Chapter XXI. The Course of Events

Proceedings of the Missouri Legislature. Heroic EffortTo'Succor The Poor Saints. The Covenant thereto. Fulfilling the Revelation Concerning the Apostles. The Exodus into Illi-

While the Prophet is in jail, Israel falls under the leadership of Brigham Young and the Twelve— a type of what was to follow the martyrdom. But the Twelve aim only to fulfill what Joseph had designed, faithfully acting as he would have suggested, and patiently awaiting the course of events.

In December, 1838, the Missouri Legislature having assembled, Gov. Boggs laid before them all the information in his possession relative to the difficulties between the mob-militia and the saints, while the brethren addressed to them the following statement, which is a well digested summary of the events of those times:

To the Honorable Legislature of the State of Missouri, in Senate and House of Represe7itatives convened:

We, the undersigned petitioners and inhabitants of Caldwell Co., Mo., in consequence of the late calamity that has come upon us, taken in connection

with former afflictions, feel it a duty we owe to ourselves and our country to lay our case before your honorable body for consideration. It is a well known fact that a society of our people commenced settling in Jackson Co., Mo., in the Summer of 183 1, where they, according .to their ability, purchased lands, and settled upon them, with the intention and expectation of becoming permanent citizens in common with others.

Soon after the settlement began, persecution began ; and as the society increased, persecution also increased, until the society at last was compelled to leave the county; and although an account of these persecutions has been published to the world, yet we feel that it will not be improper to notice a few of the most prominent items in this memorial.

On the 20th of July, 1833, a mob convened at Independence, a committee of which called upon a few of the men of our church there, and stated to them that the store, printing-office, and indeed all other mechanic shops, must be closed forthwith, and the society leave the county immediately. These propositions were so unexpected that a certain time was asked for to consider on the subject before an answer should be returned, which was refused, and our men being individually interrogated, each one answered that he could not consent to comply with their propositions. One of the mob replied that he \ was sorry, for the work of destruction would com- J mence immediately.

In a short time the printing office, which was a two-story building, was assailed by the mob and soon thrown down, and with it much valuable property destroyed. Next they went to the* store for the same purpose, but Mr. Gilbert, one of the owners, agreeing to close it, they abandoned their design. Their next move was the dragging of Bishop Partridge from his house and family to the public square,

where, surrounded by hundreds, they partially stripped him of his clothes, and tarred and feathered him from head to foot. A man by the name of Allen was also tarred at the same time. This was Saturday, and the mob agreed to meet the following Tuesday, to accomplish their purpose of driving or massacreing the society.

Tuesday came, and the mob came also, bearing with them a red flag in token of blood. Some two or three of the principal men of the society offered their lives, if that would appease the wrath of the mob, so that the rest of the society might dwell in peace upon their lands. The answer was that, unless the society would leave en masse, every man should die for himself. Being in a defenceless situation, to save a general massacre, it was agreed that one-half of the society should leave the county by the first of the next January, and the remainder by the first of the following April. A treaty was entered into and ratified, and all things went on smoothly for a while. But some time in October the wrath of the mob began again to be kindled, insomuch that they shot at some of our people, whipped others, and threw down their houses, and committed many other depredations; indeed, the society of saints were harrassed for some time both day and night; their houses were brick-batted and broken open, women and children insulted, &c. The storehouse of A. S. Gilbert & Co. was broken open, ransacked, and some of the goods strewn in the streets.

These abuses, with many others of a very aggravated nature, so stirred up the indignant feelings of our people that when a party of them, say about thirty, met a company of the mob of about double their number, a skirmish took place in which some two or three of the mob and one of our people were killed. This raised, as it were, the whole country in arms, and nothing would satisfy them but an

immediate surrender of the arms of our people, and they forthwith tp leave the county. Fifty-one guns were given up, which have never been returned or paid for to this day. The next day parties of the mob, from fifty to seventy, headed by priests, went from house to house, threatening women and children with death if they were not off before they returned. This so alarmed them that they fled in different directions; some took shelter in the woods, while others wandered in the prairies till their feet bled. In the meantime, the weather being very cold, their sufferings in other respects were very great.

The society made their escape to Clay Co. as fast as they possibly could, where the people received them kindly and administered to their wants. After the society had left Jackson Co., their buildings, amounting to about two hundred, were either burned or otherwise destroyed ; and much of their crops, as well as furniture, stock, &c, which, if properly estimated, would make a large sum, for which they have not as yet received any remuneration.

