Carroll County, Missouri - The whole text, 1881 (part 7 of 19)

There began to be additions to the number of settlers in the county in these years, and at about this time of considerable extent, and great imporance. Nearly all parts of the county were visited by exploring parties, and many portions settled. There was considerable travel through the county from east to west and some from north to south, and many people were becoming acquainted with the fertile, soil and eligible location of the county, and were improving their knowledge.

In the year 1835 several hunting parties of Indians came in from the west and north. Old Hard Heart was here and spent several days in the Missouri bottom hunting, fishing and begging. The Indians were very friendly - too much so at times, as they often hung about the settlers' cabins and begged them about out of provisions. Old Hard Heart, although a chief and a ruler of men, was not above begging or becoming the beneficiary of articles given to his squaws. Hard Heart belied his name, for he was not at all cruel hearted in his nature, but kind, hospitable and inclined to be lazy, and to shirk much exertion of any kind.

under Black-Hawk, was also here and encamped for a while on the sugartree bottoms, and then up on Grand river. When Nathanial Cary was alive he used to relate how a young warrior of this band told him of his experience in the Black-Hawk war, attributing that historic episode to the bad conduct of the whites as well as to the stubborness and ambition of Black-Hawk.

In 1836 the first presidential election held in the county came off. The candidates voted for in Carroll county were Martin VanBuren and Richard M. Johnson, regular democratic candidates and Hugh L. White and John Tyler independent candidates. Gen. W. H. Harrison and Francis Granger were voted for in many states, but received no votes in Carroll.

It seems that no election was held in Missouritan township and that there were but the two voting precincts named. The total number of voters in the county being given at 175, the population at that time may be set down at about 1,000 including slaves.

The Hetherly War

In the year 1836 occurred what is known as the Heatherly War, a conflict in which Carroll county took an important part, and in which, indeed, it was most immediately interested, as the events composing the so-called war all took place within the jurisdiction of the county.

From a historical sketch prepared by A. C. Blackwell, Esq., and from other sources of information, it is learned that in the spring of this year a band of desperadoes, robbers and thieves lived in that part of Carroll county known as the upper grand river country, and now included in Mercer and Grundy counties. This band had for its principal members a family named Hetherly, from Kentucky, composed of the following persons: Geo. Hetherly, the father; Jenny Hetherly, the mother; John Hetherly, Alfred Hetherly, George Hetherly, Jr., and James Hetherly, the sons, and Ann Hetherly, the daughter.

The Hetherlys lived far out on the frontier, and their cabin was a rendezvous for hard characters of all sorts. The , antecedents of the family were bad. Old George Hetherly was regarded as a thief in Kentucky, and Mrs. Hetherly was a sister to the notorious Kentucky murderers and freeboters, Big and Little Harpe. The women of the family were noted prostitutes, and the men were believed to be villains of the hardest sort.

Bad as they were, however - and they were bad enough, Heaven knows - the Hetherlys were doubtles not half as black as they were painted, and many crimes were attributed to them* of which, in all probability, they were innocent.

Living with the Hetherlys as boarders, visitors or employees were three or four young men whose reputations were none of the best, who had doubtless drifted westward from the older states as they fled from the officers of the law for crimes committed.

Old Mrs. Hetherly is said to have been the leading spirit of the gang, prompting and planning many a dark deed, and often assisting in its execution. Tales were told of the sudden and utter disappearance of many a land hunter and explorer, who visited the upper Grand river country and was last seen in the neighborhood of the Hetherly house. These stories may or may not have been true, but all the same they were told, and gradually gained credence. The Hetherly family was indeed a strange one. It was half-civilized, half-savage. The dress and manners of the members were weird and altogether peculiar to themselves.

Early in the month of June, 1836, a hunting party of Iowa Indians from southern Iowa came down on the east fork of Grand nver on a hunting expedition. As soon as the Hetherlys heard of the proximity of the Indians they resolved to visit their camp, steal what horses they could, and carry them down to the river counties and sell them. Taking with them James Dunbar, Alfred Hawkins, and a man named Taylor, the four Hetherlys visited the scene of the lowas' hunting operations and began to steal the ponies and horses which had been turned out to graze. Fortune favored them, and they managed to secure quite a lot of ponies, and escaped with them to the forks of Grand river. Here they were overtaken by a pursuing party of the lowas, who demanded a return of their property. The demand not being either refused or instandy complied with, the Indians opened fire on the thieves. The first volley killed Thomas. Other shots being fired, the Hetherly gang retreated, leaving the ponies in the hands of their rightful owners.

Upon the defeat of their scheme the Hetherlys returned home, and began consulting among themselves as to the best course to pursue under the circumstances. Being much alarmed lest the Indians should give information of the affair to the whites and have the true story believed, it was resolved to anticipate a visit to the whites on the river, and go first themselves and tell a tale of their own. Dunbar had for some time shown symptoms of treachery to the party, or rather of a desire to break away from his evil associations. Soon after he was . murdered and his body found.

In a day or two the Hetherlys made their appearance in the settlements raising an alarm that the Indians were in the country murdering and rob- bin^, and claiming that they had killed Dunbar and other white men in the Upper Grand River country. The news was at first believed, and there was great excitement throughout the country. A part of the story was known to be true - that the Indians were in the country, and the rest was readily believed.

Gen. Thompson, commanding the militia forces in the district, ordered out several companies and moved toward the scene of the reported troubles. Nearly all the able-bodied male population of Carroll county turned out, and the whole country was thoroughly scoured. A scouting party penetrated the section of country where the Indians were, visited their camps, and after thorough examinations became perfectly satisfied that the savages were not, and had not been hostile - had not been guilty of the offenses alleged against them, but on the contrary had been preyed upon by the Hetherly gang in the manner heretofore described. After consultation the officers returned the men to their homes and disbanded them, and the scare was over.

The depredations and crimes were now traced directly to the Hetherlys. A warrant for their arrest was issued by Jesse Newlin, a justice of the peace at Knavetown, now Spring Hill, in Livingston county. Lewis N. Rees was the then sheriff of the county, and into his hands the warrant was placed. On the 17th of July Sheriff Rees, with a strong posse, effected the arrest of the Hetherlys, and they were brought before 'Squire Newlin for preliminary examination. The examination attracted great attention and lasted several days. The result was that the parties were found to be the murderers, either as principals or accessories of Dunbar. There was strong talk of lynching them, but on the 27th of July they were given into the custody of the sheriff of Ray county for safe keeping until the October term of the Carroll circuit court. Old man Hetherly, his wife, and their daughter, Ann, were released on bail.

On the 27th day of October, 1836, in obedience to a writ of habeas corpus issued by Judge Ryland in vacation, the sheriff of Ray county brought into the circuit court, at Carrollton, Geo. Hetherly, Sr., Jenny Hetherly, George, Jr., John, Alfred, and James Hetherly, and Alfred Hawkins, all charged with the murder of James Dunbar. By order of Judge Ryland, the accused were placed in the custody of Sheriff Rees.

