Saints Without Halos: A Mormon History Website

Mormon History 1830-1844

Zion's Camp (8): Missouri (June 28–July 3, 1834)

Sick are cared for in the Wight and Whitmers homes. Pepper tea, whiskey and flour remedies §. Joseph and Hyrum sick §. Heber C. Kimball tries jumping and "thrashing about" §. Many leave June 30 §. Cold water treatment §. Men employed making bricks §. Covenant ends epidemic §. High council organized §. Sixty-eight six, fourteen deaths §. Men discharged §. Lords accepted Camp's "offering" (before cholera) but some wanted to fight to the death §.

	Manuscript History of the Church MH-A, 497– Willard Richards scribe [Summer] 1843	Manuscript History Addendum MH-A, Addendum Thomas Bullock		"Extract from … Heber C. Kimball" Heber's Extracts, 803–805, 838—840,. 866–867 February 15, March 1, April 1, and April 15, 1845	George A. Smith Autobiography George A., 29–31 1857 Edits by Thomas Bullock except chapter heading
	Wilford Woodruff's Journal WWJ 1:13 January 1835	Moses Martin Journal (B) Martin (B), 10–12 1834		Reuben McBride McBride 1853	[Shaded text also occurs elsewhere on this page.]
	Joseph B. Noble Reminiscence J. Noble

June 28, 1834
	I found many great and glorious privileges here [Clay County] as it was the place appointed for the meeting of the high Council & also the Elder's council and Courts to transact all their business.
				on the morning of the 28th Dr Williams pronounced Jesse out of danger.
				Joseph had sent <Hyrum Page> with “~~Mark Anthony~~” <his horse> with instructions to bring Jesse J & George A to where he was if he had to bring them on a Bob Sledge
				Dr Williams decided it was not expedient for Jesse to go but wait a day or 2 when he would be able.
				but ~~he and~~ I went altho’ I had the cramp so bad I co[ul]d. scarcely get onto the [31] horse ~~who~~ <which> was a very rough traveller—
				I rode 1½ miles to Liberty & stopped at Peter Whitmers who gave me some strong pepper tea, which I drank, tho’ I could not taste it, my senses were so benumbed by today disease, it was as harmless to my palate as [mush?] <milk>—
				I remained & rode to Lyman Wight’s, stopped a few minutes & got some black pepper & milk which however I could not taste. I then remounted & rode 9 miles, ~~every minute~~ feeling as if I should be obliged to fall from the horse,
				I determined not to give up & arrived at David Whitmer’s, saw Joseph & Hyrum, Joseph mixed some raw flour with Whisky & gave me to drink—this checked my bowel complaint & revived me. ~~Hyrum~~
				I then went home with Hyrum Page who placed me under the care of his mother an aged widow of 3 score, who nursed me a few days <with a motherly care> & my strength & health gradually recovered
				when I commenced to recover there passed from my bowels several large worms— (~~See back 1~~)
				Jesse Johnson Smith died on the 1st of July
	[McBride, 7] while here [at Lyman Wight's] a brother [one canceled word] by the name of Marshal Hubbard sent for me to come and se[e] him he had the chole<r>a I Started and went a mile or So in Company with Bro Carpenter we came to a Small creek where it formed a little Island there they Said lay Bro Alford [Alfred] Fisk who had Just Died with the Cholera		¶	[Back 1] About 70 of th Cholera occurred among the Camp of whom 134 died—viz "John S. Carter Eber Wilcox, Seth Hitchcock, Erastus Rudd, Algernon Sidney Gilbert, Alfred Fisk, Edward Ives, Noah Johnson, Jesse B. Lawon, Robert McCord, Elial Strong, Jesse J Smith <Warren Ingles> & Betsey Parish—" It was found that showering with cold water afforded relief to the sufferers. writing
	The Cholera Struck us all of a Suden it was all we could do to get back to camp to Bro Wights Lyman E Johnson went out into the hazel brush laid hands on me and it all passed off while their hands ware on my head we then went and See bro Hubbard he got well
			¶	[Heber's Extracts, 839] This was our situation, the enemies around us, and the destroyer in our midst. Soon after we returned back, another brother was taken away from our little band; thus it continued until five out of ten were taken away.
			¶	It was truly affecting to see the love manifested among the brethren for each other, during this affliction;
				even brother Joseph, seeing the sufferings of his brethren, stepped forward to rebuke the destroyer, but was immediately seized with the disease himself; and I assisted him a short distance from the place when it was with difficulty he could walk. All that kept our enemies from us was the fear of the destroyer which the Lord sent among us.
			¶	After burying these five brethren, or about this time, I was seized by the hand of the destroyer, as I had gone in the woods to pray. I was instantly struck blind, and saw no way whereby I could free myself from the disease, only to exert myself by jumping and thrashing myself about, until my sight returned to me, and my blood began to circulate in my veins.
				I started and ran some distance, and by this means, through the help of God, I was enabled to extricate myself from the grasp of death. This circumstance transpired in a piece of woods just behind brother Stanley Gilbert's house.

