USA > Utah > History of Utah > Part 35
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* Among the carliest commanders of military districts were Colonel George A. Smith, Iron County ; Peter W. Conover, Utah County; Cyrus C. Canfield, Weber County, and Nelson Higgins, Sanpete County.
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Thus was established the Provisional Government of the State of Deseret, with its mailed arm of power, the Nauvoo Legion. It was not long before a portion of the troops were called into the field to resist hostile encroachments by the savages.
The same month that the State government was organized, the settlement of Utah Valley was begun. This was the first permanent movement of the Mormon colonists toward southern Utah.
In the summer of 1848 the settlers in Salt Lake Valley had been visited by several hundred Indians, men, women and children. They were Utahs and were accompanied by their noted chiefs Sowiette and Walkara,-anglicised Walker. According to Parley P. Pratt these Indians were "good-looking, brave and intelligent," superior to any other savages he had seen west of the Rocky Mountains. They came to trade horses, of which they had a numerous band, and to cultivate friendly relations with the settlers." They expressed the wish to amalgamate with them, to learn the arts of peace and become civilized. They wanted some of the colonists to go with them and teach them to farm in their valleys to the southward. This the settlers could not then do, but promised that in the future they would come among them and teach them as they desired. This promise was duly kept, not only because it had been made, but because the Latter-day Saints, as shown, believe it a portion of their mission to reclaim and civilize the red men. They advised Sowiette and his people to cease their warfare and live at peace with all men.
Sowiette, who was king of the Utah nation, scarcely needed this good advice, if local tradition may be relied upon. He was peaceably disposed, it is said, and though no coward, naturally averse to war and blood-shed. Walker, his subordinate, was of another stamp
* A late chief (of the Utahs) acting on the plurality law, left about thirty sons, most of whom have small clans under them. His true successor is a fine, brave Indian with the largest band immediately around him, and he exercises control over all whom he chooses. He is a friend of the Mormons. A half-brother of his named Walker has become rich and celebrated for his success in stealing horses from the Mexicans. He has a large drove of cattle, with many followers."-Lieutenant Gunnison.
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entirely. He was quarrelsome and blood-thirsty. Stealing was his ordinary vocation, and he would kill whenever it suited his purpose. He and his bands would penetrate at times to west of the Sierras, and raid and rob the California settlements, returning in triumph with their booty to the mountains of Utah. His name was a terror to the whites, and he was also feared and hated by other tribes of Indians.
It is related that at the time the Pioneers entered Salt Lake Valley a large number of the Utah nation were encamped in Spanish Fork canyon; Sowiette and Walker both being present .* A council was held to consider what policy should be pursued toward the new- comers, of whose arrival these chiefs had heard from some of their scouts and runners. Sowiette counseled peace and friendship for the strangers, with whose past he was somewhat acquainted, and evidently felt for the exiles a noble savage's generous compassion. But Walker, who was nothing if not violent, raised his voice for war, and the extermination of the settlers. The younger warriors mostly sided with Walker, but the older and wiser ones stood with Sowiette. Finally Walker intimated that Sowiette was a coward. The old king could stand no more. Seizing a riding-whip he advanced upon the turbulent chief and gave him a sound flogging. After that there was no more talk of Sowiette's cowardice, and his peace counsel prevailed .; Then followed the visit of the Utes to Salt Lake Valley, as related.
Walker, however, notwithstanding his professions of friendship for the Mormons,-which were probably made out of deference to Sowiette,-was soon again on the war-path, stirring up the Indians
* Tullidge's Quarterly Magazine, Vol. 3, page 241.
+ A similar encounter, though no flogging was administered, is related as having occurred between Walker and Washakie, the latter a noted and noble chief of the Shoshones. Walker having angered Washakie, the Shoshone chieftain strode up to him and dared him to mortal combat. The Ute chief not responding, Washakie called him a dog, and snatching the tomahawk from his belt hurled it away in scorn and contempt, Walker still declining to fight.
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against the settlers. President Young was so informed by Colonel Bridger and his partner Vasquez, soon after the formation of the first settlement in Utah Valley. Yet the founding of that settlement, it appears, was not only in pursuance of the general colonizing plan of the Mormon President, but in response to the invitation of the savages themselves, for their "white brothers" to come among them and teach them how to become civilized.
The man chosen to lead the colony into Utah Valley was John S. Higbee, one of the original Mormon Pioneers. At the head of about thirty families, with wagons, horses, cattle, cows, farming and building implements, seed and provisions, he set out from Salt Lake City early in March, 1849, to found a settlement on Provo River .** Three days they rolled and trudged along, their progress much impeded by the muddy soil, soaked with spring rains and melting snows. Within a few miles of the spot where they subsequently built their fort and broke the first ground for farming, their progress was barred by a band of Indians, who were at first unwilling that they should proceed. Finally they were permitted to do so. First, however, as the story goes, they were required to solemnly swear that if they were allowed to settle in Utah Valley they would not seek to drive the Indians from their lands, nor deprive them of their rights. Dimick B. Huntington, acting as interpreter for the others, in behalf of his brethren took the required oath, with his right hand lifted to heaven.
