MORE OUTRAGES ON THE PLAINS!!
TWO MEN WOUNDED!!
320 HEAD OF CATTLE RUN OFF...
The surprise and excitement, following the receipt of the intelligence
of the late horrible massacre on the Plains, had not abated when, when
we find ourselves called on to record another attack on peaceable
citizens traveling along the common highway.
It was known
that another train was following that which has been so ruthlessly
assassinated, and but a few days march behind it, and great fear was
entertained for its safety. This alarm has been but too well founded as
the following detail of their sufferings will exhibit.
No one who reads the statement given below by Mr. Honea, can
for a moment doubt the complicity of the Mormon leaders in these scenes
of crime and outrage. The immense sums paid to the interpreters, and
their refusal to fulfill the terms of their contracts - not to say, what
is very plainly charged against them by our informant-that they
conspired with the Indians to commit the depredations and outrages
complained of would alone convict them of a participation in these
murderous assaults.
What course
the Government will take in the matter we cannot say, but we think
another year will not roll round without a sufficient force being
stationed along the road to protect the people in their journey. This we
think the Government owes to its citizens, whether or not it will
inflict punishment on these wrongdoers.
From the
statements made regarding the preaching of the Mormon Prophet, and the
sentiments of the people, there can be do doubt but a deep rooted
animosity exists amongst them against the people and Government of the
United States. It
will be seen that the Mormon troops had actually moved out to engage and
drive back the men under the command of Col. JohnsonJohnston, who had
succeeded Gen. Harney in command of the Utah expedition. What the result
of this movement has been, a short time will tell; but the first shot
fired against that band of "Uncle Sam's boys," will be the signal for
lighting the torch of a long and sanguinary war, which will not be
quenched till Mormonism is exterminated from the soil of the United
States.
We commend the
following statement to the careful perusal of our readers. We have full
confidence in the candor and veracity of the gentleman who furnishes the
information. He is well known to a large number of our most respectable
citizens, who were formerly residents of Franklin county, in the State
of Arkansas, from which he has just emigrated:-
S. B. HONEA, of
Franklin county, State of Arkansas, left home on the 9th of May, 1857,
for California, in company with the Crook & Collins company, and
afterwards fell in with the Williamson company, from Pope county. With
the exception of an attack by the Rappaho Indians, on the Arkansas
river, on the 20th of June, on the company of Captain Henry of Texas,
who lost 151 head of cattle,
nothing of interest occurred on the journey, nor did they
perceive any symptoms of opposition, or of armed bands, till they came
to Fort Bridger, in Utah Territory. Here they saw a large quantity of
provisions stored, a considerable number of Indians encamped all round
the fort, and heard the people generally speaking of making preparations
to go out and meet General Harney. At Fort Bridger, was told by a
merchant that at Fort Supply over 400 Indians were encamped, awaiting
orders to attack the U.S. troops. About thirty miles from Fort Bridger,
met three companies of men, generally mounted, and all well armed,
having abundance of baggage, their wagons being numbered in messes.
THE ARMY OF
OBSERVATION. Here had a conversation with one of the Mormon soldiers, an
Englishman, who camped with our company, and over the camp fire became
communicative. He referred in
bitter terms to the treatment the Mormons had received in Illinois and
Missouri, reflected on the unjustness and tyranny of the people of the
United States, and said that the time was come to get even.
He said they were
on their way to meet Gen. Harney, to see what he was coming for; "if he
was coming peaceably, we will let him come, but if not, we will drive
him back," were the words used. Another Mormon, named Killion, an old
man, who lives about seven miles [out]out of Salt Lake city, spoke
bitterly against the United States, denounced Judge Drummond, and all
the Federal officers, and rejoiced that the time had come when the
saints would be avenged on their enemies-that men were found who could
face the enemy, and that Harney, with his 2,500 men, never would enter
Salt Lake city. He also stated that Governor Brigham Young had ordered
the people to prepare for war; that they should not sell emigrants
anything; that they must lay up provisions; that the men and women must
not dress up in store clothes any more, but that all must be saved to
forward the cause of the church against the common enemy-that the men
must be content with buckskin instead of broadcloth, and have plenty of
guns and ammunition.
DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE. On the 17th of August, passed through the city of Salt
Lake. Remained only three or four hours.
Had a conversation with a merchant, a Gentile, who
stated that on the previous Sunday, Brigham Young had declared, in the
Temple, that henceforth Utah was a separate and independent Territory,
and owed no obedience or allegiance to any form or laws, but those of
their own enactment, and called upon the people to stand together, and
support him in maintaining the cause of God and the church. Was
told that house of Gilbert & Garrison, had orders from Brigham to pack
up and leave before the 1st of November.
RUMORS OF THE
MISSING TRAIN. Nothing occurred worthy of not, till we arrived at Corn
Creek. Here had a conversation with a man who represented himself as the
Indian agent. He told us that a train
had passed a short time before us, who had poisoned an ox, and that they
had been attacked by the Indians.
He spoke in abusive
terms of the men of that train, for having acted in an improper manner.
