Читать книгу History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Joseph F. Smith - Страница 93

1. A note in the "Addenda" of the manuscript History to the "We resumed our journey"—etc., adds: "The men who had previously followed us passed us several times during the day, and were in search of us this evening. The guard heard them say, 'They have turned aside, damn 'em, we can't find 'em.' Elders Seth Johnson and Almon W. Babbitt, who had been sent to the Bowling Green branch to gather recruits, returned to the camp on the morning of the 7th with a small company, two wagons and several horses."

2. A note in the "Addenda" to the manuscript History adds this statement, under the events of the 7th: "one of the camp walked on ahead to procure some milk. A number of men armed with guns met him and said: 'Here's one damn Mormon alone—let's kill him.' But at the same instant they discovered a number of others just coming over the hill, when they immediately rode off in great haste. In the evening encamped in a grove near a spring, in Monroe county. A branch of the Church, known as the Salt River branch, but frequently called the Allred settlement, was located here. We remained at this place several days, washing our clothes, and preparing to pursue our journey."

3. The following is given in the "Addenda" of the manuscript History as a fuller account of the events under the date of the 8th: "Sunday, 8th, we were joined by my brother Hyrum Smith and Lyman Wight, with another company, who started from Pontiac, Michigan Territory, May 5th, the same day we started from Kirtland having passed through Ann Arbor, Jacksonsburgh, Spring Arbor, Constantine, Elkhart, crossed the Illinois river one mile below Ottawa, Pleasant Grove, Pekin, Quincy and Palmyra. Elijah Fordham was their historian; Lyman Wight, steward; Hyrum Smith and Samuel Bent, moderators. We had agreed to meet at this point, and the first company that arrived was to wait for the other. Soon after the arrival of Brother Hyrum and his company, I dispatched Brother Luke Johnson and Almon W. Babbitt with messages to the brethren in Clay county, fearing that the letter which I sent from Springfield had miscarried. James Allred, Sen., and ten others of this branch joined our camp, which now numbered two hundred and five men, all armed and equipped as the law directs. It was delightful to see the company, for they were all young men, except one company whom we called the Silver Greys, and who ate at my table. We were all in good spirits, and were taught the sword practice by Brother William Cherry (who was a native of Ireland), an expert drill master who had been in the British dragoon service for upwards of twenty years, and deserves much credit for his unwearied exertions in imparting all he knew to the brethren. This was our first attempt at learning the sword exercise. Brothers Hiram Stratton and Nelson Tubbs procured a shop of Myres Mobley and repaired every firelock that was out of order, and David Elliott shod our horses. Here Brother James Foster was taken sick. I proposed to him to remain behind. He said, 'Brother Joseph, let me go with you if I die on the road.' I told him in the name of the Lord, that if that was his faith, to go on his bed in the wagon, and he should get better every day until he recovered, which was literally fulfilled."

4. Joseph Smith, however, was the commander-in-chief. The following occurs in the "Addenda" to the manuscript History: "We organized the camp. I was acknowledged commander-in-chief and Lyman Wight general."

5. This paragraph is a note in the "Addenda" of manuscript History.

6. This paragraph is from notes in the "Addenda" of the manuscript History.

7. Paragraph is from notes in the "Addenda" of the manuscript History.

8. The same day, June 14, Elder John Corrill wrote to the editor of the Evening and Morning Star, giving an account of affairs in Jackson county; and as his communication gives a description of things in Jackson county not found elsewhere, I quote so much of the letter as was published in the Star, vol. 2, pp. 333, 334:

"The leaders of the mob are yet striving to keep up the same spirit of opposition, by instilling falsehoods into the minds of the people. They tell them that the 'Mormons' are coming upon them, mob like, to kill their women and children. They raised an alarm a few days ago which set the whole county of Jackson in an uproar—men riding in different directions and proclaiming, 'the Mormons are coming—they are now crossing the river—they are coming to kill, destroy,' etc. Some women and children left their houses, and fled to the woods and elsewhere, while the men, two hundred or three hundred, gathered together to oppose the 'Mormons,' as they supposed, in their return. They repaired to the different ferries up the river, to guard them, and I have been credibly informed that they have since continued to guard the river at the different crossing places from one end of Jackson county to the other. And for fear that we would return and enjoy our dwellings again, they set fire to and burned them down, and then raised the report that the 'Mormons' went over and burnt their houses, and I am informed that they have burnt them all except a very few which are occupied by other families; and I have been told that they have destroyed our fences and other property that remained. What was the cause of this great alarm among them, I know not; for we are at home attending to our own business, and had not thought of returning at that time. Neither have we any thoughts of ever returning in the night time, or in the mob like manner which they represent to the people; for as we design to be governed in all cases by the laws of the land, we shall therefore return under the protection of the governor, as he has promised us. We therefore have no need to return and take them on surprise, as they falsely represent to the people; for we mean only to act on the principles of self-defense in all cases. But they state falsehoods to the people, for the purpose, I suppose, of keeping their strength good to oppose our return, which, I understand, they are determined to do, even to the shedding of blood; and it is said by the mob, that the whole county is combined together. They are arming themselves, and they have distributed our guns among them. But it is easy to be seen, that fear and consternation prevail among them; some of their leaders have already cleared out. Colonel S.D. Lucas has taken his goods and gone down the river; both the Chiles (Henry and Joel F.) have lately gone to the south on a long visit. Lawyer Hicks says, if no compromise is made he shall seek a location somewhere else; and I have been told that L. Franklin is going away soon; some other families, I have heard, are leaving through fear. As nearly as I can learn, the number that is determined to stand and oppose our return, even unto bloodshed, is about one hundred and fifty, or two hundred, in that county, though it is said that many from other counties will come to their assistance.

"They are trying to excite the people of this county (Clay) to drive us from here, and for this purpose, it is said, they are circulating a paper, and have got some signers; but the authorities of this county do not countenance them in this thing, and I think they cannot succeed; but it is said they are lurking about and seeking a chance to do private injury, but the brethren are on the lookout, and are preparing themselves with arms for self-defense, and I think if we firmly continue and persevere, according to the laws of the land, that we shall be enabled shortly to overcome the mob and obtain our rights.

"Yours, etc.,

"John Corrill."