The Story of the Mormons, from the Date of Their Origin to the Year 1901Linn, William Alexander
History
The Story of the Mormons, from the Date of Their Origin to the Year 1901
Linn, William Alexander
Latter Day Saints -- History; Utah -- History
Mobs do not generally act with the "utmost order," and this one was not
an exception to the rule, as an explanation of the "other steps" will
make clear. The first object of attack was the printing office, a
two-story brick building. This was demolished, causing a loss of $6000,
according to the Mormon claims. The mob next visited the store kept by
Gilbert, but refrained from attacking it on receiving a pledge that the
goods would be packed for removal by the following Tuesday. They then
called at the houses of some of the leading Mormons, and conducted
Bishop Partridge and a man named Allen to the public square. Partridge
told his captors that the saints had been subjected to persecution in
all ages; that he was willing to suffer for Christ's sake, but that he
would not consent to leave the country. Allen refused either to agree
to depart or to deny the inspiration of the Mormon Bible. Both men were
then relieved of their hats, coats, and vests, daubed with tar, and
decorated with feathers. This ended the proceedings of that day, and an
adjournment as announced until the following Tuesday.
On Tuesday, July 23 (the date of the laying of the corner-stone of the
Kirtland Temple), the Missourians gathered again in the town, carrying
a red flag and bearing arms. The Mormon statement to Governor Dunklin
says, "They proceeded to take some of the leading elders by force,
declaring it to be their intention to whip them from fifty to five
hundred lashes apiece, to demolish their dwelling houses, and let their
negroes loose to go through our plantations and lay open our fields for
the destruction of our crops."* The official report of the officers
of the meeting** says that, when the chairman had taken his seat, a
committee was appointed to wait on the Mormons at the request of the
latter.
* Greene, in his "Facts Relative to the Expulsion of the Mormons
from the State of Missouri" (1839), says that the mob seized a number of
Mormons and, at the muzzle of their guns, compelled them to confess that
the Mormon Bible was a fraud.
** Millennial Star Vol. XIV, p. 500.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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