The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-05-20


dated dwellings and Notifications of
race now extinct. These ancient relics
and become objects of research for the
curious. Numerous implements were
found, and other articles evincing great
skill in the arts. Mr.. Spaulding being
an educated man and passionaicly fond
of history, took lively interest in these
developments of antiquity and in order
to bcguilc the hours of retirement and
furnish employment for his lively imagi-
nation. he conceived the idea of giving an
historical sketch of this long lost race.
Their extreme antiquity Of course would
lead him to write in the mos, anccn,
style; and as the Old Testament is the
most ancient book in the world. he imi-
tated its style as nearly rs possible. His
sole object in writing this historical ro-
nance was to amuse himself and his
neighbors. This was about the wear
1912. lIul's surrender at Detroit occur
the date well from that circumstance. As
he progressed in his narrative, the neigh
bors would come in from time to time to
hear portions read and great interest
in the work was excited among them.
1t claimed to have been written by one Of
the lost nation, and to have been recovered
! Io al ,bo a., ,C
Manuscript Found" The ncighbors
would often inquire how Mr.. S. progress
sed in deciphcrlng "thc manuscript"
and when he had sufficient portion pre-
pared he would inform them, and they
would assemble to hear it read. He was
enabled from his acquaintance with the
classics and ancient history, to introduce
many Singular names, which were par
Iticularly noticed by the people and could
be easily recognized by them. Mr..
Solomon Spauldng had a brother, Mr..
John Spaulding, residing in tho place at
the time, who was perfectly familiar with
this work, and repeatedly heard the whole
of it read.
From New Salem we removed to Pitts
burgh, Pa. Here Mr.. s. found an ar.
quainance and friend, in the person of
Mr.. Patterson, an editor of newspaper.
He exhibited his manuscript to Mr.. p.
who was very much pleased with it, and
borrowed it for perusal. lie retained it
long time, and informed Mr.. S. that if
he would make out title page and pre-
face, he would publish it, and it might be
source Of profit. This Mr.. S. refused
to do, for reasons which | cannot now
state.
Sidney Rigdon,s who has figured so
largely in the history Of the Mormons,
was at this time connected with the print
ing Office Of Mr.. Patterson, as is well
known in that region, and as Rigdon
himself has frequently stated. Here he
had ample opportunity TO become ac-
quainted with Mr. Spauldins's manuscript,
and to copy it if he chose. 1t was mat
ter of noloriety and interest to all who
we're connected with the printing es,b-
lishment. At length the manuscript was
returned to its author, and soon after we
removed to Amily, Washington county,
Pa, where Mr.. S. deceased in 1916.
The manuscript then fell into my hands,
and was carefully preserved. 1t has fire.
uucnty been examined by my daughter.
Mrs. McKensiry, of Monsoon, Mass, will,
~hnm now reside, and bv other friends.
After the "}ook of Mormon" came
out, a copy of it was taken to New Salem,
the place of Mr.. Spaulding's former resi-.
dencc, and the very place where the
"Manuscript Found was written. a
woman preacher appointed a meeting
there, and in the meeting read and repeat.
ed copious extracts from the Book oI
Mormon" The historical part was i'm
mediately recognized by all the older in.
habitan,s, as the identical work of Mr.
. Spauldng, in which they had been SC
: deeply Interested years before. Mr.. John
5 Spaulding was present, who is an emin.
! emily pious man, and recognized perfectly
, the work of his brother. lie was amazed
| and afflicted, that it should have been
= perverted to so wicked a purpose. Hi,
I grief found vent in a flood of tears, ant
! he arose on the spot and expressed in the
= meeting his deep sorrow and regret, tina
: the writings of his sainted brother shoul,
: be used for purpose so vile and shock
p ing. The excitement in New Salem he
o came so great, that the inhabitants ha,
meeting, and dcputcd DR.. Philastu
| IIurlbut, one of their number, to repair II
S this place and to obtain from me the ori
d ginal manuscript Of Mr.. SpauIding, 10
n the purpose Of comparing it with III
c Mormon Bible, to satisfy their own mind
= and to prevent their friends from cmhrac
e ing an error 50 delusivc. This was i
l. the year 1881. DR.. llurIhut brougl
Is with him an introduction and request to
!. the manuscript, signed by Messrs. llGnr