A TOURIST PERPLEXED. -- Last night, in a caberet on the Levee, a seventy-sixth rate Cockney tourist, who was on his way to the saintly city of Nauvoo, indulged in some silly remarks touching the prowess of the "fast-anchored Isle."

"It was the most hextraordinary hidea," he said, "to suppose that in a war, Hamerica could hold a candle with Hengland, the most powerfullest nation as has ever been known in 'istory."

"What are you striving to say, old Foge master?" said a tall, bone-and-sinew built Kentucky boatsman, who had listened with evident symptoms of impatience to the Cockney's gasconade....

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

Bill Smith, so says the Warsaw Signal, has avowed from the stand in Nauvoo, that he is not ashamed to teach the Spiritual Wife System -- and that it has long been taught secretly by the leaders in that city. The Signal further states, that the Saintly William has so far practiced the doctrine with an English girl in his family, that his newly married wife has left him.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormons in Wisconsin.

Quite a number of these fanatics and scroundrels have made a settlement in Walworth and Racine counties, under the charge of James J. Strang, "prophet and seer of God." Now that the Mormons are being routed out in Illinois, we shall probably have hundreds of them in the Territory. Copper plates have been dug up near Burlington in Racine county, with Mormon inscriptions upon them.

Soon we shall see appeals in the Loco papers in the Territory appealing to them for their votes. In fact, the editor of the Southport Telegraph has already commenced a system of flattery, and styles Strang the leader of those humbuggers, a "prophet." To such low baseness is a portion of the Locofoco press reduced, that they are willing to encourage the Mormons in their iniquity, that they may gain their votes. If the people of our now prosperous Territory wish to have Illinois anarchy prevail, let them encourage these villains to come and settle in our midst. Let them shield them from punishment by laws enacted for their especial benefit. Grant them a town charter with extraordinary privileges, similar to those contained in the Nauvoo [set of in-------------].

From the manner in which the Telegraph notices their first attempt at humbugging the Territory, we doubt not but the Locofoco demagogues will soon call upon the Legislature to protect this "persecuted class of christians" in their abominable villanies and delusions,

The following is a "translation" of the plates found near Burlington:

"My people are no more. The mighty are fallen and the young slain in battle. Their bones bleached on the plain by the noonday shadow. The houses are leveled to the dust and in the moat are the wailes. They shall be inhabited.

"I have in the burial served them, and their bones in the Death shade towards the sun's rising are covered. They sleep with the mighty dead, and they rest with their fathers. They have fallen into transgression, and are not, but the elect and faithful there shall dwell."

---

Burch Arrested. -- We have now the exquisite satisfaction of knowing that this notorious knave is now certainly captured and in good keeping. The following from the Chicago Journal of Sept. 25, fully attests this fact:

'Officer Bonney arrived this morning on the Champion, having in custody Burch and Long, two of the supposed murderers of Col. Davenport. The arrests were made at Lower Sandusky, Ohio. The suspected individuals were traced by the officer in pursuit, who had followed them with praiseworthy perseverance through Iowa and the western part of Missouri to St. Louis, and thence through the southern part of this State and Indiana, to the place where they were taken. Upon Burch was found the watch chain and seals of Col. Davenport, which circumstance leaves but little room to doubt that he was concerned in the murder. In crossing the Lake last night, Burch, who no doubt supposed the evidence of his guilt was contained therein, stole the officer's portmanteaus and threw them overboard. -- Firtunately Mr. Bonney had the chain and seals about his person. The prisoners will be taken immediately to Rock Island, there to await their trial.

There is also another rumor extant, that Fox, alias Sutton, another of the supposed murderers of Davenport, has been taken in Springfield in this State.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormons and the Locofocos.
______

The Courier of yesterday takes offence at the article in the Sentinel of Tuesday in which we fastened upon the Loco Foco leaders and demagogues of Illinois the responsibility for the Mormon troubles in Hancock county.... He ventures, indeed, to deny that the charter granted to the Mormons by the Loco Foco Legislature of Illinois contained any "greater powers than other city charters confer;" and he is hardy enough to assert that "Jo Smith and his Elders (and by implication the whoile Mormon tribe) were Whigs and always voted for the Whig ticket." Now as to the charter, if it was a harmless an instrument as the Courier represents, why did the Legislature repeal it unconditionally? If it conferred none other than the usual powers and privileges, on what ground was it annulled? The city of Nauvoo was entitled to an ordinary charter, such as other cities possess. If the cahrter they held was no more than this, why repeal it? The fact that it was repealed proves its objectionable character. As to the Mormon vote, which the Courier intimates was always, "Whig," will that paper tell us hoe Nauvoo voted at the Presidential election last fall, or at the Congressional election in 1842? Unless our memory is greatly at fault, the "City of the Saints" gave a Loco Foco majority of a thousand or so, in return for the exclusive privileges and chartered rights conferred upon them by Loco Foco Legislators. The Courier, in conclusion, cautions us to take the assertions of our Whig contemporaries with many grains of allowance. -- Very well; but what measure of deduction are we to apply to the statements of a paper which represents the Nauvoo charter as precisely like other city charters, and which speaks of the Mormon Elders as all and always "Whigs?"


Notes: (forthcoming)

A Spiritual Sister -- Her Encounter with
a doubtful Smith.
______

BY  SOLITAIRE.
_______

'There goes Smith, the Attorney,' said a man to his friend, as a tall figure, slightly stooped, hurried by them.

'I beg your pardon," answered the friend, 'that is the Rev. Mr. Smith, a preacher. I have heard him in Tennessee.' ...

On board the steamer was a Mormon sister, on her way from down east to the holy city of Nauvoo, and many and anxious were her enquiries, if any brother of the church was on board? None were able to inform her. At length the Captain, at the table enquired: --

'Shall I help you to get a little of this roast beef, Mr. Smith?'

'Thank you, a small piece,' was the reply.

'Smith,' said the sister, 'Smith, that's a member, jest as sure as shoutin' -- I'll get introducedto him after a spell, and I reckon he'll turn out to be a shure enough brother.'

'After a spell' she did , through the kindness of the Captain, get an introduction to him, and was previously informed by the commander, that Sol was not only sure enough Mormon, but an elder -- in fact a Smith! Sol, as usual, was courteous and affable... and the sister was 'tickled all to death' at the idea of falling in with so pleasant an elder. She was a little ancient, but buxom, and Sol felt flattered by her singling him out for an acquaintance.

'I'd a know'd in a minit that you was a member of the church, by your countenance and your hat, brother Smith, you do look so saintly,'

'Yes, M'am,' answered he, most people take me for a member.'

'There's only one thing, brother Smith, which appears rayther about our church,' and she looking modestly at Sol, and biting the corner of her handkerchief. and that's the new system they have introduced.'

'Why, yes -- yes,' said Sol; at fault; 'new systems' do trouble the church a good deal.'

'Law, brother Smith, do you think the spiritual system a trouble?'

'Well, no, not exactly, if it's a good spiritual teaching,' answered he, 'it's only the false doctrines are evil.'

'Well, that's jest what Elder Adams said down in hour parts, and he ses that it was spiritually revealed to the Prophet Joseph, your brother, and I was jest a thinkin' -- and she spread her handkerchief over her face, and twisted her head to one side. -- 'I was a thinkin' if you hadn't chosen a ---'

'We're at the landing, M'am, excuse me for a moment,' and off shot Sol to his state room, where he seized a pair of well worn saddle-bags, and his old hat, which he had thus carried with him, intending to have it brushed up, and started for the gang-way plank. The Captain met him in his haste, and enquired where he was going?

'Why, Captain. said Sol, 'I like your boat vastly, and you know I like you, but there might be a 'blow up' if I stayed on board much longer.'

'Explain,' said the Captain.

'Why, the fact is,' said Sol, 'that lady you introduced me to has taken me for the Mormon Smith; now, I'm a good many Smiths when my family and titles are all collected, but I aint THAT Smith! Just tell her so for me, and give her my old hat -- it's the best I can do for her.' We needn't add that brother Smith was straightway among the missing!


Note: This fictional anecdote takes on something of a personal color, when it is recalled that of all of Joseph Smith's brothers, only William Smith remained living in 1845. William was, at that time as well as later on, accused of engaging in polygamous relations with various women. In asking the Captain to convey to the fictional "sister" his hat, the "doubtful Smith" was, perhaps, posing as a hatless victim of the river's watery depths. The man in the fictional story, mistaken by the LDS Sister as William Smith was a prominent St. Louis citizen and an occasional writer of short humorous sketches in the local newspapers. The writer of this short story, "Solitaire," was John S. Robb, also a resident of St. Louis. His story first appeared in the St. Louis Reville and was later reprinted in his anthology of short stories, Streaks of Squatter Life and Far-Western Scenes.

THE FUTURE HOME OF THE MORMONS. -- Nootka or Vancouver Island, on the north-west coast of North America, we have it from good authority, is to be the final destination and home of the Mormon people. This island is about 300 miles long, and 75 to 100 in width. It is separated from the main land by a long, narrow strait, and lies between the 47th or 48th and 51st or 52nd degrees of north latitude, extending along the coast in a northwest direction. The boundary line between the American and the British possessions will probably pass across the island. The English, we believe, have one or two trading posts on the island, but for the most part it is inhabited by Indians, of not a warlike disposition. It is a long journey, but can be accomplished. If the Mormons do emigrate to that distant land, they will be out of the reach of harm from white men, and may enjoy their peculiar notions in quiet, until the devil breeds his own discords and confusions among them. We understand from the same authority that companies are rapidly organizing at Nauvoo, for an early start in the spring. -- The church authorities and leading men will go out in a very large company, and without doubt the remainder will follow.   Quincy Whig.


