History of Salt Lake City, Part 9

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company
Number of Pages: 1194

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After these branches of the "spiritual " organization were perfected, the city was divided into nineteen wards, over which bishops were appointed with their counselors.

Under the direction of Brigham Young, who, throughout his lifetime, was the "all in all" in the colonization of Utah, the Apostles and Bishops com- menced to lay off the city, from the southeast corner, running west five wards, then returning, running east five wards, then west again, and so on.

Bishop Newel K. Whitney was the presiding Bishop over the whole. The original Bishops of the nineteen wards were as follows: First Ward, Peter McCue ; Second Ward, John Lowrey ; Third Ward, Christopher Williams; Fourth Ward, Benjamin Brown; Fifth Ward (which for quite a while was without a Bishop), Thomas Winters; Sixth Ward, William Hickenlooper ; Seventh Ward, William G. Perkins; Eighth Ward, Addison Everett; Ninth Ward, Seth Taft; Tenth Ward, David Pettegrew; Eleventh Ward, John Lytle; Twelfth Ward, Benjamin Covey; Thirteenth Ward, Edward Hunter; Fourteenth Ward, John Murdock, Sen .; Fifteenth Ward, Nathaniel V. Jones; Sixteenth Ward, Shad- rach Roundy ; Seventeenth Ward, J. L. Heywood; Eighteenth Ward, Presiding Bishop Whitney ; Nineteenth Ward, James Hendricks.

Under the government of the Bishops, Utah grew up, and, until the regular incorporation of Great Salt Lake City in 1851, they held what is usually consid- ered the secular administration over the people; Brigham Young was their director, for he formulated and constructed everything in those early days. Each of these nineteen wards developed, during the first period, before the reg- 8

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

ular incorporation of the city, like so many municipal corporations, over which the Bishops were as chief magistrates or mayors. Under their temporal admin- istration all over Utah, as well as in Salt Lake, cities were built, lands divided off to the people, roads and bridges made, water-ditches cut, the land irrigated, and society governed. In fact, under them all the revenue was produced and the work done of founding Great Salt Lake City.

Perhaps the most unique ecclesiastical order of government belonging to the Christian era is that which has sprung up in the Mormon Church in the organi- zations and government of its Bishops. It is altogether out of the common ecclesiastical order and church regime ; and the duties and calling of those be- longing to the Mormon Bishopric have originated a form of government pecu- 'liarly its own. Indeed, this branch of the Mormon development has not only shaped considerable of the history of this peculiar people, but given to the world something of a new social problem. We may not be able to determine how much the influence and life-work of these Bishops will in the future affect the growth of the Pacific States and Territories; but, so far as the past is concerned, we know that under the Bishops the hundreds of cities and settlements of Utah and some of the adjacent Territories have been founded.

Almost from the first organization of the Church and long before the organ- ization of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, it was shown in the peculiar his- tory of the people that the Bishops were as the organic basis of the Mormon society, and the proper business managers of the Church ; but it was not until the Mormons came to the Rocky Mountains that the society-work of the Bishops grew rapidly into the vast proportions of their present social and church govern- ment. In Utah, they soon became the veritable founders of our settlements and cities ; and, having founded them, they have also governed them and directed the people in their social organization and material growth, while the Apostles and Presidents of Stakes have directed spiritual affairs.

It may be further explained, that a Stake of Zion, the initial of which we have seen organized in that of the Salt Lake Stake, is analogous to a county ; and the High Council is a quorum of judges, in equity for the people, at the head of which is the President of the Stake, with his counselors.

The community grew so rapidly that before the close of the second year it was deemed wise to establish a constitutional secular government, and accord- ingly representatives of the people met in convention in the month of March, 1849, and formed the Provisional Government of the State of Deseret. A con- stitution was adopted, and delegates sent to Washington asking admission into the Union. Here is what they said :

" We, the people, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those bles- sings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government by the name of the State of Deseret, including all the Territory of the United States within the following boundaries, to-wit : Commencing at the 33d degree of north lat- itude, where it crosses the 108th degree of longitude west from Greenwich ; thence running south and west to the boundary of Mexico; thence west to and down the main channel of the Gila River (or the northern part of Mexico), and

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

on the northern boundary of Lower California to the Pacific Ocean; thence along the coast northwesterly to the 118th degree, 30th minute of west longi- tude ; thence north to where said line intersects the dividing ridge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the dividing range of mountains that separates the waters flowing into the Columbia River from the waters running into the Great Basin on the south, to the summit of the Wind River chain of mountains; thence south- east and south by the dividing range of mountains that separates the waters flow- ing into the Gulf of Mexico from the waters flowing into the Gulf of California, to the place of beginning, as set forth in a map drawn by Charles Preuss, and published by order of the Senate of the United States, in 1848."

