Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-07-02
Y...FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1855

The MoRMoNs.-The Utah correspondent
of the New York Times writes, under date Of
May 2Sth:
"There is undoubtedly very large proper
ton of the Mormons who are dissatisfied and
anxious to get out of Brigham clutches, but
they have been reduced by the leaders to such
extreme poverty that they are not able to raise
the means to leave or even to pay their debts
these poor people are suffering terribly. The
city itself and all of the northern settlements
are entirely deserted. The houses and fences
are left in order, but IN many instances the
doors aud windows have been taken out
Those people who were unable TO raise the
means 10 move away were furnished with
teams by the church, and thus compelled to
go. The bishops have, however, remained
with few persons in these deserted villages
and the city, to protect the property and take
care of the growing crops, or if so directed to
burn and destroy ali. The Governor has also
stationed about 800 men in Salt Lake City, 20
in Ogden City, and others in the smaller viii
lagos, for the purpose of guarding the aban-
doned property.
We know not what to think of the ap-
pointment of the Peace Commissioners to
treat with the Mormons, at this stage of a
rebellion so open and reasonable, but, know
has been confded the responsibility involved,
we trust that it will in reality only tend to
speedy settlement of the difficulties which
seem to arise in the premises as to what con-
stitutes treason.
On the evening of the 10Th inst. three
wagons belonging to a party of apostate
Mormon families, who had been fortunate
enough to make their way out of the friendly
grasp of the Saints, arrived in camp. The
name of the head of the largest family is
Yancy, he was originally from Tennessee,
and has resided in Salt Lake Valley for little
more than year. The balance of the party
consists of his sons and sons.in law, and a
family named Green. They resided near Og
den City, and although they have pass from
Governor Cumming to come out of the Terri
tory, yet they were stopped and turned back
twice whilst they were coming through the
Canons. The second time they were turned
back they were stopped under the pretence of
mending their wagon, until Governor Cum
ming came Up, when he again started them
towards the camp, which they have finally
succeeded in reaching. The utter restitution
of the poor victims of an abominable delu-
sion, was enough to melt into commiseration
the hardest heart. One woman with child
only six weeks old. was clad in nothing but
fragment of a mans shirt, which she received
in payment of one year. services in the family
of one of the leaders of the church. Her
husband received for years wages one shirt
and pair Of buckskin pants. The remain
der were not much better clad, and all were
barefooted.
l have never seen so great a sympathy
manifested toward unfortunate people as has
been shown by the soldiers of our army !;
they have brought to these people their clothes,
their pots and kettles, in fact everything that
they needed. One poor soldier named Lewis,
brought to Judge Eckles $40, and told him it
was all he had, but he wished that invested for
the benefit Of these poor women.
These families report that ninety-nine hun
dredths of the Mormon population are reduc-
ed to poverty even greater than theirs for
they had the means to leave the Territory,
and in this were rich. Many of the women are
absolutely naked, and are obliged to clothe
themselves like Indian squaws, in old quilts.
We learn from the lips of one these persons
that an old woman and her son, by whom
she was supported, living in his neighbor-
hood, were suspected of being Identities !"
that one morning, shortly before be left, the
old woman was found lying in bed with her
throat cut, and her son was found in the gar
den killed in the same manner. He says that
he has repeatedly seen dead bodies, with
Threats cut, floating down the Jordan river.
They believe that Gov. Cumming has been
grossly deceived by the Mormon leaders. No
one could leave the Territory, even with Gov
Cummings consent, unless they had pass
from some Mormon official, and they them
selves could not have passed out had it not
been that they had a note from Heber Kim
ball authorizing them to purchase provisions.