USA > Missouri > Caldwell County > History of Clinton and Caldwell Counties, Missouri > Part 17
USA > Missouri > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Caldwell Counties, Missouri > Part 17
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"L. W. BOGGS, "Governor and Commander in Chief. "To General Clark."
Great excitement now prevailed and mobs were heard of in every direc- tion who seemed determined to do all the damage possible. They burned houses, and took all the stock they could find, destroyed corn fields and took many prisoners from the Mormons and threatened death to all of them.
The forces mobilized under the command of Gen. John B. Clark are said to have been about 2,500 men and went into camp on Log Creek on the road leading from Richmond to Far West, on Monday the 29th of October, 1838. General Lucas was ordered to go into camp on Goose Creek one mile south of Far West with the troops under his command.
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The Mormons had thrown up a line of breatworks about the city and prepared to withstand and give battle to the forces encamped around about them, they having a force estimated at about 800 men.
On the afternoon of the next day, Oct. 30, 1838, occurred what is known as the "Haun's Mill Massacre" and rivals for fiendish cruelty the massacre of the whites by Indians in the early history of the country. It must be remembered that John D. Lee was at Far West during this period and he later, at "Mountain Meadows Massacre" in Utah, retaliated by wiping out an entire emigrant train in a most diabolical fashion, slaying many more than were killed in the Haun's Mill affair.
Jacob Haun had built a mill on the north bank of Shoal Creek in the eastern part of the county, in Fairview township (on northwest quarter of northeast quarter, sec. 17-56-26) and a small hamlet had sprung up there consisting of perhaps twenty families, with perhaps a half dozen houses, a blacksmith shop, and some living in tents and covered wagons, having recently come into the county. Doubtless others had come to this little settlement for safety. They also learned that the state militia had been ordered out to expel them and following this news was that a con. siderable number of men were gathering in Livingston County and pre- paring to attack them. A company of 30 men, poorly armed with shot guns and squirrel rifles was organized and David Evans, a Danite, was chosen captain and it was determined to defend the place.
Some of the older men, learning that the force organized against them numbered perhaps several hundred, urged that no resistance be made but that they should retreat to Far West. Jacob Haun came to Far West to consult the Prophet concerning the removal of the Mormons from Shoal Creek and was told to move in by all means. However, Haun said that if they left their homes all of their property would be lost and the Gentiles would burn their houses and other buildings. Smith told him that it would be better to lose their property than their lives, but Haun thought they could protect and defend themselves and so they remained in the ill-fated settlement.
North of Haun's Mill, a short distance, was a body of timber and brush, and north of this for several miles was prairie. For a day or two Captain Evans kept a picket post in the northern edge of the timber but having entered into a truce with Captain Comstock, who commanded one of the Livingston County companies, and no other enemy appearing, this was withdrawn. This truce was to the effect that so long as each was
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peaceable there was to be no warlike move made on either hand. The Mormons agreed to disband their force if the Gentiles would do likewise, and it is claimed this was agreed to. But the Mormons heard that an- other force in Livingston County under the command of Capt. William Mann, was threatening them, and they did not disband.
The Gentile force in Livingston County, numbering about 200 men was under the command of Col. Wm. O. Jennings. Learning that the Mormons at Haun's Mill had not disbanded, and yielding to the universal demand of his troops, who were eager to fight on any pretext, he set out for Haun's Mill on the afternoon of Oct. 30, intending to attack and cap- ture Haun's Mill and encamp there that night. Jennings .entered the tim- ber and unobserved passed up to the very borders of the hamlet, with Captain Comstock's company in advance. The greater portion of the Mormons were unsuspicious of imminent danger and the women and chil- dren were scattered about. Nearly every house contained two or more families. Two or three houses on the south bank of the creek were thus occupied. The blacksmith shop, a structure of logs, with wide cracks between them, and a large door, had been prepared in some measure as a fort or block-house for the protection of the place.
