THE LATE OUTRAGES ON THE PLAINS
FURTHER PARTICULARS
For some time
past, the all-engrossing topic with the people of this
section of the State, has been the position assumed by the
Mormon leaders in reference not alone to the people, but
the Government of the United States. We have received
numerous communications on this subject, some of which we
place before our readers, to the exclusion of all other
matters. We direct attention to the various documents, as
they are well worthy a careful perusal:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
County of San Bernardino.
On this, the 2d
day of November, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and
fifty-seven, personally appeared before me, Marcus Katz, a
Notary Public, duly commissioned and sworn, for, and in
the county San Bernardino, State of California, John
Aiken, made known to me to be the person herein described,
who deposes and says:
I started from
Port Gibson, State of Mississippi, in the summer of 56, to
New York, to engage a passage by steamer to California,
but I was taken sick, and returned to Texas, and thence to
Kansas, where I took charge of a drove of cattle, of 973,
for Thomas Box, a Mormon, to deliver them at Salt Lake
city. We started from Leavenworth city on the 22d of June
last. We proceeded quietly and uninterruptedly on our
journey as far as Sweet Water. Here we saw about one
hundred and fifty armed men, (all Mormon); they had
established an observatory to watch the approach and
movements of Gen. Harney’s army. We was informed by them,
that the surrounding mountains were alive with men, to
watch the movements of the army. We understood that there
would be no danger if we turned our stock out unguarded;
which we found to be the case, because the proprietor was
a Mormon. The owner gave them some beeves; and was on very
intimate terms. We proceeded on our way as far as Fort
Bridger; saw nothing of importance, except that several
expresses passed us, to and from the various stations of
their army. I learned nothing from any of the expresses,
as they only conversed with the owner of the stock. We
camped near Fort Bridger, I suppose about one mile and a
half; saw nothing of their preparations, as I did not go
nearer than a mile within their battlements. We proceeded
to Echo Canon, forty miles from Salt Lake city. We saw a
number of Mormon soldiers in the cañon, guarding that
pass, secreted in the brush; they made no fires at night
and said that the U.S. army should not pass them. They had
great confidence in their allies, the Indians; they did
not intend to meet the army in open field, but to ambush
them, and the Indians were to run of the horses, stock,
&c. We next met a company of armed men, with a train of
wagons loaded with an outfit of provisions, munitions of
war, &c., about twelve miles from Salt Lake city, on the
20th day of September, early in the morning. We learned
from Dr. Dunion, surgeon to Brigham Young’s army, that
they had taken a vote at Salt Lake city, that if the
United States army forced its way into Utah, that they
themselves would burn their city, towns, forts, &c., and
lay every habitation in ashes; they had already picked out
secret places in the mountains, to cache their provisions,
and make their future abode with the Indians. The Doctor
stated that arrangements were already entered into, that
provided the army should enter the settlements,
that every
city, town and village in the States of California,
Missouri and Iowa should be burned immediately that they
had men to do this who were not known to be Mormons!
And that they would cut off all the emigrant trains, army
stores, stock, &c.; that no man, woman or child should
hereafter cross the plains, without being scalped. That
they depended and expected the Indians to perform this
infernal and cowardly part of the their designs.
We arrived at the
city in the afternoon of the same day. Here I found all
that I had heard stated by the soldiers on their way out
to their various stations assigned them, confirmed by the
repetition of the same by the people of the city. I found
here amongst the people of the city the most hostile
feeling and bitter sentiments that the heart of man could
possibly conceive. I was cautioned to be very cautious in
my remarks, and say nothing against the Mormons, by a
friend from Yankee land, who has to exercise the utmost
discretion in all he said or done. Here I learned that it
was necessary for me to get a passport form the War
Department of Young’s army, to secure my safety through
the settlements, which I did, and found it very
advantageous to me on my way through the settlements.
Adjutant
General’s office, Utah Territory
Great Salt Lake
City, Sept. 21, 1857.
