Peoria County, Illinois - Chapter 12: Northern Illinois Internal Improvements, 1880

Chapter 12: Northern Illinois Internal Improvements

1832-1842 - Governor Duncan - Internal Improvements - Inflation - Fever of Speculation - Paper Towns - Illinois and Michigan Canal - Panic - Repudiation - Lovejoy and Freedom - Slavery and Murder - Governor Carlin - Prairie Pirates - Reign of Terror - Desperate Resolves and Desperate Deeds - Mormons and Mormon War, etc.

After the close of the Black Hawk war in 1832, the attention of immigrants began to be directed to the northern part of the State. Previous to the close of that crusade nearly the whole of the country north of Peoria, with the exception of the Fever river country around Galena, was an undisturbed wilderness waste, of which but little was known by white men. The result of that war removed all apprehensions of danger from Indians and opened the country to the peaceable possession of tillers of the soil and founders of towns and cities.

In 1833 settlers began to come in and make claims and improvements, and it was not long until signs of American civilization were to be seen all over the country. Chicago, until then scarcely more than a trading post, took on new life and rapidly grew into prominence as a commercial center. These settlers were nearly all from the Eastern States, and were widely different in their habits and customs from the people who settled the southern part of the State. As the latter established southern habits and customs in that section of the commonwealth, so did the New Englanders fix their habits and customs in the northern part of the State. These differences are as plainly visible in the character of houses and farm buildings and in the management of farms, as in the social customs and habits of life. In short, there is about the same relative difference between the people of these two sections of the State, as there is between the people of South Carolina and Massachusetts. But all have proved themselves good citizens in every

Internal Impkovement8

At the general election in 1834 Joseph Duncan was chosen Governor. His principal opponent was Ex-Lieutenaut Governor Kinney. A reckless desire for internal public improvements had seized the minds of the people, and in liis message to the Legislature in 1835, Governor Duncan said : " When we look abroad and see the extensive lines of inter-communication penetrating almost every section of our sister States ; when we see the canal boat and the locomotive bearing with seeming triumph the rich productions of the interior to the rivers, lakes and ocean, almost annihilating time, burthen and space, what patriot bosom does not beat high with a laudable ambition to give Illinois her full share of these advantages which are adorning her sister States, and which a munificent Providence seems to invite by a wonderful adaptation of our whole country to such improvements? "

The Legislature responded to the ardent words of the Governor, and enacted a system of internal improvements without a parallel in the grandeur of its conception. They ordered the construction of 1,800 miles of railroad, crossing the State in all directions. This was surpassed by the river and canal improvements. There were a few counties not touched by railroad, or river or canal, and they were to be comforted and compensated by the free distribution of S200,000 among them. To inflate this balloon beyond credence, it was ordered that work should commence on both ends of each of these railroads and rivers, and at each river-crossing, all at the same lime. This provision, which has been called the crowning folly of the entire system, was the result of those jealous combinations emanating from the fear that advantages might accrue to one section over another in the commencement and completion of the works. One can appreciate better, jierhaps, the magnitude of this grand system by reviewing a few figures. The debt authorized for these improvements in the first instance was #10,230.000. Hut this, as it was soon found, was based upon estimates at least too low by half. This, as we readily see, committed the State to a liability of over 820,000,000. equivalent to 8200,000.000. at the present time, with over ten times the population and more than ten times the wealth.

Such stupendous undertakings by the State naturally engendered the fever of speculation among individuals. That particular form known as the town-lot fever assumed the malignant type at first in Chicago, from whence it spread over the entire State and adjoining States. It was an epidemic. It cut up men's farms without regard to locality, and cut up the purses of the purciiasers witliout regard to conseciuences. It was estimated that building lots enough were sold in Indiana alone to accommodate every citizen then in the United States.

Chicago, which in 1830 was a small trading-post, had within a few years grown into a city. This was the starting point of the wonderful and marvelous career of that commercial center. Improvements, unsurpassed by individual efforts in the annals of the world, were then begun and have been maintained to this day. Reports of the rapid advance of property in Chicago spread to the East, and thousands poured into her borders, bringing money, enterprise and industrj-. Every ship that left her port carried with it maps of splendidly situated towns and additions, and every vessel that returned was laden with immigrants. It was said at tlie time that the staple articles of Illinois export were town plats, and that there was danger of crowding the State with towns to the exclusion of land for agricidture.

