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Salamander audiovisual collection, 1980-1990

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Sillitoe, Linda, 1948-2010
Title
Salamander audiovisual collection
Dates
1980-1990 (inclusive)
Quantity
23 audiocassette
8 vhs
2 microcassette
Collection Number
A0240
Summary
The Salamander audiovisual collection (1980-1990) consists of materials used by Linda Sillitoe and Allen Roberts in their book Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders, a book about the Mark Hofmann case and 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

Materials must be used on-site; no use of original material, access copies will be made available for viewing. All items have been digitized and are available. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law, condition of the material, or by donor.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

Linda Sillitoe (b. 1940) a University of Utah graduate, has worked as a journalist for the Deseret News, Utah Holiday magazine, and the New York Times. She has won awards from the Utah chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press as well as three nominations for a Pulitzer Prize for her stories about life in Salt Lake County. She has written three important books on aspects of Utah history: Banking on the Hemingways: Three Generations of Banking in Utah and Idaho (1992);Salamander: The Story of the Mormon Forgery Murders, and Friendly Fire: The ACLU in Utah (1996). She wrote the official centennial history of Salt Lake County, which was published in a popular format as Welcoming the World: A History of Salt Lake County (1996). She also has published a collection of poems Crazy for Living (1993), a short story collection Windows on the Sea (1989), and two novels Sideways to the Sun (1998), and Secrets Keep, (1995). Her creative works have won multiple awards from the Association for Mormon Letters. She has co-produced a PBS-affiliated documentary, "Navajo and American" (2003), and taught classes in journalism and writing on several college campuses. She currently works as public outreach coordinator of Weber State University's Stewart Library.

Allen Dale Roberts is an award-winning architect specializing in historical restoration. He is the co-founder of Sunstone magazine, co-editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, and is a contributing author to Religion, Feminism, and Freedom of Conscience: A Mormon/Humanist Dialogue. He has been published in the Utah Historical Quarterly and elsewhere and is the recipient of a Best Article Award from the Mormon History Association. He is a board member of the Utah Endowment for the Humanities and is the Utah Advisor for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Mark William Hofmann (b. 1954) a Utah native, forger, counterfeiter, and murderer, became one the most infamous criminals in the State's history. Especially noted for his creation of documents related to the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (L.D.S. Church), Hofmann is considered by many forensic experts to be the best forger yet caught. His specialty was in Mormon holographs and currency but he also forged other American historical documents. Hofmann successfully duped manuscript experts nationwide, including those within the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Library of Congress, the American Antiquarian Society, and the L.D.S. Church.

On 16 October 1985 Hofmann was critically injured by an exploding pipe bomb in his sports car. He quickly became the suspect in two bombing murders the previous day which had killed Steven F. Christensen, thirty-one years old, and Kathleen Webb Sheets, fifty. Investigators learned that Hofmann and Christensen had been scheduled the morning of the murders to close the "sale" of the McLellin Collection, a purportedly controversial document collection that turned out to be non-existent. Hofmann had been selling various non-existent collections in lucrative scams that were threatening to topple. The "white salamander letter" that Christensen had earlier bought, authenticated, and donated to the Mormon Church, had projected a revisionist view of history that stimulated historical review and attracted wide media attention. In the spring and summer of 1985, the LDS Church had endured a series of embarrassing document-related media stories, including news reports that an inflammatory collection was headed for secret church vaults.

The murder investigation which ensued uncovered the forgery/fraud scheme. Forensic history was made in detecting Hofmann's method for chemically aging ink that was then applied to old paper. Hofmann was up for trial on thirty felonies, including two capital murders. Hofmann was arrested for murder and forgery in February 1986. In January 1987, he pled guilty to second-degree murder and theft-by-deception to avoid the death penalty, confessing his forgeries in open court. In January 1988, he was sentenced to life in prison.

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Content Description

The Salamander audiovisual collection (1980-1990) contains audio and videorecordings of news coverage dealing with the Mark Hofmann murders, the investigation of Hofmann's activities, press conferences, and resolution of the criminal prosecution; audio recordings of lectures by Linda Sillitoe, Allan Roberts, Steven Christensen, and others at theological symposia and on radio talk shows; interviews with Sillitoe and Roberts concerning their research for the book Salamander; and a videorecording of an episode of a television program, "Crimes of the Century," which focuses on the Hofmann case.

