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By the arrival of the steamer Senator, we have received through Wells Fargo & Co.,
THE MOUNTAIN CANON MASSACRE.—The report of the late terrible massacre of the emigrants
Our San Diego exchanges contain nothing of importance.
The following statements (which I have already given to our public both in English and Spanish) I took down from the lips of the gentlemen named. The manner of these gentlemen was in their statements, which have been duly authenticated and forwarded by mail to Washington. They arrived in town on the 10th instant. It will be seen that they were not permitted to see anything of the massacre-that they were detained one day near
We found the Mormons making very determined preparations to fight theUnited States troops , whenever they may arrive. On our way in, we met three companies of 100 men each, armed and on the road towards the pass aboveFort Bridger . I was told atFort Bridger , that atFort Supply , twelve miles this side ofFort Bridger , there were 400 armed Indians awaiting orders; they also said that there were 60,000 pounds of flour stored atFort Bridger for the use of their army. We found companies drilling every evening in the city. The Mormons declared to us that no U.S. troops should ever cross the mountains; and they talked and acted as if they were willing to take a brush with Uncle Sam.
We remained in Salt Lake five days, and then pushed on, hoping we might overtakea larger train, which had started ten days ahead of us, and which proved to be the train that was massacred .We came on to Buttermilk Fort , near theLone Cedar , 175 miles, and found the inhabitants greatly enraged at the train which had just passed,declaring that they had abused the Mormon women, calling them w—s, &c., and letting on about the men. The people had refused to sell that train any provisions , and told us they were sorry they had not killed them there; but they knew it would be done before they got in.They stated further that they were holding the Indians in check until the arrival of their chief, when he would follow the train and cut it in pieces.
We attempted to purchase some butter here; the women set it out to us, and as we were taking it away, the men came running and charging, and swore we should not have it, nor anything else, as we had misused them. They appeared to be bitterly hostile, and would hardly speak to us. We were unable to get anything we stood in need of. We camped at this place but one night.
At Corn Creek , we found plenty ofIndians , who were all peaceable and friendly. We learned nothing of the train, except that it had passed that place several days before, and we were glad to find we had gained so much on them. The next place where we heard of the train was on our arrival atBeaver , 230 miles fromSalt Lake . Here we learned that when the train ahead were camped atCorn Creek , which was thirty-five miles back, and at which place we found theIndians so friendly, an ox died, and the Indians asked for it.Before it was given to them a Mormon reported that he saw an emigrant go to the carcass and cut in with his knife, and as he did so, would pour some liquid into the cut from a vial. The meat was eaten by the Indians, and three of them died, and several more were sick and would die. The people at Beaver seemed also to be incensed against the train, for the same reason as before reported. I asked an Indian atBeaver if there was any truth in the poisoned meat story; he replied in English, that he did not know-that several of the Indians had died, and several were sick. He said their water-melons made them all sick, andhe believed that the Mormons had poisoned them .
We laid by at Beaver several days, as theBishop told us it was dangerous for so small a company as ours to go on. Our train consisted of only three wagons, and we were hurrying on to join the larger one.
While waiting here, the train of Wm. Mathews andSidney Tanner , ofSan Bernardino , came up, and I made arrangements to come on with them. We came on toParowan , and here we learned thatthe train ahead had been attacked by the Indians at the We then drove out of, fifty miles from Mountain Meadows Parowan , and had returned upon their road five miles, to a spring, and fortified themselves.Parowan five or six miles, and camped at what is called the Summit.
Next morning an express arrived from Mr. Dame , President ofParowan , requesting us not to proceed any further that day if we pleased; also thatMathews andTanner should return toParowan , and bring me along with them. We returned and a council was held, at which it was advised by Mr.Dame , that I should go back to my own train, as they did not wish to have strangers in their train.He also stated, that at two o'clock that morning, he had received and express from the train ahead, stating they were surrounded by Indians, who had killed two or three of their number, and asking for assistance. While we were talking, an express came in fromBeaver , stating that the Indians had attacked my train in the streets of that place, and were fighting when he left.One reason given was, that ten miles the other side of that the people ofBeaver , an emigrant train had shot an Indian, which greatly enraged them;Beaver went out in the night and brought the emigrants in, and were followed by the Indians, who made the attack after their arrival.
On the receipt of this news, another private council was held, after which I was called in and told, that in consequence of the fight behind, it would be for their advantage to bring me through, provided I would obey council and the rules of the train. To this I assented, being anxious to get on, and asked what was required of me. Mr. Dame replied, that in passing through the Indian country, it might be necessary for me to be laid flat in a wagon and covered with blankets for two or three days, asthe Indians were deadly hostile to all Americans; that if I was seen, it would endanger the safety of the whole train. My friend Mr.Warn was told that he would also go on, upon the same conditions.
