The Oliver Cowdery Monument

The Oliver Cowdery Monument at Richmond, Missouri BY JUNIUS F. WELLS When the late President John Henry Smith was at Richmond in the winter of 1910-11, in company with Elders S. O. Bennion, John L. Herrick, and Joseph A. McRae, he visited the old city cemetery and tried, through certain inquiries, to locate the unmarked grave of Oliver Cowdery, first of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. The result of these inquiries was approximately successful, and the identity of the grave was later established by the repeated testimony then obtained from a very reliable, intelligent, old gentleman, named A. K. Raeburn, former sheriff of Ray county. The brethren were aided in their inquiry by George W. Schweich, grandson of David Whitmer, and Elder Smith promised him that at some time in the future the Latter-day Saints would cause a monument to be built there. It was in the spring of the present year that Elder Smith one day mentioned to me that he had given this promise, and asked me if I had ever given the matter any thought. I replied that I — had that I had a very clear notion of the kind of monument and of the suitable inscriptions thereon, I should like to see placed at the graves of each of the Three Witnesses.- I was requested to submit my plan in writing, which was done. This was approved by the First Presidency and Twelve, and I was commissioned to carry it out, so far as the erection of the present monument is concerned. Soon after this, early in June, it was my good fortune to spend a delightful day with Elder Smith and his son, George Albert, in Vermont, guests of J. M. Boutwell in his great touring car, when we visited the quarry at Barre and selected the stone. and the order was given for the manufacture of the monument. My first motion was to go to Richmond— I had never been there — and visit the old burying ground, identify Oliver Cowdery's grave, secure the good will and approval of the nearest of

THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT 253 kin living there, select the site for the monument, and obtain the consent of the city or cemetery officials to its erection. Richmond is a picturesque city of four thousand inhabitants, about five miles north of the Missouri river, center of a coal mining district, and famous in the early history of Western Missouri as one of the border towns and as outfitting point for the West. Ray county courthouse —one of the old kind, whose pillared architecture is of the finest —has held many an audience spellbound by trials and meetings of intense interest, in which have appeared the mighty legal lights of those old days, when oratory was at its best, and the people traveled miles to hear their statesmen on the stump, and their favorite lawyers plead. General A. W. Doniphan, who lived and practiced law in Richmond, was one of these. Out to the northward, on the state road and near the boun- — dary of the city long before Richmond became a city an acre — of ground was selected and bought by the people — the deed dated August 14, 1846, running from John C. Richardson to three trustees, to be held by them "In trust for the sole and exclusive use :

and benefit of the inhabitants of the Town of Richmond, as a public burying ground forever." Among the earliest graves within this sacred acre are those 01 Father Peter Whitmer's family and kindred, whose burying lots appear to have occupied about sixteen by sixty feet, along the east side of a central drive, entering at the north end of the cemetery. W'ithin this boundary, and in the southern part, are buried the bodies of Peter Whitmer, and his wife, Mary Musselman Whitmer — —father and mother of the Witnesses, Jacob Whitmer, one of the Eight, and two or more of his daughters, and other members of his family. I counted thirteen graves, most of them unmarked, except by crude stones without inscriptions. There are nice marble headstones at Jacob Whitmer's grave and at the graves of two of his daughters. No stones indicate the graves of his father and mother, though they are supposed to be next to his. on the south, which would be in the southeast corner of the lot. The -grave of Oliver Cowdery is the third from the north boundary of the cemetery. It is forty feet north and seven feet west of Jacob Whitmer's. I satisfied myself of this from the description given by Mr. Raeburn, whom I visited and questioned carefully three times— first on the 9th of August, 191 1, and the last, the day after the dedication, November 23. tqt i . At my

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254 IMPROVEMENT ERA second visit, 18th of August, I asked the following questions, George W. Schweich and Mr. Raeburn's nurse being present "Do you remember Oliver Cowdery?" "Oh, yes. He lived next door (pointing west) and died there." "Do you remember when he died and where he was buried?" (Jacob Whitmer's "Yes; in the old burying ground north of Tanner's." son-in-law.) "Was it near the north end?" "Yes."