Illinois And Michigan Canal General History Of Illinois

the most important in the early development of Illinois, on account of its magnitude and cost, and forming as it does the connecting link between the great chain of lakes and the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Governor Bond, the first governor, recommended in his firdt message the building of the canal. In 1821 the Legislature appropriated $10,000 for surveying tlie route. This work was performed by two young men, who estimated the cost at $600,000 or $700,000. It cost, however, when completed, $8,000,000. In 1825 a law was passed to incorporate the Canal Company, but no stock was sold. In 1826, upon the solicitation of Daniel P. Cook, Congressman from this State, Congress gave 800,000 acres of land on the line of the work. In 1828 commissioners were appointed, and work commenced with a new survey and new estimates. In 1834-5 the work was again pushed forward, and continued until 1848, when it was completed.

Bonds of tlie State were recklessly disposed of both in the East and in Europe. Work was commenced on various lines of railroad, but none were ever completed. On the Northern Cross Railroad, from Meredosia east eight miles, the first locomotive that ever turned a wheel in the great valley of tlie Mississippi, was run. The date of this remarkable event was November 8, 1838. Large sums of money were being expended with no assurance of a revenue, and consequently, in 1840, the Legislature repealed the improvement laws passed three years previously, not, however, until the State had accumulated a debt of nearly $15,000,000. Thus fell, after a short but eventful life, by the hands of its creator, the most stupendous, extravagant and almost ruinous folly of a grand system of internal improvements that any civil community, perliaps, ever engaged in. The State banks failed, specie was scarce, an enormous debt had been piled up, the interest of which could not be paid, people were disappointed in the accumulation of wealth, and real estate was worthless. All this had a tendency to create a desire to throw off the heavy burden of State debt by repudiation. This was boldly advocated by some leading men. The fair fame and name, however, of the State was not tarnished by repudiation. Men, true, honest, and able, were placed at the head of affairs ; and though the hours were dark and gloomy, and the times most trying, yet the grand Prairie State was brought through and prospered, until to-day, after the expenditure of millions for public improvements and for carrying on the late war, she has a present debt of only about $300,000,

Martyr For Liberty

The year 1837 is memorable for the death of the first martyr for liberty, and the abolishment of American slavery, in the State. Elijah P. Lovejoy was shot by a mob in Alton, on the night of the 7th of November of that year. He was at the time editor of the Alton Observer, and advocated anti-slavery principles in its columns. For this practice three of his presses had been destroyed. On the arrival of the fourth, the tragedy occurred which cost him his life. In anticipation of its arrival a series of meetings wei-e held in which the friends of freedom and of slavery were represented. The object was to effect a compromise, but it was one in which liberty was asked to make concessions to oppression. In a speech made at one of these meetings, Lovejoy said : " Mr. Chairman, what have I to compromise ? If freely to forgive those who have so greatly injured me ; if to pray for their temporal and eternal happiness ; if still to wish for the prosperity of your city and State, notwithstanding the indignities I have suffered in them - if this be the compromise intended, then do I willingly make it. I do not admit that it is the business of any body of men to say whether I shall or shall not publish a paper in this city. That right was given tome by my Creator, and is solemnly guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and of this State. But if by compromise is meant that I shall cease from that which duty requires of me, I can not make it, and the reason is, that I fear God more than inini. It is also a very iliflferent question, whether I shall, voluntarily or at the request nf my friends, yield up my position, or whether I shall forsake it at the hands of a mob. The former I am ready at all times to do when circumstances require it, as I will never put my personal wishes or interests in competition with the cause of that Master whose minister I am. But the latter, be assured I never will do. You have, as lawyers say. made a false issue. There are no two parties between whom there can be a compromise. I plant myself down on my unquestionable ritjhts. and the question to be decided is. whether I shall be protected in those rights. You may hang me. as the mob hung the individuals at Vicksburg ; you may burn me at the stake, as thej' did old Mcintosh at St. Louis; or, you may tar and feather me, or throw me into the Mississippi as you have threatened to do; but you can not disgrace me. I, and I alone, can disgrace myself, and the deepest of all disgrace would be at a time like this to deny my Maker by forsaking his cause. He died for me, and I were most unworthy to bear His name should I refuse, if need be. to die for Him." Not long afterward .Mr. Lovejoy was shot. His brother Owen, being present on the occasion, kneeled dow n on the spot beside the corpse, and sent up to God, in the hearing of that ver}' mob, one of the most eloquent prayers ever listened to by mortal ear. He was bold enough to pray to God to take signal vengeance on the infernal institution of slavery, and he then and there dedicated his life to the work of overthrowing it. and hoped to see the day when slavery existed no more in this nation. He died, March 24. 1864, nearly three months after the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln took effect. Thus he lived to see his most earnest and devout prayer answered. But few men in the nation rendered better service in overthrowing the institution of slavery than Elijah P. and Owen Lovejoy.

