The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-03-29

marshals with mob of Liberals interfered
with the police in their efforts to preserve
the peace. Some arrests being made by the
police, they We're in turn arrested by Dep
uty marshals, and excitemet ran nigh.
Mayor Wells was on the spot and en-
deavored to keep down the tumult.
He was set upon by the mob, brutally
struck and his coat nearly torn from
his back. The police came to his rescue,
the mob was forced back, and the mayor
appeared on the balcony, and amid cries OF
'Shoot him shoot him'' ne read the riot
act and commanded the police to dispense
the crowd This was done at the expense
OF some broken heads, but was etfectual,
and the mayor and police held their places
and INDICATED the law. He was next
morning arrested and put under 81, 600
bonds. The chief of police and several OF
his officers were also arrested, but the
whole matter was dropped, and it was
everywhere acknowledged that the city Of
ticials simply did their duty, and that
Mayor Wells had exhibited fearless deter
minatlsn, maintained the dignity of his Of
ice and prevented the serious conflict de-
sired by those who provoked the disturb
ance, to be used for political purposes.
When on March IL, 1875, President
Young was sent to the penitentiary for
contempt of court in not complying with
an absurd order by Judge Mexican, Presi-
dent Wells accompanied him and stayed
with him until his release; his lmprlson-
rnent, however, lasted but one day. Judge
Mexican lost his official head for this act OF
tyrannical folly.
In 1876 Brother Wells again saw the in
side of the penitentiary, this time being
imprisoned himself for contempt of court
in refusing to disclose the secret and sacred
rites of the endowment house. AS wit
ness In the Miles polygamy case on May 2,
he was Intercepted by the prosecuting at
torney In relation to clothing worn IL those
ceremonies. He declined to answer. He
was remanded to the custody of the mar
shall, and next day, being cited to appear
and questioned again he replied:
II decline to answer tina: question yes
terday, and do so to-day, because l am
under moral and sacred obligations to not
answer, and it is interviewer in my charac-
ter never to betray friend, brother, my
country, my God Or my religion
This was a clear exhibition of the char
aeter of the man. Not for worlds would
he swerve from that position. He was
sentenced to fine of hundred dollars and
Imprisonment for two days. He paid the
penalty, and on May 6, he was escorted
from the penitentiary by procession,
hastily but thoroughly organized, consist
ing about one thousand people with ban
ners, notices, flags and signs of rejoicing,
one of the most remarkable gatherings and
demonstrations of respect ever witnessed
in this country. An immense but peaceful
meeting was subsequently held in the tao
ernacle, where appropriate speeches were
made
In December, 1884, Counselor Wells
crossed the ocean again and presided over
the European mission, visiting the churches
throughout the British Isles and also in
Scandinavia, Germany and Switzerland.
His health was feeble but he labOred ener-
getically until his release in January,
! 1887, wnen he returned to the United States
and after visiting relatives in the east,
/ reached his home again in July of that
year, and was joyfully welcomed by his
/ family and friends
/ When the Manti temple was completed
and dedicated ne was appointed May p,
! 1888, to take charge as president. Here he
! was in congenial element. The salvation
of the dead was the chief attraction to him
IN the doctrines expounded to him
! by Joseph Smith the prophet, and led to
! his investigation and acceptance of the
gospel. He otticiated in the temple and
performed his duties as counselor to the
/ Twelve until stricken with the illness
/ which eliminated in his death. He came
| to this city on the 18th of March, and re
ceived every attention that loving hearts
! and hands could oestow. He mad suffered
for many years with painful physical all
ment, but his heroic nature and strong will
enabled him to surmount the difficulties il
| occasioned. Pleuro- pneumonia super
vened and at o'clock March 24 he peace
full y departed, being without pain and con
! scious TO the last.
| Brother Wells would have been promi-
nent character In any community. Stand
ing six feet in height, with prominent fea
lures and organs Of perception, his appear
ance was striking while his manner wa:
unassumlng. Apparently stern in his de
meanor, he was really one of the kindest
of men, full OF sympathy and affection
ready to aid the distressed, and with
heart so big that he would welcome the
world to partake of his hospitality anC
share with him whatever he had. Hi:
house was. always open to his friends, an(
while acting as mayor of this city he enter
tanned many distinguished visitors, bott
Americans and foreigners, who respected
him for his virtues while disagreeing will
his views on religion.
He was firm friend and supporter O.
education was for mauy years chancellol
and regent OF the University of Deseret anC
considered that a good education was tn,
best legacy he could bequeath to his chll
dren. He was also a great reader, an ar
dent admirer of the drama, which was hi
chief amusement, and promoter of music
science and art
In politics he was Republican from tn,
time of the organization of the party HI
took earnest interest in national politics, il
which ne was thoroughly versed, and wa
ever ready to maintain his views, though
never bitter or contentious partisan.
He was engaged in many business enter
prises, but, placing his public duties first
his own affairs became somewhat compli
Gated, and at one time he was heavily in
volved. But Of late years he was gradual,
extricated from embarrassment and wa
able to leave his family the possessors o
unencum bered yet modest homes.
Brother Wells had seven wives, six O
whom survive him, by whom he had thirty
seven children, of whom twenty four
thirteen sons and eleven daughters-ar
! living, and he leaves twenty-five Twin
grandchildren.
His faith in God and In the system Gale
"Mormonism" was unbounded, and his in
tegrity to the principles of the Gospel wa
,unwavering. His testimony to the divin
/ mission of Joseph Smith was powerful, an
, from the time he received it by the mani
festation Of the Holy Spirit, he neve
: doubted it or feared to face the oppositio
of it's enemies. He was a noble spirit an
he performed noble work on the eartn
NelUS.