History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

616
PROGRESS OF EVENTS.
But the Lord tarried; and meanwhile provisions ran
short and the enthusiasm of the converts began to
wane, some desiring to withdraw, demanding a restitution
of their property, and refusing to contribute
anything to the common stock, even for their own
support. It was decided to let the dissenters go in
peace ; but some of them selected from the common
herd the choicest cattle, and laying in wait for their
brethren's teams, pounced on them while on their
way to the mill laden with wheat. Three of the
offenders were seized and imprisoned at Kington
Fort, their friends in vain asking the interference of
the sheriff and of Brigham. An appeal was then
made to Judge Kinney, who at once issued warrants
for the arrest of the Morrisite leaders, and writs of
habeas corpus for the men held in custody. No heed
was paid to these documents, for Morris had already
appointed the day for the second advent, assuring
his followers that there would no longer be seedtime
or harvest, and that meanwhile they had grain
and cattle sufficient for their needs. Colonel Burton,
sheriff of Salt Lake county, was then ordered to en-
force the writs, and on the 13th of June, 1862, appeared
on the heights above their camp at the Weber
settlement with a posse of three hundred or four hundred
men and five pieces of artillery.
A summons was now sent to the leaders, 33 demanding
their surrender within thirty minutes, and warning
them of the consequences if they should refuse. Morris
withdrew to his dwelling, to consult the Lord, and
a few minutes later returned with a written revelation,
promising that not one of his people should be harmed,
ing a meeting at South Weber, they asked whether there were any present
who believed in the new prophet. Seventeen persons arose and declared their
faith, stating that they would adhere to it though it should cost them their
lives. They were excommunicated, but nevertheless the number of converts
increased rapidly, and in a few months mustered about 500 persons. The
Mormon Prophet, 122-4.
33 Joseph Morris, John Banks, Richard Cook, John Parsons, and Peter
Klemgard. A copy of the summons is given in Stenhouse's Rocky Mountain
Sxints, 596-7.