Mormon Literature Sampler:
Cohabitation:
The Day of the U.S. Marshal
I returned to Deseret and found all well. During my absence I found
there had not much been done towards the meeting house. We soon called
a force and commenced laying brick.
The foundation had been put in about three years before at the cost
of about $1,000. The walls underground were four feet thick. The
bricklaying was commenced by Cynthia Black and Fanny Scott carrying
and scattering the mortar, and I taking two bricks and uniting them
together in the mortar and prayed to God that the house might be built
acceptable to him and the Saints be enabled to meet therein in the
spirit of truth and righteousness. On this occasion quite a number of
the brethern and sisters were present and thus the building of the
walls of our meeting house was commenced on the southwest corner and
the work was prosecuted vigorously with short interruption until we
reached to the square. I had occasion to visit the R. R. company and
the lime run short and the work stopped, but on my return I
immediately telegraphed north for 100 sacks of lime which was sent
down on the night train and the next morning the work was resumed.
Brother S. W. Western, my counselor, did all he could to keep the work
going. About this time we established a church school and we had
attendence of from 40 to 50 students, but as an impression had gained
ground that we were running against the stake academy, it was deemed
best to discontinue for the present. By this time our ward had
increased in membership to something over 800.
Soon after the passing of the Edmunds Law, in the spring of 1882,
the marshalls commenced their raids in different parts of the
Territory, which caused excitement and annoyance almost continuously.
The raids on the different settlements were conducted thus: They would
designate a certain number of the brethern that they desired to
capture and three or four of them would come into town during the
night and lie in wait at the house of some traitor. The people
reposing in peaceful slumber, not conscious of any danger being near,
and perchance the husband and father being weary of camping out would
have repaired home for a good nights rest and to enjoy the society of
their loved ones, when all was quiet during the small hours in the
morning a loud rap would be heard at the door. The family would spring
from their beds and in sudden tones would whisper the word, "Marshalls."
Perchance a louder and harsher knock would follow and some one of the
family would ask, "Who is there?" and they would say, "Marshalls. Open
the door, or we will bunt it down," and if the Father happened to be
in the house he would meet them with a light at the door and admit
them, and with cocked revolvers they would demand his surrender. Thus
by demons in human shape he would be dragged away to some pretended
court. In case the husband was not at home, the wife, with almost
frantic fear, would admit them to the house and sometimes by threats
and abusive language, she would be compelled to show them through the
house, while the children would nestle close together in their beds,
being almost overcome with fright and anxiety for the safety of their
Father and protector. In many instances the women displayed a degree
of heroism that would be commendable in any age of the world.
Generally on such occasions the word of alarm would soon spread and
lights would glitter in all parts of the town and perchance if the
raid had been successful the news would soon be conveyed from house to
house of the capture of some of the most respectful citizens. On such
excitement would generally run high, and many would be the expressions
of indignation and were it not for wise council of more matured minds
many of these raids would have ended in a scene of blood, as it was
hard to see fathers, relatives and friends taken away in such a
manner.
Another mode they had in capturing those they were hunting was for
a stranger to ride into town, looking like a miner or stock man, and
they would call at the house and make inquiry about something, and
would then serve their papers on those that happened to be there that
they wanted for witnesses. In all the numerous cases of that kind I
have never known of any resistance of any lawful person. For four
years they had been seeking to arrest me, and offered rewards to
different persons if they would assist to trap me, but I am pleased to
say traitors were not very plentiful. Conscious of having committed no
crime; except as made so by law, it was very humiliating to be
continuously hiding from the officers and spotters. Besides it caused
me to neglect my business and thereby suffer loss.
On one occasion the Marshalls Clauson, Norrell and Mount surrounded
my largest house in the night and after a thorough search, being
unsuccessful, they subpoenaed some of my family and also some of the
family of some of the other citizens. I was a short distance from the
house and could plainly see them carrying the lights from one room to
the other. In the morning a messenger brought word to me that the
Marshalls were going to capture a brother that lived down the river.
