The New York herald., 1878-11-25
A GRAPHIC ENDOWMENT.

MYSTERIOUS SCENES IN THE CELEBRATED EN-
DowMENT HOUSE AT SALT LAKE.
Annie Thompson writes to the Salt Lake Tribune
detailing the form of marriage ceremony performed
at the mysterious Endowment House. She says:-
If the woman vino styles herself Mrs. Owen
Miles was IN honest and deserving woman when she
left London to emgrae to Utah with the Latter Day
Saints, and after her arrival here only
FIVE weeks ago) passed through the Endowment
House. think there might be some paation for her
very peculiar and seemingly inconsistent conduct.
When Caroline Owen went to the Endowment
House she entered at the north door and gave her
name to the recorder. She then passed inside to be
washed. taking of her clothes until she naked
As the hour she was born. She was then washed
from head foot aterward she covered with oil
and blessed by the holy priestess her head eyes,
nose. mouth neck. arms. heart breast. bach and all
new garments and received her new name in o
whisper by the officiating priestess. tho woman who
lied beautifully in court Passing along she
before the Great Jehovah and Eohinn. they bcng in
another room, and commenced reading the ritual Of
the Order. "Lct us go down snQ make man., kc..
which is all too tedious to mention.
Miss Owen passed on from one change ~ another.
having her robes and her apron ON to appear before
the master Of ceremonies to receive the osths Stand
ing straight by the elder bringing her right
arm at angle, then placing II across her throat
the terrible words were uttered by the oficating
priest, then drawing and extending her straight
out and bringing it back to right angle striking il
stIafgnt TO the eartn, interpreting the 0atHS
spoken, that her throat should be cut from TO
ear that her heart should be cut ont and that be
discbowelled and her body be buried in the depths
Of the sea, &C., II she should divulge anything per-
tanning to the ceremonies performed in that house.
This is not al the oath Try great deal Miss
Owen then received all the grips, signs, tokens. &C.
There several of these which only the faithful
understand.
Miss owen then passed on to the other degrees.
prayer circles &c. Passing onward and upward she
came 70 the veil arch. This leing previous to her
marriage. John Miles was on the inside Of tho veil
arch Caroline on the outside. Then the compass
and square we're cut her heart. There only
a sheet to separate John from Caroline. and before
she could get through to where John she had to
put her foot to his foot her knee to his knee. her
breast to his breast her lips 10 his lps Then John
whispered in her ear and told her the new name she
had named below. Nobody earth knows what
that is but John and Caroline. He then
brought Caroline through the veil or arch to bo
married Joseph j. Smith sat Immediately opposite
the table. Jonn stood ut the right and Caroline at
the left After the usual questions were put and
swered the marriage was proceeded with and finished
John and Caroline walking TO the scaling ROOM where
Joseph +. Smith sat on the throne and later stood at
the door. Miss Owen walked around to the north
side of the altar and Miles remained on the south
sidc Joseph L. Smith proceeded with the ceremony.
John and Caroline were knccling when Joseph r. told
them to clasp hands the altar and kiss each
other. which they did. He then sealed them mp TO
everlasting fc to forth in the morning of tho
first resurrection to receive power and TO carry out
the laws Of procrcation forever and Amen.