Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1886-05-22
HORRORS OF MORMONISM'
secret Oaths of the Endowment
House Betrayed by Lady Victim

secret OathS OF tne EnuOM mCnt
House Betrayed by Lady victim
In the hearing at Washington last
Wednesday before the House Judiciary
Committee quite groupe OF ladies
came with Miss Kate Field to see the
three Mormon women, who sat upon one
of the sofas during the hearing. Mr..
Baskin representing the anti-Mormen
element, made a very elaborate argu-
ment before the committee, urging ad'
ditional legislation to put down the
Mormon power. He argued that the
men who thought polygamy was right
should be DISTINGUISHED, as well as those
who actually practiced polygamy. Mr..
Baskin made a sensational point in his
discourse by introducing to the com,
mittee Mrs. Miles, lady who had
gone through the Endowment House,
and who could testify to the oaths re-
quired of the members. Mrs. Miles Is
a tall, clear. faced brunette, perhaps 80
years of age. She sat back OF Miss
Field and looked very much excited
and disturbed while Mr.. Baskin related
her story. She was an Englishwomen,
who was persuaded to Join the Mormon
Church by missionary who had been
an old playmate of hers. He proposed
to her and she left England, in spite OF
the protests Of her parents. She went
to Utah to Join him, knowing nothing OF
polygamous marriages until she arrived
in Salt Lake. Then her lover told her
that he intended taking second wife.
She resented this, and it was only after
long struggle with the Mormon powers
that she consented to be married TO him,
but upon condition that she was TO be
the first wife,
She went through the Endowment
House and will give her testimony be.
fore the committee concerning the hor-
rible oaths that were required. She
found soon after that she had been
tricked and that it was the other wife
who was the first. She then had Miles
arrested and his case was tried and
thrown out in the Supreme Court upon
technically. Legal proof was lacking
of the first marriage. Miles was there
fore freed. Mrs. Miles never retura<d
to Salt Lake. A short time ago sne
death of a relative lief. her an indepen-
dent fortune in England. She has since
returned from England to this country,
where she intends to live. She will as
sist Miss. Field in her fight against the
Mormons.
Mrs. Miles testified to two or three
forms of oaths, which were submitted to
the committee to-day. One form speci-
fees that the Mormons shall regard the
rules Of the Church as above that of the
civil law, and that any betrayal of the
secrets of the Church shall be followed
by the tearing OF the tonuge from the
mouth and the cutting OF the throat OF
him who SO falsifes his oath. Another
oath has the penalty of disemboweling
connected with it. Mr.. Baskin sub
mitted several cases Of murder that had
been committed in the Territory during
his time by the Mormons, which were in
conformity with the penalties prescribed
in these oaths. The presentation OF an
actual witness who can subscribe to the
secrets of the Endowment House will
greatly aid the people who are seeking
to get additional legislation against the
Mormons. The secrets Of the masquer-
ade of the Mormon Church have never
been fully given before any Of the Con-
gressional committees.
Mrs. Miles story Of the shocking and
disgusting mummeries of the Endow-
ment House, the horrible and murder.
GUS oaths required, make sensational
story which was presented in very
dramatic form this afternoon. Mrs.
Miles is a strong resolute looking wo-
man. There is no doubt that her testi-
mony is truthful and honest.