The Expulsion from Missouri
1838-1839
The Case Before the Legislature
In December, 1838, the Legislature of Missouri met. Governor Boggs
laid before that body the information in his hands relative to the
difficulty with the Latter-day Saints. This information was woefully
lacking in the matter of the petitions and documents sent to him in
defense of the Saints. On the 10th of that month Brigham Young, Heber
C. Kimball, John Taylor and other brethren petitioned the legislature,
setting forth their side of the case. This petition was presented
to David R. Atchison and others, December 17. The following day Mr.
Turner, from a joint committee, presented before the senate a report
of findings, based on the governor's information. This report stated
that the evidence was "not authenticated," and was confined chiefly to
investigation of criminal charges against individuals under arrest;
the evidence was _ex parte_; and without aid of further evidence,
the committee could not form a satisfactory opinion in relation
to the material points. For these reasons, and because "it would
be a direct interference with the administration of justice, the
committee reported that this document ought not to be published, with
the sanction of the legislature." December 19, the petition of the
brethren was presented by John Corrill, who had but recently departed
from the Church. It was read in profound silence, but at the close
of the reading, the house was in an uproar. A Mr. Childs, of Jackson
County, denounced the petition saying there was not a word of truth
in it. Mr. Ashley, of Livingstone County, denounced the "Mormons" as
did also Mr. Young, of Lafayette. Ashley was one of the murderers at
Haun's Mill, and even boasted of that slaughter before the house. Mr.
Redman, of Howard County, and Mr. Gyer, of St. Louis, and a few other
members, demanded a full investigation, for they believed there was
truth in the petition, and the actions of those members in opposing an
investigation was because they feared their evil deeds might be brought
to light. The result of it all was that the petition was laid on the
table, "until the 4th day of July next,"--Independence day. January 16,
1839, Mr. Turner introduced in the senate a bill "to provide for the
investigation of the late disturbances in this state." The bill passed
the senate, but when it came to the house (Feb. 4) it followed the
petition and was laid on the table, also to be taken up on Independence
day. Many considered this an approval of the wrongs committed on the
"Mormons" in Missouri. David R. Atchison and a few others vigorously
protested against such criminal action, but found themselves in the
minority, for the motion prevailed by a majority of eleven votes.
Legislative Appropriations
In December, the legislature of Missouri appropriated two thousand
dollars "to be distributed among the people of Daviess and Caldwell
Counties." The "good" people of Daviess were very "generous" and felt
that they could do without their portion of this appropriation, and
let it be given to the people of Caldwell. They could well afford to
do such a thing, for they had robbed the "Mormon" people of nearly all
they possessed. They had ransacked their homes and carried off their
household furniture and goods, and otherwise enriched themselves at
the expense of the Saints who had dwelt among them. This sum, so it
was pretended, was distributed among the people in Caldwell. Judge
Cameron and others attended to the "distribution." The way they did
it was to drive off the hogs belonging to the "Mormons" and shoot
them, and without further bleeding, cut them up and deliver them to
the Saints, at four or five cents a pound. They also "gave them a few
calicos," and the "sweepings of an old store," charging them an extra
price for the goods, and thus was the "munificient" sum of two thousand
dollars distributed among the "Mormons." Later the same legislature
appropriated two hundred thousand dollars to pay the troops for their
work in driving the "Mormons" from the state. In this manner were law
and justice administered in Missouri in the years 1838 and 1839.
Extent of "Mormon" Losses
The total value of the property destroyed in Missouri, which belonged
to the Saints, is beyond our knowledge. It was estimated to be not
less than two million dollars, from the time they first settled in
that state until their expulsion. About twelve hundred members of the
Church were driven from Jackson County in 1833, and all their property
was lost to them. When again they were forced to leave Clay County,
though they went peaceably at the request of the other citizens, they
left behind them a vast amount of property for which no remuneration
was ever received. When they were expelled from the state in the winter
of 1838-9, the Saints numbered between twelve and fifteen thousand
souls. All their property, except the little they were able to gather
hastily and carry with them, was either destroyed or stolen by their
enemies. In the appeal made to Congress and the President of the United
States, in 1839, the amount of their losses was estimated at two
million dollars. Claims against Missouri for the losses were presented
to Congress in the sum of $1,381,044.00, and this represented only
491 individuals; many others who lost property, entered no claims for
damages against that state.
