History of Utah, Part 61

Author: Whitney, Orson Ferguson
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Cannon
Number of Pages: 1026

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One incident of their journey after leaving the last-named locality is well worth recording. "Soon after leaving Green River," says Elder Richards, "we fell in with a band of several thousand 43-VOL. 1.

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Indians en route to Bridger, and with whom for a portion of the distance we made ourselves traveling companions. While in company with these Indians, we learned from them that they had been sent for to come to Bridger and get blankets, guns and ammunition to go and shoot the Mormons, and that they were going there for that purpose. Information obtained from them, without solicitation, disclosed the fact that they had been engaged by the officers of that army to move upon the Mormon settlements for an indiscriminate slaughter in retaliation for the opposition Governor Young had shown to their entering the Valley before a proper understanding could be had with the Government as to the object of their presence as an armed force marching into the midst of a peaceable community. It is not presumable," adds the Elder with some warmth, "that any such cowardly and worse than savage proposition can be accredited to the general government, but it afforded proof of the character of some of the officers connected with that army, and is a tell-tale evidence of what the people of Utah might have expected at their hands, had they been permitted to carry out their plans."* Mr. Richards states, moreover, that he was credibly informed, by parties who had come in contact with the troops, that on the march, as they encountered severe weather and hardships, they were encouraged by their officers with promises of "all the Mormon women they wanted" after they should reach their destination.

Colonel Kane, agreeable to Governor Young's request, visited President Buchanan and laid before him the views of the Mormon leader, according to the latter's desire. Subsequently he offered his services to the President as a mediator, and proceeded to Utah as a

* Dr. Garland Hurt, the United States Indian Agent, was accused of inciting the savages during this period to attack the Utah settlements. He was the only non-Mormon Federal official left in the Territory after Judge Drummond's departure. After martial law was declared, he refused to avail himself of the Governor's passport, which was offered him, but remained among the Indians for some time, and then joined the army at Camp Scott. The Indians who attacked the Salmon River settlement in February, 1858, were believed to have been incited by anti-Mormons.

SW Richards

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private envoy of the Government. The Colonel was in feeble health, and his mission a diplomatic errand both delicate and difficult. It devolved upon him, as a representative of the Government, to uphold its dignity, and at the same time concede to the people of the Terri- tory, who felt sorely aggrieved at the treatment they had received from the administration, all that was just and right. Perhaps no other man, at that time, could have undertaken such an errand with any hope of success. But Colonel Kane undertook it, in spite of its difficulty, in spite also of his feeble health; and the success that crowned his effort is a laurel wreath that will never fade.

Sailing from New York by California steamer on the 5th of Jan- uary, 1858, he landed in due time on the Pacific coast. Governor Young being advised of his coming, sent a special messenger, in the person of William S. Godbe, to meet him. It was about this time that the Mormon settlements at San Bernardino, Carson Valley and other parts were breaking up and most of the people returning to their former homes in the Rocky Mountains to assist in " defending Zion." Colonel Kane, with Mr. Godbe, hurried on to Salt Lake Valley, where he arrived on the 25th of February. He immediately sought and secured an interview with Governor Young and other leading authorities, to whom he was formally introduced as "Dr. Osborne." By that assumed name he had registered on board the California steamer, and during his subsequent travels. He was soon recognized, however, by his old friends the Apostles, who had last seen him at their camps on the Missouri over eleven years before, and who now greeted as cordially "Colonel Kane," on the score of friend- ship, as they had received with all due courtesy "Dr. Osborne," the messenger from Washington. It was about 8 p. m. on the day of his arrival that the Colonel was ushered into the presence of Governor Young, at his residence, and introduced by Hon. Joseph A. Young as 'Dr. Osborne." After resting a few minutes in an arm- chair,-for he was still quite feeble, and weary and worn from his long journey, he arose and addressed the assembled council in these words :

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"GOVERNOR YOUNG AND GENTLEMEN: I come as an ambassador from the chief Executive of our nation, and am prepared and duly authorized to lay before you, most fully and definitely, the feelings and views of the citizens of our common country and of the Execu- tive towards you, relative to the present position of this Territory, and relative to the army of the United States now upon your borders.

