ANOTHER SALT LAKE SENSATION.
Attempted Murder of a Journalist at Salt Lake City.
[From the Salt Lake Tribune, June 2]
The Mormon newspapers have been clamoring for an investigation into, the past crimes and practices of the Mormon Church, and very opportunely the New York Herald has sent a commissioner to Utah to examine the record and report what facts he discovers fearlessly and impartially Mr. Jerome B. Stillson is the gentleman deputed to perform this disagreeable task, and the revela-tions made by this journalist, (as our readers are already aware), have been so damaging, that the parties who were clamoring for an investigation have al-ready had a surfeit of it. Two attempts have been made on the New York jour-nalist's life, the first by an assassin who fired upon him on Saturday night as he was driving home from Camp Douglas along Brigham street, and the second in his own room in the Walker House, by the same man, it is supposed, who dealt him a violent blow on the breast with a knife. This has a bad look, as it revives the recollection of former days in Utah when obnoxious individuals were se-cretly put out of the way to prevent them from doing further mischief. The Her-ald, a priest-bound, I blood-atoning sheet, instantly came to the rescue, and a vil-lanous article, published the morning following the stabbing attempt, pro-nounced it a put up job on the part of the New York Herald reporter, to injure the Mormons and keep up a false sensa-tion. To prove the truth of this charge, Mayor Little addressed a note to Mr. Stil-lson to request that gentleman to submit to a public examination by the City At-torney. This proceeding struck Mr-Stillson as somewhat novel, and led him to question in his own mind whether he was a vassal or a peer, first to have his life twice attempted while in the proper performance of his duty, and then to have his word questioned and his character assailed. However, on the counsel of his friends, he consented to endure the in-vestigation, and about 2:30 o'clock he en-tered the parlor of the Walker House, where fully one hundred persons were assembled.
Being introduced to Mayor Little, he was invited to take a seat, and Mr. C. W. Stayner administered the oath. Being requested by the City Attorney Rawlins to make his statement, the witness said he regarded this as an informal meeting and the proceedings extra-judicial. He was willing to make a statement, but he was not feeling well, and did not want to be subjected to a long ordeal.
Mr. Stillson then gave a detailed narra-tive of the two attempts made to assas-sinate him. The first one was on Sat-urday night last, while returning from Camp Douglas, about 11 o'clock. Driv-ing along East Temple (Brigham) street in a carriage Land pair, as he was ap-proaching Brigham Young's residence, on passing a street (Pine) a man came from behind a tree about fifty feet dis-tant, and fired a shot from a revolver at him. The horses were going fast at the time, and the shot missed its mark. He reined up as speedily as possible, turned the horses which was a work of some little time, as he had to cross a street car track to the lower side of the road, and then drive up to embarkment. On re-turning to the street corner the assassin was out of sight. Witness described him as a large man, he could see his features distinctly, as the full moor was shining brightly.
The second attempt was made in his own room the day preceeding (Thursday,) He stated that while sitting in his own room correcting some manuscript writ-ten by his amanuensis the evening be-fore, a knock came to the door. He heard no approaching footsteps. Invited the visitor in, and rose to receive him. The door opened and a stranger entered. Witness grasped the back of his chair with his left hand. The man held his hat and a folded paper in his left hand, which he rested on the knob of the door. He inquired of witness if he was Mr. Stillson. Witness said that that was his name. Correspondent of the New York Herald? he further queried. Witness nodded assent. “I have an affidavit here which I think you will be interested in." He hereupon entered the room to deliver it. Suddenly he struck witness a violent blow in the left breast, saying at the time, "Take that, you handsome son of bitch!" Witness fell at the blow be-tween the table and bed. Arose in a few moments, took a revolver from his table drawer, and rushed into the corridor in pursuit of the assailant, but the man was out of sight.
In answer to questions witness said his impression was that he was struck with a short knife. His assailant had the manners of a gentleman, and was well dressed. Had his right hand concealed in his Breast. Was shot at between 10 and 11 o'clock. Being asked to des-cribe the man, a description of the man was objected to by some. of the attorneys in the meeting. Witness said he was willing to reply fully to any questions that might be asked him. A lengthy debate ensued, and the sense of the meet-ing was in favor of a description being given. Witness described him as a large, well dressed man, on his opening the door, was impressed with his modest, decent demeanor. He wore a slouch hat, a black coat, a dark neck-tie and exposed a full shirt front; the lower part of his dress witness could not describe. He had black hair and imperial, but no whiskers or beard. Resembled the man who fired at witness, but was differently dressed, had no doubt he was the same man. Thinks his age over forty.
Witness then described the nature of the stab. It cut through his vest—he was sitting in his shirt, sleeves—through two photographs on still boards, a silk handkerchief was perforated in half a dozen places, the buckle of his suspender was bent, and the suspender cut through. A slight scratch was also inflicted upon the body. The force of the blow was expended upon the buckle—there was a mere abrasion of the skin—a bruise more than a cut. The perforation was on the left side—almost over the heart.
Witness instantly sent for Mr. Erb and Marshal Nelson. They appeared in from five to eight minutes, and he talked the matter over with them. The assassin left the room directly after striking the blow. Was quite badly struck, knocked the wind out of him. Does not know what direction the man took.
THE REPORT DISCREDITED, The New York Times Salt Lake spec-ial correspondent telegraphing from Salt Lake on the 4th inst., says that Gen. Crook expresses the opinion that no more troops are needed in Utah; and that, so far as he can see. Utah is as peaceful as ever before. The alleged assassination of the correspondent of the New York journal seems to be generally discredited. I am now at the same hotel, and don't see how it could have been possible. Even the alleged assas-sination—which was bloodless—Is not laid to the Mormon agents. The Terri-tory is as quiet as Massachusetts or Con-necticut, and as far from war or blood-shed.
