters filling missions out in the world, and places of responsibility at home, in church, and State. At one time there were five organized Wards in San Juan County, and over each was a Bishop who was trained in Bluff.
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"MAINTAINING FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH OUR INDIAN NEIGHBORS" has not been secured without paying the price in time, effort, study, and diplomacy, sometimes taking chances of getting into trouble, and while it is not the purpose of this little write-up to make any play for a pension or any other reward of any kind of a monetary nature, the question comes up--When is it not more important or praiseworthy to use wisdom and tact in keeping neighboring peoples out of trouble, than to fight our way out after trouble begins.

The reclamation of San Juan County has not been brot about, as far as it has been, without taking advantage of every precaution, and using the experience of the past, so that others who have made the trails and used them before us should receive their proper credits. People who deal with the average Indian, soon discover that they have to be handled to a great extent as we do children, but always remembering their potential power for doing great harm when aroused, so that playing for their confidence comes first on the list of settled policy for dealing with them.

From the time of our first landing in this part of the country to the present we aimed to not let a chance go by for convincing them of our friendship for, and our interest in their welfare or behalf. Sometimes our interests or ideas as to our interests have clashed, and it became necessary that we discuss matters and find out if possible which side should modify their claims, or agree on a compromise. These differences have occurred mostly in regard to the division of the ranges for our stock (that is the open government land.) Our condition in these matters is somewhat unusual, as from the beginning there has been one thing after another "bob-up" to unsettle the subject of a permanent settlement being made in this corner of our state; and the Indian question furnished the major portion of our diplomacy for accord.
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JOSEPH B. HARRIS--First Counselor to Stake President of San June Stake (Wayne H. Redd.)

He has been in San Juan County less than half the time many have been; there are but very few who have accomplished as much for the advancement of the stake as Joseph B. Harris. His activities are along educational lines, as our church is just a big training school or institution. He has been a pillar of strength in support of the best in education in Church and State. He is an expert at getting any worthy movement started and then keeping it moving along after it is started, after his aids, or would be helpers, drop out all along the trail and at the same time his own personal and family affairs have suffered for want of his attention. However, he is winning out, thru his never ending industry, perseverance, and just hitting the ball almost day and night for so many years showing a capacity for hard, long drawn out work almost unbelievable. He is getting a very comfortable, well-planned home completed that is highly creditable, while at the same time he has had almost the whole responsibility of the building of a County High School Building, which is apt to stand as a monument to the untiring efforts of Brother Joseph B. Harris, using his time, interest and credit to the full. All young people who have an ambition to go straight and climb upward have a real friend in Brother Harris, as well those who slip occasionally and show any signs of wanting to be back up.
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L.H. (PAP) REDD, Sr., raised two large families, boys and girls about equally divided, about all of whom have lived in San Juan County and been a force for good. Grandpa Redd came of good strong Southern stock, one of the thousands who left their native land for the Gospel, left good prospects and comfort, friends, relatives, etc., and cast his lot in with a people who were outcasts and evil spoken of by all the world, made a good success of his own life and furnished the Church with one of the leading strongest large families who are a bulwork of strength to the Church, and this one of the movements to which there is no end. Filled with charity, patient, slow to anger, good sound judgment, a good judge of horses, cattle and all domestic animals, as well as humans. Believed in and lived the Gospel; died a Patriarch with the spirit of that holy calling; loved, honored, respected by a host of his people who hold his life and memory sacred.
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GEORGE W. SEVY One of the finest, most lovable characters one ever met; not a trace of yellow in his makeup, hard worker, fair and honorable. He did his boasting, not by word of mouth, but by what he accomplished with his hands and by the hard knocks he was willing to go thru to get the things done that were assigned for him by those in charge. The San Juan Mission lost a stalwart when thru force of circumstances he was forced to leave Utah and finally landed in Old Mexico, where his worth was soon discovered, and he was made Bishop, and thru hardship and exposure his health failed. He gave his all for his friends and the church of which he was a loyal member. Brother Sevy was one of four men who left the big company on the desert about 20 miles from the "Hole in the Rock" (an opening in the high mesa down to the Colorado River Canyon, being between a mile or one and a half miles from the high mesa and over two thousand feet below to river.) The object of this scouting party was to determine the feasibility of getting thru to the bottoms on San Juan River. It was without doubt the hardest exploring undertaking in all the locating and settling of the lower San Juan county. He was sustained as first counselor to Bishop Jens Nielson of Bluff Ward, Sept. 2, 1880, helped locate Bluff town and ditch, and worked some on the canal.
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IN ADDITION TO MEN that have been noted elsewhere in the former or following pages, some strong characters who took a leading important part in holding "The Fort," and out on the firing lines in the pioneering of San Juan County, all of them filling responsible positions in civic and religious activities:

Hanson Bayles and wives and family
*James and Annie M. Decker and large family
*Joseph F. and Harriet Barton and large family
*J. Joseph and Ida Nielson, and large family
*"Uncle" Ben Perkins and two wives and large family
*Hyrum and Rachel M. Perkins and large family
*Joseph A. and Nelly G. Lyman, and large family
*Charles E. and Jane Walton and family
Samuel and "Aunt" Jodie and Emma Wood and families
William and Mary B. Adams and large family
John Larson and later Minnie Larson
J.A. Scorup and wife, Emma, large family of girls
*Jens P. and Jennie R. Nielson--did more hard work than any one man
Fletcher B. and Clistie B. Hammond and large family
*J. Monroe and Lucinda Redd and family
Jon Allan Sr. and Agnes and Jan Allan and daughters
John Allan, Jr. and family (old, sturdy, dependable pioneers)
Peter Allan, and family (faithful and true)
D. John Rogers and wife and large family--just the kind of stock for frontier pioneers.
*John Pace and family 1st few years - solid character
*Orrin Kelsey and family, 1st few years
John Tanner and family, came late; stayed few years.
*Samuel Cox, wife and daughter; stayed few years; public spirited
Ann Bayles, came in to help her brother H. Bayles at loss of wife
Willard Butt and family

* Came with 1st company and helped blast Hole in Rock Road, 1879-1880.
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Some items to remember in history of the Story of San Juan showing the hand of the kind, wise, perfect Father: Modern Prophets, and inspiration: Ward, the Deputy U.S. Marshal sent down during "The Posey War."

In case the story of Bro. A.B.B. is used it will be referred to as a martyr for Zion.

Inspiration and prophesying, shown in this story from the beginning and the end is not come yet.
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FRANCIS A. HAMMOND: First regular Stake President of San Juan Stake with two counselors. Joined the Church in early days; spent a number of years as a sailor, went around the world. Born in New York at a place called Patchog. Well along in years when called to the San Juan. After residing in Bluff, Utah, a very few years, removed to Mancos, Colorado, that being in San Juan Stake for many years. Finally the wards and branches of southwestern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico were segregated from San Juan and named Young Stake.

Francis A. Hammond was a strong character, energetic, resourceful well posted thru travel and wide reading and meeting up with people; also a student of scripture. In his travels around the stake visiting the different wards, it was his habit to start very early of mornings, getting five or ten miles on his way at the coming of daylight, always being accompanied by his faithful wife, Martha, who acceded to his every wish. They both would easily be placed among high class people and never let anything interfere with the doing their full duty in their Church positions. It was on one of their regular visits that President Hammond met a violent death, driving a spirited team of horses which became frightened, tipping their buggy over against the corner of a log building, and throwing the president with great force against the logs. He lived a short time but did not regain consciousness. This accident occurred at a branch of the Church called Hammond (after the president.) He was taken to Salt Lake for burial.
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WILLIAM HALLS: First counselor to Francis A. Hammond in the Stake Presidency of San Juan Stake.
I accept and look up to William Halls as one of the Father's the Lord gave me to help make up for the one he took away from us when I was a small child. His (Wm. Halls) was one of the choice and noble spirits that it has been my privilege to associate with while passing along this mortal trail, with its trials and perplexing problems. His advice and council was always wise, sound and dependable. He was a philosopher by nature and thru a long life of study and use he had broadened and enriched his attitude to cover all of life and living into the eternal state. He was gifted with a rich sense of humor. Had he followed this gift up and commercialized it, he could have easily had "Mark Twain," "Bill Nye," or our more modern good-hearted Will Rogers, back in the shade, just for clever "dry" wit of high class. He was full of rich witty sayings and stories, which he would tell on opportune occasions, without the least sign of change in voice or facial expression. He would use this gift on many occasions, in a way to make wrong doing or saying appear ridiculous, making the offender seriously feel that they would never be guilty of that particular offense again. His sense of justice was strong and clear. At one time his brother, George, was hailed before a Church Court by a fellow member, and as the trial proceeded; on more than one point where the testimony of the witnesses in favor of his brother, Bro. William questioned the statements and very pointedly insisted that the plaintiff have a square deal, and the testimony was corrected when the change was going against his own brother (to whom he was devotedly attached.) His riches consisted, not in lands or gold, but in the rich full high class life, filled full with service for the Master. I cherish as above price his confidence and friendship, as well as his wise teachings and council to me. The very thot or remembrance of William Halls cause a sweet, peaceful influence to come to one who knew him well.

Bro. Halls later in life was ordained to the office of a Patriarch and enjoyed the spirit of that high calling and Priesthood in rich abundance for the blessing and encouragement of his people.
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PLATTE D. LYMAN: personal mention. Platte D. Lyman helped as much or more than any one of the Pioneers to carry in to and establish a clean, sweet Christian civilization out in the desert wilds. It would have been a great privilege and pleasure to have been acquainted with him casually, but to have been associated with him intimately in business, social, and in a religious way, was an inspiration and an education that is the opportunity of few mortals. It would be almost impossible for a person to entertain an impure thot, let alone use an unclean word, in his presence. His sympathy was with the Indians, and in his dealings with them (degraded as they are) his course was prompted by the "Golden Rule" and within the scope of his influence or acquaintance he would tolerate nothing but fair treatment of that unfortunate race. In his own home his was a model life, kind, quiet, thotful, careful, frugal, studious, making confidants of each child, and by his own example bringing them up to be self-sacrificing for one another, the only attitude that should prevail in a home worthy of that sacred title, an able, fluent, consistent defender and expounder of the faith of the Gospel of our Savior, both at home and in the mission field, where he filled two or three appointments, the last one holding the important position of President of the European Mission.

After suffering with a cancer for several years (the last few months very acutely) he passed away in what should have been the very prime of life, at the age of fifty-three, loved and honored by all who had come within the scope of his acquaintance, leaving the world better by far than he found it, going to receive a glorious crown, the reward of a true, faithful and well-filled mortal life. His logical calling should have been a full-time preacher of righteousness, where his outstanding, pure life would have fitted in, with the natural gift of a preacher of the Gospel.

Being more or less frail physically, he had followed stock-raising before coming to San Juan. He invested in cattle, intending to follow that occupation here, but his choice of a range proved to be an unhappy one, 100 miles from home or anywhere else, a wild, broken country and in dry seasons with wind and sand, made of it (as he so fittingly described it) "The abomination of Desolation," and the job of attempting to move cattle out to the summer range and for the sale of steers, etc--it was a time of passing thru "Hades" demanding a heavy toil of starving and choking livestock, and famishing, worn out humanity. "Uncle" Platte passed these grilling tests for the loved ones to whom he was so sweetly devoted and whose devotion was so richly reciprocated.

President Heber J. Grant said in an address in the Tabernacle, Hollywood, California, 1932, that "Platte D. Lyman was one of the best men" he ever met.

President Joseph F. Smith in a general conference of the Priesthood, "Brother D. Lyman was one of the best expounders of the Gospel we have had in this dispensation."
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ALBERT R. LYMAN, oldest son of Platte D. Lyman, and a worthy son of a wonderful sire.

Some wise man has said that "an honest man is the noblest work of the Creator." Those who are fortunate enough to know Brother Albert will have to place his score up mighty near the 100% mark right on the start. Another very wise man says that "Whosoever is diligent in his work is worthy to stand before the King." Brother A. R. Lyman is and has been diligent in the work he has set about to do.

Our brother is raising an extra large family, to whom he is very much devoted (just half the story.) They are just as devoted to him which finishes and makes a full story, making a record that any man may well be proud, and who knows the end thereof.

Brother A. R. Lyman is one of the outstanding students of our community, and the record he is making is not only a wonderful blessing for his friends and people while he lives, but will be a help and inspiration to and for all who follow after him while time shall last. His history of San Juan County, Utah, from the beginning, is full and dependable, and has taken a lot of painstaking research thru many years. The Children of the Lord, whom he has been able to do much with, and also for, have been a record keeping people. That is apparently the only way He is able to keep us wild mortals civilized, so prone are we to forget.

The study of history, both ancient and modern, fits nicely into the Church genealogy studies now being taken up and worked out far more systematically than ever before in a Church movement. Brother Albert has been the head instructor over a large and enthusiastic class here in Blanding, and this class is making good progress, as is attested by the temple excursions from San Juan Stake, which are undertaken quite regularly in increasing numbers, with Blanding leading in the good work.

Brother Albert was one of the prime movers in a Sunday afternoon class or meeting for children (using the time of the Sacrament Meeting and using the Sunday evenings for the regular Sacrament Meetings) working fine. The human mind may not reach the limit of the good that will result from the teaching and work of our brother, A. R. Lyman, among the young people of our community as well as the older members. The Lord bless him, his family and his posterity to the end of time.
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BISHOP JENS NIELSON born April 26, 1820, on the island of Loaland, Denmark; converted 1852 and did missionary work in his home country over 2 years.

As for the physical or practical part of the establishing of the San Juan Colony, Bishop Nielson stands first. With a strong, unflinching faith in the Gospel as he had accepted it in his native country in 1852, with an abiding confidence in the authority that stood at the head of the Church of which he was a loyal member and to which he gave his first and unswerving devotion, giving unlimited proof that he could stay put, or as he used the term "stick it to too de." He went to work with all his big strong soul, and being a natural leader, he had the faculty of getting his plans put thru just by force of his strong personality, and for good sound safe judgment in all purely practical things he had few equals, and for the measure of success the members of Bluff Ward attained in their temporal affairs next to the blessing of Our Heavenly Father, the credit and honor must always be given to him more than anyone. The thing that gave him influence with the people was his sound judgment and his strong sense of justice and absolutely fairness. I have met many men in whose hands I would be willing to place my life, and would easily place as the first one among that number Bishop Jens Nielson. His confidence and friendship is above price in my memory, which continued almost all my life without a jar. He must stand as one of the strong, sturdy characters, straightened or more or less developed by his association with the Mormon Church. The Gospel served to bring out strong points which may otherwise have lain dormant. He held the best that was in him for the service of the Master.

As one of the many kind favors of the Lord to me I appreciate the meeting of, and the association formed in living and working with Jens Nielson, for the daughter he gave me, and shall pray for the time when I may trim off my weak points and be worthy to again take up the broken thread and enjoy the strengthening and perfecting of our association thru the eternity that is before us.

One recent unusual event in my experience has given me renewed assurance that our association will endure--that was a visitation from him in a vision that was so real and impressive that I could never doubt or deny it, which served to cement friendship of a lifetime. Bishop Nielson was Bishop of Bluff Ward from Sept. 2nd, 1880, to Jan. 1st, 1906, and in a few months passed on from this life, loved and honored by all who knew him, to a reward he had so faithfully earned.
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ADELIA R. LYMAN, wife of Pres. Platte D. Lyman

Devoted companion and strong support, or in other words, took the father's as well as mother's part, as well as teacher, guardian of their large family, and few children have had a more faithful, devoted mother; and was another of the pioneer mothers of San Juan who made great sacrifices in leaving their own relatives enduring untold privation and want even of the common necessities of their physical wants. The further we get as to time from those early experiences, the more tender I feel and the more my sympathies for and with our wonderful pioneer mothers towards them goes.
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L. H. REDD, Jr.--L. H. Redd was president of the San Juan Stake from November 13, 1910 to the date of his death, 1923; and Bishop of Bluff Ward from Jan. 1, 1906, to Nov. 13, 1910. One of very few men of the first pioneers of San Juan who was fairly well educated, he having had fairly good advantages along that line. This with native strong personality and financial ability, soon worked his way up and out of the lead in the different activities of the community in church and civic affairs. Soon became full-handed, but did not allow his wealth to change his life or attitude toward his Church duties and responsibilities, paid a full tithing and all other Church dues, liberal towards all funds for worthy purposes. Notwithstanding, all these good qualities and many more that could be named over here, I believe his strongest attribute was his whole-souled loyalty to those who were his superior officers in the Priesthood of the Church, and stood ready to defend and uphold them and the doctrines and organizations they stood for.

Bro. Redd raised a large family, most all of them more or less prominent in their home towns. Pres. Redd was a patient, consistent friend to all Indians, always advocated being fair and just with them, but would not permit any bluffing or crooked doings on their part. He was one who led out among quite a bunch of young fellows who could be depended upon in a tight place when it would seem that trouble was in the offing, and when a streak of "yellow' would be fatal.

Horse thieves followed by Redd, Perkins, Lyman--In the month of Sept., 1882 an incident occurred that spread gloom over the San Juan Mission. Two tough characters passed thru Bluff going west on the "Hole in the Rock" road, and it was several days later before the town people noticed horses missing, and at once suspected the two hard looking men, who had acted up peculiar at least. Brother Redd (subject of this sketch), Hyrum Perkins and Jos. A. Lyman took their trail, overtaking them at the Colorado River at Hall's Ferry (or a few miles out), where the thieves had unpacked and returned to waylay our boys whom they had discovered were following them. Hastily rounding all their horses, loading all the camp outfit and taking a short cut back to river and were out on the river with the last boat load when the renegades came up and opened fired, which was returned by our boys, but as they landed a bullet shattered the knee of Bro. J. A. Lyman. This was one place in human experience that required nerve, plus quick thinking and acting, as well as praying. Our boys were forced to move on, as the outlaws were left without food, bed or horses and 100 miles from where they could get any of these necessities, and one of the two was thot to be wounded, likely mortally, as there was but one of them reached Lee's ferry in the boat and he was in a famishing condition. Our Bro. Lyman passed thru indescribable suffering for several days getting to Bluff, and would have fared much worse had not a Navajo medicine man providentially appeared on the scene and found water for the distressed boys, and also found prickly pear plants which he cooked a little and mashed up for a poultice which immediately brot relief. Bro. Redd was directing spirit all the way thru.

After Pres. Redd had built up an estate estimated over half a million, he would purposely wear patched and common clothing, so as not to embarrass any of his less fortunate friends and neighbors, showing the good heart that was in him.

Sheepmen to the southwestern Colorado cowboys served as a red flag to an angry bull, putting fight into them right now, as the following incident will reveal. Colorado state has more summer range than their winter open range will care for, and the reverse is the case with southeastern Utah, in San Juan and Grand Counties. In view of this condition, Pres. Redd made arrangements with the forest officers to get part of his sheep up in the higher mountain range controlled by the government, but driveways were not arranged for at that early date as at present, and it was necessary for one to find his way thru as best he could. His drive also happened at a time when the cattlemen were in the midst of their spring roundup and were on the ground in full force in the country he was forced to go thru. He visited them at their main camp and tried to reason with them, explaining conditions to them, but all he got in reply was curses and profanity and as he arose to leave them he said, in substance, "Gentlemen, I would much prefer you would intimate to us which way you would prefer I should go thru, but I am going the route that appears to be kind of a driveway. I will go thru as quickly as possible and in case I do you any damage shall be willing to foot the bill," but their answer was threats of what he may expect in case he tried it. Pres. Redd went thru with no opposition; those cowboys may not read many books, but were able to read character.

On another occasion an Indian and White man killer, ex-county sheriff, and all around bravo, located a ranch (horse ranch) up towards the head of Cottonwood Wash next to the forest reserve, published it far and wide (by mouth) of his intentions, etc., etc., how he would fix "Lem" Redd all ready for the undertaker in case he attempted to pass his sheep up thru Chimney Park again.

Brother Redd moved his sheep up thru Chimney Park on regular schedule, unopposed, a short time after which our boisterous friend had a change of heart, as also his plans, occasioned by the meeting of a real man, and looking up a place for his home ranch some other place. To come right down to "cheese and raisins" all my respect to the good red-blooded men who take the straight trail and keep quietly going on unafraid.

This is to notify all the relatives and descendants of Lem Hardison Redd, once Bishop of Bluff Ward, and president of San Juan Stake, that while not perfect, he would easily come in the class imperfectly described in the above notes, by one who knew him as well if not better than any other man.
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WALTER C. LYMAN came to San Juan County from Millard County at an early date, had the benefit of pioneering from the early beginning. Bro. W. C. would go farther, stay longer, work at physical work harder, stand more hardships of cold or heat and privation with least complaining, for his people than any man that has lived and worked in the San Juan Stake (in my opinion.) Is well posted in the principles, ordinances and discipline of the Church, is loved and honored by Church members, being helped along in this line by his good natured gift of humor. Raised a large family, all of whom are respected, honest, straightforward members of the L. D. S. Church and society. He is still going strong, working hard, has good health, and is still willing to take a chance at roughing it to start up most anything that offers something that will put the community ahead--just running true to form, the job he's been at ever since I knew him, and he deserves to succeed.

Filled a mission very successfully in the North Central States, the greater part of the time as district president over quite a strong force of missionaries; was President of San Juan Stake for several years; had the confidence and respect of old and young, both members of the Church as well as non-members; would go out of his way or put his own interests to one side at any time to procure and retain the friendship or good will of everyone. Not any wonder that he is "Uncle Walter" to the whole community.

Most of all of the above tribute has direct reference to this mortal probation; whom of his acquaintances could dare make a guess as to the station he will fall heir to in the eternal kingdom. I hope to take this humble little story up later, under or in a new setting.
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WAYNE H. REDD, President of San Juan Stake

At the passing on of his oldest brother, Lemuel H. Redd, Brother W. H. Redd was sustained to take his place as President of San Juan Stake, and has and is still making good in that position, faithful, energetic, loyal, true, a pure Israelite and is headed for that station where in case any of his friends expect to meet him they will need to procure a passport for the Celestial Kingdom. He has been associated with and has secured the esteem of some of the best of our Father's children in mortality and has chosen the straight and narrow way from his youth, and "Don Cupid" led him to one of the queenly companions of this earth who has brot a choice and large family of spirits into mortality for him, starting a kingdom no mortal can imagine the end or the greatness thereof.

President Redd is a well-balanced man, thrifty, wide awake, good provider, and were he to turn all or the greater part of his time and ability to financial matters would make a good success, but he deliberately refuses to neglect the better part to acquire the things that perish. Just another good man with whom it has been my privilege to live and labor with, which I hope to be able to appreciate and continue to take counsel from while this mortal life shall last, and then just beginning the real eternal association. We are brothers-in-law and that may assist in the attraction that beckons us on and up. I take it as a favor, and a blessing to me personally to have Pres. Redd point out my weak points, and show me where I do better. Those are our real friends.
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ELIZA A. WESTOVER REDD, wife of the late Pres. L. H. Redd, Jr., San Juan Stake; born in 1854. One of the strong, outstanding characters whose name and influence must always remain an indelible part of the conquering of lower San Juan County. Being naturally of an unusually refined nature, which if given the opportunity could have taken a full hand in the arranging and building of a modern, well arranged convenient high class home, good judgment, good common sense, and an artistic taste, this supplemented with a fairly good education fitted her to take a prominent and useful place along progressive religious and social lines in city life of modern times. All the more credit is due her along with others who came out and took a prominent part in creating a condition described by Professor Byron Cummings (formerly of Arizona) who used to tell his friends that "If they wished to find culture of the highest type go to Bluff, Utah, one of the most isolated towns on the earth."

Aunt Eliza Redd, who still remains (Jan. 1932) with us, eyes sparkling, mind clear and calm, tho unable to get around much with her crippled leg, has made a remarkable success of this mortal probation, done her full duty in raising a large unusually fine family, and by precept and example implanted in their hearts high ideals of life. This is my judgment. Don't think it will change here, or hereafter. Sister Redd had her trials, and carried them thru bravely and heroically.

March 2, 1933

Dear Brother Kumen:

I am thinking of you today and of the sad, sorrowful event thru which you and your family and neighbors are passing in the little town of Blanding, as the hands of the clock move around, in my mind I am there, can see it all, and feel the sweet sorrowful spirit that hovers over the little throng.

My heart goes out to you, dear brother, knowing this is a most trying hour for you. It is much like one of the dear ones of my own family passing to the other side and can feel deeply what it means to you. But for the gospel and the blessed knowledge it has given us, I sometimes feel these partings would be more than we could bear. But because of the goodness of our Heavenly Father, even with the sadness that hovers over me in the thot that a dearly loved friend and sister has left us, there comes a feeling of peace and joy in contemplating the beautiful and splendid life she has lived, and of the happiness that must be hers in meeting her loved ones who have gone before. There is no doubt in my mind of the rich reward that awaits her there.

I know of no one more deserving, no one who has done more to help and comfort humankind in any way possible by her kind ministrations through her whole life, than has sister Mary. I have never forgotten--it has lived in my mind, how in those olden times and early days of dear old Bluff, when I was so far away from my dear mother, to whom in all my young life I had gone to with my heartaches--never failing to get comfort and wise counsel; neither did I have a single relative in that far away land. It was then I learned to love and appreciate dear kind sister Mary, who came to me with her sympathetic, understanding heart. Always in sickness and trouble she was there with what seemed her natural efficiency to do and help. I have no words to tell how much it meant to me, and feel guilty now that I have so poorly shown her in words and actions how much I love and appreciate her.

I know I can say nothing, dear brother, that can take away the sorrow and loneliness that this hour brings to you, but I want you to know that I remember and appreciate more than I can express the friendship and close ties of my dearest and worthy old time neighbors.

Dear Mary has suffered so much physical pain and through it all has put up such a brave fight to stay on--I am sure more for the sake of her loved ones here than for a desire just to live on. Now the dear soul is at rest, free from pain and happy in the wonderful reunion over there.
Your dearly beloved, faithful, life-long companion has stepped through the veil a little ahead of you, where in God's own time she will greet you with joy and the union will be complete, never more to be disturbed.

It has been so good that you could be with Aunt Mary during her most trying and painful months, and now, perhaps, more than ever, you have need to bear up and continue the work begun in partnership, of counselor and comforter to those in whom she was so deeply interested, and to whom she has been a real mother. Please remember me with love to Mamie. I know she will continue to be a great comfort to you as she always has been to both of you. She is a fine type of womanhood and worthy the love and pride you hold for her. Also, I would like to be remembered to all members of your family, all of whom seem near to me. Praying the blessing of Heaven will rest upon you in abundance, that your heart will be comforted to the extent that you will be able to carry on in the good work you have so nobly sponsored throughout your life, I am your, with love and kindest regards,
Sister Eliza A. Redd
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SISTER JOSEPHINE CHATTERLY WOOD, wife of Samuel Wood, came to San Juan at an early date, fitted to fill a useful, important place in a new country where pioneers were needed in all lines.

"Aunt Jody" right soon accepted positions in primary activities and nursing the sick, at both of which she continued as long as she lived, endearing herself in to the love and kindly respect of everyone. Her jolly, kindly disposition worked psychological wonders among the sick, likely as much or more than the packs, poultices, or herb teas she used in her mission of mercy among the sick and discouraged, and in the midst of and during all her useful life for others she was the loving and indulgent mother of a large family of her own. The Lord bless the memory of this faithful pioneer woman. Her loving, sympathetic heart was almost broken upon the death of her missionary son and a daughter whom they lost, at a time, and under circumstances more or less unusual. Several of their children have filled places of responsibility in the communities of the county and wards.
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BISHOP F. I. JONES of Monticello, Utah, born in 1851; died Oct. 18, 1925. With but very little "book" learning made his way up to the front with his good sound common sense and judgment. Good, solid citizen, good judgment, hard worker, honest, successful farmer, kind in his family life, unflinching in defense of family and friends. All around good clean sport; one of the leading characters in founding of Monticello, Utah; would be honored and respected among good people anywhere at any time, more especially among pioneers where real men were needed out on the firing line.

"Fred" came of good thrifty sturdy family stock; took a lot of the responsibility of helping to provide and care for his father's large family, even before he was grown, and the father appreciated and honored his son, taking counsel from and trusting him, felt the loss to himself and the sacrifice the family were making in permitting him to respond to the missionary call that came from Church leaders. Taking it all in all it is easy to acknowledge the Allwise Hand of providence in the whole movement of the San Juan Mission. Brother F. I. Jones helped to bring out this last thot in his faithful life. He chose as a companion, Mary Mackelprang, of sturdy Danish stock, careful, thrifty, just what is needed to assist in the pioneering of a country such as San Juan. They raised a large family, furnishing several of our boys with good helpmates, and sons who fell in line in the work of conquering the elements of a new county and making it possible for people to live in.
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SAN JUAN INDIANS

Napoleon once said, "We do not really hate only those we have wronged." We are reminded of this saying in reviewing our late experience with our Indian neighbors (summer of 1921.)

Among the old settlers of San Juan County there is a total absence of real hatred, but an almost universal disposition to favor, and not harm them, inasmuch as they pursue good behavior, or show a desire to be half decent, and on the whole it is doubtful if the record made by the original settlers of the San Juan Mission in regard to their treatment of the Indians (especially when it is considered the Indians are made up of outlaw bands from the different tribes of Utes and Paiutes and also mixed with some families of the Navajo Nation who were not conquered at the time of the Kit Carson "roundup") may be found in all the dealings of the White man and the American Indian in recorded history. Having read one time or other most of the common histories of the settlement of United States, Mexico, Central and South America, I have yet to find an instance where a new settlement has been established so far from other centers of civilization and entirely surrounded with Indians who were the outlaws and renegades from so many tribes and clans, and with none killed on the Indians side, and but one on the side of the White settlers. And this is to be especially emphasized when even the nearest White settlers on the northeast, east and south, were also more or less prejudiced against the Mormons and no doubt a large percent of them would have rejoiced to have heard of the wiping out of the settlements of those Mormons. For a number of reasons the fact of our having so little serious trouble for many settlements in 
Try is more than . Let us imagine a company of the average people of any of the western states "picked up" and attempted to found a colony where Bluff, Utah was started in 1879-80. We may imagine what to have expected from the experience of the Mitchels, who located at the mouth of McElmo Canyon in the fall and winter of 1878-79. The older one of them, as soon as he found out that they were to have a colony of Mormons for neighbors made unconcealed boasts that they would soon give the d__m Mormon outfit the same medicine that he had assisted in giving them back in Missouri. Let us see how it really happened. The Mitchels spent a very few troublesome years, sending out for soldiers and cowboys to come in and protect them, and get them out of scraps they had brot on themselves, hit the trail back out, much worse off than when they came in. The Mormons were still here, plodding along, building up a civilization that gives promise of enduring, nothing to boast very much about, but making headway slowly (1929.)

Other people have not fared so well, neither Whites or Indians of this neighborhood.

Mitchell and Merrick in spring of 1879 or 1880. 
Smith, Thurman and May at or near Paihute Spring 1881. 
Men killed following the Utes for killing later 3--12, this includes 2 Wilson boys from where Moab is now. 
Men shot but not killed in spring on verdure, 3 (1884). 
Warrington, Government Scout, and cowboy (White Canyon--1884). 
Killing in gambling row near Blue Mts. (4--1884.)
Men killed near or at Ren Con (4--1886)
Killing near McElmo (4--about 1886)
Hopkins and one other White killed (2--about 1887)
Men killed near Verdure, two medicine men (2--1888)
Killed over line in Colorado by San Juan Indians (5--1900)
Between 1906 and 1923 (10)
48
2
50
In dealings, etc., in and near San Juan County since 1880, not one punished by the courts.
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FRANCIS NIELSON. Having known Francis longer than any other of the prominent leaders of San Juan, and take it all together been more closely associated in business and in other activities with him, and in all of which I always found him on the square, naturally became very much attached to him. Our association on the range as cowboys continued thru many years. I have worked under him and he has worked under me as foreman on the range, and I always found him quiet, kind and fair, considerate, and thotful of others feelings and sound in judgment--in this regard being somewhat "a chip off the old block" (Bishop Nielson.)

As a small boy he was nervous and timid but as time went on he overcame the nervous trait, but never entirely overcame his timidity, but thru sheer force of character he worked his way up into many places of public importance, liked, honored and trusted by the great majority of the people. He served as counselor in the Bluff Ward Bishopric for about fifteen years, worked in the superintendency of the Sabbath School, Presidency of Mutual Association, School Trustee, etc., and took a prominent part in all business affairs and public enterprises; served as County Commissioner many terms; held the highest office within the gift of the country, that of representative to the legislature, several terms; made a splendid choice of a wife, Leona J. Walton, to whom eight children were born, six of them are still alive (3 boys, and 3 girls.) All together they comprise a family that would be far above the average anywhere on earth. If I have the good fortune to be permitted to continue our associations in the great beyond, for my part it will be more than satisfactory to me. Brother Francis and wife assisted materially in establishing a civilization in the wilds of San Juan County, Utah, that ordinary mortals may well be proud of.
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The KILLING OF AMASA M. BARTON at Rencon: shot June 9th, died June 16, 1886.

When some of the Apostles of the Mormon Church and other leading men came to the San Juan County after the pioneers first located here, and "sized up" the situation, finding the people located so far from any white settlers, their council to the people was to keep together, build forts and not scatter out over the country for a few years until other settlers came in, or the Indian question assumed a more favorable condition. Along about 1885 some few of the settlers became uneasy and restless and felt that the time had come when they felt that it would be safe to spread out.

A.M. Barton was one of these, and came to Bishop Jens Nielson and asked his counsel on the matter. Bishop Nielson cited to him the very pointed counsel on the subject, and said that he (Bishop Nielson) did not feel at liberty to change the program outlined by the Church leaders. But Amasa and others that were in the sheep and merchandising business together felt that conditions were favorable and safe for their spreading out a little. Accordingly a trading post and headquarters for sheep and stock camp was established at Rencon, 10 miles west of Bluff, where fortune seemed to smile upon their efforts for a time with Amasa as the leading spirit, he having developed into an all-around hustler and hard worker, being also very fair in a business way. But apparently, without any just cause, one of the bad blooded Navajo men came in with a partner one morning prepared for trouble, and in a short time the family at their dwelling house could see that something of a very serious nature was going on at the store; there being no other men folks at the place at the time, the women folks could do nothing, and in less time that it takes to write the story, the Navajo had accidentally killed his own partner and mortally wounded Brother Amasa, who, however, lived a week before passing away, with two bullet holes in his brain. Sister Barton started a Ute runner (Old Cheeaputes) for Bluff, and the Navajo fled, taking the body of his partner across the river with him, but soon returned with several other Navajos who looted the store of all the goods they could pack, leaving with their plunder as Bro. Platt D. Lyman and myself arrived on the scene from Bluff. The week following this trouble was one of extreme sorrow and suspense, watching over our mortally wounded brother, and trying to give comfort to the stricken family (Sister Barton having just got up from her bed of confinement.) All was uncertain as to what the Indians would do. There was no doubt as to what they could do, as we were absolutely at their mercy. The Indians would come in large numbers to the top of a high ridge about 1/2 mile across the river, apparently undecided as to what to do about the trouble. After several days a friendly Indian, Tom Holliday, came up from some 50 miles down the river, and without any hesitation came over, having it in his heart to act as peacemaker, and assuring us of his wish that no further trouble should occur between our people and the Indians. He finally prevailed on two or three other friendly disposed Navajoes to come over and talk with us, but the Indians mostly were sullen.

Amasa lived from the 9th to the 16th of June, 1886, without regaining consciousness or taking any food. His body was brot to Bluff for burial. Having become very well acquainted with Amasa M. Barton, having passed thru some trying times with him, becoming acquainted with his real worth, the loss to me was of a warm personal friend, as well as a loss to our little colony of a resourceful useful member.

A short time after this about 100 Navajo warriors came in all painted up, about all having guns, and giving us to understand they were prepared to fight. Bishop Jens Nielson, Elder John Allan, Jr., and myself being all the men folks that were in town just at that time we told them to lay down their guns and we would talk about making peace as friends should; a few of the older ones put up their firearms and were willing to talk peace, but most of them were sullen and were not inclined to talk peace talk. Finally after their "orators" had eased their minds of threats and complaints without making any headway, we told them that fighting was not in our line, but that if they were determined that they must fight we would send out and have soldiers whom we paid to do our fighting for us come in and give them what they ask for. This seemed to strike home for a wave of hands went up in protest against the soldier proposition, as they all recalled the Navajo war of 1868, when they were rounded up and starved into submission in the campaign in which Kit Carson played a prominent part. All the fight talk was gone, and after smoking the "pipe of peace" and eating a lunch provided by us, a general hand shaking, and the war was over.
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"BILL" BALL AND DESPERADOES.
In the late fall or early winter of 1886 or about that year, three strange men turned up in the neighborhood of the south side of Blue Mts. No one seemed to know how or where they came from, but as was the custom in cow camps at that period they were given the freedom of the camp belonging to the L. C. outfit in the mouth of Montezuma Canyon, and as storms came on making travel difficult they remained for the winter, not only getting their own food and keep, but their ponies were given oats along with the horses belonging to the camp.

On awakening one of the fine April spring mornings, William Ball, foreman at the L. C. Ranch, made the discovery that their visitors had quietly "evaporated,' and also that in the darkness they had by mistake or otherwise taken two or three of the favorite cowponies belonging to the camp, among them Ball's pet horse. Four of the camp boys were soon scouting the country for the trail by which the horse thieves had left with their ill-gotten booty, soon finding the tracks they had made eight or ten hours earlier going south in the direction of Bluff, which is about 45 miles southeast of their camp. The pursuers followed a lone fresh track in to Bluff, which proved to be one of our Bluff boys (Robert Allan) who in returning home from Elk Mts. had seen the desperadoes, and in attempting to go to them was ordered back at the point of their guns. This information from Allan gave Ball and party a direct lineup on the men they were following. After lunch, being joined by six or eight Bluff boys, pursuit of the outlaws was continued and overtaken about eight miles west of town at Navajo Springs in Comb Wash, where they were leisurely taking lunch. After a hasty consultation the pursuers were almost unanimous in ordering the thieves to throw up their hands, and in case they refused, or made an attempt to escape, our party were to open fire from a safe position behind rocks, but Mr. Ball said he wanted to give them a better opportunity to surrender, which decision proved his own undoing, as far as this life is concerned, and caused a revolt in the ranks of the pursuers. In a few moments, with Ball in the lead, the pursuit was continued up the Comb Wash, our party keeping back out of sight until night came on, when both parties left the main traveled road and quietly passed the night with saddles on and bridle reins in hand awaited the approach of daylight. And as soon as day dawned the thieves could be seen about half a mile across a canyon from our position. We had gone about one mile in their pursuit when Ball suddenly stopped and asked me if I would take one other man and take the road that leaves the Comb Wash for the west and try to head off the men we were after, as at that time no other trail or way out on to the Cedar Ridge, other than the wagon road of the pioneers of San Juan, was known. Before leaving Ball and party I very earnestly warned Mr. Ball of the danger of following that trio of outlaws too closely in the rough country which they were going thru, telling him that men who would steal horses from a man that had treated them so well, would not hesitate to shoot their pursuers from ambush, and we were then traveling thru an outlaw's paradise. But Ball felt sure the men would not fight. The four of us who where detailed to make for a point in the road where it was expected the men would have to come to the "Twist," the only outlet we were aware of going west where they were evidently heading for; after making as good time as possible, and finding a favorable position awaited developments. The outlaws knowing the possibilities of the country better than we who lived here, (having looked out a trail the fall before as they were coming in to the country, likely with the view of an emergency such as they were now going thru) had gone out on the south side of "Road Canyon" and after being closely pursued for several miles, selected a favorable ambush and opened fire. Being at close range Ball was mortally wounded with the first volley, and some of our boys narrowly escaped the same fate. Bro. James B. Decker, Sr., sprang from his horse just in time to save himself as a bullet struck the back of his saddle. Not knowing just where the outlaws were located, and being entirely at their mercy if they attempted to go in their direction, our boys took to cover behind rocks and trees that were available, and tried to locate the bandits who had all advantage and took what time they needed to withdraw and make their escape. With Ball mortally wounded, suffering for water, and none within several miles, the boys placed Ball on a horse and two held him on and started back toward Bluff, while some of the boys scoured the neighborhood for water. But the wounded man could not stand to ride far, begged the boys to set him by the side of the trail and let him die in peace. The boys let him off and it was but a short time until he passed away. After digging a hole in the sand, they removed his boots, covered his remains as best they could and returned home.

About three weeks after the sad event noted above, a posse of 20 cowboys came thru Bluff for the purpose of following the trail of the murderers of William Ball, asking Bluff to furnish two boys to act as guides, and Amasa M. Barton and myself were the ones selected for the job. This was about the middle of May and very warm. The outfit headed for the Colorado River and the second day out found the trail of the bandits, following them to and down Red Canyon to the camp of Cass Hite. The main camp, however, was made a few miles from the river, and the boys took turns guarding the crossing as another party had gone around by railroad, having heard that the murderers of Ball had a camp in or near Henry Mts., and the party going around were to rout the desperadoes from the west and our party were to intercept them at the river, but after giving plenty of time for the working out of the program arranged before leaving their homes in Colorado, our party thru two of our number came out in sight and hailed Cass Hite over the river with his boat, and as he stepped off his boat the two boys drew their guns on him and placed him under arrest. During this brave performance in which the boys gave unmistakable evidence of being greatly agitated, Mr. Hite spoke quietly but coolly to them, saying he did not think they intended to shoot him, but in their nervous condition they may accidentally pull their triggers off, in which event they may have serious regrets, and on seeing the bunch of men they had near them, told the two who were still pointing their guns at him that he couldn't see what they had to frighten them so.

For a time there was strong talk and threats of lynching Mr. Hite here on the spot. It was made known in the angry discussion that was being carried on that two of our posse had followed horse thieves to this ferry the year previous, and it was charged very strongly that Mr. Hite must have a stand-in with the outlaw element, and raving under the disappointment of our failure to locate the men we were after, with the exception of we two boys from Bluff, the sentiment was unanimous for the proposed lynching. Bro. Amasa M. Barton and myself talked the matter over quietly and decided that we would oppose the killing of Hite, which at that time looked as though there may be some danger in so doing. The captain, a Mr. McGood (foreman at that time for the Carlisle Bros., and English Cattle Co. operating at the Blue Mts.) saw that we were counseling together stepped up and asked as to our attitude in regard to lynching Mr. Hite. As I was the older one of the two the question was directed to me. I answered that that was a very serious step to take and told him to do as we had done, that is, place ourselves (by way of example) in Mr. Hite's position, and ask himself if he would not like for men who may find us in his position, and ask ourselves if we would like the other fellow to have a little better evidence than we have against Mr. Hite before taking as serious measure as is proposed to take in this instance. He finally admitted that he rather believed he would, and after calling other of the leading spirits, and cooler heads into our council, our stand was finally accepted as the better way, but not without heated objection and harassing profanity from the rougher element in the posse. After further discussion Mr. McGood addressing Mr. Hite said, "In case any of the boys of this party are under the necessity of following horse thieves or other outlaws to this ferry in the future and find that he has put them over the river and takes no step to notify the proper authorities, he need look for no mercy again."

Not finding out anything as to the whereabouts of the murderers of Ball, and our provisions running low, our party started for home, but before leaving Mr. Hite some of our posse told him that the two "Mormons" were after his scalp, and the Colorado boys had trouble in talking us out of having him killed, and people passing by his camp were told that at the first meeting of Jones or Barton and himself something very serious would happen, but it didn't as I proved a few years later when I camped with Hite and was taken in and treated fine, and after supper I took occasion to tell him the truth in regard to our former experience with the posse from Colorado.

The first night on our return trip some of the posse from Colorado showed a desire to learn something about the Mormons and their religion, and as Brother Barton suggested that I handle our side of the discussion, I had pleasure in answering all questions, and the greater part of the night was passed in the interview, and considering the rough element of which the greater portion of the posse was composed, the attention and respect they gave us was something remarkable. A young graduate from one of the leading universities of the east, named Kamp, or Kemp took the leading part on the side of the Colorado boys, and the "tack" he showed and his attitude in general, insured an orderly discussion, and it seemed that all the outfit of them were taken by surprise to learn that there was so much to Mormonism, especially were they interested to hear the story of the Book of Mormon, and the Prophet Joseph Smith. Many of them would speak up and admit that all they had heard of the Mormons and their religion was bad, but in future their opinions would be different on the question of our people. On breaking camp the next morning the friendship of the great majority of the boys was apparently warm and sincere, and altho I have never met but very few of the posse I feel sure most of them would always remember some of the things they heard that quiet night at the Dripping Spring in the wilderness west of Bluff.

To close the story of the murder of "Bill" Ball. His remains were brot in and buried in the Bluff cemetery by some of our boys some time in the fall of 1886.
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COWBOYS AND THE CONFERENCE DANCE

After one of our Stake Quarterly Conferences held in Bluff, about 1890; as was usual in those days, arrangements were made for a rousing dance and social party to wind up the conference gathering. Committees were appointed to look after the different features of the occasion and make arrangements for all to be cared for. The committee on invitations, in order to magnify their calling, sent invitations to the cowcamps for all to come in and join in the merry making, and it so happened that this particular party came at a time when quite an extra number of visitors were at the cowcamps and also as was very uncommon the boys all decided to come in and have a "time," and when they kept coming in such unlooked for numbers the authorities became alarmed, and decided that the invitation committee had exceeded their authority, and it was finally decided that the cowmen should be notified of the error and that they would not be allowed to take part in all the functions of the party, but that part of them would be allowed to participate, but the boys did not take kindly to this arrangement, and the more reckless of them went for their guns, determined on having their say as to how the party was to be managed, and it looked for a time that nothing could avert serious trouble. Quite a number of our boys secured their weapons and prepared for the worst. The one thing that made for the pacifying of the angry, wrought up members of the visiting cowmen, was the absence of liquor, and the sense of chivalry possessed by a good percent of the otherwise rough cowboy element. This, with the persuasion of the older heads of the cowmen, and the modifying of the program on our side, finally brot about a compromise and quite a number of the visiting cowmen came in the party and took part in the dancing, etc., but quite a percent of them remained outside berating those of their party who had showed the white feather and gone in after being snubbed. The hostile party, however, carried the trouble no farther than "shooting" with their mouths, until after the party was out, when they mounted their ponies and yelling and shooting off their guns rode out of town at full speed.

A short time after the above event occurred two of us cowboys of Bluff were riding with the "Texas Outfit" in the Comb Wash, when the full force was taking part in their spring roundup, when one day the conference party and other troubles between the older men of Bluff and the cowmen was up for general discussion. They went on becoming a little more heated as time went on, and while they didn't seem to have anything in particular against us two boys, yet the greater part of the demonstration was apparently for our particular benefit. It seemed that Bishop Jens Nielson (then between 65 and 70 years of age) Thales H. Haskel and "Father" John Allan, also about the same as to age, were the arch offenders, but the Mormons in general were a pretty bad lot. After allowing them what time was necessary to work most of the vile stuff out of their systems, I spoke up and asked them when they would allow us a turn to say a few words. It seemed to take them by surprise. Turning toward me they became as quiet as mice; taking immediate advantage of this condition I felt that the psychological moment was mine and proceeded to read them the "riot act." The great majority of that bunch (about 18 or 20) cowboys could see immediately that I had them at a disadvantage, as they could see that they had gone altogether too far with their tirade against the Mormons in general, and the above mentioned old standbys in particular, all of whom had treated them more than fair, with the one exception, that of the party above referred to, in which we had given them the benefit of the doubt and apologized for that apparent misunderstanding.

Among other things I spoke of their shooting off their guns and yelling like Comanches. The only possible effect it could have would be to frighten nervous women and little children, and that no one with any manhood about them would care to do that. I told them that there wasn't anything a man could do that appeared more cowardly and contemptible than that. While I was easing my mind of these sentiments for about fifteen minutes there was not a move or a sound from the roundup bunch. The above confab took place at the noon hour, and that afternoon it so happened that I was placed to ride with two of the hardest cases of the roundup, and one of them spoke up and said he did not think any man could talk as I had to that outfit and not get killed, but says he "You simply had truth and right on your side and it had to go," and also saying, "I don't expect to be very good, for it isn't in me, but I've packed my last gun while in a town where there are women and children," and as long as that roundup lasted I was treated with every respect, and heard no more running down or berating of the Bluff "Mormons."

EXCITING EXPERIENCE WITH UTE INDIANS

About the 2nd day of May, 1881, the late Hans Joseph Nielson brot word into town (Bluff) that he had just been "rounded up" by a party of 30 or 40 Utes who ordered him to hot foot for home, and because he would not go as fast as they thot he should, they fired several shots over his head by way of a reminder of what he may expect in case he failed to take a hint. When he left them they had a bunch of Bluff horses gathered together and were starting off with them, and being alone he naturally made haste to notify the town people, and in a short time a party of about 12 or 15 of the younger men were on the way to overtake the Indians, but as it was late in the evening before the boys got far, the Indians were not found that night, but 3 of our party went far enough so as to be sure they were in ahead of the Indians and the balance camped on the mesa near where we expected the Indians to camp. Early next morning the town boys were on the move and soon found the Indian camp up in the rocks between Buttler and Comb Washes, and for the next hour pandemonium reigned. It seemed that after the "bluff" with Brother H. J. Nielson the evening before the Indians had decided to cut out and leave the horses that they had rounded up on mesa, but they had along with them several head that they had stolen the year before, and these they did not feel like giving up and showed fight rather than do so, and there were guns drawn and looked for a few moments as though there would be a young war, but in the midst of the greatest danger and excitement one of the Indians in his harangue mentioned the name Mormon, which had the effect of immediately quieting the Indians and in a very short time the Indians were all on the move leaving the horses in dispute with the lawful owners.

In two or three weeks after the above episode word reached Bluff that these same Indians had murdered 3 men (May, Thurman, and Thomas or Smith), and after the killing had taken 80 or 100 head of choice horses and quite a sum of money (mostly currency) together with all the camp outfit. After hearing of the latter tragedy, it will readily be seen how willing we were to acknowledge the hand of Providence in our deliverance from these savages in the Buttler Wash incident.

Names of those who took part in Butler Wash skirmish, 1881: Platte D. Lyman, James B. Decker, Orin Kelsey, L. H. Redd, Jr., H. J. Nielson, John T. Gower (interpreter (Ute)), Amasa Barton, Jesse Smith, Edward L. Lyman, Benjamin Perkins, H. Bayles, J. F. Barton, K. Jones, John H. Pace. There may be names omitted.
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There was expended $4800.00 in labor at $1.50 per day on the road from Escalante to Bluff, Utah, during the winter of 1879 and 1880, out of an appropriation by Legislature of $5000.00. The Church donated $500.00, mostly in provisions.
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Blanding, Oct. 24, 1925

Jack Ute tells the following in regard to his wife, daughter of Stubby Ute.

On the morning of Oct. 13, 1925 (Sunday, after having been very sick for several days, Jack says about 8 o'clock a. m. his wife to all appearances died, and remained as if she was dead for about half an hour, and then slowly came back to life. Again at noon, and then about 4 o'clock she passed thru the same experience. Each time while she was apparently dead she saw people both Utes and Mormons, many of whom she recognized as old acquaintances and relatives that had died before, who all looked happy, and were all in beautiful surroundings, and those who spoke to her wanted her to remain with them. Each time when coming back to consciousness she told Jack (her husband) what she had seen and heard and also told him that she wanted to go back and remain with those people and in the beautiful conditions they were in, as she did not want to remain here, and wept almost continuously until her death, which occurred on Oct. 20th, 1925.
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STATISTICS, ETC, EARLY HISTORY OF BLUFF.

During the first three years from 1880-83 the sum of $48,300 had been worked out on Bluff Ditch, and about 300 acres had been brot under cultivation, making $161 per acre for the land farmed.

First district school started in San Juan County in the fall of 1880. First at Montezuma in early November, 1880, with Parthenia Hyde, teacher. Second at Bluff in late December, with Ida M. Lyman, teacher.

The San Juan Cooperative Company, organized April 29, 1882, with the following officers: Platte D. Lyman, President; Jens Nielson, Vice President; C. E. Walton, K. Jones, H. Perkins, Directors; and L. H. Redd, Jr., Secretary; B. Perkins, Treasurer--was organized for the purpose of engaging in general merchandising. Continued in business until Jan. 21, 1920, at which date the business was sold to John L. Hunt.

Two years six months and 20 days without mail service. Oct. 26, 1882, first regular mail arrived in Bluff, being two years, six months and twenty days without that boon of civilization. There was naturally much rejoicing.

First County Officers of San Juan County, having been appointed by the governor and legislature during the winter of 1879 and 1880; James Lewis of Kanab, Utah, Judge; Charles E. Walton, Sr., County Clerk; Platte D. Lyman, Jens Nielson, James B. Decker, Selectmen; Benjamin Perkins, Assessor and Collector; Kumen Jones, Supt. of Schools. This was brot about at the suggestion of Silas S. Smith, who had left the camp of pioneers at the Colorado River to solicit help in the making of the road to San Juan, in which he was successful, getting $5000 from the state thru the legislature and four or five hundred from the Church (the latter furnishing supplies thru the Tithing.)
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SAN JUAN PIONEERS

The Perkins Bros. "Uncle" Ben, and Hyrum, as pioneers from early beginnings, would rate far above an average. Industrious, hard workers, both in a public and a private way. Hard work was indispensible on roads, canals, home building, cleaning and fencing farms, etc. They were consistent Church members, also in a social way. Not easily ill-discouraged. They were exemplary as observers of the Sabbath day, and the Word of Wisdom, Tithepaying, etc., loyal to church authority, law-abiding as citizens; both had large families, and were an asset in an educational way. Many of their children have taken their places as officers in civil and church positions. May their tribes increase. While neither one of Perkins Bros. B. and H. were much at preaching. Oh, how many there are who would be willing to do their preaching for them in exchange for their good honest hard work. And then the boys were in good shape thru training and practice to sing their way into the courts of glory and join in the heavenly choirs for the joy and blessing of all, for they were gifted and trained experts in that indispensible field of service. Both joined the Mormon Church in their homeland, Wales, with their family of father, mother and 22 children, about the year 1867 or 8; locating in Cedar City, where about ten years of hard work was spent before coming to San Juan with the first company of pilgrims of the fall and winter of 1879-80. Here their training as coal miners in their native land had qualified them to render extra good help in blasting and pick and shovel work for the six months road work in one of the roughest places a wagon road was ever attempted, and where "blowers and blasters" were needed, for most of the heavy work was in the rocks, and road making in our county has been trailing along with one tenth part of the acreage of the State and with one percent of the population or less, and have needed several thousand more Perkins men to play even with road requirements. At hard physical work "Uncle Ben" and "Uncle Hyrum" had few equals and no superiors, and filled places as outstanding characters in this mission, where men of this kind were at a premium and indispensible.

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Just a little human story to illustrate getting on among the native children of the "Desert" of San Juan. Brother Hyrum P. called on me to go with him to try and recover a pair of new shoes that had been stolen by a Navajo lady. After crossing the river (San Juan) by Bluff and out several miles on a prominent mesa south, we found the "Lady" sitting comfortably in her hogan, and how she did protest her innocence when we inquired about shoes, inviting us to search the premises, pointing in different directions, which we proceeded to do quite thoroughly, but all the time keeping an eye on her. After searching every place in and about the hogan that offered a hiding place for the shoes, finally asking her to get up, and the protest she did offer and the fuss she kicked up until we had to take her by the arms and forcibly raise her up, revealing the stolen shoes amid her screams and jabbering. She was a big fat husky lass and it was no child's play. We returned with the shoes and for some time after this occurrance she had a good laugh when she met either of us.

