January 10, 2007, first day of posting
LUCKY ‘ SEVEN
Material for sale - January 2007
A new year, and a new list, consisting entirely of items which I have never offered for sale before. (In some instances, I have had similar items, but years ago).
My standard 10% discount to established dealers.
"The Golden Bible, or the Book of Mormon"
- AMERICAN WHIG (antimasonic newspaper, Woodstock, [Vermont]) for Monday, March 14, 1831 [II:11; Whole No. 69].
Folio, [4] pp. Moderate soil or light dampstains to some areas; a few minor archival repairs.
SOLD**$1,250**
Extensive antimasonic content of the day, but with something much more important: "Fanaticism," the lead article on the front page, is taken from the "Painsville (Ohio) Gazette," preceded by a very brief introductory remark by the local editor (page 1, column 1; 10½ column inches). This account (titled within, "The Golden Bible, or the Book of Mormon," describes Mormon spiritual excesses during the earliest days in Ohio, when there were only a few hundred members there.
COLORFUL, EARLY and EXTREMELY RARE IF NOT UNIQUE: I find no other original copy of this particular newspaper recorded (see bibliographic history detail below). However, Dale Morgan found some copy, somewhere, since he transcribed it half a century ago. In his transcription, Morgan copied only the beginning portion, noting that except for the first two paragraphs, ". . . the article is the same as that in The Horn of the Green Mountains of March 8, though that paper credits this article to the Painesville Telegraph." (Morgan papers, University of Utah; copies of Morgan's newspaper typescripts in my possession). Accordingly, Morgan's separate transcription from The Horn of the Green Mountains (published by E. Champlin Purdy, Manchester, Vermont; issue for Tuesday, March 8, 1831 [I:51]) is nearly identical (except for a few words) to the original now at hand in the American Whig issued one week later. I do not find this article earlier in Morgan's transcriptions from Ohio papers themselves. It appeared later, however, in the Rochester Observer (Rochester, New York) of June 9, 1831 (V:24. The article appears, transcribed with a number of minor variations or errors, on a current Internet site).
Bibliographic history of this newspaper:
Originally published as the American Whig, Vermont Luminary & Equal Rights, formed by the union of the Vermont Luminary and Equal Rights, Woodstock, Vermont, and published thus under the direction of the Windsor County Anti-Masonic Committee throughout 1830: New Series Vol. I, No. 1, January 6, 1830; ceased Dec. 27, 1830. Volume II began (presumably under the abbreviated name seen in the present issue here at hand) with its No. 1 on January 3, 1831, and "ceased in 1836." OCLC lists Joseph Hemenway as editor during some of these years, and his name appears as editor on the inside masthead, p. 2. The front page names only "Ferdinand Sherwin, Proprietor," (p. 1).
OCLC lists several institutions holding incomplete files of this newspaper. However, careful examination of each of those institutions' specific holdings records suggests that no other original copy of this newspaper is known. The Vermont State Library (Vermont Department of Libraries) is shown to hold a microform copy, but not an original.
dark-skinned (Indians) in loincloths, carrying bows and arrows
- AN ORIGINAL FIRST-EDITION BOOK OF MORMON LEAF, as originally printed in single columns without verse numbers by E. B. Grandin "for the Author" at Palmyra, New York. Printed sometime between later 1829 and the beginning of 1830.
ONE LEAF (two pages, counting the front and back), 18 X 11 cm. (7 inches tall). Pages 227-8, containing what is now Alma 2:28- 3:12 (plus portions of the immediately preceding and following verses, Alma 2:27 and 3:13).
Offered for sale on eBay, to end Monday afternoon, January 15, 2007.
Click here to go directly to the eBay listing.
A QUINTESSENTIALLY "MORMON" LEAF, containing an epitome of traditional Latter-day Saint understanding of the American "Indian" characteristics of the Lamanites. Of ten 1830 Book of Mormon leaves which I obtained in 1999, this is my last. I saved this one as my favorite, because it contains the most classic Native American stereotypes . . .
. . . Now the heads of the Lamanites were shorn; and they were naked, save it were skin, which was girded about their loins, and also their armour, which was girded about them, and their bows, and their arrows, and their stones, and their slings, &c. And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph, and Sam, which were just and holy men. And their brethren sought to destroy them; therefore they were cursed; and the Lord God set a mark upon them, yea, upon Laman and Lemuel, and also the sons of Ishmael, and Ishmaelitish women: and this was done, that their seed might be distinguished from the seed of their brethren, that thereby the Lord God might preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions, which would prove their destruction.And it came to pass that whosoever did mingle his seed with that of the Lamanites, did bring the same curse upon his seed; therefore, whosoever suffered himself to be led away by the Lamanites, were [sic] called under that head, and there was a mark set upon him. And it came to pass that whosoever would not believe in the tradition of the Lamanites, but believed those records which were brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and also in the tradition of their fathers, which were correct, which believed in the commandments of God, and kept them, were called the Nephites, or the people of Nephi, from that time forth; . . . [p. 228; now Alma 3:5-11]
- THE BOOK OF MORMON. Translated by Joseph Smith, Jun. Reprinted from the Third American Edition. Plano, Ill.: Published by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1874.
15½ cm. (binding 16¼ cm. = nearly 6½ inches tall). xii, 545 pages. Collated complete.
**SOLD**
This is the First Edition of the Book of Mormon published by the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now, Community of Christ). FLAKE 611, explaining that this "is not a reprint from the third American edition as the title indicates, but follows the Liverpool stereotyped edition of 1852." A later RLDS edition published in Lamoni, Iowa (Flake 619a) also bears the date of 1874, but was in fact printed ca. 1882.
Original dark reddish-brown blind-stamped roan leather. Spine gilt. Spine expertly laid back down, with loss of upper ½ inch as shown above.
Medium wear, but a handsome, strong volume. Internally, the book is generally quite clean and nice. There are some faint stains, including one at the upper fore-edge of the title page (as seen below), and two very minor, small marginal tears not affecting text.
JOSEPH SMITH'S SON preserved a wonderful story which mentions the version offered here . . .
At the conference [RLDS, 1884] it was decided that it would be advisable to secure the privilege of examining the [printer's] manuscript of the Book of Mormon, then in possession of David Whitmer, of Richmond, Ray County, Missouri, for the purpose of comparing it with the editions put out by the church, in order to correct errors of any description which may have crept into them through transcription and publication. . . .
