National Republican., 1883-10-02
GETTING RECRUITS.
Interview with Mormon Elder Who Is
a..t,tv.,, ro,,verta 20 that Faith.

Interview with n Mormon Elder Who IL
Seeking Converts 60 that Faith.
A short. thick-set man, with iron gray
tresses, which struggled down from under a
wide-brimmed western hat, and a broad and
whiskered face, illuminated by good-natured
smile, attracted tho attention Of REPUBLI-
CAN reporter who was perigrinating through
the treasury department last evening. The
reporter saluted the stranger with Looking
through Uncle Sans cash box, supposep
"Yaas," was the answer, in half western,
half Yankee tone of voice, "and / find this
place chuck full of interesting things"
In answer to interrogatories as to his name
and business, the bearded stranger replied
that he was Eli Rathbone Mormon mis-
sionary or elder, in search of converts to tho
belief Of many wives and latter day saints"
"Have you succeeded well in Washing
toni"
'I have made no particular effort here" no
replied, but think one convert will go with
me from your capital city"
Man or woman 2'
woman, of course. We don't want men.
There are already too many men in Utah for
the supply of females on hand. She is Ger
man girl, and very pretty one too Tho
poor creature has been compelled to do hard
work here for less than 81 per week in an ex-
acting family. l will take her out to our
country aud supply her with good husband.
Still your papers and speakers cry down
everything Mormon. l have found hundreds
of similar cases in my travels"
1.-TWO of your missionaries were recently
tarred and feathered near Richmond, Ind,
for inducing young girl to leave her home"
remarked the SCRIBE
''Yes, and it was an internal outrage. Thoy
were my brother missionaries. We started
from Utah together. The girl said that she
was ill-treated by her parents, and asked to
be sent to Salt Lake City. With our ears al
ways open to tho cries of the afflicted, wo
were about to comply with her wishes, when
amob seized my fellow elders and smeared
tar and feathers upon their naked persons.
God will yet visit His wrath upon that mob"
Were you ever tarred and feathcred or
mobbed2"
81 was never tarred and feathered. but /
have been subjected to other indignities," he
answered. "While explaining the objects of
my pilgrimage to an assemblage of ladies in
Lanford, Nd, last week | was set upon by o
half drunken mob and forced to flee for my
life. You say this is free country; but
there is not much freedom in it for Nor
mon"
"Where are you going from here?"
Through Virginia. l expect to reap a
good harvest there. The two elders who were
tarred and feathered in Indiana will join me
at Charlottesville. We expect better treat
ment down south than we received in the
north"
About how many conversions have you
made?"
I'VE have secured" he replied, referring to
a note book, "at last accounts seventy-siX,
most of them being young girls"
From what state did you get the largest
number?"
New York, because there are more for.
eigners there. Foreigners are more easily con-
verted"
What were the average ages of tho con.
verts?"
Between 10 and % years of age. We don't
want them much older than 25."
why" queried the reporter.
Because" he answered with smile
" there is a peculiar fascination about yonng
girls, and they can find husbands and homes
more readily than the older ones"
How do the Mormons feel toward the
people of this country outside Of Utah p
asked the reporter.
"Of course you know" he hesitatingly
replied, "we don't feel kindly toward them
They have sought to interfere with our
rights. The American people always loudly
boast of their rights to worship and believe
as they please, and still they are seeking tc
crush us out of existence. They will never
succeed in that, however"
why not?"
Have you never heard of the man who
tread upon rattlesnake's tail? The snake
was quietly taking a MONDAY nap and mindnl
its own business, but when he was trod upon
he sprang at the man and stung him to death.
With this exclamation, uttered in semi
tragic tone, wicked smile stole across tn,
elders face. After few more words, durinr
which he told the reporter that he woult
leave for Virginia on the night train, the
gatheror i'll of young wives for old gray
headed Mormon saints and elders ambled of
toward the secret service museum to looh
over the cOuntenances of innumerable coun
terfeiters and crooks.