The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-10
THE TROUBLESOME SAINTS.
Mormons Declare Everything Serene, and the
Gentiles Present Different View.

SALT LAKE CITY, q. T., Dec. 9-The City
Council, composed of Mormons, has been inves-
tigating for three days the rumors of an uprising
of Mormons and bodies of armed men entering
the city. After thoroughly inquiring into the
facts, they adopted resolutions last night as
follows:
Whereas, Rumors affecting the peace. reputation
and welfare OF Salt Lake City and its inhabitants
prevalent and circulated abroad to their injury with
out 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 anv
should be known. AT investigation by the federal
officials of the Territory and the military authority at
Fort Douglas, prominent and citizens generally
were invited to give information. After diigent and
searching inquiry, such rumors had taken definite
form were refuted. among which the following:
L. The rumor that armed men line the road to the
penitentary with the supposed purpose 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 has seen anything to justify the report The
city marshal testified that he had also gone over the
road, and could learn nothing of armed men having
been seen in the vicinity.
2. The rumors of threats to lynch Collins were re-
futed by the city marshal and others, who testified
that the crowd was quiet and orderly.
s. The rumors that and ammunition were
stored in the tthing office ascertaned to be false
by visit to the premises by General McCook who
expressed himself satisfied that the rumor had no
foundation.
K Inc ruInor that MormOnS had armed, and were
organizing outbreak under the direction of leaders
in the city and outer settlements to march at mo.
ments notice, was refuted by the testimony of five
Mormon apostles; also, by John Sharp William ,Jen
nings and other leading business men, who reported
that such movement would not exist without their
knowledge.
Therefore, be it
Resolved, That the reports and rumors that con-
dion of affairs other than of the most peaceful char
acter prevails here false; that at time hereto
fore have the lives and property of non-Mormons
been than presents that reports to the
contrary accredited federal officials of this Ter
ritory, circulated for purposes best known to them
selves and that such reports whether circulated by
people.
In speaking of the report of the City Council,
the Tribune says: 'rhe best answer is brief
statement of facts AS the Edmunds law has
been executed the rage and hatred of the Nor
mon people have increased Their fury has
been daily intensified by the Mormon press,
which has pictured federal officers as the scum
of the earth, and the execution of the law as
persecution The affair of July 4, the open
threats of the Mormon press and preachers the
assaults on the houses of the federal officers, the
beating of deputy marshal. are but steps lead
ing to one certain point The attempted assas-
slnation of Marshal Collins brought about eli
max which threatened violence which was so
imminent that many believed it would come
The Deseret News cried out, asking how
much longer before the people would be aroused
to fury. Two days later the Herald declared the
public mind wrought up to pitch that would be
dangerous in any other community. 1t then
proceeded to describe Deputy Marshal Collins as
a murderer, and, as far possible, to further
infame the people. The outside Mormon press
was quite as violent In such an emergency
Governor Murray, backed by great many citi-
zens, stated to the President the facts and also
that the federal officials and ncn-Mormous were
utterly without protection in the face of an
armed host, and asked that orders be given to
General McCook to insure tranquility. What
was done was mere prudence. The order sta
tioning company of soldiers in this city should
have been made long ago. For the City Council,
at the command of the Mormon Church, to or
der an investigation and make bogus report
doesn't count"