The Way It Was; 13

The following program was originally released in 1969. Pretended to have revelations these transcribed in imitation of scriptural language teeming with vague phrases upon which he placed such interpretations as what needful to carry out his immediate purposes. He organized his church on the pattern prescribed by the sacred books of the Mormon faith with the Council of twelve and quorums of elders and priests were all of them he exercised supreme authority like Joseph when schism was threatened or murmurs of discontent came to his ears. It would silence all opposition by means of a convenient revelation. The way it was presenting eyewitness accounts of historic events. The material for this series was drawn from the filed papers of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin today. The kingdom of St. James James Jesse Strang small and spare and with a thin hatchet face and

reddish hair was considered in his time one of the most fascinating orators imaginable. In 1843 he moved from New York State to practice law in the village of Burlington Racine County Wisconsin. At that time Mormonism is fairly widespread in these and was beginning to catch cold in Wisconsin. The founder and prophet of their religion Joseph Smith had his headquarters two hundred miles south of Burlington in Nauvoo Illinois. Straying greatly impressed by what he had heard of Smith's career studied Mormonism and in January 1844 attended a Mormon meeting in Burlington. The speaker was the apostle. Lyman writes the wild Ramm of the mountains who later let a small following into Texas crude shrill and frenzied as Wright's lecture was. It left an effect on Strang. A month later he hurried to Nauvoo to meet Joseph Smith the famous translator of the Book of Mormon. Smith recognizing Strang's intelligence fluency of speech and is apparently endless

fund of esoteric information quickly introduced straying into the councils of the church. On February 25th 1844 James Jesse Strang was baptized into the Mormon faith. Within a week he was ordained an elder of the church. From then on the early story of Mormonism in Wisconsin and Michigan was so closely associated with Strang that its recital is largely biographical with new authority as an elder Strang's suggested that the Illinois Mormons then in constant danger of assault should establish a Steeg or settlement in Wisconsin. It was agreed that straining act as advance agent. They returned to Burlington and for the next two months tramped through the countryside looking for the stake he finally selected some prairie and forest land near the confluence of the white and Racine

rivers. Late in May he sent a detailed report of his findings to Nauvoo But before he had time to get an answer. Joseph Smith and his brother Hiram were murdered by a mob at Carthage Illinois. The assassinations through the Mormon Church and the confusion there were numerous and bitter schisms. Many saw the succession but among all the contenders for leadership Brigham Young and James Jesse Strang proved the most powerful letter alleged to have been written by Joseph Smith was the basis of Strang's claims. Strang was careful to explain the circumstances of the latter's composition a few days previous to his death. God gave Joseph Smith a revelation appointing me as his successor in the prophetic office. This revelation Joseph cause to be written and placed among the confidential archives of the Church of novel. He also wrote to me a letter repeating the substance of it and giving me brief

counsel for my calling. This letter reached me at Wisconsin and its contents became public. Several days before the first rumor of the martyrdom of the Prophet they're in Smith wrote. And now behold my servant James J Strang has come the from far for truth when he knew it not and have not rejected it but had faith in the shepherd and stone of Israel and to him shall the gathering of the people be for he shall plant a stake of Zion in Wisconsin and I will establish it and there shall my people have peace and rest and shall not be moved for it shall be established on the prairie. And behold my servants James and Aaron shall plant it. For I have given them wisdom. Behold my servant James shall lengthen the cords and strengthen the

stakes of Zion and my servant Aaron shall be his counsellor. For he has wisdom in the Gospel and understands the doctrines and earth not Darrion. Thus was I called by the revelation of God and received my appointment through Joseph according to the revelations given to him and at the same moment in which Joseph was slain I was visited by an angel of God accompanied by a numerous heavenly train and anointed and ordained to the prophetic office as Moses and Joseph had been before me. So I was called by the voice of God and sent by the hands of angels as were the chief prophets before me. The church elders made a furious onslaught on the claims of Strang. They denounced his letter as a forgery and threatened with the powers of the church. All who would uphold the pretender his claims were rejected and he was

excommunicated. However Strang's alleged revelations had attracted wide attention at Nauvoo although Brigham Young was unquestionably a great leader. The messianic expectancy of many Mormons made them prefer a man who liked Strang claimed supernatural powers in 9 9 9 9 9 2 where the body of recusant Mormons who were attached to his cause

