The Liberty Jail

The Liberty Jail From the Green Mountains to the Rockies By JOHN D. GILES Member of the General Board of Y. M. M. 1. A. BEFORE we leave Winter Quarters, which was barely mentioned in the previous installment, there are some items of interest worthy of attention. It will be remembered that the principal exodus from Nauvoo was in the early winter of 1846. The Saints crossed the Mississippi into Iowa and then made their way across that state to the banks of the Missouri at Kanesville, now Council Bluffs. Later they crossed the river and established themselves at the place we know as Winter Quarters, the thought of President Young evidently being that the Saints should remain there for the winter and then continue west- ward as had been predicted by Joseph Smith. The rigors of that Iowa winter exacted a terrific toll in suffering and loss of life. I have been at Omaha when the thermometer reg- istered twelve degrees below zero and can understand something of the suffering that would follow such temperature in that section (Author's note: Previous installments of this travelogue have told of visits to prominent places in early Church history. The installment in the April issue left us at Winter Quarters. It was stated at the outset that no attempt was to be made to follow chronological order or other sequence, but that during the series the more important places connected with the early days of the Church would be covered) . among people who were totally unprepared for such an experience. TT will be remembered that the *- Saints literally had been driven from their homes in Nauvoo in the late fall and had with them only such accommodations as could be hurriedly gathered to- gether and carried away in such conveyances as were available un- der those extremely trying con- ditions. Mute evidence of the terrors of that winter — 1846-47 — is con- tained in the inscription bolted to an old tree stump at the entrance to what is known as the "old Mormon cemetery" in the suburb of Omaha which was formerly the -Council" Tree at Winter Quarters, t°wn of Florence, and before that Nebraska. Winter Quarters. 1 he inscription

616 The Improvement Era for July, 1930 Monument at Grave of Oliver Cowdecy, at Richmond, Ray County, Missouri. conveys the information that here are buried six hundred of Nebras- ka's first white settlers. No men- tion is made of the fact that they were "Mormons;" in fact the only reminder remaining of the fact that the town was established by the Saints is a side street called "Mor- man" street, the spelling either in- tentionally or otherwise being in- correct. 'T'HE little cemetery, located on ■ a bluff overlooking the Mis- souri river and above the site of the town, is maintained by the Daughters of the American Revo- lution. At the time of the civil war and later, soldiers were buried there and for this reason this body of women interested themselves in it. It is fairly well kept and is pointed out as one of the early landmarks in the tourist guides published in the city. In Winter Quarters, or the Florence section of Omaha as it is today, there is another interest- ing landmark. In the public park is a large tree known to the people as the "council" tree. The story is told to visitors that the tree was planted by Brigham Young in the early spring of 1847, be- fore the pioneers started west. As it grew- it became a beautiful, spreading tree with thirteen branches. Some years ago, the story relates, some dissenters from the Church went to the park under cover of darkness and cut off one of the limbs, signifying that they were cutting Brigham Young off the Church. This left twelve branches and they called it the 'Twelve Apostles" or "Council" Tree. Regardless of the amusing story of the cutting off the thir- teenth branch it seems to be a well- established tradition that Brigham Young actually planted the tree before the Saints began their west- ward trek. A HOME on the west side of the park is pointed out as having been built by Brigham Young and later used as the head- quarters of his followers in out- fitting for the journey west. There appears to be considerable doubt that President Young built the house, although it may have been used by the Saints after the first pioneers left for the west. If it was it was undoubtedly after Monument at Grave of David Whitmer, at Richmond, Ray County, Missouri. 1851, as the following will indi- cate: When President Young and the exiles reached Kanesville (now Council Bluffs) on the east banks of the Missouri, which at this point is the di- viding line between Iowa on the east and Nebraska on the west, they remained there but a short time and then moved across the river and established Winter Quarters. At that time there were no white men living on I the west side of the river. Naturally the Saints selected the choicest location pos- sible for their winter camp. It was later Cc learned, however, that the land they had selected belonged to the Omaha Indians. When this fact became known and the Indians claimed their lands the Saints re- crossed the river and returned to Kanesville. A S far as can be learned, when ^- they left Winter Quarters there were no buildings there, as President Young had never in- tended, apparently, that a per- manent settlement should be made in that place. It was to be what its name indicated — Winter Quar- ters. Accordingly, when the Saints left, "Winter Quarters" as a settle- ment really passed out of existence. Later, about 1851, negotiations were concluded with the Omahas and the site was again occupied by the Saints, but under the name of Florence, although for many years, and by some until now, it has been called Winter Quarters. When the city of Omaha, which was established directly south of Flo- rence, expanded, it (reached and finally engulfed the smaller city which became a part of Omaha. This accounts for the fact that Florence is not to* be found on maps published in later years. Street cars marked "Florence" are the only reminder of the city that played such a spectacular part in early pioneer history. At Council Bluffs, directly across the river from Omaha, another cemetery tells a story of the heroism and sacrifice of the pioneers. I had gone there to seek information re- garding the grave of my great- grandfather who was buried there in 1856. The sexton informed me that this cemetery was likely the place I was looking for, as "Many Momons and Indians" had been buried there in the early days. use at Richmond, Ray County, Missouri.

