OCR Text |
Show There is an old Indian and family who for years have made their home near the white settlements, especially in the winter season. About six weeks ago they came in as usual, the oldest boy, a youth of about 20 summers being very sick; he lingered along, gradually pro"- ng weaker, until finally the old Indian sent word to the Indians at Kane that his boy was sick and would not live very long; but before the Indians could gather to see him the boy died. The old man went to the Bishop, and requested that a coffin be made, a grave dug, and that the whites take charge of the funeral. The coffin being- made and some clothing procured, a few of our young men and girls repaired to the Indian camp for the purpose of getting the remains and burying them. As we wei-e about to put the body into in-to the wagon, a cloud of dust was seen cii the road leading into town from Kanab, and soon a mass of Indians were observed coming in. We ceased our labors and waited until they arrived and exchanged greeting in their rude way. Two of their leading men, the Cedar chief Pete, and a St. George Indian whose name I do not know, but who appeared to be very intelligent for a man of his race, spoke to the assembled as-sembled Indians, and told them it was good to be at peace with the whites, that the whites could visit the Indian camps and talk to and help them. In reply to this one of the brethern spoke to them, and told them that their forefathers and ours were one, and that through their transgression the dark skin had been put on the Indians; but a promise had been made them by the Great Spirit, that at some future time the dark skin would be removed, re-moved, and they would become as their white brethren; they must cultivate feelings of friendship towards the white men: they must work and build themselves them-selves homes as fast as circumstances would permit. The white men were their friends, especially the Latter-day Latter-day Saints. Upon arriving at the grave, the Chief requested that the lid be removed from the coffin so that the Indians could all look upon the dead boy for up to this time the Indians that came in last had not seen hiin. The lid being removed, the father of the boy turned a handsome hand-some Navajoe blanket, that the lad was covered with, down, and drew the attention at-tention of all 1 o the clothing that the whites had put on deceased and said it was good. We then buried him, and the Chiefs expressed gratitude. James M. Ballard. |