Arriving at Provo River, they forded it and camped on the south side, near the spot now known as the "old fort field." Farming and building immediately began, and by the middle of May the settlers had built a fort and plowed, fenced and planted with wheat, rye and corn the greater portion of a field of two hundred and twenty-five
* Provo River, once Timpanogas, is said to have been called after a trapper named Provost, believed by some to be the original discoverer of the Great Salt Lake. Others say that Colonel Fremont named it "Proveau " for a valuable horse of his which died there ; Proveau being the name of a Frenchiman from whom Fremont had purchased the steed.
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acres. By this time ten additional families had joined them, and the field was divided into forty lots, and one given to each family. The fort was the usual cluster of log houses surrounded by a stockade. This stockade was fourteen feet high, with a gate at either end. From the centre arose a log bastion, overlooking all, upon which was mounted one or more cannon, for protection against possible Indian assaults. The savages frequently visited the fort, and for several months were as peaceable and friendly as their white neighbors could desire. On the 18th of March the Provo Branch was organized, with John S. Higbee as President, and Isaac Higbee and Dimick B. Huntington as his counselors.
As early as June of this year there began to pass through Utah -or Deseret-parties of gold-hunters en route for California. Everybody remembers or has heard of the "gold-fever" in
" The days of old, The days of gold, The days of '49."
The discovery of the precious metal in that land had seemingly set on fire the civilized world. Ocean's broad expanse was dotted with sails bearing from every nation under heaven eager souls to the Californian coast. Across the great plains came pouring hundreds of richly laden trains on their way to the new El Dorado. Salt Lake Valley was no longer shunned and avoided. Being directly in the path to the Pacific, both to shorten the route and obtain fresh supplies to enable them to more speedily proceed, it became to many the immediate, and to some the ultimate goal of the journey. The gold-seekers were actuated by but one desire,-to reach the auriferous land beyond the Sierras; the thirst for wealth having absorbed for the time being all other thoughts and emotions. Many who in the east had loaded their wagons with merchandise for the mining camps, impatient at their slow progress, and hearing that other merchants had arrived by sea before them, in order to lighten their loads literally threw away or "sold for a song" the goods they had freighted over a thousand miles. Dry goods, groceries,
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provisions, clothing, implements, etc., -- just what were needed by the half-starved, half-clad famine-stricken community in the mountains, -were bartered off to them at almost any sacrifice. Some of the emigrants brought with them choice blooded stock, which, being jaded, they gladly exchanged for the fresh horses and mules of the Mormon settlers. The most primitive outfits sufficed the on-goers, with barely enough provisions to last to their journey's end. Thus, as Heber C. Kimball had declared, at a time, too, when such a thing seemed most improbable, "States goods" were actually sold in Salt Lake City, within a year after the prediction was uttered, cheaper than they could have been purchased in St. Louis or New York .*
Some of these emigrants, on reaching the Mormon settlements, decided to remain and cast in their lot with the Saints. Most of those who thus tarried joined the Church and became Mormons. Others who came later did likewise. The majority of these conversions were genuine. There were some, however, who remained merely long enough to marry a Mormon girl, be cared for by her parents during the winter, then off in the spring for California, forsaking wife and child, and perhaps never again to be heard from. This class were styled "Winter Mormons." Better men who followed in their wake, naturally fell under suspicion till their honor had been fully proven, owing to the misdeeds of these rascals.
* Says the Frontier Guardian of those times in the Valley: "When they (the emigrants) saw a few bags and kegs of gold dust brought in by our boys, it made them completely enthusiastic. 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 City 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."
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Though on their guard against such, the Mormons continued to treat with kindness the passing companies, and as a rule were by them respected and esteemed. In their disagreements with each other, the Gentiles would often submit for arbitrament their cases to the Mormon Bishops, acting as magistrates, and generally seemed well satisfied with their decisions. When a Mormon and a Gentile were the parties litigant, and the decision went against the latter, it was of course more difficult for him to believe that he had been fairly dealt by.
