The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-05-13

sail Lake Nuley. we Hio III tho ~. {.
Tunes an interesting narrative prepared by
LOLA, from which VIC make the following
extracts, promising that LOLA is an educa-
ted Swiss, joined the Mormons and arrived
at st. Louis on his way TO Salt Lake City,
10 December, 1858:
While in st. Louis was appointed by
Orson Pratt M temporary President Of a
Mormon Church. My experience while
there, with respect to the private character
Of some leading members Of the church was
not calculated 10 Augment the high opinion
which had formed Of those dignitaries.
Stealing, cheating. and deceiying, and living
contrary 10 the moral principles which en-
tertsined and cherished, were practices
which was Obliged to notice every day.
While here, too, | learned for the first time,
that Captain Gunnison wdS not kiHsdby In
dans, as had been reported, bm By Mormon
asaains. Many Mormon tricks and ras
calities, which shook my faith materially,
here came under my observation. But hrm-
ly believing that the conduct Of thee priests
was not sanctioned by brigham Young, |
did hope and expect to find 10 HIM all the
characteristics and virtues belitting Q man
Of 9od. started, therefore, full Of faith,
across the plains for Salt Lake City. Not
far from IHavenwertb, had the misfortune
TO lose half Of my compatriots by the chol-
era. and among the number my wife, who
had followed NY faith ind fortunes With ali
the faith and trust OF coniding woman. |
was then left alone with six young children,
the eldest only twelve years old, and the
youngest six months. Nothing doubling,
however, pushed on my weary way, nc
ccpting meekly the severe trials to which |
was thus subjected. | had with me two
wagons loaded with all kinds a goods,
which had brought over from Europe. to
the value Of eight or nine thousand dollars
Tho guides, who were all Mormons from the
Valley, plandered me upon every opportuui-
ty throughout the journey especially when
we drew near 10 the Valley, StIl be-
lieved Brother Brigham TO be nm honest
man, and In this comforting faith pushed on
Immediately after my arrival IN the Val.
ley, the Prophet took me out in one Of his
wagons, and showed me some Of his houses
and other property. During this excursion
he presented me with one Of his houses, ,ogeth.
Or with some land, with the condition that |
should manufacture gunpowder. However,
! was grievously disappointed to find that
all had been told in Switzerland Of this
beautiful land was lar from truth, and that
it was anything but fertile and fruitful.
Shortly after this ! was made Professor
OF Chemistry" became High Priest, and
received the end0wments. Thus ] was mi.
tiatcd into oil their principles and mysteries.
and became acquainted with many OF their
secret plans and transactions. This opened
my eyes al once, ard saw nj u glance the
terrible position IN which ] was placed.
now found myself in the midst OF wicked
and degraded people, shut up in the midst Of
the mountains, with u large and helpless
family and deprived OF all resources with
which 10 ,ytricate myself The conviction
had been forced upon my mind that Brig
ham himself was nj the bottom OF all the
cland,stino assassinations, pundering Of
trains, robbcries Of maiIs, and the excmpIar
Of every other species Of wickeducss prac-
tcc,l among his followers.
also saw that the system If polygamy
wa. anything but conducive TO peace aud
happiness IN the human amtly--but only
calculated 10 crafty the carnal propcnsitles
VI mcn. and TO destroy, u, the same time,
all that ia delicate. refined or noble in We
mans character, reducing her, in tact, mere
ly 10 the position OF an article ct mcrchan.
de. have seen two young sisters sold by
their own father to Gen. Horace Eldrcdce,
for some groceries. have @cn men mar.
rying both mother and daughter. have
known another m incestuous intercourse
with his own sister, and then witnessed
Brigham Young taking thls last woman ~
hs wife when she was about to become u
mother.
One Of my own personal acquaintance,
W. a. Stains---one OF BrighamS hvurlte
destroying angels and spies applied TO the
Prophet for leave to take third vie.
Leave was granted. The next day the lover
Appeared before Brigham with his betroth,d
when greatly to his establishment, ,ha,
worthy changed the programme slightly,
and married the lady 10 himself. a. he found
her very pretty woman. Poor Stains ac-
ccpted the cruel bereavement as = trial IRON
inc lDfu. Cbuiu uu Nbliut~ WIN az
counts OF similar ,ransactions- bu, enough
OF this. Never, while at salt Lake City.
did SEE any punishment inflicted upon
criminals who hal stolen or committed muir.
der, though these crimes were frequently
perrtA.ed by the leading ulembers--even
by Brigham's own brothers, and especially
by Lorenzo Young. Hut il anybody was
even accused OF having INDUCED in any dis.
paraging remarks against the head OF the
Church. that man was certain 10 disappear
suddenly and mysiericusy-being privately
DESTROYED. An the roads leading to the
Valley were generally infested with the de-
stroyiug angels, either Tor the purpose OF
murder or plumber. The vengeance OF these
miscrcan,s was especially Nreakcl on those
who, after having been entirely initiated in
to the mystery Of Mormouism. attempted ii
make their escape from the Valley
Ny children being 80 young and helpless
wi,hou, a mother 10 care Tor them, took 1