New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-08-05
DRUbIMER AMONG MORMONS
A Bishop Points to Rifle and Hospitality
Entertains Him.

4 Bishop Points to a Rifle and Hospitality
Entertains Him
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
On my arrival at Lehi was directed,
as usual, to the Bishops house for en-
sertainment. Rapping at the door, |
was soon confronted by a large, heavl-
" built, broad-shouldered fellow. who
asked me, in anything but polite Ian
,uage, what I wanted. | informed
aim that desired entertainment for
he night.
"Where are you from?"
california, sir"
"Where are you going?'
"South,' answered. After plying
me with few more questions OF a SINH
. lar nature he invited me in. Onenter-
ing the house he turned to me and
said:
do you see that rifle up there?''
Looking up to the point indicated |
saw one OF those long, murderous
rifles, commonly called Mississippi
rifles resting snugly upon theAntlers OF
a Rocky Mountain buck. L told him
that saw it, and much admired the
artistic manner OF hanging it.
"Well, mister that is our law MAX
er. When any one comes among us
and commits any dirt we do not hest
tate for one moment to use it. Now,
listen to me. am the bishop Of this
settlement. I have two wives and
several daughters. Now, if you can
promise me not to speak to or even to
look at any of my women folks
Keep your eye on that rifle and mind
what l told you. Can you do it?
1t was a mighty hard job, but first
told him that was at his command,
and if it was his honest desire, why Of
course would obey him. At that
time he babe me follow him into an
adjoining room, where his family was
assembled. l was dimly conscious
that there were several females seated
around the fire. He drew up a chair
for me, and babe me beseated. Turn
ing to the women, he gave them or
ders to prepare supper, he himself tax
ing my orders for what | wished.
All this time 1 dared not turn my
bishop. | knew that his eyes were
upon me, and that his two wives and
daughters were studying me closely l
was greatly embarrassed, but withal
managed to dispose OF a hearty sup
per, AT the conclusion ofwhich we again
returned to the sitting room. It
was by this time quite dark,
and his son, a large, athletic fellow,
coming in, the Bishop told him to en-
terrain me, and, at the proper time,
show me to bed. Putting on his over
coat and fur cay, for it was quite
cold, he babe me good night, saying
that he was compelled to attend a
ward meeting. Before closing the door,
he pointed to the rifle over head and
said: Remember, young man, what
l told you,"
1t was positively unkind of him to
remind me OF it, for the confounded
old gun was constantly on my mind.
had seen some little Of their treach-
erous work, and had heard much more
l knew what they We're capable of do
ing, and, under the circumstances
dared not disobey his warning. The
door closed and he was gone. The la.
dies were seated On my right, the son on
my left To make assurance doubly
sure, turned my back to the ladies
and facing the young man entered in
to g conversation with him. One O.
the ladies got up and went to thedoo1
several times. Finally she came w
behind me, and bluntly asked ii wa:
a Mormon. hardly knew what tc
do. | had been warned against speak
ing to, or even looking at, any Of the
women. Was she trying to draw me
into trouble? She certainly knew that
had been forbidden to address he1
under the penalty OF death. Yet there
she stood, calmly inviting me to my
fate. The young mans eyes were up
on me. Great beads Of perspiratior
started out on my forehead
''Do not fear to speak, young man
he is gone, and will not return before
midnight" she said, and at that she
laid her hand on my head.
otis all right stranger" said theson
cts ali right; speak up and look
around as much as you please, II
vouch for your safety"
The ice was now broken, and, turn
ing to the old lady, said that 1 was
not a Mormon.
''Thank God for that" she said, and
then the conversation became general
was told all about the heartaches
and sufferings Of the first or Original
wife; how in almost every case they
had been deluded into joining the
Mormon faith under false pretences
what shame and modification came
over them when it was found out that
a second or third wife was to be taker
into the household. I was rather
reticent, and did not express my
opinion on the subject as I otheswise
would have done. The two daughters
were comely and full of life About 1C
O'Clock they bid me good night and re
tired. A half hour later [ was con
Quoted to my room by the young man
Ascending a pair OF stairs and enter
ing the door to my right l was some
what amazed to find myselfin the bed
chamber OF the young ladies, who had