Touching these and other matters relating to the Mormons, Lieutenant John W. Gunnison, who, in 1849-50 assisted Captain Howard Stansbury of the U. S. Army Corps of Topographical Engineers, in a government survey of the Great Salt Lake and its vicinity, has this to say :*
We found them, in 1849, organized into a state with all the order of legislative, judicial, and executive offices regularly filled, under a constitution eminently republican in sentiment, and tolerant in religion ; and though the authority of Congress has not yet sanctioned this form of government, presented and petitioned for, they proceed quietly with all the routine of an organized self-governing people, under the title of a Territory ;- being satisfied to abide their time, in accession of strength by numbers, when they may be deemed fit to take a sovereign position ; being contented, as long as allowed to enjoy the· substance, under the shadow of a name. They lay and collect taxes, raise and equip troops for protection, in full sovereignty, on the soil they helped to conquer first, and subdue to use afterward.
A large branch of the great emigration overland to California passed through the Mormon settlements, which is the best route across the country.
Of the parties organized in the States to cross the plains, there was hardly one that did not break into several fragments, and the division of property caused a great deal of difficulty. Many of these litigants applied to the courts of Deseret for redress of griev- ances, and there was every appearance of impartiality and strict justice done to all parties. Of course there would be dissatisfaction when the right was declared to belong to the one side alone; and the losers circulated letters far and near, of the oppression of the Mormons. These would sometimes rebel against the equity decisions, and then they were made to feel the full majesty of the civil power. For contempt of court they were most severely fined, and in the end found it a losing game to indulge in vituperation of the court, or make remarks derogatory to the high functionaries.
* Gunnison's "The Mormons," pages 23, 64, 65.
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Again, the fields in the valley are imperfectly fenced, and the emigrants' cattle often trespassed upon the crops. For this, a good remuneration was demanded, and the value being so enormously greater than in the States, it looked to the stranger as an im position and injustice to ask so large a price. A protest would usually be made, the case then taken before the bishop, and the costs be added to the original demand. Such as these were the instances of terrible oppression that have been industriously circulated as unjust acts of heartless Mormons, upon the gold emigration.
But provisions were sold at very reasonable prices, and their many deeds of charity to the sick and broken-down gold-seekers, all speak loudly in their favor, and must eventually redound to their praise. Such kindness, and apparently brotherly good-will among themselves, had its effect in converting more than one to their faith, and the proselytes deserted the search for golden ore, supposing they had found there pearls of greater price.
Says Captain Stansbury :*
The jurisdiction of the "State of Deseret " had been extended over and was vigorously enforced upon all who came within its borders, and justice was equitably administered alike to "saint" and "gentile"-as they term all who are not of their per- suasion. Of the truth of this, as far at least as the gentiles were concerned, I soon had convincing proof, by finding, one fine morning, some twenty of our mules safely secured in the public pound, for trespass upon the cornfield of some pious saint ; possession was recovered only by paying the fine imposed by the magistrate and amply remunerating the owner for the damage done to his crops. Their courts were constantly appealed to by companies of passing emigrants, who, having fallen out by the way, could not agree upon the division of their property. The decisions were remarkable for fairness and impartiality, and if not submitted to, were sternly enforced by the whole power of the community. Appeals for protection from oppression, by those passing through their midst, were not made in vain ; and I know of at least one instance in which the marshal of the State was despatched, with an adequate force, nearly two hundred miles into the western desert, in pursuit of some miscreants who had stolen off with nearly the whole outfit of a party of emigrants. He pursued and brought them back to the city, and the plundered property was restored to its rightful owner.
In their dealings, with the crowds of emigrants that passed throught their city, the Mormons were ever fair and upright, taking no advantage of the necessitous conditions of many, if not most of them. They sold them such provisions as they could spare, at moderate prices, and such as they themselves paid in their dealings with each other. In the whole of our intercourse with them, which lasted rather more than a year, I cannot refer to a single instance of fraud or extortion to which any of the party was subjected ; and I strongly incline to the opinion that the charges that have been preferred against them in this respect, arose either from interested misrepresentation or erroneous information. I certainly never experienced anything like it in my own case, nor did I witness or hear of any instance of it in the case of others, while I resided among them. Too many that
* "Stansbury's Expedition," pages 130, 131, 134, 135.
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passed through their settlements were disposed to disregard their claim to the land they occupied, to ridicule the municipal regulations of their city, and to trespass wantonly upon their rights. Such offenders were promptly arrested by the authorities, made to pay a severe fine, and in some instances were imprisoned or made to labor on the public works ; a punishment richly merited, and which would have been inflicted upon them in any civilized community. In short, these people presented the appearance of a quiet, orderly, industrious, and well-organized society, as much so as one would meet with in any city of the Union, having the rights of personal property as perfectly defined and as religiously respected as with ourselves; nothing being farther from their faith or practice than the spirit of communism, which has been most erroneously supposed to prevail among them. The main peculiarity of the people consists in their religious tenets, the form and extent of their church government, (which is a theocracy,) and in the nature especially of their domestic relations.
