urchased paints and oils to finish my
dwelling house. I became popular among the Saints, and many of
them donated labor and materials for my dwelling house. I had a
handsome enclosure, with fine orchard, well of water, house
finished and grained from top to bottom, and everything in finest
order. I was young, strong, and athletic. I could drive ahead and
work all day and stand guard half the night, through all kinds of
weather.

My pay for doing the latter was the trust reposed in me. To guard
the President and leading men of the Church was considered a
mighty thing, and would not have been exchanged by those holding
that office for ten dollars a night. It was considered that this
would qualify ones performing the duty for any position of honor
or worth.

In 1845 I was present when two young men named Hodges were tried
for murdering an old man and his wife. The Hodges said that
Brigham had sent them to rob the old people of their money, of
which they were supposed to have a large amount. When they went
to the house they found the inmates ready for them, and one of
them was wounded. Thinking then that they would be detected, they
killed the old people.

One of the party became alarmed and reported on the two Hodges
boys. Their older brother, Erwin Hodges, said that Brigham had
gotten his brothers into this scrape, and must get them out of
it; that if he did not do so his (Brigham's) blood would atone
for it.

That evening, as Erwin was returning home, a little after dark,
he was met by two Danites who had been waiting for him to come
along. After some little conversation, as Erwin was turning he
was struck on the head with a club, and then stabbed four times
over the heart. The Danites left, supposing him to be dead. He
was, however, only stunned, and the bleeding revived him. He
crawled about one hundred and fifty yards, and fell near
Brigham's gate. He called for water, and for Brigham to lay his
hands upon him.

Some persons asked him who had done the deed. He replied that
they were his friends, and expired without finishing the
sentence. A neighbor came running to my house, knowing that
Brigham was there, as he often came there to keep away from
suspicious persons. I started home with Brigham, and while on the
way remarked that it was a shocking affair. He replied that it
was not worse for Hodges to be killed than it would have been for
him (Brigham) to have had his blood shed. This answer recalled
the thr