The grand jury found bills of indictment against the Hetherlys, and a separate indictment against Alfred Hawkins. Austin A. King took his seat on the bench, as judge of the circuit, in the room of Judge Ryland at this term, and Thomas C. Burch entered upon his duties as circuit attorney.

The latter, however, having been counsel for the accused in the preliminary examinations, was discharged from the duties imposed upon him by the law in this case, and Amos Rees was appointed, by the court, special prosecutor in the case.

On Tuesda\% March 7, 1837, John Hetherly was acquitted. There being no sufficient jail in this county, the Hetherlys were sent to the Lafayette county jail, and Hawkins to the jail of Chariton county, for safe keeping. Bills, to the amount of $530, were allowed certain parties for guarding the criminals.

It being apparent to the prosecutor that no conviction could be had of the Hetherlys, nor of Hawkins, unless some of his fellow-criminals would testify against him, at the July term, 1837, before Judge King, a nolle -pros, was entered against the Hetherlys, and they were discharged. Whereupon Hawkins was placed on trial, and the Hetherlys testified against him. He was ably and vigorously defended by his counsel, who induced some of the jury to believe that the Hetherlys themselves were the guilty parties, and the result was, that the jury disagreed, and were discharged.

At the November term, 1837, Hawkins was again tried, at Carrpllton, and this time convicted of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to death. The jury that convicted Hawkins was composed of William Winfrey* William Beatty, William Mears, William Turner, James Trotter, Wesley Gentry, Nelson Johnson, Andrew McCollum, Jacob Taylor, James Lucas, Samuel Turner, and Robert H. Courts. The sentence of Hawkins was afterward commuted to twenty years in the penitentiary, whither he was taken, but, after serving about two years of his time, he died, and thus terminated " the Hetherly war." What eventually became of the Hetherly family is not known.

The Florida War

The Florida or Seminole war grew out of the determined opposition of the Seminole Indians to their removal from their lands in Florida to the reservation set apart for them west of the Mississippi river. From the time of the cession of Florida by Spain to the United States, in 1819, the Indians had manifested more or less displeasure towards the Americans. The first attempt to remove them was in 1835. The Seminoles resisted, and, under the leadership of Osceola, organized against the efforts of the government. In 1836 the Creeks joined the Seminoles, and the war spread into Georgia and Alabama. The Creeks were soon subdued, however, and sent across the Mississippi. The Seminoles were not so easily put down. They continued the war, and although, whenever they fought in the open field they were easily enough defeated; yet, whenever tjiey retreated into and were attacked in the swamps and everglades, their favorite fighting ground, they uniformly repulsed the whites. In October, 1837, Osceola came into Gen. Jessup's camp under a flag of truce; but,

Still the Seminoles kept up the war, and the government was compelled to take decisive steps and make formidable preparations to put them down.

Some time in the fall of 1837, while Lilburn Boggs was governor of the state, president Van Buren conceived the idea of sending a force of Missouri pioneers against the Seminoles. In an interview with Col. Benton, then one of our senators, the president asked Old Bullion whether or not Missourians could be induced to travel so far as the swamps of Florida to assist in chastising the Seminoles. Col. Benton answered : " The Missourians will go whenever and wherever their services are needed," and thereupon he went to the secretary of war, Hon. Joel R. Poinsett, and urged him to issue an order for raising volunteers in Missouri for that purpose. A requisition was thereupon made upon Gov. Boggs for two regiments of mounted volunteers.

Col. Richard Gentry, of Boone county, was the colonel of the first regiment raised pursuant to the call of the secretary of war. Originally the regiment was composed of eight companies - two from Boone county, commanded by Captains John Ellis, and Thos. D. Grant; one from Callaway, Capt. Wm. H. Russell; one from Howard, by Capt. Congreve Jackson; one from Chariton, by Capt. James Flore; one from Ray and Carroll, by Capt. John Sconce; one from Jackson, by Capt. James Chiles; one from Marion, by Capt. John Curd. Afterwards four other companies of the second regiment were attached to the first. Two of these companies were composed of friendly Delaware and Osage Indians.

Capt. Sconce's company had in it the following men from Carroll county: Patrick Darcy, third lieutenant; Elihu Standley, wounded in the back at the battle of Okeechobee, by a ball from the rifle of an Indian who was up in a tree; Ingram Standley, Hiram Standjey, and William Wolf.

On the 6th of October, 1837, Col. Gentry's regiment left Columbia for Florida. A flag was presented to the regiment, which was borne through the war and is stiU in the possession of the family of Col. Gentry, in Boone county. The companies marched to Jefferson Barracks, just below St. Louis, where they were mustered into service. From here they were taken in boats to New Orleans, and from thence they were taken in brigs across the Gulf of Mexico to Tampa Bay, Florida, disembarking on the 15th of November. On the voyage the troops encountered a violent storm, and several horses were lost, but no lives were lost.

The services of the Missouri troops in the Florida war ought to he noted in every history of the state, and especially in that of every county from which there were soldiers. As Carroll county contributed her quota

On the first of December the Missouri troops received orders from Gen. Zachary Taylor, then commanding the United States troops in Florida, to march from Tampa Bay to Okeechobee lake, 135 miles inland, in the vicinity of which the whole force of the Seminoles was said to have collected under their four most redoubtable leaders: Sam Jones, Tiger Tail, Alligator and Mycanopee. Having reached the Kissemmee river, 70 miles from the bay, Capt. Sconce's company, which had been detailed as scouts or spies and had the advance, came upon and captured several Indians who were guarding and grazing their stock. From the captives it was learned that the Indians were near at hand in force. Immediately upon crossing the river Gen. Taylor formed the Missouri volunteers in front and advanced, supporting them by some regular troops on either flank.

The Indians having had full view of the movements of the troops, were prepared for them, and opened the fight from their strong position concealed in the swamp. The Missourians, including their colonel, fought on foot and- had repulsed the Indians from their first position. Col Gentry was gradually pushing them across the swamp, and had nearly reached dry ground, when a bullet struck him in the abdomen, inflicting a fatal wound. He realized it? dangerous character, yet stood erect for an hour afterward cheering on his men, but at last he became exhausted, was. borne from the field, and died the same night.

The fall of Col. Gentry did not dispirit or dismay the Missourians.. They made good all the promises made for them by Col. Benton, and continued the fight until the Seminoles were completely vanquished. The total loss of Gen. Taylor's command, in killed and wounded, was 138, and of these the greater portion were Missourians.

Col. Switzler's history of Missouri states that the official report of Gen. Taylor, of the battle of Okeechobee did great injustice to the Missouri volunteers, in that it charged them with breaking and falling back to the baggage, and that his aids could not rally them. This report created great excitement in Missouri, and during the session of the legislature of 1838-9, a special committee was appointed, of which Gen. D. R. Atchison Was chairman, to investigate the matter. This committee took the testi i^ony of about twenty officers, who took part in the battle of Okeechobee, some of whom were engaged in the battle, and others who were posted at the baggage on the opposite side of the swamp.

