The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-07-04

no more tolerant than had the people OF New
York, Ohio and Missouri. Persecution OF the
newcomers continued and after series OF ar
rests and acquittals, Joseph Smith WAS finally
taken in custody charge of treason. While
awaiting trial on the charge the Mormon leader,
with his brother Hyrum and two others, were
lodged In the jail at Carthage There. despite
pledge from Governor Ford that state troops
would protect them, they were dragged out OF
the jail by mob on June y, 1874, and the two
Smiths were shot to death.
The Illinois legislature next annulled the Maui
VOC city charter and again the Mormons were
homeless Brigham Young had succeeded Joseph
Smith and he and the other Mormon leaders
made a proposition that Ii their prosecutors
would cease their acts of violence and aid the
Mormons In disposing of their property they
would remove from the state. This proposition
was accepted and the Mormons contracted for
several thousand wagons and began making
preparations for move to California or Oregon
In the early spring.
But 1t was not until February, 1916, that Young
and the other Mormon leaders guided about
1000 Of their people across the frozen surface
of the Mississippi and headed west This COM
pany reached Council Bluffs. Neb. on the west
side Of the Missouri river and near there erected
700 cabins at place called Winter Quarters.
In April lS4T, Young with chosen band OF
143 pioneers left Winter Quarters and began
their Journey westward In search of place
where the Mormons might make home on SOIL
to which the sovereignty of the United States did
not extend. But If he had hoped TO find that
place In California he was doomed TO dsap-
pontment. For even as he was JourneyinR west,
the Mexican broke out, California was
seized by the Americans and at the end OF the
war the next year the great empire OF the West
from the Missouri to the Pacific was under the
Stars and Stripes.
On July "a 1917, Young and his pioneers
reached the valley Of the Great Salt lake. Look
jng out over this valley from the summit Of Big
mountain the Mormon leader declared simply:
This Is the place" The wanderers had reached
their Chosen Land That fall TOO wagons bear
Ing Mormon families arrived In the valley. IN the
same autumn Brigham Young set out for Winter
Quarters again and came back the following year
with about 100 wagons laden with more families
and supplies.
The opening of 1913 saw the beginning OF the
great migration "The American frontier never
beheld movement quite like that OF tie Nor
mons" says recent historian. During the
~ssprlng and summer of that year nearly all OF the
Saints who had gathered at Winter Quarters and
other places along the frontier set out across the
plains until more than 5000 had reached utah.
BY the fall of 1852 this flood of migration nad
mounted to more than 10000.
OF this epic movement the late Judge G. 9.
Goodwin Of Utah. In his tribute 10 'The Mormon
Pioneer" said: 2. 1t was not like any other
recorded In history. for this exodus to Utah was
march out OF Despair to destination on the
nnresponslye breast OF the Desert.
.The Utah pioneers had been tossed out OF
civilization into the wilderness and on Inc ou'e'