"After giving you the most satisfactory evidence in relation to matters concerning you, now pending, I shall then call your attention, and wish to enlist your sympathies, in behalf of the poor soldiers who are now suffering in the cold and snow of the mountains. I shall request you to render them aid and comfort, and to assist them to come here, and to bid them a hearty welcome into your hospitable valley.

"Governor Young, may I be permitted to ask a private interview for a few moments with you? Gentlemen, excuse my formality."

Then followed a half hour's interview between Governor Young and Colonel Kane in an adjoining room. On returning the Colonel informed the council that they had a good friend in Captain Van Vliet, who had not only endeavored, according to promise, to stop the troops east of Fort Bridger, but had proceeded to Washington, where he had used his influence in favor of Utah and her people. Conversation on various topics ensued, during which the Colonel, in answer to a question, stated that Dr. Bernhisel, the Utah delegate, re-elected to Congress in 1857, had taken his seat ; that the Arkansas member and a few others had opposed it, but had been treated as fools by more sagacious members, as the refusal of the seat to Delegate Bernhisel would have been tantamount to a declaration of war. The Colonel complimented his Mormon friends on the great colonizing work they had accomplished since last he saw them, and upon the manfulness and patience they had exhibited in the present contest. He also spoke a good word for President Buchanan and his cabinet, who he said were more united and worked together better than some former cabinets had done.

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"I suppose," said Governor Young, his tone slightly tinged with satire, "that they are united in putting down Utah."

"I think not," answered the Colonel. "I wish you knew how much I feel at home," he continued. "I hope I shall have the privilege of breaking bread with these, my friends.

"I want to take care of you, friend Thomas," warmly rejoined the Governor. "The Lord sent you here, and He will not let you die. No; you cannot die till your work is done. I want to have your name live to all eternity. You have done a great work, and you will do a greater work still."

More conversation followed, after which the council dissolved, and Colonel Kane, still under the soubriquet of "Dr. Osborne," was conveyed to the hospitable home of Elder William C. Staines, where he found comfortable quarters and tender nursing .* The Elder, who had heard of but had never till then met the Colonel, having discovered a few days later the identity of his guest, asked him why he desired to be introduced to him as Dr. Osborne. The latter replied : "My dear friend, I was once treated so kindly at Winter Quarters that I am sensitive over its memories. I knew you to be a good people then, but I have heard so many hard things about you since, that I thought I would like to convince myself whether or not the people possessed the same humane and hospitable spirit which I once found in them. I thought, if I go to the house of any of my great friends of Winter Quarters, they will treat me as Thomas L. Kane, with a remembrance of some services which I may have rendered them. So I requested to be sent to some stranger's house as 'Dr. Osborne,' that I might know how the Mormon people would treat a stranger at such a moment as this, without knowing whether I might not turn out to be either an enemy or a spy. And now, Mr. Staines, I want to know if you could have treated Thomas L. Kane better than you have treated Dr. Osborne?" Elder Staines answer- ing in the negative, the Colonel added: "And thus my friend I have

* This residence of Elder Staines' subsequently became the Devereux House, home of the late Hon. William Jennings.

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proved that the Mormons will treat the stranger in Salt Lake City as they once did Thomas L. Kane at Winter Quarters."*

After a few days of rest and recuperation, Colonel Kane set out for Camp Scott, to confer with Governor Cumming upon the subject previously presented by him to Governor Young. The position of the Mormon leader and his associates was this: They were willing to receive Governor Cumming and his fellow officials and give them a loyal and whole-souled welcome, if they would come into the Valley without the army. But they were not willing that the troops should enter their capital, nor be quartered in any city or settlement of the Territory. Such was the message that the mediator Colonel Kane bore to the Federal officials on Black's Fork.

