"The Cyclone Came and Passed about 100 Yards from the House" - Elder Cullimore, Part 10

There was no indication from Elder Cullimore of where he was when this happened, but the cues in the story hint that it might have been in or near Henderson County. That would place the date between September 1896 and April 1897, and that his companion was Charles Collett. March and April is prime Tornado season for Tennessee with a small season in November,

After a hardy day of the usual tracting and gospel conversation, we started to think of a place to spend the night.  We were refused several times, and it was now dark.  We approached another house, and asked if we might have a bed for the night. After some persuasion, he finally consented to let us stay if we would not mention our religion.

They were very "cool" to us, but gave us our supper.  He (I think his name was Dees) asked us a number of questions about Utah, the climate, resources, such as mining, sheep industry, etc.  Then he brought up the subject of the pioneers, and finally he asked us a few questions about the Church.  We spent a much more pleasant evening than I had anticipated.  We retired about 10:00 p.m.

The house was quite large for only having one room.  There were four beds in the one room.  The man, his wife and their four daughters all slept in the one room.  At bedtime the wife and her four daughters went outside while we got ready for bed; then they came in, turned out the lights and got ready for bed.

During the night a heavy gale came up, and the man got out of bed and look[ed] out.  He was afraid of a cyclone, so he got his wife and daughters out of bed and prepared to enter the storm cellar.  He came to our bed and told us what he thought about the storm and told us to get up.  We did not get up.  He came the second time, but I told him to take his family back to bed, that nothing would harm them.  I promised him that his family would not be harmed, and that his property would not be destroyed.  I told him we were God's servants and he would be blessed and protected for taking care of us.  He didn't believe me and came the third time.  This time he was quite angry at us for not getting up.  I told him if we were going to be blown away I didn't know of a better way than to be blown away on a feather bed, so we still remained in bed.

During the night, the cyclone came and passed about 100 yards from the house.  Not a shingle was blown off the house, or a thing touched in his yard.  The storm passed through the timbers, leaving a clearing as though it had been mowed down.  All that were left were the small hickory, too small and tough to break.

The next morning he was like another man toward us.  He told us of a man who had some years ago preached the Mormon doctrine and caused quite a contention in their midst.  While he did not believe the preacher (Robert Edge), his attitude was changed toward us; and he accepted our tracts and wanted to talk the gospel with us before we left.

James Henderson Scott - A Presiding Elder of Haley's Creek Branch

James Henderson Scott was born to William Carroll Scott and Savel Luvenia "Sarah" Jones on November 15, 1845, in Henderson County, Tennessee. He went by his middle name, Henderson, with friends. Although he was old enough, he does not appear to have served in the Civil War.

On September 7, 1865, he married Margaret Delaney Rhodes, also from Henderson County. Although Henderson could read and write, Margaret could not. In the 1870 Census, he described himself as a farm worker, and he did not own the home he lived on. At the time the total value of his assets were $150. But despite thier poverty, the two had an astonishing 18 children, 13 of which grew to adulthood. Margaret independently verified both numbers on the 1900 census, and it is also found in his obituary.

One advantage of this for historians is that it is easier to track how the family moved around by seeing where their children were born, and in some cases died. If I just looked at the census, I might think they didn’t leave Tennessee until they retired. In fact for many years they didn’t. Their first 11 children were born in Henderson County, Tennessee.

In 1878, the Scotts became followers of Robert Edge, a mysterious preacher who disappeared as quickly as he came. Nearly all of Robert Edge’s most dedicated followers would later join the LDS Church and moved to Colorado to live near other members of the Church. Henderson was one of the first to be baptized into the LDS Church in April 1880 and Margaret was baptized in May. When the Haley’s Creek branch of the LDS Church was formed in June 1880, Henderson was ordained and set apart as one of two presiding Elders. Sirenious Reed was the other. That same month Ada Lee Scott, their 11th child, was born. But her life was short. She died in March 1881. For some unknown reason the Scotts stayed in Tennessee for a year after the rest of the Haley’s Creek Branch emigrated to Colorado. Was it the health of the child that kept them there? Or perhaps the health of his wife? We don’t know. But eventually he did go west.

Their next two children were born in Colorado. Dollie Jane Scott (#12) was born in January 1882 and Ozara Scott (#13) was born in January 1884. Being a farm worker, it is likely he started off hiring himself out for farm work so they could save money to buy a place of their own. Most new emigrants began life in Colorado with very little, and Henderson was not wealthy to begin with.

In March 1884, there was a public disaffection from the LDS Church in Colorado which made it into national newspapers. One of the leaders of this disaffection was Tennessee native Johnson H. Totty. The Totty family came from Totty’s Bend, Hickman County, Tennessee, where they joined the Church in the 1870’s. Henderson and his family had become friends with the Totty family, and his oldest daughter Mary Frances Scott, married Henry Totty, one of sons of Johnson Totty.

The next year finds them in Missouri. The Scott’s next child, Viola (#14), was born there in January 1885. But they didn’t stay there long. Eight months later when their son Ozara died a few months shy of his second birthday, it was back in Henderson County, Tennessee.

The Scotts had four more children, all daughters, born in Tennessee. Their last daughter Willie was born in February 1892.

It is likely they were still in Henderson County when W. W. Bean passed through in 1895 on his way home from his mission. Elder Bean was tasked with investigating the Robert Edge story. If Mr. Scott was part of the RLDS congregation in Henderson County, that might have given Elder Bean reason to assert about the followers of Robert Edge that ...

Some afterwards became dissatisfied and joined the Josephite Church and some returned to Tennessee again, their former home. One of them being ordained to the office of an Elder in the Reorganized Church has become a preacher of that faith and they now have a small branch about six or seven miles distant from Lexington... - Bean

That Henderson and his wife were the only two followers of Robert Edge who did so might not have been clear to Elder Bean. Whether Henderson was RLDS Elder of which Bean spoke, I cannot say. But I don’t think so. Bean deprecates the man saying..

...the presiding Elder is a man who drinks and does not have a very good reputation in the neighborhood. - Bean

All indications, including his obituary, are that Henderson was well respected in the community. It is likely that Bean spoke with Henderson, as he was probably one of the only remaining witnesses to Robert Edge’s ministry in the county. Bean’s information regarding the return of some of Edge’s followers was certainly influenced by speaking with Henderson or someone who knew him. At any rate the Scotts are still in Henderson County in 1900 for the Census.

Bolstering the theory that they joined the RLDS Church, they show up on the 1910 Census back in Missouri, in Independence, Jackson County. Their youngest child lives with them. And they are sharing a house with their grandson Henry Jackson Totty and his family. Henry was born in Colorado but his parents were both born in Tennessee. He was the grandson of Johnson H. Totty, mentioned before, and his mother was Mary Frances Scott, Henderson’s own daughter.

Henderson’s close association with the Totty family and his moving to Independence Missouri, not once, but twice, are clues leading me to believe that he did not remain a member of the LDS Church very long; and probably not after 1884. Exactly what his relationship was with the RLDS Church isn’t documented.

In 1920 he was living with his son, Robert W. Scott and his family on Lilly Street in Blytheville. Arkansas. A few years later, in 1926, while living in Henderson County again, his wife Margaret passed away. He lived nearby for the rest of his life. In 1940, at the age of 94 and while visiting his daughter in the city of Henderson in neighboring Chester County, he passed away. His service was presided over by Reverend Lee Carrington at Oak Grove Baptist Church (which does not exist anymore) and was buried next to his wife in nearby Oak Grove Cemetery.

