The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-05-30


some quarters at the distribution and John
W., as well as other of the heirs, at one time
proposed to make q fuss about it; but the
Gentiles say they were frightened out of the
contest by the threats of the head of the
Church, who offered to show that they were
getting COED deal more than they were en-
titled to If the naked truth was known.
Brigham was the custodian of all the dthes
the pious Mormons pay into the Treasury
one-tenth of their incomes-and he never
rendered an account to any one. After his
death a demand was make of his successor to
show up financial exhibit at the annual
Conference, and it was done for one or two
years, but now 1t is submitted to the Apostles
and not TO the people.
THE GRAVE OF THE PROPHET.
A good many jokes have been made by the
newspaper photographers about the army of
widows watering the turf upon the prophets
grave with their tears, and it has been re-
peatediy stated in print that his burial place
was neglected and unmarked. This is not
true. His body lies on terrace back OF the
Lion House, although it Is not in the regular
Cemetery of the Church. He died soon after
the theft of A. I. Stewards body, and the
faithful people, fearing that some ghoul
would steal his bones, buried them within
the great wall he built to surround his harem
and the offices of the Church when Zion was
frequently visited by hostile Indians 1t is
claimed oy anu-Mormon writer's that this
blocks of Chicago, was erected not so much
as protection from the Indians as a breast
work for resistance against the United States
troops, but it would stand a poorshow against
q cannonade.
Great precautions were taken to guard the
body. A great hagstone, sixteen inches
thick, and weighing many TONS was placed
at the bottom of the grave, and another like
it was placed upon the coffin. The two were
riveted together by rods of steel at narrow
intervals, and when the horn blows on resur-
rection morning Brother Brigham will find
himself in tight place. Upon the top of the
grave a marble slab is laid, which bears an
appropriate inscription, and it is surrounded
by stalwart iron fence.
PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR,
the successor of Brigham Young, now occu-
pies Amelia Palace with one of his wives
she who Is said to be the original Mrs. Taylor.
There are three more but they do not dwell
with him. Since the prosecutions for polyg-
amy, those who have plural wives are mighty
careful not to furnish evidence for the courts,
and it is difficult to ascertain how many
SpOuses Mormon has got and who they are.
The several families are scattered through the
town, and each has separate residence. 1t
is matter OF common report that President
Tayl0rs wives occupy certain houses, but 1t
is impossible to determine the fact by legal
testimony, so long as the wives themselves
are permitted by law to refuse to testify.
A row of pretty cottages are pointed out as
the residences of the several Mrs. Sharps-the
wives of one of the ablest and shrewdest
apostles, who is the manager of that enor-
nous institution known as lions Co-opera-
tive Store-but the ladies are known by their
maiden names, and the children can offer
o evidence of their parentage.
President Taylor is a venerable man with
gentle eye, but strong mouth, and jaw
that indicates courage and determination.
He xvoc Cunitb xvh 10
of Mormonism suffered ''martyrdom'' in the
Jail of Carthage, H., and to this day carries
the marks of the assaSsins bullets. he is get
ting old and feeble, and his mind is not so
clear as 1t was; but he is the remnant of
what was once man powerful in mind and
body.
THE PRESIDENTS HEADQUARTERS.
We found the man whom the Mormons
believe to be the infallible successor of the
Savior of the world; the prophet who re-
ceives revelations from the Almighty, and
the spiritual and temporal autocrat of Zion,
in a handsomely furnished library, sur
rounded by portraits of the leading men of
the past and present, and were cordially re-
ceiyed as Mr.. Cannon presented us, he
shook his head gravely at the mention Of the
Inter Ocean, which he believes to be the
most dangerous newspaper opponent the
Church has, but he expressed hope that
my visit might result in a more friendly
observation might convince me, as it had
convinced so many, that they were not so
bad a people as had been represented.
In the adjoining rooms were clerks en-
gagged at their books and correspondence,
and at Mr.. Taylor's elbow sat his Private
Secretary, upon whom he appeared to depend
for information when he asked him questions
as to the condition of Zion.
AS / have remarked, Mr.. Cannon is now
the leading spirit of the Church, and mis-
official position is that of Second President,
Mr.. Taylor's first subordinate.
The Gentiles gay that Taylor is not so able
es Brigham Young, but that he's better
man, and is respected and beloved where
Brigham was feared.
TAYLOR HOLDS AN ELECTIVE OFFICE
and not life position, as most people sup
pose. The head of the Church, or, as his
official title stands, THE Prophet, Seer and
Revelation the President of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints all over the
world, F" is elected every year at the spring
conference, and, strange to say, there has
never been any opposition to the re-elec ion
of Smith, Young and Taylor, the three men
who have occupied the place for ffty-two
years.
At the time Brigham Young was elected
after Smith was slain, there was a bitter con-
| test which alienated some of the leading
men, and resulted in good deal of apostacy,
but there was never any future opposition;
and when Taylor was chosen after Brighsm's
death, there were several aspirants, but they
are waiting until he dies, for under the Nor
mon autocracy no one tries to step into a
! i've mar s shoes.
| George @ Cannon will be the next Presi-
| dent by right of service, usefulness and we'll
earned influence.
Probably Taylor has revelations" occa-
sionally as Joe Smith did. He has them
whenever the faith of the people needs
strengthening, or the will of the President
needs to be enforced. He had revelation"
| last winter that the Edmunds bill would not
pass, and the deluded MormoBs actually be-
! iieve that it was true, and that the Almighty
spoke to them through John Taylor. in the
voice of prophecy, which was fulfilled,
But Mr.. Taylor does not 60 into the prac-
tice of revelations to any extent. The peo-
pie are not so superststious as they were, and
can not take revelations in such large doses