The substance of Gen. Atchison's report was that the battle commenced between 9 and 10 o'clock of the forenoon of Christmas day, 1837 ; that the Missouri volunteers first attacked the enemy, led the charge, and bore the c brunt of the battle along the whole line; that they had to march through a deep miry swamp, for about half a mile, in order to approach the Indians who were concealed in the edge of the swamp ready to receive them, on ground which they had chosen, and prepared for that purpose; that the Indians were protected by the heavy timber and underbrush, while the volunteers, mostly unsupported by the regulars, were exposed in open line uncovered in the swamp, standing up to their knees in mud and water, when they received the first deadly fire of the enemy, and notwithstanding the perils of their position and the galling fire of the enemy, they fought bravely until the battle was over, and it was chiefly by their fire that the Indians were first dispersed. Although a large number of the volunteers were killed or wounded by a concealed enemy, they heroically stood their ground, or pressed forward to the attack, until the hummock was taken and the victory gained.

Gen. Atchison's report went on to state that none of the witnesses examined knew of any attempt on the part of Gen. Taylor's staff to rally the volunteers or of any necessity for such attempt ; and the fact is established that after the heat of the battle was over, a considerable portion of the volunteers, instead of being dispatched in pursuit of the retreating enemy, were, by order of the regular officers, detailed to make a causeway across the swamp upon which to carry out the dead and wounded. It was also established that Col. Gentr^^ fell at the head of his troops in a manner worthy of the commander of the volunteers, "and the conduct of the volunteer officers and soldiers generally was such as ought to have elicited praise and commendation instead of censure and reproach."

To the committee, and to nearly everybody, it was manifest that Gen. Taylor shared the opinions of nearly all the regular army officers concerning volunteers, and held that they were not worthy of serious consideration as soldiers. By reason of the contempt felt for all other classes of soldiers, the regulars have very often made themselves ridiculous if not despicable. The}' seem to think that only themselves who serve for pay and glory, and not for patriotism, are capable of doing good fighting; but all history shows that some of the bravest and best fighting has been done by volunteers, whose hearts are in the cause which they have under taken to defend.

It is hard to believe that Gen. Taylor wrote the report attributed to him which did such injustice to the Missourians, because he afterwards, during the Mexican war, paid the highest tributes to, and made the fullest acknowledgments of the bravery of Doniphan's men. Probably he was misinformed as to the real facts of the case, in regard to the conduct of our troops in the battle of Okeechobee.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives : That the conduct of the Missouri volunteers and spies, in the Florida campaign, was such as only could be expected from good soldiers and. brave men.

2d, Resolved, That so much of Col. Z. Taylor's report of the battle of Okeechobee, which charges that the Missouri volunteers and spies mostly broke and fell back to the baggage, and that the repeated efforts of his staff could not rally them, is proved to be unfounded, not to say intentionally false, and that so much of said report which states that the regular troops were joined by Capt. Gilliam and Lieut. Blakey with a few men, but not until they had suffered severely, is incorrect in this - that Gilliam and Blakey were in advance of the regular troops during most of the fight, and never in their rear.

3d, Resolved^ That so much of said report, which states that the Missouri volunteers and spies behaved themselves as well or better than troops of that description usually do, is not so much a compliment to them, as a slander upon citizen soldiers generally.

4th, Resolved^ That Col. Taylor in his report of the battle of Okeechobee has done manifest injustice to the Missouri volunteers and spies, and that said report was not founded upon facts as they occurred.

5th, Resolved^ That a commanding officer who has wantonly misrepresented the conduct of men who have promptly done their duty, and gallantly sustained him in battle, is unworthy a commission in the army of the United States. .

6th, Resolved^ That the Governor of this state be required to lay before the president of the United States, the evidence reported t o this house, in relation to the conduct of the Missouri volunteers and spies in the Florida campaign, and Col. Taylor's report of the battle of Okeechobee, and that he solicit on the part of this state, a court of inquiry into the conduct of the Missouri volunteers and spies, and the truth of said report.

7th, Resolved^ That the governor of the state be required to lay before the president of the United States, a statement of the facts relative to the treatment of the spies under Col. Morgan and Capt. Sconce, 1st. As it regards the fact of the organization of said command into a spy battalion, under the order of Col. Taylor. 2d. This subsequent acknowledgment and recognition of said corps. 3d. The performance of arduous duty by the officers of said battalion under the requisition of Col. Taylor. 4th. Their subsequent discharge as privates, and the pay that they received as such. 5th The necessity of adopting some course to obtain redress.

There beipg no further service required of the Missourians they were mustered out in the early part of 1838, and sent to their homes. The Carroll and Ray county men, under Capt. Sconce, were given a cordial welcome by theh* friends at home, who had every reason to be proud of the services of the gallant scouts. Indeed it is but the truth to say that Capt. Sconce's company won great renown, and did perhaps more and better services than any other company in Gentry's regiment.

than any other company in the regiment. Among the killed were Perry Jacobs and James Remley, and among the wounded were Wm. B. Hudgins and Elihu Standley, before mentioned.

Drowning Of Four Men At De Witt

About the 16th of December, 1837, a notable tragic incident occurred at De Witt, to which the old settlers always reverted with sorrow, mingled with horror. On the evening of the day named two men named John McMahan and Perry Harris, who were engaged in running the ferry owned by Rev. Eli Guthrie, at De Witt, started to cross over to their homes on the Saline county side. McMahan was married, and Harris, a young man aged 19, boarded with him. The river was full of running ice, which was gorging at some point below. The boat in which the men were to cross was a flatboat, capable of carrying a team, and was propelled by oars and poles.

As the undertaking seemed to be an extra-hazardous one. Rev. Guthrie urged McMahan not to attempt to cross the river that night, for in addition to the difficulties mentioned the weather was extremely cold and was growing colder. But the two boatmen had had much experience with the old Missouri (and unfortunately had been drinking that day), and scouted the idea of any danger. Rev. Guthrie was so impressed with the perilous nature of the undertaking that he followed McMahan and Harris to the water, and entreated them to remain. They would not heed his remonstrances, however, and launched away. A few yards from the shore they became entangled or fastened in the almost solid mass of moving cakes of ice, some of which were very thick. The boat became unmanageable and floated down the river at the mercy of the current. Seeing their predicament, Mr. Guthrie and some other parties followed along the bank down stream to see what the finale would be. It came all too soon. The boat drifted upon a huge " sawer " and upset. McMahan and Harris climbed out upon the tree which had a large fork some feet above the water, forming a sort of platform. Upon this platform they climbed and shouted for assistance. Their perilous situation was soon made known. In an hour or two dozens of people had congregated upon both shores of the river, all eager and anxious to do something for their unfortunate brethren, but seemingly powerless to do anything.

Rev. Guthrie hastened back to DeWitt as soon as he saw McMahan and Harris in their perilous position, and arriving at the town procured a skiff and started to try and effect their deliverance. Accompanying him were Wm. Smith and Lilburn Barns, two other Carroll county men. The attempt was a most disasterous, a most distressing failure. The boat reached the sawyer, but McMahan, in his eagerness to save his life, caught the chain of Guthrie's skiff, and pulled the bow of the boat high upon the sawyer, causing the stern of the little craft to sink and the boat to capsize and throw its occupants into the icy current. Li)burn Bams, who was in the bow, sprang upon a cake of ice, from that to another, then to another, and so on, until he actually reached within a few feet of the bank on the Carroll county side, seventy-jive yards from the sawyer, when he jumped into the water and waded out, falling exhausted when he reached the dry ground, to be taken up by kind and tender hands. It is said that Barns was unable to swim a single stroke. Rev. Guthrie and Smith went down and never rose or were seen again.