In the light of such testimony, from men who surveyed the situation for themselves, and recorded in extenso, after a year's sojourn among the Saints, their observations and impressions concerning them, how manifestly unjust is the following statement in a popular school history of the present period, from which Mormon and Gentile children in Utah and elsewhere are being taught the story of the past: "The Mormon rulers did all they could to interfere with the passage of emigrant trains, and with settlements in the neighborhood; they even made use of the Indians, and encouraged them to attack emigrants!"*
What "settlements in the neighborhood" there were, to be thus interfered with by the Mormon rulers, except the settlements of the Saints themselves, the sagacious writer of the history does not say. Plainly he knew little or nothing about the subject of which he was writing. How the Mormon leaders "interfered with the emigrants" who passed through their country is further shown by the following extract from a discourse delivered by President Young during that period. Said this "Mormon ruler" to the assembled Saints: "Let no man go hungry from your doors. Divide with them and trust in God for more. Emigrants, don't let your spirits be worn down; and shame be to the door where a man has to go
* Scudder's History of the United States, page 353.
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hungry away." .Similar passages might be multiplied were it needful.
The General Assembly of Deseret held its first session on July 2nd, 1849, at Salt Lake City. As stated, it had been decided in March to petition Congress for the organization of a Territorial government for the settlers of the Great Basin. In fact, a memorial to that effect had since been numerously signed and sent to Washington. Dr. John M. Bernhisel was the bearer of this document to the nation's capital. He carried with him a letter of introduction to Senator Stephen A. Douglas, from Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards.
The memorial, after reciting in its preamble that the petitioners were residents of that portion of North America "commonly called Eastern California," and that they were so far removed and effectually separated from all civilized society and organized government, by trackless deserts, snowy mountains and blood-thirsty savages, that they could never be united with any other portion of the country in Territorial or State Legislature to mutual advantage, closed as follows :
"Therefore, we respectfully petition your honorable body to charter for your memorialists a Territorial Government of the most liberal construction authorized by our excellent Federal Constitution, with the least possible delay, to be known by the name of Deseret; including and covering all lands and waters, with all privileges, immunities and advantages thereunto belonging, lying between Oregon and Mexico, and between the Sierra Nevada and the 27° W. L., or more particularly bounded and described as follows, to wit: Commencing at the Rio Grande del Norte, at its crossing of the 32º N. L., (or the northern line of Mexico) to the Pacific Ocean; thence along the coast northward to the 42° W. L., thence on said 42° to the Sierra Nevada, thence continuing along the summit of the Sierra Nevada, or Snowy Mountains, to the 42º N. L., thence running east by the southern boundary of Oregon to Green River; thence northerly up the main channel of Green River to the 43º N. L .;
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thence east on said degree to the 27° longitude west of Washington; thence south along said degree to 38º N. L .; thence west on said degree to the Rio Grande del Norte; thence southerly down the main channel of said river, to the place of beginning.
"And your memorialists will ever pray."
It was now resolved, however, to go a step further, and ask Congress to admit Deseret into the Union as a State. Accordingly a new memorial, praying for statehood, having been prepared and adopted by the Legislature, was signed by many citizens. Early in July, by a joint vote of the Assembly, Almon W. Babbitt was elected a delegate to Congress to convey the memorial to Washington. He also took with him a copy of the Constitution of the proposed State, which Congress was requested to ratify.
The full text of the memorial was as follows:
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives, in Congress assembled :
Your memorialists, members of the General Assembly of the State of Deseret, would respectfully lay before your honorable body the wishes and interests of our constituents, together with the reasons and design of our early organization as a civil government, to which the consideration of your honorable body is most earnestly solicited.
Whereas, The history of all ages proves that civil governments, combining in their administration the protection of person, property, character, and religion, encouraging the science of agriculture, manufactures, and literature, are productive of the highest, happiest and purest state of society : and
Whereas, All political power is inherent in the people, and governments to be permanent and satisfactory, should emanate from the same ; and
Whereas, The inhabitants of all newly settled countries and territories, who have become acquainted with their climate, cultivated their soil, tested their mineral productions and investigated their commercial advantages, are the best judges of the kinds of government and laws necessary for their growth and prosperity : and
Whereas, Congress has failed to provide, by law, a form of civil government for this or any other portion of territory ceded to the United States by the republic of Mexico in the late treaty of peace ; and
Whereas, Since the expiration of the Mexican civil authority, however weak and imbecile, anarchy to an alarming extent has prevailed -the revolver and bowie knife have been the highest law of the land-the strong have prevailed against the weak-while person, property, character and religion have been unaided, and virtue unprotected : and
Whereas, From the discovery of the valuable gold mines west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, many thousands of able-bodied men are emigrating to that section, arined with all the implements and munitions of war; and
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