To all whom it
may concern. This to certify that the bearer, Mr. John
Aiken, who is peaceably traveling through the Territory,
is permitted to pass on his way to California.
DANIEL H. WELLS,
Lt. General
Commanding.
By order of the
Lt. General Commanding,
JAMES FERGUSON,
Adjutant General.
Endorsed by Col.
Dame, of Parowan,
Sept. 28, 1857.
Wm. H. Dame,
Colonel Iron
Military District.
This may seem
strange to Americans, that they are not permitted to
travel on their own soil, in Utah, without first obtaining
passports; this may be accounted for, on the ground that
Utah Territory is placed under martial law, and none but
those who are considered friendly to their cause, can
obtain passports out of the Territory. I obtained my
passport through the recommendation of Captain Duncan, a
Mormon, who traveled to Salt Lake in the company with
which I was engaged. I started from the Mormon city on the
23d of September, and traveled three hundred and
twenty-five miles on the southern route to California by
myself. I passed through the principal towns on this route
being stopped by the Mormon officers and Indian chiefs,
declaring that no American could leave the Territory
without showing his authority and paying the Indians for
the privilege; this I acceded to, by paying to the Indians
about forty dollars, besides blankets and clothing, &c.
All this occurred within the limits of the Mormon
settlements. After I left the Mormons, I got along
peaceably with the Indians, who are not directly under
Mormon influence. I stayed at Painter Creek several days,
within six miles of the scene of the late horrible
massacre, where I joined the company of the U.S. mail to
San Bernardino. John Hunt, the mail carrier, refused any
protection whatever; said that I to fight my own battles,
as they were friendly with the Indians, and did not wish
to incur their displeasure. While at Painter Creek, I saw
the Mormon drawing some of the wagons belonging to persons
who fell in the late massacre towards Cedar City; they did
not explain to me anything of their business, or of their
possession of the wagons; seemed very distant and
indifferent in their communications. I asked no questions;
I wished to avoid suspicion.
After leaving
Painter Creek, and arriving at the field of blood, I
discovered several bodies that were slain, in a state of
nudity and a state of putrefaction. I saw about twenty
wolves feasting upon the carcases of the murdered. Mr.
Hunt shot at a wolf, they ran a few rods and halted. I
noticed that the women and children were more generally
eaten by the wild beasts than the men. Although Cap. Baker
and a number of others of the slain party were my
acquaintances, yet I dared not express my sentiments in
the company of Hunt and his companions, knowing that I was
traveling with enemies to my country and countrymen. Mr.
Hunt and his companions often laughed, and made remarks
derogatory to decency, and contrary to humanity, upon the
persons of those who were there rotting, or had become
food to wild beasts. Although this terrible massacre
occurred within six miles of Painter Creek settlement, and
thirty from Cedar City, yet it appears that the Mormons
are determined to suffer their carcasses to remain
uncovered, for their bones to bleach upon the plains.
On the 17th day
of October, I saw the tracks of a large herd of cattle
going up the Santa Clara, toward the Mormon settlements,
we supposed them to be the stolen cattle that were run off
from the trains of Captains Dukes and Turner, as it was
not customary for large herds of cattle to travel in that
direction. I saw the tracks of several shod horses and
mules following behind, supposed to be the animals used by
the robbers. Where we first met the trail of these cattle,
is where the road leaves the Santa Clara; ten miles from
Hamblin's Fort, the residence of the Hamblins and Hatch,
who were interpreters for the company. We continued on the
trail of the cattle a distance of 100 miles, to the Muddy,
near the place to where they were taken. I judge from the
appearance of the trail that they were at least the number
of 300 head. I know nothing more of importance. I arrived
at San Bernardino on the 30th of October, and found the
Mormons very distant and curious, very inquisitive about
the affairs of Utah, but so far as I discovered, the
Independent citizens are free and frank in their
conversations and transactions.