Also included in the collection is a videorecording of Steve Christensen being interviewed about his acquisition of the "Salamander" letter; a videorecording of investigators experimenting with printing techniques; an audiorecording of an interview, by Roberts, of Don Tanner, a friend of Christensen; and an audiorecording of Hofmann discussing his 'discovery' of a valuable document (the Anthon transcript).

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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

Initial Citation: Salamander audiovisual collection A0240, Special Collections and Archives. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott. Salt Lake City, Utah.

Following Citations: A0240.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically and by format.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Linda Sillitoe and Allen Roberts in 1989.

Processing Note

Processed by Mark Jensen in 1991.

Related Materials

See also the Salamander manuscripts collection MS 0577

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Description: Mark Hofmann on the Anthon transcript
    sound

    Hofmann is interviewed concerning the "discovery" of the Anthon transcript, as well as other rare books and documents. Doralee Hofmann is present. The tape identifies this as the "Logan (Utah) study group"

    Dates: 8 May 1980
    Container: Cassette 1
  • Description: Steve Christensen interview
    color, sound, 08:00

    A recording of Christensen's interview with a news reporter, in which he discusses the "Salamander" letter.

    Dates: 1985
    Container: Cassette 2
  • Description: "Pillars of my Faith"
    sound, side A: 52:58, side B: 42:14

    Steve Christensen's address at the Sunstone Theological Symposium's plenary session. This tape is digitized.

    Dates: 21-24 August 1985
    Container: Cassette 3
  • Description: Radio Broadcast "Talk Back"
    sound, side 4A: 49:59, side 4B: 38:33, side 5A: 24:12

    The host for this radio program is Bob Larson, and ir aired on KQXI in Denver, CO. The guests are Dennis and Rauni Higley, who discuss "Mormonism and Freemasonry."

    Dates: 30 October 1985
    Container: Cassette 4-5
  • Description: Television news coverage
    color, sound

    Local news reports on the initial bombings and aftermath.

    Dates: 23 October 1985 - 8 November 1986
    Container: Cassette 6
  • Description: Television news coverage
    sound, side A: 49:37, side B: 49:15
    • Side A: 1 KUTV 11/25/85. Rod Decker reports on Hofmann's discoveries of Mormon documents, including the "Salamander" letter, and the position of the LDS church.
    • Side B: 1 KUTV 11/29/85. Rick Shenkman reports on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's investigation of Christensen's death.
    • 2 KUTV, 11/29/25. Michelle King reports on Hofmann's attempts to make a confession from his hospital bed.
    • 3 KSL, 11/30/85. Dave Thompson reports on the Houston owner of the McLellin papers; Bill Hofmann defends his son; hospital confession.
    • 4 KUTV, 12/1/85. Bob Loy reports on the location of the McLellin papers in Houston; Utah Supreme Court decision.
    • 5 KUTV, 12/1/85. Bob Loy reports on the location of the McLellin papers.
    Dates: 25 November - 1 December 1985
    Container: Cassette 7
  • Description: Television news coverage
    sound, side A: 30:02, side B: 40:14
    • Side A: 1-2 KUTV report on the documents in Texas, 12/2/85.
    • 3 KTVX report on the documents in Texas, 12/2/85.
    • 4 KSL report on the documents in Texas, 12/3/85.
    • 5 KUTV report on the supboena of Otis Traughber, 12/3/85.
    • 6 KSL report on the subpoena of Otis Traughber, 12/3/85.
    • 7 KSL report on Hofmann's business activity.
    • Side B: All the news coverage was done by KUTV
    • 1-2 The Utah Supreme Court's decision on the testimony of Hofmann's hospital nurse, 12/5/85.
    • 3 The LDS church release on the McLellin papers, 12/85.
    • 4 Doralee Hofmann's polygraph test, 12/85.
    • 5 The direction of the police investigation, 12/85.
    • 6 The basis of the County Attorney's case, 12/85.
    • 7 Hofmann's finances, 12/85.
    • 8 Hofmann's attorneys request moving the trial, 12/85.
    • 9-10 The County Attorney's Office's relations with the Sherriff's department, 12/31/85.
    • 11 Undetermined, 1/86.
    • 12 Recap of Hofmann case, evidence, 2/4/86.
    Dates: 2 December 1985 - 4 February 1986
    Container: Cassette 8
  • Description: Linda Sillitoe KTKK interview
    sound, side A: 49:09, side B: 56:49

    Linda Sillitoe is interviewed on KTKK radio, Salt Lake City, about her forthcoming book, Salamander.

    Dates: 1986
    Container: Cassette 9
  • Description: Printing Test Deposition
    color, sound

    A recording of Salt Lake County attorneys investigating possible printing techniques used by Hofmann in forging "Oath of Freeman." Participants include Gerry D'Elia, Ted Cannon, and George Throckmorton.

    Dates: 29 April 1986
    Container: Cassette 10
  • Description: "Talk Back" Radio Interview
    sound, 11: 44:24, 12: 33:38

    A radio talk show, hosted by Bob Larson and broadcast on KQXI, in Denver, CO. The guest is Dick Baer, co-producer of "The God Makers" and a critic of Mormonism. The subject of discussion is "mysticism and Mormonism."

    Dates: 28 July 1986
    Container: Cassette 11-12
  • Description: Linda Sillitoe lecture at Sunstone Theological Symposium
    sound

    A recording of her paper, "The Mormon Documents: Day in Court" presented at the 1986 Sunstone Theological Symposium.

    Dates: 20-23 August 1986
    Container: Cassette 13
  • Description: Speech by Dr. Walter Martin
    sound

    Dr. Walter Martin delivers his speech, "The Maze of Mormonism" at a Baptist church in Denver, CO.

    Dates: 15 September 1986
    Container: Cassette 14-15
  • Description: Allen Roberts Lecture
    sound, 16A: 31:41, 16B: 32:26, 17A: 31:44, 17B: 33:46

    A lecture given by Allen Roberts at the Sunstone Foundation of Denver, CO, on his investigation of the Hofmann bombings.

    Dates: 11 April 1987
    Container: Cassette 16-17
  • Description: Don Tanner Interview and Press Conference
    sound, 18A: 31:27, 18B: 31:24, 19A: 1:04:06, 19B: 23:19

    Allen Roberts interviews Don Tanner, who was a close personal friend of Steve Christensen's, about Christensen's personal life. Tape 19 includes a recording of the County Attorney's press conference. A visual recording can be found on item 21.

    Dates: 31 July 1987
    Container: Cassette 18-19
  • Description: Television news coverage
    color, sound, 1:00:00
    • 1 KTVX, Hofmann pleads guilty.
    • 2 KUTV, prosecutor Robert Stotts discusses Hofmann's confession.
    • 3 KSL, report on Hofmann's sentencing.
    • 4 "Prime Time Access" (KSL), David Biggs, Deputy County Attorney, is the guest. He discusses the reasoning behind the plea bargain.
    • 5 Televised music awards.
    • 6 KUTV, reports on Hofmann's plea bargain.
    • 7 KSL, details of the criminal investigation and public reactions to the plea bargain.
    • 8 KSL, report on South High closing.
    • 9 Music video: "Legs," by ZZ Top.
    • 10 KUTV, Hofmann gives details of forgeries and murders.
    • 11 KUTV, South High closing.
    • 12 "Prime Time Access" (KSL), South High closing, John Bennion resignation.
    • 13 KTVX, school board meeting, South High closing.
    • 14 KUTV, school board meeting, South High closing.
    • 15 KSL, school board meeting, South High closing.
    • 16 KSL, public reactions to Hofmann's parole hearing.
    • 17 KUTV, an interview with Hofmann's former roommate.
    Dates: July 1987
    Container: Cassette 20
  • Description: KSL television news coverage
    color, sound
    • 1 Live coverage of the County Attorney's press conference, held in the Salt Lake County Commission chambers, after the release of Hofmann's parole hearing transcript.
    • 2 A recording of a soap opera.
    • 3 KSL television reports on the County Attorney's press conference and the LDS church press conference.
    • 4 KSL television reports on the County Attorney's press conference.
    • 5 "The Hofmann Papers: Between the Lines" is a KSL "Special Report" on the Hofmann bombings.
    • 6 KSL television reports on the publication of the hearing transcript and the effect of Hofmann's forgeries on the LDS church.
    • 7 An episode of "M.A.S.H."
    • 8 An episode of "Hawaii Five-O."
    Dates: July 1987
    Container: Cassette 21
  • Description: KSL television news coverage
    color, sound
    • 1 A report on the release of Hofmann's hearing transcript.
    • 2 A report on Hofmann's modus operandi.
    • 3 An interview with Salt Lake County Attorney Bob Stott.
    • 4 A report on Hofmann in prison and on how he passed a polygraph test.
    • 5 "The Hofmann Papers: Between the Lines," a "Special Report" on Hofmann and his activities.
    Dates: July 1987
    Container: Cassette 22
  • Description: KSL television news coverage
    sound, side A: 50:46, side B: 1:08:40
    • Side A: 1 The release of interview transcripts, LDS church press conference, 7/31/87.
    • 2 Public reactions to transcripts, how Hofmann fooled polygraph test, c. 7/31/87.
    • 3 "The Hofmann Papers: Between the Lines," a KSL news "Special Report" summarizing the Hofmann case, c. 7/31/87. Continued on side B.
    • Side B: Continued from side A. "The Hofmann Papers: Between the Lines," is concluded.
    Dates: July 1987
    Container: Cassette 23
  • Description: LDS church press conference
    sound, side A: 19:11, side B: 09:28

