The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1900-03-16
0D'v'''iiy Of O,.h
No. 10.
EX-GOVERNOR FORD.
strange story of the Misfortunes
OF Former Governor OF iii.
nOis who Opposed Mormons.

''""ke Storl OF tue MtsfOrtuucA
OF n Former Governor of IIIi-
nOis who Opposed Mormons.
A strange story comes from Salt Lake
City to the effect that former Governor
Ford Of Illinois died in the most abject
poverty, with the bones q his body III.
orally proiruding, and that this deplor.
able end OF one Of Illinois best known
statesmen was directly due to curses
pronounced upon him by the great
Mormon prophet, Joseph Smith.
The TACT that Ford was governor Of
Illinois during the Mormon war and at
the time Of Smiths assassination gave
certain crcdence to the rumor. After
leaving his Office Ne governor, Mr.. Ford
moved to Peoria and his body now lies
buried at springdAle cemetery. Care.
iul investigation recently practically
subsianuates the claims OF the western
Mormons. II lie true that Governor Ford,
as the representative Of the law which
was bounding their sect. incurred tho
deadly emnitY Of the Mormons. and
their leader and prophet. Old residents
Of this city also state that they can ro-
call an old rumor Of curse against
Governor Ford, and they talk at length
Of the conditions surrounding his death
aud the end Of his family.
Governor Ford was brilliant nan Of
the highest principle, and was eminent
ly successful as lawyer. But after tho
expiration Of his term Of Office, and
soon after the alleged curse was pro-
nouneed, he ceased to be as prosperous
as formerly, He came to Peoria and
established a practice here, but misior-
tune followed him, his property
dwindled away, and then, Ne final
blow, Illness interviewed and cut short q
brilliant career. At the time Of Mrs.
y Ford's death the family had been re-
duced to poverty, aud the two children
bad been adopted by iriends who could
afford TO educate them. Ex-Goy. Ford
= survived his wife only few years and
the discomiorts Of poverty closed thick
ly about him lie tasted the full bitter
meas Of Illness, detliinlion aud depend
enee, and died under tho most deplor.
y able conditions.
The son, Tom, who had been adopted
by n resident Of this city, Thomas
Moore, by name, had embarked on a
life career which promised to be pros
peroup, when he was suddenly called
west on business lie wan crossing N,
plains on horseback when he fell II
with vigilance committee looking fol
a horse thief and hungry for ITS prey
The stolen property was found IN th,
vicinity where Ford VAS met, aud thcJ
accused him Of the Theft. He indiK
nAntly denied the charge. and sale
:, he was Tom Moore Of PeoriA. Upor
further questioning, however, he I'M
luckily mentioned that he was the sol
Of Ex-Gov, Ford Of Illinois, whereupai
" the leader exclaimed; IAN honest maj
= never travels under two Names" an
= the unfortunate young Ford was swun
to the nearest tree.
y" The daughter Of Governor Ford Ia
p" driited entirely out Of sight oiths world
:" and no one knows what has become {
her, And this great tragedy Of life an
Nv death in the family Of ths Fords, III
j" Mormons claim, is the result OF th
j" curse Of their proPhet.-st. Louis Glob'
AN