Rudger Clawson is tried for polygamy by a jury composed of 12 non-Mormons. Even though the polygamous marriage was performed before the 1862 Morrill act, he is tried ex-post facto, in clear violation of the Constitution of the United States. He is imprisoned and fined for his marriage.
[Source: Wikipedia, 19th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)]
The month/year for this entry is incorrect. The following information is per Rudger Clawson Chronology by Stan Larson:
ReplyDelete1884, 25 Oct.
Convicted for polygamy and unlawful cohabitation.
1884 3 Nov.
Sentenced by Judge Charles S. Zane to four years imprisonment at Utah Territorial Penitentiary and fined $800; taken to prison by Marshal Edwin Ireland.
Thanks for the correction. The date is incorrect in two sources that I have. Andrew Jenson confirms the Oct 25 1884 date:
ReplyDeleteJenson, Andrew, Church Chronology - Oct 25, 1884 (Saturday) In the Third District Court, Lydia Spencer, by her husband's consent, acknowledged that she was Rudger Clawson's wife, and the jury, after 17 minutes' consultation, returned a verdict of guilty against Clawson.