LATER FROM UTAH.
Shocking Case of Murder—Interesting Disclosures—The Weather in the Rocky Mountains.
From Our Own Correspondent.
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH TERRITORY,
Saturday, Dec. 18, 1858.
Murder will out; notwithstanding an organized confederacy uses its power and strength in endeav-oring to suppress the truth, it will, nevertheless, sooner or later prevail. During the past week cir-cumstances have combined to bring to light and re-veal some of the workings of the Danite system, and, fortunately, the strong arm of justice has been laid upon some of these "destroying angels," although a desperate attempt has been made by the leaders to conceal the deeds of the instruments of their vengeance.
Some five weeks ago ANDREW BERNARD, a deaf and dumb boy, twenty years of age, remarkable for his intelligence and shrewdness, but well known by nearly all the inhabitants of this city by the beg-ging and thievish propensities by which he supported himself, was missed by those who had become accus-tomed to his visits. Shortly after this a report became current that he had been murdered in Emigration Canon, on the eastern road to the States, but nothing further could be ascertained by those inquiring about the matter. A few days more, however, and the rumor assumed a more definite shape, and it was stated that a police-man of the city, a Dane, had committed the deed.
The attention of the United States officers having, by this time, been called to the subject, they took the matter in hand, determined, if possible, to trace it out and detect the murderer. Not knowing whom they might trust, they exercised the utmost caution in their inquiries. Finally enough was ascertained to justify the issue of a warrant by Judge SINCLAIR for the arrest of one N. L. CHRISTIANSEN, a policeman of the city. The difficulty now was to identify the man. It was known that if the man suspected that he was to be arrested he would make his escape, and that it was not safe to inquire from any of his brother policemen as to his identity or whereabouts. Last Monday Gov-vernor CUMMING, whose interest had been excited in the matter, discovered that the Mayor, Chief of Po-lice, and a Justice of the Peace were and had been cognizant of the whole matter, but had kept it a pro-found secret. CHRISTIANSEN was thereupon immedi-ately arrested, although he attempted to elude the officers by hiding himself, and the Justice of the Peace, Mayor, and others, summoned for examination. It now appeared that the policeman, WIELSON CHRIS-TIANSEN, acknowledged to have killed the boy, but alleged that it was done in self-defence, and that the Mayor, Chief of Police, and Justice of the Peace had learned the facts fro-m the confession of the man him-self, and had buried the body, keeping the whole cir-cumstance a secret.
On Wednesday last a preliminary examination of the case was commenced before Judge SINCLAIR, which has not yet been concluded. In the evidence thus far adduced from reluctant witnesses, it is stated that this boy was arrested for stealing $60 in money; that he acknowledged taking $11, with which he had bought some clothes, but denied taking any more; that he stated however to the officer that he had $7 de-posited with a man who lives at Emigration Canon, some 12 miles from the city, which he would give up; that this policeman, CHISTIANSEN, was sent out with him to this house, belonging to E. HANKS, to get the money; that when they reached the house the boy stated that he had hid it in some of the smaller canons near by ; that after hunting about some time (as the prisoner states) the boy struck at him with a knife, in-flicting a slight wound in the hip ; that thereupon they had a scuffle in which he succeeded in taking the knife from the boy and throwing it away; that the boy thereupon attacked him with rocks, whereupon he shot at him four times, wounding him three times ; one of the shots struck him in the breast, one in the leg, and one in the hand ; that the boy thus wounded ran to the house, where there was no one at the time except a little Indian boy ; that when he reached the house in pursuit of the boy, the boy again attacked him, compelling him to run in the house and shut himself up ; that some teamsters passing by with a load of wood came up and pacified the boy and placed him on their load of wood ; he also got on and they both rode down the canon together ; that when they reached the mouth of the canon at the foot of the mountain, the boy said he had hid the money close to that place. Here they met Mr. HANKS just returning to his house from the City, and at their request Mr. HANKS took them in his wagon to hunt the money. Mr. HANKS states that they drove off of the road about a quarter of a mile along the foot of the mountain, when the boy said the money was close there. CHRISTIANSEN and the boy thereupon got out and walked off together. The boy limped a little from the effects of his wound in the leg. He (HANKS) was looking at some cattle in another direction when he heard a cry and, looking around, saw the policeman's hat fly off as if he had been hit with a stone thrown by the boy, and at the same time saw the po-liceman stab the boy in the neck, killing him instantly. After this occurrence he went on up into the canon to his house, leaving the body there and the policeman went on down to the city. He re-turned to the city the same evening, but told no one but his family of the occurrence. The next morning the Justice of the Peace—Dr. CLINTON—came and asked him to go out with him to hold an inquest over the body—Dr. C. having learned of the circumstance from the Chief of the Police, who had been informed by CHRISTIANSEN of what had happened. CLINTON, Dr. RICHARDSON and himself then went out to where the body was, and, after looking at it without touching it, came back to the city. Dr. CLINTON, who acted as Coroner, being satisfied that the policeman's story was true, did not deem it necessary, as he said, to make any further examination.
