Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE PATHOS I Indignity pf the Re "Wife in Mormon Set 3 JU'. (Jcorye ll. Ilepirori SALT LAKE Crrv, I TAU.-It has been my privilege to converso with -dine plural wives. There are three classes of them - tllOSO who defend the system, or rath er who pretend to defend it, on physi ological grounds: those who accept it inst as a woman marries Tor money in . .(her parts ol' thc world, and whose poison is practically her capital in trade, from which she ac<ju;res ahomc and pleasant and luxurious surround ings, and lastly those who regard the relation as a great sacrifice of self in tho naine of religion, because it is the revealed will of thc Lord, which will ultimate in a great, reward in some oth er world. For the first class I have only con tempt, aod find it hard to believe in their sincerity; for thc second class I have tbc sau4e feelings that are engen dered in New York or elswhere when T know that tho bride has bartered her l.v.nor for social position and wealth, and for the third class I haye so pro found a pity that I can find no words to express it. Polygamy exists in contradiction to a woman's nature, and some over whelming motive must be brought to bear to compel her to submit to it. So true is this that it was many years after it had been revealed as a duty before the head of the church dared to make public proclamation of it. Mor monism had nothing of polygamy in it during the first few years of its ex istence. In 1843 the revelation was mide to Joseph Smith, and it began to be whispered that the Lord had something new for his people. When thc nature of thia something new was transmitted from one to another there was not j only excitement but aversiou aiuoDg I the women, and aversion so vehement ! that it was not considered safe to re- j fer to it in public. The poison was j allowed to circulate through the com- I munity for nine full years. At the cud of that time it was thought that the secret leaven had sufficiently lea vened the whole lump, and then, but not till then. Brigham Young, who was then the great genius of Mormon ism, a very Napoleon, in miniature, issued a manifesto, in 1862, so strong in its language aod startling in its statements that it took the people's breath away. The revelation declared that polyg amy was to bo established among the faithful. That it was not only an act I of righteousness to take plural wives, J but a command so imperative that, to quote its language, "if ye abide not that covenant then are ye damned, for no on' can reject this covenant, and be permitted to entor into My glory." In spite of tho fact that it has the odor of sanctity about it, polygamy is pure animalism, and has produced very little happiness. Of course, this is denied, but Iyam profoundly con vinced of the truth of both of these statements. I have heard of one woman who de clared she would rather be the wife of the poorest Mormon in tho land than of the President of the United States, if he was not a Morion. I suspect there is a bit of evasion here, however. Did she refer to being the first wife, who never fails to boast that she is the legal wife, or to the third or sixth or ninth wife, whose children even here suffer from tho fact that, while ecclesiastically legitimate, there ia otherwise a half cloud over thc claim. I have heard of another Mormon wo man-I say woman becouse I don't like the word lady-who asserted that iu all her acquaintance she did not know a siDgle happy polygamous household. Perhaps these ore both extreme statements, and tho truth lies somewhere between them. A very significant and very pathetio story was told me the other day, from which you can draw your own inferen cas concerning this system. A child of nine years was greatly puzzed by the relations between her father and mother, and asked her mother to ex plain it, but in some way the question was avoided. Not satisfied, she sough! information elsewhere, but still found evasion'. When later on she was at play with a Gentilo schoolmate, she burst info tears and cried out: "I don't know why it is, but I haven't any really real papa as you have. My papa only visits mamma once in a while, and that is all I over see of him." As a very g ?od illustration of family lifo among these Mor mons thia true inoident serves its sad purpose. When & you?g girl in the east mar ries her lovor, there are dreams and visions and plans in which the two are all in all to each other. They begin Hf? that way, and there is romanee and poetry io it; there is also a oa^ oredness whioh only the oon?eionsness 3F POLYGAMY. iations of tlie leilira 1 LdoixL Graphically J'orth. li, in Ar?