28 February 1858

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Describes celebrating Washington's birthday by the firing of a gun for each state in the union, although they are unsure of whether or not states have been added since the Utah Expedition began. Written at Camp Scott

GLC04194.06

17 March 1858

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Kelly

Describes considerable suffering and deprivations experienced while preparing for armed conflict with the Mormons. Mentions discontent among the "ambitious young men in the army" because of a rumor that President James Buchanan made overtures to Brigham Young that will result in a peaceful settlement. Written at Camp Scott.

GLC04194.07

10 May 1870

Williams, J., fl. 1790

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John T. Caine

Comments on managing the Salt Lake Theatre with Hiram Clawson, and having to pay all the proceeds to the landlord. He mentions that Clawson brought up Caine's situation (taking up residence in Washington, D.C. in order to protest anti-Mormon federal legislation) to Brigham Young, who wishes that Caine stay in the capital. Williams is sending what money he is able. Discusses Leo Hudson playing at the theatre while sick, and their difficulties in their business interactions with her. Mentions that "the Japs were nice people" when they played at the theatre. Williams and Clawson spoke with…

GLC05493.03

21 April 1777

Washington, George, 1732-1799

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Caleb Gibbs

Headquartered at Morristown after a brutal winter, reorganizes his personal, offical and family possessions for residence in Philadelphia as he re-builds the Army to answer Cornwallis's New Jersey campaign: "Bring...my sword, my gun etc.. can had also better be brought unless they could be put into the hands of some gentleman in Philadelphia that would take particular care of them...My papers at New Town, take with you to Philadelphia, and have them well recieved in a good trunk or strong box and lodged with the Publick Papers of Congress." Also requested were "table linens and "mattress" and…

GLC08341

02 Dec 1793

Randolph, Edmund, 1753-1813

Document signed

Title: Signed by George Washington

Act of Third Congress "for the relief of persons imprisoned for debt"

GLC08351

11 June 1858

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Kelly

Reports that nothing has been heard from the commissioners sent out by President James Buchanan to negotiate with Brigham Young, so he cannot tell her if Young has accepted the pardon offer. Moore hopes Young will fight. He expresses disdain for Young and thinks that any in the East who have sympathy for the Mormon cause are misguided.

GLC04194.09

15 July 1858

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Kelly

Informs Kelly that the common belief in the eastern United States that the Mormons have become quiet and peaceable is wrong. He attributes their continued belligerence to a belief that they can bully the government into bending to their demands, drawing on President James Buchanan's offer of a pardon. Moore denounces the Mormons, telling the story of one of their preacher's vulgar dismissal of the pardon document. Written at a camp near Cedar Valley, Utah.

GLC04194.10

29 December 1858

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Kelly

Describes a Christmas dinner party he gave, mostly for men from the Medical Corps. Two or three balls were given, but Moore chose not to attend because he considers Mormon women dumb and unattractive. Discusses the Mormon block to holding court for the trial of a man who murdered a deaf and dumb boy. Mentions a message issued by President James Buchanan and the speed with which it crossed the Rocky Mountains, and comments that it is "unnecessarily filled with Kansas." Written at Camp Floyd

GLC04194.11

29 March 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Kelly

Discusses his travel to Provo, Utah, on a pleasure excursion, but fear of conflict between the troops stationed there and the Mormons resulted in General Johnson [Johnston?] ordering in 1000 troops and calling Moore to duty. Mentions Bishop Johnson, a polygamist who been "implicated in the murder of the Parishes" but not yet apprehended. Reports that three men were slaughtered within a quarter of a mile of Springville, Utah, on 14 March 1857, and that no inquest was held, nor has there been any attempt to discover the murderer until the present.

GLC04194.14

14 April 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Moore reports that the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857, where one hundred and seventeen men, women, and children were killed, was "done to avenge the death of Parley P. Pratt." Tells how the Mormons have appropriated the property of those killed instead of selling it to benefit the children who survived. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.15

10 May 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Informs Kelly that Jacob Forney, the Indian agent, brought the sixteen children who survived the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857 into Salt Lake City a few days before. Explains that the children have confirmed the widely held belief that the Mormons committed the massacre and attempted to blame the Indians. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.16

6 June 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Kelly

Gives graphic details of the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857. Is disgusted that the Mormons "claim remuneration" for maintaining and paying ransom to the Indians for the surviving children. Reports that the Indians claim Bishop John D. Lee raped and murdered a "beautiful girl of 18 or 19" who pleaded for her life. Decries that President James Buchanan forced a pardon on the Mormons when he could have crushed them. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.17

