The Rise and Fall of NauvooRoberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
History
The Rise and Fall of Nauvoo
Roberts, B. H. (Brigham Henry)
Latter Day Saints -- Illinois -- Nauvoo; Nauvoo (Ill.) -- History
This demand for the State arms stirred the fiery indignation of Squire
Wells to the very depths of his soul. He arose from his bed of sickness
and carried what State arms he had--a pair of horse-pistols--to the
appointed place, and threw them at the feet of Officer Buckmaster with
the remark, "There's your arms!" Then as he glared at the officer, he
said: "I have a pair of epaulets at home, and I have never disgraced
them, either," and, too full of righteous wrath for further speech, he
walked away.
The arms collected, Captain Dunn thanked the people for their
promptness in complying with the demands of the governor, and promised
them that while they conducted themselves in such a peaceable manner
they should be protected. The company of militia accompanied by Joseph
and his party started for Carthage about six o'clock in the evening.
Passing the Masonic Hall where a number of the citizens of Nauvoo still
lingered, having been attracted there to witness the surrender of the
State arms, the Prophet Joseph raised his hat and said: "Boys, if I
don't come back, take care of yourselves. I am going like a lamb to the
slaughter." When the company was passing his farm Joseph stopped and
looked at it for a long time. Then after he had passed he turned and
looked again, and yet again several times. His action occasioned some
remarks by several of the company, to which, in reply he said: "If some
of you had such a farm, and knew you would not see it any more, you
would want to take a good look at it for the last time."
It was midnight when the party entered Carthage, but a militia company
encamped on the public square--the Carthage Greys--were aroused and
gave vent to profane threats as the company passed, of which the
following is a specimen: "Where's the d--n Prophet?" "Stand away, you
McDonough boys, [1] and let us shoot the d--n Mormons!" "G--d d--n you,
old Joe, we've got you now!" "Clear the way, and let us have a view of
Joe Smith, the Prophet of God. He has seen the last of Nauvoo, we'll
use him up now!"
Amid such profanity and abuse, and violent threats, much of which was
overheard by Governor Ford, the Prophet's party proceeded to Hamilton's
hotel, which it entered and took quarters for the night. Under the same
roof were sheltered the wicked apostates of Nauvoo, J. H. Jackson, the
Foster brothers, the Higbees and the Laws, besides other desperate men
who had sworn to take the life of the Prophet.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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