The society remained in Clay Co. nearly three years, when, at the suggestion of the people there, they removed to that section of the country known now as Caldwell Co. Here the people purchased out most of the former inhabitants, and also entered much of the wild land. * * * Here we were permitted to enjoy peace for a season; but as our society increased in numbers, and settlements were made in Davies and Caldwell Counties, the mob spirit spread itself again. For months previous to our giving up our arms to Gen. Lucas' army, we heard little else than rumors of mobs collecting in different places and threatening our people. It is well known that the people of our church, who had located themselves at DeWitt, had to give up to a mob and leave the place, notwithstanding the militia were called out for their protection.

From DeWitt the mob went towards Davies Co., and while on their way there they took two of our men prisoners, and made them ride upon the cannon, and told them that they would drive the Mormons from Davies to Caldwell, and from Caldwell to h — 1, and that they would give them no quarter only at the cannon's mouth. The threats of the mob induced some of our people to go to Davies to help to protect their brethren who had settled at Diahman, on Grand river. The mob soon fled from Davies Co., and after they were dispersed and the cannon taken, durino- which time no blood was shed, the people of Caldwell returned to their homes, in hopes of enjoying peace and quiet. But in this they were disappointed, for a large mob was soon found to be collecting on the Grindstone (fork of the Grand) river, from ten to fifteen miles off, under the command of Cornelius Gillum, a scouting party of which came within four miles of Far West, and drove off stock belonging to our people, in open davlicrht.

About this time word came to Far West that a party of the mob had come into Caldwell County to the south of Far West ; that they were taking horses and cattle, burning houses, and ordering the inhabitants to leave their homes immediately; and that they had then actually in their possession three men prisoners. This report reached Far West in the evening, and was confirmed about midnight. A company of about sixty men went forth under the command of David W. Patten, to disperse the mob, as they supposed. A battle was the result, in which Captain Patten and two of his men were killed, and others wounded. Bogart, it appears, had but one killed and others wounded. Notwithstanding the unlawful acts committed by Captain Bogart's men previous to the battle, it is now asserted and claimed that he was regularly ordered out as a militia captain

to preserve the peace along the line of Ray and Caldwell Counties. That battle was fought four or five days previous to the arrival of Gen. Lucas and his army. About the time of the battle with Captain Bogart a number of our people who were living near Haun's Mill, on Shoal Creek, about twenty miles below Far West, together with a number of emigrants who had been stopped there in consequence of the excitement, made an agreement with the mob which was about there that neither party should molest the other, but dwell in peace. Shortly after this agreement was made a mob party of from two to three hundred, many of whom are supposed to be from Chariton Co., some from Davies, and also those who had agreed to dwell in peace, came upon our people there, whose number in men was about forty, at a time they little expected any such thing, and without any ceremony, notwithstanding they begged ior quarcer, snot them down as they would tigers or panthers. Some few made their escape by fleeing. Eighteen were killed, and a number more were severely wounded.

This tragedy was conducted in the most brutal and savage manner. An old man, after the massacre was partially over, threw himself into their hands and begged for quarter, when he was instantly shot down. That not killing him, they took an old corncutter and literally mangled him to pieces. A lad of ten years of age, after being shot down, also begged to be spared, when one of them placed the muzzle of his gun to his head and blew out his brains. The slaughter of these not satisfying the mob, they then proceeded to rob and plunder. The scene that presented itself after the massacre, to the widows and orphans of the killed, is beyond description. It was truly a time of weeping, of mourning, and of lamentation.

As yet we have not heard of any being arrested

for these murders, notwithstanding there are men boasting about the county that they did kill on that occasion more than one Mormon; whereas, all our people who were in the battle with Captain Patten ao-ainst Boeart, that can be found, have been arrested, and are now confined in jail to await their trial for murder.

When Gen. Lucas arrived near Far West and presented the Governor's order, we were greatly surprised, yet we felt willing to submit to the authorities of the State. We gave up our arms without reluctance. We were then made prisoners, and confined to the limits of the town for about a week, during which time the men from the country were not permitted to go to their families, many of whom were in a suffering condition for the want of food and firewood, the weather being very cold and stormy.

Much property was destroyed by the troops in town during their stay there, such as burning houselogs, rails, corn-cribs, boards, &c; the using of corn and hay, the plundering of houses, the killing of cattle, sheep and hogs, and also the taking of horses not their own. And all this without regard to owners, or asking leave of any one. In the meantime men were abused, women insulted and abused by the troops; an*d all this while we were kept prisoners.