One of our company,
named Joseph Lane, lost three oxen, which had been run off from him. He
offered a reward to the Indians to bring them back, which they said they
could not do, as they knew nothing of them, but three white men came
into camp and offered to bring them back for $15, to which he agreed.
They brought two of them and claimed the money, which was paid them.
They then said the Indians had shot an arrow into the other, but that
they would go and find him for $10, which was agreed to, and they then
brought the missing animal into camp, which had no appearance of having
been wounded. Here traded off a horse with an Indian, the agent acting
as interpreter. From this we proceeded to Beaver, passing Capt. Turner's
train, of Missouri, about seven miles north of Beaver. Here we were
informed that Capt. Baker's train,
of Carroll county Arkansas, had been murdered, and that it
would not be safe for us to proceed any further.
ATTACK BY
INDIANS. We camped that evening within half a mile of Beaver, and were
informed that the Indians intended to attack Captain Turner that night.
The Mormons proposed that five of their men would go back with five of
our men, in order to assist Turner's train, but in reality to prevent us
from firing on the Indians in their attack. Before we got there, firing
had commenced, the Indians having begun to rifle the camp; one Indian
was wounded. Turner's train was harnessed up to join our train, the
Indians keeping up a fire on them, wounding some of the cattle, but
doing no other injury.
The interpreters prevented the men of the train from
firing on the Indians, saying that if they injured an Indian we would
all be killed. From this we became more apprehensive of the interpreters
than of the Indians, feeling that we were completely in the power of an
unscrupulous enemy.
INDIANS LEVYING
CONTRIBUTION. Next morning,
the Indians sent down an order by the Bishop of Beaver, demanding cattle
from us. Whilst in consultation on this demand, intelligence was
received that five of the Corn Creek Indians had come down, and the
Bishop went off with the Indians, without waiting for our answer.
Here it was considered necessary to remain some time, as the grass was
good, and our men went up to the Bishop to obtain permission to stop,
and also to have smithwork done in town.
ANOTHER ATTACK BY
INDIANS-TWO MEN WOUNDED. At this place, we were joined by Turner's
train. Whilst Turner, and Duke, our captain, were standing in the
street, they were fired on by the Indians, and Captain Turner was shot
through the hip, and Capt. Dukes was grazed by two or three bullets. Mr.
Collins was standing in front of the blacksmith shop, and went in and
begged protection, when he was pushed out of the house and the Indians
shot him, breaking his arm, shattering the bone very loudly. A Mormon
then came galloping to our camp, and told us to remain by the wagons.
Supposing that something was wrong, four of our men started to the town
to see what had happened, when we saw Turner, Capt. Dukes, and Collins
coming to us in a circuitous route, who called to us to return, as they
had been attacked by the Indians and were badly wounded. We then made
preparations for a fight, made a corral of the wagons, and prepared our
arms, but no fight took place.
This evening, an
Indian chief, named Ammon came to our camp, in company with the Bishop,
and said he had just come from Salt Lake city—that all was peace, and
demanded cattle. We gave him six head of cattle. Here Mr. Honea had to
give up the horse for which he he had traded with an Indian, because, it
was said, the Indians knew the horse and were angry at seeing him in
possession of an American.
Here heard a Mormon named Hooper say, that
he was glad the train had been killed, for they carried poison with
them, and had only got their just reward.
Next morning left
Beaver. We now came to the conclusion that it would be better to hire
interpreters, and we accordingly hired three Mormons, named David
Carter, Nephi Johnson, and -- Shirts, who agreed to come with us to the
divide between the Santa Clara and the Rio Virgin. Before we got to the
divide, two of them turned back-Johnson came on, one of them, Shirts,
stealing a horse. President Dame had been paid in advance for their
services.
THE DEAD UNBURIED.
Dame advised us not to pass where the other train had been massacred,
but to take a left-hand trail, which we finally did, having first
proposed to go and bring our deceased countrymen, but the interpreters
objected, saying that the Indians would serve us the same way. Here we
met the two horse thieves, the brothers Young, who stated that the
Indians were very troublesome on the Muddy, and advised us to hire
additional interpreters, especially Hatch. We hired Hatch and four
others, paying them $500 in advance. Their contract was, to come with us
to the Cottonwood Springs.
THE INTERPRETERS LEVY
BLACKMAIL. While they were with us, they made us give beeves to the
Indians on the Santa Clara, and advised us not to swear before the
Indians, as they would know us to be Americans and probably kill us.
On passing down the
Rio Virgen, we had to give more beeves to the Indians, who stole a horse
from one of the company. We lost several head of cattle; Hamblin, the
interpreter, sent Indians to search for them, who drove them back to
Hamblin's house; other cattle strayed off, and were immediately killed
by the Indians. On the Virgin, Mr. Samuel Weeks lost $302.50 from his
wagon. A thorough search was made in the train, but it could not be
found. The opinion was, that the interpreters had stolen it, as most of
the company knew of the money being there. A man named Lovett, joined us
here, who had no ostensible reason for coming to us. He lived with
Hamblin; and it was the opinion of the company afterwards that the plan
was concocted here, between Hamblin and Hatch, for our robbery.