. . . . .We reached that city on July 8, and secured quarters at Dale's boardinghouse, where we stayed and visited during that evening. We found, next day, that Elder Whitmer had arranged for one or two others also to be present during the examination of the manuscript, as he felt himself unable to undertake alone the responsibility of the important supervision. Accordingly, Philander Page, a relative of Elder Whitmer by marriage, and John C. Whitmer were assigned the duty, Mr. Page spending the greater part of the time with us.
After lunch, we began the solemn task. Repairing to the house of Elder Whitmer, in his presence we all knelt down and implored divine sanction and the aid of the Holy Spirit to direct and confirm us in the duty we were striving to perform.
It was agreed that one of us should hold and read the manuscript, while others, holding respectively copies of the Palmyra edition, the Nauvoo edition, and the edition published by the Reorganization, carefully compared what was read with what they held; also we were to "take turns" in reading aloud, as might be found desirable.
The committee continued at work daily, from seven in the morning until six at night, with an intermission for lunch. On Friday a recess was called, and during that week end we visited Independence. We returned on Monday to continue our task which was finally finished on the seventeenth.
. . . . .Upon a few occasions during the sessions, Elder Whitmer was visited by citizens or strangers, calling upon one business or another. Once Colonel Giles, a resident of Richmond, brought a stranger by the name of Captain Fall, and their interview with Elder Whitmer resulted in their being brought into the room where we were at work, where they were introduced to us and permitted to see the manuscript.
The Colonel, in an affable and friendly manner, discussed with Elder Whitmer the testimony the latter had borne as a special witness to the divinity of the Book of Mormon. Rather suggestively he asked if it might not have been possible that he, Mr. Whitmer, had been mistaken and had simply been moved upon by some mental disturbance, or hallucination, which had deceived him into thinking he saw the Personage, the Angel, the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the sword of Laban.
How well and distinctly I remember the manner in which Elder Whitmer arose and drew himself up to his full height—a little over six feet—and said, in solemn and impressive tones:
"No, sir! I was not under any hallucination, nor was I deceived! I saw with these eyes and I heard with these ears! I know whereof of I speak!"
Everyone present, including the colonel and his friend, stood under the spell of the impressive silence which followed this emphatic declaration. It was as if we were in the presence of the Angel himself!
I went out of the room with the visitors, and the Colonel remarked:
"It is somewhat difficult, Elder Smith, for us everyday men to believe the statement made by Mr. Whitmer, but one thing is certain—no man could hear him make his affirmation, as he has to us in there, and doubt for one moment the honest and sincerity of the man himself. He fully believes he saw and heard, just as he has stated he did." [Joseph Smith III and the Restoration . . . (Independence, Missouri: Herald House, 1952), pp. 309-12]
11½ cm. (binding, 12 cm. = 4¾ inches tall). 464 pages. Original patterned endpapers. Collated COMPLETE. Original green blind-stamped cloth; ornamental gilt-lettered spine. Nearly fine.
SOLD**$250**
A very nice copy, particularly for an item so difficult to obtain in pleasing condition as a small hymn book. There is a small light stain to the title page, and the slightest wear or scuffing to the binding. In all, I would think this volume to be in exceptional shape.
Flake 1781. Words only (no printed music), in the lingering style of that day. "The demand for it continues unabated," boast "The Publishers" in a Preface to this edition (dated Salt Lake City, September 1891) . . .
and since the publication of the Latter-day Saints' Psalmody, which contains music for every hymn in this book, a new interest has been added to it and its usefulness enhanced. In this edition will be found a metrical index which the book, as previously published in America, has not contained. This feature will be especially valuable to choirs. A few hymns have also been added to the end of the volume. [p. (4)]
Fifth from the end appears Hymn 365, with the familiar opening line, "Our mountain home so dear" (p. 438). Indeed, this song book contains a number of Utah-based hymns, and is naturally more regional and colloquial than its successors of today. And of course, one of the most important hymns still retains all of its 1830s verses . . .
Folio, [4] pages (complete issue). Some back-fold wear, and two small scorch marks on the front page (not affecting the Mormon-related article).
$125
A short but striking front-page article reads as follows, in its entirety. Shocking as this may sound to some, I believe that it is consistent with Martin Harris' comportment at times, and I have seen this article picked up elsewhere in other newspapers as well . . .
A MORMON APOSTLE.—We received yesterday a visit from Martin Harris, formerly of Palmyra, who was concerned with Joe Smith in originally proclaiming the Mormon faith. He wrote the book of Mormon from Joe Smith's dictation, the latter reading the text from the golden plates by putting his face in a hat. When the volume was written, Harris raised funds for its publication by mortgaging his farm. But he no longer goes with the Mormons, saying that they "have got the devil just like other people." He abandoned them fifteen years ago, when they assumed the appellation of "Latter Day Saints," and bore his testimony against them by declaring that "Latter Day Devils" would be a more appropriate designation.
Mr. Harris visited England some three years ago. At present he professes to have a mission from God, in fulfilment of which he wanders about preaching to "all who will feed him." When this essential condition is not performed by his hearers, he shakes off the dust from his feet, and leaves for more hospitable quarters. Mr. H. is exceedingly familiar with the Scriptures, and discusses theology, in his peculiar way, with the fluency and zeal of a devotee.—Rochester American.
One page, 8¼ X 8½ inches. Fine. Rare cursive signature in his naturally awkward left hand, written while his right hand was mending from his own bomb explosion. From the period at home, between the bombings and the preliminary hearing . . .
:: Also signed :: by Shannon P. Flynn ("Truth will prevail") December 17, 1985,
:: and :: by Brent Lee Metcalfe, January 15, 1986,
:: and :: with an outline drawing of a salamander in orange ink by Lyn Jacobs, the end of the tail forming his initials, "LRJ," March 17, 1986.
Signed at my request on the dates noted (the dates also written by the individual signers).
The three friends of Hofmann (victims discussed in most of the books about the forgery/murders) signed this sheet when we still believed the man to be innocent of forgery and murder. The late Dr. Jacobs, who had been working on an original home-crafts style "stained glass" window portraying Joseph Smith, the white salamander and Angel Moroni, left off that project shortly afterward, when evidence finally emerged which could not be doubted.
NOTE: I had about ten of these signed twenty-one years ago, but have only sold two of them, (one on eBay in the 1990s and one in A Mormon List Electric, 2003), and retain the others. Being manuscript, each example is naturally somewhat unique. In addition, Jacobs drew the salamander on each one in a different color. This is therefore the "orange salamander" version.
