Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-23

NO. 1.-THE oR0AsIsT OF THE SAINT 8
TEMPLE.

NO. 1.-THE oRGANIsT OF THE SAINT s
TEMPLE.
A few years ago there was an organist
in the grand Temple of the Mormons, at
Salt Lake City, whom, as he is still living,
we will call Fred DeStael. Young as he
was, being yet scarcely twenty three, he
was justly accounted one of the most
talented and skillful musicians in this
country-or any other, for the matter OF
that. Especially did be excel as an Or
ganist.
Hating briefly in the "City Of the
Saints" on an overland journey from
San Francisco to New York, be was
attracted by the great wealth of the Nor
mon Church and the grandeur of their
new place of worship-the magnificent
Temple-which had cost them so many
years of hard labor. Being young and
romantic, these and other peculiarities
took powerful hold on his mind, so that
the promise Of princely salary for his
services induced him to tarry still, and
become one ofthem-a new -fedged Saint.
DeStsel was as attractive in person as
he was talented, and very soon became q
favorite among the "chosen." As earn
est of the sincerity Of his conversion, he
married two wives, both daughters of
Elders i: high standing u the church,
and sufficiently charming to attract just
such romantic young man.
Meantime, the main wing of the grand
temple was completed, and it was decided
to furnish it with great organ, that
should be in keeping with the edifce
itself. Sixteen thousand dollars was voted
and subscribed for this purpose. Two
noted srtizsns were engaged in the an
cient city of Munich to undertake the
construction of the great instrument,
after the pattern of one built by them in
a church in their own city.
Every arrangement was made salts
factorily, and the funds 30 literally sub
scribed were paid in with equal prompt
ness. This money, as fast as collected,
went into the hands of young DeStael,
who had the sole direction and massage
meut Of the stair. Bat, alas how
uncertain is the white man T. The
highly-favored organist, about this time,
went on a visit Of few days TO q neigh.
boring town, aud forgot to return, d.
recting his horses head toward the
States instead. Ii was also discovered
that FIVE or six thousand dollars of the
organ fund in his possession had accom-
panied him on this sudden and unex-
pected leave of absence.
Very ferocious we're the saints in
consequence Of this defslcation. A party
Of mounted men, well armed, we're at
once despatched in pursuit OF the fngi-
tive, and il certainly did seem impossi-
BILE that be should escape them, in cross
ing the thirteen hundred miles Of wilder
ness and desert that intervened between
them and civilization.
At the same time these events we're
transpiring beyond the great mountains,
a party Of thirteen Of us were hunting
buffalo on the "0ld California Road" 10
the then Territory Of Dakota. The
Cheyenne Indians we're in state ol
more determined hostility than usual
that season, and for better protection We
kept under the wing Of Colonel Cole {
command, which was marching against
the savsges, uuder the leadership oi
General Connor. These troops, waiting
for supplies, were encAmped on the bank
Of the North Platte, almost under the
walls Of Fort Williams Our little party
bad their tents pitched on the high
ground, less than . quarter OF mile
away.
While tarrying here, eulivsning the
time by occasional scouts across the
prairie in pursuit Of buffAloes. one after
noon a stranger rode into camp from the
west, accompanied By the notorious