INTERESTING  FROM  THE  SALT  LAKE.

The Difficulty Between the Mormons and Missourians
California Emigrants -- New Mormon Colony -- Pawnee Treaty.

(under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMONS  ON  THE  MOUNTAINS.

Terrible Snow Storm -- Loss of Sixty Cattle -- No Deaths among the Saints.

(under construction)

... Report from Muddy Fork, Oct.18. They crossed the Rocky Ridge, near the summit of the South Pass, with the Wind River chain of mountains on thew north, when it began to snow, etc. Mentions Sweetwater... [Leaders include] E. T. Benson & Capt. Richards...  


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Worcester Fanatics -- Progress of Socialism, Abolition, and Infidelity. It has been known ever since Fourier, Brisbane, and Greeley first promulgated their social theories, that society is all wrong. It is known also that their attempts to reform it have signally failed...

But all of these expedients have been found to be mere palliatives, while a radical reform of society has been the great object of the philosophers, Fourier, Brisbane, Greeley, Big Thunder, Combe, Fowler, Collyer and the Model Artists, the Rochester knockers, and Davis, with his revelations, all having failed, all having proved unsatisfactory, tried separately, what next is to be done? Try them all together.

Here we come into broad, open smooth water. Here the daylight of discovery breaks in upon us as the first glimpse of the great Salt Lake broke upon the Mormons. Here we unbuckle our traps, and go straight to work in shovelling up the gold dust. The old Syracuse engineer jumped up in his nether garment, and shouted "Eureka," and Grubby Greeley answers Abby Kelly at Worcester, with "Eureka." We have got it. Got what? The philosopher's stone--the key to the millenium -- the one thing needful -- the schedule of the final reformation. The Lord be praised.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormonism and Its Increase.

We have received by regular mail, accounts from the Great Salt Lake, Deseret, to the 19th of April, contained in the journal printed there, called the Deseret News, No. 31, published half monthly, by W. Richards. It is filled with the minutes of the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ, of Latter Day Saints, otherwise called Mormons; also, several epistles to the faithful -- clear accounts of the weather -- the political movements of the territory -- interspersed with articles on the value of manure and the growth of beets, advertisements, ordinations, lists of letters, notices, removals, &c., &c. -- all indicating a settled community, under a stable government, influenced by the new religion, and superintended by the general government.

The stride which the Mormons have made in this country is wonderful, and certainly is deserving of some attention. Mormonism, as a sect, originated in this State about 1830, or twenty years ago -- thence passed to Ohio and Missouri, thence to Illinois, and finally settled down in the Salt Lake country, where it appears to be firmly established, and whence it numbers its adherents and devotees by thousands. It was composed of but very few when it was first started; but within a comparatively short time it has made remarkable progress. It has extended its operations, and instead of being confined to one place, it has spread itself to different parts of the country. Its principal resting place, however, is at Salt Lake, between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada, a region which possesses vast agricultral and mineral resources, and is, in many respects, similar to Palestine, in the Holy Land. The increase of the Mormons in that place is remarkable, and, if they go on at the same rate, they will, before many years, be a powerful and influential sect. The communities which they have established in the Northwestern States do not exhibit the same increase, nor the same degree of order, quiet, and respectability, as that of the Salt Lake does. Beaver Island has recently been made notorious in consequence of the gross superstition and villainy of some of the "saints" as they call themselves, who are placed in the position of rulers; but when the wheat is sifted from the chaff there, and the villains are excommunicated, the community will, no doubt, recover its character, and Mormonism will be increased there, and in other parts of the Northwest, and similar regions

The rise and progress of Mormonism in this country presents a singular phenomenon in religious fanaticism, blended with common sense and industrious habits. They show that a revolution is at work in the human mind on the subject of religion, of which they are only a part. It will astonish some of our readers when we inform them that Mormonism has, in this age of boasted intelligence, made more rapid progress, and has more adherents, than Christianity had in the same number of years. The foundation of their faith is a book called the Mormon Bible, a work written by a man of genius, in his hours of leisure, in the same vein, and in much the same language as is used in the Old Testament. It is nothing, in fact, but a religious novel, professing to narrate the wanderings of one of the family mentioned in the Pentateuch. This book of fancy passed into the hands of the celebrated Joe Smith, who was shot in a row in Illinois, The "prophet," as he is termed by his followers, came from Canandaigua, in this State, where he first promulgated the new religion. From Canandaigua he went to Ohio, thence to Missouri -- then to Illinois, where he met his death in the manner stated. He and his followers in Nauvoo became obnoxious to the people of Illinois, a disturbance ensued, the blood of the saints was shed, and Joe Smith was killed.

Finding no resting place in civilized parts of the country, the Mormons at length settled down in the remote Salt Lake country. Since they went there, and since the discovery of the gold mines in California, they have risen to great power -- increased their numbers to an amazing extent; have a territorial government, organized under the authority of the United States, and possess the seeds of further strength and power to an unlimited extent. In many respects, the progress and career of the Mormons resemble those of the Methodists under Wesley and Whitfield, and the probability is that they will go on increasing, until they become one of the leading religious sects of the country, and of the world. At present they are characterised by too much bigotry; but they will become more liberal, no doubt, in course of time, and be as numerous as any other Christian sect.


Notes: (forthcoming)

INTERESTING FROM THE GREAT SALT LAKE.

MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR BRIGHAM YOUNG -- GENERAL EPISTLE
OF THE MORMON CHURCH -- THE CONFERENCE OF THE SEVENTIES.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMON  COLONY, BEAVER  ISLAND.

(under construction)

 


Note: The above article contains a description of James J. Strang's Mormon colony at the head of Lake Michigan. The text will be added when a full copy of the article becomes available.

HIGHLY IMPORTANT AND EXTRAORDINARY

DEVELOPMENT  OF  MORMONISM.

Report of the Judges of Utah Territory to the President
Polygamy and Religion Revived in the West.

To HIS EXCELLENCY MILLARD FILLMORE,
            PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES --

SIR -- It becomes our duty, as officers of the United States for the territory of Utah, to inform your Excellency that we have been compelled to withdraw from the territory, and our official duties, in consequence of the lawless acts and the hostile and seditious feelings and sentiments manifested by Brigham Young, the Governor, and the great body of the residents there, towards the government and officers of the United States, in aspersions and denunciations so violent and offensive as to render the discharge of our official duries not only dangerous, but impractical, and a longer residence in the territory, in our jusgements, incompatible with a proper sense of self-respect, and the high regard which is due to the United States...

We deem it our duty to state, in this official communication, that polygamy, or "plurality of wives is openly avowed and practised in the territory, under the sanction and in obedience to the direct commands of the church." So universal is this practice, that very few, if any, leading men in that community can be found who have not more than one wife each, which creates a monopoly, and which was pecuilarly hard upon the officers sent to reside there. The prominent men in the church, whose example in all things it is the ambition of the more humble to imitate have each many wives, some of them, we are credibly informed and beieve, as many as twenty or thirty and Brigham Young, the Governor, even a greater number. Only a few days before we left the territory, the Governor was seen riding through the streets of the city in an omnibus, with a large company of his wives, more than two-thirds of whom had infants in their arms -- a sure sign that the evil is oncreasing. It is not uncommon to find two or more sisters married to the same man; and in one instance, at least, a mother and her two daughters are among the wives of a leading member of the church. This practice, regarded and punished as a high and revolting crime in all civilized countries, would, of course, never be made a statutory offence by a Mormon Legislature; and if a crime at common-law, the court would be powerless to correct the evil with Mormon juries. The City of the Great Salt Lake, is an important point in the overland route to Oregon and California for the emigrant to replenish his stores, or to winter if overtaken by the advance of the season; but the intimidation which is produced by the denunciations and conduct...
(under construction)


Note: See also: House Executive Document, 32d Congress 1st Session, No. 25, "Utah: Message from the President... Jan. 9, 1852," pp. 8-22, (quoted in Spiritual-Wife Doctrine of the Mormons. Report of the Judges of Utah Territory. Cheltenham, England, 1852).

INTELLIGENCE  FROM  UTAH.

Improvements of the Mormons at Great Salt Lake.

We have received intelligence from Utah, with news to the 15th November. The Deseret News, published at Great Salt Lake City, contains an account of the present state of affairs among the Mormons at that and neighboring settlements...

---

Expulsion of U. S. Officers from Utah.

The United States officers who returned from Utah, have stated that persons were expelled from the territory if they became obnoxious to the censure of the Mormon authorities. The following is a copy of an editorial article in the News, in relation to a regularly licensed trader, who it seems was not well regarded by the saints... . (under construction)


Notes: (forthcoming)

                                            Washington, D. C..
                                            April ?, 1852.

To the New York Herald.
JAMES GORDON BENNETT, ESQ.

Sir: -- I will thank you to print, as soon as you can, the substance of this letter. Considered only as news, it ought to be worth your while. There is a great curiosity everywhere to hear about the Mormons, and eagerness to know all the evil that can be spoken of them...

I will begin with the original and beginning of our troubles, found, to my mind, in the notion that, unlike other populous communities, we are not fit, or have not the right, to furnish our own rulers.... At the very outset of our national career, we had to have strangers sent to govern us. Who of worth and standing at home would venture out to Our distant and undescribed country? Accordingly, the offices went begging among all the small-fry politicians who could be suspected of being fit to fill them. And (as I have heard, after sundry nominations were refused) the following were picked up: --

No. 1. -- A Mr. Brandebury, who brought his recommendation, saying he had studied law in the office of a Pennsylvania county-court lawyer renowned for successful high and lofty tumbling in the support of the United States Bank through a bloodless civil war, but who, in every other respect, exaggerated the recommendation of a Presidential candidate, of being perfectly and entirely unknown.

No. 2. -- Zerubbabel Snow, of Ohio, a lawyer practicing in the interior of that State -- qualifications rather ahead of the others -- willing to come out probably, having kinsfolk among us.

No. 8. -- Mr. P. E. Brocchus, of Alabama, of whom I have again to speak -- character unknown, I hope, to the President -- in the lower purlieus of the District of Columbia by no means entitled to that recommendation.

No. 4. -- B. D. Harris, a smart youngster -- from a Vermont printing office, I think -- for Secretary.

And for Indian Agent, No. S, a lazy little fellow named Day -- with half the head of a Yankee, for he was all the time thinking of a '`trade," and half the heart of a woman, for he would have run from a squaw....

The first we knew of our becoming a Territory was the account of the passage, September, 1850, of the law organizing Utah, which reached us before the year was out. Nothing could exceed the clamorous joy of our citizens at learning that they were thus invited into the family party by their brethren of the Union. Our national flags went up, hailed by huzzas, all over the settlement, and when we hoisted our large one on the liberty pole at Temple Block, in Great Salt Lake City, the artillery saluted it with one hundred rounds, rammed home.

The first actual appearance among us, by personal representative, of the government majesty of the United States, was the arrival of No. 1, as above, which came as much as half a year after (the 7th of June, I think), with a limited amount of personal luggage, including one remarkably large black umbrella, and put up at a boarding house on the outskirts of the town, resorted to by traders and carriers passing through the settlement. We welcomed this from our hearts. We did not fire the cannon at it, having saved this honor for our country's standard, or its enemies Nor did we attend to appearances as well as the French, who made ready for their king by putting white kid gloves on the guide posts' fingers, and a clean cambric ruffled shirt and silk stockings on the body of a criminal hanging in irons. Our means, after all, were limited; but we cordially did our best. As it was the Chief Justice, numbers of us paid him our respects; and, though our calls were not returned, proceeded to get up, after our custom, a Ball in his honor....

We had not unmixed cause to be pleased with our new officials. Their speech and conduct, somehow, from the first, created and spread the impression that they wanted to get extra advantage out of us. They complained, not without reason, of the lowness of their salaries; and it was intimated to some that a vote, by ourselves, of a certain increase would be agreeable. They would not organize court, or go to work, but -- an ill example to our youth -- lived indolent together in their boarding houses, day after day -- the only utterly idle persons in our whole community. Yet, at the same time, they assumed airs and graces, and various manners of condescension and superiority; in which, rest assured, they made a very great mistake. It is an error, the prevalent opinion that we all cleanse the nasal orifice with the big toe, and make tea with holy water. We have among us women who play on the piano and mix French with their talk, and men who like tight boots, and who think more of the grammar than the meaning of what they are saying; and who would ask nothing better than to be fed by other people for squaring circles and writing dead languages all their lives -- albeit we would not give one good gunsmith's apprentice for the whole of them. And, though we are all out-and-out democrats, in spirit and in substance, we have plenty of the hard-to-comb curly-pates of people, of whom the saying is true, that we "have seen better days"; so that if there is any thing we can do, it is to take the measure of sham, half-cut pretensions, and write down their figures. There was one personal infirmity of Judge Brandebury, I am sure, was as much remarked upon with us as it could be anywhere -- even the boarding-house folks were not content with it.

    Affect in things about thee cleanliness,
    That all may gladly board thee as a fewer.

May I hope your readers understand? You see, with our score of spring streams rushing through the city plat, our fresh water lakes, our hot springs, baths and Jordan river, more cleansing than Abana and Pharphar rivers of Damascus -- we think so much of washing -- And soap is not very dear with us either. And we read the scriptures, including Zechariah iii., 8 and 4, where we are taught that the angel would not speak with Joshua before he changed his linen. -- And; whistle! that shirt the Judge had on at our 24th of July celebration, where we did our best to make a dignity figure of him, was the greatest -- it came about as near to being the great unwashed -- considering there were ladies present, it was on the whole, I may say, the most Disrespectful Shirt, ever seen at a celebration. The Judge never stirred out without his big umbrella, not so much to keep the sun off, as to hide out people, no account of his being shy; but, after, this, whenever he was seen dragging about under it, it used to be the joke that he was afraid of rain water getting in on to that shirt. But, of course, no notice was taken of such trifles; and everything went on smooth and glassy as the pool of indolence itself, till after the 17th day of August. -- This day, arrived out from the States, Mr. P. E. Brocchus, and in one short six weeks after that this man staid among us, he was the means of stirring up all the evil report that we have had since to encounter....

To our people at Kanesville, where he stopped for other purposes than outfitting, he proclaimed his intention of running as delegate to Congress. He provided intoxicating liquors gratuitously to those in his company who would listen to his discourse on this subject. He said it was his only purpose in going out to Utah; and that, his election secured, he should return at once. He alluded darkly to dangers impending over us at Washington that only he could avert, and declared that he had come out to enable him to be our saviour. Thus he spoke and electioneered with the people of the train till he met a return company, who conveyed intelligence to the States of the election of Dr. John M. Bernhisel. His tone then changed. As soon as he arrived, he announced his intention of returning to the States. He said he was sick, and supported the character in the eyes of his fellow-lodgers by eating enormously, without taking any outdoor exercise. He was hale and busy enough, to our cost He must have obtained his influence over the others almost immediately after his arrival. They soon removed to the boarding house in which he was quartered; and there evidently, as we think we can see now, concerted their schemes and courses of molestation and mischief. We heard now distinctly more of discontent and dissatisfaction, and more of the insufficient compensation and the rest....

One day Brocchus reminded the Governor that he was going away very soon, and asked him to do him the favor of procuring him as large an audience of the people as possible, as he was very anxious to set before them in style the claims of the Washington monument fund. I do not know how he made out his case; but, as he was always specious and smiling, the Governor, willing to show him a pleasure, said, "I V ill invite you, sir, to speak at our approaching conference. It is a religious meeting, I suppose you are aware; but I wish well to your cause." One of the first buildings we ever raised at Salt Lake, was our Bowery, or gallery of rough timber and wattles, for public assemblies. Around it then was all naked ground, though it now stands in the heart of the business part of the city. Our semi-annual conferences have always met in it; and our Fall one assembling here by stated appointment, September the 6th; at its opening day, a handsome representation of the people from all quarters being in attendance, Governor Young took the first opportunity of fulfilling his promise "I was respectfully and honorably introduced'" says the published statement of Judge Brocchus....

I am certain no one of his acquaintance at Salt Lake City was prepared for such a speech as he made on this occasion. In its way it beat Brandebury's shirt. I would give a hundred dollars for the sake of our cause, to have had a phonographer to take down the stupendous effort. I can only now profess to remember a few points of it, recalled to my memory by the use that has been made of them since. He began by stating that he had read our history with deep interest, particularly that part relating to our sufferings in winter quarters, on the Missouri River, during the severe winter of '47. I intended to have visited winter quarters, he said, but, alas, was not able. A friend of mine brought me these flowers; here they are; it is all I can present you of that sainted place! At this sympathetic display he forced a tear, and, the careless observer would have said, wiped it from his cheek, but Deseret eyes saw the handkerchief pass to the right and left, while the tear remained on the cheek by an overcast of the head. His reception was next referred to. I was a stranger and you took me in; sick, and you visited me, &c. Even a kind lady brushed the flies from my forehead; her kindness I can never forget. -- Another tear was forthcoming, and wiped as before. Twenty minutes of this sort of thing quite naturally introduced the consideration of his personal merits. In the course of an able and flattering autobiography, he displayed all his advantages of experience and public service in important imaginary capacities. This sort of thing took up an hour more, by which the patience of the company was pretty nearly worn out, though they remained quiet. "For more than two hours," he writes, "I was favored with the unwavering attention of my audience."

But a changed tone then came on him, with a change of subject. He began a studied assault upon his introducer, Governor Young, and an argument to the people against allowing the man so much influence as he possessed, the sum of it being that so long as this continued we would have no party divisions, and without party divisions we could not be a worthy object of the notice or favor of politicians. Soon, however he found he could do nothing on this head. "Oh ladies, sweet ladies," he cried, "why do you 'go in' for such a man? Your smiles should be turned on the contemplation of men who can handle the sword -- George Washington, and Zachary Taylor, the second Washington. Oh, Governor Young can't handle a sword!" Even such soft appeals as this were thrown away. From bad to worse, disapprobation rose till the orator was groaned. He tried a few insinuations more, and was groaned again, groaned with a will. At this, instead of taking his seat, he changed his ground, and made a direct and undisguised attack upon the audience itself, men and women, without distinction, accusing them of want of patriotism and attachment to the laws, and reproaching and insulting them to their face. General D. H. Wells, of Illinois, an impulsive and hot spoken man, but I am bound to say one of our most liberal and public spirited citizens, had delivered an oration on the 24th of July, severely condemning the course of the federal government towards us. Producing an imperfect report of this speech and commenting on it, Brocchus proceeded to attribute its sentiments to the people, and make them answerable for it, thereupon threatening them with destruction by the whole army and navy of the United States. In the same way he brought up remarks of Governor Young upon General Taylor, threatening the people with destruction for them also, and declaring that his (Brocchus's) influence should break him from office, the instant he arrived in Washington. Finally, the women hissing him here, he mentioned Washington, for the first time in connection with the monument, and as if merely incidentally. "It reminds me, by the way," he said, "that I have commission from the Washington Monument Association, to ask of you (the ladies) a block of marble, as the test of your citizenship and loyalty to the government of the United States. But in order for you to do it acceptably, you must become virtuous, and teach your daughters to become virtuous, or your offering had better remain in the bosom of your native mountains."

At this climax of insult, the meeting rose as one man, and their cries and uproar compelled the speaker to take his seat. The tumult continuing, we looked to the other officers of the United States, who had been

invited to the stand, to reply; but, as they failed to do so, the Governor being loudly called for, rose and spoke in substance (for I cannot imitate or remember successfully his peculiar style), as follows: -- "But for this man's personalities, I would be ashamed not to leave him to be answered by some of our small spouters -- sticks of his own timber. Such an orator, I should suppose, might be made by down-east patent, with Comstock's phonetics and elocution primers; but, I ask you all; have we ever before listened to such trash and nonsense from this stand? Are you a Judge, (he said, turning to him), and can't even talk like a lawyer, or a politician, and haven't read an American school history? Be ashamed, you illiterate ranter, (said he), not to know your Washington better than to praise him for being a mere brutal warrior. Washington was called first in war; but he was first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen. He had a big head and a great heart. Of course, he could fight. But, Lord! What man can't? What man here will dare to say, with women standing by, that he is a bit more a coward than Washington was? Handle a sword! I can handle a sword as well as George Washington. I'd be ashamed to say I couldn't. But you, standing there, white and shaking now, at the hornets'-nest you have stirred up yourself -- you are a coward; and that is why you have cause to praise men that are not; and why you praise Zachary Taylor. President Taylor you can't praise -- you find nothing in him. Old General Taylor! what was he? -- a mere soldier, with regular army-buttons on; no better to go at the head of brave troops than a dozen I could pick up between Leavenworth and Laramie. And, for one, Ill not have Washington insulted by having him compared to Taylor, for a single breath of speech. No, nor what is more, President and General Andrew Jackson crowed down and forgotten, while I am with this people even if I did not know that one is in one place (of punishment), and the other in another (of reward)." Brigham Young spoke this out of his knowledge by the priesthood.

"What's the meaning," continued the Governor, but more at large than I can give it here, "what's the meaning of this insult of our patriotism? Is it the place of miserable vermin that feed upon its sacred body, to teach us the value of the Union? Sense enough you have to see we are bound to be its best friends. But you shall not go home to say you were never told so. Against the Union, are we? We want to have Saint Francisco on one side of us, and Saint Louis on the other, fighting and scratching like any other two saints of different denominations, do we? And the tax on the foreign goods we use isn't enough, to be sure, but we must want to pay one set of duties at a custom-house in New York

or New Orleans, and then another at Jefferson City, may be, and an. other set again at Council Bluffs. That will help us, won't it? No, Sir. we're not nailed to North or South, or any other point of the compass here. We have come out from the North and South as well as East and West, and we want our old States to stick together, because we intend to stick to the whole of them. And we are just the very people to know what tomfool's nonsense it is, the notion of a minority that expects to get into a tight place, going off for safety into close partnership with its next neighbors. Who does not know that there is more bother with a quarrel some neighbor than with a dozen that live further off. And what is a man's chance if, with a neighbor on each side of him, bent upon mischief, he has no other neighbors to help him keep them straight? It is just the same with States. Let the devil of persecution get abroad against any single one of them, as it did against us at home, and let it be Georgia or Illinois on one side, and North Carolina and Tennessee, or Missouri and Iowa on the other, all ready to join, if one is not enough, to put Charleston or Nauvoo down -- and where is Charleston' or South Carolina either, going to be, if she hasn't then one outsider to help her? Now, tell all this, when you return, to some of your folks in Alabama, where you say you belong; -- though' if you tell them instead' the Mormons want to get up a union with Selkirk's Settlement, or the Hudson Fur Company, or be annexed by the Mexican half-breeds, or the Indians, (say the Crows, or the Blackfeet, or the Snakes), I know they'd rather believe it. -- Snake stories are about all they will believe of the Mormons!" After defining very fully his views after this wise, the Governor concluded, I remember, about as follows: -- "What you have not been afraid to intimate about our morals, I will not stoop to notice, except to make my particular personal request of every brother and husband present, not to give your back what such impudence deserves. You talk of things 'you have on hearsay,' since your coming among us. I,11 talk of hearsay then -- the hearsay that you are discontented and will go home, because we cannot make it worth your while to stay. What it would satisfy you to get out of us I think it would be hard to tell; but I am sure it is more than you'll get. If you or any one else is such a baby-calf, we must sugar your soap to coax you to wash yourself of Saturday nights: go home to mammy straight away, and the sooner the better!"

This is the whole of Governor Young's speech, of which so much to-do has been made. What to make of the strange speech of Brocchus, to this day I am not clear....

We could not go on with the church business after the disgraceful occurrence, and our meeting had to be dismissed and dispersed

After the Brocchus outrage, the story of the misconduct of other officers is Soon related. First, we found out, to our astonishment, that neither Brandebury nor Harris were at pains to condemn or disavow his course. Soon we were threatened that Harris would return with Brocchus; not long after we heard the same ill of Brandebury, and soon after this... their purpose of doing so was formally announced to us, The Governor, upon this, fearing they might be as good as their word, and leave the territory to legal anarchy' called a special session of the Legislature to consider of the exigency There was a rupture at once. They would not communicate with that body or notice its existence. The Assembly passed a joint resolution directing the United States Marshal to take into his custody the papers, seals and funds of the Secretary, as about to abscond. He disregarded it, and applying to Judge Brandebury, who, for this special purpose, constituted a United States Court for the first time, obtained an injunction on the marshal against interfering with him. The two houses passing also a resolution directing an order to be drawn for $500 on account of mileage, stationery, &c., out of the $24,000 placed in the Secretary's hands for such expenses; he refused to accept it, and on the contrary, wrote them back an insulting letter, in which he pronounced his (the Secretary's) opinion that they were illegally elected and constituted. This letter, dated September 25, came to the Assembly next day, or Friday, Sept. 26. What they would have done, or what would have been the course of their debates it would be hard to say. But the officers, as if they feared the Assembly really might take the Secretary's objections for more than they were worth, and resign and be reconstituted, which could have been done in a week -- the next thing we knew, they were off -- Sunday morning, bright and early, September 28, A.D., 1851....

I have concluded my narrative. How far it contains cause of offence, perhaps, I am unable to see; but I am sure it will surprise every one that has perused it, to know that, wretched stitching together of trivialities as it appears, it covers the whole ground of the charges made against us....

I am your very obedient servant,
JEDEDIAH M. GRANT.


Note 1: Late in 1851 four of the federal officials appointed to the Territorial Government in Utah, left the territory and returned to Washington. In a Dec. 19, 1851 letter, these officials complained to President Millard Fillmore of open polygamy being practiced in Utah, and said that the Mormon Church was "overshadowing and controlling the opinions, the actions, the property, andÉ the lives of its members; usurping and exercising the functions of legislation and the judicial business of the Territory." The publicizing of the officials' negative report had an adverse effect on the Territory's image in the east, and Governor Brigham Young soon sent his Second Counselor, Jedediah M. Grant, to Washington, D. C. to bolster the Church's public image. Elder Grant was assisted by Thomas L. Kane in writing letters for publication, in which the Mormons and their leaders might be better presented to easterners. At least three such letters, headed "Truth for the Mormons," were submitted to the New York Herald, but Editor Bennett chose to reproduced only one of them in his paper.

Note 2: As to the charge of Mormons practicing polygamy in Utah, Elder Grant wrote to the Herald, "I pronounce it false." But he also added a revealing comment to his denial: "Suppose I should admit it at once? Whose business is it? Does the constitution forbid it?" Unfortunately this particular passage occurs in one of the 1852 Grant letters that Editor Bennett chose not to reproduce in the columns of the Herald.

THE  MORMON  EMPIRE.
________

THE VERY LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

The news from Great Salt Lake City, the chief place of the Mormon Empire, is to the 8th Feb. We received, several days ago, the Deseret News and private advices to that date. We have already given the leading points of these accounts in the New York Herald... . (under construction)


Notes: (forthcoming)

AFFAIRS  OF  THE  MORMONS.
________

Interesting Letters from the Fathers and Elders of the Church
________

The Trouble with the Government Officers.

                                            Great Salt Lake City.
                                            Utah Terrirtory, May 1, 1852.

James Gordon Bennett, Esq. --

In the Herald of the 9th March, in your comments upon General Grant's reply to the "flying court," or "Babes in the Woods," late of Utah, I see you sagaciously say the Latter Day Saints must "make up their minds to submission to the federal authorities, and come down to the established arrangement of one wife at a time, or abide the consequences of the higher law." -- Now, sir, in all deference to your unique opinion, permit me to dissent, because the constitution has no power over religion, neither has Utah's Congress; "the federal authorities" have no control over morality -- that belongs to the good old book, the word of the Lord, and you know that God allowed any good man, such as Abraham, Jacob, Gideon, David, Solomon, and hundreds of others, a plurality of wives. 'Praise ye the Lord,' and unless all christendom shall, by their 'sacredotal clergy,' petition Jehovah, and repeal king James' repugnant, and as I believe. 'wonderful wiving law,' we shall, as a religious community, hold on to our rights, guarenteed by the constitution & revelation. It is just as virtuous, just as holy, and just as wise, for the Mormons to obey the Scriptures now, as in the days of Moses or Jesus; for Jesus said, 'suffer little childrem and forbid them not to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'

You know also, that among other great promises to the Latter Day Saints, an 'hundred fold of mothers and children' is promised. You could not have the children, unless you had the wives, [and] mothers, to bear them. Some of the old prophets sais 'seven women should take hold of one man,' &c. but I think it is no where said that seven men should take hold of one woman, as it is somewhat fashionable among the elite of many nations.

If you have not received a communication from Dr. J. M. Bernhisel, on the plurality of wives, being a dialogue between Bogus-bus, and the king's fool, call on him for it, and let the people have it, and I think your own wife system will sing as small as our racing Gilipons, or, 'dirty cotton court.' Of two evils, a Mormon chooses neither, but goes in for all good and more good, which, if as Solomon said, a good wife is a good thing, then the more you have the more good you have; so that when suffering female kind, over the great globe, are acquainted with the fact, that, "the daughters of kings are among the Lord's honorable wives in heaven," (Psalm 45,) and on the right hand the queen in gold of Ophir, you will hear of more honorable women clinging to the priesthood [than] you ever thought of, or a narrow contracted christian clergy, drove into corruption by night closetings, because their deeds are evil.

Brother Gordon, look into my almanac for this year, and on the 22d page you will observe an account of the 'Eternal Mother,' -- and on the 37th, 'The Philosophy of the Heavens.' Try a little of the Mormon classics. I go in for Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish and any other language which conveys truth. Should you get the communication I mentioned above, I think that what I have written will do for you and I and others, to circulate that the constitution of the United States, actually allows men and women to love, get and do all the good they can from the Bible, from the Book of Mormon, from the world, and even from one another. 'Praise ye the Lord.'

      Respectfully,         W. W. PHELPS.


Note: Such is the first Mormon attempt at justifying their long secret spiritual wifery. Even the patience and indulgent allowance Editor Bennett generally extended to the Utah Saints must have been taxed in his reading of this communication from "the King's Fool." Bennett's experience in New York journalism stretched back to his days at the National Advocate, when the William Morgan affair was a big story in the press of the Empire State. He was a contemporary of William W. Phelps in the business when Phelps started his anti-masonic Ontario Phoenix at Canandaigua. While Phelps joined the Mormons and "went west," Bennett remained in the east, giving voice to the pro-masonic cause and conducting some of the very first investigative reporting on the origin and rise of Mormonism. No doubt Bennett kept an eye on Phelps over the years, and watched with distaste the man's long, slow downhill slide into obsession and obscurity. After so many years of promulgating lies regarding their secret marital affairs, Phelps' professed love of all "language which conveys truth" must have struck Bennett as both pathetic and comical.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

News from the Plains -- Mormons -- Salt Lake City.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

 
(under construction)

... [quoting Brigham Young] "You must not think, from what I say, that I am opposed to slavery. No! The negro is damned, and is to serve his master till God chooses to remove the curse of Ham."


Note: Brigham Young expressed the LDS Church's doctrine concerning the Negro to John Gordon Bennett's arch-nemesis, abolitionist Horace Greeley, thusly in 1859: "H. G. -- What is the position of your church with respect to slavery? B. Y. -- We consider it of divine institution, and not to be abolished until the curse pronounced on Ham shall have been removed from his descendants. H. G. -- Are any slaves now held in this territory? B. Y. -- There are."

 
(advocates Utah statehood, with polygamy -- under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

(under construction)

... As myself and Mr. E. K. Hanks are the last persons who have come to the States from Great Salt Lake City, I deem it may duty to bear testimony against the lying scribblers who seem to be doing their utmost to stir up a bad feeling against the Utonians. We left our home on the 11th of December, brought the last mail to the States, and certainly should know of the state of things there. The charges of Judge Drummond are as false as he is corrupt. Before I left for the States I was five days in every week in Great Salt Lake City, and I witness to all the world that I never heard one word of the burning of nine hundred volumes of law, records, etc., nor anything of that character, nor do I know, or every heard, of anything of the dumb-boy story he talks of....


Note: The above fragment of a letter from "Elder Little" is part of an article published in the Herald some time between April 15 and May 15, 1857.

 
(under construction)

... [the Mormons] do not confine themselves to sacred music. All the popular songs of the day -- English glees, negro melodies, and even sentimental ballads -- they bring into their service. Their hymns are for the most part sung to familiar "profane" airs....


Notes: (forthcoming)

INTERESTING  FROM  UTAH.

Arrival from Great Salt Lake City of the last Gentile Merchant -- His statement of the Morality of the Mormons -- Polygamy -- Death the Penalty of Seduction -- Treatment of Gentiles -- Federal Officers -- Charges of Murder -- Special Commissioners Expected -- No Preparations for Burning -- Mountain Retreat -- The Army of Defence -- Manufacturing Pistols and Gunpowder -- Colonel Johnson well watched -- Brigham in Business -- The Firm returns unconverted -- Great Emigration from California to Utah -- Indians Saucy and in Arms -- The Indian Chiefs on the War Question, &c.

Mr. Bell of the firm of Livingston, Kinkead & Co., of Great Salt Lake City, having arrived here within the last few days, direct via California and being the last of the "Gentiles" who left that Territory, our reporter sought an interview for the purpose of obtaining reliable information on matters and things generally in Mormondom, and submits the following as the substance of an interesting talk with that gentleman: --

Mr. B. went out to Utah with one of the principals of the firm, in 1849, for the purpose of establishing business relations with the inhabitants of that Territory. Being well received, they immediately opened store, and from that time till the 8th November last, with the exception of six months absence, Mr. B. has been a resident of Great Salt Lake city. From his long residence there, and the nature of his business, throwing him in contact daily with every class of citizens, probably no one who has been to Utah has had better opportunities of forming an opinion of that people, nor could speak with more certainty on the courses of their procedure.

MORALITY OF THE MORMONS.

Of a people as a community, he represents them honest, sober, and very industrious, fully convinced themselves that they are the people of God, and that Brigham is his Prophet. Notwithstanding there are plenty of persons in the Territory who are far from being ornamental to society or models worthy of imitation. Some of the rising generation are fond of a spree, fun and frolic, not over particular how they raise a shindy nor at whose expense they have it. Of this class there are a sprinkling who betimes forget the wholesome teachings of Father Matthew. With all their faults, admitting, he says the legality of polygamy there is, "taking them all in all," not a more moral community in the world than is to be found in Utah, nor indeed any so moral anywhere that he knows of.

POLYGAMY.

The "peculiar institution" is still in its infancy and some irregularities doubtless occur now and again. Some of the fair sex have not got sufficiently acquainted with the traces to run easy and will have their hours of sadness; but as a general thing, the "sisters" have as much faith in the righteousness and divinity of the principle of polygamy as the "brethren," and therewith are contented. "Scenes" that we outside barbarians would naturally expect are of very rare occurrence the patriarch seems to enjoy as much peace at home as the "bachelor" monogamist.

DEATH PENALTY OF SEDUCTION.

Prostitution or seduction is not tolerated in the Territory. Death is the penalty for adultery, for both parties. There have doubtless been transgressors who have escaped; but the non-execution of the law has been, probably more to avoid difficulty with the general government than from a want of will to carrry it through. Should the Mormons be able to assert their independence now, and become a separate people from the united states or become a sovereign state of the Union, the law against the adulterers will doubtless be honored in the observance.

TREATMENT OF GENTILES.

Outsiders or "Gentiles," have not been subjected to abuse or annoyance on account of negative faith in Mormonism. The troubles between the Gentiles and the Mormons have sprung from meddling unnecessarily and unwisely on the part of the former. Many had come to Utah with the idea that the new faith and "peculiar institution" were matters which everybody had a right to criticise, talk about, joke about, ridicule and oppose, and such have invariably got themselves into trouble; but others who have gone there and who have regarded Mormonism and polygamy as matters pertaining to the Mormons and attended to their own affairs, have lived in peace and been respected by the community. That a prejudice exists against Gentiles in general is very certain, but it has no practical results, if they mind their own business.

FEDERAL OFFICERS.

Mr. B. says that he has seen federal officers arrive and seen them leave. He has watched their proceedings but never took part for or against them there; and here he purposes to pursue the same course. Some federal officers were much respected by the Mormons; and they had always amicable intercourse with each other; hence he infers that all might have had the same experience. A federal officer who would go there without prejudice against the people and attend strictly to his own business would have no difficulties; but if he began to meddle with Mormonism; his peace was at an end. No name nor position could shelter him from the contempt of the community. If the Mormons were attacked and they decided on retaliation, they could make the place too hot for the comfort of the offender; and it is not at all unlikely that before the affair ended the sinned against would become the sinner.

Mr. B. thinks it is a pity that special commissions were not sent to Utah to investigate the charges preferred against the Mormons and those preferred by the latter against some of the United States officers. Much interesting information would have been gathered. The fact should not be concealed from the public that the commencement of difficulties has almost invariably sprung from personal matters -- not official.

CHARGES OF MURDER.

Mr. Bell has no doubt of the good faith of some of the recent officials in preferring charges against the Mormon leaders; but on such grave charges as those of those of the murder of Capt. Gunnison, of Col. Babbitt, and of poisoning Judge Shaver, preferred by Drummond, he considers it his duty to protest against the imputation of such crimes being laid at the door of the Mormons. There is no room for doubting the murder of the two former by the Indians far from the influence of the Mormons, and under circumstances which demonstrated that it was entirely an Indian affair. At Judge Shaver's death Mr. B. was called on the Coroner's jury, and there were no grounds for the insinuation of the Judge being poisoned by the Mormons, nor were any such thoughts expressed or entertained by any of the jury, or any person cognizant of the circumstances attending his death.

SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS EXPECTED.

The present position of Brigham Young and the inhabitants of the Territory is the consequence of the past difficulties with such persons as Drummond -- so they believe. They are therefore determined to oppose the approach of the army. Their labors heretofore have been confined solely to crippling and hindering its advance with a view to preventing the effusion of blood. Mr. B. had a lengthy interview with Brigham just previous to his departure and assures us that such was his explanation of the stampeding cattle &c. Brigham thinks that through the winter the government and Congress will have time to consider the matter thoroughly, and, if they wish, withdraw the troops and send in special commissioners. To an investigation, they would never have objected, and he thinks they will not even now object; but to an army entering their valleys under such circumstances, they will not consent; and sooner than the army should enter they will fight, and if overpowered burn all their possessions and take to the mountains. Some have thought Brigham's discourses were for effect outside of Utah, but our Informant thinks to the contrary, and considers that Brigham's works sustain his words.

NO PREPARATIONS FOR BURNING.

The people are devoid of fear touching the future. They are in hopes that there will be no fighting; but if it must come, that victory will perch on the banners of the Saints. Nothing has been done by way of preparation for the burning. Brigham has counseled the Saints in all the settlements to sow, plant, build and improve the same as usual, and he attends to his affairs as before.

MOUNTAIN RETREAT.

This going to the mountains has been learned from the Indians. The Mormons could never whip the indians when they retired to the mountains; so now that they are friendly, the red skins have taught their Mormon brethren mountain warfare and there are numerous places, as Brigham says, where they could retreat and no army could reach them. Echo kanyon, which is considered the gauntlet for Colonel Johnson's army, is really nothing compared with many kanyons leading out from Salt Lake Valley, beyond which the Mormons will doubtless take shelter.

THE ARMY OF DEFENCE.

Three thousand armed Mormons are in Echo kanyon, where they have plenty of timber for fuel and for building shanties; many of which they have erected for their comfort during the winter. It is not intended that they should at any time go out and have a fair stand up fight with the troops -- if war it must be, guerilla will be fashionable. The Mormon boys enjoy camp life and would play a good part at guerilla warfare. This trip to the mountains affords them opportunity of exhibiting their tact and willingness to serve the cause, without which many of them would have remained in the back ground for years to come and perhaps forever.

Lieutenant General Wells dons the cocked hat and plumes, gold epaulettes, gold tinsel fixings here and there, and stripes down the pants; the spurs also do something at glittering. His staff have their military ornamentations and cut quite a dashing appearance in the mountains. Several companies are regularly uniformed; but by far the greater portion of the army is in ordinary dress. The officers generally are in uniform.

