Manti San Pete Co March 11th 1859
It is painful, but nevertheless a duty to record such outrageous proceedings as have yesterday and today transpired in the hitherto quiet city of Manti.
It is proper here to remark that for several months past, the Indians who frequent our city, and have held more or less intercourse with the U. S. Army, have repeatedly asserted that it was the purpose and intentions of the Army, when winter should set in to kill all the "Mormon Captains"; and the people are far from believing it entirely an invention of their own brain.
As a very natural consequence, those holding Official positions are on the alert, and a little cautious about falling into their hands; especially since some of the Army Officers have been heard to say, that if they could not accomplish their designs through the U. S. Court, they were in favor of catching such persons as they might choose, taking them to camp Floyd and lynching them.
Yesterday (Sunday) while the people were assembled and quietly engaged in their customary worship, a couple of Officers who claimed some acquaintance with Bishop Snow, drove up in a carriage in front of his house, (which is opposite the meeting room) accompanied by a third person upon horseback, upon which Snow left the meeting, went to and invited them into his house. The two went in (the horseman remaining outside) declaring themselves glad to see him and and striving to put on the appearance of warm friends
After spending a few moments one of them discovered that he had dropped his pocket handkerchief a short distance back and stepping to the door, requested the horseman to return in quest of it, which he did and succeeded in finding the article, but by some strange operation it had become metamorphised into a detachment of about forty U. S. Dragoons who hastily made their appearance stationed themselves near the house, and apparently spread themselves for flight. Sufficient to say their plot although cunningly laid in their own estimation no doubt, proved a failure, for when they supposed the Bishop was safely in their clutches, and they had achieved a triumph which would advance them a long stride on their way to fame and glory, "A change came o'er the spirit of their dream" when they discovered that the Bishop like the Paddy's flea "wasn't there."
They forthwith proceeded to Cottonwood settlement under the plausible pretext of purchasing hay, but in reality upon the same merciful and peaceable errand of exterminating "Mormon leaders" to sustain the dignity of the government, (!) and met with like success.
Today they returned and passed very quietly through Manti, excepting two who claimed to be acting as U. State Deputy Marshalls, who lingered behind the balance of the company, vis. Joseph Allen and Geo. Crossman Jr <Dep. 2nd> (son of Col. Cropman, who commenced riding backward and forward through the town, shouting, yelping, cursing &c
Near the north gate they met a young man, Wm Whiting, (son of the Mayor") and commanded him to halt! Whiting was going quietly to his work, and not wishing any trouble, endeavoured to pass by them upon one side, when Crossman riding again in front of him, drew his revolver exclaiming "halt! or God d--m you. I will shoot you."
The loud talk coupled with oaths and threats of shooting attracted several persons within hearing to the spot, upon whom they (Allen & Crossman) commenced pouring out their insults and abuse, interspersed with volleys of oaths which beggars all description
They denounced all who came within their hearing, as Murderers, cutthroats, thieves, etc., etc.-- declared themselves Deputy U. S. Marshalls-- said they had come to this country to hang every G--d d--m Mormon, President and Bishop, and they would do it before they left, and when they were all out of the way, they would hang more!
They swore that we should ere long see every G-d d--m "President and Bishop dangling in the air with a rope round his neck, looking up to heaven!" and much more of similar language and threats was copiously dealt out, which it is disgusting to even record in detail
They next proceeded to the Bishop's house declaring with the usual accompaniment of oaths, their intention to pay his family a visit and get something to drink.
They were there met by the Edwin Whiting (the Mayor) and also Mr Beach (city Marshall) when the Mayor, as mild and inoffensive a man as can be found in any country, kindly advised them to go quietly on and not disturb the Bishop's family, as he was not at home and his family were some of them sick, whereupon, Allen drew his revolver, cocked it and leveled at the Mayor exclaiming "G--d d -m Mayor, I'll shoot
you!!"
The Mayor dodged one side and made an attempt to sieze the pistol, when Crossman (who seemed the most sensible of the two) made a more effectual attempt, and seized the muzzle raising it up at the same moment Allen discharged it. Crossmans hand was considerably burned, and his neck and whiskers shared the same fate, the ball passing directly under his chin and spending its force upon the wall of the house.
