USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. I > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
204
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
fearful of a clash, even if one were not contemplated under the guise of a "wolf hunt." He therefore called out the Quincy companies, and the Riflemen and German Guards left for Hancock County. But. the wolf hunt passed off without unusual incident.
On the last day of the month (September) two of the defendants charged with the killing of Joseph and Iliram Smith were brought before Judge Thomas, then holding Circuit Court at Quiney, and underwent a preliminary examination. Their attorneys were O. H. Browning and E. D. Baker, and the state was represented by A. T. Bledsoe and Thomas Campbell. On the 2d of October the parties to the suit entered into an agreement for the defendants' appearance at the Hancock Court. From the following paragraph in the Quincy Whig of that date it is evident that Governor Ford left the town for his regular capital a few days before the date mentioned: "The Springfield Cadets, after being escorted to the outskirts of the city by our volunteer companies, started for their homes on Wednesday last, as did also the commander-in-chief, His Excellency, Thomas Ford."
There were trials for the Smith murders at Carthage, but no con- victions, and the Legislature sitting in June, 1845, repealed all the Mormon charters.
QUINCY AS A PEACE-MAKER
Soon after the death of the Smiths, Brigham Young became the head of the Mormon Church. Renewed charges and complaints of sundry crimes and murders were made by the people of Hancock County against the Mormons, and counter charges and accusations were piled up with equal rapidity and pressed with like vigor and bitterness. At length old political differences were laid aside, and there remained substantially but two parties in the entire region- Mormons and anti-Mormons. Not only in Hancock, but mainly in Adams, and to a lesser degree in other adjacent counties, the belief solidified that there could be no peace in that section of Western Illinois until the Mormons vacated the country.
That conviction was so deeply impressed upon the citizens of Quincy that on September 22, 1845, a largely attended mass meeting was held at the courthouse at which it was resolved to send a com- mittee of citizens to Nauvoo to acquaint Brigham Young with their positive belief, representing the sentiment of their community, that the only path to peace lay through the Mormon exodus beyond the Mississippi. The committee thus chosen, the members of which waited upon Brigham Young on the day following their appointment by their fellow-citizens, comprised Henry Asbury, John P. Robbins, Albert G. Pearson, P. A. Goodwin, J. N. Ralston, M. Rogers and E. Conyers.
Nearly forty years afterward Mr. Asbury wrote this account of the committee's visit to the Mormon leader: "It is proper to state here that this action on the part of Quincy was taken in a spirit
205
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
of kindness towards all the parties, and her views were communicated to the Nauvoo authorities in a respectful and straightforward manner. Our committee arrived at Nauvoo on the day following after the meet- ing here at about 11 o'clock A. M. We found the city under a sort of military or martial law. On our way to the hotel where we stopped we passed one or more armed sentinels upon their beats. We found soon after our arrival that Brigham Young and some others of the leading men were absent at Carthage, but were expected to return that evening. Our committee had to await the return of Mr. Young. "During the afternoon we looked around the city to some extent, and made some inquiries of those we met as to the present population of Nauvoo and its general conditions. We were informed that the population of the city was then 15,000 souls, and during the long hours we had to wait for the return of Mr. Young we had time and occasion to discuss among ourselves the rather singular nature of our mission, and the magnitude of the modest request of Quiney that this people should pull up stakes and go away. And let it be remembered that Quincy, which was the first to receive and treat with kindness the Mormon people, was the first, though reluctantly, to say to them. without threatening, it would be best for them to go.
