| The
Evening and the Morning Star article of December 1833 continues with
a refuatation of Colonel McLelland's report that Jackson county citizens
were innocent of any attack on Mormons and that Mormons ambushed a small
party of citizens, killing two and seriously wounding two. Extracts from
a Mormon correspondent, probably W. W. Phelps, provide a Mormon perspective.
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THE OUTRAGE IN JACKSON
COUNTY, MISSOURI. |
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Outrage, 118–120. |
| Astonished
by M'Lelland's denials |
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We were not a little
astonished on reading the remarks of the Herald upon the above letter, and
the credence given to Mr. M'Lelland's statement of the outrage. Mr. M. is
represented in the Herald as being a man of the most SUPERLATIVE honor,
and utterly denies there having any thing transpired derogatory to the character
of the inhabitants of that county toward their neighbors, the "Mormons"
as they call them. He says that no houses belonging to our society were
demolished by the people of that place, and that no maltreatment was shown
whatever. This must be too bare-faced to be believed by any candid unprejudiced
man. The very admission that our people were leaving the county is sufficient
to show, that without some extraordinary occurrence they would not thus
leave their houses, their homes, their property and their possessions in
this late season of the year. He says that there never had been but one
skirmish, and then the "Mormons" were the assailants. Would this
Mr. M. be glad to make the people of the United States believe that there
had been no unlawful proceedings by the citizens of Jackson county?
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| Destruction
of the press |
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This
reminds us of a certain article published soon after the outrage commenced,
which went considerably the rounds in the public prints, stating that the
citizens of Jackson county very COOLLY and DELIBERATELY surrounded the office
of "The Evening and the Morning Star," raised it to the foundation,
SECURED the press, &c. and dispersed without doing any thing further,
or offering abuse or violence to any man. When the fact was, the press was
broken, and now lies in fragments opposite the ruins of the building, unless
recently removed; the types and furniture of the office, scattered and destroyed;
and, to add glory to their triumphant victory, they very COOLLY and DELIBERATELY
seized two peaceable and inoffensive fellow-citizens, marched them up before
the court house door, divested them of the more part of their wearing apparrel,
and tarred and feathered them amid shouts of "Now call on your God
to deliver you—pretty Jesus you worship," &c.
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| Tarred
and feathered two |
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and, to add glory to
their triumphant victory, they very COOLLY and DELIBERATELY seized two peaceable
and inoffensive fellow-citizens, marched them up before the court house
door, divested them of the more part of their wearing apparrel, and tarred
and feathered them amid shouts of "Now call on your God to deliver
you—pretty Jesus you worship," &c. |
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| Correspondents
corroborate Hyde's statement |
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Mr. M. says, that the
"Mormons" have suffered no maltreatment; that only one skirmish
has ensued, and then the Mob only acted on the defensive; that the firing
on their part did not commence until after the "Mormons" had fired
upon them, and that they only went in order to hold a consultation with
them concerning their afore stipulated agreement to leave the county. But
this is so far from being correct, that we can say, that we have received
several communications from the SEAT OF WAR, and all corroborate the statement
of brother Hyde, Capt. Gunsoles and his Clerk, that the firing commenced
on the part of the Mob. |
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| Those
who agreed to leave were in Independence |
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And farther, the individuals
who entered into the stipulation to leave the county, were then in the town
of Independence, or near there, and the said skirmish was some eight or
ten miles west of that place.
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Gilbert
and Phelps in court for assault (trying to protect store)
They had agreed to leave the county |
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And
we are authentically informed, that when the intelligence of the battle
reached Independence, Breazeal and Linville were killed, and others wounded,
that Mr. Gilbert, Phelps, and others of
the society, were then in the court house on a trial, where they were charged
with an assault, or false imprisonment; > and the excitement
was such, that with difficulty they escaped massacre from the hands of an
inhuman and lawless populace; that in open court a pistol was presented
to the breast of Mr. G. but providentially missed fire, and that no notice
was taken of the transaction. Mr. Gilbert, Phelps, and those individuals,
or at least some of them, were those who agreed to leave the county, with
whom Mr M. says, the Mob went to hold a consultation.
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others
of the society: Isaac Morley, John
Corrill |
| Sarcasm |
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[119] We are not surprised,
that men who are guilty of so flagrant a violation of the Constitution and
laws of our country, should seek to screen themselves from justice, by false
coloring those acts which cannot be hid; but for the name of a man of SUPERLATIVE
honor, whose verasity is unimpeachable, & his integrity unquestionable,
the truth of whose assertion is vouched for by the Editors of the Herald,
to come before the public, we leave them to judge of the correctness of
the statements of an eye witness, corroborated by the Capt. and Clerk of
the S. B. Charleston, believing that no argument from us is needed, to show
the design of such representations, as made by Mr. M.