The death of Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Smith added to the horror of the situation; for it was now almost certain that the rescue of the men on the "sawyer" was not to be effected by any poor human means. The news spread rapidly, and by ten o'clock there were nearly three hundred people gathered on the icy banks of the river, trying to devise some way to save their comrades, but trying in vain. It was bitter cold and large fires were built to keep from freezing, and in some degree, to cheer McMahan and his companion. Messages were shouted back and forth. From the shore exhortations not to lose all hope, for everything possible would be done. From the "sawyer " entreaties for help, but at the same time assurances of trust in the friendship and love of humanity of those on the shore. And still the mighty Missouri rolled remorselessly on, the cruel, craunching ice pounding and grinding against the perilous refuge,- if refuge it could be called, of the distressed men, as if begrudging them even that frail and unsubstantial tenure of life, and anxious to send them to keep company with the brave, but unfortunate Guthrie and Smith. So the night passed away.

About day-light Harris shouted to the shore that McMahan was dying and wanted his friends to know that he died resigned to the will of Him who doeth all things well. At seven o'clock Harris again called out that McMahan was dead. He laid the body on the fork of the tree, securing it as best he could. Relatives of the dead man told Harris to take the clothing from the body of McMahan and cover himself to avoid perishing, which he did. This was a dreadful thing to do, but the circumstances excused it.

It was Tuesday evening when the men were wrecked. Wednesday afternoon parties went to the Miami ferry, let the boat loose and three or four experienced river men started with it to rescue Perry Harris. They struck a sawyer before they reached their destination. Their boat came near being upset; it "shipped" a large quantity of ice and water, and the accident so frightened the crew that they made their way to shore as soon as possible. A lump of lead was tied to a string and repeated efforts -were made to throw it to Harris and thus furnish him with the means to draw a rope to him. Many a boat was launched, but it could get but a few feet from shore.

Perry Harris remained on the "sawyer" for three days* and five nights - more than 84 hours - exposed to the icy blasts and freezing temperature, with the dead body of his comrade, McMahan, at his feet. Death encompassing him about every moment, and life, safety, home and friends only a few hundred feet away - so near and yet so far. The people on the shore, especially the relatives and friends of McMahan and Harris, were rendered almost frantic by the spectacle before them. Strong, fearless men were there, ready to do everything and anything to rescue the brave young Harris, who certainly showed heroism and fortitude if ever man did. But the strong men had as well been prattling babes, for all that they could do. The mighty, and, in this instance, the murderous Missouri mocked them, and scorned them as it held its heroic young prisoner in its horrible embrace, and, aided by the Ice King, began to kill him.

Poor Harris' feet and hands became frozen, and he could not assist himself. At last, in the morning of the fourth day, the ice began to gorge below the sawyer, and faint hopes were entertained that a bridge would be formed which would enable the prisoner to be extricated. But, alas! The ice "chugged" up, as the settlers, in their rough, but descriptive phraseology, expressed it, and the benumbed and helpless young man was caught between the huge masses and crushed to death. McMahan's body was thrown into the water by the gorging of the frigid boulders, and, like the bodies of Guthrie and Smith, was never seen again. The next day the ice had formed a bridge across the river, and Harris' body was taken out and buried in the grave-yard, near Miami.

The memory of the noble, humane and brave Rev. Guthrie, and his companion. Smith, should ever be preserved and revered. Not often are such instances of heroism to be recorded. Not often can such an instance of self-sacrifice be noted. Their bodies never were recoved, and never will be seen until that great day when the deep shall yield up its dead. No marble pile was ever reared to commemorate their noble, heroic conduct, but their names ought to live long in the annals of Missouri history. "Greater love hath no man than this - that a man lay down his life for his friend."

The Mormon War

In 1838 occurred what is commonly known as the Mormon war, although there was but very little of real war about it. It was a very respectable war for those days, however, and had some of the elements ' of genuine martial strife abput it. As Carroll county was the chief scene of the operations-, its citizens, the leading actors in the drama, it is proper that a full mention of the play, the theatre and the actors should be made in this history.

To begin with, it may be fairly stated that nothing in the history of modern fanaticism equals the progress of Mormonism in the United States and in the world. That veteran observer of affairs, especially of affairs in the United States, Col. W. F. Switzler, in his history of Missouri (p. 238 et seq.) thinks it marvelously, strange that an uneducated youth, without wealth or social standing, indeed, without a prestige of common morality (for the founder of Mormonism was a dissolute, unprincipled young rake, and notorious only for his general wickedness), should excite a revolutionary movement in the religious world, and be able to operate on the public credulity, by means of the wildest and most ridiculous pretensions to divinity and prophecy, and that too, in an age of refinement and scientific intelligence.

Joe Smith, the founder of Mormonism, and its prophet, priest and leader, assumed to act by divine authority, and claimed that his mission was of both a temporal and spiritual character. His mission was not only to radically and essentiall}'^ change all the features of divine worship, and herald the millennial reign of Christ on earth, but was to establish a emporal kingdom, in which his followers, denominated " the Saints," were to reign and crush the unbelieving world beneath their righteous rule. When Smith first came to Missouri, in 1831, it was claimed that the foundations of this kingdom were laid at Independence, Jackson county, which Smith in obedience to a revelation, called " the New Jerusalem." From this nucleus the kingdom was to be extended by a series of supernatural incidents and agencies, and by conquests more miraculous, important and complete, than those which attended Mohammed in his campaign, which led to the establishment of Islamism.

To accomplish his designs, Smith at first proposed to concentrate all the Indian tribes of the west and incite them to avenge the wrongs they claimed to have suffered at the hands of their white conquerers and oppressors. The blood-thirsty Comanches, the cruel crafty Sacs and Foxes, together with the Winnebagoes, the Pawnees, the Omahas, the Otoes and other tribes west of the Missouri, were to hear the voice of " the holy prophet of the great spirit," heed his counsel and consent to and

The Mormon bible or " Book of Mormon," as it is called, contains a pretended history of the original inhabitants of America, from whom it is claimed the modern tribes have descended. This book was to be largely used to convert the poor Indians. From the pages of this blundering, meaningless fiction, this mass of but little more than senseless jargon, they were to be taught their high origin, they were to learn of a hightoned ancestry, that had discovered, settled and peopled a vast continent, and established a civilization far superior to that of their European enemies, who had dispossessed them of their hunting grounds, the once happy homes of their fathers.

