Today in Mormon History - Jan 16

[Freemasonry in Utah] When it was rumored that Mormons contemplated petitioning the United Grand Lodge of England for a dispensation, the two existing Utah lodges reluctantly combined forces to form Argenta Lodge, under Colorado registry, thus becoming eligible to organize the Grand Lodge of Utah, on 16 January 1872. (1)
-- 140 years ago today - Jan 16, 1872

[Ezra Booth] He married a couple in Mentor (2)
-- 180 years ago today - Jan 16, 1832

Orrin Porter Rockwell kills "while attempting to escape" Lot Huntington for Dawson beating. [see Jan 1, 1862] Church Historian's office notes that Rockwell shoots Huntington eight times in stomach-difficult to do while someone is running away from the shooter. Salt Lake City policemen kill Moroni Clawson and John P. Smith while escorting them to jail on Jan. 17 for the beating. On Jan. 22 bishop's court tries participant Isaac Niebaur who confesses, protests that he "never stole from a Mormon," asks forgiveness, "but if his Blood must atone he is willing to die." Church court forgives Niebaur without blood atonement, but Salt Lake county court on Mar 25 sentences him and two others to varying prison terms for Dawson incident. (3)
-- 150 years ago today - Jan 16, 1862

1 - Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MASONRY,FREE.html
2 - Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, Ezra Booth, http://www.saintswithouthalos.com/b/booth_e.phtml
3 - Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower