Azel Vandruver was referred to as “a notorious wag,” meaning a gossip. He was acquainted with Joseph Smith. Azel and William T. Hussey offered “to take upon [themselves] the death penalty” if they could see the gold plates. They claimed to observe something “concealed under a piece of thick canvas.” When Hussey removed the canvas, they saw a tile brick. Smith claimed to have pulled a joke on the men, and with customary whiskey hospitalities, the affair ended in good-nature.”[1]
[1] Tucker, Origin, Rise, and Progress of Mormonism, p. 19.