**DAVID WHITMER AT REST. The Last of the Original Mormons Passes Away. Story of the Finding and Translation of the Golden Plates by Joseph Smith — The Truth of the Work Vouched for at the Last Moment by the Disciple
(Special to the Kansas City Times)**
Richmond, Mo., Jan. 25. — David Whitmer the last of the original witnesses of the finding of the book of Mormon, died here to-day after a long illness. Last night he affixed his name to an affidavit affirming the truth of Joseph Smith's story. He was born in Pennsylvania, January 5, 1805, but when a mere child his father moved to Ontario county, New York, and settled near Watkin's Glen, on a farm. In the early part of 1829 the young man heard that Joseph Smith had found an exceedingly valuable golden treasure in the northern part of the county and in company with his brother-in-law, Oliver Cowdery, set out to ascertain the truth or falsity of the story. Smith, who was at that time living with his father on a farm near Manchester, was indisposed at first to exhibit his treasure but was finally persuaded to do so. The treasure consisted of a number of golden plates about eight inches long, seven inches wide and of the thickness of ordinary sheet tin. They were bound together in the shape of a book by three gold rings. A large portion of the leaves were so securely bound together that it was impossible to separate them, but upon the loose leaves were engraved hieroglyphics which were unintelligible to any person who had seen them. With the tablets was an immense pair of spectacles set in a silver bow. Smith announced that he had been commanded to translate the characters upon the plates as soon as possible, and stated further that the work must be done in the presence of three witnesses. Smith, his wife, Cowdery and Whitmer then proceeded to the house of Whitmer's father, where the work of translation was carried out, Smith reading the characters by means of the magic spectacles, Cowdery, Christian Whitmer, a brother of David, and Smith's wife acting as amanuenses. The work of translation occupied nearly eight months. Smith carelessly tattled to the neighbors of the secrets which they were working out, and as a consequence the plates were taken from him by the angel of the Lord, who in place of them gave him a Urim and Thummim of a different shape, which he was to place in his hat and on covering his face with the hat he received straightway a direct revelation. After the completion of the translation David Whitmer became an ardent disciple of the new religion, and for sometime preached throughout the neighborhood on its behalf. His efforts and those of Cowdery and others met with such success that a Mormon church was founded April 6, 1830, in which year the book of Mormon was first published to the world. In the year following the church and its disciples moved to Kirtland, O., where Brigham Young first joined the church. The original manuscript from which the book of Mormon was first printed was in the possession of Whitmer from the time it was written. It is stated that the Mormons of late years made strenuous efforts to induce Mr. Whitmer to part with it, but all offers made by them were steadfastly refused. Leaving Kirtland Whitmer set out as a missionary, preaching the truth as he saw it and exhorting all his hearers to come to Christ. He was very successful in this field, making many converts, and assisted in establishing the settlement in Jackson county, Missouri. When the church had been compelled to flee from Kirtland the members came to Jackson county, but trouble soon arising between them and the Missourians the Mormons moved to Caldwell county. Whitmer then removed to Richmond, Mo.