Zion high council, Minutes, , Caldwell Co., MO, 24 Mar. 1838. Featured version copied [between 1 Oct. 1842 and 14 Sept. 1843] in Minute Book 2, pp. 110–114; handwriting of ; CHL. For more complete source information, see the source note for Minute Book 2.
Historical Introduction
On 24 March 1838, the in , Missouri, met twice to conduct business. First, the council convened to address a charge that leveled against for “unchristian-like conduct, in speaking reproachfully of youngsters.” Newberry was a twenty-year-old student at the school where Murdock served as schoolmaster. Murdock was also a member of the high council. The dispute arose after Murdock accused his students of misbehaving, and Newberry disapproved of how Murdock had dealt with him. The aggrieved parties met with a council of , and one witness later explained in the high council meeting that Newberry and Murdock had aired their grievances and come to a resolution. However, Newberry apparently remained upset and appealed his case to the high council. Because Murdock was the defendant, his council duties were fulfilled by a substitute. The council deemed this a “difficult case” and followed established procedures to appoint six counselors for the case—three counselors to represent Newberry and three to represent Murdock. After hearing testimony from several witnesses, the high council decided that Newberry had mistreated Murdock and that Murdock was not at fault. After a one-hour adjournment, the high council reconvened and decided that counselors who could not attend meetings would resign their seats to those who could attend. As the clerk for the meeting, kept the minutes, which were later copied into Minute Book 2 by .
Sister [Mary Snow] Gates testifies that was at her house and disapproved of evening schools &c she concurs with the testimony of her .
Br Outhouse testifies that he labored with together with when denied making a motion to show how undertook to hug the girl.
He was there then <cross> examined <and> says said in meeting that in making the motion to show how undertook to hug the girl, he did not intend to hit as hard as he did as he was the one to whom he made the motion.
Alonzo Herrick testifies that he was at school one day when the master & got to disputing about hugging the girl, the boy denied undertaking to hug the girl & made a motion to show how he done the thing when the boy said it was not so, he also says <that> he never heard twit the boys of being with the girls, also, that he believes used his best endeavors for the good of the school; also, saw one of the schollars shake his fist at the master; also, that he saw some verses in the hands of , Joseph Outhouse & Edward Prindall, which served to tantalize the master.
George P. Dydes testifies that the Elders were called together & presented a case which was investigated, but he thought proper weight was not put upon the testimony
Edward Prindal testifies that he saw make a motion to show how undertook to hug the girl in meeting which denied, saying he never done any such thing also that he heard the master say that he did not like to have spelling schools because there was too much [p. 111]