returned to the land he had selected for a stake in Wisconsin a place he called bori the garden of peace. He began to build up his city of refuge. Prophesied that the Mormons would be driven from Nauvoo and that then the words of Joseph appointing him would be realized in time. Strang announced a new revelation prophesying a miracle which would completely establish his claims. The miracle occurred in September 1845 as Strang himself recorded on the 13th of September 1845. I called together a number of persons and related to them that God had revealed to me that there was in varry buried in the ground an ancient record which I was required to obtain and translate. I related to them the revelation. The angel of the Lord came unto me James and the light shined about him above the

brightness of the sun and he showed unto me the plates of the sealed record and he gave into my hands the magic spectacles of the Your him and thumb Thummim and out of the light came the voice of the Lord saying Behold my servant James I am about to bless thee with a great blessing which shall be to those that love me and immutable testimony to those who know me not a stumbling block. A work shall come forth and the secrets of the past shall reveal they hold the record which was sealed from my servant Joseph unto thee. It is reserved. And while I was yet in the spirit the angel of the Lord took me away to the Hill in the east of Walworth against White River in Vawdrey and there he showed unto me the record buried

under an oak tree as large as the body of a man. It was enclosed in an earthen casement and buried in the ground as deep as to a man's waist. And I beheld it as a man can see a light stone in clear water for I saw it by the wearing of the urine and some spectacles. And I returned to your room and Thum him to the angel of the Lord. And he departed out of my sight. After relating the revelation I took the people to an old oak tree and told them the ancient record was deposited there in old time and the tree had grown over it. I then asked them to examine everything relating to it. Most critically so that they could stand as witnesses considering their findings. It was significant that Strang's witnesses were also his followers. We examined as we

dug all the way with utmost care and we say with the utmost confidence that no part of the earth through which we dug exhibited any sign or indication that it had been moved or disturbed at any time previous the root of the tree struck down on every side very closely extending below the case and closely interwoven with roots from other trees. None of these had been broken or cut away. In fine we found an alphabetical and pictorial record carefully cased up buried deep in the earth and covered with a flat stone with an oak tree one foot in diameter growing over it with every evidence that the senses can give that it had lain there as long as the tree had been growing. But there's another story told to the effect that Mr. Strang cut up somebodies old brass kettle and manufactured some plates out of it put some characters on them then went to a certain Oaktree of foot diameter and by boring a

slanting all under said tree deposited those plates in that hole and then claim that God revealed to him that our record was buried there and called for and had for a Vardi considered the most honest and intelligent man in the neighborhood to go and dig up this record and that all this was done to prove to the people that he was a great prophet. A week after the finding of the very plates sometimes known as the plates of Laban and awestruck audience gathered for Strang's translation of the hieroglyphics scratched on these plates string purported that the inscription was the record of Rajha man chore of Torito the concluding sentence of his seemingly inscrutable record is translated by Strang possesses special importance. The Forerunner runner men shall kill but a mighty prophet their show. Well I will be his strength and he shall bring forth the record record

my words and bury it in the hill of promise. The Forerunner was of course Joseph Smith and a mighty prophet James Strang and the clear intent of these statements was to evidence to the world that Strang had been appointed by God from ancient times to be his vice regent on earth were the discovery and translation of these plates Strang found himself a celebrity overnight. He had now gained a definite foothold in his fight for succession. The number of his followers increased despite the continued opposition of Brigham Young Joseph Smith never wrote or cause to be written. Strang's letter of appointment. It is a lie a forgery a snare and let this testimony be in remembrance before God and let it stand against him. And you if you persist in following him if you think it proper to listen to the falsehoods of Mr. Strang.

After this is laid before you brother Miller is instructed to cut you off from the church. We hope you'll see your error and flee from it and save yourselves from the snare of deception and the devil and the beginning of 1846 there began the great exodus of Mormons under the leadership of Brigham Young across the Mississippi and into the wilderness of the West. The knot had been tightening around the doomed city of Nauvoo for a long time. As the frequency of conflicts between the Mormons and their non-Mormon neighbors whom they referred to as Gentiles increased a few months previous. James Strang sent forth a biting pastoral letter to the Illinois Mormons warning them to beware of their leader and his proposed migration to Utah or California. Let not my call to you be vain. The destroyer has gone forth among you and has prevailed. You are preparing to resign country and houses and lands to him.

