The President.
[5. ] Millennial Star 15:488.
[6.] While the consideration of this momentous question was being discussed the brethren were advised by Elder Levi Savage, who was returning from a mission to Siam and Ceylon, that such a journey so late in the season should not be undertaken, and it would be better to go into winter quarters and wait until spring. He had been over the route and knew the dangers they would likely encounter, but he was overruled. According to the narrative of this fatal journey given by John Chislett, when Elder Savage was overruled he said: “What I have said I know to be true; but seeing you are to go forward, I will go with you; will help all I can; will work with you, will rest with you, will suffer with you, and if necessary, will die with you. May God in his mercy bless and preserve us.” These were noble sentiments worthy of a place in the archives of time.
For a descriptive and comparatively full account of these journeyings of the two belated pioneer companies of hand-carts, the reader is referred to the History of Utah, by Orson F. Whitney, vol. 1:547.
Chapter 43
“The Utah War”
1856–1858
Political Changes
Chief Justice Lazarus H. Reed, after a short stay in Utah, resigned because of ill-health, and returned to the East where he died in the spring of 1855. He was succeeded as chief justice by John F. Kinney, of Iowa, in 1854. After the close of the term of Judge Zerubbabel Snow, William W. Drummond, of Illinois, was appointed associate justice. Judge Leonidas Shaver died suddenly in Salt Lake City in June, 1855, due to an abscess on the brain, and he was succeeded by George P. Stiles.