Item Detail
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14070
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1
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5
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English
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The Butler Murder of April 1869 : A Look at Extralegal Punishment in Utah
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Mormon Historical Studies
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Fall 2001
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2
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2
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105-14
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In 1869, a French Canadian railroad worker tried to sexually assault Ellen Butler, a plural wife of William Butler. This criminal act occurred at Butler's house in Marriott, a small community west of Ogden. During the attack, the criminal killed one child and severely wounded Ellen and another child. Afterwards, William Butler and other members of the community chased the man down and killed him. Neither Butler nor his neighbor were ever prosecuted for their extralegal actions. Foster mentions other incidents in Utah where extralegal actions were condoned by the courts