Mormon History
U.S. Officials Leaving Utah - 1857
Liberty Weekly Tribune – June 5, 1857
Later from Salt Lake City
By the arrival yesterday of
a number of young gentlemen, who left their company at Little Sandy, K. T., 200
miles west of this city, we learn that a party of fifty persons, including some
families, left Salt Lake on the 15th of April, among the number were U. S.
Officers for the Territory of Utah, Surveyor General Burr, Judge Stiles, Mr.
Dodson, the United States Marshal, and the lately appointed Post Master, Mr.
Morrill. They report their trip as tedious, on account of the scarcity of grass
on the route, and the cold weather. They saw no indications of hostility on the
part of the Indians.
On the 14th inst., they met the U. S. Mail, at Ash Hollow, about 140 miles this
side of Fort Laramie, and also Dr. Bernhisel the Delegate to Congress from Utah.
On the 22d inst., they met the first of the California emigrant trains near Fort
Kearney. The emigrants are chiefly from Missouri; numbering 350 or 400 wagons,
about 2,000 persons and probably 15,000 head of cattle all getting along well.
Affairs in Utah are represented as very unsettled. It appears the conduct of the
Mormons has excited the apprehensions of the U. S. Officers, and they have
abandoned the Territory, and are now on their way to Washington to report to the
President the true state of things in Utah, and to ask for protection by the
United States Troops. The statements of Judge Drummond seem to be confirmed, and
that the Mormons are rebellious, cruel, and exceedingly insulting and tyrannical
to all gentiles. We are satisfied, however, from our information of the internal
affairs of Utah that Gov. Young will tamely submit to the official direction of
President Buchanan, as we doubt not he will select such men as are suited to the
occasion, [and] equip them to administer the laws effectually.
We have seen it stated that Governor Young had fled from Salt Lake. This is all
a mistake, as the latest accounts represent him in bad health, and on the 20th
April expected to start a tour to Salmon River, 300 miles North of Salt Lake,
with an escort of 150 Danites. The Gov. doubtless, like other great officials
finds it good to take a little recreation. Brigham is getting to an advanced
age. His health is rapidly declining, and like Solomon finds that all things
below are vanity, &c. It is our opinion that this deluded sect, completely fills
up the description given in Newton's Explanations of the false Prophet
spoken of in the Revelation of John, and a palpable demonstration to the world
that the principle laid down in the Christian code, are the only bases, on which
can be reared a permanent and lasting social compact. -- Platte Argus.