"LIFE IN UTAH: or the Mysteries and Crimes of Mormonism, being an expose of their secret rites and ceremonies, with a full an authentic history of Polygamy and the Mormon sect, from its origin to the present time;" by J. H. Beadle, editor of the Salt Lake Reporter. Published by the National Publishing Company, St. Louis, Mo.

The attention which Mr. Beadle's letters on Mormonism, written from Utah to the "Cincinnati Commercial," attracted throughout the country, justifies us in predicting that this new work from his pen will command a large and rapid sale. Of all the writers who have yet touched upon this theme, Mr. Beadle is, perhaps, the best prepared for the task. His long residence among the Mormons, and his position as editor of the "Salt Lake Reporter," have given him a familiarity with the subject, which it is impossible for any mere transient visitor to acquire. We are therefore justified in placing more than usual confidence in his statement, which he supports, by an overwhelming array of testimony from both Mormon and Gentile sources.

It may be said with truth, that the curiosity of the public with regard to the state of affairs in Utah, was never so great as at present. Mr. Beadle's book will amply satisfy the most curious. He traces the history of Mormonism from the birth of its Prophet and founder, down to the present day, and shows how completely the Mormon Leaders have duped their followers; how they are kept in a state of treasonable hostility to the Union; and how the Territory has been made a scene of constant strife and blood shed. The work goes deep into the mysteries of this strange religion, and lays bare its horrible licentiousness. It abounds in records of the vilest and most terrible occurrences, which make it read more like a romance than a veritable history.

Coming before us at a time when the General Government is making a determined effort to restore order and morality in Utah, we find it a most welcome and useful work. It is far more thrilling than the majority of sensational books with which the country is flooded, and is calculated to do much good by giving the public a candid and impartial statement of a question which bids fair to cause no little trouble. The books are only sold by subscription, and agents are wanted in every county.


Note: John Hanson Beadle, journalist and author, was born in Liberty township, Parke County, Indiana, Mar. 14, 1840, son of James Ward and Elizabeth (Bright) Beadle. As a youth of twenty-one he enlisted in the 31st Indiana infantry for the Civil War, serving as a private until 1862, when he was discharged for disability. He then entered the State University of Michigan, where he studied law in addition to his regular subjects, and was graduated in 1867. He was admitted to the bar, but afer practicing in Evansville, Indiana for one year, abandoned that profession for the career of a journalist. His first newspaper work was done [in 1868-69] for the Cincinnnati Commercial following which he spent eight years in the far West, the first year as editor of the Salt Lake Reporter. His Life in Utah, Western Wilds and the Men Who Redeem Them, and The Undeveloped West are the results of his experiences in the western states. In the latter years of his life he wrote editorials and historical and political articles for the American Press Association.... He died in Washington, D.C., Jan. 15, 1897. -- National Cyclopaedia of American Biography 27, pp. 344-345.

Trouble in the Young Family.

Salt Lake, July 16 -- Announcement is made in the Journal that Ann Eliza Webb Young, the seventeenth wife of Brigham Young, has forever left him, carrying off some furniture and her personal effects. Brigham will endeavor to replevin the goods. Mrs. Young is at the Walker House, and three leading lawyers are about to institute a suit for divorce and alimony. Great revelations are expected concerning the domestic life of the prophet. Mrs. Young is enjoying the sympathies of Gentile ladies, and polygamous Mormons are a great deal disturbed about it.


Note: The same issue carried a somewhat earlier report from Utah, saying that "Mrs. Young No. 17" had left Brigham's "bed and board," and was talking of "a divorce with alimony." The account also says that "the much married Brigham" was "in trepidation lest her example may cause a general revolt in his harem."

SHIELDS  TELLS  A  STORY  OF  DOUGLAS.

In speaking of the early days in Illinois, Gen. Shields said the Mormons gave Douglas a great deal of trouble at the time that Nauvoo was their headquarters. Just at this time Joe Smith had a revelation commanding the Mormons to vote the Whig ticket; and, as they were a formidable element in the vote of the State, Douglas and himself called upon Smith to talk the matter over. Douglas was so convincing in his arguments that Smith was converted to his views, but said as he had one revelation it would not do to have another. He said, however, that if they would call upon Rigney [sic - Hyrum?] Smith, his brother, he could probably accomplish what they wanted. Rigney Smith was accordingly consulted, and at the next convocation of the temple he had a later revelation, which directed the Mormons to vote the Democratic ticket. When Joe Smith was questioned on the subject, he replied that, as Rigney's revelation was later than his, they must follow that. The result was a sweeping Democratic victory in that portion of the State. -- Washington Dispatch to St. Louis Globe-Democrat.


