1: Please state to the reporter you name?
My name is Martha A. Hall.
2: Where do you reside?
I live three miles and a half out of here, south east of town.
3: How long have you lived there?
I have been living there at offs and ons some sixty one years, but I haven’t made it my permanent home all the time.
4: What part of the time have you not been living there?
From 1866 til 1890.
5: From 1866 to ’90?
Yes sir.
6: That is the period of time that you did not live there?
Yes sir?
7: Where did you live during that time??
I was living out there about a mile from town part of the time and part of the time a little further on south from the place where I now live.
8: Have you lived in this country all your life?
Yes sir.
9: You have lived in this country all your life then?
Yes sir, in the vicinity of Independence here ever since I was born, and I was born right here.
10: You are sixty one years of age?
I was born in I829 and you can calculate my age from that, – I am sixty one years old past I think.
11: Did your parents live here at the time of the expulsion of the Saints in 1833?
Yes sir.
12: And you were here at that time with them?
Yes sir.
13: Did you remember anything about that event?
I have a kind of recollection. I have a very vague recollection about their taking a very active part in expelling them, – that is, expelling the saints from Jackson County.
14: Who took or performed that active part in the expulsion of the saints?
My people.
15: Well, who were they?
My relatives, -my father and brother.
16: Well state to the reporter what you know about it?
Well I don’t know anything that would be worth telling hardly, – I don’t know very much about it that would be worth telling perhaps, – any further than I know that my relatives, – I know my parents and relatives took a very active part in the expelling of the saints, from Independence, and at that time there was no thought that they would ever return again.
17: You remember of your own recollection of the event of the expulsion of the saints from this county.
Yes sir.
18: You heard them speak of this?
Yes sir.
19: And you heard them speak of it for how many years afterwards?
My parents?
20: Yes?
Just as long as they lived I would hear them occasionally speak of it.
21: And how long did they live?
Well my mother has been dead about three years, and my father about sixteen years. They have been dead that long, -my mother three years, and my father sixteen years, and his brothers died at intervals along from that time to this and all the neighbors that I knew who took part in it have about died since then, – that is, all who acted in the same spirit.
22: What would they say when they referred to it?
Well I remember that they would call them liars and thieves and cut-throats, and about everything they could think of that was bad. They would speak of them that way and call them all the bad names they could think of.
23: What did they say, or what would they say with reference to their coming back here at any time?
They said that if they did come back they ought to be every one of them killed, – that the citizens ought to raise up and mob them out of the country.
24: Was this the general talk of the community?
That was the general talk so far as I know. That was about the way they would speak of them, and I never heard any one speak friendly to them until about the time that I commenced to investigate their
doctrine, and then I heard some good things, – or rather I found it out for myself.
25: About what time was that?
That was about twelve years ago.
26: How did it come that you investigated the doctrine of the church?
My attention was first attracted to it at the time that this brother came out there in our neighborhood, where I was at that time, – he came out there to preach, for he understood there was an opening there where he could do good, and we met there several times to hear him preach. He preached in the school house, but finally they locked the school house and said they were not going to allow him the privilege of preaching in the school house at all.
27: Up to this time the neighbourhood had been against them?
Yes sir.
28: And your own relatives amongst the number?
Yes sir. In all the talk I heard there, and the people that I have heard talk, and I have heard almost every body that lived there at that time talk about it, and I never heard anybody express a friendly word for “the Mormons” as they called them.
29: Did you see them at the time they were driven out from here, or were you too young?
No sir, I can’t remember about that for I was too young. At that time I was only three years old, and I can’t remember even how my father and brothers looked as they started out to help the mob tear down the printing office and drive them from the town. I remember that they were in the persecuting party but that is about all I do remember.
30: Well do you remember any of the occurences relative to the year 1838?
Yes sir, I remember about that. I remember a good deal about that, but that was not here.
31: Well what do you recollect about that?
