The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-11-08
BRIGHAM'S "AvENGING ANGEL"
A Page of Secret Mormon History Full OF
Interest.

A Page of Secret Mormon History Full of
Interest.
A correspondent writes to Cincinnati
paper. "What L have told you must
not find it's way into print while Brigham
Young lives?" These words were adj
dressed to your correspondent in Decem-
ber, 1871, at Omaha. The man who
spoke them was George p. Case, for
several years resident of Bay county,
Michigan. / found him in Omaha at
the date mentioned, sick, penniless and
seemingly about to die, and it was only
when he had become convalescent and
was about ready to start for Mexico that
he gave me the information used below
! 1 had heard rumors that Case had passed
several years of his life in the employ of
Brigham Young, but he denied these
rumors in the most positive manner un-
til he felt assured that he would not be
betrayed. Partly because 1 pressed him
to, and partly from gratitude at the little
1 had been able to do for him, he gave
me such history of five years of his life
as made me almost hate the sight of him.
A year ago, when the John d. Lee ex-
citement was at fever heat, certain officials
were informed where Case could he
found, and were given an inkling of what
he could swear to if he would, but he
left Vera Cruz about that time and sailed
for South America, where he now is, If
living.
George p. Case was no more or less
than one of Brigham Young's paid as
sassins or avenging angels. His ac-
quaintance with Young was brought
about rather curiously. He was at Salt
Lake City, on his way to California.
This was in the spring of 1866, and the
Gentle population of Utah was fast in
creasing. Being on the street at late
hour one night, the prophet was recog-
nized by three or four boisterous chaps,
and they were ready to give him a rough
handling, when Case came up and took
the old mans part and beat them off.
He was asked to call on Young the next
day, and before the interview closed Case
had hired to the prophet as detective.
He was led to believe that his duties would
be the same as those of IN ordinary
detective, but it was not long before he
discovered that his associates were as
sassins, and that assassination would be-
come part of his duties.
Case was rough and reckless, but he
was neither a robber nor murderer.
When he found himself pointe out on
the streets as an avenging angel. he
sought an interview with Young, and
stated his desire to resign his position.
"It would be safer for you to continue
on" was the prophets reply.
"But don't want to, protested Case,
81 want to go on to California"
"Men who leave our service after be-
ing entrusted with our secrets do not al.
ways get along finely" continued Young.
He spoke very pleasantly and he
seemed very friendly, but there was
something in his look and tone that gave
, Case a feeling of uneasiness. He was
given a day or two to reflect, and be
finally decided to remain. The mystery
and adventure of the new calling We're a
great temptation, the pay good, and the
Michigander went back to duty.
Case had no incentive to deceive me in
any particular. He was then free from
Mormon influence, about to leave the
county, and he was giving me informa
, ton which lie knew would be locked NJ
, for years and he made no statements
r which he could not back up by dates
, names, personal descriptions and othel
, incidents sufficient to prove that he wal
: telling the truth. He said that whel
, once n Gentle had been given over t.
> the avenging angels he was dead man
+ They might put him out Of the way a
t once or might delay month, accordin,
: +" circumstances, but the shadow o
! ,eath walked beside the victim from tn
moment his name was handed in to tn
Z "Angels." In some cases the victim
9 was imprisoned for time, in order t.
I extort information, OF for reasons bes
E known to the Church. When once tn
e dungeon doors had shut behind him, NJ
o man came out alive. In some cases tn
/ dead body would be left on the street
and it would be made to appear that tn
: man had been waylaid. In other in
: stances it would be carried ont on som
/. highway or flung into the lake. Man
Of the Gentiles, and more particular
: those of wealth and standing, had moth
J. ing to say against the Church, but i
' many cases gave it more or less support
!. Such people had no cause to fear. Othe
, Gentiles were fierce in their denuncis
tions, and sometimes provoked quarreli
but unless they needed the contents of
warning letter their tongues were 500
u silenced.
Il One day in 1867 a man named Willia1
ioStCl DuShlSp, lcSiNtSdp VI DlIi IilillS
= ham, England, arrived at Salt Lake
e quest of his sister, a girl of ninetee1
o who ran away from home and joined
!, party of Mormon converts ready to sa
o for America. On her arrival at Sa
+ Lake she married Mormon named !
n Y. Thomas, living about fourteen mile
It from the city. She was his fourth vii
u and was by no means contented with he
II lot. She ran away from him two or thre
II times, and was once punished by bein
!, shut up in the cellar for two weeks an
1t fed on bread and water. No one kne
, of Buckley's presence in the West unit
e he had reached Salt Lake and begrl
n making inquiries about his sister. Il
81 found out where she was and rode out
d the house, and, when he learned frol
,, her own lips how she was situated, Ii
n hot English blood fired up to the boilir
ct point. He returned to the city to secul
n an interview with the Prophet At sue
a interview he was plainly given to unde
is stand that his sister must remain whe
l. she was, and that Salt Lake City won
a not be safe place for him after event
I'd four hours more.
10 Buckley purchased two horses, a
vi ditional firearms, and at eleven o'clo,
le at night set out for the ranch, his obie
~ being TO rescue his sister from the hou
'd aud ride away with her. Spies had be,
le watching all his movements. When
III left the city three avenging angels, o.
lxxf 1.