The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-12-23
MfthesS as saVing Gl1
giyesupfany Of his wiM

Ve-upf any or his Wiyl---AA--z- u :.
In answer to questions by Sens
Overman, Mr.. Reynolds said marri-
ag-s were performed with dead per-
sons III the endowment house.
Mr.. Taylor then asked If divorces
we're granted IL ths seneaoRnment; e! Y N
those who have been married for time
and eternity, but does not divorce le-
gal marriage until the courts have
acted" said Mr.. Reynolds. ''Plural
marriages are not recognized by the
courts and therefore the church does
not consult the court in granting di.
vorces In cases Of such marriages."
Senator Foraker asked II such d.
vorces were granted from dead per.
sons.
In few instances only, I should
say" said the witness.
For something done after death or
before?" the senator asked.
In life time"
is the dead person given an oppor
tuDity to be heerd?" the senator
asked.
No sir, 1t is because such cases are
held to be unjust to the dead accused
that so few divorces of this kind are
granted" said the witnes.
Is any one appointed to defend the
accused?"
Never; but the complainant is
given hearing II satisfactory eyi
dence is furnished to the church." {"
Mr.. Reynolds testified that the
president OF the church always has
had the authority to Issue ecolesiasti.
cal divorces.
Mr.. Taylor showed the witness a
contract of separation bebweon George
L. and Ellen Watson, which Mr.. Rey.
nolds acknowledged he executed In
1897. He stated that no does not know
now whether the marriage he, ,dissoly
ed was plural one Or not.
Are you a polygamist?" Mr.. Tay.
Ter asked
Yes si1," answered Mr. REYNOLDS.
Have you any children married In
polygamy?"
1 believe so; one Daughter"
MIR. Reynalds testified that he has
26 children.
Mr.. Reynolds gave the names of
the seven prc8idonts Of the seventies,
of which he is the fourth In rank.
He testified that three Of the seven
we're polygamists. Senator Dubois
asked:
You have two wives nov, be.
lieve, Mr.. Reynolds, your first wife
being dead?"
Yes sir"
III you were to marry another wo.
man tomorrow which would be your
legal wife?"
The one last married."
Would not that be adulterypn
1t would be If / continued to live
as the husband OF the othor woman,
but / do not sustain nuch relations
with more than one."
Mr.. Reynolds said he understood
that the manifesto of 1890 permitted
him to live with hiB.plural wives With.
out violating the laws, but that no
further wlves could be contracted.
Despite this testimony 1T was brought
out COAT the witness has had children
by two wives since the manifesto of
1890, and be acknowledged the truth
iulness OF these statements. In answer
TO questions by Senator McComas, Mr..
Reynolds said he had neYor preached
against polygamy nor had he tried to
| get others to do so.
Mr. Reynolds said he did nos know
OF any effort made by any officials OF
the church TO carry ont provisions OF
the Woodruff manifesto putting an
end to polygamy. Mr.. Reynolds said
he was one of the advisers who aided
In perfecting the Woodruff manifesto,
which was first submitted in Presi.
dent Woodruff's handwriting. He
testified that committee had revised
The manifesto. Il believe the mani.
festo Is said to have been inspired, 81
asked Chairman Burrows.
II was a revelation. from the ~,
mighty"