Samuel George Spencer and the Ku Klux Klan

An Energetic Moonlight Correspondent Goes Out to Witness Blood and Comes Back Preaching the Gospel According to St. Brigham The Mormon question is altogether a live one in our midst, and the recent publications of a bright young correspondent have set all the reporters by the ears, and Mormons in town or in the country can get as large an audience of newspaper fellows as they want. It seems that the Mormons are "right in town" preaching if not practicing their faith and customs, and if the reporters don't look out and the Ku Klux don't grow bolder there will be some wholesale conversions. As the matter now stands there have been some startling revolutions and the spicy correspondent of the News and Courier today tells how a clever Mormon Elder turned the tables on his Ku Klux visitors as follows:

AUGUSTA, July 27. - The three Mormons in this county, of whom so much has been written of late, have achieved the greatest victory of the period. They have converted the entire band of ku klux, and now the whole upper section of this county is one mass of Mormons. For some weeks past there has been a movement on foot to ku klux the Mormons who have created so much excitement in the upper part of the county. Nothing definite was decided upon until Sunday last, when it was determined that on Tuesday night a band of masked men were to take them out, tar and feather them and give them 24 hours in which to leave the State. Your correspondent learned of this, and in company with a friend drove out to the scene of action.

At Goodwin's Chapel, nine miles from Augusta, we found the "mighty and brave" band of "Regulators," consisting of fifteen powerfully built men, masked and armed to the teeth. Shortly after our arrival all were pronounced present, and we started out in search of the Mormons. A Mr. Newman's house was first visited, then a Mr. Reid's, but no Mormons were to be found. We then learned that Bennion and Murphey were both in the city, but that Spencer, the chief of the party, was quartered at George Anderson's house, whither we repaired.

The house was quickly surrounded and Anderson was called for. He came out on his piazza, and upon being questioned said that Spencer was in, but if the party attempted any violence, they would find themselves badly left. Not a man in the bold band of regulators replied to this, and not one moved an inch closer to the house. The Rev. Mr. Spencer, as he is called, the chief of the Mormons then appeared at the door, and knowing what was up: immediately commenced to talk to the crowd, and after five minutes conversation I verily believe every member of the ku klux band was converted to the Mormon religion. Or, as Spencer said, they were impressed with the error of their way, and, when told by him to leave, the entire band marched off under cover of the adjoining woods.

Determined to get an item of some kind, I entered the house, made myself known, and told Spencer that I came to hear his side of the question. Spencer is a young man of 38 years, about five feet ten inches tall, quite handsome, and possessed of a good address. He began his conversation by saying that the newspapers had been misinformed; that they have not attempted to scare a single person into confessing their religion, and that he had taught nothing except the Bible. He then stated that not one of his party had any money at all; that they were sent out by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and were compelled to live with those who were kind enough to furnish them a place of residence while in any locality.

The following conversation then ensued:

"Are you not furnished with money by the Church of Mormon?"

"They do not furnish us with a cent. All the money we have is given us by friends and relatives."

"How, then, are you to send your converts to Utah?"

"We have no such idea. Our sole object is to convert people to the true religion of Jesus Christ. They may live where they please. We now have missionaries working all over the world, and we are meeting with success. We have already baptized ten persons in this neighborhood and expect to baptize many more in the course of a short while. One of our number, Elder John Joe Murphy, is now working in Augusta and is succeeding in converting many to our belief. He informs me that he is to baptize Mr. John Vaughan in a few days."

"How about this so-called ku klux band? Are they interfering with you?"

"Not in the least. I understand many are opposed to us and really feel hostile towards us, but if they will only hear me preach they will learn that I am correct and will not attempt to harm me."

"How long do you intend to remain in Richmond county?"

"Until the Lord calls us away. He tells us where to go and directs our movements."

"Under your religion I believe a person is allowed to have any number of wives?" "That has nothing to do with our religion."

"But many of you have two or more wives?"

"Yes. 'We do not censure a man for that. We have enough to keep us away from other men's wives, and I would to God that the same might be said of all those who raise such a cry against the Latter Day Saints." "But do you not believe in polygamy?"

"We believe in and many of our people practice that form of marriage that was practiced by Abraham, the father of the faithful and friend of God; by Jacob, the father of those twelve polygamous children whose names are to be found over the twelve pearly gates of the New Jerusalem, where nothing that works an abomination shall enter; also by David, a man after God's own heart, and who received many wives from Him; and also Solomon, whom God blessed with more wisdom than any other man; and, by the way, I may as well remind you of the fact that all of these polygamists were, according to the testimony of Matthew, the progenitors of that meek and lowly Jesus of Nazareth. I testify to you that this principle is in strict accordance with Holy Writ, and among the works of Abraham."

I then left and went in search of the "brave Ku Klux band" and found them some distance from the house lying in the woods. Not a man spoke as I joined them, but after walking some distance one of the party said, "Well, I was willing to go, but nobody would follow me." All of course stated that they would catch him again. I reminded them that it was not yet too late, but not a man in the entire party of about fifteen had the spunk to return and carry out their purpose.

I am heartily ashamed of Richmond County for containing such a party of cowardly men, and think it would be an excellent idea for the Mormons to convert the ku klux and carry them to Utah. It would rid Richmond County of a crowd that she takes no pride in calling citizens. So long as the Mormons remain in the Wrightsboro locality they need not be interfered with, for they can make it no worse than it is.