Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-06-03
ANOTHER STARTLING TRAGEDY.

We have the particulars to-day OF another
painful narrative of Mormon iniquity, seduc-
tion and vllaiuy, followed up in this instance,
however, as it will be seen, by a summary ven
geance from the injured husband. The &C
count which we publish below is taken from
the Van Buren, Ark, InteiHgencer, and gives
in brief the facts of the case pretty much as
they have occurred. From the Fort Smith
Herald and the New Orleans Bulletin we have
confirmation of the whole story, up to the last
act in the drama, the tragic death of Elder
Pratt, the Mormon apostle. Thus it will be
seen what utter ruin and devastation has been
wrought in a virtuous family by the designing
arts of sanity scoundrel and the lures of a
Van Buren, inteiiigencer records of the termn-
alton of this affair:
TRAGICAL.-It is with regret that We have to
chronicle the homicide committed in our vi
cinity on Wednesday last, by Mr.. Hector Ii.
Mclean, late of San Francisco, California, u
pom the person of Mormon preacher. The
deceased, whose name was Farley Parker Pratt
had been preacher and missionary of the
Mormons at San Francisco, California, where
whom he induced to embrace the Mormon
faith.
She was at that time. living with her hus-
band, Hector ii. Mclean; they, were happy
and prosperous until she made the acquain-
tance of Pratt, and embraced the Mormon
faith. She is the mother of three children by
Mclean, two boys and girl, and seems to ne
an intelligent and interesting lady converses
fuently, and with more grace and ease than
most ladies. About two years ago, and soon
after she became convert to Mormonism, she
made an attempt to abduct two of her children
to Utah, but was detected and prevented by
her brother, who was then in California, and
residing with his brotler-in-law, Mr.. Mclean.
She soon after, however, found means to elope
with said Pratt to Salt Lake, where it is said
that she became his ninth wife.
After the elopement of Mrs. Mclean. her
parents, who reside near New Orleans wrote
to Mr.. Mclean, in California, to send the chill
dren to them. He did so. Several months
after this, Mr.. Mclean received news that his
wife had been TO her father in New Orleans,
and eloped with the two youngest children
Il N
Orleans, and on arriving at the house of his
father-in-law, he learned from them that Mrs.
Mclean had been there, and after an ineffectu-
al effort to convert her father and mother to
Mormonism, she pretended to abandon it her
self, and so far obtained the confidence of her
parents, as to induce them to entrust her in
the city of New Orleans with the children
but they soon found she had betrayed their
confidence and eloped with the children. Nc
Lean, on learning .he above facts, immediate
ly started in pursuit of his children.
On arriving at Fort Gibson, and while there.
he found letters in the postoffice to his wife
from Pratt, some of which were mailed at st.
Louis, and others at Flint postoffice, Cherokee
nation. Mclean, then, upon affidavit made by
himself, obtained writ from the United States
Commissioner at this place for their arrest, and
succeeded in getting them arrested by the u
nited States Marshal. They were brought to
this place for trial, and after an examination
before the Commissioner, were discharged.
Pratt, as soon as released, mounted his horse
and left the city. Mclean soon after obtained
a horse and started in pursuit, and overlook
Pratt about eight miles from the city, and shot
him. Pratt died in about two hours after re-
ceving the wound. This is plain narrative
of the facts as we heard them from the most re-
liable resources, which we give to our readers
without comment, as we feel that we are una
bic TO do so with justice to all parties. But
deeply do we sympathize with Mclean in the
unfortunate condition in which Mormon viii
lainy and fanaticism has placed him.