The Strangites were strange but that’s not how they got the name. It comes from James Jesse Strang, a Mormon who tried to take over as head of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints after Joseph Smith was tragically killed during a shoot-out in a jailbreak. Anyway Strang failed, and started his own branch which came to be known as the Strangites.
He moved his flock to Beaver Island, the largest island in Lake Michigan, created a theocratical monarchy, took five wives and declared himself king. He also won election to the Michigan legislature, which a tyrannical zealot can do when his constituents are zombie followers. Think Portland.
Two of the zombies, though, turned on him shooting him from ambush on June 16. 1856. He died from his injuries on July 9.
Amazingly enough, Strang’s denomination still has about 130 members.
Strangites William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 8-11-20