In addition to this loss of property, the Prophet Joseph paid in
lawyers' fees, for the defense of the people and himself, against the
unhallowed persecutions of their enemies, about fifty thousand dollars;
with very little benefit in return. And for all this, the generous
state of Missouri, for a show before the world of their charity and
kindness toward the people they had robbed, could afford to appropriate
the magnificent sum of two thousand dollars! And what of the blood of
men, women and children which had been shed by these human fiends?
In Liberty Prison
After the mock trial in Richmond, Joseph Smith and his five companions
were imprisoned in Liberty, Clay County, for a period of six months.
Here they suffered, during that time, many untold hardships. Much
of the time they were bound in chains. Their food was often not fit
to eat, and never wholesome or prepared with the thought of proper
nourishment. Several times poison was administered to them in their
food, which made them sick nigh unto death, and only the promised
blessings of the Lord saved them. Their bed was on the floor, or on the
flat side of a hewn white oak log, and in this manner they were forced
to suffer. Is it any wonder that they cried in the anguish of their
souls unto the Lord, for relief from such inhuman treatment?
Epistles From Prison
The Lord did not forsake them. While they were confined, the brethren
wrote a number of communications to the Saints. Occasionally their
friends were privileged to visit them, but always in the presence of
a strong and heavily armed guard. Letters with words of comfort were
occasionally received, and in this way their spirits were buoyed up,
which enabled them to stand their trials. On March 25, 1839, an epistle
of special import was written from the prison to the Saints scattered
abroad, and to the bishop, Edward Partridge, in particular. This
epistle portrayed many of their grievances and expressed their love
and fellowship for the Saints. Above all this, however, they poured
out their souls to the Lord asking for relief, and wondering why they
were so severely punished. The Lord gave them answer which comforted
them and built them up in hope. They also received encouragement, and
assurance of their delivery from bonds, which was soon to come to
pass.[1]
Release of Sidney Rigdon
The Prophet wrote in his Journal that January 1, 1839, "dawned upon us
as prisoners of hope, but not as sons of liberty. O Columbia, Columbia!
How thou art fallen! 'The land of the free, the home of the brave!'
'The asylum of the oppressed'--oppressing thy noblest sons, in a
loathsome dungeon, without any provocation, only that they have claimed
to worship the God of their fathers according to his own word, and
the dictates of their own consciences." Elder Parley P. Pratt and his
companions in tribulation were still held in bondage in their doleful
prison in Richmond. The brethren appealed to the supreme court in
Missouri for a writ of habeas corpus. Twice their petition was denied.
They also petitioned the judges of the county for like privileges, and
sent a memorial to the legislature asking that they be granted a fair
and impartial trial before an unprejudiced judge in some other circuit,
where they might have hope of justice, which could not be obtained
from Judge King. Finally, in the latter part of February, 1839, they
prevailed on Judge Turnham, one of the county judges, who granted their
request after some reluctance. The judge was afraid of the mob, for the
threats were made by the members of the banditti, that if any judge,
jury or court of any kind, should free the prisoners they would be
killed. Great threatenings were made at the time of this trial, and the
brethren would have been liberated, only for the blundering, wilfully
or ignorantly, of their lawyers. Sidney Rigdon, who had suffered
terribly because of exposure and the ill-treatment he had received, he
being much older and less able to endure than the other brethren, was
released by the action of the judge, at this time. Through a kindness
on the part of the sheriff, Samuel Hadley, and the jailer, Samuel
Tillery, he was let out of prison in the night, for fear of the mob,
and told to make his way out of the state as soon as he could. Even as
it was, he was pursued by a body of armed men; but having a good start
made his way to Quincy, Illinois.
