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Show FORTY YEARS AMONG THE INDIANS. 343 I find by the date of the decision against me, that it was given before the last confession, as that could not possibly have taken place within three days from the ap-peal. This is a copy of the decision given : " April 3rd, 1883. " Brother D. W. Jones: " It is the decision of the Bishop's court that you pay the receivers * * the sum of three hundred dollars for dispossessing Indians of their lands ; said sum to be paid on or before the i4th of April, 1883, and if not paid by that time you shall be cut off from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints." I made up my mind to abide the decision without appealing it. A short time before this trouble Brother Snow had visited Salt River and had, so I understood, caused to be settled some feelings that had existed for some time past between myself and others. I had in good faith agreed to work in unison with the authorities of the stake and had been doing my best to prove my sincerity. When this decision was given I went to the Presi-dent of the Stake and showed it to him. He expressed himself surprised, saying that he had always thought me over- tenacious about the Indians' rights. He said I could appeal it. I told him it would take time and trouble, and I felt like paying the fine and letting the matter rest, but that I feared there was a disposition to crowd me. The time was so short only ten days allowed and that money was scarce and hard to get. He replied that all that could be expected was for me to consent and pay as soon as I could. I told him I feared not, as the whole proceeding showed malice. I went back home and wrote the Bishop a letter, |