George Henry Abbott Harris The Mormon War
The Mormon War, Family Tragedy and another Marriage
“1857 Was invited with a select party to accompany Prest Young to the lakes at the head Cottonwood Kanyon, to celebrate the 24th which I gladly responded to & was at the mouth of the Kanyon with a light wagon & 4 horses by 11 AM of the 23rd. We assended slowly, arrived at the lakes about Sundown, enjoyed the time immensely. There were 3 large dancing floors, boating, swimming, climbing & a general good time. It was here that Prest first heard of the stopage of the U S mail & the advance of troops under Gen. Harvey commonly known as the squaw killer.”
Brigham Young issued a proclamation by the governor and declared martial law. One of his jobs at the time was with Wheeler Farnsworth & Co and they sold beef, whiskey, cider, beer, pies and cakes. While he volunteered to accompany the militia to Echo Canyon he was ordered to remain at home and round up provisions, clothes, guns and ammunition. As was common in the day on August 2, 1857 he received yet another patriarchal blessing which referred to “al the former blessings.”
He was still the clerk for the Patriarch Isaac Morley and traveled with him recording blessings. On September 8, 1857 George Henry received another blessing. Unfortunately for any readers, the Mormon War did not amount to much. Mormon militia harassed the US troops, blocked roads, burned grass etc but battles were avoided. After a year of such maneuvers, a truce was arranged and US troops were housed in barracks. There were issues during this time including the Mountain Meadow Massacre but nothing that involves George Henry.
On December 9, 1858 Cyrus Richard James Harris was born. In explaining the name, George Henry wrote, “Named after my Quorum Prest. His mothers step father, my mothers brother and my dear father.” With his growing family his small log cabin was not of sufficient size to accommodate them so he bought a lot with a blacksmith shop on it and another half a lot. Total price was $300. George Henry decided to make some profit from the army being stationed in Utah so he would buy fresh goods like butter, eggs, pies, fruit and vegetables from town and then take them to Fort Floyd. He would start with the officers quarters and start selling and wind up in the enlisted men’s lodging and sell out.
He continued this business but in 1861 tragedy struck his family. On July 25, a daughter Marianne Desdimony was born. She lived 36 days. His wife was also unwell and never recovered after the birth. She died on September 13, 1861 just 13 days after her daughter passed away. There is a poem in George Henry’s memoirs about his feelings for wife that I will quote below. I have been unable to find who the author was. It is submitted to the Library of Congress in 1872 and 1873 as a song called “A Kiss at the Door”
“We were standing in the doorway my pretty wife and I
The golden sun upon her hair fel down so silently.
A small white hand upon my arm, what could I ask for more:
Than the kindly glance of loving eyes as she kissed me at the door.
I know she loves with al her heart the one who stands beside
And the year has been so joyous since first she was my bride.
We’ve had so much of happiness, since we met in years before but the happiest Time of al was when she kissed me at the door.
Who cares for wealth or gold fortune or matchles power
It does not give the happiness of just one little hour
With one who loves me as her life, she said she loves me more;
And I thought she did this morning as she kissed me at the door
At times it seems that al the world, with al its wealth of gold
Is very small & poor indeed compared with what I hold.
And when the clouds hang grim & dark, I only think the more
Of one who waits the coming step to kiss me at the door.
If she lives til age shal scatter its frost upon her head
I know she’ll love me just the same as the morning we were wed.
But if the Angels cal her and she goes to heaven before
I shall know her when I see her for she’ll kiss me at the door.”
In the fall of 1861 he started to buy up more property. He states; “have chances to purchase a great many more pieces, as persons are desirous of moving, changing quarters & modes of live &c. Have purchased a good deal in the north field…”. Being a clerk he records all his land transactions and animal transactions. He does not keep all of them but uses many of the acquisitions as trades for other items or land.
In 1862 he starts dating again. He states that his housekeeper, “fixed me away up, curled my hair & brushed my clothes & seemed so tickled I was going without my usual partner.” However with several dates under his belt he states, “I kept my eyes open & although I saw many old & new friends & their families & was tolerable conversant with them, yet I saw no one that suited me as the sister of my old spark, & the fond & dutiful daughter clean housekeeper & industrious help.” So, remember in the previous chapter when his house keeper was Jane Loader, on May 30, 1862 he married Sarah Loader at her mother’s habitation. On February 21, 1863 their first son, James Loader Harris was born.
An interesting note from his diary about the July 24 festivities that same year. “At 2 P.M. all juveniles under 15 years of age wil assemble and enjoy the privilledge of dancing until 5 PM. Good order to be observed.”
All of George Henry’s family was not excited about his joining the Mormon church. In a letter from his brother Abraham who was living in Canada was written:
“U think you have imparted every ounce of intelligence respecting yourself, straight way proceeding to sermonize, denounce, warn & exhort me to embrace a creed I deem on a more demoralizing fashion then Mohamedism, this I can prove by talking to U for I never want to write to U again on such subjects.
He also wrote about the political climate of the 1860’s.
“Amos f. Larned, one of the 306 stalwarts disapproving of Beecher’s sermon, advising the Republicans to bolt Folger’s nomination wrote to that divine: Dear Mr. Beecher: U made an ass of yourself yesterday. Amos F. Larned. Beecher forthwith replied to this candid statement is no less direct words: Dear Sir: The Lord saved U the trouble of making an ass of yourself by making U an ass at the beginning & his work is sure. Henry Ward Beecher.”
And we end this chapter with his wife giving birth to Twins on April 29, 1865. Girls named Sady Ellen and Amy Christiana.