Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-10-01
SEARS EXPLAINS THE MATTER.
No Use Trying TO Fight Uncle s"m'
and the PoIygamists Had Better
Come In out of the wet.

| NeTS oil last night, VIII W. iiOU h"""
at least have not heard) OF Septimus w.
Sears. one of the shrewdest and most
successful business men OF the West, an
unexcelled operator and expert in the
| grain trade.
S.W. Sears is thorough business man,
but still he is human, and rs sucll lie
| happened to enter into matrimonial re-
lations which, though sanctioned by the
code OF his religion, are declared criminal
by the law of the land. II will be re-
membered that, last year, he went to
Chicago with Belle Whitney, his alleged
second wife In the Garden City he met
with a close escape from dreadful death,
when the hotel in which he and his lady
companion were putting up ut the time
caught fire, several lives being lost. The
ubiouitous reporters of the wideawake
| Chicago papers were soon on his track
and induced him TO make various state
ments as to the hairbreadth escape, in
which Belle was so afraid of being burned
to death that she attempted to poison
herself, rather than be roasted alive. MIR.
Sears also lost considerable property
wardrobe, jewelry and CASH in the con-
hagration but more still, he apparently
lost, for the nonce, that great selt-control
and quick presence OF mind which are
| leading features OF his character and
have enabled HIM to reach the exalted
post on the ladder of financial success
which he is holding at the present time.
He "gave himself away" by referring to
his lady companion as "My wife Belle"
and allowed his expressions to be trans
mitted over the wires by the Associated
Press reporters.
OF course, this news had no sooner
reached Utah and the Argus eyes of the
ever-alert "minions of the law in Salt
Lake City than they, well aware of the
fact that he had already living in this
Territory one lawfully welded and undi-
vorced wife, MARY Needham Sears, took
steps to make use of the self-convicting
evidence OF the Coop manager. In con-
sequence thereof Mr.. Sears was made the
object of Deputy Marshals' vigilance, and
was finally enmeshed in the intricacies OF
the Edmunds law. Still, he came back
here and kept quiet, attending to his pro-
| fessional duties, awaiting the time when
his appearance would be required in the
Courts OF his adopted country. The last
act OF the drama took place before Judge
Zane, in the Third District Court at Salt
Lake City, where Mr.. Sears appeared
and pleaded guilty to the charge.
In this action Mr.. Sears, to all accounts
and appearances realized Il considerable
relief by having done his duty to the
country to which he had pledged allcgi-
ance and obedience long years ago. He
has evidently taken the whole matter
from the standpoint of shrewd, careful
cautious, business man, who prefers the
certainties OF the here below to the uncer-
tainties OF the dim hereafter, especially
as he will be all the better enabled to
continue providing for those whose lot he
once tied up with his own. At least, so
the News judges, whose editor had the
pleasure OF shaking hands with Mr. Sears
at the depot, this morning, before the
latter's return TO the Territorial capital,
whence he had come up last evening on
business. The following conversation
took place on the occasion.
"Mr. Sears" queried the Faberite, al
understand that you intend removing to
Chicago to enter in the grain business on
your own hook ?'
You do not surprise me by repeating
what morning paper states; but / can
assure you that this is news to me al
though ii should take such a step am
tolerably certain that I'd not get left"
"Tour stand in court yesterday is
mended by many"
''That do not know nor care; did
what thought was right. If | thought
or believed that we people OF the church
could beat the United State on this issue
ia fight all in my power; but as do not
think that way, | have submitted to the
law as laid down"
The Mems scribe, not then wishing to
press the delicate matter to further ends,
asked GLOW did you find busness?"
81 think business shows signs OF inn
provement. The Coop. is steadily taking
iirmer ground"
How about grain p"
well, don't know much about grain.
Here the reporter could not suppress a
smile OF the most decided incredulitv.
But think there is great doubtfulness in
the market. The Bulgarian war scare
raised the price or cents bushel but
as that is likely to blow over wheat NAV
again take a tumble, although it isadifii-
cult thing to determine ahead"
TO revert to your future plans, do YOU
really intend to 90 to Chicago ?" resumed
the irrepressible interviewer.
las have already told you, am not
decided, as yet. ! may go to Chicago
or San Francisco, or New York, or some
other large centre of trade. At any rate,
II go anywhere, it will be II place that
gives Inc ample scope for speculation !;
III either make much money or be broke
quick"
"Once more, Mr.. Sears" continued
the unfortunate reporter, what do you
think the result OF your action and Bishop
Sharp's will be?"
THAT is not for me to tell Possibly
our move was II few months too early .
but do believe it may come to a general
acceptance OF it, Anyway, it's the best
thing our people can do, under existing
circumstances.
IAN aboard, Denver d Rio Grande %
Good day, Mr.. Sears"
Good day, sir"
| After the foregoing, is il a wonder that
/ ). W. Sears shonld resign his lucrative
position in u. c. NJ. l.? And can nnvonc
honestly accuse him Of trucking to Mann
mon when he rehnquishes Moloch ? There
has been much talk about Church and
State in Utah; but it is more than that .
II is Church, State, and business s
W. Sears does not believe in that Trinity
With him it is the Unitarian principle of
business; that is ms good loadsiar TO
follow as any
Oi course, the action OF so prominent n
member OF the Church of Jesus Christ of
iatter-day Saints, especially one so we'll
known IN this community, could not fail
10 ellclt comment on all sides, Some of
the expressions were gathered by our re-
porters, who heard sentiments such as
follow herein: ~
Sep. ought to have known better. lie
| coyenanted for life and eternity with both
OF his wives What does he now break