Joseph the Prophet and Hyrum, his brother, were assassinated on
the 24th day of June, 1844, at Carthage, about twenty miles from
Nauvoo, while under the pledged faith of Governor Ford, of
Illinois. Governor Ford had promised them protection if they
would stand trial and submit to the judgment of the court. By his
orders the Nauvoo Grays were to guard the jail while the
prisoners awaited trial. The mob was headed by Williams and
Sharp, editors of the Nauvoo Signal. When they approached the
jail the guard made no resistance, but fell back.
Brother Stephen Markham, who had been to visit the prisoners an
hour or so before they were killed, gave Joseph an Allen
revolver. A part of the mob rushed upstairs, to the inner door of
the prison and burst it open. Brother Richards parried the
bayonets with his heavy cane. Joseph reached out his hand and
fired his six shots at the crowd, and wounded several mortally.
Hyrum, who was trying to brace against the door, received a shot
in the face near the nose.
"I am a dead man," he cried, and fell.
Brother John Taylor received a shot, but fortunately it struck
his watch, which saved his life. These four were in the prison.
Brother Taylor, however, received another shot and fell. Joseph
left the door, and sprang through the window, crying:
"O Lord, my God, is there no help for the widow's son!"
He fell pierced with several balls. The crowd then left the door
and ran around to the windows.
Brother Richards covered Brother Taylor with a straw bed. Several
shots were fired at the bed, some of which cut his leg. Richards
looked from the window on the scene, and several balls passed
through his clothing, but he received no injury.
After Joseph fell he was set up against the well-curb and shot
again. A man named Boggs rolled up his sleeves, and with a knife
attempted to cut off his head. At this instant a flash of light
encircled the Prophet, and the man who was advancing to cut off
his head fell back. They were frightened, and fled.
Governor Ford was terror-stricken, as it endangered his life, he
being without a guard, and at the mercy of the Mormons, had they
chosen to take advantage of him while he was in Nauvoo. Governor
Ford promised that he would see the murderers prosecuted. He gave
the Mormons a company of troops to bring their dead friends to
Nauvoo.
The dead were placed in rough oak boxes and brought to the city.
There were lamentation and mourning among the people. Joseph was
a man dearly loved by the Saints, and blessed with direct
revelation from God, and was an honorable, generous, high-minded
man.
The remains of the Prophet and his brother were laid in a
sepulcher made of stone. The oak boards which had enclosed them
were sawed in pieces and distributed among their friends, many of
whom had canes made of the pieces, with locks of the hair of the
Prophet set in the top of them, and those canes are kept as
sacred relics to this day. But I must go back and speak of the
cause of their arrest.
While I was in Kentucky the printing press of Higbee & Foster was
declared a nuisance, and ordered destroyed. The owners refused to
comply with the decision of the City Council, and the Mayor
directed that the press and type be destroyed, which was done.
The owner of the grocery where the press was, employed John
Eagle, a professional bully, and others to defend it. As the
Danites entered, or attempted to enter, Eagle stood in the door
and knocked three of them down. As the third fell the Prophet
struck Eagle under the ear and brought him sprawling to the
ground. He then crossed Eagle's hands and ordered them tied,
saying that he could not see his men knocked down while in the
line of their duty without protecting them.
This raised the ire of Higbee, Foster, and others, and they got
out writs for the arrest of Joseph, and laid their grievances
before the Governor. Joseph, knowing the consequences of such a
move, concluded to leave for the Rocky Mountains and lay out a
country where the Saints would not be molested. He crossed over
into Iowa with a few faithful friends. These friends begged him
to return and stand his trial; saying that the Lord had always
delivered him, and would again. He told them that if he returned
he would be killed, but if he went away he would save his life
and the Church would not be hurt; that he would look out a new
country for them. The Governor had advised him to do this.
Those old grannies then accused him of cowardice, and told him
that Christ had said he would never leave his brethren in
trouble. He then asked them if his Emma wished him to return.
They answered:
"Yes."
Joseph then said it was all light before him, and darkness behind
him, but he would return, though he felt as a sheep led to the
slaughter.
The following day he crossed the river into Illinois. He kissed
his mother, and told her that his time had come, and that he must
seal his testimony with his blood. He advised his brother Hyrum
not to go with him, saying that he would be a comfort to the
Church when he, the Prophet, was no more. Hyrum said:
"No, my brother; I have been with you in life, and will be with
you in death!"
