USA > Missouri > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Missouri : carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri ; the Constitution of the United States, and State of Missouri ; a military record of its volunteers in either army of the Great Civil War ; general and local statistics ; miscellany ; reminiscences, grave, tragic and humorous ; biographical sketches of prominent men and citizens identified with the interests of the country > Part 29
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The settlers consulted among themselves, and the best among them con- cluded that there was but one of two courses to.pursue-either to give up the country to the Mormons or force the Mormons to give up the coun- try to them. It was determined to hold a public meeting at Carrollton to
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determine what should be done. Accordingly several hand-bills were written by Alex. C. Blackwell, then a young Virginian who had lately become a citizen of the county and was known as the possessor of scho- lastic attainments very superior in extent in that day. These bills or pla- cards, were posted up in various public places in the county and called on the people to assemble at the court house, in the county clerk's office, in Carrollton on the second Saturday in July, 1838, to take into considera- tion the condition of public affairs and take such measures as should be deemed necessary for the general welfare of the community.
Upon the day appointed a large. number of the citizens of the county were in attendance. The object of the meeting and the situation were explained in a short speech by Dr. W. W. Austin, who was chosen chair- man. A. C. Blackwell was the secretary. There was very full and free discussion. Speeches were made by. Rev, Abbott Hancock, Sarshel Woods, Joseph Dickson, Hiram Wilcoxson, Wm. Crockett, James Stand- ley, Wm. Beatty, Roland Adkins, E. J. Rea, Saml. Williams, W. W. Aus- tin, Jr., Judge John Standley, and John Smart. After a full interchange and expression of opinion and a due consideration of the danger and responsibility attending an attempt to drive the Mormons from the county, the meeting adjourned to re-assemble on the following Saturday.
By the next meeting the interest had increased to such an extent that but comparatively a small-number. could .gain. admittance to the room where the deliberations were had, while the doors and windows were crowded, and the court house yard was filled with persons anxious to hear and take part in the proceedings. Both in and out of doors great enthusi- asm was manifested, and the almost universal sentiment was expressed for an advance on the Mormon settlement. " Onto De Witt," was the general acclaim.
There being a considerable number of Mormons in the county, fanat- ical, and as blindly devoted to their leaders as the early Mohammedans were to their prophet, it was thought advisable to ask assistance from the nighboring counties before undertaking their expulsion. After an exciting and earnest discussion in the assembly, a committee was appointed com- posed of A. C. Blackwell, Dr. W. W. Austin, and Hiram Wilcoxson, to correspond with the citizens of Howard, Saline, Chariton, Ray, and Clay counties, in order to ascertain the extent of assistance to be depended upon from them in case the forcible expulsion of the Mormons was deter- mined upon. A further proposition was adopted, that at the general election to come off on the first Monday in August, the clerk be requested to rule two columns on the poll book, to be headed the one "for " and the other "against " the Mormons, so that the sentiment of the whole people of the county on the question might be arrived at. The meeting then adjourned to the Saturday after the election.
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Upon casting the poll books only six or eight votes were found to have been given in favor of the mormons. Upon the re-assembling of the meet- ing, the corresponding committee read letters from prominent citizens of several counties, giving assurance of ample assistance when called upon.
The majority of the people assembled were quite jubilant, and were anxious to proceed at once against DeWitt and the hated Mormons. It was thought best, however, by the coolor and wiser heads, to send a com- mittee to formally notify Col. Hinkle, the leader of the Mormons at De Witt, of the course which had been determined on by the citizens, of the assist- ance proffered by 'their neighbors, and of the desire that the Mormons would abandon the country without a fight or the shedding of blood.
The committee appointed to confer with the Mormons was composed of Rev. Sarshel Woods, Samuel Williams, and A. C. Blackwell. Sarshel Woods was chairman. On the following Monday.the committee visited DeWitt. Col. Hinkle had been appraised of their coming, and of the nature of their errand, and had a number of men armed and drilled and formed into a military company. This company turned out, and the com- missioners passed along down its line, at the lower end of which stood Hinkle, who, upon the approach of the committee, and being informed of the desires and intentions of the Gentile citizens of the county, drew his sword, and flourishing it in the air in a very boisterous manner, declared that he and his people were prepared and determined to fight to the last, before they would submit to being chased out of the county for no cause save their peculiar religion; he also declared that he would destroy all who attempted their removal. To this piece of vaporing Rev. Woods, always cool and deliberate, and now especially so, replied: O, Colonel, put up your sword. I am an old pioneer; I have heard the Indians yell, the wolves howl, and the owls hoot, and I am not alarmed at such demon- strations."