- i ori: Herald. . of fidelity can atford, l?ach has thc j winde of the other without any subdi j vi:,inn of affection. Herein lies do ! niestic bliss. Not soin Mormon ter i ritory. Tho whole experience takes a j diffcreut complexion. Ii* the woman i- the UIJII S first tvife .-he is compara I lively happy, but a black cloud hangs ; over her nevertheless. Another wu j man may at any time intrude and gain \ the aifectiou of her husband. If the Kccoud is more attractive than I thc first, theo thc first suffers neglect I When thu number gets to be six or j seven, with an equal number ol' estab j lishiucnts to uiaiutain, there is cither domest ic despair or pandemonium, and a painful rivalry as to which can cap ture the mau and obtain from him thc j largest gifts. As to home life, well, i there can be no home life to a mau who has six families. He flits from one to the other and leaves jealousy and bitterness in all. The level ou which these thiogs ex ist is shown by thc remark of a young girl thc other day. Pointing to the residence of a plural wife who seemed to be well provided for, she said: "I would rather be the third wife of that, mao and have a horse and carriage tliau the only wife of a poor man who would make me do the house work." That is the commercial view of mar riage, but where is the glory of it. the sanctity of it, the happiness of it? The marriage certificate is nothing more than the legal document which compels a man to support a mistress, aod to issue such a certificate as this in thc name of religion is pure blas phemy. There is not a woman on the face of the earth whom I pity as I do a plural wife. I mean, of course, a woman who submits to thc indignity of the relation from religibus principle. She ha3 to tear herself all to pieces before she can pield to il.- Being a woman she craves all thc love her husband can give, but it is denied her by the Lord. She accpts her fate as she would any other affliction with what measure of resignation she can coin commaod, gives her affection to her children, educates them as best she may, sighs her way through life and eagerly looks forward for some reward in another world which shall sufficient ly repay her for her awful sacrifice. I have had several interviews with cul tivated Mormon plurals, and I did not leave them without feeling that a wo man can do anything, however horri ble it may be, at the the call of what she deems her duty. One woman said tonie: "I don't ac cept plural marriage. A great many, the majority of Mormons do not. I suppose I am not exalted as I should be. I can't be good enough for that. I don't believe there is a house, not even a to /n, large enough to hold the two wives of ono man." "How. then, does it come about?" I asked. "Well, if a child is brought up that way, lives in that atmosphere, she naturally thinks of nothing else. If there is a certain moral standard in the community, you measure yourself by that standard. If your elder or bishop tells you that somehing is right, if it is preached'as a require ment of God from tho pulpit, why, whom can you trust if not your spirit ual adviser? And y?t in spite of all that three-fourths of the Mormon wo men refuse to be second or third wives. The younger generation vehemently repudiates polygamy." When chatting with another, Isaid: "Can several wives bc happy under the same roof?" "I have known of cases," she an swered. I was intimato in the family of Brigham Young when I was in ray teens, and a happier family I never saw. There was never any bickering there. But then he was a moat remarkable man, and any woman would be glad to own a tenth part of him." "Yes, but as a general thing?" I