Thomas Carlin. Democrat, was elected Governor in 1S?,8. over Cyrus Edwards, Whig. In 1842 Adam W. Snyder was nominated for Governor on the Democratic ticket, but died before election. Thomas Ford was placed in nomination, and was elected, ex- Governor Duncan being his opponent.

Pkairie Pirates

The northern part of the State also had its mob experiences, but of an entirely different nature from the one just recounted. There has always hovered around the frontier of civilization bold, desperate men, who prey upon the unprotected settlers rather than gain a livelihood i)y honest toil. Theft, robbery and murder were carried on by regularly organized bands in Ogle, Lee, Winnebago and DeKaii) counties. The leaders of these gangs of cut-throats were among the first settlers of that portion of the State, and consequently had the choice of location. Among the most prominent of the leaders were John DriscoU, William and David, his sons; John Brodie and three of his sous; Samuel Aikens and three of his sons; William K. Bridge and Norton B. Royce.

Tl'.ese were the representative characters, those who planned and controlled the movements of the combination, concealed them when danger threatened, nursed them when sick, rested them when worn down by fatigue and forced maiches, furnished hiding places for their stolen booty, shared in tlie spoils, and, under cover of darkness and intricate and devious ways of travel, known only to themselves and subordinates, transferred stolen horses from station to station ; for it came to be known as a well-establirthed fact that they had stations, and agents, and watchmen scattered throughout the country at convenient distances, and signals and jjuss-words to assist and govern them in all their nefarious transactions.

Ogle county, i)articularly, seemed to be a favorite and chosen field for the openitions of these outlaws, who could not be convicted for their crimes. By getting some of their number on the juries, by producing hosts of witnesses to sustain their defense by perjured evidence, and hj' clianging the venue from one county to another, and by continuances from term to term, the)' nearly always managed to be acquitted. At last these depredations became too common for longer endurance ; patience ceased to be a virtue, and determined desperation seized the minds of honest men, and they resolved that if there were no statute laws that could protect them against the ravages of thieves, robbers and counterfeiters, tliey would protect themselves. It was a daring resolve, and bloodily executed.

At the Spring term of court, 1841, seven of the " Pirates of the Prairie," as they were called, were confined in the Ogle county jail to await trial. Preparatory to holding court, the judge and lawyers assembled at Oregon in their new court-house, which had just been completed. Near it stood the county jail in which were the prisoners. The " Pirates " assembled Sunda}' night and set the court-house on fire, in the hope that as the prisoners would have to be removed from the jail, they might, in the hurry and confusion of the people in attending to the fire, make their escape. The whole population were awakened that dark and stormy night, to see their new court edifice enwrapped in flames. Although the building was entirelj' consumed, none of the prisoners escaped. Three of them were tried, convicted and sent to the penitentiary for one year. They had, however, contrived to get one of their number on the jury, who would not agree to a verdict until threatened to be lynched. The others obtained a change of venue and were not convicted, and finally they all broke jail and escaped.

Tiius it was that the law was inadequate to the pi'otection of the people. The best citizens held a meeting at White Rock and entered into a solemn compact with each other to rid the country of tlie desperadoes that infested it. They were regularly organized and known as " Regulators." They resolved to notify all suspected parties to leave the country within a given time ; that if they did not comply, they would be severel)^ dealt with. Their first victim was a man named Hurl, who was suspected of having stolen his neighbor's horse. He was ordered to strip, his hands were tied, w+ien thirtysix lashes of a raw-hide were applied to his bare back, the blood following each stroke. " He stood the ordeal," said an eye witness, " without flincliing, and when the terrible work was ended, he remarked, ' Now, as your rage is satisfied, and to prove tliat I am an honest man, I will join your company.' " He became a member of the regulators, altliough it was almost certainly known that before this castigation his life had not been one of irrejjroachable honesty.

The next victim was a man named Daggett, formerly a Baptist preacher. He was sentenced to receive five hundred laslies on his bare back. He was stripped, and all was ready, when his beautiful daughter, aged about sixteen years, rushed into the midst of the men, begging for mercy for her father. Her appeals, with Daggett's promise to leave the country immediately, secured his release. That night, new crimes having been discovered, he was taken out and wliipped, after which he left the country, never again to be heard from.