About four o'clock in the afternoon, of that warm and beautiful Indian summer day, suddenly out of the timber the enemy burst with wild shouts and shots and the fight began. It lasted very briefly for the Mor- mons were thrown into confusion and many of them ran aimlessly about seeking shelter. The women and children screamed in excitement and terror and most of them, directed by the men, ran across the mill dam to the south bank and sought shelter in the timber. Perhaps half the men, led by Evans, ran with their guns to the blacksmith shop and began to return the fire of the militia. Some were shot down attempting to escape or seeking shelter. The fire of the Mormons was wild and ineffective, while that of the militia was accurate and deadly. The cracks between the logs were so wide that the building offered little protection and seeing that he was at a disadvantage Captain Evans ordered a retreat and directed every man to take care of himself. The door was opened, and all who were able to leave rushed out and sought to make their escape to the timber. Some were shot before reaching shelter and the militia fired on them so long as they were in range, but did not pursue them as all scattered in different directions. After the engagement was over the hamlet was rifled and much property carried away. Colonel Jennings did
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not remain at Haun's Mill to exceed an hour and a half, but set out on his return to his former camp.
The names of those killed as given by the records of the Mormon Church are as follows:
Thos. McBride Alex Campbell Hiram Abbott
Levi N. Merrick Geo. S. Richards John York
Elias Benner Wm. Napier John Lee
Josiah Fuller
Augustine Harmer John Byers
Benj. Lewis Simon Cox Warren Smith
Sardis Smith, aged 10 and Chas. Merrick, aged 9 years.
Those wounded were as follows:
Isaac Laney Wm. Yoakum
Jacob Potts
Nathan K. Knight
Tarlton Lewis Chas. Jimison
Jacob Myers®
Jacob Haun John Walker
George Myers
Jacob Foutz
Alma Smith, aged 7
Mary Stedwell, shot through hand while running to woods.
It is said that Jennings had only three men wounded and none killed, indicating by this that it was a one-sided fight and that the militia wan- tonly destroyed an almost helpless little village.
The militia soon left the pitiful scene. They gave no attention to the wounded men and the bodies of the slain were left as they fell. The widows and orphans came timidly back as soon as the men had left and spent that night alone with their dead. The next morning the bodies of the dead required immediate burial because of the summer temperature and as there were not enough men able to dig graves, the bodies were gathered up, the women assisting, and borne one at a time and deposited in a large unfinished well. Then a layer of hay or straw was used for a shroud and the gastly pile was covered with dirt as best they could.
Colonel Jennings made the attack on Haun's Mill on his own respon- sibility, without orders from Governor Boggs, or other superior officer, although it is said that the Governor fully approved what was done afterward.
In the history of Joseph Smith in the Millenial Star of Aug. 12, 1854, writing of this event he says:
"For the history of this day at Hawn's Mills, on Shoal Creek, I quote the following affidavit of Elder Joseph Young, first president of the seventies-
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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND CALDWELL COUNTIES
After telling of his coming from Kirtland, Ohio, and his arrival in Missouri and coming to Whitney's Mills, on Shoal Creek, in the eastern part of Caldwell County, he continues :
"After crossing the creek and going about three miles, we met a party of the mob, about 40 in number, armed with rifles, and mounted on horses, who informed us that we could go no further west, threatening us with instant death if we proceeded any further. I asked them the reason of this prohibition ; to which they replied, that we were Mormons; that every one who adhered to our religious faith would have to leave the state in 10 days, or renounce their religion. Accordingly, they drove us back to the mills above mentioned.
"On Sunday, twenty-cighth October, we arrived, about 12 o'clock, at Hawn's Mills, where we found a number of our friends collected together, who were holding a council, and deliberating upon the best course for them to pursue, to defend themselves against the niob, who were collecting ill the neighborhood, under the command of Colonel Jennings, of Livingston, and threatening them with house burning and killing. The decision of the council was, that our friends should place themselves in an attitude of defense. Accordingly, about 28 of our men armed themselves, and were in constant readiness for an attack of any small body of men that might come down upon them.
"The same evening, for some reason, best known to themselves, the mob sent one of their number into a treaty with our friends, which was accepted, on the condition of mutual forbearance on both sides, and that each party, as far as their influence extended, should exert themselves to prevent any further hostilities upon either party.