It was a severe journey, even for a well man, the distance being a hundred and thirteen miles, with deep snow all the way. But the gallant Colonel bore up bravely, and, having dismissed his Mormon escort just outside the Federal lines, arrived at his destination on or about the 10th of March. It is said that as he crossed the line he was challenged and fired at simultaneously by an over-zealous sentry, who in return received a ringing blow over the head from the Colonel's gun-stock. Surrounded in a moment by soldiers, all greatly excited, he coolly requested to be conducted to the presence of Governor Cumming. This was done, and by that official the President's messenger was cordially received and entertained.

Colonel Kane's reason for directly seeking Governor Cumming and conferring with him in lieu of with General Johnston, is probably apparent to the reader without explanation. To the Colonel, Governor Cumming was the virtual head and front of the Utah Expedition, and the army merely the posse comitatus of the new Executive. The ambassador's business was therefore with the civil official, and not with the military commander. Governor Cumming was soon convinced of the wisdom and propriety of Colonel Kane's mission, and agreed to place himself under his guid-

* Colonel Kane had special reference to the kind treatment he received from the Saints during a severe illness that he suffered while at their camps on the Missouri.

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ance and proceed with him, unaccompanied by troops, to the Mormon capital.

Such a movement General Johnston strenuously opposed. Whatever Colonel Kane thought, or had succeeded in causing Gover- nor Cumming to think, the proud commander, in his own eyes, was the principal personage at Camp Scott. Already offended at being ignored by the Colonel, he was affronted still more on learning of the nature of his mission, the success of which meant the setting aside of the military posse, which, according to the spirit of its instruc- tions, could only act in response to the Governor's requisition, except in sheer self-defense. Now to Albert Sidney Johnston had been entrusted the duty of conducting the Federal officials to Utah, plant- ing them in their places and maintaining them there with bayonets and cannon. That duty he was determined to perform, and if further opposed, to trample under heel and humiliate, as they had humiliated him, these "Mormon rebels." Such was Johnston's program. Already in fancy he saw it executed, and was reaping from the field of success the favor and promotion that were sure to follow. But here was an interloper, who wished to blight these budding laurels, who had the temerity to propose peace, and who, if he succeeded in winning the Governor to his views, would deprive the army of the glorious opportunity which the coming spring would give to accom- plish the purpose for which it was sent, retrieve the losses it had sustained, and perhaps strike a telling blow in revenge. Such an arrangement might suit President Buchanan and Governor Cumming, but it did not please General Johnston one particle. He determined to use all his influence to thwart and bring to naught Colonel Kane's mission of peace and good-will. He warned Governor Cumming that the Mormons only wanted to get him into their power to poison him, and tried in every way to induce him to stay with the troops and accompany them on their triumphal march to the valley. But the Governor remained firm, and Colonel Kane triumphed. Thus began the breach between Governor Cumming and General Johnston, which ended not during the period of their sojourn in Utah.

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A duel between General Johnston and Colonel Kane was barely averted during the stay of the latter at Camp Scott. The former, who at first affected to regard the President's envoy as "a Mormon spy," sent an orderly to arrest him. Governor Cumming-who was a chivalric Georgian-no less than Colonel Kane was highly insulted at this act, and the haughty commander condescended to explain. He claimed that the order of arrest was in reality an invitation to dinner, which his messenger had misdelivered. Colonel Kane, however, sent a challenge to General Johnston, who doubtless would have accepted it had he not feared dismissal from the service. Through the influence of Chief Justice Eckels the "affair of honor" terminated without a meeting.

On the 5th of April the Governor left Camp Scott in company with Colonel Kane and two servants. Outside the Federal lines they were met by a company of Utah cavalry under General William H. Kimball and escorted through Echo and Weber canyons to Salt Lake City. It was arranged to conduct the Governor through Echo Canyon in the night time. Bonfires were kindled along the heights, and the small militia force attending him was so distributed and duplicated as to cause him to suppose that he was passing through the lines of a formidable and far-reaching host. He little knew then, though he afterwards learned, that the men who first accosted him, demanding the countersign, were a portion of his own escort, who, a little later, having preceded the carriage containing His Excellency, again stopped him for the same purpose, and so on during most of the journey to the city. They arrived there on the 12th. The Mayor, Aldermen and other officials met them on the way and conducted the new Executive to the residence of Elder Staines. There Governor Cumming was introduced by Colonel Kane to Governor Young, who immediately called to tender his respects to his successor. Their meeting was a very cordial one. Three days later Governor Cumming addressed the following communication to General Johnston:

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EXECUTIVE OFFICE, GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, U. T., April 15th, 1858.