MANUFACTURING PISTOLS AND GUNPOWDER.

Shortly before Mr. Bell's departure he visited the Armory, where mechanics were busy in the manufacture of revolvers. They were turning out Colt's holster revolvers at the rate of twenty per week. The Mormons were quite pleased with their manufacture of this article and consider it equal, at least, to Colt's. They have often tried unsuccessfully the manufacture of gunpowder, but they have now got over their difficulties. In October a powder manufacturing company was formed and an excellent sample of the article bad been presented to Brigham and met with his approval. Before they require it, in the spring, they will have it in abundance.

COL. JOHNSTON WELL WATCHED.

The commander of the expedition will not be able to steal a march upon them. Scouting parties are out in every direction. From the mountains round the west south sides of the camp of the expedition the Mormon scouts can see all that is going on without incurring risk. The redoubtable Porter Rockwell told Mr. Bell that he and his company stood on the Fort Hall mountains by the side of which Colonel Alexander was marching his command on the Fort Hall route,, and so near that they could have thrown rocks upon the troops passing. An express leaves the neighborhood of Bridger every evening with an account of the movements of the expedition during the day, and Brigham has it at his breakfast table the next morning, and everything of note is communicated to the people from his office.

BRIGHAM IN BUSINESS.

The firm had extensive business transactions with Brigham -- from first to last probably to the amount of $500,000. They speak of him as an honorable business man, whose word or honor cannot be questioned. An attempt had been made by some parties to trouble the Gentile stores, but immediately on the intelligence reaching Brigham, he and General Wells came and gathered all the information they could, and the following Sunday denounced from the stand the conduct of the offenders, and predictions have since been uttered against all who may be found guilty of stealing, even from the army.

THE FIRM RETURNS UNCONVERTED.

Mr. Bell reports that during his stay of nearly nine years among them he had no difficulty with the Mormons, though he was doubtless regarded as a full blooded Gentile, of whom they could entertain no hope, further than he might yet have the privilege of being boot black or teamster to some of his Utah acquaintance[s] in "The Kingdom to come." When the firm went in 1849 they told Brigham that they had come for business -- wished to have nothing to do with Mormonism, did not want it preached to them, and having stuck to their text they have returned to the States as great Gentiles as when they left for Zion.

GREAT EMIGRATION FROM CALIFORNIA.

Business arranged, our informant, with his lady and child, clerks of the store and others -- in all 16 men and 4 women -- left on the 8th November, by the southern route for California. They met the November mail 10 miles east of Rio Virgin, and with it seven wagons returning to Salt Lake from the lead mines, heavily loaded with precious lead for the "Army of Defence." How many wagons had been on the same errand our informant could not say, it is very probable that they were neither the first nor the last but it is very probable that they were neither the first nor the last.

Two days after, about the middle of the Rio Virgin, the company met five or six wagons with Mormon emigrants from San Bernardino, with horse and mule teams. They were well contented, happy and enthusiastic about going home to Zion. Two days after a larger company of Mormons from San Francisco was met with in a similar position and frame of mind, singing the songs of Zion's deliverance, by the way. On the Mohave river a company with 10 or 12 wagons was met. They had fine mule teams, and were from the upper country -- probably from the diggings. They had in addition to their teams a fine drove of 150 horses. Twenty miles on they met a company with 20 wagons, and came up on the same evening with a company and 15 or 18 wagons. Next evening, at the head of the Mohave river, they came upon several companies in camp with probably 20 wagons. The emigrants seemed well, and appeared a people who had been in comfortable circumstances. Their wagons were very heavily loaded with creature comforts and probably well supplied for the assistance of Zion, as the colony at San Bernardino was among the wealthy Mormons and at such a time the yellow metal is not expected to be tied in a napkin and hid in the ground. Every dime is to be consecrated to the purchase of redemption.

Mr. Bell's company passed next morning over the Sierra Nevada mountains with much difficulty, owing in a great measure to the large number of Mormon emigrants who were to be met with all the way from the mountains to San Bernardino. Probably there were from fifteen hundred to two thousand persons met with on this route. The whole settlement was in motion. Many who had been before luke warm and expected to apostatize surprised the Mormon authorities by selling out and taking the route for Salt Lake.

The call for the "Defence of Zion" has met with a vigorous response in the outside settlements, and the emigrants have taken the road with enthusiasm. The wrongs in Missouri and Illinois warms the blood of those who suffered there or lost relatives in the troubles in those States; in fact the present movement is not the labor of one man or of the leading men; it is the movement of the people. They think they have been trampled upon and that further submission to injustice would draw upon them the just indignation of Heaven.

INDIANS SAUCY AND IN ARMS.

This company was provided with passes, but notwithstanding had great difficulty to persuade "brother Kanosh," the Indian chief, that all was right. Kanosh was in excessive bad humor and his band very much excited. The poisoning of the springs of water causing the death of several Indians, is too true. Several of the California emigrants had been killed in retaliation but the Indians were far from being satiated in vengeance.

Brigham counselled the company to engage interpreters and get the assistance of the bishops in the neighborhood of the Indians, which was wholesome advice, for even with their assistance and Brigham's papers, Kanosh was no more than satisfied. Mr. Bell had frequently seen the Chief at Salt Lake and had been on shaking hands intimacy with him, but with it all, on this occasion, he was very cold and even suspected that Brigham's passes had been forged. They made him what presents of blankets, shirts, tobacco, &c., they could spare, and he escorted them for two days through the dangers of the road. Kanosh was dressed as a citizen but the band was clothed in Indian fashion. They were mounted on good horses, and had fine rifles in addition to their bow and arrows.

THE INDIAN CHIEF ON THE WAR QUESTION.

Kanosh had a word to say on the Utah difficulty. "Washington," said he, (meaning Mr. Buchanan,) "would not like Mormons and Indians to kill Americans; why should Washington send Americans to kill Mormons and Indians?" On Mr. B. assuring Kanosh that he would advise Washington to let Mormons and Indians, alone he seemed amazingly pleased and his services rendered, they parted in peace.

The heavy demand of two thousand dollars for the protection of that company on the trip from Great Salt Lake to Los Angeles, as reported by the Los Angeles Star was a mistake or misrepresentation; that figure was named as the cost of the trip. The interpreters charged high enough unquestionably; but they ought to be fairly represented. Mr. Bell reports a strong prejudice against the Mormons in California.

Mr. Bell found the Indians very favorably impressed towards religious people, or at least professors of religion. The Mormons had their services morning and evening and asked a blessing on their food before partaking. The other emigrants, who were strangers to this observance of the Mormons, were marked as "no good," and found the route to California a dangerous road to travel. In fact it was necessary to be a Mormon or appear to be one, to pass quietly on through the bands of Indians.

Though Kanosh's band and a considerable number of others were favorable to the Mormons, as, in fact, very many of them have been baptized into the Mormon faith, yet some of the tribes are not counted upon as steady friends. Mr. B. relates that only a short time previous to his departure two northern Indians stole a few horses from California emigrants on the northern route. They were pursued, overtaken and one of them was shot; upon which a band of 150 took the road to retaliate upon the emigrants. They did so, killed some and returned with considerable spoil. The Indians had broadcloth for themselves, and silks satins, shawls and gew-gaws for their squaws, with which they immediately clothed themselves. Their vengeance against the whites still unsatiated, they threatened to attack the Mormon settlement at Box Elder and it was only after Lieutenant Colonel Kimball and a company of the military under his command got there that the Indians could be treated with. The Indians demanded some beaves and got them before peace was established.




Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON  WAR.

The Latest News from the Utah Expedition -- Will There Be a
Compromise? -- Views of the English Mormon Organ -- French Opinions --
The Native Indians -- Sketch of Utah Territory, &c., &c., &c.

(under construction)

An express arrived at Leavenworth on the 22d ult., direct from Camp Scott, near Fort Bridger... Brigham Young had delivered another warlike sermon in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, in which he enjoins upon the Saints to stick by him.

Col. Johnston's impression was, from every demonstration made in the valley, that the troops would have to fight.

Added to his own troops (regulars) Col. Johnston has five full companies of volunteers...

The rumored propositions of the Utah delegate, Dr. Bernhisel, to President Buchanan, for the adjustment if the difficulties in that Territory are now the subject of conversation and criticism here... Dr. Bernhisel... that he should have come 3,000 miles from home to sit in Congress without any object to accomplish, is very unlikely. That he should present such an arrangement is neither unlikely nor unworthy of such a journey.

If President Buchanan can get rid of the Mormons by negotiation instead of by the sword, he will find many to sustain him in this measure....

Fanaticism is an unmanageable thing. Once bloodshed, there would be no quarter, and no possibility of arrangement. To calculate on what has been will not serve as a basis for calculations for what shall be in this case. The Mormons have had trouble with their neighbors, and had battles, or something resembling the tempest in a teapot; but the perusal of their organs and the correspondence from the Territory are sufficiently clear to lead us to the conclusion that this is to be the great struggle. They are under the impression that they are fighting for constitutional liberty, and what they call the "kingdom of God." Brigham strenuously maintains that his interpretation of the organic act of the Territory requires him to oppose the approach of armed bands, which he calls the army, unless that he has been notifued of their approach. This is of course regarded as a mere quibble; but it is enough to satisfy the inhabitants of that Territory that he is right, and that they are right in sustaining him in his opposition. No one has shown them the fallacy of their conclusions, and on this Dr. Bernhisel is reported to ground his claim for a commission....

It is probably premature to speak of withdrawing the troops; but that histilities may be retarded to permit of the last effort being made to settle peaceably the difficulty, by vacating the Territory or by some other compromise, is neither impossible nor improbable. You would be astonished to see how many favor this new move, Mormons are no strangers in Washington, and where they have business and relationship they naturally enough do their utmost to set their version of matters forward....


Note 1: The above set of front-page articles contain a very lengthy description of Utah territory, detailed information on the the "Utah Expedition," etc.

Note 2: The New York Herald's "special correspondent" with the Utah Expedition of 1857-58 was Captain Jesse A. Gove. His letters to the newspaper were later reprinted in Otis G. Hammond's 1928 book, The Utah Expedition, 1857-1858: Letters of Captain Jesse A. Gove... In one excerpt Capt. Gove records this bit of wisdom, spoken by Elder Heber C. Kimball: "In our city there are a great many poor women. I am aware of that, and they will be eternally poor, for they waste everything they can get hold of, and they are nasty and filthy... Now you look, when you go out of this meeting, and see if you do not see several of them.... I was speaking to a lady, the other day, about long dresses, and, said she, 'That's the fashion Queen Victoria established;' says I, "What the hell has Queen Victoria to do over here?"

INTERESTING  ABOUT  THE  MORMONS.

... A LINK OF HISTORY.

MORMONISM AND JOE SMITH -- THE BOOK OF MORMON
OR GOLDEN BIBLE.

(From the Troy Times.)

Within our recollection, Mormonism was "a speck, not bigger than a man's hand." The original Impostor, Joe Smith, came to the writer of this article, only thirty-two years ago, with the manuscript of his Mormon Bible, to be printed. He then had one follower, a respectable and wealthy farmer of the town of Macedon (Palmyra,) who offered himself as security for the printing. But after reading a few chapters, it seemed such a jumble of unintelligible absurdities, that we refused the work, advising Harris not to mortgage his farm and beggar his family. But Joe crossed over the way to our neighbor Elihu F. Marshall, and got his "Mormon Bible." -- Albany Journal.

All this is not within your "recollection," Mr. Weed. Mr. Elihu F. Marshall did not print the Mormon Bible. It was printed by Mr. Egbert B. Grandin (now deceased) at the office of the Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra. We happen to know this fact. Mr. John H. Gilbert, now residing at Palmyra, did the press work, and a large portion of the type-setting of the Bible. If Mr. Weed doubts this, we can show him a copy of the first Mormon Bible with the imprint. --Troy Times.


The story of the printing of the first edition of the "Book of Mormon" is truthfully as follows: -- Joe Smith, the pretended prophet, and finder of the original "metallic records," Oliver Cowdery, amanuensis of Smith, and Martin Harris, the "chosen" dupe for the payment of expenses, constituting, as they claimed, the "inspired" nucleus of the dawning "Church of the Latter Day Saints," applied about the month of June, 1829, to Mr. Egbert B. Grandin, the then publisher of the Wayne Sentinel newspaper, and a job printer at Palmyra, for the printing of the book referred to, commonly called the "Golden Bible." Harris, who was a forehanded farmer at that town, an honest and respectable citizen, but noted for his superstitious and fanatical peculiarities in religious matters, was the only man of the party whose pecuniary respectability was worth a dollar, and he offered to give security by a mortgage upon his unencumbered farm for the cost of the printing and binding of the book. Grandin at once advised them against the supposed folly of the enterprise, and with the aid of other neighbors and friends of Harris sought to influence the latter to desist and withdraw his countenance from the imposture. All importunity of this kind, however, was resisted with determination by Harris (who, no doubt, firmly believed in the genuineness of Smith's pretensions), and resented with assumed pious indignation by Smith. After repeated interviews and much parleying on the subject Grandin was understood to refuse to give it further consideration. Harris, it was thought, became for a time somewhat staggered in his confidence, but Joe could do nothing in the matter of printing without his aid, and so he persevered in his seductive arts, as will be seen with ultimate success.

About this time, in the fore part of the year 1829 (as recollected), the same party, or a portion of them, applied to Mr. Weed, of the Anti-Masonic Inquirer, at Rochester (who, by the way. seems in his reminiscences to have confused Mormonism with anti-Masonry), and there met a similar repulse, as stated by the Journal. Mr. Marshall, or spelling book notoriety, who was also engaged in the printing and publishing business at Rochester, gave his terms to Smith, and his associates for the execution of their work, and his proffered acceptance of the proposed mode of security.

The Saints then returned and renewed their request to Mr. Grandin, assuring him that the printing was to be done at any rate, and explaining that they would be saved much inconvenience and cost of travel (as the manuscripts were to de delivered and the proof sheets examined daily at the printing office) by having their work done at Palmyra, where they resided. It was upon this state of facts and view of the case that Mr. Grandin, after some further hesitation, reconsidered his policy of refusal, and finally entered into a contract for the desired printing and binding of 5,000 copies of the book, for the price of $3,000, to be secured by mortgage as proposed; which contract was faithfully performed on his part, completing the work in the summer of 1830, and as faithfully fulfilled in the payment by Harris. Major Gilbert, as stated by the Troy Times, took the foremanship of the printing, and did most of the press and composition work of the job. He still retains an original copy of the book in sheets as he laid them off in a [file] from the press in working. The manuscripts. in Cowdery's handwriting, were carried to the printing office in daily installments, generally by Joe or his trusty brother Hiram, and were regularly withdrawn for assurity and preservation at evening. The pretension was that they were written out by the amanuensis Cowdery from translations verbally given by the prophet Joe, who alone was enabled to read the hieroglyphics of the sacred plates by means of a wonderful stone and magic spectacles that were found in the earth with the "records." In the performance of this task the "chosen" decipherer was always concealed in a dark room, and by special revelation neither Cowdery or any other persons than the said "chosen" was permitted to see the plates on penalty of instant death. Such was the pretension. The handpress which did the printing (Smith's patent) has been in continued use in the Sentinel office since that important era in the rise of Mormonism.

A word in regard to the origin of Mormonism, whose advent has furnished so marked an illustration of the susceptibilities of human credulity even in the present age of boasted enlightenment, may not be without interest in this connection, now after the lapse of some thirty years. As early as 1820 Joe Smith, at the age of about nineteen years, began to assume the gift of supernatural endowments, and became the leader of a small party of shiftless men and boys like himself, who engaged in nocturnal money digging operations upon the hills in and about Palmyra. These labors were always performed in the night, and during their continuance, many marvelous accounts and rumors in regard to them were put afloat in the neighborhood. Joe professed from time to time to have "almost" secured the hidden treasure, which, however, just at the instant of attempting to grasp it, would vanish by the breaking of the spell of his magic power. Numbers of men and women, as was understood, were found credulous enough to believe "there might be something in it," who were induced by their confidence and cupidity to contribute privately towards the cost of carrying on the imposture, under the promise of sharing in the expected gains; and in this way the loaferly but cunning Smith, who was too lazy to work for his living -- his deluded followers did all the digging -- was enabled to obtain a scanty subsistence for himself without pursuing any useful employment.

The silly imposture was persevered in by Smith and the digging performances occasionally continued by his gang without success, for some eight or ten years, when in 1828 or '29 the climax was reached in the discovery of the wonderful golden record of hieroglyphics, of great antiquity, "written by the hand of Mormon upon plates taken from the plates of Nephi," the translation and publication of which are the foundation of Brigham Young's polygamous empire at Salt Lake, were, according to the published testimony of Joe Smith, "found in the township of Manchester, Ontario county, New York."

The intervening annals of the rise and progress of this Mormon imposture, and of the career and martyrdom of Joe Smith, need no particular notice in this sketch, for these are to be found in various forms of recorded history already extant.

The discovery of the pretended ancient plates, "resembling plates of gold," has a significant connection with a scheme of cupidity plotted by one Sydney Rigdon, a deposed clergyman of Pennsylvania. He had surreptitiously possessed himself of a curious manuscript from the pen of a Rev. Mr. Spaulding, late of Ohio -- a romance, written primarily as a pastime exercise during a lingering decline of health, in 1812 and 1813 -- and Smith's marvellous revelation was an opportune event in the furtherance of Rigdon's speculation. Whether the resulting connection of these two conspiring schemes was incidental or contrived, or whether Smith's part in the conspiracy was the invention of his own cunning or the emanation of his co-worker's perverted mind, are questions that have never been satisfactorily settled in public opinion. Spaulding's production, purporting to have been written by one of the lost nations of Israel, recovered from the earth by some miraculous interposition of Providence, was to have been entitled, if published, "Manuscript Found." An effort was made by the writer, shortly before his death, to procure its publication as a source of profit, but no printer could be found of sufficient faith in its paying expenses to undertake the printing. He died in 1816, and Rigdon, with this manuscript dishonestly procured, as before intimated, happening or designedly appearing in Palmyra about the time of Smith's pretended unearthing of the mysterious plates, the two speculations were joined together, and the two well matched schemers conspired to start the fraud from which originated the myth of the Golden Bible or Book of Mormon, with the attendant fame of Joe Smith, and the world renowned belligerent power of Mormonism in Utah.

The pretended translations of Smith were no doubt transcripts from the Spaulding romance as altered for the occasion by Rigdon. The latter was the first preacher of the newly revealed "Gospel according to Mormon," and made his appearance at Palmyra in that capacity immediately after the publication of the book, but his mission was there a dead failure. Whether he is now alive or dead, or what finally became of him, is not publicly apparent. His Mormon fame appears to have been of short duration. Of course there were never any converts to the Mormon gospel at the locality of its advent, beyond the cases of Harris and three or four similar victims of fanaticism or lunacy. Where its founders were known, the imposture was regarded as too stupid for serious notice by any body possessing a rightful claim to common intelligence or sanity.


The above able resumé of the early history of Mormonism, and the circumstances under which its written gospel first saw the light, we copy from the Wayne Democratic Press. It was furnished for that journal by Mr. Pomeroy Tucker, the founder of the Palmyra Sentinel, in the office of which the "Book of Mormon" was printed, and who was personally cognizant of all the facts relating to its origin. It can be relied upon as an entirely accurate statement.

Martin Harris, the farmer under whose self sacrificing generosity Smith was enabled to get his fictitious Bible into print, was morally and pecuniarily ruined by the superstition. He followed Joe Smith, and the deluded fanatics of both sexes whom he was able to gather in Western New York, to Kirtland, Ohio, where he remained some time, but finally for some reason fell under the ban of the Prophet's displeasure, lost caste in the church, and as he had been forewarned by the thoughtful and friendly Grandin, bankrupted himself by his fanaticism.

The plates on which it was alleged the Bible was engraved, as above described, said to have been found by Smith and his companions while they were digging in a hill in the town of Manchester, some three miles from Palmyra, Wayne county, now known as "Mormon Hill." This hill was situated in a detached valley, and being a small, sugar loafed affair, seemed to bear out the declaration of Smith, that it was a mound in which had been buried the scattered remnant of the lost tribe of Nephi. To this hill the Prophet claimed to have been directed by an angel in a vision.

The manner in which Smith translated these plates was by placing himself behind a screen, and putting on a pair of magic spectacles that he found lying in the "mound" beside them, reading them with perfect ease. Oliver Cowdery, his scribe, or amanuensis, stood outside the screen, and as he read, transcribed them in ordinary manuscript. The sheets as they were finished, were taken possession of by Mormons in waiting, and carried thence to the printing office. They carefully watched them during the process of composition, and took possession of the sheets as they came from the press, much in the same manner as bank notes are watched while in the printer's hands, that no extra copies might be issued. Nevertheless, despite his precautions, Smith declares that he lost one hundred and eighteen pages of his Bible. It might be supposed that with his "plates" before him, he could easily have supplied the omission. And so he no doubt would have done, had he really been the translator of the book as he pretends to be. But to explain his inability on this score, he cunningly pretended to have received information from the Lord that his enemies had altered portions of the lost manuscript, with a view of confounding him. and to have been forbidden to re-write it. Some suppose that the one hundred and eighteen pages of manuscript alluded to were lacking in the original copy surreptitiously obtained by Rigdon from the widow Spaulding, and others that he only pretended to have lost them, in order to make a still stronger impression on the minds of the superstitious.

We have before us the "Book of Mormon." It is printed in octavo form, on coarse type, and with a middling good quality of paper. The Prophet precedes it with a preface, in which he alludes to his real or pretended loss of manuscript, in this manner: -- [The 1830 Preface, Testimony of Three and Eight Witnesses, and a few comments follow.]

... Oliver Cowdery was the scribe who wrote the Bible as Smith "translated" it; Harris was the poor dupe who paid three thousand dollars for the printing of the work, and ruined himself by giving Mormonism a "start;" the five Whitmers were respectable farmers; Joseph Smith was the father of the prophet, who previous to this dispensation supported himself by digging and peddling "rutes and yarbs;" Hyrum Smith was a brother who was killed with the prophet at Nauvoo; and Samuel H. Smith is the brother who recently denounced Brigham Young as an impostor, a renegade and a traitor.

And from such insignificant seed sprang the great evil which now on the soil of a distant Territory threatens the troops of the United States, subverts all principles of law, order and social right, builds a mighty hierarchy of falsehood and lasciviousness, and will draw millions of dollars from the Treasury for its suppression. It is a significant fact that this is not the only humbug of the age that has had its origin in Wayne county. The Fox girls first began their toe cracking experiment at a place called Hydeville, in the town of Newark, in that county, within eight or ten miles of "Mormon Hill," and were looked upon by the sensible people of the neighborhood, as were Joe Smith and his followers at the outset of their career, as vulgar and shameless impostors. Yet Spiritualism, like Mormonism, is now a power in the land, and numbers its dupes by tens of thousands. Great is humbug!

Thus we have got upon record all the facts relating to the origin of the "Book of Mormon," as called for by Mr. Weed, and furnished a chapter long wanting in the history of this startling delusion.


Note 1: Thurlow Weed published similar statements, regarding his encounter with Smith, in an early 1846 issue of his Albany Evening Journal and again on July 31, 1854. The May 19, 1858 Weed statement is quoted by Dan Vogel in his Early Mormon Documents, III, but Vogel does not supply the full text. The May 19th paragraph was quickly responded to in a mid-May issue of the Troy Times, (exact date unknown, text reprinted above). Weed, in turn, replied with his own article in the May 21, 1858 issue of the Journal.

Note 2: The "able resumé" referred to above (a May 26, 1858 article by Pomeroy Tucker) begins with the words: "The story of the printing of the first edition..." Near its end, the above account also paraphrases parts of Tucker's June 2, 1858 follow-up article. Tucker's two 1858 articles appear to have supplied the historical kernel from which he later developed his 1867 book, Origin... of Mormonism. The above paraphrase of Tucker, with its quaint "rutes and yarbs" phraseology, was, in turn, one of the sources James H. Smith used for the section on Mormonism (pp. 152-54) in his 1880 History of Chenango and Madison Counties.

The Mormons -- Letter from Judge Cradlebaugh.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 1860.    

Wm. H. Hooper, Territorial Delegate from Utah: --

Sir -- I see from time to time the New York Herald's correspondence from Utah, in which denials are made of the charhes preferred against the people you represent, and false suggestions expressed as to the condition of affairs in that Territory.

Now, to the end that the country may know the truth respecting these matters, I have thought it right and necessary to address you this communication. I assert --

1. That the Mormon people are subject to a theocratic government, and recognizes no law as binding which does not coincide with their pretended revelations as promulgated by their "Prophet, Seer and Revelator," Brigham Young.

2. The have taught, and still teach, treason against the government of the United States.

3. That they practice polygamy in a manner shocking to the moral sense of the world, and aggravate the iffence by incest and murder.

4. That they teach the doctrine of "the shedding of human blood for the remission if sin," as defined by their own ecclesiastical code, and these teachings are carried into practice. The murders of Jones and his mother at Poidtown, of the Parishes and Pitter at Springville, of the Aiken party at Chicken Creek, the mud fort at Salt Creek, and at the bone yard, and of Forbes at Springville, are the natural results of these vile doctrines.

5. That they teach the doctrine and practice it, of castrating men, and have declared from their pulpit, with public acquiescence, that the day was near when their valleys would resound with the voice of eunuchs.

I am prepared here and now with proofs to sustain these charges, unpremeditatedly taken from numberless enormities; and occupying the position which you do here -- a member of the Mormon church, having received your endowments and taken upon yourself the oaths and obligations of the church -- I have to say to you that I will at any reasonable time and place of your own selection meet you face to face before the people and Federal authorities here, ready, but sorrowfully, to substantiate every specification herein contained.

I have a file of the Deseret News, your church organ, running from 1850 to 1859, containing Mormon history of current affairs during that period; and should you accept this proposition for calm, fair comparison of testimony on these subjects before a discerning public, this file will be at your call for reference.   Respectfully,

JOHN CRADLEBAUGH.    

Note: The above letter also appeared in the New York Times of Jan. 21st. The Times reprinted the piece from the Washington Star. See also the Utah Valley Tan of Feb. 22, 1860.

Interesting Utah Affairs.

(under construction)

 


Notes: (forthcoming)

SCHISM AMONG THE MORMONS. -- A serious schism is threatening the Mormons. Mr. Stenhouse, the editor of the Mormon paper, heads the opposition to Brigham Young and has been suspended from the editorship or tne church organ. At Brigham's death it is thought a revolution will be inaugurated that will sweep away polygamy.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

PERSONAL  INTELLIGENCE.
_________

Sidney Rigdon, the reputed author of Joe Smith's Mormon Bible, has been stricken with paralysis at his home in Alleghany county, N. Y. Polygamy was not permitted by Rigdon's Bible...

Note: President Rigdon lingered on for another three and a half years following his decline in health in 1872, before passing on to his great (?) reward. It is a telling fact that little was recalled by the 1870's of his many contributions to Mormonism -- other than that he had been accused of writing the Book of Mormon, and that he was not a polygamist.

A  MORMON  MONSTROSITY.
______

Letting In Light on the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
______

A Participant in the Slaughter Confesses.
______

Men and Women Were Murdered in Cold Blood --
Only the Children Spared.
______

A DEMON'S FLAG OF TRUCE.
______

Horrible Record of Bloodthirstiness
______

U T A H..
______

The Mormon Press on Bishop Smith's Statement.
______

                                               SALT LAKE CITY, Sept 15, 1872.
The Herald (a Mormon Journal) of this city this morning says of Bishop Smith's affidavit on the Mountain Meadows massacre that he is either a murderer on his own confession or a perjurer and calls for his arrest and trial on a requisition from the Governor of Utah. It also protests against charging the massacre on the Mormons as a people.


Note: (forthcoming)

Mountain Meadows massacre. -- [We] deny the assertion of the Mormon organs that he is either a murderer or a perjurer. The Mormon press do not contradict the truth of the suits are about to be commenced the Mormon city...


Note: A wire service item, originating with the Salt Lake Tribune.

THAT  MORMON  MASSACRE.
_____

A Lecturer Bearding Brigham in His Stronghold.
_____

Additional Details of the Mountain Meadow Horror.
_____

WANDELL'S  INTERESTING  STORY.
_____

Why, How and When the Terrible Butchery
Was Accomplished.

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 31, 1873.    

On last evening a lecture was delivered at the Liberal Institute in this city, by C. W. Wandell, ex-Supreme Court Commissioner for the Territory of Utah, on the "Mountain Meadow Massacre." To me it seems absolutely wonderful to look back a few short years and contemplate the horrid deeds that could, With absolate impunity, be perpetrated on all who came within the influence of the Mormon power, when the seeming interest of the Church or the malice of its leaders desired sacrifice; and last night, in its very stronghold and headquarters, to listen to an able lecturer publicly laying the blame of a most hideous atrocity at the door of the men who were in power. It all looks more like a visit to dreamland or a fairy tale than a reality. But it plainly shows that Mormon supremacy is at an end, that even without actual legislatlon (which we hope soon to have on the matter), it would have to "knuckle under" to Yankee progress, even in the far West. Knowing the infuence of your great paper on all public questions, and thinkng it may help to strengthen, in the eyes of the public, the affidavits on the same subject publiShed in the Herald of the 14th September last, I send a

SYNOPSIS  OF  THE  LECTURE.

The lecturer opened by saying that it was originally his intention not to say a word about the ism or Mormonism, but a piece which he read having appeared in the Church organ denying the endowment oath and defying proof, he thought it only right to give that statement a public contradiction and brand it as false; that he himself had, when he first joined the Mormon Church, to take the oath, part of which was "to maintain the priesthood and avenge the blood or the prophets." All of this he did not at first understand, but subsequent events opened his eyes. He then applied himself to the original purposes of the lecture, gave a glowing description of the journey between the island of Santa Cruz, and the Californian coast, and Cedar City, Utah, stating that he was one of a party or train, which was formed early in November, 1857 (four months [sic - days?]after the massacre), bound for the latter place. When they reached San Francisco rumors of a large train having been destroyed by the Indians were afloat. At Fort Tejon, where Captain Carleton was in charge, they first heard of white men being suspected as accomplices in the deed. The captain tried to dissuade them from following the usual and now supposed dangerous route, but they refused to believe the reports and continued [on] their way. As they progressed evidence as to white men having been engaged multiplied and became stronger. On the confines of Nevada, and Utah the party met a man well armed whom Mr. Wandell knew. On being questioned he stated he was merely hunting, but it afterwards came out that he was placed there as a sentinel to pick off any stragglers who may have escaped the massacre. Thus the lecturer continued, leading the audience step by step along the route he then travelled, giving vivid descriptions of places, and weaving in interesting incidents of the journey. At one place

THEY  FOUND  THE  WATER  POISONED,

one of their animals having died five minutes after drinking it, and though they had but a small quantity with them and had a dreary desert before them which they should traverse, they were forced to proceed without being able to replenish supplies. The horror experienced by this party at the scene of the massacre it was impossible to describe. Evidences were lying thick around. An attempt had been made to bury the dead, but it was a very poor one. Skeletons of men, women and children were lying thickly around, as well as broken wagons, furniture and bones of animals. The lecturer described himself as having taken up one of the skulls (evidently a woman's, pierced with bullet holes, and fitting thereto tresses he found lying a few yards off. The impression produced, he said, could never be removed, and he then and there vowed he would sift out the truth of the whole affair.

PERSONNEL  OF  THE  UNFORTUNATE  BAND.

In part second of his lecture, Mr. Wandell described how in the Summer of 1857, in the northwestern part of Arkansas, a camp was formed, and as splendid a train, as far as fittings and personnel was concerned, as ever crossed the plains, was got together. It was composed, it is believed, of about one hundred and twenty-seven souls in all. All were comfortable; but many were persons of property, who took not only comforts but luxuries -- beautiful furniture, carpets, splendid clothing, jewelry -- one family actually having a splendid piano, which could, he ventured, almost confidently, to say, be found, if proper search were made, at present in Salt Lake City. Their intended destination was California; but they were fated never to reach it.

WHY  THE  BUTCHERY  WAS  ORDERED.

They travelled by easy stages, and were all in such good spirits when they reached Salt Lake that they dressed out with flashy ribbons a beautiful animal of the bovine species and called him, in honor of his long-tail family, "Brigham Young." The joke touched a sensitive part of a certain high personage and the eyes of the autocrat were brought directly to bear on the emigrants. In consequence of Johnson's threatened invasion, as it was called, the Territory was placed by the Governor under martial law. Various rumors to excite and frighten the people were set afloat. Brigham exercised supreme authority, and under this authority the high-spirited, independent travellers, who dared to desecrate his name in his very stronghold and make a laughing-stock of it before the eyes of his people, were immediately ordered out of the Territory without giving them time for refreshment, or the privilege to purchase necessaries. Brigham's aide-de-camp preceded the travellers, warning the Mormon settlers to have no intercourse with them and not to sell them necessaries, under pain of severe penalties. Thus they were greatly incommoded, and it was only under the friendly shelter of night ands by great caution and secrecy that they could procure the merest necessaries. A little Englishman, named Mitchell, who had brought some provisions to the camp was prevented selling them by the Bishop's son drawing a knife on him and using threats. But at Beaver they met a whole-souled woman, Mrs. Curshaw, who, to her everlasting honor be it said, sold them everything she could spare, and did them other kindnesses, in spite of the Bishop's threats. Though they were then travelling on the main and public route, the road having cost the United States government $25,000, after leaving Beaver they were obliged to deflect from it and take another and less open course, for What purpose may be easily surmised.

THEIR  FATE  WAS  NOW  SEALED.

At Cedar City they were allowed to purchase wheat and corn and get them ground, as they were sure not to be allowed to consume them. When they started from here three young men requested to be allowed to join them, stating they were Mormon apostates and in great poverty, and could not possibly get out any other way with safety. They were treated kindly and hospitably, but what return did they make? They acted as spies, and every night communicated with Mormon emissaries. One night, after they had left Iron creek (three days journey from Cedar), while conferring in the sage bushes with Bill Stewart, two men of the train party approached. Bill ordered the young man to mark one and that he'd "take down" the other. Bill fired and shot his man. The young man's heart failed him; he was not yet hardened in crime, and Bill angrily snatched away his gun, took aim and shot the second man. This was the commencement of the tragedy. They soon after reached the fatal spot, but before they could get within a mile or so of the spring at Mountain Meadow were designedly

FIRED  UPON  TO  BRING  THEM  TO  A  HALT.

out of the reach of water. When they saw the hostile demonstrations of what they at first took to be a hostile band of Indians they immediately corralled their wagons, took in the animals, piled bedding, furniture, &c. on the inside, dug out the centre of the enclosure, the loose earth acting as a breastwork, and put the women and children into the excavation for safety. For three days they stood the siege with hardly any loss, but they suffered fearfully for want of water. All expedients to get it had failed. As a last resource the dressed two of their little girls in white and sent them to fetch a pail of water, vainly thinking their years and innocence would protect. them. Foolish thought! The children were not allowed to reach the spring alive. On the morning of the fourth day a flag of truce was sent them, saying that if they surrendered and laid down their arms they would be allowed to pass in safety out of the Territory. They had no alternative but to accept these terms, or otherwise perish slowly for want of food and water, as every Mormon who could bear arms above the age of sixteen had been called out and they were that morning told by the person in command, whom the lecturer said was John D. Lee, that he had

ORDERS  FROM  HEADQUARTERS  TO  KILL  ALL

belonging to the train, except the children. After the surrender the men were separated from the women and made to lay down their arms, and all were then marched off, well guarded. When they had proceeded about half a mile the command "Halt" was given. Then came the order to "fire," and the fearful work of destruction commenced. Out of that beautiful band only seventeen children were allowed to live. Then came the division of the spoils and the pillage of the dead. Men, women and children were stripped naked and left exposed on the plain for the ravenous birds and beasts of prey to feast on. Two of the children were soon after put out of the way for making "certain remarks."

THE  MURDERERS  RECEIVING  THE  COMMUNION.

Three weeks after this shocking tragedy, on the 15th [sic] of September the Mormons met in solemn conclave in Salt Lake City. Was it to institute inquiry by order of the Governor? No; but John. D. Lee and Isaac Haight had come up with their spoils -- 400 head of cattle -- the proceeds of the sale of which were turned over to the Church store, and they were to receive the sacrament in public. With Brigham at the communion table, to show their innocence, and to receive the assurance that their fidelity had been proved and appreciated. I sincerely hope that no part of our noble country will ever again be disgraced by the record of such a damnable deed.   D. W.


Note: See also the Herald for May 18, 1877 and "Charles W. Wandell's 'Argus letters'"

LEE'S  CONFESSION

(under construction)

The Mormon Murderer Lee's Confession --
More Light Wanted.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

VENGEANCE.
_____

Execution of John D. Lee at Mountain Meadows.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

LEE'S  CONFESSION.
_____

Evidence Accumulating That It Was Garbled by the
Law Officers in the Interest of Brigham Young.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

BRIGHAM  YOUNG.
_____

How Time Reveals His Responsibility
at Mountain Meadows.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON  UPRISING
_____

Brigham Young Preparing to Resist Arrest.
_____

AROUSING  THE  NAUVOOS
_____

Reorganizing and Equipping the Famous Legion.
_____

DISTRIBUTING  ARMS.
_____

Drilling and Midnight Meetings In and Near Salt Lake.
_____

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.]

SALT LAKE, Utah, May 4, 1877.      

The indignant feeling aroused throughout the United States by the testimony at John D. Lee's trial relative to the Mountain Meadows massacre has led the Latter Day Saints to apprehend the arrest Of Brigham Young and other heads of the Church who are accused of sanctioning the commission of that horrible crme. The Saints have detemined to resist any movement against Brigham Young by the federal authority, and to this end they are secretly arming and drilling throughout the Territory or Utah. Orders have been privately issued by the military commanders of the famous Nauvoo Legion requiring that dilapidated organization to be in readiness for active service on the 21st of the present month.

A  SIGNIFICANT  ORDER.

The following is an exact copy of an order from Colonel William H. Dame, one of the chief men indicted for participation In the Mountain Meadows slaughter: --

REGIMENTAL  ORDER -- NO. 1.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST REGIMENT,}     
IRON MILITARY DISTRICT,     }     
PAROWAN, U. T., April 13, 1877.  }     

To - FIRST REGIMENT INFANTRY:--

In pursuance to orders -- First, you are hereby directed to cause a muster drill and inspection of arms of your company, to be held on its respective parade ground on the 21st day of April, A. D. 1877

REORGANIZE.

Second -- As far as your company is disorganized, or In a partial state of disorganization, you will cause an election of officers to be held promptly and the ranks to be filled without delay by enrolling all persons liable to military duty not now enrolled.

REPORT  IMMEDIATELY.

Third -- You will make out the returns of the condition of your company as soon as possibie and forward them to the headquarters of the regiment.

WILLIAM H. DAME,    
Commander First regiment.    

JOSEPH FISH, Adjutant Iron Milltary District.

Preparations for hostilities are particularly active among the southern settlements, to which four boxes of breech-loading rifles were shipped last week from the co-operative store in Salt Lake City.

DRILLING  AT  NIGHT.

Night meetings and drills of squads of Mormons are going on in Salt Lake City itself, and it is reported some of these proceedings are conducted within an inclosure, in the immediate vicinity of Lion House, where Brigham Young resides.

Brigham Young has boldly asserted within the last few days that the Mormons, who have been driven so often and so far, will be driven no longer. It remains to be seen how far General Emery, Governor of Utah, will sulfer these seditious preparations to go.

---

Fresh  News  From  Utah.

The intelligence from the Salt Lake country which we print to-day will attract wide attention. there is a piece of news of remarkable significance. The Mormons are industriously reviving and perfecting their military organization, and secretly arming and drilling their able-bodied men. The explanation given by our correspondent of these busy and clandestine military preparations is an apprehension that Brigham Young will be arrested as an accomplice in the Mountain Meadows massacre, and a determination on the part of the faithful to protect and defend him to the last extremity. The whole Mormon community is sensible of the feeling kindled against it by John D. Lee's confession, and the Saints have formed a desperate resolve to stand their guard.


