The Salt Lake City Election in 1874--Deputy Marshals Attempt to Run
Things--Mayor Wells' Order--The Mob Dispersed--Captain Burt and his Men
make some Sore Heads.
One item of home history that I took a small part in I will mention. At
the August election of city officers of 1874 there was an attempt made
by the U. S. marshal to control the polls. This was disputed by the
municipal officers. Maxwell, the U. S. marshal, had a large number of
deputies sworn in. Milton Orr was at that time the regular deputy and
took the active control of the special deputies. This election occurred
soon after the passage of the Poland Bill.
The Liberals were on their "high heels" and believed that they had
now the right and power to put down Mormon rule in Salt Lake City.
During the day there was continued contention who should act as police
or protectors of the polls. The marshals interfered continually, and
when the police attempted to do their duty they were arrested by the
deputies and taken before the U. S. Commissioner and put under bonds.
Several times during the day the spirit of lawlessness ran so high that
a collision seemed inevitable. The police acted with great coolness and
forbearance, only working to keep the polls unobstructed, but making
no resistance when insulted or arrested, neither acting against the
rioters so long as they kept clear of the polls. Many times during the
day men would yell out that the Mormons had run this country as long as
they could, that their day was done, boasting, swearing and defying the
police to help themselves. This was immediately in front of the City
Hall, some of the mob even crowding into the hallway.
Late in the afternoon the mob became so aggressive and the polls so
obstructed that people wishing to vote could not get in. The marshals
headed this obstruction. The police seemingly had no power to keep
order. Captain Burt sent word to Mayor Wells asking for instructions.
Mayor Wells soon appeared on the ground and managed to work his way
through the crowd and get into the door of the polling room. The
regular police were mostly on the inside of the city hall at that
time. The mayor commanded the crowd to disperse and leave the entrance
clear. This he uttered by authority of his office. There were possibly
two hundred persons in the crowd. The room was full and the doors
completely blocked and the sidewalk crowded. Many were in the street
and more coming, cursing and yelling. Some of the leaders, now more
or less intoxicated, when the order was given to disperse, instead of
obeying, made an attack on the mayor. They were led by Milton Orr, who
seized hold of Mr. Wells and attempted to drag him from his position.
Mayor Wells resisted this move. Several others now caught hold of him,
tearing his clothes.
I was just at the outer side of the sidewalk in company with George
Crismon. As we saw this violent move against the mayor we started
through the crowd, George taking the lead. And I always remembered his
expertness in opening a way, for we were soon on hand. The noise was so
terrific that I had to put my mouth close to Mr. Wells' ear. I asked
him which way he wished to go. The jam was on both sides of him. I
naturally supposed he wanted to get away, for the mob seemed to want to
rend him in pieces and were doing their best to accomplish it.
Brother Wells answered, "I do not want to go either way. I shall stay
here if I can; you help me to keep my place."
Brother Crismon did all he could to keep the mob off. I caught Brother
Wells around the waist and held him against those pulling at him. His
clothes were badly torn in the scuffle.
While this was going on. Brother Andrew Smith, of the police force,
managed to get near us from the inside. He called to me to push Brother
Wells to him.
I said, "He don't want to come in."
Brother Smith said, "Never mind." At the same time reaching and getting
hold of Brother Wells, telling me to shove him in. This we did. I
always believed that Mayor Wells would have died before he would have
given way to the mob of his own free will.
As the mayor went in the door was shut and I was crowded outside
with the mob. I now felt quite small, jammed into the doorway, all
alone with the mob. I could see no friend near me, so I kept very
quiet. Soon Mayor Wells appeared on the balcony of the court house.
He looked rather delapidated, but in a clear, steady voice commanded
the rioters to disperse. At this they only shouted the louder, cursing
and defying his authority. He then turned to Captain Burt and said, in
substance: "Captain Burt, disperse this mob and clear the side-walk of
obstruction" The mob had given way from just in front of the hall door,
as the balcony was immediately over it and those under the balcony had
crowded out so as to get a view of the mayor.
In a moment after the order was given Captain Burt stepped out onto the
side-walk in front of the hall door, followed by a few regular police.
Addressing the crowd immediately in front of the polling room, he
commanded them to disperse.
Instead of obeying the order, the mob, with a howl of defiance, rushed
at the captain, who stood with his arms folded. I was looking from a
slight elevation, being on the doorstep, and powerless to do anything
but watch, so that what I am writing is just as I saw it. As the mob
rushed at Captain Burt he let drive with his police club; instantly
others of the police pitched in. I have seen a good many knock-downs,
but men fell as fast for a short time as I ever saw them. Most of them
were U. S. marshals. The police were making a clearing toward the door
where I was jammed in. The mob almost instantly gave way. They were so
taken by surprise at seeing their leaders falling that many who were
seemingly brave as lions a minute before took to their heels and ran
away. During all this not a shot was fired. So rapid and thorough was
the work of the police that I was a little afraid of getting hit myself
and called out to Capt. Burt to set 'em up. One fellow that was knocked
down fell against me as I was getting out.
All the police were arrested and brought to trial before the
commissioners, but were cleared. There were many sore heads but no one
killed. The man's name who did the hardest hitting that day never came
up, and without his permission I will not mention it.
Sometimes when I see the Latter-day Saints insulted, accused and put
upon by their enemies as they now are in the year 1889, I think of the
good old days when we did not bear as we do today. Especially when it
is put forth as though we are cowed and dare not say our souls are our
own. Often when noticing some of the young Mormons of today who are
toadying to the Gentiles and listening to their flattery, I cannot help
but contrast their spindle-legged, dudish build, their supercilious
looks, their effort to ape the infidelity of the day, etc., with the
sturdy, faithful boys who went forth in the defence of their fathers in
the days of Echo Canyon, and many other duties of the early days. Now
why is this? There is too much luxury, indolence and false education.
Many suppose that education consists in conjugating verbs. My grammar
says, "Man is a verb--that is, man is made to do, and grammar says a
verb is a word to do." Hence, man should be a verb and not a worthless,
do-nothing noun--a name of a thing.