Many of you are about to leave the haunts of civilization and of men to go into an unexplored wilderness among savages and in trackless deserts to seek a home in the wilds where the footprint of the white man is not found the voice of God has not called you to this let the oppressed flee for safety unto Vawdrey and let the gathering of the people be there. Strang's call was well-timed Brigham Young's expedition having crossed the frozen Mississippi late in January suffered many misfortunes. Discouraging reports arrived in Wisconsin and Illinois. Strang's joy was great when all during February and March. Family after family of Mormons poor Harris mistrustful of other leaders poured into his makeshift settlement on the White River. Eventually Vawdrey was to attract 2000 settlers. He was the first utopian community in the Wisconsin territory. At first everyone worked at clearing trees building houses providing food.

Then gradually as elementary demands were met Strang began formulating a social theory and a code of laws for his guilt. He insisted upon abstinence from alcohol meat tea coffee and tobacco. Lectured against spitting in church required that women wear plain gray calico and men plain homespun and thoroughly condemned to plural marriages or sexual lapses of any sort. These restrictions gave rise to a great deal of trouble and when Strang left the village and a proselytizing tour there was a great deal of backsliding and even open revolt. But strenge was always able to overcome his opponents despite financial difficulties dissension among the members and the hostility of neighbors Boeri survived for three years. During these years toyed with the idea of a great University of Wisconsin his revelations and the law of prophetic succession were published in a book entitled The Diamond.

He introduced the gospel of baptism for the dead which allowed deceased persons to be baptized by proxy in the sanctified White River. Strang himself was the first to save from the prison house of darkness Lord Byron. James Knox Polk and Oliver Cromwell. Other Mormons were immersed for the salvation of Napoleon Bonaparte and members of the American family of Adams. One institution of Strang's which aroused great antagonism both inside and outside the colony was the secret Halcion order of the Illuminati an order which provided for an absolutist military hierarchy headed by straying all sworn to defend and uphold the order even though they ran directly contrary to the laws of civil government. Although the initiates were sworn to secrecy under the threat of damnation. News of the Illuminati soon leaked out. Spreading general alarm and bringing down the derision

of the non-Mormon community on Strang's had sailed from all directions. He was fairly successful in his contra attack but he began to feel that Vawdrey was slowly being hemmed in by unfriendly neighbors. The same conditions which had driven the novel Mormons across the Mississippi would endanger the permanency of his own colony for the growth of his Mormon community. Isolation was essential otherwise annihilation was only a question of time. In the spring of 1847 he began considering the removal of his colony to a more promising spot after he had led a reconnoitring party to the beaver Islands a beautiful site about 50 miles southwest of Mackinac Island Michigan. He decided that there was to be the great corner stake of Zion. His decision was couched in the same biblical style of Revelation. I beheld a land amidst wide waters and covered with large timber with a deep broad Bay on one side of it and

I wondered over it upon little hills and among rich valleys where the air was pure and serene and the unfolding foliage with its fragrant shades attracted me till I wandered too bright clear waters scarcely ruffled by the breeze in my vision a great number of Indians came in canoes and in my perplexity I asked one who came near. What I mean is all this and he said unto me thou art carried away in the spirit and brought to this land in the midst of waters in the north country that the Lord might show the what he will do hereafter for here shall be a stake and a cornerstone of Zion. By mid 1849 migration to Beaver Island Michigan began in earnest

many families moving in from the east where Strang had gone to proselytize and many coming from Vawdrey. There were certain difficulties. One of the first Mormon settlers on the island had proclaimed a divine mission for the slaying of Gentiles and another had predicted a massacre of Mormons by local Indians. These zealots Strang's silenced by excommunication according to a later commentator. However the outspoken hatred of the non-Mormon population near the islands was a more serious matter. The Mormon settlers manifested so much energy that the fishermen whose rude huts punctuated the coast there as well as on the mainland opposite took serious alarm. A land sale being held about this time considerable friction occurred between Mormon and Gentile claimants of choice tracts. There arose an unpleasantness that later bore bitter fruit. It was claimed by the Mormons that the fishermen induced the captains of vessels bearing Mormon emigrant's not to land at Beaver Island.

Many were carried on to Wisconsin who had been ticketed from the east for the harbour of St. James. So the Mormons had rechristened the Horseshoe Bend where vessels came to land. The cluster of houses that were reared on the ancient mounds along the shore they dignified by the name city of St. James. As time went on and contests between Mormons and Gentiles became more frequent. The Mormons planned a large tabernacle while some of them were getting out the timber for the structure they were set upon and soundly beaten. Doubtless there is much truth in the claim made by the Mormons that up to this time they were more sinned against and then aggressor's drunken fishermen invaded their homes and subjected the women to dignity's debating clubs were attended by uninvited guests whose boisterous conduct prevented proceedings men from old Mitchell and I came in boats to raid outlying farmhouses families sent by the missionary elders were met at the wharf and told to return to the boat as all the Mormons would soon be driven away or killed about 1850 the Beaver Island Mormons began to retaliate. Their numbers had so increased that they could safely do so.