Notes: (forthcoming)

INTERVIEW  WITH  BRIGHAM  YOUNG.

Cedar City, April 30 1877. -- Having received at Salt Lake on the 12th inst., a telegram from Brigham Young, saying, "If you come quick you will find me at St. George," I started early next morning on the journey leading in that direction, across the vast deserts, over the wintry divides and through canyons of Southern Utah. A second dispatch apprised me on the way that the President would leave St. George for the north before I could possibly arrive there. Cedar City, the remote little Mormon settlement from which this letter is written, was appointed as the place of meeting. Here at the foot of an enormous mountain, looking westward across a desolate plain toward the scene of the Mountain Meadow massacre and of John D. Lee's execution, I was welcomed this morning at the home of the the hispitable Mormon Bishop Henry Lunt. Late in the afternoon President Brigham Young and his party, in a train of five carriages, drawn by four mules or horses draw up at the Bishop's home. As evening descended lights shot through the windows from the broad fireplaces within, and a supper was spread in the dining room amid sounds of jollity and cheer.

Shortly before eight o'clock, having returned from a long walk, I entered the house and was introduced to John W. Young, who prepared the way for my audience with his father, the President. Crossing the hall, he led me into a large or grand room. beaming withlight from logs of pine and cedar, and containing a small and distinguished company. Near the walls sat or stood several Mormon elders of this and neighboring districts. In front of them two or three bishops were seated. Grouped around the centre table were several of the most elevated dignitaries among the latter day priesthood. John W. Young, First Counsellor of the President, took a seat with his back to the fire, looking as handsome, as wise and amiable as he is really known to be. Brigham Young, Jr., was not present, being conifined to his bed by illness. To the right of John W. Young sat Daniel H. Wells, Vice President, his great head, iron gray hair and beard and resolute features making a picture of themselves. Wells was one of the earliest Mormon emigrants across the plains from Nauvoo, and has since been among the strongest defenders of the latter-day faith. He commanded the Mormon army which checked the advance of Johnson's troops, 1857-58. Opposite Wells lounged in his overcoat, and at his accustomed ease, George Q. Cannon, First Apostle of the church and Delegate of the Territory to Washington. His face glowed with a benevolent expression and his manner showed all that politeness which is natural to him. In the furthest corner and in shadow, however, sat the most commanding person in the room. Brigham Young never looked more thoroughly like the patriarch that his people love to call him than he did on this occasion. His tall, broad form was enveloped from shoulder to feet in a robe or cape of dark cloth generously edged with fur, a glimpse of the red lining of which showed from a corner turned up over his shoe> He wore a hat of peculiar shape, yet not unbecoming to his looks or to denote his dignity. Under his pale and pleasant face was revealed a spotless cravat, and the huge collor of silver fox which flared away from his throat and back behind his head set off his features finely.

My reception in the "Grand Room" was graceful and hearty, and after I had been introduced as "Mr. ____," who represents the New York Herald, I was placed in the vacant seat at the centre table.

The followitng conversation then took place, lasting without intermission nearly three and a half hours. I opened it by describing as accurately as I could the excitement, in the East and West, caused by recent developments in regard to the Mountain Meadows massacre, and the strong disposition evinced in some quarters to fix responsibility on President Young. I instanced especially Lee's testimony respecting George A. Smith, one of the twelve apostles at that time, whom Lee asserts went forward ahead of the Arkansas emigrant company, preaching against them and and stirring up the feelings of the people against them, until the timee was ripe for their destruction.

Brigham Young -- George A. Smith visited this whole southern region regularly, and held meetings as we are doing now. In fact he was the founder of Parowan -- the first settlement to the north -- on his way home northward. This was the year of the massacre. They met the company of the Arkansas emigrants not far from Fillmore. It was at Meadow Creek, I believe. Some of the emigrant company came up to him and passed some remarks inquiring about the roads &c. Brother George A. Smith gave them all the desired information. Some of the cattle belonging to the company died, which they poisoned, and from the effects of the poisoned meat some of the Indians who found and consumed the carcases died. These carcases also poisoned some springs. This raised the wrath of the Indians.

Here President Young turned to Daniel H. Wells, his second counsellor, saying, "Brother Wells, do you remember if Brother George A. was down here at that time for any thing special?"

Daniel H. Wells -- No, sir, he was not. He was preaching in the settlements between here and Salt Lake, as we usually do. He had part of his family living in Parowan, having built a residence there, and his being here was only one of several visits.

Brigham Young -- Brother George A. Smith's testimony in regard to this is published to the world, and I believe it to be true. It can be found among Howard's reports. George A. Smith knew no more about that company or about their being interfered with than you did in New York. Had he possessed that knowledge I would certainly have heard of it, for he would have told me of it. He knew nothing about the company until he met them on his return north near Fillmore. There was at that time no telegraph line running down here; no mails were carried to Utah. The United States government had stopped the mails, and we had no mails running from settlement to settlement as we have now.

Correspondent -- The conviction is settled in the east, especially by the testimony on the Lee trial, that there was some powerful direction of the part taken by the whites in the massacre. This conviction has strengthened by the statements in Judge Cradlebaugh's speech.

Brigham Young -- There is no doubt that the affair was directed by John D. Lee, and he evidently was a white man.

Correspondent -- It appears incredible to outsiders Lee would have undertaken a task like that on his own responsibility; the responsibility attaches in their opinion, to the Mormon Church, even to its highest individual officers.

Brigham Young -- My disposition is such that had I known anything about it I would have gone to that camp and fought the Indians and white men who took part in the perpetration of the massacre to the death, rather than such a deed should have been committed.

J. W. Young -- John D. Lee in his testimony, says he informed President Young of the affair when he visited Salt Lake City. I happened to be present when he came in father's office, and I was present during the interview. He commenced to relate the circumstances of the Indians killing the emigrants, but did not intimate a single word about the whites taking part in the killing. When he commenced to speak of the manner of the deed father stopped him, saying that the rumor which had already reached him was so horrifying that he could not bear to hear a recital of it

Brigham Young -- I never knew the real facts of this affair until within the last few years. I myself proposed to Governor Cumming, who came here soon after the massacre, to render him and Judge Cradlebaugh every assistancein hunting up the perpetrators and bringing them to justice, and if Mr. Cradlebaugh knows anything about this affair he must know that to be true. That proposition was made in the spring of 1856 [sic - 1858?].

Daniel H. Wells -- There are plenty of witnesses to that, for I heard him make it in public.

Correspondent (to Brigham Young) -- What of your own experience as Governor and ex-officio Indian Ggent at the time?

Brigham Young -- Governor Cummings took it away from me. This point too was difficult to reach from Salt Lake, and besides, according to the rumors that reached us, the people thought themselves that they would do well if they escaped the vengeance of the United States troops. The burden of these rumors was that the Mormons were to be massacred.

Correspondent -- To what do you ascribe the massacre?

Brigham Young -- If you were to inquire of the people who live hereabouts, and lived in the country at that time, you would find, if it should be according to what I have heard, that some of this Arkansas company boasted that they had the promise from the United States that the Mormons were to be used up by the troops, and that they had boasted, too, of having helped to kill Hyrum and Joseph Smith and the Mormons at Missouri, and that they never meant to leave the Territory until similar scenes were enacted here. This, if true, may have embittered the feelings of those who took part in the massacre, and the probabilities are that Lee and his confreres took advantage of those facts and the disturbed state of the country to accomplish their desires for plunder, which under other circumstances would not have been gratified.

Correspondent -- Have you an opinion of Klingensmith's testimony?

Brigham Young -- I do not know anything about it.

Correspondent -- How was it that Lee was at last and not at first, convicted by a Mormon jury?

Brigham Young -- the supposition is that there was not evidence enough against him at the first, that there was sufficient evidence against him at the last trial, and that the people of Utah could not obtain justice with any other jury.

Correspondent -- considering that your people believe thaey get their inspiration through you, do they not consider themselves responsible to you for their acts? What excuses them for crime?

Brigham Young -- what causes me to steal or commit any sin? Do I prompt them? No; but the devil and his agents do. All evil doing is to our covenants and obligations to God and to one another as members of the Church.

Correspondent -- Do you believe in blood atonement?

Brigham Young -- I do, and I believe that Lee has not half atoned for his great crime. The saviour died for all the sins of the world by shedding his blood, and then I believe that he who sheds the blood of man wilfully, by man shall his blood be shed. In other words capital punishment for offenses deserving death, according to the laws of the land. And we believe the execution should be done by the shedding of blood instead of by hanging. If the murderers of Joseph Smith were to come to me now, giving themselves up, I would not feel justified in taking their lives, but I would feel justified in having them taken to Illinois and there tried for murder.

Correspondent -- Recurring to the Mountain Meadows massacre, you are satisfied that Lee could not have received any previous intimation from the north as to what might be done in the cease of the Arkansas company who were coming down from Salt Lake?

Brigham Young -- None that I have any knowledge of and certainly none from me.

Correspondent -- You did not give any direction whatever as to the disposition of the emigrants' effects?

Brigham Young -- I knew no more about them then you, nor do I to-day. I have heard that they have been made use of, which I suppose is correct, Klingensmith, who was a Mormon and an acting bishop, [I suppose] shared in the spoils, and because he held such a position it is believed that the Church used it

Correspondent -- Was he the Church?

Brigham Young -- No, he was only a poor miserable sinner.

Correspondent -- In this southern country do the Bishops exercise the functions of Justices of the Peace?

Brigham Young -- I do not know that any of them do; and if any do it is not because they are bishops, but because they are elected justices according to the laws of the land.

Correspondent -- The Mountain Meadows massacre was so unique that many curious questions are asked in regard to it -- for instance why were the Indians angry against the Arkansas emigrants only? Other emigrant parties were passing through the country and were not molested.

Brigham Young --As I understand it, for poisoning the water and poisoning dead cattle, which some of the Indians afterwards are of and died. I would, however, refer you to the settlers of Crow and Meadow creeks, who lived there at the time.

Correspondent -- Is it true that George A. Smith advised the people not to sell their grain?

Brigham Young -- We have been scarce of breadstuffs, and the nature of his counsel was not to use their grain for feeding animals, neither to sell it to emigrants for that purpose; but no such word was ever uttered by him not to sell it for breadstuff. We have always made a practice of selling wheat and flour to the emigrants for food ever since we came here and I will say that I am at the defiance of the world to prove that the heads of the Church had anything to do with the Mountain Meadows massacre.

Correspondent -- with regard to Haight and Higbee. Have you anything to say as to their reasons for getting out of the country?

Brigham Young -- No sir. I presume however, they are trying to evade the law

Correspondent -- You do not consider yourself in the least degree responsible for them?

Brigham Young -- No, sir; not any more than Mr. Beecher or any man of your city is.

Correspondent -- It is understood at the East that the Mormon Church is a structure far more closely cemented than this would imply -- an exclusive organization, standing in the midst of the continent, and governed from the head downward by a system which renders its leaders peculiarly responsible for the people over whom they preside?

Brigham Young -- If the people over whom I preside do as I tell them to do there never would be such occurrences. But if a member of our church lies, cheats, steals or kills his neighbor, Brigham Young is not responsible for his evil acts any more than, if a Catholic were to kill, the Pope of Rome would be responsible for his crime. I am responsible only for the doctrines I teach; but I cannot make people do right unless they choose to. I am responsible for no man's acts save my own.

Young Person (in shadow) -- Then under no circumstances does the power of the President of the Church of the Latter-day saints extend so far that men's lives are at its mercy. For example, were you today to say, "Let such a person be killed," would the wish be in any instance compililed with?"

Brigham Young -- If I were to say. "Kill this or that man," I myself would be a murderer; or to say, "Take such a person's money," I would be a highwayman.

Correspondent -- Yet, is it possible that such a thing could be?

Brigham Young -- It never has been tried.

Correspondent -- I want to find out what is the power of the Mormon Church.

Brigham Young -- The church has no power to do wrong with impunity any more than any single individual.

Correspondent -- Yet we know, do we not, Mr. President, that such power has been exercised in the world's history?

Brigham Young -- You ask a question that does not apply to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Daniel H. Wells -- Judge Brocchus once said that if Brigham Young "had crooked his finger," &c. he (the Judge) would have been torn to atoms; but all there was to that was, President Young did not crook his finger.

Correspondent (to Brigham Young) -- what of the alleged order of Danites?

Brigham Young -- That is all folly.

Correspondent -- Then as to the extent of the temporal power of the Church?

Brigham Young -- It extends only as far as membership is concerned. I may, however, advise a man how to build or improve his garden or field, and if he chooses to he may either receive it or reject it without involving his fellowship.

Correspondent -- Does not the temporal government of the Church in extreme cases, assume the functions of courts?

Brigham Young -- We have what we call bishops' courts, which to referees in ordinary cases of business, and in cases of disagreement between members or immoral conduct. From these courts cases may be appealed to our High Council, which consists of a president, two councillors and twelve members. Their power extends no further than membership in the Church is concerned.

Correspondent -- How far does the authority of the Church go in dealing with cases of apostacy?

Brigham Young -- We have nothing to do with them; we let them seriously alone. They say the Church authorities injure them. They lie. We have no dealings at all with such men, for their acts prove their unworthiness of membership in our Church.

Correspondent -- How do protect your faith outside influences -- how do you keep it isolated?

Brigham Young -- We are different from all other Christian sects. We are believers in the Bible, as well as all the revelations the Lord has given to the children of men, as contained in the Old and New Testament, Book of Mormon, and Book of Doctrine and Covenant, and also what he reveals through his authorized servant when speaking or preaching under the influence of the Holy Ghost. When a man speaks by that spirit it is revelation, and if his hearers are possessed of the same they are able to judge of the correctness of what he says. Job says, "There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding." This is what I refer to. The object of my labors among the people is to get them the truth, and the whole truth, as it has been revealed. And they must live so that this good spirit can bear witness to them. Were it otherwise I might deceive them; but as long as they have this spirit no man can deceive them.

Correspondent -- You, like the old prophets, receive direct revelation from God?

Brigham Young -- Yes, and not only me, but my brethren also.

Correspondent -- Does that extend to all the Church without reserve or rank?

Brigham Young -- Yes, and it is just as necessary for the mother to possess this spirit in training and rearing her children as for anyone else.

Correspondent -- It is not absolutely necessary, then, that each person receive revelation through you?

Brigham Young -- Oh, no; through the spirit of Christ, the Holy Ghost; but to dictate the Church is my part of it.

Correspondent -- And your authority to dictate is given directly by heavenly inspiration?

Brigham Young -- Yes, I can relate a little circumstance which explains that and which may be interesting to you. When I, with others of the Twelve, was sent to England on a mission in the year 1840, I frequently asked Joseph Smith how we should do this and that? Said he: -- "Brother Brigham, I want you to understand doctrine as it is. When you reach England the Lord will teach you what to do, Just as he teaches me how to act here." This I found to be verily true. Brother Heber C. Kimball and I started on that mission in poor health, without money and without clothes. My family, too were sick and but poorly off, we having been driven from our houses in Missouri. We started from Terre Haute and travelled to Ohio; every place I stopped I found money in my trunk, and our expenses only amounted to $86, and as I live I had no more than $13.50 when I started. I have one gratification --- when I tell people that anything is true, they know it is true just as well as I do.

The prophet whose massive figure occasionally swerved and trembled in its seat in the shadowy corner I have spoken of, lifted his face and both his hands with this last utterance, making an impressive and reverent gesture.

Correspondent -- If all members of the Mormon Church are thus endowed with divine vision, how is it possible that any number of Mormons could have brought themselves to the commission a crime as the Mountain Meadow massacre, if they did not find an excuse for doing so in their own faith, or if they did not believe it would be approved by the Prophet?

Brigham Young -- Because the men who did it were wicked.

Correspondent -- What defect is there in the organization of your Church that it allowed the prepetration of that deed to go without instant punishment?

Brigham Young -- That was a matter that pertained to the law of the land. That alone inflicts punishment. There is no defect in the organization of the Church -- the defect was in those who took part in the massacre. The laws of the land are good, but still men do not always keep them. The Saviour says that "the wheat and the tares will grow together until the harvest." If we had none but good men among us such sad experiences would never happen, but because we have some wicked men, should we be blamed for their actions?

Correspondent -- Were not some of the men who figured in the massacre chiefsin your Church?

Brigham Young -- Lee was a farmer among the Indians, but held no presiding office. P. K. Smith however, was an acting bishop.

In regard to the participation of the Indians in this affair, the following conversation took place --

President Young -- When I was at St. George, General C. C. Rich of Bear Lake, told me that he met part of this company in Salt Lake City; he had just come in from California, having traveled this southern route. And talking with me he told me that he advised them to go north, and he believed they went as far north as Bear River. They returned, saying they would take the southern road. They lay idle over six weeks, when they should have been traveling, and when they moved they moved slowly; and it was believed, for they said it themselves, that they were waiting for the arrival of the army. It was very noticeable that they did not hurry along like other emigrants.

Daniel H. Wells -- And that company, remember, was not in the Territory when George A. Smith left Salt Lake to make his southern tour. How then, could he, as has been said, kill the people by arousing a malicious feeling against the emigrants -- saying they poisoned springs &c. -- at a time when the emigrants were hundreds of miles away, when he had not seen any of them, and no one knew any of their names, and when the emigrants themselves had not yet determined upon their route through Utah? Parties travelling to California either take the northern route, by way of Bear River, or the southern route, which they took. As for the advice about not selling grain, that was founded on a principle having no particular reference to individuals or classes. When he went back to the city Brother George A. Smith met these emigrants at Meadow Creek, as the President has stated. They were afraid of the Indians, and they came to him asking if he was not afraid of Indians, and he answered no, and then they turned out their horses too at Meadow creek. He was informed of the conduct of these emigrants in Utah also; that one Indian had died from the effects of eating poisoned meat, and that they had tied one Indian to a wagon, kept him there some time and whipped him, which made them mad. Of this be true, and I have no reason to doubt it, what could we do about it? We had all we could do ourselves to keep peace with the Indians at that time, in 1856 and 1857. Our crops failed, and from that time more or less until now have the people been counselled to care for their grain, and not dispose of it unless in case of necessity.

Brigham Young -- The thousands of emigrants that have passed through here can testify that we have always sold food to them, even in times of over-scarcity. And although I have been offered $1 a pound for flour, I have never taken from them more than the ordinary price.

Daniel H. Wells -- The truth about this Mountain Meadows massacre, sir, is that it was the result of a combination of circumstances such as will probably never exist again in any country. Your people at the East cannot understand it in all its aspects though they maay be able to understand some of them. Even the people west of us who occupy a country similar to our own have blinded themselves in a great degree to everything which would give them an acccurate view of the affair. Our previous history, the condition of our people and their crops at the time, our relations with the Indians and the extraordinary news and rumors which accompanied the simultaneous advance on Utah of Harney's United States army and the Arkansas emigrants -- these things ought to be looked at carefully, and examined before a great people are censured and a great church is prejudged according to the perjury of a few wicked members. The previous exodus of our people had taught them what a threat from the United States government to drive them from any ground they had chosen might lead to. They had been expelled from Missouri and Illinois by thousands and from other states by hundreds within the recollection of the majority of adults then living, and forced to travel across the American desert under circumstances and against obstacles which would certainly have subdued the courage of communities whose members are not upheld by a religious faith or "fanaticism," superior [to] selfishness or pride. Every one of those wagon trains and handcart trains and mule pack trains which brought the early Mormons, and the later, away up and over the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific slope, brought those and only those who were anxious to escape from the dangers and unhappiness they had endured in the East and to find on the whole continent of America that solitary place for settlement which was never likely to be invaded by other peoples, while the surrounding and fairer portions offered so many advantages to agriculture, mining and other pioneer pursuits.

we came here, in fact, because we believed nobody else would want to come here. We were willing to go through and we did go through weeks months and years of privation and self-denial such as I honestly believe were never endured by a Christian community. But now we had made the desert to blossom; established ourselves, in fact. Our possessions were surveyed, known and understood to us. We had numerous settlements thriving towns and villages, cities, even. Though the climate had caused us temporary disaster we were proud of our increase and of our improvement. At such a juncture we had heard news of Harney's advance upon us; that unauthorized advance which, as you know was subsequently repudiated by the United States government. After the many years since we left the States, mutual struggles, sufferings, helpfulness, extending through the period of planting and forming Utah itself, all of the settlements in the Territory had been informed that the United States army was again advancing to drive them out of it into some other place, perhaps to destroy them all together. Many Eastern gentlemen well recollect the fury that flamed when that news entered Utah. Our folks were desperate. It seemed they had nowhere to turn; every one prepared to resist; there was not a man, woman or child who was not for resistance. Now, when it was whispered, and it soon began not only to be whispered, but asserted, that these Arkansas emigrants were leagued with the soldiers, and that some of them had been engaged in the murder of Joseph and Hiram Smith, at Nauvoo, the air might have seemed almost as heavy over Lower as it certainly was over Northern Utah. Everybody remembers how the people behaved when ordered out by President Young to prevent Johnson from entering the Territory, at what might have seemed to another man a most dismal moment of his career, the President issued an order which, while it obliged us to burn forage in advance, set fire to the grass at night, carry off animals and do various other things to hold back the enemy, absolutely forbade a single man to shed a drop of blood.

I remember when a young officer of my command was captured by one of your troops, a wallet found on him contained an order to him, signed by me, on the back of which was the usual inscription, "Shed no blood." That order was taken first to Johnston and was afterwards taken to Washington, and brought out in the famous debate of the next session. When the Arkansas emigrant company passed through Utah, and were in many parts forgotten almost as soon as reported, there seems no doubt that much of the disgusting and blasphemous braggadocio with which many of the men were charged must have been very aggravating at the time. This impression I receive of course, from what I heard long years after. There may have been some settlement scuffles on the route -- profanity and ribaldry arrayed against each other perhaps; and the emigrants' greater height and strength warranted him in almost any kind of domineering. But I don't believe that eyen a man like Lee -- old, crafty, experienced and sympathetic as he was -- could have got together a force of Mormons in all Utah to do deliberately, knowing that they went to do it, the deed that John D. Lee, perhaps a crony or two and a lot of dupes and thieves and savages under his command, are actually proven to have done in that dark valley.

General Wells having spoken for some ten minutes as vehemently and forcibly, some one said, as he ever did in his life, your correspondent found, by a nod from President Young that he was at liberty to proceed

Correspondent -- Do foreigners generally admire your system of organization?

Brigham Young -- Yes; only excepting their surprise that each man is responsible for his own acts. A gentleman from Pennsylvania who greatly admired our organization, when he was about to leave asked me it I believed the Mormons were perfect. The question was so absurd that I had to laugh. If we were perfect we could not remain here on the earth; while we ourselves are imperfect the doctrines wwee teach are perfect.

Correspondent -- could the Church ever have accepted from John D. Lee the explanation that he murderedthe emigrants at Mountain Meadows to shed their blood for the remission of their sins?

Brigham Young -- No; that expresses the same old folly of our enemies. Many men do wrong and afterward repent and become, perhaps, even better men than they were before. Peter did wroung in denying the Saviour, but still he repented and became a great and good man. Anybody may lean over church walls after thorough repentance and, forsaking their sins, may return to membership

Correspondent -- after the faces I have seen and the hospitality I have experienced in Utah, Mr. President, I don't think I need inquire particularly at this late hour about your present system of polygamy.

Brigham Young -- I do not believe in polygamy -- the definition of which means a plurality of wives and husbands; but I do believe in polygyny, which means a plurality of wives.

Correspondent -- What is there to warrant the saying that the of polygamy has a tendency to check the growth of intelligence?

Brigham Young -- The most satisfactory proof that such a saying is untrue would be to attend either day or Sunday schools. Look at one particular effect of it -- see how it assists child-women. A woman in child-bearing should not cohabit with her husband, and neither should she exhaust her strength in any other way. This order of marriage, when carried out according to its laws, is the very highest order of marriage. Scientific men who have visited us say that if we adhere faithfully to our order of marriage there can no question that we can have the finest race of people on the earth. We believe, too, in all learning to work and being industrious; and that every man and woman should have the opportunity of developing themselves mentally as well as physically. In the present condition of the world this privilege is only accorded to a few.

Correspondent -- Do you know anything about the origin of what is called the Spaulding story which has said to be in reality the origin of the Book of Mormon?

Brigham Young -- I will tell you all I know about it. Joseph Smith and I were born in the same State, and though unacquainted we lived near each other. And years before I was a "Mormon" I read in the newspapers befored persecution arose against him, that a young man by the name of Joseph Smith, living near Palmyra, had it revealed to him by an angel where there was a record concealed of the aborigines of our country. And who knows (it said) but what the Indians will have a bible as well as the Jews in Palestine? This was in 1819 [sic], long before the Spaulding story arose, which has often been proven false and eleven years before the church was organized.

Correspondent -- The people of the East are anxious to know something of the agreement with the women in polygamy.

Brigham Young -- It is none of their business no more than it is our business to inquire of them what agreement they make. I have been a protector of virtue all the days of my life.

Correspondent -- How could the women consent in their hearts to share the same husband?

Brigham Young -- we believe that the plural order of marriage is true, and the truth is just as applicable for woman as man. I dare say there are men to-day who wish they had another wife; and there are single women who wish they were married to such and such a man. This is without any regard to divinity. And if the law of the land did not prevent men from marrying more than one wife, there would not be to-day so many thousand old maids in the State of Massachusetts. Plural marriage appeals to noblest feelings because we regard it as a divine principle. It is carnal gratification; if it were we need not go to the expense of keeping and educating several families, for we might adopt the cheaper and more popular way. It is the highest state of social moral society, and will sooner or later be recognized as such.

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Almost a Confession from Brigham Young.

The Mormon Colonel William H. Dame, indicted for participation in the cruel Mountain Meadows massacre, is preparing to face justice in a somewhat startling manner. Our correspondent at Salt Lake City telegraphs that Colonel Dame has issued an order to the officers of his regiment for drill and inspection of arms, an election of officers and the filling up of the ranks of the regiment. He reminds us of the course of a Calaveras county rough, as related by his friend and fellow murderer:-- "Jim Long was the quietest man you ever see; he just hated to be shooting people; but when he saw the constnble coming to arrest him his feelings were hurt, and he just drew his revolver and shot him. What else could he do? He couldn't run away."

We suppose the Mormon colonel, like Jim Long, cannot run away; he means to face justice, and he is getting his revolver ready. In the Southern Mormon settlements our correspondent reports military preparations are particularly active. Four boxes of breech-loading rifles were shipped to those parts last week from the co-operative store at Salt Lake City -- "Zion's Cooperative Store" it used to be called on the sign -- and there are night meetings for military drill in the city itself. Finally, Brigham Young has said that "the Mormons, who have been driven so far and so often, will be driven no longer." If it is generally believed among the Saints that the Prophet Brigham has said so much as this we advise Governor Emory to be on his guard. That the Mormons would have the folly to attack United States troops directly we do not believe, but they are capable of desperate things, and Brigham Young and the other leaders evidently dread a further investigation of the Mountain Meadows massacre. They gave up Bishop Lee after vain but energetic efforts to save him, and they evidently imagined that this one sacrifice would quiet justice. Now that they find that the great horror is to be further pried into by the courts they are desperate.

We print elsewhere a long and interesting conversation with Brigham Young and several other Mormon chiefs, held with the Herald's correspondent on the 12th of April. The Mormon leaders talked very freely, as will be seen, and while, of course, all of them denief any knowledge on their part or concern in the massacre of the Arkansas train, a careful perusal of their statements does not decrease, but, on the contrary, seriously increases, the suspicion that the dying confession of Lee, as made to our correspondent, is true, and that he was only acting under the orders of the heads of the Mormon Church when he took part in the cruel massacre of the emigrants. They united, of course, in imputing all the blame to Lee, who is dead. But they talked so freely that they entered into minutae which, as we have said, confirm the suspicion that Young and the other Mormon chiefs could not but have known all about the matter. We think it worth while to point out a few of these suspicious admissions.

John W. Young, Brigham's son, said to the Herald correspondent that he was with his father when Lee came to report the details of the massacre, and that Brigham would not hear them. "Father stopped him, saying that the rumor which had already reached him was so horrifying that he could not bear to hear a recital." Now, nobody who knows the thorough and almost militnry organization of the Mormon colony under the dictatorship of Brigham Young, and the extremes to which espionase was carried by him so as to give him an absolute command of his people, will believe that Young ever refused to hear news, if it was news to him. If he refused to listen to Lee it was because he already knew all that Lee had to tell him and did not mean to be further concerned in it. In those days and for many years later nothing, no trivial incident, even, could happen in Utah without being brought to the ears of Brigham Young and his chief counsellors. They interfered constnntly in all the affairs of their people. Young made himself their earthly Providence; they lived where he placed them, planted what he told them to, moved away when he ordered them, bought and sold at his instructions -- as, indeed, it was admitted to our correspondent that orders had gone out not to sell corn for feed to the emigrants. No travellers could enter Utah without the knowledge of Brigham, and it the federal officers will investigate with sufficient persistency they will discover that no one could leave Utah without Brigham's permission,

When Young, therefore, told our correspondent that he was merely the spiritual head of the Church, with no temporal authority, and suggested that he was not rigidly obeyed, he related what must have made his Mormon listeners smile. But Daniel H. Wells, who spoke at great length to our correspondent, made even more damaging admissions than Brigham Young. He spoke bitterly of the persecutions the Mormons had suffered, of the Harney expedition which had been sent against them, of Johnston's expedition, of the excitement of the people and of "the simultaneous advance on Utah of Harney's United States army and the Arkansas emigrants" -- a very strange phrase when we remember that the federal troops were regarded with the bitterest hostility as enemies of Zion, and the Arkansas emisrants "in league with them" were murdered at Mountain Meadows. When Wells added that "it was whispered and soon began to be asserted that these Arkansas emigrants were leagued with the soldiers, and that some of them had been engaged in the murder of Joseph and Hiram Smith at Nauvoo," we seem to hear not a denial of Brigham's complicity in the massacre, but a plea in justification; and when Wells went on to describe the extent of Brigham's authority and the abject obedience rendered him when he ordered the people to destroy their farms in order to stop Sydney Johnston's advance, the picture he draws seems to us to prove positively that the massacre of the Arkansas train could not have occurred without Young's permission. These are the remarkable words of Wells:-- "Everybody remembers how the people behaved when ordered out by President Young to prevent Johnston from entering the Territory, at what might have seemed to another man a most dismal moment of his career. The President issued an order which, while it obliged us to burn forage in advance, set fire to the grass at night, carry off animals and do various other things to hold back the enemy, absolutely forbade a single man to shed a drop of blood."

Anybody can see that Young could not afford to go to war with the United States; he dared not order an attack on the troops, but on the Arkansas emigrants, their allies, as Wells says they were believed to be -- that was another thing. In short, Wells and Young together seem to us to have made some very damaging admissions to our correspondent. We trust the investigation of the massacre will continue. Young himself professes that to murder is agninst the Mormon religion. Very well; if he is innocent of this murder he will not object to a full investigation. The arming and drilling of Mormon militia look suspicious. Nobody here intends any injustice to the Mormon leaders. Is it justice they fear?


Notes: (forthcoming)

A Mormon  Theory  and Mormon  Facts.

The Mormon theory of the Mountain Meadows massacre is that the Indians murdered the emigrants and that the Mormons were unable to protect them, but managed to save some of the children.

But in the long and interesting conversation of several of the Mormon leaders with a Herald correspondent, which we printed on Sunday, Daniel H. Wells made an extraordinary statement about the circumstances surrounding the massacre. He asserted, of course, that the Mormons, Lee excepted, were guiltless, but he said:-- "All the settlements in the Territory had been informed that the United States army was again advancing to drive them out of it into some other place, perhaps to destroy them altogether. Many Eastern gentlemen well recollect the fury that flamed when that news entered Utah. Our folks were desperate. It seemed they had nowhere to turn; every one prepared to resist; there was not a man, woman or child who was not for resistance. Now, when it was whispered -- and it soon began not only to be whispered, but asserted -- that these Arkansas emigrants were lengued with the soldiers, and that some of them had been engaged in the murder of Joseph and Hiram Smith, at Nauvoo, the air might have seemed almost as heavy over Lower as it certainly was over Northern Utah."

Now, we cannot see how the fury of the Mormons, their hatred and desperation, which the Prophet Wells so vividly describes, could affect the Indians. The Indians could not read; they were not infuriated by what alarmed the Mormons; they could not hear, except from the Mormon authorities, that the Arkansas people were in league with General Harney, and they would not have cared if they had heard it. The Indians did not care whether or not these emigrants had murdered Joseph Smith years ago. In all we have quoted from Wells there is abundant reason for suspecting the Mormons: not an iota for suspecting the Indians. Nor do these suspicions diminish when Wells goes on to describe how obediently the Mormons burned the forage, set fire to the grass and carried off the animals -- in fact, destroyed their own farms to impede the advance of the federal troops. He only shows that Brigham's authority was absolute over his people, as everybody knows it was. But it was hardly less so over the Indians within the Territorial limits, who were for years in Brigham's pay and his allies against all outsiders. The latest revised Mormon theory of the Mountain Meadows massacre, therefore, is that, because the Mormons bitterly hated the emigrants, and were furious with fears of an invasion, therefore the Indians murdered them. That hardly holds water.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON  RASCALITY.
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Disgusting Rules Which Enslaved Men and Women.
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ASSASSINATION  COUNTENANCED.
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Putting an Offender "Over the Rim."
____

THE  PROPHET  LIES.
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Dame's Orders to Murder the Arkansas Emigrants.
____

Salt Lake City, may 3, 1877.      

That was a delightful state of society in Southern Utah about the time of the Mountain Meadows massacre in 1857. The Mormon settlements at Beaver, Parowan, and Cedar City may be said to have been isolated from the world. They consisted of fugitives from Missouri and Illinois, sore at heart because of their many persecutions and the outrageous killing of their Prophet Joseph Smith, at Carthage Jail, and of hundreds of foreign fanatics culled from the nethermost populations of England, Scotland and the Scandinavian countries. Some of their leaders were fairly educated, shrewd, able to cope vigorously with their rude environment. All were inered to hardships; all were inveterate Mormons, ready to die for the faith. Garth the swineherd was no more the born thrall of Cedric the Saxon was any one of those bronzed and burnt-haired saints the thrall of Brigham Young. From his eyrie in the north he controlled them, as he still continues to do. At that time, to be sure, there was no telegraph line stretching down as a does now hundreds of miles to St. George. Nor was there a regular stageroad. But Bigham Young could at any moment despatch a messenger at speed who would be sure of a frsh horse at any point on his journey; and chain of videttes was complete along the whole eastern frontier. He was apprised of the advance of Johnston's army, in the autumn of 1857, in ample time to delay it by harassing the General's trains, and although he has denied to me repeatedly that he heard of the approach of the Arkansas emigrants in season to give any instructions in regard to them to George A. Smith before the latter started off on his southern mission, his denial accuses of gross demerit a system of espionage which has been praised as faultless.

CHURCH COUNSEL FOR THE FAITHFUL.

The settlements of Southern Utah, as I have intimated, were isolated from all tidings of the outside world which Brigham Young did not choose to send them. Having personally visited the region, where I had ample opportunities to converse with the oldest settlers, my information in this respect comes from the lips of the Mormons themselves. They know little, they say, of events which were occurring in Europe or America. They obtained only scattered information, doled out by itinerant bishops and elders, of what was going on in Salt Lake City. They received, however, regular "counsel" from the Church authorities in the North -- counsel which, filtering down to em through the various grades of church officials, informed them what to do in respect to nearly all matters pertaining to their daily life and conduct. At this time John D. Lee and all the men indicted and accused in common with him for the crime at Mountain Meadows were at the height of their repute as members of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Some if them were exalted officers of the the Mormon military organization known as the Nauvoo Legion. W. H. Dame was at once the Presiding Spiritual Head of Parowan and a Colonel of the Legion. Isaac C. Haight was the Presiding Spiritual Head of Cedar City and Lieutenant Colonel of the Legion. George A. Smith was one of the Twelve Apostles and Brigadier General of the Legion. One John Hyatt, of Parowan, acted as Dame's aide-de-camp. All the adult males in the southern settlements were armed and drilled and trained in military tactics.

OVER THE "RIM OF THE BASIN."

Having thus sketched for you the condition of affairs in these remote settlements in the year when the Mountain Meadows massacre occured, I Introduce a witness whose testimony in regard to the events of that year is new, trustworthy and important. This witness is Mr. James McGuffie, one of the oldest members of the Mormon Church, who left its fold at a time and under circumstances most propitious for the exit. Mr. McGuffie was in fact one of the original Mormon pioneers. In company with George A. Smith, John D. Lee. William H. Dame and more than one hundred others, he journeyed in the winter of 1850-51 down South, organized Iron county and located Parowan as the county seat. In 1854 General Fremont came into Parowan with his exploring party. which had been for some time lost in the mountains west of Fort Bridger. Two of his men were frostbitten, and when Fremont proceeded to California he left one of these men, named Sherman. to the tender mercies of the Mormons. After about three months' residence in Parowan Sherman got better and one day divulged the fact that Fremont had hidden some dahuerrotype and other instruments in the neighboring mountains. The brethren, says McGuffie, at once proposed to go and unearth the treasure. Sherman was to be their guide. At this juncture one Simon Howd managed to get drunk and quarral with Sherman. Having got the worst of it he circulated about the settlement a malicious lie to the effect that Sherman had threatned to steal a horse while the exploring party went searching for the instruments and make his escape. This charge against Sherman by Howd resulted in Sherman's mock trial before a Mormon Court and a sentence that he should be put over the "Rim of the Basin." "I didn't know," said Mr. McGuffie, "what these words implied. I took it that Sherman was literally to be conducted over the Rim of the Basin to St. George or some such place and banished there. I had no idea that the man was to be murdered -- first, because Simeon Howd had failed to prove his charge against him, and next, because Sherman, during the few months he stayed with us, had become a general favorite. He was taken away, as myself saw, by Barney Carter, now a resident of San Bernardino, Cal.; Job Hall, now residing at Pinto Creek, Iron County; Charles Y. Webb, who is still living in Parowan, and 'Old Man Gold,' who is dead.

"These men returned on horseback from the South in the afternoon at of the same day on which they had left departed in the morning with their prisoner. They reported that they had 'put him on his way.' It was not long before Gold began to boast that he had laid Sherman out with his pistol. Afterward he boasted many times to John Rogerson, who lives in Parowan, and to Josiah Rogerson, telegraph operator at Beaver, that he shot Sherman when he was on horseback and left him at the mouth of a canyon for the wolves to eat. You can judge from this," continued Mr. McGuffie, "of the readiness to take human life, which was, and according to my observation has always been, a characteristic of the Mormon people."

PERSONIFICATION OF TYRANNY.

I asked Mr.McGuffie to what he attributed this propensity to slaughter.

"Well," replied the stalworth Scotchman, "I believe it was owing to the fact that they were Ishmaelites, driven from the world. Again their faith taught them to obey counsel. Pretty counsel they received! Why, sir, for years after our settlement the policy of the Church virtually prohibited us from all intercourse whatever with outsiders. The Deseret alphabet was invented and intended to be taught to the rising generation instead of the English alphabet. The Post Office was carefully guarded. People of malure years were not allowed to receive newspapers from the States or from the old country which contained anything derogatory to Mormonism. Letters addressed to settlers were frequently opened -- some of them at Salt Lake and others at Beaver and Parowan -- and such as contained matters which were not thought fit for our perusal were seized or mutilated. We were taught to believe that we were the only people fit to inhabit the Territory we had chosen and that all other people were interlopers, worthy only to be regarded with a kind of malevolent distrust."

MURDER OF AMERICAN CITIZENS.

"Was the shedding of blood of strangers, then," I asked, "a common thing in Parowan?"

