[This work is taken from a manuscript written by the publisher of The Nevada Observer in 1979-1980 and converted to digital form; Copyright © 2006 David Thompson]
EARLY GOVERNMENTS IN NEVADA
Chapter III
The Nataqua and Sierra Nevada Territorial Movements.
Part One: The Nataqua Territorial Movement
Carson County, Utah Territory had been organized less than a year when settlers in the Honey Lake Valley, began a movement for regional autonomy.[1] A number of citizens in that remote area, after giving prior notice, convened a meeting "for the purpose of forming such laws, rules, and regulations as are deemed necessary and advisable in view of the settlement of said valley."[2] The convention was held at Major Isaac Roop's house, April twenty-sixth, 1856, and the laws and regulations which were unanimously adopted and signed by twenty residents of Honey Lake Valley created a new Territory -- Nataqua.[3] Of course, the Territory was strictly unofficial outside the Honey Lake area, since Plumas County, California claimed jurisdiction over the valley.[4] Plumas County officials had a rough time exerting their authority there, and the signatories to the Nataqua Territorial document intended to run things their own way, notwithstanding the claims of Californians.[5]
Section One of the proceedings of the Nataqua government's laws and regulations set the boundaries of the new Territory:
Inasmuch as Honey Lake Valley is not within the limits of California, the same is hereby declared a new territory, and the boundaries thereof shall be as follows, viz: Beginning at a point where the 38 1/2 deg. of North Latitude crosses the East line of California; thence East to the 117 deg. West Longitude; thence North to the 42nd deg. North Latitude; thence running West to the 120 deg. West Longitude (NE corner of California); thence south to the beginning; the said territory to be named Nataqua (i.e., woman).[6]
Nataqua Territory embraced all of modern day Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, Ormsby, Pershing, Storey and Washoe Counties, Nevada, and a little more besides -- about 50,000 square miles.[7] A peculiarity of the boundaries of Nataqua Territory is that they did not include the area of Honey Lake at all -- which is where those law-makers lived.[8]
This attempt to include the Carson County settlements within the boundaries of the new Territory at Honey Lake seems to have been ignored by the settlers of Western Utah, and Nataqua Territorial officials did not extend their jurisdiction very far outside of their Honey Lake Valley residences.[9]
Part Two: The Wagon Road Movements
In the spring of 1857 there was a considerable interest among Californians on the subject of wagon roads, particularly those which crossed the Sierra Nevada mountains. The various branches of the old emigrant trail leading over the passes into California were scarcely more than tracks across the land; for purposes of commercial freight, only pack trains could successfully negotiate the rough highways. At the end of April there was a wagon road meeting at Genoa, where the assembled citizens elected delegates to attend a large wagon road convention at Mokelumne Hill, California.[10] Other residents of Carson Valley interested themselves in a rival wagon road convention at Sacramento.[11]
Road improvement and construction followed these conventions and others -- Jared B. "Bob" Crandall made the first successful passage over the Sierra Nevada mountains by stagecoach in June, 1857, on the road to Carson Valley from Placerville, and another coach from Oroville topped the summit and arrived shortly thereafter at Honey Lake.[12]
Crandall set up a regular stage service between Placerville and Carson Valley that same month, and within about a week John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson announced that he would establish an express during the summer of 1857, traveling between Mokelumne Hill and Carson Valley.[13] This brought the residents of Western Utah Territory into greater contact with the commercial interests on the other side of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and there also was something of a migration of Californians to Carson Valley during the summer of 1857.[14]
In addition to the newly arrived settlers from the western slope, overland emigrants also decided to make their homes in Carson Valley, and bought out the farms and ranches of some of the departing LDS Church settlers.[15] In a letter dated June twenty-fourth and written from Carson Valley, Judge James M. Crane estimated the population of Carson Valley had already reached eight or nine hundred people.[16] A company of one hundred and fifty Chinese from El Dorado County arrived during the summer at Gold Cañon and began construction on a ditch from Carson River to the diggings.[17] With these recent settlers, thousand of overland travelers passed through the area, in the largest emigration to California since the summer and fall of 1852.[18] The influx of new settlers and commerce revived the ambitions of the Carson Valley settlers for an independent government of their own.
Part Three: The Sierra Nevada Territorial Movement
At twilight on August third, 1857, a man with a cow bell went out and assembled some fifty people at D.E. Gilbert's saloon in Genoa.[19] The purpose of the meeting, according to the formal minutes, was "to take preliminary steps towards calling a grand mass meeting of citizens for the purpose of petitioning Congress to organize a new territory out of Utah, California and New Mexico."[20] Col. John Reese served the meeting as its chairman, while William Nixon was its secretary.[21] The participants in the meeting unanimously adopted a preamble and a number of resolutions, setting Saturday, August eighth, 1857 as the day for the mass meeting at Genoa, and appointed a committee of nineteen to make the necessary arrangements.[22] Judge James M. Crane and Carson County Judge Chester Loveland were invited to address the planned convention.[23]
Those favoring a new territory and those who were curious gathered at the town plaza of Genoa on the eighth of August, as planned.[24] Major William M. Ormsby called the mass meeting to order, by nominating Col. John Reese to preside over the convention.[25] The assemblage unanimously supported Major Ormsby's choice.[26] Major Isaac Roop, Captain F.C. Smith, Dr. B.L. King and Solomon Perrin were selected as Vice-Presidents for the convention, and D.E. Gilbert and John K. Trumbo were chosen to be secretaries.[27]
Colonel Reese explained the purpose of the meeting to those present, and upon a motion by Major Ormsby, the assembled citizens voted to allow Col. Reese to appoint a committee of nine persons, "to report business for the consideration of the meeting."[28] This committee then retired, and while they were out deliberating, Judge James M. Crane gave a speech in favor of the new territory (Judge Loveland, though invited to speak, did not attend the meeting).[29] Judge Crane talked for about an hour to the crowd.[30] According to a news report published in the Sacramento Union, the speech was well delivered and instructive; Judge Crane spoke on the policy of the federal government in reference to the public domain, and reviewed that policy as it had developed since 1798, describing the rise and progress of the lands west of the Alleghany Mountains, and particularly the lands in the Great Basin and on the Pacific Coast.[31]
After Judge Crane concluded his speech, Major Ormsby (the chairman of the committee to report business to the convention) submitted a set of resolutions and a memorial to Congress.[32] After one of the Secretaries read these proposals to the assembled citizens, the convention adopted them unanimously.[33]
There were ten separate resolutions adopted at the convention, prefaced by a statement of necessity. The first paragraph gives the reasons for the existence of the territorial movement:
WHEREAS, The people inhabiting the territory commonly known as the Great American Basin, lying between the eastern spurs and foot hills the Sierra Nevada, west of the Goose Creek range of mountains, the Oregon line on the north, and the Colorado and its tributaries on the south, having become convinced, from the rapid increase of population within these limits, the dangers which threaten us from the numerous hostile tribes of Indians, and from the absence of all law to restrain the vicious, and to protect the upright, that some kind of government should be established as soon as possible for the better security of life and property to it.[34]
Following this reasoning, the convention resolved "that a Territorial Government should be organized within the aforesaid boundaries by Congress within the shortest possible time."[35] The second resolution provided for a memorial to the U.S. Congress and the President, James Buchanan.[36] Also, the convention resolved upon having a delegate "to visit the Federal capital, to represent the interests, wants and views of the people to the President of the United States, and to both Houses of Congress."[37] The third resolution authorized Judge Crane to perform this duty, while the fourth resolution endorsed Crane for the job.[38] The fifth resolution of the convention provided, "That for the more effectual accomplishment of the great object of this meeting, that a committee be appointed, consisting of twenty-eight persons, to manage and superintend all matters necessary and proper in the premises."[39] The sixth resolution named the members of the committee.[40] The seventh resolution invited the federal representatives of Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico and California "to use their personal and official influence with their brother Senators and Representatives in Congress to secure the passage of an Act by that body for the organization of the aforesaid Territory."[41]
The last three resolutions adopted by the convention pertained to publicity for the territorial movement. The convention requested the newspaper press of the Far West to publish the minutes of the proceedings at Genoa; and further resolved to request publication of the proceedings in Washington, New York and New Orleans newspapers.[42] Also, the convention resolved that the President and Secretaries should appoint a committee to attend to the publication of the proceedings.[43] The Memorial adopted by the convention is an interesting document. With the prospective exception of a few claims regarding the present and prospective population and resources of the proposed new Territory, the Memorial is a recitation of problems of law and order on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada:
The citizens inhabiting the valleys within the Great Basin of the American Continent, to be hereinafter described, beg leave respectfully to present for the earnest consideration of the President of the United States, and the members of both Houses of Congress this their petition; praying for the organization of a new Territory of the United States. We do not propose to come with any flourish of trumpets or multiply words in this memorial, but we propose simply to submit a few plain statements as the inducements and reasons which actuate us in making this appeal to those who have the power to remedy the existing difficulties and embarrassment under which we now labor and suffer.
A large portion of the inhabitants who make this appeal to the powers that be in Washington, have been residing within the region hereinafter described, for the last six or seven years, without any Territorial, State, or Federal protection from Indian depredations and marauding outlaws, runaway criminals and convicts, as well as other evil-doers among white men and Indians.
Those who have come into this Territory since then have and are still suffering and encountering the same difficulties which they have ever met with, and we have no reason to suppose that life and property can ever be made secure in this part of the country until some form of government shall be established by which laws may be passed and enforced upon the disobedient and vicious.
We are peaceable inhabitants and law-abiding citizens, and do not wish to see anarchy, violence, bloodshed, and crime of every hue and grade waving their horrid scepter over this portion of our common country.
In the winter-time the snows that fall upon the summits and spurs of the Sierra Nevada, frequently interrupt all intercourse and communications between the Great Basin and the State of California, and the Territories of Oregon and Washington, for nearly four months every year. During the same time all intercourse and communication between us and the civil authorities of Utah are likewise closed.
Within this space of time, and indeed from our anomalous condition during all seasons of the year, no debts can be collected by law; no offenders can be arrested, and no crime can be punished except by the code of Judge Lynch; and no obedience to government can be enforced, and for these reasons there is and can be no protection to either life or property except that which may be derived from the peaceably disposed, the good sense and patriotism of the people, or from the fearful, unsatisfactory, and terrible defense and protection which the revolver, the bowie-knife, and other deadly weapons may afford us.
Even in the spring, summer, and fall months, we are destitute of all power and means of enjoying the benefits of the local Territorial Government of Utah, to which the most of us belong, as well as the local and neighboring Government of California, Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico. The distance between the Great Salt Lake City and the innumerable fertile valleys which lie along the eastern spurs and foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada, where most of the population of this section reside, is nearly 800 miles, and over this immense space there sweep two deserts. On this account no intercourse or communication of a legal or political nature is or can be held with the civil authorities of Utah. The only authority acknowledged in this part of Utah Territory, by any class of people, is that which the Church of the Latter Day Saints, whose members are generally known under the sobriquet of Mormons, exercises over its votaries and disciples. Neither they nor the Gentiles appear to look to the Territorial Government of Utah for any statutory laws for the regulation of their business or for the government of their conduct. The Mormons, in all their social affairs, conform to the general, voluntary rules and habits of life among the Gentiles, but they regulate all their business affairs, dealing and intercourse with each other by certain established rules of the church and not by any laws passed by the legislative department of the Territory.
These are but a part of the grievances under which we labor. Nearly one-half of the country in which the most of your petitioners reside, has but two Justices of the Peace and one Constable, and while no one even respects their authority, there are not perhaps fifty men in the whole county who know or care to know who they are or where they live. Should they attempt to exercise any authority, they would be regarded not only as intermeddlers but intruders. Nearly the whole region in which most of your petitioners reside, was once erected into a county called "Carson" by the Territorial Legislature of Utah, but for some reason or reasons unknown to your petitioners, the same Legislature has abolished the county organization and has established in lieu of it an election precinct -- a precinct too, in which nobody votes for an officer, and nobody cares to vote.
The present number of white inhabitants who reside within the limits of the proposed new Territory, cannot be far from 7,000 to 8,000 souls, and their numbers are rapidly increasing. As the county has no less than 200 intermediate valleys, which run into one another, of the most fertile grazing and agricultural lands as well as foot-hills, mountain spurs and mountains in which are found gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, coal and other minerals, metals and precious stones, we have good reason to suppose that, when they are properly explored and developed, it will be found that we possess, for its extent, one of the richest and most productive regions of the globe. As the evidence in support of these facts is known and can be known now to but a few individuals, we do not propose here to discuss the subject but rather to wait until further explorations shall develop all the necessary evidence in support of the truth of our statements. For these and many other reasons there will soon be a rush of population to this new Territory like that which rapidly poured into Texas and California in days passed; and, unless a Territorial Government or some form of government shall be established during the coming session of Congress we may expect to witness scenes of a tragical character so appalling and startling in their nature as to make every man feel that no law can or should rule but that which is enforced by the iron and savage rule of unrestrained violence and bloodshed.
There are some portions of the Great Basin of this continent, claimed by the State of California, in which reside a considerable number of people who, in the winter time, can have no connection with it. This is the case with those who reside in Honey Lake Valley. That valley lies east of the Sierra Nevadas, and within the Great Basin, and from this cause the people living in it have no intercourse with other parts of the State during the rainy season for nearly four months every year. They, therefore, naturally belong to the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas, and on this account they desire to join us in this movement. If they are forced to remain with California they can never know anything about the affairs of their State during the whole time its Legislature may be in session. It is, therefore, folly, and worse than folly, to attach the people of this valley to a State about which they know nothing, and care nothing, for one-third of the year, and that third the most important part of it to them. They therefore cordially unite with us in this prayer and memorial to Congress, asking not only that they may be attached to the proposed new Territory, but that they may add their united voice in support of the great necessities for the organization of the aforesaid Territory.