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Among the pioneers the name of William Adams should be mentioned. As a careful, shrew, close figurer, a kind of a Benjamin Franklin to live within ones means, just what was needed to set the pace in a new isolated country. Had a large family of boys, all of whom developed into wide awake stockmen, them and also their children.

William Adams was a man of strong religious faith and lived a consistant Christian life, both by precept and example, and came from a race that has furnished the world of other nations many strong characters, furnished our nation many police and other peace officers.

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Showing how very important it is to have an education if one would get rich. 
There was a man in our town who could neither read nor write. He was foreign born and had never been in school, yet he had a pleasing address and some natural gifts. He heard that the position of sexton at the Church was vacant, and being out of a job he applied for the post. Having good recommendations, and being of sober habits and industrious he was favorably received. The trustees were about to grant him the place when one asked him if he could read and write. He answered no. They declined then to employ him. It would never do to have a sexton who was entirely illiterate. He had a friend who kept a tobacco shop. To him he told his failure. "I'll tell you what I'll do for you, Tony," said his friend. "Here's a box of cigars I'll give you, go out and sell them, go ahead." "All right," exclaimed Tony. He sold the cigars. With the proceeds he bot more, and so on. He discovered that he was an excellent salesman. It was not long until he set up a little cigar store of his own. His business thrived; his middle name was business. He had in his veins the blood of a profit. A little while and he had a dozen stores all doing well. Then he bot a lot and store building. He sold at an advance. He pursued his real estate operations and was uniformly successful. One day he came into his bank out of breath and said to the cashier, "Say, I want a hundred thousand dollars and want it quick. Could you let me have it. If I can get it before three o'clock I stand to make a big killing. Go on now and lend it to me." The cashier looked at him curiously and smiled. "What do you want to borrow money for, Tony? Do you know how much you have in here?" "No." "Your balance is over 250,000 dollars." "Gee." "Didn't you know?" "No, I don't know nothing about figures. I can't even read and write." "Good Heavens," cried the cashier, "What might you have been if you had had an education." "Well," replied Tony, after a moment's reflection, "I might have been a sexton."

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BARTON BROTHERS, JOSEPH AND AMASA, tidy, orderly, thrifty, resourceful, honest, all around good citizens, consistent members of the L.D.S. Church, both husky strong men. Amasa was murdered by two Navajo Indians. (The account of this unfortunate affair is told in another part of these writings) will just say here that not a particle of evidence was ever brot out to show that Amasa had wronged the Indian in any way. Had Amasa known that the Indians had come for trouble he could easily have done both of them up, as he could have knocked both of them cold, or he could have used a pistol that he always kept convenient. To his own undoing he permitted them to take him at a disadvantage with a taut rope around his neck, and one of them locked on to his arms from behind, and it was not until Amasa had been shot a time or two in the top of his head did he realize that the two Navajoes meant business, and he jerked them around so rough that the one with rope and gun missed his aim and shot the Navajo behind, who let go all holds and ran outside and fell dead without a groan or a word. The other Indian finding himself alone, fled in haste, but during the skirmish our powerful, big-hearted friend had received two or three pistol shots in the top of his head; like the giants of ancient, lived 7 days with those bullets in his brains.

Joseph F., one of the partners in the company that was located at Rencon, 10 miles west of Bluff, Utah. The company consisted of Amasa and Joseph F. Barton, Ernest and Frank H. Hyde. I think their company name or business was "Hyde and Barton."

Joseph F. took a leading place in education, civil and religious, and financial affairs, held official positions in all of above features of progress and civilization. Having him and family as my nearest neighbor for 24 years, I found them 100 percent fine. Brother Barton was an all around handy, helpful, exemplary neighbor; quite a veterinarian, understood many of the ailments of domestic animals, and for planning all corrals, outhouses, etc., his gift or ability along those lines was an asset to the community where he lived, and later in life he had the opportunity of "building a home by the side of the road and being a friend to man."--a home and surroundings that stood as a credit to southeastern Utah. This was at Verdure, Utah, where he and family resided for many years, and where he passed on from this mortal school. One of his sons, Karl S., is living with his family at Verdure.

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JAMES BEAN DECKER, another of the outstanding pillars among the early pioneers, worked on the lead in many lines of San Juan's early school board for many years and made sacrifices to forward education by attending school himself at Provo and having his children also attend the Provo University. Did what was in his power to do to forward the art of music, taking the lead of the Bluff Ward Choir; a consistant church member; raising a large family of boys and girls, and was taken from mortality with four of their children in a seige of diptheria, just before science found the way to head that dread disease off.

Brother James B. Decker was even-tempered, cool, careful, good judgement, not easily stampeded, resourceful, a good husband and father, and citizen of our country, and a thorough Latter-day Saint. Headed for Celestial Glory. His children as well as the rest of us will need to step out and up if we keep along side of him and his faithful companion, Anna Mickelson Decker, who if she cannot say good things about people will keep still, with good Christian patience and faith for the future, still living (1933) and cheerfully doing her bit.

In very early San Juan history Brother James B. was with other good scouts in starting operations at Verdure, which appeared then, as always, to offer a favorable location for a few families. He did some work, besides filling the requirements of the land laws, for taking up homesteads; first the "cowboys" who were employed by the Carlisle Bros. (Harold and Edward, Ted.) The above named company had done a lot of fencing, etc., in different places, with the intention of bluffing actual settlers away. Brother Decker was not the kind to be bluffed, and in the experience that followed this matter Brother Decker fell heir to the title "Lawyer Decker."

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(The following is the contents of a letter written to Alvin F. Smith, December 15, 1933 by Kumen Jones. Spelling, punctuation, etc. are the same as the typed letter received.)

Blanding, Utah
Dec. 15, 1933
Alvin F. Smith, Librarian, Historian's Office, 47 E. So. Temple St. Salt Lake City,

Dear Bro. Smith: Answering your inquiry of a day or so ago. Under the administration of Prest. John Taylor in the latter part of 1878, with others I was called to locate and establish an outpost as near the "Four corners where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona corner together as feasable a location as possible, where contact could be had with the different tribes of Indians, Navajoes, Utes and Pahutes located on Reservations in this neighborhood. Early in spring of 1879, under leadership of Silas S. Smith, a party of Scouts made an exploring trip going by way of "Lee's Ferry", "Moencopy" (now "Tuby City," then turning north easterly across the Navajo Reserve to San Juan River, after scouting the country in all directions and making some "Locations," started towards Home, north past Blue Mts., at its eastern base, and LaSall, near its west base, crossing "Grand River", Green River, through Castle Valley, Salina, Richfield, Beaver, back to Iron Co., making a complete circle. While we were away, the Church Authorities sent some scouts out southeasterly from Escalanta down to find a nearer route across the Colorado River to the San Juan taking these Escalanta Scouts report as to their finding a favorable crossing, the big company started out on the new found trail and reached the designated round up camp along in November where we first discovered that we had two choices, return or face The "Hole in the Rock." Former Governor's party were camped near where the photo was taken, you sent me and I asked the question "Well Governor what do you think of this for a road." After a moments thought His answer was; "Well, Mr Jones, we have a comfortable place at Provo for anyone who would think of making a road in a place such as this." But as with Escalanta 103 years earlier in this very neighborhood the Religious urge would not brook the thought of backing down, in or under any condition or circumstance, by the more or less seasoned members of our party and the younger members fell into line after several conferences of the big camp, resulting in united and jolly good spirit which lasted until the journey end.

It was the opinion of all in the company that the honor of driving the first wagon down through the "Hole" belonged to Uncle Ben Perkins, as the jolliest best workman experienced miner etc. But he hesitated saying his team was not trusty and turned to me with the excuse that a miner could not be expected to be good as a teamster and as I had a fairly well broke team I would hitch them on his wagon and drive them down and then put my own through.

There was 83 wagons and buggys went down and across the river with out an accident of any sort, as we left the river starting up Cottonwood Canyon had a "tipover" but nothing broken or damaged There were three children born, but no death, or any one crippled for which we felt to praise and thank providence for His wonderful care over us in this long journey over one of the roughest places for a road on earth. Hoping the above will give the information desired.

You brother
(Signed) K. J.

P.S. Having no typewriter I have been asking parties who are seeking for data etc, on San Jaun that in case they have it typed, after correcting the errors, to send one of the copies to me. K.J.

A FEW NOTES ON WELCH HISTORY

In the time between 1068 and 1093 the Normans first gained a foot hold in conquering the Welch, who were in no condition to resist their encroachments. The Welch were not united themselves but were in small clans or tribes with petty chiefs over them. The Normans worked slowly capturing these clans one at a time and were careful not to rouse any great uproar pretending to be reasonable in offering to the Welch the Christian religion.

It would seem that it was in the program that there was to be an indiscriminate mixture of those hardy races in preparation for the time when the gospel would be sent among them.

The old original Welch stock were apparently not over-religious and were held together more or less for social and business reasons. It seems the old long headed Normans broke in on them when they were more or less disunited among themselves.
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DATES ETC., TO KEEP RECORD:

The operation was made on my leg April 30, 1936. It was in the hospital, under the care of Dr. Kent. On the twenty-first of May I left the hospital with Tom, Alma, Mamie, my daughter, and Ann and went to Holbrook. I arrived in Blanding on the 22nd day of May, 1936.

In September I went to Cortez with my son-in-law, Melvin J. Adams, and my daughter, Mamie, his wife, and had Dr. Johnson examine my leg, and it was decided to have the bone cut off about one and a half inches, which Dr. Johnson done, and it was entirely successful, and "believe it or not" (Ripley) after the doctor got me under the influence of his anesthetic, I have not had a minute of pain. The doctor watched the leg-stump a day or two and let me return to Blanding, where I remained until the latter part of September, when my son-in-law, Melvin J. Adams, and my daughter, Mamie, took me and my sons, Marvin and Leland, back to Mesa, Arizona, and they started back the same evening. Marvin worked there in the temple and Leland assisted in caring for me.

November 3rd, 1936, Mesa, Arizona: Leland was run into by an auto and hurt in the back. He was taken to the hospital on "the South Side" and placed under care of Dr. Kent. An x-ray revealed that the muscles of the back were ruptured a little, not serious.

We fixed up for me to cut up an extra large cottonwood tree, partly dry, which turned out to be extra tough, but that only made more and harder exercise for me. I will not hesitate to recommend this exercise to furnish play. For physical exercise will help work up an appetite, help pass the time away and save expense and balance the family budget. It also sets a good example to the neighbors, etc., especially to my family. This latter view of the question is worthy of our consideration, as it affects our standing of worthiness among our friends and neighbors among the community where we live. I believe I got more and better education from the example of my neighbors and the lives they lived than I got from the day school of my younger days, besides being a factor for good in promoting my progress in life.
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SHORT SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF MY WIFE, LYDIA MAY

My wife, Lydia May Lyman Jones was born May 1st, 1864, and passed on from this life April 17, 1906, being 42 years, one month and seventeen days old. With our baby boy, Francis W. Jones in her arms, she took hold of a blazing lamp and carried it out of the house. In doing so, her clothes caught fire, burning her so seriously that it resulted in her death after nine days of suffering.

She was a daughter of Amasa M. Lyman, a member of the Quorum of Apostles of the L. D. S. Church, and Lydia Partridge Lyman, his wife. Her father was Edward Partridge, the first bishop of the Church. She was the mother of ten of the eleven children of our family: Franklin Treharne, Kumen Stanley, Thomas De Alton, Marvin Willard, Edward Clyde, Leland Henry, Mary Lydia, Marion, Alma Uriah, Francis William.

Nothing could turn or swerve her from doing her full and loyal duty to her family. No man ever had a truer and more loyal helpmate for an eternal companion. And while on this subject I will make a humble statement or confession: While working out my 78th year of this probation I have no desire in my mind or soul to ask any change in my family arrangement, but I am more than willing to work and plod along, doing the best I can in the station where Providence has placed me. What right has an imperfect husband or parent to expect or demand perfection in his family? And in the deepest and most sincere emotions of my soul I praise my Maker for my heritage and the associations in which my probation is placed. May I nor any member of our family do anything to endanger our birthright.

May was always loyal to "Aunt Mary" as well: and how wonderfully she was repaid by the lovely care her children received from "Aunt Mary" after her departure. The truth about this matter is a touching tribute to each of them.

Apostle Francis M. Lyman, May's brother, when at Bluff, Utah, visiting with the Church authorities, put this question to me squarely: "How do you get along with my sister?"

Answering him I said: "Uncle Marion, we have lived together 24 years without a semblance of a quarrel." His answer to us was, "That shows the good stock in my sister, " and I of course, agreed with the apostle.

She was an all-around good scout, calm and even tempered, slow to anger or to stampede, patient and charitable. She spoke well of everyone or remained silent. The blood of Ephraim made the gospel of second nature to her, and she was obedient to all its requirements. As far as I can judge she filled the gospel requirements 100 per cent for an ordinary mortal, and is beyond the power of evil or trouble in any form, for which I humbly praise our Maker.

We mortals do not know and never will know and appreciate what it means to us to have so noble and pure and worthy companions sealed to us for all time. That is, a full appreciation will not dawn upon us in mortality, but will await the resurrection to reveal eternal values to us. We likely had a knowledge of all these important truths in our spirit life before coming here, and I believe had some clear ideas or understanding as to individuals, etc.
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MY PARENTS, BROTHERS AND SISTERS;
Description from memory: My father, Thomas Jones, was born July 20th, 1827, and died in 1862, aged 34 years. Height, five feet and ten inches; hair sandy; whiskers, red; weight, 150 [pounds]; ambitious to get on in the world; thrifty; hard worker. He had a high sense of honor, and stood four-square for honesty with all men. He was what would be called quick-tempered. While camping away from home in stormy weather, hauling timber, he got wet and slept in soaking wet bedding, contracted a severe cold, took to his bed with rheumatism, and suffered unspeakable pain and misery for two years or more before he passed on. Before breaking in health he took a more or less active interest in public affairs; was a counsellor in the bishopric of the Cedar Ward, L. D. S. Church, under two bishops.

There is one event in his life for which his family have always been deeply grateful: Before that dreadful and unfortunate affair, for which our people have been bitterly assailed, the affairs at the Mountain Meadows, father was called into a secret council, ostensibly to work out some plan to save these emigrants from impending trouble with the Indians, but from some hint that was inadvertently dropped, father became suspicious and left the council. But before being allowed to leave, an attempt, with a threat to swear him to secrecy, which only convinced father of the existence of some dangerous plot against the companies. So he and other leading men of the community sent a messenger posthaste to the governor of the territory of the imminent danger overhanging the emigrating company. There being no railroad service, telegraph or other than pony express, after having made the ride of 560 mile in six days, it was too late to do anything as the wicked and unjustifiable deed had been committed.

I am quite sure that there were some young men, likely just as good men naturally as our father, who were inveigled by older men into that serious error by one pretext or another, and they will some time come out free and blameless. However, we are very grateful for our father's wise decision at that critical time.

Father worked on his small farm and at different jobs, some stone mason work, and he worked some time for a company who attempted to make iron.

OUR MOTHER, SAGE TREHARNE JONES weighed about 130 pounds, height five feet six or seven inches, dark brown hair. She had no schooling. She was born Nov. 27th, 1832, Llanelly, Glamorganshire, South Wales, and died at Cedar City, Utah, March 20, 1897. She joined the L. D. S. Church with her family, both parents, three sisters: Mary, Jane and Sarah, and brother William. [She] emigrated in the year 1848 [with] all the family.

Her parents both died just before leaving St. Louis to cross the plains for Utah. After her parents died, mother joined the family of Evan M. Green, and came to Utah with them. The Green family became very much attached to her and she to them. Father and mother were married in Salt Lake in 1852, and moved to Cedar City in 1852, and lived in the second old fort, in the northeast corner of the fort.

Mother had no education, learned to read a little early in her life, but until I moved out to San Juan county she could not write. She once told me that she had so much trouble getting letters written to me that she decided to learn how to write. It was a surprise to me to see how quick she learned, and I was getting as nice, well-written letters as one could wish for. It was not long until she was attending to the post office for Cedar City.

I thank our dear Father in Heaven for my parents and for my birthright all around. It is a heritage above my power to express. When I recall how faithfully our mother performed the labors of her trying life's mission I feel "Oh, how short I come of being worthy of it all."

Mother lived to see all of her sons and her only daughter get married, and she felt pleased with the choice that each one had made. She saw all her sons chosen for responsible positions in the Church and state which repaid her, at least in part, for her sacrifices. When the time comes when the One Just Judge rewards His children for their loyalty to Him and to His earthly authority, we know that our faithful, devoted mother will be rewarded in full. May our Heavenly Father help all her posterity to so live that we may be worthy of our noble parentage when we all meet again.

LOOKING BACKWARD, ALSO FORWARD:
A Tribute

Had I my life to live again, when this good life is through,
Retaining all the best of this and adding to the new,
I'd start by being kinder to our good mother, left alone
With six small kiddies, under eight, and the work of home;
Left almost penniless too, with broken health and nerve,
The only asset left her was the iron will to serve.
Through this short, cruel story there is history sublime
Reaching up towards heaven to realms of the divine.
She drew much needed courage from the servants of the Lord,
In material help and counsel, from fathers of Cedar Ward,
Who always gave a kindly hand, a friendly word and smile.
Ye public servants keep this up, 'Twill help us out the while;
There's one more family item that should be noted too,
To round the story out and make it full and true,
It is of a child turned man almost overnight,
Turned into a princely man and made a noble fight,
'Twas our brother Lehi made that character summersault,
Turned from childhood to manhood without one serious fault.
Though eighty-three he still plods on, in a slightly lower gear,
With wise and friendly counsel his life work has made clear.
I wish all men had brothers, just like this pal of mine,
'Twould make this a wiser world, much better and sublime.

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MY OLDER BROTHER ALMA was born August 31, 1853. While the family were journeying to Salt Lake, he was kicked by one of the oxen of the team when they were near Fillmore, and was buried in the Fillmore cemetery when he was between two and three years old. The family were on their way to conference.

MY BROTHER LEHI, born November 1854 at Cedar City, Utah, was 5 feet, 9 inches in height and weighed 155 pounds. He was very light in complexion, followed farming, stock raising and general business. By strict economy, thrift and industry, he made his way up to a good success. Being the oldest son to live, he took very early in life the responsibility of the care of the family, in which he took a noble and intelligent part.

I have never known of a better boy, young man, and now an old man than Lehi W. Jones. If he has a fault, I don't know it. He may not take as good care of himself as he should, and some of us might think he would do better to travel at a lower gear of speed in the material interests in favor of the spiritual interests, but who is to judge? He has the added care of one of the best helpmetes on this earth in an invalid condition, in which our hearts go out in tenderness to them both.

For many years Lehi has taken an active part in matters of a public nature where health and education etc., have called for not only wisdom in the handling, but it has called for cash, and some one to stand in the gap where good credit was needed. Lehi labored as a missionary in the South

KUMEN JONES: As I come next in the line, I can look the world in the face and say that if I was called up to be the judge I would say that I am not as good a man as any of my brothers. Many of the incidents that I have written of in my life will sound rather of a boastful nature. It will be remembered, however, that I have intentionally left out most of my defects and very unworthy weak spots.

THOMAS JONES, the fourth son, was five feet, nine inches in height, weighed 140 pounds, had red hair and light complexion. He was born June 5, 1858 at Cedar City, Utah and died on January 6, 1931. As a child he started out with a happy disposition, and with rather a mechanical turn, and quite early in life he took up the carpenter trade which he followed through life quite successfully, and also worked himself up into a clean-cut, successful, public-spirited, useful citizen, as well as a Church leader in his part of the State, Iron County, and Parowan Stake.

He was quite unpretentious with a high sense of humor. He endeared himself to all good people who became acquainted with him. He had quite a lot of trouble with rheumatism. "Jed" as we called him, Thomas J. Jones, also took a leading part in public improvements, especially schools, school building, etc., and was one of the prime movers in securing the Branch A. C. which has done so much good for the southern part of the State of Utah.

He was very fortunate, as well as all the Jones' brothers, including myself, in choosing companions for not only this mortal life, but for the eternities that are before us. The Lord has given us extraordinary good helpmetes for our everlasting queen princesses to reign with us in our little kingdoms, but we will not become fully aware of the value of the choice we have made until after the resurrection.
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WILLIAM T. JONES, born September 12, 1859; died 1895. He was 5 feet, 8 inches in height, weighed 130 pounds, was light complexioned, not strong in body, but ambitious, and a hard worker. He had an even temperment and a keen sense of humor; he was honest and a straight shooter in all his dealings. He started out to become a well informed man by home reading and study mixed in with a very busy life.

He was called on a mission to preach the Gospel where he did a heroic work until his health gave way and he was released before the usual time, and never fully gained good health again. He married Katurah Arthur, a good, kind, patient soul, who bore him three boys and three girls. The older son was a helpless invalid the greater part of his life, being crippled with rheumatism, and others of the children were not rugged in health, but all of them just as good as gold.
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URIAH TREHARNE JONES, born February 11, 1861. He had a twin sister. He did not enjoy good health during his infancy; had little if any schooling, but because of his own efforts he did not suffer nor experience much inconvenience on that account. Being of a studious turn of mind he started very early in life to work his way up, making commendable progress in all lines of useful endeavor, spiritually, intellectually, financially, etc.

He began by working in the old Cedar Co-op with Henry Leigh as a chaperon, and few boys on this earth of ours ever had a better scoutmaster. And for the little measure of success that Thomas Jones' boys may have made, cousin Henry must have some of the credit. He is just one more whose confidence and affection will carry over into the eternities.

If our brother, Uriah, ever had any wild oats in his make-up, he must have had a way of keeping them in the background. I never saw any sign of them, nor heard anything about them. In our childish days and ways, I laid claim to Uriah as a baby, and our elder brother, Lehi, claimed Uriah's twin sister, Sarah Ann, and as a matter of course, each of us had the best baby in our day-herd, to whom each of us paid special attention.

It is astonishing how those childish fancies persist, but for many years that fancy has faded out of my life, and if it should happen to be within my province to judge in this case, I would have to say that our sister would be among those whom our Savior referred to when He said, "Blessed are the pure in heart."

She had five children, two girls and three boys. The latter part of her life she was almost in invalid with rheumatism in her hands and arms. I left Cedar City some years before she married Alonzo Higbee, and I saw but very little of her family after that time, as they made their home away from the town and away from the main roads, on a ranch and farm. Sarah Ann passed away in 1895.

May the Lord bless her family, and make us all better and more worthy of our heritage in this mortal existence.

Uriah T. Jones filled many important places in the Church, also in civil positions and with business concerns in Cedar City and Parowan Stake. He was a representative from Iron County to the State Legislature, both the lower house and the Senate.

He was another fortunate Jones in his choice of a permanent companion and helpmete--Mary Alice Higbee. To this couple were born 3 boys and 4 girls (one died in infancy.) It was an ideal family, with an ideal head to it. At the passing on of Uriah T. Jones all his kinfolk had occasion to feel humbly grateful to have President Heber J. Grant, President of our Church, George H. Dern, Governor of the State of Utah, and other notable visitors from Salt Lake City attend the services held in his honor. I am sure I will be pardoned by all those people who became well acquainted with our brother if I look upon him as a little out of the ordinary in many ways, and one who (all things considered) made a noteworthy success. It is a pleasant, and comforting thought to recall the pleasant and wholesome regard maintained each for the other in our home life, and best of all, this is the second chapter of a story without an end. The third chapter will be continued sometime, somewhere, under far more favorable conditions and surroundings, and never end.

All my charitable friends, I'm sure, will pardon this estimate recorded above, or my personal opinion of my family tree; some may think it is an effort to throw bouquets at myself. However, take it as it comes free, to Home Market, or "foreign trade." "Them is my sentiments."
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"CONFESSION OF AN ORDINARY MORMON"--A True Story

December 19, 1878 I was sealed (married) to Mary Nielson in the St. George Temple for Time and Eternity. When I spoke to the Bishop about getting a Bishop's Recommend to go thru the Temple to be married as all good L.D.S. members are supposed to do, (not knowing just what was required,) he, the Bishop, asked if I thot I was worthy of going thru that sacred house for my endowments and to be sealed to a pure young woman for all time as well as eternity. I told him bluntly "No, I don't think I have been as good as you suggest one should be to enter the Temple for that sacred purpose." Well, that puts a difficult question up to us. We are held responsible by the Church Authorities for those we recommend to that sacred house. We will ask you to call in again and will see what we may do in the matter." At the appointed time I met with the Bishop and two counselors, who told me that they had taken into consideration with condition of the family, our mother being left with such a family of small children in poor health and poverty, and my occupation had taken me away from home the greater portion of the time. "But" in case they took a chance and issued a "Recommend" "would I improve in my Church record and try harder to make good." I promised as they required, and while not perfect by a long shot, have made an honest attempt.

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SOME ITEMS TO ADD TO MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

It is my wish that my children all work together until the L. D. S. Church organizes some association or order to work together. If handled wisely Leonard's children may be taken care of as well as all the children of the different families by said organization. More may be accomplished and all work together unselfishly more full handed each family will be as soon as this arrangement gets working I will be more than pleased to turn all over to this family association all property held by me after all debts are paid.

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Mesa, Ariz., March 25th, 1936 WITNESS

My wife, M. F. Jones have the following tentative agreement between ourselves in case either one should die before some other understanding is had between us.

Wife keep possession of all personal or real property as each owns or claims at this date, also one half of the Brenay Lot and improvements. Each of us to pay 1/2 of all water, light bills, etc.

Mame to own the home and lot next to the Hine's home.

One half interest in the Brenay place, and pay 1/2 expense on said place. I am to pay for keep of both so long as both live. This for the benefit of settlement with my executors of my estate.

(signed) Kumen Jones.

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1712 Fell St. San Francisco, February 22, 1932

TO OUR SONS, THOMAS A., MARVIN W., LELAND H., MARION, ALMA U., FRANCIS W., and our daughter MARY LYDIA. Just a few reflections and suggestions as to our home folks whom we love.

There are some important virtues for which you all are to be commended.

1st. It is pleasing to us (Aunt Mary and myself) that all of you have been careful about your unkind criticism of other people, which is a most worthy characteristic to your credit, and as you journey thru life your reward will be your freedom from many embarrassing situations. Those who follow that course may look the world in the face unafraid.

2nd. Your record on the question of the Word of Wisdom is about all that could be required of you. This also carries with it its own reward.

3rd. You also follow the safe road in speaking the truth, and also the other virtue that goes with it, honesty; both indispensable virtues, the corner stones of character building.

4th. It is pleasing to us to have most all of you taking hold of your Church activities and most of you filling places of responsibility in Church organizations. Accept this as a privilege, and keep humble, prayerful, charitable, studious, and improve the time allotted to you in some useful activity. Whether our lives here in mortality be long or short, an accounting will be required as to how we use it.

We are sure you will allow us also to offer some suggestions as to how, at least most of you may do better. Improve your homes and surroundings, fences, gardens, corals, adjoining streets, and sidewalks, out houses, etc. Improve on our farming methods. Even if we take to farm. Let us take much better care of implements, tools, machinery, harness, saddles, ropes, fixtures, clothing, etc. and when we borrow from neighbors return promptly when thru with the article borrowed.

Guard well your credit; meet your obligations when humanly possible, and if impossible promptly notify your creditors and explain why.

We offer this with our blessings, Father and Aunt Mary

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HOW I LOST MY LEFT LEG--April, 1936. Took sore between the ankle and calf of my leg along in the year 1936, Feb. 1st. The old timers called it a bite of a Black Spider. Dr. Kent of Mesa said it may be a "White Blood Clot" caused by poor, slow circulation of the blood stream. It was extremely painful and developed fast. April had Dr. Kent and assistant take the leg off. They told me that I had one chance out of a hundred against my pulling thru the operation. I told him to go ahead, that we would take the one chance. April was taken to the local hospital (Mesa) for ten days, where it soon developed that the operation was not successful; was brot out to Dr. Johnson, Cortez, Colorado. Dr. Johnson with an assistant operated again and was successful, and it was done without pain, and I have not suffered severe pain during, or since the operation, and it looks now that when I check out from this mortal existence it will be from some other cause than my absent leg, and while I do not know the object of it all, am more than willing to accept it as for some wise purpose as an experience needed by me, as well as other experiences I have passed thru the past few years. It may be these things are for the future existence, in fact we are in training here for eternity where we are to "Be added upon."

Sketch of Mormon Colony 1879 to date (1931) giving some reasons for a "Call" of missionaries, to establish a settlement on the San Juan River, in Utah, where we could contact Indians as permanent Missionaries.
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Brief sketch of the life of Mary Burnham Frankland Jones. Born August 26, 1867, at Hyde Park, Cache Co., Utah, (near Logan, Utah) a daughter of Luther Clinton Burnham and Matilda Barnett.

SHORT STORY OF JONES' FAMILY LIFE, etc. POLYGAMY OR PLURAL MARRIAGE EXPOSED

On the 19th day of December, 1876, Aunt Mary Nielson and I were married, "Sealed" for time and eternity in the St. George Temple. The night we arrived home (Cedar City) I had a dream, and the next morning at the breakfast table I asked my beloved mother to interpret the dream for us, and without hesitating she said, "You will be called by the Church Authorities to go with others as missionaries to the different tribes of Indians living near "The Four Corners" of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico (Territories,) and the State of Colorado--where these territories corner together. All Indian states, up to this date, that is, had the Indian question to handle. Among others from southern Utah, several Lyman families responded, and among them I first met my future "plural" wife, and each related to the other the positive sensation experienced at that first meeting, as matters developed later.

As time went on it developed that my first standby partner ("Aunt Mary") was not having any babies, and it seemed like being lost on a desert to have a home without children. Finally Bishop Jens Nielson of the Bluff Ecclesiastical Ward (father of my wife "Aunt Mary") put the question up to his daughter that she must give me another wife, and not put it off, for congress was milling another law thru, putting an end to polygamy in the United States, and prophetically promising her offspring of her own, providing she would give that consent. Aunt Mary gave her consent; the deal went thru; the child of promise came along in the proper season and notwithstanding our human frailties I believe all concerned thank providence for the measure of success we ordinary mortals had attained. It was an unpopular move to make as far as the United States was concerned. They had been milling with anti-polygamy laws in and outside of congress for a session or two, and the agitation and prejudice rose and persisted for many years, causing misery, suffering, loss of millions in property and money, notoriously violating the spirit of the scriptures. I am content with our standing in the controversy. It was amusing, pharsical, and would made good material for the funnies of the present. I became personally acquainted with but two of the many Deputy U.S. Marshals who were securing evidence of those charged with the great crime of polygamy or unlawful cohabitation--this more especially, when drinking intoxicating dope, as a special favored few were treated to favors (I being in the list) that is all I need say.

For the benefit and information of our own relatives, acquaintances and all others who may feel interested in all their fellowmen. This is to say that I know that there are millions of better men on this earth that I am, and that there always has been, and that there always will be, while time lasts. But I'm not so sure as to whether there has been so many better women than Mary N. Jones and Lydia M. Lyman Jones (my two polygamous wives.) We worked and lived together in my opinion, a little better than the average man and wife, and had the approval of the Heavenly Courts in our family life and living.

A few years ago I had two of my children come to Arizona to visit me, and when we met President Jones of the Arizona Temple I introduced them to him as "my only daughter" and my "tithing" son, which was amusing and also technically correct, but unusual, and united the crowd in a smile. Ten of the eleven of my, or I should say, our children, came to us thru polygamy, and they will all belong to our family, and we will all be sealed up together, that is all who have or will attain to the certain degree of perfection called for by the powers above--not wishing or intending to intimate that the good clean man with one wife may not be a 100% good citizen, both in the state, as well as the Church. And on the other hand, all those who engaged in the practice of polygamy could not by any means claim perfection in handling individual cases causing heartaches and sorrow in the homes of many.

A sudden change came into our home life when a coal oil lamp exploded, and in carrying it out to save the house her (Lydia M. Lyman Jones) clothing caught fire and she was so badly burned that after suffering a week, passed away. One of the noble, pure, sweet, sensible, kindly patient, fairly-well educated, slow to offend and at no time intentionally. She would have made a good wife for a king, president, or ruler or public man who wished to be on the square with his fellowmen.

The passing out of this mortal existence of our partner and wife made it necessary to adjust our family program. First, we had Supt. W. T. Shelton of the Shiprock School send down one of his best educated and trained girls of the Navajo Tribe, and she proved to be an excellent nurse, cook, etc., and we got along fine with other local help. Aunt Mary retained her position in the San Juan Co-op as head salesman. That with her offices in the Bluff Ward, also in the San Juan Stake, also assisting "Aunt" Josephine Wood in caring for the sick of the neighborhood, whites and Indians, miners, prospectors, cowboys. It was Aunt Jody and Aunt Mary to all, with their herbs and hot poultices, etc., together with their old time jokes and funny stories.

She was known for her fine treatment of the motherless children, and praised wherever known.

The purpose of this feeble, uncultured attempt to inform my own posterity and all others that, although bitterly opposed, ridiculed, imprisoned, heavily fined as tho they were the worst of criminals, when in fact and decency the opposite will prove to be the truth, in humble and sincere belief. Some of the best people on this earth wherever and whenever they lived have been among the people who have practiced plural marriage, not speaking of the heathen millions of the present or past. I don't recall reading or hearing of our Savior or his Disciples speaking or writing despairingly of polygamy, either as to any evil effects in this mortal life or in the Celestial Eternal Abode after this second or testing out estate. No one of the earth's tenants needs to know for better or for worse than we ourselves before we leave "this frail existence" and how well we are prepared to "be added upon"--not as others treat us, but as we treat others--that will effect our standing with the Heavenly Rulers. This is what the polygamous family have been taught: The Gospel as given to Moses on the mount, to the Israelites, and to the Nephites, and to the Lamanites. The latter turned out to be the more faithful of the two races in a few instances, but with one important difference, and that is the practice of polygamy was not allowed on this continent for very many years, in fact the Nephite people prohibited the practice, but the reason for this is partially given in the text, and it intimated that in case of the old order of marriage as practiced by the old Patriarchs of Bible days, they (the Nephites) will be given a special dispensation from heaven.

In passing, we just state that at no time in the Mormon practice of polygamy did the number exceed two and one half percent of the membership of the whole.

The way "Aunt" Mary handled the situation under the new responsibilities placed upon her brot an added credit and honor to her wisdom and strength of character, good judgment, inherited from her father and mother, which now came in handy for her widened responsibilities, and I humbly thank providence for such an helpmate, and best of all, they are mine for all eternity, providing my behavior is in harmony with the Gospel of our Savior.

The two and one half percent of the membership of the Church who practiced polygamy was a small percent when you consider the suffering and annoyance and enormous expense the whole membership of the Mormon people were put to, especially when you turn the light on the moral condition of our nation (considered Christian.) I am content to leave our case for the final judgment, knowing beforehand that I was far from perfection in this matter, as all others of human experience. 

I want to be able to say, Father forgive us all, and thy will be done.
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A LITTLE STORY FROM LIFE--BILL, JIM, AND TOM--Texas, Nevada, Utah.

Just to show the different attitudes on life, the influences of environment, heredity, etc., on three boys, very nearly the same age and size, practically the same conditions of life and surroundings on farms where stock-raising was engaged in. Two of the boys, Jim and Tom, were born, and started out as children under religious influence and training. Both lost their father by death (or what we call death for want of a better name) while in early childhood, and in extreme poverty Jim's mother married again, and made from all appearances about as bad a bet as could possibly be made, and took to her home for a step-father for her children a man without religion, ethics or honesty, who lived a short, crooked life, and was killed by another racketeer (or at least that's what he would be called in these times), a man who was a little slicker and beat Jim Sr. (our Jim's step-father) to at least one "trick," and was a bit quicker on the draw. And, as one of the very prominent old, solid men said upon his hearing of the shooting, "the only regrettable feature of the racket was that each of them had not got a good straight shot in together." Joe, the man that got the first shot in, was about as slick at picking up calves and stray cows and horses as was known in the west. It was told of him that he could strike out, usually on Sunday or a holiday, when most people were home, and sometimes at night, when the moon shine was favorable, he would get on his well-broke horse, without saddle or bridle, and would tie down calves in some out of the way place; and would corral cattle or horses, and do away with them in such a way that he would fool and baffle the owners, the officers of the law, and all concerned, and not get caught. But he also run his race, when someone "laid" for him. None of those people live to be old unless they take a turn.

When Tom and Jim first met they were about sixteen years of age, both full of fun, a little better than the average young fellows at wrestling, foot racing and the usual common games of the times (1871) or near that date, and the two engaged in many tussles together. Tom was a little the best on the racing, but it was never decided which was the best at wrestling, but tried good-naturedly many bouts. But as kids they became warm friends, and had a nice friendly respect for one another. This interesting contact continued for a number of years, or whenever Jim made the rounds of Tom's town, only the friendship grew as each discovered that the other loved good, exciting, outdoor ruff and tumble sports, and each wanted to have it out on the square in a good, clean, sporty way. Tom adhered to that early formed habit throughout his life, wanted no other, and would stand for nothing else in sports or business, or any other activity. He detested an habitual flirt, of either sex. He would say that any boy or girl that would knowingly tamper or trifle with the honest affections of the opposite sex could not be strictly speaking honorable, as it should be held too sacred for that. Anything; is fair in sport, love, or war, was not Tom's slogan.

As a few instances of Tom's honor in sports, the following may be related. Many times his chums would make small bets on his foot racing ability, and bribes have been offered him to "throw" the races. He would indignantly ask them if they took him for a traitor. Chums can't be chums unless they are loyal to one another.

On one occasion his chum Jim, in making the rounds thru the country with his race horse string, came to Tom's town feeling a little extra fine, having made some big "killings" making some heavy winnings; and having imbibed a bit freely, was attempting to work up some races, and showing impatience and contempt at the boys not responding, finally discovered that his friend Tom was not in the crowd. He made inquiry as to his whereabouts, and was told that he (Tom) would be home towards evening. At length Tom showed up riding as slick, nice looking pony as one would see but once in a long time. Jim at once began unloading his troubles to Tom, warming up the air with his contempt for a bunch of sissies who didn't have the insides to call his whooay and give him a race. "Well, if that's the way you feel," says Tom just thru force of habit, "I'll call your bluff if you'll be kind enough to let me know what you want." "Well, you have about the niftiest looking pony I've seen in a long time. What's your distance Tom?" "Yes," says Tom, "pretty nice looker, but for running he's counterfeit. He can't run fast enough to keep warm in summer." at which Jim takes another exas and says, "I've won out so far in the race horse business on my judgment, and if that pony can't run, my experience of the past is lost. I will cut one pony out of my "string" and you may pick the balance. I'll take your pony and put up a pony, or $50.00 on your horse." "It's a go" says Tom, and told his jockey to take the first pony he came to out of Jim's ramude, and go down the track.

After the ponies came thru, Tom went and called Jim out to one side and told him that he (Tom) had never stolen anything so far, and for Jim to keep his pony, that he would always feel that he had stolen a pony from his friend to take the pony on that bet. But Jim answered that if he hadn't known Tom so well he would feel like taking a shot at him; asked Tom if he had ever noticed a sign of any yellow streak in him. Tom's friends slipped the pony Jim had bet on the race away and hid him until Jim had left the town (they having overheard Tom and Jim talking.) The sport ended at this point with the friendship between the two being cemented a little closer, neither one knowing or guessing that the parting was to last for twenty-five years.

Tom moved to another country, where he met Bill after he had been in his new home and surroundings for quite a number of years, where he had worked his way up to more or less prominent positions with his new neighbors. He engaged in farming, stock raising, and other business enterprises, mixed up with cattle and sheep men, spending much time on the ranges with cowboys, becoming well acquainted with and mixing up with them on your friendly terms, always standing up for a square deal with all. He and his neighbors in a small town pooled their small bunches of cattle and thus cut down expenses. There were several large owners running cattle in the country, where the cattle could not be kept separate entirely in the absence of fences, so that the riders of the different interests would have occasionally big round-ups, especially each spring and fall, when the large outside owners would employ many part-time riders and some of these "extras" would remain in the neighborhood; and owing to the rough character of the ranges, large portions being covered with thick timber, wild cattle and mavericks increased, and some of these part time hands would purchase a few cattle and then make a business of building up their hands with these mavericks. Among the number thus engaged was our friend Bill, previously mentioned. He and partners did a thriving business for a few years, and it became so interesting that they did not wait for the calves to leave their mothers and get into the maverick class. One or two of the big cattle owners put men on their trail and in time caught them with the goods and had them indicted, and warrants for the apprehension. Bill stepped out of the way, and left word that anybody that was going after him would find a bunch of trouble when they ran into him. Tom and two other Pool boys left their home town for the range, and as they were leaving town the deputy marshal of the state asked them to keep a lookout for Bill or his partners, as he was out with a warrant for their arrest. Tom and his two partners made a big ride for a pack outfit and just struck camp when who should come along but Bill, armed for any eventuality, and would not think of camping for the night, but tied his horse up and ate a lunch, mounted his horse, rode away. After a short council, it was decided for Tom to go back to town and get in touch with the deputy, and after Bill was well out of sight Tom mounted the horse that he had ridden a good 40 miles that day, and rode all night to the home town (which made a full 80 miles for a horse and rider without rest or sleep.) The deputy headed for a cow camp about ten miles from town where Tom and friends were sure Bill was headed for, as it was suspicioned that Bill had at least one silent partner, if not more. As it was not Tom and his partners of the pool, but one of the others of the cattle outfits who were directly concerned in having Bill indicted, he felt more or less safe, at least for a day or two that he expected to be in the neighborhood. But he was in for a little surprise party, as he was picked up while making up for lost sleep after an all night ride; was treated to a preliminary hearing at the county seat, bound over to the district court, and lacking the necessary bail, was taking to the pen for safe-keeping, awaiting trial. After being held about a year, he was turned loose, on account of the only eye witnesses who testified at the preliminary hearing had removed from the county and could not be located.

Bill having sold out his interest in the maverick cattle, did not return to the seat of his trouble, but made some threats that he intended to play a tune for the man that gave him away to dance to.

Some year or so after Bill had been turned loose, Tom as out to the R.R. Station when he ran onto Bill out some distance from the small town and out behind the big shipping pens. They had talked but a few minutes when Bill brot up the subject of his trouble of a few years before at , and wanted Tom to tell him which one of the three of the party with whom he ate lunch that evening at the head of Wash told the deputy. Tom answered, "Bill, it was me that went back to town and gave you away, and you should be d----- glad to get out of that scrape as slick as you did." Tom's answer knocked the pins out from under Bill. It was not according to his order, and it was some time before he got all together again, but after he thot for a moment he said, "No, Tom, it was not you, as you was too old to make that ride. It was one of the other fellows, and I propose to have you tell me before we get away from here."

To Tom here was a perfect lesson in psychology, to see the working of Bill's mind by the expressions of his face. Had there been no whiskey mixed up in this controversy Tom would not have been in much, if any danger, for the very good reason that from a normal cowboy's point of view Tom's stand was perfect. To explain when Bill was arrested, it was known to a moral certainty that he had at least one silent partner. He was the one that was caught and he promptly assumed all blame and insisted that he alone was guilty and was never known to give out any other intimation, and for Tom to assume all the blame now appealed to the real cowboy sporting spirit himself under the difficulty on the screen right here now. His mind was working between humiliation and the fearless fighting spirit natural to him on one side, and the knowledge of his own guilt and Tom's sportsman stand on the other. But the third count (bad fighting whiskey) turned the side against Tom, and the racket got to a point where something was going to come off right now. The two had come to a grapple, and Bill was struggling to reach his gun, when a man's command rang out, and Tom's old chum friend, Jim, was between the two with "You d___ outlaw, just one suspicious move, Bill, and the undertaker of this town will have a little private job a-caring for you." "There are a few men that have come into my life for whom I would throw my all into the gap that would save them, and Tom here is one of them. He has taken one trail and went straight, and you and I have taken the other trail. We are each staked out; there are sections of the country we dare not go for fear of the law; we are on the rocks both physically and financially".

"Jim, it's no news you are handing out to me, and I am as glad as you are that you showed up just on time, for I had lost the pinch of sense that is left me, for it's a faint guess what may have happened and my mule would almost know that Tom was dead right." Tom suggested a handshake, and adjournment to the town eating house, where Jim and Tom lived over again the friendly experiences of their boyhood days. This surprise meeting, and what it all meant almost had the appearance of pre-arrangement, and was a problem as to which of the three was most pleased that it had such a happy ending.

Were the main features of this narrative just an ordinary happening or coincidence? or does a kind providence influence our actions and movements for some wise purpose of His own to teach us lessons that we may not get in any other way? Or is that the beginning of a story that may have an ending some other where. Neither one of the three of us could give a reasonable excuse for, one at a time, going to that out-of-the-way-place on that particular occasion. Jim and Tom had not met for at least 20 years, and neither one of them knew that the other had ever met Bill before.
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Tithing for 1920: Herefords, $100; other cattle, $150; hay, $50; grain, $50; miscellaneous, $25--Total $375.
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SHORT STORY OF THE LIFE OF KUMEN JONES, as suggested by Assistant Church Historian, Andrew Jenson: Aug. 31, 1922.

My father, Thomas Jones, and mother, Sage Treharne Jones, joined the Church in Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, South Wales, about the year 1848; landed in Utah about 1849 or 1850. They were married in Salt Lake City about 1850 or 51; located in Cedar City in 1853.

Father was the only member of his family that joined the L. D. S. Church. Mother had three sisters and one brother, William Treharne. The sisters names were Mary, Sarah and Jane. Their father and mother died of cholera at or near New Orleans on their way to Utah.

I was the third of seven children: namely, Alma L., Lehi W., Kumen, Thomas J., William T., Uriah T., and Sarah Ann (last two were twins.) I was born May 5, 1856, in the second old fort at Cedar City, Iron County, Utah.

Our father having worked for a company who were organized for the purpose of making iron about two years, lost about all his wages thru the failure of the undertaking. He was left in straitened circumstances, and soon after was taken down with rheumatism, from which he suffered untold torture for two years, when he died, leaving our mother with six small children (our older brother, Alma T., having died about four years before from the effects of being kicked by an ox) in extreme poverty, also broken down in health herself. A less courageous and resourceful person would have given up in despair. While time shall last or eternity endure I shall remember the patient struggle for our mother, and also the thotful kindness of many of our friends and neighbors, especially the ward authorities, in the struggles of those times. And later when a certain class of people made persistent attacks against my people and their authorities I knew they were wrong, and were sadly mistaken in their charges; and I knew that our home training and the teaching and kind treatment of church officials and members gave the lie to those charges. My judgment along that line has strengthened with time and study of the passing years.

My childhood and boyhood days were very much as the ordinary boy, I suppose, and as most youngsters, I suppose I made strenuous objection to any interference with what I thot was my rights.

I have a more or less clear remembrance of some few things that happened when I was two years old. One was that I started our team of black oxen off when there was no one on the wagon with me, causing a panic among the folks. Another was watching a bunch of goats break out of the coral; they being rather wild, some of them were not recovered. Again, Mother told me in later years that I was just about two years old when those incidents and others that I used to speak of occurred. As I became a little older I was more or less determined to become a naturalist, and my nature studies very often found me far from home trying to become familiar with the habits of squirrel, rabbit, birds, etc., in their native state. The protest, with an occasional flogging failed to cool my ardor along that line. Playing hookey sometimes from Sunday School was so serious an offence that mother attempted to break the spell with the rod.

The schools of those days would run about three months each year (during the winter season). Those I attended more or less regularly until I was about 14, when it became necessary that I take a hand in working more steady for the support of the family--driving a team and knocking around at odd jobs. At sixteen I took my turn carrying mail between Cedar City and Bullionville out in Nevada. This job lasted for three years or more; when about nineteen we signed up to take the C. C. cattle herd for three years, at which I worked practically all the time, until leaving Cedar City for the San Juan.

When about 11 or 12 years of age we decided that I should learn the blacksmithing trade, and started to work with Bro. Richard W. Palmer, but after working about six months we discovered that Bro. Palmer was doing the tinkering business, and that William Cory and James Urie were doing the real blacksmithing work, so I was put to work with each of the last named in turn until it was found that each of them had to have a periodical "Toot," or just plain drunk, and it was very naturally decided that the combination was hardly proper for a lad starting out in life. So arrangements were made for me to go to Salt Lake City and try our luck with a Mr. Thompson (a relative by marriage) who was a splendid tradesman, but just about the time I was made ready to start for the city we were notified that our gifted relative had imbibed too freely and was found one morning frozen to death in the street. This put an end to the effort of making a blacksmith of myself, or the family to make one of me. This little experience had the effect of putting a little kink in my youthful aspirations, and being of an extra lively disposition, I think sometimes that it may have had the effect of breaking into our little well-defined program, upsetting or defeating our ambitions and "morale."

While carrying mail, as referred to before, it was a very lonesome job for a boy, taking six days to make the trip of 225 miles, being alone all the time except at night, when we put up with private families in settlements along the way. However, we were exceedingly fortunate in having good people to put up with along the way, with one exception, that being at Bullionville, Nevada, where we slept in a barn where the rifraf held forth; and we ate at a mining camp restaurant, altogether rather a bad combination for a young lad alone. The latter part of our mail work we made a change from Bullionville to Panacca, where we stopped with the Bishop of that ward; think his name was Jones (of course they would naturally be nice people with that name.) At Clover Valley stayed at Lyman Woods, part of the time eating our meals at the George Burgon Home. They were all nice people. At Hebron we put up with the George H. Crosby family, and at Pinto stayed with the Haskells. All these families furnished a pure sweet atmosphere for boys as we were, the remembrance of which, at this late date, leaves a sweet taste as of incense in my memory, which I earnestly believe and hope will endure thru all time; this, with fairly good money for those days, leaves me in debt for my mail carrying experience.

As for my cowboy days, which began with the running of the C. C. Company cattle at Cedar City, and continued for many years in the San Juan country, I feel that I can face all men as well as my maker and say that I have played the game fair, not claiming perfection, as I may have made a few mistakes, but I have never put my brand on an animal that I did not feel fairly sure at the time that I had a right to, and I feel that I have received just and fair treatment from all the men and boys that I have worked with. Many times I have thot that I have been favored, not only by our own people, but by the rough element that have run cattle on this range, and with whom we have rode and been mixed up with most of the time. It will always be a pleasure to meet anyone of my cowboy friends or acquaintances. On my part they are all friends.

Referring again to my cowboy experiences in Iron County. I spent the greater part of two winters at what was then called "Lower Herd" which was on the east fork of the Rio Virgen, a few miles east of what is now Lions Canyon; have rode all around on the rims looking down into that canyon many times.

One winter I stayed with an old gentleman named Rosencrans, who was running horses; and the next winter stayed in there with Arthur Sawyer (think that it was the winter of 1877-78). Some time in February, as I recall it, the two of us started around by Long Valley and down the Shoonsberg Trail and Toquer for home, as our provisions were getting low. We had not gone far down the southeast fork of the Virgin when it began snowing, and soon all signs of the trail were obliterated, and the country all being new to us, we soon lost our bearings, wandering around for two days without food, and the snow by that time was between 2 and 3 feet deep. Our horses were about done for. At the close of the second day it dawned upon us that our condition had reached the desperate stage, but at the opening of the third day there was a break in the storm, we saw the hills not far distant that were near our winter home that we had left four days before, and we felt that our fervent prayers had been heard and answered by the kind Father above. My horse Frank lead us out of our lost condition toward camp before the storm broke, showing us the superior instinct of animals.

The next time we started around for home we were successful, but we took no chances and followed the wagon road around by Short Creek and Hurricane Hill.

The night before reaching home (Cedar City), we ran into a bunch of freightors, some going north towards their homes, and some going south towards Silver Reef. Some of the latter were loaded with whiskey. This was, I believe, the toughest combination of men that it has been my misfortune to fall in with. Had it not been that a very short time after our reaching this camp my partner was laid out "proper" for the night, I would have saddled up and hit the trail for home, this camp being at the head of Black Ridge, something over 20 miles from home. As I recall it, there were about 30 men and boys, but as it was late when we rode into the camp, quite a number were over-loaded, laying around on the ground. Some were so far gone that they could not put up an objection when their friends put them to bed. It was a wonder that some of them did not freeze as it was a winter night. From what was told me later, some of the older ones, I think from Payson, were apostates from the Mormon Church, and those are the kind of people that descend lower than any ordinary people by way of foul talk, and making light of sacred things. Notwithstanding I being about the youngest one in the camp, I put up an earnest protest against some of the sacrilegious things they engaged in, such as asking a blessing over the barrel of whiskey, and going thru a form of prayer, etc. Finally, some of the more decent ones started up some athletic sports, and as there was no such thing as trying to sleep, I joined in the sports it being a moonlight night. The next morning I routed my partner out for an early start, and we arrived home about noon.

Late in the fall of 1878 I was camping at Antelope Springs, about 20 miles west of Cedar, keeping lookout for cattle rustlers. I was riding in the mountains to the south of the springs one day, and run across a corral built in a canyon in very thick timber, and tracks in the skiff of snow that had just fallen showed that an outfit had left in the morning of that day with a wagon loaded with beef, as signs showed plainly that two beeves had been killed the night before. I dismounted and set fire to the corral, which burned readily as the greater part of it had been built of dry timber piled together. I had not gone more than a mile from the corral when I met a man on foot with a gun on his shoulder, who told me that he was prospecting for mineral. I was not disposed just then to argue the point with him, but made enquiries about horses that I was seeking, when suddenly he noticed heavy smoke raising over the hill, and wondered what that meant. I told him it was likely Indians, and I was suddenly reminded that I was to meet other parties just over the ridge in the opposite direction from the big smoke, rode away, and headed for my lonely camp, and in a day or so came home.

The next trip out there were 5 or 6 of us, and we were all "armed for bear." The first night we unexpectedly ran into a camp of the Rustlers, and prospectors, who were a little worse surprised than we, as they thot it was some of their own party that they were looking for. They were rattled and some of them so frightened that they could hardly talk, and expected us to order "Hands up all." It took some time for the natural color to return to their faces. The next morning when they saw that we had found where a dressed beef was hidden in thick timber some distance from camp, while they had been wishing for meat for supper and breakfast, all but one prospector made a hasty getaway before our boys returned from the day's ride. As I was riding out that morning some few miles from camp (we all had taken different points to run the cattle together at a stated round up ground), I again ran onto a corral in the making, and as on the previous trip, got down from my horse and prepared bark and chips to do away with the intended corral; and discovered that one match was all I had. So I made extra preparations as there was a strong wind blowing, but as I struck the match an extra gust blew it out.

