The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-07-07
THE FLAG HALF-MASTED.
The Mormons Regard Declaration
Day as a Time for Mourning.

SALT LAKE. July when the sun
rose this morning the national flag was
hung at hali-mast on the city hall,
county courthouse, the Dessert News
office, the Mormon Tabernacle, the
Church 1ithing office, John Taylor's
residence, called the Lords house, Nor
mon Church offices and the salt Lake
theatre.
The flag on the last.named building
wns put nj full mast as soon as W. Ros-
sitter, the present manager. saw it, but
those on the other buildings hung limp
and dejcctedly against their masts. No
one could be found to explain the
reason.
About noon committee composed Of
United States Marshal Ireland. G.. l..
llanes, Major Wilkes and Captain
Eyans--the last two named being eN-
ConiCderates-- to the city hall to
find out the reason.
City Marshal Phillips said it was the
result OF personal whin. The com
mittee then demanded that the nag be
raised TO full mast which demand was
met with II denial, whereupon Capt.
Evans jumped up and started 10 raise it
himself
The door was shut and locked by n
policeman before he reached IT, All
present, including some dozen police
officers, made a rush for Evans. Con-
stable Charlie Crow raised his club to
strike and drew his pistol
Other officers reached for their guns.
Quiet was restored by the United states
marshal, and the conference went on
The city officials said the Fourth of July
was u day Of mourning to them, whose
best men were in the penitentiary by
reason OF Federal official persecution.
The flag over the city hall did not be-
long to any ring Of sO-called loyal Amer
leans, and Ii was intmated that any
man who undertook to disturb the flag
at half mast would be shot.
The officers and committee of citi-
zens then went into the street where Il
small crowd had gathered, numbers Of
whom wanted to raise the flag at all
hazards, but were threatened by the po-
lice not to attempt II on pain Of being
dropped"
In private consultation with United
states Marshal Ireland, the City Marshal
consented either to raise it at full mast
or take 1t down within 30 minutes, while
in the meantime Constable Grow had
mustered up small squad to "clean the
mob out"
The City Marshal consulted with
Mayor sharp. who was attending the
Mormon priesthood meeting. In less
than 30 minutes the flag was run down.
amid the jeers and sneers Of the city oil.
cias.
The &. A. Il. Post, celebrating near
the city, were informed of the difficulty,
and came IN. After passing resolutions
to run the flags to their proper places
met a crowd of angry citizens at the
Walker house.
The crowd wanted to go and by force
| put the flags where they belonged, but
the counsel OF Governor Murray pre-
vailed. Finally committee Of five was
sent to demand OF the Mayor that IL
should be done, and few minutes later
the flag at the city hall was run up to
the mast head.
The citizens committee made the de-
mand on Sheriff Groesbeck, and he
hoisted the flag ut the county court
house from half to full mast without de-
murring.
The flag on Coop's store was also run
| from half to full mast mt about 6 O'Clock
this evening. But others hung out in
defiance till sun down, and are yet at
| half mast.
All who are Immediately responsible
| disolaim knowing anything about 1t, but
1t has leaked out that the order came di-
rect from the head OF the church.