View XML QR Code

Salamander collection, 1829-2000

Overview of the Collection

Title
Salamander collection
Dates
1829-2000 (inclusive)
Quantity
14.5 linear feet
Collection Number
MS 0577
Summary
The Salamander collection (1829-2000) consist of interview notes, news clippings, publications, investigative information, and other materials used by Linda Sillitoe and Allen Roberts in their book Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders, a book about the 1985 bombing deaths of two Salt Lake City residents.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English
Return to Top

Historical Note

On 15 October 1985, two pipe bombs exploded in Salt Lake City killing Steven Christensen and Kathleen Sheets. Two early theories emerged to account for the murders. One suggested a possible connection between the murders and Coordinated Financial Services, a company at which Christensen had worked with Sheets' husband, Gary. The company was in financial trouble, and it was considered highly likely that an irate investor had arranged for the explosives to be planted. The other connection between the two victims was the "Salamander" letter, a highly controversial document which Christensen had purchased with the help of Gary Sheets. The content of the letter, which brought into question the official account of a key event in the history of the Mormon church, had upset many community members. The possibility that the bombings were connected to this letter was also given consideration.

On 16 October another bomb exploded, seriously injuring Mark Hofmann, the documents dealer who had sold the "Salamander" letter to Christensen. At this time investigative efforts were turned entirely towards the document theory of motive, and Mark Hofmann was considered a suspect in the bombings. As investigations continued the case increased in complexity. A number of people and organizations were found to be involved in the confusing web of transactions that had culminated in the murders. The lengthy and meticulous investigative process resulted in, among other things, a new method of detecting forged documents. When Hofmann's preliminary hearing began on 14 April 1986, many were outraged that the prosecution had spent so much time and money working on a case against a man who seemed so clearly innocent. Hofmann had passed a polygraph test. He was quiet, reserved, intelligent, a good father and husband, and an active member of the Mormon Church. As the hearing transpired, however, it became clear that the prosecution had a substantial case. Hofmann was arraigned and a trial date was set for 23 January 1987.

In the interim, a number of changes took place within the County Attorney's Office, resulting in the removal from the case of a key prosecutor. Also during this time, and in spite of the strong case the prosecution was building, a plea bargain was struck with the defense. The deal allowed Hofmann to plead guilty to reduced charges in exchange for granting prosecutors interview time with him. Hofmann was sentenced to one term of five years to life, and three terms of one to fifteen years. While reduced charges resulted in light sentencing, the judge presiding over the trial recommended that, due to the nature of his crimes, Hofmann spend the rest of his natural life in prison.

On 28 January 1988, Hofmann appeared before the members of the Board of Pardons who were to determine the actual length of his imprisonment. His own words helped them to reach a decision. During the hearing, Hofmann admitted he had murdered Christensen and Sheets in order to keep himself from being exposed as a fraud, and he displayed a chilling lack of concern for human life, especially in regards to the Sheets bombing, which he referred to as a game. Consistent with what was deemed appropriate by the judge and the prosecution, he was sentenced to spend the rest of his natural life in prison.

Return to Top

Content Description

The Salamander collection (1829-2000) consist of interview notes, news clippings, publications, investigative information, and other materials used by Linda Sillitoe and Allen Roberts in their book Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders, a book about the 1985 bombing deaths of two Salt Lake City residents. The collection has been divided into five sections. The first section, found in boxes 1-4, contains copies of the three significant books written on the bombings. Each book provides a different perspective on the many events surrounding the murders. Boxes 1-3 include proposals, early titles, drafts, and final manuscripts of Salamander. Box 4 contains photocopies and proof copies of A Gathering of Saints and The Mormon Murders. Section two, comprised of boxes 5-8, contains materials which provide an overview of Mormon history and issues. These papers consist almost entirely of photocopies of articles written by various authors on fundamental aspects of the Mormon religion. Arguments both for and against orthodox viewpoints are presented. The third section contains papers pertaining to criminal psychology and forgery. Box 9 includes articles which address various issues in the psychology of the criminal mind, and box 10 contains articles which relate specifically to forgery. Folders in these boxes are organized alphabetically by author. Boxes 11 and 12 provide an in-depth look at a number of Hofmann's forgeries. Most of the folders in these boxes include photocopies and typed transcripts of the documents, in addition to information about them. Organization is alphabetical by document name. Section four, which consists of boxes 13-24, contains news clippings, interviews, and miscellaneous investigative information. Box 13 contains news clippings of local and national coverage of the bombings and related issues. They are divided into local and national sections, and organized chronologically. Boxes 14-23 have been placed under restriction until 1 January 2000 to protect the confidentiality of those interviewed. Access to the interviews before that date may be allowed, but the interested researcher must obtain written authorization from either Linda Sillitoe or Allen Roberts. Box 24 contains a variety of materials, including research notes and papers on specific subjects. A thorough chronology of events leading to and surrounding the bombings can be found in folders 18 through 24 of box 24. Section five contains papers, books, articles, and other materials that concern events which happened after the bombings. Box 25 consists of court materials from Hofmann's preliminary hearing and appearance before the Board of Pardons, as well as from the other legal proceedings related to the bombings. Boxes 26-27 contain books about Hofmann and transcripts of his interviews with the County Attorney's Office. Box 28 contains articles written after the bombings about Hofmann and Mormon history, and box 29 contains materials relating specifically to the book, Salamander.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized in five series: I. Drafts and Manuscripts; II. Mormon Background Information; III. Forgery Background Information; IV. Newsclippings and Interviews; V. Post-Bombing Materials.

Arranged alphabetically thereunder.

Acquisition Information

Boxes 1-29 were donated in 1989-1990 (14.5 linear feet). Box 29, folder 21, was donated in 2002.

Processing Note

Processed by Christie Pugh in 1992.

Addendum processed by Mary White in 2002.

Separated Materials

Photographs and audio-visual materials were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0434 and A0240).

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

Finding aid created by Christie Pugh.
1992 (last modified: 2019)

CC0

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West