Note: Compare the above story with the account given on pp. 318-19 of Thomas Ford's History of Illinois: "A great meeting was called of several thousand Mormons on Saturday before the election. Hiram Smith, patriarch in the Mormon Church, and brother to the prophet, appeared in this great assembly, and there solemnly announced to the people, that God had revealed to him that the Mormons must support Mr. Hoge, the democratic candidate... the next day... Joe Smith himself appeared before the assembly. He there stated that 'he himself was in favor of Mr. Walker, and intended to vote for him... [but] that he had heard his brother Hiram had received a revelation from the Lord on the subject... Hiram was a man of truth; he had known brother Hiram intimately ever since he was a boy, and he had never known him to tell a lie, If brother Hiram said he had received such a revelation, he had no. doubt it was a fact.'"

THE  FOUNDER  OF  MORMONISM.
[North American Review.]

Joe Smith was born in Rutland, Vt., about the time that Wingate, the combined forger and religious charlatan, made a sensation there. He removed, when a youth, to Palmyra, N. Y., and there Rigdon found him.

Smith was full of magnetism, full of warm blood, a hearty, generous fellow -- from the description, an original, untutored Jim Fisk. After proper training, Smith became the prophet and Rigdon the insporation behind him, putting cunning words in the mouth of the boor.

At last Smith, finding how pleasant it was to play prophet, and flattered by the devotion paid him, drew away from the cold Rigdon. For one of his sensual nature, it was but natural to conclude that is celestial plural marriages were good, it was a grevous waste of time to wait for death to snacrify them; that real women were greatly to be preferred to doubtful and unsubstantial ghosts, and that the right thing was to be sealed to those in the flesh. So he had a revelation; polygamy became a part of the Mormon religion, and Joe Smith a little Mohammed.

Followers began to flock rapidly around Smith. Probably without being conscious of the fact, he had made animalism the key-stone in the arch of his creed, and given to his church all the adhesiveness which cements Christian creeds, and in addition all the fascination which, to sensual nature, clings to Mohammedanism.

Thenceforth the institution thrived until it became so much of a nuisance, and took on attributes of such menace to free government, that in a paroxysm of rage the mob killed Smith. Though his life had been full of irregularities, in the hearts of his followers his death made him a martyred prophet who had died for his people, and ever since he has been held by them, as one to be reverenced next to the Nazarene.


Note 1: The above excerpt was taken from page 280 of the North American Review for March of 1881. The preceeding paragraph in C. C. Goodwin's article in that issue reads thusly: "How has this [Mormon] power waxed so strong? To answer the question a brief review is necessary. There is no doubt that the original Mormon creed was evolved from the crafty brain of Sidney Rigdon. Rigdon was born and reared in the region of the Whisky Insurrection in Pennsylvania. The first shot in that early rebellion was fired but a few rods from Rigdon’s father’s house. The man who was afterward Rigdon’s pastor was a leader with Mike Fink and his brother outlaws, and was taken to Philadelphia in irons. Rigdon was expelled from the First Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, in 1823, for heresy. He was then teaching “Common Stock” (communism), and afterward drifted naturally into Mormonism, for he was steeped with incendiarism before he was born. Greedy of power, with a subtle knowledge of lower human nature, he rightly judged that the best way to attain the object of his ambition was to place a chain of superstition around the necks of men. So he worked out the details of a new church. Among other things which his new religious code contained was the provision for sealing to the dead for eternity, that lost souls might still be saved through the grace of celestial marriage with those yet in the flesh who had been saved through conversion to the Mormon faith. But Rigdon had little magnetism; moreover, he had some education; for him to state in scholarly language what purported to be a revelation from on high would be to defeat his own purpose. He required an assistant, and searched until he found the subject that he required in a hoodlum and tramp who was going around the country with a “peep” stone, telling fortunes. This was Joe Smith...."

