Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-03-27
The Horrors OF MiIierism---TriaI C. Is
fael Dammon.

rael Dammon.
We have a report Of the trial or who is
termed Elder Dammon, Dover, in this State, COM
menced the l7h ut before Moses Sweat and Seth Lee
Esqs. The trial deveopes shocking particulars,
and convinces more fully than before, that town
and city authorities should interfere and arrest these
sensual and demorazing proceedings They 5 bad
the worst days Of that arch scoundrel and fanatic Coc
ran, who "ed silly women captive, and destroyed The
domestic pence of many peaceful and respectable fam
NY. part of the evidence have omitted, II being
gross for publication.
Dammon charged with being vagabond, COM
raier and bra ler neglectng support his family
&c. He plead not guilty, and numerous witnesses
examined during the time of the trial. which lasted two
days Some of the witnesses testified that they
thing at the meetings improper, and others detailed what
they sawshowIng that the conduct Of the prisoner and
his associates abomnable To this point Mr j. w.
L. Harvey testified that he had attended their meetings
two days and four evenings First meeting lasted eight
days have known DammOn six weeks DammOn, White
and Hall were leaders Dammon said The sinners
going TO hell in two days They hassing and kiss
ing each other DaTnmon would lay on the floor, then
jump up; they would frequently go INTO another room.
/ Dammon has means TO support himself that know
Of The meeting appeared very irrehgous; have seen
him sat on the hOor with woman, his arms around her.
The roor, they went into a back don't know
what was in 1t was 10 two rooms where there was
fire. In the back they said the worlds people must
not GO DammOn said the meeting to be a private
meeting, and they wanted come in unless they
believed as he did in the advent doctrine did 20 TO
them went to satisfy myself what was done had
no hostile feelings agns them. Prisoner lived on his
followers
WIN. e. Crosby, Esq testified. He was at the meet
ing Saturday night from about seven to nine o'clock
4 There a the floor who lay her back
with pillow under her head; she would occasionally
arouse up and tell vision which she said revealed
to her. They would times all be talking hall
oong the top of their voices of them said there
much sin there Alter the cessation of the noise
Damnon got up and coherent he complained
of those that Game there who did believe in the adj
vent doctrine. At time Dammon said there were
hogs there not belonging the band and pointed at him
and said, mean SIR Subsequently, he addressed him
again said you can't drive of the he stared
him IN the face and said, am an honest man. or could
not look the face and you have hels brass you
could moi look the face. Dammon said If he
the Of the house. he would compel all unbeevers
leave they sitting and laying the floor pro-
miscuously, and exceedingly noisy by spells 1t
was the noisiest attended. He had them in
groupes huggng and kissing each other. Once elder
Hall with his boots off, and the would and kiss
his feet One girl made smack but did not kiss his fnot
with her lips. Hall said ale that is ashamed OF me be-
fore men, him will be ashamed of before my father and
the holy angels She then gave his feet number Of
kisses.
Lotion Lambert testified that he attended meeting
evening lately, and that Dammon very abusive call
ed all other denominations liars, murderers &c A wo-
man present who pretended TO have visions, and who
was blasphemousIy called the Imitation of Christ She
was said to be from Portland Her name was Ellen Har-
mon. She told Mrs Woodbury. she must be baplsed or
GO hell. Mrs. w. concluded be baptised. Miss
Dorinda Baker, of Orringon figured largely She told
Lambert he the devil and would GO to hell. She
subsequently went into the bedroom with man whom
they call Elder White, and when they came out they were
hugging each other. Miss Baker then Do0re
and they kissed each other This night they went 10 the
water and bapsed The visonist, Miss Harmon, lying
the floor several hoursfrom seven TO O'Clock that
night Part of the time Dammon lay the floor on his
back Elder White SAID If the Almighty had any thing
to reveal, he revealed it to Miss H. He acted media
tor
Deacon James Rowe testified that prisoner stood and
SAID, while stand here devils cannot hurt
lie had known him for twenty or thirty years, and h
r., character good till recently.
Jere b. Green testified that in the meeting he attend
: ed he saw men wash womens feet, &c. Elder ID. WA
the presiding Elder. He Dammon kiss Mrs. o.
), borne
f Eben Trundy testified that prisoner told him he mus
them that had propery-and if God did not come
e then they all go to work together
The first witness offered by the defence Jas Az
Jr. He denied that went into the bedroom VIII
e Miss Baker He is adventist and SAID 1t was part
tlOrily for it, He admitted that prisoner had no ohe
e business than to attend meetings. Dammon admitted HI
had spiritual wife, and glad of it. He understood
y Miss Harmon had vision at Portland, and was travel
Il ling through the country relating il.
Job Moody, of the brethren, affirmed that prisone
had repeatedly urged upon them the necessity OF quitting
, all labor. He affirmed that d. S character was good.
" for himself he had been serving the Lord and hammer
ing against the devil Of late
George Woodbury. affirmed he believed in Miss liar
mons Visions because she told his wes feelings correct
Is y 1t his impression that prisoner kissed his wife
te believed the world will end within two months
prisoner preached This is the faith Of the band Th
witness said he believed in sisters Harmon and Baker
P revelations much though they from God. 81:
ter Harmon said to his wife and the girls if they did nc
do as she said they would go hell His wife and Dan
" mon passed the floor their hands and knees
c. Some did go the bedroom Heard BROTHER Dan
G. mon say the gift Of healing the sick lay in the churcl
Dammon advised not To work because there enous
iS to live on until the end of the world.
er Others OF the band testified prisoners good caraC
IN ter; and one, Morrison. that they the floor In odt
to convene more people.
Thomas Proctor testified that prisoner confessed TO m
90 that Miss Baker had in the bedroom, and
90 went in and helped her out.
20 Elder Flave Bartlett testified that prisoner did not b
90 long to the FreeWll Baptist Church, and not in e
90 lowship with them
90 Joseph Knights of Garland testified he attende
O0 one of Diamonds meetings at Garland. lie behave
90 well till the meeting over, and then he fell to ks
90 ing and hugging girl In Garland ii is common repo
90 that he is disurber of the peace.
90 Much other testimony received pro and con-, of
90 similar character and the prisoner opened his defenc
90 He cited Luke a. Sc John 3D. last chapter in Romans
90 Philippians 4h LIST Ihes. 9Th chap. j. !. Holmes
90 sisted him in his defence c. l.. Chandler aud II
90 Morrison argued the for the Stale
90 Prisoner again arose, and read the 50th and l26
90 Psalm lie argued that the day of grace had gone by
90 that the believers reduced, but that there td
90 many yet and that the end Of the world would com
90 within week.
90 The prisoner sentenced days in the Hou
90 Of Correction from which sentence he appealed.
90 On Tuesday, after the trial concluded, and viii
50 the Court waiting for the counsel in, psoI
90 and his witnesses asked permIssou aud sung tn
90 hymn, by John Craig, beginning
w awhile down in Egypt's land,
W heard my Savior at hand;
w The midnight cry was sounding,
UO And wanted to be free,
OO So left my former brethren
OO To sound the jubilee"
oo These scenes are not enacted ut Atkinson only
tins city, informed, gross deeds done by OF