His son was plowing nearby and I went and informed him of the fact. He
decided to go home at once and I said I would ride with him as far as
six miles below to my ranch and that I wait at the corner of the
street at my daughter's home until he came along and while I was
waiting there my daughter went in the house out of breath and said,
"Oh! Pa? the Marshalls are coming up the lane." This was at my
daughter, Nancy's, and she urged me to get out of the way. I went into
a secret place and the Marshalls came on and surrounded the house.
They searched everywhere. Two had given up the search, but Nortell
continued, although urged by the others to quit and come on. Several
occasions they came within 3 or 4 feet of me, while Nortell, on his
way to their carts, having given up the search, came right onto me. He
said, "G. D. you come out of there," and used other abusive and
profane language. I said, "Mister, you have captured me fairly and now
I want you to treat me like a gentleman and use no such language in my
presence." The others shouted, "That is the bishop." "Oh," he said, "I
beg your pardon. I thought it was Allred. We were not looking for
you." We went to the carts and I rode to my house with Clawson, with
whom I had formerly been acquainted. The scene was enacted in the
presence of quite a number of people, among them were some of the
members of my family, who were almost overcome with grief. The
marshall told me that they had been told by an individual that a man
had been seen in that place, hence their raid, and by the excited
manner of my daughter, they were satisfied that some one was there. At
the house we talked matters over and I agreed to be before the
commissioner at Provo the next week. This occurred on Monday.
In all the excitement of the raids many amusing scenes occurred and
we ran many narrow risks of being captured. On one occasion a marshall
was making search for myself and others and boasting of what he could
do. I passed him right on the sidewalk and when he learned of the
fact, he was very much chagrined. On another occasion I met two in the
road and was so close to them that retreat was immpossible. I passed
on and as I did so I passed my hand into my vest bosom and said, "Good
evening, gentlemen." They returned the salute pleasantly. After
passing a short distance, they said, "By God! That is the bishop."
They afterwards said they would have captured me, but I had the drop
on them. I had my hand on my revolver. In the commencement of the
raiding I felt very indignant and was fully determined to shoot any
man that would break into my house in the night, but after Marshall
Dyer came into office, a more human course was pursued and I had laid
my pistols by and at this time I was warned. Another amusing instance
transpired when I was at Manti attending the dedication of the temple.
A marshall learned of my whereabouts and had planned my capture. I was
then stopping at Barton's; a friend informed me of their intention and
advised me to go somewhere else and sleep. He took me to Mr. Bench who
was an old acquaintance of mine. I informed him that I wanted a bed.
He said he was sorry that he could not accomadate me as every bed was
occupied, as also all the sleeping places on the floors, says he,
"Across the road lives a Presbyterian school teacher. She has a spare
bed. She is alone," and if I was willing he was satisfied that he
could get permission for me to stay there. I said that is good enough
and accompanied him into the house. He introduced me as Mr. Brown. She
said that I could stay, and invited me to take a chair in a nicely
furnished parlor. The house consisted of two bed rooms, a sitting room
and a kitchen. The lady was about 25 years old, of light complexion,
beautiful figure and an agreeable manner. We soon entered into
conversation. She gave me an outline of her faith, their church
organization and government, and part of her history. I in turn told
her of my religious faith and mildly corrected her in some of her
erronous ideas. Our conversation became quite interesting and after an
hour or two I excused myself, thinking it might become tiresome and
would retire to bed. She assured me that she was not weary in the
least, so the conversation resumed and when I looked at my watch again
it was nearly one o'clock. I bid her good night and retired. I arose
early in the morning as I had promised to go out to take breakfast
with a friend. She was in the kitchen. I thanked her for the bed and
asked her how much I was indebted to her. She answered, "Nothing. You
are not going away. I am preparing breakfast for you." I thanked her
very kindly as I had promised. She invited me while I was in Manti to
make her house my home. As the marshalls had searched the train for me
at Nephi at my coming over, I decided to return by horse and buggy,
accompanied by my brother. I arrived all safe after having enjoyed my
visit and the dedicatory services very much.
