--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: George Powers of Little Rock, Arkansas…" description: "\"“George Powers of Little Rock, Arkansas, made a statement which was read at a public indignation meeting in Los Angeles on October 12, 1857, and which ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/058/juanita-brooks-33595_little-rock_george-powers-of-little-rock-arkansas-ma_895597.jpg" --- # George Powers of Little Rock, Arkansas, made a statement… ![“George Powers of Little Rock, Arkansas, made a statement which was read at a public indignation meeting in Los Angeles on October 12, 1857, and which was widely reported in California newspapers. Describing conditions in Utah, he said: We found the Mormons making very determined preparations to…” quote by Juanita Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/058/juanita-brooks-33595_little-rock_george-powers-of-little-rock-arkansas-ma_895597.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/058/juanita-brooks-33595_little-rock_george-powers-of-little-rock-arkansas-ma_895597.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/058/juanita-brooks-33595_little-rock_george-powers-of-little-rock-arkansas-ma_895597.jpg) > ““George Powers of Little Rock, Arkansas, made a statement which was read at a public indignation meeting in Los Angeles on October 12, 1857, and which was widely reported in California newspapers. Describing conditions in Utah, he said: We found the Mormons making very determined preparations to fight the United States troops, whenever they may arrive. On our way in, we met three companies of 100 men each, armed and on the road toward the pass above Fort Bridger... We found companies drilling every evening in the city. The Mormons declared to us that no U.S. troops should ever cross the mountains; they talked and acted as though they were willing to take a brush with Uncle Sam... We came on to Buttermilk Fort, near the Lone Cedar 176 miles, and found the inhabitants greatly enraged at the train that had just passed... The people \[the Mormons\] had refused to sell the train any provisions, and told us they were sorry they had not killed them there; but they knew it would be done before they got in. They stated further that they were holding their Indians in check until the arrival of their chief, when he would follow the train and cut it to pieces. ”” [Juanita Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juanita-brooks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote describes Mormons in Utah preparing to resist U.S. troops and attacking a train, showing heightened tension and violent intent during the Utah War era. **In simple terms:** Mormons were preparing to fight U.S. troops and attack a train. Key Takeaway Recognize how fear and conflict can fuel hostile actions. Themes conflict military religion settlement resistance Mood tense hostile historical Type historical political military When to use this quote - military patrols - railroad travel - settler-native relations - political negotiations Key Concepts frontier politics militarization cultural clash Questions to Reflect On - How reliable are such 19th‑century reports? - What motivations drove the Mormons’ resistance? 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We came on to Buttermilk Fort, near the Lone Cedar 176 miles, and found the inhabitants greatly enraged at the train that had just passed... The people [the Mormons] had refused to sell the train any provisions, and told us they were sorry they had not killed them there; but they knew it would be done before they got in. 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