The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1883-06-21

ped froni the JoSfnaI Observer pab
lished in Charlotte. N. c.. on the
subject OF Mormon Missionaries and
their work among the hills of orr
native state, North Carolina.
The scene Of these operations is
right close TO group Of counties Ia
that state, nay embraces one Of them,
winch furnishes Pope county, large
portion Of her population We feel
like Recommending the remedy pres
cTihed by the editor:
Among the passengers = ho arfiy
I'd in the city Friday afternoon. On
the Richmond d Danvi.Ie train,
we're two smooth faced, KEEN eyed,
middle aged men, whose peculiar
dress and odd appearance attracted
general attention. They wore their
hair in long Saratoga bangy locks,
that covered .heir cars and 4reased
their coat collars. Their dress con
sisted Of long black coats. or gowns,
that were bnttoncd down 70 the
knees, while their legs, or so much
Of them as could be seen. were en-
veloped in the ample folds Of baggy
trousers. One wore coon skin cap,
while the the other had headgear Of
a more civilized character. his eyes
being shaded by an ordinary sloucii
hat. Each one carried been
ebrongh the-revolutIon looking car
pet bag. and, waving the seductive
l.ackman aside, they pushed out of
the crowd and strobe up Trade
street at brisk pace. arriving at
grocery store they purchased enough
crackers and cheese to make them a
dinner, and then proceeded TO the
vacant lot near the Carolina Central
depot to enjoy their lunch. They
remained about there until a late
hour in the afternoon, and in the
meantime were interviewed by sew
eral curious parties. The men APP
peared to avoid coming in contact
with the people on the streets, yet,
when approached By anybody, they
showed no disposition to conceal their
identity, but conversed about them
selves and their mission freely.
They were Mormon missionaries,
two of band of seventeen, who are
now working for recruits in the coun-
ties adjoining Mecklenbcrg on the
West. They gave their names as
Reys. VIM. Dorton and label Brcnch-
well, and stated that they arrived in
North Carolina from Utah, and since
that time had been holding meetings
and making converts in various
counties of the state. Themselves
and fifteen other brethren work sep
arately, but meet a. a certain place
abount once a month TO compare
notes and map out plans for future
action. So far they have converted
to the Mormon faith 81 men and
women, about fifteen Of whom have
bee sent to Utah. Their best sue
cess, according TO their report, has
been in Rutherford and in Castor
counties. They have not yet done
any work in Cabarrus, Rowan or
Mecklenberg counties, but do not
know how long they may let these
fields remain untouched. Their
work is done quietly, and their pres
ence in any neighborhood is seldom
ever known except by the few who
attend their meeting. The apostle
first begins by riding about neigh
borhood, stopping at the houses for
q drink of water or a meal, until he
has become pretty we'll acquainted
with the women, the weaker 3nes of
whom he selects as MS subjects, in
forms them of a meeting to be held
at certain time and place, and in
vites them to attend. After they go
to the meetings the work is easy,
and they aresoon persuaded to en-
brace the Mormon faith. Before re-
ceiving them into the church, they
are baptised, and in order that it may
be thoroughly done, the converts are
stripped entirely naked by the right
eons old frauds when they are i'm
mersed in the water. The hour for
these baptlsms is generally set at 10
or III o'clock at night, and any con
venent creek in the neighborhood
will answer the purposes Of pool.
1t seems almost Incredible that such
heathenism can be practiced right
here under our eyes in this advanced
age of civilization, yet these Nor
mon missionaries admit that this is
their mode of baptism and express
surprise that any one should find
fault with 1T. They held a baptism
on Duncan's Creek, in Rutherford
county, and the Banner reported 1t
at the time.
Speaking of the incidents Of their
trip through Rutherford county,
they stated that on one occasion
they hailed two white women who
were hoing cotton IN field, got into
a conversation with them, aud. be-
fore they quit, they had converted
the two women, took them to neigh
boring creek and baptised them af-
ter the usual fashion, when the
mormon missionaries" proceeded
on their way and the women return
ed to the field. These two women
joined a party the next day and left
for Utah. The preachers stated that
they were on their way To Polk coun
W, and were to have left the city last