Departure for Daviess
The refusal on the part of the courts and officials to grant a final
trial--for it should be remembered the brethren were being held on a
preliminary hearing all these months--and the threatenings of numerous
enemies caused the brethren to determine on making their escape if
possible. Once they tried and failed. Again the opportunity presented
itself, and the Lord indicated to them that if they were united they
could gain their freedom, but the stubbornness of Lyman Wight defeated
their purpose. The latter part of March, Elders Heber C. Kimball and
Theodore Turley went to Jefferson City with necessary papers, to see
the governor, but he was absent. However, they saw the secretary of
state, who appeared astonished at the action of Judge King, and who
wrote the judge a letter. They also saw the supreme court judges, but
due to the blundering of their attorney, Doniphan, they were unable to
obtain a writ of habeas corpus. They returned to Liberty on the 30th
of March. April 4, they had an interview with Judge Austin A. King,
who was angry to think they had been to see the governor. King said
he could have done all that they desired, and would have signed their
petition if he had been approached, for all the prisoners, but Joseph
Smith, "and he was not fit to live." Fearing that the brethren might
obtain a change of venue, Judge King hurried off with them, April 6,
1839, to Daviess County, where he hoped to continue his persecution.
Perhaps he hoped they would be murdered, for a band of fifty men in
Daviess County, on learning that the prisoners were coming, took an
oath that they would neither eat nor drink until they had murdered the
Prophet. The prisoners arrived at Gallatin, April 8, and the following
day the examination of witnesses commenced before the grand jury, over
which Judge King acted as the presiding judge. Judge Birch, the county
judge, who previously assisted in the prosecution of the brethren, was
associated with him. Both judges and jury were drunk while the case
proceeded, and the men of the jury were members of the raiding party of
Haun's Mill. They served on the jury during the day and as guards at
night, and in their drunken debauchery boasted of their many crimes. On
the 11th of April, they brought in a "true bill" against the prisoners
for "murder, treason, burglary, arson, larceny, theft and stealing."
A Change of Venue
On April 15, 1839, the brethren obtained from Judge Birch a change of
venue from Daviess to Boone County, and a mittimus was made out by
him without date, name or place. The prisoners were fitted out with a
two-horse wagon, necessary horses, and four men besides the sheriff, to
guard them to Boone County. The prisoners numbered five, as follows:
Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, and Alexander
McRae. They started from Gallatin in the afternoon and went as far as
Diahman, where they camped for the night at Judge Morin's. The next day
they went about twenty miles where a jug of whiskey was procured, and
all of the guards, save one, got drank and went to bed. The sheriff
showed the prisoners the mittimus and said to them that Judge Birch
told him never to carry them to Boone County, and never to show the
mittimus, and, the sheriff said: "I shall take a good drink of whiskey
and go to bed, and you may do as you are a mind to."
The Escape
The prisoners bought from the guards two of the horses, paying for
one with clothing, and giving their note for the other. After four of
the guards had retired and were asleep in drunken slumber, the fifth
helped them to saddle the horses and started them on their way. Two of
the brethren mounted and three went on foot, changing places from time
to time. Said Hyrum Smith, "we took our change of venue for the state
of Illinois, and in the course of nine or ten days arrived at Quincy,
Adams County." They found their families in good health, but in a state
of poverty due to their persecutions and expulsion from Missouri's soil.
A "Concocted Plan"
Samuel Tillery, the jailer at Liberty, told the prisoners that the
persecutions against the Saints was a "concocted plan," framed by the
various officers who took part in it, from the governor down. It was
first planned in the fore part of the year 1838, but was not fully
carried out until the militia was sent down against the Saints in
Caldwell and Daviess Counties. "But," said Tillery, shortly before
the removal of the brethren to Daviess County from Liberty Prison,
"you need not be concerned, for the governor has laid a plan for your
release." He also said that the governor was now ashamed enough of the
whole transaction, and would be glad to set the prisoners at liberty,
if he dared to do it. Without question the conspirators became alarmed.
They did not plan the escape of the Prophet and associates because of
any repentance, or remorse of conscience, but because of the fear of
public sentiment, without as well as within the state. Knowledge of
the dastardly actions of the officers of Missouri, who were pledged by
oath to uphold and honor their constitution, which grants liberty to
all citizens[2] in their religious worship, spread abroad into other
commonwealths. The citizens of western Illinois received the exiled
Saints with open arms, and invited them to make their homes among them.
The governor of Iowa, Robert Lucas, wrote and spoke in a vehement
manner in opposition to the treatment the "Mormon" people received in
Missouri. He invited the Saints to make their homes within the borders
of the territory of Iowa. All these things had their effect on the
assassins in Missouri, and caused them to fear and tremble. Governor
Boggs, himself, became sick of the reproach brought upon the state, and
reached the point where he would have gladly released Joseph Smith and
his fellow prisoners, but feared that such an action would properly be
interpreted as an acknowledgment of his unlawful course. He preferred
to have it so arranged that they could escape and appear before the
world as fugitives from justice.
