| Grand River crossing §. Zebedee Coltrin's ill-humor §. Martin Harris chastized for handling snakes §. Jackson County leaders drowned in providential storm §. Lyman Wight refuses Hyrum's order, repents §. Rattlers carried out of camp §. Waist-deep mud §. Food shortage §. Vigilantes, but Joseph is calm §. Brigham's rattler §. Richmond warning §. Farmer feeds the Camp §. Fishing River encampment §. Vigilantes warn 60 are ready attack §. Providential
thunderstorm foils mob §. |
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Manuscript History of the Church
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, 491–497
Willard Richards scribe
[Summer] 1843 |
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Manuscript History Addendum
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, Addendum
Thomas Bullock |
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"Extract from … Heber C. Kimball"
Heber's Zion's Camp
TS
Times and Seasons
6:803–804
February 1 and 15, 1845 |
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George A. Smith Autobiography
George A.
History of George A. Smith by Himself. Selected Collections 1:32, box 1, fd. 1 .
, 26–29
Edits by Thomas Bullock
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Moses Martin Journal (B)
Martin (B)
Moses Martin Journal (May 26-beyond Zion's Camp, 1834), Church Archives, MS 1986.
, 7–10
1834
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"History of Amasa Lyman"
Amasa Lyman (h)
MS
Millennial Star
2:502
August 12, 1865 |
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[
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, addenda 14n14] Monday 16 Travelled to, ferried over, and encamped on the bank of Grand River. the Ferryman intended charging seventeen dollars, the brethren said they would not pay it, but would sooner make a raft and ferry themselves over, he then agreed to take them over for twelve dollars which we accepted. |
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George A.
History of George A. Smith by Himself. Selected Collections 1:32, box 1, fd. 1 .
, 26] June 16th Our Cook was in an ill humor this morng. in consequence of Addison Green, who, since I had been Josephs Armour Bearer, had been <the> Cooks waiter, havg made a complaint to Joseph that Zebedee abused him— |
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Joseph attempted to improve the Cook’s temper by a little well timed reproof, wch made him [cry?] almost all night & most intolerably cross in the morning— |
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I was sent <went> away <during> at breakfast time <with Josephs horses &> as an evidence of Zebedee’s ill humor he compelled me to eat on my return to breakfast on cold mush & Spoiled butter, declaring he had no other <sugar>— |
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but soon after <I had done my breakfast> Bishop Partridge arrived Zebedee produced <exhibited> an ample supply of sugar & [necessaries?]— |
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Had I reported this to Br. Joseph it wod. have produced for Br. Zebedee another moral lecture; I thot it <would [be]> better become other boys to complain, consequently sd. nothing about it |
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Martin (B)
Moses Martin Journal (May 26-beyond Zion's Camp, 1834), Church Archives, MS 1986.
, 7] then on Monday June 16th we came to the grand river hear we crossed the River in a ferry boat having came 20 Ms |
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Travelled to, ferried over, and encamped on the bank of Grand River. the Ferryman intended charging seventeen dollars, the brethren said they would not pay it, but would sooner make a raft and ferry themselves over, he then agreed to take them over for twelve dollars which we accepted. |
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We travelled <23 miles> to, ferried over & encamped on, the West bank of Grand river, paid the ferryman 12 dollars— |
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[
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, addenda 14n14] This morning was excessively hot, no air stirring, and travelling in the thick woods, a thunder shower coming on, the brethren caught all the water they could on the brims of their hats, and not catching enough to satisfy their thirst they drank out of the horse tracks |
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travelled 23 miles being <it was> exceedingly to the this morning no air stirring & <we were> travelling in thick woods, a thunder shower coming on the Brethren caught all the water they could on the brims of their hats, & not catching enough to allay their thirst they drank out of the horse tracks. |
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Martin Harris having boasted to the brethren that he could handle snakes with perfect safety, while fooling with a black snake with his bare feet, he received a bite on his left foot |
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Martin Harris having <who had> boasted to the Brethren that he could handle snakes with perfect safety, was, while fooling with a black snake with his bare feet, bitten on his left foot— |
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it was communicated to me, and I took occasion to reprove him, and exhort the brethren never to trifle with the promises of God. I told them it was presumption for any one to provoke a serpent to bite him, but if a man of God was accidentally bitten by a poisonous serpent, he might have faith, or his brethren might have faith for him, so that the Lord would hear his prayer and he might be healed— |
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The circumstance was communicated to Joseph & he took occasion to reprove Martin & to exhort the Brethren never to trifle with the promises of God—that it was presumption for any one to provoke a serpent to bite him, but if a man of God was accidentally bitten by a poisonous serpent, he might have faith, or his brethren might have faith for him, so that the Lord would hear his prayer & he might be healed; |
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but when a man designedly provokes a serpent to bite him, the principle is the same, as when a man drinks deadly poison knowing it to be such—in that case no man has any claim on the promises of God to be healed. (Page 491) |
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but when a man designedly provoked a serpent to bite him, the principle is the same as when a man drinks deadly poison knowing it to be such, in that case no man had any claim on the promises of God to be healed. |
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[
Heber's Extracts
"Extracts from the Journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball's Journal," Times and Seasons 6, nos. 1-3, 5, 7 (January 15-February 15, 1845; March 15, 1845; April 15, 1845), 771-773, 787-790, 803-805, 838-40, 866-869.