As an avid . . . collector of autographs, Mark Hofmann must have sensed an ironic parallel situation when he signed this piece of paper that day . . .All things considered, the autograph of Lord Nelson, another great adversary of Napoleon, is not so rare as the collector might expect. . . . Nelson lost his right arm at the Battle of Tenerife in July 1797. He learned to write quite well with his left hand, but the two hands are extremely distinctive: the normal hand slants strongly to the right; the left hand has a backward slant. [Jerry E. Patterson, Autographs: A Collector's Guide (NY, 1973), p. 157]
Before Nauvoo, . . . before Commerce, . . . there was VENUS,
the exact location of Joseph Smith's first
residence in that area . . .
HERE is the most popular traveler's map of the 1830s, designed to be carried in your pocket without damage. It is just the sort of thing which the best-equipped Mormon refugees from Missouri would have had in their hands as they attempted to navigate their way through sparsely-settled Illinois . . .
Map unfolds to approx. 40 X 33 cm. (15¾ X 13 inches). Original 1830s hand-coloring in pastel tones.
SOLD**$ 1,200**
Medium wear, but the attractive case still very strong. A number of the map folds have been strengthened or re-joined on the back (blank side) with archival tissue. Two short separations remain along folds at the top, where the map attaches to the inside back board.
Attached inside the original red gilt-decorated roan leather case (simply "boards" forming a front and back cover opening like a book from which the map folds out in one sheet) with gilt title panel on front board, reading: "Mitchell's Map of Illinois." Case is 12¼ X 7¾ cm. (about 4¾ X 3 inches). Inside front board filled with a printed slip explaining "Public Lands" with small printed section diagram scheme.
First published 1834. Simple township divisions within counties. Population table by counties shows Hancock with 483 people in 1830. Includes inset showing "Map of the Lead Mine Region East of the Mississippi River" at the junction of Illinois, "Ouisconsin T.," and Missouri Territory.
Shows Venus (no Commerce or Carthage yet) and Warsaw. West across river from Hancock Co. is "Part of Missouri Territory." North of Illinois is small portion of "Ouisconsin Ter."
VENUS, ILLINOIS, was a tiny post office hamlet established March 13, 1830 in response to a petition by James White and other county commissioners. "At that time," explains Glen M. Leonard, "Hancock County had only five hundred scattered residents." (Nauvoo, A Place of Peace, A People of Promise [SLC, Deseret Book, 2002], p. 48.
Local landowners Alexander White and Joseph Teas surveyed a townsite and recorded it in county records as Venus. They sold a dozen or so lots, but their expectations of a growing city did not materialize. By 1834, prospects for growth looked better, so White and Teas expanded their plat for Venus along the river northward and renamed it Commerce, a moniker reflecting hope for economic growth. Twenty-four of the town's 144 lots fronted the river, an appropriate location for keelboating and warehousing enterprises. Further expansion was possible, because the proprietors owned much of the adjoining land. The county approved the surveyor's plat in May [1834]. The name Venus gradually dropped out of use after Commerce became the sole mailing address for the peninsula. [Leonard, p. 51]
When Joseph Smith first arrived in the area, he moved onto White Family property at the original Venus portion of the peninsula which would later be known generally as Nauvoo . . .
In late April [1839], the Prophet led a party north from Quincy to examine available lands on both sides of the Mississippi. On May 1, at Commerce, the men purchased the farms of Hugh White and Isaac Galland near the south end of the peninsula. . . . White turned over his small log house to Joseph Smith, while Galland gave up his two-story stone residence to Sidney Rigdon.
The Prophet moved Emma and their four children into the log house on May 10, "hoping that I and my friends may here find a resting place for a little season at least." . . .
. . . . .
Nauvoo would be the last name given to a place that had previously been known informally to the Indians as Quashquema, to the traders as the "head of the rapids," and to the early settlers as Venus and then Commerce. [Leonard, pp. 57, 59]
The Mormons are . . . studying Hebrew.
Some of the men in middle age pursue Hebrew till 12 o'clock at night and attend to nothing else.
Folio, [4] pages (complete issue). Loss of paper at upper inner corner margins, with loss of a little text. Light foxing.
SOLD**$200**
I have not seen this article before, and it offers something nice and unexpected toward the end. It fills 4½ inches of page 1, column 5, and reads in its entirety as follows . . .
The Mormons.—A gentlemen [sic] living in Loraine County, Ohio, writes that a more extraordinary sect has not sprung up since the days of Mahomet. In the town of Kirtland they have erected a stone temple at an expense of $40,000. It is 60 by 80 feet broad, and 50 feet high. It has two rows of Gothic windows. The first floor is the place of worship, with four rows of pulpits at each end having three pulpits in a row. These twelve pulpits rise behind and above one another, and are designed, the uppermost row, for the bishop and his counsellors, the second for the priest and his counsellors, the third for the teachers, and the fourth or lowest for the deacons. Over the division between each of the rows of pulpits is a canvass, rolled up to the ceiling; and to be let down at pleasure, so as to conceal the dignitaries from the audiance [sic]. They can be divided into four appartments [sic] at pleasure, to carry on the object of imposture. The second and attic stories are for a theological and literary seminary, which is expected to have the manual labor system attached to it. The Mormons are very eager to acquire an education. Men[,] women, and children are studying Hebrew. Some of the men in middle age pursue Hebrew till 12 o'clock at night and attend to nothing else. They pretend to have remarkable revelations, work miracles, heal the sick, &c.
While this article contains some errors of detail, the concluding portion describing the enthusiasm for Hebrew lessons (taught by Joshua Seixas, in the School of the Prophets) is a stunning bit of background information - the essence of which I believe is supported by other historical records.
- [MISSOURI] Two 1830s MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENTS SIGNED by substantial western Missouri citizens who once attempted to help the Mormons.
the two documents: $850
• STOLLINGS, Jacob (Missouri merchant who assisted Mormons to settle in Daviess County by extending credit until they burned his home and plundered his record books). MANUSCRIPT ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT SIGNED with one Weekly DALE for the construction of a wool carding machine. Missouri (probably Clay or Ray County), 27 February 1836.
31 X 19½ cm. One page (verso blank) with blank conjugate leaf. Medium wear, the signatures very good.
When Daviess and Caldwell Counties, Missouri, were separated from Ray in late 1836, it was understood that Caldwell was for the Mormons, and Daviess for non-Mormons. There was no legally-binding agreement, of course, and some Mormons chose to settle in Daviess by the good grace and permission of its non-Mormon pioneer residents. It was an act of trusting kindness as much as good business, therefore, when Jacob STOLLINGS, a merchant in the town of Gallatin in central Daviess County, befriended newly-arrived Saints to the point of extending them credit for groceries and merchandise against anticipated crops to be harvested the following year. (Stephen C. LeSueur, The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri [Columbia, Missouri, 1987], p. 27). In those times of cash-poor economy, a storekeeper's record books were a legal document by which customers became indebted to him. Such books were as important as stocks or bonds, - essential to the survival of a business.
