Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-11-14
BRIGHAM Y0UNG'S "AVENGING
ANGEL"
An Interesting Chapter of Alledged
Secret Mormon History.

"W hat l have told you must not
find its way into print while Brigham
Young lives! !" These words were ad-
dressed to your correspondent in De-
cember, 1871, at Omaha. The man
who Spoke them was Geo. P. Case,
for several years resident of Michi-
gan. l found him in Omaha at the
date mentioned, sick, penniless and
seemingly about to die, and it was
only when he had become GONZALES
cent and was about ready to start for
Mexico that he gave me the informa-
ton used below. had heard rumors
that Case had passed several years OF
his lite in the employ Of Brigham
Young, but he denied these rumors in
the most positive manner until he felt
assured that he would not be betray
ed. Partly because pressed him to,
and partly from gratitude at the little
had been able to do for him, he gave
me such a history of five years of his
life as made me hate almost the sight
of him. A year ago, when the John
D. Lee excitement was at fever heat,
certain officials were informed where
Case could be 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 nor
less than one of Brigham Young's
paid assassins or avenging angels
His acquaintance with Young was
brought about rather curiously. He
was at Salt Lake City on his way to
California. This was III the spring OF
1866, and the Gentle population OF
Utah was fast increasing. Being on
the street at late hour one night, the
Prophet was recognized by three or
four boislerous chaps, and they were
rSe;aslly ;sly sj to sye t.!aiJ HIN . gS9@ggh Aandiess
man $ part and beat them off. He
was asked to call on Young next day,
and before the interview closed Case
had hired to the Prophet as detec-
tive. He was led to believe that bis
duties would be the same as those OF
an ordinary detective but it was not
long before he discovered that his
associates were assassins, and that
assassination would become part OF
his duties.
Case was rough and reckless; but
he was neither a robber nor MUIR
derer When he found himself point
ed out on the streets as an Avenglne
Angel, he sought an interview will
Young, and stated his desire to reslgl
his position.
'It would be safer for you to con
tinue on was the Prophets reply.
"But l don't want to-" protested
Case. Il want to go to California.
rMen who leave our service atte
being entrusted with our secrets d'
! not always get along finely contlnu
cd Young.
He spoke very pleasantly, and h
, seemed very friendly; but there wa
something in his lcok and tone tina
gave Case feeling of uneaslness'-
= He was given day or two to reflect
and he finally decided to remain. In
u mystery and adventure OF the ne'
, c..ling were great temptation tn
l pay good, and the Michigander wer
} back to duty.
Case had no incentive to deceiV
" " me in any particular. He was the
" free from Mormon influence, about
leave the country, and he was glvin
" me information which he knew woul
be locked up for years and he mac
'1 u, no statements which be could NJ
- back up by dates, names, personal q
'e scriptions and other incidents suftcle'
: to prove tn at he was telling the trut
IL Il He said that when once Gentle ha
: been given over to the Avengln
'f Angels he was dead man. The
{ might put him out of the way at onc'
or might delay month, according
20 circumstances, but the shadow
death walked beside the victim fro
~ the moment his name was handed
sc to the "Angels." In some cases Il
victim was imprisoned for time'
order to cxtort information, or +
y reasons best known to the Church.
y When once the dungeon doors hi
shut behind him, no man came o
alive. In some cases the dead boo
u would be lett on the street, and
would be made to appear that the m
-. had been waylaid. In other instan'