Note 2: The writer's linking of Sidney Rigdon's "pastor" (Rev. John Clark) with Mike Fink in the 1791-94 "Whiskey Rebellion" (centered in Washington Co., Pennsylvania) appears to be fanciful and was perhaps drawn from some fictional account penned by a member of General John Neville's family. Neville was a Pennsylvania inspector of the federal excise tax on whiskey-making at the time -- who served also as a commander of troops charged with putting down the rebellion. His grandson, Morgan Neville, was the early 1820s editor of the Pittsburg Gazette, as well as the author of the 1829 folklore account "Mike Fink, the Last of the Boatmen." For Rev. John Clark's role in the turmoil surrounding the rebellion, see Henry C. McCook's The Latimers: A Tale of the Western Insurrection of 1794 (Philadelphia: 1897).

MORMON  RELICS.

About a week ago the eastern wing of the old Nauvoo House was torn down. The building was commenced by the prophet Smith, who laid the corner stone. It was built in 1841. The Nauvoo Independent says the corner stone was in the foundation in the southeast corner and in the center of it was a square cut chest, about 10x14 inches and eight inches deep, covered with a stone lid, which fitted closely in a groove or shoulder at teh top, and cemented around the edge with lead that had been melted and poured in the seam. On removing the lid, which was done with some difficulty, the chest was found to be filled witha number of written and printed documents, most of them mouldy and more or less decayed. There was one pamphlet, however, written by some saint, narrating his worldly and spiritual experience, as near as we could glean it at a glance, which was in a good state of preservation. There were also a bible and a book of Mormon, which, when dried, will be in a condition to be read, as are also some of the written documents that were resurrected. There were also found several American coins -- a half-dollar, quarter, dime, two half-dimes and a copper cent; nearly all of them bearing the date of 1840.


Note: This initial report of the 1882 discovery at the Nauvoo House does not mention the important fact, that among the artifacts contained in the corner stone time capsule was the original "dictated" manuscript of the Book of Mormon (a few pages of which were later obtained and preserved by the LDS Church in Utah).

CITY  OF  THE  SAINTS.

The Town Where Joe Smith Took Refuge
and Made Known His Revelations.
________

The History of the Mysterious Plates Upon Which
the Book of Mormon is Founded...

Special Correspondence of The Quincy Herald.

Nauvoo, which at one time claimed 26,000 inhabitants, now barely reaches 1,400. So far as advancement is considered, there has been little since the days of the Mormons. It is here that Smith and his followers sought to be free from what they deemed persecution.

It is supposed by some that the so-called prophet was not sincere in his teachings, but that his ambition to be a leader prompted him to start in those ideas of religious foolishness which so sadly played havoc with the citizens of Hancock county and the history of Mormonism in these parts. He first began to tamper with mysterious things in his home near Palmyra, N. Y. Here he claims to have been thrice visited by the revealing angel of God, who posted him as to where there were buried some plates upon which were graven the tenets of a new creed, which was the creed of creeds. Acording to him the plates were found and he began his play of foolishness upon a credulous public. Previous to this the Rev. Solomon Spaulding had written a romance of which the spirit of the Book of Mormon is nearly an exact copy, and that Smith and one Sidney Rigdon had found it in the printers' hands, taken a copy of it and diverted it to its present use. Parties in Palmyra, who claim to know, make assurances that Rev Spaulding was a Presbyterian, and that he did not write such a book, and that this version is true. Another theory is that Smith and his co-workers concocted the entire affair and gave it to the people as a true thing, revealed from God to his prophet.

This book of Spaulding's is entitled "Manuscript Found," and its ideas are laid down in a romance the same as the story of Smith and the revelation. It was this that gave him the idea of a new creed; a play upon the popular credulity of the times.

It is said that Smith himself was ignorant and unlettered, but he drew about him a few men of greater ability and through their crude efforts were accomplished, to [a] certain degree. The Book of Mormon is said by Smith and Rigdon, his chief apostle, to be written in the Reformed Egyptian language, as copied from the golden plates. Most of their movements were made and directed by a professed revelation from Heaven, by their "prophet, seer and revelator."

They landed in Nauvoo, or rather in Commerce City, now the northern part of Nauvoo, in the winter of 1838-9. Commerce had then been laid out a few months [previous] by a company of Eastern speculators. Nauvoo, it is supposed, was named by Smith in a revelation, and was taken from the Hebrew "Nauvauh," meaning beautiful city. Revelations continued to be received from time to time, as the occasion seemed to demand, and were promulgated through their organ at this place, "The Times and Seasons.

As to Smith's history, we learn that his idea of the thing is, that he was born in Sharon, Windsor county, Vt., Dec. 23, 1805. In 1823 the Lord made this big revelation to him (Sept. 21). He says, in a certain treatise, that the revealing angel told him that the plates contained an abridgment of the records of the ancient prophets, that had existed on this continent. On SEpt. 22, 1827, the angel delivered into his hands the records and Joseph Smith became "prophet."