There are others residing in the southern part of California, on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevadas, who are similarly situated during a portion of the winter months of each year. That part, also, of New Mexico, lying near the Colorado River and its tributaries, and within the Gadsden Purchase, adjacent to them, have the same difficulties of communicating with the civil authorities of New Mexico at Santa Fe, or any other local and neighboring government, that a large portion of your petitioners have to encounter in communicating with Utah, California, and Oregon in the winter season.
In addition to the facts here presented we submit that all the routes across the continent, between the Atlantic and Pacific States and Territories, will be, by the organization of this new Territory, amply guarded and protected. The population of the Indian tribes within the proposed Territory cannot be far from 75,000 to 100,000 souls, and the most of them, under proper management, could be very easily controlled if we had anything like an organized government within our limits. For these and many other cogent considerations, which will readily suggest themselves, we pray for the organization of the aforesaid Territory.[44]
The convention followed this Memorial with a description of the boundaries of the proposed new Territory, and then nominated a committee of five to circulate the petition for signatures.[45] By unanimous request, Milton S. Hall and H.P. Duskins sang the "Star Spangled Banner", and the convention adjourned.[46]
The editors of the Sacramento Union favored the Territorial movement in Western Utah, and said so in their reportage. The following editorial, published August twenty-fourth, is an example:
The population of the valley east of the Sierra Nevada is rapidly increasing. Numbers of the emigrants of this season are stopping there and taking up farms. Maj. Ormsby and Judge Crane both pronounce the land in Carson, Eagle, Washo and Honey Lake Valleys to be of a very fine quality. In Carson there are now thousands upon thousands of acres of land where the grass, flowers and weeds are so high that when cattle are lying down they are nearly hid from the view of the herdsman. The grass there, as well as in the mountains, looks green, fresh and inviting.
They also speak in high terms of the climate, and the advantages which are there offered to the emigrant seeking land upon which to build a home for himself and family. The people there are not troubled with Mexican grants; the land is all public -- all belongs to the United States.
As will be seen by reading their memorial to the President and Congress, the people there have taken the initiative towards the formation of a new Territory from the western portion of Utah. Strong reasons are presented in the memorial why such a Territory should be organized. Indeed they seem to us unanswerable.
From Salt Lake to Carson Valley the distance is nearly or quite eight hundred miles by the emigrant travel, and by any route it is too distant to be governed by a Governor and Territorial Legislature located at Salt Lake City. Particularly is this the case when we take into consideration the fact that deserts intervene.
The boundary proposed on the east side will be, for most of the distance, a natural one, as it will run for a long distance along the edge or immediately on a desert, which never can be cultivated. On the west side, it would be bounded by the snow-capped Sierra Nevada. Probably on the south they should not have gone south or east of the Colorado, as efforts are now making at Washington to organize the Territory of Arizona, which would extend from the Rio Grande to the east line of California.
Until they can obtain at the hands of Congress an organized Territory, the people in those valleys east of the Sierra Nevada must make and administer their own laws. They are now literally without government and without law. We hope their prayer will receive a favorable consideration at the hands of Congress. Judge James M. Crane has been appointed Territorial Agent to go to Washington.[47]
Despite support from the Union and other newspapers on the Pacific Coast, the Territorial movement of 1857-1858 was not successful in getting formal recognition from the United States Congress. Although the Committee of Territories reported favorably on a bill drafted to create a new Territory out of Western Utah, the bill was not taken up on the floor of the House of Representatives.[48] Thus, the residents of Western Utah were left to fend for themselves.
[1] Sacramento Union 20 May 1856:3; Western Standard 24 May 1856:3; Fariss & Smith, Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, With California From 1513 to 1850, Fariss & Smith, San Francisco: 1882, pps. 344-346.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid. Fariss & Smith, Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties reproduces this document on pps. 344-346.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Fariss & Smith, Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties, pps. 344-346.
[7] Ibid., p. 346.
[8] Ibid., p. 347.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Sacramento Union 2 May 1857:2. William B. "Lucky Bill" Thorington and M.W. Wheeler were elected delegates, but John A. "Snowshoe" Thompson replaced Thorington at the Mokelumne Hill Convention (Sacramento Union 4 May 1857:1).
[11] Sacramento Union 11 May 1857:2; 12 May 1857:2; 13 May 1857:2; 25 May 1857:2; 27 May 1857:3. Major William M. Ormsby and others involved themselves in promoting this road.
[12] Sacramento Union 13 Jun 1857:3; 15 Jun 1857:2; 16 Jun 1857:2; 17 Jun 1857:2; 23 Jun 1857:2; 24 Jun 1857:4.
[13] Sacramento Union 15 Jun 1857:1; 16 Jun 1857:2; 23 Jun 1857:2.
[14] Sacramento Union 9 Jun 1857:2; 12 Jun 1857:4; 15 Jun 1857:2; 29 Jun 1857:4; 1 Jul 1857:4; 7 Jul 1857:2; 13 Jul 1857:1&4; 15 Jul 1857:1; 20 Jul 1857:3; 27 Jul 1857:3; 1 Aug 1857:2; 8 Aug 1857:2; 10 Aug 1857:1; 21 Aug 1857:3; 24 Aug 1857:1&2; Angel, Myron (ed.) History of Nevada With Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Thompson & West, Oakland: 1881, p. 42.
[15] Sacramento Union 22 Sept 1857:2; Angel, History of Nevada, p. 624.
[16] Letters from James M. Crane, Sacramento Union 13 Jul 1857:4.
[17] Sacramento Union 1 Jul 1857:4.
[18] Placerville Mountain Democrat 5 Sept 1857:2; Sacramento Union 3 Aug 1857:2; 10 Aug 1857:1; 17 Sept 1857:2.
[19] Sacramento Union 6 Aug 1857:3; 8 Aug 1857:2.
[20] Ibid.
[21] Sacramento Union 6 Aug 1857:3; 8 Aug 1857:2.
[22] Ibid.
[23] Ibid.
[24] Sacramento Union 24 Aug 1857:1; Angel, History of Nevada, pps. 42-45.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Ibid.
[27] Ibid.
[28] Ibid.
[29] Ibid.
[30] Ibid.
[31] Sacramento Union 24 Aug 1857:1.
[32] Ibid.; Angel, History of Nevada, pps. 42-45.
[33] Ibid.
[34] Ibid.
[35] Ibid. The Territorial Convention agreed upon boundaries for the Memorial to the U.S. Congress, "as the most practicable and appropriate for the proposed new Territory:--"
Beginning on the northwest on a line of 4° north latitude, and longitude 120°, thence following the Oregon and Utah boundary line on a direct east course to longitude 116°, thence a southeast course to about north latitude 38° and longitude 114°, thence further on in the same direction to north latitude 34° and longitude 112°, thence almost a due south course to the boundary line between the State of Sonora, in the Republic of Mexico, and the Territory of New Mexico, thence along that line to the eastern boundary of California, and thence along the latter line to the place of beginning.
[36] Sacramento Union 24 Aug 1857:1; Angel, History of Nevada, pps. 42-45.
[37] Ibid.
[38] Ibid. After addressing a mass meeting of the citizens of Honey Lake Valley convened in support of the territorial movement at Carson Valley, Judge Crane crossed the mountains into California. His ship left San Francisco for Washington D.C. on November fifth, 1857. (Sacramento Union 19 Oct 1857:2.)
[39] Ibid.
[40] Ibid. These persons were Maj. Isaac Roop, Peter Lassen, Cutler Arnold, Wm. Hill [Naileigh], L.C. McMurtry, Dr. B.L. King, Martin Stebbins, Maj. Wm. M. Ormsby, James McMarlin, Dr. C.D. Daggett, Col. John Reese, Col. Wm. Rogers, Isaac Farwell, Daniel Woodford, Thomas J. Singleton, Noses Job, Wm. B. "Lucky Bill" Thorington, Orrin Gray, D.E. Gilbert, Solomon Perrin, James Quick, Jefferson Atchison, Samuel Blackford, T.J. Hall, James McIntyre, S. Stevenson and. M. Smith.
[41] Ibid.
[42] Sacramento Union 24 Aug 1857:1; Angel, History of Nevada, pps. 42-45.
[43] Ibid. A mass meeting of the citizens of Honey Lake Valley, held October third, 1857, approved, endorsed and confirmed the proceedings of the earlier mass meeting in Carson Valley to petition the U.S. Congress for territorial status. The preamble and resolutions of this meeting, which was addressed by James N Crane, were published in the Sacramento Union 19 Oct 1857:1. See also San Francisco Herald 22 Oct 1857:2
[44] Ibid.
[45] Ibid. For a description of the proposed boundaries see Note 35. The members of the committee were W.W. Nicols, R.D. Sides, Orrin Gray, J.K. Trumbo and Col. Wm. "Uncle Billy" Rogers.
[46] Ibid.
[47] Sacramento Union 24 Aug 1857:2. In addition, Wm. M. Ormsby and Martin Smith, acting as Carson Valley Commissioners, delivered the following petition to the Legislature of California in January, 1858:
To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of California:
The people living in that portion of the continent lying between the Goose Creek range of mountains on the east, and the Sierra Nevada on the west; the Oregon and Utah line on the north, and the Colorado river on the south, have appointed us their Commissioners to submit the following petition to the honorable the Legislature of California, asking and praying that the State shall cede and transfer all of her real and supposed interest and jurisdiction over territory situated on the eastern side of the Sierra range of mountains, and supposed to be by some within the limits of the State of California. Our object in asking for this cession and transfer of jurisdiction is for the following reasons:
1st. That the said spurs, foothills and valleys may be incorporated in the proposed new Territory.
2d. Because, in the Winter season, the snows on the Sierra Nevada fall so deep and remain for so long a time as to close all intercourse and communication across the mountains, between those residing on both sides of it for the space of about four months every year.
There are many considerations why this memorial should receive the approval of the Legislature. The true boundary between the State of California and the Territory of Utah has never been officially determined, and it is to be regretted that this question has been permitted to rest so long in doubt. Up to this day California has never, by any Act of the Legislature, attempted to extend her jurisdiction beyond the main summit of the Sierra Nevada eastward to the Great Basin. Indeed, El Dorado and one or two other counties have, on one or more occasions, excluded votes given by actual residents of the valleys east of the mountains, for State and county officers, on the ground that the said voters were not living within the limits of the State of California. Up to July last all departments of Government, State and county uniformly considered and acted upon the conviction that the main summit of the Sierra Nevada was the true and lawful boundary line between the State of California and the Territory of Utah. Until then, none of the county officials of this State ever sought for any alliance and connection with the people inhabiting any portion of the Great Basin. The people and the Government Agents of Utah have likewise acted upon the conviction that the western boundary of the Territory extended to the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. Heretofore, then, there has been a tacit, if not an express understanding that the Sierra Nevada was not only the natural boundary, but the legitimate boundary between said State and Territory. Eddy's map was for many years the official map of the State of California. This map placed Honey Lake on the western side of the Sierra Nevada, say some forty miles distant from summit. The present official map of the State (Mr. Goddard's) very correctly places Honey Lake on the eastern side of the mountains, but at the same time extends the State boundary a very considerable distance east of Honey Lake. It is to be presumed that neither of the authors of these maps ever saw Honey Lake or the country adjacent. Thus it will be seen that the official maps of California not only have differed as to the topography of the country -- the location of one of the most noted lakes west of the Rocky Mountains -- but that the Legislature has never, up to this time, had in its possession any correct topographical and geographical account of the country in question, nor any official longitudinal guide for determining the true eastern boundary of the State. The observations taken and the surveys made by Lieut. Beckwith, Mr. Marlett[e] and Mr. Kirk, however correct, are not binding on the parties interested and their acts can, therefore, have no influence upon the questions of State boundary and jurisdiction. The true boundary line must be run by Commissioners appointed by the State of California and the Territory of Utah. This is the way all questions about boundaries are settled. Unless the State of California shall withdraw its jurisdiction over this Territory, or the boundary line is amicably settled, we may expect to have endless disputes and difficulties. Nothing good can come from leaving this question undetermined.
The second reason offered in this petition, why the State of California should withdraw or surrender its jurisdiction over this territory, ought, we think; to have much favor with the Legislature. The inhabitants residing on both sides of the Sierra Nevada, during three or four months every year, have no intercourse or communication with one another. The snows which fall upon the main summit of the Sierra Nevada, as well as the chief spurs of the mountain, are frequently, during the entire months of December, January, February and March, found to be, in many places, from twenty to thirty feet deep. These immense fields of snow rarely ever begin to melt until April, and then it requires full one month longer before the main roads across the mountains are sufficiently free from snow, mud and other obstructions, to afford a safe and easy transit to and from California and Utah. The period of the year when these obstructions effectively close all intercourse between the people on both sides of the mountain, is the most important, of all others, to those on the Eastern side. Then the Legislature of this State is in session; and; for the reason above stated, it is evident the people living on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada can have no communication with their Representatives, or be heard in favor or against any measure which might concern them. The Legislature might, under such circumstances, unintentionally or through the misrepresentations of interested, venal and designing men, do great wrong and injustice to these remote people. Indeed, from their position it is manifest that they can have no voice in the Legislature. We think, therefore, that it would be the part of wisdom, as well as of humanity, for this State to withdraw its jurisdiction over territory it cannot superintend, and the inhabitants of which it is physically impossible, at all times, to guard and protect, or even legislate for safely and intelligently.
