EXPULSION FROM JACKSON COUNTY.
In this small history, an account of all that happened in Missouri during
those cruel times can not be given; but enough can be told to show you what
the Saints had to endure in the early days of the Church. If you will but
think of the sufferings the boys and girls must have gone through when the
mobs tore the roofs from their houses, drove them out on the prairies to go
hungry and cold, and killed or whipped their fathers, you may then
appreciate God's blessings to you who live in peace and comfort.
The persecutions, which began in earnest October 31st, 1833, continued day
after day. On November 2nd a mob attacked a settlement on Big Blue River.
They unroofed one house and were beating a brother by the name of Bennett,
who was sick in bed, when a party of brethren came to the rescue. There was
some firing of guns between them, and a mobber was wounded in the leg.
On November 4th as a band of mobbers started out to make a raid on the
Saints, word was sent to the brethren, and thirty of them soon gathered to
withstand the mob. A battle ensued in which two of the mobbers were killed.
One of the brethren was so badly wounded that he died the next day. Brother
Philo Dibble was shot and severely wounded, but he was administered to and
soon got well.
The whole country was now aroused. Word was sent broadcast that the
"Mormons" had got the Indians to help them, and that they had taken the
town of Independence.
Next morning people flocked into the town and there was great excitement.
And now we must name one of the most cruel and wicked men of that time,
Lilburn W. Boggs. He was lieutenant-governor, which is next to the
governor, the highest officer in the state. Boggs permitted the mob to
organize themselves into a militia and thereby become regular soldiers of
the state. The mob leaders seeing that the Saints had decided to protect
themselves and fight if necessary, raised this militia so that if the
Saints opposed them that they could be classed as law breakers.
The branches of the Church west of Independence having heard that the mob
was going to kill some of the brethren in that town, raised about one
hundred men to go to their rescue. While on the way they heard that there
was no immediate danger, and that the militia had been called out. At this
they were going back to their homes; but just then the militia came up, led
by Colonel Pitcher. He demanded that the "Mormons" give up their arms, but
they would not unless the mob, or militia as it was called, would do the
same. This Colonel Pitcher agreed to have done, and then the brethren gave
up their arms, consisting of fifty-nine guns and one pistol.
No sooner was this done than the most awful scene took place. The mob did
not give up a gun, but bands of them roamed over the country searching for
the Saints. Houses were torn down and burned, men were tied up and whipped,
women and children were driven out into the fields and forests. Many of the
county's leading men took part in these crimes, and even ministers,
preachers of the gospel as they called themselves, were seen leading mobs
from place to place.
The cold winter was now coming on, it being the month of November. At one
place a company of one hundred and ninety--all being women and children
excepting three old men--was driven thirty miles across a burnt prairie,
the ground being coated with sleet. Their trail could be easily followed by
the blood which flowed from their feet.
You will see by the map that Clay county lies north of Jackson, just across
the Missouri river. As the Saints were driven from their homes, most of
them made their way to Clay county whose people received them kindly. Soon
the shores of the river were lined with men, women and children, goods,
boxes, wagons, etc; The ferrymen were kept busy taking them over the river.
At night the place had a strange appearance. Hundreds of people could be
seen in every direction; some in tents and some in the open air around the
fires. The rain descended in torrents. Husbands were asking for their wives
and wives for their husbands, parents for children and children for
parents. Some had managed to escape with a little provisions; many had lost
all their goods.
There were at this time about twelve hundred Saints in Jackson county, so
it took many days for them all to get away. Some of the poorest of the
Saints who could not get away at first were driven out during the cold
storms of that winter.
Early next spring when nearly all the Saints had left, the mob set fire to
the deserted homes. One of the brethren reported that two hundred and three
dwellings and one grist mill were destroyed.
Topics.--1. Contrast between present conditions and past. 2. Mobbing
continued. 3. Saints driven from Jackson county.
[Illustration: Map of Missouri and Illinois]
Questions and Review.--1. What experiences did the Latter-day Saint boys
and girls of Jackson county pass through? (Read the story, "Grandmother's
Rocking Chair," in the Contributor, Vol. 11, page 242.) 2. What happened in
November, 1833? 3. What is the state militia? 4. Why was the Jackson county
militia raised? 5. What happened after the brethren had given up their
arms? 6. Tell about the scene on the banks of the Missouri river. 7. Where
is Clay county? 8. What happened in the spring of 1834?