These records had the appearance of gold, were six or eight inches in size, and nearly as thick as tin, and were engraved in peculiar characters, said by the prophet to be "Reformed Egyptian." They were bound in one volume like a book, opening in "legalfold," with three rings or clasps, at the top, which served for binding, the entire lot making a book perhaps six inches thick. It bore many marks of antiquity... With the plates was found a curious instrument, called by the ancients "Urim and Thummim," made of two transparent stones, set in the rim of a bow fastened to a breastplate. Through this medium was translated the record, by "gift and power of God." This testimony which the prophet gave is corroborated and signed, and is prefixed to all authorized editions of the Book of Mormon.

During the winter of 1840-41 the Legislature granted to the inhabitants three charters, embodied in one, namely: To charter and organize "The City of Nauvoo," "The University of Nauvoo," and "The Nauvoo Legion." Dr. John C. Bennett, a deep-dyed villain, was the first mayor. Smith was lieutenant general and Bennet major general of the Legion. James Kelly, "A. M.," "an alumnus of Trinity College, Dublin," was chancellor of the University.

About the first important thing the Mormons did was a step toward the building of a temple. The corner stone of this building was laid on April 6th, 1841, in presence of an immense audience. The Legion, six hundred strong, appeared in full dress. Early in 1844 [sic - 1846?] the work was completed, being mostly built by tithes and revelations. The latter being through the prophet or his brother, Hyrum, in the following manner: If a farmer had, say fifty or sixty head of fine cattle, the Lord would reveal to either of them the lamentable fact that these were worth several hundred dollars, and that without them the temple could not be finished. The next night the "Danites" in their white robes and blood colored helmets would ride out in battle array and take the cattle as revealed, and strange to say, the Lord never "revealed" on any person that belonged to the church. Nauvoo was then what might be termed a Theocracy. When two candidates came upon the field for public favor, the one who had the most money could buy a revelation from the Heavens, that he was the Lord's favorite and thus secure the coveted position, for as Nauvoo went so went the county.

June 1844 -- From this time the Mormons became odious to the people. They oppressed those that were not of their belief, stole their horses and butchered their beeves. Preparations began to be made all over the county to drive them out of the state. Gov. Thos. Ford came to Nauvoo, and mobilizd his army of state militia.

Things ran just as Smith had decreed until the people in general got tired of it. Theft, highway robberies, murder, arson and sundry other crimes and depredations were committed upon all who were not of the faith, until it was no longer safe to to live here. Joseph and Hyrum Smith were arrested on charge of treason, but as neither party were ready for trial, they were taken to the Carthage jail for safe keeping. The military were all disbanded about five miles south of Nauvoo, and instructed to go home, excepting the Carthage Greys, who were kept on duty in their city as a prison guard. Instead of going home the disbanded troops straggled towards Carthage and entered that village, where they were met by a mob from Warsaw, made an attack upon the county jail, killed the Smith brothers, and dispersed to their homes. This was on the 27th day of June, 1844. Nauvoo and Warsaw form the base of a triangle, and Carthage the other point, all about eighteen miles distant from each other. During the night the news reached Nauvoo, and this triangle was the scene of strange and desperate acts. The disbanded militia were again recalled and stationed at different points in the triangle. Houses were burned, cattle killed and as much devilment committed as could not be prevented. For some time the entire county was the scene of the wildest confusion.

At the May term of the Circuit Court there were sixty names presented to the grand jury for indictment for the killing of Joseph Smith, and the same names also for the killing of Hyrum Smith, thus making two cases against them. On the firts vote of the jury none were indicted; hence a portion of the names were stricken from the list and another vote taken, and so on until only nine names remained, who were accordingly indicted. Among these were Judge Thos. C. Sharp, then editor of the Warsaw Signal, now of the Carthage Gazette, and William N. Grover, Esq., of Warsaw, James H. Rahlston, of Quincy, and Josiah Lambron, of Jacksonville, appeared for the people. The defendants engaged some of the best counsel in the State. Among them were the late Hon. O. H. Browning, Wm. A. Richardson, Hon. Calvin A. Warren, Hon. Archibald Williams, O. C. Skinner and Thomas Morrison. The trial began May 19, 1845, and on the 30th the case was given to the jury. After several hours of deliberation they returned a verdict of "Not guilty." These indictments were brought on the evidence of two men, one by the name of Daniels, the other Brackenbury, and a woman calling herself Miss Graham. On reading the instructions to the jury, Judge Richard M. Young instructed them to disregard the evidence of these folks, as they were neither competent not reputable. At the close of the trial the defendants were required to give bond for their appearance at the June term, to answer for the killing of Hyrum Smith. When the case was called the counsel for the State did not appear, hence defendants were discharged and the case "stricken."

