SLAVERY IN UTAH.

IT is very hard for the younger generation, especially those who are unfamiliar with the early history of this Territory, and those who later became residents of it to comprehend or realize the fact, that African slavery existed within its borders, and that quite a few slaves were brought to these valleys by the pioneers, in 1847, and many more were brought in by those who followed later.

There are, some few negroes still residing in various parts of this State and in Idaho, who were brought here as slaves, and held as such until the close of the civil war. When the war broke out, many slaveholders left this Territory with their slaves, and returned to the Southern States; because they believed by so doing, the risk of losing them would not be so great.

One of these unique characters, who was brought here in 1847, by the pioneers, resides in Spanish Fork, and his name is Alex. Bankhead. He is greatly respected, and held in high esteem by all the people of that flourishing little city.

While visiting their home, the latter part of last December, Mr. and Mrs. Bankhead, at our request, related their-early experience in Utah. Mr. Bankhead belonged to the famous family of Bankheads of Alabama; and several male members of that family became converts to Mormonism. And when they came to the Territory they brought their slaves with them. Two or three members of the family located at Wellsville; and some of their ex-slaves, who still reside in that place and Corinne, assumed the names of their masters.

In time, Alex. Bankhead became the property of Bishop Smoot, who located-at Provo. Mr. Bankhead is now well on to 70 years of age, and he well remembers Brigham Young the other early leaders of the Mormon Church. He informed us. that when this city was in its infancy, the slaves always congregated in a large room or hall on State street, almost opposite the city and county building. There they would discuss their condition, and gaze in wonderment at the lofty mountains, which reared their snowy peaks heavenward, and completely forbade them from ascertaining how they could make their escape back to the South, or to more congenial climes. For we were assured that their lives in the then new wilderness, was far from happy, and many of them were subjected to the same treatment that was accorded the plantation negroes of the South.

Mrs. Bankhead was born in North Carolina, not very far from Newburn. She was the property of a gentleman by the name of Redd. She, in company with a number of other slaves, were on their way to Utah; and while passing through the State of Kansas, during the dark hours of the night, the majority of them made good their escape, which was a great loss to their owner. But Mrs. Bankhead was not so successful in that direction, and she was brought on to Utah. After residing in this city for some years, she finally was transferred to Dr. Pinney, of Salem. In the course of time she married Mr. Bankhead.

They both have a very distinct recollection of the joyful expressions which were upon the faces of all the slaves, when they ascertained that they had acquired their freedom through the fortunes of war. At that time many negroes, according to Mr. Bankhead's statement, "Left Salt Lake City and other sections of the Territory, for California and other States."

Mr. and Mrs. Bankhead now own a little home, including twenty acres of land. They are both devout and strict Mormons. She belongs to the Ladies' Relief. Society of her Ward, and takes an active part with her white sisters in all work of that character. Mrs. Bankhead visited Salt Lake during the Pioneer Jubilee, and observed in the parade, Flake Green, who now lives in Idaho, and Mrs. Jane James, of this city, who formerly lived with Prophet Joseph Smith, and her brother, Isaac Manning, who assisted to erect the Nauvoo Temple. The last named persons and other members of our race, came here with the Pioneers.