Tragically, when the Mormon War escalated in the fall of 1838, Mormon vigilantes raided and plundered the non-Mormons of Gallatin. "Some of the Missourians who were threatened or had their homes plundered and burned," according to LeSueur, "were actually friends of the Mormons. Jacob Stollings, a Gallatin merchant, had sold goods to the Saints on credit, to be paid for when their crops were harvested. When Captain Patten's company attacked Gallatin, they plundered and burned Stollings' store and confiscated his receipt books, which he never recovered." (p. 186).
Stollings' indispensable records of Mormon indebtedness were never returned. He became so desperate that on April 12, 1839, he wrote Joseph Smith (who had just been transferred from Liberty, Missouri, to the jail in Gallatin), enclosing a signed agreement to forgive all Mormon debts if only the Mormons would return his books (which naturally would have contained the obligations of all Stollings' customers, Mormon and non-Mormon alike). (HC III:316). Hardly in a mood to care, Joseph Smith mused . . .
A curious idea, that I who had been a prisoner many months should be called upon to hunt up lost property, or property most likely destroyed by the mob; but it is no more curious than a thousand other things that have happened; and I feel to do all I can to oblige any of my fellow creatures. [HC III:317]
The Mormons claimed that the depredations on Stollings' property had been committed by anti-Mormons trying to ruin the Mormons' good name, and Joseph advised Stollings to see if Sampson Avard had the missing books. There are further references to Stollings in Church history of this period. In summary, he never got his books, and was at times seen participating in anti-Mormon activities.
The manuscript now offered here for sale does not relate to the Mormons, but comes from the right time and place for one interested in owning his signature and an interesting example of his orderly business dealings! This is a fascinating contract, detailed if somewhat informal, carefully specifying the conditions for Mr. Dale to make the machine Stollings requires, with ". . . 1 Main Cylinder about 36 in . . ." Stollings agrees to provide the cards, wheel & drum to run the machine, along with other parts. Mr. Dale agrees to start construction of the device "in a workman like manner . . . by the 20th of June next (provided the castings & cards get on in time) . . ." Once the machine is built, Stollings promises to haul it all the way home to Gallatin from Dale's house in Clay County! It will cost Stollings $275, and we can only wonder if this was part of the property which was eventually destroyed by the Mormons to whom he had agreed to lend a hand about a year after he signed this very paper.
PROVENANCE: Accompanying this manuscript agreement is a signed, notarized statement of provenance from the previous owner, a respected collector known to me personally for more than thirty years, certifying that he obtained the item from a named (non-Mormon) dealer in 1977.
___________________________________________________________
• RYLAND, John F. (Missouri judge who tried to assist Mormons and stop civil violence in 1834). AUTOGRAPH DOCUMENT SIGNED in relation to a civil suit involving Jacob STOLLINGS. Ray County, Missouri. Early June 1832.
33½ X 21 cm. One page; verso blank but for filing docket. Very good, with a few discreet archival tissue repairs on the blank verso; the signature very good.
If "John Ryland" is not a household word today, the name was certainly familiar to beseiged Latter-day Saints in 1834 Missouri! Ryland tried to be fair to the Mormons, and he later received considerable, favorable attention in Joseph Smith's History of the Church, B. H. Roberts' Comprehensive History of the Church, the Times and Seasons history of the Missouri period, and in many later historical works. He should not be confused with Judge E. M. Ryland (whose communications precipitated Governor Boggs' extermination order against the Mormons in 1838).
The document offered here did not involve Mormons, but it is a nice early Missouri piece written to help ajudicate a lawsuit involving "Jacob Stollings vs. Washington Huffaker, . . . Ray Circuit Court, June Term 1832." The entire tall page appears to be in Ryland's somewhat distinctive hand.
Rather than to summarize the complex Mormon events which occured in Missouri shortly after this document was signed there, and which can be studied in depth in the sources mentioned above, I will simply quote two letters below (obviously NOT included for sale here) which are transcribed in Joseph Smith's History of the Church . . .
. . . Judge Ryland wrote the following:
RICHMOND, June 10, 1834.
Mr. A. S. Gilbert:
SIR—Deeply impressed with a desire to do all in my power to settle or allay the disturbances between the Mormons and the citizens of Jackson county, I have concluded that it might have some tendency to effectuate this object by having the Mormons called together at Liberty next Monday, and there explain to them my notions and views of their present situation, and of the circumstances attendant. I therefore request you, sir, to use all your influence with your brethren, to get them to meet me next Monday in Liberty. I much fear and dread the consequences that are yet to ensue, unless I should succeed in my wishes to restore peace. It is the duty of all good men to use all proper and laudable means to establish peace. I expect a deputation of some of the most respectable citizens of Jackson county will meet me on Monday next at Liberty. I call upon you, in the name of humanity, therefore, to leave no efforts untried to collect your brethren at Liberty as requested. Should my efforts to make peace fail of success, there can be no wrong, sir, in the attempt, and I shall enjoy the consolation of having done my duty as a man, as well as a Christian.
I hope, sir, you will duly appreciate the motive which prompts me to address this letter to you, and will aid me with all your influence with your brethren in the prosecution of an object so much to be desired by all good men and citizens.
Yours very respectfully,
JOHN F. RYLAND.
. . . . .
In answer to Judge Ryland, the Elders wrote as follows:
NEAR LIBERTY, June 14, 1834.
Hon. J. F. Ryland:
DEAR SIR—Your communication of the 9th instant from Richmond was duly received, and at a public meeting of our society this day its contents were made known. Our brethren unanimously tender their thanks for the laudable disposition manifested on your part to effect peace between our society and the inhabitants of Jackson county and as many as conveniently can will be present on Monday next. Entertaining some fears that your honor, in your zeal for peace, might unwarily recommend a sale of our lands in Jackson county, we have thought it expedient to give you reasonable notice, that no such proposition could possibly be acceded to by our society.
We have not heard that it was the intention of your honor to urge any such measure, but our enemies in Jackson county have long been trying to effect this object. In a letter from the governor to us, he says: "I have been requested to advise the Mormons to sell out and move away; but believing that it would have no good effect, I have withheld my advice." We give this quotation from the governor's letter to disprove the statement made in the Upper Missouri Enquirer of last Wednesday, and conclude by adding that "home is home," and that we want possession of our homes—from which we have been wickedly expelled—and those rights which belong to us as native free-born citizens of the United States.