"Brigham Young arrived from Carthage late, and at near II o'clock at night your committee delivered the Quiney resolutions with a short and respectful note from the committee. The next morning at breakfast the committee received the reply .To Whom it May Con- cern.' "
The reply, to which reference is made, is signed by Brigham Young, president. "by order of the Council." Writing as president of "a council of the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Nauvoo." he acknowledged the receipt of the communication from the committee requesting that body to "com- municate in writing our disposition and intention at this time. par- ticularly with regard to removing to some place where the peculiar organization of our church will not be likely to engender so much strife and contention as so unhappily exists at this time in Haneock and some of the adjoining counties." The reply then asserts the desire of the Mormons for peace: acknowledges the past hospitality and kindness of the people of Quiney; claims that their opposition has been only a "resistance to mobocracy" and not to legally con- stituted authority, and finally records the promise to the governor. "all the authorities and people of Illinois and the surrounding States and Territories, that we propose to leave this county next spring for some point so remote that there will not need to be a difficulty with the people and ourselves, provided certain propositions neces- sary for the accomplishment of our removal shall be observed, as follows, to-wit :
"That the citizens of this and surrounding counties will use their influence and exertions to help us to sell or rent our properties, so
206
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
as to get means enough that we can help the widow, the fatherless and destitute, to remove with us;
"That all men will let us alone with their vexatious lawsuits so that we may have the time, for we have broken no law; and help us to cash, dry goods, groceries, good oxen, milch cows, beef cattle, sheep, wagons, mules, harness, horses, etc., in exchange for our property at fair prices, and deeds given on payment, that we may have the means to accomplish a removal without the suffering of the destitute to an extent beyond the endurance of human nature;
"That all exchanges of property be conducted by a committee or committees of both parties, so that all business may be transacted hon- orably and speedily ;
"That we will use all lawful means in connection with others to preserve the public peace, while we tarry, and shall expect decidedly that we be no more molested with house-burning, or any other depre- dations to waste our property and time and hinder our business ;
"That it is a mistaken idea that we 'have proposed to remove in six months'; for that would be so early in the spring that grass might not grow or water run, both of which would be necessary for our removal; but we propose to use our influence to have no more seed-time nor harvest among our people in this county after gathering our present crops ;
"And that all communications be made in writing."
After the return of the committee to Quincy a report of the out- come of their mission was made to another mass meeting of citizens and the reply of President Young and the Mormon Council communicated to that body, which formally indorsed their actions. A few days afterward, in October, a meeting was held at Carthage comprising citizens from nine of the surrounding counties, accepting the pledges made by the Mormon leaders. Thus, though comparative peace reigned in Warsaw and Hancock County, the Quincy Rifles were on the ground of the former disturbances, at various periods from Sep- tember, 1845, to May, 1846, when they joined General Hardin's brigade for Mexico. September of that year came, and long after "grass grew and water ran" a considerable number of the Mormons still remained in Hancock County.
The story of their final departure to Salt Lake, and the creditable part taken by the citizens of Quincy as mediators and peace-makers, has never been told so well or so fully as by Henry Asbury, who was also one of the chief makers of history during that culminating period of violence and excitement. Here is his version, commencing Septem- her, 1846: "The better element of the Mormons, including their leaders and the strong men and women best fitted for the journey, had gone, leaving many of the poorest and perhaps most worthless people still at Nauvoo, with the seeming purpose to remain there for another winter at least, if not for an indefinite period to come. Then there arose another struggle, the last and the final one. Warrants had been issued against some parties at Nauvoo charging some crim-
207
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
inal offense, and finally placed in the hands of John Carlin to be exeented; and, under the claim that he had the right to call out the whole power of the county to enable him to go to Nauvoo and arrest the parties, there was soon gathered a large body of men under the command of Colonel Tom Brockman, the sturdy blacksmith from Brown County-a man of great determination, a good stump orator and with the strength and constitution of a horse.
"Broekman was caught in the tide of angry passions which sur- rounded him and soon found, even if he had desired to be otherwise, that the so-called 'posse comitatus' were bent on going into Nauvoo. Ilis command from first to last embraced as many as 800 men, mostly well armed. The Mormons and their allies numbered. as stated in a message of Governor Ford dated December, 1846, at first about 250, but were diminished by desertions and removals before the decisive action took place to about 150.
"After Broekman arrived near the city on the 11th, he sent into Nauvoo a flag of truce, under which he demanded surrender, etc. This was denied and on Saturday, September 12, 1846, there occurred the battle of Nauvoo-a few men were killed and a few wounded, and much ammunition expended. On Sunday, the 13th, some of our citizens who were in Nauvoo the day before the attack was made arrived in Quincy with the news of the event, and this report, with other information received previously, made it evident that the anti- Mormons, under Broekman, would soon again attempt to march into Nauvoo. Some blood having been shed on both sides with no de- cisive results had increased the animosities and, under the conviction that the men under Broekman so greatly outnumbered the other side, that they could and would succeed in going into Nauvoo upon their next attempt. it was believed that, in ease they did so, the result might be considerable loss of life, even extending to women and ehil- dren and the burning of the town.
