USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 24
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On the 6th of April. the imposing ceremony of laying the corner stone of the temple was performed at Nauvoo. in presence of a multitude of people, supposed to number seven to ten thousand. The legion was ont in full force, amounting to over 600 men. com-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
manded by Gen. Bennett, under the direction of the prophet, as Lieutenant-General. Sidney Rigdon was the orator of the day.
On a Sunday about the first of May, Judge Douglas and Cyrus Walker, Esq., of Macomb,-notables of the two great parties, paid a visit to Nauvoo and were received with great consideration and ceremony. They were each introduced to the congregation on the meeting ground, and after being complimented by the prophet, made addresses in response. A flattering notice of the fact was published by Smith in the next issue of the Times and Seasons.
It is not to be wondered at, after what had transpired among the politicians, and the course so evidently to be pursued by Smith and the leaders at Nauvoo, that the sober and reflecting citizens of the county should become alarmed. And to increase this alarm and apprehension, the following appeared in the organ of the Church, under date of May 24, 1841:
TO THE SAINTS ABROAD.
The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, anxious to promote the prosperity of said Church, feel it their duty to call upon the Saints who reside out of this county to make preparations to come in, without delay. This is important, and should be attended to by all who feel au interest in the prosperity of this, the corner stone of Zion. Here the temple must be raised, the university be built, and other edifices erected which are necessary for the great work of the last days; and which can only be done by a concentration of energy and enterprise. Let it therefore be understood, that all the stakes, excepting those in this county, and in Lee county, Iowa, are discontinued, and the Saints instructed to settle in this county as soon as circumstances will permit.
Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Ill., May 24, 1841.
JOSEPH SMITH.
We have heretofore used the word " autocrat," in reference to this leader of the Mormon people. Is it an improper term? Did ever emperor of Russia claim to exercise such power over his sub- jects ? Here is an order that the members of his church, wherever located,-in the United States, in Great Britain, Germany, India, Australia, or the islands of the sea (and he had agents in all these to make proselytes), no matter what their occupation or con - dition in life, and owing allegiance no matter where,-all must gather around this new corner stone of Zion, and contribute of their energy and enterprise, money, strength, sweat and toil, for this great work of the latter days! The mandate was issued as if expected to be obeyed; and it was obeyed.
In consequence of the growing apprehension, public meetings began to be held over the county; and finally it was agreed to call a county convention to consider the subject. One was accordingly held at Carthage on the 28th of June, composed of citizens of both political parties. It was decided to nominate a ticket selected from both parties, to be run at the approaching August election. This was done, Robert Miller, a Whig, and Richard Wilton, a Democrat, being selected for County Commissioner and School Commissioner, and elected, the first by 114, and the last by 4 votes.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
From this convention, and it was one of the most respectable and earnest ever held in the county, may be dated the rise of the Anti-Mormon party, and the origin of the term " Anti-Mormon," as applied to those who were seeking to counteract Mormon influ- ence in the county and State. One or two of the resolutions passed at this convention will not be out of place here. They resolved:
That with the peculiar religious opinions of the people calling themselves Mormons, or Latter-Day Saints, we have nothing to do .- being at all times perfectly willing that they shall remain in the full possession of all the rights and privileges which our Constitution and laws guarantee and other citizens enjoy.
That in standing up as we do to oppose the influence which these people have obtained and are likely to obtain, in a political capacity, over our fellow citizens and their liberties, we are guided only by a desire to defend ourselves against a despotism, the extent and consequences of which we have no means of ascertaining.
The convention also put forth an earnest address to the people, urging them to lay aside all party differences and support the ticket.
In justice to Mr. Walter Bagby, Mr. Wilton's opponent for School Commissioner, it is proper to state that he was an old citizen and in no way identified with the Mormons, and in after years became a zealous Anti-Mormon.
The Mormons cast their votes nearly solid for the Harrison electors, and for John T. Stuart, the Whig candidate for Congress.
About this time, Mr. William Harris, a seceding Mormon elder, appeared in the county and lectured against them at several points. He was not a man of much talent, but by his zeal and energy, he succeeded in stirring up considerable opposition. He also issued a pamphlet exposing them, which was printed at the office of the Warsaw Signal.
