Statement of W. F. Lawrence.
"I am from Appanoose County, Iowa. At our first camp, after striking the Oregon Road, I saw three wagons approaching; they were going eastward. A man from the wagons came to our camp. He was a short, thick-set person, with light complexion, light hair, and full, round face, considerably freckled; downcast look. He said he was from the outside settlements of Salt Lake, near Lovelands, and was out here gathering up old irons. Said they came to a place on Snake River, where they could walk across on the rocks, but did not dare to go farther, for fear the Indians would steal their horses. Said his party consisted of three white men and one Ute Indian, whom they had brought along to recover their horses, should the Indians steal them.
"He asked if they could camp with us; and being told they could, said he would go up and drive the wagons down; but instead of doing so, the party went off in a direction which would be twenty miles to water,—and this was near sundown.
"The night before, a man had been among our cattle, and when our guide cried 'Halt!' he ran off toward the road. This man was supposed to be young Bernard, the 'Mormon from the outside settlements.'"
CHAPTER XV.
RECENT EVENTS.—CONCLUSION.
Personal Appearance and Character of Brigham Young.—His Aims and Purposes.—Solution of the Mormon Question.—New Complications.—Military Reviews of Mormons.—Governor Durkee.—Counteracting Influences.—The Mines and Miners.—Rev. Norman McLeod.—The "Salt Lake Vedette."—Administration of General Connor.—Murder of Brassfield.—Order of Young for the Expulsion of the Gentiles.—Order for the Murder of Eighty Men.—Difficulties concerning the Public Lands.—Murder of Dr. Robinson.—The Gentiles flee in Terror.—The Government fails to protect its Officers and Citizens.—The Hero of Three Wars of the Republic hunted through the Territory.—Rev. Mr. McLeod warned not to return to Utah.—The Reign of Terror commenced.—The Gentiles call for Help.
Brigham Young is a man of medium height, compact frame, with a manner deliberate and impressive. There is less of ostentation, however, in his bearing toward strangers than might be expected in a religious pretender. His hair is sandy, and inclined to curl; features regular, and expressive of great determination.
In conversation he is pleasant and affable, but is restive under the slightest contradiction or opposition. Strangers are favorably impressed with the first visit to his office. They go to see and hear, and Brigham looks well and is a good talker. He has talent, and is not destitute of genius; when, therefore, he is master of the field, and has the choice of topics, he never fails to make himself interesting, if so disposed. Indeed, is it not in itself interesting to see and hear the Mohammed of America?