On leaving the Virgin,
we were advised by the interpreters to make up a present of tents,
blankets, &c, and send to the Indians at the Muddy. This was done, to
the amount of six or seven tents and several bundles of blankets, and a
considerable amount of clothing. The interpreters took charge of the
goods and left the same night in advance, for the Muddy.
Next night, we
encamped about mid-way between the Virgin and the Muddy, where two of
the interpreters came back to us, saying that the Indians were
peaceable, being well pleased with the presents sent them. Hamblin
observed that there was one captain, with 100 men, not there, and that
there was nothing to fear, except from him, as he did not know where he
was.
Next day we reached
the Muddy. The interpreters told us the Indians wanted ten beeves. We
gave them six, and thought they were well satisfied. Here we made
particular observation to see whether any of the Indians had any of the
tents or clothing sent them, but could not see any; we concluded that
the interpreters kept them for themselves. We stayed here three or four
hours, and then started for the Desert, leaving two of the interpreters,
and Lovett with their own wagons, on the Muddy.
ATTACK BY INDIANS-LOSS
OF STOCK. Proceeded about eight or ten miles along the cañon. The cattle
were in advance of our wagons about half a mile. The cattle were stopped
to enable the wagons to come up. While waiting, observed Hamblin on the
top of the hill, apparently looking for Indians. He came down from the
hill, and by this time the wagons had joined the advance party, and the
train moved on. Before this, however, Hamblin had a conversation with a
young Indian who accompanied us from the Muddy, and who pointed out to
him where the Indians were located. When we started on, the Indian asked
for water; there was none in any of the vessels, and he then ran in
advance of the cattle and gave a whoop. The yelling then became general
along the hills, where previously we could not perceive a single Indian.
At this time, three of the four interpreters who remained with us were
in the rear of the train. The other advised the captains to fall back
and leave the cattle, and guard the wagons with the women and children.
This was done-when a large body of Indians, over two hundred, made a
descent on the cattle and run them off-to the number of 326 head, and
five horses. Some of the party prepared to fire on the Indians, but the
interpreter prevented them, saying we would all be killed. He then rode
in among the Indians and soon returned, saying that they had sent word,
if we wanted to fight to come on. He was requested to go again to the
Indians, when he asked to exchange an old gun for a valuable navy
revolver. It was given him; then he started off, in company with some of
the train, on the condition that if danger threatened, he would fire the
pistol, which would be the signal for them to return to the wagons. He
fired the pistol, all the interpreters left the train, and were not
again seen.
We stayed here but a
short time, and proceeded on our way to the Vegas, which we reached
without molestation. The Indians were peaceable, and the interpreters
not being with us, we had to give them only one animal.
From this we came to
Cottonwood Springs, about 275 miles from San Bernardino. Here the
Indians were also perfectly peaceable. The remaining cattle being almost
wornout, it was resolved to remain here to recruit. Nine of the company
started off on foot, and after enduring almost incredible sufferings
from the want of food and water, reached San Bernardino almost
exhausted.
It should be added that Hamblin, the
interpreter, stated on being hired, that if there was to be any fighting
the interpreters should take no part in it; that they were friendly with
the Indians who were Mormons.
The train, at the time
of the attack, consisted of 125 persons, forty-four of whom were men,
bearing arms. They had 440 cattle, 130 work oxen, and forty-five mules
and horses, and twenty-three wagons.
The party left at
Cottonwood Springs, intend to remain until their animals are recruited,
as the grass was good; and there being no Mormons, the Indians peaceable
and friendly. They will probable arrive at San Bernardino within a week
or ten days. The distance is 275 miles.
THE MURDERED
TRAIN. The train which has been so cruelly massacred, was under the
charge of
Captain
Baker, familiarly known as "Uncle Jack," from Carroll county Arkansas–
Silas
Edwards and William Baker (sic S/B Abel
Baker), son of the captain, are also known to have
been in the train. At Cedar City, Mr.
Honea saw President Haight riding a large bay horse which he recognized
as having belonged to Mr. Silas Edwards.
Was informed by Hatch,
that young Baker had an opportunity of escaping, went a short distance
but returned; was afterwards wounded in the arm; again escaped from the
massacre, and had proceeded about ten miles this side the Muddy, when he
met the Youngs who had escaped from San Bernardino. He was advised to
return to the Muddy, which he did, when he was met by Hatch and the
Indians, and by them cruelly murdered.
AMMUNITION FOR SALT
LAKE. Mr. Honea says that in coming into San Bernardino, about fifteen
miles the other side of the sink of the Mohave river, he met the mail
wagon, for Salt Lake city, having a large quantity of pistols and
ammunition. The driver wished to purchase arms from the party, but they
refused to sell.
PAYING INTERPRETERS.
To give an idea of the fraud and extortion practiced by the
Mormons on emigrants, Mr. Honea states, that their company paid to
interpreters, six in all, the enormous sum of $1815. The duty to be
performed by these guides and interpreters, was, to conduct the company
from Cedar City to Cottonwood Springs, a distance not over 300 miles.
Yet this contract was not fulfilled, although payment was made in
advance.
