The Martyrdom
1844
Charge of Francis M. Higbee
June 11, 1844, Francis M. Higbee made complaint before Thomas Morrison,
a justice of the peace at Carthage, charging Joseph Smith and the
members of the Nauvoo city council with riot committed in destroying
the press of the _Expositor_. The warrant was served by Constable David
Bettisworth the following day. It required that the accused should go
before the justice issuing the warrant, "or some other justice of the
peace, for trial." The Prophet expressed his willingness to go before
some other justice, as he had lawful right to do, but was not willing
to be taken to Carthage to be tried before his mobocratic enemies.
Bettisworth, in anger, declared that he would take him to Carthage.
His attention was called to the nature of the warrant and that his
actions were contrary to law, and with righteous indignation Joseph
Smith obtained a writ of habeas corpus and was legally tried before the
municipal court of Nauvoo and discharged. Each of the members of the
city council did the same, and were likewise discharged.
Anger of the Mob
When Bettisworth returned to Carthage without his prisoners, the
disappointment of the mobocrats was intense, and they threatened to
go against Nauvoo in force. Indignation meetings were held in Warsaw
and Carthage, and inflammatory speeches were made against the Saints.
The assembled mobbers in each place adopted resolutions in which they
said, "We hold ourselves at all times in readiness to co-operate with
our fellow-citizens in this state, Missouri and Iowa, to exterminate,
utterly exterminate, the wicked and abominable 'Mormon' leaders, the
authors of our troubles." All members of the Church, or sympathizers
with Joseph Smith, were warned to leave these townships on pain of
instant vengeance. A deputation was sent by them to the governor,
stating that Joseph Smith and others had refused to obey the mandate of
the writ, and with other falsehoods they attempted to prejudice him in
their favor. The minutes of these unlawful and wicked proceedings were
published in the Warsaw _Signal_ and other papers of the state.
The Saints Threatened
The Saints also sent messengers to the governor with full and correct
accounts of the proceedings at Nauvoo, and asking for protection. In
the meantime, without waiting for the governor's reply, the mob forces
commenced their brutal attacks upon the Saints residing outside of
Nauvoo, threatening them with destruction unless they immediately
accepted one of the following propositions: Deny Joseph Smith as a
Prophet of God and join the mob in securing his arrest; gather up their
effects and move to Nauvoo; or give up their arms and remain quiet
until the affair was over. Runners were dispatched to Missouri for
aid from the mobbers there, and the whole country was inflamed by the
spread of diabolical falsehoods.
Advice of Judge Thomas
The Prophet did everything in his power to allay excitement and kept
the governor posted with numerous affidavits and documents regarding
the state of affairs. Judge Jesse B. Thomas, of the circuit court,
advised the Prophet to go before some justice of the peace in the
county and have an examination on the writ issued by Morrison, which
action would take away all excuse of the mob, and then he could take
steps to have them bound to keep the peace. For his pains, Judge Thomas
was threatened by the mob with a coat of tar and feathers. The Prophet
accepted his advice and was tried before Justice Daniel H. Wells,
a non-"Mormon," and after a full investigation was discharged. His
enemies knew that this trial was lawful, as the previous one had been;
but they were determined not to be thwarted in their wicked purpose.
They thirsted for the blood of the Prophet and were determined to drag
him to Carthage, with or without process of law, there to slay him. A
mass meeting was held in Nauvoo, pacific resolutions were adopted, and
messengers chosen to go forth in the surrounding country to declare the
truth and allay excitement; but the prejudice was too great and little
was accomplished.
Nauvoo Under Martial Law
Because of threats of mob vengeance from both Missouri and Illinois
information was sent to President Tyler of the United States,
acquainting him with the danger and asking for protection. Nauvoo
was placed under martial law, and the legion mustered into service
in self-defense. The Prophet stood before them in his uniform as
lieutenant-general and addressed them at length, in defense of their
liberties. In the course of his remarks he said:
"It is thought by some that our enemies would be satisfied by my
destruction, but I tell you as soon as they have shed my blood, they
will thirst for the blood of every man in whose heart dwells a single
spark of the spirit of the fulness of the Gospel. The opposition of
these men is moved by the spirit of the adversary of all righteousness.