It was asserted by many that they had seen and heard heavenly
manifestations in the temple, which I am prepared to believe as I
heard some very beautiful singing myself at a distance
apparently....The Sabbath before leaving [for prison], I addressed the
Saints for a short time and bid them adieu, for how long I did not
know. After the services many were the kind embraces which I received
from the sisters, many a warm clasp of the hand from many of the
brethren, exhorting me to be of good cheer, the sentence would only be
short. The day before the young ladies made a beautiful dinner in the
Scotts Grove. Some of the brethern were there and also some of the
brethern from the city, Brigham Hampton and C. W. Wilkins. After
dinner the sisters sang my favorite hymn.
Oh awake ye defenders of Zion,
De foes are at the doors of your home
Let each heart be the heart of a lion
Unyielding and proud as he roams
Remember the wrongs of Missouri
Forget not the fate of Nauvoo
When the God-hating foe are before you
Stand firm and be faithful and true.
The president of the Y. L. M. I. A. in behalf of the sisters
presented me with an autograph album with many loving expressions. I
offered a few remarks and blessed them in the name of the Lord and I
felt much affected by their manifest kindness, causing tears to flow.
On the evening previous to my departure many of my family and a number
of the brethern and the sisters assembled at my home and partook of
the sumptuous supper. About 70 sat down to supper. After supper the
table was cleared and the time was occupied by songs, recitations, and
music. In the course of the evening I made remarks to my family and
those present exhorting them to be faithful and steadfast in keeping
the commandments of God. Read a biographical sketch of Father's and
prayed to God that they might be right and defend the rights of the
Saints. I went to prison, conscious of being guilty of no crime and
rather than break the covenants which I had made before God with them
and forsake my family and those I loved so dearly, I would rather bid
them the last farewell and spend the rest of my life in prison. The
company was much affected, and I spoke words of comfort and cheer to
them. Brother Jesse W. Fox of Salt Lake and Brother William and
Brother Hales spoke words of comfort and encouragement. I had seated
with me at supper my four wives, my mother, Mother Stokes, one of my
mothers-in-law, all the rest are dead. My daughter, Courteniah, read
the following address:
Deseret, Oct. 9th, 1889.
Most Beloved Father:
The time is at hand when we shall part for a short time. We shall
miss the familiar sound of your footsteps on the threshold and the
welcome smile that greets us as we meet you.
We shall think of you in the hours of your loneliness and every
evening as we retire we shall pray to God to protect our darling
Father until your return to the homes of your beloved ones.
May he who clothes the lilies
And watches the sparrows fall
Guide and protect you, dear Father
And bring you safe through all
Your loving daughters,
Courteniah Black
Louisa Black
Emma A. Black
Phoebe D. Black
The above named daughters are all mine by three different wives.
The following which had been composed by one of my wives was also
read.
October 8th, 1889.
True, my darling, life is hard
And it's ways are dark and dim
But God knows the path you tread
I can leave you safe with him.
Tears are but the hearts pure dewdrops
Soft distilled through virtues springs
Sorrows are the clouds that nightdrops
Ere the day her joy shall bring
Crowns are won by faithful valor
On the trying fields of strife
Virtue come from patient labor
In the busy school of life
Hours are darkest near the morning
Shadows are deepest at dawning
Every mound is but a token
Of a brighter and better day
From one that loves you,
Cynthia Black.
It was now near twelve o'clock at night and the brethern and
sisters prepared to accompany me to the depot a mile distant. We
arrived about 12:30 at which time the train was due. In a few minutes
the train arrived and after bidding them an affectionate farewell I
took a sleeper, accompanied by my son, Warren, and arrived at Provo at
7:30 A.M. In proceeding to the depot I rode with my oldest son,
Joseph. His team being on the lead of a long train of wagons and
carriages reminding me of a funeral procession. I appeared before the
court at 10 A.M. but owing to a press of business my sentence was put
off until 2 P.M....
