Historic Newspapers: Mormon Issues

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER Baltimore, April 5, 1823

* Jews and Mormons ?

An inside page has a brief report noting: "...that the society for meliorating the condition of the Jew, are now engaged in a negociation for 20,000 acres of land in the 'Genesee country' for a Jewish colony. Will the Jews work on it?"
In brief, this was an attempt by Elias Boudinot to create a land to be a refuge for converted Jews. This attempt was countered by Mordecai Noah, the first Jew born in America to reach…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Jan. 21, 1826 

* Mordecai Manuel Noah
* Jewish homeland on the Niagara River

The prime article is: "Re-assemblage of the Jews" which has a letter somewhat critical of the efforts of Mordecai Manuel Noah to create a homeland for the Jews on Grand Island in the Niagara River.
This is followed by some responses by Mr. Noah.
Some have drawn a curious parallel to the efforts of Noah to found a Jewish homeland, or "New Jerusalem" to the efforts of a few…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, May 19, 1827  Inside has a rather brief article: "Counterfeiters" noting in part: "A whole nest of counterfeiters of coin has been arrested near Painesville, Ohio & another at Ashtabula...chiefly manufactured pieces in imitation of half-dollars..." with a bit more.
One could argue an early Mormon connection here.
Allegations were made by the top Mormon leadership against Oliver Cowdery, who along with Joseph Smith was a participant in the formative period of…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Aug. 12, 1837 

* Very early mention of Abraham Lincoln
* Early Mormon & Joseph Smith mention

An inside page has a report headed "Illinois" being an account of activities in the state legislature, with an inconspicuous--yet very significant--listing of "Lincoln" in the "negative" column of those who voted on a specific resolution (see). This is a very early mention of Abraham Lincoln from when he was just 28 years old and very far from the national…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Oct. 13, 1838  An inside page has: "The Mormon Difficulties" which takes a bit over a full column, and begins: "The true secret of the excitement against the Mormons, it is shrewdly suspected, lies in the desire to keep them off some of the fine lands in Carroll, Davies, and the counties adjoining Caldwell. They have settled some rich farms which are very tempting..." with more. 
Also included is the testimony of a committee: "To the citizens of Chariton"…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Washington City, Jan. 5, 1839  

* Missouri Mormon War
* Latter-day Saints settlers
* Governor Lilburn Boggs

Page 2 has a report from the Missouri legislature which includes "...governor has made a statement of the expenses of the Mormon war...and suggests that the United States are liable for it. The governor's position is that the Mormon movement was an insurrection & that the national government is bound to suppress insurrections...." with more.
The balance of the issue…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 17, 1842 


The back page has a brief yet rather rare report with a mini-head: "Joe Smith" stating: "This wonderful fellow is to be bodily absent from his people for ten years; so say the latest accounts." 
Just before this is a small article: "Slave Trade", and several pages are taken up with: "Northeastern & Northwestern Boundary" with Canada, being correspondence between Lord Ashburton and Daniel Webster.
Sixteen pages, 8 1/2 by 12 inches,…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, March 25, 1843

* Porter Rockwell - Utah Territory lawman
* Bodyguard and friend of Joseph Smith arrest
* Mormons - Mormonism - Latter Day Saints
* Attempted murder of Governor Lilburn Boggs

 The back page has a small report: "Mormons" noting: "Orrin Porter Rockwell, the Mormon, who has been accused of being the person who attempted to assassinate ex-governor Boggs, of Missouri, last summer, was apprehended at St. Louis on the 6th instant and…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, April 1, 1843  

* Mormons - Mormonism
* Nauvoo, Illinois hoax ?
* Millerism - Millerites

The back page has what is apparently an "April Fools" report concocted by the normally staid editor, headed: "Nauvoo Abolished". It reports: "In the Illinois legislature...the senate repealed the law creating the Nauvoo legion, military corps. They also repealed the charter of the Mormons City of Nauvoo. The vote in favor of the latter was 22 to 11. Members of…