suggested. I She threw up her hands. "Well, ?you have perhaps'noticed -that the ' different drives live ?ii different hous es. Eaoh has an establishment of her own. It works better in that way. It is a law of nature that women don't liko to share their husbands wi' h oth ers, but if they must do it, they don't want tho matter brought to their at tention^ as would be the case if all the wives were under one roof." The two motives which lead to plural marriages may be illustrated as follows, if I may be permitted to reit erate: A young girl is induced to leave her home, say in Norway. She has had to drudge for a living. Her environ ment here has the charm of novelty. 3he has not known any thing of po lygamy, or has had no appreeiation of tho reality. She has a pretty face, is healthy, wholesome, and therefore at tractive. Her knowledge of Mormon ism is of the most superficial charac ter. lier education in auy direction is slight. She is in a community where plural man ?ages are regarded as sacred. Her natural abhorrence gives way before public opinion. Ev erybody believes it, can it then bo so bad? She sees plural wives living in comfort, possibly in luxury. They are received in society and welcomed as the most advanced religionists. Some man offers her a home. To ac cept will not hurt, but rather add to her social standing. Love, of course, as we understand i*.. is out of the question, and as to conscience, why not ?lo as others do? Thc conditions of affairs here convinces her. and if later on she has any regrets, and they often do to my personal knowledge, why she has taken the step and must live her life as best she eau. That, is mie instance. Now fur the other. A young girl has a profound relig ions nature. She wants to do some thing for the Lord. Kven martyrdom has its attractions. She would live for heaven not for the earth. She is told that Christ is very soon coming to the earth to reign, and that souls are waiting io the other world to be born into this, that they maj* take part in that kingdom. She can assist them in this noble object, and it is for this reason that men marry many wives. She may long for thc love of a husband, for thc exclusive right to him. but duty should come before self. To be sealed to a mau, to rear a family is God's work, and shebas been called to it. She will have thc gratitude of angels if she submits. So, from a purely religious feeling she surren ders. Home? That is a secondary consideration. Happiness? That is another word for selfishness. Poor creature she starts at the wrong cud of natural law and reaps tears and sor rows, but she does her duty and will be blessed of (?od. There are other motives, some worse than this, but none better. It is indeed martyrdom. I cau't understand how intelligent people can think along these lines, but they do and they think honestly, too. For heaven's sake Ictus have a con stitutional amendment which will dis sipate this delusion. - - t ^ . Blood Poison aud Cancer Cured by B.B.B. Trial bottle sent Free. Deadly Cancer of the face, neck, legs, lip, eating cancer or sores, cured by B. li. B.-Botanic Blood Balm. B. B. B. cures by driving the deadly, virulent poison, which causes cancer, out of the blood. This is the only cure and B. B. B. is the only remedy that can do this. In the same way B. B. B. cures Blood Poison whether inherited or acquired, producing ul cers, painful swellings, blothes, pim ples, copper-colored spots, falling of the hair, sores in the throat or tongue, .scrofula. B. B. B. has made hundreds of permanent cures, and is a thor oughly tested, powerful Blood Bemc dy. Cures where all else fails. Test ed tor 30 years. To prove its curative power* we send a sample bottle free to an*, one who writes for it. Large bottles for sale by all druggists for $1, or 0 bottles (full treatment) $1. Per sample bottle address Blood Balm Co., 3S0 Mitchell St., Atlanta, Ga. - Some information is furnised by a well-known scientist in regard to the ages of trees. He assigns to the pine tree 500 to 700 years asa max i m um, 425 years to the silver fir uud 170 to the ash. It takes but a minute to overcome tickling in the throat and to