June 30, 1834
	[Martin (B) 11—12] then on Monday the 30 thare had died 8 of the eastern breatherin and 2 of them that belonged hear and [12] meny of the outhers was vary unwell i myself am yat vary well			[Heber's Extracts, 866. In the original, this appears after the July 3 entry.] June 30, 1834, I started for home, in company with Lyman Sherman, Sylvester Smith, Alexander Badlam, Harrison Burgess, Luke Johnson and Zera [867] Cole, with Brother Sylvester Smith's team, as I had left mine in Missouri. About this time Brother Brigham Young started in company with about the same number that was with me, with James Foster's team.
¶	[MH-A, 509] The cholera continued its ravages about four days, when ~~an effectual~~ [a] remedy for ~~their~~ purging. vomiting. and cramping was discovered; namely. dipping the person afflicted in cold water. or pouring it upon them. <and giving them whiskey, thickened with flour to the consistence[y] of Starch, wiskey was the only kind of Spirit that could be [obtained]
¶	\[WWJ 1:12–13] After remaining several days at brother Lawrey's Brother Lyman Wight gave me an invitation to [13] spend the season with him. Accordingly I made it my home at his house and ingaged to labour with him through the season as he had taken a job to make one hundred thousand of brick and to build a dwelling house out of the same for Mr Michael Arthur, which made labour for many of the brethren. I commenced labouring at Brother Wight's about the first of July.
¶	The last days of June I spent with my old Jackson county friends in the western part of Clay county. [This is part of the MH-A July 3 entry.]

July 1, 1834
¶	On the first of July <Jesse J. Smith died.> [This is part of the MH-A July 3 entry.]
	I crossed the Missouri River, in company with a few friends; into Jackson county, to set my feet once more on the “Goodly land:” and on the 2nd I went down near Liberty and visited the brethren. [symbol] [This is part of the MH-A July 3 entry.]
¶	[Sideways in the margin:] <[symbol] a considerable number of the camp met me at Lyman Wights. I told them if they would humble themselves before the Lord and covenant to keep His commandments, and obey my counsel, the plague should be stayed from that hour and there should not be another case of the Cholera among them. The brethren covenanted to that affect with uplifted hands, and the plague was stayed> [This is part of the MH-A July 3 entry.]			[Martin (B), 12] then on wensday July the 2 we commenced our journy toward [-] holm

July 2, 1834
¶	[Martin (B), 12] then on wensday July the 2 we commenced our journy toward [-] holm

