Show I I In n 1 the h e B Beg e g I inn n n i n g 9 By J. J Cecil Alter cr The Spirit of Dissension It would hardly be a human history history history his his- tory if there were not some digressions digressions digressions to record Not even Brigham Young one of the worlds world's gr greatest colonizers and pioneer leaders could fix mens men's heads change the leopards leopard's spots or comfort those who would not be comforted Indeed Indeed Indeed In In- deed he usually knew when not to try though efforts were made to hold the settlers in line by pretty persuasive measures at times Brigham was scarcely over the mountains on the first trip east October 14 1847 when his older brother Lorenzo D. D Young was called on the carpet by the high council He was told by President John Smith that the authorities were often asked why the council l had sent for or Brother Weeks and company to return to the fort when Lorenzo was permitted to build a ahouse ahouse ahouse house and live outside the fort Brother Young gave as his reason the condition of his wife's health and other minor reasons reason and the case was dismissed so the record stands Summary Order Issued John Young reported to the high council on October 6 that William Necks Mecks and others had gone north with their families contrary contrary contrary con con- to counsel Later ater ter they returned returned returned re re- re- re turned to the fort evidently after further counseling some details of ot which ar arp recorded in the high councils council's minutes for October 24 John Van Cott marshal was instructed instructed instructed in in- to take nine men and bring in Brother Meeks and company company com corn pany who had started north But on ox November 3 the marshal reported that Meeks or Weeks and Kimball with their families were encamped nearby the city and that Babcock and Archibald Gardner were near the Warm Wann Springs Brother Gardners Gardner's brother and father were in the party which had been brought back by the posse of or nine which included Ephraim K Ic Hanks The minutes of the high council as published in part by Andrew Jenson unquestionably the oldest be best t informed and most competent researcher and compiler ever known connected with the L L. D. D S. S church historians historian's office give some ome further information in ia this connection December 26 1847 At a special Sunday meeting of the high council it was decided that the marshal should stop those who were about to start for California Parley P. P Pratt and Henry G. G Sherwood Sherwood Sherwood Sher Sher- wood were appointed a committee to inform Mr Miles Goodyear why Samuel Brown Elijah Shockley and son and Samuel Shepherd were stopped Emigrants Turned Back BackOn BackOn BackOn On December 28 the marshal reported reported reported re re- ported to the high council that he with Thomas Williams Charles Shumway and Ephraim K Hanks went as far tar south as the last large creek in the valley and turned back the first persons sent for They made no opposition The persons turned back reported themselves to President Smith and were permitted permit permit- ted by him to go on to California with Mr Goodyear Reviewing the years year's developments developments developments develop develop- ments Isaac C Haight on January 1 1848 says sas A few of the brethren brethren brethren breth breth- ren who came here have apostatized apostatized some going back to the States and others to California Commenting Commenting Com Corn similarly in a general review review review re re- re- re view Patriarch John Smith wrote his son George Gcorge A A. Smith on March 5 5 1848 We Wc found it somewhat difficult to establish order peace and harmony among the saints after so much m mobbing robbing and traveling through such a 1 dreary country the minds of ot many became restless The fear of starving etc came upon them and in addition to this a company of soldiers Mormon Battalion arrived here d destitute of sustenance They together with those who were here before in like circumstances created the uneasiness uneasiness ness mentioned But the Lord has been favorable All have yet been sustained pence peace and harmony are again restored and we are getting along first rate Awe For Authority Wanes The high council wrote to U Brigham Brig Brig- ham Young Youn March G C briefly concerning concerning concerning con con- truants A Brother Gardner Gardner Gard Gard- ner ncr and a Brother Babcock with n non son on each left our v valley for lor California California Cal Cal- some time back without our counsel or knowledge e. e They expected expected ex ex- to get into company with Mr Walker and others and go to California A Mr Pollock and Hayden Kimball with their families families fam fam- tiles left a few lew days ago intending to intersect Walkers Walker's company somewhere on Bear river south of Fort Hall and go to California As Asa a general thing the people here are disposed to do right and hearken to o counsel and uphold the authorities authorities authors authors- ties but as is natural under new and untried circumstances there are a few exceptions Probably referring to similar matters the high council wrote again to President Young on June 9 0 As it has always been some few are disappointed and have got what we call the California fever Henry W. W Bigler met Hayden or Haden or Hazen Kimball and family together with many other emigrants on the Humboldt river August 15 15 1848 moving to Cali Call fornia Kimball told Bigler he did not like the Salt Lake valley and had gone to Fort Hall Mall in March to await the summer emigration trains westbound He said the people in the Salt Lake Valley had bad been sowing owing wheat all fall and winter hence it could hardly have been the winter that drove crove Kimball away Winter Makes Heavy Hearts But it was not so in another year for tor Old Mother Nature tricked the emigrants with a mild winter at first and an especially severe one in 49 1848 and even though the settlers had better homes some of them nevertheless it was a trial to ones one's faith The cattle suffered for the want of hay or forage and deep snow caused heavy shrinkages and losses amon among the livestock in the valley This added to the discouragement of even cven the stronger hearts Murmurings were heard on every hand especially since the Mormon Monnon Battalion boys had not yet forgotten the pleasant winter spent in California On January 31 1849 Thomas Bullock writes May the Lord grant us a bett better r month for tor our cattle to live than the two which have last passed We Wc have not had the ground round bare in December or Januar January and the rumors are arc very strong that this severe winter will vIiI cause many to toI I leave the valley in the spring sprin |