Judge Sharp still lives, and no man in the county has a much better reputation or more friends.

Mr. Grover is a prominent attorney of Warsaw, and well and favorably known. Both of these gentlemen stand well in their profession, and a respected. They are men, and can well be proud of their "Mormon record."

Shortly after the June term of court a party of Mormons committed a series of depredations across the river, in Lee county, Iowa. This gave rise to more of similar acts: a gang was organized with head-quarters at Nauvoo, who deemed the purpose of their creation to be to commit all sorts of crimes and deeds that a lawless band of heathen could concoct. Both sides of the Mississippi, from Quincy to Burlington, suffered from their visits; cattle were driven away and sold, hogs killed, barns burned; dwellings were burned to the ground in the presence of their helpless owners; children tortured and women brutally whipped. This lawless state of affairs went on unmolested until the defenceless Gentile doubted the majesty and security of the law, and many a man sold his all for a mere pittance and sought more congenial quarters.

On October 1st, 1845, there met at the court house in Carthage, the convention of counties. The chairmen of the Adams county delegation were Hon. I. W. Morris and William Ross; Warren -- Gen. Jas. McCallen; Knox -- Alva Wheeler; McDonough -- John Kirk; Schuyler -- George Robinson. IN all there were sixty delegates, nine counties represented, Hancock being neutral in the matter. On motion of the Hon. O. H. Browning, of Quincy, a committee was appointed to express the feeling of the people on the Mormon question and suggest a remedy for relief. A set of resolutions was hence drawn, settimg forth the measure of the enormity of the outrages committed by Mormons, and, as the only means of redress for the wronngs committed, they recommended that the Mormons be expelled from the State. These passed. The president of the church was duly notified of the decision of the convention. They were to leave by the 1st of August of the following year. The exodus began on the 10th of February. About fifty families crossed the river on the ice and went into Iowa. This was increased from time to time, the most timid leaving first. August came and all had not left. The first days found about six or eight hundred men encamped about three miles from the temple. These were increased by the arrival of more from time to time, and they occasionally had a "tilt" with the invincible "Nauvoo Legion" until October 12, when they began to move upon the city. On the 15th they encountered, at the city's edge a detachment of the Legion, and the war began. For nearly two hours the "invincible" Legion held ground, but now the artillery began to play upon them from the southwest, scattering them in wild and chaotic profusion. The white flag floated from the towers of the city and the victory of law over municipal despotism was complete. The city had capitulated; treaties were now drawn up, suffering the vanquished to remain until they could pack their goods and dispose of their property. They were to leave unmolested, leaving several families to dispose of the remainingh goods and chattels. To this day there remain still a few families here. The temple when complete, cost over $1,000,000. One of the grandest affairs in connection with it was the monster baptismal font, consisting of a huge stone basin, mounted upon the backs of twelve stone oxen, carved life size, standing nearly eight feet high.

