USA > Illinois > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Illinois, together with an outline history of the State, and a digest of State laws > Part 31
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EVENTS IN HANCOCK COUNTY.
But while these acts of violence were being perpetrated out of the county, a most lamentable tragedy was enacted at home. On
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Tuesday, June 24, 1845, an altercation occurred between Dr. Samuel Marshall, County Clerk, and the Sheriff of the county, General Deming, which resulted in the death of the former at the hands of the latter. The difficulty arose in regard to some mistake in official business. Dr. M. was a very exact and punctual man in all his affairs, and he expected others to be equally so, and the General's apparent carelessness in the matter in dispute irritated him. A senffle ensued, in the midst of which Gen. Deming drew a pistol and shot his antagonist. The affair was a very unfortu- nate one, as it resulted in the death of a most estimable citizen and public officer, and added to the excitement already existing in the county. A little self-control and moderation on the part of both, and the conflict might have been avoided. Dr. Marshall was a strong Anti-Mormon in his feelings and principles, and had the full confidence of the party; yet he resolutely refused to sanction any of their unlawful proceedings. He was one of that small number who believed it better to suffer all the ills of Mormonism, rather than resort to illegal and violent measures for redress.
Gen. Deming was at once taken into custody by the Coroner, and a jury of inquest summoned. The jury returned a verdict of " Murder without sufficient canse or provocation." This occurred on the day set for the special term of Court for the trial of the persons charged with the murder of Hyrum Smith. The Court opened about five in the afternoon, and two hours after the tragedy Deming was brought into Court, and stated that he was desirous to have a Grand Jury impaneled for the investigation of this case. The Court ordered the Coroner to summon a Grand Jury by the next morning. The accused then inquired if there was no process by which he might be admitted to bail during the pendency of the investigation, to which the Court gave a negative answer. On Wednesday morning a jury was impaneled, and charged by the Conrt, and at three in the afternoon brought into Court a bill for murder, with counts for manslaughter. It was stated that the vote stood in the jury room 16 to 3.
A motion was made by Deming's counsel to admit him to bail, and after hearing he was admitted to bail in the sum of $5,000. Bail was given and he was discharged from custody.
Mr. Deming resigned the office of Sheriff, and an election was ordered to fill the vacancy, to take place August 11th, resulting in the election of J. B. Backenstos by the following vote: Backen- stos, 2,334; John Scott, 750; scattering, 11.
Mr. D. was never brought to trial. He was stricken with con- gestive fever, no doubt brought on or aggravated by excitement, and died on the 10th of September, and was buried in Quincy by his brother's side.
And now it becomes our painful duty to chronicle a series of events which transpired in the county,-acts which had no warrant in law or order, and which cannot be reconciled with any correct principles of reasoning, and which we then thought, and still
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think, were condemned by every consideration looking to good government; acts which had for their object, and which finally resulted in, the forcible expulsion of the Mormon people from the county. The disorders at Nauvoo, the vast amount of stealing and other depredations upon property, the murders in Iowa and elsewhere, and the consequent feeling of fear and insecurity every- where, brought the people to a state of recklessness.