There is still today a congregation of the RLDS Church (now the Community of Christ) at Jacks Creek, just seven miles from where Henderson was buried. Although I believe it is likely he was a member of the RLDS Church, and a prominent member of the Jacks Creek Branch, I have no direct evidence.

The Followers of Robert Edge

[This is a continuation of my research into the Smithites of Decatur County.]

One approach to this kind of research is to track the people. The idea is that if I know where the various  followers of Robert Edge spent their lives, I can verify whether the rumor is true. So I started out by reviewing my documents for the names of the converts from among Robert Edge’s followers.

Elder Bean numbered them at seventeen. Sirenious Reed says nineteen and Hyrum Belnap says twenty-one. Except for Belnap, there were very few names, and only as an indication that they followed Robert Edge. They include Sirenious Reed and James Henderson Scott (a first cousin, once removed, of Sirenious). Both were baptized April 21, 1880 during their visit to Cane Creek. Also listed in Belnaps official account is the wife of James Reed (probably Julia Threadgill). The only woman named in most accounts is Sirenious’ widowed mother: Telitha Cumin Reed (nee Fuller). In Belnap’s journal-like autobiography he gives a few other names: James McKenzie, Frances M Hare, Leland Roscoe Reed, Sarah Jane Reed Willliams, E. R. Reed (who is probably Ephraim Reuben Reed.) and J. L. Reed (who was probably John Leverett Reed). All of them he calls Brother or Sister. Only once does he attach a baptism date with names and even then he says "Baptized Br. Reed and his wife". With at least seven brother Reeds, that isn't very helpful. A little research shows a few more names. Really all I can do is look at close family members and see if they have something that indicates they joined the LDS Church.

I could safely assume that Sarah Ann Wallace (Mrs. Reed) and Margaret Delaney Rhoades (Mrs. Scott) joined as well, probably in May of that year (1880). I might also assume that their children who were older enough could have been baptized too. Sirenious and Sarah had five children over the age of 8 in 1880. James and Margaret had four. But I am less comfortable jumping to that conclusion. In 1880, all their children were 14 or younger. And the accounts of Robert Edge tell of a three day fast of which only those who kept eventually remained his followers. Although I could see a 14 year old participating I don’t think the younger ones would have. In addition, most converts in other areas of Tennessee, even among children of record, have been usually over 15, with only a few exceptions. So without direct evidence I’ll stick with adults.

Seventeen of the members were baptized on May 21, 1880, according to Hyrum Belnap’s official account. In another part of his writings he said “thirteen more” were baptized on the May 24, 1880 which is the date recorded in some other locations. On May 27th they baptized “Brother Reed and his wife and his sister Sarah Jane Williams.” Honestly I can’t buy a combined number of around 35. I think it is more likely that the seventeen Belnap mentioned on May 21st was really seventeen “in May.” Belnap was never really particular about getting dates right, and this isn’t the only time I’ve run into it. So I’ll stick an estimate of around 20.

So on to the actual names. Without an actual baptism date attached to a name, my next best clue that they joined the LDS Church is that they emigrated to one of the LDS colonies in Colorado. Both Sireniuos Reed and James H. Scott moved their family to Colorado in the fall of 1880. Ephraim Reuben Reed, a brother of Sirenious, had two children born in Colorado, so he and his wife Sarah Jane Maxwell were there too. Mary Ann Bird Reed, an aunt of Sireniuos Reed’s is buried in Colorado as well as five of her children and two of their spouses who were also from Henderson County, Tennessee. This is a pretty good proxy. It isn’t perfect but let’s put them all together.

Sirenious Reed & Sarah Ann Wallace
James Henderson Scott & Margaret Delaney Rhoades
Telitha Cumin Fuller
Ephraim Reuben Reed & Sarah Jane Maxwell
Mary Ann Bird
John Leverett Reed Jr. & Pricilla Adair
Mary Ellen Reed
James Warren Reed & Julia Frances Threadgill
Sargent Winfield Reed
Leland Roscoe Reed
Albert Lafayette Reed
James McKenzie & Mary Frances Reed
Frances Marion Hare
Sarah Jane Reed Willliams

In total that makes 20 adults so far. Of course some of these may have joined their family in Colorado without having joined the LDS Church. And other may have joined later than the May 1880 data. It isn’t a perfect science.

As a side note Mary Ann Bird's husband, and father to six of the names above, died shortly following the Robert Edge's visit, but before they met the LDS missionaries. If he had been a follower of Robert Edge that would make this list match the 21 number given by Hyrum Belnap.

So what happened to these people? Well, most of them died and are buried in Colorado, probably indicating they stayed true to the LDS Church. At the very least they didn’t return to Tennessee. So they can’t have been the source for the Smithite community in Decatur County. Appoligies to whomever thought these two groups are connected, I just don't think so.

Telitha doesn’t appear to have moved west. (Bringing our total to 19, again matching the number given by Belnap) But she passed away a few years later and is not likely the source for a colony of Smithites. But there are two exceptions worth noting. Sirenious Reed and James Henderson Scott. Both came back to Tennessee, but neither settled in Decatur County. Regardless, they do deserve some attention.

Next time: Sirenious Reed

Robert Edge by Elder Belnap Part 8

[Below are some random observations Hyrum Belap made about Robert Edge. Hyrum was responsible for telling the most detailed stories about this mysterious preacher. He wrote years after the fact and for the purpose of telling it to an audience. Like most stories, his tale was more detailed than the earlier versions]

There were several beautiful sketches drawn by Mr. Edge while in this locality. The one which particularly attracted my attention was a beautiful arch drawn upon the front leaf of a large Bible owned by Mr. Sirenous Reed. Directly up the center of this arch were very neatly placed seven steps, on the foot of which was written, beginning at the bottom the following words: Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness and Charity. Just beneath the bow of the arch was placed the figure of a young man who had just climbed this narrow stairway, kneeling upon the top step receiving a beautiful crown from the hands of an angel.

In conversation with some of them, Mr. Edge stated that he once lived in the land of Texas and had a wife and one child, when he began his missionary labor.He also informed them that he had a partner whom he very frequently travelled with by the name of Cob, whom he had not seen since leaving the State of Arkansas. In speaking of himself he said, “I am not worthy of but one of the nail prints in my hands.”

Some time after his departure, one of this little band was casually turning the leaves of the large Bible owned by S. Reed and discovered the 31st verse of the 24th Chapter of Matthew, inclosed in brackets, inside of which was written the name of Robert Edge.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:31

He wrote his people two letters of encouragement, one while in the State of Georgia and the other while in South Carolina. In the last one he spoke some of visiting England. A few months later I met Pres. Morgan in the city of Nashville, who, while in conversation regarding this preacher, Edge, showed me a letter that he received some time previous with no name signed to it. As far as I was able to judge between the writings left in Henderson County by Mr. Edge and this letter, they were penciled by the same hand.

Every one of the 21 followers who fasted for the full three days were baptized. Late in the fall of the same year Hailey’s Creek Branch, save one soul, emigrated to San Jose, Colorado.