The Twelve, in their general epistle, under date, "Great Salt Lake City, March 9, 1849, thus explains this organic movement: " We have petitioned the Congress of the United States for the organization of a Territorial government here, embracing a territory of about seven hundred miles square, bounded north by Oregon, latitude 42 degrees, east by the Rio Grande Del Norte, south by the late lines between the United States and Mexico, near the latitude 32 degrees, and west by the sea coast and California Mountains. Until this petition is granted, we are under the necessity of organizing a local government for the time being, to consist of a governor, chief-justice, secretary, marshal, magistrates, etc. elected by the people : the election to take place next Monday."

Accordingly, on Monday, March 12th, 1849, this State election was held in Great Salt Lake City, resulting in the unanimous choice of Brigham Young as Governor; Willard Richards, Secretary; N. K. Whitney, Treasurer ; Heber C. Kimball, Chief Justice; John Taylor and N. K. Whitney, Associate Justices ; Daniel H. Wells, Attorney-General ; Horace S. Eldredge, Marshal ; Albert Car- rington, Assessor and Collector of taxes; Joseph L. Heywood, Surveyor of Highways ; and the Bishops of the several wards as Magistrates.

The first celebration in the mountains was held on the 24th of July, 1849- the second anniversary of the entrance of the Pioneers.

The following description of the celebration, by the " Chief Scribe," may be of interest to many :

" The inhabitants were awakened by the firing of cannon, accompanied by music. The brass band, playing martial airs, was then carried through the city, returning to the Bowery by seven o'clock. The Bowery is a building 100 feet long by 60 feet wide, built on 104 posts, and covered with boards; but for the services of this day a canopy or awning was extended about 100 feet from each side of the Bowery, to accommodate the vast multitude at dinner.

" At half-past seven the large national flag, measuring sixty-five feet in length, was unfurled at the top of the liberty pole, which is 104 feet high, and was saluted hy the firing of six guns, the ringing of the Nauvoo bell, and spirit- stirring airs from the band.

"At eight o'clock the multitude were called together by music and the firing of guns, the Bishops of the several wards arranging themselves on the sides of the aisles, with the banners of their wards unfurled, cach bearing some appropriate inscription.

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

" At a quarter past eight, the Presidency of the Stake, the Twelve, and the bands, went to prepare the escort in the following order, at the house of Presi- dent Brigham Young. under the direction of Lorenzo Snow, J. M. Grant, and F. D. Richards :

"(1) Horace S. Eldredge, marshal, on horseback, in military uniform ; (2) brass band ; (3) twelve bishops bearing the banners of their wards; (4) seventy- four young men dressed in white, with white scarfs on their right shoulders, and coronets on their heads, each carrying in his right hand a copy of the Declara- tion of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, and each carry- ing a sheathed sword in his left hand ; one of them carrying a beautiful banner, inscribed on it, ' The Zion of the Lord ; ' (5) twenty-four young ladies, dressed in white, with white scarfs on their right shoulders, and wreaths of white roses on their heads, each carrying a copy of the Bible and Book of Mormon, and one carrying a very neat banner, inscribed with 'Hail to our Captain ;' (6) Brig- ham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Parley P. Pratt, Charles C. Rich, John Taylor, Daniel Spencer, D. Fullmer, Willard Snow, Erastus Snow ; (7) twelve Bishops, carrying flags of their wards; (8) twenty-four Silver Greys, led by Isaac Morley, Patriarch, each having a staff, painted red at the upper part, and a bunch of white ribbon fastened at the top, one of them carrying the Stars and Stripes, bearing the inscription, 'Liberty and Truth.'

