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Persecution in Zion
"The venom spewed by the phenomenon of Mormon polygamy is difficult
to understand. This `peculiar institution' as it was described by non-Mormons,
inspired such hatred during the half-century of its official existence
that it seriously occupied armies and presidents of the United States.
. . . The Edmunds bill, introduced by Sen. George F. Edmunds of Vermont,
was an amendment to the anti-bigamy law of 1862 and it defined polygamy
as a crime - every person who has a husband or wife living - who thereafter
marries another, whether married or single, and any man who simultaneously,
or on the same day, marries more than one woman . . . is guilty of polygamy.
The penalty was set at a $500 fine and five years in prison, or both. .
. . Polygamists also were denied voting rights through an oath administered
by registration officers; and denied the privilege of holding elected office.
As a result of the Edmunds law, anywhere from 12,000 to 14,000 polygamous
Mormons - citizens of Utah - were disenfranchised." (Salt Lake Tribune,
October 15, 1995)
Utah State Penitentiary records (as quoted in Fun and Names,
p. 82-83) give a physical description of John Durrant. (List of
Prisoners in the Utah Penitentiary, vol. B, p. 32. Utah State Archives.)
Height - 5 foot 4 1/2 inches
Weight - 150-155 pounds
Complexion - dark
Eyes - dark brown
Hair - dark or black
Temperate, Can read and write
Church Chronology by Andrew Jenson carries these terse reports of
the persecution John Durrant endured as a result of living the doctrine
of plural marriage and refusing to renounce his wives:
1st offence -
1886: Tuesday, April 20th. "Several houses at American
Fork, Utah Co., were raided by U.S. deputy marshals, who arrested Wm. Wagstaff,
Wm. R. Webb, John P. Kelly and John Durrant, and subpoenaed a number
of witnesses. All were brought to Salt Lake City, where the defendants
were each placed under $1,500 bonds.
[The Deseret Evening News -- 20 April 1886 report includes mention
that they "were arrested for unlawful cohabitation this morning early by
deputies Vandercook, Redfield, Glen, Smith and Doyle. Wm. Duncan acting
as spotter. The prisoners will be brought to the city this evening.] It
takes little imagination to understand a "spotter" and five men raiding
a man's home in the wee hours of the morning and forcibly removing him
from his family!
This entry from the Journal of William Grant, p. 131. [ LDS Church Historical
Department, Msd 1956] sheds some light on the community feeling when one
of its citizens constrained to serve his sentence. Apparently, Brother
William Grant also served similar sentences in the Penitentiary.
" 14 October 1886 - A surprise was got up at our house upon Bro.
John Durrant who is to be sentanced. The next day we went down and surprised
him. When they all came back to our Music Hall w[h]ere a Nice Social time
was spent myself being appointed Chairman of the meeting."
"15 October 1886 - "packed Bro Durrants Box for the Pen. And
he went to Provo to be sentenced. But his Case was Postponed till the 21st."
Andrew Jenson, in Church Chronology,[ p. 139] reports:
1886: Thursday, October 21st. "Bishop James W. Loveless
(sentenced in the First District Court, at Provo, to six months' imprisonment
and $300 fine), and John Durrant and Hans Jensen (sentenced to six
months' imprisonment and $100 fine, each) were taken to the Penitentiary.
[Deseret Evening News - 22 October 1886: To the "pen.": Last evening
the following brethren were brought from Provo and taken to the penitentiary
to serve out their terms of imprisonment for refusing to renounce their
wives.]
[From William Grant's journal, p. 135]
"10 March 1887 I Comenced with my Own Voluntary act to take up
a donation to help my Nei[gh]bor and Bro John Durrant from Prison as he
had $100.00 to pay. And though it was a Very Scarce time for money. I succeeded
well. And gathered the hundred dollars."
"19 March 1887 I went to Salt Lake City and Paid to Marshall
Dyer the $100.00 in gold - got his receipt and a pass to go to the Brethren
at the Pen. Called out Bros Durrant and Webb. And had an Interesting Visit
With them. Saw maney I knew. and was much Interested in looking from the
Wall down into the Old den--Took up--and gave the Boys 5 Sacks. 5. Box.
Oranges at my Expense and Trouble.
"20 March 1887 The Next Day Bro John was Out. and we Visited
around Together and Came home that day. he and most of his family Coming
to our house to supper.
