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Painesville, Geauga County

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1832-33 Articles



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NS Vol. III.                                      Tuesday, January 17, 1832.                                      No. 31



Miscellaneous.

(The following scrap of Mormonism has been published in the Ohio Star, and is attested by Deacon Simonds Ryder, as being firnished him while he was an Elder under the Mormon dispensation. It is what Rigdon calls his commission, and bears the impress of his own fertile imagination.)

"A commandment to Joseph & Sidney, December 7th, 1830, saying: Listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday and forever. I am Jesus Christ the Son of God, who was crucified for the sins of the world, even as many as will believe on my name, that they may become the sons of God, even on me as I am in the Father, as the Father is in me, that we may be one. Behold, verily, verily I say unto my servant Sidney, I have looked upon thee and thy works; I have heard thy prayers, and prepared thee for a greater work. Thou art blessed, for thou shalt do great things. Behold thou wast sent forth, even as John, to prepare the way before me, and Elijah which should come, and thou knew it not. -- Thou didst baptize by water, unto repentance, but they received not the Holy Ghost; but now I give unto you a new commandment, that thou shalt baptize by water, and give the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands, even as the Apostles of old; and it shall come to pass that there shall be a great work in the land, even among the gentiles, for their folly and their abominations shall be made manifest in the eyes of all people, for I am God, and mine arm is not shortened, and I will show miracles, signs and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name; and whoso shall ask it in my name, in faith, shall cast out Devils; they shall heal the sick, they shall cause the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, & the lame to walk; and this speedily cometh that great things are to be shown forth unto the children of men; but without faith shall nothing be shown forth, except desolation upon Babylon, the same which has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and there is none that doeth good except they that are trying to receive the fulness of the gospel, which I have sent forth to this generation; wherefore, I have called upon the weak things, that they are unlearned and despised, to thrash the nations by the power of my spirit, and their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield and their buckler; I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me, and their enemies shall put be under their feet, and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I pursue them, and the poor and the meek shall have the gospel preached unto them, and they shall be looking forth for the time of my coming, for it is nigh at hand, and they shall learn the parable of the fig tree, for even now already summer is nigh, and I have sent forth the fulness of my gospel by the hand of my servant Joseph, and in weakness have I blessed him, & I have given unto him the keys of the mystery of those things which have been sealed, even things which were from the foundation of the world, and the things which shall come from this time until the time of my coming, if he abide in me, and if not, another will I plant in his stead, wherefore watch over him that his faith fail not, and it shall be given by the comforter, the Holy Ghost, which knoweth all things. And a commandment I give unto you that thou shalt write for him, and the scriptures shall be given even as they are in my own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect, for they will hear my voice, and shall see me, and shall not be asleep, and shall abide the day of my coming, for they shall be purified even as I am pure. And now I say unto you, tarry with him, and he shall journey with thee, forsake him not, and surely these things shall be fulfilled. And inasmuch as ye do not write, behold it shall be given unto him to prophecy; and thou shalt preach my gospel, and call on the holy prophets to prove his words as they shall be given him; keep all the covenants and commandments by which ye are bound, and I will cause the heavens to shake for your good, and Satan shall tremble, and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish, Israel shall be saved in mine own due time, and by the keys which have been given shall they be led, and no more be confounded at all. Lift your hearts and be glad; for your redemption draweth nigh. Fear not, little flock, the kingdom is yours, until I come. Behold I come quickly; even so -- Amen."

Notes: (forthcoming)


 



NS Vol. III.                                 Tuesday, March 13, 1832.                                 No. 39.