At Parowan , it seems, when it was 'for their interest' to bring us through, the elders had no control over the Indians, while atButtermilk Fort , they were able to restrain them, as they declared under great provocation.
On Friday, the 18th of September, we leftParowan , and arrived atCedar City , some eighteen miles, about one o'clock.During the afternoon, an express arrived from the Indians, stating that one of their warriors had run up and looked into the corral, and he supposed that 'only five or six of the emigrants were killed yet.' These were words of the expressman. The same night, four men were sent out from the train, and, as they pretended, to save, if possible, some of its members.
I omitted to mention, in the proper place, that Mr. Dame informed me thatthe attack on the train commenced on Monday, the 14th of September .I asked him if he could not raise a company and go out and relieve the besieged train. He replied that he could go out and take them away in safety, but he dared not—he dared not disobey counsel.
On Saturday, at twelve o'clock we left Cedar City . About the middle of the afternoon, we met the four men who were sent out the night previous, returning in a wagon.Mathews andTanner held a council with them, apart, and when they left,, and, as it was still dangerous to travel the road, they had concluded it was better for us to pass the spot in the night. We continued on, without much conversation, and about dusk met Mr. Mathews told me the entire train had been cut offDame , (I did not know that he had leftCedar City ,) and three other white men, coming from the scene of slaughter, in company with a band of some twenty Indian warriors. One of the men in company with Mr.Dame , was Mr.Haight , President ofCedar City .Mr. Dame said they had been out to see to the burying of the dead; but the dead were not buried. From what I heard, I believe the bodies were left lying naked upon the ground, having been stripped of their clothing by the Indians.These Indians had a two-horse wagon, filled with something I could not see, as blankets were carefully spread over the top . The wagon was driven by a white man, and beside him, there were two or three Indians in it!Many of them had shawls, and bundles of women's clothes were tied to their saddles. They were also all supplied with guns or pistols, besides bows and arrows. The hindmost Indians were driving several head of the emigrants' cattle. Mr. They passed on, and we drove all night in silence, and at daylight camped, and were told we were three miles beyondDame and Mr.Haight , and their men, seemed to be on the best of terms with the Indians, and they were all in high spirits, as if they were mutually pleased with the accomplishment of some desired object. They thronged around us, and greeted us with noisy cordiality. We did not learn much from them.the scene of slaughter . We lay by here two or three hours, to rest, and then drove all day-twenty miles-at night camping on theSanta Clara River , near theChief Jackson's village .
Next morning, after driving a few miles, we stopped to water. soon came to us; and in a few minutes pointed out Mr. Jackson and his bandWarn as an American. The Mormon boys denied it, but theIndians were dissatisfied, and appeared restive. Thechief came up and accused me of being an American, appeared mad, stepped round, shook his head, and pulled his bowstring. He then sent several men on our road ahead. Mr.Mathews advised us to leave there as quick as possible, as it was getting dangerous.
At Jackson 's we engaged Mr.Hatch to go on to theMuddy as an interpreter. It was a fortunate circumstance for us that this Mr.Hatch arrived at our camp at the very moment that we were wishing for him most. Mr.Mathews told me he was an Indian missionary, and of great influence among them. He could do more with them than anybody else, and if he could not get me over the road, nobody could. Mr.Tanner had declared that he would not go on without Mr.Hatch , and pretended to be afraid of the dangers of the road.
Next morning Mr. Hatch left us and went on to theMuddy . About a day's drive the other side of theMuddy , we met him returning in company with two young men,, horse thieves, who were escaping from justice in brothers Young San Bernardino , having been assisted in getting away by those who had them in custody. Mr.Hatch stated that when he reached theMuddy ,he found the young boys in company with —that on his arrival, there was not an Indian in sight, and that he had to give the whoop to call them from concealment. He said in continuation, without appearing to notice the discrepancy, that on his arrival he foundan emigrant who had escaped the massacre the Indians hotly pursuing the three men, and that they jumped upon the emigrant, and killed him before his eyes, before he could interfere to prevent it. He said he threw himself between the boys and Indians, and had great difficulty in saving them. TheIndians were in a great excitement, as he said, but that asMathews andTanner were Mormons, they could pass without danger.
We arrived at the Muddy the day after we met Mr.Hatch and the. We found here 30 or 40 Indians, and the mail riders from Young boys Los Angeles , who had come in that morning. TheIndians were very friendly, and shook hands with everybody. No expression of hostility to Americans was heard, but this was accounted for on the ground that this was a Mormon train.
At the Vegas , we found another band of Indians. The chief asked our interpreter whether our captain had brought him no word fromBrigham Young , whether he was nearly ready to fight the Americans yet; adding, that he was ready, had got his arrows poisoned, &c.
