| 337 "Do you know Reverend Thorn, a Presbyterian minister at Manchester?"
"Yes; I know him."
"What kind of a fellow is he?"
"He's a pretty sharp fellow, and will look after his bread and butter, you may depend on that."
"Did he ever interview you on this subject?"
"No sir; he never did."
"Did he not call to see what you knew about the Smiths and Cowderys about a year ago?"
"No, he never did to my recollection."
"Did you know he had a statement of yours published in Michigan in regard to this, last year?"
"No sir; I never heard of it before."
"Did you ever give him one to publish?"
"I never did-did not know he wanted one."
"He will look out for himself, will he?"
"He will that; that is him."
"You have lived here all your life. Tell us of some one who can tell us all about the people we wish to learn about-some of the old settlers."
"Squire Pierce and Mr. Reed live a few miles north from here, in the neighborhood where the Smiths lived; they know all about them, they say. The Smiths never lived in this neighborhood."
"Do you know Thomas H. Taylor, of Manchester?"
"Yes."
"What kind of a fellow is he?"
"He is a pretty smart fellow; can do most anything he undertakes; he is a lawyer, and lectures sometimes."
"Mr. Booth, we were told, is a Free Methodist. His address is Shortsville, Ontario County, New York."
Following the directions of Mr. Booth, we repassed the town of Manchester, and at one o'clock in the afternoon, arrived at the house of Ezra Pierce, a very pleasant and hospitable New York farmer, quite well informed in the political history of the country, especially on the Democratic side. Approaching the subject of the desired interview to him, he quickly answered by saying:
"Well, gentlemen, I must first ask you a question; because I went on to give my statement to some parties once, and as it did not suit them, they got mad and began to abuse and insult me; said that I lied about it. Let me ask: Are you Mormons?"
E. L.-"I am a lawyer, myself; this other gentleman can speak for himself. We don't propose to be anything, especially during this interview; we are here to try to find out some facts, and we don't care who they hit; it is facts that we are after, and you may be sure there will be no abuse, no matter which side they are on'"
"All right; that's fair; go ahead."
"Were you acquainted with the 'Smith family?"
(page 337) |