Elder Belnap and Elder Carver once passed thru Howville and stayed with Squire Long. He was very sociable and treated us kindly. As Mr. Long was an old settler and an influential gentleman we made some inquiries about Mr. Edge. He laughed and said he remembered when a crazy preacher came down on a rock some two years ago. The rock bursted and let him down on a sand hill. Told of his fasting and many other amusing stories. Said some believed he was a Mormon. Whoever he was he was certainly the shrewdest preacher that had been thru this country.

I don't know who Robert Edge was. But it is pretty clear Hyrum Belnap believed he was no ordinary mortal man.

Robert Edge by Elder Belnap Part 7

[Below is the continuation of an article written by Hyrum Belap about Robert Edge. Hyrum was responsible for telling the most detailed stories about this mysterious preacher. He wrote years after the fact and for the purpose of telling it to an audience. Like most stories, his tale was more detailed than the earlier versions]

This little band of Mr. Edge’s followers, according to his instructions met together often, talked to each other and sang praises to God. They frequently referred to the sayings of Mr. Edge in which he told them if they remained faithful and followed the dictations of the good spirit that other preachers would visit them and lead their footsteps to the main body of the church.

During the winter of 1880 there appeared in the New York Sun an interview with President John Taylor by O. J. Hollister, in which the officers of the church were named and many of its doctrines spoken of. This was the first thing to attract the attention of the followers of Mr. Edge toward the Latter Day Saints, and being desirous to learn more about this peculiar people they addressed a letter of inquiry to the county clerk of Salt Lake County. D. Beckholt, being clerk at that time, at once sent them the “Voice of Warning” and several copies of the Deseret News with the advice to address Pres. John Morgan at Rome, Georgia.

After reading the Voice of Warning and being favorably impressed with the doctrines contained therein, they addressed a letter to Pres. Morgan informing him that one of our preachers visited them a few years previous and laid his hands upon their heads for the reception of the Holy Ghost, but did not baptize them. Therefore they were very desirous of having an elder sent there to perform this ordinance.

Pres. Morgan at once forwarded the letter to Pres. Franklin Spencer at Shady Grove, Hickman County, Tennessee, who was then presiding over the Tennessee Conference, at the same time writing to these people in Henderson County, informing them that there was a branch of the Church on Cane Creek, Lewis County, Tennessee. On receiving this information, four of them mounted their horses and rode about sixty miles before they reached Cane Creek, but finding no elders there, they returned.

At this time this epistle came from Pres. Morgan there were laboring in the conference, Pres. Franklin Spencer, George H. Carver, Lorenzo Hunsaker and myself. Brother Carver and I were selected to visit West Tennessee. This left Pres. Spencer and Bro. Hunsaker each to travel alone. However, before starting, Pres. Spencer and I visited Cane Creek at the same time sending a letter to West Tennessee.
On arriving at Cane Creek we found this little branch somewhat exercised over the visit of these four gentlemen.

About the time our West Tennessee friends arrived home they received Pres. Spencer’s letter bringing the news that we would be at Cane Creek at a certain date. James H. Scott and Sireneous Reed wheeled their horses and came back.

They arrived at Cane Creek late in the afternoon. That evening and the following day was spent in conversing with these two gentlemen upon the principles of the gospel, who Mr. Edge was, how he taught the falling away and restoration of the gospel, the necessity of building temples, the name that one would receive who should remain faithful after passing thru the temples, etc.

Late in the afternoon of the same day these gentlemen, after having conversed together a short time, said: “What hindereth us from putting on the whole armor of God that we might withstand the fiery darts of the adversary?” Hence they were baptized and returned home rejoicing.

On the 13th day of May 1880, Brother George Carver and myself started on our trip to Henderson County, Tennessee. Not until we arrived within about thirty miles of Lexington, did we hear much about this peculiar preacher.

On the night of the 20th we staid with Squire Long, a very intelligent gentleman, who began telling us about that wonderful preacher, Robert Edge, who came into their midst some two years previous. As we knew nothing of Mr. Edge we sat and listened very attentively to his long story. He spoke about Mr. Edge pretending to be inspired of God, about his peculiar manner of going to and coming from meeting, of his being hunted down by mobs, of their fasting three days and more particularly about the lumbering noise he heard about the time Mr. Edge came among them.

On the evening of the 21st we arrived at Sireneous Reed’s. He received us kindly and sent out for a number of his brethren and you may be assured we had a good old time chat that evening.

To be continued...

Robert Edge by Elder Belnap Part 6

[Below is the continuation of an article written by Hyrum Belap about Robert Edge. Hyrum was responsible for telling the most detailed stories about this mysterious preacher. He wrote years after the fact and for the purpose of telling it to an audience. Like most stories, his tale was more detailed than the earlier versions]

By this time many of the professed followers of the meek and lowly Jesus together with the pious free Masons began seeking his life. One Reverend divine went so far as to hire a gang of lawless men to hunt him down and shed his blood before sleep should overtake them.

This movement compelled Mr. Edge to confine his labors more particularly among those who were his friends. However, many who were friendly at first began dropping off as the popular feeling against him became more intense.

The course pursued by Mr. Edge in the beginning enabled him to reach all classes of people. Hence today many who severed their connections with the Church are looked upon as infidels because they believe not the dogmas of today, noting the differences in the doctrines of Christ as laid down in the scriptures.

Those who were indeed his friends by this time gathered around him and desired baptism. He answered in these words, “I would not baptize a man for my right arm.” One then said, “You have not the right to baptize them?” Mr. Edge replied, “If I have not, others have,” and he promised that all who so desired he would organize into a church of brotherly love after the apostolic order.

This proposal met their approval and some sixty persons assembled together when he laid his hands upon their heads and blessed them as they supposed for the reception of the Holy Ghost. He then selected one from among them to take charge of their prayer meeting.

Mr. Edge was not a man of many words outside the pulpit and when he did converse with his fellowmen it was mostly upon religion. “For,” said he, “my Father’s business is too urgent for me to trifle with political affairs.”

When it could be arranged he held from one to three meetings a day. He did his own singing, preaching and praying without even showing the least signs of hoarseness. He ate, on an average, only one meal a day.

Mr. Edge circulated the news that on a certain evening, he would deliver one discourse on behalf of the devil. Although popular feeling by this time was very much against him, hundreds of people thru curiosity came to hear this peculiar sermon. When the evening came, the house was packed to its utmost capacity.

On arising to speak the preacher read the following verses for a text, Matthew 4:8-9. “Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain and showeth him all the kingdom of the world and the glory of them. And saith unto him, all these things will I give unto thee if thou will fall down and worship me.”

He then assumed an attitude of the devil and gave his audience to understand that every word spoken by him was the same as if Lucifer had said it himself.