On the night of Sept. 9th, a public meeting of Anti-Mormons was being held in a school-house at Green Plains, for some purpose, when it was fired upon by parties in the bush. It was at once resolved to begin the expulsion of the Mormons from the settle- ment known as Morley-Town. This resolve was put into execu- tion; on Wednesday night two Mormon cabins were burned, and the inmates notified to leave the settlement. For a week the burning continued until the whole of Morley-Town was in ashes, with many other residences in the Bear Creek region and that of Green Plains. In all it is stated that as many as 100 or 125 houses were burned, and their occupants driven off. These pro- ceedings created intense excitement all over the county. Sheriff Backenstos endeavored to raise a posse among the old citizens to suppress the disturbances, but failed. He therefore issued a proc- lamation dated at Green Plains on the 13th, calling on the rioters to desist, and upon the posse comitatus of the county to assist him. He also stated that it was his policy to have the Mormons remain quiet, but that 2,000 men held themselves in readiness in Nauvoo to come to his aid when necessary. On the 16th Lieut. Franklin A. Worrell was killed while passing from Carthage to Warsaw, by Backenstos, or some of his posse, and on the 17th Samnel McBrat- ney was killed among the burners at Bear Creek, by the posse. Lieut. Worrell (of the Carthage Greys) was in no way connected with the burners, and had nothing to do with the prevailing dis- turbances. In company with eight other men, he was passing on the road from Carthage to Warsaw, with the view of ascertaining the facts as to the disturbances at Green Plains. Three of these men, Worrell and two others, were on horseback; the others were in a buggy and a two-horse wagon, the wagon also contain- ing the arms of the company. As they came in sight of the road leading toward Nauvoo, and which they would cross at right angles, they discovered a man riding up that road. Not knowing him, and seeing he was coming from the direction of the burning, they hurried on to intercept him at the crossing, hoping to gain information. He then drove more rapidly, apparently to cross before they could come up. They hurried on, the three horsemen in the lead. As they neared the brow of a ravine he had crossed, and when they came in sight, he was seen standing near his buggy, and at the same moment a shot was fired from near him, which struck Worrell. He nor his associates had made no demonstra- tions of violence; but now seeing or believing it to be Backenstos and his posse, immediately wheeled their horses and rode toward
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the wagon and buggy which were approaching. Mr. Worrell soon fell from his horse, was picked up, placed in the wagon and driven to Warsaw; but died on the way.
Backenstos and the notorious O. P. Rockwell were both subse- quently indieted for the murder of Worrell, and both acquitted, the former under trial by change of venne at Peoria, and the latter at Galena. Who was the actually guilty party may never be known. We have lately been informed from Salt Lake that Rockwell did the deed, under order of the Sheriff, which is probably the case. The Sheriff's Proclamation No. 2 would lead to this conclusion. He says, in his usual style of exaggeration: " I discovered an armed body of some 20 or more men on the Warsaw and Carthage road, two or three miles east of me, going toward Warsaw. I watched them, and on discovering that four men of the force mounted on horses, left the main body, apparently to strike a point in advance of me, with all the speed of their horses, and finding that they were in pursuit of me, I put the whip to my horse; as I was trav- eling in a buggy, they taking a near cut evidently gained on me, The chase lasted for a distance of about two miles, when I for- tunately overtook three men with teams. I immediately informed them that armed men were pursuing me, evidently to take my life; I summoned them as a posse to aid me in resisting them. I dismounted and took a position in the road, pistol in hand. I commanded them (the mobbers) to stop, when one of them held his musket in a shooting attitude; whereupon one of my posse fired, and, it is believed, took effect on one of the lawless banditti."
Admitting this statement to be an honest one from his stand- point-which is not at all likely-it only illustrates how easily the fears and excitements of an individual can change peaceable citi- zens into "lawless banditti." It is, furthermore, quite certain that had Lieut. Worrell and his companions known who it was they were following, he would have been permitted to go his way un- molested.
The Sheriff says that he ordered his posse to take the burners prisoners, if practicable, if not, to fire on them. How well this order was obeyed the killing of MeBratney will show. He was pursued, with others, by a crowd of men on horseback; was over- taken and shot in the back, and while down was hacked and bay- oneted in numerous places. . His horse was slow, and he could have easily been taken prisoner alive.
It is proper to state that the Mormons and their friends have charged the firing on the school-house at Green Plains to have been a sham previously arranged by the mobbers to create a sympathy in their favor. This has been denied; whether true or not, we do not know.
The Sheriff, failing to raise a posse outside of Nauvoo, was obliged to resort to his " 2,000 armed men " there, to carry out his purposes. He obtained such force as he desired, and soon succeeded in scattering the burners. He now carried things in the county
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with a high hand. Exactly what his object was is not known, but on the evening of the 19th of September, the Sheriff, at the head of several hundred men, rode into Carthage after sundown, sur- rounded the place, and ordered all the citizens who could be found to be arrested and taken to headquarters at the court-house. He said he was in quest of criminals. After roughly handling many of them, and searching their houses for arms, most of them were set at liberty. In the morning, the posse, excepting about fifty, left town, the fifty remaining, as he said, to protect the town. They re- tained possession of the court-house till the arrival of Gen. Hardin and his State troops, who gave them immediate leave of absence.