15 June 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Discusses his deep hatred of the Mormons in inflammatory language. Mentions that the sixteen children who survived the Mountain Meadows Massacre are to be sent to their relatives in a few days. He is stunned to read in the Deseret News that the Church is arguing that the massacre solely was the work of the Indians, and that the Mormons arrived in time only to rescue the sixteen children. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.18

2 August 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Describes the Mormon view of polygamy articulated by Orson Pratt and condemns polygamy. Asks why the national government permits "such a people to be not only tolerated but furnished with the means of growing rich beyond that of any portion of the people in the States?" Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.21

10 October 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Describes being out with dragoons in pursuit of Indians who have committed robberies on the Emigrant Road. In spite of the vigilance of the troops, "two or three small trains have been robbed and burnt, and some twelve or fifteen people, men, women, and children killed." Moore describes the Indians responsible as a small, outlaw portion of the tribe. Moore is angry that "some of the very Indians concerned in these depredations have been in the Mormon settlements while we were looking for them in distant places," and the Mormons gave no word of it. Discusses good weather and fishing.

GLC04194.24

14 December 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Discusses cold temperatures, the dancing that goes on at the balls at camp, and the numerous stores and saloons. Condemns the 15 October 1859 seizure of the arsenal at Harper's Ferry by John Brown, and hopes it does not distract politicians from Utah. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.26

1 February 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Discusses lawlessness in Utah. Moore reports that an opponent of Bill Hickman, a Mormon who was shot and Moore was treating, was murdered in Hickman's home. A group of Hickman's supporters committed the crime; one took the blame and the others swore it was self-defense. Also describes the lax punishments of a man who attempted to take stolen horses to California and a man who forged United States treasury drafts (GLC04194.19). Comments on theaters. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.28

19 April 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Explains that some of the troops stationed in Utah are to return to the east, but he will remain for a time. Comments that the Mormons are sad to be losing the market and the refuge from those straying from the church. Moore hopes to return east in the summer of 1861.

GLC04194.29

1 May 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that the troops marching east will do so in four columns. A training area for teamsters has been set up. Mentions that Judge Eckles will travel to the east at the end of the month, and disparages him for his scandalous relationships with women. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.30

30 May 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that he has been ordered to accompany the dragoons, who are going out to protect the Emigrant Road. He will camp near Fort Hall, or Lewis Fork of the Columbia River, in Oregon. He is to be sent because the only other doctor had been sent toward California, where the "Indians have been killing the mail and express men, as well as immigrants." Mentions the Pony Express. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.31

2 August 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Kelly

Explains that two thirds of the forces with him are out constantly escorting emigrants. Many of the travelers are extremely ignorant, and some sell their weapons to the "very Indians that lay an ambuscade for them at the first canyon they pass through." Moore believes the land east of the Mississippi is superior to the western lands. Mentions that Tom Flight is currently with him and will be going out the next day "as an escort to a train of emigrants going to Oregon." Reports that Judge Cadlebaugh was not killed. Mocks the pretended humility of Judge Eckles in accepting the nomination…

GLC04194.32

22 August 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that there have been "no Indian troubles" around Fort Hall yet, and that the emigration is nearly over. Estimates 3,000 people have passed over the road near him and "probably twice that number over the road through Salt Lake and Camp Floyd." The river that runs through the camp is beautiful and full of fish. Mentions fishing on the Snake River, and music and readings among the troops. Moore is studying medicine and expects to undergo his second examination when he returns.

GLC04194.33

6 November 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Hopes Abraham Lincoln has been elected. Mentions a speech by Brigham Young on the possible return of the Mormons to Missouri. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.34

10 June 1862

Russell, Samuel, 1835-1896

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and sisters

Written while at a stop near Devils Gate while traveling east to Bluff City, Tennessee from Utah with a wagon train. Discusses various aspects of travel, camp, and life on the trail. Describes the perils of river crossings, particularly the crossing of Hams Fork. Mentions that there are many emigrants on the trail, reading papers a few months old, and his inability to sell any tans.

GLC05493.01

June 1862

Russell, Sallie, fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Samuel Russell

Three letters on one sheet from Sallie Russell, Belle Russell, and Pennie Russell to their brother, who had left Salt Lake City on the overland trail. Sallie provides family news. She also discusses the force amassing to confront the Morrisites (a breakaway group of Mormons who imprisoned several members who wished to leave the group), the death of John and George Hendley at a battle at Blue Ridge, and the death of their sister the same day in Virginia. Belle's letter reiterates that their mother misses Samuel, and mentions that others miss him too. She also makes ambiguous reference to…

GLC05493.02