THE OLNEY PAPERS

FOREWORD AND CALENDAR OF THE DOCUMENTS

BY DALE L. MORGAN ¹

From the internal evidence of these papers, it would appear that Oliver H. Olney was born in England. If so, he apparently moved to Connecticut early in his life, and subsequently to Ohio, where he was converted to Mormonism about 1831. He was with the Saints in Ohio and Missouri, and moved with them into Illinois after the expulsion from Missouri. He was married and had seven children, but was a widower at the time he began writing the documents which make up this collection.

From the Mormon annals, it appears that Olney was given a hearing before the High Council in Nauvoo on March 17, 1842, after which they withdrew the hand of fellowship and took his license from him, on charges of having set himself up as a prophet. On April 1, 1842, in an editorial in the *Times and Seasons*, Joseph Smith commented adversely upon Olney among others: "Mr. Olney has also been tried by the high council, and disfellowshipped because he would not have his writings tested by the word of God; evidently proving that he loves darkness rather than light because his deeds are evil."

This denunciation in the Mormon news organ at Nauvoo clearly provoked Olney into beginning the record which principally comprises the Olney Papers. This record is of somewhat mixed value. The bad features are that Olney fancied himself as something of a writer, and elected to write his message in a prose style abstract in character, inclined to word transpositions, and capitalization of words at the beginning of lines. Because of the general fuzziness of his literary inclinations and his concern, moreover, to establish a new dispensation in the place of the fallen church at Nauvoo, he is often hard to read and is repetitious.

On the positive side, this is almost the only contemporary record of life in Nauvoo at the critical period of the Bennett scandal known to exist outside the church archives, and perhaps the only one extant which deals with the events of this period from a critical point of view. Its greatest contribution is that it

¹Dale Morgan, noted authority on the Mormons, is presently engaged on his history of the Saints which will be published this fall.

makes plain that Joseph Smith was ready to abandon Nau-
voo and take his church west to the Rockies at this
early date. Olney describes the plans as they were
discussed on the street in Nauvoo, and in the light
of what he says, it may be realized that it was only
Joseph's trial at Springfield in January, 1843, which
demonstrated the power of habeas corpus to keep him
out of the hands of the Missouri courts, that post-
poned the Mormon migration to the Rockies. Ironically,
this reprieve also resulted in Joseph's being murdered
before he could take his church west.

Olney likewise provides evidence that the facts
about polygamy in Nauvoo had become common gossip be-
fore the break between Bennett and the Church, parti-
cularly the involvement of the Twelve; and he is a
mine of information on the state of public opinion in
Nauvoo on a host of other matters which were shaping
Mormon society at the time. His record would be much
more valuable had he written it as a conventional diary
more immediately factual in its purpose, but in any
form it is welcome in view of the gap that exists in
source material of whatever description.

The corpus of this collection of papers has some
further significance as exhibiting the body of the
material from which Olney wrote his now-rare pamphlet,
*The Absurdities of Mormonism Portrayed*, published in
March, 1843, he had early decided upon that title, and
these papers include several trial drafts of his intro-
duction and other items he ultimately included in the
pamphlet.

Included in the collection are two letters written
by Phoebe M. Wheeler, who as the second of the letters
[manuscript No. 46] notes, became Olney's wife in Oc-
tober, 1843. She appears as a person more solidly
grounded in reality than her husband, and it would be
interesting to know what she made of the pretensions
which take up a part of the bulk of these papers, that
is, Olney's having been set apart by some supernatural
beings he called "the Antient of Days" to bring forth a
new dispensation. It has been known from the Mormon
annals (see *History of the Church*, V: 269-70) that Ol-
ney did make such claims, but it is only seen in the
light of the papers now discovered that he proceeded
seriously to the establishment of a church on the basis
of these revelations; the Olney Papers make manifest
his intention of making Squaw Grove, Illinois, the place

of gathering. The dissenting churches established out
of Mormonism during Joseph Smith's own lifetime may be
counted on the fingers of one hand, and it is extremely
valuable therefore to have these papers at the inner
core of one of these schisms.