The Prophet then called Brother Dunham and had some private talk
with him, and then started for the jail at Carthage. Dunham said
that the Prophet requested him to take his Danites and ambush
them in a grove near Carthage, and watch the movements of the
crowd; but Dunham dared not go contrary to the orders of the
Governor.
About this time the settlements on Bear Creek and at Great Plains
had a difficulty with the Gentiles, and the settlements were
broken up and the settlers driven to Nauvoo. The Mormons sought
redress under the law. The sheriff tried to suppress the riot by
a posse, but since he could not get a posse from the Gentiles, he
was obliged to summon them from the Mormons. This made him
unpopular, endangered his life, and rendered him powerless.
Governor Ford sought to bring to justice those who had assaulted
the Prophet and Hyrum, but public opinion was against him, and
the mass of the people objecting, nothing was done. Certain
leaders in the horrid deed were members of the Legislature, and
though the disturbance was partially quelled, still the feeling
of enmity continued to exist until the final breaking up of the
Church.
Before proceeding further, we must learn who was to be the
successor of the Prophet and lead the Church. It had been
understood among the Saints that young Joseph was to succeed his
father. Joseph the Prophet had bestowed that right upon him by
ordination, but he was too young at that time to fill the office
and discharge its solemn duties. Someone must fill the place
until he had grown to more mature age.
Sidney Rigdon set up his claim, he being the second counselor to
the Prophet. Rigdon had a few backers. A man by the name of
Strong, who had been writing for the Prophet, put up his claim to
the office, by forging an appointment from Joseph. Time passed on
until the whole twelve had returned from their missions, and a
conference was held, at which the several claimants came forward
with their demands.
Sidney Rigdon was the first who appeared upon the stand. He had
been rather in the background for some time previous to the death
of the Prophet. He made but a weak claim. Strong did not file
any.
Just then Brigham arose and roared like a young lion, imitating
the style and voice of Joseph the Prophet. Many of the brethren
declared that they saw the mantle of Joseph fall upon him. I
myself saw and heard a strong resemblance to the Prophet in him,
and felt that he was the man to lead us until Joseph's legal
successor should grow up to manhood.
As soon as Brigham got the reins of government in his hands he
swore that he would never suffer an officer to serve a writ on or
arrest him, as they had Joseph; that he would send them the dark
and gloomy road over which no traveler ever returned. He wished
me to remove near to him, as I was one of the Danites assigned to
guard him. I had a good brick house and lot, all in fine order,
on Warsaw street. He told me to let him have my property on
Warsaw street and he would buy me a house on the flat, nearer his
own. I did so, and he bought out Brother Frost, and sent him on a
mission to Kentucky, where I had been laboring. He had a nice
little frame house. I moved into it and had it finished on the
inside and made comfortable.
Brigham at that time was living in a log house, but was preparing
to build a brick house. I renewed my labors on the Hall of the
Seventies, and finished it in grand style. It was then dedicated,
and the different quorums had picnic parties in it, beginning
with the first quorum, consisting of seventy-seven men to each
quorum. Brigham said this hall would be a building creditable to
London. He called upon me to organize the young men into quorums
of Seventy, and keep the records for them. He appointed me
General Clerk and Recorder of the Seventies, and through me were
to be issued the licenses of the quorums. This was to be a
compensation for my services.
Joseph Young was the senior president over all the quorums. My
burdens increased daily. I was offered the position of senior
president, I to select my six counselors and my Quorum of
Seventy, but I declined, as I did not want the responsibility. I
held then all the offices I could fill. Having finished the hall,
I was offered, or rather given a mission, to build Joseph Young,
the head president of the Seventies, a neat brick dwelling.
Calling upon the Seventies to assist me, I soon mustered what
help was necessary, and made brick enough to build me a large
dwelling house. Including my other buildings, it was ninety feet
front, two and a half stories, high, with a good cellar. By the
middle of July, 1845, I had both houses, the one for Joseph Young
and the one for myself, finished, ready for painting.