"Indeed it was, sir. I could tell you some things which would astonish the readers of the Herald in the East; things which, nevertheless, really happened there. When I look back upon it now, sir, it seems as if that little village of Parowan, where I lived so long, and through which you tell me you passed so recently, fairly smoked with blood offerings. Let me tell you one horrible fact. It is a fact which was notorious at the time, not only in the community of Parowan, but in the whole range of settlements in Southern Utah. No old settler will dare gainsay it. Now to the story:--

"A man named Weston, an Englishman, kept a distillery on the outskirts of Parowan. Another man, also an Englishman, known as James Bosner, kept a grist mill near by. Weston enticed wandering emigrants into his distillery, got them drunk and when they were advanced in stupor murdered them by striking them on the temples with a kingboldt. The killing done, robbery of the bodies was the next thing in order. The spoil was shared between Weston and Bosner, the owner of the grist mill, to whose premises the remains of the murdered Gentiles were dragged and fed to the hogs Bosner kept.

"This was the way in which scores of American citizens were destroyed, beset and slain. Their bodies were never buried save in the bellies of swine, and the friends they had left in the East and those they were on their way to meet in California lived and died, in ignorance of their horrible fate, which I have described to you."

HE SMELT BLOOD.

"How was it possible, Mr. McGuffie, for you to live in the midst of such scenes as you describe and make no effort to escape from them?"

"Now, sir, I assure you, on my honor, that that's what I can't understand myself. I can only explain it by saying that, like all the rest of the people, I was locked in. In other words, I felt like a cat in a cage -- desperate at times, but helpless. What could I do? What could any of us do but look on and see things take their course, and pray in a kind of a dumb way at night that we might not ourselves be mixed up in such horrors? If we complained, if we objected to anything which the bishop or the elders tacitly consented to, we knew not what might be our individual fates. The odor of blood was on the air; the scent of human carrion actually on many a night loaded the breeze that swept past my chamber windows. There was an old man named Jo Walker -- I believe he still resides in Parowan -- who claimed that he had seen the spirits of those poor murdered emigrants whose bodies were thrown to the hogs near Bosner's grist mill sitting around ghostly camp fires and gesticulating to one another at midnight."

"In respect to the Mountan Meadows massacre, Mr. McGuffie, have you any knowledge of that affair?"

"I suppose, sir, that I know as much about it as any person who was not there."

"Will you go on then, and tell your own story in regard to it, first understanding this fact, that Brigham Young positively assures me that George A. Smith took no message from him concerning the Arkansas emigrants, when he went down, in 1857, into Lower Utah, and that, in fact, the approach of the emigrants was not known to him (Brigham Young) until long after George A. Smith had departed."

BRIGHAM  YOUNG  LIES.

"Brigham Young may say what he pleases, but if he says that, I venture to say that he lies."

"Do you believe, then, that he gave orders for the massacre?"

"I believe it as I believe in God. There is no doubt of it in my mind. Brigham Young had those emigrants spoiled, He had his spies; he knew of their approach, and long before they reached the borders of Utah it had been reported to him that there were men among them who had a hand in the killing of Joseph and Hiram Smith and in the expulsion of the Mormons from Nauvoo. There is some confusion in the public mind relative to George A. Smith's agency in what subsequently occurred. Undoubtedly that apostle was intrusted with verbal advice or counsel by Brigham Young which prepared the way for the massacre. His counsel to us at Parowan distinctly referred to the Arkansas emigrants. It was to the effect that we should let the emigrants have no supplies whatever; it was as strict in this direction as strict could be. Following close on George A. Smith's appearance among us, Dame, who, as I have said, was not only colonel of the Nauvoo Legion, but the presiding spiritual head at Parowan, ordered that Parowan be absolutely shut up against the approaching emigrants. He forbade the people to trade with them on any condition, and when the emigrants arrived and encamped near Parowan Dame reiterated his orders, attaching severe penalties to their violation. I recollect, however, that one easy-going Mormon named Morgan Richards visited the camp of emigrants and traded some provisions for a cooking utensil. On his way back to town he was met by his Bishop's chief counsellor, Sam Lewis, who took him by the beard and exclaimed: -- 'Take it back, by God, and leave it where you got it.' Richards meekly obeyed. Another resident of Parowan was marked for death because he gave some onions to one of the emigrants who strayed into his garden. He was sent off on a mock mission and told to encamp the first night at a certain place. Suspecting treachery he avoided the designated encampment and thus saved his life. These incidents will indicate the vigor with which the policy of no trade with the emigrants was carried out under the personal direction of Apostle George A. Smith.

YOUNG  ORDERED  THE  GREAT  MASSACRE.

"I have said," proceeded Mr. McGuffie, "that verbal instructions were given to George A. Smith by Brigham Young. But the instructions which ordered the massacre at Mountain Meadows were not conveyed in any wise through George A. Smith, nor were they addressed to John D. Lee. This was the way of it: -- Brigham Young did not himself use the pen. He dictated his instructions, which were written out by J. W. [sic - V.] Long, and addressed to the officers at Parowan and Cedar."

"Who were those officers?"

"Colonel Dame, of Parowan, and Lieutenant Colonel Haight, of Cedar City."

"Have you any knowledge or any opinion in regard to the distribution of the property of the murdered immigrants?"

"Sir," answered Mr. McGuffie, "I can only recite to you some facts. After the massacre John D. Lee went up to Salt Lake City to report the facts to Brigham Young. Lee out the gold and silver -- the tithing of the murdered emigrants -- on the table in Brigham Young's room. Mrs. Decker, of Parowan, wife of Zechariah Decker, and a former wife of John D. Lee, was present. Brigham Young looked at the money, wrung his hands, swept it off the table and said he would not have it, for it was the price of blood. After this byplay John D. Lee gathered up the money and left the room. He went south and paid the money as tithing to Bishop Davies, of Kanarra, a settlement six or seven miles south of Cedar City. Bishop Davies came up a while afterward to Salt Lake City, bringing with him the gold and silver of the murdered emigrants with other tithing, and Brigham Young received it and blessed him in the name of the Lord."

"What effect did the news of the massacre have in the Southern settlements?"

"A shocking effect, but nobody dared to openly comment upon it. The leaders took courage from the reticence of the people, and President Dame, in his sermon delivered the next Sunday after the massacre, addressed the women of the congregation thus: -- 'Remember this: these are peculiar times. If any of you happen to look out your windows in the morning and see the dogs go by with the heads of your husbands or brothers in their mouths, ask no questions. Stranger things than this may come to pass among you. Be careful lest you too, be suddenly taken away.'"

MORAL  BUSINESS  IDEAS.

"This man Dame, then, you believe to have been concerned with the fate of the emigrants?"

"Yes. He is an evil man. He married as his third wife Sally Ann Carter, by whom he had three children. One of her brothers, Barney, was chief among the Destroying Angels. Her second brother, Arthur, used to steal cattle from the settlers, take them to Camp Floyd and exchange them for groceries, then steal United States mules at Camp Floyd, bring them to Parowan and sell them at a profit. Dame himself," said Mr. McGuffie, with a twinkle in his eye, "liked a sharp bargain, and that's why I got out of the Mormon Church. He came to me one fine day and said to me, 'McGuffie, you are a hard working, industrious man, and I've a chance for you to make some money. I know of four spans of mukes, and you can have them all for $400, provided you turn over one span to me.' Now, I being a Brittisher, and, therefore, somewhat acquainted with horses and mules, concluded I would take two or three days to consider. It leaked out to me that the mules had been stolen from the United States government. I therefore declined to purchase them, and will you believe it, I was immediately called before the Church to be tried for my fellowship for disobeying counsel. What counsel? Why the counsel of the spiritual head of the Church that I should buy a lot of stolen army mules and give him a pair of them. Erastus Snow, one of the twelve apostles, was chairman of the meeting that tried me. He stated broadly that I ought to have bought the mules, made a present of one span to Dame, sold the others and put the money in the Emigration Fund. 'And because I wouldn't do this,' exclaimed Mr. McGuffie, 'I wasn't a good Mormon. I told them, in effect that I would see them damned first. I left the Mormon Church, and have seen reason to thank God for it from that hour, and I have since prospered so well in this life that I am able to live in Salt Lake City on the interest of my money and to sit here in this chair and tell you the truth without fear of Brigham Young or any of his proselytes."

Mr. McGuffie, valuable as his testimony is, is not the most original witness whose statements I shall bring to your attention.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  REBELLIOUS  MORMONS.
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The Saints Disgusted at the Exposure of Their Plans.
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THE  GOVERNOR  AWAITING  DEVELOPEMENTS.
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Action of Previous Executive Regarding the Nauvoo Legion.
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(BY  TELEGRAPH  TO  THE  HERALD)

Salt Lake City, Utah, May 10, 1877.

The Herald despatches sent back here by telegraph are quoted by the Mormon newspapers with expressions of disgust. What these papers say is of no account except so far as it illustrates the duplicity practised by the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when in trouble. At present there is more real danger to the tenure and the necks of the Mormon chiefs in this Territory than ever impended over them before, and they strive by all means available to stimulate their followers and deceive the people of the United States.

BELLIGERENT  COUNSELS.

During the last three weeks the counsels of the priesthood throughout Utah have been belligerent, and the orders from commanders of the old Nauvoo Legion have summoned that body to get ready for action.

YOUNG'S  DUPLICITY.

Brigham Young has indicated to an immense congregation of Mormons at the Tabernacle, in pariphrases which necessity long ago taught him to use, willingness that they should be ready to defend him and the church from impending danger; yet he dislikes to have this meaning conveyed to the outside world. While the Mormons are arming he desires the authorities at Washington and the people beyond Utah to believe that they are organizing merely for a holiday, and newspapers here which are edited in the interest of the Mormon Church, describe the opposite view as sensational.

GOVERNOR  EMORY  DELIBERATING.

Governor Emory, who has had his attention called to the facts, still deliberates whether or not to take action in regard to them. One crucial fact before him is that the Nauvoo Legion is a military organization utterly dissimilar to any other in the United States. It is composed exclusively of Mormons who were branded for treasonable resistance to the United States troops under General Johnston, and it was subsequently disbanded or rather forbidden to assemble without his order by Governor Shafer in 1870. In the following year Lieutenant General Daniel H. Wells attempted to call out the legion to parade in Salt Lake City on the Fourth of July. Governor Shafer being then dead, George A. Black, Secretary and acting Governor of the Terrirory, called Wells' attention to the Governor's order, which had not been revoked, and forbade the assembly of the legion. The Lieutenant General insisting on its right to parade, Acting Governor Black summoned from Camp Douglass a detachment of federal troops, who came down to the city, commanded by General Detrobriand in person, and prevented an armed procession of the heroes of Nauvoo.

AWAITING  LEGAL  ADVICE.

There was never any doubt of the right of the Governor to regulate and control the movements of the militia, but Governor Emory awaits fuller legal advices before imitating the resolute example of his predecessors. He is aware that a dozen men in this city can control the action of every Mormon in Utah, and he is besought by Gentiles who have millions of capital invested in mining and mercantile enterprises to hold on until he is absolutely certain of approaching mischief. Whether he will let his perogative rust or take the Mormon bull by the horns and prepare the way for a peaceful exercise of judicial authority here during the coming summer is a question which will probably be answered within the next few days.

---

LIFE OF LEE, THE MORMON.
_____

INTERESTING EXTRACTS FROM HIS FORTHCOMING BIOGRAPHY.

(From the Salt Lake Tribune, May 5.)

(view original article from Utah paper)

---

Brigham  Young's  Sermon.

The Mormon Prophet has, our Salt Lake correspondent telegraphs, sent out a report of his last Sunday's discourse in which some of the threatening sentences are eliminated. But even Young's own authorized version is sufficiently full of words of blood and hints of slaughter; and our correspondent telegraphs that the threatening language originally imputed to him was heard by many persons ready to testify of it. It is certain that Young's language last Sunday was such as to alarm many of the "Gentile" residents of Salt Lake City and induce them to make preparations for sending their families out of the Territory.

In the authorized report of the sermon, however, there is sufficient to awaken the curiosity, at least, of "Gentile" readers. What has happened in Utah or elsewhere affecting Mormonism that should put the Prophet upon thoughts of blood? There are no threats uttered anywhere against the Mormons as citizens or as religionaries. Even the question of polygamy rests for the present; nobody is discussing it. The people of the United States just now believe that this social fester will presently disappear of itself. Why, then, should Brigham Young preach a sermon full of dark hints of coming slaughter?

There is but one cause for it all that any one can see. The United States Grand Jury meets at Salt Lake City on the 21st of this month, and before it are to appear a number of witnesses whose testimony, there is reason to hope, will reveal the authors of and the actors in the cruel massacre of Mountain Meadows. There is no doubt that the emigrants were murdered; there is no doubt that they were hated with great bitterness by the Mormons, for the Prophet Daniel Wells himself told our correspondent this only a few days ago; there is no doubt that prominent Mormons took part in the murder, for Bishop Lee was shot for his share in it, and his confession showed that he was acting under orders, while other papers he left behind him, and of which we shall publish a part to-morrow, show that Young was not without knowledge of this and many other murders. Finally, there is no doubt that the Mountain Meadows massacre was not investigated by Brigham Young, then Governor of Utah; he never mnde any attempt to bring its authors to punishment. Now comes federal justice. slow, very slow, but apparently sure, at last; Lee, after two trials. has been executed; the Grand Jury is to meet for a further investigation; and suddenly Brigham Young gets visions of blood and slaughter. Is it because he sees justice on his own track?

We should like to see the President taking a public and decided interest in this matter. We should like the people, Mormon and Gentile, in Utah, to have some public and conspicuous assurance that this hideous crime is to be probed to the bottom, and that its authors, no matter who they are, shall be brought to justice. We should like to know that the Attorney General is awake to his responsibility in this important matter, and that he is taking upon his own shonldcrs some part of the heavy burden of this investigation and is not leaving it all in a perfunctory sort of way, to his subordmates at Salt Lake. Young and the other Mormon leaders comprehend very well the meaning and the probable consequences of this investigation; they know that unless it is stopped in some way, a dark and terrible story of long continued murder and lawlessness will be exposed, in which many of them will figure as the responsible actors. They do not intend to let the investigation proceed; and they have still very great power over their deluded subjects and great wealth and influence with which to corrupt and coerce their opponents. Is the Attorney General, in whose department this matter falls, awake to this?


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  TURK  OF  UTAH.
____

(From the Salt Lake Tribune, May 6.)

The Sultan makes things lively once in a while by threatening to unfurl the standard of the Prophet. This flag is a tremendous power in his hands, and should he throw it to the breeze, there would be a perfect storm of blind fanaticism loosed... Our own Prophet, too, the leader of the hosts of Israel, seems to be preparing to unfurl his blood-drenched rag. He is arming and drilling his followers with great activity, and appeals to their fanaticism are being made in the rehearsal of the story of "our persecutions." ...Brigham's little close corporation, set up in the heart of a free Republic, has also become a public nuisance, and the voice of the American people is pretty unanimous in demanding that it be overturned. Polygamy is an abomination a Christian community cannot [away?] with, and his obstinate misrule stands so in the way of progress and development that it can no longer plead a reason to be. The brutal excesses wreaked by the fanatical Turkish soldiers upon a defenceless population produced a thrill of horror throughout the civilized world. And so the treacherous assassination of the Arkansas emigrants, with the many other deeds of blood done in this darkened land, "in the name of God," have caused such a horror in the American people that they demand justice upon the heads of those who are responsible for the crimes and ask that this dangerous ecclesiastical organization be effectually broken up.... if in Zion "the damned, cussed hounds of the law" become too familiar in their attentions to Brigham, he can crook his historic little finger, unfurl that red bandanna of his, and unsheathing his bowie-knife hide in the last ditch... but the car of progress will roll on, and any bovine that seeks to hinder it will experience a terrible upheaval for his obduracy.


Notes: (forthcoming)

LATTER  DAY  SAINTS.
____

The True Inwardness of Mormonism Exposed.
____

A  RELIGION  OF  CRUELTY  AND  HATE.
____

The Organization and Purposes of the Danites.
____

MURDER  GIVEN  NEW  Names
____

How the Blood of the Martyrs was to be Avenged.
____

FANATICISM'S VICTORY OVER FEROCITY.
____

Horrible Stories of Open and Secret Assassination.
____

Salt Lake City, Utah, May 4, 1877.

John D. Lee, who has been paraded as the heavy villain of the Mountain Meadows massacre, and who was undoubtedly chief of the Mormon cutthroats on that occasion, has been lampooned since his execution for not having implicated Brigham Young, his Mormon chief. His published confessions have been ransacked in vain for a direct accusation of the Prophet. Although the terms of these confessions frequently signify his resentment toward Brigham Young, and even go so far as to accuse him of betraying and sacrificing his life-long servant, they falter on the verge of a distinct arraignment of the Prophet as the author of the massacre. That there was a strong reason for Lee's hesitation to pronounce judgment upon his chief respecting the Mountain Meadows affair is apparent to all who understand the ties between Mormons. Lee, condemned by the law, but still having hope from the Church, forbore, except in secret, to testify against his master. Superstitious to the last he expected from that master his release. I am told by the United States Marshal who conducted him from his prison to his coffin and by several of the special marshals who accompanied him along the way that Lee constantly relied upon Brigham Young for a rescue. Trusting thus in the friendship of his ancient chief. he kept out of his written communications to his lawyer and the United States District Attorney anything directly accusatory of the heads of the Mormon Church. It was only at the last, when all hope had deserted him, that he penned some manuscripts, not yet published, which have fallen into my hands. The first paper -- in Lee's handwriting like the rest which I shall quote from -- deals with that period of Mormon history which preceded the advent of the Saints in Utah. Brigham Young has denied the existence of Danites, or Destroying Angels or any other organization similar to them in connection with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Let us observe Lee's specific testimony against that denial: --

LEE'S  TESTIMONY

"Before reciting these facts," Lee writes, "allow me to say that I have suffered imprisonment for two years, a portion of the time fettered with chains before I could get the consent of my conscience to come out and tell what I kniw. Even then I could not have done so if our leaders had proven true to the sacred trust committed to them and me. An old adage has it that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If my superiors can betray their trust and sacrifice my life through falsehood then there cannot be much harm in telling all I know. I am fully convinced now that corruption is at the bottom of the Mormon religion; that it is only a wicked scheme to lull people to sleep in carnal security, the better to enslave them, and after robbing them, to sacrifice and send them "cross lots to hell," to use Brigham Young's own expressive language. Under his direction the Mormon people have cut assunder every sacred chord of love and tie of friendship and humanity. He has broken every bond by which a people can be bound together, and I now feel free to speak and tell what I know. In fact, I feel it my imperative duty to aid in bringing to light the damnable secrets and acts of corruption which have come to my knowledge, and to endeavor to correct the abuses entailed upon the people by spiritual wickedness in high places."

"I begin my narrative with the year 1844. In that year, at Nauvoo, a police force of forty men was organized to guard the city, but more especially to guard the Prophet and leading men in the Church. I belonged to that guard, and was the seventh man chosen. My first post was at the Prophet Joseph's mansion; after his death I was assigned to guard Brigha Young. The guard to which I belonged was sworn in secrecy, and to put out of the way every suspicious person whomsoever. Any one who dared to threaten the life of Joseph Smith, Briqham Young, or any leading man of the Church, was marked for slaughter. When a certain job was arranged to be done by one or more of the guard, the men designated to do the job were prohibited from asking any questions as to its justice or legality. If it was to kill a man, to rob a house, or do anything else, no questions were to be asked why or wherefore; the only assurance given to us was that the Chief of Police would order no man killed unless he ought to be killed. We were fed with maxims such as these: -- That the left hand should not know what the right hand did. We were told that whatever we should do, the blame would not rest on us, since we had only to obey our leaders. If anything wrong was done our leaders would bear the whole responsibility, and we would not be called on to make no atonement whatever."

"Now," says Lee, interjecting an indignant outcry in the midst of his narrative, "see what I have come to by obeying such counsel! I ask Brigham Young and the leaders of his Church to live by their own doctrines; it is too late in the day now for them to back water. Let them take heed as to the measure of their own guilt."

A HORRIBLE ORDER.

"Fortunately," continues Lee, "I was never called on but once while a policeman, and on that occasion I broke through orders. A man had been seen going into the house of Widow Clawson, Hyrum B. Clawson's mother, after dark and leaving just before day. I with another guard, was sent to watch the house, with instructions to knock the man down as he came out and castrate him or kill him. This was a greater responsibility than I was willing to take without knowing what the man had done. I wanted to know why he should receive such treatment. The thought of doing such an act rendered me miserable. The nearer evening approached the more wretched I became, until I was unable to resist my feelings, which continued to revolt against the commission of such a crime. I finally went to see the Prophet Joseph, and lay the matter before him. He was absent, but his brother Hyrum saw that something was wrong and induced me to explain. He told me I was right in resisting the order I had received; said that the man who visited that house had a right to go there, because Mrs. Clawson was his celestial wife, ordained by the priesthood, and therefore more truly a wife than any woman married by the law of the land. This was my first lesson as a Destroying Angel, and here, for the first time, I was taught the meaning of polygamy. This, too, was the only occasion in my life, except the Mountain Meadows massacre, wherein the destroying of life was occasioned. There were plenty of willing adherents to do such dirty jobs without me. I am not a man of blood, and never was. I met the police once a day and heard the report of that day's doings -- whether any one had been killed, and how or by whom, and anything else that had happened. At these daily meetings the business of the night and the following day was arranged, and this business was kept secret under oath."

WATCHFUL OF STRANGERS.

"A duty assigned to the police was to watch all strangers that came into the city and whittle every supicious person out of town. This whittling process was peculiar. Some ten or fifteen Mormons would get around the man they wanted to drive away, each with a keen ground butcher knife and a piece of soft wood in his hands. They would crowd close up to him and commence whittling, all cutting toward him, but no one apparently paying the least attention to the stranger. Surrounded and threatened thus, the poor man was compelled to retreat from the town. On his retreat he was surrounded by whittlers whittling, some of them making skittish lunges toward his breast and arms. If he took his escort quietly, very well. If he was foolish enough to resist or threaten, he was very likely to be put out of the way."

"Human life," says Lee, "was of little value in those times, almost as valueless as it was in later times in Utah. For example, two men were arrested in 1845, and taken to the Nauvoo Masonic Hall. I don't know what their offence was; I only know that they were kept there till night, and that they were doomed. A hole was dug for one of them in a patch of corn near by. The corn was dug up and set on one side. The man was taken out and treacherously deceived. He was lured to the edge of this hole, and told to reach down into it and hand up a jug of whisky for the crowd. As he bent over to do this, he was struck on the back of the head with a police club, and dropped into his grave. A small cord was tightened around his neck to shut off his wind. He was then covered up, and some three feet of the hills of corn were set back on him, making it appear that nothing had been done. The other man, his companion, was taken out in the current of the Mississippi river at night, and sunk by a stone for fish bait."

A NARRATIVE OF BLOOD.

It is painful to follow this villain Lee through his narrative of crimes, which would set a New York thug shuddering with dismay. But what he says in these pages before me throws so much light upon the hideous policy of the Mormon Church that it cannot well be dispensed with at this time. Lee proceeds: --

"Soon after the death of Joseph Smith, two young men named Hodges were brought to trial at Nauvoo for murdering an old man and his wife and then robbing them. The circumstances were such as to implicate Brigham Young. In fact, two elder brothers of the murderers, named Amos and Urvine, were very free spoken about the affair indeed. They said Brigham Young was the man who caused their brothers to get into that trouble, and threatened that if he deserted them, by the Eternal his blood should atone for it. This was a fatal threat. Soon after dark that same evening Hodges was met on his way home by two of the police, by whom he was knocked down and stabbed four times in the left breast. He rose bleeding and ran to, and fell within a few feet of Brigham Young's gate. There, lying prostrate, he cried to Brigham Young, entreating him to come out and lay hands on him. But Brigham Young was not near; he was at my house when the deed was done, as he had often been before when similar murders were to be committed. I went home with him that night, as I was on duty as guard. We came upon the dead man. I do not recollect the precise remark of Brigham Young as we passed along, but it was in substance this: -- 'It is no worse for Hodges to die than it would be for me.'"

AVENGING THE PROPHETS.

Wading along through his bloody narrative, Lee proceeds to say: --

"Four of the police -- Ed. Richardson, Daniel Kearns, J. W. Laughby and Samuel Liyttle -- went above Nauvoo some ten miles to rob an old miser, as they called him. They rapped at the door about eight at night, and, being challenged, responded that there were no lodgings to spare and were directed to the houses of near neighbors. They withdrew a short distance, took counsel, and finally assaulted the house. Richardson was met by a shot from the old miser, which shattered his right arm, near the elbow. All then made their retreat without booty. I allude to this as one of many instances of robbery, burglary and theft which were continually committed with the tacit approval of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and other high officers of the Mormon Church. I have heard Brigham Young say, more than once, that such and such men would do for dirty jobs like plundering, or like killing mobocrat officers and burying them. He became very haughty and presumptuous before the Mormons were forced out of Nauvoo. In his office there I saw him raise his hand and heard him say, 'I swear by the eternal heavens that I have unsheathed my sword and that I will never return it to its sheath until the blood of the prophets is avenged. This whole nation,' Brigham shouted, 'is guilty of the shedding of their blood. It has sanctioned their murder by not bringing to justice and punishing their murderers. Every man who does not raise his voice against it is guilty, and our enemy, and on his garments lies the blood of the Prophet Joseph, of Hyrum his brother, of David Potter and of all the saints who have died martyrs for our glorious religion. Now betray me,' again exclaimed Brigham Young, 'any of you who dare.'"

"In the winter of 1845," says Lee, "the Mormon Temple was completed and as many received their endowments as the shortness of the time would allow. All who went through the endowment ceremony, male and female alike, took a solemn oath to avenge the blood of the prophets whenever an opportunity should be offered, and to teach their children after them to do the same thing. That oath or obligation, which extends to the present time, I have no doubt is administered in the Temple now at St. George. All who oppose Mormonism are called Gentiles, aterm which means enemies to the priesthood and the faith. The Mormon doctrineis that their religion and the religion of the Gentiles are two elements which cannot dwell together. They believe that the kingdom of Latter Day Saints is destined to grow and fill the whole earth; therefore no other kingdom or religion can exist beside it; all other kingdoms or religions must be destroyed or give place to it. Thus the Mormon sect is at positive war with every other sect, and this is the secret spring of the animosity evinced by Mormons towards the strangers who have from time to time invaded their Territory. It accounts for unnumbered murders and midnight assassinations. I say unnumbered, but I believe that these crimes have been actually numbered from the murder of Joseph S. Day down to the present time as far as 1000."

GENERAL DUNHAM'S MURDER.

"Many a man among the Mormons," continues Lee, "has had to suffer for a slight association with Gentiles. It hasd been considered an offence even to treat Gentiles as human beings. I will mention the case of General Jonathan Dunham, one of the most faithful Mormons who ever lived. He was known as Captain Blackhawk, from his shrewdness as an officer during the Missouri troubles. He held the rank of brigadier general in the Nauvoo Legion, and was Chief of the Police, or Joseph Smith's Life Guard, when the two Smiths delivered themselves up to Governor Ford and were assassinated. It was said that Joseph Smith had requested Dunham to come near Carthage Jail with his men by night and lie in ambush to repulse the mob. Governor Ford's order, forbidding any troops to leave Nauvoo prevented Dunham from obeying this counsel. The blood of the Prophets was therefore found in the garments of General Dunham and it was decided that his blood must be shed as an atonement. This could not be done while we were in Nauvoo, as our Destroying Angels were watched too closely. But while we were on our exodus to the mountains General Dunham was appointed on a mission to the Pittawottamie Indians, together with two Destroying Angels of the old Nauvoo police force. The three were absent some for or five days. At the close of the fifth day the two police officers returned with the sword and clothing of General Dunham, and reported that he had died of fever on the way."

"Time," says John D. Lee, "passed rapidly. The western exodus took place. In 1850 I removed to the southern part of Utah; consequently I am not well acquainted with the many secret murders that have been committed north of Parowan. I heard of some of these murders in 1849 before I went south, and Brigham Young was the man who incited them."

"Brigham Young ordered Ira West, a brother of Chauncey West, Bishop of Ogden, to be slain for killing a bull and eating of its flesh when he was suffering from hunger in the desert. In fact, Brigham Young always held that a thief was as worthy of capital punishment as a murderer. His argument was that the only way to get rid of thieves is to destroy their tabernacles -- meaning their bodies. The matter was discussed in council when I was present. John Taylor spoke against the punishment, quoting in the teeth of Brigham Young, the scriptural passage, 'He that sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.' To this Brigham Young responded angrily, 'If you are so afraid of doing wrong, bring this culprit to me, and I will serve him as Samuel the prophet did Agog, the King of the Amalekites.' Old Judge W. W.Phelps moved that the case be laid before the people, saying that if the man was to forfeit his life the whole multitude should sanction the sacrifice and do as ancient Israel did -- help bear the responsibility by each one casting a stone. The matter finally went over till Sunday, when Lorenzo Young moved that the man who first proposed the taking of life for the offence in question be the man to execute the law. The matter here dropped, as the adoption of the motion would have made Brigham Young the butcher. A brother of Chauncey paid a fourfold redemptiojn of the bull, but this specific settlement did not stop the shedding of blood. Murders increased in frequency and horrror. No man felt safe from his neighbor, and some were distrustful of members of their own households. Two of B. C. Mackey's sons were killed; also John Lord and H. Wells and many more whose names have escaped my memory. They were not all Gentiles; many of them were Mormons, indifferent or weak in the faith. But in his moments of leisure he was always planning against the Gentiles. There were certain Gentiles who, he said, 'must be put aside.' One mountaineer there was in particular who offended him. No man's life was safe with him, whether Mormon or Gentile. If Brigham Young or one of the twelve apostles or even one of our little one-horse bishops said to a fanatical Mormon, 'Go and kill this or that man, woman or child,' the man thus instructed to do the killing would do it. Mr. Vincent Shurtleff told me but a short time ago that a Dane showed him where hem by order of Brigham Young, had killed and sunk a Gentile in a spring near his place. Shurtleff is a witness who will not fail."

TRAVELLERS MURDERED.

"I now," continues Lee, "turn to Parowan, Iron county, the place that I, together with George A. Smith, located and helped build up in 1852. John C. A. Smith succeeded George A. Smith in the Presidency at Parowan. Under his reign murder throve. Numerous travellers (Gentiles) were sent 'over the rim of the basin' -- that is to say, to their last long home. The same thing was done after Colonel W. H. Dame became the spiritual head of Parowan. I heard different presidents tell the sisters publicly that if they should get up in the morning and see the dogs running about with their husbands' heads in their mouths they need ask no questions. In 1857, when the Arkansas emigrants passed down by Parowan, a young man named Aden, attached to the emigrant train, recognized William Lang [sic - Leany?] among the Mormons as an old acquaintance whome he and his father had saved from mob violence in Tennessee. Lang, glad to meet Aden, invited him to his house and gave him some garden sauce. This being reported that same evening to Colonel Dame, the latter crooked his little finger to Barry Caster [sic - Barney Carter?], his brother-in-law and an angel of death. Without a word Caster walked out, went to Lang's house with a picket in his hand, called Lang out and struck him on the head, fracturing his skull and leaving him on the ground to perish. C. Y. Webb and Isaac Newman, President of the High Council, both told me that they saw and noticed Dame's signal. James McGuffie, then a resident of Parowan, but since forced by oppression to leave there, would be a first rate witness in this connection."

Such is the hitherto unpublished testimony of John D. Lee relative to the readiness of the Mormon people to shed blood up to the time when the Mountain Meadows massacre was committed. He directly accuses Brigham Young of sanctioning assassination and murder, and it is corroborated by other evidence in my possession, which will shortly be placed before you. What I desire now to impress on the minds of Eastern readers of the Herald is some adequate notion of the unique and shocking indifference to the shedding of human blood, which is part and parcel of the Mormon religion. Every true Mormon believes in blood atonement for his sins. He dreads hanging, but he is willing to be shot, often glad to have his throat cut. Many and many a time has an ignorant fanatic in Utah, oppressed with the burden of his transgressions, gone to Brigham Young and begged him to let his (the supplicant's) throat be cut as a remission of his sins. This explains the singular Territorial statute which gives a capital criminal in Utah the choice of three modes of death. Being sentenced to death, he can elect to be hung, to be beheaded or to be shot. No Mormon sentenced to death was ever hung by his own choice, and it is safe to say that the mode of death selected by John D. Lee will always be preferred by Mormon criminals. They find in it no terror -- only expiation.

LEE  A  FANATIC.

Lee's behavior on the scene of the massacre and his subsequent demeanor while lying under sentence of death vividly illustrates two phases in the life of an inveterate Mormon. Everything goes to show that Lee, who led the first assault of the Indians upon the emigrants, acted under a profound belief that he was serving the Church and pleasing its Prophet. Nothing in history is more impressive than the desperate determination of Lee, after he had once imbrued his hands in the blood of the emigrants, to finish them up so thoroughly that no trace of their fate should ever pass out into the world. His determination to kill, kill, kill, outran the ferocity of his superiors and inferiors alike. One ghastly incident of the massacre will illustrate the cruel pertinacity of the man. In the midst of the last melee two beautiful girls escaped together from the camp of the emigrants and concealed themselves in a neighboring thicket. An Indian chief discovered their refuge and sought them in it. At the same moment an Indian boy attached to Lee's person discovered the whereabouts of the girls and the curiosity of the chief and ran to Lee and informed him. Lee turned at once and hastened to the thicket. There he found the trembling fugitives and confronted the chief who asked him what he was going to do with them.

Lee responded, "they are too old to live."

The Indian answered, "They are too pretty to kill."

At this juncture the eldest of the two threw herself on Lee's breast, and wound her arms about his neck and said, "Oh, sir, for God's sake, for your mother's, for your wife's, for your sister's sake, please let us live! Don't kill us; I can't bear to die. Oh, sir, I'm too young to be put to death so cruelly! If you will let me live I promise to be your faithful servent; to tend upon you, to see to all your wants, to be everything you could wish a poor girl to be, all your life long. And poor Ella, sir, she's younger than I. For the love of the Saviour, don't let the Indian do her harm. Please sir, as you hope to rest beyond the grave, let us have our lives!"

The Indian, not understanding a word that was sais, again asked Lee, "What shall we do with them?" According to the testimony of the Indian boy who stood near, Lee said, not to the Indian but to the wretched girl whose arms were locked around his neck, "It is beyond my power to save you. I am acting under orders."

At this the girl who stood apart, named Ella, drew her sun bonnet down over her eyes. The Indian chief, overawed by Lee's authority, took a humane and certain aim, and shot her directly through the forehead. She dropped to the ground without a moan. At the same moment Lee, untwisting from his neck the arms of his victim, drew her head back across his breast and cut her throat from ear to ear with his hunting knife. Even the Indian turned in disgust from tgis callous butchery -- a butchery, however, which Lee persisted to his death in regarding as a part of his duty as a Latter Day Saint.

A  REWARD  FROM  YOUNG.

He did not lack reward from Brigham Young. Already he had received from Salt Lake City the following note: --

President's Office, City, March 24, 1857.      

Brother Lee: --

As you request an increase to your family, it is your privilege. Be kind as a father and wise as a son of God. Your sincere friend,   Brigham Young.

Soon after the massacre, Lee, in company with Haight, was elected to the Legislature and enjoyed at Salt Lake his share of the loaves and fishes. He continued to live in comparative clover until his arrest in 1874. After that period his existence may be compared to that of a live trout upon a frying pan. He had hopes until almost the very hour of his execution that Brigham Young would save him. The last hours of his life, while this hope was fading, were devoted to the writings I have introduced to you and to the following farewell message to his family and friends: --

Camp Cameron, March [23], 1877.      

Since my confinement here I have reflected much upon my sentence, and as the time of my execution has come, I feel composed and calm as a summer morning. I hope to meet the bullets with manly courage. I declare my innocence. I have done nothing designedly wrong in that lamentable affair in which I have been implicated. {Here Lee protests at some length and in the same strain with his published confession that he did what he could to save the emigrants, and that he had wept and mourned over their fate. He believes in a heavenly reward, prays that he may meet his loved ones in heaven, and bids farewell to his dearly beloved children. He then proceeds.} I have been treacherously betrayed and sacrificed by him who should have beeb my friend and whose will I have diligently striven to make my pleasure. In return for all my faithfulness during the last thirty years, my fidelity to him and his cause, he has sacrificed me in a most shameful and cruel way. I leave them in the hands of the Lord, who will deal with them according to his crimes, and make final restitutionin all things.

To the mothers of my children -- I beg of you to teach them better things than to sacrifice to their own interest the meanest wretch on earth, much less a neighbor and a friend, as their father has been sacrificed. Be kind and true to each other. Do not contend about my property; you know my mind concerning it. Live humbly and faithfully before God, that we may meet again in the mansions of bliss that He has prepared for His faithful children. Remember the last words of your most true and devoted friend on earth. Let them sink deep into your tender, aching hearts. Many of you I may never see in this world again, but I leave my blessing upon you all. Farewell.

---

THAT  MORMON  CONFESSION.
_____

GILMAN NOW DECLARED TO BE A KNAVE UNWORTHY OF BELIEF --
DID HE SELL HIS WIFE?

San Francisco, April 12, 1877.    

A Eureka, Nev., press dispatch says: -- To-morrow the history of Ed. Gilman, on this coast, will be published. He has lately obtained considerable notoriety in connection with the confession of J. D. Lee as delivered to District Attorney Howard on the field of execution. Gilman lived at Austria, Nevada, from 1863 to 1867, when he went to the Sweetwater mines. At Austria he was regarded by everybody as a worthless fellow, deserving of no consideration whatsoever. He pretended to be a prospector, but was never known to do a day's work. After going to Sweetwater he got to be Deputy Sheriff at Green River, He also married the widow of a man killed in a riot at the same place.

Returning to Salt Lake he purchased a small house and lived apparently happily with his wife for a time. Finally, however, he got tired of her and sold both the house and wife (?) to John Hall, formerly a White Pine saloon keeper, for $800. The transfer was absolute and made in good faith, Hall taking possession of both. His late exploits in the Lee matter were probably prompted and paid for by the Mormons. He is declared to be unworthy of belief.


Note 1: The Herald's purported John D. Lee "manuscripts, not yet published," are not otherwise mentioned by historians. It appears unlikely that the excerpt published under his name in Herald's May 13, 1877 issue is a genuine Lee production. If the document was indeed composed in Lee's handwriting, then it is possible that the writer had merely copied information from some third party. If the source was not in Lee's handwriting, then its publication by the newspaper was either a mistake or a hoax. The contents read something like James McGuffie's testimony, as featured in the May 10th issue. As an example of how the contents differ from John D. Lee's known writings, compare the Herald's episode in which William Leany was assaulted by Barny Carter, with the following passage from Lee's 1877 Autobiography: "The next day Laney was accused of being unfaithful to his obligations. They said he had supported the enemies of the Church and given aid and comfort to one whose hands were still red with the blood of the prophets. A few nights after that, the "Destroying Angels," who were doing the bidding of Bishop Dame, were ordered to kill William Laney in order to save him from his sins, he having violated his endowment oath, and furnished feed to a man who had been declared an outlaw by the Mormon church. The "Angels" were commanded by Barney Carter, a son-in-law of William Dame, who now lives in Los Angeles, California. The "Angels" called Mr. Laney out of his house, saying that Bishop Dame wanted to see him. As Laney passed through his gate into the street, he was struck across the back of the head with a large cedar club in the hands of Barney Carter. His skull was fractured and for many months he lay at the point of death and his mind still shows the effect of the injury then received."

Note 2: The John D. Lee "Farewell" printed by the Herald differs significantly from the version published in Lee's Autobiography. Possibly journalists inserted some lines from his final words on the day of his execution, into a written text -- or, the entire thing may simply be an alternative, discarded draft copy.

BRIGHAM  YOUNG'S  POWER.
____

The Methods by Which He has Controlled Federal Officials.
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DISTRICT  ATTORNEY  HOWARD'S  POSITION.
____

False Statements Intended to Make Him Appear as Shielding the Prophet.
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GILMAN'S  CHARGES  DISPROVED.
____

Salt Lake City, May 5, 1877.    