At the Cottonwoods, 15 miles from the Vegas ,the chief, called Brigham Young , said he was afraid of the emigrant train behind, and wished to know if they would shoot.
On the 1st October, we arrived at San Bernardino , and I was advised by R. Matthews, who, I learned, was a President or Elder in that place, not to associate with the damned apostates, that they were cutthroats of the worst character. If I wished, they would give me constant work at their mill in the mountains, and I must be careful not to talk too much of what I had seen.
Whilst in San Bernardino , I heard many persons express gratification at the massacre.At the church services, on Sunday, Capt. Hunt occupied the pulpit, and, among other things, he said that the hand of the Lord was in it; it was right! The prophecies concerningMissouri were being fulfilled, and they would all be accomplished.
Mr. Matthews said the work had just begun, and it should be carried on until Uncle Sam and all the boys that were left should come to Zion and beg for bread.
I did not stay in San Bernardino , because it did not appear to be a free country, for I am an American, and like freedom of thought and speech.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
Mr.
The following statement is made to me by Mr.
In November, 1853, I resided at
Salt Lake , and was sent for to attend a council.At the council I was solicited to take a mission to the Green River Indians . I did not consent, because I had just returned fromParowan , and the southern settlements, which I had been appointed to locate. Although not a member of the council, I was permitted to remain, and heard the charge given to the missionaries to those Indians byWillard Richards , now dead. First they were to establish missions, then they would form treaties and alliances with the Indians; the elders, both married and single, must marry squaws, particularly the daughters of chiefs. Such ties as these could not be broken, and the Indians would be under their control forever.
At that time, war against the United States was anticipated, and they professed according to the Book of Mormon, to use the Indians 'as the Lord's battle-ax.' A time would come when they would be of great service to the Saints, from their knowledge of the mountains. They were to teach the doctrines of Mormon, and baptize them into the church-they were also to monopolize all trade with them, and influence them to keep out the Gentiles. These missionaries did not at that time, go so far as
Green River , but remained in the vicinity ofFort Bridger , to watch the movements of the mountaineers, who were gathering there, indignant thatBridger had been driven off.In the following spring several other missionaries were sent to different parts of the territory. P. P. Pratt was sent to theSanta Clara for similar purposes.
I had been an eye-witness to the baptism of scores of Indians at Parowan , and other southern settlements. The doctrines taught, are invariably, that the Americans are enemies to the Mormons and Indians, and they must kill them whenever they can find them.The
Mormons have a school wherein the young men of the church are taught the different Indian dialects. These dialects are reduced to a system, and are printed in books.Many of the Mormon elders and missionaries have Indian wives, and are raising families of half-breeds. I have frequently heard
Brigham Young declare that he could clean out the United States with theShoshonees (Snake) andUtahs , and that he intended to do it.At
, there is a settlement of some fifteen or twenty families of Mormons. Painter Creek , which is but six or seven miles, on the other side of the scene of slaughterThe people there knew of the beginning and end of the slaughter, but not one of them went to the assistance of the train.
Mr.
.
On the 17th inst., another of the back trains of emigrants was heard from. Considerable anxiety has been manifested at their non-arrival. It was said that the foremost ones would wait for those in the rear, and thus form one company. It was also felt that the declarations of that the work of vengeance was at last begun,
were significant of death to more than those who fell at If you fire a gun we will leave you instantly.
Upon this they desisted, believing their guides were about to interfere in their behalf.
The Independent "Party of
had a meeting the other day. This party is respectable as to numbers, and embraces more than one-third of the people; the majority being Saints. Their resolution is herewith annexed, and forms an interesting link in this veritable history:
Whereas, the officers of this county are all
Just while we were greatly interested in the report of these outrages, there arrived at
There are few local items of interest. Let Government call for volunteers—I should like to take a turn at those fellows!
Were a call made, half of our population would respond, so bitter is their experience. The general opinion here with intelligent men who know the audacity of
One more item. One of the speakers at our meeting said that the arms of
There is a good deal of dissatisfaction among our farmers, at the negligence of the Agent of Agricultural Fair, Mr. Ferguson. He came here, spent considerable time in searching for a boarding house, looked at two or three vineyards, and left. The corn and tobacco planters, at the Monte, were not pleased at this neglect. Three cornfields, two fields of tobacco, and one patch of immense onions would have been offered for premiums. I send you a specimen of the tobacco raised by Mr. Marshall, and which was prepared for the Fair. I eschew tobacco, but it seems to me there is a very agreeable aroma to this. You, perhaps are a judge of the weed. If so, give us a judgement.
On the 17th inst., it was reported in town that the