It is not only to destroy me, but every man and woman who dares believe
the doctrines that God hath inspired me to teach to this generation."
Appeal to the Governor for Protection
On June 16, Joseph wrote Governor Ford, calling his attention to
the mob meetings at Carthage and Warsaw, and the threats made to
exterminate the Saints. He requested the governor to come to Nauvoo
to make further investigation, and to quell insurrection. Instead of
going to Nauvoo, Governor Ford went to Carthage, and sent word to
Nauvoo that he was there in the interest of peace, and asked that
well-informed and discreet persons be sent to him. Elders John Taylor
and Dr. John M. Bernhisel were immediately sent to Carthage; but to
their surprise and disappointment they found the governor surrounded by
some of the worst element in Illinois. The Laws, Fosters and Higbees,
with Joseph H. Jackson, an adventurer and murderer, the publishers of
the _Expositor_, had his ear. Elders Taylor and Bernhisel could not
get an interview with the governor except in the presence of these
vicious enemies who had pledged themselves to bring to pass the death
of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. As they told their side of the story they
were constantly interrupted by this rabble with, "that's a -- -- lie,"
and other unseemly epithets of like character. The governor treated
them very rudely, showing that he was under the influence of the mob.
He stated that Joseph Smith and the members of the city council should
come to Carthage to be tried on the original writ as nothing short of
that would satisfy the people. When the messengers protested because
of the murderous spirit of the mob, the governor strenuously advised
that they come without arms and pledged his faith that they should be
protected. He also sent a written communication to Joseph Smith, in
which he said the city council, in destroying the _Expositor_ press,
had committed a gross outrage upon the laws and liberty of the people.
He ignored the trial before the municipal court and also that before
Daniel H. Wells, justice of the peace, demanding that all who were
accused should submit themselves "to be arrested by the same constable,
by virtue of the same warrant, and be tried before the same magistrate
whose authority has heretofore been resisted. Nothing short of this can
vindicate the dignity of violated law and allay the just excitement
of the people." Governor Ford must have blushed with shame when he
penned these lines, for he knew he was violating his oath of office and
declaring an untruth, for the sake of finding favor with the mob. If
his demand was not complied with he threatened to come with sufficient
force to execute his order. "You know the excitement of the public
mind," he said. "Do not tempt it too far. A very little matter may do
a very great injury; and if you are disposed to continue the causes of
excitement and render a force necessary to coerce submission, I would
say that your city was built, as it were, upon a keg of powder which a
very little spark may explode." _"And I will,"_ he continued, _"also
guarantee the safety of all such persons as may thus be brought to this
place from Nauvoo either for trial or as witnesses for the accused."_
The same day (June 22) the Prophet respectfully replied to this
cravenly penned communication, defending his course and denying the
false accusations contained in the governor's letter. He called
attention to the promises made in Missouri, but when witnesses came
they were cast into prison, and since "a burnt child dreads the fire,"
they were not to be blamed if they refused to place themselves in the
hands of a blood-thirsty mob openly making threats to take their lives.
The Prophet expressed a willingness to go before any other justice in
the state, except at Carthage, or before the circuit court, but did not
feel legally bound to go to Carthage to be butchered.
The governor's letter to Joseph Smith caused no small surprise among
the Saints. It was evident that they could not look to him for help,
for he had joined himself entirely with their enemies. He had ignored
the law; refused to recognize the legality of the courts, and the right
of a fair and impartial trial before an unprejudiced judge and jury.
Hyrum Refuses to Leave his Brother
So serious had the matter become that a letter was sent to President
Brigham Young and the apostles who were in the mission field,
instructing them to return to Nauvoo at once. The Prophet had
previously (June 20) advised his brother Hyrum to take his family and
go at once by steamboat to Cincinnati. Hyrum replied: "Joseph, I can't
leave you," whereupon Joseph remarked to his brethren, "I wish I could
get Hyrum out of the way, so that he may live to avenge my blood, and I
will stay with you and see it out."
