



Produced by McKayla Hansen, Mormon Texts Project Intern
(http://mormontextsproject.org), with thanks to Renah
Holmes for proofreading






John Stevens' Courtship.


A STORY OF THE ECHO CANYON WAR.


By SUSA YOUNG GATES


Salt Lake City. Utah.
1909.


TO THAT OTHER JOHN, TO DIAN HERSELF, AND TO WALTER, THE THREE FRIENDS
WHO HAVE MADE "JOHN STEVENS" POSSIBLE, THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY
DEDICATED



PREFACE.

A story of love, in the rugged setting of pioneer days, is
the theme of this book. The characters of the story move among the
stirring incidents of the Echo Canyon War--an affair absolutely unique
in the history of the land. The scenes and events depict faithfully
the conditions that, according to the historians--Tullidge, Whitney
and Bancroft--prevailed in and about the Territory of Utah during the
period of the "War." Much information has also been gathered from Vol.
II of the Contributor and from numerous pioneers who recall vividly the
intensity of feeling that characterized the days of "Johnston's Army"
and "the Move." The characters of the story are, of course, mainly
fictitious and have had an existence only in the author's mind. John
Stevens is a composite; his outer appearance was faintly suggested
by an obscure character of pioneer days; many pioneers knew and will
recognize Aunt Clara; Diantha was modeled after a woman yet living in
the prime of her life.

Young people often think that romance and thrilling episodes, for which
youth hungers, are not found within daily life; and frequently go to
perilous lengths