It has been the misfortune of nearly every able, independent and resolute federal officer in Utah to fail in his contest with the Mormon power. Whom Brigham Young finds to be his enemy he assails with such cunning or such ferocity as have seldom been equalled."Sir," said he at the Lion House only a few days ago, "look at the facts of those who have fought against us. Every one of them has been defeated, has fallen, and they can never lift their heads again in this Territory." In fact, Brigham Young, by means of his men and his money here and at Washington, has decapitated federal judges, secretaries, district attorneys and marshals whose devotion to their duty he could not shake and whose good will he was unable to buy. The pathway of officers whom the Church could appease by flattery or paralyze with bribes has been usually smooth. So popular and well beloved did one Governor of the Territory render himself among the Mormons in Salt Lake City that his board bill during the entire tenure of his office here was paid by the grateful corporation.

TACTICS  OF  THE  MORMON  LEADERS.

The United States officials, who, as President Young says, have "fallen," have, most of them, the bitter consciousness that they fell under foul blows. At the present time, when the attention of the country is directed with greater interest than ever to the institution of Mormonism and the hideous atrocities committed by its devotees, and when a nearer approach than ever is being made toward the apprehension of the men really responsible for the Mountain Meadows and other massacres, the Mormon Church is employing its old and hitherto infallible tactics against those who seek to bring the guilty to justice. the man here who, of all others, deserves at this time the gratitude and encouragement of friends of law and order throughout the Union, and who has fairly earned the hatred of the Mormon leaders, has met within the last few weeks that calumny which is always the reward of a sin against the Church. I refer to Sumner Howard, United States District Attorney, who convicted John D. Lee of the crimes for which he has been executed, and who has obtained, during and since Lee's trial, more evidence on which to base indictments of the other members of the Mormon hierarchy than had been collected by all his predecessors together. The assault on Mr. Howard in Gilman's affidavit had its effect in the East, doubtless, where Gilman may be supposed to be a reputable, discreet and truthful person. It was a cowardly, unwarrantable statement, for parts of which Gilman has since expressed his regret. It ought to be known as such in Washington and throughout the country, that Mr. Howard's effort to supplement his recent success by additional convictions of murderers may not be weakened or impeded by lack of confidence in his fidelity and honor.

HOWARD'S  SOUND  POLICY.

The hostility first manifested toward the present District Attorney at the Lee trial was caused by his unmoved adherence to a line of policy he had adopted to secure Lee's conviction. He conceived, whether rightly or not I will not undertake to say, that one reason of Lee's escape at his first trial was the animus manifested by the prosecution against Brigham Young. He determined, therefore, to keep Brigham Young in the background on the second trial, and he worked directly for the conviction of Lee. "there will be," he said, "more testimony bearing against Brigham Young, if I appear not to seek it, than if the questions put to witnesses constantly point in his direction. The jury, too, will be left unprejuduced and Lee will be sure to be found guilty. A verdict of guilty once procured, let the rest of the parties implicated look out for themselves."

That Mr. Howard's judgment was sound I do not for a moment doubt after the opportunities I have had of examining the startling evidence which will eventually be produced against those members of the Mormon priesthood who are seeking the destruction of the enemy who holds the cards against them.

GILMAN'S  STATEMENT  DISSECTED.

The attempt to incriminate Mr. Howard by making it appear that he served Brigham Young by withholding from publication a portion of Lee's confession implicating him in the Mountain Meadows massacre, and the insinuation that Howard afterward received money from Brigham Young for this service utterly fail to stand the test I have applied to them. [Edwin] Gilman, whom I have interrogated, alleged (1) that on the 8th of February last he went to the Penitentiary and delivered this message from Howard to Lee: --

"When you have got through fooling with your lawyers then I will talk with you;" (2) that on the 10th of February Lee sent a letter to Howard by a messenger named Barrington, consenting to talk with him, (3) that on the 11th Howard and Nelson, the United States Marshal, came up to the Penitentiary and had a long talk with Lee: (4) that on the 13th Nelson came alone to the Penitentiary and had a long talk with Lee; (5) that Nelson and Judge P. H. Emerson visited ine Penitentiary on the 14th and had another long conversation with Lee; (6) that on the 15th Howard and one Jerome P. Cross came to see Lee, and Howard was heard to say: -- "Mr.Lee, I am a man of my word and will take care of you;" (7) that Howard and Judge Tilford had another talk on the 19th with Lee at the Penitentiary;(8) that on the 25th Howard and Nelson again visited the Penitentiary, when Howard took Lee's confession away; (9) that on the 26th James Jack, Brigham Young's clerk, had a friendly business meeting with Howard at his office; (10) that some days after Howard asked Gilman to see James Jack and tell him: -- 'I want my receipt for that $1,700, or I want my money;' and that he, Gilman, delivered this message and received from Jack the answer that 'he couldn't raise all the money but would raise a part of it to-morrow and take it down to Howard.'["]

LEE'S  CONFESSION  FALSIFIED.

Gilman cited the following as a part of Lee's confession which Lee read to him, and which does not appear in the published report of the confession. "Mr. Dame had his orders from Brigham Young to put all the emigrants to death except the small children who would not be able to testify or do anything about it. Dame told me that whenever he was pushed he would produce that letter. I have also heard Mrs. Haight say that if her husband was ever arrested and brought to trial she would produce a letter in her possession showing who ordered the massacre." Gilman also quoted this passage: -- "Dame said that Brigham Young had said to him that these men were mobocrats and helped to kill the Prophet at Nauvoo."

HOWARD'S  EXPLANATIONS.

In respect to the numerous visits which District Attorney Howard, Marshal Nelson, Judge Emerson and Judge Tilford are thus represented to have made to the Penitentiary, they are explained, and I believe are now admitted to have concerned, not so much John D. Lee as other prisoners, whom it was the duty of Mr. Howard, especially, to see and consult with. Mr. Howard, however, denies none of the alleged visits to Lee, toward whom he demeaned himself as became an officer of the government in charge of a convicted prisoner. He simply denies that he ever sent such a message through Gilman as "When you have got through fooling with your lawyers, &c.," and says that if he ever made any such remark to Lee as that he "was a man of his word and would take care of him," that remark referred to a request made by Lee to be removed from the cell he occupied to more comfortable quarters."I never," says Mr. Howard, "received a message from him in regard to Mr. Crowe, who was the warden at the time, and I believe that was verbal and not written." Of the business transaction between himself and James Jack, Mr. Howard gives this simple explanation: --

"James Jack is the Treasurer of the Territory of Utah. All United States officers here, the deferal judges, clerks of courts, District Attorney and Marshal draw their compensation for Territorial services through James Jack, Treasurer. My fees against the Territory amount annually to $2,560, every cent of which I must get through James Jack. The Territorial treasury owed me at the time mentioned $1,750, for which I had applied, leaving my receipt, before I asked Gilman to go to Mr. Jack and procure from the receipt or the money. You can see, " added Mr. Howard, "what a mean and utterly baseless construction Gilman chose to put on my application to the Territorial Treasurer for my regular official dues." In this connection Mr. Howard explains how Gilman came to be so intimate at his office that he could call upon him to go on an errend to Mr. Jack such as the one described. Gilman was serviceable to Howard in another legal transaction then pending, and therefore had the privilige of the District Attorney's office.

NOT  IN  LEE'S  PAPER.

The crucial allegation made by Gilman, that Lee made a confession in regard to Brigham Young, which Howard knew of and suppressed, is without doubt untrue. I have read every line of the confession placed in the hands of Mr. Howard by Lee and havecompared it, so far as it concerns the Mountain Meadows affair, with the published copy sent forth by Howard. No affirmations such as Gilman cites appear in Lee's manuscript, nor do they appear on any page of the volumnious unpublished manuscripts left by Lee, some hubdreds of pages of which are in my possession. To my question whether he believed that Mr. Howard ever saw or knew of the passages cited above as parts of Lee's confession, Gilman said to me, "Well, I can't say that I believe he did." Mr Howard himself avers -- First, that he never saw such a writing by Lee; second, that Lee would have been sure to have shown it to him if he had written it; and, third, that it is incredible that Lee could have exhibited or read to Gilman any part of his confession, since Gilman was so placed as a guard that he could have held no extended intercourse with Lee.

HOWARD'S  POSITION.

This justification of an officer who occupies, at the present time, one of the most delicate and responsible posts in the country is not needed here, where most of his earlier critics have joined with his friends in sustaining and encouraging him.The task before him is arduous and difficult. He has one advantage in this, that the traditions of courts in Utah are for the second time violated by the existence of a grand jury, the majority of whom are not Mormons. Another advantage consists in evidence unusually direct which ought to condemn to death several atrocious believers in blood atonement. There is a disavantage in lack of money to secure the attendance of witnesses who have removed from the Territory and to carry on necessary proceedings in court. This disadvantage, which ought, if possible, to be done away with at the extra session of Congress may prevent a consummation of justice which would be approved by the whole country, inasmuch as it would probably consign to a doom identical with of John D. Lee, the greatest fraud and the supremest felon of the century.

---

The Crisis In Utah -- Where is the Attorney General?

If the federal officers of justice in Utah are properly and energetically sustained from Washington, our Salt Lake correspondent writes in a letter we print elsewhere, the conviction of the real authors and directors of the Mountain Meadows massacre, and of other equally atrocious murders, is not only possible but probable. But he adds that a failure of such necessary. support "may prevent a consummation of justice which would probably consign to a doom identical with that of John D. Lee the greatest fraud and the supremest felon of the ccntury."

Our correspondent is a careful investigator, not in the habit of jumping to conclusions, and he has access to the best sources of information. We have no hesibtion in calling the attention of the administration at Washington and of the country to his words. He recalls what is perfectly true, that "nearly every able, independent and fearless federal officer in Utah has been broken down in his contest with the Mormon power." Brigham Young himself boasts of his succeSS. He has caused in past years the removal of federal judges, secretaries, district attorneys and marshals whom he could not gain over to his side by bribes or coerce by terror. But whoever of these officers has chosen to play into his hands has found himself pleasantly placed. One complaisant Governor had his board bills paid by the Mormon authorities during his whole stay in the Territory. Money and men to carry on intrigues, not only in Utah, but in Washington, have never been lacking. "Look at the fates of those who have fought against us!" exclaimed the Prophet but a few days ago.

It is not probable that the efforts to defeat the attempts of federal officers to do justice will cease just now. On the contrary, they are sure to be more desperately pushed than ever before, for never hitherto did the Mormon leaders find themselves threatened with a real danger; never before since they began their rule in Utah have they seen justice vigilant, undeterred by fears or by bribes, and actually on their tracks. "A nearer approach than ever before is making toward the apprehension of the men really responsible for the Mountain Meadows and other massacres of the Mormon Church," writes our correspondent, and, excellent as are his sources of information, we may depend on it, Young and the other Mormon leaders are quite as well informed as he. He speaks, too, of "evidence unusually direct which ought to condemn to death several atrocious believers in blood atonement," and in District Attorney Howard's despatch to the Attorney General, which we printed on Wednesday last, he writes to his official chief: -- "There are facts within my knowledge, not derived from Lee, that rebut the inference that there was written communication between Lee and Brigham Young, but which will show that communication to have been between Young and another party, which I will, if desired by you, recite in a private communication." In short, if the federal officers in Utah are encouraged and sustained from Washington as they ought to be the authors of the Mountain Meadows massacre and of other no less atrocious murders will be brought to justice.

The letter of our correspondent, which we print elsewhere, is simply an appeal for such support. He shows that District Attorny Howard has been a remarkably able, faithful and courageous officer; that he has pursued without faltering the trail on which he found himself in the prosecution of Lee; that the condemnation of that wretch was mainly due to the skill with which Mr. Howard isolated his case from that of Young and the other Mormon leaders; that before the Grand Jury, which meets at Salt Lake City on the 21st -- one week hence -- and of which, fortunately for the cause of justice, a majority are not Mormons, Mr. Howard will lay a mass of "Very important evidence, which should lead to the indictment of prominent Mormon leaders; that attempts to misrepresent and calumniate, and thus to defeat Mr. Howard, have already begun, and it would seem that so far as Mr. Howard and the other federal officers are concerned they have done their duty, and success is within their reach if only they have support from Washington.

But, with all that has been done, we are told "there is a disadvantage in the lack of money to secure the attendance of witnesses who have removed from the Territory and to carry on necessary proceedings in the court." We have read frequently of late, in Washington despatches, that the appropriations for the Department of Justice were exhausted, but we did not suppose that matters had been so managed there that one of the most important criminal investigations this country has ever known was to be crippled by lack of a few thousand dollars. Can this be true? If it is the Attorney General ought certainly to let the public know it.

It is necessary to speak plainly in this matter. We call on the Attorney General to show that he is doing his duty in this matter; that he is awake to its importance; that he is familiar with all its details; that he is supporting with proper energy the District Attorney, Marhal and other federal officers of justice in Utah, and not leaving upon their shoulders the whole burden of a contest which, he ought by this time to comprehend, will be waged on the Mormon side without scruples as to the means they use and with all the money and influence of the Mormon Church at their absolute command. So far as the public here or in Utah knows, the Attorney General is paying no attention to these investigations. Now, not only is there no reason for secrecy on his part in the matter, but it is of great importance that the public, particularly in Utah, should understand that the federal administration does take the most thorough interest in the work of District Attorney Howard; that it means to give the most vigorous support to this officer; that it is determined to have justice done, no matter who is struck down. There is an impression that Attorney General Devens, though an able lawyer, is a mild and easy-going old gentleman, with little energy and a good deal of deportment. So far as the Mormons know in Utah this is a correct description of Mr. Devens. But we trust the President has his eye upon the Attorney General's office, and that he will know how to infuse the necessary energy into the Department of Justice. If Mr. Devens is not equal to the Utah emergency the President should not hesitate to replace him with a better man. He ought to act promptly; he will not be blamed for making a mistake in the selection of a Cabinet officer; but he will be justly blamable if for any reason he retains one who neglects an important duty or who is unequal to a great and vitally important work. If the efforts of District Attorney Howard and the other federal officers of justice in Utah to bring to justice some of the most atrocious criminals of the century fail because these faithful and courngeous men are left without sufficient support and encouragement, that will be a blot on the new administration which we hope not to see. Brigham Young evidently counts on their failure. He has broken down a good many federal officers; he is not yet much afraid of District Attorney Howard; he blusters about blood in his sermons and brags at the Lion House about the disagreeable fate of those federal officers who have "fought" against him. He sees so far, evidently, no sign in Washington that the times have changed, and he knows, perhaps, that the Attorney General's office has been too busy for some years with Southern political campaigns to pay much attention to justice.

---

BISHOP  LEE'S  CONFESSION.
_____

VERACITY AND CREDIBILITY OF ED GILMAN STRONGLY ENDORSED.
(BY  TELEGRAPH  TO  THE  HERALD.)

San Francisco, April 13, 1877.    

A telegram from Eureka, Nev., published here this morning to the damage of Ed Gilman in the Howard case is a batch of falsehoods. A gentleman who has known him thoroughly for ten years tells me that he has always been regarded as a practical mining foreman, industrious and sober. It is a well known fact that he had the fullest liberty of the Salt Lake Penitentiary and was a keeper while Lee was confined there.

GILMAN ON THE WAY TO WASHINGTON,

A special to the Chronicle from Salt Lake says: -- "Ed. Gilman, who recently figured in connection with the Lee confession, left this city for Washington, in the interest of the Mormons, who advanced him the money necessary to defray the expenses of the trip. He is operating in conjunction with one Parsons, an old employee in the Salt Lake Post Office. District Attorney Howard admits to friends that he was picked up by him and employed as a detective to work up small criminal business in this judicial district."


Notes: (forthcoming)

The  Mormons  Arming.

The more persistently the Mountain Meadows massacre is investigated the more actively the Mormons arm and drill, and Governor Emory has now asked the Secretary of War to strengthen the federal forces in Utah. We suppose he will do so, though we confess ourselves unwilling to believe that Brigham Young can be so foolhardy as to attempt open violence. But it is not jmprobable that very important arrests may have to be made soon after the meeting of the Grand Jury, on the 21st, and additional troops on the spot would at least prevent the rescue of persons apprehended.

The prophet Young thought it wise to denounce the New York Herald in his tabernacle sermon on Sunday. But the Herald only demands justice. Does Mr. Young pretend to defend, does he mean to protect the persons concerned in the Mountain Meadows and other massacres? He has never denied that these murders were committed. The officers of justice are trying to discover the murderers. They have brought one of them, Lee, to execution. We want them to go on fearlessly. and we should like to see Brigham Young and the Mormon leaders generally helping District Attorney Howard. Instead of that they are prancing about like mad bulls and crying out blood. What is the matter?


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  SCARED  MORMONS.
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Agitation in the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
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UNSAINTLY  APOSTOLIC  DENUNCIATIONS.
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Mormon Denials of the Mobilization of the Legion.
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CRIMES  TO  BE  PUNISHED.
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"Idaho Bill," one of the Captive Children, Tells His Tale.
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TWO  STARTLING  LETTERS.
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What Lee's Wife Taught the Boy She Protected.
____

(BY  TELEGRAPH  TO  THE  HERALD)

(under construction)

SALT LAKE, U.T., May 16, 1877.

Resenting the publicity given in the Herald to their rebellious plans and purposes, the Mormon priesthood assembled here in conference are playing a tremendous game of bluff. Their newspapers and speakers have been instructed to deny the fact now so notorious that the militia are arming and drilling, under orders from their commanders, all over Utah. In a public meeting in the Tabernacle Erastus Snow, one of the twelve apostles, was delighted to express the wrath and disgust of the Church at the utterances of the Herald...

A  SMILE  THAT  WAS  BLAND.

Brigham Young, who is a little bit frightened just now, and did not wish to make such dreadful threats himself, smiled blandly on Apostle Snow as he resumed his seat.

A  DENIAL  FROM  GENERAL  WELLS.

Last evening I addressed to Daniel H. Wells, lieutenant-general of the old Nauvoo Legion, and second counsellor to Brigham Young, the following note: --

DEAR SIR -- Is the report true that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, especially those belonging to the old Nauvoo Legion, have resumed their arms and military drill in various parts of Utah within the last few weeks? The order issued by Colonel Dame shows that some of the companies at least have been commanded to put themselves in martial order. I am told that similar directions have been disseminated throughout the Territory. Are you aware of the purpose for which Colonel Dame's order was issued? Do you know what is intended by militia drills in Utah at the present time? Is there, in your judgment, any ground for the report that President Young or any other member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would attempt resistance in an extremity to the operations of United States laws? Very respectfully yours,   _____ ________
                            Correspondent of the New York Herald.

GENERAL  WELLS'  RESPONSE.

General Wells responds: --

Dear Sir -- No order has been given for a muster of the legion. There is no intention on the part of Brigham Young to resist the laws, nor does anybody intend resistence to them on his behalf. We should be only too glad to see the laws enforced. Colonel Dame some time ago expressed his desire to be relieved, and may be getting his command ready for his successor.   Respectfully,
                            Daniel H. Wells

A passage in General Wells' note, which is somewhat scarred by erasures, deprecates the attachment of any belligerent meaning to the present military manoeuvres.

GOVERNOR  EMORY'S  OPINION.

Governor Emory is not of General Wells' opinion, since he asks the Secretary of War to replenish the United States garrisons in Utah with additional troops. The Mormons continue to arm and srill, although they are uncertain when they may be called on to secure the safety of their chief. Their ignorance in this respect must needs be shared by everybody.

YOUNG'S  POSITION.

Brigham Young's dilemma is understood by few except himself and the United States District Attorney. It is generally supposed that if he is indicted and tried at all it will be solely as an accessory to the Mountain Meadows massacre. If this were true he would be in no immediate danger. The Grand Jury in the judicial district where the massacre was committed, which alone could indict him will not meet until next September in Beaver City, where Lee was convicted.

MEETING  OF  THE  GRAND  JURY.

But it is true a Grand Jury will meet on the 21st of this month in Salt Lake City, whose business it will be to inquire into the facts concerning many dreadful murders and assassinations, whose prepetrators, although known to be Mormons, could never be convicted by Mormon juries.

Brigham Young and other head men of the Church are accused as instigators of these crimes, and Young himself may yet have to answer for the bloody deeds of his agents done long years ago in States where there are no fanatics of his faith to hang a jury, and where murderers are punished according to their deserts.

COMPOSITION  OF  THE  JURY.

A cloud of witnesses will assemble here, and the Grand Jury of fifteen, of whom twelve can present an indictment, has for the second time in the judicial history of Utah only three Mormons on the list. It will resolutely endeavor to indict Brigham Young and others for the crimes of which they are accused, and for that purpose it will sit if necessary until September.

EVIDENCE  AGAINST  YOUNG.

The evidence against the Prophet accumulates, and if means are provided to secure the attendance of important witnesses he will be sorely beset....

---

STARTLING  REVELATIONS.

REMARKABLE  EVIDENCE  OBTAINED  BY  OUR
SPECIAL  SALT  LAKE  COMMISSIONER.

(see article transcript on "Idaho Bill" web-page)

IDAHO  BILL'S  WRITTEN  STORY.

The following is a copy of Idaho Bill's written statement to which he refers above and which he sent to District Attorney Howard last February. I need not add that Mr. Howard, to whom I have exhibited copies of the letters alleged by Bill to be in his possession, will lose no time in testing his veracity: --

(see Sloan letter transcript on "Idaho Bill" web-page)

LEE  ON  IDAHO  BILL.

Just as I am closing this letter a paper comes into my hands which lends additional interest to it. The paper contains a statement made in regard to Idaho Bill by John D. Lee just before his execution. It curiously corroborates, in some respects, what Idaho Bill has said, and while it should be borne in mind by the reader that Lee and Idaho Bill may have "cooked up," while they were in prison together, a story for their mutual benefit, the two stories as here published do not on their faces entirely justify such a conclusion.

(see Lee letter transcript on "Idaho Bill" web-page)

---

The Excitement in Utah.

Last Sunday morning, after the prophet Brigham Young had denounced woe and destrnction upon the enemies of the "Latter Day Saints" in general from his pulpit in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the prophet Erastus Snow was deputed to do a little particular denunciation of the press, and especially of the New York Herald, which seems to have created an unusual commotion among the Mormon leaders of late. "You lying scribblers," he shouted, "are falsifying for the purpose of destroying the Saints; but you will not succced!"

We advise the apostle Snow to keep his temper. So far as we know he has no occasion for alarm. If he has been party to the Mountain Meadows massacre or to any other murders we have not yet heard of it, and the Herald's object just now is to stir up the officers of justice and the administration at Washington to make thorough work of the innstigation of numerous murders which District Attorney Howard has on hand. Why do Brigham Young and his apostles fall into a fury over a judicial investigation whose only object is to bring assaSsins to justice? We should have thought these prophets and head saints would be but too rendy to help Mr. Howard and the other federal officers search out the authors of one of the most atrocious and wanton assassinations on record, which occurred within their Territory, in which Lee, one of their leading men, is known to have been a leading actor, and for which, certainly, all who had a share either in ordering, planning or executing it ought to be hanged.

The federal District Attorney and Marshal in Utah are making a judicial inquiry into the history of an atrocious murder of men, women and children. The Grand Jury, which assembles on the 21st, and is composed for the greater part of citizens not Mormons, will hear the evidence of a large number of witnesses who have been subpoenaed because they are believed to know something about these murders. An ingenious attempt to blacken the character and destroy the efficiency of tho District Attorney has broken down. Mr. Howard, it is found, can neither be bought nor scared, and so, suddenly, Young and the other prophets begin to bellow about persecution and to prophesy bloody times. All this is very silly, unless, indeed, these prophets have something to conceal -- unless they have reason to fear for themselves at the hands of justice. If they are guiltless they can have nothing to conceal, and instead of denouncing the Heraldthey ought to be helping the District Attorney.

We copy from the Salt Lake Herald, the Mormon organ, a general denial of the reports that the Mormons are privately arming and drilling. "There is no occasion for alarm," says the Mormon journal; "yet two or three scoundrelly newspaper reporters have put in circulatIon a base lie which, if unchecked, might bring ruin aud desolation upon a whole Territory." Here we do not agree with our contemporary. No newspaper report, even if it were entirely false, could ruin Utah or desolate it. That is all nonsense. If the Mormons are not arming and drilling misstatements in newspnpers will do no harm; their falsehood will be quickly discovered, and there an end. Even if the Mormons are arming and drilling "ruin and desolation" will not follow unless they should, at the bidding of their prophets, commit the incredible folly of making war against the United States. We have several times said that we do not believe they will venture on this. It has never been their policy. Brigham Young has caused grass and forage to be burned, cattle to be driven off and farms to be destroyed, to impede the advance of federal troops; but he was careful even then to warn his people to keep their hands off federal soldiers. It was the Arkansas emigrant train which was murdered, and not Harney's or Sidney Johnston's army.

But the Mormon organ's denial comes too late. Our correspondent's reports of the arming and drilling in Utah are confirmed by a request for reinforcements made to the Secretary of War by Governor Emery. We do not suppose the Governor fears a violent and general uprising, but he knows very well the great power the Mormon leaders still have over the more ignorant part of their followers; he knows privately, in all probability from the District Attorney, that it may be necessary presently to arrest some of the higher Mormon chiefs; he "knows that a rescue may be attempted, and he means to be prepared against such an attempt." In all this he is wise. A letter which we print elsewhere to-day from our Salt Lake correspondent contains matter which may turn out to bring home to Brigham Young himself a guilty knowledge of the Mountain Meadows massacre. It is a very curious and extraordinary story which our correspondent relates; he is a careful and trained investigator, and it will be noticed that he does not give entire faith to the revelations of Thatcher or "Idaho Bill." But the identity of this man with one of the children saved from the massacre seems to be at least probable.

Now, we warn Brigham Young and his fellow prophets not to attempt any nonsense. If, as seems probable from the despatch of the federal District Attorney and from the reports of our own correspondent, there shall appear before the Grand Jury evidence warranting the arrest of Brigham and other prominent Mormons they must submit quietly. We have heard enough about blood and destruction. The country is not in a humor to stand much bluster from Young. If his arrest should be ordered he had better go at once and quietly give himself up. If the arrest of half a dozen other prophets should be ordered we advise them also to surrender at once and without the least bluster. Whoever is arrested will be tried; under the circumstances he is likely to have rather better than a fair trial, for almost any jury empanelled in Salt Lake is more likely to acquit than condemn an influental Mormon. But if Brigham Young himself should be found guilty of murder he will have to hang, and the Mormon leaders may as well mnke up their minds that they are no better than anybody else. The times when they could bar the advance of a federal army, when they could compel silence on pain of death in their capital, when they had an army of Indians at their command, when a "Gentile" was only tolerated in Utah, and they ruled as despots in the Territory -- these times have gone by. Their influence over a great part of the Mormon population has been slowly on the wane ever since the Pacific Railroad was completed, and justice, which first made itself felt against Lee, will no longer be balked there. We hope the Attorney General is awake to what is going on in Utah, and that he will not fail to give the utmost support to the District Attorney and Marshal in their labors there.

Note: See also: "I Survived the Massacre," Salt Lake Tribune, Oct. 31, 1875, "The Mormons," the Rochester Daily Union and Advertiser, May 18, 1877, and "'Idaho Bill' His Story of the Massacre at Mountain Meadows," San Francisco Daily Morning Call, May 29, 1877.

THE  UTAH  THEOCRACY.
_____

A Mormon Wife and Mother Pictures Her Degradation.
_____

How She Revolted from Polygamy and was Cursed
by Her Husband.
_____

ORSON  PRATT'S  HAREM.
_____

The Reign of Terror Vividly Described.
_____

PROTESTS  FROM  THE  MORMON  PRESS.
_____

The Mysterious Disappearance of Judge Wandell.
_____

SALT LAKE CITY, May 10, 1877.    

I shall in these letters cite the testimony of more than one woman who is or who has ceased to be a Mormon. It is time to give you the pathetic narrative of Mrs. Orson Pratt, the first and lawful wife of the ablest, most eloquent, most fanatical and unfortunate of the twelve apostles of the Mormon Church, who is best known in the East as the champion who overthrew Brother Newman, of Washington, in an argument on polygamy at the Tabernacle here several years ago.

Mrs. Pratt was married to Orson Pratt at the age of nineteen, as other confiding girls are married every day to husbands who promise to love them only until death. Hardly a year had passed when she was rudely awakened from a prolonged and illusive honeymoon. Her husband heard the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and was infatuated by them. His eloquence and her affection induced her to abandon her family and her early friends and join him in the long and miserable pilgrimage of the Mormon outcasts which ended in the valley of Salt Lake.

THE  PROPHET  BEARDED.

Mrs. Pratt's experience in Nauvoo and afterward in Utah not only taught her to study the characters and motives of the leading Mormons with whom she was continually associated -- it gave her knowledge of their acts. It so happened that she had known Brigham Young when he was a vulgar illiterate boy, and this fact, involving a bad original impression of him, led her afterward to distrust his right to the mantle of the Prophet Joseph, and to address him when at the height of his power with familiarity and irony, which were extremely distasteful to him. "Mr. Pratt," she says, "often used to say to me, 'I wish I could talk to Brigham Young as freely as you do, but somehow I never dare to do it.'"

The lady's recollection of the state of Mormon society in Utah in the years just preceding the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and of the men whose names have figured in the traditions of that atrocity from Brigham Young, Governor, down to Indian Farmer John D. Lee, is vivid. She knew immediately, as her husband did, all the apostles, spiritual heads, bishops, counsellors and officers of the Nauvoo Legion at that time. Dame, Haight, Higbee, Stewart and others in Southern Utah were among her acquaintances, also the cunning missionary George A. Smith. At her home the other evening, where I obtained from her lips a thorough and fearless statement of events within her knowledge since her pilgrimage here, she gave me these facts and impressions: --

A  REIGN  OF  TERROR.

"Whether the Mountain Meadows massacre was ordered by Brigham Young or not -- and I haven't a doubt that it was -- it was the natural result of Brigham Young's teachings. The ceremonials and oaths of the Endowment House, the commands given by Brigham Young and the twelve apostles from the pulpit, and the counsel transmitted to the people through bishops, counsellors and teachers, all urged the doctrine of blood atonement. Murder had become common; the smell of blood was in the very air. Scores of dead men and not a few dead women lay unburied on the 'benches' at the feet of the mountains around Salt Lake City -- lay there, I say, as food for crows and objects of interest to the hawks that circled over their gradually denuded and whitening bones. There were few inquiries and satisfactory explanations in regard to these corpses. It is horrible, but it is true, that men in that time missed their wives and wives their husbands forever without daring to seek their remains or even make an inquiry about them. There was a time when the disappearance of prominent citizens here was only mentioned by their friends in whispers, and when a woman being discovered by her teacher in tears over the news that her husband had been murdered, was found in bed next morning with her throat cut. Such was, then, the fear of Brigham Young and his chief counsellors, such, indeed, was the fanatical surrender of Mormons to the doctrine that whatever he ordered was directed from on high, that few even among those who suffered most dreadfully from the carrying out of the dogma of blood atonement had the temerity to question or denounce it. It is impossible to exaggerate. I cannot give you in my poor language an idea of the sense of oppression, the dread, the shrinking from an unfriendly look in the face of an acquaintance by day, and the anxiety at every unusual sound at night, of those among us who were not earnest in the faith or who were suspected of not being so."

MRS.  PRATT'S  MORAL  HEROISM.

"At that time, remember, I had ceased to be a Mormon. I was endeavoring to rear my children so that they should never espouse the Mormon faith, and, at the same time, to conceal from my neighbors and from the Church authorities the fact that I was thus rearing them. Fortunately my husband was almost constantly absent on foreign missions; but imagine if you can the difficulty, the strain upon my nervous system, of the task I resolved to accomplish. I had not only to prevent my children from becoming Mormons, I had to see to it that they should not become imbued with such an early prejudice as would cause them to betray to the neighbors my teachings and intentions. Many a night, when my children were young and also when they had grown up so as to be companions to me, I have closed this very room where we are sitting, locked the door, pulled down the window curtains, put out all but one candle on the table, gathered my boys close around my chair and talked to them in whispers for fearthat what I said would be overheard. This was no idle apprehension. Spies, then, were on the track of every suspected household. There were nights when from two to four men used to gather around this dwelling, leaning with their ears against the panes to hear some word which might warrant them in entering and erasing all our lives."

A  MALIGNANT  EXCLUSIVENESS.

"The state of things in Southern Utah," continued Mrs. Pratt, "was even worse. Brigham Young and the other leaders were from the first opposed to Utah being a place of transit for travellers and emigrants between the Eastern States and California. They wanted to isolate the Mormon people, and especially they did not wish the ignorant English, Danish and other foreign Mormons in the South to become acquainted with strangers and thus learn too much of the outside world. They, therefore, inculcated in the southern settlements a malignant disgust of Gentiles, most of whom came to be regarded there as the very people upon whom all Mormons who had taken the 'endowment oaths' had bound themselves to 'revenge the death of the prophets.' Consequently assassinations of outsiders who took the southern route to the Pacific became even more frequent than the putting away of Mormon apostates. There is not an old Mormon resident of Beaver or Parowan or Cedar City who doesn't recollect, and could not tell if he would, of murders in and about those places which educated the perpetrators of the Mountain Meadows butchery in throat cutting and inured every one of them to the sight of blood. The pretended horror of Mormons over that affair, and particularly Brigham Young's statement when Lee came to Salt Lake City he told him 'he didn't want his feelings harrowed up by the details,' are the veriest fictions. They must seem ridiculous to all who, like myself, have not forgotten the willingness and practised skill in bloodshed of at least one-third of the white Mormons who participated in the killing of the Arkansas emigrants, and the indifference of Brigham Young to the murders which at that time befouled nearly every canyon leading out of Utah."

A  VULGAR  SYLLA.

"I infer that you have not seen any letter or paper from Brigham Young encouraging those Southern Mormons to wipe out that emigrant train. Are you sure, then, that he gave such an order?"

"As sure as I can be of anything that I did not actually see or hear. I am sure that neither Lee nor Haight nor Higbee nor any of the men who put themselves lower than the savages that day would have done what they did, if they hadn't been satisfied they would have been found at fault with if they hadn't done it. I tell you, sir, they didn't dare to let those emigrants pass and not do it. They could not have been sure at the period I have described to you that their own blood would not have been spilt if they neglected to commit that butchery. I mean to explain to you, and I want you to understand, that those men were so dependent upon Brigham Young, so pledged and anxious to do his will and so afraid of his vengeance if they should not please him, that they must have been certain of his approval of that barbarous job, else not a man of them would have undertaken it. Brigham Young was, as I have partially explained and you will presently see, absolute dictator over life, property and domestic concerns throughout Utah. No one but a hothead or a fool ventured to buy or sell a house or move from one settlement to another or marry or get an extra cow without consulting him through a bishop. Much less would a Mormon have ventured to engage without the Prophet's counsel in so bloody an enterprise as that at Mountain Meadows. The general instructions to murder extended only to those lesser tragedies which for twenty years did not attract national attention; the Mormons' fondness for killing and their fanaticism combined never could have stimulated them to the responsibility of putting to death 130 men and women at once without their leader's sanction."

THE  MORMON  WOMEN  HORRIFIED.

"Besides all this," said Mrs. Pratt, "there are other things. I understand that Brigham Young denies that he knew of the participation of whites in the massacre until long afterward. You say that he denies that John D. Lee mentioned anybody but Indians when he began to make his report to him at the Lion House. That must be a monstrous falsehood. Mrs. Benson, at whose house Lee stayed here, showed to me and others a list in his handwriting of the names of all the white men who were engaged in the massacre. I remember how shocked we were, because so many of us knew the persons who bore those names, and we did not dream that they would do such a deed. The idea that Lee did not show that list to Brigham Young is incredible. He certainly showed it to him. Neither he nor any other Mormon would have had the hardihood to appear before Brigham and tell a part of such a dreadful story without telling the whole of it, and that he was assured by Brigham Young that it was all right, is doubtless true, and I am of the opinion that Lee had much more truth to tell, which for some reason he refrained from telling, before his death."

SIGNALS  OF  DEATH.

"Brigham Young, too, alleges that George A. Smith knew nothing about the Mountain Meadows. Strange if he didn't; it was common talk at George A. Smith's house soon and long after the massacre. The main truth is, sir, that although Brigham Young may never have written out an order for the destruction of the Arkansas train, he could have signalled that order by the turning of his thumb or the crooking of his finger. If you go on inquiring here you will find that even so slight a gesture often decided men's fates. He could intimate his wish without a word, and his silent signals to George A. Smith and lesser men must be recorded in hell by hundreds."

A  WIFE'S  REVOLT  FROM  POLYGAMY.

As Mrs. Pratt paused in the silence near midnight, I regarded her with keen interest. She had been for forty years a professed Mormon along with her husband, during which time she gave birth to several sons, the eldest of whom is now thirty-nine years old. Her own age is sixty, and besides the burden of these years she bears a load of affliction and terrible memories compared with which the worst sorrows of women, not in her singular condition, seem unendurable. Many years before her arrival here her faith was shattered and her heart almost broken by the behavior of her husband, who, having devoted to the service of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young talents which might in some useful vocation have enabled him to rear and educate a happy and united family, at last entered into polygamous intercourse with other women.

"I don't wish to wrongfully accuse my husband," said Mrs. Pratt, "although we have been hopelessly separated for ten years. I believed, when he decided to enter upon the practice of polygamy, that he did so not from any violence of individual passion, but from sheer fanaticism. He told me that he believed it was his duty to take other women besides myself to wife, and at first he said that this would make no difference in his affection for me, which would continue pure and single as it has ever been. But think of the horror of such an announcement. He took wife after wife until they numbered five, and for a long time they were kept away from me and I was spared from intercourse with them. By and by he told me that he intended to put these five women on an exact equality with me; that he should spend a week with one, a week with another, and so on, and that I should have the sixth week! Then patience forsook me. I told him plainly that I wouldn't endure it. I said, 'If you take five weeks with your other women, you can take the sixth with them also.'"

A  POLITE  HUSBAND.

"It was a crisis. It brought out all that was bad in my husband's nature. He said to me fiercely, 'If you don't choose to live with me I don't know that I'm obliged to support you. You have my permission to go to hell. Stick to it or to starvation.'"

"I doubt," Mrs. Pratt went on to say, "whether any tongue could describe the sufferings I endured for fifteen years. I was a witness to the change in my husband's manner and disposition which always accompanies polygamy as it is practiced in Utah. Of course no man who consented for any reason to break his vow to his first wife could either be or seem to her to be the husband that he was before. Here was my husband, for example, gray headed, taking to his bed young girls in mockery of marriage. Of course there could be no joy for him in such an intercourse except the indulgence of his fanaticism and of something else, perhaps, which I hesitate to mention. The inevitable result came about at last. Like all, or at least most polygamists, he lost his former feeling for his legal wife, forgot whatever affection he may have had for other so-called wives, and came to look upon and treat his women as if they were cattle. I clung to him as long as God and duty to my children would let me. It was with a pang that I separated from him at last. But the pang is over; I am grateful to have retained my senses and the affectionate respect of my six living children. They are four boys and two girls, and not one of them is a Mormon. Their father gradually became estranged from them. He spoke harshly to them. He had and has no interest in their careers. But as for me, these children are my only pride; if they were not living, and if they did not love me, as I know they do, I should not wish to live another hour."

ORSON  PRATT  SKETCHED  BY  HIS  SON.