, 789] We pursued our journey
and followed the bank of the river for several miles. As we left the river
and came into a very beautiful prairie Brother William
Smith, one of the Twelve, killed a very large deer, which made us some very nourishing soup,
and added to our comfort considerably. |
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[
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, 491] Monday June 16th The citizens of Clay County (to the number of eight hundred or a thousand, among whom were the brethren. assembled at the court house in Liberty agreeably to the request of Judge Ryland in his letter of the 10th instant, where they met Judge Ryland, and a deputation from Jackson. who presented the following "Propositions of the people of Jackson county to the Mormons" [See Jackson County Propositions (1834).] |
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MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, 494 –495] the Jackson Mob to the number of about fifteen, with Samuel C. Owens and James Campbell at their head, Started for Independence, Jackson county. to raise an army sufficient to meet me before I could get into Clay county. |
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Campbell swore, as he adjusted his pistols in his holsters, "The Eagles and Turkey buzzards shall eat my flesh if I do not fix Jo. Smith and his [495] army so that their skins will not hold shucks, before two days are passed." |
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They went to the ferry and undertook to cross the Missouri River, after dusk, and the angel of God saw fit to sink the boat, about the middle of the river, and seven out of twelve that attempted to cross, were drowned. |
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Thus suddenly, and justly. went they to their own place by water. Campbell was among the missing. He floated down the river some four or five miles, and lodged upon a pile of drift wood, where the Eagles, Buzzards, ravens, crows and wild animals eat his flesh from his bones, to fullfil his own words, and left him a horrible looking skeleton of God's vengeance: which was discovered. about three weeks after by one Mr. Purtle. |
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Owens saved his life only, after floating four<teen> miles down stream, where he lodged upon an island, "swam off naked about day light, borrowed a mantle to hide his shame. and slipped home rather shy of the vengeance of God." |
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We were threatened that we should not pass through Richmond, and it was reported that an army lay in wait there to intercept us. |
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Thursday 19th; we passed through the town as soon as it was light and before the inhabitants were arisen from their slumbers, meeting with no opposition, but we had not proceeded many miles before one wagon broke down, and by the time that was repaired wheels run off from others and such like incidents continued through the day to impede our progress. When we started in the morning we intended to arrive in Clay county that day, but in vain, at a seasonable hour we encamped on an elevated piece of ground between two branches of Fishing River, having travelled about fifteen miles. Fishing River, at this point, was composed of seven small streams, and those betwixt which we encamped were two of them. (Note 15 page 14) |
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| June 17, 1834 |
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Martin (B)
Moses Martin Journal (May 26-beyond Zion's Camp, 1834), Church Archives, MS 1986.
then on this day the 17th we came to the Wiondat River having came 16 Ms |
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[
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, addenda 14–15n15] Tuesday 17 about <at> noon we crossed the Wacondah, it being high, we had to be ferried over, we were—informed here, that a party of men were gathered together on the Missouri River, with the intention of attacking us that night. |
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[
George A.
History of George A. Smith by Himself. Selected Collections 1:32, box 1, fd. 1 .
