The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-01-23
n nc CLURE'S Magazine for
lNH February contains another

IVH February contains another
= article by Mr.. Burton j.
Hendrick upon the recrudescence
of polygamy within the Mormon
church 1t is one Of absorbing in
terest, and teens with facts
which the writer obtained while
upon an extended visit to Utah
last summer. Mr.. Hendrick
gained much of his information
from men prominently connected
with the Mormon church, and
from church works and recorded
history.
In the present article the writer
treats mainly Of the secrecy and
deception practiced by the new
polygamists, telling Of the false
hoods uttered in order to cover
up these crimes. He names the
prominent men who have broken
the law since 1890, and in. most
Of the cases goes into particular
detail as to the circumstances.
In concluding his article, Mr.. Hen
drick points out the trickery that has
characterized the polygamous prac-
tice ever since the doctrine was first
introduced at Nauvoo by Joseph Smith,
the founder of Mormonism, and rea-
sonably asserts that no surprise can
be felt that non Mormons of Utah can
place 10 confidence in protestatlons of
church leaders that the practice is dead
so far as the church is concerned.
The Tribune herewith reprints Sc
lected portions of the article:
Nearly all visitors to Salt Lake City
are impressed and gratifled by the atten-
ton shown them by the Mormon people.
Special day recitals on the justly
their benefit, and intelligent guides are
provided to escort them over the temple
grounds.
A Beautiful Deceiver
A few years ago. two men. one n we'll
known resident of salt Lake City, the
other a clergyman from the east. We're
making this tour OF Inspection. The east
Mormon question. and especially in po-
lygamy. Like most people outside OF
Utah. he had believed that this peculiar
institution was a thing OF the past; that
II could not possibly endure in the face
of modern education and encroachng civ
ilization After enjoying the usual diver
ing the pin drop in the tabernacle, listen
ing TO the story of the forty years build
Ing of the temple and the explanations
why Gentilcs could never enter it-he
the inevitable question-whether the Nor
mon church had really abandoned po-
lygamy
The guide in this case was an especial
" well bred and attractive Young woman.
She spoke excellent English. displayed
the most intimate knowledge OF Mormon
history and doctrine. and explained the
whole subject clearly, simply and with
an almost convincing enthusiasm, Nor
was she at all embarrassed when the
Clergyman abruptly asked about polyg-
amy.
She gave the. usual explanation, that
manded the saints TO prac tIce plural mar
rIage. and that God; through Wilford
TO give IL up All devout Mormons. she
continued. still believed In polysamy as
a divine principle. but the church no
longer tolerated its. practice. Perhaps
there were few old people still living
IN plural marriage, who had entered that
relation prior to 1890 but no plural mar
riages had taken place since the mani
festo.
THE eastern clergyman was much i'm
pressed You needn't tell me" he said
to his friend. after this guide had left
them that your situation here Is so
hopeless. Look at that beautiful Young
womani III she is product OF Mormon
ism, then MormonIsm can't be so very
bad Polygamy certainly can't live IonR
with such splendid girls as that growing
up in the Mormon church,
The Salt Lake Gentle looked at him
quizzically. ~ heard YOU ask her name"
he replied quietly. What name did she
give you?"
"Clarlce Thatcher"
IT thought so, | suppose you would he |
surprised II told you that Clarce That !
cher Is herself n plural Wife
what"
"Oh yes; everybody In Salt Lake I
knows il, the papers have been fun OF !
It In tho year 1901 she married Henry |
S. Tanner, Il Mormon home missionary |
who already had nt least one wife living |
and undivorced- This was eleven years |
after President Woodruff had issued the |
Determined Concealnlent
Indeed. this Thatcher episode Is an cx-
cellent Illustration OF modern polyeamy
In the Mormon church. II brings out
clearly the social and ecclesiastical sta
tus Of those who are now entering into
the relation. and the extremes to which |
they will go TO conceal the facts. espe- |
claIly from easterners. Clarice Thatcher