In regard as to what was then done with the body, there was much discrepancy in the statement of all the witnesses. HANKS himself stated at one time that when they went out to examine the body, they took a coffin with them and put the body immediately in it, and took it out to be buried then. At another time he stated that they left the body there then, merely covering it with a piece of blanket, and went out the next day with a coffin. Some of the witnesses said that the body was left covered with a blanket, others that it was buried six inches deep under dirt and stones ; some that it was taken immediately to the burying-ground, others that it was brought through the city and then taken to the burying-ground. HANKS testified that but three persons went with him to bury the body, whilst others testified that there were five persons who assisted in the burial. Of these five, who swore that they went after the body and buried it, no two told the same story. Again, HANKS stated on his oath that he was sworn before ELIAS SMITH, Judge of the Probate Court, before he went out with Dr. CLINTON to hold an examination, and that he also certified a written statement of his examination in regard to the matter before going out after the body ; while Dr. CLINTON states on his oath that HANKS was neither examined nor sworn to any examination until some three weeks after the occur-rence, when he was examined and his evidence writ-ten out and put on file in the Clerk of Probate's office. These papers on file in the Clerk's office are indorsed by the Clerk as filed at the time of the occurrence, although it appeared in evidence that they were not written out until some three weeks after. The Clerk, in justification, swore that the Judge of the Probate Court had told him to antedate the paper. The Judge of Probate explained by stating under oath that he merely told his Clerk that they should have been filed at the time of the occurrence, but did not tell him to antedate them.
In fact, during the whole examination, the witnesses have contradicted each other and themselves so flatly and so frequently that the conviction forces itself upon us that some of them have perjured themselves most deeply and basely. Why they did so is the question ; they had some object in view in thus deliberately ly-ing ; but they found themselves caught in their own trap, for they were called up to testify so unexpected-ly that they had not time to agree upon the same falsehoods.
The body was yesterday disinterred by order of the Judge, and a post mortem examination made by Dr. HURT. The throat was found cut from ear to ear, and there was a pistol ball lodged in the breast. He had also a pistol ball shot through the leg, and one through his hand. The body was too far decomposed to dis-cern any other marks of violence. A portion of the clothes were found thrown off and the body indecent-ly exposed, although several of the witnesses had sworn that the clothing on the body was not touched by any one.
We have been thus far minute in the particulars of the case, because of the importance which is attached to this case in this community, and the interest which it has created here. As the case is still under in-vestigation, we shall make no further comment on it unless it is to state that it is generally believed that the boy was deliberately murdered, in order to pre-vent him from revealing certain secrets which he became acquainted with in regard to some of the many murders committed here last Winter.
Certain it is that the authorities of the Church have made every effort to keep the facts of the case con-cealed. But they now anticipate that there will be no difficulty in getting their servant clear, as the traverse jury is composed for the greater part of Mormons.
The Grand Jury, before the U. S. District Court for this District, found an indictment on Tuesday last against JAMES FERGUSON, for endeavoring to intimidate, by language and threats, the Hon. GEORGE P. STILES, Judge of this District Court at the February Term, 1847.
It Is charged that Judge STILES was so far intimi-dated by these threats of FERGUSON, and others, that he felt himself compelled to adjourn his Court.