 

Mormonism. -- We hear frequent enquiries respecting the progress of this strange delusion and imposition. We would therefore state generally, that for a long time past it has ceased to be a subject of much attention in this county. The headquarters of the impostors appear to have been removed to the adjoining counties, where it is said that Rigdon (who is claimed to be the Elijah that was to come) and Smith, are making some progress in their work of gulling the ignorant and credulous. Their leisure hours are occupied in making new revelations from Heaven, and translating and remodeling the New Testament, which they pretend to do by inspiration. They have also recently discovered the book or prophecy of Enoch, mentioned in the epistle of Jude, which, with all their other revelations and commandments, are to be sent to Missouri for publication, where they have a printing press in operation. The whole of their works when printed, will probably comprise several volumes, which are to be swallowed, word for word, by all its dupes as though written by the finger of Deity. Those of the Mormons who have nothing to prevent them, are repairing to the "land of promise," on the western line of Missouri, and those who are in lucrative business have a special permit from the prophet to remain for four or five years. They have many missionaries in different parts of the country, proselyting those who are predisposed to place reliance on any thing marvelous. They have made one of their young fanatics believe that he is a descendant of, or belongs to the tribe of Judah, & that it is his duty to repair to Jerusalem, to preach Mormonism, or assist in restoring to Jews their ancient city. He some time since took up his march for Boston.


Note: Orson Hyde -- "the Olive Branch of Israel" -- was born Jan. 8, 1805 to Nathan and Sarah (Sally) Hyde. From the age of seven raised by Gentile foster parents. From some accounts it appears that he was of Jewish ancestry. At least he and his fellow Mormon leaders believed that to have been the case. Samuel H. Smith, his 1832 missionary companion, believed his ancestry was of the ancient Israelite tribe of Ephraim.


 



NS Vol. III.                                   Tuesday, April 17, 1832.                                   No. 44.



From the New York Whig.

The Mormonites have found a resting place in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, whence we have received the prospectus of a newspaper from W. W. Phelps, formerly of the Ontario Phoenix. We make a few extracts for the singularity of the thing.

"THE EVENING & THE MORNING STAR"

WILL BE PUBLISHED AT

INDEPENDENCE, JACKSON CO.

State of Missouri.

"As the forerunner of the night of the end, and the messenger of the day of redemption, the Star will borrow its light from sacred sources and be devoted to the Revelations of God as made known to his servants by the Holy Ghost, at sundry times since the creation of man, but more especially in these last days, for the restoration of the house of Israel.

*         *         *         *         *         *        

"And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth,

Seeing these things so plainly foretold, we have great confidence in the declaration to all flesh, that not only the day, but the hour is at hand for all to be fulfilled; when the earth shall be transfigured and return to the same beauty and goodness, as at the morn of creation; when the righteous shall rise, and flow together, to inherit the earth, until the children of Israel become as numerous as the stars in the sky, or the sand upon the sea shore.

*         *         *         *         *         *        

"The Book of Mormon, having already gone to the world, being the fullness of the gospel to the Gentile according to the promises of the old, we know that the blessing of Joseph is near at hand. For his glory, the firstling of his bullock, and his horns, the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together from the ends of the earth, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, the mount Zion: For in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations; wherefore it is now made known and published to the world, by the authority of the beloved Saviour, that the gathering of the house of Israel hath commenced upon the land of Zion, and that the church which is called the church of Christ, is an Ensign to all nations, that the children of God are returning from their long dispersion, to possess the land of their inheritance, & reign with Christ a thousand years while Satan is bound.

We know that there are many lying spirits in the earth, to withstand the truth and deceive the people, but he cannot be called a disciple of the humble Jesus, who doth not know the language of God from the language of man"

*         *         *         *         *         *        

In the following paragraph, in brackets, the extravagance of the author bursts out.

("To a man of God, who looks upon the world as it now is, with nation against nation; kingdom against kingdom; rumor against rumor; revolution against revolution; war against war; robber against robber; persecutor against persecutor; sharper against sharper; society against society; sect against sect; and one against another over the face of the earth -- the fear of judgment will rest upon him, and while he is silent as Heaven, he will hear the groans of eternity over the corruptions of the world, and with a thrill of compassion which might jar the earth from the sides to the centre, he will watch the angels receive the great command -- Go reap down the earth!)

