FROM UTAH TERRITORY.
[Correspondence of the St. Louis Republican.]
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 30. 1854.
At my last writing you were apprised of the arrest of three Indians, charged with butchering two boys in Cedar Valley. On the 28th of Au-gust, the grand jury returned a verdict of "guil-ty," in the cases of "Antelope" and "Long Hair;" the other was acquitted. Sentence was pro-nounced in accordance with this verdict, by Hon. Leon Shaver, Judge of United States Supreme Court for Utah Territory, and the 15th day of September, between the hours of two and five o'clock P. M., appointed for the execution.
On August 31st, Col. E. J. Steptoe, arrived in this city, en route for California, having under his command about 175 soldiers, 150 employees, 100 wagons and carriages, and about 1000 head of horses and mules—all in fine spirits and condi-tion. They take Winter quarters in this city.
Gov. Young had a very gratifying talk with a large number of the Shoshone or Snake Indians, on September 3d, at Ogden, forty miles North of Great Salt Lake City. Seven chiefs were pres-ent with their braves, who manifested feelings of unusual friendship, and dispersed, highly pleased with their presents.
The execution of the two Indians was shrouded in mystery and doubt, even up to 12 o'clock, M., of the 15th. None could tell where the place of execution was, or whether indeed they would be executed. At half past 1 P. M., precisely, the carriage containing the criminals, with two guards passed the Council House, and was joined by a body of riflemen and United States dragoons, to-gether with carriages containing the United States and civil officers, and a vast concourse of citizens in conveyances, on horse and foot.
The procession continued its march westward about two miles, crossed Jordan bridge, and hav-ing travelled about two miles further, passed through a thick forest of willows growing on the banks of the Jordan, and emerging into a beauti-ful open space, surrounded by tall brush, the fa-tal gallows was before us. At its foot was halted the criminal carriage, while the officials were sta-tioned in the area in front, dragoons and riflemen forming a guard around the whole. The United States warrant was read by W. J. Appleby, Esq., Clerk U. S. Court for Utah Territory, by order of J. L. Hey wood, U. S. Marshal. After a short conversation with the culprits, they were con-ducted up the scaffold, where prayer was offered by Rev. Isaac Morley. The ropes being adjust-ed, white caps were drawn over their eyes, and in an instant they both hung. The fall was about seven feet, which was sufficient to destroy sensi-bility at once. A slight twisting of the hands, a few long and heavy breaths, and they were dead. After hanging some twenty minutes the bodies were lowered to the ground. A grave was dug at the base of the gallows, a coffin made of rough plank that composed the platform of the scaffold, and without further ceremony, with their clothes on, in it they were laid side by side and buried.
I have been somewhat minute in relating this event because it was the first execution in this territory, and the people here most earnestly hope it may be the last, at least of hanging.—You are doubtless aware of the averse feeling of the Mormons to hang folks by the neck, or strang-ling to death. They say, if a man has shed the blood of his fellow man, let his blood be shed to atone for his crime.
What influence this affair may exert upon the Indians around us is yet uncertain. At the exe-cution there were but three or four Indians pres-ent, and professedly friendly. But it is evident no small stir is created among them on account of it. Those who have been in and around the city during the summer, have decamped for their wickeups."
A band of Shoshone warriors passed through our city on Monday, 25th ult., to give battle to the Utahs, who had stolen their horses. A fight took place between them about fifty miles south, in which four Utahs were killed and several wounded. The Snakes had two wounded. They returned to this city in high spirits, displaying the scalps they had taken as trophies of their victory; and the next day they again advanced upon their enemies, the Utahs reinforced in numbers. The result of this last descent is not yet known.
The Utahs have commenced their depredations again in our smallest settlements—killing and driving off horses and cattle—which invariably precedes more open hostilities. By a messenger from the south, we learn that a band of Utahs, painted black, have been riding in all directions through the country, in search of Mr. George Bean, one of our Indian interpreters, to kill him. A few days ago Mr. Bean escaped very narrowly from their hands.
Among the merchants here there has been, and continues to be, considerable excitement. In August last Messrs. Horner & Co., with a large and splendid stock of goods, arrived in this city. Upon opening, their goods were offered at a con-siderable reduction from former prices, where-upon other heavy dealers, aware of the immense supplies in market, and determined, if possible, to monopolise to themselves the whole trade, combined together to undersell Horner & Co., making their prices a trifle below. This policy seems to have been partially successful; but I am satisfied it is only for the time being; for when the mania has passed away, and the com-munity restored to equilibrium, those who have their interests truly at heart, must receive their confidence and patronage.
The wheat crop has been abundant the present harvest, though holders are not very anxious to sell, there being a prospect of high prices. Wheat is now selling at $2 per bushel. Corn and oats were much injured by the grasshoppers.
Potatoes are plentiful, Our fruit was cut off by the late frosts in the spring, and with the ex-ception of a very small yield of apples and plums, our trees are destitute.
The weather during the month past has been very pleasant, though somewhat cool. On the 11th inst. rain fell quite heavily in this valley, while snow and hail whitened the peaks above us.
The season of our exile from the “rest of man-kind" is near—the approach of which very na-turally brings with it our more ardent wishes that the general government would devise some plan whereby we might be brought into more intimate union with our cotemporaries at the east and west, by more effective mail arrangements, or the speedy construction of the Great Western Rail-way.