Negotiations led to no agreement, for Hinkle was obstreperous, and would listen to no conditions that involved his leaving De Witt and Car- roll county. He was backed by all his followers who assured him that they would stand by him to the last, with the last dollar, and the last drop of blood. The committee thereupon returned and notified the citizens of their failure to accomplish anything. Preparations were immediately made for an attack on De Witt. Rifles and shot guns were put in order, bullets run, and cartridges made. It was determined that there should be no child's play in the affair to come off.
Before the day arrived, which had been set for the attack on De Witt, however, troubles with the Mormons broke out in Daviess county, and the people of Carroll were called upon to aid.in their expulsion fromthat county. The counties of Livingston, adjoining Daviess, and Saline, a far away neighbor responded. Captain. Singleton Vaughn's company, of
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the latter county, did efficient service throughout the troubles. A detach- ment of the Carroll and Saline forces marched to the scene of trouble, and camped two nights near the old block house on Splawn's ridge, built by Gen. Jno. B. Clark, during the Black Hawk war. The second day camp was moved to a place called by the Mormons "Diamon," near where they claimed to have discovered the burial place of Father Adam. This is now called Cravensville. Here the arrival of Gen. David R. Atchison, afterwards U. S. Senator, with about 500 men prevented an attack on the Mormons, and possibly a bloody conflict. Col. Lyman Wight, in com- mand of the Mormon forces, finding that further resistance against such a superior force would be madness surrendered to Gens. Atchison, and Doniphan who turned the prisoners over to the civil authorities. Judge Austin A. King, convened his court under a large oak tree, there being no court house at Diamon, about three miles from Gallatin, which had been burned by the Mormons, as had several other houses belonging to the Gentiles. Campbell's Gazetter, p. 187.
The mission of the Carroll county troops being ended, they, together with Singleton Vaughn's company of Saline county men, returned to Carroll county on the 9th of September, and went into camp at Pleasant Park, near De Witt. The next morning another deputation visited Hin- kle, and informed him that he had ten days in which to leave the county peaceably and without molestation. At the end of. that time, if the Mor- mons were still in the county, he was assured that hostilities would begin, and upon his head would fall the responsibility. Hinkle very coolly replied that he would not leave, and that he was ready for hostilities whenever it should please the Gentiles to begin them. He added, "and if you attack us you will meet with a very warm reception."
In the meantime Mormon recruits, by land and water, were pouring into De Witt, until not only every house in the place was occupied, but wagons and tents completely filled the timber below the town. Services were regularly held and the people joined in them with great fervor and devotion, seeming every day strengthened in the belief that their religion was the only true one. The majority of the Mormons were in humble circumstances, a few were the possessors of considerable means, some were very poor, but all were zealous.
Notice had been sent to the other counties that an attack was to be made on De Witt on the 20th of September, and that their services would be gratefully accepted. Saline county was the first to respond. Capts. Vaughn and Wolfskill were promptly on hand with their companies of "bear hunters." On the 21st of September there were about 150 of the citizens of Carroll and Saline counties in camp near the residence of Mr. Cross, all anxious to be led against the Mormons. All being ready the forces left camp and reached a position west of the main town, in the
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heavy timber, near the present residence of Dr. James L. Logan. The plan of attack was to form in regular order, and move down the road to the main town. One of the men, Mr. A. Clinkscales, stepped down the hill to a spring for water. As he was returning to his company he was ordered to halt, and fired upon by the Mormons from the brush. The attacking party was soon convinced that the enemy was nearer than was supposed. While the officers were examining the brush and the neigh- boring grounds, the Mormons fired a volley from the hollow below. Some temporary breastworks had been thrown up, and the fire was returned. No injury was done to either party. Advancing thirty or forty steps, the set- tlers could plainly see a man passing to and fro among the Mormons, encour- aging the men to stand firm and giving directions to shoot low. A steady fire was maintained. The Mormon bullets began to take a lower range, and the attacking troops could see the bark falling from the trees, just above their heads. Nevertheless, they became animated with the sport and no serious casualty occurred till a Mr. Williams, a member of the Saline county company, was struck by a passing ball. He had just fired his gun, and had stepped aside to reload. He was an inveterate tobacco chewer, and was in the habit of constantly keeping a quid between his under lip and teeth. A small ball from the enemy entired the right side of his lip, and coming out on the left, carried with it the unfortunate chew of tobacco, without breaking the skin in front of the mouth. Williams immediately clapped his hand to his mouth and exclaimed to his comrade, Jesse Ferrill, also a Saline county man: "Some fellow has shot my chin off." Ferrill replied: "Well, shoot his d-d nose off, and you'll be even with him."