A month or so after this I met one of my young cowboy friends from Kanarra who informed that he had met a man, Taylor, known all over that neighborhood as a tough character, and he related how young Jones had a habit of setting fire to corrals, and that he had concealed himself in the timber near where their outfit had started a new corral and he watched young Jones dismount and prepare to start another fire, and he was holding his Springfield rifle over a stump with the firm intention of pulling the trigger the moment the fire started and make an angel of me. He had outlined full details of his escape, but as I rode away without burning the corral or running into him, he decided not to shoot. However, the whole kaboodle, prospectors and rustlers quit the neighborhood for good. Our party found the large herd of very wild cattle consisting of mavericks, bulls, old mossback, steers, and stray cattle that had been giving us all kinds of trouble. We had to kill quite a number, but we rounded up the greater part of them and drove them in and turned them over to the pound keeper, who advertised them and sold the unclaimed ones, paying the cowboys so much per head for something like 40 head. So that, take it all together, we had a successful trip, but it was some time before I learned the full value of an extra gust of wind.

Some few years before the occurrence related above I was hired to accompany several older boys on a roundup of wild horses (Broomtails".) Having some few extra good ponies I was sent out with another boy to find and "wind" a certain large band of wild horses (in which some fine tame stuff were ranging.) The program was for we two kids to give the bunch a good long chase around the "neck" of the desert, and at a certain point the larger boys were to be prepared to take up the chase and keep them headed for Cedar; but after we two lads had chased the broom-tails about twice as far as our contract called for, one of us went over to the outfit who were to relieve us. It was found that the big boys were so interested in a card game, in which they were playing for the mavericks that were in the band we were chasing, and they were not willing to stop so interesting a game to take up the chase as agreed upon. In consequence of this many of the horses were lost, but we reached town with a nice bunch, and when time came to settle with me, the older boys asked me to take a maverick colt for pay. I told them that "I am just starting out in life and I think better that I start right, I have a better right to my pick of the stray colts that any of you, but I refuse to start out that way." That incident never comes to mind but I feel very thankful for that decision.

I have kept tab on many boys and men who were over anxious to get ahead by being crooked on the range, but aside from them breaking the laws of God and man, at least nine out of ten end up as shy of money as they are of good character.. It don't pay from any standpoint to be crooked.

This may be a good place to relate a little experience occurring in my cowboy life with many others (that is, comparatively speaking.) I made full preparation to leave Bluff with the remnant of the choice few weak mortals that were left of the discouraged few who were awaiting the arrival of the Church Authorities who were to direct or counsel us as to our future homes, as it was their wishes that if possible we would or should locate together. But presto, low and behold, when the prophets of the Lord arrived, they decided "To Hold the Fort" and this gave me the job of replacing my little cattle herd, which I attempted to do at Fruitland, New Mexico, and this brings up the little human cowboy experience, to add to.

I purchased 132 head from the farmers, mostly milk or dairy stuff, and of all stuff purchased to start out with again I didn't take a black, brown, brindle, blue, yellow, while or speckled, or anything over 3 years old. They were mostly thin in flesh, and the local stockmen predicted heavy loss on the way home.
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SOME CLOSE CALLS, OR NARROW ESCAPES

While chasing range horses on Cedar Mountain, riding a half broke mare, she ran between two quaking asp trees, large enough so that they would not bend or give a tall by my legs striking them. I was drug off behind the animal I was riding, and both of my feet hung in the stirrups. The mare hunched along a few rods (could neither kick or run) when both feet slipped out of the stirrups at the same time and I was saved without being badly hurt.

A half-broken animal became frightened when the cinch came loose on the saddle and she ran pelmell down a steep, rocky hill, with dry broken timber in a tangled mass down its side, and with no road or trail. How it all happened and nothing harmed is the mystery of it all. One would have to see the place it happened to appreciate the danger involved.

Coming home from Bluff Canal where a crowd had been at work all day, some of the boys just to have some excitement started passing one another, and as soon as I saw what was going on I turned my team out to get out of the game as I thot, but young F. B. Hammond, thinking I intended to pass the ones ahead of me, made haste to head my team off, and in doing so caught his front wheel in behind the front wheel of my wagon, and as his team was on the run, my wagon was jerked along for a few rods and tipped over a time or two, and when my team stopped the wagon was jumbled up together in a pile with the reach splintered up and I was under the wagon without being injured but very little. Again feeling thankful that providence in mercy had brot me thru safe.

OUR IN TRIP TO BRING FAMILY OF JOS. E. JOHNSON FROM R. R. THOMPSONS

At the foot of Peters Hill at the head of Dry Valley, rains had cut a wide arroya, and then later storms had cut a narrow cut in the big hollow again, leaving room for the road between the new cut and the bank of the former big cut. But where the road from the Flat Canyon turned down into this narrow shelf there was a steep little pitch and a short turn to avoid the deep cut, and my lead team being a young pair of mules were a little nervous; they took their bits and made a sudden dash to get out of the narrow place, and in doing so the turn was too short and before one could tell it the wagon was wrong side up in the narrow rocky ditch and I was on the opposite side of the cut with the lines in hand, and again feel that some unseen power had taken a hand in my deliverance.

The next day going down Blue Hill at the head of Grand Valley, the young mules made another break, but the hill was straight and flat and the bottom level. Having the hind wheels locked with a good new brake, I held the wheel team back and let the mules run until they got tired, then with a good whip lash rather strenuously insisted they keep going until they had a good fill of running, and the habit was cured. They never tried it again as long as I drove them. I had a great fill of their inclination to run away some time before this. Once at home they made a break with a bunch of children in the wagon with me, and children all around in the street. I headed them for a tree and was left with the children in the wagon, a broken pair of lines, neck yoke, double trees, and wagon tongue, but our good fortune was left, no one was hurt.

Having lived a good share of my life on horseback, naturally I have had horses fall with me in all shapes and places. However, I was never thrown out of a saddle but once, and that time was riding an old saddle, and while the pony was pitching the horn of the old saddle gave way, and I had a very hard fall, lighting on my head on hard alkali ground.

I have had some amusing falls bareback riding, sometimes lighting on my feet on a run and laughing to think how easy the ponies were dumping me. Several times I recall riding double and getting piled off, and usually I would light on my pardner. Once we were riding a mule up the land in our old homestead, and knowing just how to make her pitch, I pulled the trick just as we started up the lane, and as we were passing the wood pile up in the air we went, lighting on top of the wood, my cousin Sam Leigh falling on his face and I on top of him. I was not hurt a bit but cousin's face was in bad shape.

Another time my older brother Lehi and I were riding the "trick" mule and "dump" came off in the street in front of a deaf and dumb man's home (Brother Sherrit.) My brother fell on his hands and knees in front of the mule, and I fell straddle of him, and of all the unearthly sounds one ever heard, was the dumb man trying to laugh, and every time he would meet us after that performance he'd go thru the motions of having a big laugh.

MY LONGEST NIGHT

It was late in November, 1877, in company with a young fellow named Robert Pucill. We were rounding up cattle and horses in the high part of Cedar Mountain and drifting them to the lower country near Mount Carmel for winter. We were belated before we got past some bad sideling places in the trail, and snow began falling. We happened on to a large tree with a hole at the root, where we spent the night, wind howling and snow falling and drifting around all night, with no fire or bed, and our saddle blankets sopping wet.

REFERRING AGAIN TO MISHAPS, ETC.

Returning from a holiday outing up to the sawmill in Cedar Canyon, 11 of us in a lumber wagon, with a double bed on it, with 4 spring seats, jogging along a slightly sideling road, happy as young folks should be, and were singing "Sweet Bell Mahone," had come to the place in that song where it says "in the chorus" "Wait for me at Heaven's Gate," over went the wagon, caused by a rock on the upper side of the road. My best girl (then Mary Nielson, now my wife, familiarly called by all our acquaintances Aunt Mary) and myself jumped or were thrown out free of the wagon. All the other nine were under the wagon, and we two had the job of lifting the side of the wagon up far enough to let the others out from where they were trapped, but outside of some soiled and torn clothing, no harm was done. We went on our way rejoicing, feeling sure that our escape from that perilous upset was providential. Aunt Mary and I had help raising that wagon so as to let our chums out of the trap.

At another time in company with six or eight young fellows joy riding on a load of fresh mowed hay (I was to deliver to a Brother Bell at Johnsons, six miles north of Cedar.) Just before arriving at our destination, it being very dark, as we were going around a narrow place in the road and not able to see the danger ahead, the wagon tipped upside down in a deep rocky washout, trapping all of us under the load of hay, and the wagon square on top the hay. It was a moonless, cloudy night, in fact raining a little. Some were not fastened under so tight and worked their way out, and then were able to help others. Finally all were released, and having the wagon went to Bro. Bell's range for the night. One of the boys kept saying "I believe I'm hurt boys," and when we got into where Brother Bell had a lamp light the young fellow's face was a mess of blood, but when Brother Bell washed the blood off it was found that there was nothing serious. It may be that some Dixey wine that was along had something to do with the joking fun the boys had passing thru that experience, but I don't think any one of the bunch would care to pass thru such an upset again, as they could hardly expect to be quite so fortunate again.

The above admission is in the interest of truth, "The whole truth, and nothing but the truth" as the judge would have us say.

With a good load of lumber and four horses I started down the Cedar Canyon one cold morning after a skiff of snow had fallen the night before. There were two or three steep hills before coming to the long dugway down the canyon side. On one of those steep hills my rough lock broke, and down we shot. With snow on top of the lumber I had no chance of staying on as we went bouncing down over the snow and frozen ground under the snow. I slid on to one of the wheel horses, and one chance in a thousand I lit with one foot on the horses hip and made a spring out clear of the wagon, lit in an oak patch free and safe. And once more horses showed to me that they do think, for as soon as they reached a little level spot, the lead team turned out of the road and came to a stop just near where the long steep dugway began. Had they not done so, wreck and ruin and death, or crippled horses would have resulted.

ANOTHER TIPOVER

Going from Bluff, Utah to Blanding, several years ago, with a four horse team and a small load of hay, in company with my son Stanley, as we started up White Mesa Dugway, with Stanley driving, on a slight turn in the road the driver did not make allowance for this turn by keeping the lead team out far enough. This caused the wagon to run on the side of the hill a little and over we went, turning the hay with the wagon wrong side up, off the dugway and landing down in a little rocky canyon ten or twelve feet below the dugway. This time also the wagon was bottom side up on top of the hay. We were both partly under the hay. Again good fortune was with us, as there was neither one of us hurt, and not a single thing broken or damaged, not even a glass bottle (we had several; in our lunch box also had a box of eggs--not one was broken), a little hay wasted, nothing else damaged.

JIMMY MATHEWS (STEPSON OF JIM MARSHALL)

To open this little story I will be forced to tell one on myself. This kind I usually keep from the young fellows (among others.) As a boy and young man I was very fond of engaging in all the games and sports with the young folks, except dancing, in which recreation I always rated below average. But in running, jumping, wrestling, ball games, and all sorts of out-door games, current at that period, I guess I would average up or better. It was thru this sporting activity that I became acquainted with Jimmy Mathews, stepson of Jim Marshall, a very notable rough character of southern Utah in the 1870-80s. Jimmy followed the horse racing game for a living or vocation, and general gambling as an avocation, but before he started out for himself on this life he used to accompany his stepfather on his horse racing rounds. Jimmy was then a happy, care-free, likeable young fellow, and on the "square," and the town boys would get Jimmy and I running foot races, wrestling, etc. He was fair and in for fun we became chummy. I could lead him in foot racing, but we used to wrestle for hours at a time, but never found out for sure which was best man at wrestling, so near equal that after we had run together for several years, and had lots of fun together, we quit the best of friends as we had been thru it all.

Later when Jimmy had taken to horse racing he came thru Cedar and was out of patience because no one would match his horses or give him any kind of race. He inquired several times for young Jones, saying that if he could only find Jones we would fix up some fun. Some of our boys finally found me, and as I rode in to the crowd he was cursing the town and all who lived in it. About the first break he made at me on seeing me was to know if I had turned yellow too. My answer was that whenever a fellow wanted anything as bad as he did he should get it, including matching race horses; and I accepted one of the banters he made, and each wagered a pony. Of course I won his pony, but he was as badly surprised as was three-fourths of the large crowd. Only the few who knew what a counterfeit the horse was that I rode into that crowd were not surprised. He was a fine looker, but he was as slow as the Colorado Irish Boy rode when Old Posey was shooting at him going into Bluff.

Jimmy Mathews was a sport. When I told him that I would not take his pony, that I would always feel that I had stolen it, he laughed at my attitude, and wouldn't think of such a "Baby play," but said he would like to buy him (the pony) and offered two twenty dollar gold pieces. But when my chum friends heard what I was telling Jimmy, they spirited the pony in question away and did not see him for a week or so or until Jimmy was safely out of the country. The next time I saw him was at Panguitch as I was coming to San Juan.

The foregoing is just preliminary to the real sequel, about twenty-five years after the Panguitch meeting (when he introduced me to his stepfather as the "only kid in a big town who had the guts to call his big hot air stuff." We met at Thompsons, Utah, under the following circumstances:

About the year 1895 or later some few of the young fellows who had worked on the range for cattlemen until they had become familiar with the wild cattle and rough places out of the main grazing portions, and for one reason or another had been fired, started several maverick brands on the ranges and did not wait until calves left their mothers, when they fell into the maverick class. But it was several years before evidence was secured to get out warrants for their arrest. But the time came when they were caught up with, and necessary papers were put in the hands of deputy marshals. One evening Billy rode in to camp of 3 Bluff cowmen, and we could not prevail on him to stay overnight, so just as he left our camp one of us hit the trail back to Bluff, from where we had come that day, making a good 80 miles on reaching Bluff. Deputy Jo Bush went immediately down to Rencon, reaching the Texas cow camp just as dawn was appearing, and placed Billy under arrest. He was held for a year or so in an attempt to get the proper witnesses, but failing, he was turned loose. A few years later I met Billy at Thompsons, and he had been there long enough to obtain a bottle of booze and tried to get me to drink with him. It finally dawned on him that I was one of the three boys he met at sundown in the head of Comb Wash, and one of those three caused his arrest. He started in a half-good natured way to get me to tell him which one rode to Bluff that night. I told him I was the one. He refused to believe me, but he insisted on me telling who of the other boys it was, and as I had told him the truth, the only thing I could do was to keep close to him and watch every move, as he got crazy with drink at my refusal. We had reached a point where something had to happen. I had my mind made up to grab him and disarm him and take a chance on holding him until someone showed up. At this opportune time who should appear on the scene but Jimmy Mathews, who in an instant sized up the situation, and in less time than one could tell about it he had hold of Billy. "You hurt my friend Jones and there will be just one more outlaw dead, for the Thompsons undertaker to care for," were the first words of Jimmy Mathews. Bowen tried to tell Jimmy what he was trying to get out of Jones, and Jimmy's answer was that he, Bowen, should be mighty thankful to get out of that thieving scrape as slick as he had. "You d____ thief. You and I have taken the wrong road and are classed with the scum of the earth, and Jones has gone straight and is respected wherever he is known."

Some kinds of people would say that was just a happening so, or a common coincident, but others (not numerous), will say with me that there is an unseen power that works among man, where a kind providence hands us out something better than a good pay check, to those who try in a humble way to serve Him. I believe Jimmy Mathews was influenced by this power to happen onto the scene described (in a clumsy way) above. This incident took place in an out-of-a-way place, not frequented only when cattle or sheep were being shipped or handled there (at the R. R. shipping corrals.)

What took Jimmy Mathews out on the northeast side of those corrals. He didn't know we or either of us were in that part of the country, and we knew nothing of his whereabouts.

I may have handled the situation myself. I at least didn't allow myself to think differently, but there was at least a fifty-fifty chance against me. Billy had 2 or 3 notches filed on his gun from former rows. He was an expert gunman, quick, wiry, and absolutely unafraid, and was "heeled." I was unarmed and (well ask Aunt Mary about my speed--slow.) We are unable to appreciate the seriousness of the chances that we sometimes take until it's all over with and we look back at it, would not care to try the same chance again.

It may be that our saintly mother had a very clear prophetic insight towards future events, in regard to her own family at least. Among a number of things, she told me in regard to my future life, when I was in my young childhood and early manhood, was that the evil powers would follow after me and try to destroy me and take my life, but that the evil one would not succeed, and I would likely live to a ripe old age, and when I hark back and recall the many times I have been preserved when passing thru tight places, where I escaped with such a narrow margin in my favor, and I freely and gladly acknowledge the hand of a kind providence in my preservation, which debt it will not be within my power to repay. I may have another chance, who knows. On other pages I have named a few of the times and places when my life hung on a slender thread.

There have been but few times during my lifetime that my life has been despaired of by sickness. However, much of my life I have not enjoyed rugged health, and until I had reached my 50th birthday the insurance people refused to take a chance on me. At 50 they "took me on" and five and a half years ago I drew the $2500, and still going strong, but on low gear.--Nov. 5, 1931.

"FROLLICK" WITH HOLSTEIN BULL--June, 1933, age 77. Riding my blue-gray mare in the street just north of our home in attempting to turn our bull back into the corral, we did not want him to follow our cows out into the pasture, he suddenly changed from a docile old "poke" into a vicious, dangerous, wild animal possessed of a herd of evil spirits. He would get his head under the mare's flanks and toss her up in the air. Then, under just back of her front legs and up in the air her front parts would go, until he got her near a wire fence, when I fell off while he had her up in the air, and when she landed she was partly on my leg, and the bull's nose was touching my ear. But here is the mystery. The bull turned his head away and caught the mare with his head and threw her up on top of the wire fence away from me, and here two or three men (bystanders looking on) easily ran the mad bull away from the circus, with a few sore spots around on myself and the mare, but nothing serious. The wild animal changed again, and the old pet bull walked quietly back to the corral.
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ONE OF MY FAVORITE HYMNS: "OH MY FATHER"
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MY FIRST CONTRACT, etc.

(My first pony Frank, and first dog Prince, my pals. This was at Cedar City, in the fall of the year.)

About the year 1867 I entered into a contract with a store man, Stewart Dilly, to herd his little team of mules (as I was assigned, or fell into the job of herd boy for our own cows and horses at first), and as I now recall I was more or less proud of having that much responsibility placed upon me.

As a young business man I started out rather dumb, as I don't think that there was any stated price as to just how much I was to receive, or the class of payment I was to receive for the winter's job.

As spring came the mules were in good shape and our settlement was very satisfactory on my part, as I got the following: about 2 1/2 yards of light-colored calico with a black dot in it, a dark striped pair of store pants that fit me quite snugly, and a fat pup doggy. Talk about rolling in wealth. After our mother had made the shirt out of the calico and I dressed up for Sunday (all my clothing up to that time had been home made out of cloth for which mother had carded and spun the wool, and got one of the weavers to weave on a hand loom, and then made it up for us--at which our dearly beloved mother was an expert--or had cut up and made over from other used clothes she had taken from other people for her work.) I doubt whether J.D.R. or H.F. ever felt the real glory of opulence as I did in taking that wonderful pup around to "showoff" to my playmates.

The store man, Dilly, claimed that the pup was half bulldog and half of the Newfoundland breed. For size he was large, of kind of a brindle color, and there was a look of intelligence and nobleness of expression and dignity about him; but did very little barking. From the very start he became reconciled and attached to me as his master and would not pay much attention to what others wished him to do, nor did he take kindly to my wish that he should stay home on my leaving at times, but he soon became reconciled, and when he became aware that there were times when his staying at home was on the program he gave in. However, most of the time I was as anxious as he for him to accompany me.

He would outrun a rabbit in open country, or a wild cat, coyote, and would have them killed before we could get to them. He had a way of fastening on to a cow or steers nose and tipping them over, and would catch a young animal one or two years old by the hind leg just above the knee, and stop them just from sheer pain. Of course this rough usage was only permitted on rare occasions, with very wild cattle in a very rough country. It was not difficult to train him to be careful with sheep, and all gentle cattle and horses and other domestic animals.

If I would get in wrestling with other boys and I was getting worsted old Prince would get hold of my opponent by his pant legs and pull him off unless I spoke sharply to him. He found out while he was a pup growing up that we wouldn't stand for him to bite a human, or be very rough with any gentle or domestic animals. He was slow to pick a scrap with other dogs, but I don't recall ever seeing him run from another dog. It seems he was born with a natural antipathy towards Indians, but our family being very friendly toward that race were forced to train him out of that notion. By the time he was a grown dog he understood something about property rights. On at least one occasion this was shown when one of our neighbors came from the meadows with a load of wild hay and needed an extra fork, jumped over a partition fence and thot to borrow one from our barn. But low, it happened that old Prince was laying on our hay and as it was a bright moonlight night the dog stepped out in front of the neighbor and gave his little growl, the meaning of which our friend well understood, and he lost no time in coming and waking one of us up, and the dog was satisfied then that it was all right. On another occasion old Prince would be on hand promptly when a stranger of any color would happen to be passing thru our premises at an unusual hour. They would find the dog following quietly after them until they left the lot. All of the cows, horses, etc., were known perfectly by the old dog, and he was a help in driving them to or from pasture or range.

There is no intention of claiming any extra smartness, or that other boys or men have not had dogs as wonderful as my first dog or pony, for I've seen others of both that have had as good sense and far better training, and their trainers have far outdone me, so that it's not boasting, but as I am nearing the end of this mortal trail I'm wondering how some of us farmers and cowboys are going to enjoy heaven to the fullest if some of these faithful true standbys don't carry over too. I would be an ingrate if I did not just love many of the noble horses that have given me the very limit of service at any time or place when I know now that I had not treated them as well as I should and could have done, which I now regret, and I'm putting this down as a hint to those who follow after I'm gone for every kindness to animals. We are better men, and will be in better standing with the Creator of all.

A LITTLE OF THE LIFE STORY OF OLD FRANK, MY FIRST PONY.

My elder brother Lehi W. owned two ponies, a brown mare and an iron grey 2 year old pony. The mare strayed off and was gone for some time without being heard from, and brother, after I had called his attention to his having two ponies while I had none, answered, "All right. You find the brown mare and you may have Frank the grey pony." I was not long in making arrangements with one of the boys whose father owned about all the range horses owned in Cedar City at that time to accompany him on his next trip on the lookout for their horses. We went to a remote part of the range, and found the mare with quite a good big bunch, a bit wild; corralled them at a ranchman's place; camped and made the big triumphant home stretch next day, the happiest boy, and full owner of my first pony. He was between two and three years old. Brother bought him from the town pound keeper, who sold at auction for eight dollars. I used him 24 years, making him 26 years old when he disappeared from the Elk Mts. When last seen by any of the boys he was "rolling fat." I neglected no opportunity that held any hope of finding him.

When Frank was at his best it would take a blooded or race horse to outrun him. No ordinary saddle pony in our country could outrun him. Of course I would not match him in a race with a regular race horse. Some of my chums got me to let them run him with a horse of a "string" of horses owned by a man who made a business of horse racing. I tried to discourage the deal, but they had to get badly beat, losing a small purse to convince them. I also found out early in his (old Frank's) life that he was partial as to who rode him. When I rode he did all that was in him. On more than one occasion, after another rider (and a better one) had come a nose behind with him, I got on him and made a few feet better score, and he enjoyed the racing game just as well as I did. He would prance and carry on just what has always suited an average boy of 14 to 20 years of age, but, put a small child or woman or girl (who in those days rode sideways) on him alone, and he would "poke" along just like an old trusty cow, or an old trusty work horse. I first discovered this trait of "Frank's" by accident, while talking with David Bullock in the end of a lane that ran from the street to his corral on the home lot. I let the small boy of Bro. Bullock's ride my horse down the lane's end and back, but after the child had ridden down a few times, in order to enlarge his field of operations while we were not noting what the child was up to, he slipped out unnoticed by either of us, took to the open road. After noticing what had happened there was excitement aplenty, which increased until they were found quietly with the little fellow grumbling because he was unable to increase the lazy old horse above a slow walk. But I heard from parties all about town, out of patience because I had surely gone as crazy as my horse, for permitting so small a child to ride my outlaw horse. However, we were all soon convinced that the pony by nature was sensible and trustworthy. He knew my voice and would answer when I would say hello to him, when I was out of sight. I also have had other horses that could recognize my voice. On one occasion I loaned my team to a neighbor to make a trip out to Durango, Colorado, for a load of freight. On returning he drove up to the platform behind the store to unload some of the freight. I came out of the store behind the horses and spoke to the team, telling them to move up a little, but instead of obeying my orders they both turned their heads back toward where I was on the load, and answered hello in their horse language in unison at the instant they heard my voice.

I used to feed old Frank oats or other grain in a nose bag, and would leave the gate to the corral open, and when he finished the grain he would come down the lane and call someone to come and take the nose bag off, "lest we forgot," and for the same reason he would call us to come and feed him hay or grain.

The animal kingdom have a better sense of direction than the human kind, of a dark night or in a bad storm where the trail or road cannot be followed. Old Frank brot that bit of information to me on more than one occasion. This is one. I was with a young fellow, Arthur Sawyer, wintering on the east fork of the Virgin River, caring for cattle and horses, and along toward spring provisions were running low, and the trail between camp and home at Cedar was blocked with snow. We started down the canyon from Mt. Carmel in Long Valley on the Shoonsburg trail, ran into a snowstorm, lost the trail and wandered about two days, and it began to look as tho we would perish, as we only had lunch for one day on leaving Mt. Carmel. My pardner was supposed to know the trail and country from "A to Z." The third morning I told pardner that I was going to try a new trick. I mounted old Frank and patting him on the neck told him to take us to camp. By this time we were wallowing thru 18 or 20 inches of snow, and from the moment I spoke to the horse he made a bee line for the camp we left four days before, and we were saved from perishing.

Old Frank was just as dependable in the harness as under the saddle. He would pull any place or condition at any time. He was easy on the walk or gallop, but had a rough trot. At one time when he was at his best I was offered $500.00 for him, but up to this date I have never sold a horse or a milk cow that I have become attached to, or that I needed in our domestic circle or filled the bill of our own needs. Of course, to save life, suffering or my good name or credit, I guess I would sell or dispose of some of my animal friends.

The purpose of these little human stories of my animal friends is not to boast of those two chums of my younger days, but to ask my children and grandchildren to be more thotful and kind to all the animal kingdom than their father or grandfather has been, and to appreciate them more. How dry and barren this life, as well as the eternal state, would be without them. They show us how beautiful even this life would be if we humans would be as true and faithful to those whose natural right it is to point the way, and do the things we should do by those who brot us into, and the Being who sent us into this mortal life "for a wise and glorious purpose." All we have to do to procure a fully paid up Eternal Life Insurance Policy and included in this "policy" will carry the right to perpetual ownership in some of those loyal and true animal friends, let me entreat all to be kind too, and treat them well.
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MINISTERS: As I have met them, wherein my opinions have been modified and prejudices shattered. It's a profitable experiment to dress up with a good heart and cloak of charity, and go out in the highways and byways of humanity hunting for the good there is in the great majority. We will be surprised and richly rewarded.

Written 1919 to 1924--Some years ago leaving Salt Lake City about 8 p.m. on the D. & R.G.R.R. on the seat with me was Lois Tangreen, and just having attended General Conference of our Church, we were discussisng some of the different features and subjects of said conference, unconscious of any listeners in, but when my seat partner got off at one of the stations an elderly, fine-looking old gentleman moved into the seat beside me and introduced himself as a minister of one of the Protestant churches, also informing me that he was resigning in favor of his own son who had been educated for the position, also telling me that he had been intensely interested in the discussion carried on between myself and former seat mate, also adding, "I have been pleased and interested in everything I have seen or heard while passing thru Utah yesterday and today, and I'm coming back." As evidence that this good gentleman was interested, he refused to break off our discussion and go to his sleeper while I left the train at my station at 3:15 a.m., and our parting was as friendly as if we had been life long friends, or were brothers of the same family tree. Further, the next morning on taking the mail bus, my seat mate, a young lady school teacher, informed me that herself and two or three others were listening in and were more than delighted in witnessing two elderly men of different religious faiths carry on in such a friendly way for so long a time.

What's the use, or sense of doing otherwise:--

It happened in a railroad town in Colorado (Delores, about 1922). About twenty men from anywhere were seated around the dining table of the main hotel of the town. The one minister of said town opened up a conversation with a business man from Denver, the subject being the Mormons, and a bunch of the old Danite, Mountain Meadows, Blood atonement, Destroying Angels stuff and hashed out as seasoning for otherwise perfectly good food. Finally, after allowing our ministerial friend to unwind about all that was needful, addressing the Denver man, I informed him that he was being imposed upon by having a lot of old tales that had been proven false, hashed up for him, and that likely it was for my benefit, as I was the only Mormon present.

At this the minister jumped up and literally foaming at the mouth, acted as if to make for me, asking me if I meant to call him a liar; answering I told him he was at liberty to put whatever interpretation on what I said that suited him, but I was there to defend my people against any such silly old d----d falsehoods which he was trying to stuff into these people. Just at a time when our agitated friend, the minister, was about to collapse with anger or nerves, my friend Perry Clark quietly put in a word in my favor, and he did it in such a clever way that it left the minister up in the air and suddenly subject to the law of gravitation. I felt that I had been justified in what I had said, but to have added more would have been bad sportsmanship. Guess striking a man when he is down is a violation of the rules of the game. In conversation with the man from Denver, he informed me that he had had considerable business contact with the Mormons in Salt Lake and elsewhere and had many friends among the Mormon people, and he felt that the minister had been unfortunate in his uncalled for attack, congratulated me in defending my people and principles. He told me that the minister hadn't a sympathizer in the dining room, but the greater part of those present enjoyed the more or less warm discussion.

It happened on the Train (about 1920.)

Some years ago my daughter Mamie and I were returning from California and in the same R. R. coach was a family of four, an elderly minister and his wife and son and daughter, all fine high class people. The Young man and young lady had just got thru college, the young fellow preparing to take up the ministry from which his father was ready to retire. We had not traveled far until the young lady and Mamie became engaged in conversation, and soon drifted into a rather friendly, chummy attitude, asking and answering questions as to conditions "back home," etc.; finally getting around to each others religion, and upon Mamie informing her questioner that she was a Mormon, she was startled, and good naturedly protested that Mamie was joking with her. But Mamie smiled all the while at those young folks doubting. By this time the young man had joined in and was also on the doubting side. Finally those young strangers suggested that they would refer that question to me, and for that purpose I was called across the isle, and in confirming the fact that we were Mormons, we would be pleased to show them that there was nothing in our religion but what was of the very best, in fact it was founded on the Savior, his life teachings and mission, and that we would be pleased to answer any questions as to the lives, teachings and history, organization, etc., of our people--everything to be proud of and thankful for, nothing to be ashamed of.

They answered, "This comes as a surprise to us. When your daughter told us you were Mormons, I told my sister that we must not let Father know that, for I'm sure he will insult these people." However, those young people were out to learn, and the questions they fired at us, especially Mamie, and gave us the opportunity of a lifetime to place our Church and people in their true light up to these misinformed good people. And the discussion went delightfully on. The next important turn of events was after the young people had become satisfied in their own minds as to the "lay of the land," they put the matter up to the older people and they were brot over for an introduction to us, and our friendly discussion continued in this widened form for the balance of the journey as occasion permitted. This seemed to be a case where the younger generation were leading out and away from old ways and prejudices, having been moved closer together on the new transportation wave, and the stepping out and along movement, just claimed by right of discovery by the younger set, and the older set just fail to get up speed to head it off.

After our new young friends had put us, mostly Mamie, thru quite an extended questionnaire, some few of the questions bordered on the humorous, but mostly such as one would naturally expect from bright, highly educated young high class people, their interest in us and what we represented was genuinely awakened, for some time later they brot their aged parents over and introduced them to us.

I took it by this gesture that satisfactory headway was being made. The older gentleman "took me on" for several hours, and it's a fair guess that each of us received some benefit, for I found him to be "good, fair minded, well posted, man of extensive travel and experience," and my daughter Mamie fared as well or better with the older lady and the young people. It appeared for the balance of the journey that they might take her along with them to their Kansas home.

Not to lengthen this little story, I'm sure Mamie and I thoroughly enjoyed it all, and our neighbors for the trip across California, Nevada, and more than half way of Utah gave us as hearty farewell, leaving us with their address as an invitation to call on them if we came their way. The old gentleman said, "Since meeting you two, I have changed our program, and instead of passing thru without stopping to only change cars, we will remain long enough to take in the interesting sights and objects of special places you have suggested in Salt Lake City and vicinity." "And we heartily extend an invitation to be sure and call on us in case you are ever passing thru our state. 

It happened between Los Angeles and Yuma, and also on train, Feb. 1931.

Just in front of the seat where I sat alone sat an elderly minister of, I think, the Baptist Church, and a younger man, who told the former man that he also occupied the pulpit occasionally ( in the absence of the regular preacher), and as they carried on a very friendly discussion, I took the liberty of "butting in" occasionally, which was apparently agreeable all around, until I broached the subject of the Resurrection. The elder of the two turned quickly and said to me "that you evidently are a Christian too. May I ask to what Church you belong." I answered that I was what most people call a Mormon. He quickly answered "I refuse to discuss the subject of the Resurrection with one of your people, there would be nothing to be gained by it." And suiting the action to his word quickly turned away, as much as to way, "here we quit."

The next move being up to me, I came back with an answer something like this, "It seems to me that any religion that does not broaden out our general views of life, and make men more charitable towards one another cannot measure up to the present needs of society with its wide spread disregard for the laws of God and man. Religious people should cooperate as far as possible in a struggle against being overwhelmed by this lawless, underworld craze that seems to be sweeping everything before it, and religion is the one thing that will save the say, and it will need something more than praying to stem the tide." At the mention of prayer my good old reverend partner came alive, coming back with, "Do your people believe in Prayer?"

While coming to me as a great surprise, to have a "next door" neighbor ask such a question, I accepted it as a door opening to a field of possible unlimited opportunity, as the way was made easy for me to relate how early in the 19th century a farmer boy used this method of making direct contact with heaven and in answer to his humble prayer he received a visit of two Heavenly Beings, and to his question, "Which Church he should join, " to his great surprise, he was told that he should join none of them, as they were all running without direct authority from Heaven, that they were "Teaching for doctrine the commandments of men, that they had a form of Godliness, but denied the power thereof. I told my fellow traveler that one day the story of that country boy and what became of the answer to that first prayer will make one of the most beautiful stories ever written.

The next question, "How do you handle your young people, " gave me another opportunity to describe the most wonderful organization in all the world, having had the privilege of laboring in and for these organizations, I was able to answer the many `questions which as a minister he could appreciate. Our discussion thru the remainder of our journey was of a most friendly nature, as was our parting as he left the train late in the evening after a visit together, lasting about ten hours. I am sure that man had some good in his makeup, and I had succeeded in bringing some of it out, and again I am convinced that the major part of the differences that arise and that we meet in our intercourse with our fellow mortals is for the lack of understanding and my own people are not entirely free on this point. Where two or more men meet in discussion, and are all determined to be high class sports, (this word is used for want of a better one) they will as a rule get together, at least close enough to remain friends. It is on account of selfish stupidity that we are divided asunder and unable to treat one another as (what we really are) brother or sister. Before getting off the train he gave me an invitation to accompany him to a small town near the R. R. where he was scheduled to hold religious services that evening and offering to divide the time with me at the services. He gave me an open cordial invitation to call on him at his home in Burlingame, California.

A COPY OF OUR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS THAT HAVE HAD TEMPLE WORK done for them, and by whom done:

John Jones, William Jones by Wm. T. Jones
Sage Treharne My Mother
William Treharne My Grandfather
John Treharne My Great grandfather
Thomas Treharne My Great Uncle
John Treharne My Gr. Grt. Grt. Uncle
Sarah Treharne My Grt. Grt. Aunt
All the above were born in Carmarthenshire, South Wales.

In our father's (Thomas Jones) copy book, the following occurs: "Unwillingly go to law, and willingly end it."

The end of mirth is many times the beginning of sorrow. Thomas Jones
Remember, sin and sorrow are inseparable companions. Thomas Jones
Philadelphia, the capitol of Pennsylvania. Thomas Jones
Make your election sure, obey your parents. Thomas Jones
Cease to do evil, learn to do well. Thomas Jones

Excommunication Thomas Jones
Excommunication
Valuable Blessing Thomas Jones
William Leigh William Treharne
Mr. Thomas Jones Penderryn
March 12, 1847.


A PATRIARCHAL BLESSING, given by William Draper, Sr., on the head of Thomas, son of John and Ann Rees Jones, born at Penderyn Parish, South Wales, July 20, 1827.

Dear Brother:

I lay my hands upon thy head and by the authority of the Holy Priesthood whereunto I have been called by the power of Jesus Christ, I bless thee with a Patriarch's and a father's blessing, and inasmuch as thou hast obeyed the Gospel in thy youth and left thy native country for the sake of the Gospel. Thou shalt be abundantly blessed with light, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, which shall enable thee to fill thy place and station, and do the work that thou hast been called to do by Jesus Christ. Thou art of the blood of Ephraim and the blessings that God has promised to the nation thru Ephraim and his posterity shall rest upon thee and thy posterity forever. Thou shalt be a mighty instrument in the hands of God in doing much good in thy day and generation in building up the Kingdom of God. If thou art faithful thou shalt receive the priesthood and be exalted to a high station and shall magnify thine office and calling and make it honorable to thyself and shall yet travel in different parts and preach the Gospel to the people, and men shall be made to rejoice and thou shalt stand at the head of a numerous posterity, and they shall raise up and call thee blessed. Thou shalt have an agreeable companion and in union with thee shall live long and see many good days. And if thou desire it with all thy heart thou shalt be permitted to remain to see the Lord and Savior coming with power and great glory and in His own due time shall be changed from mortal to immortality and reign in the Celestial Kingdom of God where thou wilt be complete and happy. These blessings, dear brother, are for thee and not one jot or title shall fail if thou live for them, and I ask God the Eternal Father to seal them upon thee, and I seal them upon thee, and in the name of Jesus Christ I seal thee up to eternal life, even so, Amen.

This blessing was given by William Draper, at Council Point, March 18th, 1850.

COPY OF MOTHER'S Father and Grandfathers:

Sage Treharne Jones Father: William Treharne
Grandfather: William
Great Grandfather: Thomas
Great Great Grandfather: Wm. Treharne
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11. Mr. Reese U. T. Jones, Gt. Gt. Gd. Son
12. Mrs. Reese (his wife) Sarah Ann Jones, Gt. Gt. Gd. Dtr.
13. Lettice Owens Sage Treharne Jones, Friend

SMALL NOTE COPIES: Mr. William J. Jones, Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, North America, P. S. This is the directions of your cousin, your father's brother son. You many think that this account is miserable. You can hardly believe how hard it is to get any true account of them, but I have had the promise of better than this from Aunt Gweny's husband whom has been in the church. S. L.
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COPY OF CERTIFICATE, Dated Feb. 16, 1853

This Certifies that Thomas Jones has been received into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints organized on the 6th of April, 1830, and has been ordained into the Quorum of Seventies. And by virtue of this office he is authorized to preach the Gospel and officiate in all the ordinances thereof in all the world agreeable to the authority of the Holy Priesthood vested in him. We therefore, in the name and by the authority of this Church, grant unto this our brother, this letter of commendation unto all persons wherever his lot may be cast, as a proof of our esteem, praying for his prosperity in the Redeemer's cause. Given under our hands at Great Salt Lake City, Utah, this 16th day of Feb., 1853. John Young, president.

Ordained under the hands of Alexander Whitesides.

COPY OF AN ITEM OF HISTORY written by my father, Thomas Jones, Feb. 27, 1856, three months before I was born:

Cedar City, Feb. 27th, 1856

I, Thomas Jones, the son of John and Ann Jones, was born July the 20th, 1827, in a place called Troedrhwyr Llanc, Parish of Penderyn, Breconshire, South Wales. My Father before he was married was pretty well off, at any rate they lived pretty well, and he had a good education. When my grandfather died he divided the property between the children and my father had his share among the rest, but about that time England called for men to defend their country, and my father's lot fell to go, and he had to pay for a man to go in his place. He would rather pay than go himself; and they called again, and he paid, and by that means he was stripped of most all he had. Soon after that he got married. My mother's name before she married was Ann Rees, daughter of Morgan Rees, but to go back to my story, my father, as I said before, when he got married he was poor in regard to property, but he had health and strength. His former occupation was farming, but now he had to turn his hand to anything that came handy. [Here the history was torn out of note book.]
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ANOTHER ITEM OF HISTORY

Jan. 20, 1852, bought of Evan Rees a quarter of a lot, paid in plowing $2.50, paid one pair of pants, $2.50, half a pound of beef, $0.50.

Started from the Bluffs, to G. S. L. Valley Apr. 26th, 1851. Arrived 23rd of August, 1851.

I have sent a calf to Johnson's herd May 10th, 1853.

Due from Alexander Wright, Apr. 26, 1852, to Thomas Jones, $3.80, quarter of Sack 37 1/2#.

26th of April, 1852. Due to Thomas Howels from Thomas Jones, 131 lbs. of flour.

Lehi W. Jones, son of Thomas and Sage Jones, Born Nov. 15, 1854, at Cedar City, Iron Co., Utah. Married to Henrietta Lunt, Feb. 13, 1878.

Palmyra, Apr. 3, 1853. Paid to the Bishop of Palmyra $40 Tithing.

Sent a letter to my father Jan. 8, 1854.
Received a letter from Morgan Evans Apr. 5, 1854.
I have sent a letter to Even M. Greene, May 31, 1854.
Received a letter from Even M. Green, May 20, 1854.

Bought a cow of James James and traded my cattle for his lot Sept. 12, 1854.
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"AUNT' MARY N. JONES, MY WIFE

Born of strong, sturdy Scandinavian stock, daughter of Jens and Elsie Nielson, at Parowan, Utah, October 3, 1858. Inherited strong, rugged health. Brot up to be thrifty, saving, and to be industrious; wide awake, lively, wholesome romping girl, without a trace of an unvirtuous, impure thot, or a lazy cell in her mind or body; led out with the girls of her age and class in an active, and when occasion required, in a helpful useful life of service, especially thotful of the older people of the community, and sick. This characteristic has grown upon her with the years, and for helping and encouraging the sick and unfortunate she has spent much of her life.

Aunt Mary started out in life from childhood with a sympathetic nature, and early in young womanhood fell heir to the prefix "Aunt" to her name, about everyone using it, even cowboy strangers, "Drummers" (now called "traveling salesmen," etc., and Stamoskezy by the Indians), with whom she served as store keeper and also as a nurse in times of sickness and trouble for many years. For in these misfortunes she served all alike without regard to color or station; many times going into the hogans of Indians on her mission of mercy. She has held office in all Church organizations that are open for women to hold from Primary to Stake President of the Relief Society, which position she held for several years. She worked in the San Juan Co-op store for about 35 years as saleswoman; helped run a dairy several seasons in early pioneer days.

The biggest job and one that shows the bigness of her heart is the most wonderful way she took over the children of my honored wife, Lydia May, unselfishly mothering and caring for them and their every need; and they with myself should honor her for the noble life-long service rendered to our motherless children.

Aunt Mary was jealous and clannish towards her own family and relatives, having a motherly oversight and interest in their welfare, but that did not slow down her activities when sorrow or trouble showed up outside of her relatives. Her sympathy and interest were as broad as humanity. I used the past tense as poor soul, she has reached the stage in her own life where she should be tenderly assisted herself. Her spirit yet is willing and anxious, but the body somewhat shattered.

Aunt Mary N. Jones began this story (short imperfect sketch) some time ago [Date: Dec. 14, 1932]. She has lived up to what the Savior of the world told the people in His day on Earth, "This is pure religion and undefiled, that ye visit the widow and the fatherless, in their affliction, and keep yourself unspotted from the sins of the world."

Aunt Mary has filled that requirement almost perfectly. The sad feature we are forced to record in the otherwise rich, full, and more or less happy life of Aunt Mary, after doing so much to alleviate the suffering of others, she has had to "pass under the rod" herself. For some years she was troubled with rheumatism, which settled in one of her knees, causing a lameness, which was a painful handicap for years, and after the lameness eased up, a cancer developed on her breast, and around under her left arm. After the cancer was removed by a major surgical operation, which appeared successful at the time, then a goiter of many years standing was removed by a surgeon. After these operations she enjoyed fairly good health for about four years, when a return of the cancer began to develop again, and for the past two and a half years she has been taking the Coffee and Humber treatment here in their California clinics--a year or more at San Francisco, and the winter here in the Los Angeles clinic. The treatment consists of a serum, procured from the glands taken from sheep. To add to the sadness of her experience, about one and a half years ago our son (her only child) was taken from this mortal sphere with the same malady, cancer,--recorded elsewhere in this book. Aunt Mary is and has stood up in this trying experience with amazing fortitude and courage. A weak character would have given up in despair. The hard, exacting school of experience furnished about all her education, but that school covered a wide range. The book of life among the common people appealed to her, the different phases of which furnished a problem for grown-ups to work out. She enjoyed assisting in arranging and putting over parties where her friends and neighbors were gathered together and made happy, thereby making life in their isolated condition more tolerable; and the home meals she has fixed up for Indians and others altogether would run to high figures. No human being or one belonging to the domestic group of animals ever went hungry if within her power to feed or have them fed, and cared for.

Aunt Mary passed on February 28, 1933.
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ADDRESSES FOR REFERENCE, 1933, Los Angeles

Home Address: Blanding, Utah
Our Apt. home: 1624 1/2 S Westmoreland Ave. Nov. 18, 1932
Mr. & Mrs. Rex Roberts, 726 Wing St., Glendale, suburb of Los Angeles
LeGrand Richards, S. Manhattan Place 820
Wilson's, 2911 West 15th St., Los Angeles, Calif.
Alice Treharne, 653 West 1st South, Salt Lake City.
Miss Afton Jones and Thos W. Jones, 3205 So. 5th East, Salt Lake City--Jones' Genealogy.
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SOME LITTLE HUMAN INCIDENTS

Some personal incidents impressed on the memory. In the winter of 1871-72 in company with quite a number of boys from Cedar City I was engaged in freighting lumber from the Parowan sawmills to Pioche, Nevada, a distance of 115 miles or near that distance. My team included one mule and one brown mare, each one of them being extra good animals. I recall one trip being joined by two boys from Parowan who were just learning to swear. Their unconcealed efforts to "show off" made an impression on me that likely was one reason why I never took that foolish course and sinful habit up. Of course those sidelights only drove home the teaching and drilling of our good mother at home.

On one occasion I in company with John Walker, an elderly man from Cedar City, went to the bank to cash our checks, and on counting my money discovered that I had been "short changed" five dollars. The boys all laughed when I told them I was going back in and get my change. I think some of the men or boys went in to see the fun. By this time the rush of a short time before was all over the bankmen were practically alone. I walked to the teller's window where I had presented my check and told him that he had made a mistake in my case, and laid my money down, and looked him in the face. Another member of the bank who seemed to have noticed what I had said came out to where I was standing, raised my hat, "sizing me up," as it were, then going back in handing me a five dollar gold piece with the remark, "I will bet five dollars on that kid's face;" my turn to smile had come.


This same evening in company with a young man whom I had known (about my age) from Cedar City but who had been living in Pioche for some time, I visited a grocery store owned or run by a Frenchman who seemed to be interested in and very friendly with my companion, who introduced me to the Frenchman as his brother. The Frenchy immediately began painting a rosy picture of a life of freedom and greatness and have a new world opened before me; all that was necessary would be to break away from "bondage" of parents and the Mormon priesthood who was held out to me as monsters of all that was vile and wicked. Altho but 16 or 17 years of age it seems to me now (1921) that I could see the evil one working thru that man then as plainly as at this time. I knew my mother was a good and noble woman seeking with all her soul to bring us up to be good men, and all that I knew of the Mormon Priesthood was that they were the kindest and best men I had seen in this world up to that time, and the above is the answer I have to all his wicked enticings. After he found that I would not fall in with his verbal spiel, by prearrangement or otherwise, a young girl of the underworld appeared on the scene, and all three (my assumed "brother," the Frenchman, and the brazen girl) united in an attempt to lead me to start out on the broad road. After delivering a piece of a boy's mind on their cussedness I prepared to go. After weakly apologizing, the two said, "Well, you are a better boy than your "brother." I have always given all credit to the kind Father in Heaven, and my mother for turning down the tempter on that occasion.

The experience of that evening with those people in their attempt to poison my mind against my own real friends had the effect of planting in my soul a testimony of our blessed Gospel, so that I should not hate, but pity the Frenchman and his partners, for they had done what the best people on earth had failed to do up to that time. 

We cannot appreciate the sweet until we have had a good taste of the bitter, even so we cannot even see or feel the good, the true, the noble, until we have seen and felt the opposite and what a wonderful difference in the two influences that are at work in the earth, one trying to lead us down to destruction and despair, and the other entreating us to return back to that home from whence our spirits came to the all wise, loving parent who has our eternal welfare at heart. Our hearts should be filled with charity for young people who go out among the wicked wolves in sheep's clothing, who glory in leading the young astray. "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."
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PERSONAL

Kumen Jones, born May 5th, 1856, at Cedar City, Iron County, Utah.
Blessed July, 1856. Baptized by Richard R. Birkbeck, May 1864. Ordained an Elder in St. George by Elder David H. Cannon Dec. 18, 1878.
Ordained a High Priest Sept. 2, 1880, by Erastus Snow.
Set apart as 2nd counselor to Bishop Jens Nielson Sept. 2nd, 1880.
Set apart as 1st counselor to Bishop Jens Nielson Feb. 26, 1882.
Set apart as 1st counselor to L. H. Redd
Ordained a Patriarch May 21, 1908, by Apostle George Albert Smith.
Ordained a Bishop of Bluff Ward Nov. 13, 1910, by Apostle George F. Richards, at Moab, Utah.
Resigned Dec., 1920, being in the Bishopric of Bluff Ward for 40 years.
Married to Mary Nielson (daughter of Jens and Elsie Nielson), December 19, 1878, at St. George Temple, to whom were born:

Leonard K., Nov. 6, 1889; Died July 25, 1931
Mary N. Jones; Died Feb. 28, 1933

Married to Lydia May Lyman at St. George Temple, Dec. 2, 1882, to whom were born the following children:

Franklin Treharne Oct. 6, 1883 Died: Feb. 24, 1884
Kumen Stanley Aug. 21, 1885 Died: Feb. , 1923
Thomas D. Alton Apr. 16, 1887
Marvin Willard Jan. 27, 1889
Edward Clyde Jan. 10, 1891 Died: Sept. 4, 1891
Leland Henry July 4, 1892
Mary Lydia May 6, 1898
Marion July 2, 1900 Died: July 12, 1936
Alma Uriah Nov. 21, 1902
Francis William Feb. 20, 1905

My wife, Lydia May, died April 17, 1906; born May 1, 1864; 42 years of age.

My father, Thomas Jones, Penderyn, Breconshire, South Wales.
My Grandfather, William Jones.
Mr. Reese, G. G. Grandfather
Mrs. Reese, (wife), G. G. Grandmother.

Married to Mary B. F. Jones for "time" only at city and county building, Salt Lake City, Utah, July 31, 1934, by Bishop Graham.




"Aunt Mary's" Funeral:
Redd and Petterson; casket and trimming
Grayson Coop; Lumber, cloth, fixtures
Edson Palmer, cement work
Joseph B. Harris, cement, 4 sks.
D. Wesley Barton Shurley Nielson
L. Rogers Clisbee Nielson
Kimball Black Ralph Brown
Claud Rowley Robert Brown
Ace Black Dave Guymon
Frank Hurst Clarence Rogers
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PLAYING NIMROD, K. Jones.

I do not recall making a bullseye, or even a really good shot when shooting at a mark, but I have had very good luck in my hunting and fishing experiences, even surprising myself many times.

The knowledge of a few simple tricks is necessary to get the best results in deer and other wild game hunting. One must travel very quietly and against the breeze. In hunting deer one should go early in the morning or late in the evening. At those times they are usually grazing in small flats where they can watch for enemies and get away quickly when discovered. (Incident No. 1.)

On leaving camp one evening I told my partner not to expect me back without a deer. I headed for what I figured was a favorite deer haunt. Before reaching it, however, I saw my intended victims, and deliberately laid plans to sneak onto those innocent, unsuspecting and beautiful creatures. My plot worked and I was able to get close to them under cover of a large rock and a stump. As I raised up from behind the rock the leader of the bunch bounded up from the other side. His head was high in the air exposing his breast, so I let fly, of course being so close I got my deer. I didn't feel very sportsmanlike about it, but justified myself because of the boast to my partner. This was my first deer but have killed many since in all kinds of places and under all kinds of conditions. I will relate a few of these extra-ordinary experiences.

(Incident No. 2) Not long after the incident related above, I made my way close to a big bunch of deer by the same general formula used before. I singled out the largest at about 125 yards and when I shot him, what a scatterment there was among the rest of the bunch. Some of them (The story just ends here.)

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Country in general very rough, broken, sandy and the job of making canals for irrigation in the region of the San Juan River looked, as it proved later to be, a never ending job. At an early date of the settlement of Bluff, Utah a number of the church authorities visited that settlement. Elder John Morgan, one time President of the Southern States Mission, visited the ditch camp located about three miles up river from Bluff, seeing what the colonists were up against, upon returning to town visited Joseph A. Lyman who was suffering from a badly shattered knee received in a battle with desperadoes the fall before; by way of handing out Brother Lyman a ray of comfort said in an undertone, "Brother Joseph, I believe I'd prefer having both legs shot than have the job the boys have on that canal."

Farmington, New Mexico, was the nearest settlement over 100 miles distant, direct by wagon road about 50 miles farther (150 miles) and all roads in the country were next to impossible, especially anywhere near the river, besides being rough and rocky; the sand was very, very bad.

To balance all those unfavorable conditions there were at least three things in our favor. 1st, the cowmen who came into the country about the same time we came were practically all a bunch of nice fellows, with whom we got along very nicely. Two O. Donnel Bros., Hudson and Greene (Henry Goodman, now of Moab, Utah) who came a little later with McGrew Bros., Lacey, Wilson, Paquin and others. 2nd. The group of men and women (who had been called as on a mission to make this their home with the object in view of cultivating and maintaining friendly relations with the Indians, establishing an outpost as a neucleus for future colonization in the interest of our Church) were a choice bunch of mostly young and middle-aged people, with whom it was a happy privilege to live and labor.

3rd. We made a friend of one who watches over and protects and blesses all those whose attitude towards Him and each other is one of loyalty and trustfulness and unity. Notwithstanding the discouraging uninviting appearance of the country, by thrift, economy and working unitedly for community interest, a wonderful prosperity attended their efforts and altho isolated as they were from civilization they thru their own attitude and efforts developed a cultured, happy community which in time thru their "hanging and rattling stickitatutiveness" attracted other "birds of a feather" so that it looks now that the better element will prevail over all obstacles. And thru it all the Church as well as the authorities of state are entitled to much credit for their kind sympathy and counsel as well as material help all the way along the trail. The struggles of the people here have appealed to them, and they have gone almost beyond the law's limitations to render help.

Most all the old standbys, in fact every one of the men and some of the leading women, who played the leading roles in this pioneering game have passed on to their reward. Quite a number of the women who took leading parts in this pioneering job are still with us, and while they are on the honor role of retired lists themselves, they must take much comfort in seeing their children filling responsible places in church and state where whey reside. For example, a very few years back there were five organized wards in San Juan Stake, each one of which was presided over by a Bishop who had received practically all his education or training at the little ward of Bluff, where the pioneers first located.

To assist in taking "stock" of what has been accomplished by the pioneers of San Juan County, Utah, we may just imagine that another class of people had located and formed a coalition with the renegade Indians, of whom there were many, this being the ideal place to keep out of the way of the law, and that was before the day of the airplanes or even roads for vehicles of any description.