After showing from his text that this whole world was under his direct command he portrayed the many beauties and pleasures that were at his disposal. He then eulogized them very much upon the course they were pursuing, “I am not particular,” said he, “how you obtain money, but the idea is, get it.” He said to his assembly that should one of them have a horse to sell, his advice, as the devil, would be to take him into the back yard for a few days and there feed him well on the best of buckskin, then bring him out into the road prancing on his hind feet, take him down in town, meet some old gentlemen that knew nothing about a horse and obtain two prices for the animal, then the thing to do was to return to one’s comrades and brag how nicely it was done. He advised the young people not to lead such a penurious life, but to dress in the height of fashion, ride behind fine horses, be free with the opposite sex, and if perchance one of those fair daughters should be ruined, cast her aside to wallow in disgrace the remainder of her days while the gentleman who perpetrated the foul deed should be held up as a cunning fellow. His advice to the reverend divines was to make long prayers, pull straight faces, pretend righteousness, preach sympathetic and graveyard sermons, deceive every man’s wife they possibly could, and be sure not to forget to steal the virtue of every fair maiden who should come within their grasp. In fact, to go on just as they had been doing. “For in reality,” said he, “my kingdom is yours.” And thus he went on, keeping the audience in a continual titter for about one hour and a half while he portrayed the various crimes in society as being just the thing they ought to do. Then he stepped forward, threw his hands down by his side and exclaimed, “Get behind me Satan.” Every countenance was immediately changed and breathless silence reigned. He next began rebuking these actions in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and called upon every one to repent and turn unto the true and living God or damnation would be theirs.

One evening at a meeting composed mostly of his followers, the features of Mr. Edge turned purple. No sooner had all quieted down in their seats than he sprang to his feet and severely reprimanded them for the course they were taking. “For,” said he, “you have not only been plotting and planning among yourselves to deceive you but you have brot with you legions of devils. Why, I can see them all through the house.”

On another occasion, when Mr. Edge had returned from holding meeting in the court house at Lexington, three of his young followers were out by the yard severely criticizing the course pursued by their new preacher. One in particular thot it was the height of folly for a man in these days to pretend to be inspired of God. While they were just in the heat of their vilification Mr. Edge came out of the house which was about one hundred and fifty yards away and very calmly walked down towards the yard. The boys saw him, ceased their abuse and turned toward the house. When they met, Mr. Edge turned to the young man who had so severely criticized him and said, “Young man, you will not do. My spirit has been listening to your cowardly slanderings.” The boys, knowing they were too far from the house to be overheard grew somewhat astonished when Mr. Edge told the young man every sentence, word for word that he had uttered.

Mr. Edge came to the residence of a widow lady by the name of Telitha Cumi Reed one day about twelve o’clock, took off his hat, set aside his cane and amused himself by reading while the lady prepared refreshments. After they had sat down to the table Mrs. Reed turned and asked Mr. Edge to return thanks, when she saw a bright light encircling his head, which made a strange feeling pass over her, however, she sat perfectly quiet. After grace the light passed away.

I will relate a few of the many cases of healing that were effected by the imposition of hands during Mr. Edge’s stay among them.

This same lady, Mrs. Reed had been bowed down with rheumatism for several years. On learning that this strange preacher taught the laying on of hands for the healing of the sick she believed he was a servant of God and sent for him. Without detailing how marvelously this lady recovered I will say that two years later her walk was as free and easy as though rheumatism had never racked her frame.
The wife of James Reed, who was then said to be in the last stages of consumption, was almost instantly healed thru the imposition of Mr. Edge’s hands in the name of Jesus Christ.

To be continued...

Robert Edge by Elder Belnap Part 5

[Below is the continuation of an article written by Hyrum Belap about Robert Edge. Hyrum was responsible for telling the most detailed stories about this mysterious preacher. He wrote years after the fact and for the purpose of telling it to an audience. Like most stories, his tale was more detailed than the earlier versions]

By this time many of the professed followers of the meek and lowly Jesus together with the pious free Masons began seeking his life. One Reverend divine went so far as to hire a gang of lawless men to hunt him down and shed his blood before sleep should overtake them.

This movement compelled Mr. Edge to confine his labors more particularly among those who were his friends. However, many who were friendly at first began dropping off as the popular feeling against him became more intense.

The course pursued by Mr. Edge in the beginning enabled him to reach all classes of people. Hence today many who severed their connections with the Church are looked upon as infidels because they believe not the dogmas of today, noting the differences in the doctrines of Christ as laid down in the scriptures.

Those who were indeed his friends by this time gathered around him and desired baptism. He answered in these words, “I would not baptize a man for my right arm.” One then said, “You have not the right to baptize them?” Mr. Edge replied, “If I have not, others have,” and he promised that all who so desired he would organize into a church of brotherly love after the apostolic order.

This proposal met their approval and some sixty persons assembled together when he laid his hands upon their heads and blessed them as they supposed for the reception of the Holy Ghost. He then selected one from among them to take charge of their prayer meeting.

Mr. Edge was not a man of many words outside the pulpit and when he did converse with his fellowmen it was mostly upon religion. “For,” said he, “my Father’s business is too urgent for me to trifle with political affairs.”

When it could be arranged he held from one to three meetings a day. He did his own singing, preaching and praying without even showing the least signs of hoarseness. He ate, on an average, only one meal a day.

Mr. Edge circulated the news that on a certain evening, he would deliver one discourse on behalf of the devil. Although popular feeling by this time was very much against him, hundreds of people thru curiosity came to hear this peculiar sermon. When the evening came, the house was packed to its utmost capacity.

On arising to speak the preacher read the following verses for a text, Matthew 4:8-9. “Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain and showeth him all the kingdom of the world and the glory of them. And saith unto him, all these things will I give unto thee if thou will fall down and worship me.”

He then assumed an attitude of the devil and gave his audience to understand that every word spoken by him was the same as if Lucifer had said it himself.

After showing from his text that this whole world was under his direct command he portrayed the many beauties and pleasures that were at his disposal. He then eulogized them very much upon the course they were pursuing, “I am not particular,” said he, “how you obtain money, but the idea is, get it.” He said to his assembly that should one of them have a horse to sell, his advice, as the devil, would be to take him into the back yard for a few days and there feed him well on the best of buckskin, then bring him out into the road prancing on his hind feet, take him down in town, meet some old gentlemen that knew nothing about a horse and obtain two prices for the animal, then the thing to do was to return to one’s comrades and brag how nicely it was done. He advised the young people not to lead such a penurious life, but to dress in the height of fashion, ride behind fine horses, be free with the opposite sex, and if perchance one of those fair daughters should be ruined, cast her aside to wallow in disgrace the remainder of her days while the gentleman who perpetrated the foul deed should be held up as a cunning fellow. His advice to the reverend divines was to make long prayers, pull straight faces, pretend righteousness, preach sympathetic and graveyard sermons, deceive every man’s wife they possibly could, and be sure not to forget to steal the virtue of every fair maiden who should come within their grasp. In fact, to go on just as they had been doing. “For in reality,” said he, “my kingdom is yours.” And thus he went on, keeping the audience in a continual titter for about one hour and a half while he portrayed the various crimes in society as being just the thing they ought to do. Then he stepped forward, threw his hands down by his side and exclaimed, “Get behind me Satan.” Every countenance was immediately changed and breathless silence reigned. He next began rebuking these actions in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and called upon every one to repent and turn unto the true and living God or damnation would be theirs.

One evening at a meeting composed mostly of his followers, the features of Mr. Edge turned purple. No sooner had all quieted down in their seats than he sprang to his feet and severely reprimanded them for the course they were taking. “For,” said he, “you have not only been plotting and planning among yourselves to deceive you but you have brot with you legions of devils. Why, I can see them all through the house.”