Very respectfully, your friends and servants,
JOHN CORRILL, Chairman.
A. S. GILBERT, Secretary.The foregoing was enclosed in the following letter to their lawyers:
GENTLEMEN—Will you be so good as to read the enclosed, then seal and hand it to the judge? We have given him an early hint, fearing that he might be induced by the solicitations of our enemies to propose a sale of our lands, which you well know would be like selling our children into slavery; and the urging of such a measure would avail nothing unless to produce an excitement against us in this county. As requested last Thursday, we hope you will be present on Monday.
Your friends and servants,
JOHN CORRILL,
A. S. GILBERT.To Messrs. Doniphan and Atchison.
. . . . .
On . . . June 16th, the citizens of Clay county, to the number of eight hundred or a thousand, among whom were the brethren, assembled at the court house in Liberty, in accordance with the request of Judge Ryland . . . [HC 2:89-92, 96]
PROVENANCE: Accompanying this 1832 document is a copy of a signed letter to me from the previous owner in Oak Grove, Missouri, a doctor whom I have known for some twenty years, recalling that he obtained the item from an antique dealer in Richmond, Missouri, about 1982, and providing general background detail of the transaction.
For a newspaper article mentioning Judge RYLAND, see further below.
. . . Annes and I own twenty acres - a piece of as good land as ever lay out of doors in Illinois, and I own another piece - one half of a fraction acre lying near the temple. It was very valuable when I bought it, and now I cannot sell it for anything. . . . I understand by way of the papers that the Mormon temple is burned down. . . . They killed some, and whipped some, and drove the rest off. They say that [there] is not a Mormon [left] in Nauvoo . . . [edited from the rough original version transcribed below]
Stampless folded letter. 25 X 19½ cm. 3 pages plus address portion (with blue circle postmark, 31 mm., "Springfield O. Feb 23" and blue "10" stamp). Strong fold creases, but the paper strong. Slight loss of text on final page from seal tear when opening the letter in 1849. Recently obtained, as we say, "from the field," that massive body of miscellaneous paper, ephemera and postal history which floats about here in the East from a thousand now-mixed sources. The letter is here first introduced to the Mormon studies community.
SOLD**$350**
From two original 1842 members of the Nauvoo Relief Society, now living in Ohio under difficult circumstances:
MABEL SHARP was born at Newtown (Fairfield County), Connecticut on October 11, 1779, and apparently never married. She was the daughter of Eliakim Sharp and Esther Wetmore. She was voted into membership in the Nauvoo Relief Society on May 27, 1842. She died at Springfield, Ohio, about 1863.
ANNIS (Annes, Anise) SHARP was Mabel's younger sister, born August 10, 1791, also at Newtown, Connecticut. She married John Wesley ROBERTS on June 1, 1824 at Monroe, Connecticut. She died January 6, 1894 (thus, at age 102), at Watseka, Iroquois County, Illinois, where she is buried. According to RLDS obituaries,
Anise Sharpe (Roberts) joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1830 and immigrated to Kirtland, Geauga, Ohio. She moved to Independence, Jackson, Missouri, and then to Nauvoo, Hancock, Illinois, before returning to Ohio. She was an active Abolitionist before her death from dropsy.
Annis was an early member of the Relief Society at Nauvoo, voted into membership on May 13, 1842. NOTE that the information on the two sisters above is summarized from a variety of online and digitized sources, my print-out of which will accompany the letter. The quality of these data may be unequal, and I have found no solid evidence of Annis' stated 1830 conversion to Mormonism.
Below are the Mormon portions of this letter, with a bit of surrounding content to set the scene. Mabel considers herself old now (she was sixty-nine), and "allmost past labour"; she seats herself, she says, to reply to Sylva's letter received February 10 . . .
. . . you want to know something about Aunt Roberts I will tell you when I had been to Burrs about one year Wesley went to Ohio and Annes come to Indiana sick with the [ager ?, i.e., ague] Wesley come thare after her they moved to India[na] in February . . . Wesley went to ohio a gain lived thare all summer got a place to live and sent for his wife She was unwilling to go without [i.e., unless] I would go with her so one year a go last September she and I come hear and hear we are yet and Wesley has gon to Vermont he said he should come back by way of connecticut Henry Roberts is in indiana so you see your Aunt has but one child left and he does not live with her
. . . I expect you have ^heard that Elijah M Roberts died in Nauvoo when we first went thare Nauvoo is a sickly place I was sick all the time I staid there that was two year I staid in Indiana four year and have ben hear over one year and whare I shall be another year I know not Wesley says he shall go to the Salt lakes to the mormons [page (1) ends]
but that will be to[o] long a jorney for me your letter come to Indiany your Aunt Mary tuck it out of the offiece and red it and sealed it up again and wrote a letter and put yours in to it and sent it to me. . . . I should be glad to come and see you but thare is three reasons why I do not come one is I am to[o] old and to feable to come alone and I have no one to go with me and another is I have nothing to go with and another is I have nothing to go to all the property I have is in land in Ilinois now in the hands of the mob I do not no that I ever shall be the better for it Annes and I owns twenty acres a piece of as good land as ever lay out of doars in Ilinois and I own another piece one half of a fraction acre lying near the temple it was very valible when I bought it and now I cannot sell it for enny thing [page (2) ends]
I understand by way of the papers that the mormon temple is burned down they need not expect to be prosperd with ^it for they cilled some and whiped some and drove the rest off they say that is not a mormon in Nauvoo . . .
Annes sends her respects to you and Mr Burr . . . She says you must all come and see her Ohio is a blesed land it flows with mild and honey . . . if we say enny thing to the buckeyes [about ? (tear from opening the seal)] Connecticut they say to us o sweet home well it is sweet home home I know that Ohio is a good place provishin is plenty and cheep . . . one thing you have that we cannot that is clams and orsters I have not seen nor tasted of one sinced I left sweet home
this from your Aunts Mabel Sharp
Annes Roberts
Another battle is hourly expected. Great distress exists at Nauvoo.
[NAUVOO] Front-page battle report in the PORTLAND ADVERTISER (newspaper, Portland, Maine) for Tuesday, September 29, 1846 [48:39].
Large folio, [4] pages (complete issue). Rough condition, with some stains, and with portions torn from all four corners of blank margin areas, plus a little text loss at one corner and from additional moderate paper loss at center back-fold area. These faults do not affect the interesting Mormon article, which is quite clean and which is not crossed by the various fold creases.
