November 3, 1868 – Head of the LDS (Mormon) Church in Salt Lake City, Brigham Young writes to First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City confirming that Hummer’s Bell is, indeed, in their possession.

The 1848-1850 Hummer’s Bell Story was one of the biggest news stories of early Iowa City. When the former pastor – Rev. Michael Hummer – tried to steal the church bell from the North Presbyterian church belfry, quick-thinking parishioners abducted it, hiding it near the banks of the Iowa River until Hummer left town. In April, 1850, several Iowa Citians took the bell with them as they were headed westward for California gold. During their stop in Salt Lake City, they sold the bell to the Mormon Church for $600. Now, eighteen years later, in 1868, the good people of First Presbyterian in Iowa City were inquiring of Brigham Young if, indeed, their missing bell was still in Salt Lake City. Which, indeed, it was!

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