Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-20

jackson county, Missouri. 1t was here
that the Oaio Mormous found refuge when
driven away from Kirkland after Smith
and Rigdon bad been tarred aud feathered
Tor fraudulent banking. For while the
church fiOurished in Jackson county,
with headquarters at Independence, but
when the trouble occurred between the
Mormons and Missourians the former
were driven from the county into Caldwell
county, where they founded a settlement
ana named it Far West. David Whit
mer, stripped of his earthly possessions,
was warned TO fee for his life, and, ac-
companied by his family, his brothers and
their families. and Oliver COwdery, he
Journeyed to Ray county, where he
setGled al Richmond in 1888. At that time
ne had nothing LETT but single horse and
wagon and mis- precious records. 1t was
tnen That the Danites were organized. and
1t Is said that their formation was for the
purpose of killing the Whitmers and
Cowdery, they having been commanded
ana openly refused to obey the so-called
leaders, right or wrong. The Whitmers
and CoWdery then renowned the church,
us conducted, but during the years they
nave lived in Ray county they have con-
tinued to teach the precepts according TO
the original Church OF Christ.
THE LORDS AMOUNTED.
David Whitmer engaged in teaming at
MS new home, and in the campaign when
the militia was ordered to drive the Nor
mons from the State at the point OF the
bayonet he drove one Of the military bag
gage-wagOns to Far West. During the
melee that followed he was handed a
musket by the soldiery and ordered to
shoot Joseph Smith, but threw the musket
down, declaring he 'would not harm the
Lords anomted." After that memorable
event, in which Smith was taken
prisoner, David returned to Richmond,
and has always asserted that Joseph
Smith was called and commanded by God
to translate the "Book of Mormon" and
that smith, as he knew him, was a
righteous, GOd-fearing man. Mr.. Whitmer
to-day clings TO the religious belief OF his
early manhood and has never sanctioned
! polygamy, which he considers one OF the
greatest denominations of the earth.
The Book of Mormon as
originally translated he as
serts to be without moral blemish, and
says it is eminently fit for the library of
the most eXaeting moral philosopher 1t
expressly forbids pOlygamy, and Mr..
| Whitmer claims that if the population OF
Salt Lake would live in accordance with
the strict teachings of the book II would
/ exert a greater influence in crushing out
what he terms the wiper polygamy" than
any other known agency. Concerning his
work in the Church of Christ he looks
! upon his commission to apostleship as
| concurrent to having had a direct
message from heaven, through an angel
| of the Lord, and even now, at
! the threshold of death, he islands
| by that pure republic, established by
! Christ on earth and given to the world in
| It's original idiom, the Book of Mormon"
| Through the mediumship of Joseph Smith
/ he says he received many messages from
! Heaven which convinced him Of his divine
| calling. The text OF these messages he
refuses to relate, claiming that the prom
! ises of the Lord to His apostles should be
! secretly locked in the breast and not
| blatently betrayed to carnal minds, but,
| ne says. they were miraculous in their
| fnlfillment and have stood the test of his
reasoning through long life Of fact and
! experience.
GOOD CITIZEN.
AS a citizen of Richmond he stands de-
J servedly high, having filled the Office of
mayor and councilman. Upright in his
dealings with men and just towards all,
he has progressed gradually with the
country until he and his children and
| their children have secured good business
standing and are regarded among the
best citizens of Ray county,
OF those who took part in the original
! translation, Joseph Smith was shot by a
mob in 1874, Oliver COwdery died in this
county thirty years ago, leaving a wife
and daughter, both OF whom are
! yet living and reside in Silver City, Mo.
| John Whitmer, prosperous farmer. died
at Far West, in 1878, leaving children
and grandchildren. Jacob Whitmer passed
away many years ago, and his son, John
| c., white-haired elder Of the Church OF
! Christ, continues to preach the religion
/ Of his father in and about Richmond.
| David Whitmer has two children, son
and daughter. The son, David j., is with
out issue. The daughter, Mrs. julius
| Schweich, resides here and is the
mother of two children, both Of whom
! have children. George, the eldest OF
/ Mrs. Schweich's children, is a shrewd
| business man and is associated with
| his uncle, David j. Whitmer, in the
livery business. His sister, Josie, is the
wife of j. r. Van Cleve, private Secre-
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