The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-06-28
Ex.CeV. Harding OF Utah = Mainly
about A0TmOnlsm.
CINcrNNAr1. O.. juno "a. 80.


fron this city-a pretty little place
made up Of an old frame tavern, sa-
loon, a depot and another saloon.
The central tourist would not be like
ly to select this exact place for re-
creation and observation, especially
the latter, although the rich sur
rounding country and excellent roads
afford ample inducements asd advan
tages even for that, when a careful OBJ
sergation is made. We, however, had
an object far distant from this-one
which was not created by any knowl-
edge of the thickly populated country,
aud exceeding richness Of the soil, for
tarrying for a day in this pretty neigh
bOrhoOd, and made the best of our
first night 10 a small railroad inn
adjacent to the depot. : Beadle
was with me, and the time not taken
up In sleep was consumed in pleasant
conversation. Our halt at this point
was induced by the fact Of important
business with Hon. Steven s. Hard
ing, for a number Of years Governor
Of the great territory OF Utah, and
afterward occupying many high posi-
tions of trust, the latest of which was
Chief Justice OF Colorado. Upon in
quiry Of Mine Host, OF the " Rail-
road House" we learned that the
Governor resided at a village called,
In that immediate neighbOrh9o l.,
" Old Milan" which is distant about
one and nne-half miles, In a westerly
direction from the little station ar
which we had alighted. After a long
refreshing sleep and a sharp walk Of
half an hour In the beautiful morning
sunshine, we found ourselves at the
residence of the Governor, who was
on the eve of setting out to oversee
the work Of some of his men, but who
received US cordially when we had
introduced ourselves.
The Governor, though far advanced
in years, and bearing unmistakable
traces Of Times imprint, is still that
hale, hearty man Of years ago. He
still cOnverses in that clear, flowing
style that has ever characterized him
as an orator and has marked MS mes
sages and other public works SO IN
mistakably. He is Of medium
heighth, well rounded and closely
knit in frame, and is still possessed Of
that energy and firmness which, in
youth and middle age, gave his char
acter such a decided stamp. He en-
tertained US In his magnificent draw
ing rooms, dining hall and beautiful
grounds respectively. at the appropri-
ate time for each, during the entire
day in a manner that at least gave us
the impression that hospitality is not
a small part of his noble nature. His
beautiful and talented daughters and
estimable helpmeet filed cur visions
with exquisite pictures, which have
not yet faded away, rendering our stay
highly pleasant. From conversation
with our host, we became acquaint-
ed with many valuable facts and
gained many ideas highly important
TO Us In our future field of labor, aud
which we will bring out in subsequent
letters Utah matters in general, and
MOrmonism IN particular. were the
principal topics upon which we eou-
versed, and at times we would wander
back to the early history of Indiana,
upon which the Governor dwelt with
evident pleasure and satisfaction. His
public life at least has been a spotless
one. and in looking back upon it he
quite naturally experiences a true
sense OF pride. He has ever with the
yancing humanity, earnestly stood up
for the laws of Right, and has waged
a sharp, unceasing war upon the com.
mon enemies of this, which he proud
~ recognizes as his mother country.
lie did not in word or action refer to
his noble triumphs aad other points
of egotism which might in reason
be eXI ected.
We finally seized more firmly upon
the interesting subject that had been.
by mutual consent, introduced and
analysed more closely that upon
which We had previously spoken only
10 general terms, viz: a review OF
religious decisions, that nave in past
ages swept death and utter destruc
ton upon an erring people, and as a
forcible example of the great power
of man, who is possessed, not only of
evil imagiuations, but of a malignant
temper, TO influence che mind Of the
ignorant and superstitious to accord
IN views with his interests. He cited
the following striking example: When
quite young man, be had occasion
to spend a few weeks In a neighb Dor
hood which was raeked and almost
eraZed on the distasteiul question OF
Mormonlsm, which wise prophets and
learned apostles predicted would ex-
tend Its influence throughout the
length and breadth of the land and
for time Gin imagination) it seemed
that these wild speculations were
about to be fulfilled. Determining
to test the extent to. which the de-
fusion might be carried, and In so
doing, at the end to clear the whole
subject to the satisfaction of every
body, he settled upon a fanatic living
near by, ole Calvin Stoddard, to
whom he told an imaginary dream, In
which 1t appeared that the Lord had
revealed to him that Mormonism
the true religion was about to be cast
upon the people, aud furthermore
that he Calvin Stoddard) would be
: sent forth to preach the gospel of the
Latter Day Saints The man was
greatly affected, and the little ruse
gave promise of working well. Late
IN the night, whom darkness had set
tied like pail upon the little village
the Governor wended his way through
by-paths crossing the town. when
with three heavy missiles he haC
brought with him, he threw in rapi6
succession upon the dry weather
boarding of the house, and then. in :
changed tone, called upon StoddarC
to go forth and preach the gospel Of
Nephi, the non performance OF
which command he warned him
would render his wife a widow, his
children fatherless, and his ashes
would be scattered to the four winds
of heaven. The result of all this was
not what had been anticipated
Stoddard went forth and related
to the excited populaee what
had been revealed to him.
and when he had expressed his de-