History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 3Smith, Joseph, Jr.
History
History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Volume 3
Smith, Joseph, Jr.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844
Clerk Circuit Court, Adams Co., Ill.
[Sidenote: Additional Events of the Massacre.]
A younger brother of the boy here killed, aged eight, was shot through
the hip. The little fellow himself states {187} that seeing his father
and brother both killed, he thought they would shoot him again if he
stirred, and so feigned himself dead, and lay perfectly still, till he
heard his mother call him after dark.
Nathan K. Knight saw a Missourian cut down Father McBride with a
corn-cutter, and also saw them stripping the dying, and heard the boys
crying for mercy. Brother Knight made his escape across the mill-dam,
after receiving wounds through his lungs and finger. After the massacre
was over, he was led to a house by a woman, and whilst lying there
wounded he heard Mr. Jesse Maupin say that he blew one of the boys'
brains out. Some time later whilst walking the streets of Far West
Brother Knight was met by three Missourians who threatened to butcher
him, and one of them by the name of Rogers drew a butcher knife, and
said that he had not got his corn-cutter with him, that he cut down
McBride with, "but by----I have got something that will do as well:"
but by a great chance Brother Knight made his escape from the ruffian.
[Sidenote: Atchison Withdraws from "Militia."]
General Atchison withdrew from the army at Richmond as soon as the
governor's extermination order was received. Up to this time we were
ignorant at Far West of the movements of the mob at Richmond, and the
governor's order of extermination.
[Sidenote: Arrival of more Mob-Militia.]
On the 30th of October a large company of armed soldiers were seen
approaching Far West. They came up near to the town, and then drew back
about a mile, and encamped for the night. We were informed that they
were militia, ordered out by the governor for the purpose of stopping
our proceedings, it having been represented to his excellency, by
wicked and designing men from Daviess that we were the aggressors, and
had committed outrages in Daviess county. They had not yet got the
governor's order of {188} extermination, which I believe did not arrive
till the next day.
[Sidenote: Preparations for a Battle.]
_Wednesday, October 31_.--The militia of Far West guarded the city
the past night, and arranged a temporary fortification of wagons,
timber, etc., on the south. The sisters, many of them, were engaged in
gathering up their most valuable effects, fearing a terrible battle in
the morning, and that the houses might be fired and they obliged to
flee. The enemy was five to one against us.
[Sidenote: Col. Hinkle's Treachery.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account