The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-05-28
From salt Lake.

EOunh SShAt nlhAes
Late news from the City Of the Saints, is
highly interesting and exciting, showing that
the outrages of the Mormons continue. 1t
seems that the U. s. Court, Judge Stiles, was
violently dispersed and the Federal officers
intimidated aud defied. The proceedings Of
the Court were OF the most extraordinary char
acter, the District Attorney, who is Nor
mon, announcing that no. Grand Jsry would be
sworn, by which stroke of policy, of course,
no indictments for the numerous murders, rob-
cries, rapes, and other crimes committed there,
could be tried. Judge Stiles was invaded by
the DANTE Attorneys and other attaches of
the Court, into private room, and forced by
pistol at his breast, to promise to uphold
Utah laws! The following closes the report of
correspondent.
Judge Stiles opened the Court the 18th of
February, in pursuance Of notice given, and
proceeded to business. The Territorial Mar
shall, Alexander Mckay, occupied the proper
station of the United States Marshal, thus
giving the Court an entirely Mormon aspect.
with Mr.. Burr as the only Gentle within the
bar. The journal OF the proceeding day was
@hen read. Finding that it recorded the Court
as adjourned @until Tomorrow" Mr.. Burr
asked il the record was correct. Judge Stiles
replied that the crier had adjourned the
Court sine die, he should have adjourned i,
until the next morniag--that he had adjourned
the Court "sine die" only as elated to United
States business, and that it was still in session
OH Territorial business. He also remarked taat
as the Legislature was a creature of the same
power as that which created the Court, they
were coordinate; and that in all the cases to
be tried before him he should he governed by
the laws OF the Territory in preference to all
others, and that be would have recourse to
other laws only when the enactments of the
Territorial Legislature could not be made TO
reply to the case.
Mr.. Burr then asked lie he understood HIM
to say that he would be guided by the laws of
The Territory in preference to the laws Of the
United States. Before any reply could be
made, an attorney named Ferguson, jumped up
and commenced most foul and abusive attack
upon Mr.. Burr, exhausting the stock Of even
Mormon billiagsgate in his malignant trade.
HE then turned to the Judge, and told him
that if he dared TO decide against their laws
be could sit on that bench no longer, and that
the court room would be cleared sid quick''
The District Attorney followed In a violent
harangue, in which he. accused Mr.. Burr of
trying to set aside tn e Mormon laws, and said
that the Mormons had submitted to Gentle
Interference long enough, that they were now
going to have their own way, ana had good
authority for what they did, as well as safe
hackers. The room was filled at the time
with armed rufhans, who constitute the Gback-
ers" alluded to. As saon rs Mr.. Burr and Mr.
i. 5. Williams got up to reply, the Territorial
Marshal ordered them peremptorily TO stop.
and Immediately the whole audience sprang to
their feet, and the DANTE murderers, who fill
ed the Court, threw of their coats, brandisted
| their knives and revolvers. and created Sc
great confusion that the Judge was obliged to
adjourn the Court at once.
The next morning, which was Saturday. the
Court opened amid intense excitement. The
/ whole Mormon populace were armed, and had
been infamed to such degree by the incen-
\ diary speeches of Ferguson, Stout and Others
| that the least pretence would have been avail
ed OF to massacre every Gentle in the place.
| The names of Messrs. Burr and Williams were
| stricken from the list of attorneys, and the
Court Immediately adjourned sine die. Thus
closed the last term of the United States Cour,
th-t can ever be held in thus Territory until
the Government estas lis..es its supremacy by
vigorous exertion of physical force. What
disgraceful spectacle is here presented to the
world A Judge, bearing the sacred erm;ne
\ upo" bsS SHouiuciS W tHc government oil
the United States, in well-found fear for hi.
left is compelled to yield to the will OF a fren.
zied and blood thirsty rabble; United States
Court is dissolved and dispersed by mob OF
armed desperadoes; an immense territory i,
life defenceless, lawless, and subject TO the
caprices of a cruel and vindictive tyranf: and
American citizens, in the very heart of tseir
own country. are left as entirely unprotected
as though in the power of savage tribes, and h,
hourly danger Of being massacIed.
There can be no doubt that Ferguson. Stout
and their DANTE DULLES were prompted TO the
| conduct Thus ralated by Brigham Younc-fol
when Judge Stiles went TO the latt er as Cover.
| nor, and asked him if he would sustain him in
| the execution of his duties and the enforce.
ment of the laws, he replied that he would no,
interfere, and would hold the boys back nc
longer, but was going to let them have thei,
| own, for the Court had given him too much
Trouble already. Sullen threats Of bloody
| vengeance against the United States Surveyor
General and the Indian Agents Messrs. Burd
and Hurry are heard all over the city. In one
OF the ward meetings last night it was propos.
ed by the notorious Ferguson to seize the for.
mer and ride him on rail, until he should be
permanently mamed in painful and humil.
iating manner. The fendish proposition was
acteded to with q prolonged and universal
"Amen % But this letter is already SO Ions
that must defer other interesting facts foI
another chapter.