The National tribune., 1899-12-28

f. Fl. Mcdaniel Utah newspaper man,
| testified that in 1896 ne held a conversation
with Mr.. Roberts in which MIR. Roberts
told him he had three families. Roberts
had said he did not think the American
people would raise any serious objection
to his being a Representative. MIR. Roberts s
view was that the fountan-head OF po-
| lygamy having been prohibited, the people
| Of this country would be willing to let the
stream flow on until il had run out
Mr.. Roberts then questioned Mr. Mcdaniel,
10 show that the latter had opposed his
nomination. which fact was established;
/ Also that others of the Salt La ;e Herdtd'S S
owners We're opposed to him.
| II. j. Brandon, a resident OF Centerville
| Utah. where he has been Postmaster and
| Probate Judge, said he had known b. H..
| Roberts for years; also Louisa smith
| Roberts and Celia Dibble Roberts. He
knew the children of Louisa Smith Rob
erts, five or six in number. Celia Dibhle
Roberts also has six children, if he remern-
bered correctly. He knew that on the
morning Of Aug. IL, 1897, it was currently
reported about Centerville that b. ii. Rob
erts had twins born to him by Celia Dibble
Roberts. He had seen them frequently
since then. Brandon gave circumstantial
details of other children of Celia Dlbbie
Roberts, who, he said were recognized
in the town as the children OF b. II. Rob,
erts. These children called for the mail
III ttlld INDDtIIo. anu OtCNSlpilSt!lN llltst u
b. III. Roberts, while witness was Post
master. Celia Roberts was publicly and
privately reported to be the wife OF b. II.
Roberts. The latter was about the house
frequently. Brandon told Of a funeral in
the family of Celia Dibble Roberts. b. II.
Roberts was present at the funeral After
ward he saw the tombstone at the grave oil
this child, which read: Lena, daughter OF
Celia and Brigham H. Roberts"
In reply to Chairman Tayier, Brandon
told of the homes occupied by Louisa
Smith and Celia Dibble Roberts. The
latter now occupied the house formerly
occupied by Louisa Smith Roberts, who
had moved into new house built by b. Ii:
Roberts This change of homes occurred
about four years ago. b. H. Roberts
owned both buildings. according to general
ropute. While Postmaster, when one oi
the Roberts children called for mail for
father" he delivered the mail of b. ID.
Roberts.
MIR. Ray Bran on, son of the former wit
ness, had seen Roberts about the Celia
Roberts house, just as any husband and
father would be about, working around
the house and barn. A short time ago.
witness said. he was passing the Celia
Roberts house when one OF RobertS's
nieces presented the twins and said they
were the twins of b. IL. Roberts. The
children of Louisa Roberts called Celia
Dibble Roberts aunt" The usual custom
when such relations existed WAS for the
children of one wife to call the other wife
aunt"
Roberts attempted to show that tins
w,'ness had "a bad character.
At the request Of Representative Pag"
MOI Is of the conn .iIee- fran. On 81. re-
Iuir, d to the stand and was asked as L.
the marital repute of Roberts and Celia
and Louisa Roberts.
'Therp is such hfnera' eput.. III. Wit
ress piled. "It is Il at Celia Dbl le Rob
erts is recognized by tie entire community
as b. Fl. Roberts's second wife. She is
dealt with by the Mormon Church as his
second wife"
"How about Louisa RohertS?"
"She is recognized as his first wife"
Mr.. Brandon said the third reputed wife,
Margaret ShipD Roberts, had come there
once to attend the funeral already referred
to.
The records of these marriages, the wit
ness said. were in the Temple, which was
the only depository of plural marriages.
The committee at the close of the hearing
decided to hear arguments on Jan. 4, and
during the holiday recess subcommittee
consisting of all those in the city should
hear other witnesses who may come on
from Utah. Their coming is indefinite,
and no time was fixed for the hearings.