On another occasion, when Mr. Edge had returned from holding meeting in the court house at Lexington, three of his young followers were out by the yard severely criticizing the course pursued by their new preacher. One in particular thot it was the height of folly for a man in these days to pretend to be inspired of God. While they were just in the heat of their vilification Mr. Edge came out of the house which was about one hundred and fifty yards away and very calmly walked down towards the yard. The boys saw him, ceased their abuse and turned toward the house. When they met, Mr. Edge turned to the young man who had so severely criticized him and said, “Young man, you will not do. My spirit has been listening to your cowardly slanderings.” The boys, knowing they were too far from the house to be overheard grew somewhat astonished when Mr. Edge told the young man every sentence, word for word that he had uttered.

Mr. Edge came to the residence of a widow lady by the name of Telitha Cumi Reed one day about twelve o’clock, took off his hat, set aside his cane and amused himself by reading while the lady prepared refreshments. After they had sat down to the table Mrs. Reed turned and asked Mr. Edge to return thanks, when she saw a bright light encircling his head, which made a strange feeling pass over her, however, she sat perfectly quiet. After grace the light passed away.

I will relate a few of the many cases of healing that were effected by the imposition of hands during Mr. Edge’s stay among them.

This same lady, Mrs. Reed had been bowed down with rheumatism for several years. On learning that this strange preacher taught the laying on of hands for the healing of the sick she believed he was a servant of God and sent for him. Without detailing how marvelously this lady recovered I will say that two years later her walk was as free and easy as though rheumatism had never racked her frame.

The wife of James Reed, who was then said to be in the last stages of consumption, was almost instantly healed thru the imposition of Mr. Edge’s hands in the name of Jesus Christ.

To be continued...

Robert Edge by Elder Belnap Part 4

[Below is the continuation of an article written by Hyrum Belap about Robert Edge. Hyrum was responsible for telling the most detailed stories about this mysterious preacher. He wrote years after the fact and for the purpose of telling it to an audience. Like most stories, his tale was more detailed than the earlier versions]

Many of the honest in heart gathered around him and began to enquire from whence he came and where could this kingdom of God be found that he had so beautifully described. They still received no satisfaction as to where he came from, but the kingdom of God, said he, is located within these United States.

To give you a better idea how Mr. Edge was questioned and how peculiar his answers were I will relate an instance.

While working the road one day the boys began remarking among themselves how hard it was to find out who this Mr. Edge was and where he had come from. At this one Jones, a Baptist deacon spoke up in a very determined manner, saying, “Why, I’ll dig him up this evening.”

Mr. Edge had an appointment for a meeting in a private house that evening near by. As it happened he stayed with the family where he held meeting that night. At supper Mr. Edge had eaten but very little, when he pushed back from the table and began pacing the floor as though somewhat uneasy. However, in a few moments he turned to the family and remarked, “I am going to be tempted by the devil this evening thru a man.”

Soon the young people began gathering in from all directions, anticipating some fun between Jones, the deacon, and our strange preacher.

Just as the last rays of the sparkling sun sank behind the horizon Mr. Edge discovered a man climbing the fence a few hundred yards off as if coming to meeting. Turning to the family he remarked, “Here comes the gentleman now.” On his arrival it proved to be Jones, the deacon.

By this time a goodly number had gathered in and Mr. Edge had taken his seat in the far end of the room beside a small table containing his Bible and hymn book. When Mr. Jones came in he deliberately walked across the room and sat down beside Mr. Edge. After a few moments silence Mr. Jones enquired, “My friend, where are you from?”

Mr. Edge looked from his Bible as if somewhat astonished and replied, “From about six miles,” meaning the next neighborhood where he had just left.

Mr. Jones—“What church do you belong to?”
Mr. Edge—“The Church of God, sir.”
Mr. Jones—“Where is it?”
Mr. Edge—“In the United States.”
Mr. Jones—“You have been speaking about one being ordained before he had the right to preach. By whom were you ordained?”
Mr. Edge—“By Jesus Christ, sir.”
Mr. Jones—“Where?”
Mr. Edge—“In Eternity.”
Mr. Jones—“How long have you been preaching?”
Mr. Edge—“About eighteen hundred years.”
At this point Mr. Jones sprang to his feet and walked away in disgust.

On another occasion Mr. Edge pronounced the secret societies as being man-made institutions thru which the devil operated. In referring to Masonry he said, “Although this institution dates its origin many centuries back, it is only a perverted priesthood, stolen from the temples of the most High.” After giving several signs of the Masonic order he testified that Jesus Christ Himself was the chief and master Mason.

In order to give a better understanding how he explained the prophetic visions of ancient men of God, I will refer to a favorite text of his when contrasting the powers of God and the world and the length of time Satan will bear rule. Rev. ll:1-3. “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood saying, ‘Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and them that worship therein. But the court that is without the temple leave out and measure it not, for it is given unto the Gentiles and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.’”

The inner courts he explained as the courts of God filled with the brightness of the Lord’s glory. The outer courts as the Kingdoms of this world that had been placed in the hands of the Gentiles. In like manner he explained the wheel within a wheel. The time the Gentiles should possess the outer kingdoms he positively declared would expire in this generation, after which Jesus Christ would rule.

To be continued...

Robert Edge by Elder Belnap Part 3

[Below is the continuation of an article written by Hyrum Belap about Robert Edge. Hyrum was responsible for telling the most detailed stories about this mysterious preacher. He wrote years after the fact and for the purpose of telling it to an audience. Like most stories, his tale was more detailed than the earlier versions]

As I have given a brief outline of the course persued by Mr. Edge when he first came into this neighborhood, as well as some of his peculiarities, I will mention some of the doctrines taught by him.

Although he had been speaking quite freely upon the principles advocated by the various sects, seemingly to draw around him the different classes of people, he gave them to understand that he believed first in a tangible God, in a God that cold walk, talk, understand and be understood, in a God that has passions to love and hate right and wrong principles. Second, he believed in a repentance that consisted in turning from sin and learning to do well; third, in a baptism after the likeness of the death, burial and resurrection of our risen Redeemer, in a baptism that would cleanse one from his sins and enable him to walk in a newness of life, as did our Savior, when He passed from mortality to immortality. At this time he only referred to the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, as being a principle taught by Jesus Christ and His apostles and left the query in the minds of the people how such and such doctrines could be taught in His church then and not now and yet He be an unchangeable being.

Mr. Edge dwelt very elaborately upon prophecy contained in the Old and New Testament. First, he referred to prophecies that have been literally fulfilled, giving them a correct idea of the term prophecy. Then he very ably referred to many prophecies that are being fulfilled or that have not yet been fulfilled, such as those referring to the second coming of Christ, to the gathering together of Israel, to the rebuilding of Jerusalem by the Jews, to the mountains of ice flowing down and highways being cast up for the people to travel upon who should come from the north countries, whither they have been scattered, to the restoration of God’s Kingdom upon this continent before that reign of peace for one thousand years with Christ and this people.

About this time Mr. Edge held a meeting at the city of Lexington that will long be remembered by the multitude that gathered to hear him from the surrounding country. They were first impressed with his prayer, in which he asked the Lord to grant unto all people everywhere the desires of their hearts; should they seek knowledge to cause that they might be filled; should they ask for wisdom, give it unto them; if notoriety or fame be their object, to permit them to obtain it; if it should be gold they were seeking, to fill their laps; should the reverend divines seek to bring souls unto Christ, to aid them in so doing; should they preach for hire and divine for money, to hinder them not from receiving it; should the loaves and fishes be their desire, to fill their plates. More especially did he appeal to God that all those who were then assembled might depart filled with that for which they came; if gospel truth be what they were seeking to fill them to overflowing; if curiosity was what they came for, to cause that they might return feeling more curious.