I remember that there was a lot of men went under the command of Captain Sanders to Caldwell County to expel and the Latter Day saints from there. I remember that they said they would have to follow them up and kill the last one of them.
32: That was in Caldwell County?
Yes sir.
33: Well was there a company went from here to help expel the saints from Caldwell County?
Yes sir.
34: Do you remember any one that went with them?
Yes sir, and there is only two men that I know of now that are living who went with them at that time, and one of them is Alexander Harris and the other is Samuel Luttrell.
35: Were any of your relatives with them?
Yes sir.
36: Who of your relatives were among them?
My father and one of his brothers in law, and one of his cousins by the name of Pitcher. At this time this man Pitcher lived out there on the Rock Creek road.
37: Well when they returned did they state that they had driven them out?
Well I have heard my father state a good deal about what happened then, but I was only about nine years old, and I do not remember very well what he did state about it, – but I remember very well that they were to be driven away, and not be allowed to come back again. That was the common conversation in the country and there was a few of the Latter Day Saints that wanted to stay for a while and wind up their business, but they would not permit it, – they just drove them right out and would not let them stay at all. That is what they said when they came back, – they drove them right out.
38: To what church do you belong?
Do I belong now?
39: Yes ma’am?
I belong to the Latter Day Saints church at this present time.
40: When did you become a member?
I become a member of the church nine years ago some time-along about the first of September.
41: You and your husband both became members of it?
No sir, not at that time. My husband has been a mem- ber of it for about four years. I think it is about four years since he became a member of the church.
42: He has been a member for about four years?
Yes sir, he has been, – I think it was about four years ago that he joined het church.
43: Well as you have stated that you heard a good deal with reference to the persecution of the church, – the “Mormons” or “Latter Day Saints” as you call them, – I would be glad for you to mention the names of the par- ties you have heard speak of it, or who took part in that?
I have mentioned them.
44: Well you mentioned your father and your brothers?
Yes sir, probably you were acquainted with them, – John Braden, – most every body knew them.
45: Yes I knew some of them. Well now go on and state somebody else you heard speak that way?
Well I have heard a great many speak of the Mormons that way, – that is, say all the mean, bad things they could about them, but I don’t know that I can remember who all there was I heard talk that way.
46: Well if you can remember some of them – please do so, and give their names as best you can?
Well there was old Samuel Harris and old Alexander Harris.
47: You have heard them?
Yes sir.
48: How long is it that you heard them speak that way?
I could not begin to tell you.
49: Was it a long time ago?
Yes sir, a good many years ago.
50: Was it before you were married?
Yes sir.
51: How long have you been married?
About twenty-six years.
52: Well who else did you hear speak of them?
The Pitchers and Parishes.
53: Well who else?
Perry Braden and Led Braden.
54: And who else, if you can remember?
An old gentle- man by the name of Johnny Smith, and Evan Hall.
55: Who else?
Well, I can’t remember any more, but I have heard a good many more no doubt, but I can’t re- member them now. I was raised there pretty close to home, and I would not have the opportunities of hear- ing talk like a hreat many men do.
56: Well now mention some others that you heard speak of them in that way, if you can?
Well, I will see if I can remember any more.
57: Can you recollect any others?
I don’t believe I can.
58: Well what did you ever hear Evan Hall say about them?
Not a great deal of anything, but the run of his conversation was, – well from the run of his conver- sation you could tell that he was bitterly opposed to the Latter Day Saints.
59: Well, state anything he said, if you can?
Well I heard him call them “damned Mormons”.
60: Well state anything you heard any one of the Bra- dens say?
Well I can’t remember all that they said only I remember that they said that every one of them ought to be killed.
61: That was what the Bradens said?
Yes sir.
62: Which one of them said that?
They both did.
63: Which was the worst of the Bradens?
Perry seemed to be the most indignant.
64: Now when did this occur?
That was when I was a child.
65: And you remember it to this day?