26] 17th Made <Traveled> about 23 miles to day About noon we ferried the Wacondah & were informed that a party of men were gathered on the Missouri River with the intention of attacking us that night— |
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during this time we came throug[h] [- - - - - -] hear we came wast high and black Rassburys Ripe hear we came on [one canceled word] to A prarie 24 Ms across hear we encamped allnight [8] on the C O of [Starton?] <Carall> |
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the prairie ahead of us was twenty three miles long without any timber or <palatable, healthy,> water, |
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The Prairie ahead of us was twenty three miles long without timber or water— |
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some of the brethren wished to stop near the timber and were about making arrang[e]ments to pitch their tents, |
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some of the Brethren wished to stop near the timber & were about making arrangements to pitch their Tents, |
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we had but little provisions. |
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we had but little provisions— |
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I proposed to get some wood and water, <to> carry with us, and go on the Prairie 8 or 10 miles |
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Joseph proposed to get some wood & water to carry with us & go on to the Prairie 8 or 10 miles— |
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my brother Hyrum said he knew in the name of the Lord. that it was best to go on to the Prairie, and as he was my Elder Brother I thought best to heed his counsel, though some were murmuring in the Camp. |
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my cousin Hyrum said he knew in the name of the Lord, that it was best to go on to the Prairie & as he was his elder Brother, Joseph thought best to heed his counsel, tho' some in the Camp were murmuring. |
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we accordingly started. |
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we accordingly started. |
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When Lyman Wight crossed the River. he disapproved of our moving on to the Prairie, upon which Sylvester Smith who had been appointed adjutant of the Camp, placed himself in the road, turned back all that he could by saying “are you following your General or some other man” and some twenty staid behind with Lyman Wight— |
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When Lyman Wight crossed the river, he disapproved of our moving on to the Prairie, [27] upon which Sylvester Smith who had been appointed Adjutant of the Camp, placed himself in the road, turned back <hindered> all that he could, by saying “are you following your general or some other man,” & some twenty staid behind with Lyman Wight— |
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we drove about 8 miles on the Prairie and encamped out of sight of Timber, the sun apparently went down, and next morning rose again in the Grass. |
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We drove about 8 miles on the Prairie & encamped out of sight of timber, the sun apparently went down, & again in the grass— |
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our company had filled a couple of empty Powder Kegs with Water, it tasted so bad we could not drink it, and all that the Water that we had was out of a Slough filled with red living animals, and was putrid. |
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our Company had filled a couple of empty Powder kegs with water, it tasted so bad we could not drink it, & all the water that we had was out of a slough filled with red living animals, & was putrid— |
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about Eleven oclock Lyman Wight arrived with the company that had remained with him. I called them together and reproved them for tarrying behind, and not obeying my Council, and told Lyman Wight never to do so again, he promised that he would stand by me for ever, and never forsake me again let the — consequence be what it would. |
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About 11 o'Clock Lyman Wight arrived with the compy. that had remained with him. I <Jos<h>.> called them together & reproved them for tarrying behind, and & obeying his counsel, & told Lyman Wight never to do so again, he promised that he would stand by the Prophet for ever & never forsake him again let the consequence be what it would; |
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but Sylvester Smith manifested very refractory feelings. |
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but Sylvester Smith manifested very refractory feelings.— |
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| June 18, 1834 |
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Martin (B)
Moses Martin Journal (May 26-beyond Zion's Camp, 1834), Church Archives, MS 1986.
then on wensday the 18th |
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[
George A.
History of George A. Smith by Himself. Selected Collections 1:32, box 1, fd. 1 .