There is one other subject connected with this question, which, it appears to your Commissioners, should address itself strongly to a favorable consideration of the Legislature. The boundary line between California and Utah, as laid down on Mr. Goddard's map (and, we believe, the official map of the State), is perhaps the most unnatural and the most unsatisfactory that could be established. If this line is insisted on, and adhered to, it will be found that, as soon as the valleys on the eastern side of the mountains become generally settled, there will be constant strife and altercations between the people and officers of this State and those of Utah. This line follows no stream or highlands, but along the centers of valleys. This state of things would often place a man's residence in California, and his farm in Utah, and vice versa. The true boundary line between California and the Great Basin has been established by mature, and there is perhaps no intelligent man living who, from a personal examination of this great natural boundary, would not consider it one of the most perfect that could be offered between the States and Territories. This natural boundary is the crest of the main summit of the Sierra Nevada. Almost at any point along this vast summit you can behold the waters running east and west, down both sides of the mountain. In some places these springs are not over one hundred and fifty yards apart, and many of them are the headwaters of the large rivers. Those running to the west flow into the Pacific ocean, and those running east flow into the Great Basin of the continent, and there sink. Even the waters of Lake Bigler, lying between what are called the First or Eastern and the Second or Western summits of the Sierra Nevada, empty into the Great Basin. At this point it is said that the great Sierra range of mountains has two summits; but the second summit forms no obstacle to the passage of the waters of lakes Bigler and Smith, as well as other tributaries flowing into the Great Basin. Indeed, none of the waters within the basin formed by the two summits flow into the Pacific. What is therefore called the Second, Eastern or Utah summit, is nothing more than one of the chief spurs of the Sierra Nevada. As the main summit, then, forms the dividing line between the waters emptying into the Pacific Ocean and the Great Basin, it appears to us that this immense summit chain is, and of rights should be, the true, natural and legitimate boundary between the State of California and the Territory of Utah.
The right of the Legislature to pass such an Act as we have prayed for is unquestionable. The Constitution of the United States, in Art. IV and Sec. 8, provides that "new States may be admitted by Congress into the Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of Congress." This section clearly points out the manner in which a State may withdraw its jurisdiction from a portion of its territory, in order that a new State or Territorial Government may be formed.
It is understood, however, that the consent of Congress shall be procured by which the Government of such Territory shall pass immediately under the jurisdiction of the United States. This section was incorporated into the Federal Constitution so as to afford full protection to the inhabitants who were residents of the country ceded to the United States by the State of Virginia; and also, that new States might be formed, with the consent of the Legislature of the State concerned, out of territory the property of the States. Thus Georgia, by her Legislature, in 1802, granted territory to the Federal Government; and Virginia, by her Legislature in 1789, passed an Act consenting, with the concurrence of Congress, that a new State might be formed out of her territory, to be called 'Kentucky."
The authority to exercise this right was of much more consequence to the States than can be the satisfaction of the people residing in the Great Basin to obtain from the Legislature of this State the privilege of incorporating a few valleys into our proposed new Territory. The Legislatures of Virginia, Georgia, etc., in the examples above referred to, did more for, and gave more to, the young and rising States and Territories which surrounded them, than we dare ask, or even expect from the Legislature of California. They not only yielded up all jurisdictional control over the Territory, but they parted with their title to the property, and conferred it, along with their political jurisdiction, to the General Government, to be sold for the common benefit of the whole Union. Since these examples were set, all States have been admitted into the Union under the express condition that the lands within the State boundary and the property of the United States shall be free from all local legislative control.
That portion of the territory from which your petitioners desire the Legislature to withdraw her jurisdiction, is still the property of the United States. The amount of territory is small, and California can lose nothing by parting with it. Nearly all the country out of which we propose to establish a new Territory is within the limits of Utah and New Mexico. The Legislatures of these Territories, however, it is not necessary for us to consult, as Congress has the undoubted right to repeal, amend, or in any other way qualify or change the organic law of these Territories. As the proposed new Territory lies just in the rear of this State, and must, from position as well as from the people who are to settle upon it, work its rich mines and cultivate its productive valleys, soon become 'bone of her bone and flesh of her flesh,' it is to be presumed that California should feel a strong interest in its prosperity. The new Territory must ever be a helpmate to this State --must contribute much to her revenues and internal and external commerce. The young and rising States and Territories on this side of the continent have much to expect from California. She is a settled and established State, and, withal, young and vigorous. Let her, then, give all proper aid and encouragement to those who are seeking admission among the family of States in this part of the country.
Trusting that our petition may find favor in the wisdom and patriotism of the Legislature, we beg to subscribe ourselves, your much obliged fellow citizens,
W.M. Ormsby }
} Commissioners.
Martin Smith }
This petition, and the minor debate which followed its introduction and reading, are reproduced in the Sacramento Union 28 Jan 1858:1; see also the Sacramento Union 29 Jan 1858:2 for a balanced editorial, and a letter from "Philo" of Carson Valley, unfavorable to the memorial and published in the Union of 2 Mar 1858:3.
[48] Swackhamer, William D., Political History of Nevada 1979, State Printing Office, Carson City: 1979, p. 52. For the favorable action of the House Committee on Territories, see "Territory of Nevada", House Report No. 375, 35th Cong., 1st Session, Serial 966.
Hon. William "Extra Billy" Smith, Congressman from Virginia, was a leading supporter of the Nevada Territorial legislation, H.R. 567, in the Thirty-sixth Congress. Austin E. Smith of California, was mentioned as a possible Governor of the proposed Territory. The House Committee on Territories, in Report No. 375, recommended passage of the bill. So did the State Legislature of California, in a resolution sent to the U.S. Congress (Senate Miscellaneous Document No. 17, Thirty-sixth Congress, First Session, Serial 1038). According to an article in the Washington (D.C.) Union: "It was apparent that a very strong feeling prevailed in Congress, before its recent adjournment, in favor of creating some provisional form of government, either by the grant of a Territorial Act, or otherwise, for the settlers in Carson Valley; but the pressure of business during the last few weeks of the session prevented any action on the subject. It will doubtless be considered early in the next session, and some proper law be passed that will meet the demands of the settlers in this beautiful Valley" (reprinted in the Sacramento Union 31 Jul 1858:2). For further notes on the progress of the territorial movement in the U.S. Congress see the Sacramento Union 18 Jan 1858:2; 20 Feb 1858:2; 1 Mar 1858:3; 2 Apr 1858:1; 1 May 1858:1&3; 6 May 1858:4; 17 May 1858:1; 18 Jun 1858:1; 23 Jun 1858:2; 1 Jul 1858:1; 16 Jul 1858:1.
Chapter I: The Settlers' Government; Chapter II: Carson County, Utah Territory; Chapter III: The Nataqua and Sierra Nevada Territorial Movements; Chapter IV: The Carson Valley People's Court; Chapter V: Rival Governments; Chapter VI: Nevada Territorial Movement and Provisional Government; Chapter VII: Mining District Governments
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Issac Trumbo grandson of Col John Reese
San Francisco County
Biographies
COLONEL ISAAC TRUMBO
COLONEL ISAAC TRUMBO was born September 9, 1858, near the line which marks the division of California and Nevada. His father, John K. Trumbo, was a native of Beth county, Kentucky, and his grandfather, Isaac Trumbo, was also a Kentuckian by birth. Their ancestors came from Scotland and settled in Virginia in the early history of the colonies; later they removed to Kentucky and were contemporary with Daniel Boone. John K. Trumbo came to California in 1849, and was engaged in the mercantile business for years. He was the founder of the horse market in Sacramento, and for a long period of years was interested in mines and mining enterprises. He married Miss Mary Reese, a daughter of Colonel John Reese, a pioneer of Nevada, and one of her most prominent citizens; he laid out the city of Carson, Genoa; Reese river, Nevada, was named in his honor; he also laid out what was known as the McDonald trail over the mountains of California. Mr. Trumbo was a brave and generous man, and was deeply mourned when he died; he passed from this life in 1889.
In 1867 Colonel Trumbo went with his father and family to Corinne, Utah, where he made his start in life. Later he went to Salt Lake City, and there amassed a considerable amount of money in commercial and industrial enterprises. In 1880, he came to California and went to Placer county, where he engaged in mining; at the end of two years he retired from active participation in the management of the business, but still retains a large interest in the mines there. Since coming to San Francisco he has become interested in various lines, and in the great wheat deal a few years ago he succeeded in breaking one of the richest combinations ever formed on the coast. His hand was not counted on and his resources were not believed to be of weight, but he proved his mastery and an ability worthy of the highest diplomacy. He is a member of Governor Waterman’s staff.
The Colonel was married October 13, 1886, at Salt Lake City, to Miss Emma White. He has for so many years been prominently identified with the commerce of the city, that a volume of this character would not be complete with his name omitted. He is in every way a representative Californian, and takes a just pride in his nativity.
Transcribed by Donna L. Becker.
Source: “The Bay of San Francisco,” Vol. 2, Pages 486-487, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
Relations of the L.D.S. Church with Colonel Isaac Trumbo, February 12, 1898
1898-February 12-Deseret News Weekly 56:262 (February 12, 1898).
Roberts (CHC 6:338-345) discusses the political situation in Utah 1896-1898. Colonel Isaac Trumbo's connection with Utah politics and affairs is briefly mentioned on p. 339. Roberts says that "Public understanding, rightfully or not, usually coupled the name and interests of George Q. Cannon with those of Mr. Trumbo, and their names [in 1896] were commonly coupled together as prospective senators to be elected by the Republican legislature of Utah."
Arrington (Great Basin Kingdom, p. 385) quotes the Journal History for a formal discussion by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve on January 27, 1898 regarding the inter-relationships then existing between L.D.S. and "Gentile" leaders. He quotes them as saying: "the Saints never expected to be so mixed up with Gentiles as circumstances had led them into ..."
George Q. Cannon was not only a member of the First Presidency but he was president of a number of business ventures in which the First Presidency had invested L.D.S. Church funds. (See for example Arrington's discussion of "Case Studies of Church Promotion in the 1890's", pp. 386-403)
With George Q. Cannon's name coupled with that of Isaac Trumbo in politics it might also be natural to have it coupled, by popular opinion
Table of ContentsIntroductionA Wilford Woodruff Chronology
1. From Convert to Apostolic MIssionary: 1833-402. Exploring New Doctrines: 1841-453. Fleeing West: 1846-504. Settling a New Zion: 1851-565. At War with the United States: 1857-616. Trouble Without and Within: 1862-707. On the Underground: 1871-808. Assuming Leadership: 1881-889. The Great Compromise: 1889-98Index
1890
May 19 The Supreme Court of the United States Decided to day Against the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints. They Decided to Escheat all the Church Property Real & Personal. This is turning the Last [key] that will seal the Condemnation of this Nation.
Aug 27 We road to the City of Joseph occupied By the Saints from the Islands. We visited the field & springs. 27 Mil[e]s.
28 We held a Meeting with Saints. We had a procession of the people. I headed the procession followed by G Q Cannon J F Smith followed by all the people. The Native women from the Islands were all Dressed in beautiful white. One waggon Driven By Frank Knowlton loaded with Sage Brush & Indians representing Utah as it was. Another waggon Driven with wheat Corn oats & Barley & fruits representing Utah as it is. We marched around the flag pole in the City plot then down to the bowery whare we had a feast. The Meats were Cooks as the Kan[ackers?] Cook it on the Islands in a hole in the ground.
After our Dinner we Assembled together and had an oration Delive[re]d by one of the Natives. He was a powerfull Orator. W Woodruff then addressed them which was interpeted by J F Smith who also addressed them near one hour. When He Closed W Woodruff Dedicated the Land & place with all its Contents in the English Language. Then Joseph F Smith Dedicated it in the Hawaiion Language after which Wm. King Dismissed the Assembly. It was a Day long to be remembered by these Natives. In fact it was a vary interesting day to me.
[September] 5 We arived at Sacramento at 9 oclok And at Sanfrancisco at 2 oclock. We arived Just Before the great Celebration. Nearly Every Hotels & Rooms in the City was Engaged But Isaac Trumbo had Engaged 3 Bedrooms & a parlor in the 3d Story of the Palace Hotel for the use of a Committee But He appropriated it for our use which gave us vary Comfortable quarters but we found we Could not do any business untill the Celebration was over.
9 . . . This was the day of the great Celebration of the pioneers of Sanfrancisco and the admission of Calafornia .... At the Close of the procession some 10,000 people gathered in the Street North of the palace Hotel to see two men & a Lady Step out of the 7 Story window & let themselves down to the ground on a small fire Escape rope. The Lady stoped on my window Sill in the 3d Story. I offered her a place in the room but she went to the ground in safety.
12 I visited the Chronicle Building with Col Isaac Trumbull 11 Stories High. We went to the top on an Elevator. We had a View of the whole City. I wrote to Emma. I had an interview with Judge Estee, and G Q Cannon had an interview with Mr Livingston. We attended Theater in the Evening.
16 We had an interview with W W Stow A N Town & Cread Haymor. We also Met Mr Henry Bigalow Editor of the Examinor. We attended the Theater in the Evening.
17 We Met Mr Filmore M S Woods & A Badlam. We visited Col Isaac Trumbo's New House. The ground upon which it Stands & the House & furnishing will Cost $50,000 The furnishing $20,000. It is a home well finished. I wrote Emma & went to the Theater in the Evening.
18 We visited A Badlam House. Mrs Badlam Entertained us vary Kindly. We spent 14 days at the Palace Hotel at $15 dollars a day for our Company. We paid the Bill $210.
21 We arived at Ogden at 9 oclock & Salt Lake City at 11.30. I rode to the farm & found my family well. I travelled During the Journey 1,910 Miles.