Escape of Parley P. Pratt
At the time Joseph Smith and his companions were sent to Liberty,
Elders Parley P. Pratt, Morris Phelps, Luman Gibbs, Norman Shearer
and Darwin Chase, were sent to Richmond, to await trial on the same
charges. Here they suffered many untold hardships and deprivations
in their dungeon, until April 24, 1839, a period of six months, when
they were taken before the grand jury in Ray County, for a hearing of
their case. The same notorious Judge Austin A. King presided at the
deliberations of this body. Norman Shearer and Darwin Chase, who were
only boys, were released, and King Follett, an aged man, was added to
the list of prisoners. A change of venue having been granted them,
the brethren were taken to Columbia, Boone County, and again cast
into prison. In the meantime Luman Gibbs apostatized, hoping to gain
his liberty, but the crafty officers, although they treated him with
improved consideration, still kept him in prison to act as a spy on
his former brethren. July 4, 1839, Elders Pratt, Phelps and Follett,
assisted on the outside by Orson Pratt and a young man named John W.
Clark, a brother-in-law of Elder Phelps, escaped in a very thrilling
and novel manner. Elder Follett was re-captured, but the other two made
their way, after many hardships and difficulties, to Illinois and the
presence of their families. Elder Follett was again cast into prison
and bound in chains, but in course of a month or two was dismissed, no
charge having been proved against him.
Departure of the Exiles
With all three members of the First Presidency in prison, the burden
of removing the Saints from Missouri was placed on the shoulders of
President Brigham Young, of the council of the apostles. A public
meeting was held at Far West, January 26, 1839, and a committee
composed of the following brethren was selected to draft resolutions
and consider means for the removal of the Saints from Missouri: Brigham
Young, Heber C. Kimball, John Taylor, Alanson Ripley, Theodore Turley,
John Smith and Don Carlos Smith. This committee went to work gathering
such means as could be obtained, and devising plans for the removal of
the poor. Later a committee on removal was appointed with the following
members: William Huntington, chairman; Charles Bird, Alanson Ripley,
Theodore Turley, Daniel Shearer, Shadrack Roundy and Jonathan H. Hale.
During the winter months the exodus began, and many of the Saints
gathered at Quincy, Illinois, where they received a kindly welcome. Due
to their extreme poverty--for they had been robbed and plundered--many
of the members of the Church were unable to get away before the spring
of 1839. April arrived, and the vicious mobocrats met in council on the
6th, and determined that all the "Mormons" should be out of Caldwell
County by the 12th of that month. All available teams were secured, and
help was solicited from the members of the Church who were already in
Illinois, and the remaining Saints at Far West began their journey from
Missouri. Thirty families were removed into Tenney's Grove, twenty-five
miles from Far West, by the 14th of April, on their way to Quincy. Most
of the committee remained at Far West until the last. President Brigham
Young was forced to leave about the middle of February, to save his
life from the angry Missourians who sought it. From the Illinois side
he directed the location of the Saints.
Thursday, April 18, 1839, Elder Heber C. Kimball notified the members
of the committee on removal to wind up their affairs at once, and be
off, for their lives were in grave danger. An armed force went to the
home of Theodore Turley to shoot him; similar action was taken against
other members of the committee, and a number of mobbers tried to kill
Heber C. Kimball in the streets of Far West. The members of the Church
had now departed; many went by way of Richmond and the Missouri River
to Quincy. The members of the committee who still remained, were given
one hour to get out of the place. Hurriedly gathering up such articles
as they could take with them, they departed. The mobbers then commenced
to loot the homes, which had not already been looted of all they
contained.
Governor Boggs and his aids had gained a great victory; the Latter-day
Saints had either been exterminated, or driven from the borders
of Missouri, according to his order. Only those remained who were
incarcerated, and the day of their deliverance was near at hand.
Fulfilment of Prophecy
A revelation was given July 8, 1838, calling John Taylor, John E.