These disturbances and excesses, as on a former occasion, of course, called for executive interference, and accordingly Gov. Ford again sent a detachment of volunteers into the county, and again under command of Gen. John J. Hardin. The General wasaccom- panied as adviser, by J. A. McDougal, Attorney-General of the State, and also by Judge S. A. Douglas and Major W. B. Warren. On the 27th of September, Gen. Hardin issued a highly merito- rious proclamation to the people of the county, enjoining them to be peaceable and to obey the laws and the constituted authorities. In conjunction with his advisers he at once entered into correspond- ence with the authorities of the Mormon Church at Nauvoo, which resulted in the Mormons agreeing to leave the State in the spring.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
In the meantime a meeting of representatives of nine counties contiguous to Hancock had been called to meet at Carthage on the first and second days of October (Hancock county being excluded), to take into consideration the state of affairs. The convention was organized as follows, viz: Isaac N. Morris, Esq., of Adams, Pres- ident; Col. Wm. Ross, of Pike, Gen. James McCallen, of Warren, and John Kirk, Esq., of McDonough, Vice-Presidents; and Alva Wheeler, of Knox, Geo. Robinson, of Selmyler, and Wm. H. Ben- neson, of Adams, Secretaries. Fifty-eight delegates were reported from the counties of Adams, Brown, Henderson, McDonough, Pike, Schuyler, Warren, Marquette and Knox. On motion of O. H. Browning, of Adams, a committee of three from each county was appointed to prepare a preamble and resolutions expressive of the sense of the convention. Mr. Browning, in behalf of the committee, reported a preamble and series of resolutions, of which we find room for only two, as giving the sense of the convention on the points mentioned.
Resolved, That it is the settled and deliberate conviction of this convention that it is now too late to attempt the settlement of the difficulties in Hancock county upon any other basis than that of the removal of the Mormons from the State; and we therefore accept, and respectfully recommend to the people of the sur- rounding counties to accept the proposition made by the Mormons to remove from the State next spring, and to wait with patience the time appointed for removal.
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Resolved, That we utterly repudiate the impudent assertion so often and so con- stantly put forth by the Mormons, that they are PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE. "We do not believe them to be a persecuted people. We KNOW that they are not; but that whatever grievances they may suffer are the necessary and legitimate consequences of their illegul, wicked and dishonest ucts.
The action of this convention, composed as it was of leading and representative men from the neighboring counties, and from both the political parties, had a beneficial effect upon the public mind; and no doubt satisfied many that the conclusions to which it arrived were only such as would give peace and prosperity to our distracted county. And the Mormons also accepted the conclu- sions as inevitable, and earnestly prepared to act accordingly. The opinion expressed in the last of the resolutions quoted, is as much as the most ardent Anti-Mormon could ask, and should forever shut the months of those Mormon apologists, who have regarded them as a persecuted people, only needing to be let alone.
As the basis for the subsequent action of both parties, the cor- respondence alluded to is here reproduced :
NAUVOO, Oct. 1, 1845.
To the First President and Council of the Church at Nauvoo :
Having had a free and full conversation with you this day, in reference to your proposed removal from this county, together with the members of your Church, we have to request you to submit the facts and intentions stated to us in said con- versation to writing, in order that we may lay them before the Governor and people of the State. We hope that by so doing it will have a tendency to allay the excitement at present existing in the public mind.
We have the honor to subscribe ourselves, respectfully yours, etc.,
JOHN J. HARDIN, S. A. DOUGLAS, W. B. WARREN, J. A. MCDOUGAL.
NAUVOO, Oct. 1, 1845.
To Gen. John J. Hardin, W. B. Warren, S. A. Douglas and J. A. McDougal :
MESSRS :- In reply to your letter of this date, requesting us to " submit the facts and intentions stated by us to writing, in order that you may lay them before the Governor and people of the State," we would refer you to our communication of the 24th ultimo, to the " Quincy Committee," etc., a copy of which is herewith inclosed.