27] 18th Travelled 25 miles, ferrying Crooked River— |
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Wednesday 18. as Hyrum Stratton and his Companion were taking up their blanket<s> this morning, they [15] discovered two Prairie Rattle Snakes quietly sleeping under them, which they carefully carried out of the camp— |
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As Hyrum Stratton & his companion were taking up their blankets this morning they discovered two Prairie Rattle Snakes quietly sleeping under them, which they carefully carried out of the Camp— |
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this day my health was so poor, I left the affairs of the Camp to the management of General Wight— |
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Joseph's health was so poor he left the affairs of the Camp to the management of Genl. Wight— |
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we traveled 18 Ms [- -] breckfast and without water for thare was no wood this being in Ray C + O |
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having no provisions we travelled seventeen miles before breakfast |
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having no provisions we travelled 17 miles before breakfast |
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hear we crossed crooked River and gave 3 dollars |
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and I rode in Elder Kimball’s Waggon, we crossed a slough half a mile wide, thro’ which most of the brethren were obliged to wade Waist deep in mud and Water |
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& Josh. rode in Elder Kimball’s wagon—we crossed a Slough ½ a mile wide, thro’ which most of the Brethren were obliged to wade waist deep in mud & water |
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General Lyman Wight who had travelled from Kirtland without a stocking on his foot, carried brother Joseph young thro’ on his back. |
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Genl. Lyman Wight who had travelled from Kirtland without a stocking on his foot carried brother Joseph Young thro’ on his back.— |
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our breakfast consisted entirely of Corn Meal Mush, or hasty pudding. we had not meal enough in our Company to make the mush of the consistence of good starch, |
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Our breakfast consisted entirely of Corn Meal Mush or hasty pudding, we had not Meal enough in our company to make the mush of the consistence of good starch— |
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after our ten oclock breakfast we passed on to within one mile of Richmond. |
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After our ten oclock breakfast we passed on to within one mile of Richmond— |
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then we encamped having came 28 Ms |
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we encamped in a very small prairie surrounded by a thicket of hazel brush. when I arrived. where the camp had pitched their tents and viewed our unsafe location. |
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[
Heber's Extracts
"Extracts from the Journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball's Journal," Times and Seasons 6, nos. 1-3, 5, 7 (January 15-February 15, 1845; March 15, 1845; April 15, 1845), 771-773, 787-790, 803-805, 838-40, 866-869.
, 789] On Wednesday the 18th
at night we camped one mile from the town of Richmond, Ray co.
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we encamped in a very small prairie surrounded by a thicket of hazel brush—when Joseph arrived where the Camp had pitched their Tents & viewed our unsafe location, |
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considering the danger of an attack from our enemies, I almost forgot my sickness, went some distance in the brush, bowed down and prayed my heavenly Father to suffer no evil to come upon us, but keep us safely thro’ the night. |
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considering the danger of an attack from our enemies, he almost forgot his sickness, went some distance in the brush & bowed down & prayed to our Heavenly Father to suffer no evil to come upon us, but keep us safely thro’ the night. |
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I obtained an assurance that we should be safe until morning, notwithstanding about 50 of the Jackson County Mob crossed the Lexington Ferry that evening for the purpose of joining the Ray County mob, and of making an attack upon us. all was quiet I the camp thro’ the night. |
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He obtained an assurance that we shod. be safe until morning, notwithstanding about 50 a compy. of the Jackson Co: mob. crossed the Lexington Ferry that evening for the purpose of joining the Ray Co: mob & of making an attack upon us, all was quiet I the camp during the night— |
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while the brethren were making their bed in captain Brigham Young’s tent, one of them discovered a very Musical Rattle Snake which they were about to kill, Captain Young told them not to hurt him but carry him out of the tent, when brother Carpenter took him in his hands and carried him beyond all danger, and left him to enjoy his liberty. telling him not to return. |
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While the Brethren were making their bed in Captn. Brigham Young’s Tent, one of them discovered a very musical rattle snake which they were about to kill, Captn. Young told them not to kill hurt him but carry him out of the Tent, when Bro <John> Carpenter took him in his hands, carried him beyond all danger & left him to enjoy his liberty, telling him not to return. |
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| June 19, 1834 |
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Martin (B)
Moses Martin Journal (May 26-beyond Zion's Camp, 1834), Church Archives, MS 1986.
then on thursday the 19th |
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Thursday 19 at day break, feeling that we were in a very unsafe situation I counselled the Camp to move forward without delay, and continued a lively march for about nine miles where we stopt for breakfast, |
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On Thursday the 19th,
we arose as soon as it was light and passed through the town before the
inhabitants were up.
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[
George A.
History of George A. Smith by Himself. Selected Collections 1:32, box 1, fd. 1 .
28] 19th At day break, feeling that we were in a very unsafe situation Joseph counselled the camp to move forward without delay & continued a lively march for about 9 miles & stopped for breakfast— |
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we came throu Richmond
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y while passing thro’ Richmond |
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While passing thro’ Richmond, |
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hear we passed corn as high as a mans shoulders this was the most furtile of eny place that i had yat seen hear the soil was [-] feet deep and as black as [- - - -] |
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hear we found good water and healthy [9] Cuntry |
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brother Luke Johnson observed a black woman
in a gentleman's garden near the road. |
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[
Heber's Extracts
"Extracts from the Journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball's Journal," Times and Seasons 6, nos. 1-3, 5, 7 (January 15-February 15, 1845; March 15, 1845; April 15, 1845), 771-773, 787-790, 803-805, 838-40, 866-869.
