These evil reports soon spread through other counties, and the people were informed by many rumors that the "Mormons" were preparing to commit acts of violence against the older citizens, in other parts of the state. Every conceivable plan was adopted to provoke the members of the Church to acts of violence. Their enemies captured prisoners and punished them: then circulated the report in the "Mormon" settlements that these prisoners had been tortured to death. Thus they hoped to stir the Saints up to anger, trusting they would seek revenge that occasion might be found against them as the aggressors; but the Lord revealed the evil intent of their adversaries. Arrest of Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight Based on these falsehoods of Peniston, Black, et al., charges were preferred against Joseph Smith and Lyman Wight. At first they objected to being tried in Daviess County, where the writ was issued, because of the enmity of the citizens there. After consulting with their attorneys, Atchison and Doniphan, they volunteered to be tried in Daviess County, before Judge Austin A. King. When the trial was held, Adam Black was the only witness who appeared against them, and William P. Peniston was the prosecutor. Several witnesses, both non-members and members of the Church, testified in their defense. However, the judge, who manifested a bitter spirit, bound them over in the sum of five hundred dollars. At the close of the trial he admitted to some of the witnesses that there was no evidence to warrant his action, but the people demanded it. Proclamation of Governor Boggs These rumors and false affidavits reached the governor, as their authors intended they should. On the pretext that the "Mormons" had entered into an alliance with the Indians and were in rebellion, Governor Boggs issued an order, through Adjutant General B. M. Lisle, to General Atchison and six other commanders of the militia, that as a "precautionary measure," an effective force of the militia be held in readiness to meet either contingency (i.e., the rising of the Indians or the "Mormons"). This force was to consist of four hundred men from each of seven divisions, mounted, armed, and equipped as infantry or riflemen, and formed into companies according to law, thus making a force of 2,800 men.