RAY COUNTY COURTHOUSE, RICHMOND, MISSOURI. Near here was the prison in which the Prophet and others were chained and held after their betrayal and arrest, at Far West, 1838. "Are there other graves between his and the north fence?" "Yes, two, (pause) or three." "What kind of a man was Oliver Cowdery? Was he a smart man." "Yes. He was a good, ordinary man." "How old are you?" "I was ninety-three, on the sixth of this month."

I found by measuring the distance between the graves, and between the headstones and footstones, that there were two graves, shorter than the grave of a full grown man, north of the depression which was supposed to be the grave of Oliver Cowdery. By some digging, we found the rotting stones that had supported the headstone, which was gone, and six and a half feet eastward, a

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THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT 255 large, though crumbling, footstone. This supplied whatever assurance was lacking as to the identity of the grave we sought — especially as the next grave, seven feet southward, was that of a child. I made a plat of the four lots, and measured and marked all the graves that could be located therein, either from the stones or the depressions which showed the sunken graves.

THE OLD CITY CEMETERY. Graves of Peter Whitmer and wife, and of Jacob Whitmer and two daughters, and son-in-law.

That I might secure the necessary authority to act in an living kindred at i >rderly manner, I interviewed the nearest of the Richmond— these are only relations-in-law, as Oliver Cowdery's Charles daughter and only child that survived him, wife of Dr. children; and none of his brother's or sisJohnson, died without ter's descendants live at Richmond. Philander Page, who is a being sisnephew-in-law, his mother and Oliver Cowdery's wife uncle Oliver very well, and his ters, said that he remembered his death, though hewas not at the funeral or burial. He said that he would not oppose the erection of a monument at his grave,

approval, as he was not in though he preferred not to sign his

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256 IMPROVEMENT ERA favor of so much display. It will be of interest here to quote my interview with him, August 10, 191 1 :

"The day Oliver Cowdery died, 3rd March, 1850, he was waited on by my father, Dr. Hiram Page, who had been his physician, and who told me the circumstance. There were present, besides himself, David Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Oliver's wife and daughter, and others. Oliver, who knew he was about to die, asked Dr. Page to raise him up, so that he could bid farewell to his family and those present. He THE NEW CEMETERY, RICHMOND, MO. The square stone in the center is at the grave of David:. Whitmer. This is about one mile from the old cemetery.

turned to David Whitmer, and said: 'David, stand firm to your tesimony,' and to the rest he said: 'Be faithful.' The doctor laid his head down and he soon passed away." In this interview, Philander Page gave me an account of David Whitmer's death and last testimony, as follows "A day or two before, or on the day David Whitmer died, there were present in the room John C. Whitmer, Philander A. Page, J. J. Snyder, and others. While we were there, he sent for Dr. Buchanan, and when the doctor came, he told him he wanted to re-bear his testimony concerning the Book of Mormon, and for him to examine him and see if he was of sane mind, for fear that some might afterwards say that his mind was weak.

THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT 257

"The doctor told him that he was of a sane mind and clear understanding. He then reaffirmed his testimony to the Book of Mormon. I might add that I had heard him do so many times, and that probably no person now living can say what I can; that I have heard Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, John Whitmer, and my father, Hiram Page, reaffirm their testimonies as published in the Book of Mormon." Mrs. Julia Ann Schweich, only daughter of David Whitmer,

PETER WHITMER'S HOUSE, RICHMOND, MO. Father Peter WhitThe back room is part of the old house, in which for about one mer died 1854. Here Oliver Cowdery lived year, and died, 3rd March, 1850.

