History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

CONNOR'S FORCE. 613
conversation with Colonel Connor, overheard the lat-
ter remark: "These three men must be surprised."
"Colonel, you know your duty," answered the judge.
It was now believed that the first presidency was in
danger; 23 a flag was hoisted over Brigham's residence
as a signal, and within an hour two thousand men
were under arms, the prophet's dwelling being strongly
guarded, scaffolding built against the surrounding
walls, to enable the militia to fire down on the volunteers,
and cannon planted on the avenues of approach.
Night and day for several weeks armed men kept
watch over the prophet, for it was now rumored that
Connor intended to seize him at night and carry him
off to Camp Douglas before the saints could rally to
his aid. 24 The citizens were instructed that, if the attempt
were made, alarm guns would be fired from the
hillside east of Brigham's residence. On the night
of the 29th of March they were roused from sleep by
the booming of cannon, and, as quickly as they could
don their garments and seize their weapons, all ran
forth from their homes, intent on exterminating the
foe. As they rushed through the streets, the strains
of martial music were heard, to which, as was supposed,
the troops were marching on Zion. The alarm
was unfounded, the music and salute being in honor
of the colonel's promotion to the rank of brigadiergeneral,
of which news had just arrived at Camp
Douglas.
Although it is probable that Connor never intended
23 Letter of David 0. Calder in Millennial Star, xxv. 301-2; Harrison's Crit.
Notes on Utah, MS., 20. Colonel Connor denied that he had any designs
against the first presidency. In Stenhouse's Rocky Mountain Saints, G07, it is
related that one of the parties to whom Waire referred was a Mormon, who
had recently married the three widows of a wealthy merchant in S. L. City.
It was thought that this would furnish a good test of the law against polygamy.
No arrest was made, however, as it was feared that difficulties might arise if
Waite should try a case that lay within Kinney's jurisdiction.
'"The Mormons feared that Brigham might be taken to Washington for
trial. T'or several days hundreds of men kept watch in and around his residence.
Elders were also instructed to visit the various wards and warn the
saints of the danger to person and property, from the lawless conduct of
the troops. Parties patrolled the streets at night to protect the citizens; the
movements of the soldiery were carefully watched, and all trade with the
camp was for a time forbidden. Harrison'* Crit. Notes on Utah, MS.