MEMORIAL TO THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE--A CHAPTER OF INFAMY--HOW
MISSOURI REDRESSED THE WRONGS OF THE SUFFERING SAINTS--BRIGHAM AND
HEBER SETTING IN ORDER THE CHURCH--ARRANGING FOR THE EXODUS.
The brethren who retained their liberty addressed a memorial to the
Missouri Legislature, setting forth the wrongs that the Saints had
suffered in that state, and humbly petitioning for redress of
grievances. As a concise statement of the Missouri persecutions, with
much of which the history of Heber C. Kimball is identified, and
himself being one of the signers of the document, it is here given a
place in this volume:
"We, the undersigned petitioners and inhabitants of Caldwell
County, Missouri, 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 County, Missouri, in the summer of 1831, 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, persecutions 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 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 commence 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
defenseless situation, to save a general massacre, it was agreed
one half of the society should leave the county by the 1st of
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 awhile. 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 harassed for some time both day and night, Their houses were
brick-batted and broken open, women and children insulted, etc.
"The store-house of A. S. Gilbert and Co. was broken open,
ransacked and some of the goods strewed 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 the immediate surrender of the arms of our people, and
they forthwith to 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 on 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 County as fast as they
possibly could, where the people received them kindly and
administered to their wants. After the society had left Jackson
County, their buildings, amounting to about two hundred, were
either burned or otherwise destroyed; and much of their crops, as
well as furniture, stock etc., which if properly estimated would
make a large sum, for which they have not as yet received any
remuneration.
"The Society remained in Clay County nearly three years, when at
the suggestion of the people there, they removed to that section
of the country known now as Caldwell County. Here the people
purchased out most of the former inhabitants, and also entered
much of the wild land. Many soon owned a number of eighties, while
there was scarcely a man that did not secure to himself at least a
forty.
"There we were permitted to enjoy peace for a season; but as our
society increased in numbers and settlements were made in Daviess
and Carroll Counties, the mob spirit spread itself again.
"For months previous to our giving up our arms to General 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 De
Witt, had to give up to a mob, and leave the place,
notwithstanding the militia were called out for their protection.
"From De Witt the mob went towards Daviess County, and while on
their way there took two of our men prisoners and made them ride
upon the cannon, and told them they would drive the Mormons from
Daviess to Caldwell and from Caldwell to hell, 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 Daviess to help to
protect their brethren, who had settled at Diahman on Grand river.
The mob soon fled from Daviess County; and after they were
dispersed and the cannon taken, during which time no blood was
shed, the people of Caldwell returned to their homes, in hope of
enjoying peace and quiet; but in this they were disappointed, for
a large mob was soon found to be collecting on the Grindstone
forks of Grand River, from ten to fifteen miles off, under the
command of Cornelius Gillium, a scouting party of which came
within four miles of Far West and drove off stock belonging to our
people in open day light.
"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, and were
taking horses and cattle, burning houses and ordering 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 General Lucas and his army. About the time of the battle with
Captain Bogart a number of our people who were living near Haun's
mills, 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 County, some from Daviess, 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 when they little expected any
such thing and without any ceremony, notwithstanding they begged
for quarter, shot 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 corn cutter 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 against Bogart,
that can be found, have been arrested, and are now confined in
jail to await their trial for murder.
"When General Lucas arrived near Far West and presented the
Governor's order, we were surprised greatly, 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 house logs, rails, corn cribs, boards, etc., 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 anyone. In
the meantime men were abused, women insulted and abused by the
troops--and all this while we were kept prisoners.
"Whilst the town was guarded we were called together by the order
of General 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 over 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 Daviess may
have sustained in consequence of the late difficulties in that
county.
"General Clark now arrived and the first important move made by
him was collecting of our men together, on the square, and
selecting out about fifty of them' whom he immediately marched
into a house and confined close. 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. After being confined in Richmond more than two weeks, about
one half were liberated. The rest, after another week's
confinement, were most of them required to appear at court and
have since been let to bail.
"Since General 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 General
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 named Tanner, and without any
reason for it, he was struck on the head with a gun, which laid
his skull bare. Another man by the name of Carey 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 are compelled to sign, which deed so operated
upon our real estate that it will sell for 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 the state, and we believe these persecutions
have come in consequence of our religious faith, and not for
immorality on our part. That instances have been, of late, when
individuals have trespassed upon the rights of others and thereby
broken the laws of the land, we will not attempt 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 Daviess County.
"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 Governor 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 peoples' 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 General Parkes to raise
troops for the frontier.
"The arms given up by us we consider were worth between twelve and
fifteen thousand dollars; but we understand they have been greatly
damaged since taken, and at this time probably would not bring
near their former value. And as they were both here and in Jackson
County, taken by the militia, and consequently by the authority of
the state, we therefore ask your Honorable Body to cause an
appropriation to be made by law, whereby we may be paid for them,
or otherwise have them returned to us and the damages made good.