24 I met with 3 of the Twelve & my Councillors upon an important Subject.
25 I have arived at a point in the History of my life as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints whare I am under the necessity of acting for the Temporal Salvation of the Church. The United State[s] Governmet has taken a Stand & passed Laws to destroy the Latter day Saints upon the Subjet of polygamy or Patriarchal order of Marriage. And after Praying to the Lord & feeling inspired by his spirit I have issued the following Proclamation which is sustained by My Councillors and the 12 Apostles:
Sept 25 1890
Isaac Trumbo
Title
Isaac Trumbo
Publisher
Utah State Historical Society
Date of photograph
1887
Subject
Military organizationsSoldiersPoliticiansGovernment officials
Person
Trumbo, Isaac
Geopolitical place
Utah
Comment
Isaac Trumbo was a member of the California National Guard, a politician in Utah, and a resident of the famous Gardo House on Salt Lake City's South Temple for a number of years.
Rights management
Digital Image (c) 2005 Utah State Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.
Holding institution
Utah State Historical Society
Source
Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection
Relation
Classified Photo Collection, 921 Biography
Classification
921 Trumbo, Isaac p.1
Source accession number
13988
Identifier
39222001409015
Source format
Paper print
Source size
5 inches x 7 inches
Source donors
Ethington, Leila T.
Format of copy
Film negative
Size of copy
4 inches x 5 inches
Copy ID number
Classified Collection ID #13988
Type
Image
Format.use
image/jpeg
Format.creation
Image scanned on Creo-Scitex Jazz+ Flatbed Scanner at TIFF: 800 ppi resolution and 8-bit grayscale. Dimensions are JPEG: 700 x 556 pixels.
Date.digital
2005-07
Scanned by
Digital Technologies, Marriott Library, University of Utah
Metadata cataloger
Haley Petersen
Digital File Location
Photo DVD #000
Isaac Trumbo
Title
Isaac Trumbo
Publisher
Utah State Historical Society
Subject
Government officialsPoliticiansMen in popular culture
Person
Trumbo, Isaac
Geopolitical place
Utah
Comment
Colonel Isaac Trumbo (1858-1912) was active in Utah politics and resided in the famous Gardo House for a number of years.
Rights management
Digital Image (c) 2005 Utah State Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.
Holding institution
Utah State Historical Society
Source
Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection
Relation
Classified Photo Collection, 921 Biography
Classification
921 Trumbo, Isaac p.2
Source accession number
13990
Identifier
39222001409437
Source format
Paper print
Source size
4.5 inches x 6 inches
Source donors
Ethington, Leila T.
Format of copy
Film negative
Size of copy
4 inches x 5 inches
Copy ID number
Classified Collection ID #13990
Type
Image
Format.use
image/jpeg
Format.creation
Image scanned on Creo-Scitex Jazz+ Flatbed Scanner at TIFF: 800 ppi resolution and 8-bit grayscale. Dimensions are JPEG: 700 x 556 pixels.
Date.digital
2005-06
Scanned by
Digital Technologies, Marriott Library, University of Utah
Metadata cataloger
Haley Petersen
Digital File Location
Photo DVD #000
Isaac Trumbo
Title
Isaac Trumbo
Publisher
Utah State Historical Society
Subject
Government officialsPoliticiansMen in popular culture
Person
Trumbo, Isaac
Geopolitical place
Utah
Comment
Colonel Isaac Trumbo (1858-1912) was active in Utah politics and resided in the famous Gardo House for a number of years.
Rights management
Digital Image (c) 2005 Utah State Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.
Holding institution
Utah State Historical Society
Source
Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection
Relation
Classified Photo Collection, 921 Biography
Classification
921 Trumbo, Isaac p.1
Source accession number
13989
Identifier
39222000584933
Source format
Paper print
Source size
5 inches x 7 inches
Source donors
Ethington, Leila T.
Format of copy
Film negative
Size of copy
4 inches x 5 inches
Copy ID number
Classified Collection ID #13989
Type
Image
Format.use
image/jpeg
Format.creation
Image scanned on Creo-Scitex Jazz+ Flatbed Scanner at TIFF: 800 ppi resolution and 8-bit grayscale. Dimensions are JPEG: 700 x 556 pixels.
Date.digital
2005-06
Scanned by
Digital Technologies, Marriott Library, University of Utah
Metadata cataloger
Haley Petersen
Digital File Location
Photo DVD #000
=========================================================
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D00E0DC133DE433A25753C1A9629C94649ED7CF
============================================================
THE MORMON ROLE INACHIEVING EQUALITY FOR UTAHPOLITICAL DELIVERANCE:THE MORMON QUEST FOR STATEHOODBy Edward Leo LymanUniversity of Ilinois Press, 1986, $22.95, 361 pp.Reviewed by Thomas G. AlexanderFOR FORTY-SEVEN years, Utah citizenshoped to achieve statehood, placing themsdveson the same footing as other citizens who hadalready won that status. Seven times during theperiod from 1849 to 1896, Utahns draftedconstitutions and applied for admission. On sixoccasions, Congress rebuffed them, largelybecause of the controversy surroundingMormonism’s national image and the variouspractices of the Latter-day Saints. Not until thesixth convention in 1887 did the ddegatesrductantly accede to the national wish to prohibitpolygamy-perhaps the most universallydetested of the Saints’ practices. Clearly, however,Congress questioned their sincerity andrefused to admit them.Between 1887 and July 1894 conditionschanged to such a degree that Congress passedan enabling act which the president signed, andUtah statehood was assured. This book, basedon Lyman’s 1981 doctoral dissertation andadumbrated to some extent by his previouslypublished articles on the Moses Thatcher caseand Isaac Trumbo, narrates and interprets therole of the LDS church’s leadership in theevents which led to the passage of the enablingact and the declaration of statehood.
=========================
Issac saves Church and brings Statehood
After this disappointing loss and the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court
against them, Church leaders in the spring of 1890 searched harder than
ever to find influential friends in Washington, D.C. For the previous forty
years the Democratic Party had been more lenient toward the Church than
had the Republicans, but the Republicans were now in power, and the
Church needed friends in that party to achieve a change in government
policy and avoid disaster in Utah. Through Isaac Trumbo, a prominent
businessman and lobbyist from California who had been a long-time friend
to the Church, the First Presidency cultivated close ties with several
Republicans—Leland Stanford, senator of California; Morris M. Estee, the
chairman of the Republican national convention in 1888; and James S.
Clarkson, chairman of the Republican national committee. All four of these
men helped the lobbying effort of the Saints in 1890.
-http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:Ud1TVZJ0C0cJ:www.ldsces.org/inst_manuals/ChrchHstryInst32502000/Chapters/ChrchHstryInst32502000_37.pdf+%22Isaac+Trumbo%27&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=28&gl=us&ie=UTF-8
===============================
document.write(' --'); document.write('>');
1898 DigestThe decade-long animosity between the Twelve and George Q. Cannon comes to a head as Quorum President Lorenzo Snow opens the discussion of the Twelve's grievances with the First Presidency. Brigham Young Jr. suggests President Cannon is responsible for the Church's terrible financial condition. The Twelve agree John Q. and Frank J. Cannon should be released as soon as the First Presidency is dissolved. They are frustrated by the lack of information provided by the presidency. The two quorums meet to resolve differences. George Q. is hurt by comments. The dedicated Bullion Beck and Champion mine stock. First Presidency's support of Frank J. Cannon. Isaac Trumbo reports Frank is creating a political crisis, but Weber Stake President L. W. Shurtliff insists Democrats and Silver Republicans like Frank and he is willing to do anything the First Presidency asks. John W. Taylor preaches post-Manifesto pologyamy. John Henry Smith asks for and receives permission to run for the Senate—to George Q.'s dismay.The George Q. Cannon diary entries, transcribed by B. H. Roberts are in the B. H. Roberts collection at the LDS Church Archives but are now closed to research. Some are handwritten, others are typed. The typed excerpts are numbered his excerpts: No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5. Either No. 1 is missing from the collection or I failed to have it copied. Other headings in the text column are Roberts'. The page numbers at the end of each excerpt are probably Cannon diary page numbers and are used to suggest the parameters of undated entries. Typographical and spelling errors have been silently corrected. Crossed out repetitions of words have been omitted and words inserted by hand have been included without signifying characters. Additional paragraph breaks have been inserted.
January 4, 1898
Heber J. Grant diary
John Henry Smith: President Cannon is gifted, diplomat, blunt, straight-forward
[Council meeting, John Henry Smith:] As [President Woodruff's] First Counselor we have one of the most gifted of men, perhaps no man among us who is as gifted as he is. He is a writer, a diplomat, and an author. The other counselor is a plain blunt man and is lacking in cunning and the ability to shape things to suit his opinions.
President Cannon is leading, not President WoodruffPresident Woodruff would not have borrowed for Ogden Power, Saltair, Bulliion BeckPresident Cannon desperate, plunging
I feel that there is one man in the presidency and he is not the man at the lead who is at present dominating the affairs of the church. If left to himself the question is would President Woodruff have consented to have borrowed a million and a half for the Ogden Power Plant. Would he of his own accord have borrowed the money with which to build Saltair, and would he have spent several hundred thousand dollars in a mine in Nevada. We all know that he would not have done these things. I fear that the great burdens which are now on President Cannon are such that he has become desperate and he is plunging, so to speak.
January 4, 1898
Church, State, and Politics, 387.
Council discusses positions of First Presidency and Twelve
At 10 a.m. Lorenzo Snow, F. D. Richards, Brigham Young, Myself, Geo. Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, and Abraham O. Woodruff met in the Apostles' room of the Temple. We spent the day talking over the Relative positions of the first Presidency and Twelve Apostles on all great questions in the Church. All spoke and gave their views.
January 4, 1898
Brigham Young Jr. diary
Complaints of the Twelve
[Quorum meeting at 10 a.m.] President Snow called upon Brother Woodruff followed by Bro Taylor. Then Pres. Snow spoke on condition of First Presidency, followed by Bro. Teasdale (who was in favor of our minding our own business), John Henry Smith, Brigham Young & Franklin D. Richards. We all had complaints to make.
Brigham Young Jr.: Appoint a new trustee-in-trust Drop John Q. and Frank as soon as First Presidency is dissolved
I wanted a trustee in trust appointed to relieve President Woodruff and for the First Presidency to correct all mistakes, especially President Cannon, so that he would not be humiliated when the first quorum was dissolved. John Q. Cannon and Frank C[annon]. would be relieved as soon as the Twelve arranged matters.
January 4, 1898
Brigham Young Jr. diary
Twelve satisfied with Presidents Woodruff and Smith, but not George Q.'s financial dealings
We are all thoroughly convinced that Presidents Woodruff and Smith are all right but president Cannon is wrong in many things in financial business.
In attendance at the morning meeting of the Twelve: Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young Jr. John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, Owen Woodruff.
Brigham Young Jr.: Let Saints pay debt, stay in touch with the people
I proposed that we trust the people with the labor of helping the church out of its indebtedness. We must keep in touch with the people. … we seem to be agreed.
President Snow to present concerns to the First Presidency, Twelve should be informed
Met at 3 p.m. It was agreed that President Snow lay our feelings before the presidency and we feel that Pres. Snow and 1 or 2 others of the quorum should be in perfect harmony and knowledge of financial affairs.
January 6, 1898
Brigham Young Jr. diary
Snow, Richards, Young address the First PresidencyYoung: President Cannon takes too much authorityShould not have named Frank J. as church agentPresident Cannon responsible for financial strain
[Temple meeting, 10:20 a.m.] President Snow asked to present the views of the Council to the presidency. They came at 11:30. Pres S. spoke very gently and to the point. Bro Franklin D. Richards followed in the same strain. I followed and charged Bro Cannon of taking on himself too much of presidential authority and keeping a man who did not live as a Latter-day Saint but drank and played billiards as the chief head of the church official organ; and that if the presidency had submitted the question of appointing Frank J. Cannon as the church agent to borrow money in the east to the Twelve he would not have been sustained; and that many people believe that President C. is the responsible person for all of our present financial difficulties.
Snow, Richards, and Young were the three senior apostles.
President Cannon offendedBrigham the scape goat
President Cannon resented what I said. Tried to pin me down to day and date. Many things were said that were better unsaid, but I was the scape goat and President Woodruff notified to be at the office at 10:30 tomorrow morning.
Twelve support Brigham
Afterwards I talked with the Twelve and every man stood by me and it was the voice of the quorum that I stand firm in what I had already said.
January 6, 1898
Church, State, and Politics, 387.
Lorenzo: What should Twelve know about finances?Apostles speak plainlyBrigham: President Cannon caused debt
All of the Apostles but F. M. Lyman, Anthon H. Lund, and M. F. Cowley met at the Temple at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m. all of the First Presidency came in. President Lorenzo Snow asked the Presidency as to the duties of the Apostles in Connection with the Presidency in the financial affairs of the Church. All of the Apostles present spoke very plain and Elder Brigham Young made a very sweeping statement in which he said President Geo. Q. Cannon was the cause of the great indebtedness of the Church.
Presidency agree Twelve should be informed
All three of the Presidency said it was their view that the two Quorums should be united in the consideration of the more weighty problems that affect the whole Church.
George Q. offended by Brigham and Heber
Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon felt very much hurt over the remarks of Elders Brigham Young and Heber J. Grant.
January 7, 1898
Brigham Young Jr. diary
Council meetingGeorge Q.: President Taylor gave me control of Bullion Beck and Champion dedicated stock
Met Presidency in temple at 12 noon. Considerable talk was had and President Cannon read a document purporting to have been written under President John Taylor's dictation which gave C. complete control over all the Bullion and Beck dedicated stock which he afterwards gave up to claimants, and now claims that he is responsible to God alone for the management of his dedicated Bullion and Beck stock.
