| 399 had rather an interesting time. They would not allow us to preach in the Union (?) church, and put us out of the schoolhouse. They presented us with a petition to which is appended twenty-six names, requesting us not to preach any more in the house, and to call in our appointment. This was done on Sunday when we were within a quarter of a mile of the place of meeting. We spoke twice under the shade of the trees and felt well, Quite a number attended.
On August 13 the church at Boonsboro, Iowa, was dedicated; the local authorities being assisted by President Joseph Smith.
On August 18 the commission appointed by President Arthur under the Edmunds law, consisting of Alexander Ramsey, of Minnesota; A. S. Paddock, of Nebraska; G. L. Godfrey, of Iowa; A. B. Carlton, of Indiana; and J. R. Pettigrew, of Arkansas, arrived in Salt Lake City, and immediately began arrangements for the November election. In appointing registrars they required each one to make oath to the following:
That he is not a bigamist or polygamist; that he is not a violator of the United States' law prohibiting bigamy or polygamy; that he does not live or cohabit with more than one woman in the marriage relation, nor does any relation exist between him and any woman, which has been entered into or continued in violation of the said laws of the United States; or if a woman, that she is not the wife of a polygamist, nor has entered into any relation with any man in violation of the laws of the United States concerning polygamy or bigamy.
In a letter written to the Saints' Herald, August 22, 1882, Mr. Charles J. Strang explained how the "letter of appointment" to J. J. Strang came into his possession: 1
1 The question has already arisen how I came into possession of the letter of appointment mentioned in my former communication.
Two years ago, my brother Clement, while on a visit to Black River Falls, Wisconsin, procured for my use in the preparation of a history of father's life, some very valuable material, among which was this document, represented to be the original letter. It was brought to me inclosed [enclosed] within the covers of the book of record containing the names of the "witnesses of the crowning of the King of Zion," July 8,1850. The affidavit in the book of record was apparently in J. J. Strang's handwriting, and was followed by two hundred and thirty-four signatures, fifty-eight of which were cross marked. There was nothing about any of the documents to indicate a forgery, so I was compelled to believe the letter was genuine as represented. The postscript bore the appearance of having been written at the same time as the body of the letter,-a little below the center of the third page of a large letter sheet; the fourth page having the superscription and red postmark, being the outside as letters were then folded and sent, sealed with wax or wafers, and without envelopes. I could detect nothing differing from the description of it published during Strang's lifetime.
As soon as I read the postscript I was almost fully convinced of the theory expressed in my communication, but I studied the matter nearly two years before I finally decided to publish my opinion.
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