The Evening and Morning Star, besides the secret of the Lord, which is now with them that fear him, and the everlasting gospel, which must go to all nations, before the Holy One shall stand upon the mount of Olivet, and upon the mighty ocean, even the great deep, and upon the islands of the sea, and upon the land of Zion, to destroy the wicked with the brightness of his coming -- will also contain whatever of truth or information that can benefit the children of God, temporally as well as spiritually, in these last days, whether in prose or poetry, without interfering with politics, broils, or the gainsaying of the world. While some may say this paper is opposed to all combinations under whatsoever plausible character, others will know, that it is for an eternal union whose maker and supporter is God: Thus all must be as they are, inasmuch as they that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same -- but wisdom is justified of her children

From this press also, may be expected as soon as wisdom directs, many sacred records, which have slept for ages.

===> Terms. -- The Star will be issued monthly on a royal sheet quarto, at $1 a year, till it shall be deemed proper to publish it oftener. (A supplement will be published weekly, if required, containing the advertisements of Jackson county, &c.) Letters to the editor must be paid -- and subscriptions, in specie or U. S. Bills.

W. W. PHELPS.        

   Feb. 22, 1832.

It is painful to see intelligent men carried away with strange conceits. The belief of the book of Mormon is one of the strangest superstitions of the present day. Greater have been, and perhaps now are. The folly of Freemasonry divine, surpasses it in the egregiousness of the imposition practised by or upon the most intelligent and well informed minds. The delusion of the false prophet, and the gift of unknown tongues, and of the St. Simonites in France, seem to be all of the same character with this, now taking up its abode in Jackson County, Missouri.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



NS Vol. III.                                         Thursday, June 21, 1832.                                         No. ?



From the Rock Spring (Illinois) Pioneer.

MORMONISM.

Some days since several Mormonite preachers, in their peregrinations, passed through this and the adjoining counties. In St. Clair not much impression was made. One preached in Lebanon, 4 miles from us. In Madison County, on the Ridge Prairie, a few miles south of Edwardsville, they were more successful in making "Impressions." Several families, Methodist, Baptists, and others, were 'almost persuaded.' We believe all have been cured of this singular fanaticism but one family. A Mr. McMahan, a pious and respectable man, & a Methodist local preacher, was so bewildered with their new bible, and their power to work miracles, as to follow them to Shoal creek where he got baptized into the Mormon faith, and received from them a commission to preach and work miracles in turn. After one or two ineffectual attempts with his neighbors, he became entirely deranged in which exercise his wife soon joined. Under the notion that they were fighting evil spirits, they commenced a frenzied attack on their house and furniture. They soon demolished a valuable time piece, a new high post bedstead, bureau, chairs, &c. and tore off the weather boarding, and broke the windows of the house. The next project was to "sacrifice" one of their children, but were interrupted by one of their neighbors interfering, who was obliged to confine this promising disciple of Mormonism in irons till he became more peaceable. He is now suffered to go at large, though still laboring under mental alienation. His wife is some better.

These sudden and apparently providential 'effects' of Mormon faith, has put a stop to further proselytizing in this quarter. We hope the people hereafter will be satisfied with the Bible God has given us, and the religion it reveals, without the addition of the "Book of Mormon."


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



NS Vol. IV.                                         Thursday, August 9, 1832.                                         No. 8.


 

The Mormon fanatics have established a monthly paper at their encampment in Missouri. The first number has appeared with the following introductory address to its readers. We give this as one of the curiousities of the times -- and will merely ask, when will knaves cease their speculations through the credulity and fanaticism of men?