stop a cough by the use of Oney Minute Cough Cure. This remedy quickly cures all forms of throat and lung troubles. Harmless and pleasant to take. It prevents consumption. A famous specific for grippe and its after effects. Idvans Pharmacy. - Sayraold Storey-What are you going to give your wife for a Christ mas present? Tuddcr man-I'm try ing to find out which she would rather have-a tender young turkey or a new set of teeh. . As a cure for rheumatism Chamber lain's Pain Balm is gaining a wide reputation. I). B. Johnston, of Rich mond, Ind., has been troubled with that ailment, si nee 18fi2. In speaking of it he says : "I never found any thing that would relieve mc until I used Chamberlain's Pain Balm. It acts like magic with mc. My foot was swollen and paining me very much, but one.good application of Pain Balm relieved me. For sale by Hill-Orr Drug Co. - Maud-Do you know I really believe that Tom is going to propose. Ethel-I noticed that he was looking terribly sadabou*. ?or?ething cr other; but theo, you know, dear, it may not bc that. Perhaps his mother is ill, or he isn't feeling well himself. My son has been troubled for many years with chronic diarrhoea- Some time ago I persuaded him to take some of Chamberlain's Colio, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy. After using two bottles of the 25-ceot size he was cured. I give this tcsiimoniai boping some one similarly afflicted may read it and be benefited.-THOMAS C. BOW ER, Glencoe, O. For sale by Hill Orr Drug Co. - "A woman," said the oynical bachelor, ''won't tell her age and A on't keep any other secret." DeWitt'e Little Early Risers purify the blood, clean the liver, invigorate the system. Famons little pills for constipation and liver troubles. Evans Pharmacy. W.O. T. U.DEPARTMENT. 'Conducted by tho ladies ot' thc W. C. T. U. of Anderson, V. . A Barrel er Whiskey. A barrel of headaches, heartaches and woes, A barrel of curses?, a barre! of blows, ' A turrel of tears ti vin a world-weary wife; I A barrel of Morrows, a barrel of st rift; A barrel of all uuuvaiiio^ n?j?r.-t; A barrel of earea and a liarrel of debt; A barrel of crime and i barre! of pain, A barrel <>f ever blast? .! and cato; A barre! ot" falsch? ? il. a barrel of eries That fall from the maniac's tips as ho dies; i A barrel of agony, hea vy and dull; ! A barrel of poison ? : th s nearly toi!: ! A burrel of liquid damnation thu? lires ! rho brain of the f<? I who believes it in spires; j A barrel of poverty, ruin and blight; I A barrel of terror* that ?trow with tho night; ! A barrel of bu np'i, ? ba'rel of gr o no.? ; ; A barrel oforphai most pitiful nu an ! A barrel of serpents that his* np they pass I Prom the bead ofthe liquor that RIOW* in tuc glass. The Last Ho ni s of a Dr tut hard. The following was taken from one of the lectures of J. J. Talbot, who died from the effects of a drunken de bauch at Elkhart. Ind.: "Hut now the struggle is over, I can survey the field and measure the loss es. I had position, high and holy. Thc demon tore from around me the ropes of ray sacred office, and sent mo out churchless and Godless, a very hissing and by-word among men. Af terward I had business, large and lu crative, and my voice was heard in the large courts pleading for justice, mercy and right. But the dust gath ered on my books and no footfalls crossed the threshold of tho drunk ard's office. I had money ample for all necessities, but it took wings and went to feed the collers of thc devils that possessed inc. I had a home, formed of all that wealth and the most exquisite taste could buy. The devil crossed its threshold and the light faded from its chambers: the fire went out on the holiest of altars, and lead ing mc from tho portals,despair walk ed forth with me and sorrow and an guish lingered within. I had chil dren-beautiful to mc at least as a dream of thc morning-and had so en twined themselves around their fath er's heart that no matter where it might wander, overcame back to them ou the wings of a father's undying love. The destroyer took his hand in his and led him awa3*. I had a wife whose c har such that to see h er was to remcm oe and to knew her was