Apart from a letter by his wife dated in January,
1844, the last document in this collection is dated Feb-
ruary 5, 1843. According to the Mormon annals, five
days later Olney was tried before the mayor's court in
Nauvoo on charges of having stolen goods from the store
of Moses Smith on January 23, 1843; he was bound over
to the next circuit court for trial, in the sum of $5,000,
and for want of bail committed to Carthage jail. Whether
this was merely a means of disposing of Olney as an ir-
ritant in Nauvoo or whether there was some wrongdoing on
Olney's part would require investigation in the court rec-
ords of Hancock County in Illinois; it is evident from
the letter by his wife, however, that he was a free man
at the time of their marriage in October following, and
that as late as January 24, 1844, they were living in
Nauvoo, He and his wife may have gone to St. Louis,
where a pamphlet by Olney on the subject of spiritual
wifery was published in the fall of 1845. No copy of
that pamphlet is known, but some extracts were printed
that fall in the newspapers of St. Louis and Warsaw.
Nothing is yet known of his life after that date.

CALENDAR OF THE OLIVER H. OLNEY PAPERS

1. Document of 30 pages comprising entries dated April 6, 8, 10, and 12, 1842. Olney states that he has been provoked into beginning this record by an adverse notice in the *Times and Seasons* [April 1, 1842] (in collection). Recounts his treatment in the Council before which he was called and which disfellowshiped him. Criticizes the state of affairs in Nauvoo, particularly the extortion practiced by the Saints in land speculation. The Saints have been told to gather at Nauvoo under penalty of being considered weak in the faith. An institution said to be Masonry has been set up among them. It is reported that a similar lodge is to be established for the females. Tells of seeing Joseph Smith and his wife riding by on prancing horses. Describes the pomp and circumstance of the leaders, and military display. Declares that the priesthood which has so long rested on the Saints is gone. Some of the Twelve are reported to be very intimate with females. Folio, 30 pp., [dated] Nauvoo, April 6-12, 1842.

2. Document of 88 pages comprising entries from April 6 to August 19, 1842. Olney is critical of the Nauvoo authorities, and of the abuses heaped upon the Saints by their leaders. Recalls discreditable details of the Kirtland Bank and reflects ironically upon the conduct of Joseph Smith; reform is called for rather in the authorities than in the membership. Speaks of a secret combination in Nauvoo, men pledged to stand by one another at the expense of their lives. Criticizes the military display and vainglory of the Nauvoo Legion, and the idea that cohorts of angels will rally to them if attacked. Says that Missouri Daniteism has now been "newly vamped over." Doesn't like what he hears of a plurality of wives. Remarks on the paradoxes of the John C. Bennett explosion. Calls John Taylor in effect a blowhard. Mentions rumors of men being fed to the catfish, and of the river being clogged by the fruits of abortion. Hears that a company is being formed to seek out a new home for the Saints in the Rocky Mountains. Remarks on the Governor Boggs shooting and the fact that Smith and Rockwell are in hiding. 88 pp., folio, [dated] Nauvoo, April 6 - August 19, 1842.

3. Document of 2 pages being original draft of letter to Brother and Sister Elias and Malena Chapman. Is in good health and his children well. Does not keep house now, having broken up his home a year ago. He put his

children out to good places, but in a few days will
again commence keeping house with his two daughters,
one 14 and the other 10; he thinks to get along with
them until some other door opens. Mentions the mourn-
ful duty on which he has embarked, his taking his name
from the Church on principle, and his intention to
speak loud of iniquity in a pamphlet he will publish.
Speaks of preveiling hard times. 2 pp. N.d. [1842].

4. Document of 48 pages containing entries from May 1 to July 20, 1842. Made up in large part of material contained in the preceding document. The entry for July 20 is incomplete. [Dated] Nauvoo, May 1 - July 20, 1842.

5. Document of 1 page giving account of Olney's meeting in Council with supernatural being designated as the "Antients of Days." 1 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, June 9, 1842.

6. Document of 24 pages comprising entries from June 9 to July 10, 1842. Most of the entries are concerned with Olney's series of sessions with the Antient of Days on June 1-11, 1842, and subsequent revelations to him. Under date of June 12 it develops that the Antients design that he shall select 60 females for some relationship marital or extra-marital; 30 of these are named. Nancy Rigdon and Martha Brotherton are named as alternates; Eliza R. Snow also, it seems, has been raised up for him. He notes that the law of consecration is being put in force in Nauvoo. Continually he mourns over the gross darkness that prevails at Nauvoo, the state of morals; the Saints wallowing in the mud. 24 pp., folio. [Dated] June 9 - July 11, 1842.

