John Tanner and his family

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182 John Tanner and His Family The author thinks it most likely that Albert remained in San Bernardino during the period of the Mormon occupancy, but little is known of his activities during this time. He did not heed the call of Brigham Young in 1858 to leave California and return to Pass." Mormon 35 headquarters. It has already been noted that Sidney, the oldest of the Tanner men in the colony, was chosen a member of the stake High Council when it was organized. He was also elected to the city council when San Bernardino was incorporated." A freighter, who spent much of his time on the road, Sidney nevertheless, seems to have been a pillar in religious, as well as civil, affairs. He and William Mathews were returning from a freighting trip to Salt Lake and were in the vicinity of the Mountain Meadows when the Massacre took place. The road led nearby the scene of the tragedy, and guards from the Mormon militia refused to let them pass the spot in the light of day, but guided them through at night. This gruesome experience, together with the fact that these two men carried the news of the massacre to San Bernardino, has preserved a rather dubius honor." Sidney's name in literature M. When Amasa Lyman and Charles C. Rich were recalled to Salt Lake, Sidney was in the company that helped move them. It has been stated that there were twelve wagons, piled high with house­ hold effects, each drawn by fourteen mules. Included in this group was Joseph H. Ridges, who would construct the world famous organ - in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. this entry in his A resident of San Bernardino made journal: our seven years stay [at San Bernardino] many pilgrims came from Australia, mostly on their way to Salt Lake, Utah, the gather­ ing place of the Saints. Also a mammoth organ came from Australia, a donation to the Saints of Salt Lake City. I gave five dollars for freighting it, it was in care of Brother Ridges, freighted by Sidney Tanner." During With the closing of the San Bernardino Mission, Sidney obedi­ followed the wishes of the church leaders and settled his family in Beaver City which became his permannent home. Not all of his family came to Utah, however, as some of them were married and remained in California. ently The movement from San Bernardino to Utah appears to have been in full swing by November of 1857 and continued on into the