The friends and comrades of the men who had been whipped were fearfully enraged, and swore eternal and bloody vengeance. Eighty of them assembled one night soon after, and laid plans to visit White Rock and murder every man, woman and child in that hamlet. They started on this bloody mission, but were prevailed upon by one of their number, whom they met on the way, to disband. Their coming, however, had been anticipated, and every man and boy in the town was armed to protect himself and his family.

John Campbell, captain of the " Regulators," received a letter from William Driscoll, filled with most direful threats - not only threatening Campbell's life, but the life of any one who should oppose their murderous, thieving operations. Soon after the receipt of this letter, two hundred of the '- Rei^^ulators " marched to DriscoH's and ordered him to leave the ectuntry witliin twenty days, but he refused to comply with the order. One Sunday eveninij, just after this, Campliell was shot down in his own door-yard by David Drisooll. After the shootinjj the murderers turned and started in a southeast direction, and, when they had prone a short distance, and while Mrs. Campbell was standing over her lifeless husband, Taylor Driscoll, who accompanied David on his murderous mission, turned and aimed his rifle at tiie grief-stricken woman, but lowered it witiiout firing.

News of this terrible crime sjjread like wild-fire. The very air was- filled with threats and vengeance, and nothing but the lives of the murderous gang would pay the penalt)". Old John Driscoll was arrested at his home, was told to bid his family goodbye, and then, with his son, went out to his death. The " Regulators," numbering 111, formed a large circle, and gave the Driscolls a fair hearing. They were found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. The condemned men begged that the death sentence be changed - that they might be shot to death instead of " hanged like dogs." Their request was granted, and the Regulators were divided into two death divisions - one, consisting of fifty-six, and the other of fiftj'-five. The first division was detailed to the execution of the old man, and the other to the execution of William. The old man was led forth first ; his eyes were bandaged and he was made to kneel upon the earth facing his executioners. The signal to fire was given, and he fell to the earth riddled and shattered to pieces with the charges of fifty-six rifles.

William's fate came next. In the last hour of his extremity, abject fear overcame his former boldness, and his hair turned almost wliite. In a semi-conscious condition, he was led forth and made to kneel near his father's lifeless body, when the discharge from the other fifty-five rifles found his life, and his body fell bleeding and quivering by the side of his father.

The measures thus inaugurated and carried out freed the country from the domination of outlaws, and rendered secure the lives and property of the honest settlers. But it was a dire result.

The Mormon War

In April, 1810, the " Latter-Day Saints," or Mormons, came to Illinois in large numbers, and settled at what had formerly been known as Point Commerce, but which they afterwards called Nauvoo, in Hancock county. The}' were induced to come there by the presentation to Joe Smith, the Prophet, of a large tract of land, by Dr. I. Galland, an early settler of Lee county, Iowa. A more picturesque or beautiful site for a city could not have been selected. Dr. Galland owned large tracts of other lands in the vicinity, and altiiough lie professed a belief in Mornionism, there is no doubt that his object in giving land to the Church of Moimon, was more with a view of benefiting himself in the end, than the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, for he was a shrewd, far seeing man.

In April, 1840, the -- Latter-Day Saints," or Mormons, came in large numbers to Illinois and purchased a tract of land on the east side of the Mississippi Viver, about ten miles above Keokuk. Here they commenced building the city of Nauvoo. A more picturesque or eligible site for a city could not have been selected.

Tiie origin, rapid development and prosperity of this religious sect are the most remarkable and instructive historical events of the i)resent century. That an obscure individual, without money, education, or respectability, should persuade hundreds of lhoiisiiii(l> of |)(Mi|)le to believe him insj)ired of God, and cause a book, contemptible as a literary production, to be received as a coulinualion of the sacred revelation, appears almost incredible ; 3'et in less than half a century, the disciples of this illiterate enthusiast have increased to hundreds of thousands ; have founded a State in the distant wilderness, and compelled the Government of the United States to practically recognize them as an independent people.