Note: The above report appears to have originated in an early October, 1845 issue of the St. Louis Republican. The Quincy Whig of Oct. 15, 1845 also ran this "Future Home" report.

Book of Mormon. -- The Prophet and his Convert, (Smith and Harris) came to Rochester and offered us their honor of being their Printer. We were in like manner, a year afterwards [sic - before?] asked to print 'Morgan's Revelations of Free-Masonry.' But as we were only in the newspaper line, we contented ourself with reading a chapter of what seemed such a wretched and incoherent stupidity, that we wondered how 'Joe' had contrived to make the first fool with it. But he went on making not only fools but knaves, in America and Europe, for more than twenty years, and until his career was abruptly cut short by men who became themselves violators of the laws they were called to vindicate.


Note: This is only one of several short reminiscences, supplied by Thurlow Weed, of the time when Joseph Smith offered him the job of publishing the Book of Mormon on his Rochester press. Weed declined the offer, but he never grew tired of telling his readers this little story.

ALL THE MORMONS MUST LEAVE. -- We understand that a great number of the Mormons, living without the city of Nauvoo, have expressed a desire to remain after their brethren are gone. They say they have left the church and can no longer be obnoxious. This is a mistake. After winking at the iniquity of their brethren for years and perhaps participating in their crimes, they now, at the eleventh hour, desire to be considered penitents and beg that they be allowed to remain.

Now it is evident there can be no peace in Hancock, while there is a vestige of Mormonism left. The hostility of the two parties towards each other is such that there never can be a reconciliation, and therefore, so long as a Mormon is left in Hancock, so long will the present asperity of feeling continue.

After the great body of the church is gone we want to see no dens left behind where thieves and assassins may harbor. while they prey upon the lives and property of our citizens. We want to see a clean sweep made of Mormons and all their hangers on. Let every vestige and trace of the accursed system that has afflicted our county for years be eradicated; and not one living monument left to bring it again to remembrance. This and this alone will restore peace and posterity to our county.

Those who have flattered themselves that they can deceive the old settlers by now professing to leave the church, so as to obtain their consent to remain, will find themselves mistaken. Had they left the church a year or more ago, when enough evidence of its corruption was presented to satisfy every honest man, there could have been some confidence placed in their sincerity of motive; but in death bed repentences we can have no faith.

Let therefore every Saint, mongrel of whole blood, and every thing that looks like a saint, talks or acts like a saint, make up his mind immediately to go; for it will be far more convenient to make preparation and leave at their leisure, than to be compelled to leave on short notice.

We know this may seem harsh and there is no doubt but there will be individual cases of great hardship; but it is better that a few should suffer than that a whole community should be kept in a constant state of turmoil and excitement. -- Warsaw Signal.


Notes: (forthcoming)

We understand that the daughter of a respectable citizen of Southfield, Oakland County, has been inveigled away by the Mormons, and attempted to be conveyed out of the State, to Nauvoo and thence to California. It amounts to kidnapping, according to the facts which have been communicated to us. The father has sued out a writ of habeas corpus to recover his child, and a criminal warrant for the arrest of the principal offender.
--Detroit Daily Adv.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE NEW PROPHET. -- The last Voree Herald, which is published at Burlington, in this Territory, and upholds the "new school" Mormons, informs us that Mr. Strang, who claims to be Joe Smith's successor, has been acknowledged by nearly half of the "Latter Day Saints," and among the number, by the wife and mother of Joe.

---

A. W. Babbitt, a Mormon lawyer, has been appointed Postmaster at Nauvoo, in place of Smith, the defaulter.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS. -- As the time appointed for the Mormons to leave draws near, those more [directly] favored with their [company] show considerable anxiety about their [real destination]. If they refuse to leave, according to agreement, there will be war, and no mistake. The Quincy Whig of the 5th, in an article, speaks the sentiments of the anti-Mormon community in those parts, it is presumed. It says:

"The old settlers of the country will be satisfied with nothing else than a full and complete agreement with the terms of the Carthage convention, of last September; and we tell the Mormons, individually and collectively, that the counties represented in that convention, are determined that the mandate of that body shall be carried out, to the letter. In fact, a military organization has been effected in the counties aforesaid, with that determination. -- and if the necissity arises, for the exercise of the strong arm of power, to effect the onject, that power will be forthcoming at the appointed time."


Note: The Quincy Whig article quoted from above has not yet been located. Back files of the paper show no issue for March 5, 1846.

Movements of the Mormons.

The Mormon Expedition is now encamped about ten miles from Keosauqua, Iowa, and about fifty miles from Nauvoo. From their encampment empty wagons are daily returning to Nauvoo and some persons have returned on foot. The notorious O. P. Rockwell and Jack Redding have returned. On their way being asked why they came back, the said they were after some scalps.

The Mormons have now been encamped at Keosauqua several days. Their men hire themselves out to the farmers in the neighborhood and they seem disposed to remain for some time. There is some mystery in this movement, and much curiosity to know what it means. We suspect the secret lies here. -- When the Twelve arrived at Keosauqua they learned that Bill Smith had returned and was figuring largely in Nauvoo. They also learned that the Strangites had gained considerable strength after they left. They therefore determined to halt and send back empty wagons for more provisions and send back their bullies, Rockwell and Redding, to frighten certain obnoxious persons out of Nauvoo.

In the mean time, a revelation by Orson Hyde, has been published, in which he denounces Strangism in the strongest manner. -- It is evident that Smith and Strang are giving the Twelve much trouble and if accounts from Nauvoo can be credited, will soon contend for the Holy City.

Many of the teams that return from the camp cross over the Island, instead of going to the city. This looks suspicious, for this Island is the theatre of more villainy than the City itself.

There have been a large number of births in the Mormon camp. The children nearly all died or were out to death. They were buried [under] brush heaps near the camp. -- Signal.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> G. J. Adams, formerly the great apostle and Big Gun of Joe Smith and Mormonism -- spokesman of the Prophet -- Missionary to England, Russia, and Jerusalem, who, we are informed, withdrew from the Saints over a year ago, having proved them wicked and designing men, is now in Cincinnati delivering lectures showing the abominations of the Mormon tribe.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE MORMONS. -- We understand, says, the Arkansas Intelligencer, that several Mormon preachers have removed their families to the "Cross Timbers," and then returned to the Creek Nation, and are endeavoring to excite the Indians of that tribe against the citizens of Missouri. Such conduct deserves the severest punishment. The Creek agent was about to enquire into the facts.


Notes: (forthcoming)

VOREE. -- It appears from the last "Herald," that the new Mormon city, in Walworth county, W. T., is rapidly increasing in size and population. Teams are crowding into it from all directions and it is said now to look more like an encampment than a town. No less than 300 wagons have come into Voree from the great California expedition, which left Nauvoo some six months since. City lots in Voree sell at the uniform price of $50 per lot. Conditions are inserted in all the titles, that no grog-shops shall ever be opened on the lots. The Mormons have at least the merit of being thorough going te-totallers. The new Prophet, Mr. Strang, publishes an address "to the Saints in Hancock county," Illinois, urging them to come to Voree as soon as they can, and telling them that every kind of property is good at its value in Voree, except guns and watches. "We are too poor," says the Prophet, "to purchase watches, and too peaceable to need guns, and neither will buy land of unbelievers."

---

==> The last number of the "Voree Herald" contains the trial of certain members of the "Quorum of Twelve," charged with conspiracy, usurpation, blasphemy, and other high crimes and misdemeanors. The persons composing the Court, were James J. Strang, first President, Aaron Smith, Counsellor, John E. Page, of the Twelve, sixteen High Priests, and a large number of Elders, Priests, and Teachers. The result of the trial was, that President Strang pronounced the unanimous judgment of the Council, "that Brigham Young, H. C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, P. P. Pratt, John Taylor, Willard Richards, and George A. Smith, be excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and be delivered over to the buffetings of Satan in the flesh."


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  MORMONS.
LETTER OF GOV. FORD -- NAUVOO TEMPLE --
ARREST OF O. P. ROCKWELL FOR MURDER.

There seems to be a perfect panic at Nauvoo, and not without cause. Meetings have been held in the neighboring counties, resolutions passed that all Mormons must immediately leave, and an organization has been effected to carry the decision into effect, as certainly as that "wood grows and water runs." Gov. Ford has written a letter to the Mormons, that he can afford them no further protection. He says:

"I am well convinced, that it is for the best interests of the Mormons to remove to some place out of the reach of all neighbors, with whom, it seems, wherever they go, they are bound to quarrel. It has seemed clear to me that they can never enjoy peace in Illinois."

Again:

"I look upon it as a fixed fact that the Mormons and Anti-Mormons cannot, or rather will not, by any possible means live together in peace; that government cannot exist in that county whilst the two parties remain; that nothing but wars, murders, robberies, arsons, and larcenies, above the civil law to prevent, or punish, is to be looked for while they do remain;" and he says they had better all go to "some place where they will have no neighbors to quarrel or be quarreled with." The Governor continues: "I tell you plainly, that the people of Illinois will not fight for the Mormons. There is no party who will do it. The Governor, whoever he may be, cannot raise a force to fight for them." -- " no one knows better than you do, how outrageously the Mormons are hated all over the State, by all such persons as would be looked to for the material of an army to defend them." -- "I shall neither advise the anti-Mormons to make war on you, nor how they are to carry it on. Nor will I advise the Mormons how they are to defend themselves."

These are specimens of the spirit and style of the letter, which is addressed to A. W. Babbitt, Esq., and which the Governor says, is not written "with the wish or hope that it will please anyone."

Major Warren, however, has been clothed with discretionary powers by the Governor, either to disband the whole or a part of the force under his command.


THE MORMON VOTE. -- The Eagle understands, "from undoubted authority," that the principal Mormons still remaining, have resolved to advise and instruct all their members, throughout the State, through no consideration to again cast a vote in Illinois. It says the resolutions are to appear in a few days.


NAUVOO TEMPLE. -- We published a paragraph a few days since from a St. Louis paper, to the effect, that a gentleman contemplated purchasing the Nauvoo Temple, for a benevolent purpose. The Eagle says, the gentleman passed up the river to this place. He was to stop on his return, when he would have an opportunity to purchase at a very low price. A sale requires the assent of the "Twelve," -- which worthies were with the Camp, and whence a messenger was immediately sent to arrange the preliminaries for a trade. The structure is said to have cost between seven and eight hundred thousand dollars! Every stone in it was laid through knavery and oppression. It is a monument of delusion and falsehood. It might be as well to close it up, and let it crumble down without an inhabitant, a warning to the ignorant to avoid the snares of such treachery as that which ground down its confiding operatives.


ARREST OF O. P. ROCKWELL. -- The Hancock Eagle of May 1st, says, that "O. P. Rockwell was arrested between the hours of 12 and 1 last night by Sheriff Backenstos, assisted by five of the rifle corps, on a writ in which he is charged with the killing of Worrell. He offered no resistance; nor was any attempt made to rescue him this morning. although surrounded by hundreds, and but imperfectly guarded by four or five persons. -- Rockwell was in bed at the time of his arrest, and, on application being made to the house where he lodged, the owner at first refused to give him up. This was met by Backenstos with a threat to force the house unless Rockwell was immediately surrendered. All objections were thereupon withdrawn and the arrest quickly made."

Rockwell had, it seems, returned from "the camp," with the mail bag, much to the chagrin of the remaining Mormons. He is, doubtless, a villain of the deepest die, and justice may yet exact its partial penalty in this world -- Galena Gazette.


Notes: (forthcoming)

VOREE. -- We see by the Eastern papers that this new city, on the confines of Racine and Walworth co., contains 10,000 inhabitants, being a greater population than belongs to any other city in the Territory. We must return our thanks to our Eastern friends for this intelligence, and will in return inform them how to make their fortunes. Lots in Voree are all the same price, fifty dollars each. They run from a quarter of an acre to considerable size, those nearest the stake driven on the county line being dearest. Of course fifty dollars for such lots in such a large place, affords, as the brokers say, a large margin, which our eastern friends are welcome to.

Voree is a great city, no doubt; but it is only great like the paper cities of '36, and though it may contain some hundreds in time, it will be long before it will be numbered by thousands.


Notes: (forthcoming)

V O R E E.

"The city of Voree, where the new Mormon prophet, Strang, [has constructed] his head quarters, is rapidly filling up. Its inhabitants already number ten thousand. It is represented to be a most beautiful place, and its water power is immense; sufficient to make it the first manufacturing place in the West. It is on the borders of Racine and Walworth counties."

The abive we cut from an exchange paper. Whence it originated does not appear. Probably from the Prophet himself. The 'city of Voree,' for aught we know, may be 'rapisly filling up,' but it is very certain that its present population does not reach more than the fiftieth part of ten thousand -- the inhabitants considerably 'scattering' at this, and occupying, for the most part, miserable tenements. The remark as to the beauty of the site is well enough, although, in this respect, the 'place' is about on par with a hundred other localities in the Territory. As to its 'immense water power, sufficient to make it the first manufacturing place in the west,' we beg leave to say the story is all 'gammon.' The water power is inconsiderable -- probably enough, if well improved, to do all the 'manufacturing' required by the 'saints' who are or may be gathered there. There are but two facts stated in the paragraph quoted. Voree is the head quarters of Strang, and is situated on the line of Racine and Walworth counties. And these are facts which the citizens of that region are far from felicitating themselves upon.


Note: Quite likely, J. J. Strang did write and circulate the over-glorified description of Voree. See his pastoral letter, in the Feb. 3, 1848 issue of his Gospel Herald, where Strang says this of some property held by his followers: "The association owns a farm... considering soil, water, salubrity and location, probably the very best in Wisconsin; several good stone buildings, a valuable water power and a property in all worth not less than $11,000, on which they owe debts a very little over three thousand. This property lies in, and in the immediate vicinity of Voree, is beautifully located, very productive and entirely healthy."

MESSRS. COOLEY & CIVER have commenced the publication of a newspaper at Beloit, entitled the Beloit Messenger. It professes to be neutral in politics -- is a small sheet, but is to be enlarged soon -- is filled with interesting reading matter and makes a handsome appearance. -- We hope the publishers will find it a profitable enterprise.


Note: Evidently the Beloit Messenger, did not turn out to be "a profitable enterprise." Its printer, (Edwin) Alanson Cooley, soon abandoned the project and moved one county eastward, to Elkhorn, where he established the Walworth County Democrat near the end of 1847. Oliver Cowdery came to Elkhorn in 1847, and after an unsuccessful attempt to be elected to the State Legislature, in the spring of 1848, he joined his old associate, Cooley, as co-editor of the Democrat. Oliver Cowdery only worked at the Walworth paper for a short time, before he was approached by his brother-in-law, Phineas Young, regarding the possibility of Oliver's rejoining the Mormon Church and setting up a newspaper at Kanesville (Council Bluffs), Iowa, in support of the Mormon cause. In the Oct. 5, 1848 issue of his Gospel Herald, Editor J. J. Strang reports: "Phineas Young is here, telling that brother Cowdery is going with him to Council Bluffs." According to Mormon records, Cowdery did just that, and was re-baptized in that place on Nov. 12, 1848. Cowdery was too sick to carry though with the newspaper plans and the responsibility for managing the Frontier Guardian fell upon LDS Apostle Orson Hyde. Oliver Cowdery died in Missouri on Mar. 3, 1850. As for Mr. Cooley, it appears that he left Elkhorn not long after the departure of his co-editor. The 1850 census returns show him living at Winnebago, Winnebago Co., Wisconsin and the following year Mr. Cooley moved to Howard twp. in Brown Co., where he worked as the printer of the Green Bay Standard for three years. Following the demise of that paper, Cooley eventually moved to Ripon, Fond Du Lac Co., Wisconsin, where he died on Apr. 26, 1883 -- see the Fon Du Lac Daily Commonwealth for his obituary. For more on Mr. Cooley's probable early relationship with Oliver Cowdery, in New York, see the notes appended to the Dec. 30, 1837 issue of the Niagara Democrat.

CAN'T GET THE PAPERS. -- It is said that Lucy Smith, the mother in Israel of the Mormons, and the rest of the Jo. Smith family, insist, that they do not believe that Strang of Voree, was ever appointed a prophet by Jo. Smith, so that Strang had better act under some other more improbable authority.


Note 1: Compare the negative import of this news item, with the positive assertion in James J. Strang's newspaper, the Voree Herald of July, 1846, in which is found this statement: "This is to certify that the Smith family do believe in the appointment of J. J. Strang[:] William Smith, Patriarch, Lucy Smith, Mother in Israel, Arthur Milliken, Lucy Milliken, W. J. Salisbury, Catherine Salisbury, Sophronia McLerie." -- Besides the joint statement supporting Strang, the June issue reported Mother Smith as having said: "I am satisfied that Joseph appointed J. J. Strang." In his June issue, J. J. Strang also reported that "As soon as he [William Smith] can erect a house it is thought some of the Brethren will go and fetch her [Mother Smith] up from Nauvoo without charge." As things turned out, Lucy Mack Smith never visited Voree, much less made any known preparations to relocate there.

Note 2: In his Voree Herald of August, 1846, James J. Strang published a letter written by Lucy Mack Smith, dated "March 22d, 1846," in which Mother Smith, after speaking harsh words against "the Twelve," appends a seemingly veiled threat to associate with non-Brighamites: "Can it be possible that I shall be driven to the necessity of calling upon others, or looking to another source for help, God forbid." History does not record precisely what Mother Smith's views were regarding James J. Strang and her son William's association with Strang's group at Voree. Although the anonymous report in the Racine Advocate may have some basis in fact, it appears to have been an unsubstantiated rumor -- as late as July 29, 1847 Strang's newspaper was reporting that "the Prophet Joseph's Mother" was still "at Nauvoo," although "reports have gone abroad that she was going west." The same issue reported that "Emma Smith" was "firm in the faith; that her husband wrote or dictated the writing of the letter of James J. Strang's appointment to the Prophetic office, and has not changed her mind;" also that "She believes... the established claims of Joseph, and also of James J. Strang to be beyond successful contradiction." Since this Strangite assertion regarding Emma's views is not otherwise documented, and since nothing is said regarding the exact nature of Mother Smith's Mormon loyalities, it is possible that the unsubstantiated rumor in the Racine Advocate may have arisen from the fact that the Smith family was not making any obvious preparations to go to Wisconsin.

Note 3: Even after this report appeared in the Racine Advocate, Strangite sources continued to identify Mother Smith as at least an implicit follower -- see Strang's Zion's Reveille for Dec. 1846, which reports: "A letter from Wm. Smith to Gen. Bennett, dated Knoxville, Dec. 19, expresses his cordial co-operation with President Strang, and that he and all the Smith family will remove to Voree early in the spring." William Smith also wrote to Strang in December telling him he would leave for Voree in the spring of 1847: "...say about the first of April. To remove us will require 7 teams and one extra carriage for Mother Smith to ride in. She is quite feeble and I feel anxious that she may be removed to Voree and see the Prophet before she is gathered to the Land of her fathers. The mummies and records are with us and will be of benefit to the Church, if we can get them to Voree. Mother also has the history of her life written and prepared for the Press." (William Smith to James J. Strang, Knoxville, Illinois, December 14, 1846, as cited in Stanley P. Hirshson, The Lion of the Lord: A Biography of Brigham Young, p. 75). See also Zion's Reveille for Apr. 1, 1847, in which a Strangite conference at Voree resolved to raise by donation the means "to remove John E. Page and Mother Smith to Voree in pursuance of their expressed desires" (cf. "Chronicles of Voree," p. 143). With William Smith's suspension from Strang's church (as reported in Zion's Reveille for Aug. 26, 1847) all hopes for members of the Smith family relocating to Wisconsin came to an end.

