Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 148

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094

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THE MILLS AND UPPER FALLS AT THERESA.

R. R. CROSSING INDIAN RIVER NEAR PHILADELPHIA.

R. W. & O. R. R. SYSTEM.

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the Mormons at Kirtland. He acted as clerk, in 1835, to the General Assembly of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, where the covenants of their faith were adopted by an unanimous vote. His sister married Thompson Brooks, at whose house his venerable father died, true to his early faith, in despite of the influence of his erring son. His remains were taken to his farm in Pamelia for burial, followed by a long cor- tege in sleighs, in charge of Gen. Archibald Fisher.

Before adverting to the inroad of the Mor- mon disciples into this supposed rich field for proselytism, it may be well to allude to another circumstance that possibly influenced the attention of the saints hitherward. In the winter of 1832, a bright, talented young man named Alanson Pettingell, of Otsego county, N. Y., visited Theresa, and stopped a few days with Capt. Nathaniel Lull, whose wife had boarded, while teaching school at Butternuts, at Deacon Pettingell's, the father of Alanson, and the old acquaint- ance was pleasantly renewed. Young Pettin- gell meanwhile visited Plessis, Alexandria Bay and other points, taking observations, and posting himself, particularly in regard to the religious situation. It afterwards turned out that he had joined the Mormons, and that most of his own neighbors had gone daft on the subject, but while in Theresa he made not the least avowal of his sentiments. He turned up soon afterward at Kirtland, and there is reason to believe this informa- tion obtained during his northern tour was duly appreciated and acted upon. Pettin- gell became a leading spirit among his asso- ciates, and prospered. He became president of a bank, which gathered in considerable funds, but being unchartered, it was unable legally to collect its loans, and naturally failed. Pettingell, when the crash came, was killed during the resulting tumult. The first influx of Mormon missionaries from Kirt- land was quiet and unheralded, at least at Theresa. But their doings and the miracles alleged to have been performed, soon noised around. They talked in unknown tongues (gibberish), and claimed to heal the sick by the "laying on of hands," and even to re- store the dead to life. The people marveled, as they did of old. There are some still alive, who can recall the absurd pretensions of these impostors and the wonder excited by the miracles alleged to be witnessed by the dupes, but which happened almost invariably at a distance, in the remote settlements. Some believed, others doubted, or half be- lieved in the supposed revival of the apostolic age. Several conversions were announced. Ira Patten, a cabinet maker, was enrolled among the first converts. Among other con- verts were Uncle Jerry Cheeseman, his son Alonzo and wife, who was a Rulison, and the Cooke family, with a mother-in-law, Mrs. Robinson, recently from Massachusetts. Other and more obscure persons were added to the list. Some accessories were made in

the Parker Settlement, where several remark- able cures were reported. The case of a fever-stricken boy, Thomas Gale, who was restored by miraculous interposition, was cited as a remarkable instance in proof of supernatural power. This case, however, was too preposterous to obtain extended credit, even among the believers.

As fast as new converts were made, they were baptised in the murky waters at the Indian Landing, in the sunken gorge below the falls. The baptismal services in this re- spect did not differ materially from that of Scriptural times. Truth compels us to say that the converts were taken mostly from those belonging to the Methodist connection, as the Mormons, in common with the Methodists, held to similar ground regarding the atonement and mediation of Jesus Christ, and it therefore seemed to them only a leap forward by which they landed these misguided converts in the Mormon citadel. After the fervor of novelty had worn away, the membership of the Mormon church fell away rapidly or came to a standstill.

From time to time, fresh deputations of Missourians arrived with a view of infusing new life and enlarging the Mormon member- ship. One day in June, about 1836, while the villagers were working on the road near the Fayel farm, an open barouche passed by, containing six spruce-looking gentlemen, wearing green goggles, one of whom was reading from an open book for the edifi- cation of his companions. They proved to be gentlemen of culture and of scholarly at- tainments, far superior to the coarse yet vigorous expounders of the faith who had preceded them. Their inquiries were answer- ed, and such information given as the case demanded, by DeGras Salisbury, the path- master.

