[62] In Northern Mexico, as I learned afterwards, the credulity of the superstitious was still more severely tried by this celestial phenomenon. Their Church had been deprived of some important privileges by the Congress but a short time before, and the people could not be persuaded but that the meteoric shower was intended as a curse upon the nation in consequence of that sacrilegious act.--GREGG. [63] The following were drowned: James Campbell, George Bradbury, David Linch, Thomas Harrington, William Everett, Smallwood Nolan.--ED. [64] Far West was begun in 1836; by 1838 there was a Mormon population of twelve thousand in and around the city.--ED. [65] Lilburn W. Boggs was born in Kentucky in 1798. Early removed to Missouri, he became prominent as a trader, pioneer, and political leader. In 1832 he was elected lieutenant-governor, serving as the acting-governor during part of his term. At its close (1836) he was chosen governor, and served for four years. During this term he incurred the animosity of the Mormons, by what was known as his "extermination order," issued in October, 1838. The attempt to assassinate him at the close of his term of office, at his home in Independence (1841), was popularly ascribed to a Mormon fanatic, who was, however, acquitted in the courts. In 1846 Governor Boggs led an overland party to California, where he assisted in the American occupation. Removed to Napa Valley in 1852, he died there nine years later. His wife was a granddaughter of Daniel Boone.--ED. [66] The year in which Gregg's book was published (June, 1844), Prophet Joseph Smith was killed by a mob in the jail of Carthage, Illinois.--ED. [67] After the death of the founder there was dissension in the ranks, one wing being headed by his eldest son, Joseph Smith III. The latter founded what is known as the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, which repudiates polygamy. These were the sectarians who returned to Jackson County, Missouri, where a large number now reside.--ED. CHAPTER XVII {I}[68] A Return to Prairie Life -- Abandonment of the regular Route -- The Start -- A Suicide -- Arrest of a Mulatto for Debt -- Cherokee 'Bankrupt Law' -- Chuly, the Creek Indian -- The Muster and the Introduction -- An '_Olla Podrida_' -- Adventure of a 'Down-Easter' -- Arrival of U.S. Dragoons -- Camp Holmes, and the Road -- A Visit from a Party of Comanches -- Tabba-quena, a noted Chief -- His extraordinary Geographical Talent -- Indians set out for the 'Capitan Grande,' and we through an Unexplored Region -- Rejoined by Tabba-quena and his '_suite_' -- Spring Valley -- The Buffalo Fever -- The Chase -- A Green-horn Scamper -- Prairie Fuel.