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Show CHAPTER XXXII. GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY? THE case went to the jury, and all Utah Avaited in deep suspense for the verdict. Among Gentiles the general voice was: " Brigham can't afford to let him be convicted the Church must stand by Lee." The evidence was conclusive of guilt, but we all knew that Church policy alone would dictate the verdict; and it was evident the jury had been " counseled." Agreeable to Western instincts, there was much betting on the result, the odds largely against conviction. But Hon. George C. Bates, the Church attorney, soon arrived at Salt Lake City, and telegraphed to John W. Young, Brigham's " apostate son," as- he was then called, that conviction was agreed upon; and John W. took all the bets offered. He was in the Board of Trade rooms at Chicago, while Johnnie Young, Brigham's nephew, went about Salt Lake City doing the same. Then it was known that the Church had taken the least of two evils, and resolved to convict. But all parties were mistaken. And this from a miscalculation on the part of the Church. It appears that just before the trial the Mor-mon leaders concluded that they could keep away the most important witnesses; that the prosecution would therefore break down, and it would be safe to acquit. So the Mormon jurymen were " counseled" to that effect. But Baskin and Carey completely outgeneraled the Church and its attorneys; the vigor and daring of the United States marshals insured the attendance of the proper witnesses, and a far worse case was proved than even the bitterest anti- Mormon had looked for. It was then decided by the Church to convict; but it \ vas too late. Seven deputy marshals had been sworn in to watch the jury; and of the three Gentiles on the panel, each constituted him-self a special detective to see that no hint from outside reached his Mormon colleagues. Even their correspondence was withheld unless they would consent to have it first read by the judge. Signals were made to them in open court, but they failed to understand what was wanted. They were in blissful ignorance of the storm of rage sweep-ing over the country, and its effect on their priestly masters, and so obeyed their first instructions. They had all sworn they knew nothing ( 512 |
