El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-04-02

with The governor and the irnuen-
llal men iu the territory. / told them
plainly and frankly what I conceived
would be the result Of their present
course / told them that they might
prevent the small military force
now now approaching Utah from getting
tnrough the narrow defiles and
rugged passes OF the mountains this
year, but that next season the United
states government would send troops
sufficient 10 overcome all opposlt ton.
To Lay State in Waste.
The answer to this was Invariably
ne same We are aware that such
VIII be the case but when those
troops arrive they will find Utah a
aeserti every house viii be burned 10
the ground, every tree cut down and
every field laid waste. We have
three years provisions on hand. which
We VIII cache and then take 10 the
mountains, and bid defiance TO all
the powers OF the government" I
attended their service on Sunday. and.
IN course Of a sermon. delivered by
elder Taylor. he referred to the ap-
preach OF the troops. and declared
they should not enter the territory
lie then referred TO the probability OF
an overpOwerinK force being sent
against them, and desired all present
VINO would apply the torch to their
own buildings. cut down their trees.
and lay waste thelr fields, TO hold up
their hands; every hand in an au-
dience numbering over 1000 persons
was raised at the same moment. Dur
Ing my stay in the city I visited sew
eral families. and all with whom I
was thrown looked upon the present
movement Of the troops towards their
territory as the commencement OF
another religious persecution. and er-
pressed a fixed determination 10 sus-
tain GOV. Young in any measures he
might adopt
Determined to Resist.
From all these facts. I am forced
TO the conclusion that Gov. Young
and the people OF Utah viii prevent. II
possible. the army for Utah from en-
Lering their territory this season.
rms. In my opinion, will not be DIFF
ucult task, owing to the lateness Of
the season. the smallness OF our force
and the defences that nature has
thrown around the valley Of the
Great salt lake.
There is but one road running into
the valley on the side which our
troops are approaching. and for over
30 miles q passes through narrow
canyons and over rugged mountains.
which a small force could hold against
great odds. ] am inclined. however.
to believe that the Mormons will not
resort TO actual hostilities until the
last moment Their plan OF opera
tons VIII be. burn the grass. cut W
the roads, and stampede the animals.
so as TO delay the troops until snow
commences 20 fall. which will render
the road impossible. Snow falls early
In this region; in fact, last night Il
commenced falling at Fort BridZer.
and this morning the surrounding
mountains are clothed in white. We're
i one month earlier IN the season. I
believe the troops could force their
way in. and they may be able to do
so even now: but the attempt will
be fraught with considerable danger.
arising from the filling up OF the
canvons and passes with snow.
Report on Country.
7 do not wish IL to be considered
that I am advocating either the one
course or the other: I simply wish
to lay the facts before the general.
leaving Il 70 his better judgment 10