Whilst the town was guarded we were called together by the order of Gen. Lucas, and a guard placed close around us, and in that situation were compelled to sign a deed of trust for the purpose of making our individual property all holden, as they said, to pay all the debts of every individual belonging to the church, and also to pay for all damages the old inhabitants of Davies may have sustained in consequence of the late difficulties in that county.

Gen. Clark was now arrived, and the first important move made by him was the collecting of our men together on the square, and selecting out about

fifty of them, whom he immediately marched into a house and confined. This was done without the aid of the sheriff, or any legal process. The next day forty-six of those taken were driven, like a parcel of menial slaves, off to Richmond, not knowing why they were taken, or what they were taken for. * * Since Gen. Clark withdrew his troops from Far West, parties of armed men have gone through the county, driving off horses, sheep and cattle, and also plundering houses. The barbarity of Gen. Lucas' troops ought not to be passed over in silence. They shot our cattle and hogs merely for the sake of destroying them, leaving them for the ravens to eat. They took prisoner an aged man by the name of Tanner, and, without any reason for it, he was struck over the head with a gun, which laid his skull bare. Another man by the name of Cary was also taken prisoner by them, and without any provocation had his brains dashed out by a gun. He was laid in a wagon, and there permitted to remain for the space of twenty-four hours, during which time no one was permitted to administer to him comfort or consolation ; and after he was removed from that situation he lived but a few hours.

The destruction of property at and about Far West is very great. Many are stripped bare, as it were, and others partially so. Indeed, take us as a body at this time, we are a poor and afflicted people; and if we are compelled to leave the State in the Spring, many, yes, a large portion of our society, will have to be removed at the expense of the State, as those who might have helped them are now debarred that privilege in consequence of the deed of trust we were compelled to sign, which deed so operated upon our real estate that it will sell for but little or nothing at this time.

We have now made a brief statement of some of the most prominent features of the troubles that

have befallen our people since our first settlement in this State, and we believe that these persecutions have come in consequence of our religious faith, and not for any immorality on our part. That instances have been of late where individuals have trespassed upon the rights of others, and thereby broken the laws of the land, we will not pretend to deny; but yet we do believe that no crime can be substantiated against any of the people who have a standing in our church of an earlier date than the difficulties in Davies Co. And when it is considered that the rights of this people have been trampled upon from time to time with impunity, and abuses heaped upon them almost innumerable, it ought in some degree to palliate for any infraction of the law which may have been made on the part of our people.

The late order of Gov. Boggs to drive us from this State, or exterminate us, is a thing so novel, unlawful, tyrannical and oppressive, that we have been induced to draw up this memorial, and present this statement of our case to your honorable body, praying that a law may be passed rescinding the order of the Governor to drive us from the State, and also giving us the sanction of the Legislature to inherit our lands in peace. We ask an expression of the Legislature, disapproving of the conduct of those who compelled us to sign a deed of trust, and also disapproving of any man or set of men taking our property in consequence of that deed of trust, and appropriating it to the payment of damage sustained in consequence of trespasses committed by others.

We have no common stock; our property is individual property, and we feel' willing to pay our debts as other individuals do ; but we are not willing to be bound for other people's debts also. The arms which were taken from us here, which we understand

to be about six hundred and thirty, besides swords and pistols, we care not so much about as we do the pay for them ; only we are bound to do military duty, which we are willing to do, and which we think was sufficiently manifested by the raising of a volunteer company last Fall, at Far West, when called upon by Gen. Parks to raise troops for the frontier. * * *

In laying our case before your honorable body, we say that we are willing, and ever have been, to conform to the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State. We ask, in common with others, the protection of the laws. We ask for the privilege guaranteed to all free citizens of the United States, and of this State, to be extended to us, that we may be permitted to settle and live where we please, and worship God according to the dictates of our conscience, without molestation. And while we ask for ourselves this privilege, we are willing all others should enjoy the same.

We now lay our case at the feet of your Legislature, and ask your honorable body to consider it, and do for us, after mature deliberation, that which your wisdom, patriotism and philanthropy may dictate. And we, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

Edward Partridge, Heber C. Kimball, John Taylor, Theodore Turley, Brigham Young, Isaac Morley, George W. Harris, John Murdock, John M. Burr. A committee appointed by the citizens of Caldwell Co. to draft this memorial and sign it in their behalf.

Far West, Caldwell Co., Mo., Dec. 10, 1838.

