THE LATE HORRIBLE MASSACRE
In the early part of the week, an
intense excitement pervaded out citizens on learning that
parties had arrived in town, who corroborated the
statements previously made in regard to the horrible
massacre of one hundred and eighteen persons, on the Salt
Lake route to California; and placards were posted
throughout the city, calling a public meeting of the
citizens to be held at the Circus Pavilion, on the Plaza,
on Monday evening, to hear the statements of the parties
alluded to, and to adopt such measures, in view of the
facts, as should be deemed advisable. Accordingly, at the
time appointed, a very large number of our citizens
assembled, deeply impressed by the awful tragedy which had
been enacted on the borders of our State, and anxious that
such a representation of the facts in the case should be
made to the authorities in Washington, as should compel
them to take immediate steps to discover the perpetrators
and instigators of the foul outrage, and inflict on them
condign punishment. We need not here more particularly
refer to the proceedings of the meeting, as they are
reported elsewhere; but as we have obtained the statements
of Messrs. Powers and Warn, the gentlemen above alluded
to, which contain the nearest approach to an account of
the massacre that can be given at present, we prefer to
add them here, rather than in the report of the meeting.
The statements
were drawn up, at the dictation of the parties, by Mr. W.
A. Wallace, who read them to the meeting, and from whom we
obtained them, through the chairman of the meeting, Mr. G.
N. Whitman.
These documents
exhibit a deplorable picture of the working of Mormonism,
which, if correct, show the leaders of this sect to be
actuated by the most atrocious designs towards their
fellow-citizens of the Union. We hope for the sake of our
common humanity, that the character of this people may be
redeemed from the black catalogue of crime here preferred,
and that it will yet appear that they are not the fiends
incarnate they are represented, but that they used all
possible diligence to prevent the late massacre, and that
they act in good faith to preserve the lives of such of
their fellow citizens as, from necessity or choice, travel
through their Territory of the common property of the
citizens of the Union.
As each will draw
his own conclusions from the narrative, without further
comment we give the statements of Messrs. Powers and Warn,
regarding the late Massacre of the Plains.
Mr. George
Powers, of Little Rock, left Arkansas, and with his train
arrived at Salt Lake in August. He says:
We found the
Mormons making very determined preparations to fight the
United States troops, whenever they may arrive. On our way
in, we met three companies of 100 men each, armed and on
the road towards the pass above Fort Bridger. I was told
at Fort Bridger, that at Fort Supply, twelve miles this
side of Fort Bridger, there were 400 armed Indians
awaiting orders; they also said that there were 60,000
pounds of flour stored at Fort Bridger for the use of
their army. We found companies drilling every evening in
the city. The Mormons declared to us that no U.S. troops
should ever cross the mountains; and they talked and acted
as if they were willing to take a brush with Uncle Sam.
We remained in
Salt Lake five days, and then pushed on, hoping we might
overtake a larger train, which had started ten days ahead
of us, and which proved to be the train that was
massacred. We came on to Buttermilk Fort near the lone
cedar, 175 miles, and found the inhabitants greatly
enraged at the train which had just passed, declaring that
they had abused the Mormon women, calling them whores, &c,
and letting on about the men. The people had refused to
sell that train any provisions, and told us they were
sorry they had not killed them there; but, they knew it
would be done before they got in. They stated further,
that they were holding the Indians in check until the
arrival of their chief, when he would follow the train and
cut it in pieces.
We attempted to
purchase some butter here; the women set it out to us, and
as we were taking it away, the men came running and
charging, and swore we should not have it, nor anything
else, as we had misused them. They appeared to be bitterly
hostile, and would hardly speak to us. We were unable to
get anything we stood in need of. We camped at this place
but one night.
At Corn Creek, we
found plenty of Indians, who were all peaceable and
friendly. We learned nothing of the train, except that it
had passed that place several days before, and we were
glad to find we had gained so much on them. The next place
where we heard of the Train was on our arrival at Beaver,
230 miles from Salt Lake. Here we learned, that when the
train ahead were camped at Corn Creek, which was
thirty-five miles back, and at which place we found the
Indians so friendly, an ox died, and the Indians asked for
it. Before it was given to them, a Mormon reported that he
saw an emigrant go to the carcass and cut it with his
knife, and as he did so, would pour some liquid into the
cut from a phial. The meat was eaten by the Indians, and
three of them died, and several more were sick and would
die. The people of Beaver seemed also to be incensed
against the train, for the same reason as before reported.