"At this time, however, there was another mob collecting on Grand River, at William Man's, who was threatening us, consequently we re- mained under arms.
"Monday passed without molestation from any quarter.
"On Tuesday, the 30th, that bloody tragedy was enacted, the scenes of which I shall never forget. More than three-fourths of the day had passed in tranquility, as smiling as the preceding one. I think there was no individual of our company that was apprised of the sudden and awful fate that hung over our heads like an overwhelming torrent, which was to change the prospects, feelings, and circumstances of about 30 families. The banks of Shoal Creek teemed on either side with children sporting and playing, while their mothers were engaged in domestic employments, and their fathers employed in guarding the mills and other property, while others were engaged in gathering their crops for their winter consump-
(16)
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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND CALDWELL COUNTIES
tion. The weather was very pleasant, the sun shone clear, all was tranquil, and no one expressed any apprehension of the awful crisis that was near us-even at our doors.
"It was about 4 o'clock, while sitting in my cabin with my babe in my arms, and my wife standing by my side, I cast my eyes on the opposite bank of Shoal Creek, and saw a large company of armed men, on horses, directing their course toward the mills with all possible speed. As they advanced through the scattering trees that stood on the edge of the prairie, they seemed to form themselves into a three-square position, form- ing a vanguard in front.
"At this moment David Evans, seeing the superiority of numbers (there being 240 of them according to their own account) swung his hat and cried for peace. This not being heeded, they continued to advance, and their leader, Mr. Nemiah Comstock, filed a gun, which was followed by a solemn pause of 10 or 12 seconds, when, all at once, they discharged about 100 rifles, aiming at a blacksmith shop, into which our friends had fled for safety, and charged up to the shop, the cracks of which between the logs were sufficiently large to enable them to aim directly at the bodies of those who had there fled for refuge from the fire of their mur- derers. There were several families tented in the rear of the shop, whose lives were exposed, and amidst a shower of bullets fled to the woods in different directions.
"After standing and gazing on this bloody scene for a few minutes, and finding myself in the uttermost dangers, the bullets having reached the house where I was living, I committed my family to the protection of heaven, and leaving the house on the opposite side, I took a path which led up the hill, following the trail of three of my brethren that had fled from the shop. While ascending the hill we were discovered by the mob, who immediately fired at us, and continued to do so until we reached the summit. In descending the hill I secreted myself in a thicket of bushes, where I lay till 8 o'clock in the evening, at which time I heard a female voice calling my name in an understone, telling me that the mob had gone and there was no danger. I immediately left the thicket, and went to the house of Benjamin Lewis, where I found my family (who had fled there) in safety, and two of my friends mortally wounded, one of whom died before morning. Here we passed the painful night in deep and awful reflections on the scenes of the preceding evening.
"After daylight appeared, some four or five men, with myself, who had escaped with our lives from the horrid massacre, repaired as soon as
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possible to the mills, to learn the condition of our friends, whose fate we had but too truly anticipated. When we arrived at the house of Mr. Haun, we found Mr. Merrick's body lying in the rear of the house, Mr. McBride's in front, literally mangled from head to foot. We were in- formed by Miss Rebecca Judd, who was an eye witness, that he was shot with his own gun, after he had given it up, and then cut to pieces with a corn cutter by a Mr. Rogers, of Daviess County, who keeps a ferry on Grand River, and who has since repeatedly boasted of this act of savage barbarity. Mr. York's body we found in the house, and after viewing these corpses, we immediately went to the blacksmith's shop, where we found nine of our friends, eight of whom were already dead; the other, Mr. Cox, of Indiana, struggled in the agonies of death, who expired. We immediately prepared and carried them to the place of interment. This last office of kindness due to the relics of departed friends was not attended with the customary ceremonies or decency, for we were in jeopardy, every moment expecting to be fired upon by the mob, who, we supposed, were lying in ambush, waiting for the first opportunity to dispatch the remain- ing few who were providentially preserved from the slaughter of the preceding day. However, we accomplished, without molestation, the pain- ful task. The place of burying was a vault in the ground formerly in- tended for a well, into which we threw the bodies of our friends promiscu- ously. Among those slain I will mention Sardis Smith, son of Warren Smith, about nine years old, who, through fear, crawled under the bellows in the shop, where he remained until the massacre was over, when he was discovered by a Mr. Glaze, of Carroll County, who presented his rifle near the boy's head and literally blowed off the upper part of it. Mr. Stanley, of Carroll, told me afterwards that Glaze boasted of the fiend-like murder and heroic deed all over the country.