Few of the people of Warsaw at the present day know how near their pleasant little city came to being made a Mormon town. During the summer of 1841, the owners of the sixteenth (school) section' lying adjoining town on the south, opened negotiations with Smith for the sale of said section to the Mormons; and on the 19th of July, the prophet, with Gen. Bennett and several other leaders, appeared to take a look at the tract and conclude the bargain. It was reported that the bargain was consummated, and that it was the intention to have the ground surveyed and a large colony located at once. The name was also said to have been selected-the "City of Warren, " in honor of Calvin A. Warren, Esq., now of Quincy, one of the principal owners. But for some cause the negotiation was broken off, and Warsaw escaped the fate of being merged into a Mormon city. In discussing names for the new town, the Signal suggested that it be called " Money-Diggersville."
On the 10th of August occurred one of those events which so often happen to change the current of affairs. We allude to the death of Ilon. Sidney H. Little, Senator of this District in the Legislature. Mr. Little was a man of fine talents, stood high in the estimation of the people, and had great magnetic power over
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
all with whom he came in contact. He was an ardent Whig and a popular leader among them; and had already acquired an enviable distinction in the Legislature. The Mormons felt grateful to him for what he had done; and had he lived, he would doubtless have possessed much influence over them for good. But as the dissatis- faction increased among the old citizens, Mr. Little saw the delicate position in which he was placed, and sought to devise means to avert the coming troubles. To a near friend, he even expressed a thought of leaving the county; but this we do not believe he would have done. What course he would have pursued, had he lived through the years of disorder which followed, is only for an inscrutable Providence to know; but we feel sure that had Sidney H. Little been permitted to remain among us, his fertile genius and commanding talent would have found for the county a better way out of her difficulties than that she found and adopted.
THEFT DENOUNCED.
We have charged that the rank and file of the Mormon brother- hood were prone to commit depredations on their neighbors' property, and especially to screen from arrest and punishment those charged with such offences. They had high authority for such practices-that of the leaders themselves. It is well known that in those days there was no legal title to be obtained to the half-breed lands lying in Lee county, Iowa, opposite Nauvoo- what title there was, being undivided among several hundred claimants whose interests had never been adjudicated. These leaders obtained a lot of the pretended claims, on which they issued scrip, which was placed in the hands of proselyting elders East. And, as all new converts were required to emigrate to Nauvoo, it was sometimes difficult to sell property at home in order to get away. So this scrip was passed to them in exchange, they deeding their good titles for a worthless title in Iowa. How many thou- sands thus went into the coffers of the First Presidency may never be known; but that they were largely replenished in that way there is abundant proof.
But if any believe that the Mormon leaders inculcated theft, let them be undeceived. Here is direct testimony to the contrary, submitted in all solemnity. We quote from Times and Seasons of Dec. 1, 1841:
HYRUM SMITH'S AFFIDAVIT.
Whereas, It hath been intimated to me by persons of credibility that there are persons in the surrounding country who profess to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who have been using their influence and endeav- ors to instill into the minds of good and worthy citizens in the State of Illinois, and the adjoining States, that the First Presidency, and others in authority and high standing in said Church, do sanction and approbate the members of said Church in stealing property from those persons who do not belong to said Church, and thereby to induce persons to aid and abet them in the act of stealing, and other evil practices. I therefore hereby disavow any sanction or approbation by me, of the crime of
THE OLD JAIL AT CARTHAGE WHERE JOSEPH & HYRUM SMITH WERE KILLED
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. 281
theft, or any other evil practice, in any person or persons whatever, whereby either the lives or property of our fellow-men may be unlawfully taken or molested; neither are such things sanctioned or approbated by the First Presidency, or any other person in authority or good standing in said Church, but such acts are altogether in violation of the rules, order, and regulationsof the Church, contrary to the teachings given in said Church, and the laws of both God and man. I cantion the unwary, who belong to the aforesaid Church, and all other persons, against being duped, or led into any aet or scheme which may endanger their character, lives, or property, or bring reproach upon the Church; and I certify that I hold my person and property ready to support the laws of the land, in the detection of any person or persons who may commit any breach of the same. To which I subscribe my name and testify, this 26th day of November, 1841.
HYRUM SMITII.
Sworn to, and subscribed before me, this 26th day of November, 1841. E. ROBINSON, J. P.