"The writer meeting the Hon. I. N. Morris near the Court House said to him: 'Now. Mr. Morris is the time for Quiney to act. We should send up to Nauvoo at once a large committee with the hope of preventing another battle, and perhaps save our State from the disgrace resulting from the probable killing of even women and chil- dren in the fight.' 'Singularily enough,' said Mr. Morris, 'I was hunting you for the same object. We should send a committee of one hundred of our best citizens.' 'Yes,' said I. 'all, if you please, anti-Mormons, or those who realize that the Mormons must go soon, if not now. We must try to prevent further bloodshed.'
"So on Sunday, September 13, 1846-I believe that was the date -Mr. Morris and myself went forth through the town and called a meeting at the Court House for that evening. A large number of those notified attended, whose names were written down, and it was agreed and appointed that this committee of one hundred should start out at an early hour next morning for the seat of war. It was understood that they were to go unarmed, and for the purpose of
208
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
negotiating an agreement or treaty between the belligerents so as to prevent further bloodshed, and such disasters as we felt might follow another attempt on the part of Brockman's army to fight its way into Nauvoo. The committee had no thought that they could dietate terms to the parties engaged in the contest. Their main idea and purpose was to stop the war.
ยท
"The committee arrived at a point about two and a half miles cast of Nauvoo on the same or the next day after they left Quincy and encamped; but previously they had sent messengers into Brock- man's camp and into Nauvoo, notifying each party of their coming and of our desire and purpose to act as mediators to prevent further war, and also stating to both sides that we were nnarmed, but anti- Mormons, and offering our services to aid in preventing further bloodshed. Our committee soon after its arrival and encampment appointed two sub-committees, one to visit Brockman's camp outside of the city and the other to visit Nauvoo. The writer served on both committees upon different occasions, and was present in Nauvoo at the final close of negotiations. Our first object was to effeet a sus- pension of hostilities between the parties to allow time for negotia- tions. After some relnetance on the part of the besieging army, we got an agreement for a short suspension of firing, but before we got through some misapprehension occurring firing was again renewed, and in one instance a six-pound shot fell near the Mormon head- quarters whilst some of the committee were in them. Another delay ocenrred in which our sub-committees had to visit each eamp to explain.
"Our committee obtained from Brockman what he proposed. This was objected to by the Nauvoo parties, who sent a counter-proposition which was at onee rejected by Brockman. Our committee then for the first time made out and sent unto each party a proposition; this was aceepted by Nauvoo and rejected by Broekman. The writer then proposed to the committee to come home. In our proposition the Mormons were not to be compelled to remove from Nauvoo imme- diately, but within a short time limit, and not to be hurried off in a day. Our sub-committee was then instructed to go to Brockman and get his ultimatum. When this was received in our camp it was found substantially the same as his first, and was to the effect that the posse comitatus should march into Nauvoo the next day at 12 o'clock M. This ultimatum was finally accepted by the Nauvoo authorities and an agreement or treaty was drawn up by our secretary, Andrew Johnston, Esq., now of Richmond, Virginia. This treaty was first signed by parties at Brockman's camp, but before this could be done the night of the second day after the committee had arrived had set in : but with this treaty one of our sub-committees, consisting of Mr. Johnston, Mr. Morris, Mr. Asbury and one or two others, repaired to the headquarters of the Mormon authorities in Nauvoo. where it was signed by them, and then the dogs of war were called off.
"By this time it was nearly 11 o'clock at night, and one of the
209
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
darkest nights I ever saw, and we found the utmost difficulty mu find- ing our way back to our camp; in fact, we got lost and had to take shelter for the remainder of the night in an old empty house we found in our wanderings. That night was a hard night ; it had rained and turned quite cool. None of us had blankets, and some of us were without cloaks or overcoats. The tardy daylight at length appeared and we returned to camp for breakfast, and about 11 o'clock Brockmia marshalled his hosts and started for Nauvoo, our committee bringing up the rear of the procession, and now, like the little boy, 'had noth- ing to say.'