A brief sketch of Joseph Smith, the founder and chief apostle of Mormonism,or the "Church of the Latter Day Saints," as he christened it, will not be out of place here. He was born December 23, 1805, at Sharon, Windsor county, Vermont. In 1816 he removed with his father's family to Palmyra, Wayne county. New York. When but fifteen years old he claimed to have received his first remarkable vision. He afterward asserted that, while praying in the woods, God appeared to him and announced that his sins were all forgiven, that all of the then existing denominations of Christians were in error, and that he was chosen to re-instate the kingdom of God and Ve-introduce His gospel on earth. Smith acquainted none or but few with the knowledge of his divine visitation at this time, and three years thereafter had fearfully fallen from grace as it would seem, for he had formed and practiced the vicious habits of swearing, swindling and drunkenness.

September 21, 1823, Smith claimed that he was again favored with a divine visitation and revelation. An angel of the Lord came to him while asleep in bed, he asserted, and revealed to him the existence and preservation of the history of the ancient inhabitants of the American continent, which history was to be found recorded on certain plates or tablets of gold, buried near Palmyra. One of the early Mormon hymns declared:

Smith was further directed by the celestial messenger to take up the aforesaid plates. The next day he obeyed the divine command, and discovered the plates in a stone box buried in the hillside designated as "Cumorah," between the towns of Manchester and Palmyra, New York. He attempted to take them when lo! Satan and certain of his angels appeared and prevented him for a time, waging a fierce warfare for a time with carnal weapons; but the victory was on the Lord's side, and Beelzebub

The angel of the Lord then safely delivered to Smith the plates, which were of gold, bell-shaped, seven by eight inches in size, and six inches thick, and fastened through holes in the smaller ends with rings.

These plates contained all kinds of characters, fantastic, arabesque, and irregular, presenting a singular medly of imitations of Greek, Hebrew, Chaldean, and other characters, together with all sorts of hieroglyphics, representations of the sun, moon, and stars, various cabalistic symbols, etc. Smith at once set about translating these plates, and his labors were witnessed by Martin Harris, Oliver Cowdry, and David Whitmer, according to their affidavits, which appear in every edition of the Mormon bible. These men swore that they saw with their own eyes the angel deliver the plates to Smith, and assisted in their transcribing. David Whitmer still lives, and resides at Richmond, Ray county, an old man and honest one. It is but the truth and fair to say that he has always seemed to be honest and sincere in his opinions, and positive in his declarations of the particulars of the miraculous circumstances here recorded. Although declared an apostate by the modern leaders of the Mormon church, Mr. Whitmer still claims to be a mormon, whether he is the victim of a delusion or not.

While the translation of the plates was in progress, Martin Harrison, one of the "scribes," stole 118 pages of the manuscript, as is claimed, and these have never been recovered. The work of translation was then suspended for a time, but in April, 1829, was resumed, Oliver Cow'dry, whom John the Baptist came back to the earth and ordained for the work, acting as clerk. The ensuing year the Book of Mormon was published and given to the world as a revelation from heaven.

Mr. Thurlow Weed, a- venerable journalist of national reputation, now living in New York city, in a letter published in the New York Heraldy July 29, 1858, made the following statement concerning the publication of the Book of Mormon:

" The original imposter, Joe Smith, came to the writer only thirty-two years ago with the manuscript of this Mormon bible to be printed. He had then but one follower, a respectable and wealthy farmer of the town of Macedon, who offered himself as security for the printing. But after reading a few chapters, it seemed such a jumble of unintelligible absurdities that we refused the work, advising Harris not to mortgage his farm and begger his family. But Joe crossed over the way to our neighbor Elihu F. Marshall, and got his Mormon bible printed."

It has been alleged and there is good evidence that the real author of the Book of Mormon, was Rev. Solomon Spalding, a Presbyterian clergyman of Ashford, Connecticut, and a college graduate. Abandoning the ministry, Mr. Spalding engaged in merchandising, and resided at Cherry Valley, New York, Conneaut, Ohio, and finally at Amity, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1816. He was the author of several works of fiction, the manuscripts of which Ke was accustomed to read to his friends. Among these manuscripts was a romance of the migration of the ten lost tribes of Israel to America, advancing the hypothesis that the aborigines of America are the descendants of the Hebrew children.

Being encouraged by some friends, Mr. Spalding decided to publish this latter fiction, and placed it in the hands of a printer at Pittsburgh, Pa. One Sidney Rigdon, afterwards a prominent Mormon, was the printer. The book was never published, and the manuscript was returned to Spalding. After the appearance of the book of Mormon, Mr. Spalding's widow recognized it as having been almost wholly derived from her husband's manuscript, and May 18, 1839, in a card in the Boston yotirnaly she published a full, authenticated statement regarding its history. (American cyclopedia.) It has long been claimed that Sidney Rigdon was the real author of the book of Mormon, and that he derived it wholly or in great part from Spalding's romance, choosing Joe Smith as a proper person to give it to the world.

Having made a number of converts, Smith and his apostles and followers removed to Kirtland, Ohio, in 1831. Meeting with much opposition from the people of that section, the .Mormons decided to remove to the far west. Joe Smith made a visit to Missouri to find a location for the new "Zion" of his church. He at first visited Saline county, and spent some days in looking over the country in the Grand Pass neighborhood. He then passed on through Lafayette county, and into Jackson. At Independence he received a "revelation" that this was to be the seat of his kingdom. He made arrangements to enter several thousand acres of land, and called the place "The New Jerusalem." He then returned to Kirtland.

In 1832, Smith returned with many of his followers to Jackson 'county The land upon which they settled, mostly lay west of Independence. The land and all the other property professedly belonged to the Mormons in common, but really the bishops and leaders owned everything, the land titles especially vesting in them. A storehouse called "the Lords", but controlled by the leaders, was established at Independence. A newspaper called The Evening Star ^ the official organ of the church, was established. In this paper appeared every week divers "revelations" promising great things to the faithful, and direful woes against the unbelievers, the "wicked Gentiles."

The Mormons met with but little welcome from their new' neighbors in Missouri. Their presence was very distasteful to the citizens of Jackson county - the "Gentiles" - who could not tolerate the nonsense of "new revelations," the "second kingdom," etc., and the result was they threw the Mormon printing press into the river, tarred and feathered the Mormon bishop and two others, and otherwise made' it unpleasant for the "saints." The latter did not suffer in patience. When smitten on one cheek they retaliated forthwith upon the smiter. In 1833, an affray between the Mormons and citizens, occurred near Westport, in which two citizens and one Mormon were killed. Soon after, Jo. Smith, the "prophet of the Lord," received a "revelation" ordering the destruction of the city of Independence. He marched with his force to the vicinity of the town on the night of November 2d, but here he was confronted by a large force of -Gentiles from Independence, and the surrounding country, and compelled to capitulate. The Mormons were made to lay down their arms and leave the country by the 1st of January following. The Gentiles agreed to pay the owner of the printing office for the destruction of his property.