In addition to this, we would say, that we had commenced making arrange- ments to remove from this county previous to the recent disturbances; that we now have four companies organized of one hundred families each, and six more companies now organizing of the same number each, preparatory to removal. That one thousand families, including the Twelve, the High Council, the Trust- ees and general authorities of the Church, are fully determined to remove in the spring, independent of the contingency of selling our property, and that this com- pany will comprise from five to six thousand souls.
That the Church, as a body, desires to remove with us, and will, if sales can be effected, so as to raise the necessary means.
That the organization of the Church we represent is such, that there never can exist but one head or presidency at any one time, and all good members wish to be with the organization ; and all are determined to remove to some distant point where we shall neither infringe or be infringed upon, so soon as time and means will permit.
That we have some hundreds of farms and some two thousand or more houses for sale in this city and county, and we request all good citizens to assist in the disposal of our property.
That we do not expect to find purchasers for our Temple and other public build- ings; but we are willing to rent them to a respectable community who may inhabit the city.
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That we wish it distinctly understood, that, although we may not find purchasers for our property, we will not sacrifice or give it away, or suffer it illegally to be wrested from us.
That we do not intend to sow any wheat this fall, and should we all sell we shall not put in any more crops of any description.
That as soon as practicable we will appoint committees for this city, La Harpe, Macedonia, Bear Creek, and all necessary places in the county, to give informa- tion to purchasers.
That if these testimonies are not sufficient to satisfy any people that we are in earnest, we will soon give them a sign that cannot be mistaken-we will leave them!
In behalf of the Council, respectfully yours, etc.,
BRIGHAM YOUNG, Pres.
WILLARD RICHARDS, Clerk.
The communication to the Quincy committee was of similar import to the above, but referred particularly and in eloquent terms to their sufferings and grievances here and elsewhere, and begged to be let alone.
Two other murders were committed at this time, one in Nauvoo and the other in the Camp Creek settlement, by Mormons. On the 16th, Phineas Wilcox, a young man of St. Mary's township, went into Nauvoo on business, was there charged with being a spy, and was never afterward heard of, although repeated inquiries and search were made for him by his friends. Circumstances strongly showed that he had been murdered and thrown into the river. The other case, that of Andrew Danbenheyer, was as mysterious and atrocious. Mr. D. resided in the north part of the county, and was known as an active Anti-Mormon. On the 18th of September he started to Carthage with a two-horse wagon. On the evening of the 20th he started for his home on horseback, which he never reached, but on the morning of the 21st his horse came home with- out him. On his road home was encamped a body of Mormons, supposed to be of Backenstos' posse, and the belief was that he had been waylaid and killed by them. Search being made his body was afterward found, buried near the place of the encampment.
The agreement entered into by Gen. Hardin and the Mormons being deemed sufficient to pacify the county, the troops were with- drawn, leaving only Major Warren with a hundred men, to remain until withdrawn by the Governor.
THE EXODUS BEGUN.
In accordance with the pledge made by the Twelve, active prep- arations were made during the winter in Nauvoo, and throughout the county, to leave in the spring. Those residing in the country made sales of their property and retired to the city in order to join the expeditions. Large numbers of wagons were manufactured, and many were obtained by way of exchange, while oxen and horses were in great demand. As early as Feb. 10, the weather being favorable, it was stated that over one thousand persons, including most of the Twelve, and many of the other dignitaries of the Church, had crossed the river and were on their way westward. As
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the spring advanced they were still leaving in large numbers; but the advance had not yet reached beyond Keosauqua, from which point they kept up a constant intercourse with the city. The Rig- donites, Strangites, Smithites, and Twelveites, still behind, kept up their dissentions, the former all agreeing in denunciation of the latter, and all excepting the latter, censuring the Western movement.
Major Warren, who had been deputed in the fall to remain in the county with a small force, had orders from the Governor in April to disband and withdraw on the first of May. He and his troops had been stationed at Carthage all winter, and had performed many arduous and delicate duties to preserve the peace, arrest offenders, and execute writs. Their aid had been invoked in all parts of the county, and they had been employed on numerous occa- sions in Nauvoo in the execution of process. They had been braved and threatened and insulted, even to violent resistance in that city, but they had exhibited a prudence, firmness and judgment which entitled them to the regard of all peace-loving citizens. These gentlemanly soldiers were mostly from Quincy, the "Quincy Riflemen," under the immediate command of Captain James D. Morgan and Lieut. B. M. Prentiss, names the country has since recognized in the list of Union Generals in the late Rebellion.