7. Document of 21 pages detailing the setting up of a temporal Kingdom on earth; Olney's ordination by the "Antient of days" to be their agent; he's setting apart in the High Priesthood to administer in temporal concerns after the order of the Son of God, pronouncement against the Saints who have rejected the Son of God-- through bad works and have become fallen; pronouncement that the Mellenium, which will come in 1600 years; and warning all that the earth is about to be purified and that God will begin with the Covenant People, i.e., the

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Mormons, because they have broken the law of the Lord. 21 pp., folio. Original manuscript under dated entries. Nauvoo, June 10, July 12, August 4, October 13-31, and November 8, 1842.

8. Document of 4 pages in denunciation of the fallen people living in and about Nauvoo. 4 pp., folio, original manuscript. [Dated] Nauvoo, June 20, 1842.

9. Document of 2 pages comprising digest of letters addressed to Olney and his replies concerning his separation from the church and forthcoming pamphlet. These, according to Dale Morgan are of the same character, if not the same as letters he actually published in his "Absurdities of Mormonism Portrayed." 2 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, June 20, 1842.

10. Document of 4 pages comprising two entries, one of 3 pages and one of 1 page. The first gives details of the "Antient of Days"; a messenger from above; the martyred Mormon apostle of 1838; David Patten comes to inform him of his duty. Says that in June of 1841 he was visited by an Antient who lived in the days of Enoch and ascended to heaven with Enoch's city. The second entry decries the lack of wisdom among the Saints; warns that Moses' Tablets of stone are yet preserved and will come forth as a testimony of ancient works. Those in darkness are waiting to be extricated. 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, July 16 - September 4, 1842.

11. Document of 4 pages consisting of digests of letters (evidently those printed in his pamphlet) in inquiry and remonstrance for his renunciation and attack upon the church by H.G. Sherwood, B.L. Walker, Oliver Snow, J.D. Parker, Israel Barlow, S.B. Stoddard and James Cummings. 4 pages, folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, July 18, 1842.

12. Document of 6 pages comprising the original drafts of Olney's three letters to the church authorities in Nauvoo threatening to make known to the world a record of their wrongdoing unless they speedily repent of their wrongdoing and publicly admit the error of their ways. Although the church has dis"fellowshiped" him, he asserts that his excommunication does not weigh in his

leaders of the church. Discusses conditions at Nauvoo,
but puts a "veto" on the story that the river is
clogged with the bodies of new-born infants, stating
that he has heard of only one such body being found.
Flays the land speculators, and the "greedy dogs" who
rob the poor and destitute with a "thus saith the Lord."
4 pp., [dated] July 22, 1842.

17. Document of 46 pages containing a journal of events and observations in Nauvoo from July 27 to September 25, 1842, but principally from the first named date to August 19. Pictures the uneasy state of public opinion in Nauvoo as the aftermath of the break between John C. Bennett and the church authorities. Declares that Nancy Rigdon's character is good; discusses the Martha Brotherton cause celebre. Deplores the iniquity prevalent. Speaks of threats made against anyone who dares "lisp" against Joseph Smith or any of his chosen ones. Discusses the Sarah Pratt affair and Joseph's having used the name of the Lord in the attempt to seduce her; as for John C. Bennett, he for months has been in clover up to his eyes among women who think themselves abused by their husbands. Discusses the electioneering in Nauvoo and the attempted assassination of Ex-Governor Boggs of Missouri. Joseph Smith and Porter Rockwell are in hiding, and the report is that they will go with the company to the Rocky Mountains. A big explosion is to be looked for in Nauvoo soon. Joseph has threatened to cut the throats of apostates. In ten years the Mormons will be 600,000 strong, as they think, and none will then dare oppose them. The company for the Rockies is to be led by Lyman Wight. 46 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, July 27 - September 25, 1842.

