Year: 1877

Page Of Secret Mormon History Fall of


Interest.


A correspondent writes to Cincinnati
paper. "What I have told you must
not find it's way into print while Brigham
Young ives?'' These words were ad-
dressed to your correspondent in Decem-
Der, 1871; at Omaha. The man who
spoke them was George P. Case, for
several years resident of Bay county,
Michigan. I found him in Omaha at
the date mentioned, sick, penniless and
seemingly about to die, and it was only
when he had become convalescent and
was about ready to start for Mexico. that
he gave me the information used below.
I had heard rumors that Case had passed
several years Of his life in the employ OF
Brigham Young, but he denied these
rumors in the most positive manner un-
til he felt assured that he would not be
betrayed. Partly because I pressed him
to, and partly from gratitude at the little
I had been able to do for him, he gave
me such history of five years of his life
as made me almost hate the sight of him.
A year ago, when the John D. Lee e1-
citement was at fever heat, certain officials
were informed where Case could be
found, and were given an inkling OF what
he could swear to if he would, but he
left Vera Cruz about that time and sailed
for South America, where he now is, If
living.


George P. Case was no more or less
than one Of Brigham Young's paid as
sassins or avenging angels. His &C.
quaintance with Young was brought
about rather curiously. He was at Salt
Lake City, on his way to California.
This was in the spring of 1866, and the
Gentle population of Utah was fast In
creasing. Being on the street at late
hour one night, the prophet was recog-
nized by three or four boisterous chaps,
end they were ready to give him q rough
handling, when Case came up and took
the old mans part and beat them off.
He was asked to call on Young the next
day, and before the interview closed Case
had hiredto the prophet as detective:
He was led to believe that his duties would
kbe the same as those of an ordinary
detective, but it was not long before he
discovered that his associates were as
sassins, and that assassination would be-
come part of his duties.


Case was rough and reckless, but ne
was neither robber nor murderer.
When he found himself pointe out on
the streets as an avenging angel, ne
sought an interview with Young, and
stated his desire to resign his position.
cit would be safer for you to continue
on" was the prophets reply.


But don't want to, protested Case,
81 want to go on to California.


"Men who leave our service after be-
ing entrusted with our secrets do not al
ways get along finely" continued Young.


He spoke very pleasantly and he
seemed very friendly, but there was
something in his look and tone that gave
Case feeling of uneasiness. He was
gwen a day or two to reflect, and he
finally decided to remain. The mystery
and adventure of the new calling were a
great temptation, the pay good, and the
Michigander went back to duty.


Case had no incentive to deceive me In
any particular. He was then free from
Mormon influence, about to leave the
county, and he was giving me irforma-
ton which he knew wonld he locked up
for years and he made no statements
Which he could not back up by dates,
nanres, personal descriptions and other
incidents sufficient to prove that he was
telling the truth. He said that when
once Gentle had been given over to
the avenging angels he was dead man.
They might put him out of the way at
once or might delay month, according
r. circumstances, but the shadow OF
,leath walked beside the victim from the
moment his name was handed in to the
/" Angels" In some cases the victim
WAS imprisoned for time, IN order to
extort information. or for reasons best
known to the Church. When once the
dungeon doors had shut behind him, no
man came ont alive. In some cases the
dead body would be left on the street,
and it would be made to appear that the
man had been waylaid. In other In.
stances it would be carried ont on some
highway or flung into the lake. Many
of the Gentiles, and more particularly
those of wealth and standing, had moth.
ing to say against the Church, but in
many cases gave it more or less support.
Such people had no cause to fear. Other
Gentiles were fierce in their denupcia'
tions, and sometimes provoked quarrels
but unless they needed the contents OF
warning letter their tongues were soon
silenced.


One day in 1867 q man named William
Foster Buckley, resident of Birming'
| ham, England, arrived at Salt Lake IL
touest of his sister, girl of nineteen,
who ran away from home and joined 8
party of Mormon converts ready to sal
for America. On her arrival ut Salt
Lake she married Mormon named j.
Y. Thomas, living about fourteen miles
from the city. She was his fourth wife
and was by no means contented with he,
lot. She ran away from him two or three
times, and was once punished by being
shut up in the cellar for two weeks and
fed on bread and water. No one knew
OF Buckley's presence in the West'unti
he had reached Salt Lake and begun
making inquiries about his sister. He
found out where she was and rode out tc
the house, and, when he learned from
her own lips how she was situated, lis
hot English blood fred up to the boiling
point. he returned to the city to secure
an interview with the Prophet. At sucl
interview he was plainly given to under
stand that his eister must remain where
she was, and that Salt Lake City would
not be safe place for him after twenty