Church members begin returning to their homes in Salt Lake City.
21st I spent most of the day in the Historians office
the eastern Mail arived in the morning I called in
the Presidents office & looked over the papers & at
about 6 oclok Brother Simon Baker was brought up
on trial Before Bishop Hunter and council the Presidency
were all present Broth Baker was tried for whiping
one of his wives vary severely He had married two
sisters the daughters of James Staples one about
5 years ago, the other about two years she had been
the wife of Andrew Hooper. Brother Baker had Quarrled
with wihis wives & children almost daily & Ann
was about to leave him but before she left Baker
had some words with her and then he beat her
on each side of her head with the flat side of
his hand untill the Blood run out of her ears and
one Eye was vary black. She gave her testimony
asbout the whole affair she said he struck her as
though he was going to knock down an ox he struck
her about 10 times on the side of the head in telling the
story they talked back and forth & made cross statement
Betsey was then called upon to give her statement but
she did not wish to talk Her Father James Staples
told his daughters to tell the truth without any regard to
any body and said she had entered many complaints
to him against Baker and if she now would not tell
the truth & tell the thing as it is he did not wish to
have her come home hereafter with a tale of wo,
but she would not talk much President Young then
said Betsey I want you to tell the truth and not keep
any thing back. you will be wanting a Bill [of divorce] by
& By from Baker & if you dont tell the story now
I dont want you to come hereafter with a tale of
sorrow still she did not feel light like talking. I
dont want to have you leave Brother Baker if you do
not wish to but I do not wish you to come home
here after with a tale of complaint your place is
to talk now still she said but little she acknowledged
that Brother Baker took her off from the Bed
and slaped her {bottom} Budt did not hurt her but said
he had whiped her sister hard. But as she would
not talk Brother Baker was kalled upon to tell his story
which was some what lenngthy he acknowledged
hwhiping his wife but said he was not mad but timed
his blows ackcording to the strength of her head. said
he was willing to abide the decission of the council
President Young said that if this woman was subject
to desease these blows would probably cost her her life
If he had have treated me in this way I would have
cut his throat, and there is many women who would
have done it. I would not trust a dog with Brother
Baker or put one in his care for he does not know how
to treat either man or beast. I have women in my family
that would have killed Brother Baker in a momen[t] if he
had treated them in the way he has Ann. But I govern
my family by kind ness I tell them what is right
& I get them to obey me without whiping them If I can-
not get my family to do as I wish them without Quarrel-
ing with them I will not say a word about it.
President Young said to Baker Betsey will come to me
for a Bill [of divorce] yif you do not ctarke a Different coursce
and she will have a long hard story to tell. After
all had told their story the parties was dismissed
& the council met to give in their decision. President
Young said to Bishop Hunter come give in your decision
as to Brother Baker atempering his Blows he does not
know any thing about it. he is not fit to punish a
dog "He is vary rough & vulgar in all his talk in his
family I suppose he is worth $10000 Dollars He said
what if I was to take that course with my famil
or you what would be the consequence we should have
No families. all his wives & children will leave him
if he does not take a Diferent course.
The Decision of the Bishop & council was that Brother
Simon Baker be separated from his wife Ann & that
he pay Eight hundred Dollars for her & her schildren
support to be paid forth with in stock to be prized
by Edward Hunter & Bryant Stringham to be placed in
the hands of Bryant Stringham for safe keeping &
that said Baker be cut disfellowshiped from the
Church of Jesus Church of Latte Day Saints and that
all the clothing of the children be given up to them
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