Chapter -8- Turmoil in the Territory

UTAH BECOMES A TERRITORY When Utah was made a territory of the United States, Congress had the power to pick territorial leaders. When Utah was made a territory of the United States, Congress had the power to pick territorial leaders. Usually half of the positions were filled with Utahns, but half were picked from outside Utah. Usually half of the positions were filled with Utahns, but half were picked from outside Utah. There were 3 federal Judges, an Indian agent, and a surveyor. There were 3 federal Judges, an Indian agent, and a surveyor.

RUMORS BEGIN These outside officials did not like Utah and never wanted to come here in the first place. Rumors were spread in the East about mismanagement and corruption by Brigham Young by the outsiders. Judge Drummond had not wanted to come to Utah and after weeks of friction, he left Utah. But his stories of plural marriage and corruption were and published by Eastern newspapers. This stirred public opinion.

THE LIES CONTINUE Drummond finally convinces the U.S. Congress that Young and others were mounting an army of settlers and Indians to overthrow the United States government and take control of the country. Drummond finally convinces the U.S. Congress that Young and others were mounting an army of settlers and Indians to overthrow the United States government and take control of the country. The men also spread rumors that John Gunnison’s government surveying team had been killed by Indians at the request of Brigham Young. The men also spread rumors that John Gunnison’s government surveying team had been killed by Indians at the request of Brigham Young.

PRESIDENT FALLS FOR THE LIES In 1857, new President James Buchanan takes action and sends the troops to Utah. He sends an army of soldiers with supply wagons, weapons and horses to stop what he had heard was a possible rebellion against the government. He also sent a new territorial governor, Alfred Cummings, to replace Brigham Young as governor.

UTAH PREPARES FOR WAR Early in the summer of 1857, rumors of soldiers heading west reaches Utah. Early in the summer of 1857, rumors of soldiers heading west reaches Utah. Old concerns and memories of persecution in New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois loomed. Old concerns and memories of persecution in New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois loomed. Young believed that the army was bent on destroying the religious community. Young believed that the army was bent on destroying the religious community. Utah’s local militia quickly went from several hundred to over 5,000 men. Utah’s local militia quickly went from several hundred to over 5,000 men.

SENT TO SLOW THEM DOWN Captain Lot Smith and 75 men rode East through the mountains into Wyoming to harass the federal soldiers. They burned supply wagons, driving off animals, and destroying the prairie grass so animals pulling the wagons would be slowed down. His men burned Fort Bridger and Fort Supply, which were owned by Utahn’s.

DISGUISE AND TRICK Lot’s men fortified the road along both sides of Echo Canyon. Lot’s men fortified the road along both sides of Echo Canyon. Because they lacked military equipment and soldiers they had to invent things. Because they lacked military equipment and soldiers they had to invent things. Things like weapons using wagon wheels and painted logs to look like cannons. Things like weapons using wagon wheels and painted logs to look like cannons. They placed shirts on trees and bushes and placed sticks in their hands to look like rifles. They placed shirts on trees and bushes and placed sticks in their hands to look like rifles.

THE MOVE SOUTH Brigham wanted to avoid bloodshed. He decided to abandon all the northern communities including Salt Lake. He sent word for saints in California and Nevada to leave their homes and move to the Great Basin to give help if needed. Thousands of people moved south to Provo and other southern towns.

ARMY ARRIVES TO EMPTY TOWNS The army marched down from Emigration Canyon and down the empty streets of Salt Lake and surrounding cities, wondering at the eerie silence. The soldiers went west of Utah Lake and established a military base they called Camp Floyd.

KANE OFFERS TO HELP A friend of the Mormons, Thomas Kane offered to go to Utah at his own expense to learn the truth of the situation there and report back to the President. A friend of the Mormons, Thomas Kane offered to go to Utah at his own expense to learn the truth of the situation there and report back to the President. President Buchanan agrees. President Buchanan agrees. Kane learns that the Mormons had no plans to rebel against the United States and would welcome Governor Cummings and his wife if they would come without the troops. Kane learns that the Mormons had no plans to rebel against the United States and would welcome Governor Cummings and his wife if they would come without the troops.

WELCOMING THE NEW GOVERNOR President Young and other leaders rode carriages from Provo to meet the new governor. They expressed their support of him but talked about their fear of the approaching army. Governor Cummings went with the men to Provo and witnessed the fear and hardship of the settlers camping out there.

WORKING OUT FEARS Governor Cumming returned to Salt Lake City. Governor Cumming returned to Salt Lake City. He was given a fine home, talked with many Utahns, and heard their complaints. He was given a fine home, talked with many Utahns, and heard their complaints. It was agreed that Johnston and his army would stay in Utah, but at a place away from Salt Lake Valley. It was agreed that Johnston and his army would stay in Utah, but at a place away from Salt Lake Valley.