From Jackson county the Mormons fled to the north side of the river, settling in Clay, Carroll and Caldwell counties. Jo. Smith and his officers laid out a town about eight miles southeast of Cameron, which was named Far West. It was declared by Smith that here a magnificent temple should be built, and that the town itself should soon become one of the mighty cities of the world. It is now quite a respectable cornfield. In 1837, work was begun on the temple, but it was never finished. The prosperity of the Mormon settlements at and near Far West attracted many adventurers, the majority of whom were arrant scoundrels. They managed to get into and obtain high positions in the church and influence it altogether for harm. " Revelations were obtained to the effect that the Lord had given the earth and the fullness thereof to " His people," and that the Mormons were " His people," and consequently had the right to take whatever they pleased from the Gentiles. In pursuance of these revelations the more lawless of them strolled about the country taking what they pleased. They largely outnumbered the Gentiles in Caldwell county, and Mormons held all of the important county offices. All efforts, therefore, to punish them for their crimes and misdemeanors were wholly inoperative, and the citizens felt justified in resorting to mob violence and retaliation in kind.

It is now in order to detail the history of the Mormon occupancy of Carroll county. According to the historical sketch of A. C. Blackwell, the Mormons first appeared in the county in 1838. In the summer of that year Mr. Henry Root, then a citizen of DeWitt, sold a large number of lots in that place to Messrs. G. M. Hinkle and John Murdock, prominent Mormons. Root had previously purchased the land from Rev. Eli Guthrie, the heroic humanitarian, who lost his life in his endeavors to save McMahan and Harris in December, 1837. Soon after the purchase by Hinkle and Murdock, it was learned that they were Mormons, and that it was the inten- tion to establish a large Mormon settlement at DeWitt, with branches in different parts of the county. DeWitt was an excellent landing on the river, and the most convenient point from which to forward goods and emigrants to Far West, then the head center of Mormonism. There was great alarm and much excitement consequent upon this discovery, but it was conceded that it was too late then to thwart the designs of the shrewd and crafty Mormon leaders, of whom Hinkle was one of the shrewdest and craftiest, as well as one of thq boldest and most unscrupulous. The price paid by Hinkle and Murdock for the lots in DeWitt was $500, and not for many times that sum would the people ol Carroll county have had the institution of Mormonism set up in their midst.

Immediately upon the purchase of the property at DeWitt the Mormons began to come into the county in great numbers, comparatively speaking. This increased the excitement. The people had been reared to believe in the Bible of Christianity and to consider all imitations thereof as arrant blasphemies not to be tolerated. They looked with detestation upon this new set which prated continually of its "revelations" and visions, and jabbered constantly in its "unknown tongues," and which it was said, was composed largely of northern abolitionists who sought not only the destruction of Christianity but the abolition of slavery. The bad character of the Mormons generally had been learned from their history while at Kirtland and in Jackson county. Doubtless there were many stories told of them which were untrue, but truth was bad enough. The Mormons soon exhibited a rapacious spirit and other traits of character of which the Gentiles could not approve. They were clannish in everything. Not only did they keep themselves aloof from the settlers but they were arrogant, presumptions, and overbearing in their intercourse with them. They seemed to have a supreme contempt and a hearty detestation for all who refused to believe in the tom-nonsense of the Mormon gospel, which they set far above Christianity, and to consider themselves the rightful lords and masters of all earthly possessions. They were wont to say that they had better proof of the divinity of the Book of Mormon than Christians had of the authenticity of the New Testament as a work of divine revelation ; "for," said they, " we have living witnesses, men of credibility, and well known to be such, who have sworn and will swear again that they saw the angel of the Lord deliver the plates of gold to the Prophet, who transcribed them and made of them a volume that contains the only true plan of salvation. You have no such e^ddence of the authenticity ot the New Testament."

The settlers consulted among themselves, and the best among them concluded 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 country to them. It was determined to hold a public meeting at Carrollton to 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 scholastic attainments very superior in extent in that day. These bills or placards, 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, 18158, to take into consideration 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 chairman. 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 Standley, Wm. Beatty, Roland Adkins, E. J. Rea, Sami. Williams, W. W. Ausfio, 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 enthusiasm was manifested, and the almost universal sentiment was expressed for an advance on the Mormon settlement. " Onto DeWitt," was the general acclaim.

There being a considerable number of Mormons in the county, fanatical, and as blindly devoted to their leaders as the early Mohammedans were to their prophet, it w-as 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 composed 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 determined upon. A further propositiim 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.

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 meeting, 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 committee to formally notify Col. Hinkle, the leader of the Mormons at DeWitt, of the course which had been determined on by the citizens, of the assistance 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 folio wing. 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 commissioners 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 demonstrations."

Negotiations led to no agreement, for Hinkle was obstreperous, and would listen to no conditions that involved his leaving De Witt and Carroll 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 Ihere 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 the latter county, did efficient service throughout the troubles. A detachment 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 command 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 b}' 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 Hinkle, and informed him that he had ten days in which to leave the county peaceably and without mole.station. At the end of that time, if the Mormons 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 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 neighboring 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 settlers could plainly see a man passing to and fro among the Mormons, encouraging 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 qtxid 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

After due reconnoisance of the Mormon position, it was thought advisable not to charge the works, and a call was made for several sharpshooters 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 purpose of awaiting re-enforcements. Volunteers from Ray, Clay and Howard 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 houses. As some days would elapse before the return, every precaution was taken in the meantime to cut of and turn back the Mormon emigrants who still continued to re-enforce De Witt. Capt. Wolfskill's company of Saline men were stationed at Cross's Ferry to prevent any crossing 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 expedition. 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 relievi* the sentries, and, being within earshot and hearing what subsequently passed took the alarm and by proper precautions escaped the fate intended for them. Thus Ewing's well laid plan failed, through the officiousness 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

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 campaign, was anxious to make a*change 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 procured 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 McMurtr}', 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 evening of the ninth day. Judge James Earickson and Wm. F. Dunnica, of Howard county, reached the citizens' camp, and asked permission to intercede 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 DeWitt 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 citizeps; the 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 difficulty, 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:

" 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 citizens 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."

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 irregular and unlawful, could not be countenanced or endorsed by the authorities, and Gen. Parks, commander of the militia district, had sent two companies from Ray county to keep the peace between the contending parties. These companies w'ere 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.

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 cannot 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 proceeding 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, without 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 b}^ 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 comrades 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.

voices. This weapon must have been manufactured in a common blacksmith 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 troubles, 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. Dunnica, 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 Mormons. When they first settled in the county, they often came to his hospitable 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 a short time until the Gentiles would be driven out of the country, and " God's people" - the Mormons - would occupy the land! This was more than the doctor could stand, and in a few moments he had driven the "saints" off' the premises, and soon after was the leader of the forces designed to drive them from the country.

Hinkle informed the commissioners that his men had driven up into DeWitt a number of horses from the bottom, among which he thought were some belonging to the citizens; if so, they would be freely given up. Some that had strayed from the camp were identified by their owners, and taken away.

The DeWitt Mormons left for the larger settlement at Far West, in Caldwell county, where Joe Smith and the other Mormon leaders then were. As they passed throiigh this county they received nothing but the kindest treatment at the hands of the citizens, who had lately been in arms against them, and who' were determined not to allow them to remain in the country. This kindness was fully appreciated by the poor refugees, who declared they had received better treatment from the Carroll county people than from those of any other county through which they had passed. Scarcely an3^one charged them for corn and provisions, of which they were in need. The people realized that they would be no more trouble with them, and as they were the conquerors, felt that they could aff'ord to be generous.

