Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-05-26
CHURCH BUYS
HISTORIC PRESS.
One on Which First Book of Nor
mon Was Printed Coming
To Salt Lake.
A MOST INTERESTING RELIC.
Bought by President Smith From Fred
". Clcmons Who offered Il ,
To Him for $3.50.

Newark, ~ j., May 26.--Joseph F.
Smith, president Of the Church OF
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of
Salt Lake City, Utah yesterday pur-
chased the old Washington press up
on which the first edition of the Book
of Mormon was printed. The price
paid to Col Fred Clemons Is said to be
$500.
Inquiry at the office Of the First
Presidency today elected the informa-
ton that the above dispatch is correct,
in so far as II pertains to the purchase
OF the press In question. The price
paid for H. however, was $3.50. instead
OF the amount named in the Newark
account of the transaction.
OFFER BY OWNER.
Some time ago an offer was made
by Mr. Fred w. Clemens for the sale
Of the historic press to the Church OF
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A
deal was consummated some time ago
by which the relic passed into the
hands Of the Church II was securely
packed and shipped TO Salt Lake. via
the New York Central railroad, on the
22nd inst, and may be expected to ar
rive here any day.
LETTER TO PRESIDENT SMITH.
In a letter from Mr.. Clemens TO
President Joseph r Smith, an affidavit
was enclosed, sworn to by John II.
Gilbert, the man who. ms an employe
OF Egbert Grandon, set the type of the
first edition Of the Boook of Mormon.
Following Is the AFFIDAVIT
State OF New York, County OF Wayne,
S.
John II, Gilbert, resident Of Pal
myra, said county and state, came be-
fore the undersigned and, being duly
sworn. says that his age Is 30 years
that he was born on the 18th day of
April, 1902. that he is well acquainted
with the printing press owned by c. T..
and +. r, Barless, editors Of the Farm
ers' Counsel and Times. and upon
which said Farmers Counsel and Times
is printed In Rose. said county and
state, that he knows that said printing
press ia the identical printing press up
on which the original Mormon bible
was printed that he knows said print
Ing press to be what Is known as the
Mormon printing press, That he was
compositor in the printing Of the Jr-
igInal Mormon bible said Mormon bi-
bic being printed In Palmyra, said
county and state, that there can be no
question as to the Identification Of said
printing press owned by said G. l.. AMI
+. r. Baress az to its being the iden-
teal printing press upon which afiiant
worked IN printing the original Mormon
bible, JOHN n. GILBERT,
Sworn 10 and subscribed before mo
this sth day OF July. 1892. and I hereby
certify thar antant is known TO me 10
be the Identical John r. Gilbert that
he represents himself 70 be.
r. G. BARBESS,
Notary Public,
WHERE IT SHOULD BE.
In his letter to President Smith. Mr..
Clemens says:
II had the acquaintance of MIR. Gil
bert for so years. When asked to 60
personally and inspect the press, ne
said Unnecessary; II II bears certain
plate, marks and repairs Il is the press
beyond all question
when prevailed upon to make a pcr-
sonal visit. he pointed out nj once these
marks and evidences, and made affida-
vii OF a most valuable, unique and IN
terestlng relic. and congratulate your
people upon It's possession II Is whore
il should be--in the hands OF IFS
friends
Mr.. Gilbert died at Palmyra, n. Y,
Jan. Is. 1895, aged nearly % years.