Yes sir. It came to be when I was about grown that there was very little said on the subject one way or the other for some time, until the saints commenced collecting back here again.
66: When did they commence collecting back here again?
I don’t know for I never got acquainted with the doctrines of the church, or heard much said about it until twelve years ago.
67: So then from the time that you were grown up to ten or twelve years ago, you never heard much said about it?
No sir for I was not one that went out into society a great deal, and I never saw a great dael in print about it either. The first thing that aroused a conversation in my hearing, after I got to hearing the doctrine preached, was because they were trying to make opposition to my becoming a member of the church.
68: That was amongst your frienbs?
Yes sir.
69: They were opposed to your becoming a member of the church?
Yes sir. – it was my friends and neighbors that were opposed to it.
70: What church did you belong to before that?
Before I joined the Latter Day Saints?
71: Yes ma’am?
I never belonged to any church in my life, and never heard a doctrine preached that I gave a snap for before that time, and I went to church too ever since I was a little child.
72: Your friends and relatives belonged to other churches
Yes sir, to other denominations, – to the christion church, the Methodists, and some to the Cumberland Presbyterians.
73: Now in your time, have you not heard people use the same kind of language towards the Catholics as you say you have heard used against the Latter Day Saints or Mormons?
Yes sir, I have heard the same kind of a spirit expressed towards the Catholics. There was an old lady by the name of Dand, when I first commenced going to the Latter Day Saints’ church, told my children if I joined it to disown me, –
74: Who was it told your children that?
It was old Betsey Land told them that.
75: She was a Catholic?
No sir, she was a Cumberland Presbyterian. All the neighbors were against it, – against my joining the Latter Day Saints, and did all they could to prevent it.
76: The Latter Day Saints were not popular in that neighbourhood?
No sir, and it showed that they had the same spirit of indignation towards them that they had in the past.
77: Now in all that time did any body organize a mob to trouble them?
No sir, not in this country, but I have heard of their being badly treated in other localities.
A. Lesueur Secretary of State P.P. Kelley, Esq.
Exhibit “27” which is the record referred to as being the certificate of the Secretary of State as to the Judges of Caldwell County, is in words and figures as follows to wit, – (It being impossible to copy in the record the exhibit as it appears.) James Allred, Arthur Morrison, Elias Higbee, – appointed August 25th, 1838, Justices of the County Court, elected August 1838, – left the county, being Mormons. Samuel Bogart, (date of appointment) June 3rd 1849, – Justice of the County Court, – appointed by Gov. vice those last named until next gen’l election, – removed. James Baxter and James M. Ramsey were appointed at the same time and in the same manner as Samuel Bogart, – James Baxter resigned March 1840, and James M. Ramsey resigned September 1840. Then appears the entry “Gov” until election. Armisted Early (date of appointment) March 16th 1840, – Justice of the County Court, – (term of office and how appointed) Gov’ until election” vice S. Bogart, rem. David Hughes, (date of appointment) March 16th 1840, – Justice of the County Court (term of office and how appointed) gov until election, – vice J.M. Ramsey red., resigned Sep’t 1840. (Date of appointment) September 23rd 1840, – X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X William Glenn (date of appointment) September 23rd 1840 Justice of the County Court, – appointed by Gov’r, – Vice James M. Ramsey, – resigned. William Glenn, – (Date of appointment) Nov’r 11th 1840, – Justice of the County Court, – elected August 1840, – four years. William Thomas, – (date of appointment) Nov’r 11th 1840, – Justice of the county Court, – elected August 1840 (refused to serve) (Duplicate issued April 6th 1841 on certificate of loss.) Frances McGuire, (date of appointment) Nov’r 11th 1840, – Justice of the County Court, – elected August 1840, – refused to serve) same further entry. State of Missouri )ss. I, Alexander A. Lesueur, Secretary of State of the state of Missouri, hereby certify that the annexed pages contain a full, true and complete copy of the record of the appointment and election of Justices of the County court of Caldwell County, from and including August 25th 1838, to November 11th 1840 inclusive, and of all entries thereto appertaining as the same appear on record in Vol 1 abstract of commissions on file as the law directs in this office. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri. Done at office in the city of Jefferson, this eighteenth day of April A.D. 1892. Seal of Missouri.