One of these proved to be Perley P. Pratt, the distinguished Hebrew scholar, who, many years afterwards, was assassinated in Arkansas. Under the ministry of these more crafty men, the age of miracles was relegated to the rear as a lost art, and more rational modes were used to bring Gentiles into the fold. Mormonism lagged. For several years afterward, apostles came singly instead of in crowds, to search out and stir up the faith- ful. One day a stout apostle, wearing a linen duster, was seen coming down the road. Stopping at a hospitable farm house one mile south of the village, he was given supper and a night's lodging. He said he needed rest from his spiritual labors, and offered to chop cordwood for the Fayel boys, a labor evidently more handy to him than chopping logic. While engaged in chopping in the woods near the rapids of Indian river, loud yells were heard and splurging in the water. A man was soon seen wading to the shore. It proved by be uncle Rube Evans, who was wrecked on a raft of saw-logs that went to pieces in the boiling rapids. Yet this Mormon apostle had the assurance to tell uncle Rube that if he had only known of

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his danger in time he could have stilled the waters, and he could have kept on harmless. Before night, by a glance of his axe, the apostle cut a severe wound in his foot, which bled profusely. He sat down on a log and said, like a mortal, despondingly, " What shall I do?" In view of the super- natural power claimed for him he might have been answered, "Physician, heal thy- self !" His supernatural power appeared of no avail, for his wound was only healed by Dr. Davison's sticking salve and a fort- night's confinement to his room. On his re- covery he visited his friends of the Mormon faith, disciplined and dined with them and filled some appointments to preach ; the last appointment being at the Hodge school-house on the Military road, where his audience em- braced two wags, Ez. Hodge and Charley Woodruff. Mrs. James Pierce utterly pro- hibited her sons from attending what proved to be the farewell sermon of this despised apostle of Mormonism. Yet this man was a fair type of the lower order of the priest- hood. He was apparently honest, ignorant, bigoted, and his claim to the possession of spiritual gifts may have been an honest con- viction. But he was certainly more of a fool than a knave.

For years after this the progress of Mor- monism subsided. Few accessions were added to the membership, and the interest once excited began to smack of the ancient chestnut. The spiritual warfare at last ended, and this branch of the Church of Zion suffered a lasting decadence, almost an "innoxious desuetude."

Afterwards, however, brief revival occurred in Theresa, which in this imperfect sketch should not be overlooked. About the year 1848 there arrived in the village the prophet and revelator, Strang, and he order- ed a three-days' conference of all the faith- ful throughout the adjoining region. Strang was originally a young lawyer from Western New York, and was known throughout the country as the leader of the faction denomin- ated "the Strangites." After the death of Joseph Smith and the breaking up at Nauvoo, the Mormons became divided into three fac- tions, the "Twelveites," the "Rigdonites " and the "Strangites." The "Twelveites," under their able leader, Brigham Young, settled in the new territory of Deseret, and their subsequent history is known to all the world. The followers of Sidney Rigdon were small in numbers, and their chief died . some time ago, depressed by poverty and old age, in Western New York. He was one of the original founders of the sect, and its brightest literary adjunct. I was told by an Utah delegate that some time before his death, he sent an affecting letter to the head of the church at Salt Lake, urgently request- ing to be taken back into the fold, saying that he wished to lay his bones amongst the people he loved so well. and desiring re- instation in the faith of his first love. He asked that money might be sent to pay his

transportation to Utah. The letter was sub- mitted to the Council, who decided that they had no use for Rigdon, and his appeal was coldly declined.

Strang claimed to have a revelation from God, appointing him as the successor of the Prophet Smith. With his followers, he established various settlements, their head- quarters being at Beaver Island, on Lake Michigan, near Mackinaw.

The conference Strang had ordered was held in the brick school-house at Theresa, crowning the highest elevation in the vil- lage. Besides the local membership, the audience was largely composed of pilgrims from St. Lawrence county and some of the adjoining towns. Business committees, usual with such bodies, were appointed, and Strang delivered painfully long and argu- mentative addresses. At the close of the conference, on the solicitation of Ira Patten, a so-called citizens' meeting was held in the parlors of Suel Wilson's tavern, at which a committee on resolutions was appointed, consisting of S. L. George, James Lawrence Bufford, J. A. Haddock and William Fayel. The resolutions, as reported, were sufficiently complimentary to Prophet Strong and the Conference to satisfy Mr. Patten, although regarded as a grand joke by most of those present and by the committee itself. An account of the flaming proceedings and a puff were sent to the Tribune newspaper, an organ of Strang's at Beaver Island, and when published 50 copies were transmitted to Theresa for distribution.

