Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-08-02
COMMUNICATIONS.
TIE MORMONS AT KIRKLAND, OHIO.

Mn STACY :-Durinr the winter of 1867, ! was
employed by the Mormons, in printing the second
edition Of the COLLEEN Bible or Book Of Mormon.
had good opportunity for observing passing events
and for learning something of their previous history
Perhaps the following sketch of some Of their opera
lions in Kirkland, drawn entirely from recollection of
what AMI heard while there, may, in connection
with recent events be interesting 10 the public; and
so far as it goes, furnish an answer TO the question,
Why are the Morm,ns, whether in New York, MIS-
souri,, Ohio, or Illinois, subjected 10 such violent op.
position and hatred, while the Shakers, whose reli-
gious ,enc,s equally obnoxious permitted to
live in peace, wherever they locate?
After the expulsion of the Mormons from Missouri,
their headquarters established in Kirkland,
Geauga Co., Ohio, some 20 miles from Cleveland.
AT the time my acquaintance with them commen-
ced they had recovered from the effects of that dlsas-
ter, and their whole system scheme was i'll full
operation. Some time previously their leaders-or,
as they termed them, the High Council, or Presden
cy-had obtained the exclusive possession of a tract
Of land TWO miles square, which regularly sur
veyed and laid out a City of Refuge" The land,
which was rather poor for agricultural purposes, had
been purchased without much regard to price, provi-
ded the owner was satisfied with small amount, in
hand, and notes, secured by mortgage, payable four
or five years afterwards. This being done, and the
"House of the Lord fnished-an imposing and
mysterious. looking stone edice, which in size has
few equals in the coun,ry-great Efforts were made
collect their scattered forces. The cry sound
ed for all true believers to flee for safety and come up
10 the Hill of Zion" Conventions called, and
"apostles" were actually sent forth by seventies
whoraed the dispersed, and FASTENED the faithful to
the great gathering of slater Day Saints"
On the arrival of proselyte, with little money
the first thing, of course that he must do, was tc
purchase lot. Then, if he had any thing left, Thu
leaders had important objects for which his menn
were urgently demanded; il this failed, he was callec
before the High Council, where every thing was cal
cuated to inspire awe and reverence and in the mos
ceremonous and solemn manner informed that rev
elaton, from the Lord of hosts had been made tina
his money was required, in some particular way, b!
his servant the prophet. The poor fellow, ben!
thus situated overawed and confounded-hnd elhe
to yield up his purse, deny his faith in the pres
of men at whose call he had left his home, AM
whose verncity he had even hung his hope of sal
walton. Besides, Smith wished only to Jorrop III
money, and would give his note, with all his broth
rem as sure,es, if desired Could he refuse ? neve
heard OF one that had the courage to do il. This
the usual mode of receiving cash members. Proper
W was not Hclu VI coHiiiion. AtcT beng thus !nla
ted he had full liberty take care of himself as h
saw fi, and to speculate upon his building lot O
count up the interest on his note against the hig
councils
Up to about 1896, the Mormons had pursued
course of policy in their dealings with the world
people, that had established for themselves, especial
at distance, high reputation for punctualiiy an
fair dealing They had purchased small quantities
IL, Va nj nd nail for, IL
with punctualry that would honor the broad brir
OF quaker. Here was capital and means. too.pre
olous to be lost, and on this credit they swung to III
full length of the rope
An association of their principal men-the aforesa
presidency-was formed, and very large stock
goods purchased Before putting the goods into III
store the leaders divided among themselves sue
quantity as they peased-enough TO supply their fan
lilies for years. l was told by young lady-a cor
neclion Of the Smiths and who at the time lived
Hram's famly--hat he took seven large lookn
glasses, and that his garrett was literally filled wit
cloth and other articles in proportion, and that in hi
own language, 1T seemed almost too bad" Other
helped themselves in the same manner C;ood ms
,erials for printing establishment and bnd,rv ws,
procured. A bookstore was established. and m
thousandlJollars worth purchased in Cleveland NJ
esouple of young men, by whom the loss was feI, a
sa..yely This purchase was made about the ,Ins
'e'' eveland for Kirkland, in the fall of 1896 OH,
Pu'''''' -s of he same kind were made in quick su