Our pioneer party sought the better members of the different tribes and clans, to form alliance with, and form friendships that have endured and grown stronger with the passing of the years. Indians don't break treaties, especially the leading, better classes. As soon as these Indians discovered the attitude of our people was different, and that our kindly feelings and our interest in their welfare was sincere, all the better class fell in with our friendly efforts and joined in making it mutual. The more we learn of the white man and his ways the better we like the Indian and when the day of accounting arrives and all the conditions and opportunities environments, etc., are taken into account, our dusky "sons of the desert" may loom up far better than we may have figured.

Cedar City Utah

April 30th 1877

A blessing by Evan M. Greene, Patriarch, on the head of Kumen Jones son of Thomas and Sage Treharn Jones, born in Cedar City UT May 5th 1856.

I lay my hands upon your head and give unto you a fathers blessing even a patriarchal blessing.

I seal upon you all the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant, together with all the blessings and powers of the holy priesthood unto which you have been called and unto which you shall be ordained. You are of the House of Israel, of the Tribe of Joseph, through the lineage of Ephraim.

You are entitled to all the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant, and if you are faithful your heart shall be filled with wisdom, with understanding and intelligence where you shall comprehend the things, even the mysteries of godliness: Even principles which have not yet been taught unto you; and principles which your soul had not yet comprehended shall be revealed unto you: Angels shall administer unto you; and if you shall desire in faith you shall see and converse with the ancients that remain upon the earth. You shall assist to gather Israel, and if you lack wisdom God shall give unto you. The heavens shall be opened unto you. You shall behold the glory of the Lord, and when you are in trouble in foreign lands the angels shall deliver you. The power of God shall be revealed through you, and you shall rejoice.

Your posterity shall be great, and you shall rejoice in them: Wise and noble counselors shall come of you, who shall assist to build up Zion. You shall have power to come forth in the resurrection of the just bringing your dead with you, with whom you shall sit as Prince. 

I seal upon you the blessings of eternal life with glory, honor, and immortality: All these blessings through your faith and faithfulness, I seal upon your head by virtue of the Holy Priesthood even so Amen.

Cedar City Iron County Utah
October 21st 1879

A blessing by Henry Lunt Patriarch upon the head of Kumen, son of Thomas and Sage Jones. Born May 5th 1856. Cedar City, Iron Co, Utah.

Brother Kumen in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I lay my hands upon thy head to give thee a Father's blessing or Patriarchal blessing, for thou art entitled to the same being born in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and through parents that are beloved of God. Through their obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days. Thou art a natural heir to the Holy Priesthood being of the Blood of Joseph that was sold into Egypt. Thy name is written in the Lambs Book of Life. Thou are numbered with the one hundred and forty four thousand that shall stand upon Mount Zion. Thy posterity shall become as numerous as the sands of the sea shore and as the stars of heaven innumerable.

Thou art called to go in connection with thy brethren to build up the waste places of Zion and the Lord is well pleased with thee in thine obedience to the call of His servants. This mission shall be the means of further preparing thee for still greater. Thou shalt become a wise counselor in Israel and shall be blessed with power and influence to overcome all thine enemies. Thou shalt be blessed with a righteous power and dominion to which there shall be no end. Thou shalt live to a good old age and see the power of God manifested in many ways. 

I seal these blessings upon thee with all thy former blessings and many others too numerous to mention in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ Amen.

1920 Diary

Dec. 19th: Had a nice light fall of snow. High Councilor John E. Adams and Elder Hyrum C. Perkins came down from the Blanding Ward under instructions from Stake President L. H. Redd, to hold Ward Conference in Bluff Ward. Meeting was held at 2 p. m., a good attendance being present, at which Elders J. E. Adams, H. C. Perkins, and George W. Perkins (also from Blanding) spoke. The General Church, Stake and Ward authorities were presented by myself and unanimously sustained. A good spirit and good instructions were given. Visitors and local Elders paired off and visited all the families of the Ward in the evening.

20th: Having received a phone call from Stake Representative W. J. Nix on the evening of the 19th, I went to Blanding today to attend a meeting of the Stake Genealogical Committee, which consists of W. J. Nix, chairman, Kumen Jones, Herbert H. Redd, Evelyn Bayles, and Lena Nix. Our meeting was taken up with selecting workers for Blanding Ward: Peter Allen, Chairman; Thomas A. Jones, Dee Bayles, Sister Petterson, and Mamie L. Adams, and in outlining our work for the starting up of the Genealogical work in all the Wards of the Stake. Also talked over Ward matters with Peter Allen.

21st: Had a good visit and talk with Pres. L. H. Redd and L. B. Redd in the bank over business matters in the forenoon, coming home on the stage at noon, worked on the Tithing cellar in the afternoon, having received instructions from the Presiding Bishop's Office to take the cellar down.

22nd: Wrote to the Deseret National Bank and State Land Board and others in the forenoon; worked on Tithing cellar in the afternoon. I am occupied an hour each morning and evening with chores.

23rd: With several others, placed a large log against the Ward meeting house to keep the west end wall from falling. Worked taking the roof from the Tithing cellar in the afternoon.

24th: Looks stormy all day, but no storm, worked around home this forenoon; hauled sand and worked fixing up the meeting house this afternoon. Attended a school party in the evening. The four younger boys Leland, Marion, Alma and Francis, and Mamie and baby came from Blanding to spend the holidays with us.

25th: Christmas. Worked about home, and rote several letters, one to my brother Lehi and the folks at Cedar City; had a nice Christmas dinner at 2 p.m.


26th: Attended Sabbath School at 10:30 a. m. Helped clean out and arrange the Ward Meeting House for holding Sunday services in. Attended Sacrament Meeting in the evening at 7 p. m., where a nice program was rendered. Called on sick people after meeting. In company with Elder J. Elmer Decker laid hands on Sister Elsie Decker, blessing her for her health.

December 27th 1920: Worked around home, fencing hay in "Hunt" lot, and worked on the Tithing cellar in the afternoon; the thermometer was 10 degrees above zero.

28th: Worked on the lumber rack, and chored at home.

29th: Chopped wood in the forenoon; worked on the rack in the afternoon. Called out to administer to Sister Elsie Decker in the evening; also, assisted in administering to a baby of Bro. and Sister Ozro Hunt, which has whooping cough.

30th: Worked on the ranch and cleaning up around home.

31st: Assisted in making up the Cottonwood Ditch a/c for the year 1920, our outfit coming out $1.87 ahead as follows: credit 32 1/4 days work @ $3.50 per day--$11.87, debit 20 acres @ $5.55--$111.00. Also had a credit of $40.75 on river ditch. Began working on my Tithing Reports for 1920 in the evening.

1921
January 1st: Saturday. Thermometer 10 above zero last night. The boys all returned to Blanding to be ready for school on Monday morning; Mamie stayed with Baby Elaine who is not feeling well; she has what may develop into whooping cough, but is feeling better tonight. I put in time on reports not occupied with chores; today was invited again to administer to Sister Elsie Decker; she is a dear good soul with strong faith. Was telling us tonight how the neuralgia pains left her suddenly upon our administering to her the other evening, and had not returned.

2nd: Attended Sabbath School; very few in attendance and on account of so much sickness in town there was no meeting held in the afternoon.

3rd: Worked on reports, and visited most all families in the Ward in the evening, notifying them of the closing of the Tithing books for 1920. "Aunt" Mary went to Blanding with mail to look after school boys; all the sick are reported better this evening.

4th: Worked on reports all day, making fairly good headway, also finished calling on delinquents.

5th: Reports, reports, reports.

6th: Still reports. Cloudy and threatening all day, but no storm here.

7th: Work on Tithing Reports continued.


8th: Continued work on reports until about 2:30 p. m. Witnessed a basketball game between the Blanding High School boys and the Bluff boys; at the close of the game the tally stood 16 to 6 in favor of Bluff. A game of baseball was played by the same parties in the evening; result 8 to 7 in favor of the Bluff boys, all of which was a surprise to both sides, as the Blanding High School boys had been winning from other towns.

January 9th 1921: Sunday. Attended Sabbath School at 10:30 a.m. and Sacrament Meeting at 2 p.m. Good, quiet, interesting services at each.

10th: Wrote letters in the morning early and went up to Blanding, getting in before night, with team; found quite a lot of sickness, but my folks were quite well.

11th: Stayed about home, and visited sick; worked with Bro. Peter Allan looking over my Annual Bishops Reports.

12th: Worked copying and correcting reports.

13th: Went up to our ranch at "Park" and butchered a beef, selling most of it to the boys who run the Nielson saw mill.

14th: Worked about home with folks, we having rented 2 rooms from the H. Bayles Family so that our three boys, Marion, Alma, and Francis, could be cared for while attending high school at Blanding. Watched Bluff boys and Blanding High School boys play baseball in the afternoon.

15th: At home.

16th: Attended Priesthood meeting at 9 a.m., Sabbath School at 10:25 and Sacrament Meeting at 2 p.m., where the subject of Genealogy, and Salvation for the Dead was given the right of way, a program having been arranged for the occasion. Attended "Mutual" meeting in the evening at 7 p.m. Enjoying all gatherings of the day.

17th: Had a settlement with Bro. John Black the Miller, having quite a long account; made preparation for returning home to Bluff.

18th: Stormy, so I did not bring team as I intended, but came down with "Stage" auto; found some sickness, infant child of Bro. and Sister Uriah Butts quite bad off with Whooping Cough, having several convulsions. We administered to the child and it appeared to be some better.

January 19th, 1921: Wrote letters, and killed a nice hog. "Aunt" Mary came down from Blanding with Bro. W. A. Nielson, she having become worried over the sickness down here.


20th: Worked with pork, taking some out of brine, and cutting up the pig killed yesterday; visited as Ward Teacher in the evening.

21st: Worked around home, and in the evening finished visiting families of the Ward. Was called in to administer to Sister Elsie Decker who is about to be confined and is suffered from smothering spells.

January 22nd 1921: Tied up at home with a very severe cold.

23rd: Felt some better today; attended Sabbath School and Sacrament Meeting; at each one of the services there were exercises on the special fast day to raise funds for starving children in the European countries and for the interest of the Mutual Slogan "The non-use and non-sale of Tobacco."

24th: Way "Layed" up with the "grip" or something of that sort. Baby Elaine was very dumpish and quite miserable.

25th Chored around home; still feeling indisposed.

26th: The baby was no better, and my cold hangs on.

27th: Mamie and baby Elaine went to Blanding with the mail auto today so as to get better help and medicine for baby. My cold showed a little sign of improvement, but still far short of being well.

28th: Confined to home with my bad cold.

29th: Not having heard from Blanding sick folks, went up on mail car with Ozro Hunt: found Baby Elaine quite sick; called Bishop W. H. Redd in and we administered to her, and towards evening she seemed to take a change for the better. Did some business in blanding where I remained for the night. 

30th: Baby still some better. Returned home with Pres. L. H. Redd; George A. Adams and Bishop w. H. Redd, being driven down by Joseph W. Nielson in their big car. Attended Sabbath School and meeting in the afternoon, where the Stake Presidency released me as Bishop, and called and set apart John L. Hunt as Presiding Elder over the Bluff Branch of the Blanding Ward. Had a very excellent meeting, where splendid instructions were given. I visited with John Hunt and family in the evening.

January 31st, 1921: Remained at home choring around until evening, when I went up to Blanding with the Perkins Bros. (George and H. Cory.) Found Baby Elaine not doing as well as would like.


Feb 1: Remained at Blanding with our little sick baby. Attended the funeral services of the Blanding Ward held for the infant child of Brother and Sister McCallister of that Ward. Was called to speak, with Elders D. J. Rogers, Ezekiel Johnson, Pres. L. H. Redd, and Bishop W. H. Redd. The services were of a kind, humble, sympathetic nature, singing beautiful. I also went with the few out to the cemetery, where dedicatory services were held; it being late and cold not many went.

2nd: Remained at Blanding, chopping a few cedar posts, etc., preparing to return home. Baby better.

3rd: Returned home arriving about sunset, quite a chilly ride. Was called in to assist in administering to the child of Bro. and Sister Oliphant, which showed signs of having an attack of Bronchial Pneumonia.

February 4th 1921: Worked around home; attended to some correspondence, etc., feeling better than for some weeks past.

5th: Stormy; wrote letters, and worked around home.

6th: Fast day: had several Stake Sunday School Officers from Blanding and Monticello with us holding conference; had meeting in the forenoon, afternoon and evening: All the exercises and speaking very good.

7th: Attended to chores, etc., in the forenoon, which consists in feeding horses, pigs, chickens, and milking cows, also feeling about 50 head, mostly calves, out in the "Hunt lots." Having received a card from the folks at Blanding, stating that our baby Elaine was not doing well I went up in the evening on Mr. A. L. Raplee's pony; reached Blanding at 8 p.m. very tired, finding baby some better.

8th: Stayed around with folks all day: attended a surprise party in the evening held in honor of Sister Annetta Johnson. Baby not any better much.

9th: Baby some better this morning; came down home to Bluff with the stage this afternoon.

10th: Worked at home.

11th: Around home until evening; went up to Blanding with F. A. Nielson; found baby very sick; stayed with folks until 12th 10:30 a.m., came to Bluff with Ozro Hunt, got in about 11:45 a.m. Returned to Blanding on 12th with mail car, stayed with the folks doing all that we could for our dear baby Elaine until Tuesday, 17th at 11:30 a.m. when her sweet spirit left her mortal body and returned to Our Father in Heaven from whence it came.


At 3 p.m. Friday, February 18, services were held in the large hall in the Ward Meeting House (Blanding.) At about 4:30 short dedicatory services were held at the grave and the casket holding the body was placed in the grave, there to rest till the morning of the resurrection when it will be called up, and with its spirit pass on to its glorious reward.

During the last 26 days I have passed thru one of the severest trials of my life. for some reason, which I am unable to explain, I had become so attached to the sweet, bright- good-natured little child, together with the circumstances attending the case. Mamie L. Adams is our only daughter, and the Father, Melvin J. Adams, is out in Texas as a missionary. We have not had a baby in our own home for about 15 years, and the child had arrived at the most interesting stage of child life. Our whole family were enjoying life with her playing her baby part so well. Of course our heartfelt sympathies went out to the young mother and missionary father, which added to the sadness of the trial, but thru it all I say, O Father "thy will be done."

On the 19th and 20th I attended the Quarterly Conference of the San Juan Stake held at Blanding, which I enjoyed to the fullest all the way thru, returning home (Bluff) this evening, 20th, with John L. Hunt and family.

February 21st, 1921: At home attending to correspondence, choring, etc.

22nd: Attended to meat that has been in brine sometime, and also did some writing; am feeding about 50 calves, and also about 10 horses, pigs, chickens, milking 2 cows, besides "batching it."

23rd: Hauled a load of chopped wood, and chored, etc.

24th: Attended to chores, etc.

25th: Besides attending the stock, etc., went up to the Harshberger field to let the water out of the reservoir as it was starting to run over the dam.

26th: Also went up to attend the water in Harshberger field.

27th: Attended Sabbath School and Sacrament meeting; also visited four families with Bro. Harold Butt, as Teachers, besides attended stock, etc.

28th: Worked around home, preparing to commence ditch work, also did some work on a smoke house.

March 1st, 1921: Worked on Cottonwood ditch with team, also hired James M. Hayes to work single hand on the ditch.

Mar. 2nd: Worked on the ditch with the team and Mr. Hayes; by the time stock are attended to and chores done it takes about 12 hours work.

3rd: Worked on the ditch until noon, preparing ditches, etc., for irrigation, afternoon.

4th: Worked on Cottonwood ditch with team forenoon; irrigated and plowed and cleaned ditches this afternoon.

5th: Worked on the ditch 1/2 day; did some irrigating, etc., this afternoon.

6th: Fasted; attended Sabbath School and Testimony meeting; was pleased with the good meeting, went with "Aunt" Mary and took dinner with "Aunt" Julia Butt, at 4 p.m., which we naturally enjoyed very much.

March 7th 1921: Stormy in the forenoon, worked about home.

8th: Irrigating and working on private ditches in the forenoon; went up to Blanding with stage in the afternoon.

9th: Stayed at Blanding, settling accounts, making out Income Tax report, also looked over a house and lot belonging to Baily Lake that is for sale.

10th: Drove team with load of flour, bran and wheat, down to Bluff; got home about 5 p.m.

11th: Fixing up fences, etc., forenoon; killed hog, afternoon.

12th: Worked with pork, forenoon; preparing for irrigating, afternoon.

13th: Attended Sunday School and meeting; also attended meeting in the evening for the purpose of working up public sentiment in regard to making some improvement in our social gatherings, etc., took water in the evening.

14th: Put in about 12 hours irrigating; tired and then some.

15th: Worked on the ditch some in forenoon; irrigating, afternoon.

16th: Worked on private ditches, fixed fence, and irrigated.

17th: Fixing up smoke house for curing meat; finished irrigating the "Hunt Lots."

18th: Irrigating and fixing up fence for Sister A. M. Decker on two lots joining on our lots, also worked on private ditch on the Hancock lots; went up to Blanding in the evening, made a bargain with Bro. H. Bayles for the Bailey Lake House and Lots for $2000.00, to give note; came back down home in the middle of the night.

19th: Finished up the smoke house and began smoking meat.

20th: Attended Sabbath School and meeting, had an enjoyable time. Bros. Jos. B. Harris, Francis, Aunt Leona, and Floyd Nielson and wife came down from Blanding as home missionaries. Attended a water meeting in the evening; appointed overseers to regulate water turns on lots, also hose water.

21st: Smoking meat, fixing fence, gathering up cattle, etc.

22nd: Finished smoking meat, and feeding and gathering up the calves up in "Harshberger Place."

23rd: Worked on Harshberger fence.

March 24th 1921: Worked and chored around home.

25th: Hauled hay up to stock in "Harshberger Place."

26th: Attended to feeding stock, went up Cottonwood after one of my "Milk Pen" Heifers with a small calf, which was very poor, brought her home.

27th: Attended Sabbath School and Meeting; had an interesting time as Bishop W. H. Redd and wife, Elder E. P. Lyman and family were here as Home Missionaries from the Blanding Ward.

March 28th, 1921: Drove the Hereford Calves up toward Blanding to meet my sons Alma and Francis, who drove the calves on up to Blanding and I returned home.

29th and 30th: Fixing ditches and irrigated lucern lots.

31st: Very cold night (26 degrees "above".) Went to Blanding with V. A. Nielson in his car. Attended to several matters of business, returned home in the evening. Attended to transferring the ward books and records over to Presiding Elder John L. Hunt; Stake Clerk Peter Allan having come down for that purpose.

April 1st: Spent the forenoon in finishing the transfer of books and accounts of the Bishop's Office over to Presiding Elder J. L. Hunt, and assisted in making up quarterly report to the P.B. Office. Rounded up cattle, and irrigating this afternoon.

2nd: Irrigating in the forenoon, putting in culvert in afternoon.

3rd: Fasted. Attended Sabbath School this forenoon; Sacrament this afternoon; blessed and named Sister Elsie Decker's baby boy in the evening, named him Jesse Elmer. Assisted in and took charge of a cottage meeting held at Sister Arness Pehrson's home, with Bro. R. E. Powell and family, Sister Myrtle Hunt and children.


4th: Very windy, hung around fixing up tools, etc.

5th: Fixing fence and preparing to irrigate land in "upper field."

6th: Hunting calves, and gathering up cattle that had got out of pasture.

7th: Finished gathering cattle in the forenoon; watering upper field this afternoon.

8th: Attended water, and went to Blanding with team.

9th: Went over to Long Canyon looking after Leland and moved part of the Hereford cattle into another field; came back to Blanding in the evening. Cousin Arthur Jones from Cedar came from Salt Lake with returning conference people on a visit.

Sunday, April 10th, 1921: Attended Priesthood meeting 8:30; Sabbath School at 10 a.m., Sacrament Meeting at 2 p.m. and Mutual at 7:30.

11th: Returned to Bluff with part of a load of flour, etc.

12th: Fixing wagon, rack, etc., preparing to go to Blanding, fixing fence in evening.

13th: Fixing up wagons, worked some on fence.

14th: Very windy and blustry; stayed around home, working some on wagons, also worked with Doyle Blacksmith.

15th: Working on wagon this forenoon; fixing fence this afternoon. Daughter Mamie came down from Blanding with mail to stay for some time.

16th: "Aunt" Mary returned to Blanding with the mail auto. I worked on wagons, etc., did some repairing on fences.

17th: Attended Sabbath School and meeting, and resting and studying the balance of the day.

18th: Worked with team leveling lot, preparing it for planting corn, also worked some on low wheel truck, first really warm day of spring.

19th: Irrigating in Harshberger field; also under Cottonwood ditch in three places.

20th: Continued watering putting in about 16 hours; was about laid up with a lame back in the evening.


21st: Still handicapped with a lame back, worked around home some.

22nd: Working on fences all day.

23rd: Very windy; worked on Adams lot, while Alma was plowing it preparing to plant it to corn.

24th: Attended Sabbath School and Sacrament meeting; had a nice rain which was very badly needed; seemed to be quite general and did lots of good.

25th: Worked around home.

26th: Irrigating some and working on a truck.

27th and 28th: Finished truck, also good rack, double trees, etc.

29th: Went up to Blanding by request of Pres. L. H. Redd, who wished me to accompany he and Bishop H. Bayles over to La Sal on church matters, also on business.

April 30th 1921: Waited for mail from Church Authorities giving instructions as to reorganizing the La Sal Ward. Did not receive the looked for mail, so that our program was changed.

May 1st: Fast Day; attended Priesthood meeting at 9 a.m.; Sabbath School at 10:30, and Sacrament meeting at 2 p.m. and Mutual at 7:30.

May 2nd: Drove team down to Bluff with a load of lumber and wheat.

May 3rd: Shoeing horses and preparing to haul a load of lumber down to "Mexican Hat."

4th: Went over as far as Lime Ridge with the load, in company with Mr. A. L. Paylee and Ed Doyle.

5th: Continued on with the load; arrived at destination at 12 noon. After unloading and lunching started back for home, expecting to camp at "Navajo" Springs, but weather looked very threatening for storm; came on in home. My 65th Birthday.

6th: At the request of Pres. L. H. Redd I am preparing to go out as far as La Sal with him. Went to Blanding with stage which was late. Stayed at Blanding until the evening of the 7th, when we went over to Monticello, where we arrived late in the evening. I stayed at Bro. and Sister F. I. Jones, each of them getting feeble in health.


8th: Sunday. Went over to La Sal, where we arrived at 10 a.m., Presidents L. H. Redd, A. R. Lyman, Bishop H. Bayles, Stake Clerk Peter Allan, L. Hardy Redd and myself: Attended Ward Priesthood meeting at 10:30; Sunday School at 12 noon; Sacrament meeting at 2 p.m. and Mutual at 7:30, all of which were well attended. On account of the death of Clyd Hammond while in Salt Lake City as a member of the Legislature from Grand County, who was also Bishop of Moab Ward, his brother Dilworth, Bishop of La Sal Ward, asked to be released so that he may remove to Moab in order to look after the business interest left in an unsettled condition by the death of his brother. Bishop Hammond was released and Elder Alexander Jamison was selected to take his place as Bishop of the La Sal Ward, who was sustained unanimously by all present at the Sacrament Meeting.

9th: Attended an informal meeting of the shareholders of the La Sal Live Stock and Store Co., the financial condition of said company being strained to the limit on account of the money market and the serious drop in price of stock and produce. Came back as far as Monticello late in the evening.

May 10th, 1921: Came over from Monticello to Blanding with stage. 

May 11th 1921: Aunt Mary and Mamie and I came down home with Bro. H. C. Perkins in his auto.

12th: My son Marion and I put in corn in the Adams lot and loaded lumber, shod horses, etc., preparing to take a load down to the "Oil Fields," where I made a start on the morning of the 13th, returning in the evening of the 14th very tired.

May 15th, 1921: Sunday. On account of my folks being sick and others being away from town, including Presiding Elder John L. Hunt, there were no meetings held; stayed home attended to the sick, reading, etc.

16th: Went up to Blanding with a team, got there about 4 p.m.

17th: Chopped some good cedar posts for fencing the Lake lots, and attended to matters of business.

18th: Loaded up with lumber, bran, etc., and came to Bluff; had a high awkward load, from which I had one fall, but was not hurt seriously; got home at 6:30 p.m.

19th: Rearranged the load of lumber; worked around home.

20th: Went down to the Redwood Camp in Oil Fields with my load; came back on the 21st, had a successful trip.


22nd: Sunday. Prepared for Sunday School and meeting, but for some cause there was no school and there were so few came out for meeting in the afternoon and no one to play the organ and lead in singing no meeting was held; the conditions in Bluff seem to have become a little serious.

23rd: My son Marion and I went up on River canal to turn water in; fixed break in canal turning in a small stream, and brot home a load of chopped wood; went up and turned some water out of the Harshberger Reservoir in the evening, as it was getting up to the danger mark.

24th: Marion and myself returned to the head of River canal, it having been broken again, washed around the break we fixed yesterday; worked until about 4 p.m. scraping. Brot down another load of chopped wood.

25th: Fixed up mower and cut hay in lots this forenoon; went up to Blanding in the afternoon with Edson Black. 

May 26th 1921: Did some work at the Lake place, and attended to some business matters.

27th: Puttered around, not accomplishing much of anything on account of not being able to get lumber or lath to finish up part of the Lake house in order that we may live in it.

May 28th 1921: After breakfast I was sent for by Pres. L. H. Redd, who sent word for me to select a few men and go to Bluff, word having been received from Bluff that in an attempt to place two young Utes under arrest for depredations committed by them, very serious trouble had been brot about, one Ute boy ("Dutchy") had been more or less seriously wounded, and one had escaped across the river, after much shooting had occurred; fortunately none of our boys had been harmed. Our party arrived about midday amidst considerable excitement; The wounded boy was hurried off to Blanding for medical care; the doctor decided that the wounds were not necessarily fatal.

29th: Sunday; nervous excitement was the prevailing attitude of the people, excitable reports being received from different directions.

30th: Still much excitement over the Indian trouble. A large party of Indians was encountered by H. Cory Perkins and nephew in Cottonwood Canyon while on the way to Elk Mts. and one of the Ute boys ("J. Bishops" boy), handled Bro. Perkins very rough, cocking his gun and pushing it into his stomach, etc.

31st: This evening word was phoned down from Blanding that our leading men and the Indians had come together in council and a decision for peace had been made; the Indians on their part agreeing to bring the escaped boy for trial ("Jo Bishop's" youngest boy, about 21 years old.)

June 1st, 1921: Came back to Blanding.

Put in time between June 2nd and 17th putting up hay at Bluff and working on the Lake place at Blanding; also hauled one more load of lumber to the Oil Fields.

June 18th, 1921: Attended Stake conference at Blanding, among the visitors from Salt Lake were Apostle R. R. Lyman and Dr. George W. Middleton, also before conference was over Governor Charles R. Mabey and party arrived, several of whom spoke at the Sunday afternoon and evening sessions, 19th.

20th: Had the good fortune of being invited to accompany the Governor, Apostle Lyman and party out to the Natural Bridges, which I enjoyed to the fullest; think all together there were 42 in the party; were 5 days making the trip, and with the splendid lectures, anecdotes, singing and splendid good cheer, it will always be remembered as a green spot in a lifetime.

June 26th: Went down to Bluff with the Salt Lake visitors. Held meeting in the evening with the Bluff people, where Governor Mabey spoke, subject stressed at meeting was in regard to the Indian trouble of recent date.

The foregoing pages showing six months activities of my life at Bluff, being a fairly good sample of the 40 years of my sojourne at Bluff from April 6, 1990 to June 26, 1921. A short time after the last named date I moved up to Blanding.

Visit to our old home at Cedar City and Vicinity.

Sept. 25th, 1925: Left home (Blanding) Sept. 25, 1925, made Price, Utah, the first day; weather beautiful, roads a little rough from heavy rains of a week before. Our party consisted of my wife, Mary N.; daughter Mamie, and her daughter Doris; Rachel C. Perkins, Leonard, and his children Curtis, 3 and baby Ruth 1; Marice Perkins, and myself.

Sept. 26, 1925: Parting with Rachel Perkins and Leonard's two children and Marice Perkins at Price, Utah, who all went by R.R. to Salt Lake, the balance of us went with Leonard's car down thru Castle Valley, Emery Stake, on the Salina Emery road thru Salina, up Sevier Valley and spent the night at Joseph City with a family named Ross, as there was sickness in the family that usually cared for the traveling people. We fared very nicely, and were impressed all during the day with the apparent prosperous conditions on every hand, more especially thru Sevier Valley.


27th: After leaving Joseph about four miles called on Bro. John Tanner and families near the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon, which we went up and came in to the main highway at Cove Fort; arrived at Cedar about four in the evening; it being Sunday were a little surprised to see the paving of main street proceeding at full blast, in fact, haying and other work was going on all thru the settlements we passed today.

28th: Visited around with our folks the fore part of the day, and went up Cedar Canyon, to the Cedar Breaks in the afternoon, and altho I had seen the "Breaks" in my younger days, more or less from a distance to look at the view from the point where the railroad people have selected for a hotel and camping ground, a full view of the wonderful amphitheater is to be seen with its domes, castles, peaks, steeples, ships, monuments, together with the color effects and backgrounds of cliffs, forests, etc., leaves an indelible impression of something unique that may not be well described to one not having seen it.

Oct. 1: Went with three car loads of our relatives down to Zion Canyon, Elder Brother Lehi W., wife and daughter Ann; brother Thomas J. and Brother Uriah T. and wife and son Emeron, and daughter Zelma and several small children were in the party. Starting at about 7:30 a.m. passed thru Hamilton's Fort 5 miles, Kanarra 12, Belvue 22, Anderson 26, Toquer 31, Laverkin 38, Rockville 45, Springdale 52, Zion's National Park camping ground 60. Weather was ideal, and what with fruit, melons and sight-seeing and lovely opportunity of visiting with our relatives, every moment of the day was a real joyful outing. Zion's Canyon is a wonder, and the nice cozy little settlements nestled in the alcoves of the huge canyon added to the charm and grandeur of it all. Upon our return we took a side trip out to the town of Hurricane and was agreeably surprised to see such an important town where thrift and prosperity were in evidence on every hand; all brot about by long, grinding, hard work. After leaving Toquerville on the return our chauffers gave evidence of their home-loving instinct and put an order in with the right feet for a little more gas. Tonight we join our Dixie friends in a feeling of gratitude that that nice hard surfaced road has replaced "the rocks and sand of Dixieland."

Oct. 2, 1925: Visited around with old friends. I went out with Brother Lehi W. to high "Eight Mile Springs" property and in the evening met a number of our relatives and their friends at the new home of our niece Ann Gardener, Lehi W.'s daughter, a delightful informal visit.

Oct. 3rd: Again rode out with three cars to Iron Springs and vicinity, where the iron ore is being mined and shipped to Ironton near Springville, Utah, where it is being smelted and made into iron by a big company of mostly Californians. We also detoured over to the town of Enoch and met John and Sylvester Jones, older brothers of our Bishop F. I. Jones of Monticello, Utah.


4th: Called on several of our old acquaintances of Cedar, some who were not able to get around, Edward Parry and wife, Andrew Cory and wife, David Hunter and family; Dave, poor fellow, being laid up with rheumatism.

5th: Started out early for Salt Lake, having a little car trouble at Corn Creek, deing detained, did not get farther than Provo. 

6th: Arrived at City at 1 a.m.; attended General Conference in forenoon and afternoon.

7th: Attended conference; also 8th. 9th attended to business matters. Left for home on 11th, where we arrived on 12th, having a very enjoyable trip and visit all the way thru, more satisfied all the time we jog along thru life, as well as more thankful for the people, the locations, the times, among whom, where and when we have had our turn in this mortal journey thru this beautiful world, for all I humbly thank the Lord.
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Some notes on a trip over old trails with Assistant Church Historian Andrew Jenson.

May 12, 1930: Left home, Blanding, between 8 and 9 a.m. with the following pilgrims: A. Jensen, W. R. Redd, Nephi L. Norris and son Richard, Dr. Lund (a son of the late A. H. Lund of the Church Presidency,) Francis W. Jones (my youngest son;) the horses and light buggy had left a day earlier, with Ara Shumway and "Mike" Boy. Our party had two autos and a 1 1/2 ton truck. Our course was nearly west by Ute farms on Cottonwood, over Elk Mts. on the Natural Bridges road, arriving at Edwin Bridge shortly after noon, 43 miles, left our autos, loaded all in to truck, traveled nearly south to Clay Hill, 30 miles, in evening.

May 13th 1930: Next morning, 13th, started out, Jenson, Jones in buggy one pr horses, 7 men on saddles, 4 packs, and one extra horse, making 14 horses, rode over Clay Hill (rocky, steep places, crooked, raise about 1000 feet in less than two miles (find good water over a hill 4 miles from camp.) also find water seeps in several places down the wash; leave Castle Wash traveling nearly west over broken, rocky, sandy, country, 10 miles, to old lake bed, making 22 miles today; find good grass and water for camp.

14th: Leave old lake bed camp, travel in southwestern direction 6 miles to Slick Rocks 1 mile very difficult, twisting climb, where we left the buggy, Jenson and Jones taking saddle horses, leading horse most of the way to the top of Gray Mesa; over the mesa 6 miles still southwest to Cheese camp for dinner, south to shoot the Chute, and to the head of Cottonwood Canyon, 5 miles, west down canyon to Colorado River, very rough in places, 5 miles, making 23 miles today, good grass and water.

May 15th, 1930: After having a good nights rest, used kodaks this morning; retraced yesterday's ride, hitching on to buggy, and camped at Lake bed.


May 16th, 1930: Back over Castle Wash, Clay Hill, and made a dry camp in Cow Tank Valley, 15 miles north of Clay Hill; good feed.

17th: Came up to Edwin Bridge, made camp while most of the men rode ponies around to the bridges, etc., in White Canyon. All of the men got into the cars and truck and struck out for Blanding, arriving there about sunset, all but Ara and Mike, who stayed with the pack outfit, arriving the 18th. The road for about 8 miles before we got to Edwin Bridge this morning was exceeding rough, with thick timber; needs one month's work with man and team to make it reasonable to pass over with any kind of car or wagon. The object in view for undertaking this more or less difficult journey, was to get authentic data by the Assistant Church Historian, Andrew Jenson, with regard to distance, character of country, etc., down on Church records. Some time in the future it will be sought after in getting at the "beginnings" of San Juan County history.

May 18: Sunday morning with Bro. Jenson, Mary N. Jones, my son Marion and myself in our car, Nephi L. Morris and son and Dr. Lund in another car, started back over the general course traversed by Silas S. Smith and scouting party in the spring of 1879 seeking for a favorable location for a settlement among Indian tribes living in the vicinity of the four corners of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico join. Traveled south 25 miles to Bluff--(first settlement in San Juan, located April 6, 1880,) thence in a westerly direction to the bridge across the San Juan River near Mexican Hat, 34 miles; then 40 miles south-easterly to Kayenta, Arizona, where we joined on to the Silas S. Smith party road. After resting a short time, resumed the journey to Tuba City, 75 miles in southwesterly direction; road from Bluff rough in places; made 170 miles.

May 19, 1930: After Historian Jenson gathered notes of early settlement of Tuba City, went down 2 miles to Moencopy and picked up interesting early history of this Indian settlement where there is now an Indian school with two teachers, a white man and his wife. Everything about this old Indian settlement appears neat and thrifty. About 9 o'clock took the road in a northwesterly course towards the Lee's Ferry Bridge which had been recently built by our government and the state of Arizona; arrived about noon, road rather rough and crooked, distance 75 miles; ate lunch and came on to Kanab, still taking a northwesterly direction, distance about 90 miles; camped over night; quite an interesting town, with a checkered history.

May 20: Came over to Cedar City via Zion Canyon thru the wonderful new tunnel blasted thru the side of a high cliff, with windows or openings cut out to the side of the cliff, affording thrills for the tourist and novelty to everyone.

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CALIFORNIA TRIP

December 17, 1930: Left home, Blanding, Utah, in company with Bp. H. D. Bayles, Sister Annie Perkins, Edward P. Lyman, and Caroline Bayles (Bp. Bayles' oldest daughter;) arrived at Salt Lake about 8 p.m., pleasant weather, no trouble on way.

Dec. 18: Attended funeral services held in funeral chapel in honor of Sister Ann Bayles, formerly of Parowan, Utah, from here she went to Bluff, Utah, to care for the family of Hanson Bayles, whose wife had died, leaving four small children--three girls, Anna Perkins, Emma and Carlie, and one son, now Bishop H. D. Bayles of Blanding. Speakers at the funeral were Alfred Durham of Salt Lake, Sister H. L. Adams of Parowan, K. Jones of Blanding, and Bishop _______ of the ________ ward; the singing (the best I ever heard) by the Durham Brothers and Sister Adams.

December 19, 20, 21, 22, 1930: Remained at Salt Lake visiting with my friends and relatives, and attending to matters of business, etc., and waiting to hear from Aunt Mary (my wife) and Leonard my son, who had gone out to obtain treatment at California Clinic for cancer.

23rd: Came here to San Francisco on a U.P. Train, arriving here on the 23rd about 11 a.m.; about 26 hours on the way. Located Aunt Mary, Leonard and Francis at 1600 Fell St. in apartment #9, quite comfortable--hallway, small kitchen, fair-sized bedroom, bathroom, 3 closets for clothes, etc., hot and cold water in the kitchen and bathroom, light in all rooms, heat in the bedroom. Francis took the train for home this evening.

24th: Spent the day "seeing San Francisco" with folks in car, also on foot; had forgotten most all I learned about sixteen years earlier on a former visit to the World's Fair (1915.)

December 25th 1930: Spent the day reading, writing and resting, and reading an address of Apostle Melvin J. Ballard a day or two earlier, on the lives and mission of our Redeemer, and our Prophet, Joseph Smith. I have spoken about Bro. Ballard's sermon to my folks and other friends as the best I ever heard; not a flaw in delivery or the subject matter. I certainly hope it is preserved in phonograph records and may be heard by people of the world.


Jan. 29, 1931: Between 4 and 5 o'clock a.m., while feeling very depressed and unable to sleep, I arose from my bed and prayed very earnestly with a sincere desire that Our Heavenly Father would send His Spirit even the Comforter to us in our condition, in an apartment temporary home a long distance from our family and friends, with Aunt Mary (my wife) 72 years of age, and Leonard, our son, 41, both taking the new treatment for cancer (discovered by doctors Coffee and Humber, prosecuting research work while in the employ of the Union Pacific Railroad Co. in a large well equipped hospital built by said company. Both R.R. Co. and these doctors will each be honored and rated as world benefactors.)

After retiring to bed, feeling weary, soon fell into a half sleep, or what we would call a doze. My deceased wife, Lydia May, came and visited me, and standing a short space behind my wife was our daughter, Mamie, in appearance, and dressed as she is accustomed to dress, but my wife I am sure was permitted to visit me in our condition and show us just what reward awaits those who win their way back into the Celestial Kingdom thru their integrity and faithfulness in this mortal probation. There was a transparency and sweetness and purity in her face, a calm heavenly expression in her eyes altogether presenting a picture that is impossible for me to describe. Her clothing harmonized with her features and form, not flashy, but the texture and brilliancy symbolizing purity. The feeling of peace and the reality of this visitation upon my coming out of the half sleep left no doubt in my mind but I had been visited by my dearly beloved companion from the world of spirits, but was as she will appear in her resurrected body. An experience one in this mortal existence may see and feel but may not fully describe. This experience was so new and striking that it will take some time before the significance and beauty and importance of this vision will be fully appreciated.

Kumen Jones

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Jan. 31st, 1931: Spent the month in sightseeing, writing a little; attended about all the L.D.S. Sabbath meetings, Sunday Schools, also Quarterly Conference of the San Francisco Stake, Saturday and Sunday, 22nd and 23rd, at Oakland. Apostle Ballard was in attendance. All meetings were attended to the limit of the meeting houses; just an off hand guess, I would say that the L.D.S. Church has a rather high class membership, take them as a whole in the San Francisco Ward, also in this stake of the same name.

Californians figure on getting by the Keeper of the "Golden Gates" with one commandment, about as follows: "Thou shalt love and sing the praises of thy own California, in season and out of season, first, last and all the time, "for on these things hang all the law and the profits," and it all happens in such a matter of fact way and everyone is so good-natured about it all, that a fellow just can't take offense but just kind of enjoy it all with them.


Have visited the new zoo just started two or three years ago, with a few animals, birds, etc. Have gone over the old cemeteries near the Golden Gate Park, and they all show signs of an upheaval that has left them in tumbledown shape, many of the headstones are broken and shaken out of shape, and many of the graves have been opened and bodies or what was left of them, removed. They tell me that it is the intention to finish removing the bodies and improve the grounds for city parks, etc.

Have spent considerable time in the Golden Park, upon which has been expended millions of dollars on museums, golf and tennis grounds, paved roads, animal reserves, bird refugees, etc., etc. I spent several days in the art and relics buildings; there is such a wide range of curios, relics of all kinds from many nations; fisheries where all sizes, shapes, and colors are shown, a great variety of the works of the taxidermist is to be seen; a great variety of works of art, lovely paintings, statuary, etc., etc. A great display of war material and momentoes, Indian relics, and handiwork from Mexico, Central and South America, China, Japan, England and almost all of her colonies, also from Italy, statues of many of the great characters of Rome, Greece, America, kingly trappings, furniture, etc., that must have cost an immense lot of money. One could keep on writing and describing the wonders of relics, momentoes and handiwork or ancient and modern handiwork, but after all one has to see to appreciate the stuff that has been thoughtfully obtained for the amusement, information and delight of all who are interested in the story and doings of man; handiwork of the Indians from many different lands, and considering all countries represented by this wonderful display in such a wide range, and the enormous cost in the aggregate shows the public spirit of some Californians to be extremely commendable, and a World's Wonder from an educational standpoint.

February 15th, 1931: Visited the cemetery being used at present, and one that has been used for several years, having left off using the 4 different burying grounds at and near the "Golden Gate Park," where different nationalities used separate burying grounds, Irish, Scotch, Catholics, Americans, etc. The new burying grounds located at "Argossy Lawn" presents a notable contrast to the older ones, which have been abondoned and are in bad shape, especially where there was only head stones up, but there were many private buildings and expensive monuments erected at what must have been an enormous expense, which still stand as solid as ever but the grounds are almost overgrown with different trees and shrubs, left untrimmed, or have almost hidden the monuments. On the other hand the new burying grounds present a paradise of beauty and painstaking care and expense.

Feb. 20th 1931: 8 a.m. took train for Los Angeles on my way home; arrived 11:30 p.m.


21st: Left Los Angeles at 11 a.m., arriving at Phoenix about midnight.


22nd: Sunday. Took bus for Mesa at 9 a.m., arriving at 10:20; attended Sunday School, also Sacrament Meeting at 2 p.m. both services being well attended, with an excellent influence present.

23rd: Visited the Temple grounds, which were at its best; lawns, flowers, shrubbery beautifully flowered out and green. Also called on Bro. John R. Young and other friends. Took bus for Phoenix, and then train for Gallup, New Mexico; arrived at 11:20 a.m. on the 24th. Took stage for Shiprock and Cortez, arrived 4 p.m.

Feb. 25th, 1931: Came home with Wyle Redd and Joseph Hunt in a truck; enjoyed 2 months and 9 days outing, which I appreciated fully.

TRIP TO CALIFORNIA: Left home April 1st, 1931; Price, Utah on 2nd, at Salt Lake on 3rd; left Salt Lake 4th; arrived San Fransisco on 6th. Stayed 6, 7, 8; Left on 9th; arrived Salt Lake 10th; left Salt Lake 12; stayed at Provo 2 nights; at Price 12th, home on 14th. Left Aunt Mary and Leonard feeling fairly good.


May 3rd: Aunt Mary and Leonard arrived home. Bishop Nalder came as far as Salt Lake with them from San Francisco on the train, Leonard having left his auto at San Fransisco, having taken a turn for the worse on account of the weather, which affected his breathing. On reaching home he took a change for the better, and apparently seemed to mend. His appetite was better, breathed more freely, and the bloating in his stomach partly left him, but did not get to gaining in flesh, but continued to "slip" along that line, lingering along without much distress and almost free from severe pain, attending to his business, being taken out in auto, or being taken in wheelchair and overlooked the workmen who were building his home; also attending to other business, up until the very end of the mortal sojourn, which occurred on July 25th, 1931, having borne up with heroic fortitude over 13 months of very severe sickness, starting with a ruptured appendix, the operation for which revealed a serious condition of the abdominal region, his life at the time hanging by a thread for several weeks, the blood being in such a poisoned condition it was hard to start a foundation for healing process. But having lived a clean life with a natural rugged constitution, it looked as tho he would win out and for a few months gained weight and seemed to be improving rapidly, but the baffling cancer germ had gotten its work in at a time when resistance was low and slowly developed, finally bringing to an end an extraordinary promising life just at its half-way station. He was steadily working his way up both in Church and state responsibilities, and was also heading toward financial success, revealing what would naturally develop into a well-balanced character; and the patient, uncomplaining attitude he maintained thru the long hard 'grind' placed him among the high class sports among men. Another praiseworthy feature of human kind, was the unfailing kindness of true friends, a few of whose names may be remembered well; Fred Keller, who secured letters of introduction from President Heber J. Grant of the L.D.S. Church; Gov. George N. Dern, to the Coffee and Humber Cancer Clinic, located in the Southern Pacific Hospital, San Francisco, Calif. Mentioned in this trying ordeal are President W. H. Redd and wife Caroline: his (Leonard's) only sister, Mamie, who joined his mother (Aunt Mary) in one of the most trying, long drawn-out, soul-trying, anxious times, whose intelligent nursing and devoted love is something that will carry over into the eternities, and by comparison, makes gold or any material thing seem as trash. "Aunt" Mary stood up thru the trying and long drawn out ordeal as only a sensible mother could, not wishing or asking that her son, so dear to her heart, should suffer long. Herself during the fast few years having passed thru two major operations for cancer and goiter, also being treated for diabetes for the past two years, all of which, considering her age (near seventy-four) is most remarkable, in the evening of an extra busy life, during the greater part of which life she was apt to be called out at any time, day or night, warm or cold, to wait upon the sick herself, or assist others. For such a companion and such associations the good Father of all be praised.

A copy of the funeral services will be found hereby attached.
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1931, AUGUST 5: STARTED TO CALIFORNIA with Aunt Mary. Our party consisted of "Aunt" Mary, Aunt Julie Butt (who accompanied us as far as Mona where she intends living with her daughter Lila B. Ellertson,) our daughter-in-law, Marian A. Jones with their babies Phyllis and Bobby; myself, granddaughter Ila Jones, and son Marion (chauffer,) and picking up Sister Emma Wood at Monticello, started early; made good time. Lunched at Price; turned south at Spanish Fork; arrived in Mona between 8 and 9 p.m.

Aug. 6: Stopped at Provo; visited our niece Sarah Crosby, and others; went in to Salt Lake, visited around with relatives, staying with Sister Mattie Ashton and family.


Aug. 7: Started out early (leaving Marion A. Jones and babies,) went thru scattering towns, ranches, mining towns, etc., delightful farming country until passing Wendover, and another small town or two, entering the 'desert' and such a desert--never ending, white flat, desolation, salt, salaratus, etc., after which we pass thru sage brush, low mountains, a few small settlements and ranches. Ranges seemed very dry for lack of rain, very few streams of water; a mining town or two. Camped at Winnamucca, fairly orderly, well kept town; pleased to see a very large, orderly happy crowd at a well-arranged place for public amusements, fine swimming pool, a well-trained band, discoursing music, located up in a well arranged alcove above the crowds, who were swimming, dancing, playing different games, etc. This was located somewhere near the center of the town, and at an expense most any town could afford. All could be made and run with little cash outlay, and could be handled so as to head off much of the stuff that gives parents and authorities concern in our country towns.

Aug. 8: The country seems to improve as one travels west thru the State of Nevada; evidences of drouth are apparent all the way. However, one sees that when storms do come this would be an excellent sheep and cattle range, much of it is level, and none so rough or broken but would be ideal for range purposes. A little after midday we came to Reno (notorious for some features.) We looked up our relative, Alta Nielson Cox, who looks well, has a nice home in a nice part of the apparently clean, well-governed town. The country changes quite fast after leaving Reno; timber and grass and rough mountainous, broken country appears on every hand and lasts most of the way to Sacramento. After leaving Reno we soon entered a canyon with a nice clear stream of cool mountain water, first of any note since entering Nevada, in fact since leaving Salt Lake Valley, which must be between 4 and 5 hundred miles. Stopped for lunch at the California State Inspectors gate where our luggage is overlooked, were treated civilly; they seemed to take our word mostly on their catechism and not holding us but a few moments.

"It's a long, long trail awinding" from this point down to within a few miles of Sacramento, where we camped for the night. Not a dry or lonesome or monotonous moment, winding down thru orchards, vineyards, gardens, fields, or thickly timbered ridges, hollows or canyons in sight of beautiful streams of water every few moments, most cultivated spots were on side hills in the midst of thick forest timber.

Aug. 9, 1931: Into San Francisco by midday; pleasant new scenery all the way to Oakland. Attended S.F. Ward Sacrament meeting in the evening. Located at 1600 Fell St. again.

Aug. 10: Visited big park, went thru museums, halls of relics, etc., rode thru park down to beach and return; looked in at a Fox picture show in the afternoon.

Aug. 11: Visited the park again; did some shopping and visiting.

Aug. 12: Left Aunt Mary and Aunt Emma Wood, my son Marion and myself started out early for home on the main highway down the coast towards Los Angeles. My first trip with auto had been along pretty much the same country on R.R. before a time or two, but prefer the auto way. The first 250 miles is interesting and beautiful country, quite thickly settled with towns, villages and ranches, farms, orchards, vineyards, practically all this distance, but the other 200 miles, reaching to within 50 miles of Los Angeles the country is less thickly settled and seems drier. Camped within a few miles of the enlarged city limits of Los Angeles. 


Aug. 13, 1931: Early start; came thru Pasadena, Hollywood and a dozen other cities and towns, attempting a "cutoff" and missing Los Angeles City proper, but lost some time in picking up the main San Bernardino highway in quite a steady rain, but finally emerged from the maze of towns, but 'twas all new and interesting country, and the highway with exception of the detours was fine; came out to Las Vegas; would have come farther but for a freshet coming down a wash north of Las Vegas. 

Aug. 14: Came thru the towns of Muddy Valley and Utah's Dixie, Santa Clara, St. George, Leads, etc., arriving at Cedar about noon. Had a nice visit with relatives; found most of them quite well. I noticed that my older brother Lehi is beginning to slip; moves around slower and is getting much thinner, but his spirit is active. His wife, "Aunt" Henrietta, is very feeble and has lost all interest in everything since her nervous breakdown a year or so ago. This places an added burden upon Lehi, which is a strain upon his rugged will power.

Aug. 15: With an early start, coming by way of Cove Fort, Willow Creek, Sevier Valley, Salina Canyon, Castle Valley, Price, Green River, Moab, Monticello, arriving home about 8:30 p.m., a bit tired, but still happy.

From home (Blanding) to San Fransisco on the Lincoln Highway, back by Los Angeles, San Bernardino, to Price, again, we passed road camps, some caused us to take low, others detours, some places more or less rough, but taking it all around, had a pleasant trip, which I enjoyed very much. The roads thru Nevada on account of severe drouth conditions, so that wherever the road was being worked were very dusty. But the weather was cloudy and cool all thru our trip and on the return trip we had many showers, which added to the pleasure and comfort of the journey.
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1931. TRIP TO CONFERENCE AT SALT LAKE OCT. 1931.

Oct. 1st: Left home early; reached Salt Lake 7:30 p.m. without any accident. Stopped at Keith Apts.

Oct. 2nd: Attended conference in Tabernacle; speakers Pres. H. J. Grant, David O. McKay, and stake presidencies; not being able to hear good in Tabernacle went up to the home of George W. Ashton and listened on the radio; heard every word.

Oct. 3rd, 1931: Listened on the radio at the home of Sister Cora Ashton, forenoon and afternoon.


Oct. 4: Listened on the radio at the home of Bro. Heinsie and wife, Pres. A. W. Ivins spoke on the pyramid of Cheopps, stated that the church had not endorsed the new book "Bible in Stone." Pres. Nibley spoke on the seriousness of the depression, and pointed out that by living as we should and keeping the commandments of the Lord the Saints would pass thru unharmed. Referred to the United Order; said that in case this depression continued the Saints may have to turn to the Lord and work in that order to save themselves, which that would do for us; made a strong plea for the Saints to prepare for this, and be more united and helpful towards one another. Pres. Grant presented the General Authorities of the Church to be sustained by vote of conference. Blessed the authorities of Church and Nation; praised President Herbert Hoover for his wisdom and sympathy for our countrymen in these serious times. Came down to Provo in the evening of the 24th. Visited Bro. E. F. Thompson.

October 5th 1931: Gave a blessing to Sister Anna Prince Redd; came down to Cedar City and visited with my relatives; got a tentative organization of Jones's to continue the genealogical work that our brother Thomas Jed. had led out with for a number of years, in cooperation with Bro. Thomas W. Jones of Salt Lake, whom I also conferred with while there. Also held meeting with the Treharne organization; George W. Ashton, President, and Alice Treharne, secretary and others.

6th: Started for California in our car, bringing the following with us: Sister Mary Allice Jones (my brother, Uriah T.'s wife,) Dolph Andrus, Sister Bruce and baby (a daughter of Bro. Jude Bailey) and Marion Jones; came as far as Barstow. Roads were fairly good.

7th: Came on into Los Angeles; found Emeron Jones and wife, son and daughter-in-law of "Aunt" Mary Alice, also met sister Kate Ryan, widow (daughter of Bro. and Sister Ben Perkins.) My son Marion and I came out 200 miles on our way towards San Francisco, roads good.

8th, Oct. 1931: Came on into San Francisco today, about 350 miles; roads good; found our folks "Aunt" Mary and "Aunt Emma Wood" feeling well. Made the trip without accident or car trouble whatever. Weather favorable, roads good all the way. Most all the way thru Nevada the grass and brouse was very good for this winter's feed, but conditions are reversed since last spring. Nevada was dry and after passing Reno a short distance, the light color changed to green, shrubbery, trees, etc., all changed in kind as well as color, as did the climate and general topography of the country.

9th, 10th: Rested up, changed our renting quarters from 1600 Fell St. to 1712 Fell St. Got a bit of scolding for not giving notice of our intention of giving up our apartment and was asked to pay for one week's rent extra.

11th: Marion (our son) and "Aunt Emma" left us, starting at 2:30 p.m. on Pickwick Bus, for Salt Lake. Aunt Mary and I attended Sacrament services at the San Francisco Ward Chapel. (L.D.S.)

Oct. 12, 1931: Went shopping in the forenoon; took the car to a garage for repairs; Bp. Nalder driving car (something out with the clutch.)

13th: Spent the forenoon writing, etc., at home; visited Golden Gate Park this afternoon; building, improvements, setting out plants, flowers, shrubs, etc., going on all over the park, encouraging civic pride, furnishing employment for many needy people in these times of stress and beautifying a playground and pleasure resort for not only this city but for the state and nations.

14th: Around home forenoon; shopping a bit; visited Golden Gate Park in afternoon; notice new features in art paintings, sculpture, etc., very beautiful in art buildings.

