OCR Text |
Show 34O FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS. An effort was made by a company to buy me out but not being able to agree among themselves it failed. My farm was quite valuable. From the products of it I had paid most of the old debts. I now concluded to make Salt River my home, improve my place and live in peace, as I had done all I could for the Indians. I gave up all pretence of having any control or management of any kind whatever over their affairs, farther than to be friendly and give them such advice as a friend could. I supposed this would be satisfactory and end all trouble, but in this I was mistaken. One day while at work plowing on a ranch some four miles from home, one of my sons brought me a note stating that the Indians had made complaint against some of the settlers and that the charge was being investigated and that I was wanted as a witness. I had heard of no trouble lately and could not call to mind anything wherein the Indians had a right to com-plain. My supposition was that it was some difficulty that had taken place in my absence as I had been away from home several days. I wrote a note to the Bishop who was to conduct the investigation saying that I had no knowledge of any unsettled difficulties between the Indians and whites, and that I was not at present paying any attention to Indian affairs and could not possibly call to mind anything that would make my evidence needed, but if there was, to please send me word by my son and I would come immediately. I went on with my plowing thinking noth-ing more about the matter. Soon my son Wesley came at full gallop, looking quite excited. I asked him what was the matter, he |