The Mormons had also built a large wto story frame house, 129x50, to be used as a hotel, and also residence for the prophet and his wives. It was opened October 3, 1843. This was used as a hotel while a more commodious one could be built. The site selected for the new one was on an eminence on the banks of the river, about 100 feet from the water's edge. It was to be in two wings, each 125 feet in length and five stories high, and to contain about ninety rooms. The work of the foundation was begun in 1843, and steadily advanced until the news of the death of the Smiths in '44. Not a single stone was laid after this; hammer, chizel, brush and plane were instantly dropped to avenge the death of their leader. The building, as it there stood, fell into the hands of Mrs. Smith, the widow of the "prophet, seer and revelator," as trustee in trust, and sold to otehr parties, deed to be given when the building was completed; then sold under a decree of judgment, then under a trust deed to Major L. C. Bidaman, who afterwards married the prophet's widow. The south end was then completed as a residence and the north end left as a resort for bats, hooting owls and hissing serpents. The south end has been fitted up nicely and is now used by the Major as a residence. In answer to our enquiry as to his age, he blushingly told us that if he lived to see the 30th of February he would be ninety-nine years old. We noted it on our journal. "Got that down?" said he. We spoke affirmatively. "Well," said he, "just write under that, that the 30th of February never comes." We gave up the ghost. We found him a jolly old man, and from the fact that he was born in 1807, we put his age down at 76 years. He is yet hale and hearty, and thinks he has yet quite a while to abide. His wife, the prophet's widow, died some time in April, 1879, about seventy-five years of age. He was again married in 1881. Asa we look over the points laid down, we contrast what has been, with what is. Nauvoo, once a flourishing city, with as before stated 26,000 inhabitants, now is a village of about 1,400. The fine temple, supposed to have cost over $1,000,000 burnt, the walls torn down and used to construct residences, barns, pavements, etc. A fine hotel, half built, left to the mercy of the elements and time's destroying power; the prophet's residence, and the pride of the city, now a dilapidated concern scarce inhabitable; and the substantial residence of that human fiend, "Bishop" John D. Lee, razed to the earth, not a vestage remaining; the magnificent arsenel, now a Christian Academy, for the education of young ladies, in charge of the Sisters of the Benedictine order; the large and commodious residence of the noted Heber C. Kimball, a mass of ruins; all that once bore traces of advancement and prosperity is no more. What business is now here thrives in its way. The community is a wealthy one but lacks enterprise.

Everything that once savored of Mormonism is fast disappearing. The basement of what was intended to be "The Mansion" is now filled with growth of brush and trees of over thirty years standing; in fact all that once was thrift and enterprise is a mass of ruin, over which the hand of oblivion is rapidly spreading its pall. In a short time all that was once known of Mormonism in thee parts will be forgotten, and a future generation will ask, "Who were the Mormons?"

Joseph Smith, Jr., who is the head of the re-organized church at Plano, Ill., is well known to the writer, and is respected by all who know him. Some of what might be called the flagrant errors of his father he has left out of his creed. He says he does not know that his father practised or taught the soctrine of polygamy or spiritual wifery, but that it is for those who bring the charge, to substantiate it.   W. B. R.


Notes: (forthcoming)

SKETCHES  AND  ANECDOTES  OF
PROMINENT  ILLINOIANS  OF  THE  PAST.

ARTICLE  XXII.

... [During the early 1840s] a most singular strife and result occured in the Galena district. This district ran like a tape string all along the western border of the State from Hancock County down to Joe Daviess, taking in all the river counties, and generally the one county that lay immediately back. Leaving out the large Mormon vote of Hancock County, which had always gone solid, just as Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet directed, the district was undoubtedly Whig. With the idea of securing this very insecure factor, the Whigs nominated Cyrus Walker, of McDonough county, who had been for some years Joe Smith's lawyer in all important matters, and they naturally supposed that this made their candidate's "calling and election sure." Walker was also perfectly commendable to the regular Whigs. He had high character, eminent ability as a lawyer, and was extensively acquainted. His qualities were solid, not shining; his appearance was unimposing, and as a speaker very unattractive. His nomination was cordially made and acquiesced in by his party, and his election was expected. The democratic party experienced some difficulty in making their nomination, but it finally fell upon Josdeph P. Hoge, of Galena.... He was quite an accomplished lawyer, fastidious, almost "dandyfied" in his habits... The district was effectually canvassed, but the result was produced by a dream. Joe Smith, who held the scales, shortly before the election called together his disciples and announced to them that he had received a revelation from Heaven in a dream, which directed that he should support Walker for Congress. So much Joe was compelled to do from personal and professional considerations, and this gave a very roseate tinge to Me. Walker's political sky. But Joe and others well knew that it was much more important, as a matter of permanent business, to keep on the warm side of the Democratic party, which then dominated the State, than it was to be personally grateful, even if under Divine orders so to be. Therefore, immediately afterward Hiram Smith, the brother of Joe... had his dream, which revealed the "very latest" news from Heaven -- this being an order to have the vote of the "Latter day Saints," as the Mormons styled themselves, given to Hoge. This last special order was obeyed almost to a man. The result was that while Walker came down to Hancock county, nearly 800 votes ahead, there the entire Mormon vote was "plumped" against him, electing Hoge by about 600 majority. Joe Smith almost alone of the "Saints" voting for Walker....


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  BOOK  OF  MORMON.
_______

A True History of Joe Smith's
Remarkable Piece of Jugglery.

