A Card From Arthur Pratt, Denying General Maxwell’s Assertions in Regard to Him
Editors Herald:
My attention has been called to the statement of Marshal G.R. Maxwell, published in the Herald on Saturday and Sunday, and in reference to that portion of said statement relative to myself, I wish to say that the allegations therein contained are utterly false. Without entering into lengthy refutation of the several charges therein made, I will state that my affidavit contained no mention of Marshal Maxwell have been bribed by Brigham Young and Bishop Sharp, nor was the name of either of those gentlemen referred to in any manner. I could not make such a statement in truth, for I did not know of its existence; nor was I discharged for the reason that he states, but because I attempted to expose what I believed to be corruption in the marshal’s office.
I herewith forward you verbatim copies of all the affidavits which I made against Maxwell, which you can examine for yourselves, and decided who tells the truth, the United States marshal or
–Arthur Pratt.
[We have examined the copies of the affidavits referred to and find no such statements in them as those alleged by Marshal Maxwell in his defense; nor do the names of Brigham Young or John Sharp appear in them.—Editors Herald]
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Feb. 8, 1876, 2]
[Salt Lake Herald, Feb. 10, 1876]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Apr. 2006]
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Guests for the Pen—Deputy U.S. Marshal Arthur Pratt, with a strong guard, arrived in the city last evening, having in charge 30 prisoners from Beaver. Twenty of them were from the Silver Reef strikers, recently convicted of riot in the Second District Court, who will either obtain bail or remain in the Penitentiary until the September term, when they will receive sentence. Among the remaining ten are Dalton, convicted of murder, and Stephens, convicted of manslaughter, who are also yet to be sentenced. The others are convicted of burglary, robbery and other such offenses. The “Pen” will be pretty full with this last batch of arrivals.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 10, 1881, 2]
[Deseret News, Apr. 11, 1881]
…The whole affair has been managed with the utmost skill and success, and reflects the greatest credit on Deputy Marshal Pratt, who acknowledges the valuable assistance rendered him by Mr. Boman Cannon. The arrests were made with swiftness and precision; and this is the first for a number of terms where no prisoners have escaped. This is the more creditable in view of the fact that nearly through the whole term thirty-five prisoners had to be guarded in all sorts of quarters, the prison there not beginning to furnish the necessary accommodations, so that Mr. Pratt, with his assistant, Mr. Cannon, and other guards, had to stay with the prisoners all the time.
The result is in every way gratifying. The criminal business for the term is ended, and the jury has been discharged. The term will close this week. Mr. Pratt returns this morning to finish his business, his guards accompanying him.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Apr. 12, 1881, 5]
[Salt Lake Herald, Apr. 12, 1881]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Apr. 2006]
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The “Appointment” Question
This afternoon U.J. Wenner called upon Judge Elias Smith, presented a commission from the Governor and demanded that he be installed in the office of Probate Judge of Salt Lake County, the request being refused.
Mr. Arthur Pratt called with a similar document and demanded possession of the office of Sheriff, together with the keys of the county jail, etc., which was likewise not complied with.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sep. 22, 1882, 4]
[Deseret News, Sept. 22, 1882]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Apr. 2006]
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Jan. 10, 1870, 5 — listed as "Foreman" in Utah House of Representatives
Oct. 14, 1874, 2 — could not locate in the record
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Apr. 2006]
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