A "BLOODY DAY."
Early on Monday the mob took the ferry-boat on Big Blue, west of
Independence, which belonged to the saints, driving the owners away
with threats of violence. From thence they went to a store, about one
mile west of the ferry, kept by one Wilson. Word was brought to a
branch of The Church located several miles still further west from the
ferry, that the mob east of the Blue were destroying property, and the
saints needed assistance. Upon hearing this, nineteen of the brethren
volunteered to go to their aid; but on approaching Wilson's store they
learned that the mob were there, and that the report of the destruction
of property east of the Blue was false. The company started to return
to their homes, but two small boys passing on their way to Wilson's
store saw this company, and reported to the mob that the "Mormons" were
on the road west of them. At this the mob, which numbered between forty
and fifty, started in pursuit, and soon came in sight of the company of
volunteers, which, at the enemy's approach, fled in all directions. The
mob gave hot pursuit, hunting for the brethren through the corn fields,
and even searching the houses of the saints for them; at the same time
threatening the women and children with violence if they did not tell
where the men were hiding. They fed their horses in Christian Whitmer's
corn field, and took him and pointed their guns at him, threatening his
life if he did not tell them where the brethren were.
Two or three of the company who were dispersed by the mob made their
way to the Colesville branch of The Church, which was but about three
miles away. A company of thirty men was quickly formed, and although
they were armed with but seventeen guns, and knew their enemies were
more numerous than they, and better armed, they promptly marched to
the assistance of their brethren. They found the mob hunting for
their victims, and threatening the women and children. As the mob saw
this new company approaching, some of them shouted _"Fire, God damn
ye, fire!"_ and then they themselves fired two or three shots at the
approaching company. This fire was promptly returned by a volley from
the brethren, at which the mob fled, leaving two of their number and
some of their horses dead on the ground. The two killed were Hugh L.
Brazeale and Thomas Linville. Brazeale had been known to say, "with ten
fellows I will wade to my knees in blood, but what I will drive the
'Mormons' from Jackson County."
The first shots fired by the mob wounded Philo Dibble in the bowels,
the balls remaining in him. As he bled much inwardly his bowels
became swollen, and his life was despaired of. Newel Knight, however,
administered to him, by laying on hands in the name of Jesus Christ,
and a purifying fire penetrated his whole system. He discharged several
quarts of blood and corruption, with which was one of the balls that
inflicted his wounds. He was immediately healed, and remained an
able-bodied man, and performed military duty for a number of years
afterwards.[A]
[Footnote A: Philo Dibble lived to take part in the defense of the
city of Nauvoo, some thirteen years later; afterwards removed with The
Church to the Rocky Mountains, settling finally in Springville, Utah
County, where he died in full faith of the gospel at the advanced age
of 90, on the sixth of June 1895.]
A brother by the name of Andrew Barber was mortally wounded--his death
occurred the next day.
This battle was fought about sundown, and during the night the mob
dispatched runners in all directions with the false report that the
"Mormons" had _"riz;"_ that they had been joined by the Indians, and
had taken Independence; that the "'Mormons' had gone into Wilson's
store and shot his son," with other rumors that were calculated to
excite the people, and enrage them against the saints.
The same day, November 4th, a most extraordinary affair occurred
at Independence. We have already told how a number of the brethren
caught Richard McCarty on the night of November 1st, in the act of
hurling stones and brickbats through the doors and windows of Gilbert,
Whitney & Co.'s store, while the goods--calicoes, shawls, cambric
handkerchiefs, etc.--were scattered around him in the street; and how
the brethren took him before the justice of the peace, Samuel Weston,
and asked for a warrant to be issued against him, and how the justice
refused to issue the warrant. But on this fourth day of November,
Richard McCarty obtained a warrant from this same justice of the peace
for the arrest of A. S. Gilbert, Wm. E. McLellin, Isaac Morley, John
Corrill, and three or four others, charging them with _assault and
battery,_ and _false imprisonment._ In relation to this matter Brother
Corrill tersely remarks, "Although we could not obtain a warrant
against him for breaking open the store, yet he had gotten one for us,
for catching him at it."
The trial of these men was in progress in the courthouse at
Independence, when the news of the battle west of the Blue was brought
to town. But instead of being reported correctly, it was said that
the "Mormons" had gone into Wilson's house and shot his son. This so
enraged the crowd that were in attendance at the trial that a rush was
made for the prisoners, to kill them. This, however, was prevented;
and at the suggestion of Samuel C. Owens, clerk of the county court,
those on trial were locked up in jail for their own safety. During the
night the mob were busy collecting arms and ammunition, making every
preparation for a general massacre of the saints the next day.
The brethren who were imprisoned were frequently told of these warlike
preparations during the night, and that, too, by men of note; and
were further informed that nothing but their leaving the county would
prevent bloodshed. Whereupon the brethren consented to leave the
county, and furthermore agreed to go and consult with their brethren on
the subject of all the members of The Church leaving. For this purpose
Gilbert, Morley, and Corrill were accompanied by the sheriff and two
others to the branch of The Church some half a mile from Independence;
and there held an interview with their brethren upon the subject of
their moving from the county, to which the members of that branch
consented.
The sheriff and his prisoners then returned to the jail--it being about
two o'clock in the morning. As they approached the jail they were
halted by a company of armed men, six or seven in number. The sheriff
answered them, giving his own name and the names of his prisoners, at
the same time exclaiming, "Don't fire, don't fire, the prisoners are
in my charge!" Morley and Corrill turned and fled, and the party who
had halted them fired one or two shots after them. Gilbert stood his
ground, and while the sheriff held him, several guns were presented at
him. Two of the men, more desperate than the rest, attempted to shoot
him, but their guns missed fire; seeing that they failed to shoot him,
one of the party, Thomas Wilson, knocked him down. His life, however,
was preserved and his injuries were not very serious.