Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1857-12-11

followers said, 'Ihe prophet Is not learned IN
a human sense: how could be have become ac-
quainted with the antiquarian learning here
displayed, if it were not supernaturaily COM
nunicated to him!" But to TINS question there
was soon an answer equally explicit aud salts
factory. The real author oy the Book of Nor
mon was Rev. Solomon Spauldine, who wrote
il as romance. Its entire history, and the
meaus by which il came ipto the possession Of
Smith, are described ID tie following state
neut, by Mr. Spaulding's widow
'sSince the Book Of Mormon or Golden BIZ
bic las il was originally called,) has excited
much attention, and is deemed by certain new
sect Of equal authority with the sacred Scrip
lures, think it dury TO the public to state
what know OF lis origin. 3 a Sol
oInon Spaalding to whom WAS married in ear
ly life, gaS agr4iu4te of D .r.a,llt "a .,sl
was distinguished tor lively ;,lt.
great tpndness for history. At ,.ie itnH9 oe % y
marriage, be resided in Ghefry Valley, Ne,s
York. From this place, we removed 10 Neg
Salem, Ashtabala County, Ohio, some tialc cal
led ConReaut, as it il situated on q ,nneaut
Creek. Shortly after our removal TO this place.
bis health failed, and he was laid aside from ac-
tive labors. In the town of New Salem there
are numerous moands and forts, supposed by
many TO be the dllapdated dwellings, and farti-
heaiious OF u race DOW extinct These relies
arrest the attention III new settlers and become
objects Of research for the curious Numerous
implements were found, aud other articles eyinc-
nag skid IN The arts. Mr.. Spaulding being an
educated uan, took lively interest iu these
neveiopenients OF antiquity: and in order to be-
guile the hours of retirement, and. furnish en-
ptoyment fpT his mind, ne coueai we'd the idea
OF giving an hlstoritai sketch OF the long lest
race. Then antiquity led BIN to adopt the
most ancient style, and be initiated the Old
Testament as nsarly ~ possible His sole ob.
Ject IA writing thIs lima eiaary history was to
amuse himself and his ueighbors. This vas
about tbe yeEr 1872. Halls surrender at De-
tFoii ,oeeurea near the same time. and recoI-
lect he date we'll from that circumstance. As
he progressed in his narrative, the neiahbars
would come in from time to time to he ar portuns
read, and great interest in the work was ex-
writer Dy 0ns of the lost nation, and 90 have
been recovered from the earth; and he gave il
the title Of 'Tbe Manuscript Found The
neigh6ers would often inquire how Mr.. Spauid-
M advanced IN deeiPhering the manuscript;
aud when ne had a sufficient portion prepared,
he would Inform those, and they would assemble
TO bear IT read lie was enabled, from his ac-
qualntance with the classics aud aDci lent history
10 introduce many singular names, which wee
particularly noticed BY the people aud could be
easily recognized bY them. Mr.. Solomon Snauld-
ing hal a brother, VI. John SpaulGiag in the
place at the time, who was perfectly familiar
wth the work, and repeatedly beard the whole
OF II. From New Salem We removed to Pittsbarg
IN Pennsylvania. Here Mr. Spauldug found Il
friend aud acquaintance, in the person of Mr..
Patterson, an editor OF newspaper. He ex-
blbtied his manuscript to Mr. Patterson, who
was much pleased With it and borrowed it for
perusal. lie retained il long time, and IN
formed Mr. Spauiding that if he would make
out. a title-page and preface, he would publish
1t, and 1t mIghbbe source OF profit This Mr.
opsuldlng refused to do. Sidney Rigdon, who
mas hgured 50 largely 10 the history OF the Nor
mons, was at that time connected with the print
ing Office of Mr. Patti erson, as is we'll known
III that region, and, as Rigdou himself has fre-
quenily stated became acquainted wah Dir.
Spauidfug's manuscript, and copied it. 1t was
matter OF notoriety ard interest to all con-
neeted with the printing establishment. At
length the manuscript was returned to its au-
Ihor, anu soon after We removed to Amily,
Washington county, where Mr.. Spauiiing died,
~ 1910. The manuscript, iden fell into my
hands, aud was carefully. preserved. Il has
frequently been examined by mydaughfer, Mrs.
MehenStly, Monson, Massachusetts,, with whoa
now reside, aud by other friends After the
BOOK Mormon nut &c,
Zen to New salem, the place of Mr.. Spauldng's
former residence, and the very place where ihe
Manuscript Found was written. A woman
appointed meeting there; ard in the meeting
read coplous extracts frou the Book of Mormon
lhe historical part was known by ali the Dider
htnol'antS, IS the ideniieal work o. Mr. Snauld-
in=- - vdl' they il,i N, peea So dcenly in.er-
ested years before. Nh J9a Sb4ut4i,.y vas
present, and ree0gai2e,t p4r.ec l7,,.g ,,ggd C.
ton OF his brother lie was anl5za. an. cri,et-
ed that 1t should have been pervrg,c to so
wicked purpose. His grief foua4 vent in
tears AMI he arose OF the spot, and express
seq 10 the meeting his sorrow that the writings
OF bis deceased BROTHER should be used for a
purpose so vile aud shocking. The excitement
III New oaiem BECAME SO great that tue inh Ib;>
tants lad a meeting, aud deputed DR.. Phslas-
tus Huriburt, one OF their number. TO repair to
this place, and 10 obtain from me the original
manuscript of Dir. Spauldiug, for the purpose
Of comparing it with the Mormon Bible-to sat-
lsfy their own minds and to prevent their friend
trem embracing an error so delusiye. This was
IN the year 1884. DR.. Hurlbut brought with
him an introduction and request for the manu-
scriPt,Whleh was signed by Messrs. Henry Lake,
Aaron Wright, and others, with all OF whom
was acquainted, as they wero my neighbors
when resided at New Salem. am sure that
nothing would more grieve my husband were
ne living, than tue use which has been made Of
his work. The air of antiquity which was thrown
aooo. lhe composition doubtless suggested the
IDEA Of converting it to the purpose Of delusion.
Thus, an historical romance, with the addition
OF fe" pIous expressions, aud extracts from
the sacred Scriptures, has been construed into