Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-13
ONCE A MORMON TOWN.
Voree, ILL.,, Where Strang Set Up as
Prophet.
From the Chicago News.

From the Chicago News.
Within twenty minutes auto ride of Lake
Geneva workmen are putting on new roofs
and otherwise repairing a number of stone
houses the building of which, In Septem-
Der sixty years ago, caused to be written
a chapter of Walworth county history that
probably will last for all time.
A large contingent of Brigham Young
people settled in this locality about the time
the Oldest of the Chicago colony camped on
the beautiful lake only few miles away.
1t is a matter of history that Edward l.
Aver began going to Lake Geneva as early
as 1874, but in 1874 the seed of Mormonism
had been planted in the same county and
within a short drive of the palatial palaces
of the Chicago summer people.
There is still standing stone house IN
which the leader of the community mani
tanned household of two wives, and across
the way may be found the foundation OF
another IN which once dwell two more III
a clump of cherry trees are the foundation
stones of a temple reared from the mate
rial of the quarry, still in operation, and
within ten minutes walk is the deserted
burying ground, now forming corner OF
barnyard.
In 1914. the year before the shooting of
Joseph Smith, there appeared In Spring
Prairie township a sinister appearing lndl-
vidal who gave his name as James J. StranS
and his occupation that of lawyer. He
Benjamin c. Pierce.
on the death of the Nauvoo prophet
Strang claimed to receive an appointment
as the successor of Smith to lead the Nor
mon Church. The Nauvoo people had scat
tered after Smiths death and a goodly
number had been attracted to Strang.
Strang bought 200 acres in one tract washed
by the White river in Spring Prairie town
ship, Walworth county. The tract was
plated and the place called Voree, name
that hangs to it yet. Strang proceeded to
appoint patriarchs, high priests, twelve
apostles and likewise following of sew
enty."
September 49, 1915 everything being
ready, Strang directed Aaron Smith, high
priest, Jirah B. Walker, ]. NJ. Van Ostrand
and Edward Whitcomb to an oak tree on
the east line of Spring Prairie township.
Digging beneath the roots of this tree there
were unearthed three golden plates in q
case of baked clay. The priests reported
the find, and Strang translated the incident
to mean that Joseph Smith had appointed
him as his successor.
In one of the buildings that still
standing, the one that the neighbors say
was occupied by Strang and his wives,
Mary and Betsy, paper known as the
Voree Herald was published.
1t is related that Strang became so inso-
lent and overbearing and practiced so many
irregularities that a follower named Scott
started an opposition paper for the purpose
of unmasking the prophet. Among other
things that Strang had promised was the
Illumination VI the ueduS VI HIS lOlIOWSISs
and In attempting to carry out this revela-
ton Strang herded his followers in the
darkened temple. There was a strong odor
of phosphorus after the heads had been
annointed and in the ceremony the hair of
one of the followers took fire.
Affairs of Voree went from bad to worse
until, in 1s47, Strang asserted he had re-
ceved a revelation to move to Beaver Is
land, in Lake Michigan, and most OF the
outfit pulled up stakes and followed their
leader. On the island Strang was shot and
killed by two men whom it is said he had
grossly abused. His body was brought back
to Voree by two of his wives. Others OF
the household came back to the Spring
Prairie settlement. and number of them
now lie buried in the deserted pasture
burying ground.
Some of the ground of the old settlement
is still owned by people who are clinging
to their Mormon faith One of the farms Is
now owned by a man who lives in Michl-
gan. He rents 1t and occasionally visits the
place. There are others who belonged to
the little settlement who are living near the
place. They still adhere to some of the
ideas of Mormon teachings, but renounce
everything of a polygamous character.