Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1890-07-02
THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
How the MormOns Have Dealt with
tbe Question.

ly connected with it in Utah, wher
the settlers, from the frst, WEI
! obliged to face The problem an
l solve It - hest they could, a brit
sketch OF the Mormon method
which has proved so successful, ma
be Of interest 10 the readers Of ID
Star.
The Mormon settlers of Utah il
ls37 faced difficulties Of unusua
magnitude; surrounded on ever,
lie by Indian tribes for a :housan,
miles and utterly without help II
time Of danger, they quickly de
veloped that faculty for self govern
ment and self support for which
they are so noted,
At that time Utah belonged I,
Mexico, hut the settlers immediate
ly raised the United States flag upor
Ensign Peak near the city Of Sal
Lake, and proclaimed the Territory
Of Deseret-as they styled it-ar
integral part of the United States
They organized a provisional gov
eminent, adopted n republican con.
stitutiOn like that Of other States,
and seat a deputation with it 70
Washington praying for admission
into the great family Of States.
This was not Immediately grant
ed, and for three years Deseret was
under provisional government;but
in 1850 Congress granted her Ter
ritorial organization under the name
Of Utah.
From the beginning, the settlers
organized as infantry, cavalry
ami artillery; and during 1919
waged blody war with
the Timpany Utcs which re-
suited in their complete humiliation.
Bloody wars snsued in 1853 with
the Utah tribe, and again in 1864,
in which over 800 settlers were
slain and S3,GO0.0OD expense and
damage was sustained by them.
Had 1t not been for their admirable
organization they must hare suf-
fered far more or been driven from
the country. In all these costly wars
the u. :. Government never ex-
pended dollar nor aided the settlers
by a single soldier.
But there is compensation ip all
things. II is an eminentiy tnie
adage that stormy seas make good
sailors" The settlers, left TO fac
the storm alone, did so manfully and
skilfully. All able-bOdied males
from sixteen years Of age and up
ward were organized as infantry,
cavalry ami artillery; and, disci-
plined by numerous veterans who
had previously seen military ser
vice, became very efficient force.
In addition to those, another
force, answering closely 20 the
German Uhlans, or the Cussscks
Of Russia, was organized, having
a detachment In every town
and village. They were STYLED
minute men. Each man had n
horse, saddle and bride, arms and
ammunition kept constantly on
hand, ready for instant service,
day or night; and was 10 start on
campaign on thirty minutes notice
all at his own expense. In time
Of danger the minute men were
in the saddle, while the
regular infantry served AS guards /
for settlements, mills, aud herds Of I
stock. Often at the midnight hour
or while engaged in divine service /
word came Of an Indian raid: and |
instantly the minute man took his 4
horse and arms, a few pounds Of |
home made crackers tied 10 4
his saddle, a blanket and can
teen, and away he went in pur-
suit, never giving it up as
long as there was any possibility Of
success. Upon one occasion, the
writer, then minute man, was one
u party Of thirty who pursued a
band of northern Indians three
lays and nights without an ounce
d food, not having taken any with
hem nor even waited for an hour TO
at dinner. They could not afford TO
wait; in Indian wars every hour
counts; one hour may give you sue
'ess or defeat No waitin- for sup
1lies Of food, nor tents, nur baggage,
tut few crackers aud a single
no marching Of Is or 90
niles and then camp; but like the
ireless deer-hOund they kent the
rail and pushed the enemy TO The
asst extremity. An Indian respects
UGH foe and hesiiaUes to attack !
lin; he respects an enemy just in
ropOrtion to his power Of 0fIense
nd defense. That is his only
tandard.
FOrthese reasons Brigham Young
ivised the settlers 10 he ALWAYS
rmed when away from the settle /
lent. Hunting stock, hauling
'oOd, or at work in the fields, men
tent armed. When Parowan was
titled in 1851, $50 miles from Salt
AXE City the people built in fort
'rm; strongly palisaied and heavy ,
ates closed at dusk. They kept a /
.gular military guard in the fort !
18th pickets stationed on a hill not
II away, and sent the COW herd ,
1t each day with a well armed ,
laTd, and another with the horse i
erd. Sundays men went TO meet I
y armed, their rifles Standing be- c
Eeen their knees during service. 4
'hye Because If Indians should /
axe n sudden dash they would find [
, arms in the dwellings TO capture a
ID the whites would be ready for
EN-.
For twenty five years the writer I
as a participant Of such scenes, {,
I'd knows 1t was by this constant n
GLANCE that the settlers were able d
hold their own. I,
But there was another important "
ctor OF safety. Brigham Young n
rly gave the keynote Of his Indian D
LEY ~ follows: He said, 'fBe kind
"a just TO them; DO not defraud; Il
not lie or speak to them with a D
-ked tongue; always do rs you j
omise or threaten; make your n
ord good. When they find they G
n depend upon your word, either Ii
reward Or punishment, they will Sc
ten to you. Be always ready for Ct
II with your powder dry, but al pl
Iys strive for peace. Treat them al
ldly. hut make them respect you: ii
not let them run over you. Re- OF
smber it is cheaper 70 feed them sr
an to fight them. Do not destroy n
Fir game or fish; il is theirs; buy iy
)f them. That gives them some OF
ng to do and encourages them in II
support" in
This wss the Mormon policy, and
vas most successful. III
The settlers also used other means SD
In the nations. They adopted to
ny boys and girls, clothed and 81
fooled them, taught them trades,
ght the men 10 farm, gave them 81
ms, wagons and farm tools and co
ght them ID use them. To-day ar
ny Indians in Utah own farms NJ
! orchards and they are pretty q