Unshaken Faith: The Story of David Lewis

Unshaken Faith

The Story of David Lewis

        “Lord, thou hast delivered me for some purpose, and I am willing to fulfill that purpose whenever thou makest it known unto me, and to do all the duties that thou enjoinest upon me, henceforth and forever.” [1] -David Lewis

Introduction

          David Lewis was born in 1814 on Easter. He grew up in Kentucky on a big beautiful farm. David was a good-natured boy who helped out on the farm and in his home.

        David’s parents didn’t go to church but still taught him about God. One time his mother told him that if he was good, he could live with God. She also told him of “the many good things that would be entitled” to him if he was good. This left a deep impression on his mind and David determined that he would be good.

          When David attended religious meetings, the different religious sects didn’t help him understand the gospel. He asked his father which religion was true. His father didn’t know, which David found strange. David wrote, “It was a subject that I greatly desired to know, although I was young and to all appearance thoughtless of any such matters.... I always thought if I could find out, to my satisfaction, I would obey it. I promised myself when I got to be a man that I would find out to my satisfaction, and do right, and be honest, and try to get to heaven where the Good Man lived.” It seemed to be only a matter of time before David would find and accept the restored gospel, and it was.

          When David was twenty years old, he was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. David’s new wife Duritha was also baptized. A couple of years later, David and Duritha left Kentucky to gather with the Church in Missouri. They settled right next to Hawn’s Mill. David built a house and started a farm, “when the cry of war was heard around” them.[1]

The Hawn’s Mill Massacre

"Hawn's Mill"

By Kirt Harmon©. Used by Permission.

Uneasy Missouri Settlers
         Surrounding Missouri settlers were uneasy with the saints. They stole cattle and threatened to burn down Hawn’s mill.  They also made false accusations against the saints because the settlers wanted to steal the their farms and homes.[1] Jacob Hawn, who wasn’t a member of the Church,[2] was sent to receive counsel from the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Prophet told Hawn that everyone should leave and retreat to Far West.

         When Hawn returned, he misled the saints. He said that the Prophet’s counsel was to defend themselves if they thought it was possible. The saints decided to stay at Hawn’s Mill. They sought peace with the Missourians by sending delegates to them. The Missourians met the delegates with hostility, but eventually agreed to be at peace with the saints. The saints now felt safe. [1]

         The Hawn’s Mill Massacre took place on October 30, 1838.[1] It was the single “most tragic event, in terms of loss of life and injury, enacted by an anti-Mormon element against the Latter-day Saints in [the] entire Church’s history.”[2] On the day of the massacre, “all was tranquil, and no one expressed any apprehension of the awful crisis that was near.” [1] In the afternoon, a few hundred armed men approached Hawn’s Mill on horseback. The saints thought they were brethren from the Church. David wrote, “They immediately halted and commenced firing at us without showing us any mercy whatever.”

          The saints did what they could to make peace with the Missourians. David said, “We called upon them to spare our lives; men ran out with uplifted hands, waving their handkerchiefs and hats for peace. David Evans was our captain, and he cried out for quarter. They gave none and he immediately fled, giving no official orders.” The saints were now completely surrounded and “ran into a blacksmith shop.” The shop was a terrible defense because it “was neither chinked nor daubed.”

          The Missourians showed the saints no mercy. David was standing by the first brother that fell. David wrote, “All the pain and misery that I ever witnessed in a poor soul, in him seemed to excel.” Some of the saints tried to defend themselves, but they were clearly outnumbered by the Missourians.

David’s Miraculous Escape

          David wrote, “I remained calm in my feelings, without being much excited, and realized all that was happening. I thought for a moment that perhaps in the next minute I may be like these my brothers, struggling in my blood, and my spirit take flight into the spirit world. But soon this thought left me, and I possessed an unshaken faith that my life would be spared, although to all natural appearance there was no way for my escape.

"Inside the Blacksmith Shop"
 By Greg Sievers©. Used by permission.

           They were still continuing their firing with an increased rapidity, and closing their circle around us.” David saw a Missourian that was close to the shop. He quickly went to the window and “stepped up on a block” to be high enough to shoot at the man. The man was aiming right at David, so David immediately stepped down. Unaware of the danger, “another brother mounted the block and was immediately shot down.” David escaped death by seconds.

           At this point, David’s brothers Tarleton and Benjamin were still with him. Tarleton left the shop and got shot in the shoulder. David continued, “I now left the shop alone. I went towards the east where it seemed to be the most strongly guarded. I thought at first I would go into their ranks and surrender myself their prisoner, but seeing they were shooting and yelling as demons, I felt that no mercy would be shown to me. I concluded to try and pass them.
          I went almost in their midst, and then turned down a steep bank of the creek. I crossed the creek and then ascended a steep bank on the opposite side of the creek, in front of Hawn’s house.”  David “then passed round the house, went towards the south, and crossed the fence.” David noted that the fence was “about two hundred yards from the shop.”

          David continued, “While crossing the fence, two bullets struck the fence close by my side. They had me in fair view for two hundred yards, and constantly fired at me. The bullets seemed to be as thick as hailstones when it is hailing fast, and none of them entered my flesh or drew blood. Five holes were shot through my clothes.... I did not run one step of the way, for I had been confined to my bed for three months with the fever, and at the time was just able to walk about.... My tongue had rolled out of my mouth like that of a dog, by being overcome with fatigue and the whole distance up hill.[1]
          A little ways from my house I met my wife, who had been in prayer for my delivery, for she had been in hearing of the whole scene. Her first salutation to me was, ‘Are you hurt, are you wounded?’ I told her I was not hurt. We went with Arminta, our only child, and secreted ourselves in a thicket until dark.”