MORE MORMON TROUBLES. -- The difficulties with the Mormons in and about Nauvoo, seem to be rather increasing than otherwise, of late. There appears a determination on the part of some to adopt the Government's advice, and 'fight out their troubles.' The cause of the present distirbance is the attempt on the part of an officer of Hancock County to arrest a number of the citizens of Nauvoo. The Mormons deny that the person attempting to make the arrest, is an officer and refuse to obey. The officer called a posse of the county to assist him in enforcing the writs. The posse are summoned to come prepared to meet resistance, and for any emergency, as all the writs and search warrants will be executed.


Notes: (forthcoming)

SURRENDER  OF  THE  MORMONS -- THE  ANTIES
IN  NAUVOO - QUIET  RESTORED.

The steamboat Alvarado arrived on Sunday from Keokuk. She brings a brief letter from our correspondent written as the boat was starting, today. The Anti-Mormons are, it will be seen, in possession of Nauvoo, without further violence upon persons or property. We learn, in addition, that the prescribed people were quitting Nauvoo as fast as possible. The steamer Osprey was to take as many as she could carry, up the river, and others will probably come to St. Louis. -- The people of Iowa are not well disposed towards them and it is not probable that many of them will find a resting place in that Territory.

---

Correspondence of the Republican.
                    STEAMER ALVARADO.
                       Friday, September 18, 1846.

The Mormon war is at last ended.On Wednesday evening, the Quincy Committee prevailed on the Mormons to surrender and yesterday, at three o'clock the Anties marched into, and took possession of Nauvoo. The Mormons stipulated to leave forthwith, or as fast as they can possibly get away, excepting a committee of five, who are to remain to dispose of the property yet belonging to the community. No property has been, or is to be destroyed -- although a strong disposition existed, with many the Anties, to destroy the Temple. They fear it will be a beacon light to lure the Mormons back. By refraining from violent measures the Anties have saved themselves from a great deal of reproach.

A gentleman who left Nauvoo yesterday, at two o'clock, said the Mormons were leaving as fast as they could get away. Yesterday was a happy day for the citizens of Hancock county, as peace is now permanently restored to it.

I was not able, before I left, to get a copy of the articles of surrender agreed upon. but have given the substance of the treaty. -- Missouri Republican.

---

THE MORMONS. -- Every boat from Keokuk is crowded with Mormons who have left Nauvoo in compliance with the stipulations of the late treaty. Some of them are in a destitute condition, and demand the sympathy of the public. -- We learn that many persons have embarked on board of steamboats going up the river, probably with the view of attaching themselves to the church at Voree, in Wisconsin.


Notes: (forthcoming)

CIVIL  WAR  AT  NAUVOO.

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

==> The Chicago Journal publishes the following extract from a letter from Springfield dates 21st inst.

The Mormon War is over; the Mormons have all left Nauvoo and crossed the Mississippi river. Mr. Brayman an agent sent to Nauvoo by the Gov. just returned this afternoon. He says they have all gone and every thing is now peaceable and quiet.

How many more times is the Mormon war to be ended?


Notes: (forthcoming)

GOVERNOR FORD'S MESSAGE. -- We have received several copies of Governor Ford's Message to the Legislature of Illinois... He announces that a loan of $1,600,000 has been effected for the purpose of completing the canal... and it is expected that this important enterprise will be completed and in successful operation within a year. The Mormon difficulties are happily at an end, most of them having voluntarily removed from the State; but a small remnant were barbarously expelled with force, and in a manner which reflects but little credit on the State or its institutions....


Notes: (forthcoming)

"ZION'S REVEILLE." -- This is the somewhat quaint which has been recently substituted for that for that of the "Voree Herald," the official organ of the "Latter Day Saints" at Voree. It gives some intelligence as to the progress of the "Saints" and their new "Holy City," and launches some formidable anathemas at the "pseudoes" and "apostates," who refuse to acknowledge James J. Strang, as the rightful successor of Joe Smith. Here is an item.

VOREE.

The Pseudoes have stealthly reported that Voree is to be abandoned for the Big-Beaver Island enterprise, or the Indian Mission, than which nothing is more untrue. Voree is to be built up as one of the stakes of Zion, according to, and in fulfillment of, revelation; though the seat of the Indian Mission, (Big-Beaver Island, in Lake Michigan,) is to be the great corner stake of Zion, in accordance with another revelation. The one will not at all interfere with the other. The brethren abroad should be very careful how they give credence to the fabrications of the apostate heretical pseudoes, in and out of Voree. Zion's Reveille and the Star in the East, will give the only correct information, and every faithful member of the church should take both papers.


Note: For some of the statements of the Pseudos, see the Jan. 1847 issue of The New Era..., a dissident Strangite newspaper, evidently printed on the press of the nearby Elkhorn Western Star.

BACK AGAIN. -- The Buffalo Courier says -- "Gen. James Arlington Bennett, who made himself noted, a few years since, by his published exposition of Mormonism, has joined the branch of that people under the Prophet Strang, at Voree, Wisconsin."


Note: This report evidently mistook the name of John C. Bennett (who had recently joined with Strang at Voree) for the more widely known James Arlington Bennett, of Long Island, New York. Both Bennetts were formerly Mormons, but only John is known to have written an "exposition of Mormonism," and to have subsequently joined forces with James J. Strang.

The Mormons. -- The branch of the Mormons who have congregated at Voree, Wisconsin, under the ministry of the Prophet Strang, as the rightful successor of Joe Smith, have substituted the title of "Zion's Reveille" for that of the "Voree Herald," the official organ of the "Latter Day Saints" at Voree. The name smacks a little of the Covenanter times of the Protectorate. -- The following is the tone of the "Reville" toward some dissenters from the faithful:

The Pseudoes have stealthly reported that Voree is to be abandoned for the Big-Beaver Island enterprise, or the Indian Mission, than which nothing is more untrue. Voree is to be built up as one of the stakes of Zion, according to, and in fulfillment of, revelation; though the seat of the Indian Mission, (Big-Beaver Island, in Lake Michigan,) is to be the great corner stake of Zion, in accordance with another revelation. The one will not at all interfere with the other. The brethren abroad should be very careful how they give credence to the fabrications of the apostate heretical pseudoes, in and out of Voree. "Zion's Reveille" and the "Star in the East," will give the only correct information, and every faithful member of the church should take both papers.

Sante Fe. -- A correspondent of the Liberty Banner writes from Santa Fe, under date of November 29th, as follows:

About four hundred of the Mormon troops left this place for California, under command of Col. Cook, on Sunday, the 18th inst. The residue amounting to about one hundred men and twenty-three women, were sent back to Fort Pueblo on the Arkansas, by order of Col. Doniphan, as the inclemency of the season rendered it impracticable for them all to complete their march to the Pacific this winter. The Mormon battalion is composed of five companies; and numbers five hundred men, twenty-five women for laundresses, and some boys and girls. They are well drilled troops, and were apparently in good condition when we arrived here, and also when they commenced their march for California. The men comprising the 2d regiment under Col. Price, and also the extra battalion, under Lt. Col. Willock, have not enjoyed as good health since their arrival here as they did upon the march. More than one man is buried per day....


Notes: (forthcoming)

                  From the Western Star.

MORMONISM -- J. J. STRANG.

On our fourth page will be found several articles upon the subject of Mormonism, amongst the rest a notice of the trial of Prophet Strang. For the charges we refer to the article.

The way the thing is represented, [taking] the story of both sides, the whole of the Mormons at Voree are already excommunicated. The anti-covenant party say that the church, in her organized or official capacity, withdrew fellowship from J. J. Strang and his adherents. The church at Boston have withdrawn fellowship from Elder Adams, the editor of Strang's Star in the East, for turning play actor, and for teaching that adultery and fornication were justifiable under certain circumstances; what circumstances we are not informed. The royal party, headed by Strang and Bennett, have excommunicated the anti-covenant party. Now that party are to take action on the case of Strang and he will go over the [bar?].

The Beaver Island expedition seems to be a favorable enterprise. There they contemplate rest from the persecutions of the wicked Gentiles; and it is intimated by the New Era, that it would be a very convenient site to build a seraglio for Dr. Bennett. By the way, the Mormons seem to be peculiarly [prone] in that way. They profess to have the Aaronic priesthood, and it appears to [be] their prevailing propensity to follow the example of Solomon, who had several hundred wives and three hundred concubines. Wonder if the Doctor would be [now] like to be Solomon, as well as master of ceremonies? Only think what a [fond?] help that covenant will be! Any kind of a proposition may be proposed under the seal of the covenant; and if any one should be disposed to believe a "perjured wretch," who, to reveal a secret [thus?] proposed, must swear falsely in the one or the other? They would certainly expose themselves to all the penalties invoked, (say they,) and of course would not be fit to be a communicant in such a church. They would never attain to the sacred privilege of an Illuminatus and have their hair burnt over with phosphorus.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormons who were last to leave Nauvoo, are suffering dreadfully on the Pottawatamie lands, 175 miles west of Montrose. Many of them enlisted, and are gone to New Mexico, but the rest are starving.