" The procession started from the house at nine o'clock. The young men and young ladies sang a hymn through the streets, the cannon roared, the musketry rolled, the Nauvoo bell pealed forth its silvery notes, and the air was filled by the sweet strains of the brass band. On arriving at the Bowery the escort was re- ceived with shouts of 'Hosanna ! to God and the Lamb!' While the Presi- dency, Patriarch, and presiding Bishops were passing down the aisle, the people cheered and shouted, 'Hail to the Governor of Deseret.' These being seated by the committee on the stand, the escort passed round the assembly, singing a hymn of praise, marched down the aisle, and were seated in double rows on either side. The assembly was called to order by Mr. J. M. Grant. On being seated, Mr. Erastus Snow offered up a prayer.

"Richard Ballantyne, one of the twenty-four young men, came to the stand, and, in a neat speech, presented the Declaration of Independence and the Consti- tution of the United States to President Young, which was received with three shouts, 'May it live forever,' led by the President.

"The Declaration of Independence was then read by Mr. Erastus Snow, the band following with a lively air.

"The clerk then read 'The Mountain Standard,' composed by Parley P. Pratt : ----

" Lo, the Gentile chain is broken,

Freedom's banner waves on high.'

" After the above had been sung by the twenty-four young men and young ladies, Mr. Phinehas Richards came forward in behalf of the twenty- four aged sires in Israel, and read their congratulatory address on the an- niversary of the day. At the conclusion of the reading, the assembly rose and shouted three times, ' Hosanna! hosanna! hosanna! to God and the Lamb, for-

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

ever and ever, Amen,' while the banners were waved by the. Bishops. The band next played a lively air, and the clerk then rose and read an 'Ode on Liberty.'

" The ode was then sung by the twenty-four Silver Greys, to the tune of ' Bruce's Address to his Army,'

" The hour of intermission having arrived, the escort was re formed, the Bishops of each ward collected the inhabitants of their respective wards together, and marched with them to the dinner tables, where several thousand of the Saints dined sumptuously on the fruits of the earth. Several hundred emigrants also partook of the repast, as did also three score Indians,"

Orson Hyde, President of the Twelve Apostles, in the Frontier Guardian, published at Kanesville, Iowa, thus explains this first celebration, at which, it will have been noticed, the Declaration of American Independence was read : " Our people celebrated the 24th of July instead of the 4th, for two reasons-one was because that was the day on which Brother Young and the Pioneers first entered the valley; and the other was, they had little or no bread, or flour to make cakes, etc., that early, and not wishing to celebrate on empty stomachs, they postponed it until their harvest came in."

The explanation of Apostle Hyde has historical pertinence, when it is re- membered that in the Spring of this year the community were put on rations; it was this very harvest of 1849, that saved the people from a continuance of the famine, caused by the destruction of the crops by the grasshoppers in 1848.

Here a passage of history seems due to the soldiers of the Mormon Bat- talion, relative to their connection with the early times of California, and the finding of gold, which largely tended to the rapid growth of Great Salt Lake City and started its currency.

On being discharged from the United States service, four of the Mormon Battalion found employ with Mr. Thomas Marshall, in digging Captain Sutter's mill race, on the Sacramento River. One day these brethren were attracted by the mysterious movements of their foreman, Mr. Marshall, whom they partly surprised in the act of washing something which his shovel had just turned up. That something was gold ! The discovery was at once shared by Mr. Marshall and his men. Of course, at first there was some secresy preserved, but such a discovery could not be long hid, and soon the Mormons of California, both those of the Battalion and those who sailed to the Bay of San Francisco with Mr. Samuel Brannan in the ship Brooklyn, were working in the gold diggings. So that notwithstanding Mr. Marshall's shovel brought the initial glitter of Cali- fornia gold to light, it was the shovels of Mormon Elders that spread the golden tidings to the world.

No sooner was the discovery bruited than the whole civilized world seemed flocking to the new El Dorado. Scarcely a nation but sent its adventurous spirits to the paradise of gold. From the American States themselves came colony after colony pouring daily towards the west. Gold was the incentive at first, but as that wondrous emigrational tide swelled, it became more like the migration of a dominant race for the purpose of founding a new empire. This did finally be- come the proper character of the movement.