Then follows a long address from the Twelve, from which we copy only the concluding paragraph :
We hope that what we have written may suffice, and take this opportunity of expressing our decided and unqualified disapprobation of anything like theft, in all its bearings, as being calculated to destroy the peace of society, to injure the Church of Jesus Christ, to wound the character of the people of God, and to stamp with eternal infamy all who follow such diabolical practices, to blast their character on earth, and to consign them to eternal perdition.
(Signed)
BRIGHAM YOUNG, ORSON HYDE,
HEBER C. KIMBALL, WILLIAM SMITHI,
PARLEY P. PRATT, ORSON PRATT, JOHN E. PAGE, WILFORD WOODRUFF,
WILLARD RICHARDS, JOHN TAYLOR,
LYMAN WRIGHT, GEO. A. SMITHI.
Nauvoo, Ill., Dec. 1, 1841.
Then follows another affidavit from President J. Smith, without doubt in his own language and of his own composition:
CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL., Nov. 20, A. D., 1841.
TO THE PUBLIC :- The transpiration of recent events makes it criminal in me to remain longer silent. The tongue of the vile yet speaks, and sends forth the poison of asps; the ears of the spoiler yet hear, and he puts forth his hand to iniquity. It has been proclaimed upon the house-top and in the secret chamber, in the public walks and private circle, throughout the length and breadth of this vast continent, that stealing by the Latter-Day Saints has received my approval ; nay, that I have taught the doctrine, encouraged them in plunder, and led on the van-than which nothing is more foreign from my heart. I disfellowship the perpetrators of all such abominations; they are devils and not saints, totally unfit for the society of Chris- tians or men. It is true, that some professing to be Latter-Day Saints have taught such vile heresies, but all are not Israel that are of Israel ; and I wish it to be dis- tinctly understood in all coming time, that the Church over which I have the honor of presiding will ever set its brows like brass, and its face like steel, against all such abominable acts of villainy and crime ; and to this end I append my athidavit of dis- avowal, taken this day before General Bennett, that there may be no mistake here- after as to my real sentiments, or those of the leaders of the Church, in relation to this important matter :
STATE OF ILLINOIS, ?
HANCOCK COUNTY. 88.
Before me, John C. Bennett, Mayor of the City of Nauvoo, personally came Joseph Smith, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (commonly called Mormons), who, being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that he has never directly or indirectly encouraged the purloining of property, or taught the doctrine of stealing, or any other evil practice, and that all such vile and unlaw-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
ful acts will ever receive his unqualified and unreserved disapproval, and the most vigorous opposition of the Church over which he presides, and further this deponent saith not.
JOSEPH SMITHI, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Sworn to, and subscribed before me, at my office in the City of Nauvoo, this 29th day of November, Anno Domini, 1841.
JOHN C. BENNETT, Mayor of the City of Nauvoo."
Now, it is to be hoped that none will hereafter be so reckless as to state that I, or the church to which I belong, approve of thieving, but that all the friends of law and order will join in ferreting out thieves wherever and whenever they may be found, and assist in bringing them to that condign punishment which such infamous crimes so richly merit. JOSEPHI SMITH,
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
And now the Legion is after the thieves:
COURT MARTIAL.
CITY OF NAUVOO, ILL., Nov. 30, 1841.
To Brevet-Maj .- Gen. Wilson Law :- We, the undersigned, members of the Gen- eral Court Martial, detailed by you on the order of Lt .- Gen. Smith, through Maj .- Gen. Bennett, for the trial of David Smith and Joseph Holbrook, officers of the Nauvoo Legion, charged with theft, and being accessory thereto. are of the opinion that they are guilty of the charges preferred against them, and our unanimous decision is that they be cashiered, and their names be stricken from the rank roll.
Witness against David Smith-Hazen Kimball.
Witnesses against Joseph Holbrook-B. Young and W. Richards.
HYRUM SMITII, Brev .- Maj .- Gen., President of the Court. WM. LAW, Brev .- Maj .- Gen. C. C. RICH, Brig. Gen. 2d Cohort. H. McFALL, Adj. Gen. DANIEL H. WELLS, Com. Gen. S. BENT, Col. 3d Reg. 2d Cohort. T. BILLINGS, Col. 1st Reg. 2d Cohort. J. T. BARNETT, Capt. 3d Co. 1st Reg. 2d Ct. Members of the Court.
To Maj. Gen. Bennett :- I approve of the above decision, and submit it to you for your action on the case.