I forgot to
mention, in the proper place, that I met Nephi Johnson,
one of the interpreters, at Painter Creek, of whom I
inquired of the prosperity of the train to which he had
been one of the interpreters and guides, to which he
replied, that the train had passed safe; not even
intimating that the emigrants had lost any of their
cattle. Next day I met Mr. Hatch, at the same place, he
told me that the train had lost over 200 head of cattle by
the Indians.
A conversation
between Mr. Hatch and Hamblin, occurred at this place,
which seemed to betray something connected with the stolen
cattle. Hamblin, the President of this fort, told Hatch to
go and brand
his own cattle, before
he turned them out with his. This occurred on the 15th day
of October, a few days after the robbery occurred. This
conversation excited my curiosity to listen. Mr. Hamblin
sold a steer to one of the Mormons; the steer was very
poor; this was accounted for, because the steer had been
driven to the Muddy and back.
Sworn and
subscribed to, on this second day of November, 1857.
JOHN AIKEN.
In witness
whereof, I have set my hand {seal} and affixed my official
seal, on the day and year first above written.
MARCUS KATZ,
Notary Public. 33
San Bernardino,
Nov. 3d, 1857
Editor of Los Angeles Star,
Sir: After reading the statement of
S. B. Honea, as published in the Star of the 24th
ult., it appears to receive the approval of all the
members of Captain Dukes company. And desirous that the
facts connected with our misfortunes whilst traveling
through the Mormon settlements in Utah Territory, should
be known, we hereby testify that Mr. S. B. Honea has
simply stated the truth, and facts connected with the
circumstances as described in his narrative, and not in
any instance exaggerated. Signed,
Wm. C. Dukes,
Captain; from Missouri;
James G. Bighan,
"
Wm. Wilson, "
Wm. Cooper, "
James Cooper, "
Wm. J. Dole, "
Wm. Combs, "
Robert R. Hays, "
James Wilson, "
W. H. Horton,
Arkansas;
W. Harton, "
Orlon Horton, "
Wm. Horton, sen.,
"
Isaiah Baise, "
Wm. H.
Harrington, "
John Daurity, "
Joseph F. M.
Daurity, "
George W. Davis,
"
W. B. Crook, "
Wm. L. Bevert, "
Abner Mount, "
John Hillhouse,
Salt Lake city, Utah;
Wm. J. Hillhouse,
"
John Ashcroft,
Battle Creek, Utah
George Cook,
London, England;
F. M. Nelson
Texas.
Mr. G. W. Davis
adds that when he was at Fillmore city, the Bishop said
that he could scarcely withhold the brethren from
following after the train (which was afterwards massacred)
and cutting it into pieces; because parties of that train
cursed the Mormons for not selling them provisions. The
Bishop said that they had instructions from Brigham Young
not to sell any provisions to emigrants unless they could
get guns, revolvers, or ammunition for pay. This very much
enraged a Dutchman, who threatened, or said, that if he
had a good riding horse, he would go back to Salt Lake and
kill Brigham. The Bishop said that the only way that he
could control his men was that he promised them to set the
Indians on the doomed train. Mr. Davis then proceeded as
far as Beaver, where he found the Bishop very friendly
with him; and as Davis had not attached himself to any
train he deemed it necessary to do so, and accordingly he
waited here two or three days for the arrival of Captain
Duke's company. During his stay here, the Bishop
frequented Mr. Davis’s wagon, and preached the Mormon
doctrines, to which Davis listened without opposing it.
Finally the Bishop solicited the hand of Miss Eliza in
marriage, (spiritual, of course,) at which Eliza, father,
mother, and all the family, felt very indignant. The
reverend gentleman almost insisted on the family wintering
at that place, but Mr. Davis thought that he would go as
far as San Bernardino any way. The Bishop told Davis not
to join the Missouri train that was then coming up,
because the Mormons were all down on the Missourians; and
he anticipated trouble would ensue between them and the
Indians before they left the Territory; but if he could
not better betray himself, he would give him information
how to escape trouble: If he would drop the two hind-most
bows of his wagon, he would vouch for his safety; that the
Indians would not hurt the first hair of his head!