"TO  MAN

"With the help of God, the first number of the Evening and the Morning Star, comes to the world for the objects specified in its prospectus... That we should now recapitulate some of its leading objects, and briefly add a few remarks, will naturally be expected; and we cheerfully do so, that this generation may know, that the Star comes in these last days as the friend of man, to persuade him to turn to God and live, before the great & terrible day of the Lord sweeps the earth of its wickedness... it comes not only as the messenger of Truth, to bring the Revelations and Commandments of God which have been, but to publish those that God gives NOW, as in days of old, for he is the same God yesterday, to-day and forever; and if, after he was taken up, as mentioned in the first chapter of Acts, he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the Apostles whom he had chosen, what possible reason is there to suppose that he would neglect to do likewise NOW -- before he comes in his glory; before he gathers his elect, (the house of Israel; see Isaiah 45, 4.) And even before John the Revelator must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings? see Rev. 10. We know of no reason in the Bible. That it comes as the harbinger of peace and good will to all them that serve the Lord with a determination to have a part in the first resurrection, and finally become kings and priests to God the Father, in the celestial kingdom, where God, and Christ is, and where they will be for eternity; and where will be also, the general assembly of the first born, the church of Enoch, who walked with God and built up Zion in the first days, which Zion and Enoch the Lord translated to paradise before the flood; but Isaiah says: Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring AGAIN ZION. That it comes according to the will of God, from those who are not ashamed to take upon them the name of Christ, and walk lowly in the valley of humiliation, and let the solemnities of eternity rest upon them; knowing that the great day of the Lord will soon usher in the Sabbath of creation, for the rest of the saints; that the Saviour may reign his thousand years of peace upon the earth, while Satan is bound. That it comes in meekness and mercy to all mankind, that they may do works meet for repentance and be saved in the first resurrection, and afterward dwell with the spirits of just men made perfect in the celestial kingdom, which transcends the glory of the terrestrial as much as the terrestrial transcends the celestial [sic - telestial?], or the telestial [sic] transcends the prison of the imperfect. That it comes to bring good tidings of great joy to all people, but more especially the house of Israel scattered abroad, that their day of redemption is near, for the Lord hath set his hand again the second time to restore them to the lands of their inheritance; ready to receive the Saviour in the clouds of the Heavens. That it comes to show that the ensign is now set up, unto which all nations shall come, and worship the Lord, the God of Jacob, acceptably. That it comes when war, and the plague or pestilence, as it is called, are sweeping their thousands & tens of thousands, to show that the days of tribulation, spoken of by our Saviour, are nigh at hand, even at the door. That it comes to repeat the great caution of Paul: Beware lest any spoil you, (the disciples of Christ) through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men and the rudiments of the world. That it comes to prepare the way of the Lord, that when he comes he may have a holy people ready to receive him. That it comes to show that no man can be too good to be saved, but that many may be too bad. That it comes to declare that goodness consists in doing good, not merely in preaching it. That it comes to show that all men's religion is vain without charity. That it comes to open the way for Zion to arise and put on her beautiful garments and become the glory of the earth, that her land may be joined, or married, (according to the known translation of Isaiah,) to Jerusalem again, and they be one as they were in the days of Peleg. Thus it comes."


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Printed  and  Published  Every  Friday  Morning,  at  Painesville,  Geauga  County,  Ohio.

NS Vol. IV.                                         Friday, April 26, 1833.                                         No. ?



Mormonism. -- We perceive by a letter from Independence, Missouri, to the Editor of the Cincinnati Journal, that difficulties have already begun in the Mormon community, at Mount Zion, in that quarter; one of the members having sued the Bishop, in a court of justice, for fifty dollars, which has been sent by the plaintiff to the said Bishop, from Ohio, "to purchase an inheritance for himself and the saints of God in Zion in these last days." This was certainly a most impious act, but "nevertheless and notwithstanding," the jury found for the plaintiff; it appearing that though the good bishop had indeed appropriated the money "to the purchase of an inheritance," yet he had, unthoughtedly no doubt, procured the deed to be drawn up in his own name, to his heirs, &c. and no one else in Zion but out of it. The writer states that on this decision several other members are ready to make similar demands on the good bishop.
                                                              Ohio Courant.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Printed  and  Published  Every  Friday  Morning,  at  Painesville,  Geauga  County,  Ohio.

NS Vol. IV.                                         Friday, June 21, 1833.                                         No. 48.



Mormonism -- We have received a written communication, offering a challenge to any respectable person to take a twist with him on the divinity of a book, whereof Joseph Smith, jun. is "author and proprietor." -- The person wishing to open such a discussion in our columns, must be a young convert, not to know that the Mormon bible was long since proved to be an imposition in the minds of all rational men. Besides, what room for argument is there with a sect which is taught that all they think, do or say, is the spirit of God.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Printed  and  Published  Every  Friday  Morning,  at  Painesville,  Geauga  County,  Ohio.