July 3, 1834
				[Heber's Extracts, 839] While I was here a council was called at brother Lyman Wights, which I attended with the rest of the brethren. The church was organized; a presidency and high council chosen and organized and many were chosen from them to go to Kirtland to be endowed. [Minutes of July 3, 1834.]
				Two other brethren died at brother Gilbert's house about this same time.
				One of these [Jesse J. Smith] was a cousin to brother Joseph Smith, the Prophet.
	J. Noble and I myself verry barely ascaped with my life it was my lot to assist in taking Care of four of them, in one Small room untill they were dead,			The names of those brethren who were with me to assist in taking care of the sick, are as follows: Joseph B. Noble, John D. Parker and Luke Johnson, also brother Ingleson, who died soon after we left.
	I then by the request of Bro Young and Kimball went with them to the house of Peter Whitmer in the village of Liberty about two ½ miles distant from our last incampment, I there was violently Seased with the Colerry puking and purging powerfully then cramping from head to foot in the most powerful manner with a burning fever in my bowels, in this situation I lay forty hours. my voice and my hereing had nearly left me.			I went to Liberty, to the house of brother Peter Whitmer, which place I reached with difficulty, being much afflicted myself with the disease that was among us. I stayed there until I started for home. I received great kindness from them and also from sister Vienna Jaques, who administered to my wants and also [840] to my brethren may the Lord reward them for their kindness.
	[The epidemic began in earnest on the night of June 24–25 and continued at least through July 1, when Jesse J.Smith died.]			From that time the destroyer ceased, having afflicted us about four days.
				Sixty eight were taken with the disease, of which number fourteen died,
				the remainder recovered, as we found out an effectual remedy for this disease, which was, by dipping the person afflicted into cold water, or pouring it on him, which had the desired effect of stopping the purging, vomiting, and cramping.
				Some of the brethren, when they were seized with the disease and began to cramp and purge, the fever raging upon them, desired to be put into cold water and some stripped and plunged themselves into the stream and obtained immediate relief.
				This led us to try the experiment on others, and in every case it proved highly beneficial and effectual, where it was taken in season.
	J. Noble Presidant Joseph Smith recievd the word of the lord Saying our offering was excepted and compared it to that of Abraham [¶ D&C 105:19]			On the 23rd of June [sic, June 22], Brother Joseph received a revelation, as before stated, saying that the Lord had accepted our offering, even as he accepted that of Abraham therefore he had a great blessing laid up in store for us, and an endowment for all, and those who had families might return home, and those who had no families should tarry until the Lord said they should go.
	many harts rejoiced when they herd this, some few were for crosing the Mossouri River into Jackson County. or die trying. [¶ Zion's Camp (7)]
				I received an honorable discharge, in writing, from the hand of our General, Lyman Wight, to the effect that I had discharged my duty in my office and that I was at liberty to return home.
				Before we separated the money which had been put into the hands of our paymaster, and had not been used, was equally divided amongst the company, making one dollar and sixteen cents each. Some of these brethren had no money when we started from Kirtland, but they received an equal share with the rest.
	J. Noble while in this Situation Brothers Brigham Yound [Young] Joseph Young Heber. C. Kimball Orson Hide and Peter Whitmer with some three or fore more prayed for me. I was laying on the floor they formed a ring around me			[866] During our stay in Missouri, Brother Joseph B. Noble was very sick for some time, and was taken care of by elders Brigham, and Joseph Young, at the house of Joel Sandford, in Liberty, Clay County. It was with great exertion that his life was preserved, and that by the application of cold water being drawn out of the well, and poured upon him, daily and hourly.
				He was deaf, discharged a large amount of corrupt matter from the ears, and was almost blind—and in fact the most who were saved from the cholera, were saved by throwing cold water upon them, or plunging them in the stream, by which means the cramp and purging were stayed—the sufferers invariably besought us to plunge them in pools, and springs of cold water, while their thirst for the same was very great, while our fears were, it would be an injury to them; yet by the blessing of heaven, it was the only means of saving them, that were saved from this destroyer, the cholera.
				Brother Nobles' life was yet despaired of, but he was resolute, and nothing would satisfy him, but to return home.
	while <praying> in this situation, the vail became verry thin betwean me and my god. insomuch that and I realised [some] thing that I never before thought of. Such was the blessing of God upon me. that I nearly had an open vision.
	through the faith of my brethren that was in exercise for me. I got up and with there assistance put on my close
	and in two days I started back for the Ohio with Lyman Johnson Sylvester Smith Luke Johnson Zebedee Coltrin and Zerubable Snow and two or three others.
	never did had I experienced before such <a> manifestations of the blessing[s] of god. as at this time. I continued to gain strength verry fast so that in six or seven days I could do my portion of walking. as we had but one baggage waggon.
	[WWJ 1:13] I found many great and glorious privileges here as it was the place appointed for the meeting of the high Council & also the Elder's council and Courts to transact all their business.
	This high council of high priests was esstablished according to the will of God by his Servent Joseph about the first <on the 3d> of July 1834 <organized the High Council> before his return to the east. [ Minutes of July 3, 1834.]			[MH-A, 511–512] On the 3d of July. the High priests of Zion assembled <in the yard of Col. [Michael] Arthur where Lyman Wight lived> in Clay county. and I proceeded to organize a High council, agreeable to revelation and pattern given at Kirtland, … David Whitmer was elected president, and William W. Phelps and John Whitmer assistant presidents
¶	[MH-A, 511] On the 3rd of July. the High priests of Zion assembled in Clay county. and I proceeded to organize a High council, …[See ¶ Minutes of July 3, 1834]
	[MH-A, 512] (Note 19 page 16)
¶	[MH-A, addenda 16n19] I authorized General Lyman Wight to give a discharge to every man of the Camp, who had proved himself faithful, certifying that fact, and giving him leave to return home. see page 512
	[MH-A, 512] From this time ~~to the sitting of the~~ I continued to give instructions to the Members of the High council, Elders, and those who had travelled in the camp with me. and such others as desired information. until the 7th when the council assembled … [See ¶ Minutes of July 7, 1834]

			¶	[George A., 31] In preparing this History in 1857 I make reference to his very brief Diary kept by him on the spot to correct my distances—
				I here copy his last entry “Started from Kirtland to go to Missouri on the fifth day of May 1834 and arrived at Clay County on the nineteenth day of June. the journey was long and tedious temporally speaking, but believing it to be according to the mind and will of the Lord”—
				<Take in x before>
			¶	The Journal of F. G. Williams, Historian of the Camp, <also the list of the names of the Camp> was were lost, & a very brief account of the Journey was published in the History of Joseph Smith,
				I afterwards furnished Dr Willard Richards, the Church Historian, with a series of notes from memory, ~~eleven~~ <ten> years after the events transpired [one canceled word] I could not write at the time & conseqtly kept no journal—
			¶	I have now ~~engrafted~~ <given> the substance of the notes with additions in my narrative—<& the [symbol]>
		[Brackets around Joseph ~~said~~ … on these things are marked with xo added by redactor.]	¶	[Joseph ~~said to~~ <said to [one canceled word]> me <~~after laying hands on the sick that~~> <[one canceled word]> if ~~his~~ <my his> work had been done ~~we should~~ <you would> have had to ~~put him~~ <tumble me> into the ground without a coffin—
				I told him it did seem as if it would have been better for me to have died than Cousin Jesse as he had a good education, clear sight & many other qualifications which I did not possess & could have been a far greater benefit to the Church—he replied "You do not know the mind of the Lord on these things"]
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