(Place picture here)

Duritha

  

          David wrote, “It would be miraculous to tell how they escaped that did escape, and also to tell how some that were shot, did recover.” Referring to his escape, David reflected, “My own life was miraculously spared for some unknown purpose to me, but I am willing to bear my testimony to all mankind that God will save and deliver those that exercise an unshaken faith in Him. For I did exercise an unshaken faith in Him at that time, and fully believed that I would make my escape and my life be spared. And I then said, ‘Lord, thou hast delivered me for some purpose, and I am willing to fulfill that purpose whenever thou makest it known unto me, and to do all the duties that thou enjoinest upon me from this time, henceforth and forever.’“

David Helps His Dying Brother

          David’s brother Benjamin was injured during the massacre. David wrote, “Benjamin...was found about three hundred yards from the shop by some of the women who had concealed him in the brush during the fracas. He was yet alive and in his proper senses. I went to him...with the aid of a horse and sled.” David then took Benjamin to his wife. Benjamin only lived for a few hours. David dug a hole and buried his brother as decently as he could.[1]

The Aftermath of the Hawn’s Mill Massacre

          In all, 17 people were killed and 14 injured.[2]  The morning after the massacre, David returned to the mill to find out the fate of his brethren. David witnessed the horrific outcome of the massacre. Among the dead were two small boys. David expressed his
 great sorrow for what happened. He wrote, “How painful it is when I think upon it. My heart is filled and my eyes are ready to drip with tears to see my friends and near neighbors falling around me...; to see the widows tears, to hear the orphans cry, to see the helpless babes a weeping, standing by.”[1]

          David helped bury the dead in a well. He wrote, “This was the most heartrending scene that my eyes ever witnessed.” In a poem, he recorded:
 

A bloody sight, with no delight,

My eyes did there behold,

I saw them cry, and bleed and die,

A trouble to my soul.
   

Quite strange to tell, their graves a well,

No one their friends to cheer,

The tears in streaks, rolled down the cheeks,

Of wives and sisters dear.”[1]

                                                                   "Buried in the Well"
                                                                    By Julie Rogers©. Used by permission.



The Mob Returns
          Captain Comstock and several of his men later returned to the mill. They scared the neighborhood by shooting guns and blowing a bugle. They took over the mill for several days and lived off of the saints’ food. David wrote, “There were ten widows in the neighborhood whose husband they had killed, and many helpless orphans who were dependent on going to these wicked wretches for their meal and flour. There were many exposed to the cold, and that were left destitute of means to subsist on. There were many laying wounded, and no one scarcely to attend to their wants. Their lives were daily threatened.”[1]

          David and Joseph Young hid from the mob in cold and rainy weather. David wrote, “We had no cover with us, but one thin quilt very much tattered. We lay down on the ground, covered with the quilt, and slept comfortably knowing that they could not find us, neither could they set the brush on fire on account of the rain.” David recalled how blessed he was with good health. He said, “Although I was just recovering from a long spell of sickness, I took no hurt from the exposure.... I would have expected in a common case that it would have produced sudden death.”[1] David’s sickness was malaria.[1]

David is Discovered by the Mob

          David avoided the mob for almost three weeks. While he was at Brother Foutz’s house, a wounded saint, the mob came. After the men talked to Brother Foutz, David tried to leave. Some of the mob immediately followed him. They told David not to leave until he had spoken with their captain. When the captain came out, he said, “Mr. Lewis, have you heard of the new orders of the governor?” David told him that he hadn’t. The captain informed him that they had to leave within three days, denounce Mormonism, or stand trial for the death of one of the mob. He told David that the saints who survived the massacre would “be tried for murder and be hung.” The captain’s brother Hiram said that even if they weren’t hung, they didn’t “intend for any of them to escape.”[1] Hiram was the man that told David that he was the one that shot David’s brother Benjamin.[5]

          Referring to standing trial, David said, “I did not mind being tried for my life according to laws of the land for anything that I had done, for I have violated no law. But to be tried by a mob law, I did not like it.... I knew that no Mormon could have justice done to him in this state, while prejudice was so high.” As far as leaving the state, David thought that it was short notice. He didn’t have a wagon or team, Duritha was sick, and it was wintertime.[1]

          The captain then reiterated that he “must either go, deny his religion, or to go Richmond” to stand trial. David noted that “the road was said to be guarded and that none was allowed to pass.” The captain eventually gave David a pass so that he could safely leave the state. David decided that it would be better to stay and be killed than to leave during the winter.[1]

David is Captured

          Eventually the mob came and discovered that David had stayed. They took David, marched him “in front of their camp”, and accused him of lying. David responded, “Gentlemen, I am your prisoner. You can talk to me as you please, but I have seen the time when with a fair chance I would not take such talk as that. You know, gentlemen, that kind of talk did not pass current in our country. I am a Kentuckian, but I am now your prisoner.”[1]

          They then ate dinner. While eating, they asked David if he was a good hunter. David replied, “I do not prize myself at that business.” The mob said, “We want you to take a hunt with us after dinner. We do not care much for the game, but some of our boys are of the notion to try it over with you again. We hear that you can’t be hit with a bullet, and our boys are good marksmen. They want you to go out with them this afternoon so they can have another chance at you. What do you think about dying?”[1]

           David replied, “I don’t think about it nor care much about it. If I could have freedom, life then would be sweet; but without it, I care not to live. Who told you that a bullet could not hit me? I think they came very near hitting me.” David then showed the mob the five bullet holes in his clothing. The mob asked David a couple more question and he gave them straightforward answers.[1]

David Calms the Mob

           David “then spoke to them as fellows, in order to touch their humanity if there was any in them.” He said to the mob, “Gentlemen, I think this is a pretty pass (difficult situation) we have got things to. We are living in the same country and are almost neighbors. We speak the same language and should be able to understand each other better than this, and communicate our grievances to each other before making such rash moves. Our fathers no doubt fought side by side to gain for us liberty. Why not us their children maintain this liberty and be willing to have it extended towards each other. If we differ in our religious or political views, we should not make it a matter of shedding each other’s blood; but know that the world is large and that there is room for us all.[1]

           You shot at me very carelessly the other day. Although when you came to this mill and were detained all night, I fed you and your teams. You slept in my house free of charge. Many of us came from the same state, the same soil has nourished us, and there is a better way to settle difficulties than to take each other’s lives. What crime have I done that I must be so treated?”[1]

          One of the men tried to stir up the rest of the mob, but David said that his “talk seemed to have a good effect, for they...seemed to soften down. They said to each other, ‘That man has too good a countenance to be a thief.’“[1]