SOLD**$90**
Worthy of illustration, this article (page 1, column 7) measures 3¼ inches in length, reproduced at right. The news has arrived at New York City by "Magnetic Telegraph" . . .
For background on this Mormon War, see Governor Ford's reports at the time.
Folio, [4] pp., complete issue. Very good; medium foxing and some back-fold wear.
SOLD**$350**
Contains a lengthy communication dated Nauvoo, Nov. 4, 1841, from an unnamed gentleman to the St. Louis Republican, here picked up in Newark, New Jersey. E. Cecil McGavin quoted a substantial portion of this article (as taken from a paper two days later than this one, in New York City) in his book, Nauvoo the Beautiful (pp. 47-8). It has excellent content; the correspondent can hear men working on the temple in the distance as he writes. He credits the Mormons with Christian attitudes, if not with too much learning.
Of particular interest is his conversation with Joseph Smith the previous day, given in actual dialogue. In the text, Smith brags that, as a member of the official local militia, he personally "had occasion to knock a man down more than once" a few days earlier, when they pulled down the grocery-turned-grog shop of D. W. Kilbourne. See History of the Church 4:444 (November 1, 1841) and the colorful article in the Times and Seasons 3:2 (November 15, 1841), pp. 599-600 ("The Neusance.")
Not generally known, and quite colorful.
Length of article: 21 column inches (Joseph Smith dialogue portion, 13 inches). Page 2, columns 5-6; typical small type of the period.
________________________________
Portion quoted by E. Cecil McGavin in Nauvoo the Beautiful (SLC: Bookcraft, 1972 printing, copyright 1946), pp. 47-8:
As its builders had hoped, the Mansion House became the rendezvous for the many tourists who came to the thriving city. Many prominent people shared its hospitality, dined at the Prophet's table, conversing with him about the political and religious issues of the day. Typical of the impressions the guests carried away with them are the following accounts which were given wide circulation through the press:
Dear Sir:-We were yesterday enjoying the hospitality of Joseph Smith, the leading prophet of the Latter-day Saints, the Mormons. We are, this morning, on the declivity of Zion's Hill, taking a last look at their city. We stand among heaps of limestone rock, that are fast rising into a temple-a facsimile of that temple which was built by Solomon, and trod by the Saviour. The devoted Mormons are hammering busily at the work, and giving to it each the tenth of his time; and from this up, the half, or even the whole, both of time and property.
Before us is the beginning of a great city-a noble bottom land, already half covered with cabins. Higher up, also, the bluffs and timber are thickly scattered with them, extending back a couple of miles or more. Crowds of people from England, many of them poor, are pouring in. How they are to support themselves, or be supported, Heaven only knows. It seems as if they must be driven by sheer necessity, to "spoil the Egyptians," (i. e., all who are not Mormons about them); and it is not surprising that their name is in bad odor with their neighbors. The notion that there is a community of property among them is altogether false; and many must and do suffer. Some few I have met at St. Louis, hastening back to England "while their money holds out."
The Mormon gathering is a singularly interesting phase of our times. They are, too, say what you will, a singularly interesting people. As a people, I am ready to believe all good of them. Would that there were among them as much of Christian intelligence as of the Christian spirit.
Of their leaders, or rather their chief leader, Joseph Smith, I say nothing by way of private opinion. At your request, however, I give, though somewhat reluctantly I confess, an account of my interview with him. As he promptly discovered and revealed to me that I was worthy of no man's confidence, I can certainly betray no confidence in this case, try as I may. The facts, as they lie fresh in my memory, are simply these: Yesterday afternoon, in company with a friend, I entered the house of this strange man, intending to trespass but a few minutes on his hospitalities. I expected to see a person of some dignity and reserve, and with at least an outside of austere piety. The prophet was asleep, in his rocking-chair, when we entered. His wife and children were busy about the room, ironing, &c., and one or two Mormon preachers, lately returned from England, were sitting by the large log fire. After having been introduced, the following talk ensued:
A. "You have the beginning of a great city here, Mr. Smith."
(Here came in the more prominent objects of the city. The expense of the temple, Mr. Smith thought, would be $200,000 or $300,000. The temple is 127 feet side, by 88 feet front; and by its plan, which was kindly shown us, will fall short of some of our public buildings. As yet only the foundations are laid. Mr. Smith then spoke of the "false" reports current about himself, and "supposed we had heard enough of them.")
A. "You know, sir, persecution sometimes drives 'the wise man mad.'"
Mr. S. (laughing) "Ah, sir, you must not put me among the wise men; my place is not there. I make no pretensions to piety, either. If you give me credit for anything, let it be for being a good manager. A good manager I do claim to be."
A. "You have great influence here, Mr. Smith."
Mr. S. "Yes, I have. I bought two hundred acres here a few years ago, and they all have their lands of me. My influence, however, is ecclesiastical only; in civil affairs I am but a common citizen. To be sure, I am a member of the City Council, and lieutenant-general of the Nauvoo Legion. I can command a thousand men to the field, at any moment, to support the laws. I had hard work to make them turn out and form the 'Legion,' until I shouldered my musket and entered the ranks myself. Now, they have nearly all provided themselves with a good uniform, poor as they are. By the way, we had a regular 'set-to' up here a day or two since. The City Council ordered a liquor seller to leave the place, when his time was up; and, as he still remained, they directed that his house should be pulled down about his ears. They gave me a hand in the scrape, and I had occasion to knock a man down more than once. They mustered so strong an opposition that it was either 'knock down' or 'be knocked down.' We beat them off, at last, and are determined to have no grog-shops in or about our grounds."
[as quoted in McGavin, citing "The St. Louis Republican. Reprinted in The New York Spectator, Dec. 8, 1841."]
- NEW-YORK SPECTATOR (newspaper, New York City) for Monday, April 14, 1834 [Vol. XXXVII].
Folio, [4] pp. Very good condition.
$125
"THE MORMON DIFFICULTIES" (page 2, column 5; four column inches of the typical small type of the day) is taken "From the St. Louis Republican, March 10," which reports that, "A late number of the Enquirer,—a paper just started at Liberty, Mo.,—contains a military order from Governor Dunklin" to protect the courts in Jackson County as they attempt to bring to justice, "the persons offending against the laws, in November last, in Jackson county, in conflicts between the Mormons and a portion of the other citizens of that county." Judge [John F.] Ryland, we read, had requested that provisions be made for Mormons to testify at the Grand Jury hearing. However, even with troops in attendance, Ryland and other court officials finally gave up when they realized that jury members themselves had been engaged in the mobbings . . .
