The Governors of Utah: Vernon H. Vaughn and George L. Woods

IMPROVEMENT ERA. Vol. IV. . APRIL, 1901. No 6.

THE GOVERNORS OF UTAH.

VERNON H. VAUGHN— GEO. L. WOODS.

It was on the day following the death of Governor Shaffer that a dispatch from Washington announced the appointment to the office of executive of Vernon H. Vaughn, of Alabama; and to be his secretary, Geo. A. Black, who had been the late governor's private secretary. Mr. Vaughn, who had acted as secretary of the territory under Governor Shaffer, thus became the eighth governor of Utah, on November 1, 1870, though it was nearly a month thereafter before he took charge of the office. He is described by Bancroft as "a mild and conservative ruler concerning whose brief administration there is nothing worthy of record." He continued in office only until the coming of George L. Woods, his successor, who was appointed February 2, 1871, and arrived in Salt Lake City on the 19th, when he took the oath of office and became the ninth governor of Utah. Black was continued as secretary. Governor Vaughn died in Sacramento, California, on Sunday, December 1, 1878. Governor Woods was from Oregon, though he was a Mis-

402 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

sourian by birth, which may account for his pronounced anti-

"Mormon" sentiments. seems to have been the policy under It

the Colfax regime to select the most bitter enemies of the people to rule over them. He had been a judge and a politician in eastern Oregon, and prior to this experience had owned a ferry at Lewiston, Idaho, where he and his father made from two to three hundred dollars per day. In this way he had accumulated a fortune with little work which he had also lost as easily, so that when he came to Utah, he was what might be termed a political wanderer possessed of about as much means as that class of people are noted for. As to his character, Bancroft epitomizes it thus: "He was a man who though by no means of the highest and purest morality himself, was, it seems, exceedingly zealous for the morality of the nation." His acts in Utah were mostly 'of a character calculated to create turmoil, and to bring trouble to the people. He entered heart and soul into the spirit of the Shaffer "ring," and was much disliked by a great majority of the people. He was enthusiastically supported by Secretary Black, who may be called the hero of the ludicrous "Wooden Gun Rebellion" of the Twentieth ward, The Utah militia seemed to be the special tarin Salt Lake City.

get of both Governor Woods and his secretary. The citizens desired to celebrate the Fourth of July in 1871; a citizens' committee had requested General Wells for a detachment of the militia, and in response to this desire, the general had ordered out

the bands, a company of artillery, one of cavalry, and three companies of infantry. Governor Woods was away in the east as a representative of the "ring," using his influence as an agent at Washington to retain Judges McKean and Strickland, who were carrying matters with a high hand about this time, but Acting- Governor Black countermanded the order of General Wells and forbade the parade. There was great indignation both in Salt Lake City and Ogden over this petty tyranny of the acting- governor, but his insulting decree was peacefully observed. Governor Woods returned in time to re-issue orders to the people of Ogden not to parade the militia at a celebration to be held on the Twenty-fourth. To prevent parading, the acting-governor called on the commander at Camp

THE GOVERNORS OF UTAH. 403

Douglas for soldiers to enforce his edict. General De Trobriand, who was not a sympathizer with the "ring" replied that his men would be in readiness, and if occasion arose he would place them in battle up to the order to "present arms!" but the order to "fire" he would-.not give, but would let that responsibility rest with the governor. When Black saw that he could not shift the responsibility, he shrank from the task, and the soldiers did not appear except as individual interested spectators. The story of affairs in Utah during the early '70's is one of continued judicial crusade by Judge McKean against leaders of The Church, supported by the governor and other federal officers. It amounted to little in result, except that the administration of

justice became an open burlesque, and there was continued turmoil and ill feeling among the people. In 1872, a secret society, the "Gentile League of Utah," was organized in Salt Lake City, its object being to assist in the crusade, and to break up "Mormon" theocracy. Judge McKean had declared in court, when President Young was on hearing for lascivious cohabitation, and when the judge overruled a motion to quash the indictment, that, "while the case at bar is called the people vs. Brigham Young, its other and real title is Federal Authority vs. Polygamic Theocracy." His rulings and judicial proceedings were founded on that false idea, and hence they became more bitter and unreasonable, if possible, than ever. This year, the territory again asked for admission to the Union, the constitution being presented to both houses of Congress on the 2nd of April. The committees to whom the matter was referred reported adversely to Utah's admission. Early in the following year, the Utah and Northern railway was begun, and was completed to Franklin from Ogden, during the year following; an effort was made to colonize Arizona; and President Geo. A. Smith with a party visited Palestine, holding solemn service on the Mount of Olives, March 2, 1873. In 1874, work on the St. George Temple was pushed with vigor; the United Order was introduced; and many Indians joined The Church. Judge McKean, because of his judicial blunders, was finally removed in March, 1875, being succeeded by David T. Lowe. Governor Woods retired from office at the close of 1874, leaving Salt Lake City for the east on December 28. He afterwards went