Oct. 15, 1931: Took long hikes out on prominent hills on the northwest of the Golden Gate Park, where a lot of heavy work has been done removing the top of the hill preparatory to putting a large building for a women's college school for educational purposes.

16th: Home forenoon, visited business section (Market St.) where there were crowds, and crowds shopping. Attended a picture show.

17th: Home writing, etc., in forenoon; did some shopping in the afternoon, and took a long walk out south; quite windy and foggy.

18th: Sunday. Attended Sunday School in forenoon; out in Golden Gate Park in the afternoon. It looked as tho the town was there in force, among other attractions a brass band gave a concert, which I appreciated very much. Attended Sacrament meeting in the evening. President McDonald of the San Francisco Stake and one of his counselors spoke, also two young fellows; had a good successful meeting.


25th, Sunday: Returned late last evening (Saturday) from attending a stake conference meeting in the interest of the Mutuals and auxiliary work; Apostle Melvin J. Ballard for Mutaul Y.M.M.I.A. and Sister Ruth May Fox representing Y.L.M.I.A. There was a conference meeting held before the Mutuals met at which the subject of marriage was discussed. Bro. Ballard gave a plain, good talk on the subject. After this meeting was over all gathered to the main assembly room and remarks were made by Sister Fox and Apostle Ballard, each explaining the reading courses and books and programs of the associations they presented (each being master hands at their work) for the season of 1931-32. Rained most of the day today; stayed home most of the day reading and writing; visited Bp. Nalder's home, listened on radio to Apostle Ballard and Pres. Hoover, the latter addressing the Methodist Conference being held at Atlanta, Georgia, also other preachers of renown, Catholic and Protestant, which including music and singing had a pleasant afternoon.

Attended meeting of the San Francisco Stake S. S. organization in the San Francisco Ward Chapel; a short program was given, some business in regard to releasing and sustaining new officers was attended to, after which Apostle Ballard, and Ruth May Fox addressed the meeting on the work and duties of M.I.A. members, especially emphasizing this year's slogan, "We stand for physical, mental and spiritual health thru observance of the Word of Wisdom." After giving a short stirring address, principally on the slogan, Apostle Ballard left the meeting to take the 9:50 train for home. Sister Fox spoke kindly, feelingly and plainly on the slogan and other matters in line with M.I.A. work.

October 26th 1931: Adherred to my usual program, shopping a little, reading, writing, hiking, etc. Aunt Mary also has her little program: attends the hospital clinic and takes the serum treatment three times each week, stays about our new "home" occupying three rooms, dining room (which is also our kitchen) parlor, which we use for our bedroom also, pantry, which is quite conveniently arranged with cupboards, large and small drawers, sink with hot and cold water, etc., and a large porch, where coal and kindling, etc., are kept; a private toilet and a toilet and bathroom conveniently arranged between two apartments, which Sister Petty of Salt Lake City, Utah, also has access to. There is also a small back yard, where clothes lines are accessible. Aunt Mary spends her time reading, occasionally writing a letter, fancy work, sleeping, accompanies me on some of our shopping excursions, visiting neighbors, and also finds some of her lifetime activities visiting and helping to care for the sick folks, or caring for the small children of the sick people.

27th: Same old program, during the day. Was visited in the evening by a married daughter of Mons Peterson of Moab, and San Juan Stake. She is a granddaughter of our old friend F. A. Hammond, one time president of San Juan Stake, which also included what is now Young Stake.

Nov. 1, 1931: Last 3 days nothing happened of note, only brot along 17 kinds of weather, all the way from 40 to 85 degrees, including rain, fog, wind from every direction. Today attended Priesthood meeting at 9 a.m., Sunday School at 10 a.m., Fast Meeting at 11:50. Listened on radio to an L.D.S. Elder speak of the subject of pre-existence, our mortal life, and the future life of man, a good, plain, logical sermon, and at 7:30 p.m. attended joint M.I.A. meeting, also along the line of the radio subject, very good.


Nov. 2: Went out to South San Francisco Stock Yards, where a stock show was on. The 4-H Clubs of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and California were showing their cattle and stuff. The boys and girls had some just fine young stuff and it's a very praiseworthy cause, getting the youngsters interested in doing things better. Met Governor G. H. Dern, who introduced me to officials of the stock yards and other notables. Got back about 4 p.m. Spent the evening at Bp. Nalders, taking in the radio programs, some good ones. Took dinner with Gov. G. H. Dern of Utah.

Nov. 8, 1931: Attended Priesthood meeting at 9 a.m. and San Francisco Ward Chapel; Sunday School at 10 a.m., at which President Heber J. Grant spoke twice (once in High Priest's class and at the reconvened school; his subject being his personal travels and experiences of his past life, which were interesting and faith promoting. He also gave a radio talk over at Oakland and addressed an afternoon meeting at Oakland. I attended the regular weekly Sacrament Meeting of the San Francisco Ward at 7:30, a very interesting, spicy meeting, five speakers taking the time with missionary experiences and plain gospel talk.

Nov. 15, 1931: Passed the week in the usual routine, shopping, hiking, writing and reading; took in one show. Today attended Priesthood Meeting at 9 a.m., Sunday School at 10. Walked down thru the Golden Gate Park, saw a skeleton of an immence big whale, braced up on a frame and a substantial shed built over it. Attended Sacrament meeting in evening.

Nov. 22: Sunday. Felt indisposed; did not get out to meetings until evening Sacrament meeting; enjoyed the exercises and speaking very much. In talking with Bishop Nalder of the San Francisco Ward told him if I was deprived of all church activities and studying of the Gospel life would be unbearable to me now, but as it is with studying and meeting with the Saints and trying to live as the Gospel requires I am enjoying life as well or better than ever, as we get to appreciate what it all means to us the nearer we come to the change we misname death. In wandering thru the old San Francisco cemetery this evening I ran on to a headstone bearing the name, E. B. Partridge; intend to find out more about his name if possible. (Moritz Winter.)

Nov 23d: Taking a hike thru San Francisco old cemetery again this evening ran on to headstone with the following legend, "Sacred to the memory of John Jones, Died 1871, aged 56 years," also "Sacred to the memory of Sarah A. Jones, born Jan. 1, 1870, died Jan. 18, 1870" (above all of the same headstone.) I intend to follow this up.


Nov 27: This evening Brother and Sister Bradford, who have been here in San Francisco for a year or so, Bro. Bradford taking the Coffee and Humbar serum treatment for cancer, left for their home in Salt Lake. They have left with me a very strong impression as being high class people, and for patient, uncomplaining fortitude under severe conditions they are 100 percent grade fine neighbors. Hope that our acquaintanceship and friendship may endure. During Bro. Bradford's severe illness he has written a book on geology including minerology, for a school text book for the U. of U., and those who know, say that it will fill an important place in the schools of the country.

Nov. 29, 1931: Attended High Priests class at 9 a.m., Sunday School at 10 a.m., and Sacrament at 7:30 p.m., all good programs. The High Priests lesson was, Joseph Smith's prophecies came true. The Resurrection, its reality, and certainty proven, was the Sunday School lesson, High Priests and parents. Subject for Sacrament meeting was Genealogical and Temple work. Two Elders came from across the bay.

Dec. 7: Attended High Priest meeting at 9 o'clock, Sunday School at 10, and Fast Meeting at 11:30. This ward has good meetings, especially Testimony meetings. The brethren have to move or the sisters will walk right along with the meetings, and they are 100% at making good, sensible, humble talks.

December 14th: Raining all day, and having a severe cold, remained home. We received word that our new friend Bro. George H. Bradford passed on from this mortal stage last Thursday, Dec. 11th. It was a well-deserved, honorable release from a faithful mortal mission. He had made the grades and fairly and honestly won the greatest of all prizes. Had been afflicted with that baffling malady, cancer, had had surgeons operate and had tried every known remedy, and for the last year had attended the Coffee and Humbar Clinic here at San Francisco, and for a time had hopes that the serum was helping him, but other complications set in and left here for Salt Lake; made the trip successfully, but suddenly took worse, and in just a few days his noble spirit was released. His nose and upper lip were all eaten away and I was not able to understand one word he tried to say to me. His wife--noble and true soul--could understand what he tried to say, but the day before they left us for their home in Salt Lake City we had called in to see them, and had stood up to bid them good night, as we stood looking one another in the face he said three words that I understood perfectly. I answered with the same three words, and this was one more instance where was made manifest the strongest force in the world--we understood one anothers words and hearts.

Dec. 21: Raining all day, and not having got rid of my cold remained home all day. The other I followed up a little research work on the names I found on the headstones. A John Jones came to California from New Hampshire. Their record number in Oak Park North Cemetery Graves 15-16 burial number is 2485. Both John Jones and infant Sarah Ann Jones are buried in the same grave number as above 2485. I was directed to the City and County Building for further information, and I intend to follow up a little further. It rains and rains.


Dec. 25: Christmas. Still it rains, but it cleared away for most of the day today. Was down on Market St., all quiet, closed up tight. I didn't notice any sign of drinking, but all was peacable and quite quiet, churches, orders, clans, societies, civic, military, philanthropic, charitable and private individuals vie with each other in dispensing Christmas cheer, and help and succor to those who are in want or sick. The preachers, office holders, politicians, business concerns, theaters, playhouses, sports concerns, and all nationalities, railroad, street car service, educational organizations, schools, etc. And a kind providence will reward them all. Bishop Nalder of the San Francisco Ward has been at home with a severe cold, and Sister Nalder has been on the go day and night, looking to the needs of the poor and unfortunate for the past several days.

Dec. 27, 1931: Rained all day yesterday and today, but broke away late this evening. Aunt Mary and I attended L.D.S. Church this evening 7:30.

Jan. 3rd, 1932: Fasted. Attended Priesthood Meeting at 9 a.m., Sunday School at 10 a.m., Sacrament Meeting at 7:30 p.m. All good.

Jan. 25th: Lazy man's diary, no excuse, observed Sabbath Meetings 10th, 17th, 23rs. Today went to Dr. Shepherd for physical examination. The Doctor told me I was in good shape for my age.

Tuesday, Jan. 26: Started taking treatment for constipation (chiropractor.)

31st: Rained most of the day; stayed around home; have had some trouble with my feet, developed a tough looking calous between the small toe and second one to it, has given me some trouble; did not attend any of the meetings of the Church.

Feb. 4th: Have had several rainy days until today, no rain but cloudy. Attended meeting this evening, occasion being a visit of Apostle David O. McKay and Elder Hinckley, who is taking over the presidency of the California Mission, replacing Joseph W. MacMurin, who was unable to carry on on account of ill health. Both of these men spoke very kind and feelingly of Bro. McMurrin, and each made plain, humble, scholarly talks on the Gospel and our responsibilities in regard to it, and to our fellowmen and each other. A message from Salt Lake City from the Church Authorities announcing the death of Presiding patriarch, Hyrum G. Smith, some time this evening. Apostle McKay had difficulty in speaking of the passing on of his life-long friend. This incident gave Bro. McKay a spendid opportunity of handling the subject of the resurrection, which he did most beautifully, and the large congregation was with him.


Feb 29: Spent the balance of February about the same old routine; got permission of the Panhandle Park authorities to get some wood from the pruning of the big trees; had to pack it across one of the much traveled highways to our apartment, where I chopped it up for us and our landlady, most of it was green and heavy, but we bot some dry wood and it helped cut down the expense at least one dollar a week, and I felt better for the exercise. Had lots of rain, and weather moderating.

Mar. 26, 1932: Same monotonous routine, occasional rains and weather getting warmer, grass taller, flowers blooming, days longer, all bring the unavoidable wanderlust, and yesterday had a "breaking out" in the shape of an autotrip down the county side thru orchards, vineyards, gardens, forests, cities, villages, lone mansions, colleges, universities, schools, race courses, beautiful cemeteries, stadiums, tennis courts, golf courses; the wonderful mystery house, with between one and two hundred rooms (166), the buildings alone covering six acres. It was built by an erratic elderly widow lady. The grounds and surroundings looked a little neglected. The place had been built a room at a time without regard to design, architecture, or any kind of system. We went as far as San Jose, called on and had an excellent dinner with Aunt Eliza Redd's sister, Hattie Austin, with the same spirit, and jolly disposition, but slipping physically a bit (at 75 years.) Have a cozy cottage and small orchard, good, cold, pure spring water, and the climate must be almost perfect. Sister Hattie rode with us down to the Beach Town, Sera Cruse, where fishing, bathing, etc., were going full swing. A wide pier had been built at considerable expense, about 3 to 4 hundred yards out in the ocean. This was crowded with autos, boats, fishing tackle, etc., also rooms and accommodations for bathers, lunch counters, etc.,--a small town on a pier. District President of the L.D.S. mission force of the San Francisco Mission force, and Elders Broadbent of another district rode with us, also Sister Edith Redd Lewis; President Wesley Barton of the San Francisco District drove the car for us.

Mar. 27, 1932: Easter Sunday, generally observed with services commemorative of the Savior's Resurrection. The largest services were at Mount Davidson--attendance estimated at 30 to 40 thousand. Along with the noise and pretense of all these celebrations and observances, there is an undercurrent of honest sincerity that is to be admired, in this mixture of creeds, nationalities, clans, orders, politics, business interests, etc., represented in this city of "Babel." Many praiseworthy movements are put over in a big way.


Apr. 17: Have been trying to make arrangements to have the cancer serum released so that we may have some sent to our home doctor (Sherman) to administer it to Aunt Mary, having about reached the limit for funds to stay longer; expect to leave in a day or two. Today attended Priesthood meeting, Sunday School, went out Ward teaching with Brother Hill, visited three families; visited the Fly Shacker Zoo in the late afternoon, and attended Ward Sacrament Meeting in the evening. Have been making preparations to return home for several days, doing what we can to have the serum (cancer) released so that we may have it given at home.

Apr. 18: Left San Francisco about 7 a.m. in our car, having arranged with Sister LaNola Driggs (daughter of Thomas C. Callister) to drive us in to Salt Lake, Wesley Barton has been very helpful in our rush to get away. (He is presiding over Church missionary work in the San Francisco area.) Started to storm soon after leaving San Francisco, keeping it up the greater part of the day. Came as far as the little town of Fernley; procurred two cabins and got along very nicely; came about 260 miles.

April 19, 1932: Started out about 7 p.m.; after a few miles out took the wrong road soon after leaving Fernley. Ran out of gas, and waited until the first car came along; found two clever youngish men who let us have enough gas to take us back to where we left, and informed us that we were off the right way. It soon started snowing and kept it up again most of the day; came about 340 miles to Wells, more or less uncomfortably cold, got in a double cabin and was in good shape after starting up a good fire.

April 20: Snowing this morning, and looks as if it had stormed the greater part of the night. We are awaiting developments. The storm broke away about 3:30 p.m., and we started out, against the advice of many, and came into Salt Lake, arriving about 10 p.m. without difficulty of any sort, only loosing one of our spare tires. Stopped at the home of Charley Gibbs and family.

Apr. 21, 1932: Visited around with friends and relatives, until 4 p.m. securing the services of Miss Mary Gibbs to drive our car; came down to Mona, Utah, in a downpour of rain, arriving at 7 p.m. Camped at the home of Bro. and Sister Clarence Ellertson, with whom "Aunt" Julie A. Butt was living, Sister Ellertson being a daughter of Aunt Julia, traveling about 85 miles.

22nd: Started out about 7:45 a.m., coming back to Spanish Fork, where we turned up Spanish Fork Canyon, over Soldier Summit, Price, Green River, Moab, Monticello and home, Aunt Mary being very sick most of the way from Soldier Summit, especially from Price to Green River; eased up a little from there on. Arrived home about 7 p.m. very very tired, our fine, safe driver and myself feeling fine and all sensing very keenly the saying that "There's no place like Home."

23rd: Attended Priesthood Meeting, Sunday School forenoon, and the Stake Union Meeting afternoon. All these were well attended.

24th: Our son Marion started back with Sister Mary Gibbs, our young Salt Lake driver.

Apr. 27, 1932: Lovely storm, after the wind storm of the 26th. 

28th: More snow and weather very favorable for crops and feed. After many years of more or less drouthy conditions, it appears that we are to experience more favorable weather for our encouragement in these times of stress and anxiety.
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Our temporary home November 18, 1932: paid $20.00 rent, #224 1/2 Westmoreland, in Los Angeles, California.

November 15, 1932. Left home, came to Mona, Utah; was welcomed and entertained by Aunt Julia Butt and Ila Ellertson, her daughter, for the night. Started about 7 a.m. and arrived at 6 p.m. after a pleasant ride.

November 16, 1932. Left Mona about 7:30 a.m. Arrived at Cedar City about 2 p.m. and found all our folks fairly well. Had a good visit; stayed with "Aunt" Mary Alice and family.

November 17, 1932. Left Cedar City a little after 7 a.m. and with the exception of a bad puncture at Las Vegas had a successful journey, arriving at Victorville, California, just at dusk. Procured a camping cabin; passed a fairly comfortable night at a reasonable cost.

November 18, 1932. Got off fairly early and arrived here (Los Angeles) about noon, making 1075 miles from home, with Warren Bronson, a young missionary from Monticello, driving our car with Reed Wilson, also of Monticello, assisting at the wheel. Both were good careful hands with a car. The weather was good, and our trip was pleasant and successful.

Cash paid out: Gas and oil $14.75; Tire, etc. $12.10; Tube $2.35; Rent $20.00. Total to date $48.95.

November 19, 1932. Went shopping today; soap, bacon, beef 92 cents, matches, salt, flour, etc., .72, milk 26, B alcohol .49, bread .09, etc.

November 20, 1932. Attended Sunday School in the L.D.S. ward chapel at 145 West Adams Street, Los Angeles. Had difficulty in getting to the chapel thru being misdirected. Stayed home writing this afternoon.

November 21, 1932. Accompanied Aunt Mary to the clinic for treatment; took a long stroll out west of S. Westmoreland Ave. Paid out 81 cents.


November 22, 1932. Rode out thru Beverly Hills to the beach, Reed Wilson driving the car. Cash today $3.23--total $55.42.

November 23, 1932. Stayed around reading, writing; had a visit by Reed Wilson and his youngest sister, Ray. Spent .65.

November 24, 1932. Home most of the day; did a little shopping; attended the theater; spent 1.15. This is Thanksgiving day. We are both feeling better than when we left home; comfortably housed, plenty to eat of good food, appetites good, sleep good, papers to read, and something above any price, the Gospel in its fulness, embracing all truth, while our fellow men all about us are contending, each at most with only fragments which all patched together does not include the whole Gospel plan, or could not take them beyond the decalogue with all their whole philosophy combined. The ministers of this day, as in former times, are succeeding in confusing the minds of millions of the trustful, honest people who are earnestly seeking after the truth, fulfilling the scripture, saying, "The blind shall lead the blind." We are humbly thankful in our hearts for the Gospel brought to earth by our young prophet's instrumentality.

November 25, 1932. Mussed around home, reading, writing a little. Went out for a stroll after dinner thru the big cemetery west of our temporary home; was pleased and interested in the substantial richness and variety of the monuments and headstones, markings, etc., erected by loved ones in honoring their friends who have stepped out of this mortal game. The care and expense of keeping this city of the "Departed" in such beautiful shape stands as a credit and honor to the people of Los Angeles.

November 26, 1932. Around home this forenoon; had a pleasant ride and visit out to the "Zoo" in the afternoon (was accompanied by Reed W. and sister.) Was a bit disappointed in this feature of Los Angeles' activities, for the nations third city (as to population.) We looked for something a little bigger and better, otherwise the ride out was fine.

November 27. 1932. Attended Sabbath School of this ward; spent just an hour getting to the L.D.S. Chapel by street car, and walked back in just about the same time, no car line running direct, and their regulations are different.

November 28, 1932. Home this forenoon at usual pasttime. Visited the Annual Fat livestock show after dinner, young Wilson again kindly acting as driver. The Western States, as far east as Texas and Oklahoma, have acres and acres of fat cattle and sheep, hog, etc., and some freak stuff from South America and Old Mexico. We got to see the humorist, Will Rogers, just as common as an old shoe, wisecracking with the crowds about the fat stuff at the big show.


November 29, 1932. At home most of the day, reading and writing the greater part of the time; usually take long walks for exercise. Attended the theater in the evening at the "Victoria"--good variety, lasting over 3 hours.

November 30, 1932. Attended clinic with Aunt Mary for an examination of her heart, blood pressure, etc., by Doctor Mum, but she is feeling better than when we left home. Our faithful friend, Reed Wilson, happened around after dinner and taxied us for a nice ride down thru the business sections, where we find a big city, in a small space, of enormous skyscrapers built hogey poggy every which way with no regard for compass or direction. I don't see how one can run a straight business in such a crooked place, but traffic moved as with the clock. It is forced to or they would have to ship in a new flock of humanity to replace the wastage. We went out to the Sears & Roebuck white store, built on high ground on the eastern part of Los Angeles, where it may be seen for miles in every direction. There were hundreds of autos parked all around this store. We were in and thru just one floor (and there are four) and I'm sure it is the largest store I've seen. In pricing the merchandise it would appear that for a "Year End Sale" they have moved prices up in place of down and turned on steam and are putting it over just about like this late political campaign, on a noisy Ballyhoo Racket.

December 1, 1932. Attended the clinic with Aunt Mary, and spent the balance of the day reading, writing, and hiking about for exercise did a little shopping on the side, getting fairly good lineup on the city within 3 or 4 miles of our temporary home in all directions.

December 2, 1932. Around home most of the day, getting lonesome and monotonous to two old pilgrims who have spent a long life in more than ordinary public and private responsibilities, here among strangers who haven't time nor inclination to be friendly or neighborly. With the view of improvement along this line, we rode around looking for an inexpensive radio to make life more tolerable and keep from going "Bughouse," or "Sumthen" (as Andy would say.)

December 3, 1932. Had our friend Reed take us out to Nephew Emerson Jones', our brother Uriah T's son's place; had a nice visit and dinner. They told us of the death of our school mate of years ago--Caleb Height--just two days before, leaving a wife (whom we also knew as youngsters at Cedar City) and some children, whom we will visit at the first opportunity.

December 4, 5, and 6, 1932. Around home reading and writing letters and some historical stuff in my scrap book. Located another L.D.S. Ward chapel (Hollywood Ward) which is more convenient for us than the Adams Street Chapel.


December 7, 1932. Went up to Pres. LeGrand Richards, who married a daughter of our cousin, Edward T. Ashton. Finished the day reading, etc.

December 8, 1932. After breakfast took a long hike downtown; visited the Lake Park, not a large park, but fixed up nice, with water fowls and different birds, etc., with a large comfortable grandstand used for meetings, concerts, etc., and with a seating capacity of several thousand people; also a large eating house where many thousands may be accommodated with almost anything to satisfy the inner man; also swings, merry-go-rounds, and other contraptions to amuse children.

December 9 and 10, 1932. Around home mostly; rained occasionally all day.

December 11, 1932. Attended the Tri-stake Genealogical Convention in the forenoon and afternoon, in the large, well-arranged Stake Tabernacle of the Los Angeles Ward. General Secretary of the Church Genealogical Society, Archibald Bennett, from the head office in Salt Lake City was in attendance. They had held sessions on Friday, the 9th, in the evening, two on Saturday, the 10th, and two today. I attended the two today, not hearing of the others. Enjoyed the sessions to the fullest. It was a real treat. The Church is stepping forward in this noble work. The most encouraging feature of it all is the way the young folks are responding to this work that has appeared to be a dry subject to most grown-ups heretofore. The prophecy is being literally fulfilled where we're told that "The Lord will proceed to do a marvelous work and a wonder in the Latter-days." These days are here and to witness how the young people are so nicely responding so heartily.

December 12, 1932. Rained all day. Hung around home all day. This evening Pres. LeGrand Richards made us a nice long visit with his wife and daughter, which was somewhat heartening for two lonesome "Kids" after being housed up alone all day. We humans are by nature social, whey can't we act kindly and be natural, shortcutting our way to happiness?

December 13, 1932. Went out in town on business and shopping this forenoon. Home in the afternoon; helped Aunt Mary with her washing, etc.

December 15, 1932. Nothing of any importance occured during the week, excepting a nice visit from old friends, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lang whom we had not met for 20 years or more--nice people; enjoyed the visit.

December 18, 1932. Today I attended Sabbath School and Aunt M. and I attended services in the evening; enjoyed both meetings. It was the ward conference.


December 21 and 22, 1932. Stayed around most all the day. Attended clinic on the 21st.

December 23, 1932. It rained about all day, quite heavily this afternoon. (Mr. Charles Lang made us a nice long visit on the 22nd.)

December 26, 1932. Our nephew Emerson Jones came over and took us out to their home for dinner, and a pleasant visit with old friends of 20 years ago. We enjoyed the visit very much.

December 27 and 28, 1932. Around home.

December 29, 1932. By invitation we had Reed Wilson drive us out to the Lang's home for dinner and a pleasant visit with old friends of 20 years ago. We enjoyed the visit very much.

December 31, 1932. Around home. I was not feeling quite 100 percent, having quite a bad cramping spell; went without dinner and that was about all that was necessary to put me right, and Aunt Mary took lunch at an eating shop nearby and said the change was very enjoyable.

January 22, 1933. The greater part of the time the past 3 weeks the weather has been stormy and cold, but our young standby Reed has taken Aunt Mary out for short rides, rain or shine, and it seems to help her and she is slowly gaining.

Yesterday, the 21st, attended quarterly conference of Hollywood Stake, President Heber J. Grant and Apostle Melvin J. Ballard were present and both spoke, also Sunday, today. Both made earnest, strong appeals for the Saints to hold fast and true to the faith of the fathers, maintain the sacred heritage that has been bequeathed unto us. There was a competitive retold story by two young fellows, who certainly did exceedingly well. I would judge the age of the boys to be about 14 years. The story was of a young fellow from one of the eastern states who came to Arizona partly for his health and while there attended the State University Being well trained and from a home where religious influence prevailed, he naturally fell in with the boys from a similar atmosphere, and found in that crowd some L.D.S. students to whom he became attached. For a boy he wrote out quite a plain, intelligent philosophy of life, taking some of his ideas from the "Mormon" boys. Just before his violent death (having been drug to death by his horse that became frightened and the rope was caught on his foot) he wrote to his parents that they must not be surprised if he came home a Mormon. The Scout boys told the story much better than I can write it.


January 23, 1933. Rain and then more rain. Reed took Aunt Mary to the clinic, and then had a nice ride; each time he goes out in a new direction. Attended another of Brother Ballard's lectures. This evening the subject was "The Miracle of the Book or Mormon."

January 24, 1933. Brother Ballard lectured on "The Boy Prophet, Joseph Smith, his life, teachings, and finally his martyrdom," and related a few of the prophecies he made and their literal fulfillment.

January 25, 1933. Reed came up and took Aunt Mary to the clinic. It rained more or less all day. I attended another of Apostle Ballard's lectures--"External evidences of the validity of the Book of Mormon," mostly those brought to light thru scientific research in Central and South America and Mexico. He told how new light was being brought out all the time, referring to the burning of the records by Pizzarro and the destruction of Cortez, which removed much evidence that would have made known to the world undisputable knowledge as to from where and how this continent was first peopled. This has always been the method of the scrubby tyrants of the past ever, in an attempt to obliterate all traces of the doings of those who preceeded them and start a new era and put themselves at the head of a new history. But verily, they shall get their reward. We need not judge nor envy them. The perfect judge will place them.

January 26, 1933. Our faithful standbys came and drove Aunt Mary over to the clinic for her treatment and then drove us all thru the part of Los Angeles embraced in "Hollywood," thus putting us wise to another section of this large city, the very great part of which is a credit to our America in beautiful homes with lovely surroundings, public buildings, including schools and universities, churches, club buildings, stores and business blocks, including the thousands of unique service stations, not forgetting the parks, driveways, artificial lakes, places of amusements, not overlooking the theaters, stadiums, etc. In the evening I attended the closing lecture of the four given by Apostle Ballard, "By their Fruits Ye shall know Them," being the subject. Our methods of training the young folks, caring for the poor, unfortunate and the sick, our ideas, and our attitude towards morals, ethics, health, etc., including marriage, divorce, birth control, etc., were handled. A very excellent, plain defense, or a scholarly presentation of belief and practice of those subjects, by the L.D.S.

January 27, 1933. Did some washing, cleaning up, etc., this forenoon, and accompanied friend Reed and his sister, who lives here in Los Angeles, over to the clinic with Aunt Mary, and then took an auto ride thru a new section of Los Angeles, finding a little more evidence of the enormous size of this man's town. Indications this evening point to a continuing of the rainly season.


January 28, 1933. The highlight of today's doings was an auto ride and visit and dinner with our nephew Emeron Jones and family, who live in the eastern section of L.A., which altogether furnished us a very pleasant day.

February 11, 1933. Put in the time at home (apartment) reading, writing, etc., since January 28 to date. Made preparation for returning home--getting the car fixed up and shopping some. Made a start today on the trail for our home, our good friend Reed Wilson at the wheel; made good time until we got to Las Vegas, and after being turned down several times, decided to come along toward home; was unable to find a suitable place to camp until we got to Riverside, 5 miles west of Bunkerville, where we found a suitable camp house with water for camp use.

February 12, 1933. Came as far as Cedar City, where we laid over with our relatives until the 15th. Came up to Mona, Utah, where Aunt Mary's sister Julia lived with her daughter Lila and laid over one day to have our car repaired after the wreck we had with another car, when no one was hurt, but the two cars were damaged quite seriously. Came home on the 18th, all safe and sound, with Aunt Mary standing the trip much better than one could expect for one in her condition. 



THE TRIUMPH OF A GREAT SOUL

Having, at the suggestion of Aunt Mary, changed our former plans to remain in California till about the middle of March, we left Los Angeles this morning, Aunt Mary and myself, with Reed Wilson at the wheel of the car. The weather was fine, and Aunt Mary was feeling a little better than usual. The lovely groves of oranges, lemons, etc., filled with ripened fruit just in the busiest picking season, the roads were lined on each side with picking stands; hundreds of grape vineyards in the dormant stage, and men all through the fields pruning and preparing for planting, etc. All this contributed to the interesting, inspiring picture of the lovely spring morning offering 65 miles of pleasant drive.

At San Bernardino we left the farming and fruit section and the lower altitudes, but on the Cahone Pass we came to the altitudes where snow patches showed on the hillside.

We expected to camp at Las Vegas last night, but the recent cold spell had frozen the water in the pipes and we had to drive to and camp at Riverside, five miles west of Bunkerville, Nevada. Here we were taken care of by a young couple of foreigners. Today we came here to Cedar City, and Aunt Mary stood the ride just fine, in fact, stood it by far better than usual; did not have a sick or unpleasant spell as she usually has when riding after night, even when well.


February 13, 1933. After having a good rest we prevailed on Aunt Mary to have Dr. McFarland called in at the home of our sister-in-law, wife of the late Uriah T. Jones, where we were staying, and see how she was progressing. Before leaving California she had had a little trouble in her breathing, but had felt better since we left the lower altitudes. The doctor could see there was something seriously wrong and asked us to bring her over to the hospital, where he placed her under the x-ray. After taking two pictures, the doctor ordered her placed on the operating table and after giving her a local anesthetic, he drew off three quarts of a watery substance which had been crowding her heart out of place, and which had interferred with her breathing.

The doctor informed me that the x-ray revealed a condition for which nothing could be done, and told me my companion had but a short time for this life. I am sure Aunt Mary had had a premonition of her condition and had become reconciled to the inevitable, and to what I had told her before leaving California. She had always, ever since she came to years of understanding, expressed a mortal fear or dread of the event we call death, for want of a better name, the fact is, it is less of death than was our birth into this world.

Coming back to the subject of our heart-talk a month or so before, we thought of returning home, and I am sure the spirit of pure intelligence was there with us, and I have felt ever since that we were drawn closer together than ever before. In referring to the fear and dread she had always had of the inevitable change, I told her that when mortal pilgrims had reached our age it was time to expect and be ready and reconciled to it, and if I had been as faithful and true to my trust and calling as she had, I would hail the change with hearty delight.

What a host of the finest people, relatives and friends, neighbors and acquaintances that would be on hand to greet her on her return to the spirit land, after having lived up so faithfully to what our Savior had called "pure religion and undefiled."

That was where and when a change began that ripened into a sweet, peaceful, calm attitude, which was reconciled to whatever Providence had in store for us. Her nerves quieted down, her appetite improved a little, and she rested and slept a little better which, considering her condition, was remarkable.

Soon after this, Aunt Mary outlined a little program, and I endorsed it, cutting a month off our intended stay in California, and contemplating a three days' visit in Cedar, and one or two days at Mona with her sister, Julia. The collision on Soldier Summit was not on our card, but we slipped out of it so easily that we had one more event to be grateful for.


The journey home, the visit with our friends, and such friends, including all those at our home, and no mortals in this life ever had better ones; and the peaceful influence that Aunt Mary enjoyed all through--and to have our program end in that heavenly sleep surely justified the headline of this humble tribute, "The Triumph of a Great Soul."

This leaves the humble scribbler of these lines without any right whatever to complain. So I will just gratefully, hopefully, trustfully plod on to my trail's end, as far as this good world in its present form is concerned, sweetened and brightened by the prospects held up for me. If there are any better prospects than these, then I am very much mistaken, but these are all on condition that I prove true and loyal to the Author and Organizer of our beings.
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February 28, 1933. While at Cedar on the 13th Doctor Mackfarlane made an examination of Aunt Mary, finding her in a serious condition. The doctor tapped her side, drawing three quarts of a watery substance from her. She had gradually grown worse and today passed on to a better home beyond the reach of pain or sickness or sorrow, to enjoy the fruits of a long and busy life of service. From a grateful heart I praise our Father which is in Heaven for His wonderful kindness and mercy unto us all thru our several years of anxious waiting upon His providence, praying, and doing everything that offered any hope of bringing her relief, but we lost out, and Aunt Mary won--won a place among the big-hearted Scouts, who thought of, and worked for others besides herself.

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April 5, 1933. Left home in a car with Pres. W. R. Redd, Aunt Caroline, Sister Guymon, and daughter Mrs. Corden Jones, A. R. Lyman, for Salt Lake City to attend annual conference of our church. There we had a feast of good things, from President Heber J. Grant, A. W. Ivins, J. Reuben Clark, and all the Apostles; six of the seven Presidents of Seventies, and the mission presidents. Took in all meetings of general conference, either by being present or listening in over radio. Also attended Genealogical and S.S. Convention. Enjoyed all together with the radio program Sunday from 9 to 12 a.m., and the lovely singing, etc. Some of the outstanding features were Indian Testimonies and singing, Pres. Grant's introductory remarks at the opening of general conference, the "Word of Wisdom" being the major theme. J. Reuben Clark (the new counselor) made a good impression among the conference attendants by his humble and wise attitude. Elder Bennion, the new member, is well known, ripe in missionary experience, and will fit in his new position as a wise choice to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of First Seven Presidents. All the singing and musical numbers were high class.


Made the trip in Pres. W. H. Redd's car, Pres. A. R. Lyman, "Aunt" Caroline Redd, Sister Guymon and daughter Hattie, (now Sister Carden Jones) were in our company. Had a most enjoyable time all the while we were gone. Met my brother Lehi W. by appointment and stayed with his daughter "Tet" Henrietta Hintze and family--the best visit I have had with my elder brother for many years. Taken altogether, it was an enjoyable trip and visit, as well as a veritable spiritual feast we got out of the annual conference of our church with a program so varied and spicey.

Left home April 5 about 7:15 a.m., arrived in Salt Lake 6 p.m. Left Salt Lake 7:30, arrived home 8 p.m. Some difference between my first trip to attend conference from the San Juan country. I think it was in 1884 when I made it on horseback with pack mule and alone. The railroad was running from Salt Lake to Price and from Thompson's Springs eastward and building, but not finished between Price, Utah and Thompson's, Utah, so that I made the trip from Bluff to Price, with pack outfit in 5 days and from Green River up to Price in a night ride in company with a young fellow named Olson who was returning from Colorado riding a blooded horse, to his home in Sanpete. Leaving my pack outfit at Price with my cousin John Leigh, I went on to Salt Lake by train. As I rode direct to the railroad station to inquire as to train time and fare, etc., the agent asked me if I was on my way to the Stock Convention. I promptly answered yes, thereby saving $12.00 on being a good guesser, with nothing crooked about it as I was interested in stock conventions at that time and for many years after.

Comparing the two trips, the first one with 120 hours traveling, with a scant camp bed at night, and the last trip with 18 hours, with some of the best company on earth, in modern comfort, for both day and night, every moment enjoyable, including the best visit with my elder brother I have had for many years (brother Lehi) each of us having within the year just passed lost the company of our dear companions during the remaining years of our mortal pilgrimage (brother in his 79th year and I the 77th year less than half a month distant.) Both of our life eternal partners had lived as long as there was any pleasure left in this mortal life for them, and have passed to their vacation, leaving us to wind up our earthly affairs before we go and join them in an interesting endless enjoyable existence.

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Trip and experience to Arizona, December 20, 1933.

December 20, 1933. Miss Jones and myself, with my son-in-law Melvin J. Adams started for Arizona, and arrived at Cortez about 1:30 p.m. all safe and sound. We slid off into the gutter near Dovecreek but soon worked the car back on the road again without doing any damage. Melvin returned home the same evening.

December 21, 1933. Came as far as Flagstaff, arriving about 5 a.m.


December 22, 1933. Came into Mesa, arriving midnight, and stopped at the Rex Hotel. Miss Jones remaining at Phoenix.

December 23, 1933. Made up for lost sleep until 10 a.m. Went around trying to locate a place to rent for two or three months, but was not successful, nor am I successful in finding Bro. and Sister George A. Adams or Bro. and Sister Henry Watkins, who left San Juan about 4 days before we did.

December 24. 1933. Referring back to the night ride between Gallup and Flagstaff, I suffered with the cold, especially my feet, more than for many years. The big "busses" were all packed and the company had to hire extra cars to handle the Christmas traffic and the cars we rode in were old and more or less open. The New Mexico car wasn't so bad and the driver was an extra good, jolly fellow, and being earlier in the night, and making about 60 miles per hour it wasn't so bad. The Arizona man was a careful driver, but slower, and the car was more open, and those of us that don't believe that we can drink our way back to propriety apparently didn't enjoy the cold ride so well. There was a man along from Alaska who was trying to drown his sorrow with whiskey, who told of losing a son two years ago, told of his promising prospects in life in so many ways, and then of losing his wife, who had won the love of all who knew her for her kindness to the poor and unfortunate and the sick. Told of selling out his cattle business at a big price and how soon he had gone thru with most of his money. Told of having an only daughter who was well up on music, etc. He referred several times to this extraordinary wife, sometimes nearly breaking down. Finally I spoke to him, asking him if he didn't expect to again meet her and continue the interesting story of friendship, plus in the next life. His answer was, "Never again." "She may return but in a different form." And how could birds or trees or any other form of life get any satisfaction after tasting the interesting love and associations of this life. My answer to him was, "Your story has been interesting to me, for you have told my life's experience of the past few years exactly, but we have come to the parting, just as we part tonight, as friends I hope, but may never meet again as far as this life is concerned, but I tell you (and it isn't maybe so) that I know that I shall meet my loved ones again and continue this beautiful story thru the eternities that are before us, as real life intelligent beings." My humble little talk had a sobering effect, especially on our Alaskan friend. It may satisfy our religious friends, this birds and flowers, trees, grass and different animals, etc., but to one who knows the soul satisfying truth, it causes us to want to shout praises to the Author of Life and Light.

Christmas, December 25, 1933. Spent a quiet day writing letters, looking around for suitable apartment to rent for the winter. They are scarce anywhere near the Temple. I only found two that filled the requirements for two or three lodgers, but could not close a bargain until Bro. and Sister Adams return from California from visiting their married daughter, as I can't find out whether they secured a place for us before they left. I took Christmas dinner with Bro. Thomas Watkins family who have been almost too kind and free to an old lonesome body badly shattered and tired out coming over in the makeshifts furnished by the extra heavy traffic on the busses between Gallup and Mesa. I'm convinced the railroad is better for me.

December 26, 1933. Killing time yet; was disappointed in finding that the big letter with names to have Temple work done for had been here at the Temple and was returned, as I was later getting here than was expected, but have sent to have them returned. It will put me back about a week in starting work here.

December 27, 1933. Wrote two letters and sent them by "Air Mail," thinking to get returns sooner. Waiting is the hardest work I do.

Sunday, December 31, 1933. Attended Sunday School, the chapel was jammed full. I would say their Sunday School is working successfully. In the evening at 7 p.m. attended a pageant illustrating L.D.S. Temple work and ordinance work for the dead, etc. It was an enjoyable treat to me. It was put on in honor of California visitors to this Temple.

January 1, 1934, Monday. Woke up and am feeling better than since arriving here, which improves the outlook on the whole picture. Met Lou Burnham, still an odd character but I believe he's a right good man, hard worker, temporally and spiritually, and always at one or the other. He talks fast but in a slow key and seems to have a blessing or good advice for everyone. Does not have rugged health.

January 2, 1934. During the night two fires occurred near, or not far from my new home. It seemed to take some time to overcome each one. Don't know the amount of damage. Bad beginning for the new year. Bro. and Sister Adams returned from California this afternoon. I will make arrangements to live in the apartment with them as soon as possible. They report heavy storms in California, some damage and loss of life.

January 3, 1934. Latest news from Los Angeles has the loss of life running well over 100 and property loss over five million, and many more missing. Coldest weather in history in northern United States, and accompanied with blizzards and loss of human and animal life. This, with unheard of awful murders, etc., betokens the approach of changes foretold by ancient and modern prophets. Weather continues fine.

January 4, 1934. Moved in with Bro. and Sister Adams, into the Phelps Home, we occupying the west half, consisting of a kitchen, two fairly good-sized living and bed rooms, and bathroom, closets, etc., nicely finished throughout.
January 5, 1934. Home writing most of the time; it is warm in the daytime and cool at nights.

January 6, 1934. Around home; shopping in the afternoon.

January 7, 1934. Fast day. Went over to Tempe, 6 or 7 miles; attended Sunday School and Fast Meeting; had dinner with Bishop Turley, whose wife was an Olerton, formerly from Parowan, relatives of Bro. and Sister G. A. Adams or Mortenson. Had a lovely Fast day dinner, and visited their extensive dairy herd, mostly Holsteins, and farm, etc. This man, Bishop Turley, operated on a big scale, and should prosper.

January 8, 1934. Home all day; had a nice visit with Presidents Udall and Lesauer of the Temple (just across the road or street from our temporary home.) Told them of my condition as to health, etc. They treated me kindly and very respectfully, and asked me to call again after my recommend came and I had consulted a doctor.

January 10, 1934. Called in Dr. Kent's office and had an examination. He told me there was nothing seriously wrong, and gave me a prescription that he said would help my digestion. Spent the balance of the day writing letters, etc.

January 11 and 12, 1934. Followed old routine. 11th made a six mile hike out south of town; all is much the same. There is an improved road each mile each way, and a paved road each two miles.

January 13, 1934. Today went out in Brother Adams car and visited the Pima Indians farms and their village, and the Maricopy people--not much to see. I expected a little more advancement from what I had heard of these Indians. Rode out east along the large cement canal, to the first big diversion dam, an elaborate affair, made of cement reinforced with steel connections and headgates. This cost a lot of money which must mean high taxes.

January 14, 1934. Attended Sunday School in the Second Ward; a splendid session. Bro. M. C. Phelps was the guide. Attended a meeting addressed by a lady on the belief and customs of Russians, could not hear good. At 7:30 p.m. attended Relief Society conference in the 1st Ward, Mesa; an excellent meeting, good speaking and singing.

January 15, 1934. At "home" most of the day. Took a hike to find the home of Bro. Ray Young, son of my friend, Bro. John R. Young, deceased, who has been confined to his home on account of sickness; did not find Bro. Young's home in the forenoon, but had a 4 mile walk, which I needed. But went with Bro. G. A. Adams in his car and found Bro. Young who is improving nicely.

January 16 and 17, 1934. Around home last two days; walked downtown--2 mile trip.
January 19, 1934. Yesterday not feeling as well as usual; had a restless night, but have been feeling some better today. I have been reading "The Way to Perfection," by Joseph Fielding Smith. I like it, and believe it all. It makes plain the Gospel as found in the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and Church leaders.

January 20, 1934. Went out for a drive in Brother George Adams' car; first visited the big packing plant, where oranges, grapefruit, lemons and other fruits, apples, peaches, pears, etc., in the season are assorted and crated, prepared for market or sold out at the plant. Everything is on an elaborate scale and many are given employment, and a big amount of business is done. It must be profitable, convenient and indispensible in a climate where some items of the commerce are carried on all seasons of the year. Went out northeast to Bro. Charles Brown; Bro. Brown was not at home but we had a nice visit with the wife, who is the daughter of our old and respected Bro. William Halls of Mancos (deceased)--one of the Father's noblemen. Went from Brown Ranch out east to the privately owned zoo about 16 miles over a lovely road. The zoo contains black bears, foxes, coyote, lynx, mountain lion, wild cats, monkey (assorted sizes,) black snakes, Gila monsters (extra large lizards,) etc. It shows enterprise and is well arranged.

January 21, 1934. Attended Sabbath School in the 2nd Ward Chapel, and High Priest Class in the forenoon. Visited Andres Mortenson and family in the afternoon, a typical old-fashioned, warm-hearted Mormon family, representing the old Lars Mortenson and "Aunt Cornelia" branch from Parowan--no "stuck-up" stuff, but a visit where "Hearts are Trumps," and everybody wins a prize, which means courage and comfort to assist us to carry on until the next "meet" which shall not be far apart. Attended Sacrament Meeting in the 2nd Ward Chapel. The Stake President, Brother Price, and 2 home missionaries from other wards occupied the time, all good. Stake Pres. Price gave an extra high class heartening discourse such as people need in these times of stress and perplexity.

January 22, 1934. Went over to Phoenix in Bro. Geo. Adams' car, accompanied by Pres. Lasuare of the Mesa Temple Presidency, an extraordinary live wire on Indian lore, history and legends, etc. He took us thru the State Capital Building--beautifully well arranged or planned. I like Utah's Capitol better. He also took us to the State Library; we also visited the Carnegie Library, found the book we wanted--an early edition of the New Testament which contains books or much that was left out of the editions we now have; but we not being residents of Phoenix were not allowed to take the book out without paying $2.00 membership fee, but we were at liberty to read the book there at the library. Everything seemed to be hustle and bustle in this town, especially at this season of the year. We were told that there were about 10,000 people wintered here that moved elsewhere to summer.

January 23, 1934. Around home writing letters, etc. Had another good visit at Mortenson's in the evening.

January 24, 1934. At home. The Temple excursion from Blanding came in this afternoon, about 20 came in a truck with Joe Hunt. I was pleased to see them. Alma is located in with us.

January 25, 1934. Attended Temple service at 8 a.m. These are inspirational meetings interspersed with lovely singing, solos, duets and hymns, and, as one would naturally expect, a sweet spiritual influence always prevails.

January 26, 1934. Worked around home rearranging things to make it more convenient; also reading and writing, etc. Bought a book yesterday "Indian Legends" by President J. W. Lesueur of the Maricopa Stake, Mesa, Arizona--very interesting reading.

January 27, 1934. Saturday. This is shopping day, and we went with the crowds. I haven't quite caught up with the philosophy of these "sales" but they seem to ______?

January 28, 1934. Sunday. My brother Lehi, his son Erastus, and grandson Quinton, came out to visit us. Attended meetings in the 1st and 2nd Wards, Priesthood meeting in one and Sacrament Meeting in the other.

January 29, 1934. Rode out to Roosevelt Dam with brother and party in his car. It was a very pleasant, interesting trip, very rough country, much of the way thru mountains, but fairly good road most of the way. Rode around to different points of interest. Also on the 30th.

January 31, 1934. Rode out to the Phoenix meat packing plant, where a great many animals are slaughtered, cattle, sheep and hogs. At present they were filling a government contract, (N.R.A.) for the poor.

Started to work in the Temple Tuesday, 30th. Alma and I took 4 names for Bro. Adams and 4 names on the 31st for Bro. Adams.

Feb. 1st 1934: Went thru the temple for Brother Adams with 4 names for him. Brother Lehi and party started out for home; got information at Phoenix about bus fare and time tables, etc., that caused us to change our program, and returning to Mesa in the evening took in the sights, wonderful for stock feeding, pasturing, etc. Found it the most favorable for feed and pasture of any seen in Salt River Valley. The pastures and feed pens were all filled with cattle and sheep--all fat, and the sheep with big fat lambs about ready for market. Enjoyed sight and ride to the fullest.

3rd: Started out with Brother Lehi and party for Los Angeles early in the morning, going by way of Yuma and Imperial Valley, all new to us. Arrived in Santiago in the evening and occupied one of the thousand auto camp cabins; enjoying the many sights and the visiting together.

4th: Started for Los Angeles early, got there between 8 and 9 o'clock, mussed around in the jam of the business part of town; couldn't get the parties brother wished to see so about noon we decided to strike for home, I taking bus for Phoenix and brother and party going by way of Las Vegas. Had a good visit together and seeing lots of new interesting country, etc. I arrived home about 8:30 today (5th), traveling all night, tired but stood the trip fine, glad I went.

5th: Around home, caught up on sleep, wrote a little. Attended a contesting try out of M. I. A. of the Maricopa Stake, a Church wide feature. I enjoyed it.

6th: Went thru the temple in the morning session, taking an Adams's name. Received my Treharne names from our faithful worker cousin Elice Treharne; will work on them now.

7th: Went thru the temple with three sessions, made a few blunders the first one, and less the second, and had better luck last one. It's a long program for an old person to learn off by heart; wrote home today.

8th: Attended temple services at 8 a. m. These are wonderful meetings, where people get close together, not only bodily, but their hearts and spirits also. I attended also the three sessions of the temple work. Am making a little headway.

9th: Attended 3 sessions of temple work, that is, put 3 names thru.

10th: Remained at home in forenoon; had a good bath; wrote letters, etc. Was too late for funeral services of an elderly Church member, did not get his name. Went in an auto procession to the cemetery; had a nice visit with an old pioneer family, Sorenson, nice old people.

February 12th-14th 1934: Went in an auto out to Phoenix, also out north and west; nice ride. 11th attended 3 sessions thru the temple; 13th: two sessions on the 14th; two on the 15th.

16th: Went thru three sessions in the temple; enjoyed it all. The development of the temple endowment is plainer and more grand and beautiful than ever to me, and the saying of our Savior that "The thing of God knoweth no man but by the Spirit of God" is made more apparent than ever to me, and working in the temple is a pleasant, congenial life for elderly people, soul satisfying, pointing heavenward.

17th: Put in a few short spells chopping wood for exercise, for elderly people who live near the temple and have no means to buy wood, and the road men furnish large cottonwood stumps and ask the men folks who need exercise to work on these tough logs, and I frequently take advantage of this "snap." Chopping wood, irrigating for Brother Phelps, using his turn on the lawn and ornamental trees, bushes, flower beds, etc.; wrote letters home.

18th: Attended Priesthood meeting of the 3rd Ward at 9:30, then Sabbath School at 10 and Sacrament meeting at 7 p. m. They had two home missionaries from one of the other wards speak; good meeting.

19th: Stayed around home writing, chopping wood.

20th: Made 3 temple companies thru for Treharne names.

21st: Made 2 companies thru the temple today.

March 18th, 1934: From Feb. 14th to Mar. 17th worked in the temple 4 days a week, put thru 34 or 35 names, kept busy, chopped a little wood once or twice a day and did some walking also each day; feel better than when I arrived. The climate is all that could be wished for; my appetite is all that can be wished for, and a person can live very reasonably here at Mesa, Arizona, and working in this temple in such a job and with such people, in the spirit and influence that prevails there, is ideal for any person who understands. I recommend it to anyone who wishes to live longer and happier.

19th: Came as far as Prescott, 175 miles, very hot day. Stopped in the center of town in cabins.

20th: Came by way of Flagstaff "Navajo" Bridge to Kanab, camped for nite.

21st: Came by way of Zion Canyon National Park; spent some time in taking in all the special features, which all who go thru this Government Park should do. "It's simply wonderful." Came to Cedar where I intend to stay a few days visiting my relatives, and if possible urge that an organization of the Jones family be formed.

22nd: Rode with Lisle Cory, son-in-law of my brother Uriah T. Jones, out to New Harmony, where Lisle had business for the Federal Land Bank to attend to. Had a pleasant ride and visit; met several old acquaintances and friends.

March 23rd 1934: Rode out New Castle on the desert below Pinto Creek Canyon, came thru the settlement of Pinto, which is almost abandoned, only three families remain. This visit brot vividly to mind the many happy memories of my younger days when we Jones' brothers (Lehi We., Thomas Jed, and myself) carried the pony mail from Cedar City to Bullionville, Nevada, about sixty years ago. Our route being thru Iron City, Pinto, Hamblin, Hebron, Clover, "Valley", Panacca to Bullionville, and return. Our camping places and boarding places were Thales H. Haskell, Pinto, Bp. George H. Crosby, Hebron, Bp. Lyman Woods, Clover, and for a time we stopped at a large livery barn in Bullionville and later at the home of Bishop [?] at Panacca, Nevada. All excepting the big barn at Bullionville, were very choice people to stay with, all of whom in my heart I have retained the kindest love and regards thru the many years since our friendly association

After leaving Pinto we returned by way of the Dan Page Ranch, where we witnessed one of the saddest sights of my life, which was the sad, unhappy, almost unconscious condition of a once wholesome happy, care-free, big-hearted girl of my acquaintance of my early life, in the person of Sophia Gearry Page, whom I had not seen for 56 years, now with health shattered, in surroundings the most wretched. My heart was saddened.

24th to 29th: Spent time in visiting among old acquaintances, relatives, etc.; visited at Parowan on occasion of the Stake Union Meeting; attended the Genealogical class, which was spirited and interesting. Rode down to the dedication of a new highway bridge over the Virgin River between St. George and Hurricane, which was attended by a host of south Utah people. We were unavoidably detained and only heard part of the address by Governor Blood, and a musical number of two, enjoyed the ride, returning by way of Hurricane and Toquer. Last evening met at the home of Sister Mary Alice, wife of Brother Uriah T., where a number of the older acquaintances and relatives of Cedar, who had been invited together for my benefit; had an enjoyable time, going over old happenings, etc. which was mutually enjoyed. The good relatives of mine are so kind and are making it so wonderful and pleasant for me that I feel embarrassed, feeling sure that I can never repay a tithe of the goodness and pleasure they are giving me.

30th: Came to Salt Lake with two young fellows who were 100 percent careful drivers, singers, pleasant decent talkers, and in every way making of the afternoon's ride a "Happy Dream." I also read #10 Frank Cranes three minute lectures thru.

31st: Arrived about 7 p.m. One of the young men brot me to my hotel, helping me with luggage, and refused pay for it all. I feel in my heart to bless the clever well-bred young fellows, such kindness will bring its well-deserved reward, at the same time making life a bit brighter for a pilgrim about to enter his 79th year.

April 1st, 1934: Easter Sunday. Did a little writing; visited my dear Treharne relatives, and it happened to be the 79th birthday of the beloved Aunt Ann Hughs Treharne, relic of Uncle William Treharne, one of the sweetest, spiritual, Saintly women of my acquaintances in this earthly pilgrimage of mine.
Attended a musical program in the "Assembly Hall" at 7:30 p.m. which I thoroughly enjoyed; was taken in an auto of the son-in-law (Bishop Lloyd) of Cousin George Ashton.

