Utah Centennial Studies

 


Ghost Riders and Rest Stops Packet B

 

GREAT SALT LAKE CITY AND COLONEL CONNER'S CANNON

Dear Students,

Clean hotels, well stocked shops and a chance to rest were welcomed by all travelers who reached Great Salt Lake City, safely. 'Great' had been part of the city's name at this time. In your day a tall granite monument located at 147 South Main Street stands in memory of the Overland Stage drivers and the Pony Express riders who passed through. From Great Salt Lake City, the road turned south past Parleys Canyon Creek and Big Cottonwood Creek to Traveler's Rest a small station where passengers could rest a few minutes while the horses were watered. The trail then continues south to the next station which was Rockwell's Station.

I'd like to relate a funny story about a treasure that hides in Salt Lake somewhere near Fort Douglas.

When Camp Floyd was abandoned by General Johnston's army most of the supplies were sold. A beautiful little cannon was left and presented to Col. Conner at Fort Douglas. Col. Conner had a little cannon mounted in a special place near the parade ground. It was only fired on special occasions. At this time there were hostilities existing between the mormons and the solders,and one day a group of boys told the soldiers that they could steal the cannon without being caught. A few nights later several Mormon boys crept past the sentry and tied a rope to the canon. They pulled it off into the darkness. Col Connor was furious and issued threats against Brigham Young and then conducted a city wide search. The cannon had been hidden under a haystack within sight of the fort. The boys became worried and decided to get rid of the cannon. They rolled it to the edge of a well and pushed it in. The Col. never found the cannon. It might be there still.