A. Lesueur. Secretary of State. By Mr. Kelley, – “Now I will also offer in connection with that the title page of the history of Caldwell and Livingstone counties, Missouri, – as follows, – “History of Caldwell and Livingstone Counties, Missouri, written and compiled for the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingstone counties, their pioneer record, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminicesences. St. Louis; National Historical Company. 1886.”
The history of Caldwell and Livingston Counties, Missouri above referred to, the title page of which has just been read by counsel for the plaintiff, and which is given above is marked Exhibit “26”. By Mr. Kelley, – “I offer from page one hundred and forty of exhibit 26, the copy of the written speech by General Clarke, delivered to the Mormons at Far West, Missouri, on the Temple Square, – all that part of his speech, or of the contents of that page beginning with the word “gentlemen” on page one hundred and forty, and ending with the words “irretrievably ruined” on page one hundred and forty one. The following is a copy of the above offer from page one hundred and forty of exhibit 26, to wit, – “Gentlemen: You whose names are not attached to this list of names, will not have the privilege’s of going to your fields to obtain corn for your families, wood, etc. Those that are now taken will go from thence to prison to be tried, and receive the due de-merit of their crimes; but you are now at liberty, all but such charges as may be here after preferred against you. It now devolves upon you to fulfill the treaty that you have entered into, the leading items of which I now lay before you. The first of these yo you have already complied with, which is, that you deliver up your leading men to be tried according to law. Second, – that you deliver up your arms, – this has been attended to. The third is that you sign over your properties to defray the expenses of this war, – this you have also done. Another thing yet remains for you to comply with, – that is you leave the state forthwith; and whatever your feelings concerning this affair, whatever your innocence, it is nothing to me. Gen Lucas, who is in authority with me, has made this treaty with you. I am determined to see it executed. The orders of the Governor to me were, that you should be exterminated, and not allowed to continue in the state, and had your leaders not been given up, and the treaty complied with before this, you and your families would have been destroyed, and your houses in ashes. There is a discretionary power vested in my hands, which I shall try to exercise for a season, I do not say that you shall go now, but you must not think of staying there another season, or of putting in crops, for the moment you do the citizens will be upon you. I am determined to see the Governor’s message fulfilled, but shall not come upon you immediately. Do not think that I shall act as I have done any more, – but if I have to come again the treaty which you have made here shall be broken, you need not expect any mercy, but extermination, for I am determined the Governor’s order shall be executed. As for your leaders do not once think – – do not imagine for a moment, – do not let it enter your minds, – that they will be delivered, or that you will see their faces again, for their fate is fixed, their die is cast, their doom is sealed. I am sorry – gentlemen, to see so great a nember of apparently intelligent men found in the situation that you are and Oh, that I could invoke the spirit of the unknown God to rest upon you, and deliver you from that awful chain of superstition and liberate you from these fetters of fanaticism with which you are bound. I would advise you to scatter abroad, and never again organize with bishops, presidents, etc. lest you excite the jealousies of the people, and subject yourselves to the same calamities that have now come down upon you. You have always been the aggressors, you have brought upon yourselves these difficulties by being disaffected, and not being subject to rule, – and my advice is that you become as other citizens, lest by a recurrence of these events you bring upon yourselves irretrievable ruin.” 671 By Mr. Southern, – “To these offers of proof we object on the ground that they are incompetent, irrelevant and immaterial, and have not been identified in a manner to make them competent testimony, – and the Defendants objects to the certificate of the Secretary of State marked Exhibit 27 on the ground that it does not show the continuation in office by Elias Higbee, as suggested in the proposition offering it in testimony.” The further taking of depositions herein was hereupon continued until Friday the sixth day of May 1992, at which time (the hour of ten o’clock A.M.) appeared the partied hereto as hereinbefore set forth, and the further taking of said depositions was continued until Saturday