SIR : I left camp on the 5th, en route to this city, in accordance with a determina- tion communicated to you on the 3rd inst., accompanied by Colonel Kane as my guide, and two servants. Arriving in the vicinity of the spring, which is on this side of the " Quaking Asp" hill, after night, Indian camp fires were discerned on the rocks over- hanging the valley. We proceeded to the spring, and after disposing of the animals, retired from the trail beyond the mountain. We had reason to congratulate ourselves upon having taken this precaution, as we subsequently ascertained that the country lying between your outposts and the " Yellow Creek " is infested by hostile renegades and outlaws from various tribes.

I was escorted from Bear River Valley to the western end of Echo Canyon. The journey through the canyon being performed, for the most part, after night, it was about 11 o'clock p. m., when I arrived at Weber Station. I have been everywhere recognized as Governor of Utah ; and, so far from having encountered insults or indignities, I am gratified in being able to state to you that, in passing through the settlements, I have been universally greeted with such respectful attentions as are due to the representative authority of the United States in the Territory.

Near the Warm Springs, at the line dividing Great Salt Lake and Davis counties, I was honored with a formal and respectful reception by many gentlemen including the mayor and other municipal officers of the city, and by them escorted to lodgings previously provided, the mayor occupying a seat in my carriage.

Ex-Governor Brigham Young paid me a call of ceremony as soon as I was sufficiently relieved from the fatigue of my mountain journey to receive company. In subsequent interviews with the ex-Governor, he has evinced a willingness to afford me every facility I may require for the efficient performance of my administrative duties. His course in this respect meets, I fancy, with the approval of a majority of this community. The Territorial seal, with other public property, has been tendered me by William H. Hooper Esq., late Secretary pro tem.

I have not yet examined the subject critically, but apprehend that the records of the United States Courts, Territorial Library, and other public property, remain unimpaired.

Having entered upon the performance of my official duties in this city, it is probable that I will be detained for some days in this part of the Territory.

I respectfully call your attention to a matter which demands our serious considera- tion. Many acts of depredation have been recently committed by the Indians upon the property of the inhabitants-one in the immediate vicinity of this city. Believing that the Indians will endeavor to sell the stolen property at or near your camp, I herewith inclose the Brand Book (incomplete) and memoranda (in part) of stock lost by citizens of Utah since February 25th, 1858, which may enable you to secure the property and punish the thieves.

With feelings of profound regret I have learned that Agent Hurt is charged with having incited to acts of hostility the Indians in Uinta Valley. I hope that Agent Hurt will be able to vindicate himself from the charges contained in the enclosed letter from William H. Hooper, late Secretary pro tem., yet they demand a thorough investigation.

I shall probably be compelled to make a requisition upon you for a sufficient force to

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chastise the Indians alluded to, since I desire to avoid being compelled to call out the militia for that purpose.

The gentlemen who are entrusted with this note, Mr. John B. Kimball and Mr. Fay Worthen, are engaged in mercantile pursuits here, and are represented to be gentlemen of the highest respectability, and have no connection with the Church here. Should you deem it advisable or necessary, you will please send any communication intended for me by them. I beg leave to commend them to your confidence and courtesy. They will probably return to the city in a few days. They are well known to Messrs. Gilbert, Perry and Burr, with whom you will please communicate.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. CUMMING, Governor Utah Territory.

To A. S. Johnston, commanding Army of Utah, Camp Scott, U. T.