PENNSYLVANIA INQUIRER & NATIONAL GAZETTE, Philadelphia, July 10, 1843  

* Arrest of Joseph Smith
* Mormonism - Mormons
* Nauvoo, Illinois description

Page 2 has two early & notable reports concerning the Mormons. The first: "Excitement at Nauvoo" which includes: "...Arrest of Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet...that Joe Smith, the Mormon Prophet has been arrested & placed in jail at Ottawa...200 horsemen of the legion started immediately for Ottawa, with the intention of liberating him..."…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, July 22, 1843 

* Mormons - Mormonism
* Earliest of Brigham Young

The back page has a heading: "The Mormon Prophet" which begins: "The arrest of Joe Smith it appears was in virtue of some new process from Missouri. James Reynolds proceeded to Nauvoo to arrest him, found him absent..." with much more.
Further on is: "...The whole party made some stop at Nauvoo, where the Missouri agent says he was forced to go against his will...".
There is also a…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Feb. 3, 1844  

* Mormons - Mormonism 
* The Rise of Nauvoo, Illinois
* Frontier Conflict and Kidnappings
* The Calhoun-Smith Letters

Pages 2 and 3 contain a lengthy article concerning the Mormons in Nauvoo. Headed: "The Mormons", bits include: "This singular community contrive to make themselves of importance. Numbering as they do many thousand persons, all moving with the perfect devotion at the nod of their prophet, and burning with ardor in a cause which most…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, April 13, 1844 

* Mormons - Mormonism
* Nauvoo, Illinois

An inside page has a brief item discussed in the federal Congress with a small heading: "Mormons" noting: "Mr. Semple presented a memorial from the mayor & aldermen of Nauvoo, that a separate territorial government may be extended to that city; also from 3,419 citizens of Hancock county, Illinois, Mormons, stating a long list of grievances, some of them of a most revolting character, and…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, May 18, 1844

* Mormons leader Joseph Smith
* Election campaign for president
* 1st presidential candidate to be killed

Page 2 has a report under: "Political--Presidential" which discusses the various candidates for the presidency. Included in the discussion is mention of Joseph Smith, leader of the Mormons.
It is not known by many today that Joseph Smith ran for president of the United States in 1844. After several years of harassment and…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, June 22, 1844 

* Mormons leader Joseph Smith
* Election campaign for president
* 1st presidential candidate to be killed

It is not known by many today that Joseph Smith, leader of the Latter-Day Saints, ran for president of the United States in 1844.
After several years of harassment and persecution in Missouri and Illinois, Smith wrote to five men expected to be candidates for the presidency, asking each what he would do to protect the citizenship rights of the…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, July 27, 1844

* Mormonism - re. Joseph Smith assassination
* Macon Bolling Allen - 1st black lawyer

 Pages 4 and 5 contain a nearly full-column article on: "The Mormons" focused on driving the Mormons out of Illinois, and a bit on the assassination of Joseph Smith & his brother.
A few bits include: "...exhibits on the part of the anti-mormons a headstrong determination to persist i the which is, in its essence irrational...Their suffrages (the…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Oct. 5, 1844  

* Nauvoo Legion militia - Illinois
* Mormons - Mormonism War ?
* Governor Thomas Ford 

Pages 3 and 4 has a report from Illinois: "More Trouble at Nauvoo" which noters in part: "Gov. Ford has ordered 2500 militia & volunteers into service for the protection of Nauvoo... a project  in which some thousands of the Missourians are said to be enlisted to be with the anti-Mormon earth in Illinois in a proposed Wolf Hung...supposed their…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Oct. 12, 1844  

* Nauvoo Legion militia - Illinois
* Mormons - Mormonism War ?
* Governor Thomas Ford

The back page has a report: "Mormon Troubles" which mentions in part: "Governor Ford, concentrated some 5 to 800 of the Illinois militia in the neighborhood of Nauvoo to frustrated the wolf hunt...he had writs issued against the whole of the guard that were on duty at the time the Smiths were murdered, and there was a squandering amongst the…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 28, 1844 

* Mormons - Mormonism
* Charter for the City of Nauvoo, Illinois

Page 3 has a report with a small heading: "The Mormons" which reads more like an editorial than a news report, bits including: "The Illinois House...have referred a bill repealing the Mormon charters to the Judiciary...It ought never to have been granted in the monstrous form in which it was granted...the four nays being Mormons...This action shows plainly…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Feb. 8, 1845  

