Editor’s Table: Mission Work; Death of Chief Washakie

EDITOR'S TABLE.

MISSION WORK.

That the work of God is growing in the world is stronglyattested by the reports for the year 1899, printed in the organs of the Church published in the various mission fields of the earth. It appears from the Millennial Star that in Great Britain

and on the continent there were five hundred and eighty missionaries laboring in the field, including eleven ladies, and that the result of their labors in baptisms was as follows: in Britain, 416; in Scandinavia, 433; in Germany, 168; in Switzerland, 118; and in the Netherlands, 278; making a total of baptisms of 1413, or a trifle over an average of two and one-half baptisms for each missionary in the field. There is a total membership in Europe, including children under eight years of age, of 13,858. From the Southern Star, the report for 1899 shows that there were four hundred and ninety-three missionaries in the Southern States, with a total membership including children, of 10,251. There were 1298 baptisms, resulting as near as need be in the same average to each elder as in Europe; namely, a little over two and one-half baptisms to each. The reports from other missions in the United States and in the islands of the sea, are not at hand, so that the effect of the labors of that other number of perhaps seven-hundred missionaries abroad in these fields in 1899, can not be definitely stated, but can only be surmised from the figures quoted. However, it will not be far wrong to say that at least four thousand new converts are added yearly to the Church by its missionaries outside of the

472 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

organized stakes of Zion. The ratio between the number of elders engaged and the increased membership varies in quite large proportions in various conferences;in some sections of the European Mission, it ranges from one-half to nine per missionary. But baptisms do not indicate all the success of the work. The silent labors of the elders find expression in many other ways than in baptisms. The good which they teach is far-reaching, and appears in places and at times often where and when least expected. As an example of what "Mormon" doctrine has done in the world, aside from its immediate effect for blessing on those who have joined the Church, the reader is referred to the article, "Silent Forces," by Elder Henry W. Naisbitt, in this number of the Era. But apart from the good example set by the Saints in temporal affairs and as a religious community, good ensues daily to those who are actively engaged in the missionary work. Their sacrifices in the outlay of means, in giving up positions, in absence from loved ones, in business enterprises suspended or set aside, all tend to make them stronger and better, and to love the cause with more enduring love. And this activity and sacrifice does not fall alone upon the elders abroad: it is borne as a duty, and understood as a grave responsibility, by wives, parents and children, and society as a whole, at home. So that all are blessed and benefitted in proportion to the sacrifice made; and thus advantages accrue on every hand from this wonderful missionary work of the Latter-day Saints —a work that stands alone and distinct in all the world, just as the divinely revealed doctrines of the Church stand apart as the only true light and way of salvation to the nations.

DEATH OF CHIEF WASHAKIE.

The old Indian Chief Washakie is dead. He passed away to the happy hunting grounds on Tuesday, February 20, 1900. He died in his tepee on the Shoshone reservation, near Lander, Wyo-

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ming, at the good old age of eighty-six years, after being the He was the peace-chief ruler of his people for over fifty years. of the red men, and his death recalls many incidents in the history of northern Utah and the country surrounding. He was a vigorous and war-like prince among the Indians in the days of the buffalo when the smoke of the wigwam curled upward from beside the willow copse in every valley. He grew to manhood before the westward press of civilization threw the early stragglers of the white race into the devious paths of his hunting grounds, and he lived to see the whole wild country west of the Mississippi pass from the native American to the aggressive white race from the mysterious East. He early saw the futility of trying to stem the tide of colonization, and was instrumental, on the contrary, in subduing the war spirit in unfriendly tribes and in the young warriors of his own following. He became the firm friend of the whites, and rendered them valuable aid when their border settlements were threatened by hostile bands. In the early 50's, President Brigham Young sent missionaries to Washakie to make peace with him and his tribe, for it was the policy of the Big Captain of the "Mormons" to instead of fight hira. The be- friendly with the red man, to feed warm friend of Brigham Young and the Indian chief became a warriors in sub- "Mormons," and did all he'could to keep his young mission and prevent them from shedding human blood. In this way, much evil and destruction were prevented. regular visit- Washakie and his large band of followers were 1868. President Francis ors in the valleys of the north, prior to a friend and great admirer of the A. Hammond of San Juan Stake,

old chief, has given the Era the following description of him, and Ogden Valley, in the an account of such a visit to Huntsville, in early part of September, 1866: under-chiefs or councillors, With a large number of his tribe, eight papooses, he called on us. They were all and a small host of squaws and in tidy buckskin clothing, and were as fine a looking set of well dressed west of the Missouri river. We enter- wild people as I have ever seen had-beef, flour and vegetables P^^ed up m tained them with the best we chief with hj In turn, the kind-hearted heaps on the public square. us with a sham battle between his warriors and braves, entertained

474 IMPROVEMENT ERA. tribe, the Shoshones, and the Sioux. This was performed in the real style of Indian warfare. With the horrid Indian whoop that fairly made the blood curdle in the veins of us pale faces, they advanced with break-neck speed, delivered their shots or arrows, then would suddenly wheel round and ride away with their bodies low down on the sides of their ponies to shield themselves from the shots of their enemy. They also illustrated their method of scalping. They slid from their ponies, severed an imaginary scalp, and were again astride of the animals as quick as thought. Washakie was the finest looking Indian I ever saw, graceful and dignified, with a mild and kindly look beaming from his large, black eyes set well and wide apart in a broad, high forehead; his copper-colored countenance seemed full of benevolence, his form, commanding. He was six feet tall, well-built, with small hands and feet; a large well-formed nose. He was a great friend of the Prophet Brigham, and after he became acquainted with the teachings of President Young and the "Mormons," he lived at peace with all Indian tribes. Brother George Hill, Indian missionary, visited his tribe, and succeeded in baptizing a number of them, but Washakie himself was never baptized by an elder of the Church. He believed in our people, and was their life-long friend, and I think his desire was to live in their midst, and he would have done so

had not sectarian influence with the government severed him and his people from the "Mormons," and caused them to be corralled on a reservation. In 1868, Washakie, in company with the head chiefs of the Bannocks, met General Sherman and others at Fort Bridger, and negotiated the famous treaty that gave the Wind River Reservation to the tribe. It is related that after the Sioux campaign, Gen-

eral Grant, who was a great admirer of the Shoshone chief, made him a present of a costly saddle and bridle. Washakie received the gift in silence, and when asked by the interpreter why he did not thank General Grant, the chief replied: "Do a favor to a Frenchman, he feels it in his head, and his tongue speaks: show a kindness to an Indian, and he feels it in his heart. The heart has no tongue." The body of the old chief was laid to rest in the military cemetary at Fort Washakie, on February 23. In the funeral procession there were over two thousand people. He was given a burial such as captains holding commissions in the army are granted, and the Episcopal service was read at the grave by Reverend John Roberts,

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who, it is reported, had baptized the chief. The soldiers fired three volleys as a salute, and as the mournful