, 789] As Luke Johnson and others, were passing through before the teams came along, Brother Luke observed a black woman in a gentleman's garden near the road. |
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Luke Johnson observed a black woman
in a Gentleman's garden near the road— |
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She beckoned to him and said, "come
here massa." She was evidently much agitated in her feelings. |
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She beckoned to him and said, "come here massa." She was evidently much agitated in her feelings. |
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She beckoned to him & said, "come
here massa." she was very much agitated in her feelings— |
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He went
up to the fence and she said to him, there is a company of men laying in
wait here, who are calculating to kill you this morning as you pass through." |
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He went up to the fence and she said to him, there is a company of men laying in wait here who are calculating to kill you this morning as you pass through. |
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he went
up to the fence & she said to him, "there is a compy. of men lying in
wait here who are collecting calculating to kill you this morning as you pass through" |
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This was nothing new
to us as we had been threatened continually through the whole journey, and
death and destruction seemed to await us daily. |
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we halted for breakfast on an eminence near a Farm House. the owner furnished us with a large quantity of milk, which gave a great relish to our Bacon and corn Dodger, which our commissary had procured that morning, when we asked the price of his milk he replied “he is a mean man that will sell milk, I could have let you had more, if I had known you had been coming,” he further said “you have many enemies about here, and you may meet with some trouble, and it is a damd shame that every man cant come up and enjoy his religion, and every thing else without begin molested. |
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we halted for breakfast on an eminence near a farm house, the owner furnished us with a large quantity of Milk, which gave a great relish to our bacon & corn dodger, which our Commissary had procured that morning; when we asked the price of his milk he replied “he is a mean man that will sell milk, I could have let you had more, if I had known you had been coming,” he further said “you have many enemies about here, & you may meet with some trouble, & it is a damd shame that every man can't come up & enjoy his religion, & every thing else without begin molested— |
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it was near noon when we finished our breakfast, and we passed on in fine Spirits,— |
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It was near noon when breakfast was finished & we passed on in fine spirits, |
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determined to go thro’ and meet the brethren in Clay County, we travelled but a short distance when one waggon broke down; and the wheels ran off from others, and there seemed to be many things to hinder our progress, altho’ we strove with all diligence to speed our way forward. |
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[
Heber's Extracts
"Extracts from the Journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball's Journal," Times and Seasons 6, nos. 1-3, 5, 7 (January 15-February 15, 1845; March 15, 1845; April 15, 1845), 771-773, 787-790, 803-805, 838-40, 866-869.
, 789–790] This day we only traveled
about fifteen miles. One wagon broke down; and the wheels run off from others,
and there seemed to be many things to hinder our progress, although we strove
with all diligence to speed our way forward. Our intentions were, when we
started to go through to Clay county that day, but all in vain. |
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[ determined to go thro’ & meet the Brethren in Clay Co:, we travelled but a short distance when one wagon broke down; & the wheels ran off from others & there seemed to be many things to hinder our progress, altho’ we strove with all diligence to speed our way forward. |
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Martin (B)
Moses Martin Journal (May 26-beyond Zion's Camp, 1834), Church Archives, MS 1986.
hear we encamped in Clay Co |
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This night we camped on an elevated piece of land, between Little fishing and Big fishing Rivers, which was formed by seven small streams or branches. <Page 495> |
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This night we camped on an elevated piece of land between the two branches [790] of the Fishing river, the main branch of which was formed by seven small streams or branches, these being two of them. |
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This night we camped on an elevated piece of land, in Clay Co: abt. 10 miles rom Liberty <in some timber> on an elevated piece of Land between <the Forks of> Little Fishing & Big Fishing Rivers which was <were> formed by 7 small streams or branches— |
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we made <travelled> 25 miles today I waded little Fishing <river> the water not being over my boots— |
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[
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, 495] As we halted and were making preparation for the night. five men <armed with guns> rode into our camp and told us we should "see hell before morning," and their accompanying oaths partook of all the malice of demons. |
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Just as we halted and were making preparations for the night, five men rode into the camp, and
told us we should see hell before morning, and such horrible oaths as came from their lips, I never heard before. |
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While pitching our tents 5 armed men rode up & told us "we should see hell before morning"— |
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They told us that sixty men were coming from Richmond. Ray county; and seventy more from clay county, <to join the Jackson county mob who had> Sworn to our utter destruction. |
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They told us that sixty men were
coming from Richmond, Ray county, who had sworn to destroy us, also, seventy
more were coming from Clay county to assist in our destruction. |
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they said there were 60 men from Ray, 40 from Lafayette, 70 from Clay & 200 from Jackson <who> would attack us before morning. |
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These men were armed
with guns, and the whole country was in a rage against us, and nothing but
the power of God could save us. |
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The weather was pleasant. at this time. |
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All this time the weather was fine and pleasant. |
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<as> [Jazeniah?] B. Smith was taking his bedding out of the waggon he discovered a large Rattle Snake, which he had carried with him all day.> |
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[
George A.