During the winter of 1844-5 a man by the name of Stanley took up
a school, teaching the use of the broadsword. At the expiration
of his term I opened three schools, of fifty scholars each, in
the same exercise. I gave thirteen lessons in each school,
receiving two dollars from each scholar. This made me six hundred
dollars. I received twenty-five cents for each license that I
issued. With these means I purchased paints and oils to finish my
dwelling house. I became popular among the Saints, and many of
them donated labor and materials for my dwelling house. I had a
handsome enclosure, with fine orchard, well of water, house
finished and grained from top to bottom, and everything in finest
order. I was young, strong, and athletic. I could drive ahead and
work all day and stand guard half the night, through all kinds of
weather.
My pay for doing the latter was the trust reposed in me. To guard
the President and leading men of the Church was considered a
mighty thing, and would not have been exchanged by those holding
that office for ten dollars a night. It was considered that this
would qualify ones performing the duty for any position of honor
or worth.
In 1845 I was present when two young men named Hodges were tried
for murdering an old man and his wife. The Hodges said that
Brigham had sent them to rob the old people of their money, of
which they were supposed to have a large amount. When they went
to the house they found the inmates ready for them, and one of
them was wounded. Thinking then that they would be detected, they
killed the old people.
One of the party became alarmed and reported on the two Hodges
boys. Their older brother, Erwin Hodges, said that Brigham had
gotten his brothers into this scrape, and must get them out of
it; that if he did not do so his (Brigham's) blood would atone
for it.
That evening, as Erwin was returning home, a little after dark,
he was met by two Danites who had been waiting for him to come
along. After some little conversation, as Erwin was turning he
was struck on the head with a club, and then stabbed four times
over the heart. The Danites left, supposing him to be dead. He
was, however, only stunned, and the bleeding revived him. He
crawled about one hundred and fifty yards, and fell near
Brigham's gate. He called for water, and for Brigham to lay his
hands upon him.
Some persons asked him who had done the deed. He replied that
they were his friends, and expired without finishing the
sentence. A neighbor came running to my house, knowing that
Brigham was there, as he often came there to keep away from
suspicious persons. I started home with Brigham, and while on the
way remarked that it was a shocking affair. He replied that it
was not worse for Hodges to be killed than it would have been for
him (Brigham) to have had his blood shed. This answer recalled
the threat that Erwin had made during the day, at the trial of
his brothers.
Those men who had turned away from the Church were the most
bitter enemies to Brigham, and sought every opportunity to entrap
him. They tried to ensnare him, and find an occasion to arrest
him with a warrant. This caused Brigham to lie hidden as much as
possible.
In the meantime his Destroying Angels were diligently on the
watch, and every suspicious man was closely tracked up, and no
strategy neglected to find out his business. If they suspected
that any man wanted to serve a writ on Brigham they never let
that man escape. Sometimes they would treat him with great
kindness, and in that way decoy him to some out-of-the-way place,
and there "save" him, as it was called. The Danites were not only
on the track of officers, but all suspected characters who might
come to spy out what was going on. I knew of many men who were
put out of the way.
If any Danite was caught in a scrape, it was the duty of the rest
to unite and swear him out. It was shown that the Gentiles had no
right to administer an oath. The Danites might swear a house full
of lies to save one of the brethren.
Whatever the Danites were ordered to do, they were to do and ask
no questions. Whether it was right or wrong mattered not to them,
they were responsible only to their leaders, amenable only to
God. I was one among them, into the secret of all they did; and
they looked for me to speak a good word for them with Brigham, as
they were ambitious to please him and obtain his blessing. The
captain of the Danites never asked me to do anything he knew I
was averse to doing. Under Brigham, Hosea Stout was Chief.
The Danites buried a man in a lot near the Masonic Hall. They got
him tight and some were joking with him while others digged his
grave. They asked him to go with them into a field of corn,
saying it was fully grown. They told him they had a jug of whisky
cached out there. They led him to his grave, and told him if he
would get down into it, hand up the jug, he should have the first
drink. As he bent over to get down, Roswell Stevens struck him on
the back of the head and dropped him. They tightened a cord
around his neck to shut off his wind, and then covered him up and
set the hill of corn back on his grave to cover any tracks that
might lead to discovery.
Another man they took in a boat, about two o'clock at night, for
a ride. When out in the channel of the river the Danite who sat
behind him struck him upon the head and stunned him. They tied a
rope around his neck and a stone to the other end of the rope,
and sent him to the bottom of the Mississippi.