In addition to Mrs. Pratt's statement I receive the following from one of her sons: --

"Orson Pratt, who is without doubt a religious enthusiast, and one of the most talented men among the Mormon priests, has been held by Brigham Young in a state of almost disgraceful bondage. He has been repeatedly banished as a missionary to various countries of Europe and the East, and was nearly always, as he is now, in a condition next door to penury. While in England he married a young woman named Eliza, who returned here with him and died of starvation. When he was in New York City, occupied in translating into the Deseret Alphabet the Book of Mormon, he engaged as his assistant a young girl of sixteen or seventeen years, named Annie Smith, whom he brought to Salt Lake in 1865 or 1866. A young Dane courted and finally married her. Orson Pratt married about the same time a girl named Maggie, who was almost as young as his protege Annie Smith. She had one child by him, and afterward declined to live with him because he could no more support her than he could his other wives. Within the following year, she gave birth to a child of which it appeared that the Dane who had married Annie Smith was the father, and the Dane forthwith left Salt Lake City and escaped into Nevada. His wife took poison and tried to die, but a stomach pump prevented her, and she still lives. In the mean time Orson Pratt is employed as church historian on no specified salary, but gets a little money once in a while from the Tithing office. He has frequently been without a decent suit of clothes. The Salt Lake City police force once presented him with a suit of respectable habiliments, and Brigham Young has deigned once or twice to remind him of his seedy appearance and to give him garments suitable to appear in at the Tabernacle. Brigham appears to have been prejudiced against Orson Pratt ever since the trouble at Nauvoo. He avails himself of Pratt's talents, but keeps him a dependent at his feet. The latter uncomplainingly occupies the position, sustained in it as he is alike by religious zeal and an almost unexampled indifference to the opinion of men."

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ANOTHER CASE FOR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO INVESTIGATE -- MYSTERIOUS DISSAPPEARANCE OF JUDGE C. W. WANDELL AND FAMILY -- ARE BRIGHAM YOUNG AND THE DANITES RESPONSIBLE?

Greenpoint, May 16, 1877.    

To the Editor of the Herald: --

The Eastern friends and relatives of Judge C. W. Wandell, of Utah, are apprehensive that he has been "taken off" by Brigham Young's satellites, the Danites, in revenge for a scathing lecture on the Mountain Meadows massacre, delivered by him at Salt Lake City, in the Liberal Institute, on the evening of January 30, 1873, a full account of which appeared in the columns of the Herald on the 10th of the following month. During the delivery of the lecture, Brigham Young and the leaders of the Mormon Church were directly charged by Judge Wandell with being the real instigators of the massacre. This was indeed bearding the lion in his den. An old lady who had spent a score of years among the Mormons and knew Brigham well, after reading the Herald's account of the lecture, turned to the writer of this article and remarked that that of itself was enough to seal the fate of a dozen such men as Judge Wandell was.

DISAPPEARANCE OF THE JUDGE.

Since that time but few letters have been received from him, the last being dated San Francisco, November 6 of the same year, just as he was about to leave that city for some point not designated, being addressed to a sister in Brooklyn, E. D. Whether his family were with him or not is not known. It was afterward reported through Mormon sources that he went to Sidney, Australia, where it is said, he died in May, 1875. The Sidney Register, however has been thoroughly searched by Mr. J. H. Williams, the United States Consul, at the solictations of his (the Judge's) relatives, without finding his name. Neither was it entered on the Consul's books of the arrivals of American citizens, who always report at his office. Indeed, not the slightest clew has been found that he ever went there at all.

VICTIMS TO MORMON WRATH.

Since the publication of John D. Lee's confession, Judge Wandell's friends and kindred have come to the conclusion that he and his family have fallen victims to the wrath of the Mormon despot, being followed (if they ever left San Francisco alive) by Brigham's human bloodhounds and hunted to the death!

Judge Wandell was an old resident of both Nevada and Utah, and had for a number of years held numerous positions of trust both under the territorial and general governments. He had been engaged for several years in ferreting out the real authors of the massacre, with a view to bring them to justice, notwithstanding the warning of friends and the scowling of Brigham himself. He was also the author of the famous "Open Letters," signed "Argus," addressed to Brigham Young, in which he solemnly charged him with the whole responsibility of the slaughter of the emigrants. These letters were inserted in Stenhouse's "Rocky Mountain Saints," published a year or two ago. No wonder, then, that Brigham wanted him out of the way.   WILLIAM H. WANDELL.

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PROTESTS  FROM  THE  MORMON  PRESS --
SOME  LIVELY  READING  FOR  GENTILES.

(From the Salt Lake Herald, May 10)

We have denied so often the infernal lies manufactured in the Tribune office in this city and telegraphed to the New York Herald, concerning the arming and mustering of the Nauvoo legion, that it is becoming, like Brick Pomeroy's diet of onions, fearfully monotonous. Although we have made diligent inquiry we have failed to learn that a single company of the militia has met for drill, or that any drill is anticipated.

There is no denying the fact that some weak-minded people have become frightened by the sensational stories, and in California the excitement is said to be intense, a general slaughter of Gentiles in Utah being confidently expected. This seems like the veriest nonsense, and doubtless the villanous liars who started the stories snicker in their sleeves at the breeze they have created. We undertake to assert that not half a dozen sane men can be found in the Territory who have the slightest fear of violence from Mormons. There is no occasion for the least apprehension, and all know it; yet two or three scoundrelly newspaper reporters have put into circulation a base lie which, if unchecked, might bring ruin and desolation upon a whole Territory. We publish below an article from the Corinne Record, in which the editor of that journal gives the lie direct to his Kansas border brother scribe of this city. The editor of the Record, as can be seen by the extract, is no Mormon sympathizer, yet he has the manhood to deny the Tribune's falsehoods. Does any one suppose that if there were any real danger of the Mormons rising to do violence to Gentiles -- the proposition is almost laughably absurd -- that the handful of anti-Mormon citizens in Corrine would sleep peacefully, and [with] Cache Valley, the alleged head and front of the military movement, within a few miles of the burg on the Bear. Further, the wretches of the Tribune give the lie to their own words by moving about the streets of this city without fear of molestation. If there were truth in what they said how long would they dare to remain in Utah? Again, we assert that the business men of Salt Lake and of Utah, Mormon and Gentile, owe it to themselves to deny the truth of these stories and send it out to the world that supremest peace and monotonous quiet exist in all sections of the Territory. Here is what the Record has to say of the Cache Valley story: --

For some weeks past rumors have been rife that the Mormons throughout the Territory -- especially in the northern portion -- were arming and drilling with a view to resist the execution of the law.One sensation monger in particular -- the Salt Lake Tribune -- has spared no effort to set this community before the people East and West as in a state or insurrection, giving the impression that a general uprising of the Mormons was imminent, that destruction to the roadbeds of the railroads was being planned, and that a feeling of insecurity of life and limb was prevalent among the Gentiles and apostate Mormons. These reports have not only been published here, but have been telegraphed East and West, causing great excitement and injuring the business interests of the Territory. Some few days ago the Record took up these stories, and, on information and belief, characterized them as sensational, much to the disgust of our rabid Salt Lake contemporary, whose only object it appears is to misrepresent Utah matters for the purpose of getting notoriety as the great (?) Gentile organ of the Territory.In order to get at the bottom of the matter the Record sent a representative to Logan and other towns in Cache Valley -- the very stronghold of Mormonism -- to ascertain what grounds, if any, there were for the stories, and to make the most diligent inquiries and report just what the facts in the case warranted. The reporter performed his mission and the result only confirms our previous conviction, that a great deal of undue excitement has been worked up in relation to the matter.

Logan was the first place visited. In this town there is but one Gentile resident, the balance of the non-Mormon population being apostates. It was ascertained -- and this fact probably furnished ground for the Tribune's statement that the Nauvoo Lehion ad Mormons generally were arming and drilling by night -- that a small squad of boys had been in the habit of meeting and, without arms of any description, going through ordinary military drill, sometimes using private buildings. And as to the despatch reported to have been sent by Brigham Young to the Bishop at Logan calling on Mormons to prepare themselves with arms and ammunition and be ready for their enemies -- meaning the officers of the law -- there could not be found in allLogan a non-Mormon who saw the despatch or heard the discourse preached by the Bishop. In answer to the inquiry of whether such movements were on foot by the Nauvoo Legion as to cause alarm and jeopardize the peace of the Territory it was averred by all with whom the Record reporter came in contact that no danger of any kind was anticipated, no outbreak feared, and no necessity for any steps being taken in the matter by Governor Emery. All along the line, at settlements above and below Logan, non-Mormons were met with who declare that, to their knowledge, no such drilling had taken place, and no cause existed for any alarm. Written statements to this effect have also been received at the Record office, sent by men -- Gentiles -- who are trustworthy in every respect, and who, if any real cause existed for alarm, are in a position to know it, and would not be slow to claim the protection of the proper authorities. One and all, they declare that the publication of such reports was uncalled for, sensational and calculated to injure their business interests.

In this immediate vicinity nothing of a military nature is observable in the doings of the Mormons, and now, so far as Northern Utah is concerned, our readers can judge for themselves whether any good ground exists for the alarm occasioned by the published and telegraphed stories of an insurrection. The Mormons are well aware that no such demonstrations will be brooked by Governor Emery, and although we cannot doubt that their will to defy his authority is good enough, still a fear of the consequences deters them from doing aught that would bring the officers of the law down upon them.

Note 1: See also the Chicago Inter-Ocean for June 17, 1875 and "Charles W. Wandell's 'Argus letters'"

Note 2: See also articles in the Salt Lake Herald of May 6 and 9, 1877; the St.Louis Journal of May 13, 1877; and the Deseret News of May 16, 1877, wherein the alarming reporting of Jerome B. Stillson, the Salt Lake City correspondent of the New York Herald is strongly criticized. Subsequently E. N. Fuller served as the Herald's correspondent in Utah.

INDIGNANT  MORMONS.
____

What the Herald's Despatches Have Produced.
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GOVERNOR  EMORY'S  STATEMENT.
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Arming and Drilling Actually Going On.
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WHY  HE  ASKED  FOR  TROOPS.
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Indications of the Leaders to be Arrested.
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(BY  TELEGRAPH  TO  THE  HERALD.)

MORMONS  UNMASKED.
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The Herald's Work in Uprooting Crime.
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WOMEN  UNDER  DURESS.
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Brigham's  Deceit --  Pretending  to  Talk  with  God.
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Boston, May 16, 1877.    

The enterprise and interest which the New York herals has always manifested in exposing the fearful attrocities which have ever characterized that infamous institution of Mormonism must soon meet with serious recognition and be followed by vigorous action on the part of the United States government. This is the enthusiastic declaration of a former resident of Salt Lake City, whom your correspondent interviewed in this city to-day in the person of Major J. B. Pond, formerly of the United States army. Latterly he has been residing in Boston, bus since his removal from Utah. ten years ago, he has made frequent visits to the Territory, and his experiences and observations confirm the very worst reports and suspicions of the complicity of Brigham Young in the numerous outrages which have been permitted to disgrace a civilized community.

FRAUD  AND  HYPOCRISY.

Major Pond said: -- "I like the stand which the New York Herald has taken in regard to the Mormons -- that is, the fair manner in which it gives intelligence of the condition of affairs in Utah, and if the representatives of that paper will only pursue a straightforward course and not allow themselves to be influenced indirectly by people who are bought by Mormon money, they are going to show up the worst fraud and the worst hypocrisy that has existed on the face of the earth for the last three centuries. I know it. I have been in Utah when a Gentile would no more dare to walk the streets after dark than Wendell Phillips would have undertaken to have gone over the rebel lines during the hottest part of the rebellion, unless he was in company with some Mormons that were friendly to him, and to speak to a Mormon woman or anything of that kind was certain to result in a man being "put out of the way," as they term it there. Nothing has been done to show this up, because of intimidation, except what was printed by the Salt Lake Tribune and utterances of such men as General Conor, now in Utah and one of the first gentlemen there; also their conduct was denounced by Judge Cradelbaugh, who found it too hot for him, and could not stay there. Well, for the first few years they were compelled to stay within the limits of Camp Douglas, if they held office; but after civilization got there and railroads began to be constructed and reached them, the Mormons were more careful.

PERSECUTION  OF  AN  UPRIGHT  JUDGE.

Chief Justice McKeon is one of the purest men that ever lived, and he was removed because of his persistence in showing up frauds and because he was a gentleman who could not be bought. In his case they had to resort to their usual custom, which is, if they cannot buy a man, to break him down with the government. Mr. Beadle has written some facts about Bill Hickman which were true. It has always been supposed by many people here that they were sensational, but they were unquestionably facts carefully compiled, and Mr. Beadle's testimony and that of others, can prove them. All of the Mormons know that they are facts.

ANN  ELIZA  YOUNG'S  STORY  NOT  EXAGGERATED.

The statements of Ann Eliza Young herself in her book are facts. Her mother, Mrs. Webb, who was interviewed by a Herald correspondent at Lockport, N.Y., the other day, is a very truthful woman. Her husband is a Mormon, who is still among the Mormons, and has three other wives, but he is afraid to tell the whole truth of the matter. I think that Mrs. Webb, and especially her husband, know a great deal more about that Mountain Meadows massacre than they would tell, because they lived at that time in the southern portion of the Mormon country, and could not have helped, from their position, knowing a good deal about it; but still I think they have interests there, and cannot make an open fight without being turned over to what is known in Mormondom as the "Buffeting of Satan."

MORMON  MURDERS  AND  OUTRAGES.

The Gentiles who have been murdered in Utah are without number. I remember I was travelling to California three years ago, and I found people there who had been outraged by the Mormons, and was told of others who had been burned at the stake, and whose friends had been murdered when they were on their way to California. I remember one instance when the publisher of the Sacramento Record told me that when a party was on its way across the country they were met by three women. I think they came to them and told them they wanted to escape; that they had been imposed upon, been dragged into a life of infamy and shame -- in fact, a life of slavery and degradation and they wanted to escape. The party put them into one of their wagons. They moved on for a day or two, when they were overtaken by a body of Mormons, who charged them with having these women, and demanded that they return them over to their custody. Their first impulse was to fight the Mormons and defend the women. The Mormons told them they could resist them, perhaps, for a little while, but that in less than six hours they would have reinforcements enough to capture the whole train. They concluded, as they had not gone out there to fight the Mormons they would give the women up, and they did so. This publisher said he heard afterward that those poor women were taken back and killed. It was not only among men that these murders were committed but among women. It is known as the "blood atonement." You know that when a Mormon has broken the faith or offended the law they think that he must be killed in order to save his soul. And the women suffered alike with the men. The point I want to make most clear, and the idea I wish to convey is, I repeat, that if the New York Herald will persist in this investigation and send good, reliable men to Utah, that are not to be bought by Mormon money, and men who will pursue their investigations, they are going to show up the greatest fraud in the world.I know it.

MORMON  INTIMIDATION.

I met a most respectable lady in Sacramento city whose husband had been killed by Mormons in 1849, and there are any quantity of such instances. I met a man in San Francisco who had been out with a party with a drove of sheep one winter in Salt Lake Valley, and he said something derogatory about the Mormons to a friend, and he told him that he had made a mistake. A Mormon spy heard what he said, and in less than a week all his sheep were drivin off by the Mormons. And when you wrote letters to other parts of the country no one dared to write a word unless he [included] something favorable of the Mormons. It was a time when no Gentile dared to write a letter without saying something favorable of Mormons, because they tampered with the mails. I would no more dare, when I was out there in 1865, twelve years ago, send a letter East through the Mormon Post Office, without speaking favorably of the Mormons, than I would go and commit murder here. Say a word against them and you will never go out of the Territory alive.

I asked an influential Mormon "How is it a man can marry three of Brigham Young's daughters and it cause no special remark, and everything can go on satisfactory?"

"Oh," says he, "those things occurred in Utah when a man might wake up in the morning and find his own brother dead on his door steps, and all he has go to do is to go on about his business; no matter what takes place, 'mind your own business' is the Mormon creed, you know, not to ask any questions, and nobody dares to. It was a reign of terror. It was a very peaceable, quiet city in those days, and it was when Mormonism reigned supreme without opposition, except from a few Gentiles. There were a few stout hearted Gentiles who were kept at bay. Their only safety, however, lay in being to all appearances Mormons, paying tithing and saying nothing. Brigham Young never paid a cent in those days. He made the Mormons pay.

THE  MOUNTAIN  MEADOWS  CHILDREN.

Mrs. S. A. Cook was the first Mormon apostate who ever brought a suit against Brigham Young and ever got a judgment against him. It was for $2,000, but she did not get the money for a long time. When it was paid Mayor Wells, who was a Mormon, got her to sign a receipt for the money, and he took the money and in some way applied it to a payment for the land that she owned, which he claimed she did not own. She kept fighting until she made him pay. She was the first person that ever made Brigham Young pay in a United States Court. She was the woman also who had charge of the children who were saved at the Mountain Meadows massacre. I saw her three years ago and she had two photographs of the two boys. She showed them to some people at the Peoria House in Peoria, Ill. Those pictures, if they could be found, might be very valuable now. If the parties who were there at the house at that time could be found and interviewed very likely they could give some valuable information. It is the custom there among the Mormon officials to put every intelligent man who might be useful into some official position, and they utilize the best men in every branch of art and the industries.

BRIGHAM  GETTING  DESPERATE..

In answer to a question as to what he thought of the future of Mormonism, whether or not it is going to continue to be a permanent "ism" in the United States and continue also to defy the federal government, Mr. Pond said: "I think that the persistent efforts of Brigham Young and all that kind of thing looks as though he was on his "last legs," as the saying is. He knows he has a very short time to live, and he might just as well , in his opinion, make a good fight, for the Mormons are ready to go any lengths (so he says). No matter what he says and directs, they will do it. The Mormons have got five or six hundred missionaries in Europe, and they keep them there, and their acquisition of Mormon recruits from the lower classes in Europe is from three to six thousand, who are added to the Territory every year, while we are gaining but very slightly on the Gentile settlement, because Gentiles, you know, are obliged to go there as adventurers and miners. There is no inducement for them to settle. They cannot get hold of the land....

(under construction)

---

UTAH'S  BASHI-BAZOUKS.
(From the Pittsburg Commercial, May 15.)

What the government may choose to do with polygamy is one thing. That is a crime which has been tolerated so long that it has acquired a certain standing, which makes it a question how to dispose of it with the least injury to innocent parties. But the Mountain Meadows massacre is an event by itself. It was a crime against the law of God and man. Whatever palliation or excuse there may be have been is a matter for evidence. Young declares that the immigrants were a rabid set, and that they insulted the women and poisoned animals, and were insulting and vicious. It thus seems that he claims to have known about them. Whatever may be said or proven in palliation of the guilt of the parties, they are clearly guilty of crime, and the point now is to fix this crime, by legal evidence, on the guilty parties. The confession of Lee makes Young an accessory before and after the fact, and as such guilty of the crime itself. He should be arrested, tried, and, if found guilty, punished.

But the time is at hand when this entire question of polygamy, under the pretence of religious faith, should be taken in hand and disposed of. Considering its duration and the numbers attached to it, it is as completely covered with horrible crime as was slavery in its worst days. It may possibly die a natural death, but it is a grave question whether a blood-stained institution like this should be allowed to perpetuate itself for generations. It is offensive to our people and a blot on our institutions. It is offensive to the civilization of the country and age. Should it be allowed to remain? There can be no question that the sentiment of the country will fully indorse the enactment of a law by Congress specifically abolishing this feature of Mormon practice as being repugnant to our civilization and the genius of our institutions. But for the present let Brigham Young be arrested and tried for his part in the Mountain Meadows massacre....

Gold Hill (Nevada) News: -- "Brigham Young, the prophet, seer and revelator of the Mormon Church, does not imitate the example of Jesus Christ. He is not modest by any means. He is exceedingly impertinent, and he deliberately insults the nation which has tolerated him and his infamous religion for so many years. In the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City last Sunday he made use of these memorable words -- we say memorable, because we want all our readers to remember them in the future, when the doom of this hoary-headed old scoundrel overtakes him: -- 'If they want blood they can have it, and, indeed, they are likely to have more of it let out of their veins than they can spare, at an early period.' This, of course, refers to the Gentiles of Utah, to the citizens of the United States, who do not believe in Brigham Young and his Church. It is evident from this speech of the arch assassin of the nation that the story about the Mormons arming is no fiction. They have evidently made up their minds to save Brigham Young from the executioner by engaging in a rebellion against the government. Very well, let them try it. Gentile blood will flow, as the prophet, seer and revelator says; but the Mormon Church will be wiped out of existence. Rutherford B. Hayes, and not James Buchanan, is President of the United States to-day."

---

The Mormons and the Herald.

The vehement and insulting denials with which the Mormon press in Utah has met the statements of our Salt Lake correspondent have led him to ask Governor Emory and District Attorney Howard whether he had made incorrect reports. These two federal officers are the most responsible and the best informed in the Territory, and they confirm completely the reports of our correspondent. Governor Emory said to him on Friday that "the presence of additional federal soldiers would have a salutary effect." The Governor agrees with the Herald that it is not probable that the Mormons will venture to resist the federal authority, but "at a critical juncture" he thinks there might be a conflict between them and the "Gentiles." District Attorney Howard said to our correspondent, "I am satisfied that the Mormon militia has been reorganizing and drilling at severnl places, at the instigation of the Church leaders;" and again, "We have positive evidence of various meetings for drill and of the issuance of military orders."

We do not intend any offence to Brigbam Young and the other Mormon leaders when we say that these words of Governor Emory and the federal District Attorney will receive more credit here in the East than all the denials of the Mormon press. The reports sent us by our correspondent are entirely confirmed. But when we read further we find in the utterances of both these federal officers evidence that very exciting events are near at hand in Salt Lake City. The Grand Jury meets to-morrow, and, as a result of its investigations, Governor Emory significantly says: -- "I am confident that Haight, Higbee and Stewart, who participated with Lee in the Mountain Meadows massacre, will be arrested and convicted;" and in response to a more direct question, the Governor added, "I think the chief criminals accused will also be arrested, convicted and punished." District Attorney Howard, who had searched the whole history of murder in Utah carefully, says that since the Mormons entered the Territory he has ascertained that about six hundred murders have been committed. It will be noticed that he significantly speaks only of those which have been "ascertained." Being asked whether Brigham Young or other members of the priesthood were likely to be indicted by the Grand Jury, Mr. Howard very properly declined to answer, but he said, "Young is afraid of it; he has a keen sense of the fitness of things;" and he added, "My opinion is that Brigham Young would avail himself of the earliest information of proceedings by the Grand Jury against him, and that his organized Nauvoo Legion would be called into action to escort him and other Church officials who might be in dnnger of arrest beyond the reach of the officers of the law." Nor can the Mormons claim that this opinion of Mr. Howard arises from prejudice, for it is notorious that when Young was previously arrested for murder he defied the United States authorities; and only two years ago he violently resisted the United States Marshal, and two of his bodyguards were indicted in consequence, one of whom is now serving a term in prison for the offence.

All the signs show that we may be on the eve of exciting events in Utah. We trust the federal authorities in Washington are awake and alive to what is going on out there, and that the Attorney General will not allow his subordinate to bear the whole burden and responsibility of the work in Salt Lake on his shoulders.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMON  MASSACRE.
____

Names of All the White Murderers.
____

THE  SEVENTEEN  SURVIVORS.
____

An Official List of the Orphans.
____

WHERE  ARE  THEY  NOW.
____

How the Children were Separated and Cared For.
____

MRS.  WORLEY'S  STATEMENT.

Salt Lake City, May 12, 1877.    

I am able to send you in this letter a list of the names of all the white men who are alleged to have committed the Mountain Meadows massacre, and a list also of the children who survived it. Neither of these lists has hitherto been published. The first, in the handwriting of John D. Lee, reads as follows: -- "To the best of my recollection there were fifty-four white men at the Mountain Meadows massacre. The men who composed the preliminary council of war were these: --

    John N. Higbee, Major and First Counsellor to President Haight.
    P. K. Smith, Bishop.
    Samuel McMurdy, Bishop.
    Ira Allen, High Counsellor.
    Richard Harrison, High Counsellor.
    Charles Hopkins (dead), High Counsellor.
    Robert Wiley (dead), High Counsellor.
    Thomas Cartright (dead), City Counsellor.
    Samuel White, City Counsellor.
    J. McConnel.
    Captain Tate.
    John D. Lee, Indian farmer.

Samuel Jerks,    Samuel Jerks,    Joel White,    W. C. Stewart,    Elliott Wilden,    Dan Mc Farlane,    [John S.] Humphrey,    Oscar Hamblin (dead),    Sam Knight,    Ben Arthur,    John W. Clark (dead),    Harrison Pearce,    James Pearce,    William Young (dead),    John Mang[um],    William Bateman (dead),    Columbus Freeman (a mere lad),    Two men named Curtis,

Joseph Clews (in Cal.),    J. Pugmire (dead),    James Williamson (dead),    Carl Shirts (interpreter),    Nephi Johnson (interpreter),    Dudley Leavitt,    [Anthiny J.?] Stratton,    William Slade, Sr. (dead),    William Slade, Jr.    William Randly [Hawley?],    Sam Adair,    Nate Adair,    George Adair,    George Hanley [Hawley?] (dead),    ____ Hairgraves,    William Hamblin (dead).

"Besides the above there were some five men who have gone to Texas and two others whose names and whereabouts I cannot recall."


Of the men whose names are above cited John D. Lee alone has been brought to punishment. In fact, he is the only Mormon among the murderers who have stained the soil of Utah with the blood of hundreds of apostates and gentiles who has been executed for his crimes. Some of his companions whom he mentions long ago removed beyond the borders of Utah; others including Haight, Higbee and Stewart, have for years been fugitives in mountain canyons and the distant wilds of Arizona. Warrents for their arrest have been issued and experts are on their track. It is hoped that several of these criminals will be arraigned for trial this summer. The evidence against them will convince the country of their guilt, whether or not it fails to convince a Mormon jury.

THE CHILDREN WHO WERE SPARED.

The history of the child survivors of the massacre is contained in some official documents recently transmitted from the War Department. The survivors, it seems, numbered seventeen. Their ages varied from three to nine years. Sixteen only are here accounted for -- six boys and ten girls. The first boy was named Calvin, between seven and eight years old. He did not remember his surname [Miller?], but said he was near his mother when she was shot, and pulled the arrows out of her back until she died. He said he had two brothers older than himself, named Henry and James, and three sisters -- Nancy, Mary and Martha -- all slain.

The second was a girl, who did not remember her name; her companions said it was Denmed [sic - Demurr? Dunlap?].

Next was a boy named Ambrose Miriam Tagit, who had two brothers older than himself and one younger brother. His father, mother and the eldest brothers were killed; his younger brother was brought to Cedar City. He said he lived in Johnson county, but did not know in what State, and said it took one week to go from where he lived to his grandfather's and grandmother's, who were still living in the States.

Fourth, was a girl obtained by Dr. Forney from John Morris, a Mormon at Cedar City. She was too young to recollect anything about herself.

The fifth was a boy who could not tell his own name, but said the girl obtained from Morris was named Mary, and was his sister. This little boy had been living since the massacre with one E. H. Grove.

A girl, who said her name was Prudence Angeline, was the sixth. She had two brothers, Jesse and John, who were killed. She said her father's name was William and that she had an uncle named Jesse.

The seventh was a very little girl, who gave her name as Frances Harris or Horne; she remembered nothing of her family.

The eighth was a boy too young to remember anything about himself.

The ninth was a boy who said his name was William H. Huff. *

The tenth was a boy who gave his name as Charles Thatcher [sic]. *

The eleventh was a girl; her name she gave as Sophronia Huff.*

The twelfth was a little girl who called herself Betsey.

The thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth were three sisters, named Rebecca, Louisa and Sarah Dunlap. These had been staying with Jacob Hamblin.

There is no description and no name given of the sixteenth.

The seventeenth was a baby boy, who was only six weeks old at the time of the massacre. Hamblin's wife took this little fellow to the camp of the First United States dragoons, commanded by Brevet Major James Henry Carleton, at Mountain Meadows, May 19, 1859. He was the last child recovered, and was then about a year and a half old. Major Carleton describes him as a pretty little boy, who slept that night on the ground where his parents had been murdered and was next day sent on to Salt Lake City, where Dr. Forney had by that time collected most of the other children.

MORMON  PHILANTHROPY  EXHIBITED.

Although at least four of the oldest children are said to have known, without doubt, enough of the material facts of the Mountain Meadows massacre to be good witnesses against the whites who participated in it,

MRS.  WORLEY'S  RECOLLECTIONS.

The children who were brought to Salt Lake City were put in charge of Mrs. [Ann Eliza] Worley, with whom I conversed, at her house last evening. She describes their appearance, when the wagon containing them stopped at her gate, as most piteous. Not more than one or two of them had received decent care since the massacre, Many of them had sore eyes. Most of them were unwashed, unkempt and afflicted with vermin, and their clothing was scanty, filthy and ill-fitting. Mrs. Worley was at once compassionate and energetic. She took these little ones, who arrived early in the afternoon, and by evening had thoroughly washed and decently dressed them, and so fed them with food and tenderness that when Dr. Forney called to see them in the evening he was struck with astonishment.

While she had charge of the children Mrs. Worley was too much engaged in making them comfortable and in modifying the wild and almost savage manners which some of them had acquired to question them about the circumstances of the massaxre. She is now a feeble old lady, but she has a vivid recollection of one intelligent child, named Mary Dunlap, whose little brother was killed. One day, when Mary Dunlap was in the room, says Mrs. Worley, one of the latter's little boys entered, whereupon Mary cried out: --

"O dear! you look just like my brother!"

"Where is your brother?" asked the little boy?

"The Indians killed him," answered the child with singular solemnity.

Mrs. Worley described an old gentleman from one of the Western States who came to Salt Lake and called on her and inquired after his grandchild, an orphan, who was journeying with a family belonging to the demolished train. The boy was not among the orphans of the massacre whom she had in charge, and the old man's grief was great.

"My God!" said he, "Mrs. Worley, I pray you seek for him. I am rich, and if you find him I will never stop rewarding you."

It was ascertained that the child had been butchered, and his grandfather started eastward, utterly broken hearted.

WHAT  BECAME  OF  THE  CHILDREN.

Arrangements having been made by Dr. Forney, who was then Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Utah Territory, the seventeen fatherless, motherless and penniless children started across the Plains in company with himself, his wife and three other females, including Mrs. Worley, in 1859. Dr. Forney had previously written on to friends of the children, but all that Mrs. Worley recollects about the disposition of them after their arrival at Fort Leavenworth is this: -- Two young men and two young ladies whose names she had no record of came to Fort Leavenworth and took all but one of the children away immediately. She believes they were bound for Arkansas and Missouri. The other child, a boy, was received at Fort Leavenworth by his uncle from Arkansas. Mrs. Worley made no note of the names of any of these persons, and I have not been able by diligent inquiry to ascertain to whom the children were at that time committed. It is difficult to learn about the fates of the children. Only one person in Utah ("Idaho Bill") claims to be a survivor of the massaxre. He calls himself Charles Thatcher. You have received his history as recited by himself. It is rumored that a lady, a wife of a conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad, who resides at Chyenne, is one of the seventeen saved.

Perhaps the information in this letter, comprising, as it does, the names of the children and the ages of some of them, may, if it be copied and commented on by Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas newspapers, help to uncover the mystery which has enveloped their lives since 1859 and bring to light from one or more of the eldest among the survivors of the Mountain Meadows massacre testimony in aid of the prosecution to be commenced against the murderers who have had such long immunity.

__________
* These names were mentioned by Idaho Bill in a previous letter recounting an interview with him.

---

A  THIRTY  YEARS'  RECORD.

(From the Salt Lake Tribune, May 15.)

Brigham Young tells the Herald correspondent that if he had known the intention of his followers in Southern Utah to assassinate the Arkansas company of emigrants his disposition is such that he would have gone to that camp and fought to the death the Indians and the white men who committed the massacre rather than such a deed should be committed. Unfortunately his "disposition," as shown in his thirty-three years'prophetic rule of the church, does not give color to his assertion. He has been relentless in his exercise of absolute power, and the tone and manner in which he has gloated over the fall of "his enemies" are really demonic. The emigrants were refused needed supplies in Salt Lake by his order, and in their toilsome journey through the Territory they were hounded as enemies and the necessaries of life denied them....

---

BRIGHAM  AND  THE  MASSACRE.

(From the Salt Lake Tribune, May 15.)

If Brigham Young had been in the Second District Court, with Mr. Baskin to cross-examine him he would have been made as deathly sick as Elisha Hoops became, through retailing that stale and exploded lie that the Arkansas company of emigrants angered the Indians by poisoning springs and infecting dead carcasses of cattle, by which a number of red men died. Telling as fair a story as he could to the New York Herald correspondent his easiest resort was to a fertile faculty of invention. The emigrants were dead and John D.Lee, his facile instrument in the treacherous assassination, has ben put out of the way; so he thought it a perfectly safe proceeding to lay the blame on the former and the infamy of their taking off upon the latter, and himself to play the role of the virtuous patriarch. But an ordinary lie needs fifty others to sustain it, while this lie cannot be made to pass current if he should devote his inventive faculties to smoothing and polishing it from now till Doomsday. He should have remembered that he was dealing with a subtle querist, and that his shallow attempt to hoodwink the journalist would be fully exposed by subsequent investigation. His false statement has gone to the world, and this will shortly be followed by historical evidence which will prove to millions of Americans, who have devoted no previous thought to the matter, that the leader of the Latter Day Church lied to the Herald correspondent to hide his own guilty complicity in the damning crimes.

(under construction)

Note: The list of Mountain Meadows Massacre participants and child survivors was reprinted in the Salt lake Tribune of June 2, 1877.See also Appendices A and C in Walker, Turley and Leonard's 2008 Massacre at Mountain Meadows.

THE  MORMONS.
____

MORMON  DISAFFECTION  CONFIRMED.
(From the St. Louis Republican.)

The rumors in regard to disaffection among the Mormons -- to which we have heretofore attached no importance -- seem to be partially confirmed by the letter of Governor Emory to the Secretary of War, asking large reinforcements of troops for the military stations in Utah. Such a request would hardly have been made if the Governor had not good reason to believe serious trouble is brewing in his jurisdiction. We presume the troops will be sent, and while their presence may be useful to prevent the anticipated outbreak, it will at the same time be construed as a threat, and thereby increase the ill-feeling already existing. That ill-feeling is the natural outgrowth of the trial, conviction and execution of John D. Lee. Though the Mormon authorities abandoned Lee to his fate and furnished the testimony which doomed him to death, yet neither they nor their followers really believed capital punishment would be inflicted upon him, and therefore were entirely unprepared for the terrible revelations of his confession. This confession, made on the very brink of the grave, declared emphatically that Lee was only the tool of the high priests of the Mormon Church, and that in superintending the work of blood at Mountain Meadows he was simply obeying orders he dare not disobey. The blow at Brigham Young and his associates hit the mark. The press throughout the country took up the subject, charged Young with being their chief criminal and demanded prompt and vigorous action against him. Whether the federal government contemplates such action we do not know -- probably not, as it would be impossible to get the necessary proof -- but undoubtedly the Mormon rank and file fear further investigation of the matter, and Young himself is not altogether easy about it. Meanwhile the revival of the memories of Mountain Meadows has stimulated the antagonism between the Mormon and "Gentile" population in Utah, and the organ of the latter in Salt Lake City is doing its best to fan this antagonism into a flame of hostility. We do not think the Mormons can be induced to commence an attack which must end in their destruction, but they dread an attack from the "Gentiles," and are determined to be ready for it. Now that the Southern difficulty has been happily disposed of, the Mormon question is altogether more important than any other before the country. It has been dragging along for twenty-five years, and each year has added to the number of complications and diminished the chances of amicable settlement. Yet settled it must be somehow, sooner or later. Polygamy cannot be legalized in the United States, and polygamy is so thoroughly interwoven with the Mormon faith that the process of separation must be exceedingly embarrassing and may be dangerous. But, however embarrassing and however dangerous, the separation is inevitable unless the Mormons choose to carry themselves and their peculiar institution beyond our frontiers....


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MEADOWS  MASSACRE.
____

Evidences of Brigham Young's Complicity in the Crime.
____

DIVIDED  COUNCILS  AMONG  THE  ASSASSINS.
____

A Mysterious Communication to Headquarters
and the Response.
____

THE  PROPHET'S  ABSOLUTE  POWER.
____

Could the Slaughter Have Been Committed Without His Knowledge?
____

Salt Lake City, May 16, 1877.    

It was proved on the Lee trial that after Lee and his Indians first assaulted and "corralled" the Arkansas emigrant train at Mountain Meadows a Mormon council was held in Cedar City. The bishops and other Church dignitaries who had rendezvoused at that place assembled Sunday, September 6, and held a stormy discussion. Laban Morill, who was present, testifies that some were in favor of holding off from the destruction of the train until a message could be sent to Brigham Young at Salt Lake. At that time, it should be remembered, Brigham Young was not only President of the Mormon Church, but Governor and Indian Agent of the Territory.

Prudent men at the council, who do not seem to have been fully trusted by the real leaders, asked for authority from "headquarters." One version has it that Bishop P. Klingen Smith joined with others in opposing delay. Another version describes him as a most ardent advocate of delay until word could be had direct from Brigham Young, and says William H. Dame and Isaac C. Haight responded that they had orders direct from "headquarters." Alluding to Klingen Smith's Holland origin they added that they were going to see these orders carried out "in spite of any leather-headed Dutch Bishop out of hell!"

ORDERS  SENT  FOR.

The counsels of the timid prevailed, however, and it was decided to send a messenger to Salt Lake immediately. Joseph Haslam testifies that on the day after the council was held, about half-past five in the afternoon, he started from Cedar City with a letter from Haught, addressed to Brigham Young. He changed horses whenever he could get a fresh one and rode to Salt Lake City as rapid speed. He delivered the letter to President Young, who, after Haslam had rested a few hours, handed him a letter a letter, with which he returned to Cedar City, where he delivered it to Haight.

THE  MASSACRE  PRECIPITATED.

In the meantime the massacre of the emigrants was precipitated. A few days after Haslam left Cedar City Haight, Stewart and Joel M. White, who were among the most bloodthirsty men at the council and chafed at their defeat, met near a spring, at what is now called Little Pinto, two messengers from the emigrant camp, named Aden and Huff. These two men were on their way to Cedar City for help. While telling their story at the spring they were treacherously fired on by the three Mormons whom they were addressing. Stewart's shot killed Aden. White's ball wounded Huff, who escaped back to the emigrant camp. Haight, Stewart and White returned to Cedar City, told a story which threw all the blame on their victims and urged an immediately attack on the train. Lee, being informed of the matter, sent word to the whites in all directions. Dame, colonel of the Mormon militia, and Higbee, major, who was in command on the field on the day of the massacre, issued orders for a muster. Various reasons were given, and some Mormons who went to Mountain Meadows aver that they did so believing they were to rescue instead of to butcher the emigrants. Once there all were put into military harness and did not dare disobey orders. Then ensued the unexampled wholesale murder, the circumstances of which are gradually being disclosed to the world.

Neither the letter sent by Haight to Brigham Young nor the reply sent by Brigham Young to Haight have ever been brought to light. That they might appear I recently applied to Brigham Young in person for permission to look over the correspondence between himself and the Church authorities in Southern Utah in 1857. He smoothly declined. Said he: --

"I don't think it is necessary. The correspondence would be of no public interest. As I have already told you the messages sent from here consistently chiefly of counsel to the brethren about their houses, farms, stock and grain. There is nothing that could add to your information about the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and I am at the defiance of the world to prove I had anything to do with it."

"Then you find an objection to my looking over the correspondence?"

"The same objection precisely as you might find to exhibit your private correspondence to me."

A  REQUEST  FOR  THE  CORRESPONDENCE.

Shortly afterward, on looking into this subject again. I sent President Young the following note: --

May 4, 1877.    

To Brigham Young, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: --

Dear Sir -- I had the honor on the day before yesterday to ask your leave to examine the correspondence between yourself and the Church dignitaries of Southern Utah during the year 1857. You deemed it unnecessary to grant my request. I now make a more particular request in regard to a matter of great public interest. It was testified to on the Lee trial that at the time when the Arkansas emigrant train passed Cedar City on its way to Mountain Meadows a Church council was held Sunday at Cedar City, at which it was decided not to molest or detain the emigrants until your counsel could be obtained in regard to them. The testimony shows that a messenger named Haslam was despatched from Cedar City to Salt Lake with a note from leading members of the council addressed to you: that he rode night and day and delivered to you that written note, and that he returned with a written letter from you to one or more members of the council and a verbal message to the effect that the emigrants must be allowed to pass unharmed. He did not reach Cedar City in time to prevent the massacre.