"On the 15th or 16th, I believe, of September, 1846, when our committee entered Nauvoo with Brockman's forces, we kept together for a time near the headquarters of these forces, and not long after we arrived at the point one or more gentlemen, claiming to be resi- dents of Nauvoo, but not Mormons, stated to our committee that they had been threatened with expulsion by some of the posse under Brock- man, and desired our committee to interpose in their behalf. Some of us went with the men to Broekman's headquarters and stated the complaint, but we were informed that their agreement or treaty had been made with the Mormons alone and that nothing was said about the 'Jaeks:' that they must take care of themselves. No arms werf formally delivered to the committee by the Mormons or others within our knowledge, though I believe some were delivered to the posse : we, as a committee, finding ourselves entirely powerless to interfere with the purposes of those under Broekman's command.
"Before Broekman's army and posse, as it was termed, went into the city, every Mormon had left. We did not see one. I regret that I have not the treaty before me as I write, but, as recollected. nothing was said in it to the effect that the Mormons should leave Nauvoo that day, though it was understood that they should leave the city soon. We witnessed no act of violence or disorder whilst we staid, but find- ing our committee could exereise no influence in any way we left Nauvoo for home. We were only assured by Brockman's officers that in respect to the Mormons the treaty should be faithfully carried out, and I believe it was as to them. When we left, the Mormons were all over the river, at or near Montrose, and it was represented to us that they were in a very destitute condition. Our committee re- solved that upon returning home we should at once set about collect- ing money, clothing and provisions, to be forwarded to these people. T'pon our return home we carried out this resolution by collecting a large sum of money and provisions and clothing, which were sent to them. The citizens of Quincy then made large contributions and did. as when the Mormons first came here, all they could for their relief. "Governor Ford, in a report made to the House of Representatives in relation to the difficulties in Hancock County, dated Springfield. December 7. 1846, among other things, speaking of the Quiney con- mittee, says: 'At last, through the intervention of an anti-Mormon committee from Quincy, the Mormons were indneed to submit to such Vol. 1-14
210
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
terms as the posse chose to dietate, which were, among others, that the Mormons should immediately give up their arms to the Quiney committee and remove from the State. The trustees of the Mormon Church and their clerks were permitted to remain for the sale of Mormon property, and the posse were to march in unmolested, and leave a sufficient force to guarantee the execution of their stipulation.'
"In this statement the Governor was mistaken in saying that the Mormons were, through the intervention of our committee, indueed to submit to sueh terms as the posse might dictate. The Quiney eom- mittee went to Nauvoo unarmed, taking no part in the fight. They were, however, convinced when they left Quiney that there could be no peaee in Hancock County so long as the Mormons remained, but they had no part in fixing the terms of the treaty. Their proposition had been rejected by Broekman's party and posse, but they did not further urge their views on either party. The Mormon authorities signed the treaty, no doubt wisely thinking that it was the best they could do. The writer then believed, and now believes, that the Quiney committee by their intervention and, if you please, their wise poliey, prevented the loss of many lives. The Brockman party was de- termined to march into Nauvoo. The Nauvoo forces, though small in numbers, were courageously desperate, and a desperate fight would have ensued. The overpowering forces of the posse would have in- sured their vietory, but not without the loss of many men on each side, and perhaps the destruction of the town itself."
MEXICAN WAR AND ADAMS COUNTY VICTIMS
The Quiney Riflemen and part of the Irish company were in the war with Mexico and their participation was far from a holiday affair. More than one soldierly death eame to the men, and they were proud to bravely uphold the American spirit; which is to be peaee- able when you can, but to strike with a lightning might when you must strike at all. Previous to the departure of the riflemen the citizens of Quiney presented swords to Capt. J. D. Morgan and Lieut. B. M. Prentiss. On Wednesday morning, June 14, 1846, the command, which was ninety-six strong (including the officers mentioned, and Second Lieut. W. Y. Henry), marehed to the steamboat landing, where a large crowd was gathered to bid them farewell. Alton was the rendezvous, and they were the seventh company received into the serviee there. On the 26th of the following month the First Regiment of Illinois Volunteers was organized, with John J. Hardin as colonel, and the Quincy Riflemen became Company A of that command. In August they were with other American troops at Matagorda Bay and at onee marched twelve miles to Camp Irwin; thenee, as a unit, the regiment continued to San Antonio, 170 miles in 51 hours, and on the 24th marched into town and saluted General Wool at his head- quarters. Soon afterward the Quiney Riflemen gave an exhibition drill on the publie square, which is said to have fully upheld the
-
211
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
reputation which they had already earned of being the best disciplined company in the regiment.
