A branch called the Colesville Branch had gone up to Jackson Co.,
Missouri, from New York, and this branch was presided over by Brother
Newel, who had been called to this position by revelation. It was
driven from Jackson Co. in the Fall of '33, and had settled in Clay Co.
This then was the future home of Lydia. Newel's father, two brothers
and three sisters were here. His aged mother was buried in Jackson,
being the first Saint buried in Missouri.
Arriving at their farm, some days were spent in visiting around among
their friends before Brother Newel and wife settled down to their daily
duties.
Newel's aged aunt, Esther Culver was taken into the family and tenderly
cared for until her death, which occurred in the following Fall.
But a few weeks passed, however, in this pleasant manner before Lydia
took the ague. This did not, however, affect her spirit, for she was
too much filled with the power of the gospel to sorrow over the trials
which were given her.
On the 1st of December, '36, a little girl was born to Lydia; and once
more she took up the cares and exquisite joys of motherhood. The little
one was called Sally after her grandmother. After the birth of her
child Lydia's health improved much; but when the child was two months
old, the mother had a severe inflammatory fever fastened on her, and
for nine days she was insensible. Friends were ready and willing to
assist; a physician was called in, but notwithstanding this she rapidly
sank until nearly all had lost hope in her recovery. Her devoted
husband felt that he could not lose her, and once more be left a
desolate, miserable man; he gave himself up to fasting and prayer, that
the disease might be rebuked, until God heard his cries and granted his
fervent desires.
She awoke as it were from a long troubled sleep, and asked the watchers
for her baby. It was brought, and from that moment she was rapidly
healed.
Newel designed moving his family to Far West in the Spring, but shortly
after Lydia's illness, he himself was prostrated with a lung fever.
This illness was expensive, and when he began to get around he found
himself sadly in arrears. In consequence they were unable to move in
the Spring.
The following year served to set them straight with their creditors,
and in February, 1837, they purchased forty acres of land from the
government, in Caldwell Co., close to Far West.
On the 29th of April, 1838, a boy was born, who was named James
Philander by Father Morley when eight days old.
On the 4th of July, 1838, a large assembly of the Saints came together
in Far West to celebrate the day and to lay the corner stone of a
temple. The glorious stars and stripes were swung to the breeze and joy
was everywhere among the Saints. But has there ever been an attempt
to erect a temple without the bitterest fellings of our enemies being
aroused?
The outside element began to be very jealous. Mobs assembled and
threatenings were heard. Several days after the celebration, a storm,
fierce and mighty as the storm which was soon to break over its
inhabitants, swept oyer Far West. The heavens were blackened with
rolling, hurrying masses of clouds. Down through the darkened air
flashed the lightning's arrow! Peals of thunder shook the very earth!
In the midst of this horrid uproar, a sudden, swift flash and down fell
the liberty pole.
"Oh liberty," exclaimed the Prophet, "is it thus thy proud head shall
be brought low? The wicked will seek to trample thee in the dust, and
uproot thee from the earth!"
This prophecy was sadly fulfilled. But we will see in what manner.
Far West was a lovely little town, with rich fields, the houses
and barns full and comfortable. Boasts were made by the rapacious,
murdering robbers that as soon as the crops were well matured, the
ghastly scenes of Jackson county should be repeated, and they would
take possession of the smiling homes of the Saints.
To carry this out was not so easy as had been the Jackson county
tragedy; for the authorities of Caldwell county were our own people.
Some new pretext must be made to wrest the power from those who held
the reins of government.
The same political hatred of the solid unity of the "Mormons" was felt
by our enemies then that is felt for us now. Polygamy had not been
revealed then, and so did not exist in their imaginations to cast a
flimsy pretext over their fiendish purposes. It was Satan against
Christ!
The mob spread out into adjoining counties to poison the Missourians
against the people. At the August election in Daviess county, loud
threats were made that the "Mormons" should not vote. Some of the
Saints however were determined to maintain their rights and went to
the polls to do so. They were roughly assaulted and a skirmish ensued.
The "Mormons," however, succeeded in casting their votes, which so
enraged the mob that they immediately began to organize into parties
of hundreds, in some instances even thousands, to plunder our fields
and drive off the stock; they attacked men on the high-road, and if
they caught a "Mormon," or one they fancied to be a Saint they would
murder him. One man by the name of Carey was thus assaulted and was not
even allowed to see his family until just before he expired. An old
gentleman by the name of Tannor was attacked and his skull beaten in.
About the middle of October word was brought to Far West that the mob
was assembled by hundreds about ten miles from Far West, at a little
settlement on Crooked river, and assistance was wanted. About sixty
men, who were a legal organized militia, started out under David
Patten, and, reaching Crooked river, they were obliged to defend
themselves and people from the mob. The little party was defeated and
overpowered, six of our brethren falling martyrs, among whom was David
Patten, one of the first quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Not many days
elapsed ere a hurried messenger brought the startling news that just
outside the city a mighty multitude was camped with full intent to raze
the town to the ground.
The next morning Joseph sent out a flag of truce to learn the
intentions of this vast mob.
They were met by another flag of truce, and the two messengers
conferred together.
"What is your purpose? What is the intention of those you represent?
Why have you thus come to alarm and terrify the peaceful dwellers in
Far West?" inquired the "Mormon."
"We want three men from your city," insolently and boldly answered the
other. "We want Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith and Sidney Rigdon, then we
will burn your town to ashes and as the flames leap up we'll massacre
and murder all we find within the city limits. That's what we want and
intend."
The "Mormon" messenger, Col. Hinkle by name, grew pale at these words.
"Can we not devise some other way? Would you murder all? Let the
innocent suffer as well as those whom you call guilty? Have mercy on
us."
The other seeing the evident fear and treachery of the base colonel,
proposed that if he could devise means to get the leaders of the Church
into the mobbers' camp, to get all the "Mormons'" property that it
might be divided among their enemies, and to give up all the arms and
ammunition in the town, in return the rest of the Saints should be
permitted to leave the state and be protected by the militia.
To this infamous proposal the traitor consented and returned to the
town to comply with the conditions.
The night before this was spent by Lydia, in common with the rest of
the women, in trying to place her household effects where they would
not be destroyed in case the mob should fire the city.
"My dear," said the husband, "be careful of our little ones to-night,
I must go out and join my brethren who are on guard. You will not be
afraid will you?"
"Newel, God rules!" replied the dauntless woman.
As night came on, two brethren who were among those that had gone up to
Crooked river came to the door, and asked Lydia if she could not find a
hiding-place for them, saying that the mob were doubly enraged at those
who were up at that fearful engagement and determined to murder every
such man they could find.
One of them, James Emmet by name, was an old friend of Lydia's. She
quietly told them that she would do all in her power to secrete them.
Accordingly, the night was partly spent in making a little store-room
adjoining the living-room as comfortable as possible for the two men.
When daylight came the mother dressed her little ones and commenced her
usual daily duties. She knew she was liable to be killed herself if
these men were found in her house, but as she told her husband, so she
comforted her heart now by saying, "God rules!"