Notes: (forthcoming)

A CLERICAL COW-HIDING. -- Elder G. J. Adams in a New Character. -- Yesterday afternoon Elder Adams saluted a man as he was emerging from a door in School street, and asked him if his name was Estabrook? Answered in the affirmative -- the Elder seized him firmly by the shoulders, and demanded if he (the Elder) had in any way injured him, Mr. E.? to which the latter tremblingly answered no, at the same time trying to shake off the Elder, but without effect; whereupon the Elder uncoiled from under his coat a tall, "grim-visaged" cow-skin, and applied it vigorously upon the person of Mr. E., whom he held with one hand while he dusted his clothes with the other. In the mean time a crowd of more than a hundred people assembled, who courteously formed a ring around the actors, without attempting to interrupt them. The Elder was too powerful for his opponent, and therefore thrashed him until he was satisfied with his vengeance. At the close of the cow-hiding, the Elder addressed the crowd nearly as follows -- "Gentlemen, I am G. J. Adams. This person, without the slightest provocation on my part, has wantonly assailed my character in a paper of which he is the editor, and for this I have punished him. I am going to play an engagement at the Providence theatre this evening, and, please God, I will return here on Sunday in season to preach the gospel."

He then bowed to the crowd and withdrew. -- It is gratifying to add that the whole affair passed off without any profane language being used, which may be set down to the progress of civilization in another of its interesting phases. Elder Adams, our readers are aware, is a Mormon preacher, and has recently performed a successful engagement at the National theatre. -- Boston Post.


Notes: (forthcoming)

FROM NAUVOO. -- The Warsaw Signal understands that the Mormon Temple was, on Wednesday last, sold to a committee of the Catholic Church, for the sum of $75,000; and that the purchasers had also bought some considerable other property in the city. The contract for the Temple, however, was so far incomplete, as to require the ratification of the Bishop. It is understood the building is to be appropriated to Educational purposes connected with the Church into whose hands it had passed.

It is also stated that the last remnant of Mormonism, consisting of thirty or forty families, under the charge of Daniel H. Wells, had left Nauvoo, to join the California expeditiom. Babbitt & Co. still reman, however, as agents for the Church.


Notes: (forthcoming)

TEMPLE SOLD. -- We learn, says the Quincy Whig, that the Mormon temple at Nauvoo, is finally sold to a committee of the Catholic Church for $75,000. -- The assent of the Bishop was required before the bargain would be complete.

It is supposed that Emma Smith, the widow of the Prophet, and her children have an interest in the Temple, which has never been surrendered.

The last remaining Mormons, some thirty or forty families under the charge of D. H. Wells, had left Nauvoo to join the California expedition. Babbitt & Co. still remain, however, as agents of the Church. We hear certain individuals are in "limbo" in Nauvoo, for counterfeiting county orders, among other things. Can the Signal enlighten us?


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONS. -- The Mormons forty [sic - four?] miles above council bluffs are getting on finely. They have turned their attention to agriculture, and it is said have now at least 8,000 acres of land planted in corn, besides oats, wheat, &c., in proportion. It will be recollected that they only stopped at this place last winter when on their way to Oregon, but they have now advanced so far in improvement that it is doubtful whether they will ever proceed on their journey.

---

FALLEN. -- The editor of the Mormon paper, printed at Voree, says 'It becomes our painful duty to give public notice that William Smith, the patriarch has been sometime since suspended, pending a trial on a charge of gross immorality.' -- Mil. Sent.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Correspondence of the Cleveland Herald.

WISCONSIN VILLAGES -- ROCK RIVER.
Monroe -- Janesville -- Beloit -- Rock River -- Voree and the Mormons.

Racine, August, 1847.       

... Janesville, on Rock River, is one of the largest and most floyrishing inland towns of Wisconsin. The water power is unfailing, large flouring mills are in operation, and others are going up. The town is eligibly located, situated on both sides of the river, and in the heart of the best portion of the Territory. Beloit, also on Rock River, is a town of about equal size and importance, and is growing rapidly...

From Janesville to Racine, 65 miles, no poor country is seen. It is generally settled and the braod acres yield abundantly. Elkhorn, Durien, Delevan, Burlington and Rochester, are all thriving towns on the route. The water power at each is partially improved, new buildings are going up and evidences of prosperity are marked on every hand.

At Voree, near Burlington, is a settlement of Mormons, gathered there by Jas. J. Strang, who claims to be the Heaven appointed successor of the murdered prophet. Last year the settlement numbered about 1000, and bid fair under Strang's auspices to become a large town. But divisions have arisen, some have apostatized and scattered, some removed to Kirtland, the first promised land in Ohio, and others to the new Zion on Beaver Islands, so that now only some 400 remain at Voree.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Strang, of the Voree Herald, made a hit the other day... He says, in reply to the Chicago Democrat and Ottawa Free Trader, that if the Mormons were half as bad as they are represented to be, the editors of those papers would have been in church long ago. -- Weekly North-Western Gazette.


Notes: (forthcoming)

A CHANGE. -- Elder G. J. Adams, formerly a leading Mormon, is playing Richard the Third in Philadelphia.

Notes: (forthcoming)

BUSINESS  DIRECTORY.

---

O. COWDERY.
Attorney & Counsellor at Law.
Elkhorn,  Walworth,  W. T.
==> Office in the Court House.

---

A sceptical young man, one day conversing with the celebrated Dr. Parr, observed that he would believe nothing which he could not understand. "Then," said the Dr., "your creed will be the shortest of any man's I know!"

---

The Democrat.
_________________

Published Weekly at Elkhorn, Walworth Co.,
Wisconsin Territory
BY E. A. COOLEY....

---

Note 1: Oliver Cowdery evidently arrived in Elkhorn, Walworth Co., Wisconsin Territory at the end of April, 1847. Although he may have at first practiced law as an associate of his brother Lyman (who had previously established a legal firm in Elkhorn), by Jan. 19, 1848 Oliver was advertising himself as an independent "Attorney & Counsellor at Law." He may have also assisted his old friend from western New York, (Edwin) Alanson Cooley, in occasional odd jobs in the Walworth County Democrat's printing office, as Oliver was an experienced printer and newspaper editor. In July of 1848 Oliver became co-editor of the Democrat for a brief period.

Note 2: In his Voree Gospel Herald of Jan. 13, 1848, James J. Strang mentioned that William E. McLellin had some followers in southeastern Wisconsin, but that Oliver Cowdery (whom McLellin had advertised as the Second Counsellor in the First Presidency of his church at Kirtland), "though he lives only 12 miles from Voree, would not come down and speak to the 41 apostates living in this region, whom Mc. falsely pretends to have drawn from the church here." McLellin had visited with Oliver at Elkhorn near the end of July, 1847, but apparently did not receive an encouraging welcome from the ex-Mormon lawyer. For more on these developments, see Oliver's letter of July 28, 1847, published in William McLellin's Ensign of Liberty for May of 1848.

ALL THE MORMONS MUST LEAVE. -- We understand that a great number of the Mormons, living without the city of Nauvoo, have expressed a desire, to remain after their brethren are gone. They say they have left the church and can no longer be obnoxious. This is a mistake. After winking at the iniquity of their brethren for years and perhaps participating in their crimes, they now, at the eleventh hour, desire to be considered penitents and beg that they may be allowed to remain.

Now it is evident there can be no peace in Hancock, while there is a vestige of Mormonism left. The hostility of the two parties towards each other is such that there never can be a reconciliation, and therefore, so long as a Mormon is left in Hancock, so long will the present asperity of feeling continue.

After the great body of the church is gone we want to see no dens left behind where thieves and assassins may harbor, while they prey upon the lives and property of our citizens. We want to see a clean sweep made of Mormons and all their hangers on. Let every vestige and trace of the accursed system that has afflicted our county for years be eradicated; and not one living monument left to bring it again to remembrance. This and this alone will restore peace and prosperity to our county.

Those who have flatter themselves that they can deceive the old settlers by now professing to leave the church, so as to obtain their consent to remain will find themselves mistaken. Had they left the church a year or more ago, when enough evidence of its corruptions was presented to satisfy every honest man, there could have been some confidence placed in their sincerity of resolve; but in death bed repentance we can have no faith.

Let therefore every Saint, mongrel or whole blood, and every thing that looks like a saint, talks or acts like a saint, make up his [mind]...


Notes: (forthcoming)

MORMONISM.

The St. Louis Republican publishes a circular, addressed by the twelve Mormon apostles to the members of the Mormon Church. The Republican says:

"It will be found to be interesting in its history of the privations and sufferings of the Mormons since their expulsion from Nauvoo; and their future prospects and intentions. Their principal abiding place hereafter is to be in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, and if they succeed according to their expectations, their central position between the Pacific and the Mississippi, their numbers and united prospects, will give them an importance that they have not been able to attain in the United States. Their numbers, we are assured, will be greatly increased this season. It is confidentially asserted, by those who ought to know, that at least twenty thousand persons are in expectation of joining the Church during the summer. The number of their members, and the extent and industry of their system of proselyting, exceeds the belief of those not informed of their real operations.

"We believe that no sect has ever sprung up that could boast of the same number of members within the same space of time. They have, notwithstanding the opposition which they have encountered, pushed their missionaries and preachers into every continent, and many of the islands of the sea, and have made proselytes everywhere. Their progress has been as incredible as their belief is absurd. The present site of their church, in the midst of the mountains, on the margin of the great Salt Lake, and cut iff on all sides from other settlements by a belt of sterile and mountanous country of nearly five hundred miles in breadth, gives to their present position and enterprise a novelty which will attract hundreds of them; and they confidently look forward, within a very short period, to the formation of a large and powerful settlement in that place."