the 7th day of May 1892 at the hour of 10 o’clock A.M. then and there to be continued at the place in that behalf first aforesaid, – Now on the 7th day of May 1892, the dame being Saturday, at the hour of 10 o’clock A.M. come the parties hereto as aforesaid, and the further taking of the depositions herein was continued, pursuant to adjournment, – Jacob Gregg, of lawful age, being produced, sworn and examined on the part of the plaintiff, testified as follows – – By Mr. E.L. Kelley, – “Before proceeding with the examination of this witness I wish to make this statement, – before we closed on the last day we were here I made the statement, which was accepted by the defendants as being the fact, that we would offer a certified copy of the articles of incorporation under the laws of the State of Illinois, – I have that copy here, and now which to offer it in evidence after you gentlemen have inspected it. Do you wish to examine it Mr. Southern?” By Mr. Southern, – “You can make your offer and I will examine it, and make my objects, if I have any.” By Mr. Kelley, – “We offer it on evidence with the certificate and seal of the clerk attached, – and let it appear that we offer it in evidence in pursuance of the notice heretofore given, and have the same marked as an exhibit.” (Marked as “Exhibit 30, J.M. Orr.”) By Mr. Southern, – “Let me see that and examine it. We object to this document marked Exhibit 30, for the reason that it is incompetena, irrelevant and immaterial, and for want of proper legal certification and identification; and it is objected to for the further reason or specification because not religious incorporation has any standing in the courts of Missouri as the owner of reputed property in the State of Missouri.” Exhibit 30 is in words and figures as follows, to wit – – Articles of association and by-laws of Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Filed for record Feb. 5 A.D. 1873. State of Illinois ) ) ss Kendall County ) I, Isaac Cramer, solemnly swear, that at a meeting of the members of the “Re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” held at Plano in the county of Kendall and State of Illinois on the 21st day of October, A.D. 1872 for that purpose, Israel L. Rogers, (the presiding bishop of said church) was appointed for said church, and that at a subsequent meeting held at the same place, February 3rd, 1873, Elijah Banta, (counselor of said bishop) was appointed as one of the other of the two trustees before named; according to the 672 rules and usages of said church. And said church adopted at said meeting held on said 21st day of October A.D. 1872, as its corporate name, the following, vis,-“The Re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” And that said church adopted as its articles of association and by-laws (which are subject to amendment by a vote of two thirds majority of the members of said church present and voting at any regular conference) the following , viz,- Articles of Association adopted by the “Re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” at a general meeting of the members of said church held at Plano in the County of Kendall in the State of Illinois, on the 21 day of October, A.D. 1872. Article 1st,-The name of this association and organization shall be “The Re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” and shall be incorporated under the laws of Illinois under and by that name. The church adheres to the doctrines and tenets of the original church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as organized by Joseph Smith (the martyr) now deceased, on the sixth day of April A.D. 1830 as the same been re-organization by Joseph Smith now of Plano, Illinois with the advice and assistance of Jason W. Briggs, Zenas H. Gurley, William Marks Sen’r, Isreal L Rogers, Isaac Sheen and many others. The church government consists first of a first presidency consisting of a President and two Counselors. 2nd,-A quorum of the Twelve,-(a traveling high council.) 3rd,-A standing High Council “of the Church, and at each “Stake” a similar subordinate “standing High Council”, consisting of twelve chosen for that purpose. 4th,-A High Priest’s quorum. 5th,-One or more quorums of Seventy, not exceeding seven. 6th,-Quorums of Elders. 7th,-Bishop, consisting of a presiding Bishop, and associate, or local bishops,-said bishops having temporal jurisdiction subject to the general direction of the church and higher church authorities. 8th,-Quorums of Priests. 9th,-Quorums of Teachers. 10th,-Quorums of Deacons. 11th,-Until otherwise provided, the re-organized church at Plano, Illinois, shall, be the principal or central church. All others shall be “stakes” or “branches” but all subject to the same church government subordinate to this organization, and constituting a part thereof. A branch may be organized at any time of place by the concurrence of six or more resident member in good standing of said Re-organized Church, one of whom must be an elder, priest, teacher or deacon. A stake is a large branch organized into a “stake” at the direction of a General Conference of the church; and Plano, Kendall County, Illinois, shall be the principal place of business of said corporation, said re-organized church and its stakes and branches are in all respects subject to the doctrines and tenets of the said original and re-organization is this article mentioned. 2nd,-The Presiding Bishop and his Counselors shall be the trustees of the church and perform all
