About the time my people came to Beaver Island the property at the Point
in Beaver Harbor was just changing hands, Mr. Alva Cable having sold his
dock and buildings to a Mr. Peter McKinley from Painesville, Ohio, who
came with his family and took possession at once, putting in a supply of
provisions for the fall trade with the fishermen.
Strang soon called on our people, and was anxious to have my father
build our home near the Mormon settlement at the harbor, promising there
would be plenty of work, as more of his people were constantly coming.
Strang was so friendly and sent many of his people to call on us. His
wife also called on us. She was a bright, sensible, noble woman, and we
found her friendship was true. My mother being a nurse, Strang told her
he would always be glad of her assistance when any of his people were
sick. Our people had never heard about Mormons before and knew nothing
about their belief or doctrine. Mother told me many times afterward it
seemed very strange to her seeing the Mormon women dressed in short
dresses with hair cut short and keeping Saturday for their Sunday. When
mother spoke to them about it they told her that King Strang had all
these revelations from God and that, he being their leader, they must
obey what he said.