Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-10-10

ness for history. AT the time of our
marriage, he resided at Cherry Valley,
N Y. From this place we moved to
new Salem, Ashtabula County, Ohio Il
sometimes called Copneaut, as it is situ-
ated upon Conneaut Greek. Shortly
after our removal to this place, his
health sunk, and he was laid aside from
active labors. In the town of New
Salem, there are numerous mounds, and
forts, supposed by many to be the dilap-
idated dwellings and Notifications of al
race now extinct. These ancient relics
arrest the attention of the new settlers
and become objects of research for the
curious. Numerous implements were
found, and other articles eyincing great
skill in the arts. Mr.. Spaulding being
an educated man and passionately fond
of history, took lively interest in these
developments of antiquity; and in order
to beguile the hours of retirement and
furnish employment for his lively imag
ination, he conceived the idea of giving
an historical sketch of the long lost race.
; Their extreme antiquity of course would
lead him to write in the asost ancient
style, and as the Old Testament is the
most ancient book in the world, he INIT
ated its style as nearly as possible. His
sole object in writing this historical ro-
nance was to amuse himself and his
| neighbors. This was about the year
1912. HulPs surrender at Detroit, oc-
Cured near the same time, and | recollect
: the date well from that circumstance. AS
! he progressed in his narrative, the neigh
, bors would come in from time to time to
hear portions read, and a great interest
in the work was excited among them. II
claimed to have been written by one OF
the lost nation, and to have been recov-
cred from the earth, and assumed the
title of Manuscript found" The neigh
bors would inquire how Mr.. S. pro-
gressed in deciphering " the manuscript
and when he had sufficient portion pre-.
pared he would inform them, aud they
= would assemble to hear it read. He
was enabled from his acquaintance will
the classics and ancient history, to in
: troduee many singular names, which
were particularly noticed by the people
! and could he easily recognized by them
Mr.. Spaulding had brother, Mr.. JOIN
= Spaulding residing in the place at th'
time, who was perfectly familiar witt
this work and repeatedly heard the who'll
of it read.
y From New Salem we removed t.
Pittsburgh Pa. Here Mr.. S. found al
acquaintance and friend in the person c
: Mr.. Patterson, an editor of anewspapel
'e He exhibited his manuscript to Mr.. P
3 who was very much pleased with it, an
N borrowed it for perusal. He retained
rs for long time and informed Mr.. S. tha
lp if he would make ort q title page an
I'll preface, he would publish it and it migf
S be source of profit. This Mr. refuse
te to do for reasons which I cannot no,
le state. Sidney Rigdon, who figured s
'i largely in the history of the Mormon
Il was at the time connected with the prin
OF ing office of Mr.. Patterson, as is we
IN known in that region, and as Rigdon bin
nc self has frequently stated. Here he ha
50 ample opportunity to become acquaintt
fe with SIS manuscript and to copy it if |
'e' chose. 1t was matter of notoriety al
h- interest to all who were connected wi
eh the printing establishment. At leng
10 the manuscript was returned to its auth
iui and soon after we removed to Ami
an Washington County, Pa, where Mr..
'en deceased in 1918. The manuscript tn
oe fell into my hands and was careful
Inc W preserved. 1t has frequently been e
rs amined by my daughter, Mrs. McKe
ese stry, of Monson, Mass, with whom
ooI now reside, and by other friends. Af
up the @Book of Mormon" came out,
ct; copy of twas taken to New Salem, I
ing place of Mr.. Spauldings former res
ing ence, and the very place where the \
In nuscript found" was written. A won
ger preacher appointed meeting there, q
as1e in the meeting read and repeated copi,
yer extracts from the Book of Mormo
the The historical part was Immediately
un- cognized by all the older inhabitants,
liiis the identical work Of Mr.. S. in VIII
and they had been 50 deeply interested ye
lace ago. Mr. John Spaulding was pres
who is an eminently pious man and
cosnized perfectly the work of his brotI
iU- He was amazed and afflicted, tha
should have been perverted TO so vic
ten purpose. His grief found vent
n r