By Mrs. Hannah Deschamps 

Richard T. Jones was born in Llanmorganshire, Cardigan, South Wales on March 5, 1819 (the same year as Queen Victoria). He was married to Mary Hughes Evans, who was born November 8, 1825, at Llanbythie, South Wales. They became converts to the LDS Church and immigrated to this country, reaching the Salt Lake Valley on September 27, 1851. They remained there a little over three years when they moved three miles south of Brigham but were soon ordered to move south with the rest of the Saints as Johnston’s army was coming to destroy the Mormons. They did not remain there long, but upon returning they decided on coming further north to Malad Valley. 

They arrived here in June 1865 to find only five families here ahead of them. They were Henry Peck, Benjamin Thomas, Bill Williams (who afterward moved to Montana), P. Thomas (also moved away), and a Mr. Caulters (Montana). Accompanying Richard Jones’ family were the children of Benjamin and Rachel Jones. These children were Jedd Jones, W. H. Jones, Benjamin Jones, and Mary Ellen Jones, who later became the wife of Dan M. Daniels. Their mother, who was a sister of Mrs. Richard Jones and also their father, died in California. The children, the oldest being only seventeen years of age, drove all the way back from California to Brigham City in a wagon in time to enter Malad with the second company of immigrants. 

As soon as the Jones families arrived, they erected a two-room log house on what is now Bannock Street on the southwest corner of the lot now owned by Harvey L. Jones. This house was thatched with wheat grass which covered quaking-asp willows or poles, after which dirt or clay was thrown on top. This was considered at that time a very good roof. As there were no sawmills at that time, there were no boards for floors, so large flag-stones were used or nothing at all. A large fireplace, built of rocks, added comfort to this humble home. On this fireplace they used a reflector and cooked their food over the fire. 

Mrs. Jones had learned the art of making an oven and when her neighbors learned of this, they all tried to bake the same day and have the use of her oven. This is the way it was built: It was constructed of rock and mortar to the height of 18 or 20 inches in the shape of a mound. This was covered with sand and a coating of mortar was placed over the sand, then another layer of sand and mortar, and so on for several thicknesses. Then the door or opening was removed and all the loose sand taken out except a covering for the floor of the oven about four inches deep. A fire was then built and when there was plenty of heat inside, the fire was removed, the bread inserted and the door replaced for one and a half hours. The result was bread with a beautiful brown crust and a delicious flavor. 

The furnishings of the house were very crude. The bedsteads were made of logs hewn down to the required size. Ropes were drawn tightly from one side to the other. On these were placed ticks of straw and wheat grass. The chairs were made by splitting logs and boring holes in the rounded side for the insertion of legs, having the flat side up. Their tables and cupboards were on the same order. Later on, a sawmill was run by John Williams and Richard Jones, and then there was a decided change of furniture. 

The pioneers were frequently alarmed by the appearance of Indians, but no real harm was done by them. They had no real battles, yet the Whites lived in constant dread of them for years. 

On one occasion, an Indian came to the home of Richard Jones while the men were at work in the field and demanded food. Mrs. Jones showed him her bread was all gone but that some was baking and that she would give him milk. But, he slouched down in the doorway, deciding to wait for the bread. Mrs. Jones was greatly alarmed as she was unable to pass him to go outside and, as she had sent the two girls out to look for the cows, she was afraid they might be molested by other Indians who might be lurking around. In a few minutes the shrill voice of her daughter, Mary Jane, (Evans later, my mother). Both the Indian and Mrs. Jones rushed out towards the corral from where the cry came. Mary Jane was holding her arm and crying pitifully. The Indian was the first to reach her. She pointed to the ground where there was lying a California spider which had stung her and she had brushed it to the ground. The Indian jumped upon it and crushed it with his foot, and said excitedly, “Heap poison–papoose maybe to die.” By this time her cousin, W. H., who had heard her cries, came running up and was told by the Indian to find some pointed sticks. The Indian had by this time untied a bandana handkerchief from his neck and tied it firmly around the arm of Mary Jane. Taking a small stick, he twisted it very tightly to stop the circulation of blood. Then he and W. H. hurried out into the poison segoes, and soon, with the use of the pointed sticks, secured some of them. These he pounded into a pulp and after piling on a clean rag, placed them over the wound. In a short time this was removed to show the poultice a dark green color. He repeated this process several times. Then the swelling began to go down and the color came back into her arm. He then untied the handkerchief and said she would be all right. Her arm was perfectly healed but she bore the scar to the day of her death at the age of 82 years. The Indian was taken into the house. The bread being baked by that time, he was given a good supper and plenty of provisions for some time, and was always a welcome visitor at the Jones’ home thereafter. He was a brother to Chief Pocatello. 

The Jones family always resided in Malad Valley from 1865 until the time of their deaths. Children of Richard T. Jones are: Ellen Jones Hoskins, Mary Jane Evans, Rachel Ann Thomas, Richard E. Jones, William T. Jones, Hannah Jones, Margaret M, Sawyer and David E. Jones.