The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-17
THEY DON'T LIKE MoRMoNIsM.
How West Virginians Punished Man Who
Encouraged Preaching Polygamy.

PARKERsBURG, w. Va. April 16-Ten months
ago apostle OF Mormonism, calling himself
John Smith and claiming relationship TO the
founder of the faith, came unheralded into Cal
honn county, West Virginia. About three weeks
later man named Jacobs arrived. He was OF
priestly demeanor and sacerdotai habit 1t was
observed at once that the men were there for
common object The two then engaged large
audience-room and announced their mission as
that of preaching Mormonism. For time they
had very few bearers. but. continuing the meet
ings nightly, they succeeded. after 8 few weeks,
in gathering large congregation. One or the
other would preach at night and during the
day they would drive through the country in
different directions, visiting the families repre-
scented at their meetings and endcavoring to prose-
lyts them after a fashion peculiarly their own.
1t noticed that while they ,reated old and
young men and women with equal cordialty
and respect at the public meetings, their
private visits they selected largely the homes
where young unmarried women live. At these
places they MADE the most protracted and most
frequent visits. They would often claim that
private interview was necessary to properly inl-
press upon them the truths of their religion.
So things went on for several months ard until
the winter was nearly spent, when ugly rumors
began to spread. In which the names of the two
apostles and some of their fair proseyt ties figured
very prominently. In their public preachings
the Mormons had indirectly defended the prac-
the hour of discourse quoting biblical express
sons 30 sustain their statements The rumors
concerning them led TO the belief
that they were practicing their pre-
cepts to the scandal and disgrace
of the community, and q NUMBER of indignant
men ordered them to leave the neighborhood
within two hours. They we're notified that
should they return. summary punishment
awaited them. But these two apostles were
not without one friend His name is VIM
Metz, his occupation is that of farmer, his
wealth ample for comfort, and his reputation
excellent. During the sojourn of the Mormon
ties he lent them horses, entertained them at
his house, encouraged them to remain. and
showed his sincerity nightly by occupying
prominent position at their meetings In fact,
1t is said he paid all the expenses incident to
their preaching. When they were ordered
away he protested strongly against it, and
championed their cause against his neighbors
He even accom- panied them some distance when
they left and was loath to let them go. Since
that time his lie has been made one continual
round of abuse and persecution. Shortly aft
or they went away about three
were burned to the groundin the night time,
his family barely escaping with their lives. In
the meantime he was the recipient OF letters
ordering him to leave the country and threaten
ing vengeance if he did not Metz sold the old
farm on which he had lived and purchased an
other some miles away The night before be
WAS TO enter his new home, ten days ago, he
saw it ON fire, and it was soon burned to the
ground. Last week he succeeded in securing
another piece of property, and intended moving
urday night, he found only ash-heap and a
warning 70 leave the country at once posted In d
conspicuous place. For some time police off,
cers have been endeavoring to ascertain who ara
the perpetrators of the outrages. but they claim
not to have succeeded. In addition to the burn
ing of the mans property and ordering him to
leave, his cattle have been poisoned,
nis wells choked up and his fences de-
stroysd His children have also been the
subject of persecution, their former companion Q
neglecting them and treating them with scorn.
Metz's wife is almost deranged over the con-
tinued persecution. Driven from place to place,
her friends deserving and her relatives showing
GOODNESS, she is almost ready to give up IN de-
spair. She has refused to take up with the
Mormons. but her husbands continued adher-
ence to them induced her to follow his example,
and before they left she was an ardent worshiper.
Metz was compelled TO sell his property tor
very little, AID to pay very dearly for what he
purchased, that he is now left with scarcely
anything Metz feels now that his life is no
longer safe in the community, and he has not a
friend tc whom to go. A year ago his standing
was of the very highest, and his neighbors had
frequently shown their esteem by selecting him
for responsible positions. To-day he Is little
better than tramp. Amid it ali he adheres to
his belief in the new Mormon doctrines and fndg
his only consolation in the thought that he il
suffering martyrdom, position In which his
wife concurs. just where to look for property,
Metz says he does not know those who would
otherwise sell to him hesitate for fear that they
may share the indignation OF the populacs.
Should Metz continue in the neigh borhood. it in
generally believed that he will be foully dealt
with. The county of Calhoun is one of the most
abiding in the State, and until the advent Of
the Mormon missionaries nothing TO it's general
discredit had been known So intense is tha
feeling against Metz for encouraging the mis-
sionaries who brought such general disgrace in.
to many families, and so general is this feeling,
that the law-breakers will hardly be asked To
render any account.