Now the King had a new revelation that polygamy must be practiced. When
he made it known to his people it gave them a great shock, as their
minds had been made up that this was not to be. Strang very soon obeyed
the "Divine Command" by taking a spiritual wife, or as the Mormons
called it, "being sealed." Mrs. Strang, his wife, packed her clothing
and taking her three children with her, left the Island, never coming
back to live with him again. Strang was absent when she left, so she met
with no opposition. She came back to the Island twice during his
absence, gathering the people together in the temple, talking and
pointing out to them the error of practicing such a doctrine, and both
times she came she burned the robes which the King wore when preaching
in the temple. Mrs. Mary Strang was greatly loved by all his people that
knew her. Of course the King was not pleased with the interference of
Mrs. Strang.
"CHARLES DOUGLAS."
The King now took one of his young wives, had her dressed in man's
apparel and travel about with him seeking after more converts. The name
he gave her was "Charles Douglas." He made a great joke of this, and
boasted "Charles" was the best worker he ever had. If Strang was
magnetic "Charles Douglas" was irresistible. She was a beautiful woman
and extremely fine looking when dressed as "Charles Douglas." I saw
Strang and "Douglas" once together. One of the Mormon apostles was
living neighbor to us. Mother had sent me on an errand to their house.
Strang and his companion came there to dinner. Both were dressed in
plain black suits, wearing high silk hats, which was the fashion. Both
were smiling and talking very pleasantly together. Of course I supposed
it was a young man with Strang, but the apostle's wife told mother about
it later.