18. Document of 16 pages under dated entries from July 28 to August 18, 1842. Largely concerned with Olney and the Antient of Days. They approbate the publication he is going to make concerning the dark doings in Nauvoo. He is instructed to make preparations for establishing a stake of Zion at Squaw Grove and Johnson Grove in Illinois; he is to go to both places and secure quit-claim deeds to all the rights there. From the commencement of 1842 a change has begun in the world which will continue until 1849. Olney is ordained to the high priesthood to administer in temporal matters for the Antient of Days. He is to gather about him a quorum of twelve, called by revelation to labor for God. Transgressions among these will not become known, as God will

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deal with the offender privately. Mentions the light
in the Book of Mormon and Covenants as originally writ-
ten, but since altered by the folly of man. A messen-
ger from the Antient of Days shows Olney that there is
an innumerable sum of money to be got by him at some
future time to establish a stake of Zion, build dwell-
ings and places of worship, and prepare for a famine
against the time of need. 16 pp., folio. [Dated] Nau-
voo, July 28 - August 18, 1842.

19. Document of 2 pages in report on another meeting with the Antient of Days. A judgment is passed on the leaders of the Church in consequence of their evil doing and a scourge will come upon them to chasten them until they see the folly of their ways. 2 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, August 16, 1842.

20. Document of 2 pages in comment on his tour of the western states; discussing the writings by and against John C. Bennett; excoriates Joseph and his high-handed proceedings; his evil instructions to the deluded Mormons such as bringing into subjection the law of the land and of becoming a terror to the nations of the earth. 2 pp., folio. [Dated] Knoxville, August 20, 1842.

21. Document of 4 pages being the original manuscript letter of Phoebe M. Wheeler [his wife to be] to Olney in reply to one of his. Addressed: "Dear Brother in tribulation and patience." A strange letter, the full import of which is not immediately apparent. She has evidently left Nauvoo on Olney's advice because of some difficult situation which prevails there. She is however a very good Saint and feels dislocated among the sectarian friends with whom she is staying. Olney has informed her that sinister prophesies of some kind about her have been made at Nauvoo. "I am come here away from all the Saints and shall look to you for the watch word." Olney is an old friend and she has known him since his Connecticut days. In the final letter in this collection [January 24, 1844] written to her family, she gives a long and very flattering account of him. 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Knoxville, August 21, 1842.

22. Document of 14 pages consisting of entries for August 16, 17, 19, and September 1 and 4. Across the top it states: "Not to [be] read." Olney gives further animadversions against Joseph; states that some 12 months since he was shown treasures hidden in the earth by the Nephites many hundreds of years ago and destined to come forth to establish a work now in vogue [whether meant literally or figuratively is hard to say.] Contains two extensive cosmological discourses, another council had with the Antient of Days, and a "Lamentation." Olney has been chosen because Joseph Smith has not done as the Word of the Lord required him; now Joseph is rejected of the Church and utter destruction is to come upon Nauvoo. The document ends with a draft of a letter to Sister Lucinda White. She and Olney have for some time had an agreement to live together, apparently in marriage; is she still of the same mind? In any event he will be her friend. He urges her to come to Nauvoo as soon as the way opens, and he will take her to any of her friends; he despises those who would abuse a female. 14 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, August 16 - September 4, 1842.

23. Document of 4 pages of which three are given over to a draft of a letter to Sister Lucinda White. Olney presses her as to whether it is the will of God that they shall live together. He tells her also of having taken his name from the Church because of the work he has to do, namely the publication of a record of the Church's doings. The report of his intended exposé has raised an excitement against him.

On the fourth page is an entry of September 16, 1842, dated at Lamail in cloudy vein. 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Sycamore, September 10, 1842.

24. Document of 4 pages in detail of Mormon affairs "that I think it my duty to pen." Further particulars of Porter Rockwell and Joseph Smith; sorry state of affairs and tribulations of the lowly followers of the false Prophet. The attempts of the Elders to quiet the pre-velant rumors and disaffection at Nauvoo. 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Lamail, September 15 and Nauvoo, September 22, 1842.

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25. Document of 4 pages in discussion of J. C. Bennett and affairs in general. Speaks of the "new-fangled Masons" and the watchword by which they identify themselves to each other. The local excitement their advent has occasioned. 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Quincy, September 27, 1842.