The Founder Of Moemonism

The founder of Mormonism was Joseph Smith, a native of Vermont, who immigrated while quite young with his father's family to western New York. Here his youth was spent in idle, vagabond life, roaming the woods, dreaming of buried treasures, and in endeavoring to learn the art of finding them by the twisting of a forked stick in his hands, or by looking through enchanted stones. Both he and his father became famous as " water wizards," always ready to point out the spot where wells might be dug and water found. Such was the character of the young profligate when he made the acquaintance of Sidney Rigdon, a person of considerable talent and inforiuation, who had conceived the design of founding a new religion. A religious romance, written by Mr. Spaulding, a Presbyterian preacher of Ohio, then dead, suggested the idea, and finding in Smith the requisite duplicity and cunning to reduce it to practice, it was agreed that he should act as prophet ; and the two devised a story that gold plates had been found buried in the earth containing a record inscribed on them in unknown characters, which, when deciphered by the power of inspiration, gave the history of the ten lost tribes of Israel.

Attempt To Arrest Joe Sjhth

After their settlement in and about Nauvoo, in Hancock county, great depredations were committed by them on the " Gentiles." The Mormons had been received from Missouri with great kindness by the people of this State, and every possible aid granted them. The depredations committed, however, soon made them odious, when the question of getting rid of them was agitated. In the Fall of 1841, the Governor of Missouri made a demand on Gov. Carlin for the arrest and delivery of Joe Smith as a fugitive from justice. An executive warrant issued for that purpose was placed in the hands of an agent to be executed, but was returned without being complied with. Soon afterward the Governor handed the same writ to his agent, who this time succeeded in arresting Joe Smith. He was, however, discharged by Judge Douglas, upon the grounds that the writ upon which he had been arrested had been once returned before it was executed, and WHS fimctus officio. In 1842 Gov. Carlin again issued his writ, Joe Smith was arrested again, and again escaped. Thus it will be seen it was impossible to reach and punish the leader of this people, who had been driven from Missouri because of their stealing, murdering and unjust dealing, and came to Illinois but to continue their depredations. Emboldened by success, the Mormons became more arrogant and overbearing. Many people began to believe that they were about to set up a separate government for themselves in defiance of the laws of the State. Owners of property stolen in other counties made pursuit into Nauvoo, and were fined by the Mormon courts for daring to seek their property in the holy city. But that which made it more certain than any thing else that the Mormons contemplated a separate government, was that about this time they petitioned Congress to establish a territorial government for them in Nauvoo.

Origin Op Polygamy

To crown the whole folly of the Mormons, in the Spring of 1844, Joe Smith announced himself as a candidate for President of the United States, and many of his followers were confident he would be elected. He next caused himself to be anointed king and priest, and to give character to his pretensions, he declared his lineage in an unbroken line from Joseph, the son of Jacob, and that of his wife from some other important personage of the ancient Hebrews. To strengthen his political power he also instituted a body of police styled the " Danite Band," who were sworn to protect his person and oliey his orders as the commands of God. A female order previously existing: in the church, called " Spiritual Wives," was modified so as to suit tlie licentiousness of the prophet. A doctrine was revealed that it was impossible for a woman to jiet to heaven except as the wife of a Mormon elder; that each elder mii,dit marry as many women as he could maintain, and that any female mij^'ht be .sealed to eternal life by becoming their concubine. Tliis licentiousness, the origin of polygamy in tliat church, tliey endeavored to justify by an appeal to Abraham, Jacob and other favorites of (iod in former ages of the world.

Joe Smith As A Tykant

Smith soon began to play the tyrant over his people. Among the first acts of this sort was an attempt to take the wife of William Law, one of his most talented disciples, and make lier his sjiiritual wife. He established, without authority, a recorder's oflBce, and an office to issue marriage licenses. He j^roclaimed that none could deal in real estate or sell liquor but himself. He ordered a printing office demolished, and in many ways controlled the freedom and business of the Mormons. Not onl}' did he stir up some of the Mormons, but by his reckless disregard for the laws of the land raised up opposition on every hand. It was believed that he instructed the Danite Band, which he had chosen as tlie ministers of his vengeance, that no blood, except tliat of the church, was to be regarded as sacred, if it contravened the accomplishment of liis object. It was asserted that he inculcated the legality of perjury and other crimes, if committed to advance the cause of true believers ; that God had given the world and all it contained to his saints, and since they were kept out of their rightful inheritance by force, it was no moral offense to get possession of it by stealing. It was reported tliat an establishment existed in Nauvoo for the manufacture of counterfeit money, and that a set of outlaws was maintained for tiie purpose of putting it in circulation. Statements were circulated to the effect that a reward was offered for the destruction of the Warsaw Signal, an anti- Mormon paper, and tliat Mormons dispersed over the country threatened all persons who offered to assist the constable in the execution of the law, witii the destruction of their property and the murder nf their families. Tliere were rumors also afloat that an alliance had been formed with tlie Western Indians, and in case of war tliey would be used in murdering tiicir enemies. In short, if only one-half of these reports were true the Mormons must have been tlie most infamous people that ever existed.