The captain was therefore directed to return to Liberty and to discharge his men. "To see a civil court (the Governor says) surrounded by a military force, is well calculated to awaken the sensibilities of any community;" and the Governor charges his subordinate officer to perform his duties in the mildest manner possible. It is certainly a new thing in this country, to see the military called in to protect the civil authorities in the exercise of the just powers; and goes far to prove how much we have relaxed in virtue and a regard for the laws which ought to govern us. Every patriot must hope, that the occasion may seldom arise when it shall be necessary to surround a judicial tribunal with such guards. It is a pernicious example, but rendered, perhaps, necessary in the present case by the extraordinary circumstances attending the conflict.
If the Mormon Church were to lose Wilford Woodruff's journals,
it would lose one of its greatest treasures . . . (p. 149)
- THE PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL AND LIFE ILLUSTRATED . . . S. R. Wells, Editor. New York: Fowler and Wells, 1866. complete year of this magazine (Volumes 43-44: January-December, 1866).
Quarto, 28½ X 23 cm. (11½ inches tall). iv, [5]-196; 192 pp. (general title page, indices and ads, pp. [i]-[iv]). Original three-quarter roan leather over marbled boards. Binding with medium wear, but quite presentable and very strong. Internally very good in general, but with a few pages torn (not affecting the Mormon portion); some moderate wear and occasional light stains or faint dampstaining.
SOLD**$600**
A fascinating array of articles on people and events, illustrated throughout - including portraits ranging from Alexander Campbell to "Emma, Queen of the Sandwich Islands," and including "The Family Dog" (with appropriate verse, "written" in the first canine person). I have only had this volume once before, seventeen years ago (my Catalogue Eight, August 1989, item 20).
IN A SOCIETY where the bumps on your head were a key to your soul, the Mormons fared quite well in gentile literature! A long, remarkable and illustrated article in the second part here (Vol. 44, pp. 146-51 in small type plus two full pages of woodcut illustrations, pp. 144-5) is entitled, "The Mormons. History of their Leading Men." But in fact, the most arresting feature of this diplomatically-complimentary production is its treatment of a woman, Lucy Mack Smith . . .
MOTHER LUCY SMITH.
This is the mother of "Joseph the Prophet." Those seeress eyes, that marked countenance, large nose, large mouth, large jaws and chin, show whence Joseph derived his nature and character. She believed in her son, for she believed in herself. She was much his counselor and support, and her faith and prayer in his mind were a tower of strength to him. She was a remarkable woman. Her character need scarcely be commented upon, it is so strongly written in her face. Over the dead bodies of her murdered sons she says, "It was too much. I sank back, crying to the Lord, in the agony of my soul, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken this family?' A voice replied, 'I have taken them to myself that they might have rest.' As I looked upon their peaceful, smiling countenances I seemed almost to hear them say, 'Mother, weep not for us; we have overcome the world by love; we carried to them the Gospel that their souls might be saved; they slew us for our testimony, and thus placed us beyond their power; their ascendancy is for a moment; ours is an eternal triumph.'" The father and four brothers all fell directly or indirectly by assassination or broken hearts, but the mother lived ten years after the death of her sons. [pp. 150-51; illustration above from p. 144]
Can you believe that you are reading from a non-Mormon text, published in New York City? For background on editor Samuel Robert Wells (1820-75) and his familiarity with Brigham Young and the Mormons, see a scarce pamphlet which I sold last fall. Each person illustrated receives a description in the text which follows . . .
JOSEPH SMITH: The treatment is astonishing, and fills nearly a full page with small type. The writer negotiates around natural prejudices against Smith (which the readership will harbor), and places the Mormon prophet in the best possible context. Then on to a few phrenological conclusions. . .
Joseph Smith had a large brain, a powerful body, an iron frame, an expansive chest, and, therefore, a large heart, strongly marked features, a nose of much character, especially indicative of force and weight, and massive jaws. Strength was his type, rather than delicacy; yet he was a man of great sensibility and powerful feelings, and he took men to his heart somewhat unwisely. Not so Brigham Young. Probably, though he influenced others so wonderfully, he was too much influenced by others, and not improved thereby. He had also a large bony hand, which indicated that he was an image-smasher. . . . [p. 146]
BRIGHAM YOUNG: The section on Young is the longest of all, filling more than a page. Here is a sampling of this most unusual, and somewhat transcending analysis . . .
He might not be a seer, but he is much of a prophet, and it is derived from the intuitions and workings of his large organs of Causality. He has a far-seeing mind, and his predictions are reliable, for they are based on a sound judgment, much experience, and an extensive knowledge of human nature. He is eminently a man of policy, and takes human nature as it is, and bends theology to fit it, rather than aims to make man fit abstract theories, no matter how good in the abstract. If he could not get his people to the prayer-meeting, he would invite them to the dance, and end it with the prayer-meeting. Hence he gives the Mormons a theater and recreation, because he considers them necessary to social life and a healthful state of body and mind. He has a full forehead, much Mirthfulness, large Human Nature and Agreeableness, and is a lover of music. He is very large in Benevolence, has much Veneration, Sublimity, Secretiveness, and Firmness, but is not large in Self-Esteem; yet he has unbounded confidence in his mission and in himself. He always believes he is right, and if he thought he had been unjust, he would make it up ten-fold, though he would not let either fact be known. [p. 147; illustration above from page 145, enlarged here]
HYRUM SMITH: ". . . looking at the portrait, . . . we would be inclined to say, that is not a bad man. He had, in fact, much the face and head of a gospel preacher." Willard Richard's account of the martyrdom, "Two Minutes in Jail," is included in this section, pp. 148-9.
DANIEL H. WELLS: "His nose is large, chin prominent, and all his features the same. His perceptive faculties are very remarkably developed, so much so, that the great predominance of the perceptive brain is observable at a distance. He is eminently practical and executive, but there is not much theory about him, either in religion or statesmanship. He could not understand any complicated psychological phase of the human mind, nor read the secrets of the hearts and characters of men like Brigham Young. He is said to be a man of unimpeached integrity, and no one is more respected as a gentleman in the whole Mormon community." p. 149
ORSON PRATT: "Let the skillful phrenologist look at all those heads and say who is the Mormon philosopher. It is rather Brigham Young, for he is the man with the great organs of Causality. Orson Pratt is somewhat deficient in the organs of Causality, but he is a profound mathematician, and learned in many sciences, especially astronomy. He is largely developed in the perceptive and knowing faculties, and his memory of facts and data is like a printing-press that sends out sheet after sheet, with only occasionally a letter broken out. He is a great thinker, but his thoughts are all calculations, reckoned up like a sum that two and two make four, etc. If he starts wrong in his calculation, he never gets right, for he simply multiplies figures upon it; his total would be like his premises—false. But he is a Mormon Apostle of the first magnitude, and his integrity, untiring labors, and unflinching fidelity have endeared him to the Mormons, and hold him in their hearts even when they differ from him in judgment." p. 149
LORENZO SNOW: ". . . he is a lover of poetry, music, good acting, painting, and refinement in general, and so much would touching music affect him that he would very likely weep over a pathetic ballad sung by a Jenny Lind. He is one of the most polished gentleman [sic] of his community, and is very courteous and winning in his address." p. 150
"President Young keeps pretty shabby looking houses."
