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Show 118 General asking for an investigation of Mormon influence among the Indians. Since the Indians were the wards of the federal government, "tampering" charges were possible if the Mormon citizens were guilty of attempting to subvert the will of the U. S. Government in an improper manner. This was of especially great moment, because Schurz had received a great number of letters claiming that the Mormons were arming the Indians. The U. S. District Attorney for Utah, Sumner Howard, wrote to Attorney General Devers stating: Hill and Gardner ought to be prosecuted for illegally tampering with the Indians. I have given the matters referred to such attention under circumstances as was possible. I recommend that the Agents in charge of the Indians be instructed to gather proof of the enticing of the Indians from their reservations and report the same to the District Attorneys of the several jurisdictions, with names of the witnesses, and upon this information that prosecutions be commenced and vigorously followed.2l Very respectfully, Sumner Howard U. S. Dist. Atty., for Utah Ty. y Critchlow was sent to the various Indian settlements of the Territory to collect the information and evidence. His first report on the subject illustrated the problems: I have evidence to convict Bishop Seeley for tampering with the Indians but I have very grave doubts they could be convicted before a jury that can be impanneled 210IA, Utah, 1877, Microcopy 234, Roll 905 B.I.A. Series. |