The New York herald., 1844-09-05
WONDERFUL DISCLOSURES RE.
sPEcTING MoRMANIsM.
NARRATIVE.

tnat II sfeneu olnhcult 10 1oIm any settled opinion
concerning the Prophet or his followers Where
had been, however, the opinion seemed to pre-
vail, that they were pack of abandoned scOun-
drels leagued together for the basest OF purposes
In passing down the Mississippi in the fall of
loa2, determined TO stop in Nanvoo.. My object
Was partly TO lind business and partly to crafty
curiosity. With the location of the city was de-
lighted; but as frequent descriptions have already
gone abroad, will not stop here TO expatate ell
ther on Its beauties, or the advantages of its posi-
At the time landed, Cloth of October, 1922
there was great trouble amongst the saints con-
sequence OF demand having been made by the
Governor of Missouri, for the Prophet, for being
accessory to the attempted assassination OF Cover
nor Boggs. My visit to the city at that time, (be-
ing stranger and out OF busiaess,) induced the
people, as afterwards learned, to believe that
was spy from Missouri, in quest Of evidence
against Smith Many men, who, l have since
learned, belonged to the Dante Band, visited me
at my boarding house aud asked all manner OF
questions In relation to my business in the city
Deeming these enquiriesimpertine did not con-
descend to answer them; but they did not cease
their opportunities AT length, being disgusted and
Indignant al their proceedings abruptly cut their
closely watched; but did not know the reason un-
I'll informed by friend, that the Prophet thought
me spy. determined then to give no satisfac-
ton, bur to pursue a silent policy.
Some time in November, was helping to haul
some goods from the river, belonged to Messrs
Rolson and Finch. was in company with Mr..
Finch and man from Keokuk, who was owner
OF the horses and wagon. We had hauled one
crossed the bottom, between the Temple and the
river, man standing at about eight rods distance,
(it being after dark,) called me by name i'm
medlately jumped from the wagon, thinking that
ed that had called me. Finch Immediately follow
ed When got within about five feet Of the vii
lain as he proved to be, he extended his arm at
full Length and So sad damn you give you wha,
my head, and SO stunned me, that for few min
utes | scarcely knew what | was about but on
coming TO, could scarcely see, for my face and
eyes were SO much burned with powder Finch
at the time the shot was fired, was about one rod
behind He seeing me stagger, Immediately pur
sued the fellow, but soon found that he was no
match tor him IA spe ed, and gave up the pursuit.
Finch and myself agreed to keep this matter a Sc
cret, that we might be able to discover some clue
to the assassin. thought that If We did not men,
tlon Il, and we heard OF 1t from others, we would
be able thus to trace the matter to its fountain
head When, however, this idea became hope
less, mentioned 1t TO my friends, who seemed to
understand the object OF the manGuvre.
Shortly after this, / left Nauvoo and went to
Carthage to spend the winier. During the winter
employed my time In hunting, but heard fire.
quently complaints against the thleving MornOns
la the spring determined to find ont whether Joe
Smith Was IN reality bad man as he was repre-
sentcd. and whether he had in reality instgated
the villain who attempted my life in Nauvoo.
lIneIelOIe 5tateu 10 harmon i. wilson, Leputy
Sheriff, that intended TO visit Nauvoo, and it any
man could, would iRd ont Joe's plans and mea-
sures and at proper time, 1t found him 10 be ar
base as represente and as | believed him to be,
disclose ail 10 the world. In forming this resOlu-
ton, was aciuated by desire on the one hand,
TO revenge myself on him If he were guilty Of the
attempt on my life, and by u romantic love of ad
venture on the otter. possessed every advantage
IN person and cOuntenance TO accomplish my Ob-
ject, well full share OF experience in the
ways Oi the world.
Accordingly in the month Of March went to
Nauvoo, and after staying there a few days, vis-
ted joe, and gave him 10 understand that had im
p0rtant business with him. He invited ME into his
private rOom and there in the presence OF Ebel u.
Kimbal, disclosed the nature of my business, and
made him believe that | could be OF great service
to him. stated that was fugitive from Macon
City, Georgia, aud wanted protection THIS seem
ed TO tickle his fancy wonderfully, and throwing
of restraint, he said that | was just the man he
wanted, and referred me to the conduct OF Joab
unto David. He then said, that ne would make
any man rich, who would be unto him was Joab
to David, and obey his commands in the name OF
God, that he might fulfil his prophecies. He then
commenc an arrgument.t to make me believe that
this was right and lawful in the sight of God, and
declared himself gody man and Prophet, en-
dowed with power from on high then remark
ed, that asto his religion, cared nothing about it,
tor sid not believe In the supremacy OF a Cod
Here he looked me very steadfasty and significant
ly in the eye; but fiinched not. | then told him
that was desperate man, and could release O.
p X ckwell, who was at that time confined in
prison IN Missouri, for his attempt on the life Of
Gov Boggs: "Wel' SAID he, /" il you will release
Porter, and kill Old Bcggs, ! will give you three
thousand dollars" Kmball heard this conversation
throughout, but have no hope that he could be
made 70 !ca acknowiedge its truth, SO deeply is he
Joe, after this offer, made proposition to give
me an outfit to Mlssouri and said that he would
soon furnish me with splendid horse, saddle, bri-
die and all the necessary accoutremcnfs for the
tn all pf hall aA ~.
second morning after this, met Joe again. He
told me he had traded town lot with Elder Grant
for splendid black horse, and also that he had
procured s saddle die and bride for the trip Now,
and let the little fellow out Of Jail for my heart
bleeds for him" took possession that day of the
horse, saddle and bride, and the next day, Joe
brough, to my boarding house pair OF saddle bags,
kept profound secret. People in general suppos.
ed that had bought the horse Of Joe, and had no
idea that there was any understanding between US
three days and took ~ 90
Hunters, where he borrowed one hundred dollars,
aud drew his note for it on demand. Hunter, at
this time, was absent. While there, Mrs. Hunter
brought the Bible to Joe, and wished him to ex.
plain some passage in the ID chap Of Hosea, in
relation to the adnltress. He replied that he would
call at another time and translate it for her, for
WHICH she thanked him kindly After this, learn
ed that the scripture named by Mrs. Hunter was
OF Inc proofs of the correctness of the spiritual
wife doctrine, OF which the reader will learn more
hereafter.
After conversing little while, we arose to de-
part, and Joe gave Mrs. Hunter very sanctimo-
NOUS blessing. We then got on horses and rode
up the hill where we were met by the Holy Patr-
arch Hyrum, on his white horse. He Informed
Joe, that brother somebody, Il do not recolect the
on him, for he was sick unto death" rode to
the house of the invalid with them. We entered
the room, and put on a very grave countenance,
while they both laid hands on the sick man, and
left the house, Joe pronounced blessing on it and
all that were within. We then again mounted our
horses-Hyrum went home; and Joe and took
ride of some five miles the prairle. All the way
said that he would pay me well for il. Finally, /
gave him strong hint that was in for the busi-
ness-knowing as did, that il lhestated, he would