Twelve surprised.Brigham: I thought stock was to be held by Church president
This was all news to the council for brother C. had carried the idea that his stock was still dedicated as we understood it. I was shocked to hear brother C. make the statement, I am the sole custodian of the dedicated stock. I understood President Taylor [said] that this stock would be held independently by his successor in office to which it would be duly transferred at proper time.
Sacrament
All was forgiven by us all and we partook of the sacrament I think worthily before God.
January 7, 1898
Church, State, and Politics, 388.
Council
All of the first Presidency and all of the Apostles but F. M. Lyman, A. H. Lund, and M. F. Cowley met at 12 noon in the Apostles' room in the Temple.
Franklin D. : Forgive each otherJoseph F.: Presidency and Twelve act together
After some explanations of yesterday[‘s] sayings, Prest. Franklin D. Richards moved we forgive each other for Harsh words spoken and that we partake of the sacrament. President Joseph F. Smith seconded the motion and said it now being about to be determined by joint vote of the joint Councils of the presidency and Twelve that they shall act together upon all questions of great moment to the Church, he felt to ad his hearty endorsement of this action.
Sacrament
The vote was unanimous. We partook of the Sacrament together.
Lorenzo: Lord approves
After the Presidency withdrew, President Lorenzo Snow said, brethren the Lord approves of our action and in the future the Quorums will understand each other better.
Between January 7 and 17, 1898
George Q. Cannon diary
No. 2.
Dedicated Bullion Beck stock Twelve: turn it over
Fourth. There was considerable talk in relation to the dedicated stock of the Bullion, Beck & Champion Mining Company, and it was plainly stated that it was my duty to turn over that dedicated stock into the hands of President Woodruff as trustee in trust.
George Q. : others withdrew theirs
Had this dedicated stock, transferred to me by President Taylor, remained intact, I should never have thought of holding it in my hands any longer than to get it out of debt; but when everyone withdrew their stock and my dedicated stock only was left, I did not feel that I was guilty of the least impropriety in retaining control of it myself.
I should keep it
I have made a provision in my will concerning it. I have kept up to the present time a strict account of it, and hope to be able to make a full accounting at the proper time to my brethren of all that I have done with this. I have not felt, however, up to the present that it was either advisable or necessary that I should transfer it out of my own hands.
Are we all ready to account for our dedicated property?
In making my remarks I said to the brethren that we all had dedicated property to the Lord, just as much as this stock had been dedicated. I asked the question, Are we ready to account for this dedication.
Twelve: No
The reply was made that no one had asked for an accounting.
George Q. : You should know how it was dedicated
I then said, in order to understand this quorum as it should be understood, it is proper that you should know the terms on which this stock was dedicated, how it was done and why it was done.
Transfer d ocument
I then proceeded to read the document which President Taylor, John Beck and myself had signed, by which this stock was given to President Taylor. We say:
Set aside 3/5 shares (60,000) to Presaident Taylor as his personal property
We do hereby set apart and unreservedly give three-fifths of the said shares, amounting to 20,000 shares of the nominal value of $10 per share, for each of us, or 60,000 shares of the nominal value of $10 per share in the aggregate for all of us, to John Taylor, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to be absolutely and unquestionedly held by him as his own personal property, to be disposed of by him in any manner and for any purpose that he may deem wise, for the benefit of the work of God and the advancement of its interests, and this without any supervision or question upon our part or upon the part of any authority in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For church purposes
In making this gift of stock and placing it at the sole disposal of President John Taylor, we do so with the definite understanding upon our part that it is to be the commencement of the creation of a fund to be used by John Taylor, as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the furtherance of its interest, whenever in his judgment it can be expended advantageously. And this fund shall be kept distinct and separate from the tithing and the other church properties, and at no time shall be mingled therewith by the church itself or by any of the officers thereof.
President Taylor transferred it to George Q.
President John Taylor, in the document signed by him twenty-three days before his demise confers "upon the said George Q. Cannon all the rights, powers and authority held, had or enjoyed by him, the said John Taylor, individually or otherwise, by virtue of the written instrument aforesaid in and to said shares."
President Taylor died on July 25, 1887 in Kaysville, Utah. His physical and mental condition had been such that President Cannon had been, in effect, running the church for several months.
Possibly for Jackson county property
President Taylor mentioned the purchase of the Temple Block in Jackson county, that was designated and set apart by the Prophet Joseph as a site for a temple of God, as something that I was authorized to do [2] with that fund.
The closing paragraph to his deed says:
George Q. not accountable to the church or authoritiesNot for private use or benefit heirs
And it is distinctly understood that the said George Q. Cannon, in assuming the control of said funds, shall not be accountable for its disposition or management to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nor to any authority thereof, but shall have absolute control and management of said fund without question from any source whatever; provided only that said fund shall not be used for his own private benefit, nor for the benefit of his heirs.
These extracts show conclusively that I have not exceeded any of the powers entrusted to me, in my management of my own dedicated stock. I have not used in any form one dollar of anybody else's dedicated stock or its proceeds.
George Q.: the fund is sacredWill make accounting later
As I have said before, I consider this fund in my hand sacred, and will be able to make a satisfactory accounting for it at the proper time.
This for historical purposes
I have been thus particular in alluding to these different matters, because they were mentioned almost in the form of charges against me. They appear on the official minutes of our meeting. I have not, in any remarks that I have made, explained them sufficiently to clear them up. It is with the view that the truth in history may be vindicated and my action be clearly explained that I write these explanations. pp--50-51.
January 17, 1898
George Q. Cannon diary
From Journal G Q. Cannon
F. J. Cannon & his Relationship to First Pres.
Monday, January 17, 1898
Brigham Jr. has told George Q. of Frank's drinkingFrank's letters encouragingHe has reached agreement with Banigan.
[President Cannon has been informed of his son Frank's intemperance by apostle B. Young and he has made inquiries of /Hugh Cannon and G. F. Gibbs/ & masses testimony to shield Frank. Then] . . . the First Presidency received a large number of letters from Frank this morning, very gratifying & exilerating to us. [Frank at the time /and for some time previous/ has been the financial agent of the Presidency at the time in the East.], as they evinced a good spirit and show the zeal with which he is working. He has /effected a/ settlement with Mr. Bannigan that we think very satisfactory.
Bracketed text is Roberts'.Joseph Banigan was a venture capitalist in New Jersey. "During the 1890s, capitalists such as Joseph Banigan and Charles K. Bannister exercised as much influence on Utah enterprise as did Wilford Woodruff and George Q. Cannon." Utah: The Right Place, 451.
George Q. admits telling Frank about Council meeting last week.
I told President Woodruff and Smith that I had written a private letter to F. (which was sent to him last Wednesday) giving him some particulars of what had occurred at the council [when the Twelve complained of their treatment by the First Presidency]. I said I felt that I ought to do so; it was a relief to me though it may not have been very wise.
Decide to telegram Frank
President Smith thought it would have a very discouraging effect upon him. I proposed, therefore, that the First Presidency send a dispatch to him. Prests Woodruff and Smith thought we ought to, and the following was framed and sent to him, signed by the presidency:
Support, encouragement
"Be comforted. Batch of letters received, very satisfactory. The Lord has bles you and we bless you, and say be encouraged and do not weaken."
I do not want him to be discouraged, nor to feel that his efforts are not appreciated. I believe he is doing all he can, and I think he is capable of doing a great deal. p. 56.
Between January 17 and March 2
George Q. Cannon diary
No. 3.
Lobbies city council for Union Light and Power
I have been desirous to see some of the city council in relation to the franchise to be granted to the Union Light and Power Company, and the following members came to the office today: Arthur Barnes, John Allen, E. M. Weiler and Henry Wallace. I explained to them with some detail what we were aiming to accomplish, and set before them our situation and how desirable it was that our brethren in the city council should recognize what we were doing, and not treat us as a foreign corporation.
Arthur Pratt businessAct as Latter-day Saints, not partisans
I afterwards spoke to them about the Arthur Pratt business—not so much that either as to bring to their attention the necessity of union; that it was a city council of thirteen Mormons and two Gentiles and that the Latter-day Saints would be blamed for everything that was not right and therefore they ought to act in harmony and not as partisans.
Partisanship
Arthur Barnes made the remark that they were elected as Democrats, on a Democratic ticket. I dwelt on that and showed that they should be Latter-day Saints first, above all things. I told them that if they divided and pulled against each other, as they had started out to do, they would bring themselves into discredit. I talked with exceeding plainness to these brethren, as did President Woodruff also.
Councilmen not pursuadedParting counsel
I fear that this conversation will not effect any great change in their feelings, but we shall have given them our views, and if they do not act upon them they will be without excuse. In parting with them I told them, as a servant of God, that they would always be safe in following the counsels of the servants of the Lord. p. 68.
No. 4.
Desire to settle Trumbo business
Spent most of the afternoon in arranging for a settlement of the Trumbo business. I have felt very much impressed to close this business up and secure from Bishop Clawson the receipt that Trumbo has given him for us when we complied with his terms.
In return for negotiating statehood for Utah, Trumbo expected to be rewarded with one of the state's first Senate seats; but his bid failed, putting the First Presidency in an awkward position. Hiram B. Clawson brokered a settlement between the two parties. Isaac Trumbo, 146–147.
Clawson expects word from the pulpit
To my surprise, Bishop Clawson expected that something would be said in the tabernacle as well as the article that was published. A perusal of Colonel Trumbo's letter conveys that idea; but, as I told Bishop Clawson, I thought that when he accepted this writing and wanted it put in the paper, that complied with the request. I said I could not say anything more on the stand than had been published and it seemed to me entirely unnecessary.
President Woodruff agrees to speak
He said he thought I ought not to be asked to say anything; but somebody ought to say something. President Woodruff said finally that he would talk, for he was heartily sick of this whole business and wanted to get it out of his hands and he was willing to do anything he could do to close the business up.
Church owes for Gardo improvements
I have been under the impression that we had not to pay any money, but it seems I was mistaken--that we have to pay $10,000 for the Gardo House improvements which Colonel Trumbo made; so today we advanced $2,000 in cash, and gave two notes for 44,000 each, payable in 90 days and 6 months, with 5% interest from maturity.
I dictated receipts for Bishop Clawson to sign, also a letter embodying the proposition concerning the Gardo House, which he signed, addressed to us. I am glad to get this business closed up.
Conclusion
President Woodruff agrees to make some remarks on Sunday, and with that understanding Bishop Clawson gave us Trumbo's receipt in full, and also a receipt for the $10,000 as agent for Colonel Trumbo. p. 69
January 31, 1898
John W. Taylor preaches plurality, but cannot add more
Elder John W. Taylor made a ringing address on our duties to our families and on the sacredness of the doctrine of the Eternity of the Marriage Covenant, including the Plurality of Wives. He told the brethren to do all their full duty to their wives but that man could not take any more wives in the plural order. I followed him and bore Testimony but said he had given pretty strong emphasis in the language he used.
Church, State, and Politics, 190–191. St. Joseph Stake conference (Arizona); on the previous day Christopher Layton had been released and Andrew Kimball sustained as stake president, set apart by Joseph F. Smith.
Seal couples in a Arizona
I sealed nineteen couples after the afternoon meeting.
February 10, 1898
Isaac Trumbo to H. B. Clawson, Isaac Trumbo collection.Trumbo, the main lobbyist in Utah's final bid for statehood (1895), had expected to be one of its first senators, but had been defeated in the wild election of 1895. Cannon bolted the Republican Party in 1896.
Frank J. Cannon and William H. King creating trouble in Washington
… some steps ought to be taken towards having Senator Cannon and Congressman King attended to at once. They are creating such a stir over there that it will simply take all the friendship we can get together to mend matters as they now stand.
Attack against the administration must stop
I received a dispatch from Vice President Hobart to-day, asking me to come at once to Washington, and saying that this attack against the [McKinley] Administration by the Mormons would have to be stopped immediately. …
Don't fight the Republicans
Tell [the First Presidency] to remember that it is hard to fight a big party. They can ruin themselves politically, financially and every other way, and it is best that they have the friendship instead of the enmity of a great nation.
King denounces churches, Cannon attacks administrationMust be stopped
[King introduced resolution for $50,000 to add to White House for Senator Hanna; he has denounced Christian churches. Cannon's speech last week about the Cleveland and McKinley administrations; now his row on the floor today] is just going to bring things to such a crisis that Utah will never receive any recognition. Now is the time to stop it, and I hope you will ask the Presidency to consider it without delay.
Hanna: Republican Party boss Mark Hanna. McKinley had recently appointed Hannah to fill the Senate seat of John Sherman, who accepted the post of Secretary of State to make room for Hanna.
Frank should resign and let George Q. be senator
… It seems from all I can learn that it would be greatly appreciated by our friends in Washington under the present condition of things if Senator Cannon would resign in favor of his father.
Losing friends in both parties
Mr. Carleton also sent me a dispatch telling me how unwise Senator Cannon and Representative King were, and that they will soon lose every friend they have among the Republican and Democratic Parties.
King was a Democrat.
March 2, 1898
George Q. Cannon diary
Shurtliff report to First PresidencyMeeting of Silver Democrats
Some days ago, Judges L. W. Shurtliff of Ogden called upon the First Presidency and had a private conversation with them concerning political affairs. Before closing, he informed us that he had been invited while in Washington (from whence he had returned—sic!) to attend a meeting of the Silver Democrats, he himself being a Democrat. There were present at the meeting Senator James of Arkansas, Senator White of California, Senator Rawlins of Utah, and others. I think he said Representative King was present also.
Shurtliff was president of the Weber Stake (Ogden), state senator, and former county probate judge."—sic!" is likely Roberts'.
Silver Demos back Frank
At this meeting the question of who ought to come back from Utah as senator was discussed. The united feeling was that my son Frank should be re-elected, and they were bringing pressure to bear upon Representative King, who has ambition to be senator, to suppress him, so that he would not be a candidate, but he was very reluctant to yield. The feeling that they had was that a Silver Republican ought to be sent from Utah, and not a Silver Democrat.
