• Woodstock's most trusted news source since '87
  • Saturday, October 4, 2025

Trust the Torch!

Subscribe
Main Menu

The King of Confidence’: 19th century idealist, con man subject of next Creative Living program

Text to friend
James Strang was “a very complicated human being,” author Miles Harvey said. “He was a complete opportunist but partly an idealist.”

A polygamist, a thief, and a cheat, James Strang proclaimed himself divine king of earth, heaven, and the 78-square-mile Beaver Island, Mich., before he was assassinated in 1856. “The most […]

Subscribe or Login to continue reading this quality article by The Woodstock Independent

Start a free trial, then pay only $6 per month after

Free Trial
Login
Picture of Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008, returning to the paper as a writer in 2018. A 26-year resident of Woodstock, she taught English, American history, and religion to junior high students at St. Mary School for nine years.
All Posts
Picture of Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray

Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008, returning to the paper as a writer in 2018. A 26-year resident of Woodstock, she taught English, American history, and religion to junior high students at St. Mary School for nine years.
All Posts

Share

Keep Exploring

Photos: A Running Thunderous Homecoming

After a sloppy first half from both Woodstock North and Harvard that saw each team fumbling, missing snaps and turning the ball over, the Thunder took…
October 3, 2025

Marian dominates for homecoming win

By Steve Peterson news@thewoodstockindependent.com Just after the final seconds ticked off the clock, Marian Central’s football team was joined in its…
October 2, 2025

Subscriber Access

Login

Need an account? 

What can we help you find?

Search

Popular Topics