And now, after the lapse of 60 years since the advent of Mormonism into Theresa, and the extraordinary efforts made by the early missionaries towards its propagation, what evidence remains of its existence? If there are any visible signs there or in the country at large of this once pretentious sect, they are certainly not perpetuated in the shape of costly temples, fat parishes for the tithing man's toll, or even in cemeteries set apart to mark the repose of their sainted dead.

Some of the converts migrated West to join Mormon organizations; Alonzo Cheese- man died recently in Michigan, and Ira Patten, after some erratic wanderings, re- turned to Theresa, and was furnished money by Alexander Cooper to get back to his people.

Accompanying the above sketch by Mr. Fayel, he sent a letter in which he says, in continuation of this same subject :

No person of much social standing or mental caliber joined the Mormons. I went with father to Warren Parish's sales when he was about to join them in Illinois, and father bought of him that span of horses you so much admired and often rode after. About eight years ago I spent a day at Rich- mond, Ray county, Mo., with old David Whitmer, who, with Oliver Cowdery, wrote down, from the dictation of Joseph Smith, the original Mormon Bible. He had there

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the original manuscript of that Bible, it being owned by Cowdery until the latter died, his grave being at Richmond. The manuscript was written in a good round hand, on precisely such ruled foolscap as that whereon I learned to write at the Butter- nuts, and formed a book about two inches thick. I carried an introduction to Whitmer from old General Donophan, who command- ed the historic Donophan expedition to New Mexico, put on foot by Col. T. H. Benton, Senator from Missouri. General Donophan was then alive and quite active. I also had letters from Senator Ferris and from Jake Child, late minister to Siam. At the time of my visit to Whitmer's house, there was also present Joseph Smith, Jr., son of the original Joseph, who is the head of what is called the re-organized Church of the Latter Day Saints. His brother was there, with two other elders of that branch. These men were comparing all the printed editions of the Bible with the original manuscript. They had charged omissions and interpo- lations on the Salt Lakers. These latter made special efforts to get hold of this manuscript, and a commission from Salt Lake offered thousands of dollars for it. But old man Whitmer would not part with it under any conditions. He watched the manuscript with the eyes of a lynx, and though feeble, he lay stretched on the bed beside the table, around which the Smiths were seated while examining the manu- script. While in New York in the thirties, Whitmer was the organ through which several revelations were made. I showed him a book containing them, and asked if they were genuine. He waved his hand as if brushing the book away, and handing me the Mormon Bible, said that contained the truth and the only account to follow. I think his Bible a worthless jumble, but did not, of course, tell him so. I thought Whit- mer a sly, cunning man, that would do any- thing for money, but I do not think he would sell his manuscript, as he claimed that his house was saved from the cyclone which struck Richmond the year before, simply on account of that Bible.

Mr. Whitmer's explanation of the circum- stances that led to his separation from the Mormon leaders, who exercised an arbitrary control over their followers during the ex- citing times of the Mormon war in Missouri, and how he came to settle down in the then remote and secluded place, since developed by himself and Oliver Cowdery into the flourishing "city" of Richmond, was sub- stantially as follows, as told to me by himself : He said that as the war against the State forces progressed and increased in bitterness, he foresaw the utter hopelessness of the un- equal contest, and suggested some concession or compromise that would save the people from extermination. This, with some other matters of personal disagreement with the ruling powers, roused the jealousy and sus- picion of the latter, and his life and liberty

were jeopardized. At that critical junction any suggestion, or accommodation, or com- promise with the enemy was regarded as treason by the arrogant and blood-thirsty Mormon leaders. They held secret church councils, in which suspected persons were tried on ex-parte evidence, without being pre- sent in person or by counsel, who, if declared guilty, were ordered to be shot from ambush or killed on sight. One day the council was in session, and Whitmer's case come up for trial. By a preconcerted agreement a friend was to signal the result from a window. Meantime Whitmer lay concealed in the bushes at some distance, awaiting the signal, which was to be the dropping of a willow twig to the ground. It was a case of life or death. On seeing the adverse signal deciding his fate, he mounted a horse, and fleeing through the woods and over the prairies across the country, he at length found a safe asylum in the spot which finally became his home, where he lived respected by his neigh- bors, until his death two or three years ago. After he made his escape he never joined the Mormon body, either at Nauvoo or Salt Lake, holding a plurality of wives in abhorrence. A little society of Mormons was formed, having started preaching, and he remained faithful to the last to Prophet Smith and the original Bible, of which, as stated, he held the manu- scripts. With the re-organized saints, under Joseph Smith, Jr., he seemed to affiliate, as they preached to the brotherhood, during my short stay in his house.