the duties contemplated by an act entitled “an act concerning corporations” approved April 18th 1872 and in force in Illinois, July 1st 1872, a majority of whom perform any act under said law or contemplated by this organization. Article 3rd,-This organization shall publish, print, circulate, sell or give away, religious, school and missionary 672 rules and usages of said church. And said church adopted at said meeting held on said 21st day of October A.D. 1872, as its corporate name, the following, vis, – “The Re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.” And that said church adopted as its articles of association and by-laws (which are subject to amendment by a vote of a two thirds majority of the members of said church present and voting at any regular conference) the following, viz, – Articles of Association adopted by the “re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” at a general meeting of the members of said church held at Plano in the County of Kendall in the State of Illinois, on the 21 day of October. A.D. 1872. Article 1st, – The name of this association and organization shall be “The name of this association and organization shall be “The Re-organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” and shall be incorporated under the laws of Illinois under and by that name. The church adheres to the doctrines and tenets of the original church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as organized by Joseph Smith (the martyr) now deceased, on the sixth day of April A.D. 1830 as the same has been re-organized by Joseph Smith now of Plano, Illinois with advice and assistance of Jason W. Briggs, Zenas H. Gurley, William Marks, Sen’r, Israel L. Rogers Isaac Sheen and man others. The church government consists first of a first presidency consisting of a President and two Counsellors. 2nd, – A quorum of the Twelve, – )A traveling high council.) 3rd, – “A standing High Council” of the Church, and at each “Stake” a similar subordinate “standing High Council”, consisting of twelve chosen for that purpose. 4th, – A High Priest’s quorum. 5th, – One or more quorums of Seventy, not exceeding seven. 6th, – Quorums of Elders. 7th, – Bishops, consisting of a presiding Bishop, and associate, or local bishops, – said bishops having temporal jurisdiction subject to the general direction of the church and higher church authorities. 8th, – Quorums of Priests. 9th, – Quorums of Teachers. 10th, – Quorums of Deacons. 11th, – Until otherwise provided, the re-organized church at Plano, Illinois, shall be the principal or central church. All others shall be “stakes” or “branches” but all subject to the same church government subordinate to this organization, and constituting a part thereof. A branch may be organized at any time or place by the concurrence of six or more resident members in good standing of said Re-organized church, one of whom must be an elder, priest, teacher or deacon. A stake is a large branch organized into a “stake” at the direction of a General Conference of the chuech: and Plano, Kendall County, Illinois, shall be the principal place of business of said corporation, said re-organized church and its stakes and branches, are in all respects subject to the doctrines and tenets of the said original and re-organization in this article mentioned. 2nd, – The Presiding Bishop and his Counselors shall be the trustees of the church and perform all the duties contemplated by an act entitles “an act concerning corporations” approved April 18th 1871 and in force in Illinois, July 1st 1872, a majority of whom may perform any act under said law or contemplated by this organization. Article 3rd, – This organization shall publish, print, circulate, sell or give away, religious, school and missionary 673 books, papers, tracts and periodicals, such as said church shall deem necessary or useful for the promotion of religion and morality. And for that purpose may purchase or own such printing presses, types, cases and material as shall be necessary to conduct such publication, binding and circulation of books and published matter aforesaid; and said publication business shall be under the immediate control and management of a committee of Publication, to be nominated by the Presiding Bishop, and confirmed or approved by the church at any General Annual or