Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-12-15

>. "'N VIZ" 'H"t interesting Chap-
+ ter Of California and Utah his. ,
I tory.
Observation-Disclosures
NUENDELL PHILLIPS said.
wv I'VE read history not with
w our eyes, but with our preiu.
dlces." and II Is indeed trf.
that that strange distortion OF the hu.
man heart has robbed men and some
times nations Of the honor of their
achievements and bestowed II up0r
those who did not merit II. In the
history Of that wonderful religious sect
known throughout the world as the
"Mormons' there has been so much
for the world to admire in their trl
umphs Of Industry and perseverance.
In the noble manner IN which they sub
iugated the barren wastes that at last
a modicum OF praise has been accorded
them. That praise, however. has come
reluctantly. and would not have come
az all had not insurmountable facts
challenged II 10 come forth bursting rs
way through compressed lips. History
still has stored up IN her bosom much
OF honor and OF glory that Is yet 10
be showered upon the heads OF this de-
voted people In the settling and build
Ing up OF this western empire, out OF
which was wrought the great State OF
Utah the Mormon pioneers are entitled
ct almost the fun credit generous men
everywhere give them the honor for
the unparalleled achievement. and
many who In bigotry will withhold the
need Of praise will long enjoy the
blessings OF their toll But in the
providence Of God. they also played
most prominent part in directing the
attention of the world to the great
state OF California. II was the Nor
mons who first published 10 the world
the story OF CALIFORNIA; hidden treas
sures, II was the Mormons through
whose agency was brought about me
discovery OF the yellow metal I'm that
state and indeed Il may truthfullv
he said that but for them n might not
have been discovered All this IL not
said In the spirit Of egotism or Of bit
terness or OF disappointment. but IN the
spirit OF Justice and truth that should
actuate all men,
MORMON BATTALION.
The world has seldom listened 10
story more fraught with sadness dis
iress, and peril. than that Of the Nor.
mon battalion, This narrative now
turns % that famous organization. be.
cause II was those intrepid men who
are entitled 10 most Of the honor that
comes 20 the Mormon people In the
arly settlement Of California and II
's the purpose OF this article 10 present
IN as brief a manner as possible the
oart played by that people IN making
he first few years OF Californla's his
tory
The FIVE hundred men. mostly young
men who composed the Mormon Bat
'alion were mustered into the service
" Uncle Sam on July 10th. 1916. and
we're placed under command Of Colonel
lanes Allen, being called IA the pio-
1eers were on the way 10 the West
That same day they babe good bye 10
heir friends. amid scene that no pen
an adequately describe They had en-
lsted voluntarily In the army Of their
'ountry 10 60 10 Mexico 10 fight. and
o protect with their lives that flag
lnder which they had been denied pro.
Ni'lAf AfNl AlllN ~ 1lUl the llIlf UNI
he place 20 discuss hose subjects. The
battalion started out on n march Of
700 miles through an unknown coun-
ry and they never had ms many pro
islOns ms n modern company OF IN
antry would consume in one dav
everything that they had was poor.
heirmules and horses were hardly alive,
md 10 make their woes well nigh un.
parable they were afflicted with a
Iuack doctor whose deadly prescrlp-
ions were about the only alternative
hey had from starvation. Their dis
ress was also enhanced by the death
\ Colonel Allen soon after they began
heir march across the continent. The
ommand Of the battalion was then
ssumed by Lieut.. Col. A. J. Smith as
ase n tyrant as ever cheated the gal
ows out OF its legitimate fruit.
ON CALIFORNIA SOIL.
When Santa Fe was reached Lieut..
olonel 7. st. George Cooke was put in
ommand Of the battalion. and he con.
ucted himself as a gentleman, and a
ian who had a heart and a conscience.
ne march TO California was resumed
bout october IL, 1886, and after a series
unspeakabe hardshlps, I'm which the
and OF death seemed To be upon every
IAN time and time again. the battalion
'mped at Warmers ranch, the first
ouse that had been seen in California,
, the meantime the steamer Brooklyn
al sailed from New York with a num-
ar Of 'Mormons' on board, had round
J Cape Horn and landed az San Fran
SEQ One OF the most prominent Nor
.ons' on board the Brooklyn was
lmuel Brannan. who had charge Of
le company OF Saints Immediately
.ter landing at San Francisco. Mr.
rannan, having brought a printing
.ess with him, started the publication
n newspaper. At least a company OF
Mormon Elders owned the paper and
rannan edited II. More attention will
.ticle
on TO LOS ANGELES.
To return to the battalion. orders had
eh gwen them 10 proceed 20 Los An
'les' by General Kearney. That or
r was rescinded, however, and the
.ttalion marched TO San Diego. 1t