Page, Wilford Woodruff and Willard Richards to the apostleship. John
Taylor and John E. Page were ordained under the hands of Brigham
Young and Heber C. Kimball at a meeting held in Far West, December
19, 1838. In this revelation (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 118) the apostles
were commanded to take their leave of the Saints from the temple lot
in Far West on the 26th day of April, 1839. April had arrived and the
Saints were scattered, likewise the members of the council of the
apostles. On the 5th day of April, Samuel Bogart, the mobber, with
John Whitmer and a few other apostates, came to the room occupied by
the committee on removal and read this revelation to Theodore Turley.
With much laughter and assurance that it could not be fulfilled, they
called on him to renounce Joseph Smith, which now he must do as a
rational man. The apostates said: "The twelve are now scattered all
over creation; let them come here if they dare; if they do, they will
be murdered. As that revelation cannot be fulfilled, you will now give
up your faith." Turley jumped up and said: "In the name of God that
revelation will be fulfilled." They laughed him to scorn. John Whitmer
hung his head in shame. In the course of the conversation Turley asked
John Whitmer if his testimony regarding the Book of Mormon was true,
and Whitmer answered: "I now say, I handled those plates; there were
fine engravings on both sides. I handled them;" and he then described
how they were hung, and then he said, "They were shown to me by a
supernatural power."
The 26th day of April arrived, and so also did the apostles at the
temple lot in Far West. Early that morning, these brethren and a few
of the Saints assembled at the temple lot, and proceeded to transact
the business of their mission as they were commanded, according to the
following minutes:
"At a conference held at Far West by the twelve, high priests,
elders, and priests, on the 26th day of April, 1839, the following
resolution was adopted:
"Resolved: That the following persons be no more fellowshiped in
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but excommunicated
from the same, viz.: Isaac Russell, Mary Russell, John Goodson
and wife, Jacob Scott, Sen., and wife, Isaac Scott, Jacob Scott,
Jun., Ann Scott, Sister Walton, Robert Walton, Sister Cavanaugh,
Ann Wanless, William Dawson, Jun., William Dawson, Sen., and
wife, George Nelson, Joseph Nelson, and wife, and mother, William
Warnock and wife, Jonathan Maynard, Nelson Maynard, George Miller,
John Griggs and wife, Luman Gibbs, Simeon Gardner, and Freeborn
Gardner.[3]
"The council then proceeded to the building spot of the Lord's
House; when the following business was transacted: Part of a hymn
was sung, on the mission of the twelve.
"Elder Alpheus Cutler, the master workman of the house, then
recommenced laying the foundation of the Lord's House, agreeably
to the revelation, by rolling up a large stone near the southeast
corner.
"The following of the twelve were present: Brigham Young, Heber
C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, John E. Page, and John Taylor, who
proceeded to ordain Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith, who had
been previously nominated by the First Presidency, accepted by the
twelve, and acknowledged by the Church, to the office of apostles
and members of the quorum of the twelve, to fill the places of
those who had fallen. Darwin Chase and Norman Shearer, who had just
been liberated from Richmond prison, where they had been confined
for the cause of Jesus Christ, were then ordained to the office of
the seventies."
After vocal prayer by each of the members of the council of the
twelve, and singing, the apostles took their leave of the Saints there
assembled, and departed for Illinois, and later for their mission to
Great Britain. And thus closed the history of the Latter-day Saints in
Missouri until some future day.
Notes
1. The prayer and the answer the Lord gave the Prophet are found in
sections 121, 122, 123, of the Doctrine and Covenants.
2. The Constitution of Missouri read as follows:
Article 4. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right
to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own
consciences; and that no man can be compelled to erect, support,
or attend any place of worship, or to maintain any minister of the
Gospel, or teacher of religion; that no human authority can control
or interfere with the rights of conscience; that no person can ever
be hurt, molested, or restrained in his religious professions, or
sentiments, if he do not disturb others in their religious worship.
Article 5. That no person, on account of his religious opinions,
can be rendered ineligible to any office of trust or profit under
this state; that no preference can ever be given by law, to any
sect or mode of worship.
3. At a conference held in Quincy, Illinois, March 17, 1839, George M.
Hinkle, Sampson Avard, John Corrill, Reed Peck, Frederick G. Williams,
Thomas B. Marsh, Burr Riggs and several others were excommunicated from
the Church.
Part Four
The Nauvoo Period