The petition was duly presented and read in the House of Representatives, after which followed a hot and acrimonious discussion. The final outcome was an appropriation of two thousand dollars, by the Legislature, to aid the poor of Davies and Caldwell Counties (which, by the way, was farcically and ineffectually doled out), and another appropriation of two hundred thousand dollars, to pay the militia mob for their services in driving the people from their homes.

On the 19th of December, 1838, the High Council of Zion met in Far West, and, among other matters, installed John Taylor and John E. Page in the Apostleship, to fill vacancies in the quorum of the Twelve. It was also determined to memorialize the General Government concerning their recent persecutions.

In the month of January following, Brigham Young inaugurated a movement which sheds enduring lustre on his name, and, indeed, upon the Twelve. It was no less an undertaking than to remove all of the poor saints out of the State.

When he broached the subject to the presiding bishop he was met with the discouraging answer, " The poor may take care of themselves, and I will take care of myself." But the prompt reply was ready and emphatic: "If you will not help them out, I will." Whereupon, at a meeting of the brethren, held Jan. 29th, 1839, as the record shows, "On motion of President Brigham Young, it was resolved that we this day enter into a covenant to stand by and assist each other to the utmost of our abilities in removing from this State, and that we will never

desert the poor who are worthy, till they shall be out of the reach of the exterminating order of General Clark, acting for and in the name of the State." The covenant then made was as follows, with the honorable list of names then and afterwards attached, as far as they have been preserved:

We, whose names are hereunder written, do each for ourselves individually covenant to stand by and assist each other, to the utmost of our abilities, in removing from this State in compliance with the authority of the State; and we do hereby acknowledge ourselves firmly bound to the extent of all our available property, to be disposed of by a committee who shall be appointed for that purpose, for providing means for the removing of the poor and destitute who shall be considered worthy, from this country, till there shall not be one left who desires to remove from the State: with this proviso, that no individual shall be deprived of the right of the disposal of his own property for the above purpose, or of having the control of it, or so much of it as shall be necessary for the removing of his own family, and to be entitled to the overplus after the work is effected; and furthermore, said committee shall give receipts for all property, and an account of the expenditure of the same.

Signed: John Smith, James McMillan, William Huntington, Chandler Holbrook, Charles Bird, Alexander Wright, Alanson Ripley, William Taylor, Theodore Turley, John Taylor, Daniel Shearer, Reuben P. Hartwell, Shadrach Roundy, John Lowry, Jonathan H. Hale, Welcome Chapman, Elias Smith, Solomon Hancock, Brigham Young, Arza Adams, James Burnham, Henry Jacobs, Leicester Gaylor, James Carroll, Samuel Williams, David Lyons, John Miller, John Taylor, Aaron M. York,

Don Carlos Smith, Geo. A. Smith, \Ym. J. Stewart, Daniel Howe, Isaac B. Chapman, James Bradin, Roswell Stephens, Jonathan Beckelshimer, Reuben Headlock, David Jones, David Holman, Wm. Fawcet, Joel Goddard, Charles N. Baldwin, Phineas R. Bird, Jesse N. Reed, Duncan McArthur, Benjamin Johnson, Allen Talley, Jonathan Hampton, James Hampton, Anson Call, Sherman A. Gilbert, Peter Dopp, James S. Holman, Samuel Rolph, Andrew Lytle, Abel Lamb, Aaron Johnson, Daniel Mc- Arthur, Heber C. Kimball, Wm. Gregory, George W. Harris, Zenas Curtis, George W. Davidson, John Reed, Harvey Strong, William R. Orton, Elizabeth Mackley, Samuel D. Tyler, Sarah Mackley, John H. Goff, Andrew More, Thomas Butterfleld, Harvey Downey, Dwight Hardin, John Maba, Norville N. Head, Lucy Wheeler, Steven V. Foote, John Terpin, Jacob G. Bigler, William Earl, Eli Bagley, Zenas H. Gurley, Wm. Milam, Joseph W. Cooledge, Lorenzo Clark, Anthony Head, Wm. Allred, S. A. P. Kelsey, Wm. Van Ansdell, Moses Evord, Nathan K. Knight, Ophelia Harris, Zuba McDonald. John Thorp, Andrew Rose, Mary GofT, John S. Martin, Harvey J. More, Albert Sloan, Francis Chase, John D. Lee, Stephen Markham, Eliphas Marsh, John Outhouse, Joseph Wright, William F. Leavens, John Badger, Daniel Tyler, Levi Richards, Noah Rogers, Erastus Bingham, Stephen N. St. John, Elisha Everett, Francis Lee, John Lytle, Eli Lee, Levi Jackman, Benjamin Covey, Thomas Guyman, Michael Borkdull, Nahum Curtis, Miles Randall, Lyman Curtis, Horace Evans, Philip Ballard, David Dort, W'illiam Gould, Levi Hancock, Reuben Middleton, Edwin Whiting, Wm. Harper, Wm. Barton, Seba Joas, Elisha Smith, Chas. Butler, James Gallaher, Richard Walton, Robert Jackson, Isaac Kerron, Lemuel Merrick, Joseph Rose, James Dun, David Foote, Orrin Hartshorn, L. S. Nickerson, Nathan Hawke,