This somewhat lengthy, but intensely in- teresting chapter upon the Mormons would be incomplete if we did not state what we learned on the 1st of March, 1895, in a letter from William Fayel, now of St. Louis, the fact of the death of Daniel Patten, an old Theresa inhabitant, and one of the leaders among the Mormon proselytes. The ovation to his brother at Theresa was an event never to be forgotten, and a broad grin spreads over every face that was present there, whenever any allusion is made to a most comical pro- ceeding, well carried out. A correspondent of the St. Louis Republican, writing from Lathrop, Mo., under date of February 6, 1895, and refering to the battle of Crooked River, fought with the Mormons by the citi- zens of Ray, Clay, Cadwell and Carroll counties, Mo., says: "In this fight David Patten, who was from Northern New York, and commander of the Mormons from the Far West, a settlement 16 miles northwest of Lathrop, was killed. He was called Capt. Fearnaught, and had inspired his followers with valor. His men were armed with corn knives, which they used as sabres, and during the fight he was almost hacked to pieces."

In writing of these strange proceedings well remembered by those who were upon the stage during the thirties, the student of history is forced to regard them as belonging to a series of similar proceedings spoken of in the tales of other times.

THE FLOWER MEMORIAL CHURCH AT THERESA.

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THE FLOWER MEMORIAL CHURCH.

At the dedication services of the Flower Memorial Church, at Theresa, the follow- ing address was delivered by Rev. Joseph A. Canfield, the pastor :

Human philosophy, clothed in the garb of poetry, teaches us that "the evil men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones."

It is through the working of this Divine law of influence that we are gathered to-day in this house, erected to God, in memory of Nathan M. and Mary Ann Flower. They were the nine original members of the Pres- byterian Church of Theresa. The names of

In honor of the Christian parents in whose memory loving children have built this house of worship, I shall be allowed to pre- sent such facts in relation to their history and character as I have been able, from re- liable sources, to gather. I cannot, of course, speak from personal knowledge, but am chiefly indebted to a respected citizen of the town (Mr. Joseph Fayel) and a beautiful letter of an aged sister of him whose memory we honor. I shall not hesitate, therefore, in what follows, to use not merely the facts, but to some extent even the language of my in- formants.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHU OF THERESA ORGANISED A.D.1825. CHARTER MEMBERS ABRAHAM MORROW LUCINDA MORROW SYLVESTER BODMAN RELEIF BODMAN NATHAN M. FLOWER MARY ANN FLOWER ABNER CHEESEMAN JAMES SHURTLIFF LEONA SHURTLIEF

the nine were engraved on the marble tablet on my right, and are written also, I doubt not, in the Lamb's Book of Life.

This church was organized on the 8th day of May, in the year of our Lord, 1825, lacking now (1880) but a few days of 55 years ago. The Rev. W. B. Stowe was the moderator of the meeting for organization. Abraham Morrow and Sylvester Bodman were elected elders. In 1834 Nathan M. Flower and James Shurtliff were added to the eldership. In 1840, Anson Ranney ; in 1837, A. N. Brit- tan and Gilman Evans; in 1856, B. J. Owens and A. Bodman; in 1857, J. S. Vanderburg.

ERECTED TO GOD

IN MEMORY OF NATHAN M.AND MARY ANN FLOWER BY THEIR CHILDREN 1878

We can trace the family history back for more than a century. George Flower, the father of Nathan M. Flower, was born April 26, 1760; Roxaline Crowe, the mother, was born March 14, 1762-both natives of New Hartford, Litchfield county, Conn.