I asked an Indian, at Beaver, if there was any truth in
the poisoned meat story; he replied in English, that he
did not know, that several of the Indians had died and
several were sick; he said their water melons made them
all sick, and he believed that the Mormons had poisoned
them.
We laid by at
Beaver several days, as the Bishop told us it was
dangerous for so small a company as ours to go on. Our
train consisted of only three wagons, and we were hurrying
on to join the larger one.
While waiting
here, the train of Wm. Mathews and Sidney Tanner of San
Bernardino came up, and I made arrangements to come on
with them. We came on to Parowan, and here we learned that
the train ahead had been attacked by the Indians, at the
Mountain Meadows, fifty miles from Parowan, and had
returned upon the road five miles to a spring, and
fortified themselves. We then drove out of Parowan five or
six miles, and camped at what is called the Summit.
Next morning an
express arrived from Mr. Dame, President of Parowan,
requesting us not to proceed any further that day if we
pleased; also that Mathews and Tanner should return to
Parowan, and bring me along with them. We returned, and a
council was held, at which it was advised by Mr. Dame,
that I should go back to my own train, as they did not
wish to have strangers in their train. He also stated,
that at two o'clock that morning, he had received an
express from the train ahead, stating they were surrounded
by Indians, who had killed two or three of their number,
and asking for assistance. While we were talking, an
express came in from Beaver, stating that the Indians had
attacked my train in the streets of that place, and were
fighting when he left. One reason given, was that ten
miles the other side of Beaver, an emigrant train had shot
an Indian, which greatly enraged them; that the people of
Beaver went out in the night and brought the emigrants in,
and were followed by the Indians, who made the attack
after their arrival.
On the receipt of
this news, another private council was held; after which I
was called in and told, that in consequence of the fight
behind, it would be for their advantage to bring me
through, provided I would obey council and the rules of
the train. To this I assented, being anxious to get on,
and asked what was required of me. Mr. Dame replied, that
in passing through the Indian country, it might be
necessary for me to be laid flat in the wagon and covered
with blankets, for two or three days, as the Indians were
deadly hostile to all Americans; that if I was seen, it
would endanger the safety of the whole train. My friend
Mr. Warn, was told that he could also go on upon the same
conditions.
At Parowan, it
seems, when it was for their interest to bring us through,
the Elders had no control over the Indians; while at
Buttermilk Fort, they were able to restrain them, as they
declared, under great provocation.
On Friday, the
18th *day of September, we left Parowan, and arrived at Cedar
City, some eighteen miles, about one o'clock. During the
afternoon, an express arrived from the Indians, stating
that one of their warriors had run up and looked into the
corral, and he supposed that only five or six of the
emigrants were killed yet. These were the words of the
expressman. The same night, four men were sent out from
Parowan, to go and learn what was the fate of the train,
and, as they pretended, to save, if possible, some of its
members.
I omitted to
mention, in the proper place, that Mr. Dame informed me
that the attack on the train commenced on Monday, the 14th
of September. I asked him if he could not raise a company,
and go out and relieve the besieged train. He replied,
that he could go out and take them away in safety, but he
dared not; he dared not disobey counsel.
On Saturday, at
twelve o'clock, we left Cedar City. About the middle of
the afternoon, we met the four men who were sent out the
night previous, returning in a wagon. Mathews and Tanner
held a council with them apart, and when they left,
Mathews told me the entire train had been cut off; and as
it was still dangerous to travel the road, they had
concluded it was better for us to pass the spot in the
night. We continued on, without much conversation, and
about dusk met Mr. Dame, (I did not know that he had left
Cedar City) and three other white men, coming from the
scene of the slaughter, in company with a band of some
twenty Indian warriors. One of the men in company with Mr.
Dame, was Mr. Haight, President of Cedar City. Mr. Dame
said they had been out to see to the burying of the dead;
but the dead were not buried. From what I heard, I believe
the bodies were left lying naked upon the ground, having
been stripped of their clothing by the Indians. These
Indians had a two-horse wagon; [it was] filled with
something I could not see, as blankets were carefully
spread over the top. The wagon was driven by a white man,
and beside him there were two or three Indians in it! Many
of them had shawls, and bundles of women’s clothes were
tied to their saddles. They were also all supplied with
guns or pistols, besides bows and arrows. The hindmost
Indians were driving several head of the emigrants cattle.