26. Document consisting of extracts of letters from Israel Barlow, Oliver Snow, and John Corrill, perhaps the extracts printed in Olney's "Absurdities of Mormonism Portrayed." On the verso is an entry dated at Nauvoo Nov. 4, 1842 concerning the ordination of Newel Nurse [?] to the high priesthood under the authority of the Antient of Days. This would seem to be the first ordination in the new church Olney has in prospect. 2 pp. [Dated] June 28-November 4, 1842.

27. Document of 1 page in discussion of the Latter Day Saints. 1 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, September 29, 1842.

28. Document of 4 pages being the original draft of letter to Eliza Snow. Tells her he has been engaged in writing of the ungodly doings of the church. Is acting on her advice to do with all his might. Declaring that the Saints are a fallen people and cannot extricate themselves. Discusses their proposed Rocky Mountain adventure and the doctrine of plurality of wives. 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, October 4, 1842.

29. Document of 2 pages relating to the Antient of Days. They are composed of those who have ascended to the Father at the meridian of time and have been chosen by the Savior, and ascended with him, being resurrected after death: they were called to form a council in the presence of the Father and Son, and sit to open the way for those passing through a probationary state. They look for the welfare of men on the earth and for the winding up of wickedness, that a time may be when peace and prosperity will be the daily theme. 2 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, October 6, 1842.

30. Document of 2 pages in report on affairs at Nauvoo. The Prophet and people all of a mess. Tells of the bounty offered by the governors of Illinois and Missouri for Rockwell and Joseph Smith; because of it Joseph was taken

and secured by General Law to circumvent anyone else who might try to obtain the reward. This until preparations are completed to go west. "They essay soon to start if what I learn is correct _As far as West Arigen [Oregon] Territory_ And establish a stake of Zion in the name of the Lord." 2 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, October 6, 1842.

31. Document of 36 pages containing material covering the period from October 8 to December 8, 1842. Entries from October 8 to 13 are dated from Laharp, subsequent entries from Nauvoo. Olney says he had to leave his situation among the Saints and take up his abode among those who are called the wicked of the land, but whom he finds more peaceable, more upright, more just, and dependable. The Antient of Days have likewise changed their place of sitting. Back in Nauvoo, in mid-November, Olney meets with the Antient of Days who have decided that lands in the neighborhood of Squaw Grove shall be purchased at the time of the sale in Chicago, and a stake of Zion be established there according to instruction. He is also instructed as to the priesthood in his church; the High Council are to be filled in part, then the Twelve selected, then the "President of the watchmen," then three called to preside and one to receive revelations from God. On November 27 eight of the High Council are named and 10 of the Quorum of Twelve, from which it is evident that Olney proposes to retain many of Joseph's Twelve Apostles. 36 pp., folio. [Dated] Laharp and Nauvoo, October 8 - December 8, 1842.

32. Document containing the original draft of proposed introduction to Olney's pamphlet published in 1843, "The Abdurdities of Mormonism Portrayed." 3 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, October 16, 1842.

33. Document of 4 pages containing an account of the "Doings of the Latter Day Saints" written for the _Quincy Whig_. Also discusses his forthcoming pamphlet and gives extracts from it beginning April 6, 1842. Remarks that some of the Twelve were trying to be very intimate with females; Olney thought that as they had wives of their own, they might let the young girls alone. Remarks, as to John C. Bennett, that half the story remains untold. 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, October 20, 1842.

34. Document of 4 pages in further disquisition on the doings of the Latter Day Saints set forth in preceding document. 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Quincy, October 26, 1842. 3

35. Document consisting of 16 pages. Containing entries of October 28 and 31, mainly concerned with the Antient of Days. Newel Nurse and Joseph Hadlock are named as the first two among the twelve men of worth to be ordained into the high priesthood of his church. The different quorums must be established, commencing with the High Council; then the chosen Twelve, then Zion's Watchmen who will stand as seventies; from time to time the quorums will be filled by valiant men of God; with a list of women's names dated Nauvoo, October 18. Presumably this is a further development of the list made in the summer. The first name on the list is that of Phoebe M. Wheeler; and among other names are those of Nancy Rigdon and Martha Brotherton. 16 pp., folio and 12mo. [Dated] Nauvoo, October 28-31, 1842.