house of her father-where he lived for many years lives in the and is and died. She was seventy-six years old in September, memory, firm cona very smart, clear-minded lady of remarkable and independent. became much I victions, honest, outspoken, interviews wtih her, in which attached to her, and enjoyed repeated she told me many things concerning her father, his family and the family connections. grandfather and grandmother, • Peter She remembers her death. He died in his own Whitmer and wife, perfectly, and their Cowdery lived and died, on the home, the home in which Oliver

258 IMPROVEMENT ERA 13th of August, 1854; and his wife, in the following January, 1855, in David Whitmer's house, where Mrs. Schweich now lives. Her grandmother was a remarkable woman —born in Strausberg, Germany, in 1778. She came to Pennsylvania, where she married — Peter Whitmer. They had eight children one daughter, Nancy, died in childhood. The others, five sons, Christian, Jacob, John, David and Peter Jr., were witnesses to the Book of Mormon,

HOME OF DAVID WHITMER, RICHMOND, MO. In this house he lived many years, dying there, in 1887. His mother also died there, 1854. It is now owned and occupied by his only daughter, Mrs. Julia A. Schweich, and her son, George, who was born there.

and two daughters, Catherine and Elizabeth, married witnessesHiram Page and Oliver Cowdery. I took from her and her son George, the following Certificate of Authority:

This is to certify that the undersigned, Julia Whitmer Schweich and George W. Schweich, are the nearest of kin living at Richmond, Ray county, Missouri, to the late Oliver Cowdery, who died here on the 3rd day of March, 1850, and whose body is buried in the middle of the north end of the Old City Cemetery. That we are informed of the intention of believers in the testi-

THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT 259 mony of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon, to erect, at or near our kinsmen's grave, a suitable monument in his honor, and to commemorate the testimony of said witnesses. That we approve of this undertaking, and freely consent to it, and hereby authorize Junius F. Wells, acting for himself, ourselves, and fellow believers in the above testimony, to take every necessary THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT On the road from the railway to the old cemetery.

said monument thereon, step to locate the site of said grave, and erect connected therewith. only holding the undersigned free from expense (Signed) JULIA A. SCHWEICH, Niece-in-Law of Oliver Cowdery. GEORGE W. SCHWEICH, Grand Nephew-in-Law of Oliver Cowdery. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 8th day of August, 1911. My commission expires September 19, 1914. R. B. KIRKPATRICK, Notary Public, Ray County, Mo. certain of the After consulting the mayor of Richmond, and city engineer to establish city councilmen, I arranged with the the grade of the street —Crispin avenue— on the north line of the levels of the foundation cemeterv-^and to stake out and set the

260 IMPROVEMENT ERA monument. I then presented the folof the site selected for the lowing petition, which was acted upon the same night: To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of Richmond, Mo. Gentlemen: The late Oliver Cowdery, intimate associate and relative of the lateDavid Whitmer, your long respected fellow-townsman, was a resident of Richmond, Mo., for about a year prior to his death. He died here on the thrid of March, 1850, and his body is buried in the Old City Cemetery, or Public Burying Ground, near the middle of the northern boundary thereof, his grave unmarked.

THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT Group of Elders, before the unveiling, 22nd November, 1911.

The undersigned has been authorized by the nearest kin living, and by his fellow-believers of the so-called "Mormon" faith, of which he was one of the founders, to erect at his grave a commemorative monument in his honor. It will be of polished granite, six feet base, and about ten feet high. Upon looking over the ground, it is found that the most suitable site for this, near the head of his grave, will necessarily occupy a portion of what appears to have been the end of a driveway. As this drive has long since ceased to be used, ever were, and probably if it never will be used again, permission is respectfully requested to establish the foundation and to build the proposed monument at

THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT 261 this location; as provisionally staked out by the city engineer. And your petitioner, as is duty bound, will ever pray. (Signed) JUNIUS P. WELLS. Richmond, Mo., 15th August, 1911. I, R. E. Brown, Clerk of the City of Richmond, Mo., do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of petition of Junius F. Wells, presented to the Council of the City of Richmond, for action at its meeting of August 15th, 1911. In testimony whereof, I hereunto 22nd Nov., 1911. The Tabernacle Choir Special Train, Richmond, Mo., Mo., this 16th set my hand and affix the seal of the City of •Richmond., day of August, 1911. R. E. BROWN, City Clerk. petition has been presented to the Mayor and WHEREAS, a Council of the City of Richmond, by Junius F. Wells, the authorized Oliver Cowdery, and the followers agent of the nearest of kin to one asking permission to erect a monuof the so-called "Mormon" faith, Cowdery, in the Old Cemetery ment to the memory of the said Oliver whereas, the most suitable place is near of the City of Richmond, and northern boundary of the said cemetery, 10 what apthe middle of the pears to be a driveway in said place; the City of Rich THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Council of Wells, to erect the said Junius F. mond, that permission be granted to staked out by the city engineer, W. A. said monument at the point as Mullin.

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262 IMPROVEMENT ERA Read three times, and passed this 15th day of August, 1911. JAMES POWELL, President of Council. Approved this 15th day of August, 1911.—JAMES POWELL, Mayor. ATTEST.— R. E. Brown, City Clerk. I, R. E. Brown, City Clerk of the City of Richmond, Ray County,

Missouri, do hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of the resolution as passed by the Council of the City of Richmond, Mo., on the 15th day of August, A. D. 1911. In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the City of Richmond, Mo., this 16th day of August, 1911. R. E. BROW N, City Clerk. T Following the passage of this resolution, we soon had the concrete foundation put in. This is six feet square, extending six feet under ground. A receptacle was made in the foundation, in which there was afterwards deposited a metal box and contents as follows This is to certify that the undersigned, Junius F. Wells, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and George W. Schweich, of Richmond, Missouri, have, this the 26th day of October, 1911, deposited within a metallic box the following named books, periodicals, pictures, etc., and have placed said box and its contents in the concrete foundation of the Oliver Cowdery monument and sealed the receptacle with cement, preparatory to the erection thereon of the polished granite monument of three pieces which weigh about eighteen tons. Contents of metallic casket deposited in the concrete base, under the Oliver Cowdery monument: History of the Church, vol. 1; Book of Mormon; Doctrine and Covenants; Pearl of Great Price; The Cowdery Family Genealogy; The Contributor, vol. 5, containing George Reynolds' "History of the Book of Mormon," and Steel Engraving Portraits of the Three Witnesses, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris. — Utah Statistical, and Views of Salt Lake City. Portraits: Oliver Cowdery, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Lucy Smith, Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, John Henry Smith. Program of Old Folks' Reception to William H. Taft, President of the United States, with his portrait. Copies: The Deseret News, Woman's Exponent, Improvement Era, Young Woman's Journal, Juvenile Instructor, The Children's Friend. These periodicals contain the current statistical reports of the associations they represent, respectively. Proceedings of the Dedication of the Joseph Smith Monument, at his birthplace, Sharon, Vermont, 1905. A parchment containing names of the Presidents of the Church, and of the present General Church officials, with statistics of the Church for 1911, as to number of stakes, sixty-two, missions twenty, wards six hundred and ninety.

THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT 263 General Church Directory, containing names of the general, mission, stake and ward ofticials. View books of Salt Lake City, and of Joseph Smith's birthplace. Portraits of George W. Schweich and his mother, Julia Whitmer Schweich, daughter of David Whitmer, nearest of kin to Oliver Cowdery, living at Richmond, and a photograph of David Whitmer contributed by them. WITNESS: R. B. KIRKPATRICK. JUNIUS F. WELLS. GEORGE W. SCHWEICH. After getting the foundation in, with the assistance of Mr. Hagans and his crew, we waited about two months for the completion of the monument, and its shipment from Vermont.. It was delayed by the intense heat in August, which prevented men from working in the stone-cutters' sheds. It had been the intention to have the dedication on the anniversary of Oliver Cowdery's birth,3rd October, 191 1, and President John Henry Smith was hoping to be present. This not being possible, and the lamentable death of Elder Smith occurring on the thirteenth, caused a complete change in the plans respecting the dedication. had been so well received and respectfully treated by the I in a corpeople of Richmond, that I believed they would respond make the dedication an dial manner, if we asked them to help occasion of especial interest, and to this end, it seemed to me that we might well afford to set the date forward to the time when the east, should the Tabernacle choir, in its tour to New York and It was ascertained that on their homeward be in the vicinity. would be at Kansas City, forty-seven miles from journey they Richmond, on the 21st and 22nd of November. Twelve The suggestion was made to the First Presidency and that the date be set for one of those days, and that the choir should be invited to attend. This was approved, and I was and the manauthorized to so arrange with Professor Stephens agement of the tour, should it be found practicable. receive the carload of stone I then proceeded to Richmond to the railway overland to the and take charge of its transfer from successfully accomplished cemetery, and of its erection. This we with the assistance of Mr. T. B. Blount, and his house-moving but very crude hoisting rigging. It was trucks and a very stout entrusted this work to one with considerable apprehension that I

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264 IMPROVEMENT ERA who had had more experience in moving houses, steam engines and boilers, than in handling nine-ton blocks of granite, polished like plate glass. I am thankful, however, to say that we met with no accident, nor much delay, and that we got it up in good fashion and ahead of time. While engaged upon this work, I approached several of the leading citizens of Richmond to ascertain how far they would go in helping to receive and welcome the expected company, including the choir, at the dedication, with the following result Richmond, Mo., Nov. 8, 1911. — Junius Weils, Esq., Richmond, Mo. Understanding that you contemplate holding a dedicatory service at the unveiling of the Oliver Cowdery monument, you have just erected here, on November 22nd, 1911, and that leading officials of your Church and the "Mormon" Tabernacle Choir will be present, we, the undersigned citizens of Richmond, take pleasure in offering you the free use of the opera house for that occasion, which will be put in order to accommodate those who may attend, and we shall be glad to assist in making the occasion as agreeable and pleasant as possible for your people and citizens generally: J. M. Ferguson, R. S. Lyon, Jno. H. Estes, Geo. Pickering, T. J. Wollard, R. E. Callithan. J. Pickering, G. W. Clark, L. Megede. H. B. Mclntyre, Burnett Hughes, Geo. G. Mausur, H. S. Wall, J. S. Hughes, J. L. Farris, Jr.. Jewell Mayes. W. F. Shoop, Wm. Marshall's Sons, Geo. W. Hunt, R. L. Hamilton, C. C. Powell. New York, 11th November, 1911. Messrs. Hughes, Estes, Ferris, Mclntyre, Ferguson, Powell, and others: Gentlemen: Permit me to acknowledge the favor of your communication of the 8th inst. in which you offer the free use of the opera house for the dedicatory service to be held at the unveiling of the Oliver Cowdery monument. I am deeply grateful for this courtesy, and assure you that it will be highly appreciated by the officials and members of the Church I represent. It is with pleasure that we accept the use of the opera house, and that I am able to say that the dedicatory service will be conducted there by officials of the Church, with the Tabernacle Choir in attendance, on Wednesday morning, 22nd November, 1911, at 10 o'clock. The services in the opera house will be over at twelve, the unveiling of themonument to follow immediately after. I shall be glad to co-operatewith you in preparing for the occasion, and to make it as agreeable and pleasant as possible for the people who attend. Yours faithfully, JUNIUS F. WELLS. Receiving word from President Smith that I must arrange

