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A History Of The Federal And Territorial Court Conflicts In Utah, 1851-1874, Clair T. Kilts

Theses and Dissertations

In 1847 the Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake valley, bringing with them their own court system, which was to be their main resource for litigation for the next two years. The Church courts which were set up after 1847 proved insufficient, and in 1849 a need was felt for civil courts which could be used in the litigation with Gentile emigrants that were passing through the valley. To solve this problem, the State of Deseret was formed on March 12, 1849, giving the valley a civil authority. This was to last less than two years, for on September …