The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1900-07-03

IEo'sttnnt Europe Have hcCOtne frOs-
eiytes-searcity OF Servants Attributed
to This CHuse-SkiIl of the Missionaries
IGOR the past three years the
II. large cities of the East have
been the scene of the labor of
q Mormon elders, who have
sought converts to Mormonism in
kitchens aud at basement entrances.
Great numbers of pamphlets have been
distributed by these elders among the
women who are included in the army
OF domestic help. 4 careful iuyesh
CATION has been made among the
agencies, and particularly among those
which act for women that come to this
country from Protestant Europe. The
result seems clearly to establish the
fact long known to many housekeep-
ers, that many Swedish, Norwegian,
Danish, German and English women
have deserted housework and gone to
Utah. The exact number of pros
elytes cannot be given, of course, but
those who have been in "a position to
study the matter, declare that very
large proportion of the unmarried
Protestant female domestic servants
have been converted to Mormonism
and taken ont West.
Recently such an exodus OF this
kind occurred in Chicago that the
newspapers of that city declared that
there was famine OF house servants
and no relief could be obtained. Vari-
Gus reasons were assigned and some
Of them were plausible enough, but
what is believed to be the real one
was not mentioned. The elders of
the Mormon Church might have ex-
planned the matter, for scores of
young women went ont TO Utah from
Chicago at one time The conversion
OF these servants has gone on quietly
and been managed with skill. In
fact, no generals of modern times
have carried on campaigns in the field
with greater ability, tact anG energy
than have these elders who have gath
cred their recruits from the kitchens
of the land, and left the country with
them secretly aud silently.
Occasionally mistress has come
upon II pamphlet relating TO religious
matters, generally printed on poor
paper. IN poorer type and rarely clean
or attractive, in makeup. The major
ity OF these pamphlets have mad such
titles as "A Friendly Discussion upon
Religious Subjects" the seeming
harmlessness of which has no. tempt.
ed Investigation tracts
entitled "A Voice of Warming aud In
struction to all People, has been
seen in The hands of servants, but be-
yond an occasional discovery Of this
kind, people generally have been in
utter ignorance of the work being
done III the cities among servant girls
by agents Of the Mormon Church. One
observing woman who successiyelv
hired three Swedes, and received
from all the same explanation, that
they were about to he married, was
amazed to notice that the same man
proved to he the admircr of two of her
cooks. The fact duwned upOn her
when he was seen in conversation
with the third servant He passed as
brother to the third, bnt succeeded
In inducing her to give mp her place.
Unconscious, aud concerned more for
the comfort OF her family than the
welfare of tue help she engaged, she
did not investigate the reasons given
her for their leaving, nor did she seek
90 dissuade n girl from marrying if
this reason was made the prctext for
departure.
One clever woman who happened to
be IN the basement of her house alone
one afternoon answered q summons to
the street door aud there saw young
man whose appearance was that OF q
showed a restraint born OF mex
perience in his business. The won.
ans kitchen apron led him to con-
cludc that he was talking with the
cook, and he vhisperingly asked her
1t she would read little book he
would lend her, aud let him come and
tel% with her about it sometime?
Ihcreupou he handed to her volume
OF 200 pages, pocket size, and bound
IN vivid red cloth. II looked harmless
enough, rs did the begrimed pamphlet
he also gave her The man eagerly
inquired when he might call. aud was
told to como back one week later He
aid so, and was me- before reaching
the basement bell by member Of the
household who warned him 60 leave
ami return no more Even after an
examination Of the book which proved
TO he one on the faith aud doctrine of
'be Church OF The Latter Day Saints.
she did not realize that her caller was
n Mormon elder, nor did she suspect
that one of his denomination might
have converted her last cook. who
was young and strong woman, not
long srOm Sweden
Another housckeeper discovered i'm
tEe mail box circular advising the
reader to send to q certain address
for books, tracts aud scrmous. and
asking the reader 60 get the book Of
Mormon, which could be had for
nominal sum, at an address given.
Handing the circular 90 her servant
see noticed that the latter recognized
the subject and hastily put it not into
the fire but into the coal box. Sub
seluenlly this same woman found an
other printed documeutin her kitchen.
irving glowing description Of TIE
Salt Lake Temple, aud of Salt Lake
City. a poor illustration OF the lomple
adorned the circular
Countless complaints have been
made by hOusekeepers of the presence
nm their kitchens of followers" and
.uI1.9r 1tor.. T.... an.