"The number killed and mortally wounded in this wanton slaughter was 18 or 19."
This occurrence showed the intense feeling and hatred the Mormons were subject to, and their leaders begun to realize the utter futility of making any resistance, but that the better part of valor was to obtain the best terms possible, because they were greatly outnumbered and it was only a matter of a short time until they would be obliged to submit.
Far West was the center of the conflict and the state troops were now encamped within a short distance in large numbers and an attack was hourly expected. Gloom settled over the Mormon people and the hope for a peaceful city was again shattered.
CHAPTER X.
THE FALL OF FAR WEST.
EFFECT OF HAUN'S MILL AFFAIR-FAR WEST SURROUNDED BY TROOPS-GEN- ERAL LUCAS' DEMANDS-SURRENDER OF MORMONS-PRISONERS TAKEN- COURT MARTIAL FINDINGS-GENERAL DONIPHAN'S ATTITUDE-GENERAL CLARK'S ADDRESS-JOSEPH SMITH AND OTHERS IMPRISONED.
Haun's Mill site is an historic spot in the history of the county and is frequently visited by Latter Day Saints of high and low degree, although the exact location of both the historic well and mill is today known to but few, if any, yet the location is fairly well established. The millstone from the old mill several years ago was removed from the bed of the creek and placed in the city park at Breckenridge, where it is today, the only relic and a mute witness to one of the most tragic events in the history of Missouri.
The news of the killing of their friends at Haun's Mill struck terror to the hearts of the inhabitants of Far West, and the leaders of the church began to see the true proportions of the storm that was now upon them. General Lucas was now encamped on Goose Creek, and General Doniphan, in command of the forces on the right of the line, followed some fugitives to within 200 yards of the Mormon breastworks. Here he was met by the Mormon force and retired without making an attack, it being the intention to move against them in full force all along the line in the morning.
The next morning Col. G. W. Hinkle, commanding the forces in Far West, sent a message to General Lucas, requesting an interview, and the two leaders met that afternoon on an eminence near the city. Hinkle wanted to know if some compromise could not be effected or some settle- ment made of the difficulties other than a resort to arms. General Lucas replied by reading Hinkle the instructions of Governor Boggs and gave him a copy of the same, which were as follows:
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First, that the Mormons give up Joseph Smith and the other leaders of the church to be tried and punished; second, that they make an appro- priation of all the property of those who had taken up arms for the pay- ment of their debts, and to make indemnity for the damages done or occasioned (the latter clause was held to mean that the Mormons pay the cost of the war against them) ; third, that they give up all arms of every description ; fourth, that all those not held for trial leave the state and be protected out by militia, but be permitted to remain until further orders of the Governor.
To these propositions Hinkle agreed, as the compliance to these terms seemed to be the only way that would save the lives of hundreds of people. He desired, however, to postpone the matter until the next morning. Lucas required him to deliver into his hands Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wright, Parley P. Pratt and George W. Robinson as hostages for the faithful compliance to these terms.
Hinkle returned to Far West and sought out these men and told them they were wanted to confer with General Lucas in regard to arranging a compromise .- He did not disclose the true purpose for fear they would not go. He knew the militia, which had been receiving new recruits and rein- forcements, now numbered close to 3,000 men, and that a fight could have only one termination, and that would doubtless be a wholesale slaughter. For this deception Colonel Hinkle was branded as a traitor, was ousted from the church and spent his last days in Iowa.