WILSON LAW, Brev .- Maj .- Gen.
To Lt .- Gen. Smith :- The General Court-Martial detailed for the trial of David Smith and Joseph Holbrook, officers of the Nauvoo Legion, have made the above report to me, and asked my concurrence in the same, which, under the circum- stances, can not be withlield : it is, therefore, submitted to you for your final approval or disapproval.
Approved :
JOHN C. BENNETT, Maj .- Gen. JOSEPH SMITH, Lt .- Gen.
About the first of April, 1842, a weekly paper was established at Nauvoo, under the editorial management of the "Patriarch " William Smith, a brother to the prophet. This new sheet was entitled The Wasp, from which we are to infer that it was regarded as a stinger by its conductor ; but for illiterate and vul- gar abuse and silly nonsense, it has never been excelled perhaps in the State. The prophet in his youth had been pronounced the " genus " of the family, so " Bill Smith," as he was always called, was generally regarded as the fool of the family. Nevertheless, he had sense enough to aspire to political honors, and he was placed on the fusion ticket for one of the members of the Legislature and elected.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Late in 1841, the Democratic party, in State Convention, had nominated Hon. Adam W. Snyder for Governor; ex-Governor Joseph Duncan being the candidate of the Whigs. But Mr. Snyder died, and Judge Ford was nominated to take his place. Early in 1842, the prophet issued a proclamation enjoining his fol- lowers to support the Democratic nominees. Yet still, it was policy to divide and distract the anti-Mormon party in the county. This party held a convention, and placed a ticket in the field, as follows, selected from each of the political parties, viz:
For Senator-Wm. H. Roosevelt. For Representatives-Wesley Williams, Edson Whitney.
For Sheriff-Steplien H. Tyler. For County Commissioner-John J. Brent. For School Commissioner-Wm. D. Abernethy.
For Coroner-Benjamin Avise.
Notwithstanding the proclamation, many political aspirants of both parties, believing they could seeure the Mormon vote, were induced to run as independent candidates; but the result was the election of all the regular Democratic nominees by majorities of 800 to 1,000 votes. The official vote will be found elsewhere. The following is the county ticket elected:
Senator-Jacob Cunningham Davis. Representatives-Thomas H. Owen, William Smith. Sheriff-Wm. HI. Backenstos. County Commissioner-John T. Barnett. School Commissioner-Franklin J. Bartlett. Coroner-George W. Stigall.
QUARREL AMONG THE CHIEFS.
During the summer of 1842, a quarrel sprung up between the two great leaders in Nauvoo,-Lieutenant-General Joseph Smith and Major-General John C. Bennett. The causes of this quarrel were never fully known to the public, but are believed to have originated in jealousy. The city, though large and rapidly grow- ing, was not large enough for them both. Bennett had fast risen to power and greatness, through the munificence of the State Gov- ernment and the favoritism of the Mormon people; and his ambi- tion demanded a greater share of the honors and profits than the prophet was willing to yield him. Though, from the published articles on the subject from both sides, it looks as though there may have been a woman or two in it. As they had been close friends before, so now they became vindictive and bitter enemies. But, as was usual, Smith held the reins of power. The Lieutenant- General out-generaled the Major-General with the masses, and the latter was compelled to leave the city. He who had, within the year or two, held many of the most important offices in the city government, legion and university, was expelled-or he seceded- and began at once to expose the wrongs and wickedness perpe-
.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
trated among them. Several other leaders, and prominent men at the same time, manifested a rebellious spirit-among the rest, Sid- ney Rigdon, Orson Pratt, George W. Robinson, the Higbees, Wil- liam Marks, etc. The power of the prophet restrained all these, however, and Bennett alone was turned over to the buffetings of Satan.