Vol. V.                                         Friday, August 16, 1833.                                         No. 4.



We learn from the Mormon colony in Missouri, that a great riot took place there about the 20th ult. We understand that O. Cowdery, one of the principal men among the pilgrims, has just arrived at the head-quarters of the Prophet in this country, with the tidings that 4 or 500 of the inhabitants of that region, including most of the military and civil authorities of the county, assembled at mid-day, in an uproarious manner, made an attack upon a brick building containing the printing establishment, and the family of the editor, and razed it to the ground -- scattering the type, revelations, translations and commandments, printed or in manuscript, to the four winds. They in the mean time took six of the head men, bishop and elders, to whom they applied the tar and its concomitants, and kept them in durance vile for two or three days, threatening to take their lives and destroy their property, if they did not depart the place. A treaty of amity was finally entered into between the mobers and the mobees, wherein the latter agreed to leave the County as soon as the conveniently could, and the former to pay damages. This is the substance of the affair as related by one who made a precipitate flight from the "land of promise," the "city of Zion," which has been consecrated by the express command of the Lord, as we have often been told by the victims of delusion. We presume, however, that it has been somewhat magnified and exaggerated. At any rate, the citizens of that country have no doubt brought disgrace upon themselves by interfering with the legal rights of their fanatical neighbors, who had emigrated thither by the command of their prophet. We learn that some Davids or Goliaths are to be dispatched immediately by the prophet to the relief of the brethren in the wilderness.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Printed  and  Published  Every  Friday  Morning,  at  Painesville,  Geauga  County,  Ohio.

Vol. V.                                         Friday, August 30, 1833.                                         No. 6.



In another column will be found a more full account of the fracas between the people of Missouri and the Mormons, from a St. Louis paper. It gives rather a different coloring to the affair than the one by the Mormons. Although the elders there have agreed to evacuate the country, those in this vicinity, under the wing of the prophet and far removed from danger, appear determined to send on a reinforcement. The Lord has been consulted, we are told, and the prophet has given orders to retain the Hon. Henry Clay as counsel, to prosecute the aggressors.




MORMONITES  IN  MISSOURI.

From the Missouri Republican.
                        St. Louis, August 9th, 1833.

"Regulating" the Mormonites -- Some very extraordinary proceedings have recently taken place in Jackson county, in this State, against a sect of fanatics called Mormons. These proceedings may find some justification in the necessity of the case, but they are wholly at war with the genius of our institutions and as subversive of good order as the conduct of the fanatics themselves. Perhaps, however, it was the only method which could have been effectually put in practice to get this odious description of population out of the way. Banished as they are from that frontier, it may well be asked to what place will they now remove; and will they enjoy any better security in the new abode which they may select? But to the proceedings.

A meeting of the citizens of Jackson county, to the number of four or five hundred, was held at Independence on the 20th of July. Their avowed object was to take measures to rid themselves of the Mormonites. Col. Richard Sampson was called to the chair, and James H. Flournoy and Samuel D. Lucas appointed Secretaries. A committee was then appointed to report an address to the public, in relation to the object of the meeting. After having retired for some time, they submitted an address, which was unanimously adopted, and in which the conduct and the views of the obnoxious sect were exposed.

They represent, that the Mormonites number 1200 souls in that county, and that each successive spring and autumn pours forth its swarms among them, with a gradual falling off in the character of the people, until they have nearly reached the low condition of the black population. -- That the citizens are daily told that they are to be cut off, and their lands appropriated to the Mormons for inheritances; but they are not fully agreed among themselves as to the manner in which this shall be accomplished, whether by the destroying angel, the judgment of God, or the arm of power. The committee express their fears that, should this population continue to increase, they will soon have all the offices of the county in their hands; and that the lives and property of the other citizens would be insecure, under the administration of men who are so ignorant and superstitious as to believe that they have been the subjects of miraculous and supernatural cures, hold converse with God and his angels, and possess and exercise the gift of divination, and of unknown tongues, and are, withal, so poor as to be unable to procure bread and meat. The committee say, that "one of the means resorted to by them, in order to drive us to emigrate, is an indirect invitation to the free brethren of color in Illinois, to come like the rest to the land of Zion. True, the Mormons say this was not intended to invite, but to prevent emigration; but this weak attempt to quiet our apprehension, is but a poor compliment to our understandings." The invitation alluded to, contained all the necessary directions and cautions, to enable the free blacks, on their arrival there, to claim and exercise the right of citizenship. Finally the committee say --

