THE "HONOR" OF A MOB.
The morning of the 5th of November witnessed the people from all
parts of the county crowding well armed into Independence. But few
knew of the agreement made by the saints in and about Independence
to leave the county; and the presence of the armed crowds was made
the occasion of calling out the militia. This last move was at the
instigation of Lieutenant Governor Boggs--at least such was the report
among the people that day. The command of this militia was given to
Colonel Pitcher, but the men who had formerly been the mob made up the
ranks of the militia; and the only difference between the mob and the
militia was that the mob organized as a militia were prepared to adopt
more effective measures in driving the saints from their homes than
before they were so organized. The colonels in command--Pitcher and
Lucas--were known as the bitter enemies of the saints, and their names
were attached to the agreement, circulated in the July previous, to
drive them from the county. From such a militia, officered by such men
as Pitcher and Lucas, the saints could hope for no protection.
The branches of The Church west of Independence did not hear of the
agreement of the Independence branch to leave the county, but reports
reached them that a number of their brethren were imprisoned, and
that the mob were determined to kill them. About a hundred of the
brethren gathered from the various branches, and marched in a body to
assist those in peril. They halted about a mile west of Independence,
to ascertain the situation of affairs. Learning that the mob had not
attacked the branch at Independence, and that the militia was called
out, they concluded to quietly disperse and go to their homes. But they
had been seen on the road, and it was reported that the "Mormons" were
on the march toward Independence, with the intention, no doubt, to do
mischief.
Hearing this, the militia under Colonel Pitcher became enraged, and
would only consent to grant the people peace on the condition of their
agreeing to deliver up certain men, engaged in the battle the evening
before, to be tried for murder and surrendering their arms. To this
last proposition Lyman Wight, who, it appears, acted as the leader
of the body of brethren that had marched to Independence, would not
consent, unless Colonel Pitcher would also disarm the mob. To this
the colonel cheerfully agreed; and pledged his honor, with that of
Lieutenant Governor Boggs, Samuel C. Owens, and others, to carry out
his promise.[A]
[Footnote A: Times and Seasons, 1843, p. 263.]
Upon this treaty being made the brethren surrendered their arms--in
all, forty-nine guns and one pistol. They also gave up a number of
the parties who were engaged the night before in the battle, to be
tried for murder. These men were detained a day and a night, during
which time they were insulted, threatened, and brickbatted; and after
receiving a mockery of a trial, Colonel Pitcher let them go, after
taking an old watch from one of them to satisfy costs!
The agreement made by Colonel Pitcher, to disarm the mob, was never
executed; but as soon as the brethren had surrendered their arms, bands
of armed men were turned loose upon them. Lyman Wight was chased by one
of these gangs across an open prairie for five miles, but fortunately
escaped. He lay three weeks in the woods, and was without food three
days and nights. He was hunted by the mob through Jackson, Lafayette,
and Clay counties, and also through the Indian Territory. Some of the
parties who were hounding him were asked why it was they had so much
against him, to which they replied: "He believes in Joe Smith and the
Book of Mormon, G--d d---n him; and we believe Joe Smith to be a d--d
rascal!"
The men who had made up the rank and file of the militia on the 5th
of November, the next day were riding over the country in armed gangs
threatening men, women and children with violence, searching for arms,
and brutally tying up and whipping some of the men, and shooting at
others. The leaders of these ruffians were some of the prominent men of
the county; Colonel Pitcher and Lieutenant Governor Boggs being among
the number. The priests in the county, it seems, were determined not to
be outdone by the politicians, for the Reverend Isaac McCoy and other
preachers of the gospel (!) were seen leading armed bands of marauders
from place to place; and were the main inspirers of cowardly assaults
on the defenseless.
All through this day and the day following (the 6th and 7th of
November,) women and children were fleeing in every direction from
the presence of the merciless mob. One company of one hundred and
ninety--all women and children, except three decrepit old men--were
driven thirty miles across a burnt prairie. The ground was thinly
crusted with sleet, and the trail of these exiles was easily followed
by the blood which flowed from their lacerated feet![B] This company
and others who joined them erected some log cabins for temporary
shelter, and not knowing the limits of Jackson County, built them
within the borders thereof. Subsequently, in the month of January,
1834, parties of the mob again drove these people, and burned their
wretched cabins, leaving them to wander without shelter in the most
severe winter months. Many of them were taken suddenly ill and died.
[Footnote B: Lyman Wight's affidavit, Times and Seasons, 1843, p. 264.]