American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-05-13
Narrative ofa Repentent Mormon.


A Mr.. Frederick Loba, whose statement
relative to the condition OF the matters and
things st Salt Lake we have referred TO.
has made detailed statement Of bis expe.
riencs in the Mormonism which statement
is published in letter from Fort Leaven-
worth to the New York Times.
Loda represents himself as native Of
Switzerland. a former resident Of the city
Of Lausanne. where rs scientific man be
was engaged in the manufacture Of gas.
He become fascinated with the pretended
Mormon faith, and with the representation
OF the beauty and perfection Of Utah in
1851, and in '55 giving up his lucrative
situation with the government. and sacri-
izing his property, he, with his family
a wife and six young cbildren-embarked
for this coun ry arriving in ST Louis Dec.
9th, 1853. At st. Louis he was made q
temporary President of Mormon Church
by Orson Pratt, and while there saw many
things that shook his faith in some Nor.
mons. and also there learned that Capt
Gunnison was not killed by the Indians as
had been reported. but by Mormon assas.
sins. Mormon rascalities and tricks shook
his faith, but believing that they were not
sanctioned by Brigham Young be started,
full Of hope for Salt Lake City. On the
rout his wife died Of cholera. but he pres.
sed on with his children, the youngest six
months Of age. He had two Wagons
loaded with his goods. valued at $4,000
His Mormon guides plundefed him where.
ever opportunity offered, but be reached
Salt Lake City the narrative says:-
Immediately after my arrival in the
Valley, the prophet took me out in one o
his wagons. and showed me some Of hi
houses and other property. During thi'
excursion, he presented me with one Of BIZ
houses, together with some land, with III,
condition that / should manufa ,vure gun
powder. However, was grevionsly dis
. appointed to find that al had been toll
10 Switzerland Of this beautiful land wa
far from truth, and it was anything bu
fertile and fruitful. Shortly after this
was made a"Pro6essor OF Chemestry.
became q High Priest and received the en-
dowments- Thus l was initiated into a
their principles and mysteries. and becam
acquainted with many oftheir scored plan
and transactions.
l saw that the system Of polygamy wa
anything but conductive to peace and haT
piness in the human famil, but ODl
calculated TO crafty the cardinal propeu
stiles Of men. and to destroy, at the sam
time. all that is delicate. refined or nobl
in womans character, redur ing her in fac
merely to the position Of an article Of mel
Q chandixe have seen two young sister
D sold by their OWN father to General Hol
: ace Eldredge. for some groceries. haV
seen men marrying both mother an
daughter. have known another
!, ineestous intercourse with his own siste
Q and then witness Brigham Young takin
this last woman as his wife vhen she WI
q about to become a mother. One of m
l own personal acquainteuces, W. G. Stair
L one of Brighsms fatorit "destroyir
angles" and spies-applied to the proph
P for leave to take third wife, LeaV VI
II granted. The next day the lover appea
ed before Brigham with his betrothe
n when, greatly to his astonishment. tn
e worthy changed the programme slight
q and married the lady to himself. as
Iound her pretty woman. Poor Sta
accepted this oruel bereaymeht as tri
from the Lord. 3,s
is My children being SO young and hel
Ia less, without mother 10 care for ther
.. / took second wife. who was born
d Bedford England. In my own fanny
,e enjoyed much peace and happiness, I
" though very often / vas at q loss to kno
!. where with to feed them--the grashoppt
IN having. especially during my last ye'r
+, the Valley, destroyed all vegetation.
" already stated. my eyes were now oPe
i. and 1 was fully convinced that nothi
which IL. Mormons saidor did was
heavenly origin or inspiration. Knowi
n Brigham Young as l did to be dark 10
9. night murderer, / sought all possi
% means to save my wife aud family. N
20 withstandiug that / dissimulatsh as nu
ne as possible, coucealing my true feeling
disgust and abhorance. could not esc'
i'd the suspicion Of the despois who surrouI
NJ led me. was frequently asked to t
,st moro wives, and was told no man COZ
/, obtain any high station unless he had