Horace Rawson — Manifestation of Cain in Nauvoo
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Bibliography Research
In 1847, in Nauvoo, Illinois, a man named Rawson (identified in later historical analysis as Horace Rawson) reported seeing a figure that matched the description of the 'immortal wanderer' Cain. The figure was described as an imposing, dark, and hairy man who appeared suddenly. This account was shared among the early Saints and served as a corroborating testimony to the experience of David W. Patten, reinforcing the early Latter-day Saint understanding of Cain's status as a cursed wanderer on the earth. The encounter was viewed by Rawson as a spiritual manifestation confirming the reality of the scriptures regarding Cain's judgment.
In Their Own Words
“I recolect once hearing David Patton tell as he was traveling in Tennesee a man overtook him the man was on foot and David was on horseback and seemed about as high as he was He gave an apperence that attracted David attention, he ask his name, the man answered and said, “you have read off Cain that killed his brother Abel have you not,” Yes, David replied, Well I am he, Where are you going? he answered as the scriptures says, Two and Trou, up and down, in the earth seeking who I may devour. This discription David gave of Cain answered very well for the man I saw as I have stated and I have never heard of any one ever seeing him but my self. What I have said here is true.”
— Horace S. Rawson, undated reminiscence (Church History Catalog, Horace S. Rawson reminiscence), reproduced in Mormonr, “Cain and Bigfoot”
Sources & References
Horace S. Rawson, undated handwritten reminiscence, Church History Catalog (https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.org/record?id=c177bcb2-fd98-49c8-bb1b-a352a0bab024&view=summary); reproduced verbatim in Mormonr, “Cain and Bigfoot” (https://mormonr.org/qnas/45pg4/cain_and_bigfoot); Matthew Bowman, “Between Pulpit and Pew: The Supernatural World in Mormon History and Folklore.” (research confidence: high)
Related Miracles
Similar miracle types and stories from the 1840s.