David’s Trip to Help His Family

          David recorded, “Evening soon came on and I said to the captain, ‘Can’t you let me go home to chop a fire of wood? My wife is sick. The widow and orphans of my brother that you have killed are there, and the wounded man is there…. Can I have the privilege to go or not? You can send a guard with me if you cannot trust to my coming back.’ The captain said, ‘We will hold a council over you and we will let you know.’“[1]

          David wrote, “They agreed that I might go and stay until the next morning if I would promise to be in their encampment by sunrise the next morning. This I agreed to, and went home. After chopping a fire of wood, I was taken with a severe chill and then a fever, for I had not as yet recovered from my sickness. The next morning I was on hand according to promise. ‘Well,’ said the captain, ‘you are on hand.’ ‘Yes sir,’ was the reply.”[1]

         The captain then asked David if he had a gun. David told him that he “left [it] in the brush” on the evening of the massacre. The captain forced David to go and look for the gun. David said, “I was marched as near to the place as I knew, and after we had searched about one hour and had not found it, they then began to threaten and accuse me of not trying to find it. But this was false, for I knew that they would show me no mercy if it was not found. The snow had fallen very deep on the ground and the place assumed a very different appearance. At length we found it.[1]

          We then started to the camp, and we passed by my door. I stopped in my yard and asked the privilege to cut for my family a fire of wood. They halted and granted me this privilege. After chopping a few sticks, I became faint and weak and I said to them, ‘Gentlemen, won’t one of you please to chop a few sticks for me?’“ Despite David’s weakened state, the men refused to help him. This was disheartening to David.[1]

          David continued, “After chopping my wood, I politely invited them in to take a warm. They accepted the invitation and went in. After warming, we again went to camp, taking with them my two guns, for I had another gun in the loft, which they got after they went in. These guns were never returned to me or paid for, and one cow that they drove off has not been settled for.” The mob then made fun of some of the people who had died at Hawn’s Mill.[1]

David Miraculously Escapes Again

          David eventually asked to return home again. They let him go on the condition that he came back the next day. David went home and during the night it rained really hard. The creek that separated David and the mob rose so much that David couldn’t get across it the next morning. David wrote, “I went to the bank and yelled for them to set me across. This I knew they could not do. They seemed to be vexed at my impertinence, and consulted among themselves what to do. They finally yelled to me to go about my business, for they could not get over. So with joy I obeyed their orders and went to my home.”[1]

          David wrote, “Joseph and Hyrum Smith were now in prison and also many other of our brethren. So mobs and the authorities of government combined together and compelled us...to leave the state. We began to remember that the ancient saints or people of God were falsely accused, hated, driven, and persecuted on account of the testimony they bore of the things of God; ...that even Christ our Savior was falsely accused and put to death.... We may reasonably suppose that as the gospel produced persecution in former days, it also will in the latter days. The former day saints were told to take joyful the spoiling of their goods. We must take the same advice if we could.”[1]

David’s Purpose for Writing 

          David wrote, “The things that I have written are true, according to the best of my knowledge, for I desire my children to know what I have passed through, and for their benefit I write this.”[1]

A Trip to Illinois, Leaving 

Missouri, and a Poem for Duritha

A Trip to Illinois

          Late in 1838, David went to Illinois with John Butler and Elias Higbee. His goal was to settle his brother Benjamin’s affairs. He “found that his business could not be settled at that time.”[1] John and David temporarily taught school.[6] David and his brothers, Neriah and Beeson, then went back to Caldwell County. Neriah and Beeson took Benjamin’s family to Illinois with them.[1][4]

Leaving Missouri

          David was forced to sell his property. He wrote, “I now had to sell my land and improvement for a small sum, not one fourth its value.... For the orders from the governor were for us to leave in the spring. We appealed to every authority in our government, even the President of the United States, Martin Van Buren, who said he knew our cause was a just one, but he could do nothing for us. If he did, the whole state of Missouri would be against him.”[1]

          In February of 1839, David’s family left Missouri with several others. In March, they “crossed the Mississippi River and stopped in the town of Quincy, Illinois.” They stayed in Quincy for one month before going to Kentucky. Duritha and Arminta lived her Duritha's parents while David served his mission.[4]
          Before David left Kentucky, he reflected on what he and his friends had passed through just months before. He expressed his feelings in the following poem:

My friends draw near, and you shall hear,

The troubles of my heart,

Where I’ve been, I’ve trouble seen,

From it, I can’t depart.

On Missouri’s plains, I lost my friends,

Away from there, I’m drove,

I now must mourn, but can’t return,

I’m like a lonesome dove.

The work of God, has spread abroad,

A people to prepare,

Some thousand saints, in peaceful tents,

Have made their dwelling there.

A wicked crew, with sinful view,

Hath caused my heart to pain,

Poor women cried, who were standing by,

To see their husbands slain.

  

A bloody sight, with no delight,

My eyes did there behold,

I saw them cry, and bleed and die,

A trouble to my soul.

Quite strange to tell, their graves a well,

No one, their friends to cheer,

The tears in streaks, rolled down the cheeks,

Of wives and sisters dear.

Poor orphans cried, while mothers sighed,

And all was in confusion,

The wicked mob, did steal and rob,

And say we were in delusion.

But since I’m spared, I don’t regard,

The trouble that I’ve seen,

Why should I weep, for those that sleep,

And left a world of sin.

I now do roam, without a home,

And many frowns, do bare,

But now and then, I find a friend,

My troubled heart to cheer.

Some evil foes, do me oppose,

And many stories tell,

But I hope and trust, that I’ll be blessed,

And with my Savior dwell.

To tell my name, I’m not ashamed,

I hope in Christ to live,

I’d not change my place, in hope of grace,

For all the world could give.

My friends to you, I bid adieu,

David Lewis is my name,

I soon must stand, on foreign land,

The gospel to proclaim.”[1] 

David’s First Mission and a Reunion 

with His Family and the Saints

A Mission to Tennessee

          David traveled to Tennessee and preached along the way. In Overton County, he ran into Julian Moses. They became companions, “soon baptized many, and organized a branch of the Church.”  While serving, David sent the following poem to Duritha:

“Farewell my wife, I bid adieu,

I long to see and be with you.

But as we’re parted, for a while,

Oh let our hearts, be reconciled.

For soon the happy time will come,

When God will call His children home.

And if we then, should faithful be,

We’ll dwell with God, eternally.