Frank will do bidding of the First Presidency
Judge Shurtliff related to us what had occurred, said it was [approx. 4 words missing from the bottom of my photocopy] that Frank [2] had told him that he was ready to do whatever the First Presidency desired. If they wished him to go on a mission, he would go gladly, or do anything else that they wished, but he would not make any attempt to be senator unless they wished it, and approved of it.
Wilford Woodruff and Joseph F. Smith endorse Frank
Presidents Woodruff and Smith both spoke very strongly in favor of Frank making the race for the senatorship and hoped he would [be] elected, as they felt he would represent us better than anyone else that was likely to be elected. President Woodruff was very strong in his expressions about it. This ought to have been put in my journal on the day the conversation occurred, but was omitted, and I mention it here. p. 82
p. 82 follows immediately after "here." Since the remaining 1/4 of the page is blank, I assume p. 82 refers to the page in Cannon's diary.
After September 6
George Q. Cannon diary.Dating is based on John Henry Smith's diary entry for September 6: I was sent for by President Lorenzo Snow to go to his room in the Temple. He said he wanted me to run for U.S. Senator. He also told me he would not take hold of affairs until after the funeral of Prest. Wilford Woodruff [September 8]. He said he thought the church owed three millions of dollars. He also said he did not agree with Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon's business methods. He said the load seemed more than he could carry." Church, State, and Politics, 406.
No. 5
John Henry Smith bid for Senate
Among other business, Brother John Henry Smith announced his desire to be a candidate for the United States Senate in case his party, the McKinley wing of the Republican Party should get in power here. He said he was desirous to serve his country, etc., etc. It was moved by President Joseph F. Smith, and seconded by President Snow that there were no objections to his trying to get this position.
Apostleship requires full time and attention
The proposition did not strike me very pleasantly, as I think the highest office any man can hold on the earth is that of an apostle, and to magnify that properly, it seems to me, requires all his time and his powers.
Only because President Young sent me
I myself, however, have gone to Congress while an apostle; but it was because I was urged to do so, and not from any desire of mine. I would rather have gone on any mission to preach the gospel than to have gone there, and so told President Young when he proposed that I should go to Washington. p. 92
1898: January1898: FebruaryNotebooksHome
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Pres. Wilford Woodrug died at the home of Issac
http://books.google.com/books?id=C0cOAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA34&lpg=PA34&dq=%22isaac+trumbo%22&source=web&ots=hLP68zGlH3&sig=ieZjEWa9ohHL8LXU-82zYYgfsv4&hl=en
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After this disappointing loss and the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court
against them, Church leaders in the spring of 1890 searched harder than
ever to find influential friends in Washington, D.C. For the previous forty
years the Democratic Party had been more lenient toward the Church than
had the Republicans, but the Republicans were now in power, and the
Church needed friends in that party to achieve a change in government
policy and avoid disaster in Utah. Through Isaac Trumbo, a prominent
businessman and lobbyist from California who had been a long-time friend
to the Church, the First Presidency cultivated close ties with several
Republicans—Leland Stanford, senator of California; Morris M. Estee, the
chairman of the Republican national convention in 1888; and James S.
Clarkson, chairman of the Republican national committee. All four of these
men helped the lobbying effort of the Saints in 1890.
Biographies
COLONEL ISAAC TRUMBO
COLONEL ISAAC TRUMBO was born September 9, 1858, near the line which marks the division of California and Nevada. His father, John K. Trumbo, was a native of Beth county, Kentucky, and his grandfather, Isaac Trumbo, was also a Kentuckian by birth. Their ancestors came from Scotland and settled in Virginia in the early history of the colonies; later they removed to Kentucky and were contemporary with Daniel Boone. John K. Trumbo came to California in 1849, and was engaged in the mercantile business for years. He was the founder of the horse market in Sacramento, and for a long period of years was interested in mines and mining enterprises. He married Miss Mary Reese, a daughter of Colonel John Reese, a pioneer of Nevada, and one of her most prominent citizens; he laid out the city of Carson, Genoa; Reese river, Nevada, was named in his honor; he also laid out what was known as the McDonald trail over the mountains of California. Mr. Trumbo was a brave and generous man, and was deeply mourned when he died; he passed from this life in 1889.
In 1867 Colonel Trumbo went with his father and family to Corinne, Utah, where he made his start in life. Later he went to Salt Lake City, and there amassed a considerable amount of money in commercial and industrial enterprises. In 1880, he came to California and went to Placer county, where he engaged in mining; at the end of two years he retired from active participation in the management of the business, but still retains a large interest in the mines there. Since coming to San Francisco he has become interested in various lines, and in the great wheat deal a few years ago he succeeded in breaking one of the richest combinations ever formed on the coast. His hand was not counted on and his resources were not believed to be of weight, but he proved his mastery and an ability worthy of the highest diplomacy. He is a member of Governor Waterman’s staff.
The Colonel was married October 13, 1886, at Salt Lake City, to Miss Emma White. He has for so many years been prominently identified with the commerce of the city, that a volume of this character would not be complete with his name omitted. He is in every way a representative Californian, and takes a just pride in his nativity.
Transcribed by Donna L. Becker.
Source: “The Bay of San Francisco,” Vol. 2, Pages 486-487, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
Relations of the L.D.S. Church with Colonel Isaac Trumbo, February 12, 1898
1898-February 12-Deseret News Weekly 56:262 (February 12, 1898).
Roberts (CHC 6:338-345) discusses the political situation in Utah 1896-1898. Colonel Isaac Trumbo's connection with Utah politics and affairs is briefly mentioned on p. 339. Roberts says that "Public understanding, rightfully or not, usually coupled the name and interests of George Q. Cannon with those of Mr. Trumbo, and their names [in 1896] were commonly coupled together as prospective senators to be elected by the Republican legislature of Utah."
Arrington (Great Basin Kingdom, p. 385) quotes the Journal History for a formal discussion by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve on January 27, 1898 regarding the inter-relationships then existing between L.D.S. and "Gentile" leaders. He quotes them as saying: "the Saints never expected to be so mixed up with Gentiles as circumstances had led them into ..."
George Q. Cannon was not only a member of the First Presidency but he was president of a number of business ventures in which the First Presidency had invested L.D.S. Church funds. (See for example Arrington's discussion of "Case Studies of Church Promotion in the 1890's", pp. 386-403)
With George Q. Cannon's name coupled with that of Isaac Trumbo in politics it might also be natural to have it coupled, by popular opinion
Table of ContentsIntroductionA Wilford Woodruff Chronology
1. From Convert to Apostolic MIssionary: 1833-402. Exploring New Doctrines: 1841-453. Fleeing West: 1846-504. Settling a New Zion: 1851-565. At War with the United States: 1857-616. Trouble Without and Within: 1862-707. On the Underground: 1871-808. Assuming Leadership: 1881-889. The Great Compromise: 1889-98Index
1890
May 19 The Supreme Court of the United States Decided to day Against the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints. They Decided to Escheat all the Church Property Real & Personal. This is turning the Last [key] that will seal the Condemnation of this Nation.
Aug 27 We road to the City of Joseph occupied By the Saints from the Islands. We visited the field & springs. 27 Mil[e]s.
28 We held a Meeting with Saints. We had a procession of the people. I headed the procession followed by G Q Cannon J F Smith followed by all the people. The Native women from the Islands were all Dressed in beautiful white. One waggon Driven By Frank Knowlton loaded with Sage Brush & Indians representing Utah as it was. Another waggon Driven with wheat Corn oats & Barley & fruits representing Utah as it is. We marched around the flag pole in the City plot then down to the bowery whare we had a feast. The Meats were Cooks as the Kan[ackers?] Cook it on the Islands in a hole in the ground.
After our Dinner we Assembled together and had an oration Delive[re]d by one of the Natives. He was a powerfull Orator. W Woodruff then addressed them which was interpeted by J F Smith who also addressed them near one hour. When He Closed W Woodruff Dedicated the Land & place with all its Contents in the English Language. Then Joseph F Smith Dedicated it in the Hawaiion Language after which Wm. King Dismissed the Assembly. It was a Day long to be remembered by these Natives. In fact it was a vary interesting day to me.
[September] 5 We arived at Sacramento at 9 oclok And at Sanfrancisco at 2 oclock. We arived Just Before the great Celebration. Nearly Every Hotels & Rooms in the City was Engaged But Isaac Trumbo had Engaged 3 Bedrooms & a parlor in the 3d Story of the Palace Hotel for the use of a Committee But He appropriated it for our use which gave us vary Comfortable quarters but we found we Could not do any business untill the Celebration was over.
9 . . . This was the day of the great Celebration of the pioneers of Sanfrancisco and the admission of Calafornia .... At the Close of the procession some 10,000 people gathered in the Street North of the palace Hotel to see two men & a Lady Step out of the 7 Story window & let themselves down to the ground on a small fire Escape rope. The Lady stoped on my window Sill in the 3d Story. I offered her a place in the room but she went to the ground in safety.
12 I visited the Chronicle Building with Col Isaac Trumbull 11 Stories High. We went to the top on an Elevator. We had a View of the whole City. I wrote to Emma. I had an interview with Judge Estee, and G Q Cannon had an interview with Mr Livingston. We attended Theater in the Evening.
16 We had an interview with W W Stow A N Town & Cread Haymor. We also Met Mr Henry Bigalow Editor of the Examinor. We attended the Theater in the Evening.
17 We Met Mr Filmore M S Woods & A Badlam. We visited Col Isaac Trumbo's New House. The ground upon which it Stands & the House & furnishing will Cost $50,000 The furnishing $20,000. It is a home well finished. I wrote Emma & went to the Theater in the Evening.
18 We visited A Badlam House. Mrs Badlam Entertained us vary Kindly. We spent 14 days at the Palace Hotel at $15 dollars a day for our Company. We paid the Bill $210.
21 We arived at Ogden at 9 oclock & Salt Lake City at 11.30. I rode to the farm & found my family well. I travelled During the Journey 1,910 Miles.
24 I met with 3 of the Twelve & my Councillors upon an important Subject.
25 I have arived at a point in the History of my life as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints whare I am under the necessity of acting for the Temporal Salvation of the Church. The United State[s] Governmet has taken a Stand & passed Laws to destroy the Latter day Saints upon the Subjet of polygamy or Patriarchal order of Marriage. And after Praying to the Lord & feeling inspired by his spirit I have issued the following Proclamation which is sustained by My Councillors and the 12 Apostles:
Sept 25 1890
Isaac Trumbo
Title
Isaac Trumbo
Publisher
Utah State Historical Society
Date of photograph
1887
Subject
Military organizationsSoldiersPoliticiansGovernment officials
Person
Trumbo, Isaac
Geopolitical place
Utah
Comment
Isaac Trumbo was a member of the California National Guard, a politician in Utah, and a resident of the famous Gardo House on Salt Lake City's South Temple for a number of years.
Rights management
Digital Image (c) 2005 Utah State Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.
Holding institution
Utah State Historical Society
Source
Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection
Relation
Classified Photo Collection, 921 Biography
Classification
921 Trumbo, Isaac p.1
Source accession number
13988
Identifier
39222001409015
Source format
Paper print
Source size
5 inches x 7 inches
Source donors
Ethington, Leila T.
Format of copy
Film negative
Size of copy
4 inches x 5 inches
Copy ID number
Classified Collection ID #13988
Type
Image
Format.use
image/jpeg
Format.creation
Image scanned on Creo-Scitex Jazz+ Flatbed Scanner at TIFF: 800 ppi resolution and 8-bit grayscale. Dimensions are JPEG: 700 x 556 pixels.
Date.digital
2005-07
Scanned by
Digital Technologies, Marriott Library, University of Utah
Metadata cataloger
Haley Petersen
Digital File Location
Photo DVD #000
Isaac Trumbo
Title
Isaac Trumbo
Publisher
Utah State Historical Society
Subject
Government officialsPoliticiansMen in popular culture
Person
Trumbo, Isaac
Geopolitical place
Utah
Comment
Colonel Isaac Trumbo (1858-1912) was active in Utah politics and resided in the famous Gardo House for a number of years.
Rights management
Digital Image (c) 2005 Utah State Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.
Holding institution
Utah State Historical Society
Source
Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection
Relation
Classified Photo Collection, 921 Biography
Classification
921 Trumbo, Isaac p.2
Source accession number
13990
Identifier
39222001409437
Source format
Paper print
Source size
4.5 inches x 6 inches
Source donors
Ethington, Leila T.
Format of copy
Film negative
Size of copy
4 inches x 5 inches
Copy ID number
Classified Collection ID #13990
Type
Image
Format.use
image/jpeg
Format.creation
Image scanned on Creo-Scitex Jazz+ Flatbed Scanner at TIFF: 800 ppi resolution and 8-bit grayscale. Dimensions are JPEG: 700 x 556 pixels.
Date.digital
2005-06
Scanned by
Digital Technologies, Marriott Library, University of Utah
Metadata cataloger
Haley Petersen
Digital File Location
Photo DVD #000
Isaac Trumbo
Title
Isaac Trumbo
Publisher
Utah State Historical Society
Subject
Government officialsPoliticiansMen in popular culture
Person
Trumbo, Isaac
Geopolitical place
Utah
Comment
Colonel Isaac Trumbo (1858-1912) was active in Utah politics and resided in the famous Gardo House for a number of years.
Rights management
Digital Image (c) 2005 Utah State Historical Society. All Rights Reserved.
