Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-04-23
FOLLOWS
. CONSCIENCE
ANGUS M. CANNON, PROMINENT
MORMON, ADMITS PLURAL
WIVES.
ASKS FOR PROTECTION
When Questioned About His Polyea.
nous Career He Admitted Having
Been Married Six Times - Tells Of
Past Imprisonment.


OF the features of the hearing in the
Smoet case before the senate commit
tee on privileges and elections was
the testimony of Angus NJ. Cannon, for
twenty-five years president of the larg-
est Norman state in the world. and
who admitted that he has six wives.
He refused to reveal the oath he had
taken in the Endowment house.
Mr.. Taylor yesterday afternoon ask
ed the witness when he was first mar
ried, and he answered: "On July Is
1858"
"To whom?"
Sarah Maria MouseIy."
"Who next?"
Asks For Protection.
Mr. Cannon stood Up and his voice
shook with great emotion as he said:
II beg an opportunity to explain and
to ask a question of the chairman be-
fore proceed. Nineteen years ago I
was brought into great trouble. I was
prosecuted and sent to prison because
acknowledged the mothers of my
children as my families. l was given
the opportunity Of deserting my fami-
lies or going to prison = I went to
prison.
Fears the Consequences.
For long time have lived within
| the law as far as 1t was possible to do
SO in the face Of the obligations to my
families. have not paraded my fami.
| lies. but in honest pride have nourish.
ed them. The press of the country has
caricatured President Smith for the
testimony he gave in regard to plural
families and if ! am asked to make
similar exhibitions of my family zap
peal for protection from any conse
d quences that may be the result of the
testimony. Twill answer all questions
in regard to myself or the church if
am assured that will not be placed
in peril by reason of that testimony"
i Weds Two in Same Year.
4 The official reporter then read the
question:
@. = To whom were you next mar.
ried?
j A. = Anna Amanda Mousely.
O. - When were you married to
her?
A. = At the same hour that was
married to Sarah Maria Mousely.
@. - To whom were you next mar
: ried?
, A. To Mrs. Clara G. Mason in
} 1875, to Martha Hughes, in 1884, Maria
Bannion in 1886, and Johanna c. Don
nelson in 1856.
@. Do you live with all your
wives now?
A. =. am sorry to say that dc
not.
@. = Why? Because you are now III
Washington and cannot be living witt
. them?
A. = No. Because of an agreemen
made by the church, which compel!
, me to be as modest as can.
@. What has been the effect o.
that manifesto upon you?
A. - 1t has made me more modest
and I have been only as attentive as
/ felt common humanity required me tt
be.
Will Live With Plural Wives.
; Chairman Burrows asked the wit
ness how it was that the resolution
! adopted at that conference had not dc
: clared against polygamous cohabitatio
and did declare against polygamy. TIL
witness replied that the question Q
polygamous cohabltation had not bee
mentioned; that it was understoo
those who had plural wives should no
), parade them extensively, but shoul
care for them Mr. Cannon said h
had seconded the resolution that ha
:, been adopted.
| "Do you mean that you will go O
5 living with your plural wives?" tn
), chairman asked
81 will have to improve greatly
y / don't. follow the dictation of m
conscience in the matter"
Great interest was manifested b
members of the committee concernin
the character of the Endowmen
house marriage ceremonies, but Car
non revealed little.
L @,D pIJr pEEiISEc EHANv