A Trumped-up Story.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 213, 25 October 1888, Page 2

A Trumped-up Story.

American sources are never considered trust worthy in the dissemination of news, but perhaps one of the most shameful instances that has ever come under our notice was an item ot news which we published on August 25th, alleging that a woman had been barbarously ill-treated by the Mormons, and even hinting that her husband had met his death under circumstances so suspicious that it was concluded he had been foully murdered. The woman (Elizabeth Turnbull Butter), eo the story went, had made her escape and told the tale after a most sensational experience. Now, we are not very partial to the Mormon sect, but they are as much entitled to justice as any other body of persons, or individuals. We have got evidence to hand to show that the story alluded to was an abominable extortion, and though in the minds of many of our readers there may now only be a lingering impression of the story, yet a spirit of justice compels us to give the facts, even at this late period. Charles Greenwell, a Mormon elder, in his sworn statement, says that when preaching in England in 1882, he became acquainted with Mr Thomas Butter and family at North Shields. Mr Rutter was at that time a member of the Salvation Army, while his wife, son, and daughter were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mrs Bqtter was anxious for her husband to join the Mormou Church, and he became favorably impressed impressed with its doctrines. A few months afterwards he again fished the Batters, and Mrs Butter told him that her husband desired baptism, which ordinance was performed that same evening, Mrs Butter, at her own request, being re baptised. Subsequently they expressed a great desire for their son John to go to Utah under his charge. He consented and promised to provide him with a home, On their arrival at Ogden City he took the boy tq his house and gave him a home. The boy remained with him until the latter end of March, 1884, when he procured him a situation with Mr Joseph Alvord in West Weber, with whom he stayed until the latter part of 1886. He afterwards came to Ogden where he remained until he returned to England. All this time the boy was treated with the greatest kindness, and be used to correspond with his parents in England, urging "them to come to Utah as soon as they could. In the if3.1l of 1884, Mr Butter came to Utah, and shortly afterwards obtained employment with Mr Alvord, of West Weber. In the spring of JBB6 Mrs Butter and daughter came to Utah and jojnqd Bqttef at Alvord’s farm, where they remained qntil after he was drowned in the Weber river. At the death of Rutter the people of the settlement were vary kind to his wife and daughter, giving them food, clothing, etc., for their comfort.

John Alvord, of West Weber, in whose employ tlje Butters had been, said the boy used to assist about the fq.rm. He found him in board, clothing, and pocket' money, and paid his school tuition. When he m«t ‘ha father the latter was looking very dejected. He went to his (Alvord’s) farm house, and re, mained there for some months. During that time he received little wages, as he was not ot much use on a farm, but he was found in clothing, tobacco, etc. He then obtained a situation at a sawmill, but he soon threw this up and returned to Al void's farm. After thia he worked in a coal mine for a few months, and on leaving that he again returned to Alvord's placg. Ry thisflme-tje had saved a little money, and was anxious to send for hie wife and daughter, Replaced fiOdol in the hand of his employer, who added 5 Idol to it This sum he sent to an immigration agent, who brought the wife and daughter out. When they arrived he (Alvord) took them to his place and boarded them free uintil they obtained situations. Rutter remained in his employ, and shortly after daylight on' the murpiog of. August 11, he started on horseback to fetch the cows, As he did not return within a reasonable space of time starch was made, but no trace of Butter was found. Alvord says a search party was then organised, and they searched until two the next morning. The search was resumed at daylight next morning, and at nine o.'clock the body was found in a standing posture in a boll? in the river. No marks of violence were noticed, and it was evident that deceased's horse must hove stumbled over the bank and thrown him into the river. An inquest was held, and the following verdxot was returned: — “ The on their oaths do say that Thoffias body is now lying dead before them, Game to fits death accidentally by drowning ih the Weber-fiiv«r an the 11th day of August, 1886. —George Jamieson, Wheatley Gibson, and James Hogge, Jurors.” Alvord also says he paid the funeral expenses out of his own pocket. ge caw Mrs Ratter before she left for Engnd.'dnd hgd a friendly conversation with her. 1 i - Wheatley Gibson, one of the jurors, anj who took the body out of the river, swears positively that there was no hole in the back of the head ot deceased, neither were there anj marks o| violence whatever on the