W. W. Phelps to the Star, May 1, 1834 |
Jackson county rumor that Mormons were coming, mob turned out for war, burned most of 170 Mormon structures. Depredations in Clay county. Some non-Mormons leaving Jackson. Only God can stop the mob. | ||||
Oliver Cowdery's introduction | ¶ | The following from bro. W. W.
Phelps, is the last intelligence from the west; and as it gives particulars
we insert it, defering further remarks till a future number.[Editor
of the Star.] |
The
Evening and the Morning Star
vol. 2 no. 20 (May 1834), 160 Bracketed text is the Star's. Oliver Cowdery is the editor Published in Kirtland by F. G. Williams & Co. Blue: Blue river. The Blue flowed north into the Missouri river west of Independence. The Little Blue flowed north into the Missouri east of Independence. |
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¶ | Liberty, May 1, 1834. |
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Rumor
of Mormons coming in Jackson county Citizens burn many Mormon houses |
¶ | DEAR BRETHREN:There are great
moves in the west. Last week an alarm was spread in Jackson county, the
seat of iniquity and bloodshed, that the "Mormons" were crossing
the Missouri, to take possession of their lands, and nearly all the county
turned out, "prepared for war," on Saturday, and on Sunday took
the field, near old McGees, above Blue. But no "Mormons" came;
neither did Arthur go over to see about his spilt whiskey, so that
the scene closed with burning our houses, or many of them. |
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170 Mormon homes in Jackson | Our people had about one hundred and seventy buildings in Jackson, and a bonfire of nearly all of them, at once, must have made a light large enough to have glared on the dark deed and cup of iniquity running over, at midnight. | |||
In Jackson it is fight or leave | ¶ | The crisis has come: All that will
not take up arms with the mob and prepare to fight the "Mormons,"
have to leave Jackson county. |
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Some
(non-Mormons) have left rather than fight Mob mustering this week Depredations |
¶ | I understand some have left the
county because they refused to fight an innocent people. It is said the
mob will hold a "general muster" this week for the purpose of
learning who is who. They begin to slip over the Missouri
and commit small depredations upon our brethren settled near the river,
as we have reason to believe. |
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Only God can stop them | ¶ | It is said to be enough to shock
the stoutest heart to witness the drinking, swearing, and ravings of the
most of the mob: nothing but the power of God can stop them in their latter
day crusade against the church of Christ. |
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Brethren putting in crops | ¶ | Our brethren are very industrious
in putting in spring crops; and they are generally in good health and the
faithful in strong faith of a glorious hereafter. |
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¶ | I remain yours, &c, |
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¶ | W. W. PHELPS. |
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John
Corrill to the Star, June 14, 1834 |