A Young Folks' History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — John Shaqi
A Young Folks' History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsAnderson, Nephi
Religion
A Young Folks' History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Anderson, Nephi
Latter Day Saint churches
But they were not to fight. Traitors were in the camp of the Saints and
they now betrayed their brethren into the hands of the enemy. Colonel
George M. Hinkle was the commander of the Far West militia, and he went to
the mob commanders and promised to deliver up to them the Church leaders.
He also made an agreement with them that the Saints would deliver up their
arms, sign away their property to pay the expenses of the war, and then
leave the state. This was all done without the knowledge of the "Mormons"
or their leaders.
On the evening of October 30th, Colonel Hinkle told Joseph Smith, Sidney
Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, and George W. Robinson that the
officers of the mob-militia wanted to consult with them and try to arrange
matters. Next morning these brethren went with Hinkle some distance out of
Far West where they were met by General Lucas, and soon most of the mob
came up. Lucas ordered his men to surround the brethren, when Hinkle
stepped up and said:
"General Lucas, these are the prisoners I agreed to deliver to you."
The brethren were then marched into the camp of the mob-militia where they
were received with great shouts, curses, and yells. All that night they
were compelled to lie on the cold ground, and it rained before morning. The
next day Hyrum Smith and Amasa M. Lyman were brought as prisoners into
camp.
That day General Lucas demanded the arms of the "Mormons," promising them
protection, and the return of their guns after the trouble was over; but no
sooner had the mob obtained possession of the arms then they began stealing
and carrying away everything they could lay their hands on. They also
destroyed much property and abused innocent women and children. Those of
the brethren that had property were compelled to sign it away to the mob.
On the evening of November 1st, General Lucas held a court in which Joseph
and his brethren were to be tried. This court was composed of seventeen
preachers and some army officers. None of the prisoners were present, and
knew nothing of what was going on. The brethren were found guilty and
sentenced to be shot next morning at eight, o'clock, on the public square
in Far West. When the sentence was passed Generals Doniphan and Graham said
it was murder, and they would have nothing to do with it. This checked
Lucas in his evil designs and so they decided to take the prisoners to
Jackson county and kill them there. Before starting, they were allowed to
go to their homes and see their families, but they were not permitted to
speak to them. Their wives and children clung to them, crying in their
despair, and were only separated by the cruel swords of the guards.
Fifty-six of the leading brethren were now taken prisoners and sent to the
town of Richmond. Most of them were released shortly after.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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