2nd: Snowed about all day, sometimes quite heavy, altogether a nice mild storm; hope it may continue. Wrote home and to my brother Lehi at Cedar; also did some reading; attended a show.

3rd: Looked up the Utah Power and Light Co., find my investment in that Co. is almost worthless, also the Western States Insurance Co. Stock a little better, worth about 50 cents on the dollar. Met Pres. W. H. Redd and wife, Caroline, and others from home (Blanding). Went out and had a nice visit with Sister Eliza Redd, widow of late Pres. L. H. Redd, who is about 80 years old, and all things considered, is holding up fine. I thoroughly enjoy visiting with my old friends, relatives and acquaintances, more especially those with whom I "passed thru the mill" with more or less happy anticipation to the glorious reunion "over there" somewhere, sometime, when we may, under more favorable surroundings, go over the "Old Trails" in carefree memory again.

4th Took the finished Temple sheets down to Cousin Alice Treharne. These are names I put thru in the Mesa Temple. Had a nice visit again. Spent most of the day reading and writing and resting.

5th: Attended to some of my business looking up different people in regard to genealogical matters, and attended a pageant or lecture on genealogy in the Tabernacle in the evening; could not see or hear very well, but what I did hear was good.

6th: Attended opening session of the 104th Annual Conference. President Heber J. Grant presented the General Church Authorities and asked Apostle David O. McKay to read some Church statistics on the financial matters of Church, Missionary activities, etc., after which Pres. Grant spoke, followed by Apostle McKay, Joseph Fielding Smith. In the afternoon Apostle George Albert Smith, Apostle Reed Smoot, and three mission presidents spoke.

7th: Listened over the radio to the forenoon and afternoon sessions of conference and attended Priesthood session in the evening; was thrilled with the spirited short talks made by the Apostles and mission presidents and the wonderful testimonies borne by all. I never heard more forceful, earnest testimonies of the truth and importance of the Gospel restored again to the children of men.

April 8th 1934: Visited among relatives and friends and made preparation for returning.

9th: Spent some time looking to find Charley Redd, thinking that he may have room for another passenger, and take me home; unable to locate him; purchased a ticket from the U. P. Bus agent, but by some unexplainable miscarriage or lapse of memory the driver failed to call for us and left without us, and we were left. But just at dusk I got word from Charley that he could bring me down if I could stand to ride all night, and I jumped at the chance and got on the way at 10 p. m., arriving home about 2:30 p. m. on the 10th.

11th: Spent the forenoon attending to my correspondence, and the afternoon choring around home, and visited some of my family.
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FROM MESA TO BLANDING AND SALT LAKE:

August 16, 1935. Started from home with my good wife, with the youngest son of Brother Thomas Watkins at the wheel; got away about 6:00 a.m. went by way of Phoenix, Prescott, Flagstaff, Cameron, Tuba City, and camped for the night with the Wetherills at Kayenta. We were a little late getting in, found the roads somewhat rough, but for the first day out, we did very well. The weather was fine. We were treated royally by our old, long-time friends. 

August 17. We got off early and found the roads very badly beat up with the heavy storm that came a few days earlier, but made the trip to Blanding by 2 p.m. finding our relatives mostly well and o.k.

August 18. Attended Sunday School in the forenoon and Sacrament meeting in the evening. Spent the week visiting relatives, friends, etc. Attended to business of different kinds, which was one of the objects of the trip. Went to Salt Lake with Brother J. Ernest Adams in his new car, well filled with my son, Thomas S., his wife, Anna and his daughter, Miss Rachel Perkins, and two of the orphan children of my son Leonard: Curtis and Ruth.

At Green River we overtook Brother Burnham with whom my wife, Mamie had started for Salt Lake; she changed places with my son Thomas and wife and the rest of the way we rode together.

August 19th, 1935: Started from home, Mesa, Arizona, with my wife, in a car driven by young Watkins; came to Kayenta; was cared for by the Wetherills, treated very kindly.

20th: Came to my old home (Blanding,) found the road rough in places; stopped with my daughter Mamie.

21st: Visited with my relatives; also 22nd, 23rd, and 24th.

25th: Attended Sabbath School this forenoon; Sacrament Meeting in evening.

August 26th 1935: Went in auto to Salt Lake with J. Ernest Adams; other in the car were my son "Tom," wife and daughter, my son-in-law Melvin J. Adams.
27th: Attended to business during the day and attended the Ashton Family Reunion in the evening; big crowd, good time.

28th: Came back to Blanding.

29th: Attended to some of the business that brot me here, settling up some accounts, etc., writing.

Aug. 30th, 1935: Not feeling quite 100 percent; stayed around "Home" most of the day.
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August 26. Visiting and attending to business matters.

August 27. Was invited to an Ashton Family Reunion, a happy, get-acquainted, social affair, consisting solely of the Ashtons and relatives, with Marvin O. Ashton, oldest son of the late Edward T. Ashton, presiding. A short program of singing and speaking just before closing. Altogether a pleasant, interesting gathering of fine people.

August 28. Came back to Blanding with Brother Wallace Burnham in his pickup, and spent the balance of the week with my good wife visiting and attending to business.

FROM SALT LAKE TO MESA:

September 13-15, 1935. Leaving the Capitol of Utah at 6:30 Friday morning with Brother and Sister Bushman, from Mesa, Arizona, J. B. James from Salt Lake, assistant at the wheel of Bushman's car. It seemed to me that the city never showed up better, its broad streets lined on each side with its diversified business houses bristling bright and clean in the beautiful early morning sun, followed by well-kept homes and mostly gardens and flowers about each home; this again followed with smaller towns and their well-ordered business houses, mills, factories, and establishments through Salt Lake Valley, Utah Valley, and Juab Valley. Dry farming seemed to predominate, and from appearances I would judge it is more or less successful this season. Millard and Beaver counties seemed lacking in moisure; Iron and Washington counties seemed to have fared somewhat better.

We camped at Cedar where we were very kindly cared for by my relatives, Ann S. Gardner and Frank Thorley and family. We got off to an early start, enjoyed the cool weather and the wonderful scenery all the way through the southern part of Iron county and Washington county. We drove through Belview, Toquerville and up the Virgin to Zion's Park, the grandest of all, in fact, there was something extra all the way to our destination, Mesa. We camped on the night of the 14th in Chino Valley, with its wonderful waving grass, affording forage for stock the coming winter.

This, with an excellent, easy car and two hundred percent good drivers, afforded a pleasant, interesting trip home, returning from a most enjoyable visit with our family and friends. My good wife and I feel grateful to be at home again, finding everything in fairly good shape, for two old fogies getting about to the end of this mortal pilgrimage, and the experience of two of the three estates.
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June 22, 1936. Meeting called by K. Jones at the home of my daughter, M. J. Adams, to attend to unfinished items of an unfinished nature in regard to our property. A company should be organized consisting of the heirs and relatives to care strictly for these matters in order to save money and property and lawyer bills.

Also it is my wish and suggestion that there be a K. Jones Genealogical Unit organized for this branch of the "Thomas Jones Head Organization of the U. S." as he was the only one joining the Church that we know of. The purpose of this organization should be that an account of the difficult barrier between Blanding and Cedar City, we can carry on with this work still. As time goes on there will be matters that will not be cared for by our correspondents nor by occasional visits.

As to Cooperatives, as suggested by our leaders, I suggest that my relatives here will be 100% for it and sustain it to the entire satisfaction of the authorities over the organization.

July 24 1936. As to funeral wishes: Nothing stylish or expensive; just something solid and sanitary; the Church authorities conducting. If they are willing I would like my family, or part of them to be prepared to sing, "Oh My Father" by our own prophetess, Eliza R. Snow. My spirit will join other members of our family, and we will all be more anxious as to the loyalty and devotion of those who are left behind, to one another and to the gospel, than we will be as to what becomes of my body at this mortal trail's end.

We should exercise care and reverence for our bodies during our sojourn through mortality as a divine gift entrusted to our control. "If we've vices that ask a destroyer, or passions that need our control, Let reason become our employer, And our body be ruled by our soul (spirit)."

If there's any of my dear friends who wish to do honor to me, I ask them to join me in transferring all honor to our Heavenly Father, for any good that I may have done, as it has been through the help and care He had given me all through my life.

November 24th, 1937: Have been reading the story of Kit (Christopher) Carson in the Deseret News, ending yesterday. Was extremely disappointing to me, and leaves the rounding up the entire Navajo Nation in 1868, or near that date, with "Kit" as guide, or some officer not responsible for the direction of that expedition, when the Navajo Nation were rounded up and held in a "Bull Pen" at Santa Fe, most of them for 3 years, and then turned loose in that waterless country was a cruel mistake, and poor inexperienced "Kit" Carson was left to shoulder the blame, without suspecting just how it would end up, as soon as the truth would appear, which was, or is, that the Mexicans and Navajoes were scrapping to see how many each nation could capture the most of women and children, and then sell them to the surrounding nations as slaves, at which game the Navajoes won out, getting by far the most of the slaves, outwitting the Mexicans easily at this game. "Kit" Carson being against the Navajoes, sided with the Mexicans, and here is where the U.S. switched to the side of Mexico and Carson took more or less charge of the situation and bore down on the Navajoes in favor of Mexico, and the poor Navajoes got it in the "neck."

Leaving the Navajo Nation their choice, "To steal or starve," they turned to southern Utah. At this point the San Juan Mission starts.

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Residence Old Home, Southeast Block, Blanding, Ut; purchased of Bishop Hanson Bayles 

Diary began June 22, 1939

June 22, 1939

Arose @ 4:30 feeling better than usual. Chopping from 5 to 6:30. Had breakfast & worked with books to 8 a.m. Chopping to 10:45. Worked with seperating writings to 12 noon. Dinner after. Bath by Alice plenty soap and hot water and rub off with alcohol. Our breakfast is usually consists of, 1 soft cooked egg and small helping mush, milk with cream, small helping rolled oats all sweetened with honey, occasionally small piece meat (not often).

Thursday at 2 o.c. = p.m. Sister Josephine H. Bayles holds a scripture reading class. (There were others at the start, but as school let out, members scattered and Sister Bayles and I thoroly enjoy studying the scriptures together for an hour each week. Thursday).

Usually eat supper in 2 sections about 6 to 8. Mostly milk, fruit, mush, cereals, etc.

Do a little writing occasionally, would do more if my eyes were better, but I should not complain, am almost free from severe pains. I feel that Providence has answered my humble prayers for which I praise His Holy Name.

[41R]

Auto rides are almost a daily pleasure for the last few weeks by kindness of daughter, Mamie, and the Adams (Aunt Margret and Carlie) who furnish auto, and I enjoy it very much. I even jump up from the chopping block to their pleasing health giving rides. Even took me with them down to our old home town of Bluff, Ut, which was a thrill and joy to me but the "Old Spirit" was somewhat lacking lately.

Some faithful L. D. S., but few in number but signs of the modern spirit of clean up and tidy up, was everywhere evident.

The main highway between Blanding and Bluff was being worked on and appealed to me to promise a much better road when finished, reached home before night. OK.

June 23

Had good night. Feel fine. Spent more time at the chop block. Had a bunch of my old friends from Cedar City call today. Lisle Cory (Bishop for many years), "Bud" Leigh, Lunt grandson of Henry Lunt, an old 
[42R]
time Bp of Cedar City.

All fine prominent men of Cedar. In interest of the establishing a connecting highway connecting the wonderlands of eastern Utah and western San Juan County, Utah.

June 24, 1939

Had a good nights rest. Feeling good. Passed the day with pretty much the usual program. Weather continues dry and getting warmer, if not hot, some clouds scattered about every day.

June 25th

Breakfast about as usual, mush, cereals seasoned with creamed milk, an egg (soft b[oiled]), some fruit, bottled (now), buttermilk or clabber occasionally, (some nice salad for dinner, usually which is prepared by daughter Mamie at her home, occasionally little ice cream or something of that order.)

Some neighbors very kindly send some of the buttermilk and clabber, and vegetables & fruits from their gardens in season, all of which we thankfully appreciate and we know the Lord will doubly bless them.


Friday June 30, 1939. Young Navajo Young Antes started to work for K. Jones @$30.00 per month. July 22-23--off for Monticello. Trip less 2 days work. Celebrating $2.00. Paid now, [$]12.00 bal.

June 26, 1939

Dairy (or something) continued
Brot from page 43. Cedar boys returned yesterday, enjoyed their visits very much. They reminded me of when I was younger and stronger. A bunch of nice bright fellows. Got up this a. m. 4:30 feeling good, put in day. All as usual. Quite a few visitors.

June 27

Did not feel up to standard, felt a bit blue big part of the day did some chopping, but worked in "low gear."

June 28

Days getting warmer, nights cooler and both remain dry. Followed about the same old program: chopping, writing, etc. Am pleased with the quite small children calling and bringing me flowers, etc. It is something they will be proud of with the passing of the years.

Friday [Thursday] June 29

Richardson visit. Not feeling quite up to standard but worried thru, squrming and grunting a bit, but mostly alone so that it did not bother my best friends much.

As to the Richardson picture show stuff, I asked him not to get me mixed up in any silly stuff and he protested that it was to represent a special religious movement, but to my mind some of the old timers run some extremely silly, senseless, stuff was put over or thru that machine to represent an event of such sacred importance.

Friday June 30, 1939

Bro. Richardson came in to secure pictures of the old timers still left alive of those pilgrims who came down and crossed the Colorado River at the "Hole in the Rock" in the winter of 1879 for the purpose of arranging a "picture show" of that occasion sometime within a year or so.

It was sort of a reunion for the old girls and boys to get together for an hour or so, as there seemed to be considerable lively performing thru it all. It occupied an hour or so. The "Old Youngsters" seemed to enjoy it all, rather lively.

July 1st, Full Moon

Satterday, July 1st, 1939

Had fairly good night, feel good this morning. Out before breakfast at the chopping rack, and taking of the earlie suns rays for my eyes, which are a little better than they have been.

The sun has not been as warm today, some little wind and some clouds about all day. We should have some rain soon. 

From the view point of a very unworthy Old Boy. We could enlist the aid and blessings of The One we are supposed to Serve, just by being a little more kind, patient, and true toward each other, making The Gospel, with its "Golden Rule," the guide and controlling force in Our lives and dealing with each other, both inside and outside Our Church membership. This must be the time, For Our Savior tells us Himself that "Upon This Hangs All The Law and The Prophets." Whatsoever Ye Wold That Men Should Do Unto You Do Ye Even So Unto Them.

Sunday, July 2nd, 1939

As it being Fast we observed that feature of the day.

It has sprinkled several times and threatened rain all around us and we are expecting a good storm, and hoping, as we need some rain.

Around home all day, quite lonesome. Attended none of the gatherings of this Sabath Day nor have had a visitor from the ward, only a few Indians, not one of our own Folks even, have called in to see us. I'm sure each one has a valid excuse. Busy all day myself have not had time to get lonesome or in the dumps. 
Heavy clouds all around and sprinkles gives us hopes for storm soon.

Monday, July 3, 39

Had a fairly good night average up a little better than usual. More cloudy and favorable for rain, but all Bluff and nearly all bluster. Unles we have a storm, garden stuff and fields will suffer after splendid prospects earlier.

Our Navajo boy has a big boil or two and is otherwise knocked out, and we feel sorry, as He is the best young Navajo Kid we have had in Our employ.

Tuesday, July 4th, 1939 Blanding

Out earlie, got good sun for eyes. Had a fairly restfull night, feel good for start on this one of our Nations holidays. Worked at the chopping job forenoon. Out to witness the "sports" in my daughters car, afternoon. Boys riding wild stuff, mostly, everybody happy. Big crowd, no one hurt as far as I heard, very little drinking in evidence. Everyone seemed to be happy.

Wednesday, July 5 ("After the Ball")

I started the day chopping before eating as I have been used to do lately.

Our Navajo Boy is some better, He is a hero and don't want to give up, but keeps plugging away.

From all appearance the weather looks dry. Had strong dry winds today at times.


July 6th, 39, Thursday

Long chopping spell before breakfast. Enjoyed breakfast. In fact, my apetite is 100 per/ct or better than normal. Scripture reading class with Sister Grant Bayles, Sister Josephine is a brick for staying with this class. She and I are alone mostly, with this scripture reading. We both find new inspiration in an old study and we are drawn nearer Our Maker.

(Had picture taken of 4 generations of Jones Family with son "Tom" this was July 7th). I overlooked putting it down.

Friday, July 7th

Felt a little better, weather getting warmer and drier. Have moved one chopping rack into the garage to use in the heat of day.

Satterday, July 8

Feel better this morning, rested good, enjoyed a good breakfast. (Leland prepares our meals with exception of dinners. Daughter Mamie gets our dinners. Mostly nice salads, sometimes, little ice cream. Done a little more chopping than usual today. Felt a little better all around.

I regret more than I can express in words the nuisence I am to so many people in my utterly helples condition. Hope it will not last too long.

Sunday, 9th

One of the long days for me, no work or visitors. Will go to Sacrament Meeting this evening if possible. Have been a church goer all my life, when quite a young boy asked by the choir leader to join the choir when about 10 or 12 years of age, and have tried to help a little with the singing where I could.

Son "Tom" took me to Church, while (over) was not able to hear most of the speakers; however, I enjoyed the services, splendidly. The usual good influence was in evidence. My son Alma knowing of my being deaf spoke lowder and I was pleased with his short spicy address which he handled like an old veteran. I thoroly enjoyed the singing of the choir and others. There is a decided improvement of the young people of Blanding Ward, in many ways.

Monday, July 19th, 1939

Feeling about normal, out before breakfast, put in a good turn at the "Block" and giving eyes a sun "bath" which I do every clear morning, believe that assists nature in preserving the eyes.

Tuesday, 11th

Followed usual program. Weather hotter, no clouds to speak of.

Wednesday, July 12th

Stil up and comming with the assistance of a few patient helpers and this assists them to work out their own ways to salvation. And come what may to high or low will help raise us from down below.

And make of this a place more rich from where we'll never want to switch. 
Make peace with Heaven and all good men. And all go back to "Home" again 
And live with partners pure and true. While ages last and ne-er be thru. Forever is a long--long time. No mortal ere may sence it twil be many years.

Wednesday, 12[th]

Weather stil getting warmer and windyer and dryer, if that could be possible, But we stil "peg" away.

Thursday, 13th

Nothing out of the common to cronicle.

Friday, 14[th]

Getting peavish. Not feeling quite so well, but should not complain. The machinary that controls my apetite, works and Functions fine, and don't fail often.

Satterday, July 15

Lonesome today until I received a card from Denver from my daughter Mamie and her family and some other Adams on their way to the New York World's Fair. Also a long Letter from My Wife Mame F. Jones. All fairly well excepting the Wife who besides Her regular ailing was tied Home with a bad Foot.


Sunday, July 16

Home all day, no visitors, but started out for Sacrament Meeting on crutches but Bro. Grant Bayles picked me up and rode with He and My Navajo Boy (a son of "Antees"--so named for a missionary of "The Indian Rights Association People). He is a nice fellow and seemed to be proud of his calling of assisting an helpless Old, Man in His great need. I enjoyed meeting and especially the singing and "Boy Scout" ceremony and the Sacrament.

Monday, July 17

Few, nice clouds out today. Weather stil and warm. Feels like we may have rain which is sorely needed, but how do we know, It may be the means of our eyes being opened to see that we are drifting away from the standard of unity that becomes followers of the Saviors and having taken upon us His Name.

Tuesday, 18th

Felt some better after good nights rest and sleep, most of the time. Thats a job all like to work at and very few that like to shirk at.

Wednesday, July 19th, 1939

A fairly good rest again last night feel better.

Thursday, July 20--

Met with Sister Josephine Bayles. Scripture Reading Class, the New Testament at present. I really enjoy this class. We get new ideas and new angles on old ones each time we read the Scriptures.

July 21st, 1939, Friday

Fairly good rest last night. Chopping and sawing wood, With me, it seems about all other folks are all worked up over the Hollidays with everybody els.

July 22nd

Holliday still. Our young Navajo followed the crowds today. Took stage for Monticello this morning with his parents to take in the Nahohi (Navajo name for the big shows). They pull off, started by Mexicans it is claimed, The "Trick" consists of a chicken being "buried" in the ground all but its head and the pony riders ride by on a gallope, reach down and pull chicken out or at least get the head winning the "prize".


Sunday, July 23

Part of celebration goes Merilly on some places in the county. Blanding held religious exercises, Have not heard as yet from other towns. No serious accidents yet from the county.

Attended Sacrament Meeting this evening, Several returned missionaries spoke reporting their Labors, countries, etc.

July 24th, 1939

Out before daylight and up on the pinenut Knoll, prepared to engage in the pioneer pageant representing first pioneer journey from Nauvou, Ill. to Utah Led by The prophet Brigham Young.

This in my humble judgment was the best program and highclass educational representation of one of the most important epochs of L.D.S. History

LDS pageant, continued

This must be arranged in shape for preservation as time passes it will be more important historically for the young Folks of L.D.S. and others.

July 25, 1939, Tuesday

Worked at usual program with Leland, Alice, and Navajo boy assisting little.

Wednesday, July 26

Have to use "Mark Twains" "ditto." No change or occurrance mar the almost tiresome tiresome and monotiny of the usual program. Had little rain,

Thursday, July 27th, 1939

Little more Rain Adams Big Excursion and Worlds Fair (New York) trip ended this even. Succesful, all well, They report having had the time of their lives.

Names to Remember

Hoagland, neighbor Sam
Sam Antees, little boy commenced work at $1.00 per day.

July 28 and 29

Chopped some. Got word from Provo that my son Marvin lost one of his sons, Lowel. Found in his car dead.

Sunday, July 30

Observed Sabath. Attended the funeral services held in church at 12:30 noon for Lowel, son of Marvin and Maryann (my son and wife).

Monday, July 31st, 1939

Felt a little better than normal. Worked at wood chopping most of day and had no callers come to visit until it was rather late but a lone teacher--a young Bro. Brown, who tho rather late done his job well. I enjoy the Young Teachers, who Function 100 percent. I think they have the Older Teachers outclassed.

August 1st, 1939

Weather stil dry, warm and windy and chopping stil in fashion and medium high gear. Having a few light showers the last few days when the winds stop blowing, will very some rain, that has been our experience in the past.

August 2nd

Other small Showers, weather a little cooler. Have to chop to keep warm.

August 3rd

Small light showers or few days, no change in our program

August 6th

Not much change in Weather, Chopping at the big load of wood yet. The haulers claim there was 4 cords of wood on their improvised /tractor, an imence load. We have been chopping a week or more and nearly half of it left yet. Got word here from the Mantel Hospital at Provo that Sister Lula Redd had died will be buried after funeral exercises tomorrow. Attended Sacrament Meeting at 2 o'clock and conjoint evening.

Monday 7

Attended funeral @ 10 for Sister Lula Redd, at home of Brother and Sister Frank and Hatty Barton's home. Had a quiet Humble Spirit an alltogether profitable gathering. The Family of president L.H. Redd were earnestly commended for the handling of their responsibility in her case all the way thru and they had a long siege of it before she was taken to the Hospital at Provo where she died a few day ago. At the funeral there was a Spirit of Inteligence, of unity, sympathy, kindness, all from above, all from the source of light, fresh and new to most of those present or at least for the present estate.

August 15, 1939

Having scalded my foot on the instep causing serious trouble especially after it became infected, I have not been able to do any writing, it has been very painful at times up until the last few days.

I attended an Adams Family Reunion where they organized for the purpose of Genealogical, Historical, and other purposes, especially for Social and keeping in touch and having the welfare of each other in view. Met at Bluff, Utah. F. Jacob Adams was elected president.

August 21st, 1939

Attended an Old Folks Gathering at "The Blue Mt. Dude Ranch" which I enjoyed most heartily, every number was of an high class order and handled by an artist and showed clever training, both old and young. As near as I am able to judge this was the best party of its kind I ever witnessed without any doubt, a sweet praisworthy event. Every number handled by artists.

August 26, 1939

My Older Brother Lehi W. and his oldest Son, Henry, paid us a three days visit which I have thoroly enjoyed. I place brother Lehi up among the best men of This Earth. About 1 1/2 years older than I, but many years Better in most every way. When Our Father died (Rheumatism being the immediate cause) he was only 34 years of age, and Brother Lehi changed from child to man, and from then to the present has played a man's part in the "game of life." The good Father above, help us Younger Brothers be worthy of Him, This Heritage is Ours and will thru eternity be a help and blessing to us.

September 3rd, 1939, Sunday

Attended Sabath School, not many in attendence as the quarterly conference of San Juan Stake was being held at Monticello and many had gone to attend that as visitors and authorities from headquarters were expected to be in attendance.

August 31, 1939

Stil chopping wood, etc. Had a nice visit with a Bro. Webster from one of the old prominent and highly respected families of Cedar City. At present living in Salt Lake City, Had a long interesting conversation with him in regard to old acquaintances and Friends of both of us. Frank Webster who was called with the original San Juan Missionaries and came with "Aunt" Mary and I lived and traveled together becoming very much attached to him as a solid exceptionally fine man among men, But failed in becoming Our Brother-in-law and died many years later a disapointed recluse, livin alone, away from civilization. One of the saddest pictures of My Life. Born to be One of the solid Men of earth, failed to find His place in Mortel Life. We would be pleased to do (see page 67)

Frank Webster of Cedar City

something that will be for his good and or advantage in The next Life. He was a good man and worthy of the best there is in The Eternal Life (in my opinion.) Did I know what to do for Him, and how to do it. There must be some provission in the Gospel plan to adjust matters of those splendid good people. Some perfectly good Sister left thru no fault of hers may be brot out for cases like my dear good Friend, Frank Webster. I most certainly hope so, many good men have been led off by women. My hart is with young people of this class especially the young Folks, without experience.
Date Sept 7, 1939
Occasional notes (not a continued diary)
Had nice showers during week. Freshened all crops and ranges, look for more. Very dry since the above storm. Stil chopping, beautiful warm weather.

PREFACE TO THE WRITINGS OF KUMEN JONES

Consisting of Notes, Historical scraps, etc.

RELIGION: We had a pre-mortal existence in the spirit world before coming to this life where we exercised our agency and made some degree of advancement. Some made more advancement than others, thereby making the great difference with which we begin in this life. Our Father in Heaven is a perfect man, with body, parts and passions; a perfected, glorified being, and the Father of our Savior by the Virgin Mary. The Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit and the three constitute the presiding agency over the earth. In the program there is provision for a human nursery or testing period where we are put through numerous tournaments or competitive tests, where we all qualify for a more or less permanent heritage.

The first prize is a Celestial Heritage, the second a Terrestrial heritage, the third a Telestial heritage. The fourth draws a blank, or worse. In the first three of the above, the principal of eternal progression is involved, holding out hope for infinite growth and endless progress as a reward of effort.

We mortal pilgrims cannot, or do not now, fully appreciate eternity. All that we have here comes to an end, or a change which amounts to about the same thing. Nor can we understand that there is no end to space or to matter.
---------------

FOR THE HEALTH: GRATITUDE: Always have a supply of it on hand and pass it along freely. I have an idea the laughter cure for the physical ills of mankind should be stressed and used more than it is by the medical profession. I once had a minor ailment, and the doctor I called dosed me a little, but for the most part he said I would "have to grin and bear it." Then one of those chronic laughters came to see me, bless their resistibilities, and almost immediately I got better. My diaphragm needed shaking.
----------------
IMPRESSIONS: One of the chief corner stones of the gospel of the Savior of this world is, and must be, The Golden Rule. As the time of His crucifixion approached, this ground-work of true religion seemed to bear heavily on his mind, as is indicated in His prayer to the Father and His appealings to His disciples. Especially disappointing must have been the knowledge that His sacrifice and pleadings were to fail of immediate results at that stage of the earth's progress, and that He was to be rejected by all but a few.

This must have been a source of sorrow and sadness to him. But in this, our day, when the gospel has been revealed again, and especially with the promises and assurances that it will not be taken again from the earth, it brings hope and confidence to the few who will accept it with faith and honest hearts.

But all men, believers and unbelievers, will sometime find it necessary to square their lives and their living to this same "Rule" in order to be accepted of the Savior who gave it. It will become the equalizer and regulator for both the laborer and the business man, the politician and the office-holder, for those of high birth and for those of less prominence, for the rich and for the poor.

"Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them," is, and always will be, one of the foundation principles of Celestial glory. In putting off our accepting and practicing this rule, we do so at our own peril. We may postpone the time of accepting this heavenly principle, or condition, but sooner or later we will see and feel that it is one of the indispensible principles of everlasting importance.
---------------

BORROWED PHILOSOPHY AND SCRIPTURE: which I accept as true and unchangeable for our guide through life. "Whatsoever ye would that men should do, do ye even so unto them." Again, "Whatsoever measure ye mete out to others, it shall be measured to you again, yea, heaped up and running over."

"Judge not that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged." We may be smart enough to deceive each other here in this mortal life, but before we enter the Celestial Kingdom, we will have to pass the perfect judge; the One who can read every thought and intent of the heart or the mind, wherein one has thought to deceive his fellow mortals. But he is the one that is deceived, and he will be humiliated in the presence of the Just and the Pure.

I know one imperfect pilgrim who desires help from above as well as from his fellow men to "fix up" here before passing on to the unknown conditions and surroundings. In case there are any crooked attempts along our trail, they will be detected by ourselves even before we approach the perfect judge.
---------------

TO MY CHILDREN AND DESCENDANTS:

Remember that in all your dealings with your fellowmen in this life, it is up to you to be fair and square with all, if not, it is you to do the worrying, if it is happiness you are after, both here in this life and in the life hereafter, until every wrong is made right. The Prophet Alma says, "As we lay our bodies down, so shall we take them up again; they who have done good unto a state of happiness, and they who have done evil into a state of unhappiness and sorrow." "As the tree is laid down, so shall it rise again." That means that we shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body, or in other words, by the record we make while passing through this mortal state.


THE GOSPEL "without beginning of days or end of years," But for the purpose of this unlettered little story, we will undertake to answer the three questions that must come up in the mind of every normal person upon reaching the years of accountability:

(1st) From whence did we come from to here,
(2nd) What is the purpose of our being here,
(3rd) Where do we go from here, and what our final destination and condition.

The gospel, "God's Story," gives us to understand that we had a spiritual existence previous to our being born into this mortal life, and even in that pre-mortal state we had an identity a personality, intelligence, an agency to decide for ourselves, and while the spirit substance is finer, it is none the less real, and susceptable to influences, can see, hear, feel, and can think and act more or less freely, and may exercise an influence for good or ill, with groups or individually. Scripture, anciently and modern, informs us that there was a great council held in that spirit world in which all God's spirit children took part, in which council there was at least two groups participating, where Lucifer, "a son of the morning," led the opposition party and one-third of the hosts of the spirit forces of that council followed him in that rebellion.

There was a definite program outlined in that council which must have been more or less fully taught and explained to all that spirit creating. In that school or council convention, a difference of opinion must have developed among the leading spirits upon the subject of "Free Agency." In a way this "Council" may be compared to the efforts of the original colonies to formulate a constitution as the foundation for a permanent government. Some of the individual colonies were loathe to relinguish some "rights" that they contended should belong to the states. Others contending for a strong central government. Finally compromising in checks and balancing afforded by the three--Executive, Legislative, Judiciary--Branches.

---------------
BOYS AND GIRLS PLEASE TAKE NOTICE

You are looking ahead. I'm looking back. Youth may pick up some useful items from my personal experience; could I take this experience back to start this mortal life with it. Here are some improvements I could make.


My Ten Commandments

1st: Be kinder and more helpful to my over-matched Mother, who was left a widow with 6 children, the oldest (living) 7 1/2 years, the youngest (twins) less than one year old; in extreme poverty, broken health, nerves exhaustion. She fought bravely on. I could easily have been better and more helpful, especially after my eighth year. Sorry to have to admit that it was not the case. "Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother that Thy Days may be long upon the Land which the Lord Thy God Giveth Thee."

2nd: Honor and be helpful to your Bishop, always, as he is another father in our Church; represents our Heavenly Parents.

3rd: Be kind and honor all womankind. Defend against insult or harm, as you would like to have your mother or sister honored. A scrub don't do this.

4th: Be kind to all the animal kingdom. Especially all domestic animals. Don't torture any of them.

5th: Be Honest and square with your fellowmen; put the Golden Rule to work in all your dealings and associations with them. "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them." Peace cannot come, or prevail on this earth until we, the people, accept and live this law.

6th: Pay an honest tithing into the Lord's Store House.

7th: Keep the Word of Wisdom. It's better than doctors and most medicines for a quide to health.

8th: Live within your means. Keep out of debt, if you would have your word as good as your bond.

9th: Sustain all Organizations of the Church.

10th: Be a good student. The intelligence we attain to in this life is all we take into the next probation over and above what we brought with us when we came here.

Join the Church Security plan without reserve, or hesitation. If I understand the Church Security Plan it is a distinct step ahead, toward the putting in to practice the Golden Rule, and end up in the Order of Enoch, and had working on this continent among the Nephites and converted Lamanites after our Savior's visit here. Furthermore it will only create a smile to intimate that any other system or order will prevail after the resurrection in the Celestial Kingdom. Now be careful stepping back down the Golden Stairs, while we finish our earth story here in Blanding homes.
---------------

THE UNFORTUNATE JEWS

November 13, 1938. In reading the current news, and listening in on the radio, all sounds like 1846 Missouri and Illinois History, only the latter news is on a much larger scale, as far as the people involved is concerned. The same cowardly, brutal, ungodly spirit and general treatment by the agressor nations are concerned.

---------------

AS TO ETERNAL MATTERS AND THINGS.

If we knowingly deceive, cheat, or obtain any material thing or things from another person, or company, in any but an honorable way, we are robbing ourselves of eternal riches, unless we repent and make good to the ones we have wronged.

Life insurance for this life, also for Eternity.

Agents who sell life insurance usually sign contracts for policies lasting 20 years, which is a legitimate and praiseworthy calling with character building points in its favor. How much more important must necessarily mean to us is the eternal insurance that is embraced in the Gospel of the Redeemer.

-------------------------

APPARENTLY SMALL HABITS, that in a life mean much. Each child early in life should form the habit of being tidy, not only in dress and personal appearance, but in caring for all things that we use or handle. This is indispensable where the family is large, unless we determine to make a slave of the truest and best friends we have, or ever will have, Mother and wife. If we form the habit while young of being tidy, helpful, and anxious to serve others, we are sowing seeds and deeds that grow and mature into the richest and sweetest of all the harvest time, in riches that will never rust or "Thieves break thru and steal."

--------------------
WHO WILL INVENT, or furnish two English words for use of everyday mortal lives to replace (1st) DEATH, used to describe the passing on of the living creatures providence has place on the earth for a temporary sojourn. Our leaving the Spirit World and starting out in this mortal existence, the most helpless of all living creatures, is more of a death than our taking leave of this life and returning to our first "estate", the Spirit. Why cannot we invent a better word than "death" to describe this change.

2nd. We need a good English word to describe "A high class SPORT. We borrow the word sport from our friends of the sporting world. We need a word that will describe the best people who play the game of life best. The best brother of all humankind, who said, "Go thy way and sin no more," "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," "Thy will, not mine, be done," who never uttered one word of self-pity in all his life.

"OUT WHERE THE WEST BEGINS"

Out where the handclasp's a little stronger,
Out where the smile dwells a little longer,
That's where the West begins;
Where there's more of singing and less of sighing,
Where there's more of giving and less of buying,
And a man makes friends without half trying,
That's where the West begins.
Out where the mountains are a little higher,
Out where the climate is a little drier,
That's where the West begins,
Where most all folks are neighbors,
Take interest in each other's labor,
And each thot with sympathy savors,
Out where the West begins.
Out where the sun shines brighter, 
The air you breathe is lighter,
That's where the West begins.

---------------------------

THANKSGIVING DAY REFLECTIONS

How far away the cabin is, that waited by the lane;
How far away the dusty road, that led beyond my sight;
But I can see the cedars still, and I can hear the rain
That beat upon that shingled roof and sang to me at night.
How far away I've drifted from a day that used to be--
But I am thankful for a dream that still comes back to me.

How far away a dream can drift and still remain as clear
As yellow roses in the light against a winter's snow.
How far away a voice can call and still seem just as near
As when I heard it speak my name so very long ago.
The path seems rougher as we march, and dusk is in the sky,
But I am thankful for a dream sent me from One I know.

THANKSGIVING, Nov., 1932. In looking back sixty-four years, and taking stock of my past life, and associations, both as to my own family and the neighbors and friends with whom it has been my good fortune to live and labor, the thot has come to me O how thankful I should be to have my lot cast among so good a people. The truth is dawning on my soul what a responsibility is upon me to live and labor so that these associations shall never end, but endure for all time. When we remember that this mortal life is as a drop compared to the mighty ocean of the eternity that follows this life, and rather than endanger our chances in the next one it will pay from any point of view to forego any temporary pleasure, for the securing of a reserved seat in the life to come. My soul is filled with gratitude to our Heavenly Father for my earthly father and mother, brothers and sister, wives and children, uncles and aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces, and all blood relations, and for the splendid noble men and women that I have been associated with in the Church all thru my life, and as time goes on I hope to become more worthy of these blessings, exercising more charity and faith. I am more thankful than I have language to express for the knowledge I have that every principle of the Gospel as restored to the earth by the prophet Joseph Smith is true, and is in very deed the power of God unto salvation to all who obey its teachings, enduring to the end.

I would entreat all men everywhere to accept the Gospel, live it and receive the reward that is as sure as death itself, or more than the passing on from this probationary state into the spirit life that we left to come here, the one change no more of a death than the other--rather a birth into a new life and a broader field of operation.
---------------------
Just a few thots on what we should know, but don't. The Gospel (God's plan) embraces all truth, all good, chemistry, psychology, history, especially the scriptures and themes mentioned in our scriptures.
------------------
EDUCATION. "Man, know thyself." But, we have to be educated along certain lines in order to know ourselves, even imperfectly. The greater part of us will not fully understand ourselves in this mortal sojourn. If we get started out right in this school and keep going in that general direction, we will make headway in this life, and will be in better shape to get our bearings starting out in the next "Grade."
----------------------

WHEN IT'S SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES

The twilight deepens into night, dear
The city lights are gleaming o'er the snow
I sit along beside the fire, dear,
I'm dreaming dreams from out the long ago.
In fancy it is springtime in the mountains,
The flowers with their colors are aflame
And every day I hear you softly saying
"I'll wait until the springtime comes again."

When it's springtime in the Rockies
I am coming back to you,
Little sweetheart of the mountains
With your bonny eyes of blue.
Once again I'll say I love you
While the birds sing all the day
When it's springtime in the Rockies
In the rockies far away.

THINGS WORTH WHILE

Don't ask: Has the world been a friend to me.
But: Have I to the world been true
'Tis not what you get, but what you give
That makes life worthwhile to you.
'Tis the kind word said to a little child
As you wiped its tears away.
And the smile you brot to some careworn face
That really lights up your day.
'Tis the hand you clasp with an honest grasp
That gives you a hearty thrill
'Tis the good you pour into other lives
That comes back, your own to fill.
'Tis the dregs you drain from another's cup
That makes your own seem sweet
And the hours you give to your brother men
That your own life makes complete
'Tis the burden you help another bear
That makes your own seem light
'Tis the danger seen for another's feet
That shows you the path to right.
'Tis the good you do each passing day
With a heart sincere and true
For giving the world your very best
It's best will return to you.

--------------------





JUST FOR FUN AND PASTIME AND PRACTICE

During Woodrow Wilson's administration, congress "milled' a long time over the wording of a resolution or law, providing for our joining the League of Nations, haggling, more or less good-naturedly, over the meaning of big words and legal terms, etc. That's how I practiced on something that even a congressman may understand--words with but one syllable.

"No king or czar shall bear rule in this land, nor shall they have any say as to how we shall run it. They shall not have a say as to when or where our boys shall go or shall not go to fight in case of war in any part of the earth. We shall have and love but one flag, and that shall be the good old Stars and Stripes, and we shall say where and when our honored flag shall be raised and flung to the breeze. We will treat all men in all lands as we would like them to treat us. We will help feed those of any land when in great need, and will help all good men to keep the peace of the world, when and if we can. But will not throw in with them or put our rights in their hands, and will not give up to them any of the job God put in our hands, nor will we join them or give them aid to put a wrong over to anyone else. We will be straight and clean in all things, and will make all men to know that we will stand for no other way with the help of the Lord.

___________________________


What about it all? Where did we come from and how? No human mind of ourselves can answer. What is our business here, now that we are here, and how shall we attend to that or this business? Now that we are here, where do we go from here?
------------------------

From a religious point of view the answer to our boy Prophet's first prayer was the most important and far reaching to this generation of anything that could be given to the human family, which was a clear knowledge of the form, being and attributes of our Eternal Father, His attitude and will towards His earthly offspring, thus affording a foundation for intelligent faith to build upon and clarifying the situation; getting back to where Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and the Savior himself left record of this all important knowledge, and replacing the mythical impossible something that the pretended religious church men had substituted for the God of the scriptures.
------------------------------

My religion, in brief, at which I have puttered at a little and recommend all my fellow pilgrims to try out, "With all thy getting, get understanding."--Solomon.

With all thy doing, do kindness, help the needy and unload the overburdened, especially those who are handicapped by ill-health of mind or body. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, cheer up the discouraged. Turn the wicked from his evil ways, but do it kindly, patiently, without giving unnecessary offence. Reprove wrongdoing fearlessly, but do it in a way to retain the friendship of the offending one. It takes one with a big kind heart to work these things out. But such is life and the giver and doer of these things has put the Golden Rule to work in this life, which must needs be to usher in the Millennium reign of the only just and Holy One.
----------------------------

The foundation for religion must be faith in a Supreme Being, or power, and when I see the great difference in men it's easy for me to believe in the God of the scriptures, as I understand them, when we see how near some men become, even in this mortal life, where we are subjected to sin and temptation on every hand, and the great majority fall for it, many others who take almost a neutral stand; and the small minority, in every age and in every nation, stand with courage and oppose evil in every form and among those few even some at times waver. I say it points to the perfecting of some to the Allwise, Allpure, Allpowerful position of some above the human status, for there are some men and women too, who have taken the knowledge and faith they possessed and work their way up thru grilling tests (most of them) up into most beautiful, enviable lives, even here in mortality, while all about them have been those with the same possibilities have failed miserably.
------------------------
MORTALITY: We are here for a wise and glorious purpose, to work out the program we assisted in formulating in the pre-mortal estate. "To see if we would do whatsoever the Father in Heaven commands us to do" (in a state of forgetfulness as to our former life.) The grilling test consists of "What will we do with our free agency," having two opposing influences, or powers working to gain supremacy over us, both real, but not always tangible, but powerful. How early in this life of ours will we learn that "there is a spirit in man and the inspiration or Spirit of the Almighty giveth it understanding," and it is our privilege to listen to and be guided into all truth and liberty by the latter spirit. We are to permanently place our devotion, stabilize our attitude in life, learn the importance of taking proper care of and sacredly guarding our physical bodies as an eternal heritage, as above and beyond price.

We are to learn how to care for ourselves and those dependent upon us, dealing fairly and justly with all men, meeting all public responsibilities of every nature, both in Church and state, soliciting this opportunity as a privilege, with charity and an open mind towards the opinions of everyone, not expecting perfection in any not even ourselves, lest we meet with disappointment.

There may be an occasional exception, but the great majority of those who have worked their way up and into the hearts and memories of the children of men in this good life, have been those who have overcome the greatest difficulties, or lost their lives in the struggle up, in an attempt to better the outlook for their fellowmen. Don't expect too easy sailing or all peaches and cream, and at the same time expect the highest character development, but instead pray that we may overcome the grilling problems on our trail on up to better lives and possibilities.
-------------------------
JUST MY OPINION AS TO THE "SOUL" OF MAN. The heart is headquarters for the machinery that handles the blood circulation thru the body while in this mortal life. The brain is headquarters for the operation of the spirit. The heart and brain unite in, or are affected by the operation of the nervous system.

After the resurrection the heart and brain, both being operated by the spirit field, will control cooperatively the six senses for the progress, the happiness and well-being of man. The spirit and physical body of man will constitute the soul.
--------------------------

"WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE," or what of the future? The Savior points the way and sets the pattern. Some there are who take the Savior's sayings to the thief who was crucified with him, that he would go direct to Heaven (claiming that "Paradise" means Heaven), but the text does not sustain that claim, for the third day after the Savior was crucified he informed the women at the tomb that he had not yet ascended to Heaven, so that paradise must mean a temporary station where the spirits meet to get their assignments and where a partial judgment is pronounced, dividing them according to worthiness.

The Savior also gave us an exact pattern as to the resurrected condition of our bodies, the only difference the Savior's body, as King David saw in vision, nearly two thousand years earlier, did not "see corruption." Otherwise our bodies will be as "His, real, actual physical bodies of flesh and bones, without blood (which will be replaced with spirit.)

The Savior at birth was half Divine, and He himself does not expect that we will in this probation reach His state of perfection. But He does expect us to make the choice as to whom we elect to serve and follow, the companions and the general attitude of our lives, with a conscience to assist us as to right and wrong.
----------------------

Organization Perfect when put to work. It takes the infant when 8 days or thereabouts. It is given a name and a blessing by one holding authority, assisted by one or more Elders. Even before the birth the mother to be is given instructions in regard to health rules and care of her body and other health information so as to make everything as favorable as possible for the unborn. The Church record begins at birth and blessing, then comes Cradle Roll, Kindergarten class, Primary Organization, Sunday School, Boy Scout Organization for boys and Bee Hive work for girls; Mutual Improvement Associations for both sexes. For the boys they are started in to Priesthood work: Deacons 8 years, Teachers 12, Priests 16, then according to interest and activity 18 to 20 years Elders, according to preparation and worthiness Seventies and High Priests. In all these progressive steps or grades, the very best teachers available are procured, and as near as possible the best and most up-to-date methods are employed. As for the Church, the Savior's Life and Teachings are the foundation and groundwork of all teachings of every organization enumerated above, and the object of it all is the preparation of a race up to when and where they may live the law as outlined by our Savior in His "Sermon on the Mount"--"Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy; blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called the children of God; blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."
-----------------------

A FEW OF THE REASONS WHY "MORMONISM" or the Gospel of our Savior must be right, for it teaches that God our Eternal Father is a person (man being formed in his exact image) only perfected, sanctified, glorified, whose physical body is under complete control of his spiritual being. This is the being described in scripture, the only being understandable by finite beings. This gives us a foundation for intelligent faith, which is an indispensable factor in religion.

We had a pre-mortal, spiritual estate, or existence before this mortal life, in which we had an identity in which we exercised our agency freely, and in which estate the gospel was formulated and taught in all plainness and we were permitted to take part in the whole program of this life's grilling test, where good and evil were to be put before us while in the condition of utmost innocence and forgetfulness as to our spiritual life before coming here.

Now to which of the two influences are we going to react, the immoral, intemperate, lawless body and soul destroying tempter, or the moral, ethical religious uplifting one that Christ lived, taught and died for? The Gospel teaches that we will be rewarded, or punished according to our own works and deeds, no more no less, after taking into account our abilities and opportunities and environment.
----------------------

If we think we are in hard lines read the Savior's Life.
If discouraged, down in the dumps, or have a case of just ordinary blues, read the Book of Mormon, especially the last experience of "Mormon and Moroni."
"To serve the present age My calling to fulfil
"O may it all my powers engage Doing my Father's Will.
"I expect to pass thru this mortal life but once. If therefore there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to my fellow human beings, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." A Quaker.

"It takes courage to speak or act the truth under some circumstances, but without truth nothing of enduring value remains."

"Make truth thy buckler and shield."

"A knocker never wins. A winner never knocks."
-------------------------

BOYS AND GIRLS, OLD AND YOUNG, think it over, TAKE YOUR CHOICE: THOMAS ALVA EDISON
One of the outstanding characters of all time. High class man with a clean, high class sports attitude toward life. Used his extraordinary inventive mind and talents to bring light, and joy to his fellowmen. Lived a clean, temperate life; associated with good people always. His advice to young men was always uplifting, pointing towards high ideals. He acknowledged without hesitation that there is a higher power than mortal man's leading and guiding our efforts when we have reached our own limitations. The men who made a specialty of religion had him confused until all he cared to say on that subject was "I don't know," and upon nearing the end of this mortal life, in coming out of one of his partly unconscious spells, he exclaimed to his attendants, "Oh, there's a beautiful place over there, " which will forever be a source of comfort to "Believer."

AL CAPONE

One of the outstanding characters of the underworld has just been convicted in a court of law in Chicago of one of his minor offenses against the law. It seems that he has been "slick" enough to cover up his tracks in the more serious crimes. However, there is no desire in this little effort for the right, to judge our misguided citizen. There is One righteous judge who will sift all the evidence, environment, heredity an all, and whose right it is to judge, will attend to this, in case our earthly courts fail. But how does Capone stand with all good-hearted people or citizens of our more or less unhappy country just now.

Boys and girls, Old and Young, think it over and take your choice.
------------------------
M. I. A. SLOGANS

In the Name of Our God We will set up Our Banners. Psalms 20:5.

1914-15: We stand for a Sacred Sabbath and a weekly half holiday.
1915-16: We stand for a Weekly Home Evening.
1916-17: We stand for state and nation-wide prohibition.
1917-18: We stand for thrift and economy.
1918-20: We stand for service to God and country.
1920-21: We stand for spiritual growth thru attendance at Sacrament Meetings.
1921-22: We stand for the non-use and non-sale of tobacco.
1922-23: We stand for loyal citizenship.
1922-23: We stand for a pure life thru clean thot and action.
1923-24: We stand for Divine Guidance thru individual and family prayer.
1924-25: We stand for the commandment: Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.
1925-26: We stand for an individual testimony of the Divinity of Jesus Christ.
1926-27: We stand for a testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith.
1927-28: We stand for a fuller knowledge of the Book of Mormon and a testimony of its divine origin.
1928-29: We stand for Law, for the people who live it and the officers who enforce it.
1929-30: We stand for loyal adherence to Latter-day Saint ideals.
1931-32: We stand for physical, mental, and spiritual health thru observance of the Word of Wisdom.
1932-33: We stand for enrichment of life thru constructive use of leisure and personal service to fellowmen.
1933-34: Inspired by the refining influence of Mormonism, we will develop the gifts within us.

The Era in every home. Era Week October 15th to 22nd each year.
------------------------

Keep busy; work to best advantage; pay as you go along, and save a little each year if possible.

Keep strict account of all money or its equivalent that comes into our hands, and as we set it down on account, figure exactly what is a just Tithing on same and pay promptly where possible, at least monthly.

Guard well your credit, that means keep your promises all, whether written or verbal, in case something unlooked for or unavoidable comes to hinder your making promises good, look your creditor up immediately, and give him the reasons why. There may be scarcely no end to the disappointments that may occur thru your falling down. There may be turns or exchanges made sometimes to stop the hitch in the run of business between neighbors which may all depend on you keeping your promise.

Know yourself that you are honest. All others will find it out.
_____________________


MY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY embraces a perfect financial policy of life with a perfect directorate and a perfect organization, with a perfect set of by-laws and constitution.

It is the oldest company in existence, with the best security. The only company in existence that cannot fail. The only company ever organized that pays a dividend to its policy holders from the day of their joining and continues to pay a dividend as long as the shareholders live up to their contracts made when joining, and after a certain length of time a shareholder gets a great layout in real estate; with other good shareholders we shall inherit the earth, and if you wish the best join us in procuring an Eternal Life Insurance policy.

To the average boy and girl making a living is and always will be a problem worthy of our honest effort, but making a life and forming a character is a very much bigger problem, embracing the former and taking in every worthwhile thing of value on this earth of ours.

We need Washington's loyalty and staying qualities; Lincoln's kindly, broad, pure, human heart; the thrifty wisdom of a Benjamin Franklin; Paul's courage; the humility of a Moses; the statesmanship of a Brigham Young; the obedient spirit of an Abraham; the purity and faith of the boy Joseph Smith; the inspiration and missionary spirit of a Wilford Woodruff; the brave courageous manhood of Joseph F. Smith. If we had all the above gifts and characteristics, than we would be ready for the Saviour to take hold of us and lead us to the perfection of His perfection.

--------------------------

LINCOLN. As a lad between 5 and 9 years of age, by listening to the all absorbing conversations and discussions regarding the war between the North and the South, the name of Abraham Lincoln was indelibly impressed upon my memory, and thru the years as they pass along and I read and hear of people or listen to men attempting to pick flaws in his character, I am only surer and stronger in my convictions that big hearted Lincoln was, and is, a splendid human success, and that the bullet of Booth's removed from the mortal sphere of ours one of its greatest human friends. Especially did his being cut down affect the reconstruction of the South. He was the one man with the authority and disposition to lead them out of the humiliation of defeat, back to fellowship and understanding with their countrymen of the North, which process was miserably prolonged by his untimely passing out of this mortal struggle.

-------------------------

FOR THE CURE OF CONSTIPATION. Eat the following fruits and nothing else for several days: recommend agar-agar, take a teaspoonful of granulated form several times daily with a fruit fast.

At least two enemas daily during fast.

After the fast use plenty of greens and non-starchy vegetables; meat may be freely used with plenty of vegetables. Muffins made from real whole wheat flour; avoid laxitives and cathartics altogether. Long walks and exercise should be taken. Apples, grapes, peaches, apricots, plums, ripe figs, tomatoes.

--------------------------

WELL-BALANCED MEALS;

1. Roast beef, cooked spinach, asparagus, head lettuce, stewed prunes.
2. Broiled chicken, cooked celery with salad of lettuce and tomatoes.
3. Rabbit, string beans, summer squash, raw celery, jello.
4. Coddled eggs, melba toast, stewed prunes.
5. Good pure milk good anytime except when meat forms a prominent part of the meal; one or the other should go lightly with.
6. Most raw or cooked fruits also good anytime with meals.

