Jacob Hamblin — Protection from a Hostile Navajo Council at Grass Valley (January 1874)
Published August 31, 2026 at 1:23 AM
In January 1874 at Grass Valley (near Moencopi), Jacob Hamblin and companions (including J.E. Smith) were surrounded and held by a large, hostile council of Navajo warriors—reported as twenty-four in some accounts—angered over the recent killing of three Navajo kinsmen they blamed on non-Mormons. Hamblin and his party were confined in a hogan and for many hours (reported as eleven hours) faced threats of torture and death. The warriors even heated a pipe to test whether Hamblin would show fear under the prospect of torture. Hamblin refused to use his weapons, remained perfectly calm, and relied on his promise that his life would be preserved. He spoke with what witnesses and biographers called inspired wisdom and fearless testimony of his friendship and integrity. His manner and words softened the hearts of the Navajo leaders, and after debate they ultimately released Hamblin and his companions unharmed. Biographers and participants attributed the outcome to divine protection and the fulfillment of the promise that Hamblin’s blood would not be shed.
In Their Own Words
“In January, 1874, I was at the Moencoppy. I had with me a young man named J. E. Smith. We were visited by a number of Navajos, who were very much excited. They said that three of their tribe had been killed by the Mormons, and they were determined to have satisfaction. They said they would kill us, and then go and kill all the Mormons they could find. They were very boisterous and threatening. I told them that I had not killed any of their people, and that I was their friend. I told them that I had been promised that my blood should not be shed by the Indians, and that I had no fear of them. They said they would test the truth of my statement. They took us to a hogan, and kept us there for eleven hours. During this time they were very abusive, and threatened us with all kinds of torture. They heated a pipe, and held it near my face, to see if I would flinch, or show any signs of fear. I remained perfectly calm, and told them that I had no fear of them, for I knew that I was their friend, and that I had not harmed them. I told them that if they killed me, they would be killing their best friend. My calmness and the truth of my words seemed to have an effect upon them. They held a council, and after much discussion, they concluded to let us go. They told us we could go, and that they would not harm us. We were very thankful to our Heavenly Father for our deliverance from the hands of those angry men.”
— Jacob Hamblin, as recorded in James A. Little, 'Jacob Hamblin: A Narrative of His Personal Experience'
Sources & References
John A. Hamblin (grandson), 'Jacob Vernon Hamblin,' DUP History Collection; Jacob Hamblin Legacy Organization (jacobhamblin.org/blog); James A. Little, 'Jacob Hamblin: A Narrative of His Personal Experience' (1881). (research confidence: high) Paul Bailey, Jacob Hamblin, Buckskin Apostle (Los Angeles: Westernlore Press, 1948), p. 240; James A. Little, Jacob Hamblin: A Narrative of His Personal Experience (1881). (research confidence: high) Adonis Findlay Robinson, ed., History of Kane County (Salt Lake City: Utah Printing Company, 1970), 50-53. (research confidence: high) Full first-person account: James A. Little, Jacob Hamblin: A Narrative of His Personal Experience (Salt Lake City: Juvenile Instructor Office, 1881), 116-117. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/48284
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