Holding institution
Utah State Historical Society
Source
Utah State Historical Society Classified Photo Collection
Relation
Classified Photo Collection, 921 Biography
Classification
921 Trumbo, Isaac p.1
Source accession number
13989
Identifier
39222000584933
Source format
Paper print
Source size
5 inches x 7 inches
Source donors
Ethington, Leila T.
Format of copy
Film negative
Size of copy
4 inches x 5 inches
Copy ID number
Classified Collection ID #13989
Type
Image
Format.use
image/jpeg
Format.creation
Image scanned on Creo-Scitex Jazz+ Flatbed Scanner at TIFF: 800 ppi resolution and 8-bit grayscale. Dimensions are JPEG: 700 x 556 pixels.
Date.digital
2005-06
Scanned by
Digital Technologies, Marriott Library, University of Utah
Metadata cataloger
Haley Petersen
Digital File Location
Photo DVD #000
=========================================================
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D00E0DC133DE433A25753C1A9629C94649ED7CF
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THE MORMON ROLE INACHIEVING EQUALITY FOR UTAHPOLITICAL DELIVERANCE:THE MORMON QUEST FOR STATEHOODBy Edward Leo LymanUniversity of Ilinois Press, 1986, $22.95, 361 pp.Reviewed by Thomas G. AlexanderFOR FORTY-SEVEN years, Utah citizenshoped to achieve statehood, placing themsdveson the same footing as other citizens who hadalready won that status. Seven times during theperiod from 1849 to 1896, Utahns draftedconstitutions and applied for admission. On sixoccasions, Congress rebuffed them, largelybecause of the controversy surroundingMormonism’s national image and the variouspractices of the Latter-day Saints. Not until thesixth convention in 1887 did the ddegatesrductantly accede to the national wish to prohibitpolygamy-perhaps the most universallydetested of the Saints’ practices. Clearly, however,Congress questioned their sincerity andrefused to admit them.Between 1887 and July 1894 conditionschanged to such a degree that Congress passedan enabling act which the president signed, andUtah statehood was assured. This book, basedon Lyman’s 1981 doctoral dissertation andadumbrated to some extent by his previouslypublished articles on the Moses Thatcher caseand Isaac Trumbo, narrates and interprets therole of the LDS church’s leadership in theevents which led to the passage of the enablingact and the declaration of statehood.
=========================
Issac saves Church and brings Statehood
After this disappointing loss and the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court
against them, Church leaders in the spring of 1890 searched harder than
ever to find influential friends in Washington, D.C. For the previous forty
years the Democratic Party had been more lenient toward the Church than
had the Republicans, but the Republicans were now in power, and the
Church needed friends in that party to achieve a change in government
policy and avoid disaster in Utah. Through Isaac Trumbo, a prominent
businessman and lobbyist from California who had been a long-time friend
to the Church, the First Presidency cultivated close ties with several
Republicans—Leland Stanford, senator of California; Morris M. Estee, the
chairman of the Republican national convention in 1888; and James S.
Clarkson, chairman of the Republican national committee. All four of these
men helped the lobbying effort of the Saints in 1890.
-http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:Ud1TVZJ0C0cJ:www.ldsces.org/inst_manuals/ChrchHstryInst32502000/Chapters/ChrchHstryInst32502000_37.pdf+%22Isaac+Trumbo%27&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=28&gl=us&ie=UTF-8
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1898 DigestThe decade-long animosity between the Twelve and George Q. Cannon comes to a head as Quorum President Lorenzo Snow opens the discussion of the Twelve's grievances with the First Presidency. Brigham Young Jr. suggests President Cannon is responsible for the Church's terrible financial condition. The Twelve agree John Q. and Frank J. Cannon should be released as soon as the First Presidency is dissolved. They are frustrated by the lack of information provided by the presidency. The two quorums meet to resolve differences. George Q. is hurt by comments. The dedicated Bullion Beck and Champion mine stock. First Presidency's support of Frank J. Cannon. Isaac Trumbo reports Frank is creating a political crisis, but Weber Stake President L. W. Shurtliff insists Democrats and Silver Republicans like Frank and he is willing to do anything the First Presidency asks. John W. Taylor preaches post-Manifesto pologyamy. John Henry Smith asks for and receives permission to run for the Senate—to George Q.'s dismay.The George Q. Cannon diary entries, transcribed by B. H. Roberts are in the B. H. Roberts collection at the LDS Church Archives but are now closed to research. Some are handwritten, others are typed. The typed excerpts are numbered his excerpts: No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5. Either No. 1 is missing from the collection or I failed to have it copied. Other headings in the text column are Roberts'. The page numbers at the end of each excerpt are probably Cannon diary page numbers and are used to suggest the parameters of undated entries. Typographical and spelling errors have been silently corrected. Crossed out repetitions of words have been omitted and words inserted by hand have been included without signifying characters. Additional paragraph breaks have been inserted.
January 4, 1898
Heber J. Grant diary
John Henry Smith: President Cannon is gifted, diplomat, blunt, straight-forward
[Council meeting, John Henry Smith:] As [President Woodruff's] First Counselor we have one of the most gifted of men, perhaps no man among us who is as gifted as he is. He is a writer, a diplomat, and an author. The other counselor is a plain blunt man and is lacking in cunning and the ability to shape things to suit his opinions.
President Cannon is leading, not President WoodruffPresident Woodruff would not have borrowed for Ogden Power, Saltair, Bulliion BeckPresident Cannon desperate, plunging
I feel that there is one man in the presidency and he is not the man at the lead who is at present dominating the affairs of the church. If left to himself the question is would President Woodruff have consented to have borrowed a million and a half for the Ogden Power Plant. Would he of his own accord have borrowed the money with which to build Saltair, and would he have spent several hundred thousand dollars in a mine in Nevada. We all know that he would not have done these things. I fear that the great burdens which are now on President Cannon are such that he has become desperate and he is plunging, so to speak.
January 4, 1898
Church, State, and Politics, 387.
Council discusses positions of First Presidency and Twelve
At 10 a.m. Lorenzo Snow, F. D. Richards, Brigham Young, Myself, Geo. Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, and Abraham O. Woodruff met in the Apostles' room of the Temple. We spent the day talking over the Relative positions of the first Presidency and Twelve Apostles on all great questions in the Church. All spoke and gave their views.
January 4, 1898
Brigham Young Jr. diary
Complaints of the Twelve
[Quorum meeting at 10 a.m.] President Snow called upon Brother Woodruff followed by Bro Taylor. Then Pres. Snow spoke on condition of First Presidency, followed by Bro. Teasdale (who was in favor of our minding our own business), John Henry Smith, Brigham Young & Franklin D. Richards. We all had complaints to make.
Brigham Young Jr.: Appoint a new trustee-in-trust Drop John Q. and Frank as soon as First Presidency is dissolved
I wanted a trustee in trust appointed to relieve President Woodruff and for the First Presidency to correct all mistakes, especially President Cannon, so that he would not be humiliated when the first quorum was dissolved. John Q. Cannon and Frank C[annon]. would be relieved as soon as the Twelve arranged matters.
January 4, 1898
Brigham Young Jr. diary
Twelve satisfied with Presidents Woodruff and Smith, but not George Q.'s financial dealings
We are all thoroughly convinced that Presidents Woodruff and Smith are all right but president Cannon is wrong in many things in financial business.
In attendance at the morning meeting of the Twelve: Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young Jr. John Henry Smith, George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, John W. Taylor, Marriner W. Merrill, Owen Woodruff.
Brigham Young Jr.: Let Saints pay debt, stay in touch with the people
I proposed that we trust the people with the labor of helping the church out of its indebtedness. We must keep in touch with the people. … we seem to be agreed.
President Snow to present concerns to the First Presidency, Twelve should be informed
Met at 3 p.m. It was agreed that President Snow lay our feelings before the presidency and we feel that Pres. Snow and 1 or 2 others of the quorum should be in perfect harmony and knowledge of financial affairs.
January 6, 1898
Brigham Young Jr. diary
Snow, Richards, Young address the First PresidencyYoung: President Cannon takes too much authorityShould not have named Frank J. as church agentPresident Cannon responsible for financial strain
[Temple meeting, 10:20 a.m.] President Snow asked to present the views of the Council to the presidency. They came at 11:30. Pres S. spoke very gently and to the point. Bro Franklin D. Richards followed in the same strain. I followed and charged Bro Cannon of taking on himself too much of presidential authority and keeping a man who did not live as a Latter-day Saint but drank and played billiards as the chief head of the church official organ; and that if the presidency had submitted the question of appointing Frank J. Cannon as the church agent to borrow money in the east to the Twelve he would not have been sustained; and that many people believe that President C. is the responsible person for all of our present financial difficulties.
Snow, Richards, and Young were the three senior apostles.
President Cannon offendedBrigham the scape goat
President Cannon resented what I said. Tried to pin me down to day and date. Many things were said that were better unsaid, but I was the scape goat and President Woodruff notified to be at the office at 10:30 tomorrow morning.
Twelve support Brigham
Afterwards I talked with the Twelve and every man stood by me and it was the voice of the quorum that I stand firm in what I had already said.
January 6, 1898
Church, State, and Politics, 387.
Lorenzo: What should Twelve know about finances?Apostles speak plainlyBrigham: President Cannon caused debt
All of the Apostles but F. M. Lyman, Anthon H. Lund, and M. F. Cowley met at the Temple at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m. all of the First Presidency came in. President Lorenzo Snow asked the Presidency as to the duties of the Apostles in Connection with the Presidency in the financial affairs of the Church. All of the Apostles present spoke very plain and Elder Brigham Young made a very sweeping statement in which he said President Geo. Q. Cannon was the cause of the great indebtedness of the Church.
Presidency agree Twelve should be informed
All three of the Presidency said it was their view that the two Quorums should be united in the consideration of the more weighty problems that affect the whole Church.
George Q. offended by Brigham and Heber
Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon felt very much hurt over the remarks of Elders Brigham Young and Heber J. Grant.
January 7, 1898
Brigham Young Jr. diary
Council meetingGeorge Q.: President Taylor gave me control of Bullion Beck and Champion dedicated stock
Met Presidency in temple at 12 noon. Considerable talk was had and President Cannon read a document purporting to have been written under President John Taylor's dictation which gave C. complete control over all the Bullion and Beck dedicated stock which he afterwards gave up to claimants, and now claims that he is responsible to God alone for the management of his dedicated Bullion and Beck stock.
Twelve surprised.Brigham: I thought stock was to be held by Church president
This was all news to the council for brother C. had carried the idea that his stock was still dedicated as we understood it. I was shocked to hear brother C. make the statement, I am the sole custodian of the dedicated stock. I understood President Taylor [said] that this stock would be held independently by his successor in office to which it would be duly transferred at proper time.
Sacrament
All was forgiven by us all and we partook of the sacrament I think worthily before God.
January 7, 1898
Church, State, and Politics, 388.
Council
All of the first Presidency and all of the Apostles but F. M. Lyman, A. H. Lund, and M. F. Cowley met at 12 noon in the Apostles' room in the Temple.
Franklin D. : Forgive each otherJoseph F.: Presidency and Twelve act together
After some explanations of yesterday[‘s] sayings, Prest. Franklin D. Richards moved we forgive each other for Harsh words spoken and that we partake of the sacrament. President Joseph F. Smith seconded the motion and said it now being about to be determined by joint vote of the joint Councils of the presidency and Twelve that they shall act together upon all questions of great moment to the Church, he felt to ad his hearty endorsement of this action.
Sacrament
The vote was unanimous. We partook of the Sacrament together.
Lorenzo: Lord approves
After the Presidency withdrew, President Lorenzo Snow said, brethren the Lord approves of our action and in the future the Quorums will understand each other better.
Between January 7 and 17, 1898
George Q. Cannon diary
No. 2.
Dedicated Bullion Beck stock Twelve: turn it over
Fourth. There was considerable talk in relation to the dedicated stock of the Bullion, Beck & Champion Mining Company, and it was plainly stated that it was my duty to turn over that dedicated stock into the hands of President Woodruff as trustee in trust.
George Q. : others withdrew theirs
Had this dedicated stock, transferred to me by President Taylor, remained intact, I should never have thought of holding it in my hands any longer than to get it out of debt; but when everyone withdrew their stock and my dedicated stock only was left, I did not feel that I was guilty of the least impropriety in retaining control of it myself.
I should keep it
I have made a provision in my will concerning it. I have kept up to the present time a strict account of it, and hope to be able to make a full accounting at the proper time to my brethren of all that I have done with this. I have not felt, however, up to the present that it was either advisable or necessary that I should transfer it out of my own hands.
Are we all ready to account for our dedicated property?
In making my remarks I said to the brethren that we all had dedicated property to the Lord, just as much as this stock had been dedicated. I asked the question, Are we ready to account for this dedication.
Twelve: No
The reply was made that no one had asked for an accounting.
George Q. : You should know how it was dedicated
I then said, in order to understand this quorum as it should be understood, it is proper that you should know the terms on which this stock was dedicated, how it was done and why it was done.
Transfer d ocument
I then proceeded to read the document which President Taylor, John Beck and myself had signed, by which this stock was given to President Taylor. We say:
Set aside 3/5 shares (60,000) to Presaident Taylor as his personal property
We do hereby set apart and unreservedly give three-fifths of the said shares, amounting to 20,000 shares of the nominal value of $10 per share, for each of us, or 60,000 shares of the nominal value of $10 per share in the aggregate for all of us, to John Taylor, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to be absolutely and unquestionedly held by him as his own personal property, to be disposed of by him in any manner and for any purpose that he may deem wise, for the benefit of the work of God and the advancement of its interests, and this without any supervision or question upon our part or upon the part of any authority in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For church purposes
In making this gift of stock and placing it at the sole disposal of President John Taylor, we do so with the definite understanding upon our part that it is to be the commencement of the creation of a fund to be used by John Taylor, as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the furtherance of its interest, whenever in his judgment it can be expended advantageously. And this fund shall be kept distinct and separate from the tithing and the other church properties, and at no time shall be mingled therewith by the church itself or by any of the officers thereof.