After due reconnoisance of the Mormon position, it was thought advis- able not to charge the works, and a call was made for several sharp- shooters to step forward and silence the Morman officer behind the brush who could plainly be heard encouraging his men to stand their ground. Thomas C. Matthews, a settler named Arterburn, and Richard W. Hill, of Carroll, and Jesse Ferrill, of Saline, came forward and moved up about forty teet, to a position where a good view could be obtained, and from which they sent a volley into the Mormon works. The officer who had been displaying so much activity, was seen to leap from his position and press his hand to his side. Soon afterward the whole force of Mormons evacuated the works and fled to some log houses in which they found themselves comparatively secure from attack, or if attacked they were quite able to defend themselves.
The Carroll county forces likewise returned to their camp for the pur- pose of awaiting re-enforcements. Volunteers from Ray, Clay and How- ard counties soon arrived. Hiram Wilcoxen was sent to Jackson county for a piece of artillery, which it was designed to use in battering down the
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houses. As some days would elapse before the return, every precaution was taken in the meantime to cut of and turn back the Mormon emi- grants who still continued to re-enforce De Witt. Capt. Wolfskill's com- pany of Saline men were stationed at Cross's Ferry to prevent any cross- ing at that point, and afterward a part of it went up to Compton's Ferry, to turn back the Mormons there, who were seeking to join the main body at Far West. Picket posts were also established at various other points for the same purpose.
Affairs now began to wear a serious aspect. The volunteers were set to work at various military employments. Some were detailed to cut down and hew timber, to be used in the construction of a battery, others prepared cartridges, and still others cut up log-chains and rod iron and prepared cartridges of heavy nails to be used as grape and cannister when the cannon should arrive.
From one of the citizens the position of the main Mormon picket post was learned. Its capture was resolved upon. Capt. Joseph Ewing, of Ray county, volunteered to take a squad of men and march quietly to the Mormon post for the purpose of capturing it and the "relief" when.it should come around. He left camp about 9 o'clock at night on his expedi- tion. Some citizens had come into the camp that evening, learned what was going on, and determined to assist in the enterprise. They procured the countersign for the night, which was "Hinkle," the name of the Mormon leader. These citizens were Hardin Simpson, James Walden, John J. Fristoe, Sampson Gentry, and Zebulon Gay. Positive orders had been issued by Col. Austin that none but the sentinels on duty should have the countersign, but in less than an hour it was known all over camp so lax was the discipline and of so little importance was the injunction of secrecy regarded. Simpson and party, by a route well known to them, made their way to and arrived at the Mormon post in advance of Capt. Ewing. When the latter arrived he mistook the citizens for Mormons and fired upon them. Sampson Gentry was struck and badly wounded. The others escaped unhurt, though the bullets from Ewing's party came unpleasantly close to all of them. As soon as possible the citizens lustily cried out, " Hinkle! Hinkle!" "Don't fire," etc. Whereupon Capt. Ewing recognized them as being friends and stopped firing. It so chanced that when the firing began the Mormon relief was approaching to relieve the sentries, and, being within earshot and hearing what sub- sequently passed took the alarm and by proper precautions escaped the fate intended for them. Thus Ewing's well laid plan failed, through the offi- ciousness of a few persons, who may have meant ever so well, but acted ever so badly. There was some chagrin among the citizens upon the unsuccessful termination of Capt. Ewing's adventure, and great rejoicing
D
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among the Mormons who looked upon it as an interposition of the Lord in their behalf.