History of George A. Smith by Himself. Selected Collections 1:32, box 1, fd. 1 .
As J. B. Smith was taking his beddg. his bedding out of the wagon he discovered a large rattle snake <in it> which he had <accidentally> carried with him all day wrapped up in his blanket in <since> the morning. |
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[496] During this day the Jackson county Mob, to the number of about two hundred, made arrangements to cross the missouri River, about the mouth of Fishing River, at Williams's Ferry, into Clay county, and be ready to meet the Richmond Mob near Fishing River ford, for our utter destruction: |
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but after the first scow load of about forty had been set over the river, the scow in returning was met by a squall, and had great difficulty in reaching the Jackson side by dark. |
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Soon after <When> the<se> five men left <were in> our camp Swearing vengeance, we discovered a small black cloud rising in the west, and in twenty minutes, or thereabouts, it began to rain and hail, and this was the squall that troubled the Jackson boat. |
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Heber's Extracts
"Extracts from the Journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball's Journal," Times and Seasons 6, nos. 1-3, 5, 7 (January 15-February 15, 1845; March 15, 1845; April 15, 1845), 771-773, 787-790, 803-805, 838-40, 866-869.
, 790] Soon after these men left us we were discovered a small black cloud rising in the west; |
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<the wind, thunder, and rising cloud indicated an approaching storm, and in a short time after they left, the rain and hail began to fall> |
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and not more than twenty minutes passed away before it began to rain and hail, |
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[
George A.
History of George A. Smith by Himself. Selected Collections 1:32, box 1, fd. 1 .
, 28–29] I gathered a quantity of dry leaves to lay my blanket on— |
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[[SHOWRERF=rmb], 5] Soon there came up a thunder Storm the wind blew it [one canceled word] took 3 or 4 to hold the tent down and the Rain Came down in torents |
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it had thundered several hours; when it first began to rain it Joseph told me to [whip?] the tent, I did so <with a [two canceled words] Gunstock> till the cloth was all wet when it [-] off the water— |
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the next order was to dig a ditch round the tent which was quickly done— |
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Bro Amasa Lyman and me laid down in the tent the watter was half way up our Sides the thunder Cracked first on one side and then on the other it was terible in the extrem[e] |
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[¶ Amasa Lyman (h)] The morning found me
minus my tent, and a depression in the ground, in which my bed had been
inadvertently made, was full of water, in which myself and bed were submerged. |
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I then laid down & the wa <it rained so hard that> in a few minutes the water ran under me until my blanket was 6 in. in water— |
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I <then> got up & laid down in a wagon which without a cover but was so very tired & sleepy that I slept very well in the rain— |
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a number of the Brethren went [29] into the log meeting house near by, while others stuck to their beds lying in the water—Every thing we had was thoroughly saturated— |
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Martin (B)
Moses Martin Journal (May 26-beyond Zion's Camp, 1834), Church Archives, MS 1986.
hear we experenced one of the most shocking ist Storms ever known |
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the thunder & lightning exceeding all description that I am capable of giving— |
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it com [-] A bout 8 o'C in the eavning and continued until 2 in the morning |
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[
Heber's Extracts
"Extracts from the Journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball's Journal," Times and Seasons 6, nos. 1-3, 5, 7 (January 15-February 15, 1845; March 15, 1845; April 15, 1845), 771-773, 787-790, 803-805, 838-40, 866-869.