The day of wrath, it now draws nigh,

As we may read in prophecy.

Many signs, do now appear,

In token that the time is near.

The Son of God, will come again,

And over Israel, take His reign.

A thousand years, while Satan bound,

And peace and love, will then be found.

Before that happy time appear,

The wicked hearts are filled with fear.

And all the proud and haughty burn,

And Israel to their land return.

My loving friend, remember me,

I often sigh, because of thee.

And in my absence, do not mourn,

If life is spared, I will return.

Once more my dear, I bid farewell,

When we shall meet, I cannot tell.

The time it seems, quite long to me,

But yet I must, resigned be.

The harvest ripe, the laborers few,

And I am called, to labor too.

The time in God, His word proclaim,

Whilst life and breath, with me remain.”[1] 

          Later in Tennessee, David “met with strong opposition.” The people thought that he was a spy for the Church. He was now alone, as “Julian Moses had...gone over into Kentucky.” 
          Regarding this time, David wrote, “I soon received notice that I must leave their country immediately, and hold no more meetings among them. These orders I did not comply with, but preached and bore my testimony of the work of God in the last days, and brought forth the plan of salvation, calling on them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. [1]

          I also said unto them, You have often asked the question, ‘Why was your people so abused and compelled to leave their country and homes if they are a law abiding people?’ I answered and said unto them, What law of the country have I broken since I have been among you? Whose right have I trampled on, and who have I injured among you? Yet you want to drive me away from your midst. Our people have violated no law, trampled on no man’s rights nor injured anyone, yet our persecutors are possessing the same spirit and disposition as yourselves, compelling our people to leave their country and homes regardless of the rights of man or the principles of humanity saying, ‘We are the law ourselves, and we will execute it ourselves.’“[1]

David Rejoins his Family and the Saints 

         In the fall of 1839, David rejoined his family in Kentucky and spent the winter with them.[1] Preston Lewis was born November 15, 1839. [4] In the spring of 1840, David “started for Nauvoo but stopped in Carlinville..., Illinois, until the spring of 1841.”[1] David’s parents and brothers lived there.[4] David then joined  the saints he had been with during the Missouri persecution. He discovered that his property “had been consumed by fire.” He wrote, “I was left to start anew for housekeeping, with scarcely a change of garments to begin with.”[1]

Nauvoo

          David’s family moved to Nauvoo during the summer in 1841. They purchased land and built a home. David worked as a barrel maker and became a mason. In 1843, he was a school trustee. Duritha organized their house and joined the Relief Society.[4]

           David “is mentioned in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s appointment journal several times for his missionary work.”[4] The Prophet Joseph knew how to especially inspire the missionaries. President Lorenzo Snow said, “The Prophet had the power to impress in a remarkable manner all who approached him.... This was particularly the case with brethren when receiving from him their appointments to go forth and preach the Gospel. The inspiration that flowed from him possessed their souls.... They loved him, and believed in him, and were ready to do whatever he directed for the furtherance of the work of God. He...thrilled them with the testimony of his prophetic mission.”[7]

          David served a mission in southeast Illinois from 1843 to 1844.[1] He served with David Evans and Jefferson Hunt. They “raised up quite a branch.” [1] He also served with John Butler. They didn’t have as much success but “gathered out some few honest in heart.”[6] 

            Nauvoo was a beautiful place. The “temple stood on a high, elevated spot.” David was guarding the temple when he learned that the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum had been martyred.[1]  David kept a picture of the Prophet and Hyrum in one of his journals.[9] 

            During the winter of 1845-1846, David visited his brother Neriah and taught him and his family the gospel. Neriah’s family believed and all were eventually baptized. They gathered to Nauvoo with the saints.[10] Neriah’s son later became a beloved leader in Lewiston. The city was named after him.[11]

            David’s family continued living in Nauvoo until they were driven off with the rest of the saints in 1846.[4]

Ponca Indian Settlement 

          The Lewis family then moved to ”Winter Quarters, and from there accompanied Bishop Miller to Ponca.”[8] Bishop Miller’s company was sent ahead of the main company of saints by President Young. President Young later sent a letter that advised Bishop Miller to preside over a large group of pioneers. The letter also “nominated a high council to manage spiritual and temporal affairs.” David was called to be one of the High Counselors.[12] 

          Scouts looked for a good place for the company to winter, but none was found. They were still in an “Indian war zone” and it didn’t seem safe to stay where they were. The Ponca Indian chief extended an invitation to the saints to go north and winter on his lands. The high council voted and all were in favor of accepting the invitation. The company reached the Ponca Camp in August.[12] 

          The Indians were intrigued by the pioneers. Few of them had ever seen a white man. When the pioneers first arrived, “[m]ounted Indians...rode in, fired guns, whooped, and yelled -- a frightening ceremony of welcome.” The saints “went to work.” The men cut hay for the upcoming winter and obtained food. They built cabins and a fort. The fort was used for church services.[12] 

          In October, the Ponca Indians left “for their winter hunting grounds.” It was quite a site for the saints to see all of the Indians pack up and be “on the move.” While the saints were encamped, the men ran different errands, such as exploring, trading, and carrying mail.[12] 

             The winter was rough. Neriah’s son William recounted, “It was a cold, black winter and we suffered much from want of food. About eighty persons of our company died.” He also recalled, “Our corral of wagons...was broken up one night by the stampeding of the cattle which...made kindling of most of our vehicles and their contents. Two boys were sleeping under one of the wagons at the time, but an old iron pot which stood under the axel-tree saved their lives.”[13] 

  

  

Settling in Missouri Again

          David and Neriah’s families rejoined “the main body of the saints” in the spring.[4] They didn’t go west with the original company because they didn’t have enough resources.[8] They settled by Council Bluffs. Duritha gave birth to twin babies in August of 1848.[4] Their names were Siney and Olive. They were named after “two of the sacred mountains in the Holy Land, Mt. Sinai and Mt. Olive.”[17] 

           In 1849, David’s family moved to Preston Township. Siney wrote that ”mobs composed of men prejudiced against our people, because of religion, came upon us, took all the property they could carry or haul away and burned our homes from over our heads. In some way my father got together an outfit consisting of a team and light wagon or double buggy, and took us all back to Kentucky.” Duritha’s father, who was a plantation owner, had died.[17] She inherited a few slaves[4] and equipment that would help them make the upcoming trek.[17] 