The Improvement Era for July, 1930 617 We started a search of the old records and found the name Giles in several places, but with dates that were not as early as we were looking for. Finally we came to the name again, at a very early date, but the owner was classified as a negro. I concluded that we had gone far enough and had better stop before matters got worse. JUST outside the cemetery is a beautiful monument marking the spot where Abraham Lincoln stood when he designated Council Bluffs as the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific railroad which has played such an important part in the development of Utah and the west. With the coming in of the railroad, the days of the ox- team, the hand-cart and the cov- ered wagon were numbered. The long, tedious march over the thou- sand miles of prairie and moun- tain country was no longer neces- sary. Pullman trains now make the trip in little more than twenty- four hours, which took the first pioneers three months. "CURTHER down the Missouri ■*■ ■ valley are other points of un- usual interest in "Mormon" his- tory. Leaving Kansas City, in Jackson County, crossing the Mis- souri river and traveling north- east, a short trip by auto or inter- urban car brings us to Liberty in Clay County, the city of tragic memory as far as our people are concerned. Apparently the present inhabitants of Liberty know little and care nothing of the story of the Saints as it is connected with the community. It was with con- siderable difficulty that the site of the old Liberty jail was located. Few persons in the community seemed to know anything about the jail and the tragedies enacted within its walls. Only the fact that we had se- cured some information in advance enabled us to find the place. In- quiry among business men, in stores and hotels, brought only blank stares and no information. Finally in the post office some in- formation was given us. "THE site of the old jail was ■ finally located, just north of the Presbyterian church. The old building, of course, no longer stands, but the floor is still there. In comparatively recent years a cottage has been erected on the site and in the building of it, the floor of the old jail was retained and Cemetery at Council Bluffs, where many emigrants were buried. Monument at Crave of Martin Harris, at Clarkston, Cache County, Utah. used as the floor of the basement of the house. The stones which remained of the walls were used for the foundation, leaving some trace of the old building. The floor upon which the Prophet Joseph and his breth- ren were compelled to lie was made of stones, smoothed off enough for the purpose. They show many years of wear and in some cases, being of soft texture, hollows an inch or more deep have been worn in the stones. The woman who re- sides in the cottage kindly permitted us to visit the basement and examine the floors and 'Mormon" Monument at Grave of General Doniphan, at Liberty, Missouri. walls. We were also permitted to take chips of stone as relics, the stone having crumbled and chipped in some places. T^HE impressive thing in the visit ■■ to Liberty, aside from the jail site itself was that the old hatreds and prejudices have not been per- petuated, but seem to have been entirely forgotten. Our visit to Liberty happened to be on Decoration day. Having some time to spare between trains, we strolled toward the cemetery where a typical small-town cele- bration of the day was in pro- gress. The entire populace seemed to be in the cemetery where exer- cises were being carried on. We were attracted to a large monu- ment, the largest in the cemetery. We learned that it had been erected in honor of General Doniphan, a friend of the early Church leaders and their attorney in some of the pretended trials with which the Saints were continually harrassed in the efforts of their enemies to drive them from the state of Mis- souri. Mr. Doniphan later fought with the United States forces in the Mexican war and was made a general, distinguishing himself in action and winning high honors. In the autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, the statement is made that "Mr. Doniphan advised the Saints to make no defense of the charges against them, for, said he, though a legion of angels from the opening heavens should de- clare your innocence the court and