Colonel Kane, having accomplished his mission, and seen the new Governor duly installed, returned to report the success of his noble and disinterested labors to President Buchanan. He traveled overland, and was accompanied as far as the Missouri River by a mounted escort furnished by Governor Young and led by Howard Egan. Some years later General Kane,-for he was then a General, having been promoted for gallant services in defense of the Union during the. Civil War,-again visited Utah and for several months was the guest of President Young. On more than one occasion, in the east, he valiantly used pen and tongue in behalf of the Territory and its people. His name is a household word in a multitude of homes in the Rocky Mountains, and his pure example of friendship and patriotism will ever burn brightly, a beacon and a guiding star, before the eyes of Utah's sons and daughters.

Governor Cumming, on the 2nd of May, about three weeks after his arrival at Salt Lake City, reported to Hon. Lewis M. Cass, Secretary of State, the local situation. His report included the foregoing epistle to Colonel Johnston, and gave additional items of information. The most important of these may be summarized as follows:

(1) The Governor stated that since his arrival he had examined the records of the Supreme and District courts-which Judge Drummond had accused the Mormons of destroying-and was "now prepared to report" that they were "PERFECT AND UNIMPAIRED."

Thomas L. Kane

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(2) The Legislative records and other books belonging to the Secretary of State had also been found in perfect preservation.

(3) The Territorial Library in charge of Mr. William C. Staines had been kept in most excellent condition.

(4) It had been represented to His Excellency that a number of persons desirous of leaving the Territory were unable to do so, and considered themselves unlawfully restrained of their liberties. He had taken steps to ascertain the truth or falsity of this report, and while it was true that he had registered fifty-six men, thirty- eight women and seventy-one children who desired his protection and assistance in, proceeding to the States, it was also true that certain leading men among the Mormons had "promised them flour and to assist them in leaving the country."* Most of those who desired to depart were of English birth and wished to leave for the purpose of improving their circumstances and realizing elsewhere more money for their labor.

On Sunday, the 27th of April, Governor Cumming attended the Mormon Tabernacle, where he was introduced by President Young as Governor of Utalı, and invited to address the crowded congregation of between three and four thousand people assembled there for public worship. Says His Excellency: "I informed them that I had come among them to vindicate the national sovereignty; and that it was my duty to secure the supremacy of the Constitution and the laws; that I had taken my oath of office to exact an unconditional submission on their part to the dictates of the law. I was not interrupted. In a discourse of about thirty minutes' duration, I touched (as I thought best) boldly upon all the leading questions at issue between them and the general government. I remembered that I had to deal with men embittered by the remembrance and recital of many real and imaginary wrongs, but did not think it wise to withhold from them the entire truth. They listened respectfully to all I had to say-approvingly, even, I fancied

* Governor Young, during October, 1857, had sent by a protecting escort several such persons to the camp of Colonel Alexander on Ham's Fork.

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-when I explained to them what I intended should be the character of my administration. In fact the whole character of the people was calm, betokening no consciousness of having done wrong, but rather, as it were, indicating a conviction that they had done their duty to their religion and to their country. I have observed that the Mormons profess to view the Constitution as the work of inspired men, and respond with readiness to appeals for its support."

The Governor's report goes on to say that after closing his remarks he arose and stated that he would be glad to hear from any who might be inclined to address him upon topics of interest to the community. Thereupon "several powerful speakers" in succession addressed the meeting, dilating upon the assassination of Joseph Smith and his friends, the services rendered by the Mormon Battalion to an ungrateful country, the sufferings of the Saints in their dreary pilgrimage across the plains, etc., and capping the climax by declaring that the Federal Government was desirous of introducing the national troops into the Territory whether or not a necessity existed for their employment to support the authority of the civil officers. At the bare mention of the troops a scene of wild uproar ensued, the congregation joining with the speakers in a thunderous protest against the coming of the army; "more frenzy," says the Governor, "than I had expected to witness among a people who habitually exercise great self-control. I was fully confirmed in the opinion that this people, with their extraordinary religion and customs, would gladly encounter certain death rather than be taxed with a submission to the military power, which they considered to involve a loss of honor. *

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History of Utah, Part 61

Author: Whitney, Orson Ferguson Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Salt Lake City, Cannon Number of Pages: 1026

Author: Whitney, Orson Ferguson
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Cannon
Number of Pages: 1026