          Siney wrote, “My father was a cooper by trade and as barrels, tubs and kegs were in great demand by the saints for storing supplies for traveling, he had more orders for work than he could do.” The Lewis’s started moving west with other saints.[17] The saints “followed President Brigham Young’s counsel to establish settlements along the way.”[14] The saints “would stop at favorable locations, build a few rude log cabins, and make a settlement for a short time. Sometimes they would come to an old fort or settlement where some houses were already built that had been abandoned.”[17]  

           The Lewis’s “were stationed for a short time in Iowa.” At this time, David’s “work was so much in demand that he hired a young fellow named [George] Baker to help him.” Arminta was 14 and very pretty. Her and David’s new assistant fell in love. One night, Arminta sneaked out and left with George on horseback. The Lewis’s never heard from her again. Duritha “never really got over losing her and was always hoping to hear of her or that she would return.” Not long after, the Lewis’s started their trek west.[17] 

The Trek West

          The Lewis family was in the John Smith Company. David was made captain over a smaller part of the company.[15] During a more treacherous part of the trek, David lead the entire company. William McIntosh wrote, “David Lewis was our Chief Captain and pilot while we were in the mountains. Much credit is due to him for his perseverance and services...in unknown places.”[16]  

           During the trek there was a buffalo stampede. David’s son Siney wrote, “I remember vividly a huge herd of stampeding buffalo that rushed through our camp grounds. I was sitting on the wagon tongue, up close to the wagon box.... There I sat, as these plunging snorting beasts leaped over the lower end of our wagon tongue. Fortunately I escaped unhurt.”[17] 

           Eventually, David’s smaller company of 68 people traveled independently.[15] On August 22, the company clerk wrote, “We have had but little sickness, and no deaths. We still keep our spirits up, and are anxious to get through.”[18]   The company made good time and “reached Salt Lake Valley in advance of all the 1851 organized companies.”[15] 

Settling in the Valley

           After arriving in the Valley, David “located a vacant adobe house and moved the family into it.”[17] David married Clarissa Williams that fall.[19]  Regarding that winter, Siney wrote, “The winter was long and very cold for us as we were used to a much milder climate. Father...hauled wood for the one fireplace from the canyon near where Ft. Douglas now stands. The wood was green and very slow burning and it was hard to keep us little children warm.[17]

           The next spring we planted what little grain and seed we had left expecting a good crop. But that was the year of the ‘grasshopper plague’ and we were not fortunate enough to save any of our crop.” Duritha gave birth to William in June of 1852. Siney wrote, ”He was a joy and comfort to all of us.”[17] David married Elizabeth Carson on August 4, 1852.[19] Regarding the following winter, Siney wrote, “The winter of 1852-53 was just as hard if not harder for us than the previous one had been. We had very little to eat and that caused us to feel the cold more keenly. Mother bought a little home and about 15 acres of land not far from where the City and County Building now stands.”[17] 

           The Lewis children helped their parents. Siney wrote, “We all worked as soon as we were old enough and each had his job or chores to do. In the fall after the harvest, mother would take the younger children with her to some field recently vacated by the reapers. Here we would glean the few stalks of grain they had left and put them in mother’s apron. When we arrived home we would thresh this grain out of the stalks with sticks or by rubbing it between our hands and blow the chaff away.”[17] 

           ”It was then ground through an old coffee mill, mixed with cold water into a batter by mother and fried in an iron skillet held over the coals raked to the front of the fireplace. We were each given one of these cakes with a small cup of milk each evening and morning. There was no midday meal for us, and no ‘piecing’ between morning and evening meals.”[17] 

           David and Elizabeth had a baby in June of 1853.[19] The next month, David posted the following ad in the newspaper, “Come and see the old daguerreotype room, formerly occupied by Cannon. Will be open for customers, visitors, and spectators each day of the week except Monday’s and Tuesday’s and foreigners can be accommodated if their circumstances require by making application. David Lewis, Daguerrian Artist.” The ad ran for about two months, ending a few days before General Conference.[20] 

Southern Indian Mission

            During General Conference, David and others were called by Brigham Young to serve in the Southern Indian Mission.[21] David spent time studying “the Spanish language under Apostle Parley P. Pratt.” Before leaving, David wrote the following poem for Duritha:

When I am gone, and far away,

And you no more can see,

Go to a lonely place and pray,

And there remember me.

When I am gone, and the moon shines bright,

Go out some night and see,

And think that I, am gazing too,

And there remember me.

When I am gone, and you’re alone,

And you should lonesome be,

My little children, call around,

And talk to them for me.

When you take, a pleasant walk,

The garden flowers to see,

Remember the sweetest, you once could find,

You plucked them off for me.

When you’re around, the fireside,

And all is well with thee,

Remember I’m, in a distant land,

And wish you were with me.

With anxious heart, you oft will gaze,

Impatient for to see,

But you will look, and look again,

But yet it is not me.

For I will be, in distant lands,

Perhaps beyond the sea,

And when my mission, it does end,

I will return to thee.

But if I do, no more return,

Then shed no tears for me,

But remember well, the words I left,

Which were, remember me.[1]

          On April 10, David and fifteen others were set apart ”in the Council House, under the hands of Orson Hyde, P.P. Pratt, W. Woodruff, Lo. Snow, E.T. Benson, & Erastus Snow, of the Twelve.”[22] David was set apart as 1st Counselor to President Rufus C. Allen.[8] Four days later, the missionaries assembled at Elder Pratt’s house. President Allen wasn’t present, so they were given the counsel to start under the leadership of David. They were also told that Elder Pratt would follow them and give them further counsel if he were to overtake them in their journey.[20] Elder Pratt left a few days later.[23]  

            David’s wife Elizabeth and their little baby Eliza accompanied him. At the age of only 14, Preston also went and assisted in driving an ox team there and back.[4] He returned to Salt Lake later that year. David’s boy Siney said that Duritha “was a very good worker and manager, so we seemed to do as well without father as we did before he left.”[17] 

