The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-03-07
Ben. halliday, The californian.

tSeu. HaIttO0ys luc SuiatVsh hidHs
Ben. HxLLlDAY, one OF the lions Of
Washington society, is written up by
DoNN P1Arr in this style:
saAs specimen of Ben. Halliday's OF
erations, was given, the other day. an
account of what he did in Buchanan's
Mormon war Old Buck thought it
would be good thing to attack the
Mormons, and for this purpose sent an
army across the Plains, under the com
mand of Colonel johnson. The army,
of course. had to be fed, and arrange
men.s were made to have the base of
supplies at st. Louis, and the flour. pork
and beef packed out to the, army from
that point. Suddenly Ben. turned up,
and rendered 4 contract to the Govern
,nent to furnish these supplies at one
half the estimated cost OF the War De-
partment Uf course this was accepted,
and, alter the papers were duly signed
and the bond given, the Secretary of
War wished to know of the contractor
where he intended to get his supplies so
that he could make money out of them
at that figure. "Why, from the Nor
mons, of course," responded Ben
Z They have Aour and beef to sell at a
low price, for they are deviishly in need
of money with which to carry on this
war against the United States" Here
was move. idea, indeed. We had been
taught by the elder Napoleon to sub
sist upon an cnemy's country, but to
subsist an army by furnishing the enc
my with mealis to carry on the war was
peculiarly new and somewhat startling
Ben. however, succeeded in his enter
prise. So long as the army was in reach
OF eur. borders the flour and beef came
from that quarter. When, however, II
passed beyond this, the supplies came
from Salt Lake City, and profits did &C
crue. Ben. found himself rich for ths
fortieth time in his life, and Immediately
doubled bis capita, by little operation
about as ingenious at the one upor
which he favored the army of tire Uni
ted States.
i Colonel johnson, in marching his ar
my against the polygamous followers
of Brigham Young, had such con
tempt for the enemy that he violated al
The rules OF war by separating his fore,
/ from their supplies, and leaving hi:
trains without necessary guards. Sud
denly Orson Pratt, Elder and General
turned up with some seven hundred
Mormons and seized the train Th
| few men in possession, wagoners, guards
f DC, were turned about and told to seel
their base Of supplies in ST.. Louis, an,
, all the oxen, mules, horses, flour, bacon
beef and beef cattle we're incontinentl
marched into Salt Lake City by thes
{ children of the polygamous Brigham
Fresh supplies had to be hurried forwar
: by Benjamin, and in all probability b
i was. forced to purchase over again til
same -four and beef that he had prev
!, ously bought for the armed sons Of til
Republic.
E When old Buchanan came to real
i ting sense that in the Mormon war b
t had the biggest sort of an elephant 0
/, hand, he suddenly got clear of it by te
minating the fight in general pardon
an amnesty to all, from Brigham dow
? to the newest member of the fraternit,
e Of course,all that was left of the mules
{ cattle, flour and bacon, captured by o
4 son Pratt, was turned over to the Tn
i ted States authorities, and, by one !,
:, those wise orders that mark the hisios
9 Of the War Department, they were sol
. at auction in Salt Lake City. The onl
: man possessed of any money was Be
Halliday, and he bought the males th
n had cost Uncle Samuel one hundred al
& fifty dollars a piece for fifteen dollar
4 and other supplies in proportion. Oh
b can see how a fortune would accnmula
e under such circumstances as these. Be
}, became a millionaire, and every year
II lis more and more of that rare article.
> In his appearance he realizes his cha
f acier. He is large, handsome ma
with a broad head, frank, honest G
lpression Of face, and has in his wa,
all the instincts Of gentleman. H
face is. .onc that children love at fir
; sight, and he is just the sort Of ms
that in row one would turn to and S
a licit aid,' feeling that the response wou
y be prompt and effective.
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