Notes: (forthcoming)

HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES.

Monday, March 21, 1848.     

EVENING  SESSION.

The House then resolved itself into committee of the whole, on the general file of bills,

Mr. Stewart in the chair.

The following bills were then taken up...

The committee negativated the bill to employ Oliver Cowdery to index the session laws, at an expense not exceeding six hundred and fifty dollars, by striking out all after the emacting clause...


Note: According to Wisconsin Territorial legislative records, this was "Council Bill 45" for the Second Annual Session of the Fifth Territorial Legislative Assembly, and was entitled "A bill to provide for the publication of a general Index." The indexing bill was drafted by Oliver's brother, Lyman Cowdery -- it was passed by a vote taken in the Wisconsin Territorial Council on 3 March 1848, but four days later a motion was made to kill the legislation by removing its funding. The action by the House of Representatives on March 21, 1848 destroyed Oliver's hopes of receiving the $650 that the indexing job might have brought his way. See Oliver's Mar. 1, 1848 letter to his brother-in-law, LDS Apostle Phineas Young, in which Oliver says that Lyman (then in Madison, attending the Assembly session) planned to present the indexing bill "to the council" on Monday, Feb. 28th, and was confident that the bill would eventually pass.

Democratic  State Convention.
______

                    Monday, April 10th, 1848, 12:00.

The Convention was called to order by D. A. J. Upham, of Milwaukee who nominated Wm. Shew, Esq., of Milwaukee, as Chairman pro. tem.

On motion, a committee of three was appointed to report on credentials, consisting of A. Vanderpool, D. A. J. Upham, and Nelson Dewey.

Said committee having acted and reported immediately, the following delegates appeared and took their seats....

Walworth county -- Messrs. [Thayer], Fregason, Dodge, Cooley, Fish and Martin....

---

WHO IS OLIVER COWDERY? -- Western Star.  For the information of the editor of the Star, we will tell him. Oliver Cowdery is an honest man and sterling democrat, who has battled "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" hard cider whiggery ever since he was old enough to have a voice in political matters. He is a democrat who possessed the entire confidence of the people of that staunch old democratic strong hold -- Seneca county, Ohio, a county in which the [M---- ----- ---- sympathizers of --- --- war]. We have known Mr. C. long and favorably by reputation in that state, as a leading democrat, an eminent lawyer, and a worthy citizen, who is entitled to the fullest confidence of his party.


Note: Possibly the response to the Elkhorn Western Star's query concerning Oliver Cowdery first came via that town's Walworth County Democrat, and from there made its way into the columns of the Wisconsin Argus.

==> We learn from the Western Star that Oliver Cowdery [----- ------ -----] for the Assembly [from the Delavan District of Walworth county.] [Is he not?] one of the three witnesses to the discovery of the Golden Plates, or Mormon Bible, by Joe Smith. [His Whig competition] is Mr. [Milo Kelsey of Delavan], [who is?] [an able citizen?], well qualified for the [office, and not] a believer in Mormonism.


Note 1: Walworth County's Delavan township includes the southwestern portion of Elkhorn, the village where Oliver Cowdery was living in 1848. The "Delavan District" for that year incorporated about 1/6 of the county and included the townships of Delavan, Sugar Cr., Lafayette and Elkhorn. Oliver's Whig opponent, Milo Kelsey of Delavan, won the May 8th local election in Delavan by 40 votes out of the approx. 400 vote total.

Note 2: It appears that as early as the spring of 1848 that the Democrat voters of Walworth County were split over the issue of whether they should support Michigan senator Lewis Cass, or former President Martin Van Buren, against Zachary Taylor in the upcoming national election. It seems that Oliver Cowdery's May 8th loss in Walworth County may have resulted more from his lukewarm views on Cass, rather than because of his sisters' affiliation with the Mormons and Oliver's own private communications with Church officials such as Apostle Phineas Young.

(under construction)

Note 1: No copy of this issue has yet been located for transcription. When a copy has been found, any relevant text will be posted here.

Note 2: Evidently, in its issues of April 14, 21, and 28, the Elkhorn Western Star published some uncomplimentary words about Oliver Cowdery, "one of the 'three witnesses' to the genuineness of Joe Smith's 'golden plates.'" At least that was the report culled from recent Western Star editorial columns, and alluded to in the Milwaukee, Daily Sentinel and Gazette for Apr. 29, 1848. The Sentinel and Gazette went on to summarize the Star's reporting, by saying that its fellow Whig newspaper in Elkhorn, "serves up for Cowdery's and the People's edification, sundry extracts from the Mormon Bible." Since the Star was probably ready mostly by Whig voters in Walworth County, its impact upon the Democratic vote was probably minimal. Still, the "Loco-Foco" voters of Delavan District, on May 8th, voted down Oliver's candidacy and gave the Assemblyman prize to his Whig rival, Milo Kelsey of Delevan. Possibly the Star's harping on Oliver's Mormon past was a contributing factor in his political defeat in the otherwise predicatably Democratic Walworth County.

"IS SAUL ALSO AMONG THE PROPHETS?" -- It appears that Mr. Oliver Cowdery, the "democratic" candidate for the Assembly for the Delavan District, Walworth County, was one of the "three witnesses" to the genuineness of Joe Smith's "golden plates." The Western Star, on the strength of this, serves up for Cowdery's and the People's edification, sundry extracts from the Mormon Bible. Our contemporary, we think, should deal more leniently with Mr. Cowdery's "youthful indescretions." In testifying to the divine origin of Mormonism, he did not attempt half so great an imposition, as in now seeking to palm off "Loco-Focoism" as genuine democracy. Nor do we believe that he will succeed any better with the last humbug than with the first.


Notes: (forthcoming)

(under construction)

Note 1: No copy of the Democrat for this date has thus far been located. From a news item printed in the Madison Wisconsin Argus on May 16, 1848, it appears that the Democrat for May 12th (or possibly for May 10th) published Oliver Cowdery's concession notice.

Note 2: The Walworth County Democrat ended its first volume on either May 17 or May 19, 1848, and thereafter lapsed into a state of limbo until resuming publication on July 14th, with number 1 of its second volume. This hiatus was likely brought on by lack of sufficient financial support from Walworth's leading "Loco-Foco" party leaders. Editor (E.) Alanson Cooley faced what James J. Strang characterized as "laboring hard in an uphill cause -- Cass Democracy." Besides which, it seems that Cooley was a reluctant supporter of Lewis Cass during the spring of 1848, and political party leaders do not much like lukewarm editors heading up their political organs. Nor do they much like lightweight candidates, whose recent failures at the pools gave the opposing party additional power in state politics. Such was Oliver Cowdery, in May of 1848, and his friend Cooley perhaps experienced a difficult time in trying to convince local Democrats, that Oliver was the right man for a position on the party-supported Walworth County Democrat.

Results  of  the  Election.
_______

The election is over, and the locos, by means of the "thousand and one" applicances which they have ever at hand on such occasions, have succeeded in obtaining the German vote, and thus secured a triumph...

Walworth gives 80 L[oco] F[oco] majority on the State ticket, and elects 4 Locos and 2 Whigs to the Assembly. Mr. Kelsey, Whig, is elected over his Mormon Locofoco competitor, Oliver Cowdery.


Note 1: In the May 8, 1848 legislative election, the Walworth Co. voters gave the victory to Democrats in four of the six county's election districts. The county was a "Loco-foco" stronghold, and yet in Delavan District, where Oliver Cowdery ran for Assemblyman, the Whigs prevailed by a slender majority. The Democratic party was there split along political lines and it seems likely that Oliver's lukewarm support for Lewis Cass, in the coming national presidential election, cost him the Democratic votes necessary to win over his Whig opponent, Milo Kelsey. Oliver's previous membership in the Mormon Church was probably not the most critical issue in the election -- it is doubtful that the citizens of Walworth knew or cared much about his two sisters being LDS, or of Oliver's continued private correspondence with Mormon officials at the apostolic level. However, a small number of the May 8th voters in Delavan District may have questioned Oliver's sound judgment in having previously supported Joseph Smith, Jr. (who was then widely viewed as a religious charlatan) and in his lack of enthusiasm for the emerging Democratic candidate for President, Senator Lewis Cass, of neighboring Michigan.

Note 2: Having lost his bid in the May 8, 1848 election, to represent Walworth County in the first Wisconsin State Legislature, it appears that Oliver Cowdery briefly took a job with the newly reorganized and reconstituted Walworth County Democrat, as co-editor. See The Wisconsin Democrat of July 18th and subsequent reports in the 1848 Wisconsin newspapers.

We regret to learn from the Walworth County Democrat that Oliver Cowdery Esq. was defeated for the Assembly in the Elk Horn district, by a small majority. He is a man of sterling integrity, sound and vigorous intellect, and every way worthy, honest and capable. He was defeated in consequence of his religion!

Note: Similar remarks were published by James J. Strang, in his Voree Gospel Herald for May 18, 1848: "At the late election of State officers Oliver Cowdery, one of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon, was the regular candidate of the Democratic party for member of Assembly, though not in the district where the saints reside, and was defeated solely on the ground of Mormonism. His capacity and worth was admitted, but he had been a Mormon. Indeed he was worse used than the active members of the church; for here they are elected to office, though none of them attend caucuses or elections."

