Watertown Invaded By Mormon Church
Syracuse Post-Standard, July 25. 1910

____

Band of Exhorters from Riverton, Utah, headed by Elder Miller,
Expounds Doctrine of Joseph Smith on City's Public Square.

____

WATERTOWN, July 24. - Five disciples of the Mormon faith headed by Elder Almon J. Miller of Riverton, Utah, have invaded Watertown, prepared to preach their belief, and, if possible, to find in this city persons whom they may convert to their way of thinking.

The Mormons preached for the first time last night, occupying a place between the two little parks in Public Square. Aside from Captain Singleton of the police force, very few knew that the little cluster of men, one of whom was exhorting, were Mormons. Removed from the sidewalks, they attracted little attention and had few listeners. Elder Miller, who is a bright looking young man, came to the police station yesterday and stated that he was at the head of a band of Mormons which had selected Watertown as a city in which possible work could be done and asked permission to preach upon Public Square. Captain Singleton granted the request, but told Elder Miller that it must be between the two little parks. The Elder was inclined to protest about being so far from the sidewalk, claiming that if the Salvation Army was allowed close to the sidewalks, he should also be. Captain Singleton would not change his decision.

"So you are here to preach the doctrine of Brigham Young?" inquired the Police Captain.

"No, sir," came the response, "it’s the doctrine of Joseph Smith that we spread," said the elder.

The Captain, not over anxious to get himself involved in any religious discussion, stood corrected, though adding that he did not think the men and women of Watertown had at present any need of more wives or more husbands than they now possess.

Return to Shirley Farone's Homepage