| OCR Text |
Show FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS. 193 nobility of character among the Indians than what is common among many whites, even Mormons included. In explanation of their accusing some of the Mor-mon Bishops of helping to rob them, it had been told to them how the agents managed to get certain ones to siogn false vouchers for flour and beef. Whether this was true or not the Indians fully believed that it was. I found evidences afterwards that at least looked like their accusations were well founded. All who are acquainted with Indian character know that a trader who deals liberally with the natives can hold a great influence over them. The Utes were great traders at that time, having a great many skins and furs to barter. They urged me to come and trade with them. This could only be donev by buying out the trader and getting the appointment. So I bought out the trader, conditionally, with the hopes of getting the post tradership. In this I failed. The friendship of the agent was only politic for the time being. His endeavors to keep me out of the situa-tion were successful. Mine to bring about a permanent peace and get the Indians better provided for were also successful, probably much more so than if I had been allowed the trader's position. After visiting with the Indians and gaining consider-able influence over them, getting them to promise peace, provided the Mormons would be friendly again, I com-menced preparing for my return home. The Indians wanted me to go back and talk to the Mormons and see positively what they said and how they felt, especially in Sanpete valley, where the war had been the worst. They wanted to be assured that the Mormons would not kill them, provided they came in to visit and trade as in former times. I agreed to find out and return again and see them, and bring a few more things they wanted. |
