[first pass]                        158
[Pottawattamie HC Conf Min LR 1764 21 / Lr 1764 21 folder 1 Pottawattamie HC Lr 1764 21 fd 1 July 46-Feb 51 / LR 1764 21 1846 July-1851 February_Page_170 ]
and made some statements concerning Bro.
[=========] character, which I asked him to
repeat before some individuals then in the
office which he declined.. I asked him if he
was willing to make the same statements before
the Council.. I felt exasperated, and said such
a man is not worthy, of our support as a
public officer, or our fellowship as a saint.. To
come at the point of testimony he said there
was a young woman living with her mother
near to him, that she had to hunt their cow,
that she was frequently out at improper hours,
and improper distances from home, that on
several occasions she and[=======] were
known to be off in the same direction, and
they would make it so as she would come up
a few minutes before or after him, and on
one occasion Bro. Benson was riding home after
having been away on some business, he passed
[=======] in the prairie in search, as he said,
of his cows soon after he also came up with
this girl, said he cautioned her, telling her it
was quite improper for her to be thus wandering
alone through the prairie, and as he passed on
having gone round the point of a hill, the
young woman passed the other side of the
hill and as he rose the hill, some prairie
chickens flew off, which drew his attention
in the direction that the young woman was,
when he said  her and [=======] with
their arms clasped round each other.. Bro.
Benson said also his daughter had informed
him that this same young woman, told her
that [=======] frequently lay with her, and
he gave her some sour or bitter apples, or
something of the kind to prevent any danger
from their connection..