Military Forces Assemhling

William Law, one of the proprietors of the printing-press destroyed by Smith, went to Cartilage, tlu; county -seat, and obtained warrants f<n- tlie arrest of Smilii and tlie members of tlie City Council, and otiiers connected witli tiie destruction of tlic press. Some of the parties liaving Ijeen arrested, but discharged by the autliorities in Nauvoo, a convention of citizens assembled at Cartilage and appointed a committee to wait upon the Governor for the purpose of procuring military assistance to enforce the law. The Governor visitecl (Carthage in person. Previous to his arrival the militia had been called out and armed forces commeneed assembling in Carthage and Warsaw to enforce the service of civil process. All of them, however, signified a willingness to co-operate with the Governor in preserving order. A constable and ten men were llien sent to make the arrest. In the meantime. Smith declared martial law ; his followers residing in the country were summoned to liis assistance ; the Legion was assembled and under arms, and the entire city was one great military encampment.

General History Op Illinois

rendered themselves at Carthage June 24, 1845, on the charge of riot. All entered into recognizance before a justice of the peace to appear at court, and were discliargeii. A new writ, however, was immediately issued and served on the two Smiths, and both were arrested and thrown into prison. The citizens had assembled from Hancock, Schuyler and McDonough counties, armed and ready to avenge the outrages that been committed by the Mormons. Great excitement prevailed at Carthage. The force assembled at that place amounted to 1,200 men, and about 500 assembled at Warsaw. Nearly all were anxious to march into Nauvoo. This measure was supposed to be necessary to search for counterfeit money and the apparatus to make it, and also to strike a salutary terror into the Mormon people by an exhibition of the force of the State, and tliereby prevent future outrages, murders, robberies, burnings, and the like. The 27th of June was appointed for tlie march ; but Gov. Ford, who at the time was in Carthage, apprehended trouble if the militia should attempt to invade Nauvoo, disbanded the troops, retaining only a guard to the jail.

Joe Smith And His Brother Killed

Gov. Ford went to Nauvoo on the 27th. The same morning about 200 men from Warsaw, many being disguised, hastened to Carthage. On learning that one of the companies left as a guard had disbanded, and the other stationed 150 yards from tlie jail while eight men were left to guard the prisoners, a communication was soon established between the Warsaw troops and the guard ; and it was arranged that the guard sliould have ilieir guns charged witli blank cartridges and fire at the assailants wlien tliey attempted to enter tlie jail. The conspirators came up, jumped the fence around the jail, were fired upon by the guard, which, according to arrangement, was overpowered, and the assailants entered the prison, to the door of the room where tlie two prisoners were confined. An attempt was made to break open the door ; but Joe Smith, being armed witli a pistol, fired several times as the door was bursted open, and three of tlie assailants were wounded. At the same time several shots were Jired into the room, by some of which John Taylor, a friend of the Smiths, received four wounds, and Hiram Smith was instantly killed. Joe Smith, severely wounded, attempted to escape by jumping out of a second-story window, but was so stunned by the fall that he was unable to rise. In this position he was dispatched by balls fihot through his body. Thus fell Joe Smith, the most successful impostor of modern times. Totally ignorant of almost every fact in science, as well as in law, he made up in constructiveness and natural cunning whatever in liini was wanting of instruction.

Great consternation prevailed among the anti-Mormons at Carthage, after the killing of the Smiths, They expected the Mormons would be so enraged on hearing of the death of their leadei-s that they would come down in a body, armed and equipped, to seek revenge upon the populace at Carthage. Messengers were dispatched to various places for help in case of an attack. The women and children were moved across the river n)r safety. A committee was sent to Quincy, and early the following morning, at the ringing of the bells, a large concourse of people assembled to devise means of defense. At this meeting it was reported that the Mormons attempted to rescue the Smiths ; that a party of Missouriaiis and others had killed ihem to prevent their escape ; that the Governor and his party were at Nauvoo at the time when intelligence of the fact was brought there ; that they had been attacked by the Nauvoo Legion, and had retreated to a house where they were closely besieged ; that the (Jovernor liail sent out word that he could inaiiitain his position for two days, and would be certain to be massacreed if assistance did not arrive by that time. It is unnecessary to say that this entire story was fabricated. It was put in circulation, as were many other stories, by the viTiti-Mormons, to influence the public mind and create a hatred for the Mormons. The effect of it, however, was that by 10 o'clock on the 28th, between two and three hundred men from Quinc}', under command of Maj. Flood, went on board a steamboat for Nauvoo, to assist in raising the siege, as they honest!}- believed.

