Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-10-31
9sltSteCCa1tepuS.
MORMON ANECDOTE,

1t is very common for Mormons, in
working miracles, to practice III the fol.
lowing manner:
"One goes out alono in the garb and
with the appearance of poor traveller !;
calls at the house of some country farmer
at night, leaving some token by which
those VINO are his confedera,es may detect
his Whereabouts. Anothet one or more
follows on and stops near by. so that in
the morning he may soon reach the abode
Of the first traveller, TO which place he
proceeds about breakfast time, coming
there Jost as his predecessor needs him.
the first traveller, about day break,
makes a pileous noise as Of one in deep
distress, alarming the inmates, and call
ing them around his bed side. For
while the sick man struggles with disease,
and apparently dies in fit. Jus; at that
moment the second traveller enters an.
nounces himself disciple of the Mormons,
and declares il is in his power to raise tine
dead man TO life, and putting ell aside
from the couch Of death. commences his
necromancy. and soon succeeds in raising
the dead to life.
A couple Of these impos,ers went out
on an excursion Of this kind sbou, two
years or moro since, and ln the course OF
their travels called at farm house near
tennessee. The iorerunner called on
the plain looking farmer and represented
himself as traveller who was poor, yet
on a meIcful errsnd. The farmer was
an homes, hearted Methodist, making less
show than some, but no less intelligent,
Christian. or shrewd, than the most men.
The traveller joined with the family in
heir devotions, and talked Of God and
h, aven as Christian. No one suspected
his hypocrisy.
About 4 o'clock in the morning the
family were awakened by groans pro-
ceeoIng from the lodging room Of the
stranger. The farmer went INTO the
room and was quite shocked to find his
guest apparently in the most intense de.
gree Of pain. Many remedies were APP
pied, but Of no effect; the sufferer grew
worse every hour, until about seven
O'Clock he appeared to show signs Of des,b.
Just at that moment knock was heard
at the door. and another stranger entered
on its being opened.
The family were much frightened, and
consequently much grstfed with the ar.
rival OF any person, although i, should oe
a stranger. He was Immediately inform
ed of the case and introduced irto the
room, upon entering which he announced
himself Mormon priest, and assured the
astonishrd family h. could RAISE the dying
man to life even should he de--snJ. in
deed, TO convince them Of his power he
hoped he would die which was soon The
fact to all appearance. The new conner
then ordered all present 10 stand ASIDE,
and no, I, uch the corpse or the bed, but
10 send for nalghbors If they pleased, 10
ordrr to give full proof Of his wonderful
work.
Just a, that moment It crept into the
head Of the farmer that trick was about
being played upon them Of blasphemous
character, AID h. quickly resolved to test
the sam-. Hold" ,ald he, "a moment,
and do not the miracle until return. -
he went out. took an axe from the wood
pile, and came IN without saying worC
walked up the bedside. and addressed
the man Of m rscles as follows:
"You think him really dead1"
40, yes"
well, then. | will just cut off hs head,
10 make it sure, for if you can raise him
to life from death at sll, you can do it ss
we'll with his head Of 40 on y and suit.