The ambitions of James Jesse Strang were about to be realized now. He pointed to the sacred book he had translated from the plates he had revealed at varry. There was a significant section entitled The calling of the king. Chapter 20 section 6. He God has chosen his servant James to be king. He has made him his apostles to all nations. He have established him a prophet above the kings of the earth and appointed him king in Zion by his voice. Did he call him and he sent his angels unto him to ordain him the eighth of July 1850 was set for the coronation of King Strang henceforth to be the king of the kingdom of St. James Moon. I was present when Strang was crowned queen.

The ceremony took place in the cabinet building about 80 feet long constructed of human logs but partly completed at the time. The colonies like any young woman under similar circumstances. I was anxious to be present and manage to get into the tavern at one end was the platform towards and March the procession of the court into his garden. First came the queen dressed in a robe of bright red company about his parents. Then followed the twelve seventy and the minor parties is the ministry people were permitted to occupy what space remained in the when the ceremony was performed by George Adams president of the Council of Adams had been and he succeeded in making the crowning of a

king a very imposing ceremony. It ended by placing upon the auburn head of King a crown. The crown was a plain cluster of stars projecting in July 8 at the ceremony recurring was known as the King's Day was celebrated as a holiday with many festivities. King Strang was now supreme on Beaver Island. But as the population of the island multiplied and the power of the Mormons with it the hatred of the traders and fishermen on the opposite coasts became more intense. The border feud grew so bitter that it became the subject of newspapers in several states as the Mormon population increased the solid vote of Beaver Island became of great concern to Michigan politicians to the discomfiture of the people of McConathy in

1851. The Mormons elected all the county officers and by 1853 King Strang had secured his own election to the legislature. During this period of his reign the power of King Strang was at its zenith among his own people. His word was law and he proceeded to put into effect ideas which he had long treasured the use of intoxicants was prohibited. And likewise of coffee tea and tobacco. That was a code that strictly governed all morals and religious observance and violations were punished with the rigor that for bad repetition times are required every husband and the first of every floor and the first fruits of the harvest went to the store. Schools were established and from the royal press were issued books and pamphlets in great number. Women were required to wear rumoring men were required to be decorous in their conduct as women gaming was prohibited. By far the greatest

uproar was caused by the King's sudden about face on the subject of polygamy or spiritual Whyfor which had been practiced among the Nauvoo Mormons and which Strang had at first violently opposed after new revelations stranger than to himself. For each of whom bore him several children it was later learned that the first of these polygamous wives had traveled to the east with him while the Mormon headquarters were still at varry and while divine sanction of plural marriages had not yet been revealed to him dressed in man's clothing masquerading as his secretary she had accompanied him everywhere while seemingly securely entrenched the kingdom of St. James was at this time really crumbling. Many attempts have been made to crush Strang's power in the form of lawsuits and raid's press attacks and betrayals from within the Mormon ranks. On June 16th 1856 his overthrow came. Henry Legler describes the circumstances about the middle of June

1856. A ship steamed into the harbor of St. James and by invitation of the Captain King Strang proceeded to visit the vessel's officers as he was about to step on the pier. Two pistol shots were fired from behind both taking effect a turned and recognized the assassins as they fired again as he sank to the ground. They struck him over the head and face with weapons ran aboard the steamer and gave themselves up. They were taken to Mackinaw where the murder as well received as heroes and they were never brought to trial. The King had been assassinated by two of his subjects. Thomas Betfred and Alexander Wentworth Bedford have been whipped by the order of the King for some offence is said to have upheld his wife in disregarding the mandate to wear bloomers. Wentworth also had a grievance. Strang's survived about three weeks during which time he gave my new directions for the future government of the kingdom refusing to name a successor. He asked to be taken back to varry or he died

July 9th 1856. The Kingdom fell with the death of Strang. Soon after his removal to varry the fisherman came with torch and axe to destroy the printing office was sacked. The tabernacle reduced to ashes and the Mormon settlers were exiled. The way it was presenting eyewitness accounts of historic events. Today the kingdom of St. James material for the series was gone from the files and papers of the state historical society of Wisconsin consultant for the series was Doris Platt scripts by Beth Elbern. Music can tap for production Ralph Johnson originally released in 1969. The program you just heard is from the program library of National Public Radio