When he was leaving he said to mother, "Come over to Sinclair's. My wife
is there. We have a nice baby. Come and see our baby boy." Mother took
me with her to the apostle's home. There we saw the King and his
favorite wife, Charles Douglas, and their baby. I, being fond of babies,
wanted to hold him. I sat in a little chair and the mother put the child
in my arms. The King was afraid I would let the baby fall. He never let
go the child's dress. He seemed very fond of the child, and it was plain
to be seen that this was his favorite wife. Most of the time he called
her "Charles" and sometimes Elvira. She was very sweet and seemed very
fond of her baby, yet her face seemed sad when not smiling. Her manner
was quiet and her voice low. Before we left Strang took me on his lap,
asking if I did not want to go to school. I stammered "Yes," but mother
said she is too young yet to go to school. When we came home mother said
to father, "Don't you ever consent to send Elizabeth to the Mormon
school." Strang had remained on the island that winter.
Very soon after our visit to the apostle, we were startled one morning
to hear several boats and nets had been taken by the Mormons, with many
barrels of fish from the store houses near the light-house point at the
head of the island. Some Ohio fishermen had stored their fish and other
property expecting to come back in the spring, leaving a man to look
after the property. The ice was just breaking up in the lake. The
Mormons took everything to the harbor. Our people saw them passing very
early in the morning. All were well armed and ready to resist any
interference from the Gentiles. We Gentiles were very frightened,
fearing they would take our provisions from us, as there were all sorts
of rumors. Mr. Cable had a store with a stock of all kinds of
merchandise for their spring trade. He feared they would demand the keys
and take possession of his goods. There was very little sleep for
several nights among us. Our Mormon friends who were true to us advised
us all to keep very quiet and not be seen talking with them. They kept
us posted as much as possible. The Gentiles made preparations to defend
themselves. The Mormons took the boats and nets to the north shore,
concealing them in the woods, making it appear the north shore fishermen
did the plundering. The owners of the property recovered the boats and
part of the nets, but never recovered any of the fish. They were sold by
the Mormons.
At the harbor all was gaiety. Their theater was kept going to amuse the
people with dancing parties every week. The King made it a point to
entertain the sailors when vessels were detained by rough weather, and
they began to think Beaver Harbor was not a bad place to be
weather-bound. They found King Strang a charming entertainer. With
opening of navigation the summer people came, and our house was again
full of boarders. We had built a comfortable house, which was almost
complete. Our regular boats were calling, business had started up and we
all felt more secure from the Mormons as so many people were coming.
Fishing was good, money plenty and everybody was busy. Strang had gone
with his wife and child to attend outside affairs. The head apostle was
in charge of everything and there was much dissatisfaction among many of
his people. Several felt fear for their life, if they disobeyed the
King's command. Among these was the Apostle Sinclair.