06/14/2006

Strang days on Beaver Island

The controversial Mormon 'king' of the island was slain 150 years ago

BY CRAIG McCOOL

mccoolrecordeagle@sbcglobal.net

James Strang at a glance

After establishing himself as Mormon leader and breaking ranks with Brigham Young, James Strang founded a colony on Beaver Island in 1848. The island's Mormon population gradually grew to outnumber the non-Mormons, who eventually abandoned it.

Strang declared the island an independent kingdom and himself king — the only monarch in the history of the United States. His rule lasted until 1856, when he was shot to death by two disgruntled members of his flock. Soon after, Strang's followers were driven from the island by a mob from Mackinac Island.

Strang's assassins were taken into custody. They were tried and convicted but fined just a $1.50 each for Strang's murder.

Source: Beaver Island Historical Society director Bill Cashman.

BEAVER ISLAND — There are still a few signs of him.

There's King's Highway, the island's main road. There are a few artifacts in the little history museum and if the evenings get long enough — as those on Beaver Island often do — there's the old songs. "We'll Dance on Strang's Bones" is the title of one.

But as a rule, folks on Beaver Island don't spend a lot of time thinking about James Strang, the one-time Mormon leader who established the only kingdom in the history of the United States on Beaver Island and ruled it for almost a decade.

"The island itself is still vehemently anti-Strang," said Bill Cashman, director of the Beaver Island Historical Society. "The feeling is that Strang is an evil man who should not be commemorated in any way."

So as Friday approaches, the 150th anniversary of Strang's death, don't think of the events scheduled on Beaver Island as commemorative, Cashman urges.

"I think it's just recognizing ... an interesting aspect of American history," he said.

Island visitors this weekend will be treated to a series of free lectures, readings and other events highlighting island history, with a particular focus on the Strang period. Six speakers are scheduled over Friday and Saturday.

The events also include a reenactment of Strang's assassination Friday evening on the same beach where he was shot and killed by two disgruntled followers in 1856.

The skit will be performed by a group of visiting middle school students from Newaygo. Terry Grabill has brought groups of eighth graders to Beaver Island for years. They study science at a remote Central Michigan University biological station on the island.

They also study the island's rich history, including the period when it was a Mormon colony under the self-declared King Strang's rule.

"A big part of what we do is expose them to local history because there's such a colorful history here," Grabill said. "They come up here and ... learn about a king and an assassination. Of course the polygamy thing they find fascinating, too."

Cashman said there are still lessons to be gleaned from the island's turbulent connection with Strang.

"It still has things to teach about how men scheme to achieve their goals," he said.