American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-01-24
yt {',lFrom The NeD Orleans Bulletin.
SAD STORY OF sIORMONnsrI.
THE MoTnls AND CHILDREN.

r. THE MOTHER AND CHILDREN.
T. We became acquainted few DAYS
since with a short history of certain
transactions, partly in this city, and
partly out of it, which afford very
fair illustration of the practical effect,
OF that beautiful system of imposture
which is shedding its lights and shad-
ows upon the tops of the western noun
tains. Possibly our readers may be
interested in it-espccially if they
should ever in the mutations of the fu-
ture, be bethrownwithin the valley where
the Upas sheds it's poison and reveals
the ghastly carcasses which strew the
ground, they may perhaps be enabled
to turn 1T to practical use. With this
object in view, we will briefly state the
circumstances to which we allude, sup
pressing names for the reason that
some of those affected, and most griey-
ously affected, by those circumstances,
are of our own citizens, and to whom
we would tender our profoundest SYM
pathies. a Is
A few years since, gentleman, his
wife, and two infantile children, like
thousands of others, left this city for
the golden shores of the Pacific, the
husband and wife, dreaming doubtless
thatin the land of the shining ore they
should soon realize a fortune for them
selves and their children. The lady,
we may premise, possessed more than
an ordinary share of intellect, which
had been cultivated to highly respec-
table degree, by the care of fond and
doating parents, who little thought of
the use to which that intellect would
in after years be devoted, or how their
devotion would be repaid. Alas! they
can feel show sharper than serpent's
tooth tits to have thankless child,r
or one that brings them only sorrow
instead ofjoy.
The family settled in San Francis
co. Some time afterward, the gentle
man and his wife, in connection with a
brother oflthe latter, CHANGED to step
in on Sunday to hear Mormon mis-
bsionary from Utah, who was holding
forth in, San Francisco. They, were
prevented by the bad weather and wal
king from attending their usual place
Fof worship, and as the house from
where the Mormon was speaking hap
Ipened to be in their way, they conclu.
ded, after leaving home, and from mere
curiosity, to so in and hear him. Fa-
tai curiosity! Inauspicious day! What
the particular subject of discourse was
which they heard, we arc not advised.
After coming out, the husband and
brother expressed themselves very
freely upon the merits Of what they
had heard, and pronounced some of it
little, ifany, short Of blasphemy. TO
the utter astonishment Of both, howey-
er, the wife and sister expressed her
self highly pleased with it.
As probable solution of such a
mystery we may say, before proceed
ing further, that it subsequently, turn
ed out that she had heard a Mormon
missionary while q young lady resid-
| ing in one of the river towns in Missis-
sippi. Poligamy was at that time
carefully concealed from the outside
Gentilcs by the apostles of Joe Smith,
and stoutly denied. Probably the
young lady was fascinated by the ro-
nance which the Mormon may have
skillfully woven into his discourse, and
the seeds of blasting ruin thus LODGED
in her mind to spring up, fructify and
bear apples of Sodom to turn out ashes
in the tasting many days afterwards.
BE this as it may, the lady soon became
strongly attached to the Mormon faith
and went frequently, if not constantly
to hear its apostles. In q short time
he had acquired sufficient influence
over her to cause her to resolve to quit
her husband--if he would not accom-
pany her--and rapair to the grand
rendezvous of the latter Day Saints,
as they style themselves, at Salt Lake
City. " Is h1@iI n@
The determination once taken, moth
ing could dissuade her from her pur-
pose. But the children, what was to
become of them? The mother was de-
votedly passionately attached to them
and she determined to take them with
her. The father and brother of course
became alarmed. 10 prevent her from
going they knew well would be iinpossi-
bic, but they resolved to save the chill
dren from the yawping gulph which
was about opening to receive them; &
in pursuance Of this resolution, they
determined to send them to their grand
parents in this city. They were there
fore taken when the mother was absent
! placed on board steamer. and safely