(St. Louis Spectator)

How many people know anything about the origin of the Mormon religion, or rather, of the Book of Mormon, which is its authority? I knew precious little about it until this week, when I accidently fell in with Mr. Clark Braden, who has recently given the subject a most searching investigation. His story shows of what stuff a religion may be made. The Mormons number probably 800,000. They are divided into many sects, but the principal are the polygamous Brighamites in Utah and the non-polygamous Josephites scattered in various places. The story may be given in a few words. The Book of Mormon was written by an old broken down Presbyterian clergyman named Solomon Spaulding. Spaulding was born in Connecticut in 1761. He graduated at Dartmouth college, and settled as minister for a Congregational church. He made a sad failure at preaching, and went into business with his brother in New York state, did not succeed, and started up an iron foundry in a town in northern Ohio. He soon failed in that venture and became very much discouraged. His wife supported the family by taking boarders, and he spent his time writing, though what did not then appear. He afterwards rewrote the entire book, adding a third part. This is the origin of the manuscript.

Now, what became of it? Spaulding made arrangements to have it printed in Pittsburg. After a part of it had been set up, the whole manuscript was stolen by a tanner named Sidney Rigdon, who was in the habit of loafing around the printing office. Rigdon kept it concealed for some years, until he fell in with Joseph Smith, who evolved the plan of producing it. Smith belonged to a not over reputable family living near Palmyra, N. Y. They lived in a house and supported themselves by hunting and fishing and other means suspected to be more questionable. Joseph, one day, found a remarkably clear crystal, shaped much like a child's foot, and he declared it was a "peep-stone," in which he could read the future and discover stolen goods, strayed cattle, etc., and on several occasions was so successful in predicting the locality of goods and cattle that he soon came to have considerable reputation. He then extended his field of operations by divining where treasure was buried and under his directions a great many diggings were made, unsuccessfully however. These diggings extended over a large area, some fifty miles or more, around Palmyra, and some of them may be seen now. He fell in with Sidney Rigdon, who told him of the manuscript. Smith soon devised a scheme for producing it under proper surroundings. The alleged book of copper [sic] plates was found under divine guidance, on which characters of reformed Efyptian were graven. The book was accompanied by a pair of spectacles of wonderous power, which enabled Smith to translate the remarkable characters. This he did from behind a screen, while an amanuensis took down his words. The Book of Mormon was printed in 1830, at Palmyra, N. Y., a farmer, Martin Harris, putting up the cash to pay the printer. Thus Solomon Spaulding's manuscript found its way into print with such additions and alterations as Smith chose to make for his own benefit.

A book will soon be published by the Christian Publishing company giving all the investigations of Mr. Braden and the complete chain of evidence establishing the authenticity of his story. A manuscript of the Book of Mormon is still in existence in the possession of Mr. Whitmer, of Richmond, Mo., and the compositor who set up most of the book at Palmyra, fifty years ago, is still living, Mr. J. H. Gilbert. Mr. Braden is now trying to arrange that Mr. Gilbert shall see this manuscript to say whether it is the copy from which the book was originally set up.


Note: The above report was published in the St. Louis Spectator, about the middle of August, 1884. The article was also reprinted, several weeks later, in the Oct. 8, 1884 issue of the Albert Lea, Minnesota Freeborn County Standard.

"SECOND  BOOK  OF  MORMON."

A citizen of Metamora, Ill., writes to the Chicago Inter-Ocean to correct an accepted account of the origin of the "Second Book of Mormon." The writer shows that the discovery of the tablets was a huge hoax. In his own words, the facts are as follows:

"Some time before the demise of Joseph Smith, the Mormon leader, one John Fugate, who then lived in or near Quincy, Ill., conceived a little plan by which to startle the natives. He obtained two large copper plates of a blacksmith (whom, of course, he had to let in on the secret) and they thereon engraved, by the use of wax and acid, some signs and symbols. The plates were mostly covered, I think, with a writing very similar to the Egyptian hieroglyphics, and around on the margin were figures of the sun, crowns, the crucifixion, and other such signs of similar character. And then with paint, or acid, and iron filings they covered them with a very good imitation of rust. They then bound them together with a rusty wire, went to the woods and buried them between two huge flat stones, and deep down in an old Indian mound. They covered them up carefully, replaced the sod and dirt and awaited developments."

