| OCR Text |
Show WINTER 2013 UHQ pp 4-90_UHQ Stories/pp.4-68 12/5/12 9:38 AM Page 14 uTAH HISTORICAL QuARTERLy Almon Harris Thompson, Powell’s second in command and director of field operations for the second uTAH STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETy expedition. Thompson’s wife, Ellen, Dellenbaugh, and Clem on an exploring trip to Mt. Bangs in the Virg in Mountains southwest of St. George. 42 In the midst of this, Adair repeatedly picked up supplies for the group.43 Adair’s trip to St. George with Professor and Mrs. Thompson coincided with news that the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that “the trials in the territorial court over which Judge [James B.] McKean presided were illegal,” resulting in the release of certain Mormon prisoners, including Brigham Young. While the Thompsons returned to Berry Springs, Adair remained in Washington with fellow Mormon and survey wrangler William (Willie) Johnson to enjoy the “jubilee” that ensued.44 “Johnson returned at noon” the next day and “reported a big time last night. Nearly every one drunk.” Jones concluded: “From his appearance judge that he assisted.” As for Adair, he “had a fight and remained to have his trial. Came in near night, looking considerably the worse for rough usage.” Nonetheless, Jones recorded that the next day “Adair went to Rockville to buy corn,” and three days later “Adair went to Washington to buy flour.”45 Apparently, Adair’s rowdy and exuberant behavior, fueled by a bit of Dixie wine, did not diminish his usefulness to the survey party or 42 “Journal of Stephen Vandiver Jones,” 120, 121; “Diary of Almon Harris Thompson,” 76. One of the expedition’s boats was named the “Nellie Powell,” after Thompson’s wife, Ellen L. Powell, a sister of John Wesley Powell. 43 “Journal of Stephen Vandiver Jones,” 117, 120; “Diary of Almon Harris Thompson,” 75. 44 “Journal of Stephen Vandiver Jones,” 119. On the legal case in question, Clinton v. Englebrecht, see Edwin Brown Firmage and Richard Collin Mangrum, Zion in the Courts: A Legal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830–1900 (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1988), 137–38, 246–47. 45 “Journal of Stephen Vandiver Jones,” 119, 120. An entry in the records of the Washington County probate court for May 6, 1872, shows that Adair and three others were convicted of “riot” on April 17, 1872, and were fined ten dollars. County Court Record Book, Book B, May 6, 1872, p. 11, Washington County, County Clerk, Court Records, 1854–1887, film 484840, item 5, Family History Library, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah. 14 |
