Wednesday, March 21, 2007

James Jesse Strang was born on this day. Strang was a challenger for leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after founder Joseph Smith was murdered. Though eventually losing out to Brigham Young as the leader of the Mormons, Strang maintained some followers, dubbed "Strangites," who settled with him on Beaver Island in Michigan and made him their king. He parlayed his success into a seat in the Michigan legislature but eventually was shot and beaten to death after he started demanding payment from his followers.



Here's an old postcard of Beaver Island, home of the Strangites.