President Taylor transferred it to George Q.
President John Taylor, in the document signed by him twenty-three days before his demise confers "upon the said George Q. Cannon all the rights, powers and authority held, had or enjoyed by him, the said John Taylor, individually or otherwise, by virtue of the written instrument aforesaid in and to said shares."
President Taylor died on July 25, 1887 in Kaysville, Utah. His physical and mental condition had been such that President Cannon had been, in effect, running the church for several months.
Possibly for Jackson county property
President Taylor mentioned the purchase of the Temple Block in Jackson county, that was designated and set apart by the Prophet Joseph as a site for a temple of God, as something that I was authorized to do [2] with that fund.
The closing paragraph to his deed says:
George Q. not accountable to the church or authoritiesNot for private use or benefit heirs
And it is distinctly understood that the said George Q. Cannon, in assuming the control of said funds, shall not be accountable for its disposition or management to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, nor to any authority thereof, but shall have absolute control and management of said fund without question from any source whatever; provided only that said fund shall not be used for his own private benefit, nor for the benefit of his heirs.
These extracts show conclusively that I have not exceeded any of the powers entrusted to me, in my management of my own dedicated stock. I have not used in any form one dollar of anybody else's dedicated stock or its proceeds.
George Q.: the fund is sacredWill make accounting later
As I have said before, I consider this fund in my hand sacred, and will be able to make a satisfactory accounting for it at the proper time.
This for historical purposes
I have been thus particular in alluding to these different matters, because they were mentioned almost in the form of charges against me. They appear on the official minutes of our meeting. I have not, in any remarks that I have made, explained them sufficiently to clear them up. It is with the view that the truth in history may be vindicated and my action be clearly explained that I write these explanations. pp--50-51.
January 17, 1898
George Q. Cannon diary
From Journal G Q. Cannon
F. J. Cannon & his Relationship to First Pres.
Monday, January 17, 1898
Brigham Jr. has told George Q. of Frank's drinkingFrank's letters encouragingHe has reached agreement with Banigan.
[President Cannon has been informed of his son Frank's intemperance by apostle B. Young and he has made inquiries of /Hugh Cannon and G. F. Gibbs/ & masses testimony to shield Frank. Then] . . . the First Presidency received a large number of letters from Frank this morning, very gratifying & exilerating to us. [Frank at the time /and for some time previous/ has been the financial agent of the Presidency at the time in the East.], as they evinced a good spirit and show the zeal with which he is working. He has /effected a/ settlement with Mr. Bannigan that we think very satisfactory.
Bracketed text is Roberts'.Joseph Banigan was a venture capitalist in New Jersey. "During the 1890s, capitalists such as Joseph Banigan and Charles K. Bannister exercised as much influence on Utah enterprise as did Wilford Woodruff and George Q. Cannon." Utah: The Right Place, 451.
George Q. admits telling Frank about Council meeting last week.
I told President Woodruff and Smith that I had written a private letter to F. (which was sent to him last Wednesday) giving him some particulars of what had occurred at the council [when the Twelve complained of their treatment by the First Presidency]. I said I felt that I ought to do so; it was a relief to me though it may not have been very wise.
Decide to telegram Frank
President Smith thought it would have a very discouraging effect upon him. I proposed, therefore, that the First Presidency send a dispatch to him. Prests Woodruff and Smith thought we ought to, and the following was framed and sent to him, signed by the presidency:
Support, encouragement
"Be comforted. Batch of letters received, very satisfactory. The Lord has bles you and we bless you, and say be encouraged and do not weaken."
I do not want him to be discouraged, nor to feel that his efforts are not appreciated. I believe he is doing all he can, and I think he is capable of doing a great deal. p. 56.
Between January 17 and March 2
George Q. Cannon diary
No. 3.
Lobbies city council for Union Light and Power
I have been desirous to see some of the city council in relation to the franchise to be granted to the Union Light and Power Company, and the following members came to the office today: Arthur Barnes, John Allen, E. M. Weiler and Henry Wallace. I explained to them with some detail what we were aiming to accomplish, and set before them our situation and how desirable it was that our brethren in the city council should recognize what we were doing, and not treat us as a foreign corporation.
Arthur Pratt businessAct as Latter-day Saints, not partisans
I afterwards spoke to them about the Arthur Pratt business—not so much that either as to bring to their attention the necessity of union; that it was a city council of thirteen Mormons and two Gentiles and that the Latter-day Saints would be blamed for everything that was not right and therefore they ought to act in harmony and not as partisans.
Partisanship
Arthur Barnes made the remark that they were elected as Democrats, on a Democratic ticket. I dwelt on that and showed that they should be Latter-day Saints first, above all things. I told them that if they divided and pulled against each other, as they had started out to do, they would bring themselves into discredit. I talked with exceeding plainness to these brethren, as did President Woodruff also.
Councilmen not pursuadedParting counsel
I fear that this conversation will not effect any great change in their feelings, but we shall have given them our views, and if they do not act upon them they will be without excuse. In parting with them I told them, as a servant of God, that they would always be safe in following the counsels of the servants of the Lord. p. 68.
No. 4.
Desire to settle Trumbo business
Spent most of the afternoon in arranging for a settlement of the Trumbo business. I have felt very much impressed to close this business up and secure from Bishop Clawson the receipt that Trumbo has given him for us when we complied with his terms.
In return for negotiating statehood for Utah, Trumbo expected to be rewarded with one of the state's first Senate seats; but his bid failed, putting the First Presidency in an awkward position. Hiram B. Clawson brokered a settlement between the two parties. Isaac Trumbo, 146–147.
Clawson expects word from the pulpit
To my surprise, Bishop Clawson expected that something would be said in the tabernacle as well as the article that was published. A perusal of Colonel Trumbo's letter conveys that idea; but, as I told Bishop Clawson, I thought that when he accepted this writing and wanted it put in the paper, that complied with the request. I said I could not say anything more on the stand than had been published and it seemed to me entirely unnecessary.
President Woodruff agrees to speak
He said he thought I ought not to be asked to say anything; but somebody ought to say something. President Woodruff said finally that he would talk, for he was heartily sick of this whole business and wanted to get it out of his hands and he was willing to do anything he could do to close the business up.
Church owes for Gardo improvements
I have been under the impression that we had not to pay any money, but it seems I was mistaken--that we have to pay $10,000 for the Gardo House improvements which Colonel Trumbo made; so today we advanced $2,000 in cash, and gave two notes for 44,000 each, payable in 90 days and 6 months, with 5% interest from maturity.
I dictated receipts for Bishop Clawson to sign, also a letter embodying the proposition concerning the Gardo House, which he signed, addressed to us. I am glad to get this business closed up.
Conclusion
President Woodruff agrees to make some remarks on Sunday, and with that understanding Bishop Clawson gave us Trumbo's receipt in full, and also a receipt for the $10,000 as agent for Colonel Trumbo. p. 69
January 31, 1898
John W. Taylor preaches plurality, but cannot add more
Elder John W. Taylor made a ringing address on our duties to our families and on the sacredness of the doctrine of the Eternity of the Marriage Covenant, including the Plurality of Wives. He told the brethren to do all their full duty to their wives but that man could not take any more wives in the plural order. I followed him and bore Testimony but said he had given pretty strong emphasis in the language he used.
Church, State, and Politics, 190–191. St. Joseph Stake conference (Arizona); on the previous day Christopher Layton had been released and Andrew Kimball sustained as stake president, set apart by Joseph F. Smith.
Seal couples in a Arizona
I sealed nineteen couples after the afternoon meeting.
February 10, 1898
Isaac Trumbo to H. B. Clawson, Isaac Trumbo collection.Trumbo, the main lobbyist in Utah's final bid for statehood (1895), had expected to be one of its first senators, but had been defeated in the wild election of 1895. Cannon bolted the Republican Party in 1896.
Frank J. Cannon and William H. King creating trouble in Washington
… some steps ought to be taken towards having Senator Cannon and Congressman King attended to at once. They are creating such a stir over there that it will simply take all the friendship we can get together to mend matters as they now stand.
Attack against the administration must stop
I received a dispatch from Vice President Hobart to-day, asking me to come at once to Washington, and saying that this attack against the [McKinley] Administration by the Mormons would have to be stopped immediately. …
Don't fight the Republicans
Tell [the First Presidency] to remember that it is hard to fight a big party. They can ruin themselves politically, financially and every other way, and it is best that they have the friendship instead of the enmity of a great nation.
King denounces churches, Cannon attacks administrationMust be stopped
[King introduced resolution for $50,000 to add to White House for Senator Hanna; he has denounced Christian churches. Cannon's speech last week about the Cleveland and McKinley administrations; now his row on the floor today] is just going to bring things to such a crisis that Utah will never receive any recognition. Now is the time to stop it, and I hope you will ask the Presidency to consider it without delay.
Hanna: Republican Party boss Mark Hanna. McKinley had recently appointed Hannah to fill the Senate seat of John Sherman, who accepted the post of Secretary of State to make room for Hanna.
Frank should resign and let George Q. be senator
… It seems from all I can learn that it would be greatly appreciated by our friends in Washington under the present condition of things if Senator Cannon would resign in favor of his father.
Losing friends in both parties
Mr. Carleton also sent me a dispatch telling me how unwise Senator Cannon and Representative King were, and that they will soon lose every friend they have among the Republican and Democratic Parties.
King was a Democrat.
March 2, 1898
George Q. Cannon diary
Shurtliff report to First PresidencyMeeting of Silver Democrats
Some days ago, Judges L. W. Shurtliff of Ogden called upon the First Presidency and had a private conversation with them concerning political affairs. Before closing, he informed us that he had been invited while in Washington (from whence he had returned—sic!) to attend a meeting of the Silver Democrats, he himself being a Democrat. There were present at the meeting Senator James of Arkansas, Senator White of California, Senator Rawlins of Utah, and others. I think he said Representative King was present also.
Shurtliff was president of the Weber Stake (Ogden), state senator, and former county probate judge."—sic!" is likely Roberts'.
Silver Demos back Frank
At this meeting the question of who ought to come back from Utah as senator was discussed. The united feeling was that my son Frank should be re-elected, and they were bringing pressure to bear upon Representative King, who has ambition to be senator, to suppress him, so that he would not be a candidate, but he was very reluctant to yield. The feeling that they had was that a Silver Republican ought to be sent from Utah, and not a Silver Democrat.
Frank will do bidding of the First Presidency
Judge Shurtliff related to us what had occurred, said it was [approx. 4 words missing from the bottom of my photocopy] that Frank [2] had told him that he was ready to do whatever the First Presidency desired. If they wished him to go on a mission, he would go gladly, or do anything else that they wished, but he would not make any attempt to be senator unless they wished it, and approved of it.
Wilford Woodruff and Joseph F. Smith endorse Frank
Presidents Woodruff and Smith both spoke very strongly in favor of Frank making the race for the senatorship and hoped he would [be] elected, as they felt he would represent us better than anyone else that was likely to be elected. President Woodruff was very strong in his expressions about it. This ought to have been put in my journal on the day the conversation occurred, but was omitted, and I mention it here. p. 82
p. 82 follows immediately after "here." Since the remaining 1/4 of the page is blank, I assume p. 82 refers to the page in Cannon's diary.
After September 6
George Q. Cannon diary.Dating is based on John Henry Smith's diary entry for September 6: I was sent for by President Lorenzo Snow to go to his room in the Temple. He said he wanted me to run for U.S. Senator. He also told me he would not take hold of affairs until after the funeral of Prest. Wilford Woodruff [September 8]. He said he thought the church owed three millions of dollars. He also said he did not agree with Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon's business methods. He said the load seemed more than he could carry." Church, State, and Politics, 406.
No. 5
John Henry Smith bid for Senate
Among other business, Brother John Henry Smith announced his desire to be a candidate for the United States Senate in case his party, the McKinley wing of the Republican Party should get in power here. He said he was desirous to serve his country, etc., etc. It was moved by President Joseph F. Smith, and seconded by President Snow that there were no objections to his trying to get this position.
Apostleship requires full time and attention
The proposition did not strike me very pleasantly, as I think the highest office any man can hold on the earth is that of an apostle, and to magnify that properly, it seems to me, requires all his time and his powers.
Only because President Young sent me
I myself, however, have gone to Congress while an apostle; but it was because I was urged to do so, and not from any desire of mine. I would rather have gone on any mission to preach the gospel than to have gone there, and so told President Young when he proposed that I should go to Washington. p. 92
1898: January1898: FebruaryNotebooksHome
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Pres. Wilford Woodrug died at the home of Issac
http://books.google.com/books?id=C0cOAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA34&lpg=PA34&dq=%22isaac+trumbo%22&source=web&ots=hLP68zGlH3&sig=ieZjEWa9ohHL8LXU-82zYYgfsv4&hl=en
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After this disappointing loss and the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court
against them, Church leaders in the spring of 1890 searched harder than
ever to find influential friends in Washington, D.C. For the previous forty
years the Democratic Party had been more lenient toward the Church than
had the Republicans, but the Republicans were now in power, and the
Church needed friends in that party to achieve a change in government
policy and avoid disaster in Utah. Through Isaac Trumbo, a prominent
businessman and lobbyist from California who had been a long-time friend
to the Church, the First Presidency cultivated close ties with several
Republicans—Leland Stanford, senator of California; Morris M. Estee, the
chairman of the Republican national convention in 1888; and James S.
Clarkson, chairman of the Republican national committee. All four of these
men helped the lobbying effort of the Saints in 1890.
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