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

12 July 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Kelly

Discusses a recently discovered Mormon scheme to counterfeit United States treasury drafts. The building where the counterfeiting operation was based was within Brigham Young's compound, and Moore claims this is evidence that Young must have known of it. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.19

23 July 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary [Kelly]

Praises the Mormons for having planted fruit and shade trees around their dwellings from their earliest settlement. Reports that gentile merchants and trade from the emigrants to California has made Salt Lake City a business center. Kelly was Moore's sister.

GLC04194.20

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

15 November 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary [Kelly]

Reports that Judge Eckles and General Johnston had affidavits showing that the Mormons had purchased artillery pieces and placed them in Salt Lake City. Comments that he had dinner with the governor and declined an invitation from the governor's wife to meet Mormon women, as he considers them no better than "professional women in a bawdy house." Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.25

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

January 16, 1860

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Kelly

Reports that General Albert S. Johnston sent him to make a professional visit on Bill Hickman, a Mormon who had been shot. Describes meeting Brigham Young's first wife. Disparages Young's wife and the other Mormon ladies he met. Comments on dancing halls. Reports that Mormons are making a great profit from the gentile merchants due to high rents. Mentions that Judge Eckles often takes care of families with attractive women. Moore considers Eckles "a humbug," but keeps it to himself. Written at Camp Floyd.

GLC04194.27

February 1, 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

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

circa July 1859

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Discusses Election Day in the territory. The gentiles have formed an opposition party, and since Judge Eckles has no opposition to the army voting, Moore believes the Mormons will be surprised and angered by the election results. Mentions that Horace Greeley recently visited Salt Lake City on a journey to California in July 1859.

GLC04194.41

circa 1865-1907

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph manuscript

Title: [Memoirs of the Utah Expedition of 1858-1860].

Contains descriptions of Utah during the years he was stationed there. The date of composition has been inferred from the manuscript and Moore's death in 1907; the Civil War appears to be noted in the past tense.

GLC04194.42

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

January 27, 1871

McCallaugh, Elizabeth, fl. 1871

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her sister

Written to her sister in the Mormon church, not by blood. Discusses family news and her desire to move to Utah. She lacks the means to make the journey and asks if money could be sent to her. She comments: "I hear Brigham Young is the wealthiest man in the world." She does not want her family, except for Maria, to be made aware of her request.

GLC05493.04

18 March 1876

Anderson, Eva, fl. 1876

Autograph letter signed

Title: to her sister

Discusses family news. Describes the actions of outlaws in the old west, particularly the actions of a man named John Holiday (not the infamous Doc Holiday).

GLC05493.05

1893

Carpenter, George, fl. 1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joe

Carpenter is happy to be back in Salt Lake. Cannot send money because he has been out of work and in debt for so long. Carpenter is now working in a dry foods department. Discusses various friends and relationships, his separation from the Mormon church and realization that it is "the only true one." Reflects on his past foolishness and attests to a desire to do "some good in this world outside of my own selfish self." Comments favorably on the early days of Utah, when all lived together and money considerations were secondary. Comments on impending marriages. Discusses the dedication…

GLC05493.06

10 February 1893

Alder, John, fl. 1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Son Joseph

Comments on recent changes in the Mormon church, lamenting that all Mormons have given up beliefs and practices to win favor with the world. People have put seeking money before seeking God. Discusses Mormon principles and his unwavering beliefs.

GLC05493.07

1862-1893

Russell, Samuel, 1835-1896

Letterbook

Title: [Samuel Russell, Letter Book].

Copybook of outgoing correspondence contains twenty letters to newspapers and individuals defending the Mormon faith. Topics include politics, anti-polygamy legislation, Church affairs, railroad right of way. Several were written and published (per Russell's notes) in the Richmond Conservator. Russell was a prominent church leader.

GLC05493.08

1968

Streeter, Thomas W. (Thomas Winthrop), 1883-1965

Book

Title: The celebrated collection of Americana formed by the late Thomas Winthrop Streeter...

(title continues)... Morristown, New Jersey sold by order of the trustees. Volume four of a seven volume collection, plus index. Includes: Kansas and Nebraska, the Dakotas, the Rocky Mountains, Colorado and Pike's Peak Gold Rush, Wyoming and Montana, the Mormons and Utah, Nevada, cattle and the cattle trade, Pacific voyages, and California through 1849. Public auction 23 and 24 April. Published by Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc. (affiliated with Sotheby & Co. in London). Contains images of items in the collection. Pages numbered 1475-1854. Includes a price list for the Streeter…

GLC03261.04

1861-1865

Manuscript

Title: Clouds On Our National Horizon

Essay discussing measures for peace and prosperity in the Union. Contains corrections and edits. Calls for reforms of immigration policy, Mormonism and liquor use.

GLC03523.10.230

3 September 1861

Stewart, J.J., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: Salisbury banner. [Vol. 8, no. 48 (September 3, 1861)]

The Confederate Tax Laws, Battles of Oak Hill and Mesilla. Semi-Weekly The Confederate tax law is printed here. A brief notice mentions the lack of American allegiance among Mormons in Utah. A letter to the editor describes circumstances in South Carolina and Georgia. An article lists congressional districts and representatives.

GLC05959.29.04