The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1879-08-28
THE MORMONS IN GEORGIA.
History of the Rise Of FeutI-.Froxc-
lytes Scattered Through the Upper
Portion of tFle State,

lytes Scattered Through the UDper
Portion of the State.
The killing of Joseph Standing. the
young Mormon elder, in north Georgia,
has created discussion all over the cnun-
try. The interest that has been drawn
to the section in which he was killed has
brought out some interesting facts con
corning the progress made by the Nor
mons there. Let us premise what we
have to say by remarking that no one
can tell why the Mormons have devoted
80 much time to the counties of Cher0-
kec Georgia, i'll which they have been
working so long. They are not to be
found elsewhere, but they seem to be de-
termlned upon captivating the section
spoken OF. The Mormons sent their first
emissary into Georgia about seven years
ago. This man was named Morgan. and
IS described as an extraordinary person.
He was brave, aggressive, shifty and clo-
quent. He begged no quarter and made
no concessions, but went ahead preaching
his faith as one inspired. Nothing couId
daunt him and very few men could argue
with him. He was thoroughly prepared
upon all points Of his faith, and he argued
it everywhere. As might be expected, he
made converts. At first there were only
n or two, but he gradually brought
more over, until he had them scattered
over Walker and the adjoining counties
pretty freely. Then he summoned new
elders, who anne out to aid him. Since
then fully one dozen have been sent into
this section. They were all under the
direction of Elder Morgan, who was af-
ter a while made superintendent of mis-
sions in the SOUTH"
The ground most closely occupied bv
these PROSECUTING elders was Chattooga
county lthe half this side of the noun
talns), Walker county, Catoosa, Whit
field. They have established d post or
two IN Floyd county and in Murray and
Dade, and have gone into Piekens and
Fannln. They drifted on toward Ten
nessee and North Carolina, appearing to
shun the railroad and stick to the noun
famous districts. They have made many
converts in these counties, and have es-
tabllshed what they call focks In many
neighborhoods. Their policy is not. as
has been supposed, to take ali their con-
Verts to Utah. The truth is, they take
only a small portion of them. AT one
time they took over forty converts ON
n train, the crowd being gathered from
several counties. At various other
times they have sent patches of ten or
twelve. 1t is probable that $50 or 200
Will cover all that they have sent out
from Georgia. These people were mostly
poor and shiftless folks, and generally
past middle age. One or two pretty
girls are known to have gone, but the
most OF the women were old and ugIv
and not liable to be pressed into poiv-
gamie relations. Many husbands and
wives went, the wives insisting that as
the Mormons based their polypamic
theory upen the fact that Rachel selected
new wives for Jacob, they would be AL
lowed to select new wives for their bus-
bands, whenever, if ever, like Rachel (,
they deemed it necessary. {
But the elders made many converts :
that still live in Georgia. These are !
who are Mormons in everything :
SaVe that they do not attempt to practice t
under Georgia laws the polygamic part +
= Their creed. They believe in the q
OF Mormon-in the divine i%nspira-
ion OF job Smith-and in all theorvan d
teaching Of the Mormon Church. They n
ave been baptized by the elders and are '
Known as Saints Their houses are y
lsed IS headquarters. These native Nor !
aons are scattered throughout the va a
counties, in what exact number II y
hard to tell. They are usually uuiet. q
lhterate people of small means, but u
mere are some few families Of property ~
nd intelligence, which have embraced y
his falth. When they once become con- Vi
erted they are never reclaimed. The ci
lders go through the circuit and preach
? them, pray with them, and attend ia
heir spiritual wants, Just As other
do with their charges. They fsot
ave even organized a conference of the tel
'yeral congregations of native converts. hi
oseph Standing was the presiding elder foI
TINS conference, and was on his way to sal
ONE to attend 4 conference meeting su1
hen he was killed. I'm n talk with an
snator Hawkins, of Chattanooga and tn,
lements, Of Walker, they both expressed ii
@ belief that the cause was progressing sai
d growing stronger. They are WI
actually. getting new converts, > said bIc
7. hawkins, .and / hear they never he
g 2 single one. 4 most excellent of
from WhitefeId told us that he brI
e8slonallg bSaFu OF some member OF his bee
n OF other churches who was turning me
Mormonism. IS
We leaTn that there has never been ms
trouble from mob law throughout mo
circuit generally. The elders have on
'ached In the eourt-houses of probably hal
county, have had good audiences can
! have never been disturbed. They boz
tached, we believe, once or twice IA uni
city hall on courthouse at Rome. Its
ay have never been ANNOYED or or /
eatened that We can hear VI, except allo
YarneIs station, They have had fair ton
courteous treatment. At first thew stro
crowds through curiosity. ana pub
last built up regular congregations som
people have become used to them thic
take 10 notice 81 them. leatl
hese elders have been singaiarlY cir thes
ispeet ana careful. heg save not In {
aetlea lsceati8us doctrines ~ al bat the
kepE the palYgsmie feature of tlla eiisi
sion ~ tie background. Even when aa {
Y IsllygaH2y S allowed 81 Utah. wElit
NE hare paf marriage
anas aad yau hafe 1aHrs Ne shall II
interfere With Yaurs 0T eaar# a1