The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1873-02-15
MOBBING THE M0RM0NS.
Persecution of the Saints in Ontario
Temple of osborne Destroyed.
~, A. ordon fOntarlo) Free Press


For some wears past the followers Of
that illiterate enthusiast Joseph Smith,
have been quietly promulgating the doc
,rines of the Mormon faith in various
narts of Western Ontario, and have
snceeeded in several localities in
leading weak minded people TO join them,
and as consequence, TO renounce the
faith of thar forefathers. Especially is
this the case in the township of More, in
the county Of Lambton, where large
number of Welsh people have settled, and
where there are but few family circles who
cannot say that one of tho household has
"Gono and Joined the Mormons,
Thugay and festive Mormons."
There a tabernacle has been dedic ated
10 their chosen system Of worship, and
services are reg IL larly performed therein,
in conformity with the doctrines enjoined
by their spiritual head, Brigham Young
Their mode of life is similar to that in
vogue in Salt Lake City, with the excep-
ton that polygamy Is not practiced. One
or more of the head elders visit once o
year the great head of the sect, and re-
ce;ve instruction for the spiritual guild
ance of the flock under their charge.
REVEALS are Of frequent occurrence,
and the members Of both sexes worship
deyoutly from the stand poiut taken by
their leaders. The presence of these peo-
nile in that part of the township has had
the effect Of drawing to their sect increas-
ed membership, and at tho present time it
is stated that their numbers may be count
cd by hundreds. In the township Of
P)ympton, also, Brigham had numerous
followers; but they have within the past
three or four years emigrated TO the valley
and become exemplary adherents and dis
ciples of Joe Smiths band of Latter Day
Saints. A few facts in connecsion with
the spread Of the baneful and pernicious
doctrines of these misguided people comes
to us from the township of osborne, HUI
ron county, adjoining Biddulph.
During the past year the inhabitants Of
a portion Of that township have been visit
ed at different times by leading mDers
of the Larter.day Saints with view Of
scattering the grain of mustard seed" to
tho people, among the sect counted numer-
GUS friends, who gave these men every aid
aud countenance in the PRONUNCIATION and
diffusion Of the peculiarities connected
with their form Of worship. The majority
of the residents of their locality, how
ever, were decidedly averse to these i'm
posters planting their stakes in their
midst, conceving that their doctrines that
they held were, if not subversive to law
and order, at least mockery on the pure
and holy religion they professed. Iu-
cited by bitter feelinge, and with a deter
mination to get rid Of these individuals
who had taken prominent part in the
spread of what they pleased to term the
"naked truth" as revealed to the heads of
their denomination. numerous party
some weeks since met and organized a
vigilance committee, whose duties were
prescribed.
"The Latter-Day Saints were warned
to lecve the settlement quietly and save
trouble; but they did not heed the gentle
persuasion, and persisted in continuing
their work Of grace despite the admoni-
tons of the committee, who, up to this
time, had used no violence toward one of
the sect Tho members Of the Vigilance
Committee became e1asperated at the con-
duct Of the tribe, and determined to get
rid Of the impostors, as they termed them,
at all hazards. Accordingly, about two
weeks ago, the chosen few, who had been
deputed by the residents of the neighbor
hood 10 clear them out, come what may
aherward, assembled and proceeded after
ward to the place where the "saints'' were
holding FORTH The latter, however, were
made acquainted with the intentions of
their opponents, and had the doors Of the
temple securely barred against intruders.
The vigilants in consequence failed to
secure admission and could not carry out
their intentions. With q determination
not to be foiled in their undertaking, they
again assembled on Thursday evening,
the 9th of January and, Notwithstanding
the inclemency of the wather, patiently
awaited the return of the pilgrims from
their house Of worship and, seizing upon
them, had them in}o sleigh, which was
in readiness to receive the saints, and
then drove off to thickly wooded forest,
few miles distant, whore plentiful
supply of tar and feathers had been pre-.
ViouSiy supplied.
on the road to the bush the captives
made night hideous with their pteous cries
aud entreaties for mercy at the hands of
their captOrs, but the vigilant. turned a
deaf ear to their applications, and were
about to present them with coat of tar,
when council of war was suggested, and
ut which it was agreed to cease hostilities
provided IN assurance was given that
they would cease their infdel teachings
and leave for Nsuvoo or some other place
with as little delay ms possible. This guar.
antee saints" concluded to give, assuring
the prosecutors las they called the com
mittee) that they would not in the future
annoy theinhabitants of the district. And,
our correspondent adds, in conclusion
"the assembluge then quietly dispersed to
their respective homes"