The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-04-17
VERY SENSATIONAL.
"A Dizzy Romance Bearing a
Suspicious imprint.
MoRMONS IN WEST VIRGINIA
Who arc Said to be Ruining Homes
and Performing Other Ncfarious
Work in Calhoun Coun.
ty---ProbaDIy ia Lie.

New York, April 16.-A Parkersburg,
W. Va, Special to the Herald, says: Ten
months ago an apostle of Mormonismi
calling himself John Smith, and claim.
ing relationship to the founder OF the
faith, came unheralded into the wilder
ness comparatively ofCalhoun county,
W. Va. About two weeks later another
man named Jacobs arrived. He was OF
priestly demeanor and saCerdotal habit.
1t was observed ut once that the men
were there for a common object.
The two then engageda large audience
room and announced their mission as
that OF "Preaching Mormonism." For a
time they had very few hearers, but con-
tinaing their meetings nightly, they
succeeded after n few weeks in gathering
large congregation. One or the other
would preach at night, and during the
day they would drive through the coun-
try in different directions visiting the
families represented at their meetings,
and endeavoring to proselyte them after
fashion peculiarly their own.
1t was soon noticed that while they
treated the old and young men and
women with equal cordially and respect
at the public meetings, in their private
visits they selected largely the homes
where
YOUNG UNMARRIED WOMEN
live. At these places they made tho
most protncted and most frequent visits.
They would often claim that private
interview WIS necessary to properly i'm
press upon them the truth OF their relig-
ion. So things went on for several
months, and until the winter was nearly
spent, when ugly ramors began 80
spread, in which the names Of the two
apostles and some Of their fair proselytes
figured very prominently.
The rum0FS concerning them led TO
the belief that they were practising
their precepts to the scandal and dis
grace OF the community, and u number
Oiindignant men ordered them TO leave
the neighborhood within two hours.
They were notified that should they re-
turn n summary punishment awaited
them. But these two apostles were not
without any friend. His name is Will
lam Metz, his occupation n farmer, his
wealth ample for comfort aud his repu-
tation excellent. During the sojourn Of
the Mormonites he lent them horses,
entertained them mt his house, ell.
couraged them to remain and showed
his sincerity nightly by occupying q
prominent position ut their meetings.
LIFE MADE A BURDEN.
Since that time Ills life has been made
one continual rouud of abuse and perse-
cution. Shortly after they went away,
about three weeks ago, his fine house
and barn were burned to the ground in
the night time, his family barely escap-
ing with their lives. III the meantime
he was the recipient OF letters, ordering
him to leave the country and threaten
ing vengence if he did not. Metz sold
the old farm on which he had lived and
purchased another some miles away.
The night before he was to enter his
new house, ten days ago, he saw it on
fire, and it was soon burned to the
ground. Last week he succeeded in Sc
curing another piece OF property, and
intended moving there i'll day or two.
When he went to it Saturday night he
found only m ash heap, and u warning
to leave the country ut once put in a
conspicuous place.
For some time the police officials have
been endcavoring to ascertain who are
the perpetrators OF the outrages, but
they claim not to have succeeded. In
addition to the burning Of the mans
property and ordering him to leave, his
cattle lave been poisoned, his wells
choked up and his fences destroyed.
His children have also been the subject
Of persecution, their former companions
ncgecting them and treating them with
ScOEn.
A BROKEN HEARTED MOTHER.
Meta's wife is almost deranged over
the continued persecution. Driven from
place to place, her friends deserting and
her relatives cold, she is almost ready to
give up in despair. She ut once refused
to take up with the Atormons, but her
husbands continued adherence to them
induced her to follow his example, and
before she left she was an ardent wor-
shipper Metz was compelled to sell his
property for very little and to pay very
dearly ior what he purchased, so that he
is now left with scarcely anything. He
feels now that his life Is no longer safe
in the community, and that he has not
friend to whom he can go. 4 year ago
his standing was OF the very highest,
and their neighbors had frequently
shown their esteem by selecting him for
responsible positions. To-day he is lit
tie better than tramp.
Should Metz continue in the neigh
boreood, it is generally believed he will
be ioully dealt with. The county Of
Calhoun is one OF the most law abiding
in the State, and until the advent Of the
Mormon missionaries, nothing to its gen.
Gral diseredit had been known. So in
tense is the feeling against Metz for en-
couraging the missionaries who brought
such general disgrace into many fam
lies, and so general is the feeling, that
the law breakers will hardly be asked TO
render any account.
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