"Of their pretended revelations from Heaven -- their personal intercourse with God and his angels -- the maladies they pretend to heal by the laying on of hands and the contemptible gibberish with which they habitually profane the Sabbath, and which they dignify with the appellation of unknown tongues, we have nothing to say. Vengeance belongs to God alone. But as to the other matters set forth in this paper, we feel called upon by every consideration of self preservation, good society, public morals, and the fair prospects that, if not blasted in the germ, await this young and beautiful country, at once to declare, and we do hereby most solemnly declare --

"1. That no Mormon shall in future move and settle in this county.

"2. That those now here, who shall give a definite pledge of their intention within a reasonable time, to remove out of the county, shall be allowed to remain unmolested until they have sufficient time to sell their property, and close their business without any sacrifice.

"3. That the editor of the 'Star' be required forthwith to close his office, and discontinue the other stores and shops belonging to the sect, their owners must in every case comply with the terms strictly comfortably to the second article of this declaration; and upon failure, prompt and efficient measures will be taken to close the same.

"4. That the Mormon leaders here are required to use their influence in preventing any further emigration of their distant brethren to this county, and to counsel and advise their brethren here to comply with the above requisitions.

"5. That those who fail to comply with these requisitions, be referred to those of their brethren who have the gifts of divination, and unknown tongues, to inform them of the lot that awaits them."

Which address being read and considered, was unanimously adopted. And thereupon it was resolved that a committee of twelve be appointed, forthwith to wait on the Mormon leaders, & see that the foregoing requisitions are strictly complied with by them; and upon their refusal, that the said committee do, as the organ of this county, inform them that it is the unwavering determination and fixed purpose, after the fullest consideration of all the consequences and responsibilities under which we act, to use such means as shall insure their full and complete adoption; and that said committee, so far as may be within their power, report to this present meeting. And the following gentlemen were named as said committee -- Robert Johnson, James Campbell, Col. Moses Wilson. Joel F. Childs. Hon. Richard Fristoe, Abner F. Staples, Gart[h] Johnson, Lewis Franklin, Russel Hicks, Esq., Col. S. D. Lucas, Thomas Wilson, and James M. Hunter, to whom was added Col. Sampson, chairman.

And after an adjournment of two hours, the meeting again convened, and the committee of twelve reported that they had called on Mr. W. W. Phelps, the editor of the Star. Edward Partridge, the bishop of the sect, and Mr. Gilbert, the keeper of the Lord's store house, and some others, and that they declined giving any direct answer to the requisitions made of them, and wished an unreasonable time for consultation, not only with their brethren here, but in Ohio.

Whereupon, it was unanimously resolved by the meeting, that the Star printing office should be razed to the ground, and the type and press secured. Which resolution was, with the utmost order, and the least noise and disturbance possible, forthwith carried into execution, as also other steps of a similar tendency; but no blood was spilt, nor any blows inflicted. The meeting then adjourned till the 23d instant, to meet again to know further concerning the determination of the Mormons.

The citizens again convened on the 23d day of July, which was composed of gentlemen from all parts of the county, and much more unanimously attended than the meeting on the 20th instant.

The meeting was organized by the Chairman taking his seat, when the following gentlemen were appointed a committee, to wit:

Henry Childs, Esq., Dr. N. K. Olmstead, H. L. Brazile, Esq., Zachariah Waller, Samuel Weston, Esq., Wm. I. Irwin, Leonidas Oldham, S. C. Owens, Esq., George Simpson, Capt. Benj'n Majors, J. C. Saddler. Col. Wm. Bowers, Henry Younger, Russel Hicks, Aaron Overton, John Harris, and Harmon Gregg, to wait upon the Mormon leaders, who had intimated a wish to have a conference with said committee. After an adjournment of two hours, the meeting again convened, when this committee reported to the meeting that they had waited on most of the Mormon leaders, consisting of the Bishop, Mr. Phelps, Mr. Gilbert, and Messrs. Corrill, Whitmer, and Moreley, elders of the church, and that the said community had entered into an amicable agreement with them, which they had reduced to writing, which they submitted: and that the committee have assured Mr. Phelps that whenever he was ready to move, the amount of all his losses should be paid to him by the citizens.