Mr. Dame and Mr. Haight, and their men, seemed to be on
the best of terms with the Indians, and they were all in
high spirits, as if they were mutually pleased with the
accomplishment of some desired object. They thronged
around us, and greeted us with noisy cordiality. We did
not learn much from them. They passed on, and we drove all
night in silence, and at daylight camped, and were told we
were three miles beyond the scene of the slaughter. We lay
by here two or three hours to rest, and then drove all
day, twenty miles, at night camping on the Santa Clara
River, near the Chief Jackson's village.
Next morning,
after driving a few miles, we stopped to water. Jackson
and his band soon came to us; and in a few minutes pointed
out Mr. Warn as an American. The Mormon boys denied it,
but the Indians were dissatisfied, and appeared restive.
The Chief came up and accused me of being an American;
appeared mad; stepped round; shook his head, and pulled
his bowstring. He then sent several men on our road ahead.
Mr. Mathews advised us to leave there as quick as
possible, as it was getting dangerous.
At Jackson’s, we
engaged Mr. Hatch to go on to the Muddy as an interpreter.
It was a fortunate circumstance for us that this Mr. Hatch
arrived at our camp at the very moment that we were
wishing for him most. Mr. Mathews told me he was an Indian
missionary, and of great influence among them. He could do
more with them than anybody else; and if he could not get
me over the road, nobody could. Mr. Tanner had declared
that he would not go on without Mr. Hatch, and pretended
to be afraid of the dangers of the road.
Next morning, Mr.
Hatch left us and went on to the Muddy. About a day's
drive, the other side of the Muddy, we met him returning
in company with two young men, brothers Young,
horse-thieves, who were escaping from justice in San
Bernardino; having been assisted in getting away by those
who had them in custody. Mr. Hatch stated, that when he
reached the Muddy he found the young boys, in company with
an emigrant who had escaped the massacre. That on his
arrival, there was not an Indian in sight, and that he had
to give the whoop to call them from concealment. He said
in continuation, without appearing to notice the
discrepancy, that on his arrived he found the Indians
hotly pursuing the three men; and that they jumped upon
the emigrant and killed him before his eyes, before he
could interfere to prevent it. He said he threw himself
between the boys and the Indians, and had great difficulty
in saving them. The Indians were in a great excitement, as
he said, but that as Mathews and Tanner were Mormons, they
could pass without danger.
We arrived at the
Muddy the day after we met Mr. Hatch, and the Young boys.
We found here 30 or 40 Indians, and the mail riders from
Los Angeles, who had come in that morning. The Indians
were very friendly, and shook hands with everybody. No
expression of hostility to Americans was heard, but that
was accounted for on the ground that this was a Mormon
train.
At the Vegas we
found another band of Indians. The chief asked our
interpreter whether our captain had brought him no word
from Brigham Young, whether he was nearly ready to fight
the Americans yet; adding that he was ready, had got his
arrows poisoned, &c &c.
At the Cotton
Woods, 15 miles from the Vegas, the chief, called Brigham
Young, said he was afraid of the emigrant train behind,
and wished to know if they would shoot.
On the 1st
October, we arrived at San Bernardino, and I was advised
by Mr. Mathews, who I learned, was a President or Elder in
that place, not to associate with the damned apostates,
that they were cut throats of the worst character. If I
wished, they would give me constant work at their mill in
the mountains, and I must be careful not to talk too much
of what I had seen.
Whilst in San
Bernardino I heard many persons express gratification at
the massacre. At the church services on Sunday, Capt. Hunt
occupied the pulpit, and among other things, he said that
the hand of the Lord was in it; whether it was done by
white or red skins, it was right! The prophesies
concerning Missouri were being fulfilled, and they would
all be accomplished.
Mr. Matthews said
the work had just begun, and it should be carried on until
Uncle Sam and all his boys that were left, should come to
Zion and beg for bread.
I did not stay in
San Bernardino, because it did not appear to be a free
country, for I am an American, and like freedom of thought
and speech.
Thus far the
narrative of Mr. Powers.
On being asked,
it he did not at any time express any feeling, in the
company, at the wholesale massacre of his countrymen. He
replied, it was not safe to express an opinion. The men he
was with were unscrupulous, and would not have hesitated
to kill him for any
unguarded words. When the Indians passed by him, wearing
the garments of American women, and seeming to exult in
their crimes, his blood boiled, but he dared not speak;
and after they were gone, he asked Matthews, with
earnestness, why it had been done. Matthews replied, that
he must not grieve or take on, for the women were all
prostitutes, that their bodies had been examined by
President Dame, and this ought to console him. Matthews
rejoiced greatly at the massacre, and considered it the
beginning of long delayed vengeance.
