The Washington times., 1904-04-20

replied in answer to a question. His
status was that of counselor 10 the
first president Witness th0usnt the
marriage took place in the house II Mr.
Wells son. but could not say positively
Roberts said he had, of course. read
the Woodruff manifesto Mr. Iayer
then quoted from IL at length and asked
the witness whether marriage referred
to as having taken place la the -Endow-
ment House was that OF Roberts him
self Witness said no.
The line of Inquiry then returned 70
Daniel H. Wells. with whom witness had
been very friendly, he said. because OF
their having been associated together
in the British mission OF the Mormon
Church.
Wives in Ignorance.
Senator Overmaa ard Chairman Bur-
rows asked whether his first two wives
knew of his marriage TO the third wife,
Mrs. Shipp. Witness said they did not.
Witness admitted this third marriage
was an Illegal one, and that he knew
ii at the time il was contracted He did
not know when his other wives heard
OF the third marriage. but he thought
the information lad not reached them
for several years
Witness said he had concealed the
third marriage from his other wives in
order TO relieve them from any EN-
barr0sement- Asked by Chairman Bur-
rows a TO what he meant by this. Wit
Ness sad he thought u would have been
disagreeable TO them 10 testify against
HIM 81 legal proceedings hadfollowed;
Mrs. Shipp was practicing physiclst1
In Salt Lake. the divorced wife OF 4
Mormon Having been Ships plural
wife. she was divorced from him by the
church. but not by any legal process.
Witness visited Mrs Shipp Al the
home of mutual friends. never at her
own place Of residence
Marriage Kept Secret.
Roberts marriage TO Mrs Shipp was
known to a few intimate friends short
" after the marriage. b.-t not publicly
until about 1895 She continued 70 call
herself Mrs. Maggie Shipp. and witness
never referred to her openly as his wife
up to that time. He did not know when
this marriage first became known to the
officials of the church. but he thought
il was about this time. Mr.. Wells knew
Of it. at the time he was counselor TO
the twelve apostles
Witness said he got no certificate OF
his marriage TO Mrs Shop, and, so Tar
as he knew. there was none IN exist
tnce. The ceremony was the same as
used in his two prior marriages. and
was the regular Mormon ceremony
Witness said the man who married MN
the third time haC also performed ;ac
ceremony of the -,econd marriage. at
which previous time the first 'nasFi1Se
was also known.
in reply 10 Mir. Pettrs. witness said
this minister had never been repri-
manded for his action and that 10 action
had been taken III the premises by the
twelve apostles when they heard OF IL
Excuse for His Acts.
Witness said he had to decide between
the laws of God ard man in enterj; &
upon this third marriage. and as he had
been taught the rightfulness Of polyg-
amy from his youth up he followed that
rule rather than the law of Congress
do you still believe IN thatI asked
Chairman Burrows
Il 30" was the ready response.
Q-YOu are now living in polygamous
cohabitaticn2
Al am.
Q-Then you are living IN defiance OF
both the laws Of God and man.
Al do not wish TO appear IN defiance
of the law but I had 10 follow the dc
tates OF my own conscience
Q-The manifesto was the law or the
church. was IL not?
Q-And you violated it?
o-And you also violated the Jaw ;se
/ land?
Ayes.
Q-Then you are actually defyinls the
/ laws OF both Church and State2
Ayes. l suppose so.
At this point the comm ittee adjourned
until o'clock.