Joseph Smith, in writing of this, says: "Towards evening I was waited upon by Colonel Hinkle, who stated that the officers of the militia. desired to have an interview with me and some others, hoping that the difficulties might be settled without having an occasion to carry into effect the exterminating orders which they had received from the Gov- ernor. I immediately complied with the request, and in company with Elders Rigdon and Pratt, Colonel Wright and George W. Robinson, went into the camp of the militia. But judge of my surprise when, instead of being treated with that respect which is due from one citizen to another, we were taken as prisoners of war, and were treated with the utmost con- tempt. The officers would not converse with us, and the soldiers, almost to a man, insulted us as much as they felt disposed, breathing out threats against me and my companions. I can not begin to tell the scene which I there witnessed. The loud cries and yells of more than 1,000 voices, which rent the air and could be heard for miles, and the horrid and blasphemous
·
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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND CALDWELL COUNTIES
threats and curses which were poured upon us in torrents were enough to appall the stoutest heart. In the evening we had to lie down on the cold ground, surrounded by a strong guard, who were only kept back by the power of God from depriving us of our lives. We petitioned the officers to know why we were thus treated, but they utterly refused to give us any answer, or to converse with us. * * *
"Thursday, November 1st, Brothers Hyrum Smith and Amasa Lyman were brought prisoners into camp. They held a court-martial, and sen- tenced us to be shot, on Friday morning, on the public square, as an example to the "Mormons." However, notwithstanding their sentence and determination, they were not permitted to carry their murderous sentence into execution. The militia then went into the town and, with- out any restraint whatever, plundered the houses, and abused the innocent and unoffending inhabitants. They went to my house and drove my family out of doors. They carried away most of my property and left many
destitute. ** * * This morning General Lucas ordered the Caldwell militia to give up their arms. Hinkle having made a treaty with the mob on his own responsibility, to carry out his treachery, marched the troops out of the city, and his brethren gave up their arms, their own property, which no government on earth had a right to require."
That night while the prisoners were in General Doniphan's camp, as hostages, a council was held, consisting of the principal field officers, and Joseph Smith was, with his companions, sentenced to be shot the next morning, and yielding to the pressure upon him, it is alleged that General Lucas, then in command, issued the following order about midnight:
"Brigadier General Doniphan-Sir: You will take Joseph Smith and the other prisoners into the public square of Far West and shoot them at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
Samuel D. Lucas, Major General Commanding."
General Doniphan indignantly replied:
"It is cold-blooded murder. I will not obey your order. My brigade shall march for Liberty tomorrow morning, at 8 o'clock ; and if you execute those men, I will hold you responsible before an earthly tribunal, so help me God!
A. W. Doniphan, Brigadier General."
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General Doniphan was never called to account for his refusal to obey this command, and the Mormons always had reason to remember Doni- phan's humanity on this and other occasions.
On the morning of November 1st, 1838, General Lucas ordered his whole force, numbering about 3,000 men, to parade at 9 o'clock and to be in readiness to receive the surrender of the troops from the. beleaguered city, or to continue offensive measures if it was necessary.
The troops marched out and formed on the prairie about 300 yards southeast of the town. The Mormons were confronted on three sides. General Wilson's brigade formed the west line, General Doniphan's the east line, and General Graham's and General Park's the south line, with the artillery company and the cannon in the center of the two latter, leaving the north side of town open and unguarded.
Many of the men were eager for the fight to begin, not knowing that a surrender had been agreed upon. Soon there came an expectant hush along the lines, followed by an impatience at the delay. Then the Mor- mons were seen forming into column and a white flag was flying. Headed by Colonel Hinkle, the Mormon force marched out, formed into a hollow square and "grounded arms." Hinkle then rode forward and delivered his sword and pistols to General Lucas. The Mormon city had fallen.
About 650 guns of all kinds, consisting of hunting rifles, shotguns, muskets and some rude swords and a few pistols were given up, also the cannon they had taken some time before this, and these weapons were turned over to the state authorities.
After the surrender the prisoners were marched back into the town and marched around and through the town under guard, and many dis- orderly scenes were enacted. The town was plundered and the victory was celebrated by many in a drunken spree.
The Mormons were kept under guard and the next day were ordered by General Clark to form a line, when the names of 56 were called, and made prisoners, to await their trial. These were kept under close guard. In all there was about 6,000 men in the offensive against Far West, while it was defended by only about 600 poorly armed regularly enlisted militia.
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