The losses sustained by our people in leaving Jackson County, are
so situated that it is impossible to obtain any compensation for
them by law, because those who have sustained them are unable to
prove those trespasses upon individuals. That the facts do exist
that the buildings, crops, stock, furniture, rails, timber, etc.,
of the society, have been destroyed in Jackson County, is not
doubted by those who are acquainted in this upper country; and
since trespasses cannot be proven upon individuals, we ask your
Honorable Body to consider this case and if in your liberality and
wisdom you can conceive it to be proper to make an appropriation
by law to these sufferers, many of whom are still pressed down
with poverty in consequence of their losses, would be able to pay
their debts, and also in some degree be relieved from poverty and
woe; whilst the widow's heart would be made to rejoice, and the
orphan's tears measurably dried up and the prayers of a grateful
people ascend on high, with thanksgiving and praise to the author
of our existence for that beneficent act.
"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.
"A committee appointed by the citizens of Caldwell County, to
draft this memorial and sign it in their behalf. {
EDWARD PARTRIDGE,
HEBER C. KIMBALL,
JOHN TAYLOR,
THEODORE TURLEY,
BRIGHAM YOUNG,
ISAAC MORLEY,
GEORGE W. HARRIS,
JOHN MURDOCK,
JOHN M. BURK.
"Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri,
Dec. 10, 1838."
The only recognition given by the Legislature to this pathetic appeal,
this soul-harrowing recital of "bitter, burning wrongs," enough to
melt a heart of stone,
"To stir a fever in the blood of age,
And make the infant's sinews strong as steel,"
was the appropriation of the paltry sum of two thousand dollars, to be
distributed among the people of Daviess and Caldwell Counties, "_the
Mormons not excepted_."
O lavish generosity! Two thousand dollars for a city sacked and
pillaged, fields and farms laid waste, and homes given to the flames;
not to mention murders, rapes, expulsions and other outrages nameless
for their enormity, committed upon a helpless people by a ruthless
mob, in the sovereign name of the state of Missouri!
"THE MORMONS NOT EXCEPTED!"
O world-wide philanthropy! Magnanimity unparalleled! As though the
Mormons had not been the main, and well-nigh only sufferers from this
horrible and hellish invasion. Indeed, the only other losses
sustained--barring those inflicted by the oppressed people in sheer
self-defense--were from depredations by the mobocrats themselves upon
their own sympathizers, committed in such a way as to seem the work of
Mormons, who were falsely accused of the devilish deeds and the public
mind thus inflamed against them.
And then, the manner of distributing this princes' ransom! Surely the
tactics of the average Indian agent and post-trader there had their
origin. The notorious Judge Cameron had charge of the distribution; a
wretch whose unpitying gaze had surveyed complacently the wrongs and
cruelties heaped upon the helpless Saints, his serene equanimity of
temper being disturbed only by the patience and superhuman
cheerfulness of the brethren when compelled at the point of the
bayonet to sign away their property to pay the expenses of the war
waged against them. He was assisted by a man named McHenry.
Says Heber C. Kimball:
"Judge Cameron drove in the hogs belonging to the brethren (many of
which were identified) shot them down in the streets, and, without
further bleeding they were half-dressed, cut up and distributed by
McHenry to the poor, charging four or five cents per pound; which,
together with a few pieces of refuse calicoes, at double and treble
price, soon consumed the appropriation."
And thus did the great state of Missouri redress the wrongs of ten
thousand innocent people, robbed and trampled on without provocation
by its mob militia, led on and fired to their deeds of blood and
plunder by political demagogues and hireling priests of Christendom.
And this in the broad daylight of the nineteenth century, in a land of
religious liberty, on soil consecrated by the blood of patriots--
ancestors of the people thus trampled on and despoiled--and in the
presence of American judges, magistrates and priests, affecting the
calling, but disgracing the name, of Christian!
Brigham and Heber, in the absence of their fellow Apostles--the
remainder of the Twelve who had not gone over to the enemy, being in
prison for the Gospel's sake, or away on missions--proceeded to set in
order the Church at Far West, which was more or less scattered and
demoralized from the effects of the recent persecution. They were
obliged to move secretly and with the utmost caution, their lives and
liberties being in jeopardy from apostate spies and prowling
mobocrats. They reorganized the High Council, "expressed their
fellowship with all who desired to do right," and filled the vacancies
occasioned by the absence of brethren who had fled out of the state to
save their lives.
On the nineteenth of December, they ordained John Taylor and John E.
Page to the apostleship.
The next step of the Apostles was to arrange for the exodus of the
Saints _en masse_, from this land of tyrants, traitors and mobocrats,
the blood-stained soil of Missouri.