In less than a week the commissioners were ready to make the final settlement, and met in Glasgow for that purpose. They were just ready to proceed to business, when a messenger reached the town from Messrs. Dickson, Wilcoxson, and others at Carrollton, bearing a letter for the commissioners which summoned them home at once. When the Mormons under the leadership of Col Hinckle left DeWitt, they proceeded to Far West, in Caldwell county. The letter stated that the leading men of the

Mormons at this place had annulled and set aside Col. Hinkle's agreement, and avowed a determination to maintain possession of their property in Carroll county. A force froni Far West, it was. said, was moving southward, and Ray county had sent Captain Bogart to the northern part of that county to prevent a movement toward Richmond, and Carrollton was unprotected. The commissioners left Glasgow shortly after noon, and reached Carrollton at midnight.

Everything at the county seat was in the greatest confusion. The few merchants of the place had packed their goods and hidden them in the woods to save them from the hand of the Mormon ravager and spoiler who was thought to be coming down upon the town "like a wolf on the fold," and with blood in his eye. Many families had fled in great alarm and with ludicrous precipitation to the country, and many more were preparing to leave. It was reported that the Mormons were coming to take fearful vengeance for the w'ay they had been treated at DeWitt and elsewhere. Hou.ses were to be burned, property of all' kinds to be destroyed or carried away, and men - and, it was feared, women and children - were to be killed. Many persons hauled their furniture and other household goods to the brush, and secreted them any place out of sight. Others learning that the town would be burned hauled their goods to an open field then on the hill east of town on the DeWitt road. This, field contained the household effects of several families. There was much hurrying and skurrying about and the people came to realize how the Mormons must have felt when they were threatened and besieged in DeWitt.

But little was being done toward defending the place by an armed force. Col. Wm. Claude Jones, then a leading lawyer of this section, was in command of the county militia, and was endeavoring to organize two companies to defend the town, and for home protection generally; but all his efforts were in vain in consequence of the fearful demoralization which prevailed among the citizens. Nearly everyone was drunk. Men went whooping and yelling about the streets, avowing their ability to whip any number of Mormons but making no sensible preparations to do anything. One M. P. Ellis kept a low doggery, or dram-shop, as its license called it, where a most villainous article of whisky was vended. This compound was purchased readily b}" the men, and it seemed to have a fearful effect Upon them. Men seemed to be insane rather than of sound mind.* They were absolutely uncontrolable and would have remained so no doubt if the whisky had lasted.

Mr. A. C. Blackwell, one of the commissioners that had been ordered home, went out to stay all night with Rev. Sarshel Woods, and the next day they rode into Carrollton, where they found the situation unchanged. Rev, Woods went to Col. Jones and asked him why he did not stop the sale of whisky and organize a force for the protection of the town. Jones replied that Ellis would sell whiskey to all that called for it, and as long as this was done no organization could be effected. Rev. Woods rode to the dram-shop door and learned from Ellis that he had nearly a barrel of whisky yet on hand. "What will you take for it?" asked Woods. Ellis set a price, a high one, of course, but it w^s paid by the noble spirited Mr. Woods, whose next proceeding was to call to his assistance several bystanders and have the barrel rolled into the street, where it was knocked in the head and its poisonous contents flowed down the little hill which slopes to the northward from the northeast corner of the public square.

The whisky being spilled, Rev. Woods locked up the grocery, remarking as he did so: "I will keep this Devil's kitchen locked until we can get protection for the town. " The old grocery house was always known as " the Devil's kitchen, " ever after, as long as it stood. Its site was on the ground now occupied by the magnificent dry goods and clothing establishment of Baum & David, on the north side of the northeast corner of the public square^ in Carrollton.

The two companies were now soon raised. They were commanded by Captains Wm. Hill and Wm. Kirkpatrick. There was no occasion for their services, however, as the whole rumor of the Mormon attack on Carrollton was false. It was all a big scare gotten up by excited individuals who imagined that dreadful things mif^ht happen and in time came to think they would happen. Order reigned in Warsaw and Israel returned " every man to his tent. " Governor Boggs had been authoritatively notified of the troubles, and issued a proclamation calling out the militia. Gen. John B. Clark was appointed to raise a sufficient force to restore quietude, and if necessary the Mormons were to be expelled from the state. An attempt was made in the year 1841, to assassinate Gov. Boggs, at his home in Independence. It was alleged that this attempt was made by one Porter Rockwell, who it was said fired a pistol through a window at the governor, the ball striking his head, but inflicting only a slight wound. Rockwell was never indicted for this oflense, and it cannot be said that he was guilty.

l-h e two Carroll county companies commanded by Hill and Kirkpatrick were attached to Gen. Clark's regiment, which was composed of men from Howard, Randolph, Chariton and Carroll counties. The companies were stationed at the best places for the protection of the county. Gen. Clark moved the regiment to Far West, but before he reached this point, however, the Mormons had already surrendered to General Lucas, of Jackson, who had participated in similar troubles in Jackson connty a few years previously. Sarshel Woods was on the staff of General Clark, and in Far West, after the surrender, he met Col. Hinkle on the street, well armed with sword and pistols. When within ten feet,

Woods ordered Hinkle to halt. The latter demanded what he desired, when Woods replied: "We are now on equal footing I want your head, or you can have mine." Hinkle pleaded that he was already a prisoner, and the affair finally resulted in the surrender to Woods of the sword and pistols of the Mormon chieftain. They remained in his possession for several years, and when Wakanda Lodge of Masons, No. 52, was organized at Carrollton, the sword was presented to the lodge, and at every meeting can be seen in the hands of the tyler.

The term of service of the militia in this expedition was short, and in a few days they were all at their homes, and about their usual avocations.

The "Mormon war" did not end, however, with the troubles in Carroll, nor did these troubles number all the woes endured by the unfortunate victims of a harmful, though wild delusion. Severe encounters occurred between the Mormons and the Missourians. The former were commanded by General G. M. Hinkle; the latter by Gen. A. W. Doniphan.

One of these skirmishes took place on Crooked river, in the southwestern part of Caldwell county, and here David Patton, or "Captain Fear- Not," as he called himself, was killed. He was the leader of a band of Mormons called the "Danites," or "Destroying Angels," or "United Brothers of Gideon." He was succeeded in the command of the "Danites" by the notorious and infamous Porter B. Rockwell, whose mission it was to exterminate all who incurred the displeasure of the Mormon leaders. In the execution of his office Rockwell put to death many an innocent man, woman and child.