The contemplated withdrawal of the Guard, together with aindi- cations at Nauvoo, gave general uneasiness to the people. It began to be feared that many of the Mormons were not intending to leave the city, but to quietly remain, in the hope and expectation that in time all danger would be over. Public meetings began to be held in Hancock and the adjoining counties, at which these apprehen- sions were expressed, and reference made to the action of the nine counties in October. These demonstrations brought a letter of inquiry from Mr. Babbitt to Gov. Ford. In his answer the Gov- ernor denied that he or the State was a party to the agreement that the Mormons should leave in the spring. But he also plainly intimated that they were bound to go, and that he would be pow erless to prevent their expulsion. " I tell you plainly," said His Excellency, " that the people of Illinois will not fight for the Mor- mons."
The day after Maj. Warren's detachment had been disbanded at Carthage, he received an order from Gov. Ford to retain them in service until further orders. He again mustered them in and remained, making his headquarters chiefly at the Mansion House in Nauvoo. On May 14, he sent a dispatch to the Signal, stating that the Mormons were leaving with all possible speed; that the ferry was crossing as fast as possible; that an estimate of 450 teams and 1,350 souls had left within the week; that new settlers were tak- ing their places, etc. Information was also received from LaHarpe, Ramus and other points, that they were fast leaving the neighbor- hoods. On the 22d he reported: "The Mormons still continue to leave the city in large numbers. The ferry at this place averages about 32 teams per day, and at Fort Madison, 45. 'Thus it will be
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seen that 539 teams have left during the week, which average about three persons to each, making in all 1,617 souls." A week later the reported estimate was about 800.
After the Twelve had left the city, and while within convenient reach, O. P. Rockwell seems to have been employed as a messenger between the camp and the city. He became very violent in his con- duct while there, so much so that the leaders began to fear he would bring trouble upon them. On May first, a writ was issued for his arrest, on the affidavit of a certain Dr. Watson, charging him with the killing of Lient. Worrell. This writ was placed in the hands of some of Maj. Warren's men, who proceeded to Nauvoo and arrested him, surrounded with fifteen shooters and other weapons of defense. He waived examination, and was sent to Quincy to jail. At the May term in Carthage, a true bill was found against him by the Grand Jury, and he was sent to Galena for trial, he hav- ing obtained a change of venue from this Circuit. He was subse- quently tried in Galena and acquitted.
Warlike demonstrations still continuing, on May 11th Maj. War- ren issued a proclamation, in which he warned the Anti-Mormons to desist, assuring them that in his opinion the Mormons were making all reasonable efforts to leave. Notwithstanding this assur- ance, a public meeting was held at Carthage, at which the opinion was expressed that large numbers of the Mormons designed to remain; and recommending that the citizens of the surrounding counties prepare forthwith to put in execution the resolutions of October last. Accordingly a considerable force was assembled at Carthage, and thenee marched to Golden's Point, where they held a conference with a deputation of new citizens from Nauvoo, who had been invited to meet them there. The latter objecting to their entrance into the city, and the force being weak, and poorly officered and drilled, it was decided to retire again to Carthage, where it was soon disbanded.
On June 20th, George Walker, Esq., the "old citizen" County Commissioner, resigned his office and notified the public that his Mormon associates, Coulson and Perkins, having both left the country, there would be a full board to elect at the coming election. Backenstos, having been appointed to a Captaincy in the army against Mexico, also resigned the office of Sheriff. On July 25th an Anti-Mormon Convention was held at Carthage to nominate candidates for office. The following ticket was put in nomination: For Senator, Jacob C. Davis; for Representatives, Thomas Morri- son and James Stark; for Sheriff, Melgar Couchman; for County Commissioners, Frederic Walton, Daniel N. Bainter and James M. Renshaw; for Treasurer and Assessor, James W. Brattle; and for Coroner, Wm. S. Moore-4 Democrats and 5 Whigs. No full ticket was put up against this, but there were several independents. The above named were all elected by majorities of abont 400. At this election Nauvoo polled between 800 and 900 votes.
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