Those who have listened to the many long appeals for the wandering sinner by the reverend divines can better imagine the amazement of this assembly than I can describe it.

When Mr. Edge arose to speak every eye was fixed upon him, wondering what next. That afternoon he took for his text “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of Harlots and Abomination of the Earth,” referred to in the 17th Chapter of Revelations.

At first he explained in a short but clear manner how beautifully God’s Church was organized in the apostles’ days; how nicely every principle was linked together from faith, repentance, baptism and the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Ghost, to the resurrection of the dead; after which he brought down in a vivid forcible manner the history of God’s people until the last one that had the testimony of Jesus was driven to an untimely grave.

With this he connected Catholicism and the dark ages, when man could circumnavigate this globe in search of one divinely authorized servant of God, who had the spirit of prophecy and not find him.

After Mr. Edge had proved from the scriptures and profane history that God’s people had been destroyed and every vestige of this Church taken from the earth he very frankly told them that every sect and creed over this broad land was wrong and that all had departed from the faith once given to the saints. He then bore a powerful testimony that the gospel in all of its primitive beauty had been restored to the earth and that too, with apostles and prophets and inspired men at its head. He then called upon all to repent of their sins and come out of Babylon and follow Christ for the hour of God’s judgment was at hand.

After this most wonderful discourse Satan himself seemed to turn loose, the people were divided among themselves and began contending with each other. The preachers flew into a perfect frenzy and began plotting and planning how to get rid of this fellow and by and by our new preacher seemed to have turned loose also, for he went thru the country like a man inspired of God, warning the people to repent and serve their maker or some of the most fearful calamities that ever befell man would come upon them and this nation.

To be continued..

Robert Edge by Elder Belnap Part 2

[Below is the continuation of an article written by Hyrum Belap about Robert Edge. Hyrum was responsible for telling the most detailed stories about this mysterious preacher. He wrote years after the fact and for the purpose of telling it to an audience. Like most stories, his tale was more detailed than the earlier versions]

The news that a strange but eloquent preacher had come into the country spread far and near. In his first circuit thru different parts of the country this person pursued a very peculiar but effective course. Seemingly his object was to get all classes of people out to hear him. By way of illustration, when he first entered a neighborhood whose dominant sect was of the Baptist persuasion, he would speak upon some gospel principle of which this class of people were particularly fond and display its good features in a very pleasing and beautiful manner. It is needless to say that after thus speaking the Baptists would gather around him and express their appreciation of his remarks. When he entered a Methodist, Presbyterian or Campbellite neighborhood he pursued the same course regarding the good features of their respective religions. Occasionally he would intermingle his ideas upon other principles, such as free thought, independence of character, etc. By this means he gathered around him the Methodist, Presbyterian, Campbellite and the co-called sinner. His fame as a distinguished speaker grew so rapidly that people of all classes gathered to hear him from localities twenty and thirty miles distant.
By this time a great many began questioning among themselves why it was that no one had ever seen Mr. Edge either come or go any distance from the meeting house. When he would come to meeting no one remembered seeing him until after he had arrived in the crowd, or was in the pulpit. They at once appointed persons to watch him, but they, as well as these appointed were sure to lose track of him before he had proceeded very far, unless, he had, perchance accepted an invitation to accompany some of his hearers home.

Mr. Edge, being a supposed stranger in that locality, the people wondered why he did not ask concerning directions when going to another town.

One evening a gentleman who had never before seen the mysterious preacher came to his meeting and was very much pleased with his discourse. At the close of the meeting the stranger arose to his feet and asked Mr. Edge if he would be kind enough to come and speak at his house the following Wednesday. Mr. Edge dropped his head a moment as if thinking whether he could fill the appointment or not, then looked up and replied, “Yes, sir, I will be there at seven o’clock.” The gentleman lived several miles from the place where the meeting was held and therefore wondered why he was not asked the road leading to his residence, but no questions were asked of him. The family at whose home he was then stopping said that they watched Mr. Edge very closely but learned to their satisfaction that he made no inquiries concerning the gentleman’s name or his place of residence, but when the time for the meeting arrived he was in his place.

To be continued...

Robert Edge by Elder Belnap Part 1

[Below is an article written by Hyrum Belap about Robert Edge. Hyrum was responsible for telling the most detailed stories about this mysterious preacher. He wrote years after the fact and for the purpose of telling it to an audience. Like most stories, his tale was more detailed than the earlier versions]

A MYSTERIOUS PREACHER
On one calm sunny day, in the month of May, 1878, a supposed clap of thunder directly over the city of Lexington, Henderson County, Tennessee, rebounding over the hills and cliffs nearby, greatly exciting the curiosity of the people of that region. The farmer stopped his plow, gazed around for an approaching storm, but seeing no clouds in the clear sky threw his plow into the furrow and plodded on as though nothing had happened. The workman in his shop laid down his tools, walked to the door to see from whence the storm was coming. The merchant and the tailor did the same, but seeing no signs of a storm returned in wonderment to their labor, consoled themselves with the thot that the noise was only one of the phenomena of the nineteenth century. One strange feature, however, of this occurrence was that every person who lived within eight miles of Lexington stated that the sound proceeded either form a bluff located near the city or else sounded directly overhead. Reports soon came that this peculiar sound was heard for thirty miles around.

In the afternoon of the same day a strange man appeared near Lexington, the county seat. He was rather sparely built, of medium height, had fair skin and dark brown hair, which was rather thin and inclined to curl. His beard was of a reddish cast and not very heavy. Judging from his appearance, his age was between twenty-seven and thirty years.

The purpose of his visit first was to announce a meeting which was to be held in the neighborhood that evening. Being rather poorly clad and because of his seeming intimate acquaintance with the shortest roads in the fields and woods he excited the curiosity of a great many people and as a consequence the meeting house that evening was crowded to its utmost capacity.

At the hour appointed the stranger took his position on the stand. After looking around the assembly for a few moments he arose and in a very clear sharp tone called the audience to order. He then sang a beautiful hymn, full of sentiment and melody.

Upon arising to speak he astonished his congregation by not using that whining tone which is usually characteristic of modern divines, but spoke with resonance and decision. He was very calm in his introductory remarks but grew more eloquent as he entered deeper into his subject
At the solicitation of those present, at the close of the meeting he appointed several meetings to be held in the surrounding country. He gave his name as Robert Edge and said he belonged to the Church of God, but concerning the place from which he came the enquirer received no satisfaction.

To be continued...

A MYSTERIOUS PREACHER.

[This article was pointed out to me as being perhaps the earliest written account about Robert Edge, dated so soon after his followers discovered and joined the LDS Church. This would lend itself to considerable credibility and less likely to have the later unsubstantiated embellishments. It is written by Elder Franklin Spencer who was, at the time, President of the Tennessee Conference, making it a second witness, albeit almost identical to Elder Belnap's early versions. Now all I need is President Morgan's version]

[The following letter, the writer of which is a missionary in the Southern States Mission, America, appeared in the Deseret News of May 17th ]

Shady Grove, Hickman Co.,
May 6th, 1880.

Editor Deseret News.

