The records of the United States District Courts were in Judge Stiles's office. He, and Williams also, had a good many law books, which were private property. Brigham asserted that the records were suffered to "lie around loose," and suggested to the boys that they had better be cared for. This was sufficient, and "the boys" proceeded to "'tend to it." James Ferguson, Hiram B. Clawson, and several others, repaired to the office of the Judge when he was absent, and stationing one of the number to watch, they gathered up the records of the courts, first of all, and conveyed them to a fire-and-burglar-proof-safe, belonging to Young, and under the control of Clawson, who was his confidential clerk and son-in-law.
Having deposited them safely, they returned, and taking some of the Judge's papers, tore them in pieces, and scattered them over the floor, and in the direction of an outhouse. About the same time a large number of the law books found their way into the houses of certain Mormon lawyers, where they have ever since remained. They then took some of the books from the office, and placed them in the outhouse, set fire to the building, and burned it to the ground.
When Judge Stiles returned he found the office robbed, and the books and papers, as he supposed, burned.
Thus all business was suspended, and the records of the United States Courts and government property burned and stolen from the custody of the legal authorities.
Judge Stiles left Utah in the spring of 1857, and when in Washington, made affidavit to the foregoing facts. It may be well here to state that Judge S. was entirely conscientious in making his affidavit, and the prevailing impression in the community was that the records had been destroyed.
In the summer of 1855 W. W. Drummond, of Illinois, arrived in Utah, as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. The Mormons allege that he deserted his wife, and brought with him a mistress. This caused much righteous indignation among the saints! The Judge also professed to be a
warm friend and advocate of Senator Douglas, whom the Mormons hate.
When Drummond was about to hold court, he intimated that he would set aside all judgments rendered by probate Judges, and annul all their proceedings, except such as pertained to the usual and legitimate business of the probate courts. Here was a direct issue, and a conflict was inevitable.
The court being about to be held in Fillmore, a Jew was hired for $25 to quarrel with Drummond. As a part of the programme, also, he was to strike the Judge. The Jew played his part, except the blow, which, for want of opportunity or courage, was omitted. Instead of this he sent to the Judge an insulting message, by the hands of a colored "boy" belonging to Drummond. The boy was sent back with a raw hide, and instructions to "lay on" the same to the back of the Israelite, which Cuffy obeyed with much spirit. Complaint was made by the Jew to a local magistrate. A warrant was issued, and Drummond and his negro were both arrested.
The result of this émeute was a sort of compromise, in which it was understood that the Judge should not interfere with the probate courts, and he was set at liberty.