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THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT 265 managers, then in New details of the visit of the choir with its York, I proceeded there, and made up the musical program with Professor Stephens and Manager Pyper, and addressed my response to the courtesy of the Richmond people from there. They not only performed according to the tender made in the above letter, but did a great deal besides, in grading the streets, paving sidewalks, and laying plank crossings for our comfort. They appointed a committee to see that the opera house was arranged conveniently for the choir and people, and issued invitations to the leading people of the city and Ray county. Mr. George W. Schweich, working with the committee, performed a very delicate and important part in getting up the lists of those to be invited, - including the relatives of the Whitmer, Cowdery and Page families. The opera house seats about one thousand, and will hold twelve hundred. Over seven hundred invitations were issued, and numbered seats reserved. Mayor Powell and Mr. Charles Crispin were very energetic in completing a substantial fence we decided to put up around the old cemetery, and in grading around the monument, having the work done by the time I returned from New York. The Dedicatory Service. Conditions athome were so forbidding that the Presiding Authorities were not able to go to the service, and Apostle Heber J. Grant, who was in the east, was appointed to attend and take charge. He arrived at Richmond on the evening of November 2 ist, and completed the order of exercises, approving the musical part which had already been arranged. The program, containing a portrait of Oliver Cowdery and an engraving of the monument, had been printed as follows. Copies were sent to the General Authorities of the Church, to Presidents of all the missions,

stakes, temples, Church schools, and officers of the auxiliary organizations, and to the press, and were distributed to all the people attending the service Vt.. 3rd In Memoriam. Oliver Cowdery. Born: Wells, Rutland Co., October. 1806: died: Richmond. Ray Co., Mo., 3rd March. 1850. Program of the Dedicatory Service and Unveiling of the Oliver Ten Cowdery Monument. Richmond, Missouri, Wednesday Morning, o'clock, 22ndNovember, 1911. the Opera House: Hymn, "An Angel from On High. Service in (Stephens) The The Tabernacle Choir; Prayer; Anthem, "Hozannah!" (E. R Snow) The Tabernacle Choir; Address; Hymn, "Oh! My Father!" Arrayed in White. Tabernacle Choir; Remarks; Solo, "Who Are These

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(De Courcy), Edith Grant Young; Remarks: Anthem. "God" Is Our Refuge" (Rosini), The Tabernacle Choir; Instructions; "America," The Tabernacle Choir and Congregation; Benediction. After the Benediction, the Choir will sing: "Soldiers' Chorus," from Faust (Gounod); "Gypsy Sweetheart," solo by Horace Ensign (Herbert) ; "Dixie." From the Opera House the company will proceed to the grave in the old City Cemetery. The Choir will sing: "An Angel from on High."

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THE FARRIS OPERA HOUSE, RICHMOND, MO. In this beautiful opera house the Dedicatory Services were held, 22nd November, 1911.

The Monument will be unveiled; Dedicatory Prayer. The Choir will sing: "Rest for the Weary Soul." Dismissal.

Description of the Munumeut. The monument is of dark Barre granite, resting on a concrete submerged base, six feet square. It is composed of three pieces, all polished; rises to a height of eleven feet, and weighs eighteen tons.

The Inscriptions. —Upon the four sides of the granite base, the names: Joseph Base Smith, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin Harris. Front — "Sacred to the Memory of Oliver Cowdery, Witness to the Book of Mormon and to the Translation thereof by the Gift and Power of God. Born 3rd October, 1806, Wells, Rutland County, Vermont. Died 3rd March, 1850, Richmond, Ray County, Missouri. He was the Scribe of the Translation as it fell from the lips of Joseph Smith, the Prophet. He copied the Original Manuscript for the Printer's use and was Proof Reader of the First Edition. He was the First Person Baptized in the Latter-day Dispensation of the Gospel; and was One of the Six Members of the Church of Jesus Christ at Its Organization, on the Sixth Day of April, A. D., 1830, at

THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT 267 Fayette, Seneca County, New York. Though 'separa >! from it for a i time, he returned to the Church. He died firm in the Faith. This Monument has been raised in his honor by his Fellow-Believers; and also to Commemorate the Testimony of Three Witnesses, the Truth of which they maintained to the end of their lives. Over a Million Converts throughout the World have accepted their Testimony and Rejoice in their Fidelity. Dedicated, 1911." — Reverse The Title Page of the Book of Mormon, First Edition, as follows: "The Book of Mormon. An Account written by the Hand of Mormon, upon Plates taken from the Plates of Nephi. Translated and Published by Joseph Smith, Junior, Palmyra, 1S30." Upon the other two sides— "The Testimony of Three Witnesses: Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the Grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi, and also of the Lamanites, their brethren, and also of the people of Jared, who came from the tower, of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for his voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety, that the work is true. And we also testify that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates; and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from Heaven, and he brought and laid before thereour eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings on; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our things Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these the voice of are true; and it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, it; wherefore, the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of Christ, we shall these things. And we know that if we are faithful in rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the the Son, and to the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen." Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin Harris.

durThe train bringing the choir from Kansas City arrived of the 22nd. was not ing the night, or early in the morning It easy to rouse the weary sleepers, and get them out, under lowerbreakfast, at the hotel. It ing skies, at half-past seven for early but not until the prince was, however, loiteringly accomplished, power of the air, or whoever has charge of the storm clouds, and had taken vicious control and started a downpour of chilling ram part of the day. In spite of this, that continued for the greater the company assembled in the opera house, which was crowded and expectant congregation, some of the people with an eager having driven forty miles to be there. there were present on the Besides Elder Heber J. Grant, President Samuel O. Bennion, of stage, and in reserved seats,

268 IMPROVEMENT ERA the Central States Mission, and about twenty missionaries ; Bishop David A. Smith, and about forty visitors accompanying the choir, making of Latter-day Saints present, in all, about two hundred and fifty. There were present about forty-five relatives of the Whitmer family and the principal clergymen, bankers, merchants, ;

county and city officials, and leading citizens, were there. On account of the rain, it became necessary to change the program so as to omit the procession to the cemetery, and the services at the monument. Otherwise the exercises were carried out as printed, and under the direction of Elder Grant, who presided at the meeting. The opening prayer was by Pres. S. O. Bennion. Address, Elder Junius F. Wells, who briefly stated the object of assembling and the reason why we had erected the monument in honor of Oliver Cowdery at his grave, and to commemorate the Testimony of Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon". In the absence of living kindred— — there now being no descendants of his alive fellowbelievers, who have accepted his testimony, and constitute principally the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, undertook to do this — work. He was one of the founders of the Church the first convert — baptized in it he preached the first public sermon, he was called to be the second Elder and Apostle in the Church, only Joseph Smith, — the Prophet, being ahead of him the revelations restoring the Priesthood, the Keys and authority to establish the Church and introduce the latter-day dispensation of the gospel, were given to him in connection with the Prophet, and together they received the visitations of the angels of heaven having these keys. Elder Wells explained what the Book of Mormon is; how it came to the knowledge and possession of Joseph Smith, and how and when Oliver Cowdery met and commenced to assist him in its translation, acting as scribe, proof reader, and witness, and he stated that though the world had bitterly opposed the work of these men, held up to scorn and ridicule their testimonies, had persecuted their followers, misrepresented and maligned the "Mormon" people for over eighty years, they have not been able to account for the existence of the Book of Mormon, except as it is accounted for by the Testimony of these Witnesses. Neither can they, for these testimonies are true. He stated that the characters of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cow- — dery had not been understood that here in Richmond, David Whitmer was known and well respected as a man of honor and excellent reputation. Oliver Cowdery lived here only a year before his death, but he was a man of ability, a member of one of the oldest American families; of the seventh generation, in the direct line from William Cowdery, who came from England, and settled first at Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1630. His own father, William Cowdery, Jr., was a phys-