The ancestors of the mother came to this country from what was then Alsace, in France, but now a province of Germany. Nathan M. Flower whose name stands upon the tablets before you, was born December 14, 1796, at Oak Hill, Greene county, N. Y., and died at Theresa, N. Y., April 4, 1843, in his 47th year. His wife, Mary Ann, was

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born in the city of New York, January 2, 1805, and died in Theresa, N. Y., February 23, 1869, in her 64th year.

She was the daughter of Thomas Boyle, a native of Ireland, who came to this country in his childhood. When he grew to man- hood he became an extensive contractor on public works, and was engaged on the first system of water-works in the city of New York. He afterwards removed to Albany, and was a contractor on the public works of that city, having many men in his employ. After his death in that city, his family re- moved to Cherry Valley, N. Y., and there Mr. Flower first became acquainted with her.

His father built a clothing mill at Oak Hill, N. Y., and after Nathan became of age, himself and an elder brother established themselves in the same business in Spring- field, Otsego county, N. Y. There he began that life of Christian devotion and piety, which so marked his course the remainder of his years on earth.

Mr. Flower took up his residence in what is now the village of Theresa, in the year 1822-58 years ago. There were then but few scattering houses, located in what was known as " behind the hill." The entire sur- rounding of the little settlement was an almost unbroken forest. Indian River ran its wild and crooked course, as it does to-day, but its banks were undisturbed except by here and there a hunter and a fisherman, or the sound of some solitary woodman's axe. Between Theresa and Fvans Mills there was for nine miles no spot to mark the abiding place of any living being. It was called " the nine-mile woods."

Mr. Flower was a pioneer in the improve- ment of the hydraulic power of Indian river. His active mind could not rest till he found himself established in his former business, that of a wool-carder and clothier, and by good financial ability, close application and integrity, he acquired the acquaintance of all, and attained marked success in his chosen occupation. He freely gave his time and his means and influence to maintain the Sabbath service, and was usually at the place of prayer in advance of the rest, to see that the fires were kindled, the house in order, and everything in readiness for the coming of the people. He was an efficient ruling elder in the church, and ever on the watch for opportunities to do good. Inquiring minds seeking to know the way of salvation, he was ever ready with kind and affectionate counsel to direct to the only Saviour of sin- ners. In his family he was a kind and true husband, a loving and faithful father, train- ing his children in the way they should go; and in remembrance of the parental affection and Christian fidelity of both father and mother, all these children rise up to-day and call them blessed, and find a genuine Chris tian pleasure in consecrating a portion of that wealth God has given them in such a way as to associate, for all time to come, the names of these revered parents with what

they loved most, the house and the worship of God.

In his business and social relations Mr. Flower was always kind, cheerful and con- siderate-caring for the poor, sympathizing with the afflicted, and with the open hand of charity giving aid and comfort where needed.

For 14 years he held the office of justice of the peace in this town, and almost invariably his decision, in cases brought before him, commended itself to all fair-minded men, and was counted an act of kindness, as well as justice, to all concerned. The political party to which he belonged was in a hopeless minority in the town, yet such was his hold upon the affections of the people that his always large majority was never once lessened as each succeeding election came around. He was really a man who lived in the hearts of the people. Children loved him, for he was loving and child-like himself.

There was a completeness in his life and character as a Christian and a man, which se- cured the confidence and won the affection of all who knew him, and he went to receive his crown at last amid the lamentations of those who who had loved him and leaned upon him.

The church building is now complete, and is about to be solemnly consecrated to the worship and service of the Triune God.

It has been transferred in due form to the Presbyterian Church and congregation. The. keys have been passed over to the trustees, and to all here present it would doubtless seem a fit occasion for a more marked allus- ion to those with whom the thought origi- nated, and who have so bountifully supplied the means of erecting this house of worship.

But, as I have already said, we are en- joined to be silent here. They wish to be left in the background, feeling that in all they have done they have given but a faint expression of their indebtedness to God for the gift of such worthy Christian parents.

Their wishes we are bound to respect.

At a meeting of the session of the Presby - terian Church of Theresa, N. Y., held at the parsonage on the evening of May 5, 1880, it was unanimously

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Growth of a Century : as illustrated in the history of Jefferson County, New York, from 1793 to 1894, Part 148

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823- Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Haddock, John A. 1823-
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Sherman
Number of Pages: 1094