In the month of April, 1878, one Robert Edge, a preacher of the Gospel after the apostolic order, came to and near Lexington, Henderson Co., Tennessee, and commenced warning the people of the judgments of God that will shortly come upon them for their wickedness. Spoke very lengthily upon the fulfillment of prophecy that was uttered by ancient prophets, and thoroughly proving the failing away and apostasy of the primitive Church: the killing of the Saints by Pagan Rome : the rise and progress of the Romish Church, as being mystery, Babylon, and all her daughters and grand-daughters being under direct inspiration of Lucifer, the son of the morning : that Jesus Christ is the head Mason, and that Masonry, as at present, is a base counterfeit, and all secret societies are institutions of men, and are an abomination in the sight of the Lord.

He dwelt very lightly on the principle of baptism, but extensively on the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost; that the apostolic church was again restored on the earth, with prophets and apostles, baptism for the remission of sins, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, with signs following them that believe. By his administration four remarkable cases of healing occurred.

He positively refused money for his preaching. In the meantime the people became very curious to know who he was, and what church he belonged to. Being asked if baptism is essential for salvation, he said it was a true principle, but the people did not understand it. Being asked if he had authority to baptize, said if he had not, there were many on the earth who did have. Being asked if there was an apostolic church on the earth, said there was, with many members. Being asked where it was, said it was in the United States, but avoided giving any further information.

After having delivered a series of sermons, he called upon all to come out of Mystery Babylon, forsake manmade institutions, and follow Christ in accordance with the apostolic order.

Sixty-three then agreed to follow him as he followed Christ. He then proceeded to organize them in a brotherly love order, after the apostolic order, by laying on hands and blessing them, and by requesting them to fast three days, and by instructing them not to marry outside of said order, saluting each other with the holy kiss, and if they would be honest, faithful and prayerful, the Lord would guide them by His Spirit in all things they should do to be saved; that there was more he would like to inform them upon, but persecution was rising, and he would shortly have to leave them; that if persecution arose so they had to leave, for them to go west of the Rocky Mountains for safety.

A lively persecution shortly arose, charging him to be a "Mormon' preacher, which he did not deny nor sanction, but his followers did deny that he or they were "Mormons."

Nineteen of the number fulfilled the requirements of the order of brotherly love, have withstood two years' persecution, more or less, and in the absence of their beloved preacher they have held weekly meetings.

In the fall of 1879, their attention was called to an interview between O. J. Hollister, a United States official, and President John Taylor.

They then wrote to the county clerk of Salt Lake County for information, who kindly forwarded a "Voice of Warning," and a list of Church works, by which they sent for a full list of Church works, Deseret News and MILLENNIAL STAR.

They wrote a letter of enquiry to President Morgan, who forwarded the same to me, which was promptly answered, and in reply to which James H. Scott and S. Reed came to Cane Creek, Lewis County, a distance of fifty miles, and after hearing our views of the Gospel, which coincided with the teaching of Mr. Edge, they were baptized and confirmed by Brother Hyrum Belnap and myself, and returned home rejoicing that they had thus far followed the promptings of the Spirit of the Lord.

Since Brother Argyle left me in charge of this Mission, Dec. 17th, 1879, eleven members have been added to the Church. Elders Carver, Belnap and Hunsaker are active in their mission and enjoying the same.

FRANKLIN SPENCER

Elder Bean's investigation of Robert Edge

In 1895, at the end of his mission in Tennessee, Willard Washington Bean made a visit to Cane Creek to perhaps photograph the Conder home and sleuth the facts concerning the massacre. In closing his report on Cane Creek, he noted that he would next go to Henderson County to learn what he could about Robert Edge. After some searching I was able to locate his account.

Elder W. W. Bean's Account

After being released from my mision (sic) I proceeded to Lexington, Henderson county, Tenn., where I had heard something concerning the mysterious preacher who was there some sixteen years ago. He created considerable excitement and I was desirious(sic) of knowing where he came from and where he went after leaving Henderson county. I conversed with a number of the influential citizens, some of whom were intimate friends of this preacher, and gleaned information as follows:

A certain man going by the name of Robert Edge came into the settlement and claimed to be a preacher of the Gospel. He was rather an ordinary looking man and rather smaller than the average in stature. The people did not think that he amounted to much judging from outward appearance, but when he got into the pulpit he was considered a wonder. He surprised the people very much as they say he knew the Bible by heart.

He found a number of people who were in sympathy with his doctrines, and also had a number of enemies who persecuted both him and his disciples. He was such a convincing talker that the other denominations offered him several thousand dollars per year to preach for them, but he declined, preferring to preach the Gospel free of charge as he was not peddling the Gospel of salvation.

About sixty people accepted his teachings. He said that all of them would not be able to stand the test of persecutions that would be heaped upon them, but he called a fast of three days and told them that all who could hold out to the end of the three days fast were of the blood of Israel, and might be able to stand the test. Hence they began the fast, and at the end of the three days there were only seventeen who had continued.

There were a number of them, in fact, all of his disciples in the beginning pled for baptism He refused to baptise(sic) them saying there would be other men follow him who would have the authority and would baptise(sic) those who remained faithful. He also told them to mark the passages of scripture that he mentioned and that when these men came they would use the same passages of scripture and would preach the same identical doctrine which he had been preaching. Finally he left the neighborhood and the people really did not know what became of him. It is thought by some that he went to North Carolina, but they have lost track of him entirely.

In a short time two Mormon Elders came and preached the very same doctrine that he did, and the people recognized them as being the men of whom he had spoken, and at once applied for baptism. The seventeen who had fasted three days connected themselves with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, and the greater part of them went to Colorado and located. Some afterwards became dissatisfied and joined the Josephite Church and some returned to Tennessee again, their former home. One of them being ordained to the office of an Elder in the Reorganized Church has become a preacher of that faith and they now have a small branch about six or seven miles distant from Lexington, but it is in a very weak condition as the presiding Elder is a man who drinks and does not have a very good reputation in the neighborhood.

This Robert Edge did the most of his preaching at Perryville about five to six miles from Lexington but preached some in the Lexington court house. Among his converts were some of the best citizens of that neighborhood. He was a man of great faith and administered to the sick for the restoration of their health. He was a very exemplary man in every respect with the exception of one habit that of smoking a pipe. The people were much enthused over his doctrines, and also somewhat divided, some thinking he was a wonder and others thinking that he was a religious fanatic. They are all puzzled unto this day to know where he came from or what he was here for, or his object in preaching as he would not preach for hire.

Robert Edge - a second story

I have run across this story in a couple of different places. Every other story about Robert Edge comes from the interviews performed by Hyrum Belnap and George Carver, who were the first two LDS missionaries to meet the followers of Robert Edge. Elder Belnap wrote down a great deal about the events of Robert Edge's "ministry" in Hendeson County. He took at least one statement word for word which I posted about here.

There were, of course, other witnesses. Seventeen people followed the teachings of Robert Edge and all seventeen joined the LDS Church following Belnap's and Carver's visit. All but one eventually emmigrated to Colorado. But I have not found any record written by one of the seventeen, unless you count what Elder Belnap transcribed.

This record is different. Elder Belnap had nothing to do with this story. He didn't write it or collect it or anything. It is the closest thing to a secondary source of which I know. Really even this is hearsay at best, but sometimes that is all you have to go on.


