Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-05-03
Ulah and lhc NIormons.

| POftUWt CtUteNfeNtSs
The following is the narrative of Frederick
Loba, the Mormon High Priest, who has re-
Gently escaped. with his family, from Utah.
His account of his connection with the
Church of Latter Day Saints and of his
escape therefrom. will be found highly inter-
esting. 1t was forwarded from Leevenworth,
hanzas, where Mr.. Loba now is, by the cor
respondent of the Ne,o York Times:
Mr.. LoBAs STATEMENT.
My name is Frederick Loba. am native
OF Lausanne, Switzerland, in which city /
am well known, having been engaged from
1886 to 1858, in introducing there a new prin-
clple in the manufacture of gas. My circum-
stances were easy and comfortable, and l was
IN the enjoyment of all the pleasures and ad-
Vantages flowing from the possession of fair
competence and the association with gentle
men OF education and refinement. All was
well with me until the end of the year 1851,
when, for the first time, heard of Mormon
ism through some of my political friends.
| Having been unable t. enjoy the peaceable
| faith contained in the Bible as given to us by
our Protestant Church, l felt rather uneasy
with respect to sacred things and our future
existence. AS a consequence, l was always
deeply interested in any question of this ma
| ture, and ldulged continually in theological
| investigation.
Having travelled extensively over all Eu.
| rope, L had many opportunities of hearing
exposltions of different views in regard to
mans final destiny, but nothing to satisfy
me. AT last M0rmonism was presented to
me by some intellectual friends, and | exam
med 1t with greatest care and attention.
was not at first brought in contact with the
PROSECUTING missionaries of the Church
through whom my friends had been seduced
and my investigation, therefore, was directed
entirely to the theory Of the sect, undisturbed
and uninHuenced by others than the friends
In whose intelligence l had long contided
They believed sincerely. knew them to be
intelligent and honest, and therefore, my de-
cepuon was the more easy and natural. Ev-
cry proposition of Mormonism a, then pre-
scented seemed to harmonic with the Scrip
ture, in word aud spirit. was told that all
the blessings and the miraculous powers en-
Joyed by the ancient apostles were actually
restored again on earth to a certain chosen
people, called by the name of " Latter Dav
Salnts :; that the heavens had opened again !;
that God and His angels had visited the earth
and had given to young man named Joseph
smith the power, the keys, and the priest.
hood OF this, the last dispensation, young
man by the name Of F. B. H. Steinhouse, IN
structed by Lorenzo H. Snow one of 1.-The
Twelve who then resided in Switzerland
had the Presidency of the Mormon Churches
IN that country and in Italy. l was carefully
provided with all the Mormon evidences and
testimonies, and everything which had ten
dency to lnhame my imagination, was awaited
of to deceive me, as well as three other infu-
entail citizens of my native place.
l was assured that ''the Valley" Tor UTAH
had been appointed by the Lord for the gath
ering of all those who were honest and pure
IN heart, and that after all these were gath.
cred together, severe judgments and punish
ments would visit the remainder of mankind
that all the blessings from on high were
the happy lot OF the Mormons alone-that
peace and plenty covered the entire valley
that no evil or wickedness was to be found
there-and that the Saints lived there in per-
feet security, free from want or alarm. was
completely deceived, and won over at last
was baptized with all my family, and decided
to sacrifice my standing in society and my
comfortable mode of life, and to unite with
people so highly favored. 1 was told, also,
that all kinds of manufacturing were already
established in Utah, and that nay mechanical
and scientific knowledge and skill would
promptly secure to me and my family all TINT
that L could possibly desire. l became ex-
ceedingly careless, therefore, in relation to
my worldly possessions, and in short time
the greater portion of them was extorted from
me under various pretences. AT last, on the
25th September, 1858, agreed with the gov
eminent to give up the direction of the gas
works.
On the Sth Of December, 1858, arrived at
ST i.Ouis my Nvau To ba 81.
ing all my family with me. While in St
Louis l was appointed by Orson Pratt as tenn
porary president Of a Mormon church. NV
experience while there, with re -pect to the
private character of some leading members of
the church was not calculated to augment tn Q
high opinion which l had formed of those
dignstsries. Stealing, cheating and deceiv-
ing, and living contrary to the moral princi-
Piles which | entertained and cherished, were
practices which was obliged to notice every
day. While here, too, learned for the first
time, that Captain GUSanjSon sCaS not killed by
Indians, as had been reported, but by Mos1aon
GSSasstns Many Mormon tricks and ras.I
ties, which shook my faith materially, here
came under my observation. But firmly be.
lieving that the conduct Of these priests was
not sanctioned by Brigham Young, did hope
and expect to find in him all the Characters
tics and virtues betting man of God. 1
started, therefore, full of faith, across the
Plains for Salt Lake City, Not far from
Leavenworth had the misfortune to lose half
OF my compatriots by the cholera, and among
the number my wife, who had followed my
fortunes with all the faith and trust of con-
hding woman. | was then left alone with six
young children, the eldest only twelve years
old and the youngest six months. Nothing
QOuDtI0O. however | pucbad
way, accepting meekly the severe trials to
which was thus subjected. Ihad with me
two wagons loaded with all kinds of goods.
which had brought over from Europe, to the
value Of eight or nine thousand dollars The
guides, who were all Mormons from the VAL
ley, plundered me upon every opportunity
throughout the journey, especially when we
drew near to'the Valley. Still l believed
brother Brigham to be an honest man, aud in
this comforting faith pushed on.
Immediately after my arrival IN the Valley,
the 'prophet took me out in one OF his wagons,
and showed me some of his houses and other
property. During this excursion he present.
ed me with one Of his houses together with
some land, with the condition that | should
manufacture gunpowder. However, | was
| grievousy disappointed to find that all had
been told III Switzerland OF this beautiful land
was far from truth, and that it was ANYTHING
but fertile and fruitful. Shortly after this
l was made Professor of CHEMISTRY be-
came High Priest and received the endow-
ments. Thus was initiated into all their
| principles and mysteries. and became ac-
quainted with many OF their secret plans and
transactions. These opened my eyes at once,
and l saw at glance the terrible position in
which 1 was placed. now found myself in
/ Il. a a