Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-02-06
HOW ONE FOLK TALKED.

From Chattanooga, Tennessee, pa
pers, Just received, We learn that some
controversy has been going on In that
city over attacks upon 'Mormonism,"
made Ia the pulpit OF the First Baptist
Church. 1t appears that Rev. f. L.
Folk had been engaged to lecture there
on the subject OF which he claimed TO
have made a study, his chief means OF
information having been acquired dur
Ing visit OF nearly two weeks" in
Salt Lake City.
His lecture consisted principally OF a
repetition OF gross ISLANDERS and of color
stories with burlesques Of Mormon
doctrine and perversions OF historical
facts The purpose In view was to
check the influence Of the "fiye-hundred
Mormon missionaries" who, he stated,
were laboring in the Southern States.
The Chattanooga News, which pub
llshed very full synopsis OF the TRADE,
also gave place 10 an interview with
President Ben +. Rich In reply 70 H.
This is an evidence OF fairness on the
part OF that paper, which, with other
courtesles OF a similar kind Is much
10 its credit in these times, when It Is
unpopular to publish anything on the
other side" that is our side Of the Nor
mon question.
Mr.. L. =. Folk, in coming back" at
President Rich, mentions his visit to
this city and his Interview with the edi-
tor OF the Deseret News. whom he
mentions as zone OF the Twelve Apos-
ties" which is about as accurate as
many other Of his statements. As he
has made this reference, we here pre-
sent the facts concerning his CONVERSE
ZION with the writer Of this article:
His card, presented when he came to
this office, bore the name simply OF
''E. Il. Folk, representing the Nash
willie American" He did not mention
or hint at his ministerial position. He
posed as newspaper correspondent
We gave him, by request, an epitome
OF the doctrines and organization OF
the Church. and answered a number Of
questions very frankly, until he drift
ed into a series Of which we had type.
written copies. that had been furnished
70 others Of the genus Paul Pry
by the clique in this city which is en-
gagged In raklng up gossip and scandal,
for the prurlent and impertInently
curious. who come here TO poke their
nasal organs into private affairs, for
the purpose OF smelling out something
that will suit the perverted tastes OF
sensation-mOngers. We then expressed
our doubts as 70 his status as re-
porter or correspondent Of respectable
journal, and told him that no decent
newspaper man would engage in such
work, and no reputable paper would
want such matter for publication.
II was evident that he was not in.
quiring into "Mormonism" in order TO
learn the truth concerning the system,
but was acting as a tool TO dig up
something TO crafty his own desires,
and to dish up for the delectaiion OF
the depraved who cover their cravings
with the cloak of religion.
OF course he has made the most OF
his opportunities, and In retailing the
gossip and dressing up In fantastic
garb the few facts he Cleaned while
here, he has succeeded in exciting large
congregations. In the language OF the
Chattanooga News. "a more sensational
statement was never made In pulpit"
A few samples OF his assertions win
suffice, without repeating the yilest Of
his charges against the Mormon"
Church and people.
He revived the dead and decayed
story about Solomon Spauldlng having
written the manuscript from which the
Book Of Mormon was connected" He
claimed TO have interviewed President
Snow. By his request we introduced
him 10 that gentleman. who held no
conversation with him at all, but dis
corning his caliber turned him over
summarily to the editor OF the News"
who treated him with far more cour>
tesy than he deserved.
Folk gave in his lecture pretended
history of the 'Mormons," in which
he informed his hearers that in Maui
VOC mo one could be arrested without
the consent Of the city Council" That
the purpose OF Brigham Young in COM
ing to this place was 20 establish
a government Independent OF anything
on earth That this region was ced-
ed from Mexico much 10 the chagrin
OF Brigham Young" That the state
OF Dessert was admitted 10 the Union
but "polygarny being openly practiced,
statehood was taken away That the
numbering Of the body 10 save the soul
was O principle Of Mormon belief"
Thar Il was nothing unusual TO find
the Mormons lying, cheating stealing
and numbering In order 10 carry their
point" That Brigham Young preached
he would send every GENTLE 10 he'll,
and that they had better supply them
selves with collins while lumber was
cheap" That "Mormonlsm" taught
that unmarried women win be mere
servants hereafter" That "unques-
TONED obedience to the higher au,horl-
" Is one Of the requirements OF the