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Gilbert
and others catch one rioter
Judge refuses to act
Gilbert charged with assault |
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It may
be proper to say, that Mr G. and others were engaged in apprehending the
individual who broke down the door of Mr. G. & Co.'s store, when their
goods were taken out and scattered through the streets; but the Justice
refusing to take any notice of the person, or act, he was accordingly permitted
in turn to bring those individuals who apprehended him, before a court,
where they were, when the report came of the above mentioned skirmish. < |
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Introduction
to extracts
Esaggeration to be expected
Nevertheless clear that Mormons have been expelled |
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We give a few extracts
from certain letters showing the conduct of the Mob, since the destruction
of the printing office. In an outrage of this magnitude, and the great excitement
unavoidably raised in the minds of the sufferers, it can not but be expected,
that exagerated reports will be put in circulation, and frequent misrepresentations
made by both parties, by giving too much credence to rumors; but we can
draw a decided conclusion from what information we have received, that the
society have been forced from their own dwellings, and compelled to seek
an asylum among strangers without means to procure the common necessaries
of life.
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Extract of a letter
dated, "Independence, October 30, 1833.
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Wednesday |
| Sunday
Mormons declare they will defend themselves |
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Dear brethren,—Through
the mercy and aid of our heavenly Father we are yet alive; and we are very
thankful for such a blessing. Since I last wrote we have been through a
scene. We declared publicly a week a go last Sunday that we as a people
should defend our lands and houses.
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week
a go last Sunday: October 20 |
Monday
mob leaders meet
Mormon orders strict not to be aggressors |
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On Monday the mob, or
at least some of the leaders began to move; strict orders were given with
us not to be the aggressors—but to warn them not to come upon us, &c.
and as court was to set on Monday, it was noised abroad that the leaders
of the mob would be called upon to bind themselves to keep the peace. It
was a solemn looking time. The mob had lost no time in sending rumors, and
counselling; above fifty of them met on Saturday and voted to a hand to
move the "mormons:"—They counselled and rode all day of Sunday.
The great Monday came, but fewer people were seldom seen at a Circuit Court—No
mob, but great threats. |
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Monday:
October 28
Saturday: October 26 |
| More
Mormons arrive in previous week |
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A number of families
arrived last week from Ohio, Indianna, and Missouri; some of whom were attacked
by the leaders of the mob, but I believe they received no injury. Yours
&c." |
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October
20–26 |
| Mormons
to act defensively only |
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By the foregoing it can
be seen, that our society were cautious not to act only in the defensive,
which they were justified in doing. We give an extract of another communication,
dated:
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"November
6, 1833.
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| Thursday
10–12 homes destroyed above Blue river, Hyrum Page and others whipped,
beaten |
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Dear
brethren,—Since I last wrote we have had horrible times. When I returned
from—behold the enemy had suddenly come upon our brethren above Blue,
and had thrown down 10 or 12 houses, and nearly whipped some to death, among
whom was H. Page.—This was done
on Thursday night.—
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October 31
¶ Outrage at Jackson (1)
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| Tuesday
mob breaks doors, windows, vandalize store in Independence |
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On
Tuesday night they commenced in Independence; broke all the windows of the
brethren's houses in; broke open the doors of bro. Gilbert's store, strewed
the goods in the streets. |
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Tuesday is in error.
The Tuesday after Thursday, October 31 is November 5, the day before this
letter was written.
Orson Hyde letter of November 8 dates this Friday, November 1.
¶ Outrage at Jackson
(1)
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| Saturday
mob beat men at the Blue |
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Saturday
night they fell upon the brethren at the Blue—nearly beat one to death!
but one of Manship's sons was dangerously wounded with a rifle ball, they
fled. |
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November
2
¶ Outrage at Jackson (1)
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| Monday
battle at Blue river, casualties |
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On
Monday about sun set a regular action was fought above Blue; we had 4 wounded—They
had 5 wounded and killed; among the latter were Mr. Breazeal and Mr. Linville.
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November
4
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Tuesday
mob of 300
Mormons agree to move |
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From
Friday till Tuesday after noon our brethren were under arms. On Tuesday
the mob had about three hundred collected—Before any blood was shed
we agreed to go away immediately. |
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Thursday,
October 31 to Tuesday, November 5 |
| Fleeing
in all directions |
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It is a horrid time,
men, women and children are fleeing, or preparing to, in all directions,
almost—We mean to try to settle in Van Buren county if possible, God
only knows our lot.
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Yours &c.
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November 7,
1833.
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| Battle
at the Blue |
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Since
I wrote yesterday morning, another horrid scene has transpired.—After
our people agreed to leave the county and were dispersed from each other
in a measure, a party of the mob went to the Blue, and began to whip, and,
as I heard late last night, murder!
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¶
Outrage at Jackson (1) |
Going
north to Clay county
Brethren hiding |
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All hopes of going to
the south was given up last night, when it was resolved that we should be
driven forthwith into Clay county. The brethren have been driven into the
woods, and God only knows what will become of them. Women and children are
flocking to Everett's and Hancock's Ferry. Our families will have to take
the ground for a floor to-night if they get down in season to cross the
Missouri. Yours in affliction, &c.
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November 14,
1833.
