LIFE OF A PIONEER
BEING THEAUTOBIOGRAPHYOFJAMES S. BROWN.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH:
GEO. Q. CANNON & SONS CO., Printers.
1900.
PREFACE.
THE life of a pioneer in Western America always is full of periland hardship; often it has a large share of startling episodes andthrilling adventures; not infrequently it is associated with notablehistoric events; and the experiences met with develop independence ofcharacter, firmness of purpose, and, in those whose spiritual natureis not dwarfed by unworthy conduct, a sublime faith in God that whenman puts forth his highest endeavor all things beyond the scope of hisefforts are ordered for the best by the Great Ruler of the universe.When to the pioneer's experiences are added those that come from travelin foreign lands, perils of the sea, and the hostility of warlike foes,the narrative of such a life cannot fail to be alike profitable andinteresting reading to both young and old.
The subject of the autobiographical sketch in this volume feels thathe is not presumptuous in saying that each class of experience namedin relation to the pioneer and the traveler has been his. The perilsand hardships of the pioneers in whose work he commingled have beenthe theme of song and story for half a century; the thrilling andadventurous character of his experiences as frontiers-man and Indianinterpreter were of a kind notable even in those avocations; hisassociation with historic events of moment includes the period whenthe territorial area of the great Republic was almost doubled by theacquisition of the Pacific slope and the Rocky Mountain region, andwhen the great gold discovery in California was made, since he wasa member of the famous Mormon Battalion and also was present at thefinding of gold in California, being the first man to declare—ontests made by himself—that the little yellow flakes were the preciousmetal; and his reliance on Deity is portrayed in his missionary workat home and in foreign lands, with civilized people and among savages,often in circumstances when life itself apparently was forfeit to dutyconscientiously performed.
In the following pages there is no claim to transcendent literarymerit. Yet the writer feels that the narrative is presented in theplain and simple language of the people, with a clearness and forceof expression that will be pleasing and impressive to every readerpossessed of ordinary or of superior educational attainments; whilethe very simplicity and directness of the language used, far fromembellishing the events described, prove an invaluable guide insecuring accuracy, that not an incident shall be overdrawn or givenundue importance.
The purpose of the writer has been to relate the story of his life, forthe benefit and entertainment of his children and friends, and of allothers who may read it, and to do so with a strict regard for veracity;for he feels that the numerous thrilling and sensational incidents inhis life were sufficiently exciting to bear a toning down that comesfrom calm contemplation when the agitation of the immediate occurrencehas passed, rather than to need the coloring of a graphic pen. In sucha presentation, too, he feels that the result of his labors in thisrespect will be a further step in carrying out that which has been theleading purpose of his life, namely, to do good to all mankind, to theglory of God.
With a fervent desire and firm confidence that every worthy aim inpresenting this autobiography shall be achieved, and shall find avigorous and ennobling response in the hearts of those who read it, theleading events of his life, and the narration thereo