The Indianapolis journal., 1904-03-09
President OF the Twelve Apostles
Frankly Admits He Is Living
with Plural Wives.
NOT DISCREET AS SMITH
His Testimony So discriminating
Other Mormon Witnesses Shake
Their Heads at Him.
WOMEN ALSO TESTIFY
Charles Merrill, Son of an Apostle,
Is Examined and Is as Bold
as the Others.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, March S-More interest
is manifested by church people throughout
the United States in the Smoot case than
any question considered in Congress for
many years The members of the Senate
committee on privileges and elections
which Is passing the qualifications Of
Reed Smoot 10 occupy a seat in the upper
house OF Congress. are deluged with let
ters from every section Of the Union. One
OF the most dispassiOnate utterances from
a minister are contained in a letter received
by Senator Beveridge. The Rev. Edwin
Genge of Bolton. Miss writes the Indiana
senator that SmOot should be given a fair
trial Il am just little bit troubled about
the attitude of the Senate in the Smoot
case, writes the minister. I'VE want Sen
ator SmoOt to have a fair trial. to be ac-
quilted if not guilty. but not TO be let off on
technicalities. The whole question of Nor
monism is involved. it seems to US Let it
be settled once for ALL"
More people wanted admission to the
committee room to-day than could be ac-
commodated. Women as well as men seem
10 have burning desire to hear every word
of the testimony To the curious polygamy
Is fascinating topic and is as good a
drawing card as sensa tional divorce case.
FRANK AS PRESIDENT SMITH.
The committee to-day brought out a
variety OF testimony, of which the most
sensational was that given by Francis NJ
Lyman. president of the twelve apostles
OF the Mormon Church, and the man chosen
10 be the successor of President Smith
His admissions were similar 10 those pre-
Viously made by Mr.. Smith pertaining to
the church government. He is more free
or speech than the president of the church
and his testimony. though not materially
differing. caused several of the apostles
present TO shake their heads at the witness
Tor the purpose OF compelling more discre-
ton in answering questions Mr.. Lyman
is angularly built. his face is covered with
growth Of bushy red whiskers and his
speech is blunt. Four witnesses were on
the stand to-day They were Mrs. Ken
nedy. her mother Mrs Mathews Charles
Merrill the son of Apostle Merrill. and Mr.
When the testimony was resumed TO-DAY
Mr. Worth iHztoa continued cross-exanfra-
lion OF Mrs. Kennedy and inquired as TO the
reasons for her marriage being conslln-
mated at Juarez. Mexico. instead of at the
Mormon settlement at Diaz where she
lived She said she knew Of no reason and
had no Information regarding attempt TO
have the ceremony performed elsewhere
She said she did not tell any one that the
man TO whom she was to be married had
another wife and, far as she knew
those performing the ceremony did not
know the marriage was TO be plural one
Later Mr.. WOrthingtOn asked Mrs. Ken
nedy If she did not know that application
had been made to Apostle Teasdale and
that he had refused to conduct or to au-
thOrize the plural marriage?
What did he say?' asked Mr. Worthing-
''He said it could not be done. as all that
had been done away with" said Mrs. Ken
nedy.
Mr. Worthington called attention to the
asked why she had said she did not know
request had been made to another to per-
II don't know how I happened to say
that, said the witness. Continuing, she
ant for me 10 think about those things.
and tried To put them aside. 1 tried TO
forget all I could about it."
In response 20 further questions from Mr..
Tayler. the witness said her mother told
her OF the request of Apostle Teasdale and
that she had no further knowledge of the
attempt TO get him TO perform the cere-
mOny.
AN APOSTLES son.
Charles Merrill son of Apostle Merrill
then called TO the stand. He said he
was the son of his fathers third wife, and
Is himself a polygamist In answer to
questions concerning his own marriages,
Mr.. Merrill said he was married first in 1887
TO a wife that died in 1892 and that he
married his legal wife, Chloe Hendricks
in 1891. and had five children by her. He
married another wife in 1883, the ceremony
being performed in Logan Temple. by NJ. c.
Edwardson. He has had four children by
that wife, the eldest of which is nine years
and the youngest two and a half years
Their mothers name was Anna b. Stod-
dard.
''The marriage to my legal WIFE in 1891. .
said Mr.. Merrill, was sOlemnized by my
father"
Were you living with Anna B. Stoddard
when YOU married the woman you call your
legal wife,"
Il was. although she had no house She
a he home mother
lived with my mother" answered the wit
ness.
In answer TO questions from Chairman
Burrows. Mr. Merrill said he has now two
wives and is maintaining relations with
both.
Senator Foraker asked the witness: rs
not the woman you married in 1855 your
legal wife,.
Mr. Merrill explained that when he mar
rted in 1SSS he had a wife living. and that
he understood that under the laws that
marriage was not legal and that there
fore his marriage in 1891. after the death of
his first WIFE in 1889. made his last mar
senator Overman asked for a description
of the marriage ceremony in 1855 and the
Der how il was performed except that he
went to the temple IN Logan and it was
performed there
Dubois Mr. Merrill said there mar
riage certificate issued, no record. or any
documents of any kind. far he knew.
He said there was music, no prayer and
no questions that he could remember.
There was nothing but the marriage
ceremony" he said. with emphasis
We'll tell us about that. several men,
bers OF the committee demanded.
Il cannot repeat 1t" said the witness
do you mean TO say that you do not
know the ordinary marriage ceremony in
your church," asked Senator Hoar. severely
Yes; 1 know that, answered the wit
ness.
''And was that what was used?" he was
asked.
THE CEREMONY
The witness said il He was told TO
give the substance Of il. He said he and
his wife stood up and joined hands
They made you promise something did
they not2' inquired Senator Hoar.
''Yes, sir
But you have forgotten what IT was,
the senator remarked with a laugh
~oh no; / haven forgotten.@ said Mr:
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