| 345 is all nonsense to think that Moses wrote some of the books attributed to him, in the Bible."
"Then you don't believe the 'fish story,' either, Mr. Gilbert?"
"No; nor that Jonah swallowed the whale."
"How about Sampson catching the three hundred foxes, and the firebrands?"
"Yes, that is a good one; you fellows will do."
"Much obliged, Mr. Gilbert."
"You are quite welcome. I wish I could give you more than I have."
Acting upon Mr. Gilbert's advice, we at once called upon the Jackaways, and found the older of the boys and the sister, ready to talk of what they knew. They had Tucker's work on the small table which they offered to sell us for three dollars, and then we could read for ourselves; but being quite familiar with its weaknesses, we declined to purchase at the price.
The conversation upon the main topic was as follows:
"What is your age?"
"I will be sixty-six years old on my next birthday," said Mr. Jackaway." (The lady did not answer.)
"How far did you live from town at the time the Smiths, and those of their comrades, were in this country?"
"One half mile south of Palmyra."
"Were you acquainted with Joseph Smith and his early followers?"
"Yes, I knew them; seen them a many a time-old Joe and young Joe."
"How far did you live from them?"
"It was about a mile."
"You know about their digging for money, so Mr. Gilbert said; he sent us to you?"
"Oh, yes, I can show you the places now; there are three places over there where they dug."
"Well, we want to see them. Did you help them dig?"
"No, I never helped them."
"Well, you saw them digging?"
"No, I never saw them digging."
"How do you know they dug the holes you refer to?"
"I don't know they dug them; but the holes are there."
"Did anybody else dig for money at that time there?"
"I believe there were some others that dug; but I did not see them."
"Do you know any of them?"
"I only know one now; he lives up at Canandaigua."
(Mr. Jackaway gave us the name, but for some cause we fail to find it in our notes.)
"What do you know about the Smiths' character?"
"I don't know much about that."
"Would they steal, get drunk, etc.?"
(page 345) |