The Proposed Journey to the West
In the afternoon of June 22, Joseph was in consultation with Hyrum
Smith, John Taylor, Willard Richards and Dr. John M. Bernhisel, when
it was decided that he should go to Washington and lay the whole
difficulty before President Tyler. At dusk another consultation was
held, when the Prophet called these same brethren and William W.
Phelps, Abraham C. Hodge, John L. Butler, Alpheus Cutler and William
Marks, to his office in his upper room. The governor's letter was
read and the Prophet said, "There is no mercy--no mercy here." Hyrum
said, "No; just as sure as we fall into their hands we are dead men."
Joseph replied, "Yes: what shall we do, Brother Hyrum?" Hyrum replied,
"I don't know." All at once the Prophet's countenance brightened up
and he said, "The way is open. It is clear to my mind what to do. All
they want is Hyrum and myself; then tell everybody to go about their
business, and not to collect in groups, but to scatter about. There is
no doubt they will come here and search for us. Let them search; they
will not harm you in person or property, and not even a hair of your
head. We will cross the river tonight, and go away to the West." On
this date Joseph wrote: "I told Stephen Markham that if Hyrum and I
were ever taken again we should be massacred, or I was not a prophet of
God. I want Hyrum to live to avenge my blood, but he is determined not
to leave me."
Between nine and ten o'clock Hyrum Smith came out of the Mansion House
and gave his hand to Reynolds Cahoon, saying, "A company of men are
seeking to kill my brother Joseph, and the Lord has warned him to flee
to the Rocky Mountains to save his life. Good-bye, Brother Cahoon,
we shall see you again." A few minutes later, as Joseph, Hyrum and
Willard Richards were waiting on the river bank, William W. Phelps
was instructed to take the families of the Prophet and Patriarch to
Cincinnati. About midnight the three brethren were rowed across the
river by Orrin P. Rockwell, who returned with instructions to obtain
horses and pass them over the river the next night secretly, and be
ready to start for the Great Basin in the Rocky Mountains.
The Governor's Threat
At ten o'clock on the morning of the 23rd the governor's posse arrived
in Nauvoo to arrest the Prophet, but not finding him they returned,
leaving one of their number to watch for him. This posse said that if
Joseph and Hyrum Smith were not given up the governor was determined to
send his troops into the city and guard it until they were found, if it
took three years.
Joseph Smith Accused of Cowardice
At one p.m. Emma Smith sent Orrin P. Rockwell to entreat the Prophet to
come back. Reynolds Cahoon accompanied him with a letter to the same
effect. Reynolds Cahoon, Lorenzo D. Wasson and Hiram Kimball accused
Joseph of cowardice for wishing to leave the people, saying that their
property would be destroyed, and they would be left without house or
home. Like the fable, when the wolves came the shepherd ran from the
flock.
The Return to Nauvoo
The persecutions of enemies were easy to bear, but when he was thus
accused by those who should have been his dearest friends, the Prophet
was stung to the quick. It was not for himself he sought safety, but
for his people. If this was all they cared, he would not seek to
save himself. He replied: "If my life is of no value to my friends,
it is of none to myself." Turning to Rockwell he said, "What shall I
do?" Rockwell answered: "You are the oldest and ought to know best;
and as you make your bed, I will lie with you." Joseph then turned
to Hyrum and said: "Brother Hyrum, you are the oldest, what shall we
do?" Hyrum said, "Let us go back and give ourselves up, and see the
thing out." The Prophet remained in deep reflection for some time, and
then remarked: "If you go back I will go with you, but we shall be
butchered." Hyrum said, "No, no; let us go back and put our trust in
God, and we shall not be harmed. The Lord is in it. If we live or have
to die, we will be reconciled to our fate."