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| Saints
scattered |
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Since I last wrote,
our brethren have been moving in every direction. It is impossible to say
where many of them are.—
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| Lacking
food |
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The situation of many
is critical having nothing to buy food with, and having raised none the
passed season. |
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| Crops,
property destroyed |
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Great destruction is
said to be making with the property left—such as corn, potatoes, household
furniture, &c. |
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| Hated
of all men |
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The Savior said, Blessed
are ye when ye are hated of all men for my name's sake—and I think
we have come to that. |
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| Can't
describe |
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It is impossible to
give you the information which requires a personal interview. |
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Need
food, clothing
Desperate |
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Now is the hour that
tries our souls; yea, the souls of the saints: we want victuals and clothes,
and we mean to be saved, even if we die—for life with the present prospect
before us, is not very desirable! I shall give more general information
in my next if I can obtain it. |
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In great tribulation,
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Yours, &c."
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Oliver
Cowdery commentary
Some killed |
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Amid the confusion unavoidably
arising in calamities of this magnitude, as we previously remarked, it can
not but be expected that many rumors will be afloat having very little foundation.
But from the previous quotations it is plain to draw a conclusion, that
lives have been sacrificed, some in attempting to gratify a spirit of outlaw,
and persecution; and others in the defence of helpless innocence. Some statements
were only drawn from report by the writer, and others from actual knowledge.
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Houses
destroyed
Refute M'Lelland |
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The fact, that houses
were thrown down by the Mob, is authentically furnished us by verbal report,
as well as by the extracts given. That the "Mormons suffered no maltreatment"
from the Mob, is an assertion as difficult to substantiate, as to authentically
prove that no dwellings were thrown down, no doors broken open, no merchandise
thrown about the streets, neither a printing office leveled with the ground.
And for any citizen of Jackson county to say, that no occurrence of this
kind has transpired, we leave our friends to judge, whether he could be
well informed in the common transactions of his own county; or whether he
endeavored in any degree to misrepresent, thinking to turn the public mind
from a just feeling of censure against the perpetration of a crime of this
magnitude, that the actors might escape justice.
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| Number
of killed exaggerated |
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From the following extract
we can draw something of an estimate of the number killed, up to the time
when it was written. We have heard various accounts of the number slain
on both sides, and these reports have frequently been exagerated. The account
of the number killed in the last engagement, as inserted in the Herald,
written by brother Hyde, was incorrect, and it will be seen from the article
that it was only a report; consequently, he was not accountable for its
correctness.
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Innocents
driven from homes
Lack necessities |
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But the calm deliberate
spirit by which the following appears to have been indited, is sufficient
to show that excitement did not agitate the mind of the author; though under
such paineful circumstances it is to be expected, that a man of feeling,
on the reflection, that innocent women and children, were driven from their
peaceable homes by a lawless mob, and compelled to lodge upon the cold earth,
under the open canopy, without having the means or power to administer to
them in their necessities, would be required to call every power and faculty
of the intellect into requisition, to keep it from burning with unjust indignation[.]
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[120] |
November 17,
1833. |
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Mob
destroys 10 homes
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Dear brethren—I
will give you a few particulars of our proceedings, and also of the rioters,
as I have been able to collect them. Some forty or fifty of them in one
night, demolished or unroofed ten houses of ours, above Blue. |
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| 2
rioters captured |
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They came out again
in the night and two of their number were taken, and that stopped their
career that night.
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| One
of mob injured |
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Again they fell upon
the society at the Blue, and commenced firing upon them, which was returned
by the society, and one of their men was shot through the thigh. |
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| Another
battle |
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Again, they came out
against the society above the Blue, a battle ensued in which some two or
three of their men were killed, and a number wounded and shortly died, and
others were wounded but are like to recover. |
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Dibble likely to die, Barber killed, others wounded |
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Brother Dibble was shot
through the bowels and his case is considered doubtful; another by the name
of Barber was wounded and has since died; five or six more were wounded
but not mortally.
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| Capture
one breaking into store |
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Another party had fallen
upon the brethren in Independence and did considerable damage. We went against
them, and took one man while in the act of breaking open the store. |
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Judges
refuses to do anything
Man countersues |
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We had him before the
magistrate but he refused to do any thing with him at that time. He then
sued bro. G., myself and others for an assault; we were prisoners in the
court house for trial when the news came of the battle above Blue. |
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It
was Phelps and Gilbert who were in court. Phelps is likely the "myself"
who writes this, and probably the other letters quoted in this article. |
| Mob
tries to kill Gilbert and Phelps |
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The house being full
they rushed upon us to kill us, but through the mercy of God we were preserved
and not hurt: |
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County
anti-Mormon
Agree to leave |
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we saw plainly that
the whole county were enraged, and preparing for a general massacre the
next day. We then thought it wisdom to stop the shedding of more blood;
and by agreeing to leave immediately we saved many lives; in this we feel
justified. |
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| Scattered |
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But we are literally
in a scattered, miserable condition, not knowing what we shall be called
to pass through next. |
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| Most
faithful, some deny the faith |
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The brethren, generally
bare it patiently and feel cheerful, trusting in God, and but few deny the
faith—I will write more particulars hereafter, Yours, &c." |
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Outrage (1) Errata
Outrage in Jackson County (1)
Expulsion from Jackson County
Jackson County
Missouri
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