Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-05-21
JOHN W. RIGDON
IN SALT LAKE.
ONLY Surviving Son Of Sidney Rig
don Visiting Old Friends
SPEAKS OF BY-G0NE DAYS.
Amrms That IIls Father Maintained
60 IIis Last Day That Joseph
smith was Prophet

John W. Rlgdon. a son Of sidney iag-
dol once the first counselor to the
Prophet Joseph smith, as has been am
nounced In the "News,' IS In the city
visiting old friends and acquaintances'
lie was called on by a representative OF
the News this morning, and in the
course OF conversation stated that a
morning paper had not quoted him cor
rocuy in some portions Of the Interview
that appeared this morning In regard
To- his fathers conversion to the Nor
mon" Church. and his first knowledge
of the Book of Mormon, be stated that
he thought oliver CoWdery was inc
man who brought the book 20 his fa-
Their. but that Farley +. Pratt was WITH
him al the time. Mr.. Rigdon stated
tbat he went 20 his father just before
the latters death. and told him that lI
be knew anything regarding the coming
forth of the BOOK of Mormon that had
not been told. he owed Il as a duty to
himself and his family 10 tell 1t. The
father replied that be HAD but one
story 20 tell and that was the story
told him by the Prophet Joseph smith,
that the records from which that BOOK
was taken were engraved on gold
plates. and the father then testified 10
his son that Joseph Smith was a proph-
90 of God and that an angel handed
him the plates from which was taken
the Book OF Mormon. do YOU believe
that Mr.. Rigdon?' yes sr ! believe
every word of H. For q long time
was skeptlcal about Il, but now 4 be-
lieye every word my father told me
and my heart Is with the Mormon pe0-
PIE. So was my fathers he would neN-
en- permit a man 10 speak disrespe cttuls'
ly OF the Church 10 his presence
Mr. Rigd0u stated that 1T was his be-
lief that Joseph Smith instituted the
system Of polygamy and although he
tRigd0nl never subscribed 10 the doc
trlne. ne never said that it came from
the devil, as was stated in the inter-
view with morning contemporary, MI
Rlgdon affirmed that the Prophet made
"a proposal of marriage 10 his sister
Nancy. who resented Il with much
spirit and went 20 her father about Co.,
with great Indignation, and according
Ga Mr.. Rigdon, there was an alteration
between his father and the Prophet,
which however was subsequently,
made right, and the two remained firm
friends until the latter's death,
Mr Rigdon affirmed that the two
points on which his father hung out
were pOlygamy and the accession OF
Brigham Young % the leadership Of the
Church, and although he never recOv-
cred from the humiliation and spent
the remainder Of his days IN silence,
whenever the Church was assailed the
al 70 a 90. "a 3.
would become animated and the assail-
amt would soon retire a thoroughly
whipped man.
When he was here IN 1863. Mr.. Rig
don states, he was urged by Brigham
Young 10 write 10 his father conveying
10 him Brigham Young's earnest request
20 come and make his home IN Salt
Lake. He wrote the letter. and all
though he hoped that his father would
a-eede 30 the request. be felt al the
same time that he would not DO 20.
Il Ike salt Lake, said Mr. Rigdon,
and N circumstances were such as 10
permit me 20 move here, ] would cer-
tainly do H."
Mr. Rigdon now resides IN New York
and by profession Us a lawyer. He Ia
q ready and intelligent conversational
ist, and very anable On manner. His
sensitive nature was manifested when
on speaking OF his fathers lonely ana
bro0ding life, he became So affected THAI
he broke into tears.
He related many very interesting ex>
periences incident 20 his boyhood life
In the Church. and stated that he was
proud of having been baptized by fIy-
rum Smith the Prophets brother and
having his father and the Prophet as
an audience. lie was taken from what
was supposed TO be his death bed. and
baptized IN the river after which he
quickly recovered.
I'm conclusion Mr. Rigd0n said: ~
feel we'll towards the Mormon people,
and I hope that they VIII continue 20
prosper for ( feel that they are the
people of Cod"