THE OLIVER -TOWDERY MONUMENT 269 were his older brothers, Warren and Dyer. Another brother, ician, as Lyman, was a lawyer, probate judge, and member of the Wisconsin married men of good character. legislature, his sisters Oliver Cowdery's and ministry connected with the "Mormon" life Church have won for him an undying fame in the hearts of a million converts; and a happy and prosperous commonwealth, of half that number, have taken this occasion to testify of their love and respect for his memory, and to commemorate in this manner the testimony THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT, RICHMOND, MO. The unveiling, Wednesday afternoon, 22nd November, 1911, by Miss Kathryne Schweich.

he and his associates have given to the world, as a witness for the salvation of all who accept and believe the same. Address, Attorney J. M. Farris. In few and eloquent words Mr. Farris, one of the best known and most popular lawyers of Western Missouri, who had been chosen by the Citizens' committee, extended a cordial greeting to the visitors, and to the choir. He closed his remarks by saying: "Take possession of the city of Richmond. Today we are your servants." George W. Schweich, grandson of David Whitmer, also greeted the company in behalf of the family and kindred living in Missouri, bidding them a loving welcome to Richmond. Later in the service, he spoke again, saying, with much earnestness and eloquence, that he was proud to be present and to add his testimony. "This Burning

270 IMPROVEMENT ERA Bush of the 19th century has resulted not in ignorance and superstition, — but in education, refinement and artistic attainment witness, my fellow-kindred and citizens, these from the west, in their volumes — of sweet symphony and the fact appears." He also said that he was proud of his connection with the Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. He had been taught to read it when he was seven years old, by his grandiather, and it had made him a student of the Bible. "It will make Bible students of all who read it. Though our family, with others, have suffered persecution for our faith, yet I would rather be the grandson of David Whitmer than the grandson of Frederick the Great. He resisted temptations to deny his testimony, to these he said: 'Get behind me, Satan,' and I declare to all I believe and know his testimony true." Apostle Heber J. Grant followed and spoke of how favorably impressed President Joseph F. Smith was regarding the erection of the monument in honor of Oliver Cowdery, and assured his audience that it was a source of pleasure and gratification to be present upon such an occasion. He had always admired these three men, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, and respected their testimony. He stated that it was perhaps providential that they had severed themselves from the Ghurch, while still maintaining their testimony to the Book of Mormon, but he rejoiced in the return of Oliver Cowdery, and that even when away from the Church he had the courage to maintain his testimony in court. Elder Grant rejoiced in Oliver Cowdery's testimony of the coming of the angels — even of John the Baptist, and of Peter, James and John, restoring the Holy Priesthood and the ordinances and organization of the Church. He said that it was through neglect of duty and failure to live up to his religion that had caused Oliver Cowdery's separation from the Church. Apostle Grant then commented upon how easy it is for us to misjudge people, or sects, who differ from us. This brought to his mind the following hymn:

Should you feel inclined to censure Faults you may in others view, Ask your own heart, ere you venture, If that has not failings, too.

Let not friendly vows be broken; Rather strive a friend to gain; Many a word in anger spoken Finds its passage home again.

Do not. then, in idle pleasure, Trifle with a brother's fame; Guard it as a valued treasure, Sacred as your own good name.

THE OLIVER COWDERY MONUMENT 271

Do not form opinions blindly; Hastiness to trouble tends; Those of whom we thought unkindly, Oft become our warmest friends.

Elder Grant then bore a powerful testimony of the gospel to the assemblage, gave words of praise to the choir for their conduct aud singing, and expressed his appreciation and pleasure in accepting the hospitality of the Richmond people. During a pause, Elder Wells introduced Miss Kathryne Schweich — great granddaughter of David Whitmer and great grandniece of Oliver Cowdery, who had been chosen to unveil the monument. The young lady rose in the box, where she was seated, and very modestly acknowledged the honor before the audience. Elder Heber J. Grant then offered the