            While traveling “on April 25th near Fillmore..., about 20 Indians of Walker’s band...surrounded the wagons and...stood ahead of” of the missionaries.”After many strange gestures and much loud speaking by the eldest of them, a blanket was thrown down.” The missionaries “understood this to be a demand for toll for passing over their land.” Everyone “contributed some bread and flour and tobacco.” The Indians “sat down and seemed to enjoy the bread.” The same thing happened again not long after.[24] 

            On April 28, “David settled Elizabeth in Parowan.” He asked his brother Tarlton if she could stay with his family, as she would soon give birth to another daughter.[4] The missionaries arrived at Harmony on May 2, 1854. The missionaries “selected a site for their headquarters...and divided it into acre plots, one for each missionary.” The missionaries worked so hard that “at the end of two weeks they had cleared sixty-four acres of land and had begun to make a canal.” The canal was “eight miles long, six feet wide, and three feet deep.” President Brigham Young visited Harmony later that month. He counseled the missionaries, “You are not sent to...help the white man, but to save the red ones. Learn their language, [which] you can do more effectively by...writing out a list of words.”[24] During the mission, David recorded a “22-page dictionary of a...Native American language” in his journal.[9] 

            President Young continued by saying, “Go with them where they go. Live with them and...let them live with you.... They are our brothers [and] we must seek after them.” Though the missionaries would have to farm and settle in the area, their focus was helping the Indians. After hearing the prophet’s counsel, some of the missionaries were sent to the Indians right away. Some of the missionaries continued to farm and complete the ditch.[24] 

A Missionary Expedition

            During the summer, small groups of missionaries taught the Indians. David lead a group of six missionaries, and they had a lot of success. One of the missionaries wrote, “I have been amongst the Indians on a mission...with Bro. Lewis as our captain.... [W]e found some Indians who were tilling the earth.... They came up to shake hands.... We told them what we came for, to learn their language and do them good. We sang a hymn and prayed.... The Indians had heard that we baptized other Indians [and] they wanted to be baptized and to be Mormons. We baptized and confirmed eight and laid our hands on one old man for his health. Our captain talked to them as well as he could through one of our boys, and told them they were Mormons now; they must not steal, but do as we told them and the Lord would bless them.”[24] 

            “The next morning we bid the Indians farewell and traveled...over rough country...till we came to the wickiup of the ‘Big Chief,’ as the Indians call him. He came out to meet us and showed us where to camp. He is about as large an Indian as I saw in the nation. He is a stern, sober looking Indian, and looks as though he would be a friend, whilst friendly, and a fearful enemy while at enmity.... [W]e sang and prayed, which we always did every night and morning. We told them that we had come to learn their language that we might be able to talk with them and tell them many good things. We told them we had a book in our possession that was the history of their Fathers and was written many years ago and spoke about them and that we would tell them more about the book when we could talk to them. This seemed to please them and gradually the stern and sullen expression of the Chief’s countenance gave way to a smile. He wanted to look at it. We showed him where it was; that it was plates of gold and that this was the writing on paper; he seemed pleased.[24] 

           We talked through one of our boys, who understood a little Indian, to our guide and gave him a few leading items to tell the Indians. He got up, told them the Great Shenowah, which means God, had told our great captain to tell us to leave our squaws to come to them to do them good, to teach them how to work, to build houses, and to be like Mormons. The chief got up and said he was friendly and believed we had come to do them good, and believed that God did talk to our big captain.[24] 

           We sang and prayed, laid hands on a little child and then dismissed them. The next morning before the sun was up the chief came to us with a child for us to bless; we did so. They have great faith in the laying on of hands, although they knew nothing about it till we went among them. We...sang and prayed. They delight in singing, which art they have lost; they do nothing but hum.[24] 

           The chief said he wanted to be baptized with many of his band. We baptized and confirmed 66 that afternoon. We told them, through our guide, they were Mormons now and must not steal nor fight other Indians but be good. The next day we baptized 15 more and confirmed them. We then formed a circle and Bro. Lewis stood in the middle of the circle and addressed them. All were there that had been baptized at this place. He said, ‘I wish I could talk to you in your own language and be able to tell you who you are and where you came from.’ He told them to be faithful and the Lord would bless them; their minds would be enlightened and they would become like the Mormons, etc.[24] 

          He called for two volunteers to go to the Muddy and tell the Indians there we would come among them if they wanted us, and spoke many good things to them. We then told it to our guide and he got up and told [these] things to them. They said, ‘Joy’, which meant all right. The chief got up and spoke very lengthy, exhorting his people to be faithful and then calling for two volunteers to go to the Muddy. Two readily volunteered to go. We then administered to a good many and then dismissed them. Night came on and we were soon locked in the sweet embrace of slumber.[24] 

          The next morning Bro. Lewis requested me and another to go up with him to see the chief. We were received kindly. We told him through our guide that we would like him to let his children go to our schools and learn to read and write, to build houses, make farms and live like us. He seemed to like the idea and said he wanted them to learn to sing too, which he is very fond of. We left him in good humor....[24] 

          The next morning as we were fixing for going the Indians gathered around to bid us goodbye. We shook hands, they looked sorrowful. We mounted and Bro. Lewis said, ‘Be good, don’t steal and be faithful and the Lord will be good to you and bless you.’ We rode down the river, camped another night and saw more Indians the next day. Bro. Lewis became sick through intense heat and our provisions being low, we started home.... We saw some of the curious carvings of nature and returned home to our wagons in safety.”[24] 

Clothing for the Indians

          Later, clothing made by Relief Societies was sent from Salt Lake to give to the Indians in exchange for work. The settlers could buy the clothing and give it to the Indians as their wage. The idea was to help the Indians by giving them the opportunity “to work for the goods they desired.... The settlers of Cedar City did not work with as many Indians as some had expected.”[25] In November, David implored members to help the missionaries work with Indians. He said, “I would advise you to employ them. Feed them well and at the end of a week or so give them one of those shirts which the sisters of the various wards in and around Salt Lake City made, & which are now lying among you, to warm and cheer them on to future diligence. Those shirts, without your employing the Indians, may lie on the shelves & the Indians remain cold.”[26] 

Visit to the Salt Lake Valley

           David visited Duritha and their children in January of 1855.[27] Later in the month, Brigham Young sent David to visit Ute Chief Walker, or Wakara.[28] 

  

Captain Walker Visit

           Chief Walker had become a member of the Church. In 1853, he initiated the Walker War after a member of the Church killed a Ute Indian. The war involved Indian attacks on pioneer settlements. The war lasted for about a year and was ended when Brigham Young met with Chief Walker and other Ute leaders.[29] It was several months later that David visited Chief Walker for Brigham Young. On January 29, 1855, David wrote the following letter to the prophet:

President Brigham Young:

          Dear Brother- I improve this the earliest opportunity to inform you of the death of Captain Walker, the Utah Chief, after a sickness of 10 days; he died...at Meadow Creek about 6 miles from Fillmore. His complaint seemed to be a cold settled on his lungs.