They then returned, and the first thing the Prophet did was to notify
Governor Ford, by the hands of Theodore Turley and Jedediah M. Grant,
that he would be ready to go to Carthage on the morrow. The governor
promised to send a posse to protect him on the way, but through the
influence of the Nauvoo conspirators, he changed his mind and ordered
the Prophet and Patriarch to come to Carthage without escort.
The Start for Carthage
Early on the morning of the 24th of June, Joseph and Hyrum with the
accused members of the city council and a few tried friends, left
Nauvoo for Carthage. On the way the Prophet hesitated, and looked back
with admiration upon the city, the temple, and his farm. "This is the
loveliest place, and the best people under the heavens," he said;
"little do they know the trials that await them!" They passed the home
of Esq. Daniel H. Wells, who was unwell. The Prophet stopped and called
on him, and as he parted, he said: "Squire Wells, I wish you to cherish
my memory, and not think me the worst man in the world either."
The Governor's Demand for Arms
About four miles from Carthage, they met Captain Dunn with a company of
about sixty mounted militia, who presented the Prophet with an order
from the governor for delivery of all the state arms in possession
of the Nauvoo Legion, which Joseph promptly countersigned. It was
not enough for the governor to demand the presence of the Prophet
and Patriarch at Carthage to be murdered, but the people in Nauvoo
were to be left defenseless against their enemies. This order for the
delivery of the state arms was evidently intended to exasperate the
Saints to commit some overt act, which might be construed as treason.
Fearing that the inhabitants of Nauvoo would show resistance, Captain
Dunn requested that the whole company return with him to Nauvoo, and
pledged to protect them even with his life. A messenger was sent
to the governor explaining the reason for the return to Nauvoo.
Notwithstanding the many threats, which the governor constantly had
heard against the lives of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, no action was taken
to disarm the mob, who were mustered into the governor's service. It
appeared very much like a repetition of the Missouri scenes, in making
the Saints defenseless while in a peaceful attitude, and arming their
murderous enemies with state arms.
A Lamb to the Slaughter
When the company met Captain Dunn, the Prophet said:
"I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am as calm as a
summer's morning. I have a conscience void of offense toward God
and toward all men. If they take my life I shall die an innocent
man, and my blood shall cry from the ground for vengeance, and it
shall be said of me, 'He was murdered in cold blood!'"
When the work of Captain Dunn was accomplished, he thanked the people
for their peaceful compliance and promised them protection. Late that
afternoon the journey to Carthage was commenced again. It was midnight
when the company arrived at that town, and while passing the public
square many of the troops of the Carthage Greys made murderous threats.
"Stand away, you McDonough boys," they yelled, "and let us shoot the
damned 'Mormons'" "---- you, old Joe, we've got you now. Clear the
way and let us have a view of Joe Smith, the prophet of God. He has
seen the last of Nauvoo. We'll use him up now, and kill all the damned
Mormons."
Governor Ford's Promise to the Mob-Militia
On hearing these threats Governor Ford put his head out of a window
and said, "I know your great anxiety to see Mr. Smith, which is
natural enough, but it is quite too late tonight for you to have the
opportunity; but I assure you, gentlemen, you shall have that privilege
tomorrow morning, as I will cause him to pass before the troops upon
the square, and I now wish you, with this assurance, quietly and
peaceably to return to your quarters." With a faint "Hurrah for Tom
Ford," they complied with his wish.
The Charge of Treason
Early on the morning of the 25th the prisoners voluntarily surrendered
themselves to Constable Bettisworth. Shortly afterwards Joseph and
Hyrum were again arrested by Bettisworth on the charge of "treason"
against the state of Illinois, on complaint of Augustine Spencer and
Henry O. Norton.
The Governor's Inflammatory Speech
Shortly after eight o'clock Governor Ford called all the troops
together and formed them in a hollow square. He then addressed them in
a most inflammatory manner against the Prophet Joseph and the Patriarch
Hyrum Smith. They needed little encouragement, as he well knew, for
they even then were inflamed to a murderous degree. At the close of his
speech he fulfilled his promise to the troops as they were drawn up
in file, by taking Joseph and Hyrum Smith before them, and introduced
them as Generals Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The Carthage Greys refused to
receive them by such title, and made threats against their lives, to
which the governor paid little heed.
