Charles C RIch: Mormon general and Western Frontiersman,
Leonard J. Arrington, Brigham Young University Press, Provo,
Utah, 1974.
I have ben fascinated by this book. This is the story of an apostle,
who experienced many of the early events of the Church.
He participated in Zion's Camp, and saw the Lord defend his
men through a storm which prevented the gentiles from being
able to mount an attack. He was at Far West when the prophet
was taken. He served missions to England in the early days
of the Church. Perhaps one of the most important places in
church history was the establishment of San Bernardino in
California, which was established as a lace for the Saints to
rest if they should come around the Horn and up to California
and then on to Utah. I never realized much of the history of this
community, and how the Mormons eventually left. The Church
was paying an incredible amount of interest on the property.
They often would have to go to members and ask for donations,
this included John Horner who became a wealthy farmer in the
Bay Area after traveling on the Ship Brooklyn. Even with
donations, it seems there was always another payment due.
Persecution also found it way to San Bernardino, with non
Mormons wanting to take over the property of the Mormons.
Finally Brigham Young decided it was time to give up the property
rather than making the payments. He called Charles Rich and
other leaders on missions to Europe. The Church owned property
was let go. Some Mormons on private property continued on,
but most returned to Utah. Charles Rich subsequently was called
to found the area around Bear Lake, and the Utah County is named
for him. This area is incredibly cold in the winter, the the cold
weather caused some problems with people being snowed in
for months during the winter. Sometimes travel was dangerous
due to snow. Charles Rich passed away in Paris, Idaho in 1983.
He was 74 years old.
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