- TREAT, Josie A. "{For the Geauga Republican.} My Trip to California." Lengthy front-page report, in THE GEAUGA REPUBLICAN (newspaper, Chardon, Ohio) for December 17, 1873 [New Series II:51].
Folio, [4] pages (complete issue). Very good but for ragged back-fold area.
SOLD**$200**
I believe it is reasonable to presume that this was the ORIGINAL - and as likely, ONLY - appearance of this colloquial travelogue sent to the editor of this newspaper. The writing may be that of a young person, possibly assisted by some second party. Another travel report, in Ohio by a man in his sixties, appears in an internal column. The entire newspaper smacks of this curious blend of folksy home-town familiarity and editorial aspiration toward the cosmopolitan.
In short, here is an original observation of the West, with portions on Salt Lake City and the Mormons, which is probably available no where but in this uncommon local paper. The general travel details (by train) and California portion of the article naturally add to the monetary value of this newspaper, but it is offered here to my regular customers. ". . . My Trip to California" fills most of the two right-hand columns of page one (36 column inches). The portion in Utah is nine column inches long, approximately 400 words. A sampling:
. . . We stopped at the Walker Hoose [sic]. It was splendid. Salt Lake is a beautiful little city, . . . I noticed nothing in particular about the people, only that I thought the men intended to find out who we were. The way they do stare, all of them, and they are quite thick.
. . . There are shade trees on all except main business streets. The water was almost too pretty to be real. The shade trees are locusts, and together with the nice orchards make the city look very pleasant indeed.
. . . They were repairing the Theater, so we could not attend that. The Tabernacle is a very large building, but not nicely finished at all. They are going to paint it now, I believe. . . . The Temple has only the foundation laid as yet. It will be a beautiful building when done. President Young keeps pretty shabby looking houses. The yards were dirty and looked bad. He has two great houses and a high stone wall around them, which I think he needs. . . .
- THE WAYNE SENTINEL (newspapers, Palmyra, New York) for December 26, 1828 and January 2, 1829 [VI:14-15].
TWO INDIVIDUAL, CONSECUTIVE ISSUES. Folio, each [4] pages. Portions missing from upper areas (including parts of the mastheads), filled in with blank archival tissue (no tissue over the majority of complete areas). General medium wear elsewhere with some archival repairs; medium rumpling and creasing. Now stabilized, flattened out and strong enough for extended use with reasonable care.
the two newspapers: SOLD**$4,000**
No more ready initiation into a community's culture and personality exists than its newspapers, with articles, advertisements, and data reflecting the citizens' interests and needs. These Palmyra examples, replete with familiar names and themes, are no exception. The following list of potentially interesting points is by no means comprehensive, but mentions details which I noticed . . .
Martin HARRIS listed in the 1829 issue, page 3, column 2 (a letter is waiting for him to pick up at the post office). Other people listed with letters waiting include Nathan Pierce, P. Grandin and Isaac & Stephen Durfee.
E[gbert]. B[ratt]. GRANDIN: numerous good ads in the two issues, including nice small ads with a woodcut picture of a book; worthy of illustration (also mentioning Luther Howard, whose staff would bind the Book of Mormon).
L[uther]. HOWARD, "at the sign of the Bible," is licensed to sell "Tickets & Shares in the Lotteries" which are legally authorized by the state - at the "Palmyra Lottery Office" - same location as that shared with Grandin. (both issues, back page, column 5).
John H. GILBERT (". . . as printer [of the Book of Mormon], had the chief operative trust of the type-setting and press-work of the job." Tucker 1867, p. 53). An ad for "PAYNE & GILBERT," advertises their new store offering "a large and fashionable assortment of Fancy Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery, Hardware, Glassware, &c.," cheap as from any other store in the region. 1828 issue, p. 3, column 6, signed in type by Charles T. Payne and John H. Gilbert.
Henry JESSUP ads, stating that his "Notes and Accounts" have been left with T. R. Strong, Esq., for collection, and must be paid immediately (both issues, front pages, column 3). This is the very "Deacon Jessup" whom young Joseph Smith prophesied to his mother would collect on a debt even by taking a widow's cow.
Samuel T. LAWRENCE: legal notices that he is "an insolvent debtor" whose property is being seized, hopefully to keep him out of debtor's prison (both issues, front pages, column 2). This was the colorful "seer" or money-digger whom Martin Harris said was in Joseph Smith's early treasure-seeking group; mentioned by Lucy Mack Smith. See Early Mormon Documents 1:332-3 and numerous subsequent EMD entries. One account claimed that it was Lawrence whom the angel originally demanded accompany Joseph to the Hill Cumorah to retrieve the plates.
OSTRANDER'S Mathematical Expositor. At the tops of both issues, front pages, are a pair of ads by T. Ostrander, side by side. One advertises his "Boarding School" in Lyons (the Wayne County seat); the other ad advertises Ostrander's book (published by Grandin, and sought by some collectors), with recommendations from two attorneys and three educators. Note: slight loss to tops of ads in the 1829 issue, and more loss to the ads in the 1828 issue. However, there is enough overlap that one could recreate the full pair of ads (using photo software )for purposes of illustration.
ELECTION RETURNS for New York Governor, Lieut. Governor, Senators, are itemized in the 1828 issue, page 2, columns 1-2 and beyond. Of interest to early Mormon studies for some readers because of the antimasonic candidates, notably Solomon Southwick running for governor.
"ZAMOR." This two-part serial story, taken "From the Philadelphia Museum," is complete in these two issues (except for portions of some twenty-four lines lost from missing paper). It recounts a fable of young Alexander the Great discovering an ancient coin from a lost empire which he ultimately conquers - only to return shuddering from the depths of one of its tombs where the great tyrants of history sit dead, enthroned in misery, next to a seat reserved for himself.