* Nauvoo Charter - Mormons - Mormonsim
* Illinois legislature repeals - post Joseph Smith murder
* Prelude to exodus to Salt Lake City, Utah

The bottom of the front page has a very brief item noting: "Illinois" "The Mormon charter of Nauvoo has been unconditionally repealed by the legislature or Illinois, by a decided majority of votes in each branch, after a long debate on the subject."
Sixteen pages, 8 1/2 by 12 inches, nice…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, May 24, 1845  Inside has a full column of reports concerning the Mormons in Illinois. A few bits include: "There are large numbers of Mormon emigrants flocking from Europe, most of whom are bound for the city of Nauvoo...the trial of the prisoners indicted for the murder of Joseph and Hiram Smith was to commence...Among the indicted are some six or seven of the most respectable citizens of the county...The Mormons and antis can never live in peace any more;…

EMANCIPATOR & WEEKLY CHRONICLE, Boston, Oct. 1, 1845  One of the less common anti-slavery newspapers with content as you might suspect. Page 3 has: "Mormons" noting in part: "The troubles between the Mormons and anti-Mormons are serious. The latter have determined that Nauvoo shall be broken up, and the worshippers driven from the county. The sheriff...has issued s proclamation for 2000 men to hold themselves in readiness...committee of the Mormons had had an interview with their opponents...…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Nov. 1, 1845 

* Early Mormons - Mormonism
* Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois

Inside has an address to the anti-Mormon citizens of Hancock (Ill.), submitting copies of a correspondence between a group of citizens and the "twelve" at Nauvoo.
This discusses the removal of the Mormons from the state, including: "...The history of their church has shown that wherever the leaders go, the members will follow. This is part of their religious duties. When, therefore,…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Jan. 31, 1846 

* United States Naval Academy is born
* Brigham Young arrested - Mormons

Near the back is a nice article on the establishment of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, headed: "The Naval School At Annapolis", which includes: "It is generally understood that in September last the military post at Annapolis, Md., was vacated by the garrison & transferred from the jurisdiction of the war to that of the navy department, to be occupied as a naval…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Feb. 14, 1846  

* Mormons - Mormonism exodus Westward
* Leaving Nauvoo, Illinois for Salt Lake City, Utah

The  back page has an interesting article with a small head: "Mormons" concerning their plan to head West. Bits include: "...announces that they design to send out from thence into the western country, early in March...a company of young men, pioneers, with some families...who are to proceed to some spot near the Rocky Mountains, there halt, make a crop &…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, March 21, 1846  The front page has an editorial concerning the Mexican War: "Shall We Have Peace or War?" Page 3 has a report: "Slavers Captured" being an account of the capture of the slave ships Panther, Patuxent, and Pons. Note that although slavery continued until the Civil War, the importation of slaves was outlawed in 1808.
A few bits include: "...The Yorktown captured at sea Sept. 25, 1845...suspected of slaving...She sailed from Monrovia...with 900…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Aug. 15, 1846  

* Mormons Battalion - Mormonism
* Only U.S. military religious unit ever
* Mexican-American War

The top of the back page has a very notable report: "Mormon Volunteers" being a brief item noting: "Capt...Allen has reached Fort Leavenworth with 500 Mormon volunteer infantry. They proceed forthwith to join Gen. Kearney in his expedition against Santa Fe."
This is a very rare report on the 'Mormon Battalion', which was the only…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Sept. 8, 1846 

* Mormons - Mormonism 
* Battle of Nauvoo, Illinois

 Page 3 has a lengthy report headed: "More Mormon Troubles" taking about three-quarters of a column. It begins: "Another outbreak of animosity, portending strife and conflict, which has been for some time in progress in the vicinity of Nauvoo, seems at length to be approaching a crisis...". This is followed by quite detailed reports, all seen in the photos.
Four pages, good condition.

b…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 12, 1846

* Early Abraham Lincoln 
* Springfield, Illinois (Whig)
* 7th district election victory

