1850-12-19-New York Tribune-The Mormons on Beaver Island
The Mormons on Beaver Island
New York Tribune, 19 December 1850, p. 7
Beaver Island, which is the largest of a collection or group of that name, lies in Lake Michigan, about twenty-five miles above the Straights of Mackinac. It contains about twenty-eight thousand acres of land, (a large portion of which is still in the hands of Government,) and forms one organized township. There is, upon this island, a population of about five hundred, the larger proportion of which are Mormons. Those not professing this belief, are styled Gentiles.
A bitter fight has sprung up between the Mormons and Gentiles, and the same state of hostility which marked the course of this sect in Illinois and Missouri, toward other sects, and vice versa, exists at this place.
It is doubtless true that the Mormons, as a sect, have suffered wrongs and persecution at the hands of individuals and whole communities, through the influence to some extent, of prejudice, and, to a certain degree, through their own misconduct—This persecution has not been blessed with benign results upon the temper and character of the sect generally, but has resulted in making its leaders, and some of its members, vindictive, tyrannical and dishonest.
The leaders of the Mormon colony on Beaver Island, are unprincipled and worthless men, and the chief, or "King," as he is styled—a man by the name of Strang—is an open profligate and blackguard.
Early in the last Summer, a rumor was current through the Island, that the Indians, half-breeds, fishermen, and other inhabitants from the surrounding Islands, were to make a descent upon the Mormons, and drive them off. The Mormons, consequently, organized themselves, fortified their "Tabernacle," or Church, planted ordinance in front of it and blazed away a bold defiance at the world in general. No attack took place; but the rumor was sufficient to furnish Strang with an available argument in favor of a "stronger Government," which argument he immediately applied, and procured himself to be proclaimed "King" for his natural life, and G. J. Adams, (an ex-theatrical performer,) Viceroy, in case of his death, until the succession should be filled. The sequel has shown that—
- "Upon his head, they placed a fruitless crown,
- And put a barren scepter in his grasp;"
for his short reign has been marked by turmoil and trouble. His Viceroy, Adams, has left him in disgust, and taking with him a large number of subjects has retired to the island of Mackinac, where he is engaged in playing sham "Kings" and "Viceroys," in the loft over J. P. King's store, to a very select audience. Some of those who followed Adams to Mackinac, have since returned to Beaver Island, and found their houses, furniture, and goods, in the hands of others, who professed to hold by virtue of an "order of confiscation" issued by King Strang, who, moreover, informed them that "the island was not large enough to hold them. These persons have again left, as all faithful subjects were forbid from harboring them. Mrs. Adams, the wife of the Viceroy, remains upon the Island; and, it is supposed that it was in consequence of certain infamous propositions made toward her by Strang, that his Majesty was arrested, and thrown into jail at Mackinac, on a charge of bigamy; from whence he was liberated, in order to enable him to return to his "Kingdom," and exercise "the glorious privilege of a freeman," by making his subjects vote the Loco Foco ticket, under pain of death, and without distinction of age, sex, or race.
The entire township organization of the island is in the hands of the Mormons, though Mr. Bowers, the Township Clerk, who refused to sign the election returns, in consequence of the gross fraud, is little more than one in name.