The letter then goes on to explain that the plates were dug up during a religious gathering in town, and Joseph Smith proclaimed them to be connected with the Mormon religion, and set about to have them translated; and that for this purpose they, or copies and descriptions of them, were sent all over the old world to prominent hieroglyphists for translation. Of course the problem came back unsolved, and many letters were written to Mr. Fugate concerning the same. Undaunted, however, Smith put on his magic spectacles and proceeded to translate from them the second book of Mormon. Mr. Fugate subsequently told the whole story, and was compelled for personal safety to leave the vicinity of the Mormon settlement. He died at Camp Point three years ago, but his wife and family are still alive. His oldest son, Dr. J. T. Fugate, of Urbana, is said to be in possession of all the facts in the case, with documentary proof of the struth of this statement.


Note 1: Note 1: The original report was, that on April 23, 1843, some residents dug into a large Indian mound near Kinderhook, Pike, Co., about 65 miles south of Nauvoo, Illinois. They allegedly discovered human bones, traces of ancient fires, and six small, bell-shaped plates, made of brass. The correspondent of the Chicago Inter Ocean mistakenly sets the hoax at Quincy, instead of Kinderhook -- he also calls the hoax originator "John" Fugate, when his actual name was "Wilbur" Fugate (see Fugate's own 1879 letter to James T. Cobb at the Salt Lake Tribune for an early admission of his fraud. The admission of Dr. W. P. Harris, another participant in the hoax, was published in the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society in 1912). See also the text accompanying the plate facsimiles in the June, 1843 broadside published by the Nauvoo Neighbor, as well as Rev. R. B. Neal's "The Champion Hoaxer Hoaxed," in the June, 1909 number of his Sword of Laban.

Note 2: On Sept. 3, 1856, the Salt Lake City Deseret News published the following sentences, as a part of its serialization of "The History of Joseph Smith": "I insert fac similes of the six brass plates found near Kinderhook, in Pike county, Illinois, on April 23, by Mr. R. Wiley and others, while excavating a large mound. They found a skeleton about six feet from the surface of the earth, which must have stood nine feet high. The plates were found on the breast of the skeleton, and were covered on both sides by ancient characters.... I have translated a portion of them, and find they contain a history of the person with whom they were found. He was a descendant of Ham,through the loins of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and that he received his kingdom from the ruler of heaven and earth" (cf. LDS HC 5:374-375). Smith wrote very little of his published history and this entry is evidently copied by its editors from the Nauvoo Journal of William Clayton.

THE  KIRTLAND  MORMONS.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

The Adventists of 1844.

It is painful to think of the jeers and sneers endured by the poor, sad eyed Adventists when they returned to their homes. Hundreds of them lost all heart and hope, law suits multiplied, and not a few found their way to the poorhouse and insane asylum. It is equally painful and more surprising to learn that even in New England their later meetings were in danger of brickbats and ancient eggs. And yet believers grew and multiplied, the regular Adventists looking on the "Millerite" performance as a mere fiasco with which they had nothing to do. Alexander Campbell, the eminent reformer, was deeply imbued with Adventist ideas, and named his new journal the Millennial Harbinger, indicating his faith that the last days were at hand. Joe Smith and Sidney Rigdon began their new church as Millenarians, and that of Brigham Young and the Pratts retranslated Smith's prophecies to make them mean that the end, not of the world but of the United States government, was at hand. --   J. H. Beadle.


Notes: (forthcoming)

NEWS  FROM  MORMONDOM.
_______

Woodruff Has Been Talking With Young and Smith in the Spirit

Salt Lake, October 4. -- The Mormon semi-annual conference was opened today by George Q. Cannon.

Elder Roberts spoke of the revelation to come from President Woodruff and said 1890 would rank as an epoch in the history of the church.

President Woodruff then came forward and said the Lord wouldn't reveal the time but he had talked twice recently with Joseph Smith in the spirit and the purport of it was that the bridegroom was about to mate a bride. He also talked behind the veil with Brigham Young and was encouraged greatly.

Apostle Richards said the Kingdom was to advance more rapidly than ever, but the Son of Man wand his angels would not come on the earth until Jerusalem is rebuilt. The Saints should study the scriptures more and then the young men would see visions and old men dream dreams.

Apostle Thatcher advised the Saints to prepare for 1891. They had prospered greatly of late and that made him fearful. What we need is persecution and plenty of it. He expressed full belief in Woodfuff's conversation with Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. The time is coming when this country will engage in strife between labor and capital, and the Mormon question will be forgotten for a time. Then the people would flee from all parts of the land to Utah and the Mormons would welcome them and would establish here a true republican government with democratic principles.


Notes: (forthcoming)