Various Depredations

It was thought by many, and indeed the circumstances seem to warrant the conclusion, that the assassins of Smith had arranged that the murder should occur while the Governor was in Nauvoo ; that the Mormons would naturally suppose he planned it, and in the first outpouring of their indignation put him to death, as a means of retaliation. They thought that if they could have the Governor of the State assassinated by Mormons, the public excitement would be greatly increased against that people, and would cause their extermination, or at least their expulsion from the State. That it was a brutal and premeditated murder can not be and is not denied at this day; but the desired effect of the murder was not attained, as the Mormons did not evacuate Nauvoo for two years afterward. In the meantime, the excitement and prejudice against the people were not allowed to die out. Horse-stealing was quite common, and every case that occurred was charged to the Mormons. That they were guilty of such thefts can not be denied, but a great deal of this work done at that time was by organized bands of thieves, who knew they could carry on their nefarious business with more safety, as long as suspicion could be placed upon the Mormons. In the Summer and Fall of 1845, there were several occurrences of a nature to increase the irritation existing between the Mormons and their neighbors. A suit was instituted in the United States Circuit Court against one of the apostles, to recover a note, and a marslial sent to summon the defendant, who refused to be served with the process. Indignation meetings were held by the saints, and the marshal threatened for attempting to serve the writ. About this time General Denning, sheriff, was assaulted by an anti-Mormon, whom he killed. Denning was friendly to the Mormons, and a great outburst of passion was occasioned among the friends of the dead man.

Incendiarism

It was also discovered, in trying the rights of property at Lima, Adams county, that the Mormons had an institution connected with their church to secure their effects from execution. Incensed at this and other actions, the anti-Mormons of Lima and Green Plains, held a meeting to devise means for the expulsion of the Mormons from that part of the country. It was arranged that a number of their own party should fire on the building in which they were assembled, in such a manner as not to injure any one, and then report that the Mormons had commenced the work of plunder and death. This plot was duly executed, and the startling intelligence soon called together a mob, which threatened the Mormons with fire and sword if they did not immediately^ leave. The Mormons refusing to depart, the mob at once executed their threats by burning one hundred and twenty-five houses and forcing the inmates to flee for their lives. The sheriff of Hancock county, a prominent Mormon, armed several hundred Mormons and scoured the countrj', in search of the incendiaries, but they had fled to neighboring counties, and he was unable either to bring them to battle or make any arrests. One man, however, was killed without provocation ; anothA' attempting to escape was shot and afterwards hacked and mutilated ; and Franklin A. Worrell, who had charge of the jail when the Smiths were killed, was shot by some unknown person concealed in a thicket. The anti-Mormons committed one murder. A party of them set fire to a pile of straw, near the barn of an old Mormon, nearly ninety years of age, and when he appeared to extinguish the flames, he was shot and killed.

burned the houses of the Mormons. Those who had been burned out sallied forth from Nauvoo and phnulered the whole country, takiufj whatever they could carry or drive away. By order of the Governor, Gen. Hardin raised a force of three hundred and fifty men, checked the Mormon rava^jes, and recalled the fugitive anti-Mormons home.

Making Prepakation To Leave

At this time a convention, consisting of delegates from eight of the adjoining counties, assembled to concert measures for the expulsion of the Mormons from the State. The Mormons seriously contemplated emigration westward, believing the times foreboded evil for them. Accordingly, during the Winter of 184o-'4tJ, the most stupendous preparations were made by the Mormons for removal. All the principal dwellings, and even the temple, were converted into workshops, and before Spring, 12.000 wagons were in readiness ; and by the middle of February the leaders, with '2,000 of their followers, had crossed the Mississippi on the ice.