Mr. Tanner regretted it, and seemed to be deeply grieved.
It is supposed that one hundred and eighteen persons were
killed of whom fifty six were men, and that fifteen
children were taken back to Cedar City of whom, not one
was over six years old. It was reported, that but one
Indian was killed.
Mr. P. M. Warn,
of Bergen, Genesee county, New York; who was a
fellow-traveler with Mr. Powers, on that fatal journey,
corroborates the statements of Powers, so far as he was
acquainted with the facts, and gives the following
additional particulars, which did not come under the
observation of Mr. Powers:
Mr. Warn states
that there was a coolness between himself and Mr.
Matthews, arising from the frankness with which he
expressed his opinions, and in consequence of this, he was
not treated with as much confidence as Mr. Powers.
Mr. Warn arrived
at Salt Lake, via Independence, on the 7th of April last,
and remained until the 26th, on which day he started for
California, as a passenger in Matthews and Tanners train.
He states, that on his journey through the settlements,
which was a week or ten days subsequent to the passage of
the murdered train, he every where heard the same threats
of vengeance against them, for their boisterousness and
abuse of Mormons and Mormonism, as was reported, and these
threats seemed to be made with the intention of preparing
the mind to expect a calamity, and also when a calamity
occurred, it should appear to fall upon transgressors, as
a matter of retribution.
Mr. Warn says
according to his memorandum, on the 5th of September we
encamped at Corn Creek. Here I had conversation with the
Indian agent, concerning the poisoning of the ox. He said
that six Indians had died; that others were sick and would
die. Upon one of them, the poison had worked out all over
his breast, and he was dead next morning, as reported.
Afterwards, I conversed with an Indian, said to be the war
chief Ammon, who spoke good English. I inquired how many
of his tribe had died from eating the poisoned animal. He
replied not any but some were sick. He did not attribute
the sickness to poison, nor did he give any reason for it.
His manner, and that of all his people towards us, was not
only friendly, but cordial; and he did not mention the
train which had been doomed. Besides the Mormon train,
there were camped at this place two or three emigrants
trains, amounting to fifteen or eighteen wagons, with whom
the Indians were as friendly as with ourselves. From Corn
Creek, nothing of importance occurred more than is related
by Mr. Powers, until we arrived at Cedar City. Here the
four men, spoken of by Mr. Powers, (and among whom I
recognized Mr. Dame), arrived at our camp; they wished to
get fresh animals, that they might go on that night to the
besieged party. This was on Friday night, the night on
which the slaughter was completed. They rested an hour or
two, and took refreshments. In the conversation which
ensued, one of our party said, be careful, and don’t get
shot, Mr. Haight. Mr. H. replied, we shall have no
shooting; emphasizing the we, and throwing up his
head, as if he meant to imply that the shooting would be
all over before he arrived. They left us in good spirits.
One reason that
may be assigned for the massacre of this train, is, that
it was known to be in possession of considerable valuable
property, and this fact excited the cupidity of the
Mormons. It was said, they had over 400 head of stock,
besides mules, &c. They were well supplied with arms and
ammunition, an element of gain which enters largely into
all Mormon calculations. The train was composed of
families who all seemed to be in good circumstances, and
as they were moving to California, their outfit indicated
that they might be in possession of considerable funds.
The men were very free in speaking of the Mormons; their
conduct was said to have been reckless, and they would
commit little acts of annoyance for the purpose of
provoking the saints. Feeling perfectly safe in their arms
and numbers, they seemed to set at defiance all the powers
that could be brought against them. And they were not
permitted to feel the dangers that surrounded them, until
they were cut off from all hope of relief.
Mr. Warn states,
in speaking of the emigrant who escaped and was killed at
the Muddy, that at Painter Creek, some six or seven miles
on the other side of the place of massacre, a Mormon told
him that one of the little girls who was taken back, and
who is about six years old, said that she saw her mother
killed by an arrow, and that her father had escaped to
California. This was before Hatch joined the train. The
matter of the escaped was talked over by the Mormon
captains, and Mathews made the remark, if the man comes
into our train, he shall not be received!
* Should be the 11th
day of September. This is the day that the 1857 Mountain
Meadows Massacre took place.
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