At 2 P.M. I appeared before the court for sentence. This was Oct.
10, 1889. The court asked me about my age. I answered 52 past.
Court--"When did you marry your plural wife?" I answered, "1860." He
said, "Mr. Black. Have you anything to say to the court?" I answered,
"Nothing." Court--"You will be sentenced to 75 days in the
penitentiary and costs." The costs amounted to $94.50.
I was then put in charge of a ballif who conducted me up to an
upper room where a few of the brethern who had been sentenced had
proceeded me. The number continued to increase until there were 12 in
the room. A man by the name of J. F. Gibbs had accompanied me from
Deseret and was to have been sentenced the same afternoon. I kept
watch to see him coming but after a while was informed that he had
unconditionally agreed to obey the law, and abandoned one of his
families.
About 3:30 P.M. we were conducted down the streets of Provo to the
depot by two lynx-eyed deputy marshalls, who kept a strict watch to
prevent us from escaping as though we had no interest in this country.
Mr. B. Backman, who appeared to be a man with some heart, also
accompanied us.
Our party consisted of Bp. J. S. Black of Deseret, Elder Jesse B.
Martin of Scipio, and Elder William McKeller of Leamington, all of
Millard County. Hans Jesperson of Goshen, J. L. Jolley and L. Dunham
of Moroni, C. Newman of Moroni, H. Mower of Fairview, N. Van Leeman of
Aurora, George Curtis of Payson, John Beck and James Anderson of
Spanish Fork made up the rest of the party.
On our way to the city H. H. Parson, the U.S. marshall, came into
the car and sat down by me as we had previously been acquainted. He
said he was sorry to see the trouble in the Territory as he had lived
in the Territory for years and had many warm friends. He hoped that
something would be devised to stop this trouble and he also said that
he expected to perform the duties of his office in a humane and
honorable manner, and desired his deputies to do likewise. I told him
that he was now making history that will never die. He answered that
he was conscious of the fact and expected to do as he wanted to be
done by under similar circumstances. President Cannon of Salt Lake
Stake and President Shurtlief of Weber Stake were also on the train
and came into the car where we were and gave us words of
encouragement.
Pres. Cannon had served a term of imprisonment of six months for a
similar offense as ours. We arrived at the depot of Salt Lake at 6:30
P.M. It was beginning to get dark. I met Sister Yates on the platform
who had been to the penitentiary to see her husband, Bp. Yates. She
greeted us kindly and bid us be of good cheer. Two wagons awaited our
arrival into which we seated ourselves with our bedding and satchels,
being very crowded and uncomfortable. We proceeded upon South Temple
St., thence down Main on East Temple St. and while riding along
viewing the brilliant electric lights and the handsome display in the
store windows and viewing the busy throng on the sidewalk where I had
so often walked myself on business a free man, I could not help
reflect on my present situation, condemned as a criminal and under
guard on the way to the penitentiary, and that, too, by a government
that I had always been taught to love and respect. While in the days
of peril at the time of the Civil War, I had given three years of my
salary as a county official for the cause of that government. I had
previously been deprived of my franchise and now my liberty and
franchise would be restored to me if I would just say one word--that I
would forsake my family. The sacrifice was too great. I could not do
it. We are sorry to be put in this position as we do not want to show
defiance to the laws of our country. Congress made it a crime and made
a law to punish it, hence we have been caught in the trap set for us.
We arrived at the pen about 8 o'clock.
*Joseph Smith Black (1836-1910) was born at Lisburn, Antrim County,
Ireland. He came to America in 1840 and was baptized a member of the
Church in 1844. An enterprising pioneer of Millard County, Utah, he
founded the community of Deseret and, as Bishop, guided the spiritual
as well as the temporal welfare of the community. He was a farmer, a
merchant, a contractor, a miller, and an irrigation engineer for half
a county. As this excerpt begins, Joseph Black has just returned home
after a long absence as a construction contractor for the railroad in
northern Utah.
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