FAMILY RECORD

of

K. JONES

Ancestors * and * Descendants

Formerly of

Cedar City, Iron Co., Utah

Now of

Bluff, San Juan County, Utah

**********************
Transcribed from the writings of Kumen Jones. 

This work was edited in the following manner: correction of spelling (not all words, thus showing some of his character), formatting, and punctuation marks. Edited by Roberta and David Merrill, June 1992. 
This record begins on page 16 (not all pages are written on). For pages 16-40, the bold type is the writing Kumen Jones filled out in a formatted journal. 
Original in possession of Doris Mae Alexander in Blanding, Utah



FAMILY RECORD, and INDEX to INDIVIDUAL HISTORY PAGES
page
Father: Thomas Jones 39 
Mother: Sage Trehorne 40 
Children:
Alma
Lehi William
Kumen
Thomas Jedediah
William Trehorne
Uriah
Sarah Ann (Higbee)
--------------------
Father: Jorgon Rasmusson 37 
Mother: Marn Marsson Rasmussen 38 
Children:
Elsie Rasmussen 36 
--------------------
Father: Kumen Jones
Mother: Lydia May Lyman
Children:
Franklin Trehorne 22 
Kumen Stanley 23 
Thomas D Alton 24 
Marvin Willard 25 
Edward Clyde 26 
Leland Henry 27 
Mary Lydia 28 
Marion 29 
Alma Uriah 30 
Francis William 31 

FAMILY RECORD, and INDEX to INDIVIDUAL HISTORY PAGES

Father: Jens Nielson 35 
Mother: Elsie Rasmussen 36 
Children:
Mary Nielson (Jones) 33 
Julia Nielson (Butts)

Jens
Francis
Joseph
Caroline (Redd)
Margaret (Adams)
Lucinda (Hyde)

Freeman
Uriah
Annetta (Johnson)

--------------------

Page
Father: Kumen Jones 32 
Mother: Mary Nielson Jones 33 
Children:
Leonard Kumen Jones 21 

--------------------
Name, in full: Leonard Kumen Jones
Important Events Date
Day Month Year 
Born at Bluff, Utah 6 11 1889 
Blessed by 12 1889 
Baptized by Kumen Jones 6 11 1897 
Confirmed by F. A. Hammond 76 11 1897 
Schooling commenced at Bluff, Utah 1895 
Graduated
Ordained a Deacon by Jens Nielson 4 Nov. 1901 
" Elder " Kumen Jones 22 Feb. 1909 
" Seventy " Geo. F. Richards 15 Aug. 1909 
" High Priest ["] A. W. Ivins 17 Aug 1918 
Married to Ruth Perkins 24 12 1914 
Married by at
Endowed at 1912 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to Southern States 1912 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from Bluff to Blanding
Vocation Cattle and Sheep. Farm
Height 5 ft 8 in Weight 160 Chest Size 40
Color of Eyes Blue Color of Hair Brown
General Condition of Health Good
Specially interested in
Died of Cancer at Blanding, Utah 25 July 1931 

[21R]

Held following positions in the church--
Counselor to Bishop W. H. Redd
Bishop of Blanding Ward from to
2nd Counselor to Pres. Wayne H. Redd of 
San Juan Stake from until his death

Name, in full: Franklin Trehorne Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Bluff, San Juan Co, Utah 6 Oct. 1883 
Blessed by 
Baptized by 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a by 
" " 
" " 
Married to 
Married by at
Endowed at 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from to 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of at Bluff, San Juan Co. 24 Feb. 1884 

Name, in full: Kumen Stanley Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Bluff, San Juan Co. Utah 21 Aug. 1885 
Blessed by 
Baptized by 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a Deacon by 
" Priest " 1905 
" Elder " Herbert H. Redd 26 Sept 1913 
Married to Maude Porter
Married by at
Endowed at 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from to 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of Broken Spine at Holy Cross Hospital, S.L.C.U. 26 Jan 1923
(see next page)
Back broken in mine accident at Standardville, Utah, six weeks prior to his death.
Four Children:
May
Berdeen
Stanley Vard
Ardis

Name, in full: Thomas D. Alton Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Bluff, San Juan County, Utah 16 April 1887 
Blessed by 
Baptized by 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a Deacon by Jens Nielson 4 Nov. 1901 
" Elder " L. H. Redd 5 Apr. 1909 
" " 
Married to Anne Jones April 1912 
Married by at
Endowed at 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to Southern States
Returned from Mission
Migrated from to 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of at 


Name, in full: Marvin Willard Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Bluff, San Juan County, Utah 27 Jan 1889 
Blessed by 
Baptized by 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at Bluff, Utah
Graduated
Ordained a Deacon by L. H. Redd 4 Nov. 1901 
" Elder " L. H. Redd 27 Feb. 1909 
" Seventy " Walter C. Lyman 6 Dec. 1909 
" High Priest [by] Wayne H. Redd 
Married to Mary Ann Palmer 12 Feb. 1913 
Married by Francis M. Lyman at Salt Lake Temple
Endowed at Salt Lake Temple 12 Feb. 1913 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to Northwestern States Mission went 1915 
Returned from Mission 1917 
Migrated from Bluff to Blanding 1913 
Vocation 
Height 5 ft. 10 1/2 in. Weight 150 Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Brown Color of Hair Black
General Condition of Health Good
Specially interested in Teaching School[,] Farming
Died of at 


Name, in full: Edward Clyde Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Mancos, LePlatta County, Colorado 10 Jan. 1891 
Blessed by 
Baptized by 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a by 
" " 
" " 
Married to 
Married by at
Endowed at 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from to 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of at Bluff, Utah 4 Sept. 1891 


Name, in full: Leland Henry Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Bluff, San Juan County, Utah 4 July 1892 
Blessed by 
Baptized by 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a Deacon by L. H. Redd 10 Dec. 1906 
" Teacher " Francis Nielson 11 Mar. 1912 
" Elder " Kumen Jones 5 Mar. 1916 
Seventy Melvin J. Ballard 18 May 1919 
Married to 
Married by at
Endowed at 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from to 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of at 

Was raised in Bluff--Attended school there, graduating from the 8th grade.
As a boy he herded cows on hills and in canyons close to Bluff. Worked in hay fields--Learned to swim in the river and climbed the cliffs for the early flowers in spring--
Went to B. Y. High School in Provo 2 yrs.
He held all the offices of the Priesthood as he grew up. He was ordained a Seventy, 18 May 1919 by Melvin J. Ballard.
He never married. Farm at Long Canyon
He was very helpful at home especially taking care of his invalid father a number of years in Blanding, Bluff, and Mesa, Arizona.
Leland died in San Diego, Calif., 11 Aug 1940.
Buried in Blanding Cemetery.

Name, in full: Mary Lydia Jones (Adams)

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Bluff, San Juan County, Utah 6 May 1898 
Blessed by Kumen Jones 1 June 1898 
Baptized by Kumen Jones 20 May 1906 
Confirmed by Kumen Jones 20 May 1906 
Schooling commenced at Bluff, Utah
Graduated
Ordained a by 
" " 
" " 
Married to Melvin Jens Adams
Married by Lewis Anderson at Manti, Utah 11 July 1918 
Endowed at Manti, Utah 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from to 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in Music
Died of at 


Name, in full: Marion Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Bluff, San Juan County, Utah 2 July 1900 
Blessed by 
Baptized by 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a Deacon by L. Hardy Redd 1 Dec. 1913 
" Priest " Kumen Jones 23 Oct. 1921 
" Elder " 1932 
Married to Cleo Denison 6 June 1934 
Married by at Manti, Utah
Endowed at Manti, Sanpete Co., Utah 1932 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from to 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of at 

[29R]

He spent his boyhood in Bluff doing usual chores around home and farm. He went to school and was graduated from 8th grade then went to 2 yrs. high school in Blanding.
The family moved to Blanding in 1919.

Name, in full: Alma Uriah Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Bluff, San Juan County, Utah 20 Nov. 1902 
Blessed by 
Baptized by Francis Nielson 2 April 1911 
Confirmed by Kumen Jones 2 April 1911 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a Deacon by L. H. Redd 29 Dec. 1918 
" Priest " Jos. B. Harris 23 Oct. 1921 
" Elder " Kumen Jones 23 Mar. 1924 
Seventy [by] Melvin J. Ballard Dec. 1928 
Married to Marion S. Ashton 19 June 1928 
Married by Geo. F. Richards at Salt Lake City, Utah
Endowed at Salt Lake City, Utah 
Patriarchal Blessing by Kumen Jones, Benj. Black
Mission to Northwestern States Mission went 1 April 1924 
Returned from Mission 16 May 1926 
Migrated from to 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of at 



Name, in full: Francis William Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Bluff, San Juan County, Utah 21 Feb. 1905 
Blessed by 
Baptized by 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a Deacon by Kumen Jones 29 Dec. 1918 
" Teacher " Leonard K. Jones 23 Oct. 1921 
" Priest " Albert R. Lyman 1 Jan. 1922 
Elder
Seventy
Married to Gwen Hurst 4 Dec. 1929 
Married by Geo. F. Richards at Salt Lake City, Utah
Endowed at Salt Lake City, Utah 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to North Central States Mission
Set apart by Rudger Clawson went 3 Dec. 1926 
Released from Mission 11 Nov. 1928 
Arrived home 27 " 1928 
Migrated from to 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of at 


Name, in full: Kumen Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Cedar City, Iron County, Utah 5 May 1856 
Blessed by 
Baptized by Richard R. Birkbeck
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a Elder by 19 Dec 1878 
" High Priest " Brigham Young, Jr. 3 Sept 1880 
" Patriarch " Geo. A. Smith 21 May 1908 
Bishop " Geo. F. Richards 13 Nov. 1910 
Married to Mary Nielson at St. George, Utah 19 Dec. 1878 
Married by J. D. T. McAllister at
" to Lydia May Lyman, at St. George, Utah 2 Dec. 1882 
Endowed at 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to Settle San Juan County called Dec. 1878 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from to 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of at 

[32R]

Cefn--Coad--Cepn C
Merthyr Tydfl
Glamorganshire

Called on mission to settle on San Juan River by President John Taylor in the latter part of December, 1878. The purpose of this mission was to cultivate & maintain friendly relations with Indians whose homes were in the neighborhood of "4 Corners"
(Navajoes 15,000 to 18,000 strong on the south; roving bands of Utes & Pahutes, 200 strong on the north; & the southern Utes several thousand strong on the east.) in Colorado roving bands of Utes, Pahutes, etc. in western San Juan Co.

Name, in full: Mary Nielson (Jones)

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Parawan, Iron County, Utah 3 Oct. 1858 
Blessed by 
Baptized by Jens Nielson 18 Aug 1869 
Confirmed by Jens Nielson 18 Aug 1869 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a by 
" " 
" " 
Married to Kumen Jones 19 Dec. 1878 
Married by J. D. T. McAllister at St. George, Utah
Endowed at St. George Temple 19th Dec 1878 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to Settle San Juan County called Dec. 1878 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from Cedar City to Bluff, Utah
Vocation Practiced careing for sick
Height 5 ft 6 in Weight 175# Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Light Color of Hair Light
General Condition of Health Good all thru early life, poor from age 35, more or less latter part
Specially interested in The sick, worked in store 35 years
Died of Cancer at Blanding Ut, age 75

[33R]

Set apart as 1st couns. Primary Association of Bluff Ward, by Jens Nielson 23 May 1884
Held about all offices open to women between Primary and Stake President of Relief Society of San Juan Stake.

Name, in full: Lydia May Lyman (Jones)

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Fillmore, Millard County, Utah 1 May 1865 
Blessed by T. Callister 11 Nov 1865 
Baptized by 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a by 
" " 
" " 
Married to Kumen Jones 2 Dec. 1882 
Married by at St. George, Utah
Endowed at St. George, Utah 2 Dec 1882 
Patriarchal Blessing by Bp Henry Lunt, Evan M. Green
Mission to San Juan, Utah went to Bluff
Returned from Mission Lived in Bluff and Blanding {she never lived
Migrated from Bluff to Blanding in Blanding}
Vocation 
Height 5 ft 6 in Weight 155 Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Dark Color of Hair Dark 
General Condition of Health Good
Specially interested in Raising 8 Children, 2 died infancy
Died of Burns received on April 5, 1906 when her clothing was burned after ignited by coal oil lamp at 17 April 1906 

Name, in full: Thomas Jones

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Glamorganshire, Wales 25 July 1827 
Blessed by 
Baptized by William Howell 3 June 1848 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a by 
" " 
" " 
Married to Sage Trehorne Oct. 1852 
Married by at Salt Lake City
Endowed at 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from Wales to Utah 1849 to 1851 
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of at Cedar City, Utah 2 Sept. 1862 


Name, in full: Sage Trehorne (Jones)

Important Events Date
Day Month Year 

Born at Carmenthenshire, South Wales 27 Nov. 1832 
Blessed by 
Baptized by 
Confirmed by 
Schooling commenced at 
Graduated
Ordained a by 
" " 
" " 
Married to Thomas Jones Oct. 1852 
Married by at Salt Lake City, Utah
Endowed at 
Patriarchal Blessing by
Mission to 
Returned from Mission
Migrated from Wales to Utah
Vocation 
Height Weight Chest Size 
Color of Eyes Color of Hair 
General Condition of Health
Specially interested in
Died of at Cedar City, Utah 30 Mar. 1897

Tithing Record


K. Jones                             Mary N Jones

1880                 5.00         1880             .50
1881               59.07         1881             .75
1882               45.05 
1883               36.87
1884               51.62
1885               54.40         1885           2.50
1886               73.63 
1887             101.64
1888               66.85
1889             100.98
1890             119.29
1891               85.82
1892             115.04         1892         17.10
1893               85.45 
1894             134.93 
1895               96.33         1895           6.00
1896               52.57
1897               83.15
1898             291.71
1899             185.32         1899         20.00
1899               12.00
1900             138.63         1900         16.25
1901             205.39         1901         25.60
1902             186.34         1902         28.25
1903             231.53         1903         14.47
1904             156.35         1904         34.37
1905             231.53         1905         34.21
1906             393.90         1906         17.87
1907             345.07         1907         11.15
1908             310.00         1908       109.37
1909             405.77         1909         25.10
1910             321.80         1910         63.20
1911             500.00         1911         31.45
1912             465.50         1912         18.40
1913             345.50         1913         33.25
1914 
                    6103.92                       510.79
Average         188.66

Letter written to our son, Leonard K. while on his mission to North Carolina, April 1, 1912

Dear L.K.J. 

While you're away we hope that you may be
True to your trust as pure "Gold Dust" and from ill health be free.
We may not tell, so very well, what father time may hold
For those who "fight" with all their might, with courage strong and bold;

But this we know, we will not go where lazy pikers land
For that would be a parody on justice even hand.
We know that you will ere be true, to partner, chums, and all
Who've up and went where they've been sent in answer to their "call."

At home all's well, we're pleased to tell and each one works but pa
Expect you've heard, Tom's got his "Bird" and "flown" to north Utah
Likewise they say, that Roy's away with his sweet Isabell,
And who'll come next we're all perplexed, the knowing ones can't tell.

Nice storms have come, the ditch works done, why should we not feel fine?
And thankful be for blessings free come down from One Divine.
We always pray while you're away that you success may win
And that you might, by doing right, win precious souls from sin.

It pleases us to have you thus, engaged in work so grand
Not for a name, nor yet for fame, but filling God's command.
May you keep well and have to tell when you've well served your time
"I did my best, I stood the test" is the prayer of truly thine.

With love and the blessings of the Lord upon you.

From Father





To San Juan Stakes' first sister missionary, Mary Lyman

List for a benison thou sister dear (quite worthy of thy kind
From a home of stalwart workers with faith that's hard to find.)
Depart in peace, a safe return, thou handmaid of the Lord,
From all hearts thy holy calling finds a sympathetic cord.

Keep cool dear maid and patient be, for thus tis best you know
It is the Lord who gives the seed, and He that makes it grow.
For we are but the instruments, and if our hearts tuned right
All men are left without excuse, and our own skirts made white.

Don't worry, but be brave and strong, and you'll be made to see
The one great power that will "make goal" is brave humility.
God bless you sister Mary, may His love sustain all way
In health of body and of mind and peace both night and day.

And may the "Talents" you've been given so graciously from Heaven
Be used with all our mission band, the big wide world to leaven.





Written for Mother's Day 1913 Bluff Utah

Of all the friends we have on Earth, there's one that is the best
They all have found their limit, she alone has stood the test.
Alone Her love remains the same, faithful, pure and true
And calls from us the homage this day that is Her due.

If earthly things are typical of our future home elsewhere
For science, nature, reason, says we have a mother there.
Else why this family order established by command
Of our Eternal Father and decreed by Him to stand.

Tis the father and the mother, who count one unto the Lord
And no sophistry may dodge this, if we heed the sacred word.
We sing of childhood memories, of things we hold so dear
Of "Old Home" and it's surroundings, of times that brot you cheer

Of neighbors, chums, and schoolmates we call back with delight
Of teachers, kind and loving who taught us wrong from right.
But while we give these homage, in memories sacred thot
They all are doomed to second place, they don't quite reach the spot

And this is why we meet here, and doff our hats and say
God bless all noble mothers, give them the right of way.
We'll pluck a twig from honor's branch and twine it round our heart
She's Love Divine personified, in memories sacred shrine.




Copy of Biographical Report requested by L.D.S. Church History 47 E.S.T. [East South Temple] Salt Lake City in 1933. "Fill out and return with your photograph."

"Name in full" Kumen Jones
"Date & place of birth" Cedar City, Iron County, Utah. May 5, 1856
"Fathers Name" Thomas Jones
"Mother's Maiden Name" Sage Treharne
"Date of Baptism" May 1865 "By Whom" Richard R. Birkbeck

"Ordination to Priesthood:" Deacon, Teacher, Priest. No record at hand for ordination in the lesser priesthood. "Elder" 19 December 1878 by J.D.T. McAllister at St. George, Utah. "Ordained H.P. [High Priest] Sept 2, 1880, by Erastus Snow an Apostle at Bluff, Utah.

Set apart as second counsilor[sp] to Bishop Jens Nielson, Sept 2, 1880 at Bluff Utah.
Set apart as first counsilor to Bishop Jens Nielson Feb 26, 1882 by Brigham Young Jr.

Ordained patriarch, May 21, 1908 by Geo. Albert Smith at Bluff for San Juan Stake.

Set apart as 1st counsilor to Bp. L.H. Redd Jan{?} 1904 at Bluff
Ordained Bishop and set apart to preside at Bluff Ward by Apostle Geo. F. Richards November 13, 1910.
Released as Bishop Bluff Ward 1920 on account of failing health and joined my family at Blanding, Utah where they had previously moved.


My Yoke is Easy and my Burden is Light.

Father Forgive them, for they know not what they do.

If you forgive men their trespasses, I will forgive you your trespasses.

Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.

Upon this hangs all the law and the prophets.

And what doth the Lord require of you but to deal justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God.

-----------------

I commend my favorite Life Insurance plan for safe assistance. 
It is the oldest and strongest and safest company in existance.
It has scored some fine successes in storied annals of the past
And will continue paying dividends just as long as time shall last.

For it's President, Our Savior will always take command
With the noble of the ages that have stood at his right hand.
It was organized before this earth in its present form was laid
Its finantial [financial] program Heaven planned in God's own wisdom made.

Bluff School

It will cost some money to establish an Indian School at Bluff, Utah. But can a location be found that will fill the bill any other place. The present location at Allan Canyon has proven unsatisfactory to all concerned. There may be 800 to 1000 acres reclaimed from the ravages of the San Juan River and made secure without the cost being prohibitive with modern machinery and by using Indian labor for the unskilled part and that will reduce the "dole" problem, which otherwise will need caring for.

A school located at or near Bluff will care for all children of the northwestern part of the reserve, as now enlarged by the "Utah Strip" being added and care for all children. It will settle peacably "The ever present Pahute question" and assist in bringing civilization in to San Juan County Utah without soldiers.

It will give the Indian Department an opportunity of coming across with their part of the program that was decided upon and agreed to several years ago after going over the whole situation by Mr Harris {?} and party for the Indian Depot and Congressman Don B. Colton and party for Utah. The way the matter stands at present the Department of Indian Affairs have taken over the "Utah Strip" and have gone ahead improving the same and Utah is left holding the "bag."

We think the property at Bluff may be purchased at a reasonable figure. Concessions were made by Utah north of San Juan River for pasture for Indian stock. 

We understand that the whole arrangement as to the Utah Strip was more or less a sort of "Gentlemen's agreement" as the land belonged to our Government and in case the government wished to be arbitrary they could have gone ahead and taken the land. But it should be remembered that the state and county in co-operation with stockmen have spent a lot of money and labor and had used the ranges enough to establish a "prior right" which has always been more or less respected by the Forest service and all thru pioneering experience from the beginnings.

One item that all will agree to and that the plentious supply of pure water for domestic use at Bluff, 98 percent pure according to tests of the Utah experts and one percent of that is magnesium an essential element in fact a medicinal factor necessary and important.

We expect agents, government employees, to not let their private differences and scapping for promotion, interfere with important matters such as is being attempted to be put over, the Allan Canyon and the Bluff Indian school, etc. Let's go and get down to business. Some engineer that will outline a plan and put over the Indian school at Bluff, Utah will place himself in line to receive credit and honor while "Time shall last and immortality endures." This I predict in all humility.

K. Jones

The hand of providence has been made manifest in the preservation of the pioneers of Bluff, from the different Indian tribes of renegades whom have made San Juan county their hideout for many years and in addition did bless and prosper them financially and spiritually so long as they remained and worked together. That was nearly forty years.

The Record

The Bluff ecclesiastical ward had a better tithing and fast offering record in the Mormon church. Had more missionaries out subscribed for more church papers and periodicals, temple donations, for temple building and running expenses.


Transcribed from the original writing with minimal editing (formatted by Roberta and David Merrill). May 1992.
Original in possession of Doris Mae Alexander in Blanding, Utah

THE SAN JUAN MISSION
TO THE INDIANS

By

Kumen Jones

At the request of Sarah J. Crosby, niece of Kumen Jones, Ila Jones Harvey made a typewritten copy of some of the writings of her grandfather Kumen Jones.

This copy deals with the Indian Mission called by Lorenzo Snow and which resulted in the settling of San Juan County.

THE SAN JUAN MISSION TO THE INDIANS


CHAPTER ONE


The names of war heroes are held in great honor among all peoples and nations. Even the savage has some way of showing his respect or reverence for those who have displayed courage in battle. We have organizations of veterans and common soldiers from the "G.A.R." down to small societies to honor those who have taken any part in a campaign, even though it was for a few months or a few days. We have great honors to bestow upon our inventors, composers, explorers, editors, statesmen of all grades and stations, philanthropists, reformers, financiers, business men, humorists. But we seldom hear of the old Indian missionaries being given any notable recognition, except perhaps among a very limited number of immediate relatives and friends. Ofttimes they are slighted and neglected by their own neighbors.

It will be different when the All-Wise-Father of us all goes to mete out rewards and punishments to His children as their lives have merited. In His wisdom and justice, He will say to the faithful Indian missionary:

"Come, inasmuch as you were willing to give up wealth, comfort, worldly pleasures, your social standing, and all that man naturally seeks after, to become peace-makers in its broadest and truest sense; come, I have real honor and joy for you, that shall never end, but shall grow sweeter and brighter as time goes on, and your families who have shared the sacrifice with you, shall also participate in the honors and blessings that shall never end."

In order to understand the purpose of the San Juan Mission we must go back about ten years and find what had been happening to the Navajo Nation.

At the time the Navajo Nation was conquered along in the 60's [1860s] by Kit Carson, who was then working for the U.S. Government, they numbered about 14,000 souls. They were held in subjection for some time, their property was destroyed or taken from them, their orchards were cut down, and when they were finally turned loose they were in a destitute condition. When the Navajos were sent back to their reservation where water for irrigation is scarce, rainfall light, and soil for the most part not rich in plant life; they were in a sad plight. They are a naturally thrifty, hardy, and industrious people and they were not content to remain in this poverty stricken condition. From their point of view they had been in this robbed condition, and if robbing was the white man's game, why shouldn't the Navajos try their hand at it?


The Utes on the north of them and the small Indian tribes to the south of them were for the most part shiftless and had nothing worth stealing, so all that was left for the Navajos to do was to cross the big Colorado River and replenish their cattle, sheep, and horses from the settler's herds of southern Utah to the west and northwest of their country. This they proceeded to do and for some years they were very successful in their pilfering, making some large hauls of horses, sheep, and cattle. Their success removed all fear and they became so bold that they would enter good sized settlements by night and help themselves to teams and saddle animals from barns, corrals, and fields. However, the Navajos made no attempts to kill the settlers unless they were followed too closely and compelled to fight or be killed themselves. The Indians lost a few of their numbers, but seemed to feel that that was in the game.

The settlers presently became so alarmed that they put the matter before the Governor of the Territory and the church authorities. The latter decided to get at the source of the trouble by sending Jacob Hamblin with other Indian missionaries out to the Navajo chief with an invitation to the leading men of the Navajo Nation to come to Salt Lake and talk the matter over. The purpose of the proposed visit was to create a better understanding between them.

I have not found, in a more or less extensive research, just what the reason or excuse was for the government to round up the Navajos, hold them for two or three years, and then turn them loose in a condition of extreme poverty, stripped of the little property or means of living they had had. I have a wholehearted belief and faith in the U.S. Government and in most of the good strong men who have stood at the head of it from the beginning until the present time, but I am sure that some of them have been unfortunate in their choice of advisors and counselors who have led them into making a few serious errors. Some situations of this kind must have been responsible for the Navajo War in 1868.


CHAPTER TWO
The mission was entirely successful. The Navajo chiefs came to Salt Lake where the trouble was cleared up. The Indians returned to their homes loaded with presents and feeling that they had found new friends.

Not long after this treaty of peace, or "gentlemen's agreement," as it might be called now, an event occurred which upset, for a time at least, all the work of the peacemakers. A party of Navajos, four brothers, came to the Mormon settlement on a trading expedition. They traded their blankets and other trinkets for ponies and food and began the journey home. They camped near the head of Grass Valley at what was known as McCarty's Ranch, where they were overtaken by a heavy snowstorm. Being forced to lay over for a time, they ran out of provisions and killed a calf. The McCarty's coming onto them camped at their ranch, and seeing signs of their having killed a calf, opened fired on the Navajos and killed all but one. He fled, very badly wounded, and from the way the Indians describe his condition on reaching the reservation, it is a miracle that he ever made the long journey. He was without food, had very scant clothing, and had to swim the Colorado in the winter season and in a wounded condition.

The Indians of this ill-fated party were connected with one of the most influential families of the western part of the reservation, and the return of the one wounded survivor created great excitement. Feeling went through the nation with electrical effect, instantly calling forth a declaration of war. The Indians, quite naturally, laid the killing of the three men to the Mormons, as the whole trouble occurred in Mormon country. Word was sent by friendly Indians to Tuba City of the war spirit that was developing, and that all was off in regard to the peace understanding of recent date. The Church Authorities, learning of the new trouble, hastened to send a few select Indian missionaries over to inform the Navajos that the killing of their friends was the work of "pilicans", or non-Mormons.

Jacob Hamblin and the Smith brothers were chosen to visit one part of the Navajo people and Ira Hatch and John Smythe were sent to another group. Under the conditions that prevailed, the mission that these men undertook meant taking their lives in their hands. It took the stuff of which real men are made to face the situation and convince the overwrought Indians of the fact that the Mormon captains or their people had not broken faith with them.

The story of Hamblin and the non-Mormon Smith brothers, who went with him for protection, is quite well known. Early pioneers who knew Hamblin love to tell the story of this difficult mission; of the night and day of praying and pleading in an attempt to convince the enraged savages of the truth; of the Indian's final decision that Hamblin must die and the Smith brothers return home, as they had had nothing to do with the killing; of the Smith's prompt refusal to leave Hamblin; of the working unseen power which is not of this earth which finally softened their savage spirits; and of their agreement to send representatives with Hamblin to Salt Lake City to test out the truth of his representations.

The story of Hatch and Smythe has not been so well published. They, having gone out in another direction, ran onto the homes of the families and close relative of the murdered Indians, where the wounded man who escaped at the time of the killing lived. His wounds were not yet healed.


A noted chief, Peagone, a physical giant and a man of wealth was the father or uncle of the unfortunate victims of this story. He called a hurried council to which the wounded man was brought. Excitement ran high. Ira Hatch having previously married an Indian girl which, according to Indian custom amounts to joining the tribe, was beyond danger of being seriously molested, so that left Smythe as the only one to deal with. 

From the beginning of the council, it was understood that he was to pay the extreme penalty. The mode only was up for discussion. Hatch did most of the talking and, knowing the justness of their cause and the far reaching results of it, the weight of his responsibility rested heavily upon him. His pleadings appeared to accomplish nothing except to add fury to their savage natures. While he was talking, some of the Indians began gathering wood for the roasting, others were sharpening long knives occasionally drawing them across and dangerously close to Smythe's throat.

After hours of pleading and protests, when it seemed utterly hopeless to soften or appease their determination to take revenge on the man who was entirely at their mercy, Brother Smythe, who had sat through the trying ordeal without showing the least symptom of fear or weakness, told Elder Hatch to ask permission to pray before they proceeded to put their decision into effect. This request when interpreted to them immediately caused a profound silence which continued throughout Bro. Smythe's calm and fervent prayer. At the conclusion, the chief requested the words of the prayer to be interpreted to the Indians. Brother Hatch told them that Elder Smythe had asked the great Spirit to bless the Navajos, cause that their eyes might be opened and their hearts softened, so that they might see that the Mormon people were their true friends, and that in case they put him to death, to forgive them as they believed him and his people guilty of the killing of their friends. 

The effect of the humble prayer and the calm bravery of Bro. Smythe was magical. The big chief called all the Indians inside the large council hogan, sent his men to get the white mens horses, stood in the door to hold the red men inside and told the two men to go home before the Indians had time to change their minds again.

The chief suggestion made to the Navajos by these men was that the Indians, in company with Hamblin and Hatch or others, go to the place of the killing of their friends the previous winter and investigate facts for themselves. This suggestion was accepted and some of the leading Indians, in company with the Indian missionaries, went over the ground and found that the brethren had told them a truthful story. The Indians were treated so well by their friends that peace between the Navajos and the Mormon people was left on a sounder basis than ever. That this good understanding might be made permanent, the idea of establishing a permanent outpost or settlement among or near the Indians was born. With this object in view a call was made for about one hundred young people from the southern part of the territory to go out and establish homes for the purpose of fostering and encouraging and maintaining friendly relations with the Indians, Navajos and Utes.

Aunt Mary and I were among these one-hundred young people who were called to establish a settlement on the San Juan River.


CHAPTER THREE

At the suggestion of Apostle Erastus Snow, pioneer, statesman, colonizer, and patriot, whose prophetic vision pierced the future, the decision was reached to plant a colony somewhere in the neighborhood of the "four corners." This decision was reached at a Stake conference held at Parowan, Iron County, about December 27, 1878. A number of young men were called to explore that particular part of the country where the colony was to be started, I was one of those men.

We left Iron County April 14, 1879, a group of twenty-eight or thirty young men under the leadership of Silas S. Smith, of Paragoona, Iron County, Utah, who proved to be a prudent, wise, resourceful man, particularly well equipped by nature and experience to be a leader in that undertaking.

The company was made up of the following men: Silas S. Smith, Silas S. Jr., John A., Jesse J., Steven A., and Albert Smith, all sons of the leader from Paragoona; Robert Bullock, John C. Duncan, John Gower, Thomas Bladen, George Perry, George Urie, Kumen Jones, H.J. Nielson, James L. Davis and family from Cedar City; Harrison Adelbert McGreggor, Hanson Bayles, P.R. Butt, Zachariah Decker, Nelson Dalle, John C. Dalton from Parowan. John Butler from Panguitch and Hamilton Thornton from Puito Creek joined the party later on the San Juan River.

After leaving Paragoona, we traveled up Little Creek Canyon, down Bear Creek, up the Sevier through Panguitch, past Upper Kanab, through Johnson's past the north end of Buckskin Mts, to Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River. We crossed the river May 1st, continuing on the main Arizona road to Moancopy, afterwards named Tuba City. Here the company paused while an exploring party was sent out to find a way to cross the Navajo Reservation to the San Juan River, that being the objective point. This exploring party was made up of Robert Bullock and Kumen Jones. Nathan Tanner accompanied us to act as interpreter. The party followed the Monecoy Wash, out to "Red Lakes" over Marches Pass, by the head of Lagoona Creek, by Kayenta, crossing the Chinalee Creek about thirty-five miles from the San Juan River. From here we went on to the River following in the main a northeasterly direction. We arrived at the river at Brewer Bottom, a point about four miles below the mouth of McElmo Creek and about the same distance above the Montezuma Wash.

Soon after passing Chinalee Creek, I was sent back to bring up the main company which had remained at Moencopy. The company had been royally treated by John W. Young and others of that village.

As we journeyed on, it soon became apparent that water was going to be the source of our greatest anxiety. Wherever a damp place was found, shovels, picks, and spades were soon brought out and digging for water commenced. As a rule, plenty of water was soon secured. This fact did much to win the friendship of the Navajos whose country we were traveling. The quick-witted Indians were told that the watering holes would be theirs as soon as the company passed on. This news spread rapidly and the Indians ahead anxiously awaited our arrival. They accorded us a hearty welcome, occasionally bringing out a mutton to show their appreciation. It may be added here that some of the watering places developed by the company have been used up to the present day as permanent waterholes.


An incident occurred before we reached the Chinalee which showed the tact of Captain Smith. As we were passing a large camp or village of Pahutes, one of the old Indians, afterward known as Peeagament, came blustering out and demanded five hundred dollars before he would allow the train to proceed through his country. Captain Smith, who was driving the first team, ordered a short stop to be made and proceeded to try to pacify the old fellow. A few mild explanations were attempted but their only effect was to cause the Indian to press his demands in a higher key. Noting this, Smith ordered him out of the way and went on a short distance where he struck camp for dinner. Here he quietly passed the word around camp that it would be the right thing to give the Indians a little something to eat, or other small gifts such as tobacco, but no one was to give the noisy old fellow anything or notice him in any way. The result soon made the wisdom of this course apparent. The Indians, old and young, were jolly and friendly and the old man was a psychological study, thoroughly whipped. The lesson seemed to last him all his life.

Barring the above incident, travel through the Reservation was agreeable and pleasant. We reached the San Juan River the last day of May and crossed the next day. The afternoon we arrived at the river, fishing was the main order of business. Many fish were caught and we found suckers, humpbacks, and white salmon, some of which weighted from 3 to 16 lbs. Later some were caught weighing as high as 27 lbs. One party was going as far east as San Luna valley.

During the following two months, exploring parties were sent out to all points of the compass. Many locations were made on the river bottom and around the Blue Mts. by laying four logs in a square and posting notices on them which were good for six months. Those who were left at camp were kept busy making roads and taking up claims. Some worked on a dam that was being put in the river by a family named Mitchell. This family was found living on the river upon the arrival of the company, having come down from Colorado the year previous. For the benefit of those who were in camp on the river a Sunday School was organized, Sacrament Meetings were held, and each evening the scouts were called together for singing and evening prayer. 

On August 13, orders came from the Captain to make ready for a start home. Part of the company was to go by way of the Salina, Colorado, road or trail and the remaining men, including Captain Smith, were to remain on the river awaiting mail of importance to the expedition which was expected from Apostle Erastus Snow.

A start was made and road making was again the order of the day. The company followed the Recapture Wash about twenty-five miles. Lleaving that, we followed up Mustang Mesa to the foot of the Blue Mountains, thence around the east base of the Blue, to make camp at what afterward became known as the Carlisle Ranch. At that date this was the most beautiful and promising location that had been found since leaving Iron County. Many tons of excellent hay could have been cut. Deer, sage hens, jack rabbits, and cotton tails, were plentiful.

After the arrival of the captain and the men who had remained with him, another start was made. At this time an opportunity was afforded the men of finding out how much difference there may sometimes be in men's opinions. Three scouts had been sent to explore Peter's Hill and then to report as follows:

The first scout reported that it would be practically impossible to make any kind of a wagon road down Peter's Hill.

The second scout predicted that in one month there could be a way worked so that the company could get down the hill.

The third scout said that in five or six days a road could be worked so that the group could pass down the hill.

After some counseling we decided to "tackle" the Peter's Hill proposition and next morning all hands went to work. By night rocks were moved, trees were cut, and dugways made, so that the next day the company, not only passed down the hill, but also made twenty miles on the homeward journey.

The company passed down through Dry Valley and struck the old Santa Fe trail at Coyote Wash. The route from this point passed through little Grand Valley, where Moab now stands, crossed the Grand and Green Rivers, passed through Castle Valley, over the mountain range and down Salina Canyon into Sevier Valley. From here the company went over the range into Beaver Valley and into Parowan Valley, reaching our homes Sept. 16 and 17th.

In direct travel the party had made nine hundred miles, not counting side trips, and explorations, had made two hundred and seventy-five miles of new road, had thoroughly explored the country outlined for us by the authorities and maintained friendly and pleasant relations with all Indians and white men who were met on the way. Order and discipline, both military and church, were maintained. Kind and friendly feelings were almost always the prevailing sentiment permeating the whole camp all the way through. Religious devotions were attended night and morning by the whole camp, or in groups when the camp was separated for any purpose. Observance of the Sabbath was maintained by resting and "cleaning up," and for the benefit of those who maintained camp on the river, a Sunday School was organized. The fourth and twenty-fourth of July were fittingly observed, with programs, and sports which were participated in and royally enjoyed by all members of the camp as well as visitors from Mitchel's Ranch and straggling Indians who enjoyed the artillery part of the program.

The explorations made were very important and of great value later, as were also the contacts made and the friendly relations established with both camp and travel, and our animals were properly guarded and cared for. Feed and water were located. Water holes were located and enlarged which have been used by the Indians ever since.

As a participant in early incidents in the early history I wish to render honor and praise to the memory of Silas S. Smith who so wisely and faithfully managed, and who in such a quiet, careful, wise way acquitted himself in the responsible position that had been placed upon him by the authorities of the Mormon Church. He proved very conclusively that no mistake had been made in his being called to that important position.

CHAPTER FOUR

GENERAL MOVE TO THE SAN JUAN MISSION

When the first exploring party which was sent out had found what was considered a feasible location for a settlement on the apparently rich bottoms of the San Juan River, their leader, Silas S. Smith, took steps to have a shorter way explored for moving the pioneers into this new location. He wrote the Church Authorities to have some scouts from Escalante sent out to look over a way from that point to the San Juan River. He gave them general directions as to distance and location on the map.

Charles Hall and B. P. Schow were sent out from Escalante and they came down as far as the west rim of the Colorado River Canyon. After looking down through the "Hole-in-the Rock" through which they could see water and a canyon leading out from the river up to a fault looking country, this party returned and reported clear sailing for a wagon road to San Juan. This latter report was founded more on a desire to encourage travel through the village of Escalante than to find a feasible place for a permanent road. All who have seen the first old trail from Escalante to the settlement at Bluff on the San Juan River, and all who will ever see it, will say that the above scouts must have failed in their task. Their exploring could not have been thorough as later developments proved.

Immediately after the explorations of Charles Hall and Bishop Schow, preparations were begun for the second pilgrimage to the San Juan Mission, as it was then called. The saints were advised to provide themselves with provision, clothing, seeds, tool, and implements to last at least one year.

By the latter part of October 1879, the greater part of the Pilgrims that were to make up the company booked for the San Juan Mission were on wheels headed for the Colorado River at a point east of the Escalante Desert. There were only a few in this company who had made the first trip.

By early November the greater part of the company had gathered at "Forty Mile Spring," which was down on the Escalante Desert forty miles from the town of Escalante. The company was made up of saints from practically all the counties from Weber south to Washington. After the arrival of President Smith at the rendezvous, matters took on a serious aspect. Scouting parties had been out as far as the Colorado River and met the vanguard of the moving company, informing us that an impassable barrier had been discovered at the river. A council was called and other scouts were sent ahead and about two weeks were spent investigating up and down the river with the result that nothing more favorable was found than the Hole-in-the-Rock. This was an opening in the solid wall through which we could see the river about 2000 feet below.

By this time it was getting well along in November and an extra heavy fall of snow on the Escalante Mountains back of the company had blocked the road and effectually prevented us from returning home. Even at this early date failure seemed to stare us in the face. After another council, several young men of which I was one, were sent out on an exploring trip for the purpose of bring back an official report as to the possibilities of getting the company through the Hole-in-the Rock.


We had not gone far when we met a party of prospectors returning with burro packs. The prospectors told us it would be useless to attempt to make a road where the proposed route had been pointed out, saying, "If every rag or other property owned by the people of the Territory were sold for cash, it would not pay for the making of a burro trail across the river." However, we went on and crossed the river. The boat improvised for that purpose was a box about 10 feet long and the same width as a wagon box. One shovel and one spade were used for oars, and two of us hauled water out while two plied the oars. The water being low in the river, we crossed without any serious difficulty. Several of the boys were detailed to look over the country at and near the river and four men, George Hobbs, William Hutchings, George Lewis, and myself were fitted out with a blanket each and lunch for a few days scouting farther out in the country.

After about a week's tramping, we all returned and gave in our reports. There were about as many different kinds of reports as there were men. For example we four who were out farthest toward San Juan reported as follows: first, it would be out of the question for the company to attempt to get through on this route; second, with some assistance from the Legislature which was about to convene and the united effort of all the camp, the company could get the wagons and stock through but no permanent road could be made; third, a good road might be made over the proposed route in a few weeks without much trouble; one scout did not report.

Several meetings were called by the men at the head and it was finally the almost unanimous decision to go to work and make a way to get through. One thing that influenced for this decision was the fact that on account of deep snows on the mountains over which the company had just passed, it would have been impossible to return home for several months. Another contributing element was the fact that many in that company had been called by their church leaders as on a mission and that served as an urge to go through. It was this same principle that urged on Father Escalante 103 years earlier when he and his party went through all kinds of hardships in this same neighborhood in the winter of 1776. He was bent on finding a better and shorter trail connecting the missions of Santa Fe and California.

When the company decided to go to work for the church and make a way to get through, we made a decision that has effected the San Juan Mission for all time. The country would have been settled, but it would have been under a different lineup, for that same bunch could not have been got together again. The miracle of this decision came just as soon as the leaders of the company gave orders to sail on, sail on. It went through the camp like an electric shock and all was good cheer and hustle. Captain Smith started back with a large team and light buggy. With him went some of his sons with horses to assist in breaking a trail through the snow. Next, the company heard from him he had been successful in obtaining, through Church Authorities, necessary tools, powder provisions, experienced miners, and a five thousand dollar appropriation from the Territorial Legislature then in session; he had obtained all of which made it possible for the company to blast and work our way through.

While visiting the Legislature, Captain Smith had San Juan County organized and officers appointed. They were as follows: James Lewis of Kanab, Judge; Charles E. Walton Sr., Clerk; Platte D. Lyman, Jens Nielson, James B. Decker, Selectmen; Benjamin Perkins, Assessor and Collector; and Kumen Jones, Superintendent of Schools.


Several extra men were soon sent out by Capt. Smith to assist in the roadwork. These were mostly men who had had experience in mining where powder is used. Good progress was made and a hearty good feeling prevailed throughout the whole camp.

In a camp consisting of ninety or more men, about thirty women and sixty children, moving in eighty three or more wagons through an extremely rough country, one would naturally look for some trouble and a few accidents, but this was not the case. Always hustle and harmony.

About December 17 it was decided to send men out to look over the proposed route to ascertain whether it was possible to get through to the San Juan at the point where the former explorers had made "locations" during the summer before, and for this purpose George W. Sevy, L. H. Redd Sr., George Hobbs, and George Merrill were chosen, or volunteered.

Before this party of scouts started out, a general council meeting was held at Forty Mile Spring where the situation was discussed. The saints were encouraged by the principle layed down in ancient as well as modern scripture that "a religion that does not require the sacrifice, if or when necessary, of all things does not have the power within it to save in the Celestial Kingdom."

The four scouts took with them only four animals, a small quantity of provision, and bedding, expecting to replenish their lunch bags when they arrived at the camp of those who had remained on the San Juan the fall before. In this they were somewhat disappointed, as provisions had run very low with this camp. In fact the outlook was so slim in the provision line that the explorers did not feel justified in remaining long enough to recuperate after their long hazardous journey and they at once prepared for the return trip, only remaining at the river camp one day. The drop out had taken twelve days and the return trip took eleven days.

The exploring trip of those four men will always be remembered by all those who were acquainted with it, and more especially by those who took part in it, as one of the hardest and most trying in the way of perseverance and persistent endurance of any undertaking connected with the San Juan Mission. It was one, also, in which the participants must have had the assistance of our Heavenly Father. It has been a source of wonder to all those who since those early days, have become acquainted with the country through which those explorers traveled. How they ever found their way through deep snow and blinding snow storms in such a broken timbered country, all cut to pieces with deep gorges for such a long distance, without compass, trail, and most of the time no sun, moon, or stars to help them in keeping their course is a mystery. The only answer is that a kind Providence came to their assistance in answer to their humble fervent prayers. They endured difficulties and grilling experiences almost unbelievable with snowstorms, boxed canyons, thick cedar and pine forests, and food shortage. Their experience almost made the journey of the good Catholic, Escalante, look like a picnic party.


Just before reaching the camp of the few men left of the party who went out in the spring, the four scouts met two miners who were making a start to hunt for the last Pashlekine Mine, reported by Navajos and others as being very rich in silver. The mine had been worked by Navajos but had been lost, as the few Indians who had worked it were killed off by the soldiers when they were being rounded up several years before to be taken to Santa Fe. These prospectors tried to persuade the Mormon scouts to go out with them, promising that they would lay over for them and would let them in on the big mine, which they said was a "sure" thing. Had the Latter-Day Saint scouts fallen for this wild proposition, it might easily have resulted in failure of the San Juan Mission, at least at that early date. The two miners, Merick and Mitchel, were killed by the renegade Pahutes and Navajos as they were returning with their pack animals loaded with ore supposed to be from the lost mine. The Mormon men would most likely have met the same fate and the company would not have gotten the news of what became of them for a month or two. A great portion of the camp were discouraged because of the rough country and other difficulties and such an event would have been enough to put a finish to the whole undertaking.

When the four explorers returned, they reported that it would be possible to make a road through the San Juan, as by far the roughest and most difficult country was at or near the Hole-in-the-Rock, or within a few miles of the Colorado River where work was being pushed as fast as possible with the tools that were in the camp.

A long and interesting story could be written about the travels and workings of this large, well organized, good natured, jolly camp, but for the purpose of this story, just a few points will be noted. The great majority went to work in earnest and a good healthy Christian atmosphere pervaded the camp. The Sabbath was observed at all times and under all conditions. Every evening hymns were sung and prayers said. Occasionally dances were held, especially while we were at the Hole-in-the-Rock where nature had made the smooth flat rock floor on purpose.

January 26, 1880, after about six weeks work and waiting for powder, a start was made to move the wagons down the "Hole."

Long ropes were provided and about twenty men and boys would hold onto each wagon as it went down to make sure that there would be no accidents through brakes giving way or horses cutting up after their long lay off. I had a well broken team. This I hitched on to Benjamin Perkins' wagon which I drove down through the "Hole."

All went smooth and safe. By the 28th most of the wagons were across the river and work had commenced again on the Cottonwood Canyon, another very rough proposition. There was a very important work to be attended to in addition to the road making. This was the matter of finding forage for the work horses. A great many animals were needed to move the eighty odd wagons of the camp, and the open country was limited and many hands were occupied with finding feed.


After working and traveling nearly two and one half months, the future site of Bluff was reached on the sixth day of April, 1880. Surely the Hand of Providence had been over the traveling pilgrims. No serious accidents had befallen any of them. There had been only two "tip-overs." Three babies had been born on the way, with the assistance of an old time nurse or two and the blessings of the Good Father Above. Most every one had been kind and helpful and good natured. In very rough places men had rallied around steadying the wagons down with long ropes or pushing and rolling wagons up the bad hills. Provisions were anything but plentiful, but good health prevailed and the roughest wagon road in North America had been gone over without any serious smash-ups or breakdowns. About 325 miles had been traveled, 210 of which had been through an unsettled country over which a wagon had never gone before. The main portion of the camp had been five and a half months on the journey and all of us as well as the faithful work teams, were ready for a rest. However, many were more or less disappointed in the country and if their teams had been able, many more would have accompanied the few who moved on.

Besides H. H. Harriman and family, George Hobbs, and James L. Davis and family who had remained on the river since the Silas S. Smith exploring party came in the summer of 1879, the company found their old friend and neighbor, Thales H. Haskell, who had been sent in by the Church Authorities to act as Indian interpreter. This was a pleasant surprise to all.

When I look back upon the large company traveling and blasting and working their way through a country of that nature, six months in the midst of one of the severest winters, it looks to me that there was something more than human power or wisdom associated with it. When this bedraggled company of tired pilgrims straggled into the present site of Bluff, many of the teams which consisted of horses of all sizes and descriptions, oxen, mules, and burros, were unable to proceed further for at least some time. Some remained at Bluff on that account, but most of those who settled at that point did so from religious and conscientious motives, and under the protection and blessings of a kind Providence were prospered and preserved to accomplish, at least in a large measure, the mission assigned to them, that of cultivating and maintaining friendly relations with all Indians whose homes were near the section where the state of Colorado and the Territories of Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona corner together.

CHAPTER FIVE
THE SETTLEMENT OF BLUFF

Upon arrival at Bluff, the camp was a beehive of activity. The men looked over the land and selected a site for a town. In the evening we held a meeting where a committee of three was chosen to manage the work on a canal to get water from the river out onto the land. Another committee of five was appointed to lay off a field and town.

As we laid off the land and lots, we found the land much less than what we had expected, so a meeting was held and a suggestion made that the men draw lots. Those who drew blanks were to go further up the river and those who drew numbers were to remain at Bluff. This suggestion was followed but much disappointment and hard feelings resulted.

Because of a proposal made by some of the brethren, Platte D. Lyman called the camp together April 13th to see if some arrangements could not be made so that all might remain in Bluff. It seemed out of the question for any to move on farther just then. There seemed to be a good spirit at this meeting and difficulties were adjusted. It was unanimously decided to throw out the former drawing and all share alike, with the understanding that those who held large claims taken up the summer before would throw them into the hands of the field committee for disposal in the interest of the camp. Following this meeting, work was resumed on the ditch.

The town lots were twelve rods square, being made this small because of the limited space available for building on. The field lots varied from eight to twenty acres to the man according to location and quality. The course of the river at this point was almost west and land lay on both sides, but we decided to use only the land on the north side of the river. The valley, at the point where we located, was from one half to one mile wide between the sandstone bluffs which rose perpendicularly 300 feet. Forty miles to the north of us rose the Blue Mountains which was the nearest point where we could get saw timber.

The people immediately began moving into their lots where they set up temporary shelters of one sort and another to be used until something more permanent could be built. On April 25 we held a meeting and by unanimous consent named our town Bluff City.

During the forepart of May, several teams were sent back for provisions that were hauled to the Colorado River by teams from the older settlements. I was one who drove an outfit back to bring these provisions on to Bluff from the river. The weather was hot and the teams poor so we were forced to go slowly. Soon after starting out we met Captain Silas S. Smith and he said that some flour and boots and shoes were on the road from the camp.


Ordinarily the above mentioned trip would not be of sufficient importance to record, but some future historian, especially one who has gone over the route traveled by pioneers of San Juan, between Escalante via the Hole-in-the-Rock to Bluff, Utah, will not call that trip unimportant. Later on, or to be exact, in the fall of 1881, I made another trip as far as Escalante for freight left there by William Hyde, who in that year opened an Indian Trading Post on the river. It was late in the fall. Bishop Jens Nielson rode with me as far as Escalante. We both rode in another outfit to Cedar City where Bishop Nielson remained until the Spring of 1882. I returned with my load from Escalante overtaking an outfit at the river. We were about the last teams who passed this way. Bishop Nielson and others came another route leaving the Hole-in-the-Rock road a few miles southeast of Escalante traveling down the Escalante Wash, turning northward through "Muly Twist" and down Grand Wash to Hall's Ferry on the Colorado River, and joining on to the former road one mile north of Hermit Lake.

This route was again changed by travel coming through Rabbit Valley over into the head of Grand Wash, intersecting the old road as it came through Mully Twist [sp], which was travelled for a few years. It was again changed by turning eastward around the north end of the Henry Mountains, following the east base of these mountains, turning southward down Trackite Wash to Dandy Crossing and following easterly up White Canyon, intersecting the old pioneer road at Harmony Flat (so called for a party of original pioneers who came from New Harmony and laid over a few days hunting for horses that had strayed off).

The distance from Escalante to Bluff on the Hole-in-the-Rock road or the Hall's Crossing way through Muly Twist is approximately 200 miles and the road through Rabbit Valley from Loa to Bluff is about the same. It has been many years since a vehicle of any kind has been taken over any of these roads, that is, all the way through. They have been abandoned and have to be repaired in places to get even a pack outfit over them. It may be that the experiences I had in traveling those roads under the conditions that prevailed in those early days, has given me a greater sense of pleasure in riding over these modern highly improved highways in a good auto or a modern railroad train. At any rate, the desire to go over that covered wagon day has entirely left me, and I enjoy riding the new style just like a kid.

On June 6th Captain Smith came down from his camp about fifteen miles above Bluff and organized a Sunday School with James Decker as Superintendent. He also installed Bro. Jens Nielson as presiding priest in the branch.

On June 7th county court was held and the county was divided into three precincts. Judges of election and other officers were appointed to act until the election in August.

We were two years, six months, and twenty days without mail service. It was October 26, 1882 that the first regular mail arrived at Bluff and there was great rejoicing about it.

In 1881, there was seven hundred sixty dollars tithing paid in at Bluff. Over four hundred dollars of it being in the San Juan cooperative company. This company was organized April 29, 1882 for the purpose of engaging in general merchandise. The officers were Platte D. Lyman, President; Jens Nielson, Vice President; E. C. Walton, Kumen Jones, and Hyrum Perkins, Directors; L. H. Redd, Jr., Secretary; and Benjamin Perkins, Treasurer. This company continued in business until January 21, 1920.

The first district school at Bluff was started in late December 1880 with Ida M. Lyman as teacher.

CHAPTER SIX

PROVIDENCE INTERVENES IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN

There have been many times in San Juan Mission history when failure seemed inevitable. At one time an extra freshet or flood in the river washed out about two miles of the head of the canal. This, along with other discouraging problems, made both the pioneers and some of the leading authorities of the Church feel that we were overmatched. Members of our colony kept dropping out of the game, leaving such a small force to overcome such a flock of problems that it seemed hopeless to try. Chief among these problems was the sluggish changeable river which carried so much silt and was subject to raising and falling suddenly. President Jose. F. Smith, with others, came out for the purpose of releasing and locating the colony in a more favorable locality, still near enough to the Indians to accomplish the object which we had in view in the original call, and in such a location that we would not have to throw away the sacrifices already made.

After carefully and prayerfully going over the situation with the members of the courageous, depleted little colony, Pres. Smith and Apostle Erastus Snow and others decided that this mission should be maintained. This location, situated so that a direct contact could be had with the Navajo Nation on the south, southern Utes on the east, and the mixed scattering bands on the north, must be held. Our mission and business was to cultivate and maintain friendly relations with the remnants of scattered Israel, preparing them for the gathering after the fullness of the Gentiles shall come to pass and the more wicked part of them have been destroyed.

After making a canvas to find out just how many would be willing to stay and hold the fort until reinforcements could be called in to help carry on, Pres. Smith and Apostle Snow blessed the church members who were at the meeting being held at Bluff, Utah. They blessed those who had made all preparation to move away in a spirit of kindness and sympathy, hoped they would prosper and succeed in finding favorable locations, and remain loyal to the Church. Then one of them gave us this prophecy: "I promise those who are willing to remain and face this difficult situation that they will be doubly blessed of the Lord." Turning to Bishop Jens Nielson, the man added, "For your obedient and steadfast response at this time, you shall be blessed and prospered of the Lord both in spiritual and temporal ways."

The above prophecy and promise came to pass every whit. Again religious impulse and the spiritual urge prevailed over all discouraging elements and another threatened failure had been averted.


