Utah’s Struggle for Statehood

Rumors Lead to War Rumors A) 1850-Judges return to East and complain of LDS influence. B) 1852-Mormon leaders publicly announce plural marriage.

C) Mormons charged with: -Murder of non-Mormons -Destruction of legal records -Unfair treatment of non- Mormons in court

President Buchanan -Released Young as governor and sent a replacement. -Organized army to stop “rebellion” against federal government.

Brigham Young did not know he was replaced as governor -Communication was slow -Young believed army bent on destroying religious community. -Utah’s militia swelled from 100s to over Plans made to defend SLC

Johnston’s Army Stopped by Winter Snows Poorly informed about Western lands Believed would crush Mormons before snow fell in 1857

Captain Lot Snow-Utah militia sent to harass army -Burned supply wagons -Drove off animals -Destroyed animal feed -Burned Fort Bridger and Fort Supply

Army not able to leave Wyoming Colonel Albert Johnston is the new commander -Directed army to make camp and wait for spring thaw

The Move South -Avoid blood shed -Army not to occupy any pioneer settlements -Mormons abandon Northern settlements -Prepared homes, food supplies and fields to be burned -Buried foundation of the Salt Lake Temple

Camp Floyd and Fort Douglas Johnston’s Army arrives 2500 soldiers and 1000 civilian employees Thru SLC established Camp Floyd in Oquirrh Mountains Became 3 rd largest city in Utah Territory

Positive Impact -Brought cash to local merchants and farmers -Paid residents to build buildings -Sold surplus items

Negative Impact -Prostitutes -Gamblers -Cattle Rustlers

New Governor- Alfred Cumming Colonel Patrick Connor sent by President Lincoln -Watch overland mail route -Polygamy situation -Established Fort Douglas overlooking SLC -Bitter War

The Mountain Meadows Massacre Arkansas and Missouri immigrants heading to California Slain by Paiutes and Iron County Militia from St. George Approx. 120 travelers and only 18 small children left alive

Congress Attempts to Curb Mormon Influence The Vote Utah women given right to vote, Wyoming only other state -Prove Utah women not oppressed

Federal Laws (Page 173) The Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act (1862) The Poland Bill (1874) The Edmunds Act (1882) The Edmunds-Tucker Act (1887)

Polygamy Goes to Court Protected under Bill of Rights of U.S. Constitution Also commandment from God 1879

Do You Know Where Any Polygamists Are? Federal agents hunting polygamists Family members and young children told not to talk to strangers

John Taylor President of LDS Church 1877 after Brigham Young dies Shot in Carthage Jail Ran church from underground-3 wives Died underground in 1887

The Manifesto September 24, 1890 issued by Wilford Woodruff “…refrain from contracting any marriages forbidden by the law of the land.” President Woodruff hoped would continue operation of the church Huge step in Utah gaining statehood