Both these men (?) now commenced riding up and down the street with drawn revolvers, aiming at one and then another, discharging several ineffectual shots, and winding up the programme by shouting at the tope of their voices "Three cheers for Judge Cradlebaugh!" (Cheers) "Three groans for Cumming the G--d d--m old JackMormon! (groans) When they made their exit apparently delighted with their heroic exploits, and thinking no doubt they were fairly entitled to promotion by government.
Several persons among those assembled who had witnesses many like scenes in former times both in Missouri and Illinois, and had their houses and property burned before their eyes -- seen men, women and children shot down with impunity by similar characters.
It was not therefore so much a matter of surprise to them, as to the writer, who not being present on the former occasions alluded to, is only acquainted with them as matters of history.
I should do injustice to the feelings of the former however, not to say that there was something like a disposition lurking therein to xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx lay the poor curses in their mothers bosom, and it was only the presence of the City authorities, who repeatedly called to them to "hold on." which prevented , which seems flattering commentary on their respect for law and order; for what other people under heaven suffering such indignities could, or would have have been held in restraint?
I am aware some will be ready to ask the question "Why not arrest them by civil process and hold them to answer for their offences?"
I answer, one horn of the dillemma is as dangerous as the other as all past experience shows, and either course would have been construed into resistance to U. S. Officers, and every paltry newspaper in Christendom would have come out with double caps with exclamations enough to form a small regiment
"Another outbreak among the Mormons!!!"
"Rebellion in Utah!! Resistance to U. S. Officers!!!"
"Forcible arrest of U. S. Marshalls while in the attempt to discharge their duties!!!" &c. &c.
This <the> authorities declared this evening in a meeting of the city council (Mayor presiding) to be their only reason for not arresting them.
We in this county for sometime flattered ourselves that we were out of the reach of civilization (?) but find alas! our hopes were groundless and we are at last compelled to take lessons in the science
Will any ask after learning of such proceedings, why persons elude the grasp of Officers if not guilty of crimes? Will any construe the conduct of "Mormon Officials" in hiding themselves from such bloodthirsty characters into an evidence of their guilt? If so let government see that such men are appointed as do not disgrace the name of man who have sterling principle and sound send of justice, rather than a desire to gratify their own personal malice and enmity, and see if persons will not be found forthcoming to meet the charges against them.
Will the chief Executive of the nation and his cabinet sanction such outrageous proceedings and give fame to the perpetrators of like deeds?
Will they promote Gen. Johnston for giving encouragement to such doings by trampling on the rights and authority of the chief Executive of the Territory, thus indirectly giving license to Mormon-eaters to vent their spleen and malice in abuse, insults, and even murder with impunity? We shall see.
The "cheers for Cradlebaugh" and "groans for Cumming" are but an index to the influence exerted by Gen Johnstons course of procedure in sustaining Judge Cradlebaught in his unparalleled course in injustice insult and abuse to the citizens of this Territory while sitting on the official bench.
The general opinion prevails here that the perpetrators of the acts above related, with many other U. S. Officials are specil agents employed by large contractors and jobbers, who have of late so well feathered their nests from the profits of the "Utah Expedition," and who do not yet satisfied with Uncle Sam's gullibility, and fearing the excitement is getting too low to warrant them large profits the ensuing season, seek by such instruments to provoke a quarrel as means of again "raising the wind"
If such be the case, and they should fail in raising the necessary storm, they need not blame their agents, for we can assure them they are faithful and true to their post, and should they discharge them and employ the Devil himself, they could scarcely better the case
Not wishing to prolong this xxxxx <letter> I will simply aks: Where is the man with the least principle of honour, integrity, or any of the noble qualities which constitute true manhood, who would lend his aid or influence in delivering his friend and fellowman over into such hands. Nay, further who would not use his influence to save his friend from the hands of such bloodthirsty ruffians, who care nothing for law or justice, except so far as it may go to gratify their fiendish enmity?
For one, I frankly confess I would not trust such characters to be the bearers of offal to a laughing hyena
Yours affectionately & truly
Bernard Snow