The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-12
He Causes%he Arrest of Fifty Female Converts
at New York, but the Court Orders Their
Release, and They Proceed to Utah.
Slugger Sullivan Fails to Entice the
Dollars from New Workers. Pockets.
Schemes for Rehabilitating the Bankrupt
Bruiser-GOssip About Matrimonial and
Political Intentions of Gov. Albeit.
BEATEN BY MoRMONS.


Failure of an Attempt to Prevent the I'm
pOrtatiOn of Women for the Utah Saints.
Specialize the INDIANAPOLIS Journal
New YORK, Sept. 1L-Fifty converts to Nor
monsm have been prisoners for ter days in this
city. The last of them will probably be released
on Monday, all but FIVE of them having been dis
charged from custody, in patches, during the
past several days. Forty-two Of the original
fifty were young women who had been brought
from Europe to become polygamcus wives of
Mormon men ia Utah, Montana and elsewhere
In the region Of Latter-day Saints. They came
from England, Sweden. Germany and Scotland,
and were the collection made by Elder James
Worthington, of Salt Lake, during years
missionary tour. Ths arrest and i'm
prisonment of these women was an at
tempt by the Board of immigration, led by
Commissioner Starr, to strike blow at Mormon
ism right here in city of single marriage. Mr..
Starr has strong feelings against the system of
plural wedlock as practiced by Brigham Young's
people When the famous Wife 10 came East
TO lecture on Mormonism, eight years ago. she
was greatly aided by him. 1t was much against
his will, after he became member Of the
official body supervising the arrival of Immi-
grants, to pass through the country's portal at
Castle Garden the hundreds of foreign converts
brought over by the proselytars at Salt Lake.
and at length, on the arrival Of these fifty, hav-
ing convinced his associates that something
ought to be done, he boldly arrested the whole
party, and sent them to durance Wards
voted by the city to the punishment and correc-
eion of criminals and unfortunates.
This move was based on the hope that twist
of the law might sustain ii. The Commissioners
Of Emigration are empowered to determine
whether immigrants are able to support them
selves in this country, or will likely become
paupers, in which latter case they can be re-
turned to the Old World at the expense Of the
steamship company that has imported them.
Mr.. Starn fondly imagined that, by kindly
construction of the statute, the young women
brought over to be poIygamously wived might
be returned to their homes. He relied, too, on
& provision that criminals can be excluded. So
the half hundred creatures were conveyed
from Castle Garden to Wards Island, to the great
grief and shock OF Elder Worthngton who pro-
tested in vain against the loss Of the prizes which
his persuasive industry had Won He had gone
on his foreign mission with orders from fifty Nor
mons to provide them with fresh wives, and his
expenses had beed made good by them. He was
further to get pay in accordance with the at
effectiveness of his recruits. The plan, as dis
covered by Commissioner Starr, was to exhibit
the women to their purchasers on their arrival
In Utah, and then first choice was to be costiest,
second choice, little less so, and thus down the
~ 4 A. iok
horrible business, altogether" says Mr.. Starr.
sand we were justified in straining the law to
Illustrate it."
The women were terrified by their unexpected
Imprisonment. They were taken to Wards
Island in big rowboats, the oarsmen of which
were convicts and then were put into a hall usu-
ally devoted to hospital purposes. There they
had quarters that, by comparison with the
Bteersge, were palatial, and they slept
In clean cots instead of foul berths.
Their food was wholesome, and they were
given the liberty of a pleasant yard connected
with the institution; but they were isolated
from their male escorts, and their lamentations
were loud and incessant Elder Worthingtcn
was quick and energetic in their rescue. He
Employed able counsel. and went into court with
the question whether, SO long as he gave proof
that the women would not become paupers, the
commissioners could return them to Europe,
Ind whether, in the absence of proof that they
had yet violated any law Of matrimony, they
could be considered criminals. The decision
was in his favor. The young women have al
ready been released, and are on their way to
their Utah purchasers, save Ave. as to whom the
clearing evidence is faulty. But this remnant
will DO rescued by Monday, and thus serious
blow at Mormonism here in New York is sue
Bessfully parried.
A BANKRUPT SLUGGER.