Judge SINCLAIR has received a petition from the members of the bar praying for an adjournment of the Court until after the session of the Legislature.
The Legislature, after meeting in Fillmore, will im-mediately adjourn to this city to hold its present ses-sion.
A number of "Gentile" gentlemen in this city have arrangements for a series of assembly soirees to be given once a week during the Winter. The second of these parties was given last Thursday evening, and was a most pleasant and brilliant re-union. The Mormons oppose these parties very much, and leave even threatened to cut off from the Church all the Mormon young ladles who may attend them. Notwithstanding this ban the parties are well attended by the better portion of the Mormon belles.
Gov. CUMMING and his lady, and District-Attorney WILSON and lady were present and gave eclat to the occasion.
In addition to these parties, we have been enjoying fine amusement in the way of sleigh riding—the late severe storm having afforded a sufficient depth of snow to make the sleighing capital.
Owing to the unparalleled severity of this storm, the mails east and west have been greatly impeded ; the eastern mail, due on the 5th inst., did not arrive until the I4th inst., and the mail due on the 12th inst. has not yet arrived. The California mail, due on Mon-day, did not arrive until Thursday.
The following letters, received by Mr. DOTSON from the conductor of one of the down mails, and Mr. GUTHRIE, a passenger in the mail, will give an idea of the pleasure of traveling in the Rocky Mountains in Win-ter. They are written from the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains.
Dec. 5, 1853.
DSAR SIR : I arrived at Devil's Gate up to time. I find it impossible to put a station on the sixth crossing of Sweetwater; the snow was about three feet deep, and now there is no bottom. I left Devil's Gate on Monday morning with ten mules; I arrived, at the station on Sweetwater with one mule, the balance having frozen to death. My hands, feet and ears are very badly frozen ; I think I shall lose one of my ears, and the man that came with me has frozen his feet so that he will lose some of his toes. Mr. GUTHRIE will give you a description of the mail down.
Your obedient servant, W. J. BROOKS.
MR. DOTSON—Sir: We are all here at Sweetwater, waiting for the weather to moderate, so that the mail can travel. We found the snow about twenty inches deep up to Muddy Station. We made good time to Sunday; we left there about 2 o'clock on Wednes-day ; we went that night to Dry Sandy; we had a very severe storm, the worst that I ever witnessed in my life. We left next morning for the South Pass, and got to the crossing, but could not stem the storm. The two mail boys are so badly frozen that I think they will probably die; at least I think one will. We turned and went back to Sandy that night. Mr. ASHTON came down with us, and he then took the mail, and did all a man could do to get the mail along. We got lost every night since we left the City; we got lost on the South Pass, and found our-selves above the station about eight miles ; we laid down on the Sweet Water until morning. We got up in the morning, and left the mail mules, blankets, and everything we had, and made for the station; we succeeded in getting in before we all perished. Mr. ASHTON has frozen one hand and one foot,—I think he will be bound to lose his hand. We got the mail here about 10 o'clock, Saturday. Mr. ASHTON will be bound to buy some mules to get the mail away. I think I will come back with the next mail. The mail that came up lost nine mules that froze on Rock Creek. Every man that has traveled with the mail since we left the City is badly frozen.
Respectfully, J. M. GUTHRIE.
We will also add one written to the editor of the Val-ley Tan, by the agent of the “South Pass and Honey Lake United States Wagon Road Expedition," from his station at the South Pass :
SOUTH PASS CITY, N.T., Monday, Dec. 5,1858.
EDITOR VALLEY TAN: I send you a few freezing items from this place, thinking they might be of in-terest to some of your housed-up readers. This place is considered by all travelers to be the coldest place on the road from the States to Great Salt Lake City, and if the last ten days can be taken as proof, I am of the same opinion.
It has been storming almost incessantly since the 20th of November, but the storms of Dec. 1, 2 and 3 are said by old mountaineers to be the severest known in these parts for the last ten years. On the 2d the thermometer stood, at sunrise, 16° below zero at 2 o'clock P.M., 12° below ; 9 P.M., 16° below. A violent wind and storm coming from the northeast. On the 3d, at 8 A.M., 18° below zero; 9 P.M., 16° below ; storm coming from the west; drifting snow filling the air so completely that a person could hardly go twenty yards from the house without getting lost.