          I arrived at Fillmore on the 28th. I started the next morning for Walker’s lodge, and met the Utah’s coming with Walker, and supporting him on his horse. He held out his hand, and shook hands, and seemed very glad to see me. He asked me if Brigham talked good and if I was going with him to the Navahoes. I told him that Br. Brigham talked very good and perhaps I would go with him. I showed him the letter you sent to him, and I gave him all the articles you sent to him. He seemed greatly pleased with them and wanted me to come the next morning to Meadow Creed, and read the letter for him.

         On the next morning, before day, the Pauvans came running into the Fort, and said that Walker was dead, and the Utahs were mad, that they had killed two Squaws, and two Piede children. Ka-no-she, the Pauvan Chief, sent us word to drive up all our horses, and cattle, and keep out of the canyons; that the Utahs intended to kill two Pauvans, and two Mormons and a great many cattle.

         About eighteen of our people went out in the morning, and found that the Utahs had killed two Squaws, Piede prisoners, (slaves) and two Piede children, and about twelve to fifteen of Walker’s best horses. The Pauvans had said twenty horses.

         They had buried Walker with the letter and articles you sent him.

                          Yours as ever, in the Gospel of Christ,

                                                                                 David Lewis

         P.S. Walker’s last words to his people were, not to kill the Mormon cattle, nor steal from them. I was with him until he was struck with death. He was in his senses, and greatly desired to live. He possessed a good spirit and shook hands twice with me. As I was starting for the Fort, he pressed my hand and said, “Come and see me again tomorrow, for I wish to have a long talk with you, but I’m too sick to talk now.”[28] 

  

Indian Agent and a

Successful Expedition

Indian Agent

         David was appointed by Brigham Young to be an Indian Agent “in Parowan and vicinity.”[8] “One day he met some Indians who had captured Indian children from an enemy tribe.” The Indians intended to sell the children as slaves. “They told David that they were going to kill [the children] if [he] didn’t trade for them. David offered beads and other trinkets.... They agreed and David and Elizabeth had two more little children, a boy and a girl, added to their little family of daughters. The children taught them their language, which Elizabeth quickly learned.”[4]

A Search for Glazing Minerals

          In April of 1855, David received a call from President Brigham Young to “go to the mountains to procure some mineral for the purpose of glazing.” As directed by the prophet, David made “a call from the stand at Parowan for volunteers.” Nine men and sixteen horses were recruited for the expedition. David recorded a couple of strange events that demonstrated great opposition to their going on the expedition. With faith and determination, the party eventually found the mineral. David wrote, “Today we...came to the object of our search. We were about three hours in procuring one thousand pounds.”[27]

          During the expedition, the group came in contact with Indians. They also found something that appeared to be of ancient origins.[27]

An Interesting Discovery 

         Only a few days into the expedition, David recorded in his journal: “We discovered to my left some flat rocks standing up erect. We went and examined the place. Many rocks stood in a slanting position. Many pieces of ancient pottery were around this place.” Referring to some writings they found, David wrote, “I took my pencil and drew off the characters.”[27]

         In the Contributor Magazine, it was described as follows: “In a level, sandy plain they saw at a distance what seemed a cemetery, with numerous gravestones or monuments; but their surprise at so unexpected a sight was much increased upon a nearer approach, which revealed something entirely different. They saw three circles, one within the other, composed of numerous blocks of cut stone about a foot square, and about two and a half feet long, cut with mathematical accuracy, and which had been originally placed about a foot in the ground and at a uniform distance apart. These three circles were exact in figure, were several yards from each other, and the stones composing them were placed with their flat surfaces facing the centre. In the centre of all stood a small stone cairn, circular in its base, a perfect cone, and about four feet high. The blocks forming the circles, and the stones forming the cone, had been brought a considerable distance, as no rock in place was to be seen anywhere in the vicinity. For a while a silent wonder filled the minds of the lookers on, and many were the surmises as to when this work was done, by whom, and for what purpose; but to all, one thing seemed plain: it must have been made to perpetuate some important event, or the place of deposit of something of great value.[30] 

          Deciding to investigate, they carefully removed the stones comprising the cairn, and about a foot beneath the surface found the top of a stone box. As this box was almost an exact counterpart to that in which the plates of the Book of Mormon were found by the Prophet Joseph Smith, it merits a particular description. A stone about two feet square and six inches thick formed the bottom; four flat stones standing upon edge formed the sides; and a stone, similar in size and shape to that forming the bottom, was placed upon the top as a cover or lid. All these stones were skillfully cut and finished, with sides, faces and angles, geometrically exact, and, as cut together, each point of junction or seam was perfectly tight. The lid was carefully raised, but no treasure met their expectant eyes—the box was entirely empty. But the under surface of the capstone was a surprise. It was covered with hieroglyphics beautifully cut, which, could they have been interpreted, would doubtless have given the key of explanation to this mystery of the desert. The box had evidently been made to contain something of great value which had been subsequently removed; and as it so closely resembled that from which Joseph Smith took the plates near the summit of Cumorah, may at one time have held a similar treasure, which Mormon may have removed for safety when his people were driven northward by their swarming foes....[30] 

          As these rough mountaineers stood silently around this relic of the dim, mysterious past, the pervading spirit of the place filled their souls with a solemn awe. They felt that they stood upon ground that was hallowed indeed, and that they looked upon a receptacle that had once contained something, perchance, of infinite worth, something holy; placed there, and again removed by one of the ancient saints—perhaps by the hand of the great prophet Mormon himself, or by that of his son Moroni.[30] 

