The early followers of the Mormon Church received little respect from their neighbors, often hostile and violent responses as well. From Niles Weekly Register in Baltimore, dated July 16, 1831, just a year after the Church's founding, comes this sarcastic description: “...certain knaves, pretending to have some holy writings hidden under a stone in Ontario county...started a new religion! The leaders make bold pretensions and assert a gift to work miracles ....Their great prophet Jo, has selected a part of Geanuga Co., Ohio, and pronounced it to be the promised land....The chiefs of those people... exempt themselves from labor...probably, the grand object for which they have established this religion.” Item 220303. $210.
The heading on this next item is “AWFUL EVENT,” and indeed it was one of the worst moments in American history. As the next line says, “President Lincoln Shot by an Assassin.” This is a copy of the New York Times from April 15, 1865. It was written in the early morning hours, as the headline says that “The President Still Alive at Last Accounts,” but squelches any hope by adding, “No Hopes Entertained of His Recovery.” The paper than supplies a complete account of the events at Ford's Theater as known at that time and of the President's hopeless condition. It reads, “...a sharp report of a pistol was heard, which merely attracted attention but suggesting nothing serious until a man rushed to the front of the President’s box, waving a long dagger in his right hand, and exclaiming ‘Sic semper tyrannis' & immediately leaped from the box...The screams of Mrs. Lincoln first disclosed the fact to the audience that the President had been shot.” As of 2:12 a.m., the paper reports, “He remains insensible, and his condition is utterly hopeless.” Item 589562. $2,850.
For those who are fascinated with outlaws, two of America's most noted ones made their way into the pages of The Republican of Red Wing, Minnesota, on July 30, 1881. On page 3, there is an interview with Mrs. Samuels, the mother of Jesse and Frank James. The copy reads, “Mrs. Samuels, who professes great horror at the idea of ‘her boys’ committing murder & robbery, at the same time looks upon them as heroes.” On page 6, there is a separate article about Billy the Kid. A headline screams, “The Inhabitants of New Mexico Who were Overawed By a Boy of Twenty-One, Who Killed at Sight.” It also exclaims, “The only man in the country who is said to have nerve enough to capture Billy is Pat Garret...” Garrett served as both Sheriff and one-man PR department for himself. Indeed, Garrett had shot and killed Billy two weeks prior to this paper being published, but evidently the news was slow to reach Red Wing. Item 583910. $455.
Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, may be reached at 570-326-1045 or info@rarenewspapers.com. Their website is www.rarenewspapers.com.
