[Hosea Stout Diary] Sat March 11th 1848. Today Benjm Coveys case, as has been spoken of before, was brot before the Council for trial for unlawfully sleeping with a girl less than Twelve years of age. It appeared that two girls about the same age lived with him both of whom he had thus defiled, which was abundantly proven.
He was cut off from the church with this understanding, that his wives and children were under no more obligations to him[.] Much was said that I need not relate.
This evening or after noon rather a trial between Jack Redding and J. M. Strodes, the owner of a store in this place for a debt due Redding on a contract for drawing good for Strodes came before Bp Carns Court Strode lived at the Point & when supeoned only threatned the place with Fort Kearney in case we done anything. He however sent on his witnesses and an aterney or agent to attend the trial accompanied by a. scurrilious letter denouncing our rights to try the case as a farce.
When the case was opened the Atterney protested the Bishops right to try it but said he was instructed in case the trial went to make the best defence he could.
The Bishop of course went on with the suit which after a long trial was given in favor of Redding. This produced a general grunting among those who were not well disposed towards us as a people. All the half hearted mormons joined in this crusade of fault finding as is common in all such cases. But more of this hereafter.
[source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
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