There was a man whose name I have forgotten, who was a great
annoyance to the Saints at Nauvoo. He generally brought a party
with him when he came to the city, and would threaten them with
the law; but he always managed to get away safely. They (the
Saints) finally concluded to entrust his case to Howard Egan, a
Danite who was thought to be long-headed. He took a party of
Destroying Angels and went to La Harp, a town near the residence
of this man, and watched for an opportunity when he would pass
along. They "saved" him, and buried him in a washout at night. A
short time afterwards a thunder storm washed the earth away and
exposed the remains.
The Danites also made an attempt to kill an old man and his son
over on Bear River. Ebenezer Richardson, an old tried Danite had
charge of this mission. Four Danites went to the residence of the
old folks. Two of them asked for lodgings and refreshments. The
old gentleman told them he was not prepared to entertain them,
and directed them to a neighbor who lived a mile away. They
insisted upon stopping, and said they were weary and would lie
down upon their blankets. The old man was suspicious of them and
utterly refused to keep them.
They then went away and counseled over the matter, and concluded
to wait until the family were asleep, then burst in the door
before they could have time to resist. The old man and his son,
being sure that the Danites had come for the purpose of "saving"
them, were waiting their return. Each of them had a gun.
Brother Richardson and his party waited until about midnight,
when they slipped carefully to the house and listened. All was
still. Then Richardson and another burst in the door. As the
Danites were in the act of entering the house the old man and his
son fired. Richardson's arm was broken below the elbow; another
Danite received a slight wound. The reception was overhot and
they backed water, glad to get away. Richardson later wore a
cloak to conceal his broken arm.
These matters were kept a profound secret. I was in Brigham's
office about this time. His brother Joseph and quite a number of
the others were present, when Brigham raised his hand and said:
"I swear by the eternal Heavens, and all good Mormons will do the
same, that I have unsheathed my sword, and will never return it
until the blood of the Prophet Joseph, and Hyrum, and those who
were slain in Missouri, is avenged. This whole nation is guilty
of shedding their blood, by assenting to the deed and holding its
peace. Now," said he, "betray me, any who dare do so!"
Everyone who passed through his endowments in the Temple was
placed under the most sacred obligations to avenge the blood of
the Prophet, whenever opportunity offered, and teach their
children to do the same.
Once I heard Mother Smith, the mother of Joseph the Prophet,
plead with Brigham, with tears, not to rob young Joseph, her
grandchild, of his birthright, which his father, the Prophet,
bestowed upon him previous to his death. Young Joseph should have
succeeded his father as the leader of the Church; it was his
right in the line of the Priesthood.
"I know it," replied Brigham; "don't worry or take any trouble,
Mother Smith; by so doing you are only laying the knife to the
throat of the child. If it be known that he is the rightful
successor of his father the enemies of the Priesthood will seek
his life. He is too young to lead his people now, but when he
arrives at mature age he shall have his place. No one shall rob
him of it."
Brigham sought to establish himself as the leader of the Church.
Many years, however, passed away before he dared assume or claim
to be the rightful successor of Joseph, the Seer, Prophet, and
Revelator to the Church. When the time arrived, according to
Brigham's own words, for Joseph to receive his own, Joseph came,
but Brigham received him not. He said that Joseph lacked the true
spirit. Joseph's mother had married a Gentile lawyer, and had
infused the Gentile spirit into him. Joseph denied the doctrine
of celestial marriage.
Brigham barred young Joseph from preaching in the Tabernacle, and
raised a storm against him. He took Joseph's cousin, George A.
Smith, as his first counselor. This he did as a matter of policy
to prevent George A. from using his influence in favor of Joseph
as the leader of the people, which he otherwise would have done.
He also ordained John Smith, the son of Hyrum the Patriarch, to
the office of Patriarch, and his brother, Joseph F. Smith, to the
office of one of the twelve apostles, thus securing their
influence, telling them also that had young Joseph been willing
to act in harmony with them, the heads of the Church, he could
have had his place, but that he was too much of a Gentile to lead
this people. Brigham said he had hopes that David, a brother of
young Joseph, when he became older, might occupy the place of his
father, but Joseph never would.