New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-15
MORMON OBLIGATIONS.
TEACHING VENGEINCE.
More Testimony as to Plural Mar
f7dgeS IN Sm00t Tnquiru.

Washington, Dec. 14-Testimonv reIatin, 90 .-o
alleged polyeamous marriage of the Apostle Abrano
cannon and Lillian Hamlin and additional evidence
concerning the obligations taken by persons wto
pass through the Mormon Endowment House were
gwen Today IN the investigation of the protests
against Senator Smoot before the Committee on
Privileges and Elections
George Reynolds a high official of tho N,orr,o,
Church called TO correct his Testimony ard
then Mrs. Frederick Ellis OF Salt Lake. was
sworn She is the daughter of Angus Can
non and married her cousin Abram Cannon
when she nineteen year old She testified
that she was Abram Cannon's first plural
~lfe' and that her husband married Ill
nan hanhn IN June, 1896. He was at that time one
VI Ihe Twelve apostles. Mr.. Cannon. according TO
me witness then had three wives, he told her he
intended to marry Lillian Hamlin He said al
nan mad been engaged to his brother David, who
dleo' and she therefore. wanted TO marry Abrau
-hIs EIIls told of conversation with her husband
AZ when she said she did think he could marry
Hiinah Hamhn. Mr. Cannon said he could marry
OUTSIDE the State; that he would marry her for time
and she would be David's wife for eternity at told
nm mat II he did marry Lillian" said the witness
0oN'u not i've with him when the Church
or the law would not recognize his marriage"
mrs Ellis told of the departure of Mr. Cannon
and Miss Hamlin accompanied by President Smith
who is said TO have performed the marriage cere-
lnohy at sea, and Of their return. They returned
about July G. 1896 Mr.. Cannon was Ill and died about
three weeks later. He confessed on his death
bed that he had married Miss Ranli-," said Mrs
Ellis, and he said. have never had a well day
since think IT killed him." the witness added
sohbing.
MIS- Ellis could not testify from her own knowl-
edge who performed the ceremony between her
husband and Miss Hamlin and said she supposed
president Smith had done until he testified on
the stand here last spring
On cross examination Mrs. Ellis was asked why
sne opposed the marriage between her husband and
Miss Hamlin. She said it was because she believed
the manifesto prohibited such marriages. She went
10 the counsellor to President Smith and asked him
II such a marriage COMPLAINING the case but with
holding the names) could be legal and told it
could not. The witness asked what she meant
by saying that she believed her husbands last
Tiage killed him.
Mrs. Ellis thought worry and remorse the
causes OF her husbands illness. She said she be-
lieved her husband knew he had broken the laws of
the land and of the Church.
James H. Wallis who divulged the Endowment
House oaths, recalled by Mr.. Worthington.
representing Senator Smoot, and said that he had
been telling OF these obligations for several months.
perhaps year, but he could not remember any
names except Mr.. Owen who is employed in gath
ering testimony for the protestants. Mr.. Wallis
corrected his testimony IN regard to the oath of
vengeanee: This oath. he said contains n9thpg
r but is pledge t to the blood OF tn"
ausnst IN sede % and S'F becan Mormon six
years before coming 10 the United States. He has
held high places in the Church, both in Sweden
and Utah He testified that he went through the
temples in Salt Lake and Logan He had heard
the endowment obligations taken six times, he said
each ceremony lasting from six TO eight hours.
according the size of the crowd. He said oaths
of sacrifice and of retrbution were administered
The whole proceeding was series OF obligations,
said the witness but he could not remember all
of them The first in order he said. was the law Of
sacrifice which bound each 10 give his entire
and talents to the upbuildng OF the Mormon
Church. The next obligation was that Of the retri-
button, IN which each person cOVenanted and prom
ised TO ASK God avenge the blood of Joseph
Smith upon this nation, and to teach "our children
and our children's children to do the to the
end Of the earth" The next obligation was that Of
chastity.
Mr. Lundstrom said he remained Mormon until
he found Inconsistencies in the beliefs taught
II found weak spot in the wall, and when
touched It a hole made that was big enough
TO crawl through. The foundation was not sound
he said. The witness had discussed these weak
nesses with officials Of the Church.
The hearing adjourned until tomorrow.