Ancient and modern Michilimackinac

The author of this booklet had attempted to succeed Joseph Smith in the leadership of the Latter Day Saints upon the latter’s death in Nauvoo, Il in 1844. When instead Brigham Young became the church leader, Strang led a faction out to Voree, WI, which then moved on to Beaver Island, MI beginning in 1847. Strang would reign as ‘King’ of an ecclesiastical monarchy there until his murder in 1856. He also served during these years as a state congressman in the Michigan House of Representatives.

This small book was printed at Beaver Island’s own press, the first one in Michigan north of Grand Rapids. In it Strang provided a competent history of Michilimackinac and a detailed account of the conflict between Mormons and ‘gentiles’ in the area, which gradually escalated in violence. The state of Michigan tried and acquitted Strang on charges of treason, counterfeiting and other crimes. While Strang lay dying from gunshot wounds in July 1856, a mob from Mackinac and elsewhere descended upon Beaver Island and evicted all of Strang’s 2,600 followers from the island, robbing them of their money and personal possessions.