Will you kindly inform me, by a note sent by the bearer -- first, whether you ever received the alleged note or message from the Cedar City Council; second, whether you sent a reply to it; and, third, if you did receive such a note and sent a response, will you furnish me with copies of both for publication in the New York Herald?
                  I am sir, respectfully yours, [J. B. Stillson].

BRIGHAM  YOUNG'S  RESPONSE.

To this came a guarded reply from Brigham Young, by his secretary, thus: --

                                  President Young's Office, May 4, 1877.
Dear Sir -- President Young only dropped into his office this morning in time to leave to attend a meeting for which he had an appointment. I, however, read your letter to him. He, remarking the fact that he was then about to keep an appointment, said that with regard to the note referred to by you -- said to have been despatched to him from Cedar City -- was a matter he knew nothing about; and of the letter from President Young, also referred to by you as having been sent by the hand of Haslam, Mr. Howard, prosecuting attorney, could give you in full the facts relating to it, and to whom he would have to refer you. Yours, &c.
                George F. Gibbs.

United States District Attorney Howard, to whom I applied, could give me no information in regard to either of the two letters, although it is not unlikely that he will have information to communicate to a court when Brigham Young will least expect it. Mrs. Haight professes to have a paper in her possession wherewith to shield her husband from being made by the Mormon Church a scapegoat like John D.Lee.

Mrs. Haight's daughter, in conversation with one of her admirers, also alluded to this paper in terms not complimentary to Brigham Young; Colonel Dame, whom Young with singular calumy attempted when he lately passed through Parowan to depose from his bishopric, expressed perfect confidence in his ability to show by whose authority he acted.

YOUNG'S  DESPOTIC  POWER.

Few Mormons in Utah disbelieve, and some assert, that Brigham Toung authorized the massacre. But it will be impossible for your readers to understand how his authority was probably expressed unless they follow in these letters the explanation I shall try to give them of a system of government mingled of Church and State which is shrewder and more binding upon the governed than any other which had been even conceived of, much less put into practice, since the Dark Ages. In a sermon delivered in the Tabernacle about those times Brigham Young himself boasted in this wise over United States Judge Brocchus, whom he had despotically driven out of Utah: --

It is true, as it is said, if I had crooked my little finger he would have been used up, but I did not bend it. If I had the sisters alone felt indignent enough to have chopped him to pieces.

AVENGING  THE  DEATH  OF  THE  PROPHETS.

The Mormon people were all sworn in the Endowment House to revenge the death of the prophets, especially upon their enemies in Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. They needed but a hint from the Prophet (who constantly inculcated in his sermons the doctrine of blood atonement) to "use up" anybody from either of those States. It would have been a violation of their oaths had the Southern Mormons -- so wont to slaughter one another in "obedience to counsel" -- [to] let the Arkansas train pass without molestation. Whatever the text of Brigham Young's letter to Haight, it did not prevent, and the almost universal conviction here is that it was not intended to prevent, the most hideous crime committed by white men in North America. The verbal message which is said to have been delivered by Young to Haslam, that the emigrants must be suffered to pass unharmed, is criticised more than ever as a cloak to the concealed and hitherto unrevealed written initmation.

MARTIAL  LAW.

One thing which has never been understood is that Utah, in the month of the massacre, was under martial law. Johnston's United States army was approaching. Therefore, said Brigham Young, in a proclamation dated September 15, 1857: --

Martial law is hereby declared to exist in this Territory, from and after the publication of this proclamation, and no perosn shall be allowed to pass or repass, into, or through, or from this Territory, without a permit from the proper officer.

Some time before the formal proclamation was issued the gist of it was made public throughout UTah, so that prior to the arrival of the Arkansas train at Cedar City it was well understood by the Mormons that "no person should be allowed to pass through the Territory without a permit." Every avenue of egress from, and entry into Utah was guarded. Some families from Salt Lake and elsewhere who attempted to excape through the eastern canyons were stopped and murdered. Those who came in through those canyons, and wanted to go south to settle there or to proceed by the southern route to California, had to get a pass from Governor Brigham Young or Lieutenant General Daniel H. Wells. Manuscript copies of numerous passes issued by these officers in September, 1857, are on my table. Here are a few of them which certify to the care that was taken of travellers into Southern Utah at that time: --

Adjutant General's Office, Utah Territory,}    
Great Salt Lake City, Sept., 1857.   }    

To All Whom it may Concern:--

This is to certify that the bearer, Mr. John Aiken, who is peaceably travelling through the Territory, is permitted to pass on his way to California.
                  Daniel H. Wells,
          Lieutenant General Commanding.
    By order of the Lieutenant General Commanding.
James Ferguson, Adjutant General.

Governor's Office,   }    
Great Salt Lake City, U. T.}    

To All Whom it may Concern:--

The bearer, John Andrew Fullmer, emigrant, and lately from Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, is hereby permitted to pass peaceably through the Southern settlements on his way to California.
                  Brigham Young,
Governor and Superintendent Indian Affairs, Utah Territory.

WITHOUT  A  PASS.

Without such safeguards the fated train from Arkansas ventured on its way down from Salt Lake City into the remote and melancholy country where it was destroyed. John D. Lee, a few weeks before his death, ironically said to Marshal Nelson that he "didn't believe those emigrants went down there with the right sort of a pass!" That they did not have this pass might be asserted as a military reason for "sing them up." When all the facts are disclosed it will be found that when the Arkansas train arrived in Southern Utah the Mormon inhabitants of that country were alarmed and ready for war. One vivid figure used by General Wells is that "the fate of the emigrants was in the air." Those who have studied Brigham Young's teachings, and are familiar with the cold and cruel policy of the Mormon Church, will dispute with General Wells and affirm that it was in the hearts of the Mormon priesthood.

YOUNG'S  SUBSEQUENT  ACTION.

Informed as he was by Haslam of the danger of 130 emigrants, and afterward told by Lee and others of their slaughter, Brigham Young, Governor, Indian Agent, and more than all President and Dictator to the Mormon people, took not a step to bring the murderers to justice. According to the testimony of numerous witnesses he enjoined silence and mystery to be spread over the affair. Now that he is arraigned at the bar of public opinion he defends himself by saying that if United States officials who controlled the courts had co-operated with him he would have acted as avenger. Disavowing his responsibility as the Territorial Executive he omits to say that the Probate Courts, which like every other institution in Utah that was Mormon, were under his thumb, exercised jurisdiction in all criminal cases within the Territory. Did he or did any person in Cedar City or its neighborhood, who got a sniff from the Mountain Meadows shambles, instruct or complain to the Probate Court of that county? Or was the Judge of the court himself an assassin or an instigator of assassins? And was justice then balked, as often before and since, by a power in Utah superior to courts and consciences?

Brigham Young's temper at this period I am describing was bad. He regarded the Arkansans just as he regarded Johnston's troops, as "hell-hounds," altogether.

LEE'S  TREATMENT.

John D. Lee, who came to Salt Lake as soon as he could and told Brigham Young all about the massacre, fell into no immediate disgrace on account of it. On the contrary, you have been told of his spiritual and temporal promotions. In June next year, after President Buchanan's proclamation of pardon to the Mormons was issued, Young sent to Lee a pirated copy of it, which is now in my possession, on the blank margin of which is the following note in the Prophet's handwriting, countersigned by George A. Smith: --

Major Lee -- We avoid a fight, it seems, this spring. You will, no doubt, be exceedingly thankful to the President of the United States for forgiving you of all your seditions and treason, and be happy to learn it was entirely because he was kind hearted and fatherly in his feelings toward his wayward children. He pardons you because he can't kill you without it costing him too much; but he calculates to spit on his hands and begin again by and by. We must save our provisions and get ready.   Yours, in haste.
    June 17, 1858.               Brigham Young.

Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMON  QUESTION.

THE  DANITES  PREPARING.
(From the San Francisco Call.)

Salt Lake City, May 19, 1877.    

Considerable excitement in some of the outside settlements has been caused by the service of subpoenas as witnesses in old residents known to possess information in regard to the early murders and assassinations. There is a feeling of uneasiness manifested by prominent Danites who construe the summoning of witnesses to the Grand Jury as an indication of a forward movement by the officials. While it is true that the Nauvoo Legion has been reorganized, orders issued to all up the ranks, and that body has been drilling in various settlements, there is but little excitement. There is no doubt but the universal condemnation of this military preparation by the press of the country has made the leaders of the Legion more cautious, and will prevent many of the Mormons from joining the military organization who, without the exposure of the purposes of the leaders, would have been led into it. It is useless to deny the military preparations; neither has organization and drill stopped with the denial. It does not indicate an offensive movement on the part of the masses of the Mormons, but a preparation of the leaders guilty of innumerable crimes to protect themselves from arrest or to provide a safe escort to Arizona or Mexican colonies, beyond the reach of the "hounds of the law."

---

LET  BRIGHAM  "PITCH IN."
(From the San Francisco Mail.)

Before his execution Mr. John D.Lee, the "destroying angel" of Mountain Meadows, made a confession, implicating Brigham and sundry chief apostles and elders in the fiendish massacre which he was instrumental in accomplishing, and something has been said about giving Mr. Young an opportunity to defend himself against Lee's charge before a United States Court. Mr. Young doesn't want any such opportunity afforded him.He is preparing the Nauvoo Legion to fight the battles of the Lord, his prophet, and polygamy against the mighty. So far have matters progressed that Brigham has thought it safe to sound a note of defiance in the Tabernacle. It is to be hoped that the officers of justice will proceed to do their duty and give the belligerent Mormons a chance to appeal to arms, if they think best. Any number of volunteers could be had at the tap of the drum to go and wipe out the polygamous and murderous Saints or so many of them as will not consent to behave themselves and submit to the laws. Let Brigham Young pitch in, and the sooner the better.

---

WHERE  ARE  THE  ORPHANS?
(From the Kansas City Times.)

(view original article in Missouri paper)

Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON  CRIMINALS.
______

DIFFICULTY IN SECURING EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM -- NO MONEY TO PAY
WITNESSES' EXPENSES -- DISTRICT ATTORNEY HOWARD GOES TO
WASHINGTON TO CONSULT WITH THE ADMINISTRATION -- BRIGHAM
YOUNG'S CABAL -- HOPE FOR DELAY.

(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.)

SALT LAKE CITY. Utah, May 29, 1877.    

The Grand Jury, which assembled on the 21st inst., was adjourned until July 10, after the examination of witnesses who were subpoenaed before the exhaustion of the appropriation for the Department of Justice. The testimony rendered seems fatal, not only to the principal actors in massacres in Utah, but to those who instigated tbem. This testimony will be supplemented by that of other witnesses when means are provided for their attendance at court. In this important issue to be made between the United States officials and the Mormon priests in Utah, the real and only difficulty which lies before the conclusion is simply this: -- The law provides fees for the service of papers in the Territories, and this provision is general. Here there are special circumstances which make it necessary to do more than serve papers.

MONEY  NEEDED.

For Instance, it usually happens that the witnesses in old murder cases here are distant, and either through fear or some other influences, are unwilling to come and testify. It is also true that inadequate provision is made for their payment. In Territorial cases, which are all the cases, except those under United States statutes at large, the United States government does not pay them, of course, and the Territorial Legislature has made but a small appropriation, which is only to be had upon the Auditor's warrant, but as there is no money in the Territorial treasury these warrants are unsalable, and can only be realized on at sharp discount, if at all.

UNWILLING  AND  TIMID  WITNESSES.

The consequence is that the witnesses subpoenaed on these old cases, infleunced by all the considerations I refer to, may refuse to come here if living, as many of them are in anotber State or Territory, unless their expenses are borne and they are guaranteed protection while here. In the case of these witnesses who are in the Territory, influenced by the same reasons as above specified, the federal officials fear they may promptly get out of the way on being served with subpoenas in dangerous cases. It is understood that if they dodge the officers their conduct will be approved by the Mormon community, and that the skulkers will be given all aid and encouragement in evading their duty to the courts. Consequently federal officers need money to pay for the transportation and subsistence of important witnesses. But there is no law for the allowance of such expenses.

MR.  HOWARD'S  POSITION.

United States District Attorney Howard has before him evidence sufficient to convict the principal members of the Mormon hierarchy of fraud and crimes, and United States Marshal Nelson is prepared to summon the requisite witnesses. Ten thousand dollars would probably be enough for witnesses' expenses. It is understood that in advance of the extra session of Congress a certain discretion lies in regard to such an expenditure, if not with Attorney General Devens, then with the President. Mr. Howard, by consent of his official chief, has left here for a personal consultation at Washington. It would be a misfortune to the cause of public justice should the representations there of this courageous gentleman not prevail, in spite of the weak counsels and tergiversations by which the Governor of the Territory has made himself ridiculous.

HOPES  OF  THE  SAINTS.

What Brigham Young and his followers would like, and what they are now working for with an intensity which can hardly be conceived of at the East, is that no preliminary liberty may be taken before October with the public funds. When Congress meets they hope to use, with committeemen of both houses, the tactics that have never failed to defeat legisalation against them. They are not only raising men here, they are raising money to expend there. The idea that these and other careful statements you are now receiving are sensational, in any other respect than that they are truthful, may be dismissed from your readers' minds. This is the first time that any but spasmodic attempts have been made to overturn the licentious ring who reign in Utah.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MURDEROUS  MORMONS.
______

Two Attempts to Assassinate the Herald Correspondent.

MISCREANTS  LURKING  BEHIND  A  TREE.
______

The Intended Victim Saved by the Speed of his Horse.
______

A  MIDDAY  DOMICILIARY  VISIT.
______

A Proffered Paper Supplemented by a Blow with a Knife
______

NARROW  ESCAPE  FROM  DEATH.
______

Salt lake City, Utah, May 31, 1877.    

To the Editor of The Herald: --

Last Saturday evening, between ten and eleven o'clock, I, who am acting here as your correspondent, was returning to my hotel alone in a buggy from a drive. When four blocks east from the Lion House I was fired upon by a miscreant who had posted himself behind a tree about fifty feet away, on a cross street. The speed of my horses doubtless saved my life. Before I could turn my assallant fled.

ANOTHER  ATTEMPT.

This attempt at assassination was supplemented by another bolder one to-day, While sitting alone in my room writing a knock came at the door. It was opened by a man strongly resembling the one who fired the pistol on the previous night. He held his hat and a paper in his left hand, and while bowing rested his rlgnt hand on the bosom of his coat, which was closely buttoned. He asked my name. Being answered, he then extended the paper saying, "Here Is an affidavit Which interests you."

STRIKING  WITH  A  KNIFE.

He stood at a distance of some fonr feet. Reaching out with my right hand to receive the paper which he offered with his left, he suddenly withdrew it, at the same time he advanced, and pulling a short knife from his bosom struck me a heavy blow on the left breast, saying, "Take that, you son of a bitch."

THE  CORRESPONDENT'S  NARROW  ESCAPE.

Unprepared for such an assault I was knocked behind a table. The man instantly made his exit, supposing, no doubt, that he had blood-atoned his victim.

The Point of the knife passed through a post and two photographs on pasteboard and glanced off from a suspended buckle against which it struck and which is badly bent by the blow. Happily the only injury is a sore rib.

The man guilty of these two assaults has not been identified or apprehended. The cause of them can only be conjectured. It wll certainly not be ascribed by Mormon Journals here to a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.   J. B. STILLSON.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM.
______

The Inner Workings of the Great Modern Theocracy.

ITS  CHARACTER  AND  PURPOSES.
______

Combination of Civil and Ecclesiastical Rule.
______

COURSE  OF  THE  PROPHET-DICTATOR.
______

Robbery of Emigrants and Swindling of the Government.
______

POLYGAMY'S  HIDEOUS  BLOT.
______

Blood Atonement -- The Saints' New Name for Murder.
______

Justice Thwarted Through the Ballot Boxes and Venial Legislators.
______

GOOD  CITIZENS  DEMAND  ON  THE  NATION.
______

Salt Lake City, May 25, 1877.    

Travellers on the Union Pacific Railroad, who go to Salt Lake as boys go to a circus, to see Brigham Young, almost invariably form erroneous ideas of that person and of Mormonism. The appearance and the manners of the Prophet are adapted to deceive all who are not practiced judges of character. His stature is commanding, his head large, his features not unpleasing, his address courteous, and his tones and gestures are uncommonly suave. Though tottering, at the age of seventy-five, upon a cane, he extends to his visitors a hand as white, small and soft as a young dandy might be proud of. When he engages them in conversation everything he says is nice, and he looks at them with such an air of benignity and candor that even shrewd men do not always mistrust him. As for women, refined and cultivated ladies have an instinct to get away from him as they would from a sleek serpent. Ignorant women, however, are often charmed by this serpent, and there are some instances of Gentile girls who have distracted their parents by wanting to marry him!

He is the master hypocrite of the century, even as the "religion" over which he presides is its supremest fraud.

MORMONISM  AND  ITS  DEVOTEES.

Mormonism may be defined as a patchwork of all the isms since Babel, put together for the degradation of credulous people in the interest of a few designing knaves. Never was a more cunning, tyrannical theocracy established. Springing from the most vulgar little impostors of modern times, it has grown into an imposture so great as to threaten the material interests of a whole nation, while subverting both the material and moral interests of its devotees. The latter -- who are they? For it is important that the errors in regard to them should be dispersed. They are: --

1. A set of shrewd Americans, like their chief, who are devoted to him as the source of their wordly prosperity. This class includes one or two sons of the Prophet, who have grown to manhood since the pilgrimage from Nauvoo. Some from the first believed in Joseph Smith, his peculiar religion and his successor; others pretended to believe in them, and all are sufficiently zealous to suit the Prophet.

Men from foreign countries, wholly committed to the Mormon faith, and who have been elevated to high positions in the Church by reason of their devotion, their intelligence and their willingness to serve their superiors.

3.A population of some fifty thousand males, formed from the murderers, jail birds, horse thieves and counterfietors who made Nauvoo their refuge prior to its destruction, and from the most ignorant but industrious classes in England, Scotland, Wales, Denmark and other countries of Northern Europe.

4. Some fifty thousand women and children, consisting of aged first wives, polygamous women and their descendants, of whom few, so fas as I have seen, do not deserve intense pity. Impelled into their present positions by religious zeal, or led there by false promises, they all suffer -- some confessedly, others with pride that refuses to admit their shame.

THE  INAUGURATION  OF  THE  SYSTEM.

Here, then, is seen a people, collected by a system at once masterly and impudent, and composed altogether of classes who from interest or necessity or fanaticism became members of the Mormon Church. The cunning of the leaders of the Church was evinced in the first place by their selection of the most ingenious rogues in America to guide its councils and to do its "dirty work," and by the gathering of its masses from countries where they had been accustimed to servility or to serfdom. Arriving here as converts of foreign Mormon missionaries, they became and have ever since been as clay in the hands of the potter.

"You have got to learn," said President Heber C. Kimball, "to be subject to the priesthood. You have got to learn to be thrashed by Brother Brigham. Your children must learn the same lesson, and then you will not be moulded into vessels of honor unless you be subject. You potters know it, if you have worked at the potter's business as I have."

THE  CHURCH  ORGANIZATION.

In his three capacities -- (1.) as prophet, seer and revelator; (2.) as president of the Church, and (3.) as trustee of the Church -- Brigham Young is absolute master of "this people." He rules them in all their affairs, both spiritual and temporal, by his single will. His recognized function as the representative of God places him beyond personal responsibility, and gives his command a strength which is enforced through an artful system of subordinates. As the President of the United States has his Cabinet, so has the President of the Mormon Church his counsellors. But there is no check upon the latter's executive power. Twelve apostles preside over churches, administer the ordinances, &c. High priests and elders preside over the several "stakes," that is to say, dioceses. Below these grades of church officials an Aaronic priesthood is established, which includes the offices of bishop, priest, teacher and deacon. This priesthood reaches into every settlement, every household, in Utah. The bishops, assisted by the sub priests (or counsellors), conduct the temporal business of the Church and sit in judgment on transgressors. To ascertain who are transgressors the teachers and deacons are invested with power to enter dwellings and question, cross-question and dictate to their inmates. The Latter are expected to "obet counsel." The bishops who preside in the several cities and settlements are all selected by Brigham Young and they are compelled to choose subordinates who are suitable to Brigham Young. All the bishops and their subordinates do the will of the Prophet, or if they flinch from doing it they are promptly punished and removed. Generally they are an unscrupulous lot, and they are in any case prevented from manifesting sympathy with an oppressed people by the certainty of disgrace in case they should do so. The people in their turn are so taught and bound to obey bishops and teachers that they dare not violate their covenants.

THE  CHURCH  ABOVE  THE  STATE.

From this resume of the Church organization it will be seen that it is sufficient for the purpose. All these Church officers are but mediums for the transmission of the will of the President. The civic Legislature of the Territory, moreover, is an ecclesiastical concern. It consists of a conclave of bishops -- the most powerful members, as we have seen, of the Mormon structure. Thus Mormonism becomes not a mere union of Church and State -- it is the Church above and in the State.

Standing in his pretended capacity between the people and the Supreme Being, Brigham Young is able at all times to declare that what he says to his people is the word of God. An acknowledgement of his relationship to the Creator is made a test of Church fellowship.

DIVINE  REVELATIONS.

Acting as revelator he not only prescribes a general course of conduct for his followers, but promulgates from time to time special "revelations from on high." These contain doctrines to be invariably believed and advocated. They have been varied to suit the changing opinions, whims and caprices, passions and lusts of the Mormon chiefs. Polygamy, for example, which was expressly forbidden in the original Book of Mormon, was "revealed" in consequence of the animal yearnings of Joseph Smith. The escapades of that licentiate among his neighbors' wives became so notorious in Nauvoo that he felt compelled to obtain an excuse for them direct from God.

"THE  GREATEST  LIVING  FINANCIER."

As trustee in trust for the Church, Brigham Young has carried out with transcendent success the intention with which he came to Utah, and has gained the reputation of being the "greatest living financier." At least this is what he called himself while rating an offending apostle in the "temple," at the recent conference in St. George. His trust is ludicrously indefinite; it has no prescribed duties or conditions, no guards nor limits, no acknowledged mode of accountability. Mark here the scheme of robbery and profits, of gradual increase of profits, conceived years ago by Brigham Young and his advisors. Drawn to the Territory by false representations, promises of houses and sections of land, and plentiful aids to their comfort and prosperity, the pilgrims from across the Atlantic encountered conditions which obliged them to surrender one tenth (in some instances all) of their possessions to the Church treasury. In numerous cases Englishmen, who left home with hundreds, even thousands of pounds in their wallets, were cajoled or commanded to deliver up the money before leaving the Atlantic coast for the Missouri River, or before leaving the Missouri for Salt Lake. These moneys, they were assured, were intended for the benefit of the Church -- the building up of the kingdom. They were told of the perpetual emigration fund and other enginery intended to save distant souls and bring accessions to the fold in Utah, and were taught that every dollar they parted with was so much given to the Lord....

THE  POLICY  OF  ISOLATION.

The Church of Latter Day Saints, blasphemously so-called, has been isolated from the world by its leaders because they knew it could not stand friction against Christianity and civilization. It has been ostracised by the world, which could not tolerate its follies and its crimes. For both these reasons it has become a selfish Church, founded on a "religion" originally selfish and on "revelations" which have tended to make it more and more selfish. The endowment of its neophytes is accompanied with oaths which bind them to fearful obligations. These, while compelling them to respect and obey their priests and counsellors, also compell them to abhor ministers and people who profess other faiths. A Gentile is always to be suspected and never to be frankly associated with. A malign "counsel" which extends from Brigham Young to his apostles, from the apostles to the elders, from the elders to the bishops, from the bishops to the teachers and from the teachers to the people, adminishes them to beware of strangers, who, they allege, can never inherit the kingdom of heaven. Thus Mormons regard their neighbors, even of the United States, as a kind of Ishmaelites, and thus, as Governor Emory said in his recent conversation reported to you, they have no idea of a republican form of government, and regard themselves as Mormons rather than as American citizens.

A  RELIGION  OF  HATE.

The embittered and selfish doctrines of Mormonism teach to its adherents not humility and self-denial, but pride and self-aggrandizement; not a lofty spiritual reward of obedience to Christ's teachings, but temporal good and great power in the world to come from obedience to God's teachings as revealed through Brigham Young. The Saints shall inherit the earth; unv=believers shall be trodden beneath their feet; the farms and property of other peoples will ere long be theirs, and their enemies, consisting of the populations of the whole world besides, shall be confounded, punished and finally perish from the earth, In no sermon by a Mormon priest is there expressed charity or pity for those who differ from them and whose dismal fate is thus portrayed. Other churches pray for the backslider; the Mormons curse him with hideous blasphemy. Said Heber Kimball: --

"I do pray for my enemies; I pray God Almighty to damn them."

Said Brigham Young, too, to twelve thousand people gathered here in Salt Lake City: --

"If there are enemies here let them keep their tongues still or sudden destruction will come upon them. Rather than apostates shall flourish here I will unsheathe my bowie knife and conquer or die. I would take that bosom pin I used to waer at Nauvoo and cut their damned throats from ear to ear and say, Go to hell across lots!"

A  SYNONYME  OF  MORMONISM.

Mormonism reduced to its essence amounts finally to this: -- "We are the Lord's people. His chosen people. His peculiar people, to whom He has spoken by the mouth of His prophet in these latter days. We know of a surety that our religion is right, and that all other religions are wrong. we have the right to hate those who believe in other religions. the world has degenerated; we are selected to regenerate it; there is no true virtue, no real religion, outside of us; the world is ripe for a harvest of blood and death, of which we shall be called on to be the avenging reapers."

Again: -- "The Lord has conferred on us, His peculiar people, the blessing, along with other blessings, of many wives. This that we, as Saints, may, through our progeny, build up His kingdom."

"From the wicked shall be taken away even the wife that he has, and she shall be given to the righteous man."

"To us, as Latter Day Saints, are due the possessions of our unbelieving neighbors, including their wives, their fortunes and their fancied honors."

The blasphemy, the absurdity of such a doctrine inculcated by insolent mountebanks to a few thousand uninformed and fatuous peasants walled between the mountains in a remote desert in the heart of the United States are apparent enough. But its effect on their morals and conduct is not yet generally understood.

BRIGHAM'S  INSTRUMENTS.

Animates, or, rather, degraded, by such teachings, the Mormon masses were ready to receive that doctrine of blood atonement with which Joseph Smith began and Brigham Young has continued to cement his power. First sowing in the hearts of his devotees hatred, malice, all uncharitableness, strife and animosity against "apostates," Brigham Young was prepared to announce and enforce this doctrine in spite of a few dissenting voices, which were thereafter quickly stilled by the knives of his assassins. He denies to the world the existence of such a band of assassins, but so true it is that a class of men nicknamed Danites and Destroying Angels did and does exist, that several of them have come forward and avowed their crimes without having previously received promises of immunity from prosecution. Nearly six hundred murders of Gentiles and apostates from the Church have been committed in Utah since the Mormons took possession. This number excludes the 130 emigrants butchered at Mountain Meadows. Only one of the guilty parties have been brought to justice, and it is notorious that every killing was done at the instance of subordinate authorities, who followed the teachings or instructions of the Church leaders. Every execution of a murderer here, except one, has been that of a Gentile or apostate murdered, or of a Mormon Danite, who, by reason of his imprudence, was made a politic sacrifice. John D. Lee was one of these same imprudent men.

BLOOD  ATONEMENT.

From the first Brigham Young's sermons were calculated to encourage murders of the enemies of the Church. There is also deadly evidence which will be produced in court this summer and next fall that, in some instances, he directed men to be "cut off," and that in others he approved of their taking off. Blood atonement for a sin against the Church is still among the articles of faith of every true Mormon. In the Endowment House all saints pledge themselves to revenge the deaths of the prophets against their enemies -- their enemies comprising the unregenerate inhabitants of the rest of the world. They also take oaths to submit to the cutting of their own throats and disembowelment if they everbetray their leaders or commit an offence against the Prophet. To remind them of and hold them to these covenants the latter has thus, from time to time, addressed them in the Tabernacle: --

THE  PROPHET'S  TEACHINGS.

"When the time comes that we have need to shed blood, then it will be necessary we should do it, and it will be just as innocent as to go and kill a deer when we are hungry or in the time of famine."

"I have known a great many men who have left this Church for whom there is no chance whatever of exaltation, but if their blood had been spilled it would have been better for them."

"Will you love your brothers and sisters likewise when they have committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without shedding their blood? Will you love that man or woman well enough to shed their blood?"

"But now I say, in the name of the Lord, that if this people will sin no more, but faithfully live their religion, their sins will be forgiven them without taking life."

"Now, when you hear, my brethren, telling about cutting people off from the earth, that you consider it strong doctrine; but it is to save them, not to destroy them."

"This is loving our neighbor as ourselves. If he needs help, help him. If he wishes salvation and it is necessary to spill his blood upon the ground in order that he be saved, spill it.

"It is true the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins through the fall and those committed by men; yet, ye men can commit sins which it can never remit. As it was in the ancient days so it is in our day; and though the principles are taught publicly from this stand, still the people do not understand them; yet the law is precisely the same."

"I have known scores and hundreds of people for whom there would have been a chance in the last resurrection if their lives had been taken and their blood spilled upon the ground as a smoking incense to the Almighty, but who are now angels to the devil, until our elder brother, Jesus Christ, raises them up, conquers death, hell and the grave."

"There are sins that can be atoned for by an offering upon the altar as in ancient days, and there are sins that the blood of the lamb, or of a calf or of turtle doves cannot remit, but they must be atoned for by the blood of the man. That is the reason why men talk to you as they do from this stand. They understand the doctrine and throw out a few words about it. You have been taught that doctrine, but you do not understand it."

"I LIVE ABOVE THE LAW, AND SO DO THIS PEOPLE."

"Lawyers are getting pretty thick here. They are getting to be very troublesome with their lawsuits. It was just so at Nauvoo. They worried the life out of the Prophet Joseph, and finally secured his murder. They tried it on me there; but I told them if they didn't quit I'd send them to hell across lots, and they quit. And no they are at the same thing here. I have no wish to be troubled in this kind of way. I have no wish to go through the same thing here again. If they will try that thing on me here, I give them fair warning now. If any of these so-called officers of the law try to arrest me and bring me before the damned, cussed hounds of the law the government has sent out here to lord it over us, I'll send them to hell cross lots, so help me God."

THE  MORMON  MASSES.

The mass of the Mormon people, consisting, as we have seen, of an humble, dull, plodding, unaspiring peasantry, are to Brigham Young and other heads of the Church far more subservient in all respects than were the peasantry of mediaeval Europe to their masters. While the favored members of the priesthood get rich, those in disfavor and the hundred thousand hewers of wood and drawers of water in Utah stay quite poor. And no wonder; for, besides the tithing system, which extracts from every Mormon a tenth of his capital or labor, Brigham Young has several old-fashioned royal ways of obtaining money from his subjects....

AN  EVIL  THEOCRACY.

The head of this theocracy, Brigham Young, is thought to be the man, or rather the thing, to be done away with. When he falls all will fall. Invested, as he is, with the powers of a very god over 100,000 people, powers which reach not merely to their hearts but likewise to their hearths and marriage beds, he is an embodied wrong to his people and a menace to the Republic. Invest a good man with his untrammelled might, and abuses would still flourish in the midst of a society thus governed. Invest it with a bad man, who during his life has been controlled successively, first by lust of women, next by lust of power, and last by lust of gold, and we see the result. His sensuality has been burnt out, his power is somewhat weakened, but his avarice remains.

WHERE  YOUNG  FINDS  PROTECTION.

Blusterer, coward and densely ignorant though Brigham Young is described by Gentiles and apostates here to be, he is gifted with malice and cunning, which have enabled him to overthrow or to deceive his most most distant adversaries.Through his delegates to Congress and his agents in the Territorial Legislature he has obtained the passage of bills which have hitherto protected him and his associates....

THE  GRAND  JURY  SYSTEM.

The Utah jury system is a matter of great present importance. It is mixed, like everything else here. List of jurors are selected in the counties where the courts are held, conjointly by the probate judges of the counties and the clerks of the district courts. The judges are Mormons, the Clerks are Gentiles. The judge and clerk in each county mutually make out a list of 200 jurors every year. These jurors are chosen alternately; the Probate Judge writes a Mormon name and the clerk of the court writes a Gentile name, until the list is filled. From these lists of 200 jurors, one-half Mormon and one-half Gentile, are drawn by lot the names of the grand and petit jurors for each term. To laymen these equal numbers preparatory to a drawing might seem fair. Lawyers will smile at the whole proceeding. A grand jury of fifteen cannot indict a man without the agreement of twelve of its members, and it is a fact in the history of Utah that only two grand juries with twelve Gentiles have been drawn, Obe Mormon on a petit jury -- that is to say, the jury tries the prisoner -- can prevent a conviction even if all his associates determine the prisoner's guilt. In fact, there has always been more than one Mormon on a petit jury, whose endowment oaths obliged him never to agree to the conviction of a culprit whom the Church leaders wished to save from the penalty of the law. When John D. Lee was first tried it was before a jury of nine Mormons and three Gentiles. The Mormon Church rallied in his defence. In spite of its efforts he was proven guilty, but the nine Mormon jurors saved him. The press all over the country blazed with such indignation that the Mormon leaders recoiled. When the new trial came they took a new tack. They concluded to let Lee be whistled down the wind to his destruction. Daniel H. Wells, second counsellor to Brigham Young, was deputed to attend the trial and attend to Mormon witnesses. Then, and then only, when a Mormon jury understood that it was the policy of the Mormon Church to convict a Mormon prisoner at the bar, they convicted him.

CORRECTION  OF  EVILS  DEMANDED.

What the law abiding citizens of Utah demand from Congress, in correction of these evils, is not, it seems to me, unreasonable. They do not ask for new legislative experiments; what they want is such legislation as applies to every other territory and every State in the Union. They call for the establishment here of laws long recognized in England and the older New England and Middle States, after the enaction of which, they think, they will have an equal chance to maintain their interests alongside those of the arrogant leaders of the Mormon Church....

CONGRESS  AND  THE  MORMONS.

I now approach that part of the Mormon Question which concerns Congress, and which ought to occupy a part of the thoughts of Senators and members of Congress who are resting between sessions. Under all administrations of all parties, whether whig, democrat, or republican, there have been a few Cabinet officers, a few Senators, and a few members of the House of Representatives in Washington who have served Brigham Young and the Mormon Church. Whenever Brigham Young, who has repeatedly boasted that he could buy the whole Congress of the United States, called on his people for money for that purpose, the money has come and disappeared. Brigham Young himself calls this money "axel grease." In each house of Congress there are two committees -- Territorial and Judiciary -- in the judgments of whose members Mormons feel a deep interest. If any members of these committees can be reached by corrupting influences, Mormon agents will certainly reach them. It was repeatedly found that in Congressional committees where no public record is made of the proceedings a plenty of men coerced by bribes or hospitality into becoming Mormon sympathizers, would fight against or stave off reports unfavorable to the Mormon Church until they got so low down on the calendars that they could not be brought into either house. If one of them got into one house it would fail in the other house, and thus be beaten by indirection.

I forebear, at present, to discuss the true inwardness of this important matter.

---

THE  CLEW  FOR  THE  PROSECUTION.
(From the Gold Hill, Nev., News.)

This man "Idaho Bill" is a convict, it is true, and under ordinary circumstances his testimony would have no weight. He has nothing to gain by lying, and he has everything to gain by telling the truth. If he cannot really produce this letter in Brigham Young's handwriting, he is simply a fool for pretending that he can; and men of his class and of his criminal genius are seldom found in the ranks of fools. He is placing his liberty in the scale with Brigham Young's life. He [stipulates] for a pardon only when he has turned over the original letter to District Attorney Howard, and that gentleman is satisfied that it is genuine. We are disposed to believe that the story of "Idaho Bill" is true, and that at last the clew has been found which leads directly to the Lion House in Salt Lake. District Attorney Howard has now something definite upon which to build up a prosecution of Brigham Young. That he will at once proceed to prospect the mine thus opened to him there can be no doubt. He has proved himself faithful to his trust in the past and can be relied upon to remain faithful to the end. If "Idaho Bill" really possesses the letter which he claims to have, the government can well afford to pardon him in order to convict a greater scoundrel. We shall not be at all surprised to see Brigham Young at the bar of justice in a very few weeks.

---

The  Mormons  and  the  Herald.

Two attempts within the last six days to assassinate our correspondent at Salt Lake City will be thought by the public to justify some plainness of speech from the Herald to the Mormon hierarchy. On Saturday evening last, as Mr. Stillson was returning to the Lion House from a drive, he was shot at by a stealthy miscreant who had concealed himself behind a tree at a distance of fifty feet from the point where the buggy was passing. The intending assassin missed his aim and fled. On Thursday last the same individual or another gained access to Mr. Stillson's room at the hotel, and, under pretence of delivering a paper, stabbed at him with a knife, failing of his purpose by the interposition of a portemonnaie, two photographs and a suspender buckle between the knife and the breast of the correspondent. There is only one conceivable motive for, these, dastardly and repeated attempt at assassination. Our correspondent is a gentleman in his bearing, who never in his life provoked personal hostility. His letters and telegrams from Utah have been extremely offensive to the Mormon chiefs, and a Sunday or two since were made the topic of an indecently vulgar and infuriated harangue in the Mormon Temple [sic - Tabernacle?]. The attempts on his life are, of course, a consequence of his exposures and the indignant commotion they have stirred up among the "Saints." Now, we submit to the "Saints" that they are going too far. The assassination in their capital of a truth-telling correspondent would bring upon them swift destruction, which they have no reason to court. To do them justice, we are slow to believe that they are seriously plotting a new addition to their hundreds of murders under present circumstances. The Mormons are not deficient in shrewdness, and they know too well that the assassination of a newspaper correspondent, who is exciting the attention of the country bv exposing them, would invevitably be ascribed to their instigation and raise a universal cry for justice and vengeance. It is more probable that they wish to alarm the correspondent and frighten him away. Having tried to win his favorable opinion by courtesies and blandishments on his first arrival and failed, they now resort to terror. We believe they have mistaken their man as egregiously in the last appliance as they did in the first.

The Herald has had experience in this sort of strategy before. Five years ago it undertook to ascertain and publish the truth in relation to the insurrection in Cuba. The world had been deceived and bamboozled by the Spanish accounts, and we undertook to send correspondents within the rebel lines to explore the situation and state the exact truth. The first man we sent did not quite come up to the mark of enterprise and daring which is the usual characteristic of our plucky employees, whether among the savages of Africa, on the Indian frontier, in the interior of Cuba or in the great wars on both continents within the last sixteen years. The first correspondent we sent to Cuba was a partial exception to an otherwise pretty uniform experience. He allowed his fears to be practised upon by the Spanish officials at Havana, and made a sudden retreat from the island which equally mortified and surprised us. This disappointment was but a transient interruption of our plans. We at once despatched on the next Havana steamer correspondents incapable of flinching. One of them, Mr. O'Kelly, was treated with great courtesy by Ceballos, the Governor General of Cuba, who signed a passport giving him permission to visit every part of the island. But when Mr. O'Kelly applied for a safe conduct Ceballos put him off with courteous excuses, telling him that he could easily get in Havana from deserters and prisoners all the information possible to be had within the rebel lines. Being under imperative instructions from this office Mr. O'Kelly proceeded at his own risk without a safe conduct, but when he reached the camp of General Morales he was told that if he persisted in prosecuting his inquiries he would expose himself "to be shot as a spy." The Herald correspondent told General Moraies in return that he would do such an act at his peril. He was warned that the shooting of an American citizen who had violated no law of Cuba would cause an outburst of public indignation in this country which would force the government into measures of redress.