The best blood of America was in those emigrant companies, and they took

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

with them enough resources to found a new State; but there was no "royal road" to the land of gold; fifteen hundred miles then intervened between the western frontier of the States and Great Salt Lake City. The Mormon Zion became the "half-way house" of the nation.

But the ambitious and spirited emigrants to California could not endure the tedious journey as the Saints had done. Before they reached the mountains they began to leave fragments of their richly-laden trains by the wayside. All . along the route was strewn valuable freight, with the ruins of wagons and the carcasses of oxen and mules.

By the time the gold-seekers reached the valley of the Great Salt Lake, they were utterly impatient and demoralized. Many had loaded their trains with clothing, dry goods, general merchandise, mechanics' tools and machinery, ex- pecting to find a market where gold was dug and a new country to be settled. But the merchant, alike with the adventurer, was at last subdued by the conta- gion of the gold fever, and provoked into a mania of impatience by the tedious journey. £ News also reached the overland emigrants that steamers, laden with merchandise had sailed from New York to California. The speculations of the merchants lost their last charm. That which was destined for California was left in Utah. In absolute disgust for their trains of merchandise and splendid emigrant outfits, they gave the bulk to the Mormons at their own price, and for the most ordinary means of barter. A horse or a mule outfit to carry the gold- hunter quickly to his destination, was taken as an equivalent for wagons, cattle, and merchandise.

Parley P. Pratt, writing to his brother Orson under date July 8th, 1849, says:

" The present travel through this place, or near it, will, it is thought, amount to some thirty or forty thousand persons. All will centre here another year, as much of it does this year. This employs blacksmiths, pack-saddlers, washing, board, etc., and opens a large trade in provisions, cattle, mules, horses, etc. Scores or hundreds of people now arrive here daily, and all stop to rest and re-fit."

The Frontier Guardian, giving the news of the arrival of the gold-seekers in Great Salt Lake City related the story thus: "The valley has been a place of general deposit for property, goods, etc., by Californians. When they saw a few bags and kegs of gold dust brought in by our boys, it made them completely en- thusiastic. Pack mules and horses that were worth twenty-five dollars in ordinary times, would readily bring two hundred dollars in the most valuable property at the lowest price. Goods and other property were daily offered at auction in all parts of the city. For a light Yankee wagon, sometimes three or four great heavy ones would be offered in exchange, and a yoke of oxen thrown in at that. Common domestic sheeting sold from five to ten cents per yard by the bolt. The best of spades and shovels for fifty cents each. Vests that cost in St. Louis one dollar and fifty cents each, were sold at Salt Lake for thirty-seven and one half cents. Full chests of joiner's tools that would cost one hundred and fifty dollars in the East, were sold in Salt Lake City for twenty-five dollars. Indeed: almost every article, except sugar and coffee, were selling on an average fifty per cent. below wholesale prices in the eastern States."

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

In the fall, a company of Mormon Elders started from Salt Lake City, de- signing to work for awhile in the gold mines, after which some were to proceed on missions to the Sandwich Islands. The company consisted of General Charles C. Rich, Major Hunt of the Mormon Battalion, Captain Flake, captain of the company, George Q. Cannon, Joseph Cain, Thomas Whittle, Henry E. Gibson and other prominent Mormons. This was the first company that under- took to go to California by the southern route. The expedition started with only about thirty days' provisions ; yet sixty days on the road were passed before the first settlement was reached. The men went with pack animals. In crossing the desert they had often to turn back and re-take up their march in some other direction, which made the journey very long and severe, killing nearly all of their animals, so that the last three hundred and fifty miles were mostly performed on foot. But it was a fine company of men, and they were enabled to survive one of the hardest journeys ever made to the State of California.

CHAPTER VIII.

ARRIVAL OF CAPTAIN STANSBURY. HIS INTERVIEW WITH GOVERNOR YOUNG GOVERNMENT SURVEY OF THE LAKES. COMMENCEMENT OF INDIAN DIFFICULTIES.