Moses Daley, Pierce Hawley, David Sessions, Thos. F. Fisher, P. G. Sessions, James Leithead, Alfred P. Childs, Alfred Lee, James Daley, Stephen Jones, Noah T. Guyman, Eleazer Harris, David Winters, Elijah B. Gaylord, John Pack, Thomas Grover, Sylvenas Hicks, Alex. Badlam, Horatio N. Kent, Phebe Kellog, Joseph W. Pierce, Albert Miner, Thomas Gates, Wm. Woodland, Squire Bozarth, Martin C. Allred, Nathan Lewis, Jedediah Owen, Philander Avery, Orrin P. Rockwell, Benjamin F. Bird, Chas. Squire, Truman Brace, Jacob Curtis, Sarah Wixom, Rachel Medfo, Lewis Zobriski, Lyman Stephens, Henry Zobriski, Roswell Evans, Morris Harris, Leonard Clark, Absolom Tidwell, Nehemiah Harmon, Alvin Winnegar, Daniel Cathcart, Samuel Winnegar, Gershom Stokes, John E. Page, Rachel Page, Levi Gifford, Barnet Cole, Edmund Durfee, Wm. Tompson, Josiah Butterfield, Nathan Cheeney, John Killian, James Sherry, John Patten, David Frampton, John Wilkins, Eliz. Pettegrew, Abram Allen, Chas. Tompson, William Felshaw.

The following from Brigham Young's journal quickly carries the action from Missouri into Illinois:

"In February, 1839, I e Missouri, with my family, leaving my landed property and also my household goods, and went to Illinois, to a little town called Atlas, Pike Co., where I tarried a few weeks, then moved to Ouincy.

" I held a meeting with the brethren of the Twelve and the members of the church in Ouincy, on the 17th of March, when a letter was read to the people from the committee on behalf of the saints at Far West, who were left destitute of the means to move. Though the brethren were poor, and stripped of almost everything, yet they manifested a spirit of

willingness to do their utmost ; offering to sell their hats, coats and shoes, to accomplish the object. We broke bread and partook of the sacrament. At the close of the meeting fifty dollars in money was collected, and several teams were subscribed to go and bring the brethren. Among the subscribers was the widow of Warren Smith, whose husband and son had their brains blown out at the massacre of Haun's Mill. She sent her only team on this charitable mission."

But there remained unfulfilled the revelation to the Twelve, before noted, and it would seem that it had now become well-nigh impossible of fulfillment. The saints were now in banishment, and the Twelve could only return to Far West at the imminent risk of their lives. Many of the authorities of the church urged that the Lord would not require the Twelve to fulfill this revelation to the letter, but would take the will for the deed. " But," says Brigham, " I felt differently, and so did those of the quorum who were with me. I asked them, individually, what their feelings were upon the subject. They all expressed their desire to fulfill the revelation. I told them the Lord had spoken, and it was our duty to obey, and leave the event in his hands, and he would protect us."

The Twelve started. Far West was reached in safety. The mob was vigilant, but the apostles escaped notice by hiding in a grove. Early on the morning of the elect day, April 26th, they held their conference, " cut off" thirty-one persons from the church, and proceeded to the building spot of the "Lord's House," where Elder Cutter, the master

workman of the house, recommenced laying the foundation by rolling up a large stone near the south-east corner. Those of the Twelve present proceeded to ordain Wilford Woodruff and Georo-e A. Smith to the apostleship, in place of those who had fallen. They then offered up vocal prayer, each in their order, beginning with President Youno-, after which they sung " Adam-ondi-ahman," and took leave of the saints according to the revelation.

"Thus," says Brigham, " was this revelation fulfilled, concerning which our enemies said if all the other revelations of Joseph Smith came to pass, that one should not be fulfilled, as it had date and place to it."

But it would be impossible to chronicle all of the events of the removal of the church into Illinois. Return we, therefore, to the Prophet in prison.