The Navajo and Moqui Mission

The Navajo and]Moqui Mission BY JOHN R. YOUNG In the Y.M.M.I.A. Manual for Junior classes, 1913-14, there is a thrilling and interesting account of an adventure in the life of Jacob Hamblin, the gifted Indian peace-maker, and pioneer scout of southern Utah. The reading of that severe test of his physical and moral strength gives birth in my heart to a desire to have you publish, in the Era, a statement from me in regard to the breaking up of the Navajo and Moqui Mission, which was brought about by the unwise talk of brethren laboring at the Moencopy, as Brother Hamblin affirms in his biography. In 1874, I was living at Kanab, and have a lively remembrance of the Indian troubles that came to us on account of the killing of the three Navajos, in Grass Valley, by Mr. McCarthy. When Jacob and the Smith brothers had the talk with the Navajo, at Ketchene's camp, it was understood that Jacob was to meet them again, at the end of twenty-five days. In regard to fulfiling that agreement, an unhappy misunderstanding arose. Brother Hamblin claims that he kept that promise. The Navajos affirm that he secretly visited the Moquis, their enemies, and then hurriedly returned to his home without meeting their chiefs, which was a virtual violation of his promise. When Ketchene and Peokon, the new war chiefs, learned that he had returned without meeting them, they were angry, and at once sent a messenger demanding that Ira Hatch and John L. Blythe should meet them at Ketchene's camp. The brethren were unarmed, and in the same hogan where Jacob and the Smiths suffered, Ira and Blythe were put on trial for their lives. With their butcher knives, the angry relatives of the murdered Navajos hacked every button off Brother Blythe's coat, and threateningly drew their knives across his throat. After a long, heated discussion, in which the wounded Indian was brought in and his wounds exhibited to give force to Indian eloquence, it was decided that Ira, having an Indian wife, should go home, but Blythe must die to avenge the blood of their sons who were killed by the "Mormons." Ira interpreted the decision to his companion, and the stronghearted man calmly answered : "Tell them I wish to pray, that then I will be ready to die." Then he prayed as only a man of God can pray. Death-like silence prevailed, until he finished his pleadings. As he arose

248 IMPROVEMENT ERA from his knees they asked for the interpretation. They were told that he had asked our great Father not to punish the Navajos for his death, as they knew not what they were doing. The "Mormons" had not killed their sons, but were the best friends they had on earth. As an evidence, he was willing to die, and prayed that his death would open the Navajos' eyes to see and believe the truth, — that his blood might bring peace and friendship to the two nations. The prayer evidently touched the hearts of the old men, and also created a division of feeling in the council. After a long and solemn deliberation, Peokon asked Ira if he would go with their young men and show them the men who murdered Ketchene's sons. Ira answered, "No ; it would only lead to- the shedding of more blood- When the Navajos killed the son of one of our chiefs we did not seek to kill you to avenge his blood. We left it to God to punish the murderer, and you should do the same." The reply came like a flash, "Take your horses and go, and write to your chiefs, that if they do not have the cattle to pay for Ketchene's sons, at the Moencopy, within thirty days from now, that I will take the scalps of every man and woman of your people that I find on this side of the river. Now go !" The brethren wrote a letter giving at length the interview, and addressed the communication to Bishop Stewart and John R. Young. We telegraphed it to President Brigham Young, and the answer came : "Let John R. Young take a company of men, and go and bring our people back on this side of the river. Let the Navajos alone until they learn who their friends are." Andrew S. Gibbons, of Glendale, Thomas Chamberlain, of Mt. Carmel, and Frank Hamblin, of Kanab, with six men each, responded to the call. Jacob Hamblin volunteered to accompany us. When we reached the Moencopy, Jacob with five men went on to the Moqui villages. He wanted to go to Fort Defiance, but his Moqui friends told him if he did the Navajos would kill him, as they felt very angry toward him. Jacob accepted their counsel and returned immediately to us. The people at the Mawabby and Moencopy were fearful of a massacre, and wished to leave as soon as possible, but Jacob and Brother Blythe were each president of a mission of some kind which apparently covered the same territory, and they were loth to give up the field. It required all the influence that I was able to yield to get them to return- However, the task was accomplished, all were landed safely on this side of the river, and not the life of a man or beast was lost. I always felt thankful to Ira Hatch, Andrew S. Gibbons, Thomas Chamberlain and Frank Hamblin, a brother of Jacob's, and their men, for the faithful labor and loyal support they gave me.