While in Madison County my companion and I, Elder Ray Wentz of Provo, Utah, met with an experience that will interest [Latter Day Saint Southern] Star readers. One evening, about sundown, on December 10th 1896 we came to a house near the county line of Madison and Henderson midway between Jackson and Lexington. We were very tired and had intended to solicit entertainment at this house, which appeared to be a well-to-do farmer. As we approached the house we were greeted with “Go right in, men, I’ll be in in a minute,” from a tall stately looking man who was feeding some stock. This cordial welcome rather surprised us as the neighborhood was very bitter and it was difficult to find any friends. We promptly done as we were bid and when our host came in he said to us: “You’re Mormons aren’t you” After responding to him in the affirmative he remarked: “I thought you were. I entertained one of your men about fourteen years ago - a man named Robert Edge.” Being tired we were indeed grateful to find a friend and what was our surprise to find we were given the same bed that the famous Robert Edge had used so many years before. Mr. J. W. Sweet, the kind-hearted farmer soon had us feeling thoroughly at home and during the evening the following description of this mysterious individual was secured and jotted down in my journal. It is as follows: Mr. Robert Edge was somewhat poorly clad: a black suit with sack coat, woolen shirt, soft felt hat: this constituted his appearance with a bible and some writing material tied up in a red bandana handkerchief. He was a short heavy man weighing about 135 or 140 pounds, long black wavy hair black eyebrows and full but medium length beard, blue eyes height about 5 feet 6 or 7 inches, age between 35 and 40 years, well versed in scripture, being able to prove all he taught.”

Mr. Sweet is and was at the time of his meeting with Mr. Edge a Christian or Campbellite preacher, and freely acknowledged that his earlier visitor could completely master any arguments he might advance against what Mr. Sweet called “Mormonism” nor has he any desire to cross swords with any Mormon Elders.

Mr. Edge preached at Lexington about a week and it is said converted fully thirty people by his forciful exhortation and while here, at Mr. Sweet's neighborhood, instituted a three day's fast promising those who maintained it they would have an opportunity of embracing the gospel. Seventeen of them did so eventually became members of the church some of whom emigrated west locating in Colorado.

Another peculiarity of this Mr Edge he was a strict abstinent not eating any hog meat, nor drinking any kind of stimulating liquids His fame was quite widespread throughout all Madison, Henderson, Decatur, and Perry counties

An Affidavit about Robert Edge

The following was dictated and signed by two of the men who had been taught by Robert Edge.
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Lexington, Henderson Co., Tenn.
June 15. 1890

Historical sketch of how we became acquainted with the doctrine of Christ.

In May 1878, a man by the name of Robert Edge came in this neighborhood, preaching the gospel after the apostolic order.

He delivered a series of sermons on the principles of the gospel and the apostacy (sic) of the primitive church, dwelling at length upon the apostolic order with the exception of baptism for the remission of sins, informing us that it was figurative and would be revealed in due time, proving by the Holy Bible, without a doubt, that the Roman Catholic Church is the mother of harlots, and that the churches of modern Christianity are daughters and granddaughters of her, and that they are officiating in a deluded and false priesthood. Also all the secret combinations and institutions of men, and masonry as now practiced by modernites (sic) are all false counterfeits and an abomination in the sight of the Lord. Then called on all to come out of Babylon who were willing to forsake man made institutions and follow Christ, and assist in rolling forth the purposes of God, and prepare for the great Millennium, which will soon be ushered in. Then will Christ reign personally upon the earth.

He organized us into a body or church after the primitive apostolic order by the laying on of hands and blessing us. He admonished us to be faithful and pray to God always and that the Lord would reveal many great and important things that we should understand.

He requested us to fast three days in succession, after which he administered the Lord’s supper, informing us that we were not the only ones, but that there were many more in the United States. He evaded giving any more information, only if persecution caused us to leave we should go West.

Many remarkable cases of healing occurred under his administration.

The people of the world called him a Mormon priest, which he neither sanctioned nor denied.

Our little band suffered exceedingly from persecution and the scandal of the world for eighteen months, when we noticed an account of an interview between Pres. John Taylor and a U. S. official on the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. We then wrote to Beckholt, of Salt Lake City, for information, who answered promptly and sent us the “Voice of Warning” and a list of Church works, also advised us to correspond with John Morgan at Rome, Georgia, who afterward informed us that there was a branch of the Church in Lewis County, and advised us to visit it. We did so and met Franklin Spencer and Hyrum Belnap. Conversing with them for some time we were convinced that they were the servants of the Lord. We were then baptized and returned home rejoicing that we had thus far followed the promptings of the spirit of God.

On the 21st, Elders Hyrum Belnap and George H. Carver came to this neighborhood and baptized seventeen souls and organized a branch of the Church, consisting of nineteen members.

Let all honor be given to our Father in Heaven for thus leading us into the right way.

Truly,

James Henderson Scott

Sireneous Reed
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This was quoted by Hyrum Belnap. I have yet to find the original.

Robert Edge - an introduction

There have been many stories of communities being prepared for the missionaries by an mysterious figure. In Tennessee, the most interesting of them is that of Robert Edge. In May 1878, in Lexington, Henderson County, Tennessee, a man came into town announcing that he would be holding a meeting that evening to preach. Travelling preachers were not uncommon in Tennessee, but this man was not dressed a well as these preachers tended to be. Plus he appeared to know the area very well. He would make appointments at homes of people he met without asking for directions, yet arrive on time.

He taught the same doctrines as taught by the Mormons: Apostasy, the need for Apostles, authority from God, Baptism by immersion, etc., but claimed to belong to the Church of God. His answers to more personal questions were frequently more obscure. For example:
Mr. Jones enquired, “My friend, where are you from?”
Mr. Edge—“From about six miles,” meaning the next neighborhood where he had just left.
Mr. Jones—“What church do you belong to?”
Mr. Edge—“The Church of God, sir.”
Mr. Jones—“Where is it?”
Mr. Edge—“In the United States.”
Mr. Jones—“You have been speaking about one being ordained before he had the right to preach. By whom were you ordained?”
Mr. Edge—“By Jesus Christ, sir.”
Mr. Jones—“Where?”
Mr. Edge—“In Eternity.”
Mr. Jones—“How long have you been preaching?”
Mr. Edge—“About eighteen hundred years.”
At this point Mr. Jones sprang to his feet and walked away in disgust.

Though he taught the importance of baptism, he refused to baptize anyone, saying that in the future they would have the opportunity to be baptized by those who had the right. He did perform marriages that he said would allow them to be together for eternity and gave them "tokens" so they would know when they entered true temples of God.

By July 1879, Mr Edge had collected a number of enemies. Some of them tried to have him killed. At which point he announced it was time for him to move on. While staying at the Reed home he awoke in the middle of the night saying a mob was on its way and that he should move on. When the mob arrived, he had gone and he was never seen again.

Members of Robert Edge's group continued to meet. At some point they saw a summary of the LDS church doctrine in the New York Sun. Being impressed they contacted the church asking for more information and were directed to Missionaries serving in Cane Creek, Tennessee, the nearest branch. Several of Robert Edge's followers joined the Church.

So who was Robert Edge? Well, readers will recognized all the makings of a Three Nephites story. I'm more of a sceptic. There are just so many other options to choose from. But to do that I'll need to sort out fact from myth. What really happened and what was the product of imagination?