Transcript
Transcript for "The Indians--The Mormons, &c.," New York Daily Times, 13 Sep. 1853, 1
The Indians--The Mormons, &c
Correspondence of the New-York Daily Times.
The mail has just arrived from Utah, and, to save you space and trouble, I sum up its news. The Utah Indians, who have naturally been dissatisfied since their departure from their old residence and forced settlement in the Colorado Valley, have become thoroughly exasperated, and seem determined to carry on a predatory and murderous conflict with the Mormons. Their Chief, who calls himself WALKER, is a man of great energy and courage, and, it seems, has succeeded in arousing all their savage propensities. Already they have attacked a number of Mormon settlements, and murdered some of the inhabitants. They are destitute of provisions, as they cultivate no ground, and grain is scarcer in the Valley of the Colorado than anywhere else in the Rocky Mountains, and hence, probably, the strongest motive to hostile incursions, by which they hope to drive off large numbers of cattle.
Much alarm prevails among the Mormons. Some fields have already been desolated, and there is yet a considerable quantity of grain exposed in the fields. There is a deficiency, also, in places of security for the cattle. The Governor, BRIGHAM YOUNG, has issued a general order, imperatively ordering an abandonment of the smaller settlements, and a collection of the inhabitants and their cattle into the larger settlements, where the officers are directed to drill the militia, erect forts, and construct corrals for the cattle and horses. In other respects, the colony seems to move on prosperously and harmoniously. The best understanding exists between the Government officers and the local authorities. The business of mining, especially for iron, is on the increase, an several woolen manufactories have been constructed. Utah must be one of the finest sheep countries in the world. It is too far North for the finest descriptions of wool, but, in all other respects, the country is modelled like those portions of Western Asia where the finest wools have been grown for centuries past.
The carriers met some emigrants--all well. They report all things quiet at Fort Laramie and Fort Kearney. On their arrival at Laramie, they found the traders from Taos and the Pueblos, on the upper Arkansas and the Del Norte. They had brought up flour, pepper, and some other articles, to trade for skins, &c They had no news from Santa Fe later than we have already received in St. Louis.