The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-26
BEAVER ISLANDS KING !,
MORMON's CAREER RECALLED by
DEATH OF ONE or HIS WIVES. {.
James Jesse Strang and His Battles
with Enemies OF His ReIigioD-
"The City OF James,
Chicago Times-Herald.

Chicago Times Herald
Recent word from Lamont, Ia, announces
the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Strang, the
second of the four polygamous wives Of
James Jesse Strang, who forty years ago
became the self-elected successor of Joseph
Smith, the Mormon prophet. and King of
Beaver Island, Michigan. In that State
King Strang is name TO conjure with.
Men are living who remember the clever,
diplomatic young lawyer who, with a bright
future before him, gave up his promised
career in the halls of legislation to espouse
an unpopular religious movement upon
which blight of doubt and dishonor rest
ed. Strang's energy and hardihood in over
coming difficulties In his study of a pro-
fession attracted the attention of the Nor
mon leader who sent for him and invited
him 10 visit Nauvoo. He went, and at once
fell under the influence of the American
Mohammed and yielded to his baneful
charm
On Feb. Is, 1914 Strang was baptized into
the Mormon fold and on the Sd day of the
Iollowlng March was ORDAINED as an elder.
lie was fervid speaker filed with enthu-
slasm and well informed on many subjects,
ana at once became an earnest and trusted
any OF the Mormon leader. He went TO
Wisconsin as promising field for the new
rehglon, and there attempted to plant a
State for Zion," but before he had time to
arrange matters the two Smiths were killed
by a mob at Carthage. H., where they had
already surrendered to the Governor.
There is little doubt that Strang himself
was the author of an autograph letter pur-
porting TO come from Joseph Smith. in
,ha God commanded him to make known
the decree that he was chosen as Smiths
successor. The new stronghold was fore
told IN this vision Ito be established on
Mhlte river In the lands of Racine and
WaiWorth. And l will have a house built
10 me there of stone, and there will | SHOW
mysen to my people by many mighty
works and the uame of the city sIs. be
called Voree, which is being lnterpi eted,
Garden of Peace and Rest, and there will
tney wax fat and pleasant in the presence
OF their enemies
Inc City OF Voree was founded by Strang
at Spring Prairie Wis, where many cred
ulous people became his followers and as
sisted him in establishing the new strong-
hold of Mormonism There he lived the in
splred life of seer and pretended to have
a vision OF some records engraved on brass
ana stone which We're laws delivered to the
ancient Israeites aud which he pretended
10 discover in an old embankment.
las AS voTee grew larger and fiourished it's
FOUNDER looked out for more worlds to con-
quer: lie saw Beaver island and at once
decided upon its settlement 1t was a wild
romantle spot one of a group of three
lower peninsula of Michigan. He moved
tnere in the winter of 1S47 with half n dozen
Mormon Families and established colony
Unpopular as the new religion was with the
masses, there were converts flocxing to
Beaver island by hundreds, and in the face
OF fierce gentle resistance raised their
standard for the new Zion
The village founded on the island by the
mormon population was named The Citv
Stran neme Snt after their Leader James
James, and was organized into a Kingdom
WIN Strang as king. This restless. ener-
and organizer was capable of great m n,ovor
ments, and he instituted a system of fifth
me- the fund created being applied to
expenses. F"S eoieiaA
Strang published newspaper called the
M;ontnern Islander which was filled with
VIGOROUS editorials and bright literary mat
yer lie owned his press and his paper was
issued weekly for some wears and then
t tIr,eu ,, lhto daily It advocated prohibit
OF ms administration. which, aside from its
observance of the doctrines of polygamy.
Was moral and progressive.
King Strang had five wives. one being his
genllie wire, who. while she never Joined
Inc Inc community. but lived apart. retained
her legal position as his wife BY his own
Jaws Jaws Strang could have four wives. but his
11So,llowers were only permitted to have three.
Inc mormon women wore boomers and
whom they were Sealed" The men were
mostly rough and ignorant greatly inferior
70 10 SStrang nlmseh, but they followed their
troll. NSA Aii' 0oi-
Strang had the fascinating power Of the
religious fanatic, was fervid and fmpas-
stoned In oratory and full Of a strong per-
sonal magnetism. His authority over his
uneducated proselytes was absolute.
between the native islanders--a rough hair,
indian element-and the Mormons. but
nnally the Mormons drove the Gentiles out
and they swore revenge. Whenever the
two factions met the result was open war;
rare. They stirred up enmity against the
mormon leader and accused him of many
eVll deeds OF which they had no knowledge
Strang openly dehed the settlers and they
turned their attention to undermining him
rumor OF this limited monarchy and of
long train of evils resultant therefrom
reacheds the ears OF government officials
and without warning the war steamer
Michigan steamed into the harbor of Beaver
Island with orders to investigate the doings
of the Mormon colony. King Stranp was
arrested and taken to Detroit where he
CONDUCTED MS own case, to the delight OF
Judges ana lawyers, and was so eloquent
ana convincing that he was acquitted In
a most dramatic speech he declared that he
was peing prosecuted for religions sake.
Deen assisted by DR.. II. j. McCulmoch
or Baltimore, a man of education and posi-
owed his downfall He stirred IN dissene
sions, which grew to bitter hatred and
plotted against the Mormon leader with his
own people. He found men who were ready
FOR any nefarious scheme by which Strans
could be .dethroned. not excepting murder.
WnsE the steamer Michigan made a.
friendly. call at Beaver island and dropped
anchor In the harbor on June &c. 1856, King
Strang went TO visit her officers when he
was shot and fatally wounded by assassns
IN ambush near. He was taken to Voree
where his faithful first wife tenderly nursei
him. but he died on the 9th of the following
July. He sleeps In an unmarked grave i'm
Inc the Cemetery of the Saints, at Spring
Immediately after his assassination his
followers were driven from the island and
compelled to disorganze. Their houses were
ransacked and either burned or given over
to the use of his enemies. Strangs valua-
BILE library was burned and his home laid
waste. The despoiler then took possession
of the fallen CITY of James,"
In spite of his unpatriotic and foolish en-
thusiasm to false philosophy. the man
made many friends. who believed him a
sincere and devout leader in a cause which
he believed to be just His murder pro-
voked a sympathy for him which ne per-
haps did not deserve. and the halo of glory
which surrounded him blinded many eyes
TO his faults. Michigan. my Michigan"
holds only a gentle resentment against
him, her own and only King.
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