His Lack of Sincerity
When Joseph Smith reported to Governor Ford that he had been before
Daniel H. Wells, a justice of the peace, and had been tried, the
governor replied that no other justice would do to try the case but
the one who had issued the writ, therefore they must be tried before
Justice Morrison. His lack of sincerity is shown in the fact that they
were now taken before Justice Robert F. Smith, captain of the Carthage
Greys and a most bitter mobocrat. The governor's object was to drag
them to Carthage to their enemies, and there was no thought of justice
or right in making his demand. The accused brethren were bound over
to appear at the next term of the circuit court. It was evident that
the magistrate intended to place their bail at a figure which could
not be met, in order to cast them into jail, but the bond was given,
and Justice Smith left the court house without calling on the two
prisoners, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, to answer to the charge of treason.
False Imprisonment
About eight p.m. Constable Bettisworth appeared at their lodgings at
the Hamilton House and insisted on Joseph and Hyrum going to jail. They
demanded to see the copy of the mittimus, which was refused. Their
counsel, Messrs. H. T. Reid and J. W. Woods, informed the constable
that they were entitled to a hearing before a justice, whereupon the
constable produced a mittimus which falsely stated that they had been
brought before Justice Robert F. Smith and the trial had been postponed
by reason of the absence of material witnesses. They vigorously
protested against such false and outrageous proceedings. Justice Smith
asked the governor for advice, since his mittimus was illegal, and
therefore this was a false committal, when Governor Ford replied, "You
have the Carthage Greys at your command!" The hint was sufficient, and
_Captain_ Robert F. Smith thereupon commanded his "Greys" to execute
the illegal action of _Justice_ Robert F. Smith, and the Prophet Joseph
and Patriarch Hyrum Smith were thrust into jail in defiance of all law.
Elder John Taylor protested to the governor, but was answered by that
craven individual that he had no power to interfere, and the law must
take its course.
The Governor's Broken Pledge
On the morning of June 26, Joseph requested an interview with Governor
Ford, which had been denied him the day before. This time it was
granted and the whole cause of the trouble was reviewed. Governor Ford
contemplated going to Nauvoo the following day to investigate certain
charges of counterfeiting, and the Prophet said he considered himself
unsafe in Carthage and requested to be taken to Nauvoo. The governor
gave his word of honor that he would take him when he went, but failed
to keep his promise.
The Illegal Summons
In the afternoon, Frank Worrell appeared before the jail with the
Carthage Greys and demanded that the prisoners be delivered up to the
constable to be taken before Justice R. F. Smith for trial. The jailer,
who had been instructed to keep them in custody "until discharged by
due course of law," protested such proceedings; but by threats Worrell
compelled the jailer to surrender the prisoners. They were taken before
Justice Smith, where their counsel, who had been given no notice of
a trial, asked for a continuance that they might obtain witnesses. A
continuance was granted until noon the following day. A new mittimus
was made out and the prisoners committed again to prison, and without
consultation on their part the time of trial was changed until the
twenty-ninth.
Threats of the Mob
It was common conversation on the camp ground and at the hotel, in the
presence of Governor Ford, that "The law is too short for these men,
but they must not be suffered to go at large;" and "if the law will not
reach them, powder and ball must." Previously the governor had said, in
order to quiet the impatience of the Carthage Greys, that they should
have "full satisfaction."
