The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-12-31
A Thrilling Adventure with the Mormons.

c. G. Langdon, formerly connected with the
United States Surveyors office in Utah, wa.
engaged in his official duties at the time the
United States Court was broken up, aud wit
messed the stampede CT Uncle Sans officers
Brigham Young having declared that 10 Uni
ted States official should again set foot in the
Valley, Langdon was prompted to visit Salt Lake
City, and see what preparations the Mormons
we're making. He saw them casting cannon
shot, and manufacturing grape and canister
In great abundance, and some fifty men making
| Colts dragoon-size revolvers. He was detect
ed, however, and "spotted" fer destruction.
| He says:
Accordingly, on the 25th day Of July, when
| crossing the street, was assaulted by party of
| ruffians, was knocked down, and most shame.
| fully beaten with clubs and stones was lit
| orally cut and bruised and maugled all over
my head, face, breast, hands, and arms. was
| taken home unconscious, and had il not been
for some emigrants there who interpoEed, |
should have been brutally murdered in the
streets, and without the least possible chance to
defend myself.
"All was quiet until the night of the 9th of
July. was disturbed by loud rappng at the
back door of the office, Il lived next door, and
also heard voices at the front door. I heard
Mr.. Wilson raise the window above and ask
what was wanted. he was ordered to come
down and deliver himself I'D, under arrest, bv
the authority of Governor Brigham Young.
He asked what charge they had against him.
Come down, and we'll d-n coon show YOU,
was the reply
:" The next heard was the door being broken
open, and the voice of Mr.. W. in expostulation
with them. The entreaties of his wife. beg.
glng for them to spare her husband, mingled
with with their oaths and obscene expressions,
rendered the scene perfectly misunderstanding
L lay almost powerless with the pain of nav
wounds and conflicting thoughts and emotions.
until suddenly l was thoroughly aroused by
nearing them beneath my window and at the
back door. | told my wife not to make noise,
or even cry; she did not cry, but her last words
were, For Gods sake, George, Ay! Go, go,
1t you can; I-I-carnot see you murdered
Oh, go and will do the best can to detain
them
| had time to put on Q pair Of pantaioons
and one stocking, when without any ceremony
the door was burst open, and posse of mid.
night assassins entered below. ] motioned to
my wife to extinguish the light, which she did.
They Immediately made o rush for the stairs,
expecting no doubt that | was preparing for
fight, but could not have killed mouse then.
| stopped and kissed my infant boy, tperhaps
for the last time on earlh,) then barely had
time to leap from the window, and in doing 90
| cut my foot very badly. 1t seemed the Fates
were against me. But suddenly the thought
struck my mind, that if could possibly make
my escape, might probably be the means of
saving Wilson-thinking they-dar not execute
their bloody purpose on one alone as the other
would be too formidable witness against them.
For thought of my wife and child-yes, might
yet live to rescue them from the blighting inAu.
ence OF their teachings-from life of poverty, |
ignorance, and wretchedness. Thus with re. |
newed energy, pursued my way through the |
corn tlelds and thickets, barefooted and bare !
headed, and nearly nude; but at last l found |
a friend who relieved me, all that lay in his
power, by giving me pair Of moccasins and
an old hat. Thanks, my friend; may you never
want relief
l was holly pursued several days. The next
morning after l started for California, I had
the satisfaction of seeing seven OF my pursuers.
mounted and armed to the teeth, pass me within
twenty yards, while / was secreted behind
sage-bush. 1 could not refrain from smile,
even then, in my critical position, to see their
knives and pistols hung to their belts, while
had not even penknife.
have not yet heard from Salt Lake, and do
not know the fate of Wilson. | entertain but
little fears for the safety of my wife and child
The Mormons seldom modest or harm a woman
except to coerce her into measures that are
sometimes very disagreeable. rely entirel,
on the well-known fortitude and frmness Of nv
wife, and DO no. think l shall be disappointed