This sign or token of distress is made by placing the right hand
on the right side of the face, with the points of the fingers
upward, shoving the hand upward until the ear is snug between the
thumb and forefinger. I here pause, and ask myself the question:

"Am I justified in making the above statement?"

Those who think I am not should wait until they read the whole
story. It is my purpose and intention to free my mind and bring
to light some of the secret workings of the Priesthood.

To return to the election at Gallatin: The brethren all attended
the election. All things seemed to pass off quietly, until some
of the Mormons went up to the polls to vote. I was then lying on
the grass with McBrier and a number of others.

As the Mormons were going to the polls a drunken brute by the
name of Richard Weldorp stepped up to a little Mormon preacher by
the name of Brown and said:

"Are you a Mormon preacher?"

"Yes, sir, I am."

"Do you Mormons believe in healing the sick by laying on of
hands, speaking in tongues, and casting out devils?"

"We do," said Brown.

Weldon then said, "You are a liar. Joseph Smith is an impostor."

With this, he attacked Brown, and beat him severely. Brown did
not resent it, but tried to reason with him; but without effect.

At this time a Mormon by the name of Hyrum Nelson attempted to
pull Weldon off Brown, when he was struck by half a dozen men on
the head, shoulders, and face. He was soon forced to the ground.
Just then Riley Stewart struck Weldon across the back of the head
with a billet of oak lumber and broke his skull. Weldon fell on
me, and appeared lifeless. The blood flowed freely from the
wound. Immediately the fight became general.

Gallatin was a new town, with about ten houses, three of which
were saloons. The town was on the bank of Grand River, and heavy
timber came near the town, which stood in a little arm of the
prairie. Close to the polls there was a lot of oak timber which
had been brought there to be riven into shakes or shingles,
leaving the heart, taken from each shingle-block, lying there on
the ground. These hearts were three square, four feet long,
weighed about seven pounds, and made a very dangerous, yet handy
weapon; and when used by an enraged man they were truly a class
of instrument to be dreaded.

When Stewart fell the Mormons sprang to the pile of oak hearts,
and each man, taking one for use, rushed into the crowd. The
Mormons were yellin