semi-annual Conference, but the title of the property to be in the corporation, and all suits relating thereto must be in the corporate name. Article 4th, – This corporation may purchase and hold, or received donations, or in any other legal way, procure, receive, and hold the title or any real or personal property for the use of said church, its stakes and branches, the title of all which, whether purchased, donated, or otherwise legally obtained or received, and wherever the same shall be located, whether procured by the general church, or any stake or branch, shall be taken to the corporation and in the corporate name of said re-organized church: and said corporation shall hold the same for the use of said church its stakes and branches; and said corporation may sell and convey the same, or any part thereof, applying the proceeds to the use aforesaid. Article 5, – This church corporation shall have a corporate seal, all conveyances shall be signed by the Presiding Bishop as such Trustee, and sealed with the seal of said corporation. These articles of association shall constitute the bylaws of said corporation, until revised or amended, said by-laws or articles of associstion may be revised or amended at any General Conference of the Church by a two-thirds majority vote of the members of said church present and voting at such Conference. Notice of such amendmend shall be given in the church paper at least two months before action can be had on such proposed change. The place of business of said corporation may be changed from Plano aforesaid, to any other place by direction of the Quorum of the First Presidency, the Bishop and Counselors and the Publishing Committee. Upon such change to be made a certified copy of the affidavit of agreement of this Corporation, together with a similar affidavit of the action of said church re-organizing said corporation, and naming such new place, or principal business, shall be filed in the office of the recorder of deeds of the County in which such new principal place of business is located. Such change of principal place of business shall not change or affect the rights of said corporation; but only the location of its principal office or place of business. Said corporation may establish subordinate places of business at any time, and in any place, but shall be subject to the control of the general office. Said corporation may appoint agents at any time or place to act in behalf of said corporation. Said corporation may sue and be sued, defend and be defended in all courts and places, but all shall be done in said corporate name. Article 6th, – All property now held, or owned by said church in the name of any person, or persons, as trustees or otherwise, including the publication establishment at Plano, Illinois, shall vest in said corporation’ and all persons holding such property in trust for said church are hereby directed and required to transfer and convey the same to said corporation, as the property of said church and said corporation shall be operation of law succeed to all property now owned by said church or held 674 for its use, and may sue and recover the same in the name of said corporation. Article 7th, – The term of office of said trustees shall be as follows, – Of the Trustee who is the Presiding Bishop of the Church, during his good behaviour, and while he remains such Presiding Bishop, of the other trustees who are the Counselor of said presiding Bishop during their good behaviour, not extending the term of office of said Presiding Bishop as such Trustee, except as hereinafter provided. Upon the death, resignation or removal from office of said Presiding Bishop, the office of the other Trustees shall become vacant, upon the appointment of another Presiding Bishop who shall be the successor as Bishop, and his assuming the office of such Trustee, and the thereupon such new presiding Bishop and his Counselors shall be the Trustees of said corporation. It being understood that a person can be the Trustee of said corporation except the Presiding Bishop of said church and his Counselors. Said Trustees or either of them may be removed by said church for cause, the same as any other church officer. At said meetings Joseph Smith acted as Chairman or Presiding Officer, and this affiant as Secretary. Isaac Cramer Subscribed and sworn to before me this 4th day of Feb’y. A.D. 1873
M. Beebe (Seal) Notary Public. State of Illinois ) ) County of Kendall ) I, Avery N. Beebe, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and ex-officio recorder, in and for said County in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify the annexed to be a true and correct copy of the record of an instrument filed in my office the 5th day of February A.D. 1873, and recorded in book 31 at page 573. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Yorkvill this 5th day of May A.D. 1892. Avery N. Beebe, Clerk. (Seal)