, 790] but we had very little of the hail in our camp. All around us the hail was heavy; some of the hailstones, or rather lumps of ice, were as large as hens eggs. |
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during this time the whale canopy of the wide hevisen was in one complete blaze with terryfying clapse of thunder whilst the rain in torents pored hours th [sic] |
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The thunders rolled with awful majesty, and the red lightnings flashed through the horizon, making it so light that I could see to pick up a pin almost any time through the night; |
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having came this day 20 Ms |
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thean we encamped agane |
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the earth quaked and trembled, and there being no cessation it seemed as though the Almighty had issued forth his mandate of vengeance. |
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The wind was so terrible that many of our tents were blown over and we were not able to hold them; |
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but there being an old meeting house close at hand, many of us fled there to secure ourselves from the storm. Many trees were blown down, and others twisted and wrung like a withe. |
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The mob came to the
river, two miles from us; and the river had risen to that height that they
were obliged to stop without crossing over. |
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The hail fell so heavy upon
them that it beat holes in their hats, |
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and in some instances even broke
the stocks off their guns; |
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their horses being frightened fled, |
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leaving the
riders on the ground, their powder was wet and it was evident the Almighty
fought in our defense. |
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The storm was tremendous. Wind and rain, hail and thunder met them in great wrath, and soon softened their direful courage, and frustrated all their design[s] to "kill Jo Smith and his army." |
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Instead of continuing a cannonading. which they commenced the sun about one hour high. |
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[This is the only source for cannonading.] |
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they crawled under waggons, into hollow trees, filled one old shanty, &c. till the storm was over, when their ammunition was soaked, and the forty in Clay county were extremely anxious in the morning. to return to Jackson, having experienced the pitiless peltings of the storm all night, |
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and as soon as arrangements could be made, this "forlorn hope" took the "back track" for Independence, to join the main body of the mob, fully satisfied, as were those survivors of the company who were drowned, that when Jehovah fights. they would rather be absent. The gratification is too terrible. |
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very little hail fell in hail fell in our camp, |
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Martin (B)
Moses Martin Journal (May 26-beyond Zion's Camp, 1834), Church Archives, MS 1986.
in this place we found that At this in this place that allmost all vegatables had benn distroyed buy [the] tremenduous hail Storm |
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but from half to a mile around, the stones or lumps of ice cut down the crops of corn. and vegetation generally. |
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even cutting limbs from trees, while the trees themselves were twisted into withes by the wind. |
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The lightning flashed incessantly, which caused it to be So light in our camp through the night, that we could discern the most minute object; and the r<o>aring of the thunder was tremendous. |
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[497] The earth trembled and quaked, the rain fell in torrents, and, united, it seemed as if the mandate of vengeance had gone forth from the God of battles. to protect his servants from the destruction of their enemies. |
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for the hail fell on them. and not on us. and we suffered no harm except the blowing down of some of our tents and getting some wet. |
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while our enemies had holes made in their hats and otherwise received damage. |
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even the breaking of their rifle stocks. and the fleeing of their horses through fear and pain. |
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Many of my little band sheltered in an old meeting house through this night, and in the morning. |
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the water in Big Fishing river, was about forty feet deep, where. the previous evening it was no more than to our ancles: |
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[
Heber's Extracts
"Extracts from the Journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball's Journal," Times and Seasons 6, nos. 1-3, 5, 7 (January 15-February 15, 1845; March 15, 1845; April 15, 1845), 771-773, 787-790, 803-805, 838-40, 866-869.
] This night the river raised forty feet. |
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and our enemies swore that the water rose thirty feet in thirty minutes in the Little Fishing River. |
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<they reported that one (Note 16 page 16)> |
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[
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, addenda16n16] of their men was killed by lightning, and that another had his hand torn off. by his horse drawing his hand through between the door <logs of a corn crib>, while he was holding him on the inside, |
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and they declared “that if that was the way, God fought for the God damd mormons, they might as well go home about their business.” |
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| June 20, 1834 |
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¶ |
[
Heber's Extracts
"Extracts from the Journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball's Journal," Times and Seasons 6, nos. 1-3, 5, 7 (January 15-February 15, 1845; March 15, 1845; April 15, 1845), 771-773, 787-790, 803-805, 838-40, 866-869.
