Daily national Democrat., 1859-04-28
More About the MormOns.

Inc DullSJiu mas JusJ received from SAT-
Lake, several important documents, which
reveal portion of the criminal practices of
the Mormons towards the Gentiles in Utah
Territory. The following is letter address
ed to Gen. Johnston, by number of the citi-
zens of Springville, and dated the 2nd of
February last:
We, the undersigned petitioners would
represent, that we are inhabitants of Spring
vile, Utah county, U. T., and that we have
long been satisfied of the wiles and corrup-
ton of the Mormon theocracy. The most of
us are anxious to leave here, and all are de-
srous TO be relieved from Mormon tyranny
and oppression. The statute law as practic-
ed here, is only farce. The law is given by
the Mormon priesthood, from time to time, as
it suits our rulers Our rights and privileges
are taken away. Our citizens are seized and
taken into private rooms or places, and there
extraordinary confessions are extorted, and
oaths administered that they will never. at
any time or under any consideration, go be-
fore any court of the United States to give
evidence against those in authority who have
been guilty of the commission of crime. Our
property is driven off and men, whose names
are hereunto appended, have been dragged
out in the nighy with bowie knives to their
throats or pistols to their breasts. To seek
redress would be certain death. Our lives
are threatened, and we have the most uu-
doubted evidence that the secret council has
passed sentence of death upon many of us,
which we have any eluded by our own vigi-
lance. We are watched by lawless, mur-
derous police; our houses are turned into
sentry-boXes, t. our danger and annoyance
evils which increase with the lapse of
time.
Our only hope at present is, that you will
detail a military force to be stationed here;
for, if not, many of us must soon fall by the
already blood stained hands of an unholy
presthc cd. We would, therefore, ask that,
(if consistent with your instructions and au-
thority,) you will send us the military pro-
lection herein petiioned for. And your pc
titioners, as in duty bound, will ever pay.
The following is an extract from letter
written to Gov. Cumming by Zephaniah ].
Warren, and dated at Springville, U. T., Nov.
sth, 1858. 1t will be seen that it is some
time since the letter was written, but it will
loose none of its interest on that account. 1t
is a matter of news to us all. In the begin
ing of his letter, the writer asks for protec-
tion and the enforcement of the laws of the
United States against the following named
persons, all prominent leaders ofthe Mormon
Church at Springvile:
WILDER J. Earl, VIM. johnson, (son of Lo-
renzo Johnson,) Oliver Mcbride Abram
Durphy, Sandford Fuller Lehi Curtis, and
Simmons p. Curtis.
He then goes on to say:
In the fall of 1857, was informed of the
horrid massacre at Mountain Meadows and
told many persons that such crimes ought to
be punished For this, and for disappearing
of the many horrid deeds perpetrated in this
town. one night, after retiring to my bed,
sick with a severe cold and inflammation in
my eyes. | heard some one rap at door.
bade him come in, when in came William
Johnson and Oliver Mcbride They told me
that "brother Earl wished to see me outside
few minutes. told them was feeble, and
could not go out that night, but would go in
the morning. They replied that they were
policemen, and if did not 90 willingly, they
would take me by force. | then got up, put
on my clothes and went out into the road,
when | found myself surrounded by the eight
men above mentioned-men all armed with
guns, revolvers and bowie knives. They told
me to be still, and walk with them out of the
city. | told them they were the men who
helped to murder the two Parishes and Pot
ter, a short time since, and that / would not
20 with such men without the knowledge of
the public Wilber j. Earl then SEIZE me by
the throat preventing me from speaking, or
even breathing for short time; and in a
rage, he drew out his knife and said in low
tone of voice: On your old heart, if you
speak another loud word, | will cut your
throat on this spotl"
Here the banditti seized hold of me and
dragged me into the road for sixty or seventy
rods, out of the city, and threw me violently
into fence ditch. My strength was nearly
exhausted. Now" said Earl, 'you can say
few low words-,only, remember you must
not speak against the Church, nor the au-
thorities in this place"
began to tell them that had never bro
ken the law of the United States, and if they
murdered me, as they often had served
others, and were about serving me, the Uni
ted States would send forces, and bring them
to punishment
"Stop, stop, you id old American hypo-
critic" was the reply; "we will take you to a
dark hole, where you can't write nor speak
any more against our nOly ORDER
One of the rutfians here said: "Be still,
there is a man coming stop him! D-n
him !"
Two of the hellish gang ran to the gata,
and prevented him from coming further
They then agreed that if would swear new
er to tell of them, nor write, against them,
and would go to their bishop and pay tith-
ing. they would let me live. The man who
was approaching proved to be my son,
young man % years old. They compelled
him to swear to be still and join their church
or they would kill us both as traitors. Thus
we both, by their menaces, were compelled
to make promise to pay sums of money, in
defiance of the civil law and against our will.
We, therefore, pray your excellency to assist
in enforcing the law against such despicabe
tyrants.