The Battle Of Nauyoo

In Septemljer a writ was issued against several prominent Mormons, and placed in the hands of John Carlin, of Carthage, for execution. Carlin calleil out a posse to help make the arrest, which brought together quite a large force in the neighborhood of Nauvoo. Carlin, not being a military man, placed in command of the posse, first. Gen. Singleton, and afterward Col. Brockman, who proceeded to invest the city, erecting breastworks, and taking other means for defensive as well as offensive operations. What wiis then termed a battle next took place, resulting in the death of one Mormon and the wounding of several otiiers, ant! loss to tiie anti-Mormons of three killed and four wounded. At last, through tiie intervention of an anti-Mormon committee of one hundred, from Quincy, the Mormons and their allies were induced to submit to such terms as the posse chose to dictate, which were that the Mormons should immediately give up their arms to the Quincy conunittee, and remove from the State. The trustees of the church and five of their clerks were jjcrmitted to remain for the sale of .Mormon propi-rtv, and the posse were to march in unmolested, and leave a sufficient force to guarantee the performance of their stipulations. Accordingly, the constable's posse marched in with Brockman at their head. It consisted of about 800 armed men and GOO or 700 unarmed, who had assembled from all the country around, through motives of curiosity, to see the once jiroud city of Nauvoo humbled and delivered up to its enemies. Tliev proceetled into tlie city slowly and carefullj', exaniing tiie way for fear of the explosion of a mine, many of wliicii liad been iiKide by the Mormons, by l)urviiig kegs of pfiwder in tlie gi\)Uiid, with a man stationed at a ilistance to pull a string coinniuiiicating with the trigger of a percussion lock affixed to the keg. This kind of a contrivance was called by the Mormons " hell's half-acre." When the posse arrived in the city, the leaders of it erected themselves into a triliunal to flecide wlio should be forced away and who remain. I'arties were disiiatched to hunt for (iie-aniis, and for .Mt)rinons, and to bring them to JMilLTnient. When l)roiighl, tliey received their doom from the inouth of Hrockmaii, who sat a grim and unawed tyrant for the time. As a general rule, the .Mormons were ordered to leave within an hour or two ; and iiy rare grace some of them wwre allowed until next dav. and in a few cases longer time was granted.

Nothing was said in the treaty in regard to the new citizens, who had with the Mormons defended the city; but the posse no sooner had obtained possession than they commenced expelling them. Some of them were duckiMJ in the river, and were in one or two instances actually baptized in the name of some of the leaders of the mob ; others were forcibly driven into the ferry-boats to be taken over the river before the bayonets of armed riifl5ans. Many of tliese new settlers were strangers in the country from various parts of the United States, who were attracted there by the low price of property ; and they knew but little of previous difficulties or the merits of the quarrel. Thevsaw with their own eyes that the Mormons were industriously preparing to go away, and they knew " of their own knowledge" that any effort to expel them b}' force was gratuitous and unnecessary cruelty. They had been trained, by the States whence they came, to abhor mobs and to obey the law, and they volunteered their services under executive authority to defend their town and their propertj' against mol) violence, and, as they honestly believed, from destruction ; but in this they were partly mistaken ; for although mob leaders in the exercise of uul)ridled power were guilty of many injuries to tlie persons of individuals, although much personal property was stolen, yet they abstained from materially injuring houses and buildings.

The fugitives proceeded westward, taking the road through Missouri, but having been once forcibly ejected from that State, they were compelled to move indirectly through Iowa. After innumerable hardships the advance guard reached the Missouri river at Council Bluffs, when a United States officer presented a requisition for oOO men to serve in the war witli Mexico. Compliance with this order so diminished their number of effective men, that the expedition was again delayed, and the remainder, consisting mostly of old men, women and children, hastily prepared habitations for Winter. Their rudely constructed tents were hardly completed before Winter set in with great severity, the bleak prairies being incessantly swept by piercing winds. While here cholera, fever and other diseases, aggravated by the previous hardships, the want of comfortable quarters and medical treatment, hurried many of them to premature graves, yet, under the influence of religious fervor and fanaticism, they looked death in the face with resignation and cheerfulness, and even exhibited a gayety wliicli manifested itself in music and dancing during the saddest hours of this sad Winter.

At length welcome Spring made its appearance, and by April they were again organized for the journe}'. A pioneer party, consisting of Brigham Young and one hundred and forty others, was sent in advance to locate a home for the colonists. On the 21st of July, 1847, a day memorable in Mormon annals, tlie vanguard reached the valley of the Great Salt Lake, having been directed thither, according to their accounts, by the hand of the Almighty. Here in a distant wilderness, midway between the settlements of the East and the Pacific, and at that time a tliousand miles from the utmost verge of civilization, they commenced preparations for founding a colony, which has since grown into a mighty empire.