, 803] In the morning
[June 20] I went to the river in company with Brother Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Brigham
Young, and others, as we had it in contemplation to proceed that morning
to Liberty, Clay county; but we could not continue our journey as there
was no way to cross the river. |
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It was then overflowing its banks, and we
have seen the river since and proved that it was full forty feet from the
top of the banks to the bottom of the river. Previous to this rain falling,
it was no more than ancle deep. Such a time never was known by us before;
still, we felt calm all night and the Lord was with us.—The water was
ancle deep to us all night so we could not sleep. |
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Martin (B)
Moses Martin Journal (May 26-beyond Zion's Camp, 1834), Church Archives, MS 1986.
that night we [-] [10] in wich hailstone was found that would weigh A half of A pound |
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Friday 20th This I counselled the brethren to discharge all their fire arms, when it was found we had near six hundred shots, very few of which missed fire, which shows how very careful the brethren had been in taking care of their arms during the storm. see page 497 |
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[
George A.
History of George A. Smith by Himself. Selected Collections 1:32, box 1, fd. 1 .
, 29] In the morning we <all> discharged our pieces <amounting to about 600 rounds> & scarcely a single one missed fire— |
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<Big> Fishing River raised come 40 feet & little Fishing 30 ft during the night— |
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& I have ever felt thankful to my Heavenly Father that he by this storm & sudden rise of the Streams prevented our having a bloody conflict with our enemies who were <thereby> prevented from attacking us— |
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<One of our enemies was killed by lightning & another had his hand torn off by his horse— |
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¶ |
[
Heber's Extracts
"Extracts from the Journal of Elder Heber C. Kimball's Journal," Times and Seasons 6, nos. 1-3, 5, 7 (January 15-February 15, 1845; March 15, 1845; April 15, 1845), 771-773, 787-790, 803-805, 838-40, 866-869.
, 804] At this place, W. W. Phelps, S.
W. Denton, John Corrill, with many others from Liberty joined us, from whom we received
much information concerning the situation of the brethren who had been driven
from Jackson county, and the fixed determination of our enemies to drive
or exterminate them from that county. |
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[
MH-A
Manuscript History of the Church (December 1805-August 30, 1834), 553 pages numbered from the "back" of Joseph's "large journal" (A-1), written June 11, 1839-Aug. 24, 1843. Selected Collections 1:1, Volume 1 // “Joseph Smith History, 1839” (first 93 pages), Early Mormon Documents 1:56-148; “History, 1839” (first 240 pages), Papers of Joseph Smith 1:265-386. Original, Church Archives, CR 100 102, Volume 1.
, 497] Friday the 20th. we went five miles on the prairie to <where we could> procure food for ourselves and horses. and establish ourselves for the moment, in some secure place where we could defend ourselves from the rage of our enemies, and |
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[¶ Amasa Lyman (h)] June 20th. On moving from our camp this morning, four miles, to brother John Cooper's, |
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The next day [June 20] when we
moved into the country we saw that the hail had destroyed the crops and
we saw that it had come in some directions within a mile, and in other directions
within half a mile of our camp. |
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20th We moved up the divide at between the Streams about 4 miles & camped near the residence of Brother Cooper— |
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[[SHOWRERF=rmb] 5–6] I saw no hail where we ware but in the morning <20 June> [6] as we traveled on a Short distance the ground was covered with lims* the hail had cut off the trees some no big as your finger they Said there ware hailstones fell as big as a tunbler* |
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we found the country around us was visited during the night previous with a terrific storm of hail, which in its destructive course demolished fields of grain and made liberal pruning of the forest over which it passed. |
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After passing a short distance the ground
was literally covered with branches of the trees which had been cut off
by the hail. We went a distance of five miles on a prairie to get food for
our horses, and also to get provisions for ourselves; and to get into some
secure place, where we could defend ourselves from the rage of the enemy. |
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within one mile of our camp the limbs of oak trees many of them 4 in. thro' were broken down by the storm— |
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We stayed here three or four days until the rage of the people was allayed |
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had the storm been as severe in our camp <the falling limbs would> no doubt have killed many of us— |
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Zion's Camp: Ohio (May 1–16)
Zion's Camp: Indiana (May 17–24 1834)
Zion's Camp: Illinois (May 25–June 1)
Zion's Camp: Illinois (June 2–4)
Zion's Camp: Missouri (June 5–15)
Zion's Camp: Missouri (June 21–27)
Zion's Camp: Missouri (June 28–July 3)
Zion's Camp
Jackson County
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