Both the up and down mails due here on the 1st, came in on the 4th, and are still here unable to proceed. The down mail left Sandy Station on the 1st, in charge of Mr. ROUTH and ALEX MONTREY, and Mr. G. and Mr. B., passengers, came as far as Pacific Creek and were obliged to turn back, to save them-selves from certain death. Both the mail boys froze very badly ; Mr. ROUTH, both hands and feet, will probably lose one hand. Little ALEX MOSTREY, the general favorite of every one on this end of the route, is dreadfully frozen; his whole face, which is quite fleshy, is frozen to the bone; his hands and feet slightly. The passengers say he will not get over it.
The mail left on the 3d for a second trial, in charge of Mr. WM. ASHTON, the agent, and the passengers, and got lost about 7 P.M., in the storm, about five miles from this place ; they accidentally came to Sweetwater and camped, not knowing where they were, and Mr. ASHTON freezing. Lived through the night, and came into our camp about 8 o'clock, A.M., on foot, having left the mail and their mules at their camping ground. Mr. ASHTON was al-most helpless, having frozen one hand and foot badly, the others slightly. He was in the greatest agony all day and night of the 4th. To-day he is easier. We are doing everything to save his fingers, but with little hope. The passengers not frozen, except Mr. B., whose face is slightly frozen.
About 2 o'clock P.M., Messrs. BROOKS and BEVINS, conductors of the up mail, and Mr. JARVIS, Indian Agent, and one mule, the last often they started with from the "Devil's Gate," all the rest having died or been lost in the storm on "Rocky Ridge." They had camped for four days in a little bunch of willows, with nothing to eat, except two rabbits—it being impossible to travel either way till Saturday morning. When the storm subsided a little, they started with the last live mule for this station—leaving the mail and bag-gage in camp. As soon as this fact became known, SOL. GEN, Mr. GILBERT, Mr. THOMPSON and Mr. HURD took a wagon and went for it; they returned this morning having been out all night,—Mr. JARVIS not frozen, but badly chilled. Mr. BROOKS froze feet, fingers, face and ears; Mr. BEYINS Both feet, one badly.
Every attention possible is being paid to the suf-ferers at this place. Mr. GUTHRIE and Mr. JARVIS sat up with Mr. ASHTON last night, refusing to lie down. Mr. GILBERT, trader at this place, has opened his house freely to the unfortunate, and is rendering all the assistance possible. Mr. AYERS, Dr. SHAW, and DAN HARDING, all more or less frozen, with the mail above Green River. Mr. MEADE Government Agent, is here with feet, hands, face, and ears slightly frozen, in coming from Green River.
One of RUSSELL, MAJORS & WADDELL'S outfits to the States was caught in the storm on Rocky Ridge, a short distance from the mail-boy's camp, but neither party knew they were so near together. The outfit was in charge of Mr. REMNICK and Captain FOSTER. They have lost eight or ten men in the storm, proba-bly frozen and buried in the snow. The remainder of the party were hunting for them yesterday. I have not since heard from them.
Both mails will leave as soon as the storm is over; the down mail in charge of SOL GEE ; the up mail in charge of CHARLIE MILLER and WILLIAM CLARK. Mr. GUTHRIE will return to the city unless the weather changes. MR. JARVIS will lay over here with Mr. ASHTON till next week.
This is the first Eastern mail which has not arrived punctually within schedule time. Since the first mail was started, over seven months ago, the contractor certainly deserve commendation for the energy which they have displayed in starting the mail on the route, unprovided with stations and animals, and whilst they were stocking the road and building stations, running the mail with the utmost precision and punc-tually. During the Winter, however, it will be im- possible for them to run the mails within the schedule time, until the stations are so arranged that one team can run without stopping from station to station. As it is the stations are so far apart as to make it neces-sary to camp out one or two nights between each sta-tion. The stock, thus unprotected, perish in every storm. A. B. C.