The Night in Jail
The evening of the 26th of June was spent by the prisoners and a number
of friends, viz., John Taylor, Willard Richards, John S. Fullmer,
Stephen Markham and Dan Jones, in conversing on the scriptures, Hyrum
Smith occupying most of the time. They all retired to bed late, except
Dr. Willard Richards who sat up writing until his last candle burned
out. The Prophet and Patriarch occupied the bed, while the other
brethren slept on a mattress on the floor. The report of a gun caused
Joseph to arise from the bed, and going over to the mattress, he lay
down on the floor between Dan Jones and John S. Fullmer. Stretching
out his right arm he said to John S. Fullmer, "Lay your head on my arm
for a pillow, Brother John." He then conversed with Brother Fullmer on
many topics and gave expression to the presentiment he had from the
beginning that he was to die. "I would like to see my family again," he
said, and "I would to God that I could preach to the Saints in Nauvoo
once more." After air was quiet he turned to Dan Jones and whispered,
"Are you afraid to die?" Dan said, "Has that time come, think you?
Engaged in such a cause I do not think that death would have many
terrors." The Prophet replied, "You will yet see Wales and fulfil the
mission appointed you before you die."
The Plotting by the Mob
Early on the morning of the 27th, John P. Greene and William W. Phelps
called at the jail, and the Prophet sent Dan Jones out to inquire
what the firing of a gun in the night near the jail was for. Frank
Worrell, of the Carthage Greys, and officer of the guard, replied,
"We have had too much trouble to bring Old Joe here to let him ever
escape alive, and unless you want to die with him you had better leave
before sundown; and you are not a damned bit better than him for taking
his part. And you'll see that I can prophesy better than Old Joe, for
neither he nor his brother, nor anyone who will remain with them will
see the sun set today." Dan Jones reported to the Prophet who directed
him to go to the governor and tell him what had taken place. On his way
he overheard an officer making a speech, in which he said, "Our troops
will be discharged this morning in obedience to orders, and for a sham
we will leave the town; but when the governor and the McDonough troops
have left for Nauvoo this afternoon, we will return and kill these men,
if we have to tear the jail down." This was greeted by three cheers
from the troops.
The Governor Warned
Jones immediately reported to the governor what he had heard. Governor
Ford replied: "You are unnecessarily alarmed for the safety of your
friends, sir, the people are not that cruel." Irritated by this remark,
Jones urged the necessity of placing better men to guard the jail, and
he said: "The Messrs. Smith are American citizens, and have surrendered
themselves to your Excellency upon your pledging your honor for their
safety; they are also Master Masons, and as such I demand of you
protection of their lives."
Governor Ford's face turned pale, and Jones continued: "If you do not
do this, I have but one more desire, and that is, if you leave their
lives in the hands of those men to be sacrificed--"
"What is that, sir?" Ford asked in a hurried tone.
"It is," said Jones, "that the Almighty will preserve my life to a
proper time and place, that I may testify that you have been timely
warned of their danger."
Jones then returned to the prison, but the guards drove him away. Going
to the hotel he witnessed the discharge of the troops, as the officer
had predicted, and shortly afterwards Governor Ford with the McDonough
militia, the most friendly to the Saints, departed for Nauvoo, leaving
the Carthage Greys, the most blood-thirsty of the troops, to guard the
jail. The plot was working admirably without a hitch in the proceedings.
"A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief"
John S. Fullmer and Stephen Markham, who had gone forth on errands,
were also refused admittance again to the jail, while John Taylor and
Willard Richards remained with their leaders. The day passed on, the
prisoners and their two friends spent the time in bearing testimony to
the truth of the Gospel, the divinity of the Book of Mormon, and in
writing to their friends. Almon W. Babbitt called at the jail in the
forenoon with a letter from Oliver Cowdery. Shortly after three o'clock
there was excitement among the guards.
At this hour Elder John Taylor sang the hymn "A Poor Wayfaring Man of
Grief." When he had finished, the Prophet asked him to sing it through
once more, which he did. At four o'clock the guard was changed. At five
o'clock the jailer, Mr. Stigall, suggested that the prisoners retire to
the cell below, where they would be safer.