618 The Improvement Era for July, 1930 the populace have decreed your and maintaining his testimony re- wording had been carved on all destruction." garding the Book of Mormon is four sides of the building. What contained on the monument which a pity such sentiment had not AT Richmond, the county seat marks his last resting place. At prevailed in the days of the Proph- of Ray county, there are points his own request, made on his death et! Religious prejudice is a ter- of interest of extraordinary im- bed, two books surmount the rible thing, I thought. What portance. This typical Missouri monument, the Bible and the Book crimes men have committed in the city in its early days was the scene of Mormon and the inscription name of religion! But fortunately, of some of the most terrible per- leaves no doubt but that he went those days have passed and the secutions our people were called to the grave firm in his convic- people of Missouri today are kind- upon to endure. Here also are tion that he had seen the plates ly disposed and hospitable even the graves of two of the three and had testified to the truth. to the descendants of those who witnesses of the Book of Mormon. were so cruelly mobbed, persecuted In the old cemetery, now practical- TF YOU are familiar with the and even assassinated in the days ly abandoned and overgrown with history of the persecutions that when the Church that has just weeds and shrubs, is the grave of occurred in and around Richmond, celebrated its Centennial so glo- Oliver Cowdery, marked by a or if you will get out your Church riously was struggling for its very beautiful monument erected by history and read of them now life. the Church, under the direction you will appreciate the feeling that Independence, to the east of of the late Junius F. Wells. came to me when, after visiting Kansas City, and still the county The monument, as shown in the graves of these men and re- seat of Jackson county, as it was the accompanying photograph, is counting in my mind the terrible in the early days, is of sufficient not only beautiful, but is also scenes that had been enacted there, importance to merit a separate in- very impressive. It was erected to the utter disregard of law and the stallment of this travelogue. The honor, not only Oliver Cowdery, violation of all jhuman right, I concluding installment of the series at whose grave it stands, but also came to the county court house will tell of visits to the Independ- to honor Joseph Smith and the and noticed this inscription — ence of today, with reference to other two witnesses. On either "Obedience to law is liberty." Up- the early days, and something of side at the base, the names of Jos- on investigation I found that this its history, eph Smith and the three witnesses have been engraved. On the mon- ument proper, one side is inscribed iffS^^T^B SpeCkl FatW and ^^ Pr0?eCt • mony^t£^^^tLie5,^ry for 1930 — Marking Historic Places word of that testimony having been carved in the granite of the JN every stake in the Church community or city will tell you monument. The fourth side is -*- there are historic places which about them. /There are many inscribed to Oliver Cowdery as should not be forgotten — these men and women living who can one of the three witnesses and to places should be marked. The give you first-hand information, the Book of Mormon. The old youth of today will do it. They or there are many diaries of lead- cemetery in which it stands is, will be delighted to hear the story ers which are available and which unfortunately out of the way and Qf struggle, privation and heroism will bring you the inspiration and rarely visited, but those who do which can be told of so many the facts. visit it are given a strong testimony places in our western valleys, If the "markers" cannot be as of the divinity of the Nephite where men and women came un- elaborate 'as you would like to record, the work of Joseph Smith afraid and began to redeem waste have them, do not let this great and his associates and of the Gospel lands which today are made beau- opportunity go by — at least put they taught. tiful by the lovely homes of hun- up a simple stone monument. dreds and thousands of people. Each ward might bring a stone or T> ICHMOND is the city in which There is a place near where you boulder, and then with cement -^ David Whitmer passed the last live which marked the spot — have them laid with a simple tab- years of his life and where he lies where your community had its be- let telling the facts. To preserve buried. His grave is in the new ginning, or where some coura- the story, to inform and inspire cemetery in another part of the geous act was performed or a note- youth, these are most important, town. A modest monument worthy enterprise had its begin- Let the General Board know marks the spot, but its testimony ning, or perhaps lives were taken that you have undertaken the is nevertheless impressive. Al- by Indians for no other reason project; that a committee has been though, as will be recalled by than that they did not understand appointed and that a definite date those familiar with our history, their white brothers. These events has been selected. Where it is pos- David Whitmer left the Church, should not be forgotten. sible, members of the General he never at any time denied his This year in connection with Board and other leaders will be testimony. On the contrary, to our Fathers and Sons' Outing, or glad to join you. This event the day of his death he maintained as a special project of the Y. M. would make a most fitting part of the truth of his statement. M. I. A., let us begin at once to a Pioneer Celebration (July 24) . What is probably the best evi- search out these wonderful historic — From Fathers and Sons' Outing, dence of his sincerity in giving places. The historian of your 1930.