Join Lindsay and Bryan as they dive into the explosive history of the Utah War for part two of our Utah War series. We explore the complex interplay of guerrilla tactics, federal overreach, and theocratic resistance that defined this strange conflict. From Brigham Young’s bold proclamations to Porter Rockwell’s psychological warfare, the duo unpacks how this “war” without battles shaped Mormon identity and federal authority in the American West. Get ready for fascinating insights, historical tangents, and the unexpected connections that make this story unforgettable.
SHOWNOTES:
- Deseret News archivesThe Nauvoo Legion and the Prevention of the Utah War
By BRANDON J. METCALF - Bigler, David L. Forgotten Kingdom: The Mormon Theocracy in the American West, 1847-1896
- Furniss, Norman F. The Mormon Conflict, 1850-1859
- MacKinnon, William P. At Sword’s Point: A Documentary History of the Utah War
- Poll, Richard D. and William P. MacKinnon. “Causes of the Utah War Reconsidered,” Journal of Mormon History
- Schindler, Harold. Orrin Porter Rockwell: Man of God, Son of Thunder
- Bagley, Will. Blood of the Prophets: Brigham Young and the Massacre at Mountain Meadows
- “The Aiken Party Executions and The Utah War, 1857-1858” by David L. Bigler
- “Lonely Bones: Leadership and Utah War Violence” by William P. MacKinnon
- “Fort Limhi: The Mormon Adventure in Oregon Territory, 1855-1858” by David L. Bigler
- “Russian Writers Look at Mormon Manners, 1857-72” by Leland A. Fetzer
- “The Utah War: The Hold Mormons Had on Utah Is Broken, 1857–1858” by Harold Schindler
- House Executive Document 71, 35th Congress
- Annual Report of Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1857
There is a debate among historians about whether Eleanor McLean Pratt was at the picnic.
I say she wasn’t–not by a long shot. Here’s why:
No question they arrived in SLC the day prior. That is well documented. Ol’ Port drove from Laramie–a total of 500 miles in five days by spring wagon. This was just a insane! Rockwell forded rivers, bounced over rutted trails, slept on the ground, and ate tainted meat. 100 miles per day!
Yet Eleanor traveled not just those 500 miles, but 1500 miles from Arkansas.
The Silver Lake picnic records four “horsemen” arriving–no spring wagon at that point.
Eleanor at the time of her arrival to SLC had not spent a single hour in solitude, spending that time avoiding real or imagined danger as well as attempts from her to be committed to an asylum.
And she wanted to spend more time camping?
There is a debate among historians about whether Eleanor McLean Pratt was at the picnic.
I say she wasn’t–not by a long shot. Here’s why:
No question they arrived in SLC about noon the day prior. That is well documented. Ol’ Port drove from Laramie–a total of 500 miles in five days by spring wagon. This was just a insane! The coterie forded rivers, bounced over rutted trails, slept on the ground, and ate tainted meat. One hundred grueling miles per day!
Yet Eleanor traveled not just those 500 miles, but 1500 miles from the Arkansas site of Parley’s murder.
The Silver Lake picnic had four “horsemen” arriving–no spring wagon at that point.
Eleanor at the time of her arrival to SLC had not spent a single hour in solitude, spending that time avoiding real or imagined danger as well as attempts from her to be committed to an asylum.
Will Bagley was convinced journal entries of her attendance was purged from journals but provides no reason why.
I say it is easy to understand why she would not tolerate spending one more day camping.