JACOB HAMBLIN,

A NARRATIVE OF HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, AS A FRONTIERSMAN, MISSIONARY TO THE INDIANS AND EXPLORER,

DISCLOSING

Interpositions of Providence, Severe Privations, Perilous Situations and Remarkable Escapes.

FIFTH BOOK OF THE FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES,

BY JAMES A. LITTLE.

Designed for the Instruction and Encouragement of Young Latter-day Saints.

JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR OFFICE,
Salt Lake City, Utah.
1881.

THE FAITH-PROMOTING SERIES,

I.

MY FIRST MISSION, by Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon. Price, 25 cts.

II.

A STRING OF PEARLS, from the pen of Prest. Taylor and others. Price, 25 cts.

III.

LEAVES FROM MY JOURNAL, by Prest. Wilford Woodruff. Price, 25 cts.

IV.

GEMS FOR THE YOUNG FOLKS, by Bp. A. A. Kimball, Bp. Benj. Brown, and others. Price, 25 cts.

V.

JACOB HAMBLIN, a narrative of his personal experience, as a frontiersman, missionary to the Indians and explorer. Price, 35 cts.

PREFACE.

In issuing to the public this, the Fifth Volume of the Faith-Promoting Series, we feel that we are making an addition to our home literature that will be appreciated by the Saints generally. The manner in which the former volumes of this Series have been received, encourages us to entertain this hope.

Brother Jacob Hamblin has spent the most of his life as a faithful, humble worker in the cause of God. Though he has labored as a missionary such a great proportion of his time during the past forty years, it has been in a sphere which has not brought him into prominence before the public. Even his name has seldom appeared in public print. Brother Hamblin has never sought notoriety. He has been prompted by motives far more noble. He is such a modest man that he would be content to ever remain in obscurity. Indeed, it was only after earnest solicitation that he was induced to narrate, for Brother James A. Little's pen to record, the incidents herein published, However, though not written for that purpose, we trust the publication of this book will result in making him better known and appreciated by his brethren and sisters. It is a simple, unvarnished recital of incidents of thrilling interest, remarkable adventures and special manifestations of providence, that we think cannot fail to entertain and benefit all who read it.

Brother Hamblin's testimony of God's goodness towards him, and His willingness to answer prayer, should inspire and strengthen young Latter-day Saints. His cheerful self-denial, his devotion to the work of the Lord, and the joy he has found in it should stimulate them to zeal in emulating his example. His portrayal of the policy pursued by the Saints in dealing with the Indians, should enlighten strangers who may read this book upon a subject about which this people have been greatly maligned.

There are many important lessons to be learned from the narrative herein published, and we trust that it may prove profitable to all who read it.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Early incidents of my life—Providential care over me—Marriage—Hear the Gospel, and embrace it—Signs follow—Opposed by relatives—Predict my Father's baptism—My Father Healed in answer to prayer.

CHAPTER II.

Arrival at Nauvoo—My first interview with the Prophet Joseph—Some first impressions of the character of the gathered Saints—Go east on an important mission—Death of the Prophet—Return to Nauvoo—Providential circumstance on the journey.

CHAPTER III.

Sidney Rigdon strives for the guardianship of the Church—He urges his claims at the Conference—Brigham Young, President of the Twelve, and others of the Quorum appear in the stand—A remarkable testimony that the mantle of Joseph had fallen upon Brigham Young—Persecutions of the Saints—Baptism of my Parents—Preparations for the exodus—Sickness—A Methodist comforter—Answer to prayer—Harvest of Quails—Miraculous incidents on the journey to Utah.

CHAPTER IV.

Locate in Tooele Valley—Indian troubles—Escape death by an Indian, by following the warning of the Spirit—Hunting Indians—Sudden aversion to shedding their blood—Decide to protect them at the risk of my life—Sent again to hunt and kill Indians—Testimony that the Lord did not want me to kill them, but to carry peace to them—A dream and its fulfillment.

CHAPTER V.

Mission to Southern Utah—Locate at Harmony—Remarkable Prophecies of Heber C. Kimball fulfilled—Indians Harvesting—Indian "Medicine man"—Indian woman healed under our administration—Accompany a hunting party—A fight for a squaw, in which I am compelled to take part—Sickness—Take my family to Southern Utah—Build a fort on the Santa Clara—Rain in answer to prayer—Counsel from President Young—We refuse to administer to the sick until they are washed—A sick boy dies, and the Indians grow mad and threaten us—We follow and pacify them.

CHAPTER VI.

Retributive justice to the Indians—We gain influence by it—The Lord gives the Indians testimonies of the truth—War between two bands of Indians—A woman burned to death from revenge—Promptings of the Spirit—Stolen horses recovered—Government among the Indians—Appointed president of the Indian mission—Visit of Apostle George A. Smith—United States army on its way to Utah—Elder Smith's advice to the Saints—Mountain Meadow massacre.

CHAPTER VII.

President Young requests me to pilot a company to California—Save a white man from being tortured by the Indians—Indians determined to kill the company—I pacify them—Elders Ira Hatch and Dudley Leavitt sentenced to be killed by the Mohaves—Elder Hatch softens their hearts by offering a prayer—Allowed to escape on foot.

CHAPTER VIII.

President Young's Indian policy—Expedition to Los Vegas and Colorado Rivers—Suspicious steamer in the Colorado—Learn its purpose—Go after a load of lead—Our horses stolen—Eat poison cactus—Led by the Spirit providentially.

CHAPTER IX.

Visit to Salt Lake City—Interview between Elder George A. Smith and Governor