The most serious engagement of the war came off" at Haun's Mills, in the northeastern part of Caldwell county, about five miles south of Breckenridge, on the present line of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. The Mormons of the eastern part of Caldwell county had concentrated there and intrenched themselves in the mill and in a blacksmithshop. They numbered about sixty. The Missourians, under the command of Col. Jennings, attacked them, and after a spirited little conflict captured them without losing a man killed and only one man wounded. Probably twenty Mormons were killed.* The number wounded is unknown. The Missourians did not come out of this affair with clean hands. Several Mormons were inhumanl}^ murdered after they had surrendered under assurances of protection. It is said they were taken out and shot. The bodies of the slain were thrown into an old well on the farm of Mr. Haun, of Haun's Mill, - were not even buried decently. Ten days after the tragedy a Mr. Charles Ross, latterly a resident of Kingston, visited the spot and filled up the well with its ghastly contents.

Joe Smith surrendered, agreeing to Gen. D.'s conditions - that the Mormons should surrender their prominent leaders for trial, and the rest of the Mormons, with their families, should leave the state. Indictments were found against many of the leaders, with various results. The reader is referred to Switzler's History of Missouri, page 248 et seq., for particulars.

Soon after the expulsion of the Mormons from the state was decided on, they were invited to a home in Illinois, and settled the city of Nauvoo, in the Mississippi, in Hancock county. By the first of the following May (1839), scarcely a family of Mormons remained in Missouri, with the exception of some who withdrew from the colony, and who continue to this day, none, however, in Carroll county. Tht people of Carroll county showed by their conduct that they entertained no hatred towards the Mormons as individuals, and only wished to save their portion of the state from being settled up by a band of people professing their doctrines. It was plain to be seen that the Mormons must be driven from the county, or else in time the county be entirely given up to Mormons, and the citizens of the county naturally preferred the former.

After their arrival in Illinois the Mormons found that a majority of the people of that state were not more favorably disposed toward them than the Missourians had been. Troubles broke out of a serious character, and eventually Joe Smith and his brother, Hiram, were shot and killed by a mob who had broken the jail at Carthage, Hancock county, for that purpose. This was June 27, 1844, and soon after the Mormons were expelled from the state and driven to seek an asylum in the far-off territory of Utah, which they reached after much privation, and where they have founded a large and prosperous community, constantly growing larger and more prosperous, and some think more dangerous to the government of the United States.

Every old settler remembers the presidential campaign of 1840. Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison, for president, with John Tyler for vice-president, were the Whig candidates; and Martin Van Buren, of New York, and Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, were the nominees of the Democratic party. The canvas excited unexampled interest and enthusiasm throughout the Union. In some states all business was practically abandoned and the time taken up with mass meetings, jollifications, and rallies. It was not an uncommon thing for political meetings to remain in session for several days.

In Missouri probably the largest political meeting in the state was held by the whigs at Rocheport, Boone county, in June of that year. Col.

Switzler, in his history of Missouri, says that this meeting lasted three days and nights and was addressed by such distinguished speakers as Fletcher Webster, a son of Daniel Webster, Gen. A. W. Doniphan, Abiel Leonard, James S. Rollins, James Winston, Geo. C. Bingham, Missouri's artist statesman, and others.

John B. Clark, of Howard county, was the whig candidate for governor against Thomas Reynolds, the democratic candidate. The democrats carried the state for the Van Buren electors and for Reynolds by an average majority of 7,500.

In Carroll county the canvas was probably the most exciting one had up to that time. Meetings were held at Carrollton, in "the Forks," and in Sugar Tree Bottom. In Carroll county the vote for president was as

It was during this campaign that the hickory tree and the chicken cock were adopted as the democratic party emblems, while the whigs used the raccoon and buckeye boughs. This also was the beginning in the United States of what is considered "enthusiasm" in politics, which has been kept up ever since.

In 1842 there was quite' an exciting contest in the county for member of the state legislature. Robert D. Ray, now a grave and profound jurist, and a member of the supreme court of Missouri, then a young and ambitious, lawyer, wa§ the whig candidate against Col. Wm. W. Compton, the democratic nominee. Col. C. was an old pioneer, well known, and the county had a good democratic majority ; yet "Bob" Ray, as they called him, made a very good race. Certain democrats would have voted for and elected Ray if he had agreed to support Hon. Lewis F. Linn for re-election to the United States Senate; but he avowed himself a whig and declared that he would, if elected, vote for the nominee of the whig caucus for senator, and that under no circumstances would he consent to obtain votes by selling out his party.

The contest excited no little interest, and both candidates made a canvass of the county. The result of the election in August was the choice of Col. Compton, by the following vote:

A third candidate was in the field, Mr. H. H. Miller, who received but a few votes, not enough to effect the result. He had been the regular nominee of the democrats but the party managers had withdrawn him in favor of Col. Compton, who had announced himself as an independent candidate, and was receiving the support of very many of the democrats, so marly in fact, that it was evident Ray would be elected if the three candidates remained in the field. This was the first election after there were more than two townships in the county.

Also, in 1842, a steamboat of light draft and small burthen ascended the Grand River as far up as Bedford and to a point on the west fork as high as three miles west of Chillicothe. Two trips only were made, but a project to so improve the stream as to make it permanantly navigable was much discussed at one time, but nothing was ever done.

From 1840 to 1844 there were many new settlements made in the county, and population increased considerably. Many fine farms were opened, and a great deal of produce was raised and exported. Hundreds of bales of hemp and thousands of bushels «of corn and wheat were shipped by river from Hill's and Baker's Landings, as well as from DeWitt, and there was general prosperity throughout the country.

Hemp was considered the most profitable crop, and large quantities of it were grown. There being a considerable nuniber of slaves in the county their labor was chiefly employed in caring for this crop and preparing it for market.

The Great Flood Of 1844

The extraordinary high waters of 1844 will long be commemorated in the history of the Missouri valley. The river was higher in that year than in any other now known, exceeding the great overflow of 1826. The "June rise" of that year was extraordinary, and it was reinforced by an unprecedented flood in the Kansas river.

Judge Ransom, of Kansas City, an old settler, says that the rise in the Kansas was caused by heavy rains along the Republican and Smoky Hill forks and other tributaries of the river in Kansas.. The depth of fall of the Kansas at Kansas City, where, it empties into the Missouri is much greater than that of the Missouri at that point. Discharging great vol- umes of water day and night the Kansas cut square across the Big Muddy and broke in huge breakers on the banks on the opposite side and at last over into the Clay county bottoms, doing great damage. The weather was very peculiar. It rained a veritable "forty days and forty nights." Every evening out of a clear sky just as the*sun went down there arose a dark, ominons looking cloud in the northwest. Flashes of lightning and the heaviest thunder followed, and about ten o'clock the rain would begin to fall in torrents. The bridges were nearly all washed away. The next day the sun would rise clear and beautiful, and not a cloud would fleck the sky as a reminder of the disturbed elements of the night.

In Carroll county the days on which the flood was the highest were the 14th, 15th, and 16th of June. The river was over its banks everywhere, and all tbe low bottom lands were submerged everywhere.

The crops of that season were well advanced, and promised a glorious harvest. Vast fields of wheat, oats, rye, and corn were submerged, and the water receded to leave them a desolate waste. Great suffering necessarily followed. The corn in the bottoms was especially luxuriant, and many persons were dependent upon the successful cultivation of that staple for a living. When it was destroyed their only resource for the necessities of life was the charity of the people.