In September First Lieut. B. M. Prentiss was elected captain of Company I, in place of Captain Dickey, resigned, and W. Y. Henry was advanced to the first lieutenaney of Company G. On the 10th of October the re-christened Rifles first put foot on Mexican soil. Until carly in the following smumer they were chiefly engaged in garrison duty at Saltillo, about three miles north of the Buena Vista battle- field and therefore were not privileged to engage in that historie contest of February. 1847. so disastrous to the vastly superior force of Mexicans. A number of privates died of disease in the striet line of military duty-as honorable a self-sacrifiee as though made on the battlefield. Col. John J. Hardin was killed in the famous charge at Buena Vista. On June 17, 1847. the company was mustered out. paid off, supplied with fifteen days' rations, and took the steamer Del Norte on the Rio Grande for Quiney, United States of America.
The Picket Guard was a little paper printed in Saltillo by members of the battalion formed by companies A and I, commanded as a whole hy Colonel Warren and as nits by Captains Morgan and Prentiss : and when it was known that the garrison was to be sent home the citizens of the place held a meeting, reported at length in the Gnard. protesting against thus being deprived of their efficient protectors. But the military authorities decided that the men should go home and, it is needless to say, the soldiers rejoiced accordingly.
In addition to Captain Morgan's Company, a number of Quiney men were indneed to enlist by Timothy Kelly, most of them having heen members of the old Irish Company. Withont flags or swords that plneky fragment of twelve departed early in the war for Alton, were consolidated with Captain Denteh's Company from Kendall and Madison companies and assigned to the Second Illinois Regiment. After arriving in Texas an election was held at San Antonio, and Peter Lott, of Quiney, was chosen captain and Timothy Kelly, second lieutenant, of what had been designated as Company E. As part of the Second Regiment, the company marched across Texas and crossed the Rio Grande at Presidio. Both took an honorable part in the battle of Buena Vista. Lientenant Kelly and Private Thomas O'Con- ners being killed in action. On the 19th of June. 1847. the company was mastered out at Camargo and started for home, the remains of Kelly and O'Conners being conveyed to Quiney for interment.
THE CIVIL WAR
The period of the War of the Rebellion first brought home to the people of Adams County. as of every other county in the United States, the horrors of warfare in their complete intensity up to that time. From the date of the great Union mass-meeting held in Quincy AApril 17. 1861. while the echoes of the Fort Sumter bombardment were still rolling through the country, until the surrender of the last
.
GROUP OF CIVIL WAR VOLUNTEERS (FIFTIETH ILLINOIS INFANTRY)
213
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
strong defense of the Confederacy at Appomattox, that section of the state was in the front ranks of promptly enlisted men and brave officers. The foregoing is no general tigure of speech, without sub- stantial foundation in fact, for the report of the adjutant general of the state, J. N. Haynie, published after the war, shows that Adams County sent to the front 5,173 men; no other counties in the state exceeding it except Cook and LaSalle which were much more populous, the former more than three-fold.
Adams County formed one of the five counties in what was then the Fourth Congressional District. In 1860 their population was as follows: Adams, 41,144 ; Hancock, 29,041 : Henderson, 9,499 ; Mer- cer. 15,037 : Rock Island, 20,981. Total, 115,720; average population, 23.172. As stated, Adams sent into the war 5,173 men; Hancock, 3,272; Henderson, 1,330; Mercer. 1,620; Rock Island, 2,099. Total for the congressional district, 13.494, and average for each of the five counties, 2,698. It will therefore be seen how far Adams County "went over the top"-an expression then unknown, but brought by the world's war into the cosmopolitan English language.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.