The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-01-08
The Mor1nons on Beaver Island.

beaver Island, which Is lie largest Ol
collection or group Of that name, lies in
Lake Michigan, about twenty-five miles
above the Straits Of Mackinac. It con-
tans about twenty-eight thousand acres
Of land, Ga large portion Of which is still
in the hands of Government,) and forms
one organic township. There is, upon this
island, a population Df about five hundred,
the larger proportion Of which are Nor
mons. Those not protesting this belief,
are styled Gentilcs.
A bitter fight l,as snrung up between
the Mormons and Gen,i.es, and the same
state of hostility which marked the course
Of ;hissect in Illinois aud Missouri, toward
other sccts, and rice versa, exists at this
place.
II is doubtless true that the Mormons,
as sect, have suffered wrongs and perse-
clitions at the hands Of individuals and
whole communities, through the influence
to some cXtcut, OF prejudice, and, to GER
iaindegrcc, through their own misconduct.
This persecution has not been blessed
with benign results upon the temper and
character of the sect generally; but has
resulted in making its leaders, and some
OF its smembcrs, vindictive, tyranncal and
dishonest. Ks
The leaders of the Mormon colony on
Beaverslsland, arc uuprnciplcd and WORTH
less mem and the chief, or king" as he
is sty led--a man by the name of Strang---
Is anspcti prohgate and blackgaard
! sss Earl ~ The last Summer, nj sutnor was
cUnt6r tic Island, that the In.
diams, half-brecds, fishermen, and other
inhabitants froln the surrounding Islands,
were 10 make a descent upon the Mormuns.
and drive them off: The Mormons, consc-
qucntIy organized themselves, fortified
their "Tobernaclc,' or Church, planted
ordnance in front Of it and blazed bold
defiance at the world in general No at
tack took place; bu, tho rilmor was suffici
ent 10 furnish Strang with all available ar
gumenl in favor OF "strongor Govern
mcnt," which argument he Immediately ap.
piled, and procured himself to he pro-
claimed liking" for his natural life. and
u. J. Adams, Gan ex.theatrical performcr,)
Ficcrny, in case of his death, until the
succession should be filled. The sequel
: has shown that
Upon his head, they placed frui,less crown,
And put barren sccptrc in his grasp"
for his short reign has been marked by
turmoil and trouble. His Viceroy. Adams,
has left him in disgust, and, taking with
hun large number Of subjects has retired
to the island of Mackinac, where he is ell.
gagged in playing sham "Kings" and "Vic-
croys," in the lott over J. p. Kings store,
10 rery select audience. Some OF those
who followed Adams TO Mackinnc, have
again left, as all faithful subjects were for
bid from larbor.ng them. Mrs. Adams,
the wife OF the Viceroy, remains upon the
island; aud 1t is supposed that it was in
consequence Of certain Infamous PROPOSE
tons made toward her by Strang, that his
Majesty was arrested, and thrown into Jail,
at Mackinac, on charge Of bigamy; from
whence he was liberated, in order to enable
him to return to his "kingdom," and cxer.
else "thc glorious privilege of freeman"
by making his subjects vote the Loco-Fo-
co ticket, under pain of death, and without
distinction of age, sex or race.
The entire township organization of the
island is the hands OF the Mormons, though
Mr.. Bowers, the Township Clerk, who re-
fused to sign the election returns. in conse.
quance OF the gross fraud, is little more
than one in name.
The sect arc forbidden by King Strange
from buying Government land. They arc,
however, encouraged TO pilage Govern.
mcnt timber, which they do with great in.
dustry. When this laudable enterprise id
accomplished, they will probably poll up
stakes. and go elsewhere, as they eau make
nothing there by iarming.-Det. Trib. De.
ccmbcr, /.