Bennett at once left the city, and from Carthage and other points began a series of letters in the Sangamo Journal, the Whig organ at Springfield. These letters were widely read and com- mented on. They are interesting for many reasons. 1. They exhibit in strong light the character of Bennett himself. 2. Whether he is to be regarded as worthy of full credence or not, they portray the workings of that semi-theocratic system which pre- vailed at Nauvoo; and 3. They give us an idea of the sort of people he had been associating with, and the motives which actuated them and him. As literary productions they are weak and in bad taste; but we think a portion is worthy of introduction here. We copy from his letter, dated-
" CARTHAGE, HANCOCK Co., July 2, 1842. To the Editor of the Journal:
I am now in this place to attend to some of my official duties as Master in Chan- cery, and having some leisure time, I shall proceed with my history of Joe Smith and the Saints. It is my determination to state facts, and such facts as will arouse the public indignation, if there is yet virtue and courage left in man-for we are exhorted to be enterprising and courageous-but the beast and false prophet (Joe Smith) shall tremble in the days of his captivity like an aspen leaf in the wil- derness. The "Lord's annointed," as Joe is called, must be washed in the laver of the law, until his polluted carcass and corrupt soul be purified by fire. And to begin :
Ist. The Duresse .- On the 17th day of May, A. D. 1842, Joe Smith requested to see me alone in the preparation room of the Nauvoo Lodge, U. D., on some important business. We entered, and he locked the door, put the key in his pocket, and drew a pistol on me and said : "The peace of my family requires that you should sign an affidavit, and make a statement before the next City Council, on the 19th, exonerating me from all participation whatever, either directly or indirectly, in word or deed, in the spiritual wife doctrine, or private intercourse with females in gen- eral; and if you do not do it, with apparent cheerfulness, I will make cat-fish bait of you, or deliver you to the Danites for execution to-night; for my dignity and purity must and shall be maintained before the public, even at the expense of life. Will you do it, or die?" I replied that he had better procure some other person, or persons, to do so, as there were a plenty who could do it, in truth. "No," said he, "that will not do; for it is known that you are well acquainted with all my private acts, better than any other man; and it is in your power to save me or damn me; and as you have now withdrawn from the Church in an honorable manner, over my own signature, a privilege never granted to any other person, you must and shall place it out of your power to injure me or the Church. Do it, or the Mississippi is your portion : will you do it ?"
I remarked that it was a hard case, and that I would leave peaceably, and without any public exposition, if he would excuse me. He replied : "I tell you, as I was once told, 'Your die is cast, your fate is fixed, your doom is sealed,' if you refuse. Will you do it, or die?" I remarked that I would, under the circumstances, but that it was hard to take the advantage of an unarmed man. "If you tell that pub- liely," said he, "death is your portion-remember the Danites!" He then unlocked the door, we went into the room below, and I gave the affidavit as subscribed before Alderman Wells (who was then doing business in the lower room), and made the statement required before the City Council on the 19th. I was not aware, until Sun- day last, that any other person was apprised of the fact of the threat of murder, but on that day Col. Francis M. Higbee told me, in the presence of Geo. W. Robinson,
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that if it came to the worst. he was in possession of a secret that would open the eyes of the people, and that he would file his affidavit if necessary; but he would not tell me what the secret was. Gen. Robinson, however, informed me afterwards that it was a knowledge of Joe's threats of murder. On the 30thi of June, 1842, I called upon Col. Higbee for his affidavit, which was taken before Gen. Hiram Kimball, an Alderman of the city, and is in the following words, to-wit :
"STATE OF ILLINOIS,
HANCOCK COUNTY. · 88.
Personally appeared before me, Hiram Kimball, an Alderman of the city of Nauvoo, Francis M. Higbee, who, being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and sayeth, that Joseph Smith told him that John C. Bennett could be easily put aside or drowned, and no person would be the wiser for it, and that it ought to be attended to: and he further remarked, that the sooner this was done, the better for the Church, fearing, as he said, that Bennett would make some disclosures prejudicial to said Smith. This was about the time of Bennett's withdrawal from the Church, or a short time before; and further this deponent saith not.
FRANCIS M. HIGBEE.
Sworn to and subscribed, this 30th day of June, A. D. 1842. HIRAM KIMBALL, Alderman."
My affidavit and statement, under DURESSE, were published in the Nauvoo Wasp of the 25th of June, 1842. Is it not high time that this band of murderers should be made to feel the just penalty of the law ? It is certainly a most alarming state of society when men are above the reach of law, and free to perpetrate the blackest crimes of cruelty and oppression. All this in a land of boasted freedom! Great God! where is the arm of power? Where is liberty and the rights of man? Arise, ye officers of justice, and assert the majesty of your insulted laws. Let the sound of the clarion give the alarm ! and horsemen and chariots will tell the story, until one stone shall not be left upon another, or a vestige of iniquity and crime to pollute the goodly land.
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