to love her. Thirteen " ears wc walked the rugged path vi life together, rejoicing in its sunshine and sorrowing in its shade. Thc infernal monster would not even spare mo this. 1 had a mother who for long years had not left her chair, a victim of suffering and disease. Her choicest delight was reflecting that the lessons taught at her knee had taken root in the heart of her youngest boru, and that ho was useful to his fellows and an honor to her that bore him. But the thunderbolt even reached there and did its most cruel work. Other days may cure all but this. Ah, me! never a reproach from these lips; only a shadow of unspoken grief gath THE SYRACUSE WOOD I Guaranteed to give perfect sa GET ONE AND TRY IT, and back to us and we will cbeerrnlly turn the land where others have failed. See the work of our TORRENT land like Turn Plows, and is tho best I placed before the American people u-i i we will be glad to show it to you, and i contemplate buying a Cutaway Harrov buy. It is only about two-thirds as he Harrow. We have a full and complet* AgricultuK Hardware, Machinery And everything umally kept in a first are right? We have a large stock of SHO empty and loaded SHEL/LS, and even equipment. Remember to come in and see us v 1 THE PLACE FOR BICYCLES. SH Have your repairs done by tl and guarantee it. THOMSON ereil on her dear . >KL face; and only a tender hand laid more lovingly upon my head; only :i closer clinging lo the j cross; only a piteous appeal t" heaven I if her cup was toa at last full. And while her boy riged in his wild de j liriuins -.uta? tuiles away, the pitying I angels pushed the golden gate- ajar, I and the motlier ? I the drunkard enter j ed into rest. " And thus I stand, a clergyman ; without a church. .1 barrister without j a brief or busitu -, a father with.ou a ; child, u husband without a wife, a.-on j without a parent, a niau without a ! hope all swallow? d up in :i maelstrom ? j of think.'' It pains ust" read the death, ?o> tlu : : evening ol' Dec. .hal, in Charleston, ?>!' Lucius Cushbcrt I teach, the husband of the State President'. Let us not , fail t?i ask fer thc stricken widow in ; lier sore bereavement thc constant support of Chri.-t'' never failing hive. NV. C. T. I". Ki ?ir. ut. Counsels that are given in wine. Will do no good to thee or thine. If the saloon is a bi? ssing wo will stand by it. but if it is curse wc must stand against it. The law should require that ev ery bottle of whiskey should be la beled, "Poison, for external use only." The devil's face may bc seen with ! out a mask, by taking a look at the ' drunkard's home. I Drinking beer never brings good I cheer to the wife and family. _____ The Last Opportunity. ! The late Colonel Robert G. Inger soll, the fatuous skeptic, told many stories of experience which grew out of the common knowledge of his skep I ticism. One of these related to a j visit which he once made to Kev. ! Philips Brooks before Dr. Brooks be ; cami! a bishop. j Calling on Dr. Brooks, he was rc ! fused admission because, as the serv ant said, it was "sermon day," and some of Dr. Brook's own home people had already been denied admission. But Dr. Brooks learned that Ingersoll j was at thc door and sent out word j that he should come in. I After thc interview, and as Colonel j I ngcrsoll was about to leave, he said: i "Dr. Brooks, your mau told mc ; that you had denied yourself to some j of your home people this morning. ? Now, how is it that you have admitted mc, a stranger? ' ! "Oh, that's 'Uite easy," said Dr. j Brooks, laughing. "They are my ' church members, and I shall see them I afain, herc or in Heaven; but isn't it I ritibt for mc to consider your belief I and that I shall probably never meet I you again?"