However, Mr. Davis joined Captain Duke's company, without
paying much heed to the advice which he had received; and
shared in the perils and dangers which followed; which you
have already published in the statement of Mr. Honea.
The first
division of this company arrived in San Bernardino on the
31st of October, consisting of seventy-one souls
altogether: twenty-two men, seventeen women, and
thirty-two children; all enjoying good health. The second
division of this train, under the supervision of Captain
Nicholas Turner, is expected to arrive in the course of
five or six days.
Having seen an
article in the last issue of the
Star, over the
signature of Ellis Eames, to J. Ward Christian, giving a
list of the names of the gentlemen who so liberally
subscribed provisions, groceries, &c., for the
relief of the suffering emigrants on the plains, I will
say, for the benefit of those gentlemen who sent
provisions to the emigrants, by Mr. Phineas Daley, that on
his arrival at the first camp of the emigrants, he
distributed a small portion of his load to the sufferers
on the same terms as Messrs Van Luvan, J. H. Brooks, and
P. Brown did theirs, namely gratis. But Daley and his
companions proceeded to the second encampment, where the
provisions were most needed and passed themselves off as
Anti-Mormons; and said that Van Luvan had sold all his
load to the first camp (which was a lie.) Daley sold flour
at eight cents per pound; coffee, twenty cents; sugar,
twenty cents, tobacco, thirty-seven and a half cents per
plug; and Spanish beef, which they killed on the Mohave,
at eight cents; and some of the articles were not
distributed on any terms. Respectfully yours,
HENRY
MOGRIDGE.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,}
Los Angeles County,} S CT.
Wm. Webb being
duly sworn deposeth and saith:
I arrived in San
Bernardino, Oct. 17th, 1857. I was a member of Captains
Duke's and Turner’s train and in company with eight others
left said train about 275 miles from San Bernardino, and
traveled on foot to that city. We came in this way,
because the train was not able to furnish us with animals
to ride, and were nearly out of provisions, having been
robbed of all their cattle, except those which were too
lame to be run off, or too feeble to be driven by the
robbers.
On leaving the train, we were told
by the Captains and the company that on arriving in San
Bernardino, we must say nothing against the Mormons, as
that city was composed of Mormons, and that we must not
excite them, as they might cut them all off before they
could get in, and also fail to get them to forward
supplies to keep the company alive. Immediately on
arriving in the city, we were surrounded by the Mormons
and taken to a corral, and they there commenced
questioning us. Ellis Eames asked the questions, and J.
Ward Christian done the writing. We had not been offered
anything to eat, although we had had but one scanty meal
for four days. They subjected us to an examination for
several hours. The emigrants were not all together during
the examination of this day. After they had got through
questioning us, they asked myself and Mr. Baise to sign
what they had written. J. Ward Christian read the
document, and we affixed our names thereto. I have read
the statement published in the
Los Angeles Star of October 31st, 1857, over my
signature, Messrs Baise, Bledsoe, Tannehill, and say, that
I never signed that statement; that the statement read to
me by Christian and which I signed without reading it
myself, was altogether different from the published
statement which is unqualifiedly false.
I have
read the statement made by Mr. Honea, who came in with us,
which was published in the Los Angeles Star of
October 27, 1857, and that statement is true and not
exaggerated.
I have no
hesitation in saying, that from my knowledge and belief,
the late horrible massacre and robberies, perpetrated upon
emigrant trains in Utah Territory, were committed by the
Mormons and Indians under Mormon influence.
W ILLIAM
WEBB,
Subscribed and
sworn to before me, this second day of November, a.d.
1857.
W. G. DRYDEN,
County Judge.
We have received
affidavits to the above effect, attested by Mr. M. Katz,
notary public, San Bernardino, from Messrs W. H. Tannehill
and Isaiah Baise.
|
