The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1905-04-26
FRED HoTCHKIss In MoRmoNDOM.
Characteristic Comment by a Former
Mayor of Redwood Pals.

The following extracts are from
letter written by Fred v. Hotch-
kiss to J. B. Robinson of this city:
To-day is Sunday. The city is full
of Mormons, gathered together
from far and near to attend their
semi-annual conference. They are
good average of men and women
in appearance. AS rule they are
sober, industrious. social and
thrifty class of people. Strong in
the faith they profess. Some of
them are of the Sd and 4th genera
ton; some are later converts. Some
of them practice polygamy, many do
not. Many do not believe in it. 1t
was not taught by the prophet, JOS
eph Smith, but it was introduced
by Brigham Young. The practice
is not popular with many of the
people, especially the younger gen.
Grafton. There are, of course, the
usual number OF good and bad per-
sons to be found among them, and
the usual proportion of ignorant,
jealous bigots who do more harm
than good to any order or society to
which they may become attached.
I think the present president of the
church is one of them so far as
bigotry is concerned. His looks,
manner and speech to me indicate
it. I attended their services at the
tabernacle yesterday. There were
over six or eight thousand present,
had fine singing. That the heads
of the church are polygamistic, and
practice it there is no doubt. There
is fierce opposition to the church
here now, with the Salt Lake Tri-
bune, a Republican paper, as its
organ. It originated among disap-
pointed politicians, They call them
selves ''the American party" The
Tribune is edited by an excom-
municated Mormon who handles
the question without gloves. |
think it will do great deal of good
as an educator. 1t brings the ugly
practices of the heads of the church
home to the people every morning,
furnishing food for thought, con-
versation and criticism, which, in
time, will bring about reforma-
ton. OF course the old men and
women who are living and prac-
ticing it, will have to run their
course till death and new genera
ton brought up under different en-
viroGment shall have. taken their
place in church and home. David
and Solomon were not shining NOR
al examples to the miserable Jews,
SO a president of the church, with
FIVE wives, and 10 out of II apostles
with more than one wife, is not a
very great restraint on those who
are Inclined to follow Solomon in
limited way. That all this has had
bad influence on the young there
can be no doubt, and that there is
very much social misery among
the people goes without question.
Among two or more families owing
their existence to one man there
cannot be anything else than trou-
BILE. With polygamy left out, |
do not see but the Mormon relig-
ion is as good as any other. 1t is
a matter of good morals after all.
If a person s religion does not make
him better, the sooner he changes
it the better.
THE mountains are still covered
with snow, yet the weather is fine.
AS | came across the country
from Nevada, in some places the
trees were budding, some in leaf,
gardens planted and some of the
farms looked fine. Small grain
was up and farm work well adj
vanced. On the 1st of April there
was snow storm throughout the
mountain region, which | fear re-
suited in frost in some of the val
legs. To-day it has rained a little
here, which makes the lawns and
shrubs look fresh and green.