Page 3 has a report from Illinois on election returns, which notes: "...7th district, Cartwright (loco.), 4829; Lincoln, (whig) 6340 (elected...".
History tells us that n 1843 Abraham Lincoln sought the Whig nomination for Illinois' 7th district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was defeated by John J. Hardin though he prevailed with…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Sept. 26, 1846

* Commodore John D. Sloat
* Mexican-American War
* Claims California for U.S.
* Illinois Mormon War ending
* Nauvoo, Hancock County

 Inside has a very historic article headed: "The Pacific Squadron - Commodore Sloat Takes Possession of California". The letter reports that Commodore Sloat has taken possession of California.
A few bits include: "...he left with a summons to the military commandant of Monterey to surrender the place…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, Oct. 17, 1846   Page 3 has: "Illinois. The Mormon War ended" which is an interesting account taking close to a full column. It notes in part: "...Articles of capitulation...drawn up to the following effect:..." followed by the four articles, which include: "The Mormon population to leave the State, or disperse immediately." Other interesting content as well.
Also within is much on: "The War With Mexico" with various subheads, taking nearly five pages &…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, March 20, 1847  Near the top of an inside page has a brief yet notable report: "Letters received also state that Col. Cook and the Mormon battalion were 350 miles beyond Santa Fe. They were generally in good health and progressing slowly."
This is a very rare mention of the 'Mormon Battalion', which was the only religious unit in U.S. military history in federal service recruited solely from one religious body & having a religious title as the unit…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., June 14, 1847

* Early Mormons - Mormonism

Page 3 has a few items on the Mexican War including: "Reinforcements for the Army Under Gen. Scott"; a letter from "Damp Near Monterey" signed in type: Z. Taylor; "From the Western Border".
This last item includes: "The Mormons are represented to have gone into farming on a large scale at the Bluffs. They have erected a substantial grist mill on the west side of the river, and keep it employed in…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., March 22, 1849  

* California gold rush - 49ers
* Mormons at Salt Lake City
* Mormonism - emigration

Two-thirds of a column on page 3 is taken up with: "The Mormons" which notes in part: "...Seven thousand of them have found a resting place in the most remarkable spot on the American continent...to follow after a new Jerusalem in the West...They are again assaulted by popular persecution; their prophet murdered, their town depopulated, &…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Jan. 8, 1850 

* Mormons - Mormonism
* Early Salt Lake City, Utah

The front page has: "From The Valley Of Salt Lake" which is an early report on the Mormons at their new home. Bits include: "...states that the Mormon colony at the Valley of the Salt Lake was in a prosperous and happy condition. The crops had been abundant...The Mormons uniformly treated the emigrants in a hospitable manner...The Mormons were forming a new colony in the Sand Pitch…

THE ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE, Salem, Ohio, August. 10, 1850  The motto printed in the masthead reads: "No Union With Slaveholders", which sets the tone for the newspaper's theme. This is one of the less common anti-slavery newspapers we have encountered.
Among the articles: "Tale of Cruelty" "Things In Kentucky" "An Incident of the Slave Trade" "Fugitive Slaves" "Abolitionists & the Bible" "Woman's Rights" "The Flying Fugitives" and more.
Page 3 has an interesting article beginning: "The Mormon…

THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, Oct. 2, 1850  Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
The front page has most of a column headed: "Important News from Deseret, Now Utah Territory--Indian Fight--The California Emigrants".
Among the many ads is one on the front page headed: "Slaves! Slaves!! Slaves!!!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this market, any number of slaves, having one of…

THE GREENSBOROUGH PATRIOT, (Greensboro), North Carolina, Feb. 22, 1851  

* British Mormons - Mormonism 
* Great Salt Lake City, UT journey

Rarely are we able to secure antebellum newspapers from this city. Among the articles within: "Gold and Silver" and a report noting: "A party of 400 Mormons sailed from Liverpool, on the 5th ult., for New Orleans. Their destination is the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. A second ship, with 280 emigrants of the same persuasion and for the same…

THE GREENSBOROUGH PATRIOT, (Greensboro), North Carolina, March 1, 1851  

* Mormons - Mormonism population 
* Rare Antebellum publication
* 10 years prior to the Civil War

