The Story of the Mormons, from the Date of Their Origin to the Year 1901

by William Alexander Linn

VIII. SOME CHURCH-INSPIRED MURDERS: The Story of the Parrishes—Carrying out of a Cold-blooded Plot—Judge Cradlebaugh's Effort to convict the Murderers—The Tragedy of the Aikin Party—The Story of Frederick Loba's Escape

IX. BLOOD ATONEMENT: Early Intimations concerning it—Jedediah M. Grant's Explanation of Human Sacrifices—Brigham Young's Definition of "Laying Judgment to the Line"—Two of the Sacrifices described—"The Affair at San Pete"

X. TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT: Brigham Young the First Governor—Colonel Kane's Part in his Appointment—Kane's False Statements to President Fillmore—Welcome to the Non-Mormon Officers—Their Early Information about Young's Influence—Pioneer Anniversary Speeches—Judge Brocchus's Offence to the Mormons—Young's Threatening and Abusive Reply—The Judge's Alarm about his Personal Safety—Return of the Non-Mormon Federal Officers to Washington—Young's Defence

XI. MORMON TREATMENT OF FEDERAL OFFICERS: A Territorial Election Law—Why Colonel Steptoe declined the Governorship—Young's Assertion of his Authority—His Reappointment—Two Bad Judicial Appointments—Judge Stiles's Trouble about the Marshals—Burning of his Books and Papers—How Judge Drummond's Attempt at Independence was foiled—The Mormon View of Land Titles—Hostile Attitude toward the Government Surveyors—Reports of the Indian Agents

XII. THE MORMON "WAR": What the Federal Authorities had learned about Mormonism—Declaration of the Republican National Convention of 1856—Striking Speech by Stephen A. Douglas—Alfred Cumming appointed Governor with a New Set of Judges—Statement in the President's Message—Employment of a Military Force—The Kimball Mail Contract—Organization of the Troops—General Harney's Letter of Instruction—Threats against the Advancing Foe—Mobilization of the Nauvoo Legion—Captain Van Vliet's Mission to Salt Lake City—Young's Defiance of the Government—His Proclamation to the Citizens of Utah—"General" Wells's Order to his Officers—Capture and Burning of a Government Train—Colonel Alexander's Futile March—Colonel Johnston's Advance from Fort Laramie—Harrowing Experience of Lieutenant Colonel Cooke's Command

XIII. THE MORMON PURPOSE: Correspondence between Colonel Alexander and Brigham Young—Illustration of Young's Vituperative Powers—John Taylor's Threat—Incendiary Teachings in Salt Lake City—A Warning to Saints who would Desert—The Army's Winter Camp—Proclamation by Governor Cumming—Judge Eckles's Court—Futile Preparations at Washington

XIV. COLONEL KANE'S MISSION: His Wily Proposition to President Buchanan—His Credentials from the President—Arrival in California under an Assumed Name—Visit to Camp Scott—General Johnston ignored—Reasons why both the Government and the Mormons desired Peace—Kane's Success with Governor Cumming—The Governor's Departure for Salt Lake City—Deceptions practiced on him in Echo Canon—His Reception in the City—Playing into Mormon Hands—The Governor's Introduction to the People—Exodus of Mormons begun

XV. THE PEACE COMMISSION: President Buchanan's Volte-face—A Proclamation of Pardon—Instructions to Two Peace Commissioners—Chagrin of the Military—Governor Cumming's Misrepresentations—Conferences between the Commissioners and Young—Brother Dunbar's Singing of "Zion"—Young's Method of Surrender—Judge Eckles on Plural Marriages—The Terms made with the Mormons—March of the Federal Troops to the Deserted City—Return of the Mormons to their Homes

XVI. THE MOUNTAIN MEADOWS MASSACRE: Circumstances Indicative of Mormon Official Responsibility—The Make-up of the Arkansas Party—Motives for Mormon Hostility to them—Parley P. Pratt's Shooting in Arkansas—Refusal of Food Supplies to the Party after leaving Salt Lake City—Their Plight before they were attacked—Successful Measures for Defence—Disarrangement of the Mormon Plans—John D. Lee's Treacherous Mission—Pitiless Slaughter of Men, Women, and Children—Testimony given at Lee's Trial—The Plundering of the Dead—Lee's Account of the Planning of the Massacre—Responsibility of High Church Officers—Lee's Report to Brigham Young and Brigham's Instructions to him—The Disclosures by "Argus"—Lee's Execution and Last Words

XVII. AFTER THE "WAR": Judge Cradlebaugh's Attempts to enforce the Law—Investigation of the Mountain Meadows Massacre—Governor Cumming's Objections to the Use of Troops to assist the Court—A Washington Decision in Favor of Young's Authority—The Story of a Counterfeit Plate—Five Thousand Men under Arms to protect Young from Arrest—Sudden Departure of Cumming—Governor Dawson's Brief Term—His Shocking Treatment at Mormon Hands—Governor Harding's Administration—The Morrisite Tragedy