Mormon History
The Swindling of New Converts - 1841
The Warsaw Signal – September 22, 1841
MORMON SWINDLING.
We learn,
from various sources, that a species of the worst kind of swindling, is
practiced by the Mormon leaders, upon those who they have duped in the east to
believe their abominable teachings. It is well known that the policy of Joe
Smith is, to assemble his followers immediately around him. In order to do this,
the elders in the east are instructed to teach the new converts, that it is the
will of God they should emigrate to the west. Many however, cannot sell their
lands readily, and thus a difficultly is created; to remedy which, scrip has
been issued payable in half-breed lands. Agents are sent to the east who buy the
land of those who wish to emigrate, and pay for them in this scrip; thus the
leaders of this church, exchange their rotten half-breed titles, for the good
lands of their eastern dupes. Now it is a well known fact, that no man can have
a perfect title to half-breed lands, and the Mormon claim is almost entirely
without foundation; yet the infamous leaders of this swindling institution
called the Mormon church, are duping innocent and unsuspecting individuals, to
exchange all they have, for their moonshine titles.
Since writing the above, we have seen an editorial notice, in the Philadelphia
Saturday Courier, of the doings of a certain Mormon dignitary known in these
parts, particularly, as an extensive half-breed land speculator. The Courier
states, that this individual is engaged in the very same kind of tricks as we
have mentioned above.
One case particularly, is mentioned, of a Mr. Pierce of Chester county, Pa., who
has been swindled out of his possessions, by a promise of Nauvoo land in
exchange. After Mr. Pierce had parted with his land, worth $6000, it was sold by
these Mormon worthies, for $3000, at public auction! We hold it to be the duty
of the press throughout the country, to put the people on their guard against
the practices of these swindlers.