The written agreement is as follows:

"Memorandum of an agreement between the undersigned, of the Mormon Society, in Jackson county Missouri, and a Committee appointed by a public meeting of the Citizens of said County, made the 23d day of July, 1833.

"It is understood that the undersigned, members of the Society, do give their solemn pledges each for himself, as follows, to wit:

"That Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, Wm. McClealand, Edward Partridge, Lyman Wight, Simeon Carter, Peter and John Whitmer, and Harvey Whitlock, shall remove with their families out of this county, on or before the 1st day of January next; and that they, as well as the two hereinafter mentioned, use all their influence to induce all the brethren now here to remove as soon as possible -- one half, say, by the 1st of January next, and all by the first of April next; to advise and try all means in their power to stop any more of their sect from moving to this county; and as to those now on the road, they will use their influence to prevent their settling permanently in the county, but that they shall only make arrangements for temporary shelter, till a new location is agreed on for the Society. John Carril and Algernon Gilbert are allowed to remain as general agents to wind up the business of the Society, so long as necessity shall require; and said Gilbert may sell out his merchandise now on hand, but is to make no new importation.

"'The Star' is not again to be published, nor a press set up by any of the Society in this County.

"If the said Edward Partridge, and W. W. Phelps move their families by the 1st day of January, as aforesaid, that they themselves will be allowed to go and come in order to transact and wind up their business.

"The Committee pledge themselves to use all their influence to prevent any violence being used so as long as a compliance with the foregoing terms is observed by the parties concerned. To which agreement is subscribed the names of the above named Committee, as also those of the Mormon brethren named in the report as having been present."

The report of the committee was unanimously adopted by the meeting; and it was then adjourned.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Printed  and  Published  Every  Friday  Morning,  at  Painesville,  Geauga  County,  Ohio.

Vol. V.                                         Friday, November 29, 1833.                                         No.19.



More trouble in the Mormon camp. -- We learn that there has been another fracas in Missouri, between the Mormon fanatics and the citizens, in which firearms were resorted to. Twenty of the latter and two of the former were killed. It is said that, since the previous affair, the Prophet had sent orders to the brethren there, to "stand by their arms," instead of leaving the place as they had agreed. They had accordingly erected some kind of barricade and supplied themselves with arms. The citizens commenced the attack, and were totally routed, with the loss as above stated. There were also several wounded. We understood that dispatches have arrived at the head quarters of the prophet in this county, by a special messenger, from the seat of war.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Printed  and  Published  Every  Friday  Morning,  at  Painesville,  Geauga  County,  Ohio.

Vol. V.                                         Friday, December 13, 1833.                                         No. 26.



PAINFUL  INTELLIGENCE.
St. Louis, (Mo.) Nov. 15,

The Mormons and Anti-Mormons. --

Our intelligence from the West by the mail is not so late as that brought by the steamboat Charleston. The following account is extracted principally from the Fayette Monitor:

