See quotations.
1857. They suppose that there is a secret society existing there, called Danites, Shanpips, or Destroying Angels.—Mr. Morrill of Vermont, House of Repr., Feb. 24: Cong. Globe, p. 289, App.
1858. We recollect the representations of Governor Denver in Kansas last winter in regard to the existence of a secret military organization in that territory, which he calls the “Danite Society,” in allusion to a similar organization among the Mormons…. [Charles Leib] was one of the chief officers of Jim Lane’s Danite society in Kansas, and was so reported by a committee of this body in 1856.—Mr. Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, U.S. Senate, June 15: id., p. 3056.
1862. If the enemies of the Mormons are to be trusted, they have a secret battalion of “Danites,” serpents in the path, destroying angels, who are banded for any deed of daring; and assassination, and the frequent violent deaths of travellers and emigrants, are attributed to the treacherous stroke of some brother of this fraternity.—North American Review, xcv. p. 211 (July) (Bartlett).
1870. The Church has often used an order of secret police, popularly known as “Danites.” This order was first instituted during the troubles in Missouri; it was remodeled in the third or fourth year of their residence at Nauvoo, and has been continued since.—J. H. Beadle, ‘Life in Utah,’ p. 389 (Phila., &c.). See also pp. 192–3.
