The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-20

The Mormon Trouble. az Beaver I.iana--Doth sides
tho Question.
"To THE EpIron or the DErRoT TRIBUNE: |
read IN the Tribune OF last evening. win tne deep
est pain and anguish the communication and your re-
marks on The ecsn, M =
information and beg you, IN justice 10 some hundred
persons whose lives daily in peril to give place TO
this brief statement
have forgotten, fell upon Mr.. Samuel Graham, Nor.
mon, and for many years most respectable resident Of
Jackson county in this State but resident al Bea
YER and beat him with club-cane, breaking his arm
and his scu
"a warrant was issued against them by J. M Greig,
Judge OF Macknac county, charging them with assault
and battery with intent TO KILL and directed TO the sheriff.
ard he refused to arrest the offenders Subsequently,,
another warrant issued by NJ. M. Adrch. justice
OF the peace of Mackinac county, and the sheriff refused
to execute that and The MoImons awed down by threats
and menaces were obliged 10 submit without legal pro-
lection For the correctness OF these facts refer by
permission TO Hon. David Shook, member OF the legs
ldlure from Macomb county, and Hon, Mr. Lockwood,
now OF Pine Run, late member, both OF whom were
there at the time.
:" Some lime last week William N. Mcleod, the prose-
cutting attorney OF Mackinac county, went to Beaver
island TO prosecute such persons he found IN rebellion
against the iatos of The State and obtained warrant OF
M NJ Adrich, justice OF the peace, against those who
made the assault upon Graham and put into The hands
OF Mr. Chambers, duly elected and qualified constable
Chambers started to make the ares but was warned
back By Thomas and Samuel Bennett. who. with arms
to arrest the offenders After serious and Intellectual re-
monslrance he returned, and reported on oath TO the
justice the result OF his Efforts.
Mr. Mcleod, the prosecuting attorney, then applied
for and obtained against the BENEFITS for
sisng the officer in the execution OF process Constable
Chambers under the direction of the justice, and in pur
OF the instructions OF the prosecuting attorney
took large posse and went TO arrest the Benefits
AS he approached their house they went in and
closed the door Leaving his posse behind he went alone
and urged them desist from of violence pointing
nutt tn them he n
kndest enlreated them TO submit the authority
of the law. They not only refused, but drove him away
with the threat OF shooting him Retiring short DIS
lance, he called his posse TO his assistance, and as they
advanced, The Bennets fired upon them. The third shot
took effect upon the constable woundng him in the head
but not fatally. After this the posse fired and submit
candid world, that II they had not done 1t, they
would have been branded as towards, or as ecrean L
the law. Unfortunately, one OF the BENEFITS was killed
and the other wounded but believe it is not common
when man loses his life while engaged in open, bold
resistance of the legally established civil authority OF ht
State 10 characterize the act murder For these facts
refer the reader to Hon j. d. Irvine, member OF the
legislature from Macknac county.
ain aware that The public have been already told
that the BENEFITS were only resisting Mormon law and
Mormon authority But this Mormon law is the stat
ute and common law OF the Stale Of Michigan, ant
this Mormon authority the authority OF the civil ot
duly elected in accordance with that law. The Nor
mons are not attempting TO establish any law OF hei
own, except as matter OF discipline in their church
They seek earnestly be governed by the ordinary Law
OF The stale, and claim protection under it.
Truly and sincerely,
'JAS. J. STRANG.
DETROIT. June r."
We give above King Suangs version of the recen
murder Beaver Island, obtained as will be seen from
DR.. Irvine. Letters received last evening from Mack
nae gave rather different phase to the affair The cir
cumsances attending the murder OF Bennett, commu
nlcaled to u.s. were as follows:
a dfiicuIty had occurred between Mr. ODonne, a
Gentle as the Momons term all who do not belong tic
their church,) and Mormon named Graham. On go
ing 10 The Mormon settlement Graham renewed the quar-
rel with ODonne following and threatening him, unit
they finally came 10 blows, and Graham got pretty effect
ualy whipped but received no serious injury, nor was
his arm or skull broken, as stated by Strang
We do Eol learn that The Benefits had any connexon
with that ARRAY but IL seems that IN pursuance OF the
previous threats OF Mormois process obtained
against Them under prelence Other by the pros
ecutng attorney, who we are told never qualified and
acts under the appointment OF Judg. % Greg, the Mormon
choice, which was handed TO Mormon officers every
OF whom believe hold their Offices by at least thirty
forty Illegal votes These officers with sixty
Momons surrounded the house of the Benefits knock
ed al the door, and demanded admission stating that they
came to arrest Them Bennett CHE deceased) asked il
the process issued under Mormon law. The reply
being the affirmative. Bennett informed them that be
would never submit IN Mormon law, but TO the law
OF the State OF Michigan he would submit cheerfully
On giving that reply several shots were fired into the
house Bennett instantly stepped forward TO take
down his gum when his vile interiered took hold oil
H. and eadeavored TO prevent her husband from using
il. In the struggle the gun accidentally dis
charged, the contents lodging in the ceiling roof
upon Bennett shot him down. and dragged him on, OF the
door by the hair OF his head having been pierced by five
muskel balls and several buck shot During the ARRAY
the other Bennett ran. He fired upon, severely
wounded, and now lies in dangerous situation. The
body OF the dead man then removed 10 their settle
ment by The Mofmons, cooners jury called and in
quest held during which The body horribly mutila
ted and the hear taken ou-eraly in the language oil
the letter, washing their hands in the hearts blood oil
their victim" This report is given by gentlemen
whose integrity we have no reason 10 doubt
The talk OF Mr.. Sirang about the Momons being
-" awed down" we regard as mere bravado There are
not more than Iony resident Gentiles on the island
while the Mormons number some seventy or eighty OF
more well-armed men, with cannon, guns, pistols, &c
and some twenty or thirty of the uglies looking two
edged knives that human eyes ever saw. Hear wha
their paper says tof which Mr. Slrang is the repu,ed ej
tor;)
The Mormons on Beaver Island are not TO be driven
from their position They able defend lbemselve.
against any force that be raised in the country, and
10 waste and destroy any that can be sent here"
We hope State authorities will examine into this
matter promptly and thoroughly. We have no disposi
ton TO exciie prejudice against the Mormons In such
quarres there is generally fault both SIDES but
permit the assertion of the Mormon King 10
outweigh equally worthy testimony TO the facts
coming as II does from persons who have not like hun,
any interest in the matter.
OLD CANALS OF EeYpr-At a recent meeting, May
goth, of the institution OF civil engineers England pa
per read on the sthmus OF Suez and the ancient ca
l,,I 4. \,