1887: Sunday, March 20th. James W. Loveless, Hans Jensen,
Orson P. Arnold and John Durrant were discharged from the Penitentiary.
2nd offence -
1888: Tuesday, April 3rd. John Durrant of
American Fork, and Soren Jacobsen, of Bountiful, Davis Co., were arrested
for u.c. (unlawful cohabitation)
1888: Saturday, September 29th. In the First District Court,
at Provo, Lorenzo D. Argyle, of Lake Shore, Utah Co., was sentenced by
Judge Judd to six months' imprisonment and $150 fine; John W. Gardner,
of Pleasant Grove, to five months' imprisonment; Christian Sorensen, of
Mt. Pleasant, to 90 days; Wm. Beeston, of Fillmore, to four months and
$200 fine; Christian Borregaard, of Fillmore, to 60 days and $50 fine;
Niels M. Petersen, of Richfield, and David Broadhead to $150 fine, each;
all for u.c. Ole P. Borg, of Richfield, was sentenced to nine months, and
John
Durrant of American Fork, to 18 months' imprisonment, for alleged adultery.
From the Journal of William Grant:
"20 April 1889 [sentenced in Provo and took train to Salt Lake
City] . . . at the Depot at Salt Lake the Pen Wagon was waiting and we
got aboard at 6 P.M. Ariveing about 7 at the Penitentiary Our pedigree
was taken and we were soon sent inside. I was put in for the night with
H. H. Hawthorne on third tier north.
"21 April 1889 next morning after a restless night I met many
friends and Brethren. Some 12 Old Chums were there left from [18]86. And
some 60 or 70 Brethren all Came to greet me. First among them was Bros
Webb and Durrant, Cap Hart and others. . .
From the Autograph Book of George B. Bailey. LDS Church Historical
Department, Msf 882, #2]:
"24 April 1889
Utah Penitentiary
As prisnors together for Conscience Sake
As brothers together for the Gospells Sake
May we be true together for our sake
And maintain our Covenants and make no mistake
Is the wish of your fellow prisnor
Sentence 18 Months John Durrant
By Judge Judd Am. Fork Utah
But happey we be County Utah
though life has its Sorrows
The History and Minutes of the Utah Penitentiary School indicate the degree
of religious freedom which Mormon inmates had while serving their sentences.
The dates selected record John's participation in these particular services.
(The History and Minutes of the Utah Penitentiary Sunday School, 1888-90.
LDS Church Historical Department, CR12/51)
"18 August 1889 In Sunday School this morning Bp. Maughan presided;
the opening prayer was offered by Elder John Durrant, of American Fork.
Choice selections were given by twenty four members. Prest. Roberts read
and commented on our lesson - Romans XIII & XIV; his remarks being
full of instruction. There were fifty members present. The singing was
conducted by Elder Charles S. Hall. Ben[ediction] be Elder Jens Jorgensen,
of Mt. Pleasant. Jos. S. Horne, Sec. [p. 14].
"8 December 1889 Sunday School convened as usual, Supt. Horne
presiding. After singing prayer was offered by Elder Jas. Sellers. 54 were
present, and 21 read choice selections. The IX chapt. of Math[ew] was read
and commented upon by John Powell of Fillmore in a way that showed more
than average ability. Chapt's. X & XI were given for next Sunday's
lesson. Benediction by Elder J. Durrant. E. P. Marquardson, Sec'y. [Ibid.,
p. 22].
1889: Saturday, December 14th. John Durrant
of American Fork, was discharged from the Penitentiary.
On the day before his discharge, John wrote in the Autograph Book of James
Sellers:
"13 December 1889 Dear Brother Sellers
One by one the signs appear off the saviour
drawing near to take Command And lead us
in the strate and narrow way
And Satan will be bound for a thousand years
John Durrant
American Fork Utah County Utah
Although it was a trying thing to be separated from hearth and family during
his prison confinement, John "improved his time." It was while serving
his first term that he penned the autobiography dated 1st February
1887 which is so prized by his family to this day and from which the bulk
of this history comes. A few letters to his family also from this period
have been preserved and are cherished by his family. Although these letters
were not necessarily significant in their content, they indicate the family
concerns that occupied his hours. John endured this separation rather than
"renouncing" the wives and children that were his beloved family. |
