Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-12-17
Conflicting Opinions.
M0rm0ns Report the RumOrs of
an Uprising to be False.
The Tribune Believes the Ru
mOrs to be Well Founded.
THE RESULTS OF AN INVESTIGATION OF

/
RUMORs.
SALT LAKE, Dec. 12-The city coun
Gil, composed of Mormons, has been
nvestigating for three days the
rumors Of an uprising of Mormons
and Of bodies Of armed men entering
the city.
After thoroughly inquiring into the
facts they adopted resolutions last
night, stating:
WHEREAS, Rumors affecting the peace, reputa-
tios and welfare of Salt Lake City and its in
habitants are prevalent and circulated abroad TO
their injury, without cause, and official notice
has been taken Of such rumors by the general
military authorities of the nation it has become
eXpedient that the facts if any existed, should be
known. At such Investigation the federal officials
of the territory, the military authorities at Fort
Douglas, prominent men and citizens generally,
were invited to give information. After diligent
and searching inquiry such runors as had taken
definite form were refuted among which are the
following
First The rumor of srmed men lining the
road to the pententiary, with the supposed pur-
pose of capturing Deputy Marshal Collins, who
shot a. Mormon. This rumor came to the city
marshal from the United States marshal, who
admitted that On going over the road he had seen
nothing himself, and had seen no one who would
justify the report. The city marshal testified that
re had also gone over the road and could learn
nothing Of armed men having been seen in the
vicinity
Second The rumors of threats to lynch Col
liRs were refuted by the city marshal and others
who testified that the crowd was quiet and Or
derby.
T6ird-The rumors that arms and ammunition
were stored in the tthing Office Is ascertained to
be false by a visit to the premises by Gen. Nc
Cook who expressed himself satisfied that the
rumor had no foundation.
Fourth-The rumor that the Mormons had
armed themselves and were organizing an out
break under the direction of leaders in the city
and outer settlements to march at moments
notice, is refuted by John Sharp, VIM. Jennings;
and other leading business men, who reported
that such movement could not exist without
their knowledge.
Fifth-The rumors of the insecurity of life and
property of non-Mormons is refuted by reliable
authority. Therefore, be it
ReSotUed, That the reports and rumors that a
condition of affairs other than of the most peace
full character prevails here are false. That at no
time heretofore have the lives and property of
non-Mormons been more secure than at the pres
emit That reports to the contrary accredited
TO the federal officers of the territory, and
circulated for purposes best known to themselves,
and that such reports whether circulated by
them or others, have DETAINED the city and injured
its people.
WHAT THE TRIBUNE SAYS.
SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 12 -Ofthe
report of the city council the Tribune
says: The best answer is brief state
law mas been executed the rage and
hate of the Mormon people have ia
creased and their fury has been daily
intensified by the Mormon pres, which
has pictured the federal officers as the
scumna Of the earth and the executor
Of the law as q persecUtive. The af-
fair Of July 4th, the open threats of
| The Mormon press, and leaders of the
assaults on the houses of the
federal officers, and the beating of
a deputy marshall, are but steps
leading to one certain point. The at
tempted assassination OF Marshal Col
Inns was thought TO be about q climax
which threatened violence, and which
was SO imminent that many believed
it would come. The Desert News
cried out, asking ''how mach longer
before the people would be reused to
fury?" Two days later the Herald
declared that the public mind was
wrought up to pitch that would be
dangerous in any other com
musity. It then proceeded to de
scribe Deputy Marshal Collins as
murderer and as far as posi-
bic to further infame the people. The
outside Mormon press was quite as
violent, and in such an emergency
Gov. Mdrray, backed by number of
citizens, stated to the president the
facts, and also that the federal officials
and non-Mormons were utterly with
out protection III the face of an armed
host, and asked that orders bo given TO
McCook to ensure tranquility. What
was done was mere prudence. The
order TO station company Of soldiers
10 this CITY should have been made
long ago for the city council at tee
command Of the Mormon church to
order an investigation and make
bogus report don't count. Somebody
gravely endorsed the lowering of the
flag because Tie law breakers had
been sent to prison. They have mere
ly vindicated the street rurQors which
have not been 0 controlling force.