    A recording of a press conference at the LDS church office building. Richard Lindsey, Church spokesman, makes a statement and answers questions on Church involvement in the Hofmann case.

    Dates: 31 July 1987
    Container: Cassette 24
  • Description: Interview with Linda Sillitoe and Allen Roberts
    sound, 11:04

    Linda Sillitoe and Allen Roberts are interviewed for KSL television's "Probe Five." They discuss their research and the impact of Hofmann's actions on the sale of historic documents.

    Dates: 1988
    Container: Cassette 25
  • Description: Linda Sillitoe and Allen Roberts speak at the West Coast Theological Symposium
    sound

    "At the Epicenter": Sillitoe and Roberts speak on the Hofmann bombings.

    Dates: 1988
    Container: Cassette 26
  • Description: Linda Sillitoe interview
    sound

    Linda Sillitoe is the guest on "Our Arts," a radio program on an unidentified Salt Lake City station.

    Dates: 1988
    Container: Cassette 27
  • Description: Linda Sillitoe lecture
    color, sound

    Linda Sillitoe talks about Salamander as part of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics' "Books and Banter" series.

    Dates: 5 April 1988
    Container: Cassette 28
  • Description: Linda Sillitoe KPBS interview
    sound

    Linda Sillitoe discusses Salamander with an unidentified interviewer on a radio program, broadcast in San Diego, CA, on KPBS.

    Dates: 23 June 1988
    Container: Cassette 29
  • Description: Linda Sillitoe KNJC interview
    sound

    Linda Sillitoe discusses her book Salamander with Roger Good and Carl James on the "San Diego Spotlights" radio program, broadcast in San Diego, CA, on KNJC.

    Dates: 23 June 1988
    Container: Cassette 30
  • Description: Linda Sillitoe lecture at Sunstone Symposium West
    sound

    A recording of Sillitoes' lecture "Murder They Wrote" at the Sunstone Symposium West, held in Concord, CA.

    Dates: 3-4 March 1989
    Container: Cassette 31
  • Description: "Crimes of the Century"
    color, sound

    The host for this program is Mike Connor. It describes the Hofmann case and includes interviews with observers and some of the key players. An Ohlmeyer Production.

    Dates: 5 March 1989
    Container: Cassette 32
  • Description: Linda Sillitoe KUSU interview
    sound

    Linda Sillitoe discusses her work on Salamander with an unidentified interviewer on the radio program "Etcetera," broadcast on KUSU radio, Logan, UT.

    Dates: 3 January 1990
    Container: Cassette 33

Finding aid created by Mark Jensen and revised by Danielle Rausch.
1991 (revised in 2022)

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