In August of that year (1849) Captain Howard Stansbury, of the United States Army Topographical Engineers, with his assistants, arrived in the valley for the purpose of making a government survey of the lakes. He was accompanied by Lieutenant Gunnison who was, like Captain Stansbury, one of the earliest and most intelligent writers upon the Utah community. Of his arrival, Captain Stansbury thus reports to the chief of his department :

" Before reaching Great Salt Lake City, I had heard from various sources that much uneasiness was felt by the Mormon community at my anticipated coming among them. I was told that they would never permit any survey of their country to be made ; while it was darkly hinted that if I persevered in attempt- ing to carry it on, my life would scarce be safe. Utterly disregarding, indeed, giving not the least credence to these insinuations, I at once called upon Brigham Young, the President of the Mormon Church and the Governor of the Common- wealth, stated to him what I had heard, explained to him the views of the Gov- ernment in directing an exploration and survey of the lake, assuring him that these were the sole objects of the expedition. He replied, that he did not hesi- tate to say that both he and the people whom he presided over had been very much disturbed and surprised that the Government should send out a party into their country so soon after they had made their settlement; that he had heard of the expedition from time to time, since its onset from Fort Leavenworth ; and

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

that the whole community were extremely anxious as to what could be the design of the Government in such a movement. It appeared, too, that their alarm had been increased by the indiscreet and totally unauthorized boasting of an attache of General Wilson, the newly appointed Indian agent for California, whose train on its way thither had reached the city a few days before I myself arrived. This person, as I understood, had declared openly that General Wilson had come clothed with authority from the President of the United States to expel the Mormons from the lands which they occupied, and that he would do so if he thought proper. The Mormons very naturally supposed from such a declaration that there must be some understanding or connection between General Wilson and myself ; and that the arrival of the two parties so nearly together was the result of a concerted and combined movement for the ulterior purpose of break- ing up and destroying their colony. The impression was that a survey was to be made of their country in the same manner that other public lands are surveyed, for the purpose of dividing into townships and sections, and of thus establishing and recording the claims of the Government to it, and thereby anticipating any claim the Mormons might set up from their previous occupation. However un- reasonable such a suspicion may be considered, yet it must be remembered that these people are exasperated and rendered almost desperate by the wrongs and persecutions they had previously suffered in Illinois and Missouri ; that they had left the confines of civilization and fled to these far distant wilds, that they might enjoy undisturbed the religious liberty which had been practically denied them : and that now they supposed themselves to be followed up by the General Govern- ment with the view of driving them out from even this solitary spot, where they had hoped they should at length be permitted to set up their habitation in peace.

" Upon all these points I undeceived Governor Young to his entire satisfac- tion. I was induced to pursue this conciliatory course, not only in justice to the Government, but also because I knew, from the peculiar organization of this sin- gular community, that, unless the ' President' was fully satisfied that no evil was intended to his people, it would be useless for me to attempt to carry out my in- structions. He was not only civil Governor, but the President of the whole Church of Latter-day Saints upon the earth, their prophet and their priest, re- ceiving, as they all firmly believed, direct revelations of the Divine will, which, according to their creed, form the law of the Church. He is, consequently, profoundly revered by all, and possesses unbounded influence and almost un- limited power. I did not anticipate open resistance ; but I was fully aware that if the President continued to view the expedition with distrust, nothing could be more natural than that every possible obstruction should be thrown in our way by a 'masterly inactivity.' Provisions would not be furnished; information would not be afforded ; labor could not be procured ; and no means would be left untried, short of open opposition, to prevent the success of a measure by them deemed fatal to their interests and, safety. So soon, however, as the true object of the expedition was fully understood, the President laid the subject- matter before the council called for that purpose, and I was informed, as the re- sult of their deliberations, that the authorities were much pleased that the explora-

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

tion was to be made ; that they had themselves contemplated something of the kind, but did not yet feel able to incur the expense; but that any assistance they could render to facilitate our operations would be most cheerfully furnished to the extent of their ability. This pledge, thus heartily given, was as faithfully redeemed ; and it gives me pleasure here to acknowledge the warm interest mani- fested and efficient aid rendered, as well by the President as by all the leading men of the community, both in our personal welfare and in the successful prose- cution of the work.

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History of Salt Lake City, Part 9

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company
Number of Pages: 1194