The third morning the attacking force had increased to four or five hundred men; and several gentlemen of military experience were in camp. Dr. W. W. Austin, who had been acting as brigadier in the cam- paign, was anxious to make achange in view of the altered circumstances of the expedition. An election was held, and Col. Congreve Jackson was chosen brigadier; and Commander Ebenezer Price, of Clay county, colonel; Singleton Vaughn, lieutenant colonel, and Sarshel Woods, major. The brigade was now organized, and the discipline improved. The wants of the army were supplied by the liberality of the residents around De Witt. Mr. Cross turned over to the army a field of thirty acres in corn, and every day sent a beef to the camp. Other citizens sent in baked bread and cooked meats. Roland Adkins, better known in camp as Uncle Roland, who owned the only horse mill east of Carrollton, kept the camp supplied with meal and flour, and when the day came for an attack on the enemy was also found in camp ready to take a hand in the fight. . He had been in the Daviess county campaign, and though an old man never shrank from any duty. He is now numbered with the dead, like a majority of the old pioneers, who made up the bone and sinew of the county.
Mr. Wilcoxson arrived in due time with the cannon which he had pro- cured in Jackson county, and which he brought with him on a wagon he had hired for the purpose. At Elkhorn, in Ray county, where he was obliged to stay over night, he found a Scotchman who had seen several years of artillery service in the British army, and whom he brought along to the seat of the war. The materials for the carriage had already been prepared and the cannon was soon mounted. 'Captain McMurtry, of near Carrollton, is the only one now living, who served as artillery-man in the campaign. The arrival of the cannon was hailed with satisfaction, as it was thought to be destined to play an important part in a settlement of the difficulties.
The forces had now been confronting each other for nine days, and the tenth was expected to decide the issue one way or another. On the even- ing of the ninth day, Judge James Earickson and Wm. F. Dunnica, of Howard county, reached the citizens' camp, and asked permission to inter- cede with a view of settling the difficulties without bloodshed. After two hours consultation on the part of the officers and prominent citizens from Clay, Saline, and Ray counties, it was agreed that Judge Earickson might make to the Mormons the following proposition: The citizens of the county to purchase from the Mormons at first cost their lots in De Witt and one or two small tracts of land adjoing the town; the Mormons, in return, to pay for all stock killed by them that belonged to the citizens; the
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wagons of the Mormons to be loaded during the night, and ready to move by ten o'clock next morning, and that no further attempts at settlement in Carrol county be made on their part.
The judge thought the terms rather stringent, but as the best he could do, undertook the mission, and was soon in the Mormon camp, and in consultation with Gen. Hinkle. He informed the Mormon leader of the conditions, and that the troubles could be ended without any further diffi- culty, if he would accept them. Hinkle was very indignant, and declared that he would rather die on the hill than to accede to such propositions. Judge Earickson replied:
"These are the best terms I could get."
"Did you try to get any better?" asked Gen. Hinkle.
"I did not, for it would have been of no use. A large majority of the men in camp think that these terms are even too liberal. If you do not accept them the responsibility will rest on your own head. If you are determined to fight it out you must move the women and children to a place of safety, for the battle will begin in the morning, and I will not be answerable for their safety. There is no telling what will happen."
Hinkle seemed affected by the statement that the women and children were in such imminent peril, and asked Earickson if he thought the citi- zens could be induced to go home and allow the Mormons to remain until. spring, when, if the citizens still insisted upon it, they would all leave. " Will you present this proposition to them?" asked Hinkle.
"I will not," replied Earickson; "it is useless. My duties as intercessor are at end, if you do not accept the conditions I have brought."
"I will not accept them," replied Hinkle.
" Perhaps you may in the morn," rejoined the judge; "I will wait and see."
Accordingly he was furnished with comfortable quarters for the night.
Nothwithstanding the citizens thought they had the Mormon camp securely invested, a little after dark Col. Lyman Wright, with about 100 well armed Mormons, reached DeWitt, and strengthened Hinkle in the belief that he could hold his ground.
The whole proceedings on the part of the citizens, having been irregu- lar and unlawful, could not be countenanced or endorsed by the authori- ties, and Gen. Parks, commander of the militia district, had sent two com- panies from Ray county to keep the peace between the contending par- ties. These companies were then encamped at Carrollton. They were immediately notified of the arrival of Wright's forces at De Witt, and were also urgently requested to move down to the scene of action. The truth was, every man of this force sympathized with the citizens, and was prepared to aid them when the time came.
Judge Earickson called upon Hinkle and asked for another conference
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with the principal Mormons. This was granted, and upon assembling the judge pointed out to them the imminent peril in which they were placed. If the blood of but one citizen should be shed, or, at least, if but one life was taken, there could be no estimate made of the number of Mormons that would be slain in revenge. "Furthermore," said Judge E., "I can- not tell what may happen to your women and children. The sentiment of the people is against you to such an extent that they are determined to drive you from the state, or exterminate you, as they certainly have the power to do."