36. Document of 4 pages being the original draft of Olney's letter to Joseph Smith rebuking Smith for the course he has taken and blames him for his own estrangement from the Church. He has suffered from the yelping of "a dirty mess of pettish pups" which he feels not obligated to bear any longer. He is not ignorant of things that have transpired in Nauvoo and been covered up; and warns him of his forthcoming publication which "will speak of doings that has ben To many in the dark." 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, October 31, 1842. 2

37. Document of 2 pages addressed to the Hon. President Andrew Jackson containing "An Epitaph on the Life of General A. Jackson" in Olney's characteristically atrocious verse. 2 pp., folio. [Dated] State of Illinois. October 31, 1842.

38. Document consisting of the original letter to Sister Lucinda White. Olney is still concerned to know whether they are going to "live together" as they once decided. He wants her to come to Nauvoo; there is plenty of opportunity to work for wages, or she can attend a high school. He is about to journey to Walnut Grove where she is located, and will call and see her if she thinks it fitting; in any event, she should write him her mind. 2 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, Nov. 4, 1842.

38a. draft of preceding

39. Document of 2 pages, being the original draft of letter to Brother Oliver Snow. Olney has held up publication of his pamphlet. Has a house in Nauvoo and is about to move into it with his little girls as housekeepers. Hears that Lorenzo Snow, Parley Pratt, and Orson Hyde are returning from England, each in charge of a company of Mormon immigrants. All is quiet in Nauvoo at present. Bennett has published his book and is now in Jackson County, Missouri. Olney sees it to be his duty to settle with the Church and say and do nothing to raise excitement. 2 pp., folio. Nauvoo, November 23, 1842.

40. Document of 4 pages containing draft of proposed lecture on December 6 at the "Nauvoo Lyceum Exchange." 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, Dec. 2, 1842.

41. Document consisting of the original letter to Oliver Snow, Walnut Grove, Ill., containing general information on local affairs. 1 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, December , 1842.

42. Document of 4 pages in discussion of the approaching millenium; Olney states he is again "called to take his stand" as the work of God cannot stand still. An established organization must be made. The time has arrived for a work to commence, to establish a new stake of Zion in Decatur County. Let the Saints settle on prairies in clusters, and cultivate large fields as they will be shown; far east and west let them settle by purchase or exchange or by preemption right. 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Walnut Grove, January 12, 1843.

43. Document in discussion of conditions in Nauvoo. Hard times, scarcity of money. Comments on the difference between the rich and the oppressed poor in Nauvoo. Tithing has been employed not to build the Nauvoo Temple but instead squandered in various ways to accommodate the privileged few. Commenting on "moves in the dark," a company which stands established, kings and priests to God, "to move by proxy In the name of the Lord and establish themselves for the Melineum That they may stand as Kings and rulers no more to be put down." 2 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, January 22-23, 1843.

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44. Document of 4 pages being the original letter from Olney to Orson Hyde. Hyde had turned Olney out of doors the day previously before Olney had barely begun to speak his mind. Says he has always been a friend to Hyde than otherwise. Did Hyde not turn a vile enemy to the Church at the time of the Missouri difficulties and by his affidavit provoke the exterminating orders of Gov. Boggs? And when he had got fairly away, did he not write directly to Father Johnson at Kirtland of the wickedness of Joseph and others, and mention Olney's name as being accessory with the others in stealing, robbing, plundering, and the like? Then and since he has been abused by Hyde and Hyde's wife; if Hyde does not make satisfaction, "of you and yours I will speak in black and white and speak of things that might lay in the Dark." 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, Feb. 5, 1843.

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45. Document of 4 pages, being the original draft of letter from Olney to Orson Hyde, accusing him of treachery against Joseph Smith and of stirring up the Missouri persecutions. 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, Feb. 5, 1843.

46. Document of 4 pages from Phoebe M. Wheeler, now Olney's wife. This last letter in the collection was written to her relatives in the east [Connecticut]. The letter recounts her marriage to Olney on October 19, 1843, and gives considerable data on his history, making him out to be a man of rather more substance than appears from his own writings. She is a stout defender of the Saints and Joseph Smith, and draws the delicate distinction between "Saints" and "Mormons." Nauvoo is building up fast, but scarcity of money is a hardship. She is not sure where she and Olney will live finally, but probably "some where from this." 4 pp., folio. [Dated] Nauvoo, January 24, 1844.

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