Rarely are we able to secure antebellum newspapers from this city.
Among the articles is: "A Proclamation By the President of the United States" concerning those opposing the forces in Mass., signed in type: Millard Fillmore. Also: "The Negro Riot In Boston" and a report noting: "The Mormons in the Great Salt Lake Valley estimate…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 2, 1852  Page 3 has a report headed: "Immigrants" noting the numbers of foreign immigrants who have landed on American shores. Also: "Two Weeks Later From California" has various news reports with bits including: "...The overland emigration continued to be very large...The news from the mines is highly favorable. The miners are in high anticipations, & the yield of gold promises to be immense..." with more.
This is followed by: "From Salt…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 30, 1852  Page 2 has an article: "From Salt Lake City" with the latest news from there, mostly concerning the situation with Indians in the vicinity.
Four pages, slightly irregular at the blank spine, nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 4, 1852  Taking over 1 1/2 columns on page 2 is the very detailed: "Captain Stansbury's Expedition To The Great Salt Lake". This is a wonderful account of the journey, about which much can be found on the internet. The subheads include: "From the Literary World" "A Dutchman en Route" "A Happy Family on the Prairie" "Game Been & An Indian's Appetite" "Maine Coffins Outdone" and "A Party of Indian Women". 
Page 3 has: "An Important Slave Case…

ILLUSTRATED NEWS, New York, Jan. 8, 1853

* Nauvoo, Illinois - Mormons
* Washington monument

A short-live newspaper which preceded the first issue of "Harper's Weekly". This is the volume 1, number 2 issue. P.T. Barnum was a "Special Partner" in this publication.
The front page shows: "The Late Collision on the Mississippi--Loss of the Steamer Western World". Prints inside include a nice half page of: "Nauvoo, from the Mississippi, Looking Down the River" with a related article: "The…

DESERET NEWS, Great Salt Lake City, U.T. (Utah Territory), Oct. 1, 1853  

* Governor Brigham Young

An early issue of the first newspaper in Utah, having begun in 1850. This is the volume 3, number 18 issue.
Most of the front page is taken up with a portion of the: "Life Of Joseph Smith".
Page 2 has: "TERRITORY OF UTAH - PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR" which is signed by him in type: Brigham Young.
In this Proclamation, Governor Young addresses the conflicts with the Utah Indians. He…

DESERET NEWS, Great Salt Lake City, U.T. (Utah Territory), Dec. 15, 1853  

* Mormons - Mormonism 
* Governor Brigham Young
* Territorial annual address 

An early issue of the first newspaper in Utah, having begun in 1850. This is a volume 3 issue.
Most of the front page is taken up with a portion of the: "Life Of Joseph Smith".
Most of page 2 is taken up with: "GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE To the Members...of the Legislature of Utah". This is essentially his state-of-the-union address in which…

BALLOU'S PICTORIAL, Boston, June 2, 1855  The front page as a nice graphic which is representative of "New Hampshire" as well as an article on it as well (see). Prints inside include: "View of Constantinople as seen from the Harbor" "View In Calcutta, East Indies" "Falls of Lewis Fork, Oregon" "Pyramid Lake, in Utah Territory", two scenes in Portugal, and a half page print of the: "French Cemetery at New Orleans. The full back page is a great & very detailed: "View of the City of Utica, New…

BALLOU'S PICTORIAL, Boston, June 2, 1855  The front page as a nice graphic which is representative of "New Hampshire" as well as an article on it as well (see). Prints inside include: "View of Constantinople as seen from the Harbor" "View Iin Calcutta, East Indies" "Falls of Lewis Fork, Oregon" "Pyramid Lake, in Utah Territory", two scenes in Portugal, and a half page print of the: "French Cemetery at New Orleans. The full back page is a great & very detailed: "View of the City of Utica, New…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, April 25, 1857  Most of the front page is taken up with an article: 'The Mormons'. Inside contains several illustrations of Chinese entitled "Some Celestial Paradoxes". Several illustrations on: "A Ranger's Life In Nicaragua" and two on carrier pigeons. This is a volume one issue, with smaller illustrations than found in later issues.
Complete in 16 pages, in good condition as shown and contains additional prints and/or related text.