There was a diversity of opinion among the Mormons. Gen. Hinkle began to consider the force of Judge Earickson's statements. Lyman Wright was opposed to any surrender, and anxious to fight it out. "We have done nothing to provoke an attack," said he, "and all this proceed- ing and persecution has been stimulated by preachers like Sarshel Woods and Abbott Hancock, who teach hellish doctrines and encourage hellish practices."
While these negotiations were in progress, a party of Mormons, with- out the knowledge or consent of Hinkle, set out to surprise the citizens' camp and make a night attack upon it. The enterprise was urged by Wright's men, from Far West. During the stay of the citizens in camp, every evening the cattle of Mr. Cross would come home and pass along by the citizens' camp. On this particular evening they did not make their appearance.
About 10 or 11 o'clock the sound of a cow-bell was heard. Some of the old pioneers and frontiersmen were suspicious, and warned their com- rades that an attempt was being made to play a ruse of war upon them, commenting particularly upon the fact that the bell was approaching from the wrong direction. Nearer and nearer came the bell, and at last one of the pickets, Mr. W. T. Rush, heard a hushed voice say: "We must be near the guards; let us wait for the relief." Rush fired at the point from which the sound proceeded, then dropped under the bank of the creek. While awaiting developments he heard a voice say: "Don't leave me, boys."
In a few seconds thereafter the citizens' camp was encircled with a stream of fire from the Mormon side, and this fusilade was kept up for some 25 or 30 minutes. The citizens formed in great haste and returned the fire. They were formed on the level ground in front of the Mormon position, and returned the fire with great deliberation and coolness, but perhaps without execution, owing to the darkness and the inequalities of the ground. The Mormons soon retired. Pickets kept a sharp look-out during the night, expecting another sortie, but none was made.
The next morning, on examining the scene of the conflict the night before, a heavy sword was found at the point where Mr. Rush heard the
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voices. This weapon must have been manufactured in a common black- smith shop, but it was well finished, and if it had been wielded by a strong arm would easily have cut a man in two.
This unexpected attack upon the settlers greatly incensed. them, and they demanded to be immediately led against their foes. It was resolved on the part of Gen. Jackson and his brother officers to. storm and carry the Mormon position the next morning, at all hazards. A plan of battle was adopted and all preparations made. Col. Singleton Vaughn, with the Saline county men, was to attack the town from the east; Col. Price was to advance from the west, and Gen. Jackson, with the artillery, was to make a direct assault on the center.
The squadrons were all set-the men were in line-every man looked well to the priming of his gun-and all anxiously awaited the command to advance. A messenger was ready to leave to notify Judge Earickson of what had been agreed upon, and to notify the Mormon leaders to move the women and children, and other non-combatants, to a place of safety. Just at this moment the judge himself arrived, and announced that Hinkle had accepted the terms, and that if the citizens should send commissioners to treat with the Mormons, and settle the manner in which the property should be paid for, they would be received and respectfully treated.
The troops were sent back to their quarters, and a meeting of officers was held at headquarters, and Dr. W. W. Austin, A. Hancock, and A. C. Blackwell were appointed commissioners on the part of Carroll county, and Col. Vaughn, David Walker, and Benjamin Cooper, on the part of Saline. The latter county had taken an active part all through the trou- bles, and it was thought she should be represented on the commission. Col. Hinkle received his visitors in a friendly manner. He announced that he had chosen Judge Earickson, William D. Swinney, and W. F. Dun- nica, of Howard county, to represent the Mormons, and he desired the commissioners to meet in Glasgow as soon as information could be obtained of the amount of damage done. The Mormons were already busy loading wagons and packing goods, and when the commissioners saw the distress of the women and children their sympathies were aroused, and it is said that' both Austin and Hancock, both of whom had been firmly determined to drive away the Mormons at all hazards, shed tears at the evidences of suffering. Dr. Austin had been at first friendly disposed toward the Mor- mons. When they first settled in the county, they often came to his hos- pitable mansion for provisions, feed, etc., and he supplied them, without money and without price. At last they came to demanding of him what they wanted; and on one occasion some leading Mormons told him that all he had was rightfully theirs anyhow; that the Lord had given them this country, with all that it contained, and that what he and his neighbors possessed was the property of the Mormon people; that it would be only
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