New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-12-28
CAMP on BLACKS FORK, u. I. I
November ). 1857,

November ), 1857. !
DIR. Hurt has addressed to Col. Johnston the let
ter of which the following is copy. Combined
with the outline of the circumstances attending his
escape which / gave in my letter OF Oct -, 1t
leaves nothing to be supplied except the name of
another Mormon dgnitary Bishop johnson OF
Springyille-who busted himself in exciting the
mob against the Doctor. Mr.. johnson has seven
wives, four of whom are sisters, and his own
niecss.
trust that Congress will not forget these Utahs
in their next appropriation bills. Whatever oblec-
lions may be urged against our policy of making
profuse presents to the Indian tribes it has been
too long established to be suddenly discontinued.
Many of the most deserving tribes have been unfair.
" dealt with in the distribution Of these presents.
1t is only recently that the Snakes whose boast it is
never to hive killed white man. have been treated
with the slightest consideration by the Indian De-
partment. The Utahs have never received single
donation, but surely their conduct toward DIR.
Hurt now entities them to especial favor.
To Col ALERT g. JOHNSTON Chief Of the army
for Utah.
SIR: Having recently fed from the Indian settle
ent on Spanish Fork, in the Territory Of Utah. some
what preciptstely, and reached your command ON
81,
and deserts in company with the Utah Indians. ven-
ture trouble you with bref statement of the cir
cumstances which induced me ~ abandon the agency
and ntrust my life to the care aud protection OF the
savages.
For sometime previous TO my departure, it had been
the settled opinion of the people of Utah that the
troops could not get further than Green River this
Consequently, concluded that the Terrific
rial officials would not venture to cross the mountains
before Spring; and under the embarrassed condition
in which the retention of the mails, and the very un-
settled state of Governmental relations with Utah, had
placed me, deemed it important to seek an interview
with them before the Winter set in; and as had been
previously advised that person would be allowed
to leave the Territory cross the mountains without
the Illuminating ceremony OF applying to Brigham
Young for passport, the alternative OF organizing
Indian escort suggested itself to my mindthe first
conception of which grew out of the deep concern
which these untutored creatures had for some time
manifested for my safety And l was the more in
clned to avail myself OF this suggestion from the fact
that several chiefs of the Unta country were then %
a visit at the farm, soliciting to accompany them
10 that valley for the purpose of inspecting the adapt
alton of its climate and -o tn the cultivation Of grain
"a they had become much pleased with the course Of
policy we were pursuing toward the Indians IN Utah
County. On the morning OF sept -, while was YET
discussing the propriety OF this resolution some na
dozen of the natives rushed into my office, excain-
ing "Friend friend, the Mormons will kill you and
pointed to the window on the eastern side OF the
house. On looking out, to my surprise saw from ~
to 100 armed dragons stationed ID the roaa about
40 much copcern 81 the Indians thought tho occasion
justified they caught hold of me and gave me to under
stand that they would not let me stay any longer.
commenced arranging my official papers 80 az to
be able 10 remove them instantly, If necessary tor
did not understand what il all meant. In few Sec
onds another Indian in to inform me that the
Spanish Fork Canon WAS full Of Mormons armed
with guns and pistols, who said that they were gong
TO kill ME; and he had scarcely time to tell his story
when another came in great haste and said that q
Mormon sauaw at Springyille had told him to and
tell me TINT the Mormons intended to kill me-. He
also reported large body Of armed men on the road
between Sprngyille and the Indian farm. II was
also reported by another Indian that the Momons, at
Payson the town the SOUTH were all in arms, al
though it was the Sabbath.
The Indians would not quit my room, but began to
gather up my bedding and wearing apparel, when my
Interpreter into the apartment in evident state
of excitement and exclaimed, Doctor, you're gone
in asked what il all meant He said II wes under
stood all the country that was about leaving
with the Indians and handed me note from Mr.. But
lr the Bishop Of the Spanish Fork settlement, stating
that he had learned from various sources that in
tended going out with the Indians in violation OF the
martial law now in force. He felt it his duty to inform
that could not leave, that they had resolved to
enforce the law at all hazards. regret having mis-
laid this letter but the above Is its purpOrt which
vealed 10 me the meaning Of much military array.
To think that officer Of the Government should be
thus menaced while in the peaceful discharge Of his
official duties could not fail to excite in the bosom of
any possessed Of spark Of patriotism feelings Of
the most indignant To be detained by force,
and used as tooln most reasonable opposition 10
the laws Of the country occasion might require or
to fall victim to that brutalrevenge which seeks graf
Hcation only in the sacrifice of life, too huilia-
ing to contemplate tor moment.
determined to extricate myself or die in the az
tempt and turned TO AK to bring my horse,
but when reached the door found that the Cheers
son, sprghty boy, had already performed that ser.
vice. While he was sadding him gathered my pa,
pers and wearing spParel, threw them into some meal
nE md oh. a th al
who all seemed eager to assist me in my escape. In
the presence Of on armed populace ! set out with
three Indian youths, whose names are Pete Sam and
Shower-Shockets Mr.. Joseph z. Waters Of Salt Lake
City also accompanied me. Instead OF going east az
our enemies expected, took a western course, but
when il was discovered that intended to reach the
mountains by 9 circuitous route, some half dozen
persons on horseback came out from the Town Of
Psyson, to tap our course just ahead OF Us. We
wheeled short to the night; but just in front lay
mail stream, 30 deep and miry that stock were not in
the habit Of crossing il. urged my horse and be at
tempted to clear il at single bound but failing TO
reach the oppOste hank with hia hind feet, he fell