The Martyrdom
Shortly after five o'clock there was a rustling at the outer door
of the jail and a cry of surrender, and the discharge of three or
four firearms. Dr. Richards glanced out of the window and saw about
one hundred armed men around the door. Many of them had their faces
blackened. It is said the guard elevated their guns and boisterously
threatened the mob, but took good care to fire over their heads. The
mob encircled the building and some of them rushed past the guard
up the flight of stairs, burst open the door and began their work
of death, while others fired through the windows. Joseph, Hyrum and
Elder Taylor had their coats off. The Prophet sprang for his coat to
get a six barreled pistol which Cyrus Wheelock had given him, and
Hyrum reached for a single barrel pistol that had been left by John
S. Fullmer. They all then braced themselves against the door, Elder
Taylor armed with a heavy walking stick of Elder Markham's and Dr.
Richards with Elder Taylor's cane. In an instant a ball whistled up the
stairway, and Joseph Smith, John Taylor and Willard Richards sprang
to the left of the door, and tried to knock aside the guns of the
ruffians. Hyrum Smith retreated back and in front of the door, snapping
his pistol, when a ball struck him on the left side of the nose. He
fell on his back saying: "I am a dead man!" As he fell on the floor
another ball from the outside entered his left side, and passed through
his body with such force that it completely broke to pieces the watch
he wore in his vest pocket. At the same instant another ball grazed his
breast, entered his throat, and passed into his head, while another
was fired into his leg. A shower of bullets was pouring into the room.
Joseph reached around the door casing and discharged his six shooter
into the passage, some barrels missing fire, while Elders Taylor and
Richards continued to parry the muskets which were sticking through
the door. When Hyrum fell, the Prophet said: "Oh, dear brother Hyrum!"
Seeing there was no safety in the room, and without doubt thinking to
spare his other companions, he turned calmly from the door, dropped his
pistol on the floor, and sprang into the window. Two balls pierced him
from the door, and one entered his right breast from without. He fell
outward into the hands of his murderers, exclaiming: "O Lord, my God!"
With a cry that he had jumped from the window, the assassins who were
in the building rushed down the stairs. Elder Taylor was also severely
wounded; four balls piercing his body, one ball struck his watch as he
attempted to jump from the window, throwing him back into the room.
When the ruffians left the building, Elder Richards who had
miraculously escaped, except that a ball grazed his ear, started for
the door. Elder Taylor called to him; he returned and carried the
wounded man upstairs into the "dungeon" and stretched him on the floor.
Covering him with a bed, he said: "This is a hard case to lay you on
the floor, but if your wounds are not fatal, I want you to live to tell
the story." He then returned to the room below, expecting the next
moment to be shot.
Terror of the Mob
After accomplishing their deed of blood, terror seized the hearts of
the assassins who fled from the scene of their diabolical crime in
utmost confusion. Governor Ford, three miles out of Nauvoo, on his way
to Carthage, met George D. Grant and Constable Bettisworth hastening to
Nauvoo with the news of the martyrdom. With terror on his countenance,
he carried them back to Carthage, that they might not spread the awful
tale, until he should be at a distance beyond the vengeance which he
feared. Arriving at Carthage, he advised the citizens to flee for
their lives before the infuriated "Mormons" came to burn their town,
and suiting action to his words he fled with his posse towards Quincy.
Conscience-stricken and with the blood of prophets on his hands, he did
not stop until he arrived at Augusta, eighteen miles away.
Sorrow of the Saints
In the meantime word of the horrible tragedy was sent by Dr. Willard
Richards to Nauvoo. He said he had pledged his word to the frightened
citizens of Carthage, that no violence or vengeance would be attempted
by the Saints, and for the Saints to keep the peace and be prepared
for an attack from Missouri. Indeed, there was no thought of summary
vengeance by the Saints. With heads bowed down and hearts filled with
grief--for the greatest sorrow in all their history had come upon
them--they silently wept and prayed, leaving vengeance to Him who said,
"Vengeance is mine; I will repay!"
The Burial
The next day, June 28, 1844, the bodies of the martyred prophets were
taken to Nauvoo by Dr. Willard Richards, Samuel H. Smith and a guard of
eight soldiers sent by General Deming. On the 29th, they were interred
amidst the deep mourning of a stricken people.