| 451 1831-2. As we were both lawyers, and members of the profession were not numerous in Western Missouri at that early day-we became rather intimately acquainted until June, 1838, when he left this State and returned to Ohio. Some eight years ago I was requested by some persons to accompany them to the residence of David Whitmer, Sr., in this village, when we arrived quite a volume of manuscript was lying on the center-table, and I was requested to state whether I recognized the handwriting. I had not been told the purpose of our visit before. I began to turn over the pages. It was an old looking document, but in a good state of preservation as if it had been well cared for. After sketching it over in various parts, I felt sure it was the handwriting of Oliver Cowdery, although I had not seen it for many years; and said that I believed it was his. In the further examination I found a few pages here and there in two other hands, and so pointed them out. Those present then asked Mr. Whitmer as to the various handwritings. He said that I was correct that the manuscript was almost entirely written by Cowdery. The other parts were written by Emma, wife of Joseph Smith, and Christian Whitmer, merely to relieve Cowdery when tired. I still believe the hand writing to be Cowdery's. As to your other questions I have no data to found a belief on as to whether this was the original manuscript from which the Palmyra edition of the Book of Mormon was printed or not. Joseph Smith and his brother and some others have been here about a week comparing them and doubtless will arrive at some certain conclusion in a few days. In my old age (seventy-six) it has not been my habit to answer such questions, but my respect for your grandfather induces me to relax in this instance.
Very respectfully,
A. W. DONIPHAN.
In the early part of May there was a discussion in Pittsburg [Pittsburgh], Pennsylvania, between the Reverend Mr. Coovert, of the "Church of God," and Elder William H. Kelley. During this discussion and at other times it had been asserted that Nancy Rigdon, daughter of Sidney Rigdon, had testified to some very damaging things against the character of Joseph Smith. This prompted Elders William H. and E. L. Kelley to interview the lady. May 14, 1884, Elder E. L. Kelley wrote of this interview as follows:
Since arriving in the city, I have had the pleasure of an interview with Mrs. Nancy (Rigdon) Ellis. She talked freely, and the visit was pleasant, at least to W. H. and myself. . . . She says she was eight years of age at the time that the preachers of the Latter Day Saints first came to her father's in Mentor, Ohio; and has a full remembrance of it because of the contest which soon arose between her father and Pratt and Cowdery, over the Book of Mormon. She says:
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