Under Bishop Jens Nielson, who thought and planned in terms of a ward unit, and members who trusted in his spiritual and financial ability as well as his native justice, the saints at Bluff united in making a record in Church activities as well as temporal affairs that brought commendation of Church Authorities and surprise from friends of our little colony. This record consisted of missionaries sent out, tithing and fast offers paid, attendance at all Church meetings and activities, Church papers, magazines and periodicals subscribed for. The credit of the community was gilt edged with banks, merchants, farmers and stockmen of Southern Colorado. Our relations dealings with our Indian neighbors for many years, with a very few minor exceptions, were very peaceable and considering the conditions involved as to the ranges, etc., where our interests could easily have caused differences we got along remarkably well together. In later years through outside influences a few unfortunate incidents occurred to mar our otherwise neighborly history.

Colorado as a state, at an early date in our San Juan history, attempted to have their Indians, the Utes, removed from the south western corner of that state into San Juan County, Utah, just across the line from the west end of their reservation. The persistency of our neighbors on the east had been worthy of a better cause. They went so far at one time as to pack their Indians up and order them to move over into Utah, or at least all that would fall for their bluff. But our Utah State officials failed to see it in that light, and lost no time in coming in and calling the bluff. After engaging in a more or less prolonged pow wow, during which some strong language was used, the Indians promised to return peaceably. Col. D. F. Day was removed from his acting agency with some mild censure by his superiors, thus ending peaceably what might have been serious trouble. At another occasion tentative arrangements were entered into whereby the pioneers of our country were given the privilege of choosing a place or lands in Colorado in exchange for our place in Utah for the Indians, but that arrangement did not get far.

The "Indian Rights Association," the great majority of whose members are good, well meaning people, but who are unfortunate sometimes in choosing men to direct the policy of their organization, have made it difficult and dangerous for all settlers, prospectors, and stockmen living near reservations, and many of the agents in charge of the different reservations and our government. Officials of the I. R. Association assume that their place is to defend their clients, as a lawyer is supposed to do, right or wrong, and we can easily see how the advantage would be lopsided in the Indians' favor. However, it did not work out as the eastern sentimentalists figured. The progress of the Indians was retarded. They drew false conceptions as to what was right or wrong in living their lives and in dealing with their neighbors about them. Those of us who knew these things do not feel to censure the Indians (many of them were peaceably inclined) for the serious trouble that was the direct result of the unwise leadership of their supposed "Washington friends."

The unfortunate trouble with the Indians and the outcome of it, the particulars of which are related elsewhere, reveal one of the outstanding evidences of the hand of God in the affairs of spiritual offspring, in the preservation of the lives of our boys from the bullets of their misguided neighbors. To me, if the hand of our Allwise Father was not in that unhappy affair, how could it be explained away? None of our boys received a scratch, and the young Pahutes who resisted the officer of the law and the leader of the outlaws, Posey, were all that were killed or wounded. The war was carried on in the roughest part of a broken rocky timbered which afforded the Indians all the advantage, they being familiar with the caves, cliffs, and every turn of the extremely rough trails. They also had better guns than any of our boys had. We have the Indian problem very much unsettled on our hands yet, but with faith and unafraid.

It is the purpose of this little humble story to show that the San Juan Mission has been to some extent at least a success; and also to secure to the Church leaders and especially those true brave peacemakers, the Indian Missionaries, their mead of honor and credit. As far as this effort of one having been associated in a more or less humble way with the "Mission" from the first, I put in no claim only as having taken an humble part in fostering peace between friends, or those who should live in friendly relations together.

The effects of the patient kindly labors of the Mormon missionaries was apparent. The Indians, especially the Navajos, had the name Mormon associated in their minds as friends, and from Pres. Silas S. Smith, who had more or less experience in dealing with Indians, and our old friend Thales H. Haskell, I got ideas and pointers that were a help to me in the part that fell to my lot later. For that were an example, "Always be plain, frank, and straight in talking with them." "Treat with them as you would with children." "Don't accuse or charge them with wrong doing without being sure of your grounds." "Never attempt to run a bluff." "As a rule you will be safer without a gun or weapon of any kind if your aim is to be a peacemaker."

One phase of our experience with all Indians has been to meet and overcome their tendency to leave their reservations and encroach upon the cattle and sheep ranges that we have used for many years. After we had been located in San Juan for a number of years and the Indian Agents discovered that it was the Mormon policy to treat Indians right, most of them gave us the privilege of keeping the Indians off the ranges we had been accustomed to use, but while we all understand that Indians as well as whites have to a certain extent the same right to the use of the public domain, still there is an unwritten law that governs in this matter among people who have right ideas as to actual prior use and have done something toward range improvements. However, among all people there are a few who are inclined to encroach upon their fellows. To the credit of the Indians, along this line, be it said that while we have met some determined resistance and have had to use time and patience, we have never failed to make our point, and better still after we have come to a peaceable understanding, the Indians have never broken their agreements.

At one time, many years since, the renegade band of Utes and Pahutes gathered and located in about the center of our winter range northwest of Bluff on what is named Black Mesa. They were ugly and saucy, and while we were unable to catch them at it, we knew they had been stealing from us by the cows that had been seen by our cowboys bellowing around without their calves. One of the boys speaking of the Indians at that time said, "They were all fat and saucy, even to their dogs, and they had dozens of them." The situation becoming almost unbearable, Bishop Nielson of Bluff called a council of all those interested and decided to send a committee of our men out to take up a labor with them to see if we could not prevail on the friendly ones to help us put an end to a condition that could not be permitted to go on. I had been sick but the Bishop and other authorities insisted that if reasonably possible, I should go. This I finally consented to do, and this controversy turned out as the dozen or more other like undertakings. After calling out some of the older and some of the more peaceably disposed Indians, they finally agreed to remove as we asked and even these poor ignorant renegades kept their word.

The directing leaders who followed S. S. Smith in the San Juan Mission were all well fitted for the changing conditions that developed as times and situations changed. All were sympathetic friends of the Indians, more or less used to pioneering, stock raising, farming, and ranching. They were all especially experienced in the Gospel and church organization. They were all in favor of education, advocates of law and order, promoters of thrift and economy, looking to the material progress of the people. They were prospered spiritually and temporally, giving another example of the truth that God blesses His children when they work in harmony with His plans.


CHAPTER SEVEN

SOME BLUFF HISTORY NOTES

When we came to Bluff we found the country in general very rough, broken, and sandy, and the job of making canals for irrigation in the region of the San Juan River looked, as it proved to be later, a never ending job. At an early date in the settling of Bluff, a number of the church authorities visited the settlement. Elder John Morgan, one time president of the Southern States Mission, visited the ditch camp located about three miles up the river from Bluff. He could see what the colonists were up against. Upon returning to town he visited Joseph A. Lyman who was suffering from a badly shattered knee received in a battle with desperadoes the fall before. By way of handing out a ray of comfort to the injured man, Brother Morgan said in an undertone, "Brother Lyman, I believe I would prefer having both legs shot than to have the job the boys have on the canal."

Not long after the pioneers landed on the San Juan and began the long difficult task of colonization, they began to meet with earnest opposition from the Indian Rights Association. This association had its headquarters at Washington D. C. where they could be in easy contact with the Indian Department. There is no doubt but what there was a just need for such an organization to head off the many dishonest and unscrupulous characters who were always ready to take advantage of the redmen in their ignorance of the white man and his ways, and probably the great majority of the members and supporters of the I.R.A. were high class citizens, contributing money and time to what they were convinced was a worthy cause. However, they were sometimes unfortunate in their choice of leaders and representatives, and the association balled up matters for agents, settlers, and the Indians themselves, without making any progress toward civilization. Their policy seems to have been to defend all Indians, right or wrong, in any trouble between the two races, and they caused the Bluff settlers a great deal of trouble.

Farmington, New Mexico was the nearest settlement to Bluff and it was over one hundred miles distant direct, and by wagon road it was about 150 miles. All roads in the country were next to impossible, especially those anywhere near the river. They were rough and rocky and the sand was bad.

To offset all these unfavorable condition there were at least three things in our favor:

First, the cowmen, who came into the country about the same time that we did, were practically all a bunch of nice fellows with whom we got along very nicely.

Second, the group of men and women who had been called on a mission to make this their home, for the purpose of cultivating and maintaining friendly relations with the Indians and establishing an outpost as a nucleus for future colonization in the interest of the church, were a choice bunch of people with whom it was a happy privilege to live and labor.

Third, we made a friend of one who watches over and protects and blesses all those whose attitude towards Him and each other is one of loyalty and trustfulness, and unity.


Notwithstanding the discouraging uninviting appearance of the county, by thrift, economy, and united working a wonderful prosperity attended our efforts, and although we were isolated from civilization, we developed a cultural happy community which in time attracted other good people, so that the better element prevailed over all obstacles. Through it all, the church as well as the authorities of the state were entitled to much credit for their kind sympathy and council as well as material help along the way. The struggles of the people here appealed to them and they went almost beyond the limitations of the law to render help.

Our pioneer party sought the better members of the different tribes of Indians to form alliances. Friendships were formed that have endured and grown stronger with the passing of the years. Indians don't break treaties, especially the better classes. As soon as they discovered that the attitude of our people was different, and that our kindly feelings and our interest in their welfare was sincere, all the leading classes fell in with our friendly efforts and joined in making it mutual. The more I learn of the white man and his ways, the better I like the Indian, and when the day of accounting arrives all the conditions and opportunities and environments are taken into account, our dusky "Sons of the Desert" may loom up far better than we may have figured.

As mentioned previously, the cowboys who came to Bluff were one of the checks which kept the bad forces from gaining the balance of power in early San Juan history. One group of these young fellows who came in from some of the eastern states were fairly well educated, had been brought up in good Christian homes, and stood for law and order. They were without knowledge of just who the Indians, or Lamanites were, but they had the business sense to see that their safety lay in keeping friendly with them. That fact naturally added strength to the forces of peace.

Quite early in the game of pioneering, there was a change made in the Northeastern Division of the Navajo Reservation. A former agent, who was prejudiced against the Mormon Colony located at Bluff and also the one located at Fruitland, was replaced by W. T. Shelton. Providence must have suggested this change, because it meant so much to the interests of the San Juan Mission as well as to the saints of New Mexico and the Indians themselves. No other change could have been made, involving one or two men, which would have meant so much to the pioneering of the whole region and the real good and advancement of the Navajos.

When W. T. Shelton was sent in to superintend that part of the Navajo Reserve, extending along the north side of this reservation west to the 110th meridian and next to the San Juan River on the south, good fortune had smiled on the Mormons for he proved to be a real friend, absolutely devoid of prejudice. He understood the Indians and their needs. He had his queenly wife and no children of their own and their natural affection for children found vent in their love for the bright young brownies of the canyons, cliffs, and sandhills of Navajo land.


Superintendent Shelton could give two or three good reasons for every move he made toward the development of the Shiprock School Plant. For example, he provided a building to serve as a small hospital. When they had patients brought in for treatment, he would invite some of the brightest of the natives that were convenient to follow the doctor and nurse in their treatment of the ailing ones. These Navajos would see that the treatment was different from that of their own medicine men and it tended to raise them above their ancient superstitions. However, I am a firm believer that the Indian people as well as most of the Heathen peoples have their prayers answered and their sick healed by faith.

As soon as Agent Shelton discovered that his Mormon neighbors were friendly and interested in the welfare of the Indians, he was very pleased, as one of his major problems was keeping peace between the Indians and settlers bordering on the Reservation. The friendship between Shelton and the Mormons soon became warm and mutual. Each was in a position to render assistance to the other. For instance, Shelton could see the demoralizing influence of gambling among the Indians and he undertook to discourage it in every way possible. The settlers living near the reservation cooperated with him in this to the best of their ability.

He used the Indians in all unskilled labor around the school and the farm that was operated in connection with the school. He didn't pay high wages because the easier the Indians get their money, the greater the temptation to engage in gambling, an almost universal weakness among the Indians.

Supt. Shelton and the Sectarian Schools people could not find any common ground upon which to meet and there was more or less friction between them from the start. Through the Indian Rights Association which was largely dominated by sectarian influence, this friction finally resulted in Shelton's removal from office.

Supt. Shelton was frank and straight forward and asked no special favors of friend or opponent. He understood the Indians and their limitations and opportunities. He had the respect of all the better ones of their nation and he had a way of putting his regulations over with refractory ones that won them to his side.

His removal was a great disappointment to the Mormons and an irreparable set back for the Navajo Nation. Of all the Indian agents of Superintendents I have contacted since landing in San Juan, I consider Supt. Shelton the best in regard to uplifting and bettering the Indians. However, since Shelton's day, the great majority of the agents have aimed to be fair with us and have given about the best that was in them for the benefit of the Indians.


CHAPTER NINE

BILL BALL AND THE DESPERADOES

In the late fall or early winter of 1886 or therabouts, three strange men turned up in the neighborhood of the south side of the Blue Mountains. No one seemed to know how or where they came from, but as was the custom in cow camps at that period, they were given the freedom of the camp belonging to the L. C. outfit in the mouth of Montezuma Canyon. As storms came on making travel difficult, they remained for the winter, not only getting their own food and keep but oats for their ponies as well.

On awakening one fine April morning, William Ball, foreman at the L. C. Ranch, made the discovery that their guests had quietly disappeared, taking with them two or three of the favorite cow ponies belong to the camp, among them Ball's favorite horse. Four of the cowboys were soon scouting the country for the rail by which the horse thieves had left with their ill-gotten booty. They found the tracks which had been made eight or ten hours earlier, going south in the direction of Bluff.

The pursuers followed a lone fresh track in to Bluff, but it proved to be one of our Bluff boys who had just returned from the Elk Mountains. He had seen the desperadoes and in attempting to go to them had been ordered back at the point of their guns. This information from the Bluff boy gave Ball and his party a direct lineup on the men they were following.

After lunch, the party was joined by six or eight Bluffites including myself and the pursuit of the outlaws was continued. We overtook them about eight miles west of town at Navajo Springs, leisurely having lunch. We held a hasty consultation and the decision was almost unanimous to order them to throw up their hands, and in case they refused, to open fire on them from a safe position behind rocks. Mr. Ball, however, was in favor of giving them a better opportunity to surrender and this decision proved his undoing and caused a revolt in the ranks of the pursuers.

With Ball in the lead, the pursuit was continued up the Comb Wash, our party keeping back out of sight until darkness came on when both parties left the main traveled road and passed the night with saddles on the horses and bridle reins in hand. When daylight dawned, we could see the thieves about a half mile across a canyon. We started after them and had gone about a mile when Ball stopped and asked me if I would take another man and follow the road that leaves the Comb Wash, in an attempt to head off the men we were after. At that time there was no trail or way out onto the Cedar Ridge other than the wagon road of the pioneers of San Juan.

Before leaving Ball and the posse, I very earnestly warned him of the danger of following that trio of outlaws too closely in the rough country through which we were traveling, telling him that men who would steal horses from a man who had treated them so well would not hesitate to shoot their pursuers from ambush. We were then passing through an outlaw's paradise, but Ball felt sure the men would not fight.


In accordance with Ball's suggestion four of us were detailed to make for a point in the road called the Twist, where it was thought the thieves would have to pass. It was the only outlet we knew of which went west, and that was the direction they were evidently heading for. After making as good time as possible, we reached the place, found a favorable position, and awaited developments.

The outlaws had evidently expected an emergency such as they were in now for they had looked out a trail the fall before as they were coming into the country. They seemed to know the country better than we who had lived there. They went out the south side of Red Canyon, and after being closely pursued for several miles, selected an ambush and opened fire. Ball, who was closest to them, was mortally wounded and some of our boys narrowly escaped the same fate. James B. Decker sprang from his horse just in time to save himself as a bullet struck the back of his saddle.

Not knowing just where the outlaws were located and being entirely at their mercy, our boys took cover behind rocks and trees that were available and tried to locate the bandits, who had all the advantages. The latter took what time they needed to withdraw and escape.

Ball was mortally wounded and suffering for water, so some of the boys placed him on a horse and started for Bluff while others scouted for water. The wounded man could not stand to ride far and begged the boys to let him off so he could die in peace. They took him off the horse and it was only a few minutes till he passed away. After digging a hole in the sand and covering his remains as best they could, the boys returned home.

About three weeks after Bill Ball's death a posse of twenty cowboys came through Bluff to follow the trail of his murderers. They asked Bluff to furnish two boys to act as guides and Amasa M. Barton and I were the ones selected for the job. This was about the middle of May.

The outfit headed for the Colorado River and the second day out we struck the trail of the bandits. We followed them to and down Red Canyon to the camp of Cass Hites. The main camp, however, was made a few miles from the river. Another party had gone around by the railroad, having heard that the murderers of Ball had a camp in or near the Henry Mountains. That party was to rout the desperadoes from the west and our party was to intercept them at the river, so our boys took turns guarding the crossing.

After allowing plenty of time for this program to work out, two of our party came out in sight and hailed Cass Hites over the river with his boat. As he stepped off the boat, the two boys drew their guns on him and placed him under arrest. During this brave performance the boys gave unmistakable evidence of being greatly agitated. Mr. Hite spoke quietly to them saying he did not think they intended to shoot him, but in their nervous excitement they might accidentally pull a trigger. He added that he couldn't see what they had to be frightened about when they were surrounded by their own men.

For a time there was strong talk and threats of lynching Mr. Hite then and there. It was brought out in the angry discussions that two of our posse had followed horse thieves to this ferry the year previous and it was charged that Mr. Hite must have a "stand in" with the outlaw element. The boys were smarting under their failure to locate the men we were after, and with the exception of Amasa Barton and myself, the sentiment was unanimous to lynch Hite.


Brother Barton and I talked the matter over quietly and decided that we must oppose the killing of Hite even though there were danger in so doing. The captain, Mr. McGood, saw that we were counseling together and he stepped up and asked us our attitude in regard to the proposed lynching. As the question was directed to me, I answered that it was a very serious step to take and told him to do as we had done, place himself in Mr. Hite's position and ask himself if he would not like to have a little better evidence than we had against Mr. Hite before taking so serious a measure as had been suggested.

After McGood had called some of the cooler heads into our council, our stand was finally accepted as the better way, but not without heated objection and profanity from the rougher element in the posse. McGood, addressing himself to Mr. Hite, said, "In case any of the boys of this party are under the necessity of following horse thieves or other outlaws to this ferry in the future, and find that you have put them over the river and taken no steps to notify the proper authorities, you need look for no mercy."

We had failed utterly in our attempt to find out anything about the murderers and our provisions were running low; so, the party started for home. Before we left, some of our posse told Mr. Hite that the two Mormons were after his scalp and that the Colorado boys had had trouble in talking us out of having him killed. People passing his camp later were told that at the first meeting of Jones or Barton and himself, something very serious would happen, but it didn't. I proved this a few years later when I camped with Hite and was taken in and treated fine. After supper I took occasion to tell him the truth in regard to our former experience with the posse from Colorado.

The first night on our return trip, some of the posse from Colorado showed a desire to learn something about the Mormons and their religion. Brother Barton suggested that I handle our side of the discussion and I took great pleasure in answering all their questions. The greater part of the night was passed in the interview. Considering the rough element of which the greater portion of the posse was composed, the attention and respect they gave us was remarkable. A young graduate from one of the leading Universities of the east took the leading part on the side of the Colorado boys, and the tact he showed and his attitude in general insured an orderly discussion. They were all surprised to learn that there was so much to Mormonism, and they were especially interested in the story of the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith. Many of them spoke up and admitted that all they had heard of the Mormons and their religion had been bad, but that in the future their opinions would be different.

When we broke camp the next morning, the friendship of most of the boys was warm and sincere, and although I have met but few of them since, I feel sure that most of them always remembered some of the things they heard that quiet night at the Dripping Spring in the wilderness west of Bluff.

THE COWBOYS AND THE CONFERENCE DANCE

After one of our Stake Quarterly Conferences which was held in Bluff about 1890, arrangements were made for a rousing dance and social to "wind up" the conference. Committees were appointed to look after the different features of the occasion. The committee on invitations, in order to magnify their calling, sent invitations to the cowcamps for all to come in and join in the merry making.

It so happened that at that particular time there were quite an extra number of visitors at the cowcamps, and, surprisingly enough, the boys all decided to come in and have themselves a time. They kept coming in in such unlooked for numbers, that the authorities became alarmed and decided the invitations committee had exceeded their authority. It was finally decided that the cowmen should be notified of the error and not be allowed to take part in all the functions of the party.

The boys did not take kindly to this arrangement and the more reckless of them went for their guns determined to have their say as to how the party was to be managed. It looked for a time as if nothing could avert serious trouble. Quite a number of us secured our weapons and prepared for the worst. There were two factors which contributed the control of the angry cowboys--the absence of liquor and the sense of chivalry possessed by a good percent of the otherwise rough cowboy element.

We modified our program and the older cowboys did some persuading, finally bringing about a compromise. Quite a number of the visiting cowmen came in and took part in the dancing and games, but more of them remained outside berating those of their party who had showed the white feather and gone in after being snubbed. The hostile ones, however, carried the trouble no further than shooting off their mouths, until the party was out, when they mounted their ponies and rode out of town at full speed, yelling and shooting their guns.

A short time after this event occurred, two of us from Bluff were riding with the Texas Outfit in the Comb Wash when the full force was taking part in the spring round up. One day the conference party and other troubles between the older men of Bluff and the cowmen came up for general discussion. As it went on, the conversation became more heated. They didn't seem to have anything against the two of us in particular, yet the greater part of the demonstration was apparently for our benefit. It seemed that Bishop Jens Nielson, Thales H. Haskel, and "Father" John Allan were the arch offenders but the Mormons in general were a pretty bad lot.

After giving them time to work off much of the hate in their systems, I spoke up and asked them when they were going to allow us a turn to say a few words. This took them by surprise and they became as quiet as mice as they turned toward me. I felt that the psychological moment had arrived to read the "riot act" so I took advantage of the situation and did just that. I immediately had the great majority of them at a disadvantage because they knew they had gone too far in their tirade against the Mormons in general and the three named in particular. The cowboys had always been treated more than fair, with the exception of the conference party and we had given them the benefit of the doubt there and apologized for the apparent misunderstanding. 


Among other things, I spoke of their shooting their guns and yelling like Comanches when the only possible affect it could have was to frighten the women and children. I told them that no one with any manhood about them would do that cowardly and contemptible thing. While I was easing my mind of these sentiments, there was not a sound from the round-up bunch.

That afternoon I was placed to ride with two of the toughest characters of the round up. One of them spoke up and said, "I didn't think any man could talk as you have to that outfit and not get killed, but you had truth and right on your side. I don't expect to be very good for it isn't in me, but from now on I'm not packing a gun while I am in a town where there are women and children,"


CHAPTER FOURTEEN

RELATIONS WITH THE INDIANS

The friendship between Kumen Jones and his Navajo friend, Jim Joe, is a most inspiring one. From their first meeting, there seemed to be a kindred spirit or feeling which drew the two together. They helped each other at every opportunity. After a separation of any length they were always overjoyed to see one another. Such beautiful friendships are rare under any circumstances, and it is especially unusual to see such a friendship between an ignorant Navajo and an educated, refined white man.

*******************

I first met Husteen Joe the Navajo at Bluff, Utah, the summer of 1880. Jim was then about eighteen or twenty years of age and I was twenty-four. It was soon apparent to an observer of human nature that Jim was above the average of his people. I think he was reared by one of his uncles who was a prominent leader among the Navajos of the north-western part of the Navajo Reservation. He was industrious, thrifty, careful with his means, a hard worker, a large manly fellow. By the time he took unto himself a wife, he was full handed. (A young man among the Navajos wins a flock of sheep and goats with his bride. As a rule the sheep are owned or claimed by the woman while she lives.)

Jim always looked upon lying and stealing as being beneath the standard he had set for himself to follow. He was always frank, open, and straight-forward in his life, and dealings with friend or foe of any color or class. Many times he has helped us regain property that was stolen from us by whites as well as Indians. Sometimes he joined officers of the law in chasing desperate characters such as bank and train robbers, cattle and horse thieves, and many times he has followed his own people and made them return small items they had pilfered. Just one instance: A party of tough characters selected a camp about 35 or 40 miles below the town of Bluff in an out-of-the-way locality which was rough and broken and seldom visited by the white folks. They were working up a trade with the Navajos and Pahutes, trading our cattle for ponies, Navajo blankets, silverware, etc. As soon as our goodly standby Jim got wise to their stuff he very promptly notified us and accompanied the officers, leading them to their camp. He also notified the Indians that they would have to return the cattle and come in and reclaim their ponies, etc. It was some time before all of the cattle were reclaimed but Jim accompanied us out on the Reservation to get cattle that had been driven some distance away. The Indians were loath to give them up as in many instances whiskey was an item mixed up in many of the deals. The effects of the whiskey had all disappeared and they were out some in the transaction, but Jim stood by us like a brick, until we recovered about all our stock. The thieves were convicted and Jim and other Indians went to Salt Lake City as witnesses against them.


William T. Shelton, for many years superintendent of the Shiprock Indian School in the northeastern districts of the Navajo Reservation, attempted many times to induce Jim to work on his police force, but the uniform and star had no charms for Jim. He preferred to be free, and he especially disliked the limelight. Supt. Shelton insisted, however, that he would hold Jim responsible for the behavior of the Indians in his neighborhood as he was about the only one the Indians would listen to. Thus the matter rested, Jim consenting in a way to talk to the Indians and try to keep them going straight.

An incident occurred soon after this last understanding to show that Jim's heart was right.

A very prominent old Navajo who was wealthy and influential among the tribe got in some difficulty with the superintendent and an attempt was made to discipline him. I think he wanted to put his old wife away and marry a young one and the authorities were trying to stop that custom which had prevailed among the Indians. The older woman, thus deserted, would take her sheep and pick up a young timid inexperienced sad Navajo to get even with the old boy.

To return to the trouble, the Indians rallied around the old man and became so serious that the noted old standby, General Scott, was called upon to settle the trouble, but before Gen. Scott could locate the offender, the Navajo Nation was worked up to a frenzy of excitement and were gathering and driving their stock over on "Black Mountain" where the women and children would herd them while their warriors went out to put Uncle Sam through a good trimming. The excitement and war spirit got beyond Jim Joe's sphere of influence and he was unable to reason them out of the mood by telling them they had all gone crazy. Jim had been to Washington and around where he had learned something of the government's power and he knew that the Navajos wouldn't last any time against the U. S. Army. Jim, however, was unable to pacify them, so he selected 25 or 30 of them to come in and talk the matter over. Shelton had told Jim that in case he ran up against something he was not able to handle he had better go and talk with Tugelchee (Kumen Jones) and he could tell them what would be best. Then, we finally succeeded in convincing the Navajos that Jim was right and that any warring attempts against the U. S. Government was only suicide. The Indians withdrew their senseless undertaking and left Scott and the old Navajo to talk matters over. The incident left Jim still climbing the respect of whites and reds.

There are a lot of Indians both Navajos and Utes that are worthy of our kindest respect considering their condition and opportunities, but, with me all around, Jim comes first and last. He is in a class almost alone. My last experience with him was just a few years ago. His eyes had gone back on him and I had been trying for nearly a year to have him put in a hospital where his eyes could be treated. A good doctor had decided there was a good chance for overcoming his blindness if he were taken where he could have proper care and treatments.

After the Indian authorities had wasted a lot of time on his case without taking him anyplace, I decided to take matters in my own hands and take him to Kayenta where the Government has a good hospital. The alibi of the Indian authorities was Jim's statement that he wouldn't go to a hospital, that he had no faith in hospitals or doctors, and that he wouldn't leave his home. But his case was so bad that I decided I should do something.


In one of my visits after he lost his sight, he told me he would do whatever I thought best in regard to having his eyes treated. When I got ready to take him to Kayenta, I arranged with a young Navajo, Randolph, who could speak English fairly well to accompany us on the trip. As Jim lived off the highway some distance, I had Randolph go down from Bluff in the evening to have him ready to start for Kayenta when I came along the road the next morning.

Next morning about the time for Jim to leave home, it started to rain so I didn't know whether he would be there or not. But when Randolph told him Tugelchee would be on the road for him, Jim was there in spite of the rain. Riding in a closed car made Jim sick and here again the genuine sport in him came to the surface. He just laughed it off saying, "Pretty soon--all right."

They were treating only T.B. cases at the hospital, but at my insistence the doctor in charge finally consented to care for him until the head superintendent came and decided where to place him. Jim was given a good bath and lunch and placed in a clean cot with an educated young Navajo attendant with whom he could talk. With Jim in those pleasant circumstances, we bade him "Adios" late that evening. With a bright smile on his face, he told us of his appreciation. It looked as if he were going to feel at home there, so, with a prayer in my heart that his sight might be restored, I left him.

I have a great deal of respect for the Navajo Nation. I feel that these people will some day come to their own. They are children of the promise and have truly suffered much. I hope I shall live to see the day when the promises made to their forefather Lehi will be realized.

------------------------


The following letter, written to Kumen Jones by President Wayne H. Redd, shows the fact that the red man, Jim Joe, and his needs were constantly in the thoughts of the white man.

Blanding, Utah
June 24, 1935

Dear Uncle Kumen,

We have met Jim Joe's daughter and sent some stuff down to them. She says that Jim is no worse, but he has been looking for you to visit him. We went as far as Bluff and learned that it was too far for us to walk. We gave the provisions to his daughter.

Claude Powell who runs a trading post at Bluff said that these Indians traded with him regularly and that if they were in need of more help that he would let us know and we will see that their wants are supplied.

Brother A.R. Lyman says that he and Ed. Black are going down and make Jim Joe a visit and that if Jim cares to go to the hospital that Ed. will take him up there.

We as the Stake Presidency feel that you have done your bit for this good Indian and that now we will try and fulfill our part of the contract in doing our duty to this noble Lamanite.


We are well in this part of the Lord's vineyard. Crops are looking good. Our water has been plenty up to date but of course it is failing for the field now. Hay is much better than last season but somewhat light owing to the severe drought last year.

We hope that you and your good wife are enjoying peace and good health. Let your mind dwell on the peaceable things of the Kingdom and all will be well with you and yours.

We just had a Temple Excursion from this section of Manti. We were in the group and it made us feel as though we would like to spend the balance of our lives there, but we know that we should be content with our lot and do our best wherever the good Lord sees fit to call us.

We wish you and your sweet wife peace and happiness always.

Wayne H. Redd









This second letter also shows the interest which Kumen Jones had in Jim Joe.

Northern Navajo Agency
Shiprock, New Mexico
August 1, 1931

Mr. K. Jones
Blanding, Utah

Dear Sir:

In answer to your letter of July 27, regarding "Hosteen Joe," we have taken the matter up with the Specialist, and he will be here in sixty days or more. When the Specialist comes we will arrange to have this man brought in.

I am sorry, Mr. Jones, that we have not been able to take care of this old man but the special eye physician has not been available.

Very truly,

Ernest R. McCray
Superintendent





CHAPTER FIFTEEN

THE POKE AND POSEY TROUBLES

The history of San Juan County has been made with Silas S. Smith, Platte D. Lyman, F.A. Hammond, Walter C. Lyman, L.H. Redd, and Wayne H. Redd in charge. Anyone who has had the good fortune to know these men will know that the Indians were insured a square deal as far as it was within the power of these men to give it to them.

The purpose of this little effort is to correct the false impressions that were made during and after the excitement of the last two Indian difficulties or escapades. Oftimes two or more parties involved in dispute may compose their troubles if they are not interfered with. However, outside parties may cause many complications by "butting in" and misrepresenting facts. Interference of this kind brought many difficulties to the San Juan settlers in their troubles with the Indians.

The first twenty-five years we were in San Juan County we were at the mercy of the Indians. They could easily have wiped us out and left no trace as to who had done it, but a kind providence watched over us. As our numbers increased and the Indian Agents became more friendly our safety was made more secure.

Up until the last outbreak of the Indians, known since as the Posey War, our local church authorities counseled peaceful settlement of all differences or difficulties and have advised our men folks to keep out of any aggressive measures where reasonably possible.

In order to get at the question of cause and effect or find the real reason for the Posey War it will be necessary to go back to the Poke boy trouble which occurred a few years earlier.

The Poke boy, Tcenegat, was just a spoiled kid whose father and mother had given him his own way and led him to believe that he should be allowed to follow his own inclinations. People brought up in this manner usually meet with trouble and disappointment and Poke boy found his early.

In 1914, a young, timid, inoffensive Mexican boy was returning to his home in New Mexico from Monticello, Utah. He had been employed in the latter town as a sheep herder, and when he left there to return home, he had three ponies, a pack outfit, and some money. His trail led through the southwest corner of the Ute Reservation in Colorado, so he made camp for the night at or near the hogan of some friendly Ute Indians with whom the Poke boy was also staying. The Indians, who were the only witnesses to what occurred that night, said that Poke's boy tried to get the Mexican boy to play cards for money but the young Mexican protested that he was not acquainted with card games.

Sometime during the night, the Mexican boy was murdered and robbed. The only word that went out and the only evidence that was found pointed to Poke's boy as the murderer. The evidence that came out at the preliminary hearing pointed so directly to Poke's boy that an indictment was made, although some time had elapsed before this was done.


Several attempts were made to arrest the guilty boy but none were successful. In an unofficial way many friends of peace brought every possible argument to hear with the Indians to induce them to have Poke's boy give himself up to the officers of the law. They assured him that he would have a fair trial and that if he were innocent as he claimed to be, he would not be harmed.

As time passed and Poke was not arrested, the citizens of San Juan County became alarmed at the unsettled condition of affairs and wrote the following letter to the authorities in Washington, D.C.

Grayson, Utah
Sept. 28, 1914

The Hon. Cato Sells
Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

We the undersigned in behalf of the citizens of San Juan County, Utah, respectfully present a few facts concerning a band of renegade Ute Indians who live and subsists on the people of this section. They number about 150 souls. While a portion of them are law abiding, some are defiant and a menace to the citizens here, and frequently friction of a serious nature arises between them and the stock men.

Quite recently a young Dare-Devil of an Indian shot down a peaceable young man in cold blood with no provocation, simply to rob him. He, the Indian, has been requested to come in and give himself up. This he refuses to do. A U.S. deputy Marshall came for him, saw and talked with him, but failed to take him for fear of an uprising and blood-shed. The Indians are not making any decided advancement and we feel that the strong arm of the Government should manifest itself and have the Indians placed where they can be advanced along civilized lines and relieve the good people of the County of the burden of being preyed upon by a reckless bunch of Indians.

Trusting that your honor will take immediate and determined steps to settle this question of long standing.

Yours very respectfully,

The Poke boy case was agitated so long that it became of national interest. The Indian Rights Association people as an organization took it up and sent the secretary of their organization, a Mr. Sniffin, out to investigate the matter for them. This secretary came as far as Bluff where he met in solemn conference with William Posey and a young couple by the name of Patterson, who desired to take up missionary work among the Indians. I am not informed as to whom Mr. Sniffin consulted before coming into our country or after he left it, but while he was here the only interview he had with anyone was the one with Ute Posey and the Pattersons.


The Pattersons, an inexperienced well-meaning pair who had been here but a short time, had secured the services of Posey as instructor in the Indian Language and customs. We have no way of knowing what the Pattersons told Mr. Sniffin and we make no charges against them, but any man of any color who had become reasonably well acquainted with Posey would not need to ask what he would report about the white people to whom he had dealt out misery all his life.

Although Mr. Sniffin was sent out to investigate fully and fairly, he did not take the time or trouble to get at both sides of the question. Upon his return to Washington he made out his report in which the following occurred. "This whole trouble was brought about by the wealthy stockmen of San Juan County who are determined to drive the Indians from their homes, well cultivated farms, and the graves of their fathers, so the stockmen can gain possession of their lands and homes."

If that report had had any foundation of truth, the wealthy stockmen would have been the ones to round up. But Sniffin had a simpler way of handling the affair. He intended to lay the blame for everything on to the Mormons or the cowboys then spend the money of well-intentioned people to defend the Indians right or wrong as had been their policy in the past.

The facts in regard to this matter were so easily accessible that there was no need for this base perjury had Mr. Sniffin been searching for the truth. As it was, jealousy and prejudice, mixed with falsehood went out and was enlarged upon until many good intentioned people believed there must be some truth in Sniffin's report.

The Indian Rights people are sometimes unfortunate in their selection of men whom they send out to represent them The case of Mr. Sniffin is not the only one we have had where their men have come out to the Indian states and returned with one-sided reports. However, we have had some fair representatives from them and we can appreciate the difference between the ones who are seeking after the truth and those who are seeking only evidence to sustain a prejudiced state of mind.

There was but one flaw in the Sniffin report and that was that there was not a trace of truth in the part we have quoted. In the first place, up to the time that statement was made by the Indian Right's secretary, those Indians never had a well cultivated farm or a permanent home. The truth of the matter is that not one of those Indians who took part in the controversy had belonged in San Juan County north of the San Juan River before we came to the country, with the possible exception of Mancos Jim and his outfit who had been our friends for years.

In the second place, the stockmen referred to in the report, had for many years tried earnestly to persuade the Indians to turn from their nomadic life and to make permanent homes and farms. Not only had they advised them to do this, but three of our men took teams, tools, and implements out and helped the Indians fence and plow, locating some of them in Allan Canyon. A man could have raised more on five acres of land at Bluff or Moab in one season than all that those Indians ever raised in one season up to the time of the Poke boy trouble. So their well cultivated farms could not have been large enough to make any difference to speak of to those "wealthy stockmen." When the truth comes into its own in regard to the colony of Mormon pilgrims who first settled San Juan County, there will be revealed a record of kindness, patient, and fairness toward the Indians that has few equals. The people of San Juan were as free from guilt in the matter of the Poke boy trouble as anyone could possibly be.

The chief fight of the Poke boy trouble occurred in March, 1915. Aqulo Nebeker had been sent out from the office of the United States Marshal at Salt Lake City to arrest Poke's boy. His posse was made up of men with good cool nerves but they lacked training in team work. The Indians were camped across the wash west of Bluff and it was Nebeker's intention to take them by surprise. In this, however, he failed. The Indians got wind of what was up and were prepared to meet the posse. In the fracas that ensued, each side lost two members. After the encounter the Indians removed to Douglas Mesa.

Nebeker's posse was going to follow them there but word came in from Washington that the old brave General Scott had been ordered in to handle the matter. As soon as he arrived, Gen. Scott went to Mexican Hat and from there sent Indian runners to gather the Indians from the Navajo Indian Reservation where they had fled from the posse.

The Indians, at Scott's request, came into Mexican Hat for consultation and gave themselves up. There was nothing else to do as their supplies were all gone and the Navajos refused to feed them.

The Indians were taken to Denver by Scott and held. Upon their arrival in Denver a farce began that ended in a gross miscarriage of justice which turned the outlaws back on the people in worse shape than before. There was not the first man, white, brown, or red who knew anything about the case but what thought Poke's boy, Tcenegat, was guilty, yet he was released free of charge. I have it from the prosecuting attorney, Mr. Tedrow, that the whole trial from start to finish was a farce. The murderer of the innocent Mexican boy was turned loose together with those who had joined him in resisting the officers of the law. Mushy sentimentalists made a great fuss in banqueting, feasting, and sending flowers to the newly released Indians, and when the murderer and his outlaws came back to San Juan they were simply impossible to live with. They claimed that while away they had been promised that Bluff would be taken from the Mormons and turned over to them.

I know the great majority of the Indian Rights people would not have stood for the ungodly miscarriage of justice which took place at the trial of Poke's boy had they understood the true circumstances. Mexican people love their children as few people do, yet the parental love feelings, and rights of the parents of the unfortunate Mexican boy were almost entirely over looked in the smokescreen and fuss thrown around the alleged murderer. The latter was feted, petted, and made a hero of by the multitude while the parents of the Mexican lad had to swallow their sorrow almost alone. I feel sure that some of those who have directed the policy of the Indian Rights Association will have the blood of innocent people on their hands.

[The following two letters are of interest in connection with this affair because they were written by Aquilo Nebeker, the man who was sent out from Salt Lake City to arrest Poke's boy. They were written shortly after his return to the capitol.]

Office of UNITED STATES MARSHALL
District of Utah
Salt Lake City

April 15, 1915


Mr. Kumen Jones
Bluff, Utah

My Dear Mr. Jones:

Yours of 9th inst. at hand. I thank you for the feeling expressed therein for my small part enacted; and I desire to thank through you, all of my friends in San Juan who appreciated that I was acting in good faith, that the dignity of our national government and state government should be upheld, and that ultimate result we sought to attain would benefit all including Indians themselves, that privileges of good government might flow to them, their children and children's children.

It matters but little to me who may receive the credit, even if it should be my lot to receive nothing but censure from people who can't know the facts, if beneficial results are obtained through any effort of miã. However, it is certainly appreciated by me that those who are the most vitally interested, as you citizens at Bluff, and who were present at all stages of the program, feel as your letter expresses.

Certainly such times afford the opportunity for people who are in close contact as we all were during the whole campaign to learn the innermost motives of each other's souls.

I shall look back upon my sojourn in San Juan County with a great deal of satisfaction, as my acquaintance made with your people was one that I shall cherish all my life, and you people are now among my most valued friends, and I hope I may continue to enjoy your confidence and that you can excuse my positive forms of expression, even to the extent of my swearing a little at times, and which may have startled the citizens of Bluff, especially the good ladies and to those who may have heard me swear at times, I want you to offer to them my apologies.

Well, I shall let you know what the Department of Justice has done in the premises.

First you must understand that a great deal of maudlin sentiment was created in behalf of Indians on the part of people who have never suffered from contact with any Indians, and whose relations have never suffered, as people have suffered in the subduing of all sections of the United States from its earliest settlement to the winding up of affairs in San Juan County. I say 'winding up' we hope it is the 'winding up' although I remember the act of old Scar Breast and the prospector he killed near Lee's Ferry, twenty years after he was wounded, and got away from the Sevier Valley after one of the periodical raids of the Indians of your immediate vicinity.

The Indians all made a solemn declaration under oath, that they would submit absolutely to governmental control and regulation.

Among those regulations are:


That they will obey the Agent.

That they will use their influence to advise all Indians to obey their agent.

That they will go to their reservation and try and get all their Indians to go and not depart therefrom without a permit from their Agent.

That they will cease carrying arms.

That they will send their children to school.

That they will surrender peaceably if wanted by National or State Authority, that they will assist to apprehend any others.

The crimes that they have committed are not dismissed, but held over them pending their compliance with these regulations.

Posey and Polk have written to their people to go to the reservation and meet them there and Mr. Jenkins has written to Mr. Spencer at Mexican Hat to provide them necessary subsistence to get there.

If there are any violations of any of these regulations in the future, a proper course for any of the people of San Juan County is to communicate with the Agent at Navajo Springs Agency, and he will see to it that the Indians are kept at home. I also suggest that you people discourage any sentiment you many find to encourage the Indian that he can stay off the reservation, or ought to be allowed to stay off.

If Indians come to any of you with their little tales of woe give them to understand that all such questions must be settled for them by their Agent, and that the common citizens are not the proper authority for them to come to or advise with, but their Agent is their man, through and through.

Now, if this policy is adhered to, the work started will be strengthened and will result in your seeing no Indian at Bluff or off his reservation without a permit from his Agent, just as the little Navajo Maiden is now at your own residence assisting your folks in domestic work.

I believe most of you people can be relied upon for work along these lines, but as the San Juan situation was so serious, and was and is so fraught with the safety of life of your citizens, that I think a little special work could well be devoted to this subject.


I should be very much disappointed indeed that when I find an opportunity to visit San Juan Country again, and I want to visit you all again that I should find a lot of Ute Indians who insisted on knowing all about what I was there for, and peeking into citizen's windows to get information that they wanted, and calling citizens 'G D liars,' if the information given them did not satisfy them.

Yours truly,

Aquilo Nebeker

(2)

Salt Lake City, Utah
May 12, 1915

Kumen Jones
Bluff, Utah

My Dear Mr. Jones:

How is the Indian situation? Your situation in Bluff has given us a great deal of concern here had it has been treated with a view of doing that which was for the best interests you as well as the Indians so far as it could be figured out. Of course a great many people will think, possibly, that the Indians have gotten off much better than they deserved, and probably I am one who may think that way as strongly as anybody. But after all we can only judge of this in the light of future events. If the proposition works out all right and the Indians 
do as they agree and stay where they belong so that they and their
children may get the benefits that the government desires them to get;
and they cease to be a menace to the American citizens of your section, 
then I can lay aside my personal feelings in the interest of the general 
welfare.

But if those fellows can't realize what is being done for them; and can't refrain from heaping indignities upon the American citizens and treating the Government with contempt; then I shall feel that it was indeed too bad that I should not be permitted to finish the job myself.

No matter what some may think it wasn't glory that I was after but I was interested to finish in a way that was becoming the dignity of the great government to which we belong; and show those Indians that mercy could come with proper conduct on their part, rather than as a precedent to their recognition.

I am fixing up the accounts as fast as the business of the office will permit, and your checks will all reach you if you can command the patience.

With the kindest regards to all my acquaintances there, I hope to remain.

Yours truly,

Aquilo Nebecker.


Soon after the trial at Denver, Poke's boy died of tuberculosis, but his followers didn't stop their depredations. They continued to make trouble and expense for the local people, until it seemed as if our patience and forbearance were being taken to mean fear to do anything to defend our property or rights. Posey was one of the ring leaders in this bunch of renegades. The following letter shows just one little instance of the trouble that Posey was always causing:

Ute Mountain Agency (formerly Navajo Springs)
June 7, 1915

To Indian Agents, Sheriffs, and City Marshals:

Wm. Posey and his two sons, Anson and Jesse Posey, with their families, and perhaps several other Ute Indians belonging to this Agency have left the reservation without authority and are supposed to be in the vicinity of Mexican Hat or Allan Canyon.

All peace officers are requested to arrest any or all of the parties named and hold till I can send for them. All citizens are urged not to harbor these people or give them employment as they have broken their parole in leaving the reservation and must return here under the penalty of imprisonment for failure to do so.

Persons knowing the whereabouts of the Indians named will please write or wire the undersigned.

James E. Jenkins
Supt. Ute Mountain Agency
Navajo Springs, Colorado

The next open break with the Indians came in 1923 and was called Posey's War. Posey was a renegade who had murdered one wife and taken unto himself another, both sisters of Poke. Although the trouble this time was called Posey's War, open hostilities were not precipitated by Posey himself, but by two young Utes, one the son of Joe Bishop and the other Dutch's boy. These two boys held up a sheep camp belonging to Jens Nielson and robbed it. They were arrested and convicted mostly on evidence of Indians of their own tribe. At the noon recess of the court, Joe Bishop's boy, by prearrangement, refused to go to dinner with the sheriff, Bill Oliver. Instead, he grabbed the sheriff's gun, mounted one of the best of the Indian horses and with the assistance of a partner or two wounded the sheriff's horse and broke away. He nearly killed Sheriff Oliver several times before he got to the timber on the outskirts of town. The people were not prepared for this sudden turn of events but it soon became evident that Posey and his gang had expected it and were fixed with supplies which they would need for a protracted siege. From their viewpoint they were well prepared to show us their contempt for law and order.


It looked as if the time had come to decide whether a reign of terror, or law and order should prevail in this corner of the state. Some of our brave men and boys took their lives in their hands and went out to round up Posey and his renegades. There was no thirst for blood, no seeking for glory or applause. Instead there was just a humble determination to make traveling on the roads and trails, and working in the fields and woods safe from these Indian outlaws. Our boys wanted to free their loved ones at home from the fear and worry and suspense they were under every time their fathers and sons were out of their sight for any length of time.

During the fights which took place while the posse was trying to bring in the Utes, Joe Bishop's boy was killed and Posey received two wounds which proved fatal. The wounds were only flesh wounds and Posey's life could probably have been saved with a little first aid treatment, but perhaps it's just as well he didn't get help because that would have robbed him of the one and only praiseworthy thing he ever did for his country of people which was to lay down and die.

The posse succeeded in rounding up the Utes and putting them in a bull pen in Blanding where they were held prisoners for over a month until the government took charge of them.

Several government officials came in after the scrap was over and they treated us fairly nice until the final "council" to which they refused us even one delegate. We thought that from every sentiment of right and justice we were entitled to that much, but we also thought the Indians had had a lesson that would last them for at least one generation and we were so anxious for peace that we let this little technicality slide.

We have no fault to find with the way the Indians have been handled since. They have gone to work and are making headway toward better things. We acknowledge the hand of God through it all.

First Settlement of San Juan County, Utah

By

Kumen Jones

After Uncle Sam's "Blue jackets" got through with their "trimming up" of the Navajos in Northeastern Arizona, along in the late "sixties," under the leadership of Kit Carson, the Indians were left in extremely hard circumstances with very little to live upon. Being a thrifty, resourceful people, many of them crossed the Colorado River to the Mormon frontier in search of something to replenish their wasted substance. Finding small scattered settlements and many lone ranches with sheep, cattle, horses, etc., the Indians without ceremony appropriated what they wanted, and made back in haste for their own country.

This onesided traffic soon became unbearable, and the Mormon church authorities sent a number of missionaries over to the chief men of the Navajos. These missionaries succeeded in making peace, and they invited the leading men of the tribe to a council with the high officials of the church, where a regular treaty was made, followed by exchange of presents and the smoking of the sacred peace-pipe.  Not long after this an event occurred which tested the strength of this peace compact, revealing to each party whether it was to be more than a "scrap of paper." The Navajos, assured by the terms of the treaty, crossed the river on a friendly expedition, and after starting on their return trip they were caught in a heavy snow-storm in the Wasatch Mountains. In this delay, and their provisions exhausted, they killed a calf to eat, and the owners of the animal, happening on them about that time, opened fire without waiting for a word of explanation. Three of the four Navajos were killed, and the fourth, severely wounded, worried his way back to the Navajo country, a feat which an ordinary person would have perished in attempting.

When the wounded Navajo reported among his people that their newly-made Mormon friends had treacherously broken the peace treaty, a wave of indignation swept quickly over them. The Indian who had been treated so roughly belonged to one of the influential families of the nation, and war to the death was immediately declared. Frenzied excitement prevailed, and all the white people on or near the western side of their reservation, were notified and ordered out of the way.

The Mormons, leaders and people, were shocked and surprised when they heard of what was taking place. The church authorities immediately drafted their old Indian missionaries into service, and these missionaries, daring and obedient, faced the perilous situation to allay the danger threatening their people. What they accomplished by thus taking their lives in their hands has gone into Mormon history, and is good evidence of the diplomacy and wise policy of the Mormon leaders. It proves also the genuine stuff of which those old experienced scouts were made.

These missionaries convinced the angry and excited Indians that the murdering of their people was not done, nor sanctioned by their Mormon friends, but that it was done by non-Mormons, hard characters, by whom the Mormons themselves were also being robbed. A party of representative Navajos were taken back to the place of the trouble, and were convinced of the fact that the former treaty had not been broken by the Mormons. And again they were loaded up with presents and given added assurance of the desire on our part to stand eternally by the treaty of friendship and peace.  It was with these things in mind that the leaders of the church, in 1879, selected seventy-five or eighty young men, mostly married, to establish an outpost, and were given the mission of "cultivating and maintaining friendly relations with Indians whose homes were near the section where the state of Colorado, and the territories of Utah, New Mexico and Arizona corner together."

In pursuance of the above arrangement, an exploring party was organized and started in April to find a way into the proposed region. It consisted of about twenty-five men, most of them young men, (I among them) under the leadership of Silas S. Smith, who proved to be a careful, wise and successful scout. From our starting point in Iron county in Southern Utah, we traveled south-east to Lee's Ferry, thence to Tuba City, and from there north-east through the Navajo country, reaching the San Juan river about twenty-eight miles below the "four corners." We spent three months exploring the country in every direction, and traveled on north by the Blue Mountains, crossing Grand River and Green River, returning home by way of central Utah.

While our party were out on their exploring trip, another party was sent from Escalante to find a more direct route into the San Juan country. This outfit came down as far as the western brow of the Colorado river gorge, and looking down through the "Hole-in-the-rock" to the water of the river, and to a canyon leading out on this side to a flat looking country, went back and reported that it was all clear sailing for a wagon road to the San Juan. This report was prompted more by the desire to encourage travel through the little village of Escalante, than to find a feasible place for a permanent road.  By the latter part of October, 1879, the settlers selected for San Juan were on the road headed in that direction. They had all been advised to provide themselves with provisions for at least a year, and with clothing, seeds, tools and implements to begin farming, and to build places of shelter from the elements and safety from the Indians.

After the main body of the company had arrived at what is called Forty-mile Spring, the last camping place where sufficient water for so large a company is found, twenty miles from the river, exploring parties were sent out to see just what was ahead of us. The discovery was soon made that we had been led into a trap, as deep snows had fallen on the mountains back of us, and the next to impossible loomed up before us. The writer, then a young man, was one of three sent out for the purpose of returning with an official report. After eight days of exploring the report was made about as follows: One reported that the idea of making a way through by the "Hole-in-the-rock" was absolutely out of the question. The second scout reported that the way was quite feasible, and the men of the company could make a fairly good wagon road without much trouble. The third reported that by getting experienced men, tools, powder, etc., a way could be opened to get the outfit through the country, but there was no place in sight for a permanent wagon road.

The latter report was accepted, and steps were taken to act upon it. Silas S. Smith returned and visited the Territorial Legislature, and the leading officials of the Mormon church, from both of whom he received appropriations for blasting a way across the river and over the broken country out to where Bluff, Utah, was afterwards located.  In the company there were eighty-two wagons, and about that number of men and boys old enough to handle a team. The company put in about fifty days on the "Hole-in-the-rock," getting down with their outfits to the river, and they put in the greater part of three months getting across to where Bluff was begun. It was a severe winter, but the pilgrims enjoyed good health. Each Sabbath day was duly observed by all resting from their labors and holding services. Each night before retiring the bugle sounded as a signal for all to observe evening prayers. Dancing parties were frequently held on the flat bed rock, also singing, games, readings and other amusements.

Three babies were born on the way, and with the assistance of two old-time nurses, and the blessing of the Good Father, all went well with mothers and children. And the Good Father had a kind watch care over our whole company of pilgrims, bringing us through without death or serious sickness or accident of any nature. Nearly everyone was helpful and kind and good-natured, and in very rough places men would rally to each other's help, steadying the wagons down the slick rocks with long ropes, and pushing and pulling up the hills. With them was an old-timer named Barnes whose ponderous laugh echoing through camp would bring at least a good-natured smile to the face of all who heard.

Looking back at it now, and considering how that large company, working and blasting their way through a country of that nature, and being there during six months of one of the severest winters, it looks to me as though there was something more than human power and wisdom associated with it.

When that bedraggled company of tired pilgrims straggled into the present site of Bluff, many of their teams, which consisted of horses of all sizes and descriptions, as well as oxen, mules and burros, were unable to proceed farther; at least they would have to stop there for some time, and some of them remained there on that account. Most of the original settlers at Bluff, however, remained there from religious and conscientious motives. And under the blessing and protection of a kind Providence, they were prospered and preserved to accomplish, at least in a large measure, the mission assigned them.

For forty years there was but one of the original colony, a very dear friend of mine, killed or harmed by the Indians. And no Indian was killed by one of our party. A quiet, orderly Christian civilization was established in the midst of these Indian tribes: Utes, Piutes, Navajos, etc., many of whom were savage outlaws.

Many children have grown up in our colony who are developing into good strong characters, and filling places of responsibility in the different communities of south-eastern Utah. During our stay of almost forty-five years in San Juan county, Utah, there has never been a suspicion of any social or moral laxity between our people and the Indians.