-Youth's Vom}tan ion. - Men continually forget that hap i piness is a condition of mind and nota" j disposition of circumstance. j Drs.Strickland & King, DENTISTS. OFFICE IN MASONIC TEMPLE. jEtf* OBB and Cocaine used for Extract itu; Teeth._ RD STEEL BEAM PLOWS. tisfaction or money refunded. if you ure not pleased with it bring it REFUND YOUR MONEY. They CUTAWAY HARROW It tuns the Inrrow for the farm that has ever been i labor and titne-savcr. Come in and show you tho work it does. If you / don't fail to see this one before you avy to pull as tho common Cutaway 3 line of all kinds of il Implements, Fittings, class Hardware Store, and our prices r GUNS, SHOT, POWDER, CAPS rthing connected with the SportmanV, rhen in the city. BROCK BROS. INDRIES, ETC. hem. They do firs t-class work, I CYCLE WORKS, THE BICYCLE PEOPLE. m Because They think if ia S| i nasty and bitte?; disagreeable I |jto the s'tonisch and violent i Bin action. M 1 ASK THESE f> %\* H ?I rsm ? They wi 11 Teil you ii is ignoTa?all d!5ugreec?ble. 1 I And as a cure for Indigestion, J mCon?lipQ?ion, Kidney M ^Disorders it is un^p \>, excelled, ^jw JJvans Pharmacy, Special Agents. KAMNOL. BRABA tllE, LA ?KIPPE. Relieves all pain. 25c. all Druggists. m mi Credit only to those who pay.t for tear your mem ory i.-'. rt little shaky will remind you we need our aioney. X et us par on Heavy Wa g o D Wheels tor you. PAUL E. STEPHENS. Notice to Creditors. A 1.1. persons !; iv'ii - demands .iL-.siiiist tim Kstato ul ,1 lm p. siltim, de ceased, tiru hereby nut lied tn prcHont timm, properly preven, ;.. tho under signod, within tho time ?'resorthed hy law, ?on! those helm ted tn make pay ment. SA.Ml'KI. Sl lTON, Kx'r. Deed, ]S?.?!? -j; Notice to Creditors. ALL persons having demands against tim Kstato ol' K. 1). Ale A Mister, deceas ed, en* hereby not!tied to present them, properly proven, to tho undersigned, within the time prescribed by law, and those indebted to mako payment. S. H. TIMS, Adto'r Dee O, Is?m 2-1 :.? WHY YOU SHOULD BUY . BECAUSE They Beautify, Protect, ami Preserve your property. BECAUSE Adhere to won, tin, iron, g.tlvutiiz ><l iron, stone or tile. BECAUSE PARIAN PAINTS Are. guaranteed not to crack, chalk, peel, rub olf nor blister. BECAUSE PARIAN PAINTS ?rc notaHVeted by suit wat?r or sea breezes. BECAUSE PARIAH PAINTS Are not, affected by anim mia, carl) ?nie, sulphurous or other gases. BEC* \ U S E PARIAN PAINTS Produce a high gloss, cover psrfojtly, ure thc handsomest and most durable Pain's ever placed upen^the market. Every gallon {".intautoed Sohl emly by - F. B. GRAYTOIM & CO. JOHN A. HAYES Sells HYNDS' Hom3-mad* J HOES- Home-made Leather Honest Work, Honest Leather, Honest Prices. THE largest Shoe Factory ami Tsnnery South. The BEST SHOES made in the World. The only oom billed -.boo Factory nod Tannery tn the United States. A Solid, First-cla??, A No. 1, Best Gainesville Shoes. !f you want cheap, shoddy, paper shoes don't buy these-ours will not suit you, but if you want the bent Shoes at popuJar prices boy our*', they will pleaae you. Tho prices range from Fifty cents to Five Dollars a pair; any price you want. They are the cheapest because'they aro tho boni; made of our own pure Oak-bark Tanned Loather, "Soft, Elastic and Strong." Nothing equals it for WHIT, and th ni ls what you want. Try ono pair and yon will buy them again. Kuy our boat quality. $4 00 and $5.00 Shoes for $3.00 and $3.50. ^ " The Best Company-The Best Policy." ? THE MUTUAL BENEFIT LIFE INSURANCE CO., [ OF S E WA BK. JV. J. T This Company has tann in successful business for ll fly-io ur years ; ha? ? J paid policy-holders over ?105,000,000, and now has cash HHH?4S nf r?wr W ^ ??7,000.000. It belies tho plainest ami best policy on tho market. Alter TWO IL A annual premiums have boon paid it- j 1 IM'?I1 \ \'Ti'i.\ 1 '. Cash Val no. ? Kxtended Insurance. ??. Incojites ^ I ? .J i 2 boan Value. 1. Paid-up Insurance. tatailiry. f <Q Also I'uj N H.ar^c Annual IMviricuclH. W i M. M. MATTISON, t A State Agent for Sooth Carolina, AX DICKSON, S. C., over P. O. ^ 4 Kosidont Agent for FI UK, HEALTH and ACCIDENT Insurance. j g w _ > i ? 8 > a S eg * g * BOYS' STEAM LAUNDRY ! The Most Complete and Up-to-Date Laundry in the State. Every Machine tho latest improved, and designed to do most perfect work Under the superintendence of an experienced Laundryman, with a oorps of skilled assistants. Every piece of work oarefully inspected, and no sorry work allowed to pass from Laundry. PRICES LOW. Quality of work unexcelled. Give us a trial. W. F. BARR, Business Manager. Iiocated at rear of Fang's Book Store.