We copy the following complimentary notice form the Seneca Advertiser, one of the best and most ably conducted democratic papers in Ohio; edited by J. G. Breslin, Esq., late Chief Clerk of the Ohio Senate, and one of the delegates to the Baltimore Convention. We assure the Advertiser, and the former friends of Mr. Cowdery, that he has not been defeated because his ability or worth were doubted, but for an unfortunate division in our own party, in the most populous towns in this distruct, growing out of causes which had their origin before Mr. C. came to the territory:

OLIVER COWDERY, ESQ. -- We are gratified to learn, as we do from the Walworth (Wisconsin) Democrat, that our esteemed friend and former fellow citizen, O. Cowdery, Esq., has been nominated as the democratic candidate for the House of Representatives in that State. This intelligence has been hailed with the highest satisfaction by his numerous friends here, whose earnest wishes for his future health and prosperity he bore with him in his departure last year.

Mr. C. was a resident among us for a period of seven years, during which time he earned himself an enviable distinction at the Bar of this place and of this Judicial circuit, as a sound and able lawyer, and as a citizen none could have been more esteemed. His honesty, integrity, and industry were worthy the imitation of all, whilst his unquestioned legal abilities reflected credit as well upon himself as upon the profession of which he was a member. Politically, Mr. C. was a prominent, active and radical democrat, never tiring in furthering the good cause. He has labored shoulder to shoulder with the democrats of old Seneca in the most trying times of the past, and we know they will be rejoiced to learn of his prosperity in his new home in the far west. -- Seneca Advertiser.


Note 1: No copy of the Democrat for this date has thus far been located. From a news item printed in the Madison Wisconsin Argus on May 30, 1848, it appears that the Democrat for May 19th (or possibly for May 17th) published this recommendation for Oliver Cowdery.

Note 2: The Walworth County Democrat ended its first volume on either May 17 or May 19, 1848, and thereafter lapsed into a state of limbo until resuming publication on July 14th, with number 1 of its second volume. This hiatus was likely brought on by lack of sufficient financial support from Walworth's leading "Loco-Foco" party leaders. When the paper resumed publication, Oliver Cowdery became co-editor with its former editor, (E.) Alanson Cooley. The paper's recommendation of him, in its last number of volume I, was no doubt meant as an appology and reassurance to the local Democratic party leaders whose financial support was essential in keeping a small town political paper up and running.

FROM THE MORMON CITY OF THE SALT LAKE. -- Letters have been received in this city, by persons connected with the Mormon colony at the City of the Salt Lake, dated in the latter part of December. They represent the situation of the colony as a comfortable one. They had not been molested by the Indians, many of whom were in the habit of visiting the city. An enclosed square, formed of continuois dwellings on each side, facing inwards, intended for defence, of the adobe material, had been erected as well as other buildings for the colony, comprising some three thousand souls. Up to the time of writing, only two deaths had occurred in the colony. Last fall they sowed about three hundred acres of wheat, and they intended, besides, to put in a spring crop of about six thousand acres more. If the crops should prove good, they will have grain to spare to the emigrants to California, taking the Salt Lake route. They had erected two saw mills, and a grist mill, and were industriously employed. Seed potatoes were selling at ten dollars per bushel, peas fifty cents per pound, and other things at about the same rates. -- St. Louis Republican.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Oliver Cowdery, Esq. -- We take pleasure in copying the following articles from the Elkhorn Democrat of last week. The compliment said to Messrs. Bauscom and Cowdery is well deserved, as we attest from personal acquaintance with these gentlemen.

We copy the following complimentary notice form the Seneca Advertiser, one of the best and most ably conducted democratic papers in Ohio; edited by J. G. Breslin, Esq., late Chief Clerk of the Ohio Senate, and one of the delegates to the Baltimore Convention. We assure the Advertiser, and the former friends of Mr. Cowdery, that he has not been defeated because his ability or worth were doubted, but for an unfortunate division in our own party, in the most populous towns in this distruct, growing out of causes which had their origin before Mr. C. came to the territory:

OLIVER COWDERY, ESQ. -- We are gratified to learn, as we do from the Walworth (Wisconsin) Democrat, that our esteemed friend and former fellow citizen, O. Cowdery, Esq., has been nominated as the democratic candidate for the House of Representatives in that State. This intelligence has been hailed with the highest satisfaction by his numerous friends here, whose earnest wishes for his future health and prosperity he bore with him in his departure last year.

Mr. C. was a resident among us for a period of seven years, during which time he earned himself an enviable distinction at the Bar of this place and of this Judicial circuit, as a sound and able lawyer, and as a citizen none could have been more esteemed. His honesty, integrity, and industry were worthy the imitation of all, whilst his unquestioned legal abilities reflected credit as well upon himself as upon the profession of which he was a member. Politically, Mr. C. was a prominent, active and radical democrat, never tiring in furthering the good cause. He has labored shoulder to shoulder with the democrats of old Seneca in the most trying times of the past, and we know they will be rejoiced to learn of his prosperity in his new home in the far west. -- Seneca Advertiser.

Notes: (forthcoming)

Newspaper Changes.

The Sheboygan "Spirit of the Times" -- the printing establishment of which was destroyed by fire a few weeks since, has again appeared in magnificent style. The paper is most decidedly democratic, and its editorial display marked ability.

The "Walworth Democrat" after several weeks suspension, has again made its appearance, under the management of Messrs. Cooley & Cowdery, enlarged and otherwise improved. The paper still professes to be democratic, but it avows non-committalism in regard to the Presidential candidates -- as much as to say -- "Who'll bid?"


Notes: (forthcoming)

WALWORTH COUNTY DEMOCRAT. -- This paper, after a suspension of a few weeks, has again made its appearance. It will not hoist the names of Cass and Butler at its mast-head, saying they can only be placed there as a last resort, and then only to defeat Gen. Taylor.

We are glad the Democrat has taken this stand, for we feel satisfied the editor will soon find a candidate who will not be embraced merely because he thinks another is a little worse. He will soon find one whose name he can hoist, beacuse with it he will carry a great principle, and will not be obliged to claim a principle against which he is actually doing battle, as is the case at this moment with both the Cass and Taylor papers of the north.

It is evident to us that the south will go for Gen. Taylor, and that southern democracy is swallowed up in pro-slavery. If then, the north does not go together for a northern candidate, we may give up at once, and allow southern men to dictate to us who shall be our President hereafter.


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> We omitted to mention last week, that Mr. Cowdery was associated with Mr. Cooley, the old editor, in conducting the Walworth County Democrat. -- Mr. Cowdery is highly spoken of as an editor.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  DEMOCRAT.

Published Weekly at Elkhorn, Walworth Co.,
by

COOLEY  &  COWDERY.
_________

BUSINESS  DIRECTORY.

---

O. COWDERY.
Attorney & Counsellor at Law.
Elkhorn,  Walworth,  W. T.
==> Office in the Court House.

Note: Oliver Cowdery's co-editorship position with the Walworth County Democrat evidently extended from about July 14, 1848 to around the beginning of October of the same year. James J. Strang, in his Voree Gospel Herald for Oct. 5, 1848, remarked: "We are in the weekly receipt of the Walworth Democrat, published by Cooley and (Oliver) Cowdery. It is conducted with ability, and laboring hard in an uphill cause -- Cass Democracy." However, in the same article, Strang went on to report: "On the whole, Oliver seems to be in good demand and first rate standing. Even Phineas Young is here, telling that brother Cowdery is going with him to Council Bluffs." This latter report proved to be true, and Oliver, escorted by LDS Apostle Phineas H. Young, arrived at the Iowa Mormon headquarters about Oct. 21st -- see Apostle George A. Smith's letter of Oct. 29th, 1848 to Millennial Star editor, Orson Pratt, as well as notes appended to Strang's Gospel Herald of June 7, 1849.

TEXAN MORMON SETTLEMENT. -- The Mormon settlement in Texas, is now at a town they call Zodiac, on the Pierdenales, and four miles from Fredericksburgh, now the county seat of Gallespie county, which was organized about four weeks since, the officers of the county being composed partly of Mormons, who live together in utmost harmony. The Mormons number about two hundred, and though they have been at that place but about twelve months, have already built a saw and grist mill, have several turning lathes, and other kinds of machinery by water power. They have all kinds of useful mechanics who make every thing they want. They have enclosed about 500 acres, a good part of which is cultivated in gardens, producing all kinds of vegetables in abundance. They raise the Egyptian and English wheat, which yields from twenty to twenty-five bushels per acre; and some of them who have followed farming in Ohio, have assured us that the lands of the Pierdenales are better suited to wheat than those of Ohio. The mill streams there are of the finest kind, and never fail. -- They have thirty or forty, mostly frame houses. They pay great attention to making butter and cheese, which will compare with the best Northern. They are now about constructing a church and public school house. Their trade amounts to about fifteen or eighteen thousand dollars annually. The town of Zodiac is situated sixty miles to the North of San Antonio. -- All this settlement of Germans and Mormons greatly need a mail [sic - mail office?], and now they have organized a county, they are certainly entitled to one. Corn is now worth there, $2.50 per bushel, and meat, $5 per 100 pounds. Oak lumber is worth $20 per 1000 at the mill. -- Galveston News.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE TEMPLE AT NAUVOO. -- We are pleased to learn, say the St. Louis Republican, that an arrangement has been made with the Trustees, or those having charge of the Mormon Temple at Nauvoo, by which that splendid edifice is to be devoted to a useful purpose. It has been leased for a term of fifteen years, and is to be at once converted into a college building and to be occupied for that purpose. The institution is to be under the patronage of the Home Missionary Society, and immediately steps will be taken to put it into operation.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Fire and Destruction of the Mormon Temple.
______

On Monday, the 19th inst., our citizens were awakened by the alarm of fire, which, when first discovered, was bursting out through the spire of the Temple, near the small door that opened from the east side to the roof, on the main building.

