History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

614 PROGRESS OF EVENTS.
to risk his slender force in an encounter with the territorial
militia, there was a possibility of a collision, and
it is probable that hostilities were prevented by the prevailing
of better counsels on both sides. Brigham was
always strongly opposed to the shedding of blood, though
he wished these men out of the city limits, on which the
reservation slightly intrenched. 25 The grandjury had already
voted the camp a nuisance, 26 and on the mayor
devolved the duty of seeing it abated. But before
taking action that official began to count the cost.
To rid the city of the volunteers might be no difficult
task, but if their blood was shed, others would come
in tenfold numbers to take their place. 27 By a little
judicious delay the mayor gave time for the prophet's
cooler judgment to assert itself, and thus averted an
issue which might have resulted in the final dispersion
of his people.
The condition of affairs was now similar to that
which had obtained during the presence of the army
of Utah, Judge Kinney shielding the church dignitaries
from molestation by his colleagues, as Governor
Cumming had done from the measures of judges Sinclair
and Cradlebaugh. When it was believed that
the arrest of Brigham was contemplated, on the ground
that he had recently married another wife, the chief
justice, as a safeguard, and at his own request, ordered
him into custody for violating the act for tl>e suppression
of polygamy. The writ was served by the mar-
shal, without the aid of a posse, and the prisoner, attended
by a few intimate friends, promptly appeared
at the state-house, where an investigation was held,
25 Though its centre was two and a half miles from the city hall, it lapped
over the municipal boundary. Id. , 609, note.
26 It was reported that the waters of Red Butte canon had been purposely
fouled, being passed through the stables of the volunteers. The troops were
stationed near the head of the stream, but it was denied that they had been
guilty of any such act, though doubtless the Mormons believed it. Later in
the year there may have been cause for complaint, as the supply for irrigation
was curtailed during the dry season.
27 When Connor heard of Brigham 's order, he remarked to Stenhouse: 'I
know, sir, that Brigham Young could use up this handful of men; but there
are sixty thousand men in California who would avenge our blood.' Ibid.