It requires no special courage for a journal which successfully defied the Spanish government to persist in its efforts to expose the pestilent nest of Mormons. Even if they should assassinate Mr. Stillson he would be followed by successors as energetic, intelligent, determined and plucky as himself. For the Mormons to evade exposure is quite impossible now that the public mind has been so awakened, with scores of sharp, fearless men at the command of the Herald. The Mormons may be quite sure that whatever may be the fate of any particular correspondent we shall uncover and reveal their iniquities. If they murder any of our agents the whole country "will know the reason why." The life of Mormonism would not be worth a year's purchase after such an atrocity, in the present excited state of public feeling. We think they are too shrewd to provoke the swift and terrible vengeance that would follow such a crime. We incline to think that instead of meditating a murder in the recent assaults on our correspondent they expected to shake his nerves and frighten him out of the Territory. They will not succeed in this, and if they should assassinate him we have other, unquailing men in our service who would promptly take his place.

After the execution of John D. Lee we thought the time had come for probing this Mormon ulcer to the bottom. The public had been kept in as deep ignorance as it was five or six years ago respecting the interior of Cuba. We think it a part of our mission to tear away the veil, and our success thus far is attested by the fears and the murderous rage of the Mormons. As the Spanish authorities in Cuba tried first to flatter and seduce and failing in that, to frighten away our correspondents, so the Mormons have been impelled, by the same dread of truth, to practice the same tactics. When our present correspondent arrived in Utah he was treated with extraordinary courtesy. Brigham Young, surrounded by the assemblcd magnates of the Church, accorded him a reception at which they gave ready answers to all the questions he thought fit to ask. They probably expected that so much deference and consideration would satisfy and disarm his employers and send him away with a favorable impression. By similar treatment they had beguiled most travellers who have visited them in quest of information, and the fears excited by Lee's eltecution made them unusually suave and insinuating in their bearing to the Herald's correspondent. He is not the kind of bird to be caught with such chaff, even if his instructions had permitted it. He was commissioned to remain in the Territory and ferret out the whole truth, so far as it is ascertainable; and the Mormons, having found by his letters that he is not a fly to get his legs caught in honey, have changed their method and attempted to drive him away by alarm for his life. This method will have no better success than the first. They dare not murder him, or if they should there will be a great deal to follow whlch they will not relish. The Herald may reasonably feel a great deal more secure of its ability to protect its correspondents in our own country than it was to avenge ill trentment in Cuba. Even Spain dared not harm them, and a more signal vengeance would overtake the Mormons than was possible in the case of the Spaniards if they had executed their insolent threat to shoot our commissioner as a spy.

The long and interesting letter from our Salt Lake correspondent which we publish this morning will give the Latter Day Saints more occasion to squirm and flutter than they have had yet, and we ask them to accept it as a proof of the utter futility of either flattery or threats to shield them from exposure.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMON  DISGRACE.
____

"BLOOD-ATONING" JOURNALISTS.
(From the Providence Journal.)

The statement that an attempt has been made to assassinate its [the Herald's] correspondent in Utah is in all probability true. The correspondent has been severe in his strictures upon Brigham Young and other Mormon leaders, and more than hinted his belief in their complicity in the Mountain Meadows massacre. This would be enough to excite the bitterest indignation among the fanatical Mormons, and there are plenty there who would feel it a righteous deed to slay him, even if the Prophet had not given a hint or command. He would not be the first newspaper man whose life had been put in jeopardy by his too severe utterances concerning the evils of Mormonism, and, if we are not mistaken, an editor of the first Gentile paper in Salt Lake City was actually assassinated by the Danites. Assassination has been common enough as a weapon of the Church for it to revive again in the present state of exasperation existing among the Mormons, and some fanatic might have thought to anticipate the wishes of the Prophet or to avenge the insults to his church on his own account by executing "the blood atonement." Brigham Young himself is probably to astute to authorize or even to wish any such thing done, knowing the sensation and indignation that would be created. It was only when Utah was completely isolated from the world and those who disappeared could leave no token of their fate to people outside that the assassination of apostates and dangerous Gentiles could be made available. Now the Mormon kingdom is linked to the rest of the world by telegraph and railroad, and is dependent upon good behavior for existence. The removal of no one individual by murder would pay for the indignation that would be excited in the United States and the ill repute that would be brought on the colony. Brigham Young is probably in no way personally responsible for this attack upon the Herald correspondent, but it is none the less the direct result of his teachings and the legitimate continuation of his original policy.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMON  ASSASSINS.
____

THE  ASSASSINATION  ORDERED  BY  BRIGHAM.
(From the Gold Hill News.)

Yesterday an attempt was made by a Mormon emissary to assassinate this man, who is telling the truth about Brigham Young and his infamous abortion of a Church. The Mormons, it seems, cannot appreciate the service which modern journalism is doing for humanity. They are inspired with the same sentiments of hostility to the men who fail to realize the beauties of polygamy which prompted the Mountain Meadows massacre and the hundreds of murders that have been committed in Utah under the name of religion. Mr. Stillson is engaged in the grand work of opening the eyes of this nation to the infamous rottenness of a "religion" which claims to be the offspring of a prophet and emissary of God; and for doing this the supreme head of that religion coolly orders his assassination. Is it not manifest that in Utah at least there is no freedom of speech and no freedom of the press?How long do the American people propose to tolerate this disgraceful institution of Mormonism? How long shall it be said that an American citizen who dares to tell the truth in one of the Territories of this great Republic puts his life in jeopardy by exercising his rights as a freeman? The Mormon Church is a disgrace to this nation. It is a hotbed of crime and treason. It respects no President but Brigham Young. It obeys no government but that of the bishops. Until it is utterly wiped out of existence there will be no protection for the life or property of a Gentile in Utah. It must be wiped out, and when once the Territory in which it now holds supreme power is redeemed from its blighting influence newspaper correspondents will probably be able to write their views and opinions without subjecting themselves to the danger of the assassin's dagger....

---

MANSLAUGHTER  AS  A  RELIGIOUS ACT.
(From the Louisville Commercial.)

That excellent and pious man, Brigham Young, has on several occasions ably set forth the grand principle of expiation or atonement for original sin by shedding the blood of the sinner, not as a punishment, but to effect a cleansing of the soul by a blood bath. Revenge is odious in the sight of heaven and mankind, but the salvation of a sinful soul by blood letting elevates manslaughter to the dignity of a grand religious act and a kind of practical worship which, although temporarily painful and inconvenient to the murdered person, is eminently healthful to his soul and serviceable to heaven. On this broad and elevated religious table-land, whose living green is illuminated with a blaze of eternal sunshine, far above the thick vapors of humanity and common sense, the Mormon Prophet justifies the violent (as it were) removal from this life of some six hundred Mormon apostates and Gentiles in Utah since the Mormons took possession of that Palestine of the New World.

The vulgar American mind, imbued with an old prejudice in favor of universal toleration, cannot comprehend this fine philosophy, and how can it when the Prophet tells his followers that even they, with all the advantages of his previous teachings and example, cannot understand it? But even the Gentile mind, if discerning, must see what religious unification this blood theology tends to produce....

---

THE  SWORD  OF  DAMOCLES  THREATENING  THE  SAINTS.
(From the Kalamazoo, Mich. Telegraph.)

Notwithstanding the attempts of Mormon correspondents to quiet the apprehensions of the public there is unmistakeably a well-based sentiment that mischief is breeding among the Latter Day Saints. The state of affairs in the Territory is decidedly unhealthy, and it is not improbable that the strong arm of the general government may presently be necessary to pacify it. The execution of Bishop Lee and the publication of his confession, which implicated Brigham Young and many of the old Mormon leaders, together with the knowledge that more remained behind, stirred them up pretty thoroughly; and the persistent calls of the Gentile press throughout the country and certain quiet movements of the United States authorities have justly led them to suspect that a sword of Damocles is hanging over their heads and may descebd at any moment. It appears certain that shortly after the satisfaction of justice upon the chief Mountain Meadows murderer his Mormon accomplices set on foot measures for the reorganization of the "Nauvoo Legion," which bears so ill-starred a name in Western Illinois, and that the Mormon militia thus designated have been secretly arming and drilling, with a view to resistance of any marshal's posse or moderate detachment of the federal army that might undertake the arrest of their Prophet and those of the elders who are still amenable to trial on the same charge as that which condemned Lee.

---

The  Mormon  Prosecutions  to  Go  On.

District Attorney Sumner Howard, who has been engaged in investigating the Mountain Meadows massacre, is in Washington and has been for some days in consultation with the Attorney General, who is so impressed with the facts Mr. Howard has laid before him that he has authorized the expenditure of a sufficient sum of money to secure the attendance of witnesses before the Salt Lake Grand Jury, some of whom are to be summoned from California and others from points as far East as Illinois. Mr. Howard also saw the President, who promised him the fullest support. He assured the President, it seems, that additional troops were needed in Utah to maintain the peace and enforce the laws, if the prosecutions are to continue; and in this he is confirmed by a report we have seen of a leading Mormon's interview with General Crook. This Mormon assured the General that there was not the least danger of trouble, unless an attempt was made to arrest Brigham Young; in that case the Mormons, it seems, would resist. It may be well to be prepared for this emergency. Of course, if there should be no more investigations everything would be lovely. But Mr. Howard returns to Salt Lake assured of the administration's thorough support.

If the evidence he will now bring forward should lead the Grand Jury to indict Brigham Young he would have to be arrested. Why not? If it should be proved that he had ordered the murder of the emigrants, or had permitted it, he would have to be hanged. Why not? We cannot see that Brigham Young, if he should turn out to be a murderer, would be any better than any other murderer. Mr. Howard, by the way, speaks highly of the value of the Herald's Utah reports, and says our effort to expose the iniquities of the Mormon leaders has the sympathy of the respectable people in the Territory. We should hope so.


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMON  ASSASSINS.
____

Another List of men Who Were at Mountain Meadows.
____

CHURCH  FUNCTIONARIES,  TOO!
____

Young, Wells, Dame, Smith and Haight as Accessories.

Salt Lake City, June 12, 1877.    

The following list, communicated by his lawyer, Bishop, by John D. Lee, is fuller than the one previously sent you of the men concerned in the Mountain Meadows massacre: --

1. Benjamin Arthur. 2. Ira Allen, Cedar City, member High Council. 3. William Bateman (dead) carried flag of truce by direction of Lee. 4. John W. Clark (dead), Washington. 5. Thomas Cartwright (dead), Cedar City, member High Council. 6. E. Curtis, Cedar City, Captain of Ten. 7. Joseph Clewes, Cedar City; now Los Angeles, Cal. 8. Jabez Durfey, Cedar City. 9. _____ Edwards, Cedar City (did not know first name). 10. Columbus Freeman, Cedar City; now at Corn Creek, Utah. 11. Charles Hopkins (dead), Cedar City, member High Council. 12. William Hawley, Cedar City; now lives in Fillmore. 13. John Hawley, Cedar City (died in Indian Nation). 14. Richard Harrison, Pinto, member of High Council. 15. George Hunter, Cedar City. 16. John Humphrey; lived with old man Wods at Cedar. 17. Samuel Jukes. 18. Nephi Johnson, Cedar City, Indian interpreter. 19. Swen Jacobs 20. Samuel Knight, Cedar City. 21. ______ Knight. 22. Dudley Leavitt. 23. A. Loveridge. 24. Daniel McFarland, son-in-law to Isaac C. Haight, adjutant of militia, and leader of emigrants into ambush; now on mission for the Church. 25. Samuel McMurdy, Cedar City, counsellor to P. K. Smith; driver of a wagon. 26. James Matthews, Cedar City (dead). 27. John Mangum, Cedar City. 28. John McFarland, attorney-at-law at St. George, and for years after the massacre County Attorney of Washington county. 29. James Pearce, Washington. 30. Harrison Pearce, Washington. 31. Samuel Pollock, Washington. 32. Don C. Shirts, now at Potato Valley, Utah, interpreter. 33. William Slade, Sr. (dead). 34. William Slade, Jr. 35. Joseph Smith, Cedar City. 36. Arthur Stratton, Virgin City, September, 1876. 37. ______ Tate, Cedar City (since been a captain of militia). 38. John Ure, Cedar City (since been a captain of militia). 39. Joel M. White, Cedar City (used as witness on both trials). 40. Elliott Wilden, Cedar City. 41. Robert Wiley, Cedar City. 42. Samuel White, Cedar City. 43. Alexander Wilden, Cedar City. 44. John Weston, Cedar City (dead). 45. William Young, Wsahington (dead).

To this list Lee add the following names, with remarks in his own handwriting: --

ACCESSORIES BEFORE THE FACT.

William H. Dame, Bishop of the Church at Parowan, colonel of the Iron Military District and first man in authority in Southern Utah. He gave orders to Isaac C. Haight to have the emigrants exterminated, and did not deny the same when accused of it by Haight on the field after the massacre, while examining the dead bodies.

Isaac C. Haight, President of the Stake of Zion at Cedar City, Utah; lieutenant colonel of the Iron Military District. The man who directed Lee to see that the emigrants were exterminated.

George A. Smith, one of the Twelve Aspostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who preached a crusade against all who were opposed to the Mormon Church through all the settlements in Southern Utah immediately before the Mountain Meadows massacre. (Now dead, or so reported.)

ACCESSORIES AFTER THE FACT.

Brigham Young, to whom John D. Lee made a full report of the massacre, giving names of persons engaged in the crime and every fact within his knowledge in less than a month after the same was committed; the man who said "God had shown him that the massacre was right;" the man who ordered John D. Lee to keep the whole thing a secret; the man who pretended to aid Judge Cradlebaugh to discover the guilty parties, and while pretending to do so was preaching at Cedar City and elsewhere that samnation would be the fate of all who presumed to give evidence against the brethren who had committed the crime; the man who gave offices and concubines to John D. Lee and Isaac C. Haight as a reward for their acts at the massacre; the man who controls the every act of of the Mormon people and makes slaves of his followers; the man who teaches the doctrine of blood atonement as a religious duty, to be preformed by the faithful Latter Day Saints; the man who assumes that he does nothing except by the direct authority of Heaven; the greatest criminal of the nineteenth century.

Daniel H. Wells, the man who has done everything that he possibly could to carry out the will of Brigham Young and defeat the United States officials in their attempts to enforce the laws of the United States; the man who directed the witnesses that it was the will of God, as made known through Brigham Young, the prophet, priest and revelator under the new dispensation, that John D. Lee must be convicted but no evidence given that would implicate any others of the brethren who aided in the butchery at Mountain Meadows.

Next, every Mormon who has tried to screen the guilty perpetrators from punishment, among whom may be named George Q. Cannon, who disgraces the government of the United States by holding a seat as Delegate to Congress from the Territory of Utah, and who wrote many articles for publication in the vain effort to prove that the massacre was an Indian affair without help or advice from the Church.

Lastly, all who pretend that John D.Lee and those who assisted him in the massacre acted contrary to the orders of the Mormon priesthood.


MORMONISM. -- With a little courage and firmness on the part of the administration it is exceedingly probable that the Mormon murderers, whose names were furnished by John D. Lee before his execution and which are printed elsewhere, will soon die, as he died, where the Mountain Meadows massacre was perpetratrd. Brigham Young is among the number. The escape of these men thus far is a disgrace to the administration of justice. Mormonism, so far from decreasing, is increasing. Nearly two hundred recruits from Europe left this city last night, and four hundred more are expected to arrive in a few days.


Notes: (forthcoming)

SAINTS  OR  DEMONS?
____

Conclusive Evidence of Murder Against Brigham Young.
____

YATES  ASSASSINATED.
____

In a Mormon Camp -- The Prophet Seizes the Plunder...

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

BRIGHAM  YOUNG'S  INFAMY.
____

How He Manages the Murderers and Robbers.
____

POLITICAL  ECCENTRICITY.
____

Supported Tilden and Ordered Lee's Conviction.
____

DISCUSTING  REVELATIONS.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

THE    DESTROYING  ANGELS.
____

Another Link in the Chain of Mormon Atrocities.
____

OUT  FROM  THE  JAWS  OF  DEATH.
____

The Danites Sent on a Mission of
Murder by Young.
____

IN  ATTACK  AMID  THE  COLD  AND  SNOW...

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

OBITUARY.
_____

BRIGHAM  YOUNG.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

A  HILL  OF  ZION
____

REMINISCENCES  OF  THE  EARLY  DAYS  OF  MORMONISM  IN  OHIO.
____

HIRAM, Portage County, Ohio, Sept. 7, 1877.     

In the midst of the revival of interest in the Mormon Church at the present time, caused by the death of its great leader, it may be of value to a considerable class of readers to know that at one time there was a selection made through a pretended vision from God of a site for the Zion of the Church of the Latter Day Saints in this township. Having heard that such was the case your correspondent came to this place yesterday and, calling upon some of the oldest settlers, gathered all the facts in regard to the matter.

About thirty miles southeast from Cleveland and a little more than a mile back from the Atlantic and Great Western Railway rises one of those picturesque hills which go to form the water shed dividing the waters flowing north into Lake Erie from those flowing south into the Ohio River and the Gulf. From the summit of this hill there is a natural slope in every direction. Even in the early days the pioneers describe it as a spot of peculiar beauty and striking sublimity. From its tree-capped summit a magnificent panorama is offered to view. For many miles away in the neighboring State of Pennsylvania busy villages and thriving farms may be minutely located, with here and there a strip of woodland and country road stretching between. The summit of the hill is now occupied by a wealthy farming community, frugal, pious, happy, and, by the casual eye, no indications are to be traced of the delusion of a half century ago.

SIDNEY  RIGDON.

For some time previous to 1830, the year in which Mormonism was first announced to the world, Thomas and Alexander Campbell, father and son, Scotch Baptists preachers, of Western Virginia, had been preaching what they termed a reformation in the orthodoxy of the time. They professed to have discovered new light in the Scriptures of divine truth, and the power with which they emphasized their doctrines made a decided impression everywhere they went upon the pioneer mind. They claimed that the people had long since forsaken the teachings of the Scriptures in their simplicity; that they had obscured the plain doctrines by means of strained interpretations and man-made creeds; that the Scriptures are their own best interpreters, and that if they are studied in their simplicity and with all sectarianism laid aside there can almost never be any difficulty in following out their meaning and forming the true creed for faith and practice.

The theories of the Campbells took deep root in this section. The people of Hiram Hill almost to an individual embraced their novel views upon baptism, the Lord's Supper, the necessity of implicit obedience and the theory that everything commanded in the Bible, under any circumstances, is thoroughly and entirely essential to the salvation of the soul. They became notable as debaters, and called themselves learners, or "Disciples;" saying that they were ready to accept anywhere everything which God or Christ said, and learn of Him. Among the most ardent of the converts to the new religion was a young man by the name of Sidney Rigdon, who immediately became a preacher. A contemporary thus describes him: -- "He had obtained a fair education from the common schools of the East before coming to the new country. He was somewhat stoutly built, though graceful; with marked features, acquiline nose, large eyes and mouth, heavy brown beard and long, wavy black hair. When he was warmed up to his subject he displayed truly great powers of oratory, and for the large, outdoor, pioneer congregations no one was more popular than he among all the native preachers of the time. It was not necessary that language should be the most grammatical, gestures the most appropriate or illustrations the most apt in order to satisfy the demands of the time. If the subject matter of discourse corresponded to the words of divine record which lay open upon the knees of every believer in the audience, and the speaker were impassioned in his denunciation of sin and in his warning to flee the wrath to come, it was sufficient. All these qualities young Rigdon embodied in a marked degree. He had taken up his abode on Hiram Hill, and from his cabin home made long preaching tours in every direction. At length he became so much a leader of the new movement that the Disciples were called in certain quarters 'Rigdonites.'"

IN  LEAGUE  WITH  JOE  SMITH.

But Rigdon, like Caesar, was ambitious, and ambition makes men reckless. He knew that he was not the prime mover in the reformation of the Campbells, and he felt nettled that the true authors received more credit than he. There is a period when the young evangelist is supposed to have sulked in his tent, but in another article I make take occasion to show that he was engaged in the conspiracy from the first, and even then in earnest consultation with Joe Smith. At length the Mormons arrived in Mentor and Kirtland, Lake county, and began operations in their bank, store and community. Sidney pretended to hear the preaching for the first time, and was converted. He returned and told his congregation in Hiram that new light had been discovered by a Latter Day prophet; that revelations were constantly being made, and that it was their duty as the true followers of the Lord, in all His appointed ways, to unite with the new movement. The discourse which he had preached at a large pioneer grove meeting just before this had been from the text: -- "If any man, or an angel from heaven preach any other doctrine than that which I have preached unto you, let him be accursed," and the words of the apostle were emphasized to the fullest extent. The next the people heard was the doctrine of Mormonism, or "Sidney Rigdon preaching his own damnation," as a pioneer expressed it to me.

INVESTIGATING  THE  NEW  DISPENSATION.

At Rigdon's suggestion one of the leading men of the disciples in Hiram, by the name of John Johnson, was sent to Kirtland to investigate the movement and report. Some time during the month of September, 1831, Johnson accordingly started out on horseback across the country to Kirtland, a distance of about thirty miles. Upon hearing the preaching of Smith, Johnson immediately became a convert to Mormonism and came back with a glowing report of the new religion. From this others went on the same pilgrimage, and returning, Rigdon himself with a considerable band went to Kirtland for the purpose of getting the settlement removed to Hiram. The prophet was only too glad to visit Hiram and survey the prospects, for already Kirtland did not satisfy in every way his heart's desires. While on the way he had a vision which told him that Hiram Hill was the "Hill of Zion" for which he had been searching; that Kirtland was only intended as a branch establishment, and that the principal office of the church should be here. Upon arriving he was much pleased with the prospect. He said that the Lord had told him that there was "a better show for living" here than in Kirtland, and on this account desired to give it to the church. The Whitmores and several other leading Mormons, including eight witnesses of the Book of Mormon, arrived in Hiram during the winter of 1831-2, and brought their families with them. Smith took up his abode with Johnson, and many cabins were erected, with this one as a centre.

CONVERSIONS.

Meetings were held in the school houses of the vicinity, and such was the apparent piety and earnestness of the speakers that the people were greatly impressed. At length large congregations began to gather, and as a result of the interest a large number of converts were taken into the church. Every convert who had any gift in that direction was set aside for the work of the ministry. In less than six months after Joseph Smith first came here more than sixty persons had united with his church and accepted him as the Prophet of the Lord. There was hardly a family in the township which was not wholly or in part converted. Taking all the members who entered here they numbered over two hundred. The Prophet now began to have revelations almost every night. The site of the contemplated temple was pointed out -- a spot on the "Hinckley farm," as it is called -- and the work was begun by ordering the transplanting of rows of maples in various places. The rows of these beautiful trees, large and beautiful along the roadside, are all that now remind one of the work of the false prophet. About this time some wonderful lights appeared in various quarters, and Smith immediately announced that they were spirit lights sent to prove the truth of Mormonism. As the congregation went to the river to immerse the converts, lights appeared upon the opposite side of the stream. Some curious fellows went up the stream and swimming across found the lights to be nothing more than wicking saturated with oil and set on fire. Smith attempted to work some miracles of healing, &c., but signally failed. Some of the oldest people here contend that the plan of Smith at this time was to build three Zions -- one in Kirtland, in in Hiram and one in the Far West.

AN  UNINTENTIONAL  REVELATION.

After the work was thought to be well started here Smith accordingly started for Missouri. But he left some of his charts and papers behind in Johnson's house, and that individual proceeded to peruse them, when he ascertained that a plot was laid to take the property of all the converts out of their hands and form a great stock company, with Smith as the head or president. This was indeed a revelation to the Hiramites, as they were called, and was far more than they could endure. One after another they declared that they would be dupes no longer. In this way by fall the Church was very greatly reduced and the Gentiles of the whole section were thoroughly aroused in their hostility. Smith returned from the West to find that his power had hopelessly deserted him.The fraud was exposed. At length the people determined not to let the indignity which they had suffered go unpunished. Boring holes into Rigdon's cabin they attempted to blow it up by placing in powder to be exploded by the application of a slow match. Failing in this a large mob of people from the adjoining towns came in one night and joining with the Hiramites proceeded to the houses of Smith and Rigdon, and dragging them out from their beds into an open field proceeded to tar and feather feather them. On the next day there was to be a meeting at the house of Smith, at which both the prophet and Rigdon were to speak, but neither of them appeared. The power of the Church had been entirely broken, and within a week Smith and Rigdon departed for Kirtland. When the emigration for Missouri took place some time afterward, however, there were about fifteen faithful families from Hiram Hill which accompanied the train.   C. H. R.


Note 1: The writer was almost certainly Charles H. Ryder (1853-1883), who (probably with the help of his father, Hartwell Ryder) compiled a manuscript account of the early history of Hiram township, (see page 9 of Mary Bosworth Treudley's 1950 Prelude to the Future; the First Hundred Years of Hiram College). That manuscript was partially published in June of 1874. Charles is listed in the 1880 census as living in his father's household at Hiram; he had earlier been a student at what is now Hiram College. Hartwell Ryder seems to also have been an amateur historian, (see his 1902 manuscript in the Hiram College Archives: "Short History of the Foundation of the Mormon church based on personal memories and facts collected by Hartwell Ryder, Hiram, Ohio, at the Age of 80 years," -- copy by Minnie M. Ryder, 1903-04). Hartwell's recollections parallel portions of L. V. Bierce's historical article in the Feb. 15, 1860 Ravenna Portage County Democrat, which reported: "someone [in 1832] bored an auger hole into a log of the house in which Rigdon lived, and filling it with powder, tried to blow it up." This corresponds closely with the 1877 New York Herald article, which says: "Boring holes into Rigdon's cabin they attempted to blow it up by placing in powder to be exploded by the application of a slow match. Failing in this a large mob of people from the adjoining towns came in one night..." Evidently Mr. John Tilden of Hiram was the source for this information.

Note 2: Charles H. Ryder's father, Hartwell, grew up in the household of his father, Symonds Ryder, (located on Pioneer Trail Road, located a little southwest of Hiram Center). The 1850 federal census list for Hiram township shows Mr. "Simonds Rider" [sic] as the next door neighbor (to the east according to land ownership maps) of Jude "Stephens," who in 1834 exchanged his property in Kirtland, Ohio with John Johnson, Sr., the previous owner on County Road 254, in Hiram. All of this means that the Ryders were next-door neighbors of the John Johnson family well before 1832. In fact, Symonds' younger brother Jason married Fanny Johnson, the daughter of John Johnson. The 1850 census list also shows Jude Stephens' son, William W. Stevens, then living with his father in what had been the John Johnson house. William W. Stevens' daughter, Mary Ellen Stevens Dilley, grew up in the old Johnson house. See her 1930 Pioneer Life in Hiram Township, as well as "The Mormons are Only a Memory but ‘Hiram Hill’ is Still Unchanged," Cleveland Plain Dealer Magazine, Feb. 21, 1909, both published under her professional name, "Ellen S. Dilley."

Note 3: B. H. Roberts' "Figures in Early Church History," in the Deseret Evening News of Sept. 27, 1902 privides an LDS perspective on the early days in Hiram, as does Luke S. Johnson's "History," in the Deseret News of May 19, 1858. See also various items transcribed in association with Rev. B. A. Hinsdale's 1876 booklet, A History of Disciples at Hiram, and the on-line series "Elder Sidney Rigdon's 'Hiram Period'."

RETRIBUTION  IN  UTAH.
____

The Mormon Apostles, Pratt and Smith, Arrive from Europe.
____

AVENGING  ANGELS.
____

Pratt's Struggle with Brigham and Smith's Grudge Against the Youngs.
____

The two Mormon apostles, Orson Pratt and Joseph F. Smith, who were in Europe when Brigham Young was suddenly taken off, arrived by the steamer Wyoming yesterday, on their way back to Utah....

THE  WRONGS  TO  BE  RIGHTED.

Pratt has long looked forward to this day, and he feels like a giant refreshed with new wine as he views the battle before him. He has his work cut and dried, resolves to conquer and with the consciousness that the people in Utah and in Europe were with him heart and soul, more than with any other man save the dead Joseph, he feels that on his return to Zion he is like one who has been exiled from his heritage for a score of years and now returned, at the call of the Lord, to his birthright, of which the late ruling tyrant had denied him. Smith, his companion en voyage, has his grudge to avenge. He was the nephew of his uncle, the founder of the faith. At the death of Joseph, the "Prophet, Seer and Revelator," Brigham seized the reins of government, put his hands hastily over the Church property, and treated every member of the "martyred Joseph's" family and his kindred with the utmost severity, unless they bowed to his ukase and worshipped at his shrine. Young Joseph F. saw the scions of the defunct Brigham travelling all over the world like princes, living off the fat of the land and dwelling in palaces, while he had to scramble hard for a living for a small family, and all the rest of the Smiths were like him, grovelling in poverty, and yet it was his own illustrious namesake and uncle, Joseph, who was the author of the movement, that ever made the name of Brigham Young more than representative of a country village painter and glazier.

THE  IRON  IN  HIS  SOUL.

He feels in his soul that he has an argument, and before he returns to Europe, he means to go through the records of the past thirty years and make the Youngs turn over to the Church every piece of property that stands to the name of the deceased Prophet, or to the name of any of his sons or daughters, which was purchased or obtained by Church money or donations or deeds of the Saints to "the Trustee in Trust," Brigham Young. He means to do this work effectually. Smith has struck the right trail and he is nobody's fool to be either cajoled, bought up or frightened away from the task he has set for himself. It was difficult for the living Brigham to keep this "fighting Apostle" in the traces, and it is folly for Taylor to try and hold the lines over him, now that he rises with the inspiration of an avenger. There are tens of thousands in Utah who need only a standard bearer of the name of Smith, of the blood royal, within the Church, to enable them to apostatize from Brigham's order of things...

HIS  STRIFE  WITH  BRIGHAM.

http://imgcache.newsbank.com/cache/ean/fullsize/pl_005012010_1705_13684_985.pdf The Apostle Pratt had attained popularity everywhere, and Brigham was jealous of his influence. From the closing of "the Utah war" till Brigham's death the Prophet never let pass an opportunity of grinding him into the dust. He has tried to live by teaching branches of education for which he was eminently fitted, but he was always pecuniarily embarrassed. He had only been successful in polygamy. The death of Brigham is a relief to him, and never will he submit again to mortal man. He goes back to Utah to be again the Orson Pratt of whom all who have heard of Mormonism knew more than of any other man in that community....


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormon Leaders at Their Mecca.
_____

Western New York the Scene of a Powerful and Interesting
Revival of Mormonism. Joe Smith's Life at Palmyra. Beginning by
Selling Cakes and Ale, and Then Taking a Hand at Receiving Revelations.
The Rise of Mormonism. Dramatic Events in the Development of
the Church of Latter Day Saints."
_____

SMITH'S  LIFE  AT  HOME.

The brief story of Joe Smith's career, as told in this town, is as follows: -- He was of a family of nine children, who came to Palmyra from Royalton, Vt., in 1816.

At first the Smiths opened a cake and ale stand in the village of Palmyra. The boys "worked round," dug wells and chopped wood now and then, but Joseph, Jr., was opposed to manual labor except in great emergencies. According to people who knew him best he was a silent, lazy boy -- often called stupid. But he was a well built fellow, with blue eyes and light hair, sometimes spoken of as a full faced, chuckle headed lad who took life easy and dreamed and schemed while others toiled.

At that time there was a craze for treasure hunting, and many things of value had been discovered in Indian mounds. Smith took advantage of the mania, and when digging for gold he superintended the job and showed an unusual amount of energy in making people believe in his strange fancies. It was his custom to go out with a party and dig for money or relics on the hills at midnight. Usually he was half asleep and idle, but on special days, at general musters, elections and political meetings, he turned out with the whole Smith family. They put their cheap merchandise on sale, with cakes, beer, hard cider and bioled eggs. Joseph is described as a silent boy who never smiled, and he kept himself in the background while developing his schemes for creating a sensation; then he came to the front and appeared as a leader. Incessant and tireless, he pursued his game. As young Smith grew older, he became master of the family -- father and brothers followed him to the end. Joe was the chief vagabond of this New England gypsy family. Horses, whiskey, craft and story telling characterized his worldly career.

Therr years after the family had opened their little shop of gingerbread and ale in Palmyra the Smiths "squatted" on a piece of timber land of one hundred and fifty or two hundred acres, about two miles south of the village centre. First they had a log house, which was never completely finished; then they built a frame house which was not finished until long afterward. All survivors agree that the Smiths were a shiftless lot, particularly Joseph, Jr.

MORMON  FARMING.

Their fields were half cleared, half ploughed, half cultivated and half harvested. At times they made brooms and baskets, peddled vegetables and were hucksters rather than farmers. When other boys were hoeing corn Joe was hunting or fishing or getting up a party to dig for money. He claimed to have a clairvoyant insight into things that other people could not see. He always had two or three pots of money or chests of valuables on tap in his mind's eye, and this explains why the hills of Palmyra to-day are covered with holes which Apostle Joe Smith, Jr., had inveigled his fellow citizens into digging. The money mania was the talk of the country for miles around. When Joe and his followers visited Pennsylvania and began turning up the clay of that State many people thought Joe Smith a great man if not an honest one.

In the summer of 1819 an incident occurred which put young Joe Smith into a wider field of operation. It was the beginning of a series of fake discoveries, which culminated in his claim that with the assistance of a beautiful angel he had discovered the golden plates of a new Gospel.

The elder Smith was digging a well for Clark Chase, two miles south of Palmyra. The Chase children were playing about the well, when one of the Smith boys shovelled out a clear white stone shaped like a human foot. It was quite transparent, something like a "peep" stone which the Chase children had used as a plaything. One of the girls said that when she peeped into the stone she saw things that had been lost. She was quite joyous over the treasure until young Joe, who was idling about the well, seized the agate and carried it away. Joe was quiet for several days. Presently it was whispered that he had discovered a charm in which he could see wonders. With an air of mystery he would look at the stone shaded in his hat and see visions and any amount of lost property. Each day he had new revelations for his open mouthed followers.

In a few weeks people were paying money for his oracles. Many a man was sent over the hills in search of lost cattle, on a fool's errand, of course, but Joe made money and the public apparently fancied humbugging, and that made him a great success.

SMITH'S  SPIRITUAL  VISIONS.

It was not long before he had heavenly visions. Men paid to join his search for treasures. His conditions were that no person should speak during the digging. A whisper would cause the box of gold to vanish forever. A confederate generally broke the charm at the proper moment and thus prevented exposure.

Next, young Joe must have a sacrifice and soak the ground with blood, to enable him to discover the hidden treasure. A fat sheep was given, its throat cut, but somebody extinguished the torches, and amid Smith's protests and cries of indignation the sheep disappeared. On the following day there was a grand feast under the prophet's roof. The mutton was tender and Joe a power in the family. He kept the pots filled with mutton, and the Smith family waxed notorious.

These gypsy feats and impostures continued until Joe Smith and his gold diggers were visited by people from other States. Nearly all of young Smith's followers were without money or character. The exception was Martin Harris, an honest farmer, who lived near the village. He was a business man by nature, had a good farm, but his weakness was in his belief in Joe Smith's spiritual powers. He affirmed that he had every proof of Joe Smith's divine nature.

ORIGIN  OF  THE  MORMON  BIBLE.

At this point in the Smith narrative the Mormon Bible hoax enters. Volumes have been written about it and strenuously denied by the Mormons. The best informed people of Palmyra, however, believe the story of the stealing of what was known as the Spalding manuscript, which Joe Smith had copied and interpolated with passages from the Bible and palmed off as a revelation from God...

Not long after this a mysterious stranger appeared with Joe Smith. It was Rigdon. He had frequent interviews with the young apostle, and there was evidently something important brewing. Smith's revelations grew more frequent. He had a new dispensation to relate every time he visited the village. Farmer Harris, the only follower of Smith who had more money than he knew what to do with, mentioned Smith's name with new reverence. Smith told him that he had met an angel and would have a new gospel for the public very soon. Later he came into town pale and exhausted, but his eyes were radient. He said he had been on a mountain by direction of the angel, had a fight with the devil, and after a long conflict had secured the golden pages of the new gospel. He would translate it by means of spiritual spectacles which accompanied the metal pages.

In a few days Martin Harris, the honest farmer, was ready to sacrifice his life for the only true revelation. He went to see Mr. Grandin, the village editor, who listened to his proposition to put the Bible in print. Mr. Grandin refused to do the work. Harris visited Thurlow Weed's printing office in Rochester and received a similar answer.

Then Mr. Harris returned, went to Mr. Grandin and put his offer in business form; said he would give bonds to pay for the work if necessary. Mr. Grandin finally consented to print an edition of 5,000 copies, as stated at the geginning of this article, for $3,000 cash. It was a a large sum in those days and ultimately Martin Harris, the honest man, had to mortgage his farm to pay the bill...

[A continued narrative of Smith's exploits continues, including a reference to his artificial cave, dug into the side of Miner's Hill, located a mile south of the Smith farm. The reporter, along with local residents Orson Saunders and John H. Gilbert, visited the location and reported: "the door jambs leading into the cave are still sound and partly visible, but the earth has been washed down by storms and the opening to the cave nearly filled, so that it cannot be entered at present... The door jamb is heavy plank of beech or maple, and the inscriptions, which had evidently been cut deeply by a sharp knife, were partially worn away." A landslide covered cave the cave entrance and its wooden doors eventually rotted away.]

...While on the hill Orson Saunders, the frisky batchelor farmer of Palmyra, gave the story that Smith had told his uncle of how he found the golden tablets. It is no doubt authentic, because the Saunders boys are trustworthy and their uncle was well acquainted with the Smith family. Their farms adjoined. The uncle's name is Benjamin Saunders. He is eighty years old and lives at Banker's Station, near Hilldale, Mich. He repeated the narrative only a year or two ago to Orson. This is the story...

HOW  JOE  SMITH  FOUGHT  DEVILS.

... Smith had received several communications from the archangel, and was told on a certain day to repair that night to the holy mountain and dig in a certain place, which he would recognize. It was shown him in the vision. Accordingly he went there at midnight with a shovel and ceowbar. He recognized the spot and dug until he came to a large, flat stone. To use Smith's own words: --

"I forced the crowbar under the stone and raised it without difficulty. There I beheld a casket of golden plates, on which were inscribed the new gospels. The glory of heaven shone around them and upon them. The place seemed on fire. I was about to remove the plates when an enormous toad appeared, squatting upon the pages.

"Instantly it was revealed to me that I had forgotten to carry out some request made by the angel in digging for the plates. I had forgotten to give thanks to God, and I knew what was passing in the toad's mind. Instantlt the beast arose and expanded as large as a dog, then as a bullock, then it rose far above me, a flaming monster with glittering eyes, until it seemed to fill the heavens, and with a blow like lightning it swept me from the mountain into the valley beneath.

ANOTHER  VISITATION.

"The sun was shining high in the heavens when I came to my senses. Again the angel of the Lord appeared and instructed me how I should further proceed. I acknowledged the mistake I had made and on that night I again repaired to the holy mountain. But the stone was not there, nor was there any sign that it had ever been there or that I had dug for it. But a revelation came to me on the spot. A new place to dig was pointed out and in a few moments I reached a bif flat stone, and offering up thanks I removed it with the crowbar. The golden plates were flaming again in celestial splendor. The toad was not there. Then I knew it was all right.

"Again thanking the Almighty I removed the plates, but was so agitated I could hardly move. The moment I touched them a thousand devils sprang into light. They were all around the hill; the mountain seemed alive with them; they were in the air; they perched on my shoulders. They could do nothing, however. I was protected by the angel of God. But I had to fight for it. It was a struggle to get down from the mountain. Many a time I thought the holy plates would be taken from me, but I never let go of them until I found a place to hide, that I might recover my strength. The country was heavily timbered in those days, but I was not afraid to go through the woods. On the following day I had the plates safely clapsed to my breast and I carried them home and afterward hid them in a cave, where I began the first translation of the inspired pages." ...

INTERVIEW  WITH  THE