The fire was seen first about 3 o'clock in the morning, and not until it had taken such a hold of the timbers and roof, as to make useless any effort to extinguish it.

The materials of the inside were so dry, and the fire spread so rapidly, that a few minutes were sufficient to wrap this famed edifice in a sheet of flames. It was a sight too full of mournful sublimity. The mass of material which had been gathered there by the labor of many years, afforded a rare opportunity for this element to play off some of its wildest sports. Although the morning was tolerably dark, still, when the flames shot upward the spire, the streets, and the houses, for near a mile distant were lighted up, so as to render even the smallest objects discernible. The glare of the vast torch, pointing skyward, indescribably contrasted with the universal gloom and darkness around it -- and men looked on with faces sad, as if the crumbling ruins below were consuming all their hopes.

It was evidently the work of an incendiary. There had been, on the evening previous, a meeting in the lower room: but no person was in the upper part where the fire was first discovered. Who it was, and what could have been his motives, we have no idea. Some feeling infinitely more unenviable than that of the individual who put the torch to the beautiful Ephesian structure of old, must have possessed him. To destroy a work of art, at once the most elegant and the most renowned in its celebrity of any in the whole west, would, we should think, require a mind of more than ordinary depravity, and we feel assured that no one in this community could have been so lost to every sense of justice, and every consideration of interest as to become the author of the deed. Admit that it was a monument of folly, and of evil, yet it was, to say the least of it, a splendid and a harmless one.

Its loss, ni doubt, will be more forcibly felt by the people of this place than any other; because, even the most dreamy will hardly think of soon seeing another such an ornament, and because it was on the eve of changing hands, and being converted into a commodious building of useful education, such as the West greatly needs, and such as no one ought to be envious of. -- Nauvoo Patriot.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormon Temple.
______

By a letter received from our brother, P. W. Cook, who was one that left Council Bluff last spring for the Salt Lake, dated August 24, written while encamped on the Sweet Water River at the South Pass, (in sight of Fremont's Peak,) we gather some information which may not be uninteresting to our readers. -- The new Mormon Temple at the Salt Lake is to be a splendid building. They enclose a lot 17 miles long, 12 miles wide, with a mud wall 8 feet high and four feet thick. -- There are to be four cities inside. They have discovered mountain rock that resembles Cornelian stone, which the writer says is beautiful for temples and pillars. The size of the temple is not stated, but its highest point is to be 600 feet, and can be seen eighty miles either way. The party that went out last season lost many of their oxen -- having died with what they called 'swell head.' Many of the streams which they crossed were so strongly impregnated with alkali that they dare not let their cattle drink. On the shores of many of the lakes a crust is formed an inch and a half thick. -- They break up this crust, scrape off the dirt on the top and bottom, and find it pure saleratus. Strange as this may seem, it is nevertheless true, and the writer collected in a short time 75 pounds. A mountain of pure rock salt has been discovered near the Mormon settlement. The Mormons have discovered a rich gold mine 150 miles southwest from the Salt Lake.

The last end of the journey to the Salt Lake, [say] 200 miles, is attended with little fatigue. Nearly all the way the roads are as good as on any prairie in Michigan. The writer was living on the meat of bears, and antelope and buffalo, animals very numerous on the route. He recommends mule trains instead of oxen, and that cows be driven along for their milk, and for beef if necessary. Niles [Register]


Note: The same article was reprinted in the Ohio Painesville Telegraph of March 28, 1849

==> We have just now received the first exchange of the Voree Herald, published by James J. Strang. It evinces talent of a high order, but oh! how perverted.

We have met Mr. Strang; and in his intercourse he has proved himself a gentleman. We wish the Mormons were all as good as he.

It is a painful reflection upon humanity, to contemplate the fact of such men as he, being the leaders of so palpable a humbug.

There is one thing that we promised Mr. Strang that we have too long omitted. We bought of him an Imposing Stone, which printers who have seen it, pronounce to be the best they ever saw. It is a yellow marble. Mr. Strang says that there is an inexhaustible quarry of it at Voree. And as they go deeper, he says it grows better. -- He believes the quarry to contain pure white marble. And from our sample, we will say that if the people of Wisconsin want stone of an excellent qulaity, second only to marble, they should patronize Mr. Strang.


Note: This paper was published by "Densmore & Cooley;" which means that by Feb., 1849 E. Alanson Cooley had left his previous editorial position at the Elkhorn Walworth County Democrat.

(At the request of some of our Porter subscribers, we publish the annexed letter. It will be found interesting as a part of the history of the times, if not useful for other purposes:)

Porter, Wis., Feb. 20th, 1849.     

Bro. James J. Strang: -- Having been solicited by Bro. Wright and the rest of the brethren, I will proceed and make a statement of my labors and also of my brethren in this part of God's vineyard. If you think proper to insert it in your valuable paper, you will show to the brethren abroad that God's arm is not shortened that he cannot save. The first winter after I came to a knowledge that you was the true and lawful successor of Joseph Smith, I went to school and wrote to the brethren abroad with whom I was acquainted. I being young was drawn into young company, and attended parties and neighborhood dances. I soon learned that this thing begat darkness, and wallowed in darkness and in sin until the next July. The next winter I went to Koskonong to teach school, and commenced preaching the word. God blessed me with his holy spirit, and some (that is four)during the winter and spring were obedient to the faith. I again went home to work on my farm until winter, when I went again back to Koskonong and commenced preaching again, and God blessed my labors and I baptized seven more. I organized a branch called the Koskonong branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and ordained one Elder and Teacher. I then went to Voree, as you know, and brother John E. Page came out here and preached in Koskonong, and I baptized some more, and then we went from there to the Porter branch, which we organized with about ten members, brother Nathan Foster being the presiding Elder, and brother Barker, Clerk. Last summer I preached at Koskonong and at Porter some, and this winter I commenced preaching again, and brother Foster assisted me in preaching the word and bearing testimony by the spirit and power of Israel's God, and we have baptized six more into the Koskonong branch. We now number in that branch about twenty-two members, Elders and all. We have some noble hearts in the branch who are willing to forsake all for Christ.

We all believe that James J. Strang is the prophet of the most high God, and successor to Joseph Smith. We enjoy the gifts of the spirit. Some the gift of tongues, some the interpretation of tongues, and the most powerful manifestation of the gift of healing I ever saw. The sick are healed immediately by the laying on of hands according to the law of God, and my brother Richard was healed a few nights ago of a pain in the breast immediately, and he does not belong to the church. God has blessed us wonderfully. Almost the entire neighborhood are obedient to the faith. There are several more believing, and I anticipate baptizing one of superior talent, if it is God's will so to be.

We have ordained in our branch four Elders, one Priest and one Teacher, who are bound, if faithful,to make this generation tremble under the word of the Lord. I feel clear that I have done my duty, God being my witness; I have not failed to declare the full counsel of God, according to the inetlligence given me. I have always tried to prepare their minds to recieve truth. I have always first learned a thing and then have taught them, and never have I adopted the principle of guess work. I have prepared their minds to receive and keep the word of wisdom. I have always, since I have had any knowledge of the Order of Enoch, been preparing their minds to become one in all things. May God forgive my enemies and those that have said I did not preach all parts of the gospel when I understood it. I have come to the conclusion to obery God in all things, and the authority of his church never to oppose, come what may. The brethern tender their sincere thanks to you for sending brother Phineas Wright out here to instruct us in the way of the Lord more perfectly. We were glad to see him, and cordially recommended him to the fellowship of the saints. Give my love to all the saints at Voree. Brother Wright and myself have had a protracted meeting here just after a Mrthodist excitement, and we have had a huge school house crowded full for eight meetings. The people listened with rpofound silence and wonder, while we laid before them the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness. They want to hear, and manifest a believing and inquiring spirit. I hope to baptize some more in this place. May God bless our works here. Your brother in the gospel.

H. P. BROWN.     

Notes: (forthcoming)

GOLD MINE EXPLODED. -- The Frontier Guardian, the new Mormon paper at Council Bluff, states that since last fall, much excitement has existed in that region relative to a supposed gold mine discovered near that place. The "gold" turns out to be a mixture of zinc and copper, and the Guardian advises its friends to relinquish their "diggings," and turn their attention to digging for corn and potatoes.


Notes: (forthcoming)

THE NEW MORMON STATE. -- The Mormons, soon after the death of their leader and prophet, were dispersed, but have lately gathered again, and taken possession of the Great Basin, in the region of the Salt and Utah Lakes, a spacious area five hundred miles in diameter, four or five thousand feet above the level of the sea, shut in by mountains on every side, and having its own system of lakes and rivers without any communication with the ocean. The fertile portion of this country is said to be very productive, and the Mormons are spoken of my travellers -- as a practical people -- temperate, industrious and orderly.

They have organized a Territorial Government, elected officers, established executive, judicial and legislative functions, and chosen their delegate to Congress. It is further designed to form a State Constitution sgortly, and to present the new Commonwealth of Deseret, (which according to Mormon interpretation implies the honey bee and signifies industry,) as an applicant for admission into our family of States. The amount of population in the territory is not given in any statement we have seen. William Smith, brother to the founder and Prophet, now the self styled head of the church of Latter Day Saints, asserts in a communication to the Cincinnati Commercial, that the Salt Lake Mormons will not be content with anything less than a free and independent government. He in addition states that the men named as officers for this government are men who have taken the following oath, with others equally treasonable.

"You do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God, his holy angels, and these witnesses, that you will avenge the blood of Joseph Smith, on this nation, and teach the same to your children; and that you will, from this time, henceforth and forever, begin and carry out hostilities against the nation, and to keep the same intent a profound secret now and forever. So help you God."


Notes: (forthcoming)