          After some consideration, it was decided to take the lid with them to President Young, and it was loaded upon one of the horses for that purpose; but it was found too heavy and difficult to be transported so great a distance in that manner, and it was determined to leave it. Brother Lewis made as exact a copy of the hieroglyphics as he could with his limited means, upon a sheet of paper, and then the stone was carefully replaced, the stones piled over it as before, and the company departed, feeling that here was evidence strongly confirming the story of Cumorah, as told by the great prophet of the last days. It may be here mentioned that of the squared blocks composing the surrounding circles, some still stood upright, some were leaning, and many had fallen where they had stood.[30]

          After an absence of eighteen days, the party returned to Parowan” and “the copy of the engraving made by Brother Lewis, was taken to President Young. The writer examined the copied hieroglyphics which, as well as he can remember at this date, resembled very much some of those found in Palenque and Copan, in Yucatan.”[30]

Glazing Expedition Poem

         David recorded the following poem in his journal:

“Come on up, and sing my boys,

We must not stand a gazing,

The call to us, it has been made,

The potters want some glazing.

The potter goes, to making jugs,

According to their raising,

And now the water might run out,

Because they lack the glazing.

We will now, to the mountains go,

We will not stand a lazing,

And get the things, which they do want,

You know they call it glazing.

If you had been, along with us,

You’d have seen, Old Nick a raising,

This mighty force, to stop us boys,

From going after glazing.

A horse did soon, his rider throw,

And left him down a crazing,

And seemed to by his actions say,

I will not go for glazing.

To see the horses, break their packs,

Truly it was amazing,

But we were determined, to go,

Bring back the potters glazing.

And all those that, do not with us go,

We hope you now will go to raising,

The things that we, wish to buy,

And we will pay you off in glazing.

You know we had not long been gone,

Before the news went blazing,

That we were gone to the silver mines,

Instead of after the potters’ glazing.

Success to the boys, that with us went,

There’s none, that needs praising,

But if there should, be another call,

They’ll all be on hand for glazing.”[29]

Summary and Death

           David was both sensitive in spiritual matters and proficient in practical matters. David was a diligent missionary, “making several visits among the Indians on the Rio Virgin, Santa Clara, and the head waters of the Sevier. By his discreet course among them, he gained the confidence of Walker and many of their chiefs, and finally...disease and death overcame him.” David died in Parowan on September 2, 1855. He died of a stroke and bilous fever. David “died in full faith and fellowship, leaving a numerous family and many sincere friends longing in hope for a reunion.”[8]

            When David was younger and searching for the true gospel, he wrote, “I always thought if I could find out, ... I would obey it. I promised myself when I got to be a man that I would find out to my satisfaction, and do right, and be honest, and try to get to heaven where the Good Man lived.”[1] David found the truth and kept the faith. Truly David Lewis was a man of God.

References

1. David Lewis’s Journal (1854). LDS Church Historical Department. Transcribed by Carol Harless, Los Altos CA. Typed by David B. Grammar editing and editing by Devin McFarlane.

2. Jensen, E. (30 May 2010) Setting the record straight on the ‘Hawn’s’ Mill Massacre. Deseret News. Grammar editing by Devin McFarlane. Retrieved from Deseret News.com.

3. Pratt, P. (1985). Parley P. Pratt autobiography. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book.

4. B., D. David and Duritha (Trail) Lewis. Retrieved from OurFamilyHeritage.

5. Smith, J. (2009) The Joseph Smith papers. Jessee, D. C., Esplin, R.K., Bushman, R. L. (Eds.) Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book.

6. John Low Butler, 1808- 1861. Retrieved from BOAP.org.

7. Snow, L. Reminiscences of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Retrieved from LDS.org.

8. David Lewis obituary and memorial article. (26 Sept 1855) Deseret News.

9. Journal of David Lewis, 1852-1857. Retrieved from Beta.worldcat.org.

10. Neriah Lewis Jr. Retrieved from Surnames.com.

11. William Hendricks Lewis. Retrieved from Ourfamiliesroots.org.

12. Hartley, W. G. (1994) My best for the kingdom. Salt Lake City, UT: Aspen Books.

13. William Hendricks Lewis account. Retrieved from Our Family Heritage. Edited by Devin McFarlane.

14. Chapter 7: Faithfulness in Times of Trial: “From the Shadows into the Glorious Sunshine.” Retrieved from LDS.org.

15. David Lewis Company. Retrieved from LDS.org.

16. McIntosh, W. Reminiscences and diary 1857-1898. Retrieved from LDS.org. Grammar editing by Devin McFarlane.

17. Lewis, C. P. Siney Lewis. Retrieved from CS.Utah.edu. Grammar edited by Devin McFarlane.

18. Stewart, J. M. (1851). Perpetual Emigrating Fund Report. Retrieved from LDS.org.

19. Kailbourn, T. R. & Palmquist, P. E. (2000). Pioneer photographers of the far west: A biographical dictionary, 1840-1865. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.

20. David Lewis, Daguerrotype Artist Ad. (30 July- 1 Oct 1953) Deseret News.

21. Brooks, J. (Apr 1945). Improvement Era, 48(4).

22. Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (14 Apr 1854). Retrieved from Jared.Pratt-family.org.

23. History of Brigham Young, 1854:34. Retrieved from Jared.Pratt-family.org.

24. Bradshaw, H. (Ed.). (1950). Under Dixie Sun. Grammar editing by Devin McFarlane.

25. Jensen, R.L. Forgotten Relief Societies, 1844-67.

26. Brown, T. D. (1972) Journal of the Southern Indian Mission. Brooks, J. (Ed.). Logan, UT: Utah State University Press. Edited by Devin McFarlane.

27. David Lewis Journal. Utah State Historical Society (microfilm). Grammar editing and editing by Devin McFarlane.

28. Brigham Young Letter. Deseret Newspaper.

29. Chief Walker. Retrieved from Walkerchief.blogspot.com.

30. Santiago. (Nov 1889-Oct 1890) Contributor, 11(9), 342.

Picture of David. Huntington Library. The author has sought copyright permission for this painting.
In the Bl

Picture of Duritha: Retrieved from Findagrave.com.

David Lewis’ Grave. Retrieved from OurFamilyHeritage.

Maps: Romig, 2002. Map 1 edited by Devin McFarlane.