Houses and property were destroyed, and the Elders of the Church severely whipped by the mob, under cover of the night. It is impossible to forsee what is to be the result of this singular and outrageous violation of the laws. We fear that the party opposed to the Mormons will think themselves placed so far beyind the pale of the law as to continue utterly regardless of it, and eventually, by the power of numbers, be enabled to cut off the offending sect. The loss of their relatives and partizans will stimulate them to these acts, and fearful acts of bloodshed may have already been witnessed. As yet, our intelligence is not very accurate, or full, in regard to the measures taken by the officers of the county to surpass the rebellion as it may properly be called. The entire county is probably arrayed on one side or on the other; and in this state of things the power if the sheriff, and other officers, to suppress the riot, is perfectly futile. It is reported besides, that the Judge of the circuit, who attempted to interfer to stop the proceedings, as well as some of the officers, were captured by the mob, and placed in durance, either in jail, or in charge of some of their number, for a good many hours; and the Lieut. Governor, who resided in that county, was driven from it. In this state of things, we appregend the proper course would have been for the authorities to have represented the case to the Executive, for his interposition; but we have not learned whether they have done so. The facts are, nevertheless, notorious; and the Governor should, without delay, if he has not already done it, act upon them. He is bound to see that the laws are executed against all offenders. The power of the county not being available in this case, for almost all are concerned in the insurrection -- the Governor should issue his Proclamation, calling out the Militia of the neighboring counties, to enforce the laws, and to quell the riot. He should give the requisite orders to the officers for that purpose; and do it with all alacrity. It is very evident, that unless some effective measures are adopted by him in this emergency, the lives of many valuable citizens will be sacrificed, and the State suffer an irretrievable injury. A rancorous deadly hostility, has long existed between the parties, and unless the firmness and prudence of the Governor should be equal to the crisis, and the offending party be severely punished, we must expect to hear of the continual recurrence of such disgraceful proceedings.

We have nothing to do with the original causes of the quarrel. There may be many worthless and intolerable members of the obnoxious sect; but the laws are equal to the punishment of all those who are guilty of violating them. It does not appear that they were appealed to at all prior to this contest. The Mormons are as much protected in their religion, their property, and persons, as any other denomination or class of men. We think that they acted perfectly right in offering the resistance which they did, and thus far they have the sympathy of this part of the community.



Many reports have been in circulation within a few days past, respecting the Mormon troubles in Missouri. -- One was that all the male members of the sect had been murdered. There appears after all, to have been "great cry and little wool." The reports seem to have been put in circulation by the Mormons themselves, and through the same channel we now learn that there were but two or three lives lost on either side, and that tranquility had been restored by the Mormons removing across the river into another county, in order to await the due enforcement of the laws.


Notes: (forthcoming)


 



Printed  and  Published  Every  Friday  Morning,  at  Painesville,  Geauga  County,  Ohio.

Vol. V.                                         Friday, December 27, 1833.                                         No. 28.



War against the Mormonites. -- We are glad to learn from the following, received by last evening's Mail, that the affrays between the Mormonites and other inhabitants of the western part of Missouri have not been as sanguinary as at first represented, and are supposed to be now at an end. -- Nat. Intell.

From the St. Louis Republican, Nov. 22.

We are glad to receive more pacific accounts from the county of Jackson, in which such disgraceful broils have recently taken place. We understand that the Mormonites have determined not to oppose any further armed resistance to the wishes of the dominent party, and that they were rapidly leaving the county and their homes, with intention of forming another community elsewhere. They are determined however, it is said, to prosecute the citizens engaged in histilities towards them, and for the depredations committed upon their property; and this event, those who have disregarded all law may be made to feel its heaviest penalties, both in their persons and fortunes. -- The Mormonites have undoubtedly adopted the best course which was left to them; and all alarm has subsided in that county.

All our accounts, we are happy to say, concur in one thing, that the original statement as to the number killed, was much exagerated. The most authentic and latest accounts which has reached us, puts down the number at six -- two of the citizens, and four of the Mormonites -- and a good many wounded. This statement was brought by the Steamboat Dove, from Independence, the seat of justice of Jackson co. Many reports prevailed even in that quarter as to the extent of the loss of life; and the first rumors may have well gained circulation without any sinister motives in those who gave credence & publicity to them.

We are informed, that an authentic statement of all the occurrences which have disgraced that county, may be expected shortly. It was to be made out by some very respectable gentlemen of the county, who have, from beginning to end, taken no part in the contest; and in whose veracity every confidence may be placed. Such a statement is due to the people of Missouri, whose reputation must suffer in the eyes of all good men; and may remove much of the odium which at present attaches to one of the parties engaged in this disrepotable contest.


Notes: (forthcoming)

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