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Show Today's Story The Stolen Horses Experience A-Mission- ary country and lived principally My limited space allows me a good work, and I hSve no by stealing. to relate one Incident that doubt that you will see me The Mexican soldiers were IN the summer of 1875, Presi-- ' occurred only to them in Mexico. again in the flesh, yet many friendly. They told the Elders dent Brigham Young selected At El Paso were times,N they could pasture their horses five men to undertake a special overjoyed, on to the post Thus refreshed and encour- on a grassy plot near the ranch going mission for the Church. They office;-t- o receive a letter from aged by this message from buildings. The packs "and sadwere asked to explore the coun- President their great leader, the brethren dles were taken from the backs Young. Brigham try south of the Colorado RivBe cautious in your labors prepared, in a few days, to of the animals; then the breth- , er, andascertain what parts of M iley C. Jones' 1L were suitable forsettlement-TheAnthony W. Ivins were instructed to travel through the territories of Arizona, New Mexico and the state of Chihuahua in Old Mexico, to examine the country and preach the gospel to the MexiBY PRESTON N I BLEY -- the-brethr- y cans and Indians." These men were Daniel W. Jones, Helaman Pratt, Robert H. Smith, Anthony W. Ivins, and Ammon M. Tenney. Wiley C. Jones, a boy, accompanied his father. After all arrangements had been made the brethren took their departure from the Saints at Kanab, Utah, sometime during the month of September. Their outfit consisted of seven riding horses and fourteen pack horses and mules, the latter being loaded with bedding, provisions, water kegs,, and such other articles as they needed for their long and difficult journey. Daniel W. Jones was the presiding Elder of the JU- - D. W. Jones Heleman Pratt James Z. Stewart they crossed over the river at Lees ferry, and pursued their FIRST MISSIONARIES ITO MEXICO for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daOne Saints, way toward the Moquis vil- of their experiences is told bn this page. y the cities of" Prescott, Phoenix and Tucson how stand; finally hSvthey reached El Paso, Texas, and prepared to cross over into the Republic of Old Mexico, to take up their labors among the natives of that land. It was immediately decided that one man should remain to keep the fire and the others were to take their guns and continue tq hunt until midnight. Not a trace of the horses It was a disconso-- e group of missionaries who lept around their campfire ing the balance of that night. Early next morning, after prayers and a hurried breakfast, the brethren again took up the hunt. It w;as Anthony W. Ivins, JTony, as Jjewai familiarly called) 23 years old an- aL.that..timo, nouneed that he had located the tracks of the missing ani- CO INTO MEXICO I shall have to pass over their experiences as they trailed down to, the Colorado; hsw lages; how they suffered from thirst as -- they traveled over long stretches of country where' half-hou- as found. group. . Jones thought he would take a look to see if the animals, were safe. He walked over the grassy plot in the darkness. To his consternation, the horses and mules were not to be found. After about r a of searching, he returned to the rampfireand 'gave the alarm to the brethren. and movements," he wrote. court opposition, but moie steadily on, presenting the truths of the Gospel to those who will hear you, and inviting all to become partakers of th,e Son of God. Vou hare the faith and prayers of all that you w ill be able to do Do not cross the border into the southern Republic. The first days journey from the Rio Grande brought them to a small ranch where a few Mexican, soldiers were stationed to guard against the incursions of the Apache Jndians, who roamed, that part of the tCtUVe iftQViCS ren built a campfire and prepared their supper. They w ere happy and as they sat around the campfire they all joined in singing the songs of Zion. Then prayers were said and they prepared to rolj up in their bl;,kets for the night. Before retiring, Brother vvhu-joyfw- mals. He and Wiley C. Jones, the two youngest of the group, followed their trail for several miles; at places in the dust they discovered the footprints of Indians, and they knew the horses .were being driven away. They returned to the ranch for help. SOLDIERS JOIN SEARCH The Mexican Commander at the ranch, when appealed to by Brother Jones said that the horses had no doubt been driven off by the Apaches and that he would give the brethren assistance in finding them. He, with two of his men, all mounted, and with an extra horse for Brother Jones, took up the trail about ten o'clock in the forenoon. Five other soldiers were instructed to fol- (Continued on Page Twelve) fvova tbc October 30, 1943 Poge 7 - |
