Mormon History
Daily Missouri Republican – November 1, 1838
ALARMING STATE OF AFFAIRS.
The following letter, from a highly respectible individual, has been
politely furnished us by a friend, for publication. The statements are
confirmed by many verbal reports in the city. We have lately conversed
with several intelligent individuals from the vicinity of the Mormon
disturbance, and, whilst we have found it difficult to arrive with any
certainty at the truth concerning many things, we are well assured that
the hostility is more deeply seated than has generally been supposed,
and we feel assured that bloodshed and devastation only will terminate
the struggle, unless the Mormons remove from the country. Every account
from that quarter shows an existing state of agitation in the public
mind truly alarming. Every stranger is watching with jealousy, and
every man compelled to take sides for or against the Mormons. In truth,
there appears to be but little division on the part of the citizens, in
their opposition. We are told that the two men who laid out the town of
De Witt, and, as a matter of speculation, invited the Mormons to buy
lots in it, have been given leave to pass through the country three
times, after which they are informed that a return there will be
dangerous. They have already removed their goods into another county.
So deep and all-pervading is the opposition to the Mormons, and so many
respectable men have engaged in the attempt to expel them, that we feel
satisfied the public are not truly informed of the objections which
exist against the Mormons or the circumstances which render them so
obnoxious. We hope shortly to be able to develope something more of the
causes of this unhappy state of affairs than have yet come to the
knowledge of the public.
On board the Steamer Astoria,
Below Jefferson City, 28th Oct.
Dear Major. -- I hasten to communicate
intelligence which I have received a few minutes since (from an
unquestionable source) at Jefferson City, viz: -- Colonel Reese of
Richmond, Ray county, had arrived with an express to the Governor, to
call out the militia to march in defence of Ray and Richmond. The
Mormons had devastated Daviess county, burning the county seat, and
most of the houses in the county, and were then marching on Richmond to
burn and destroy it. Rencontres had taken place, with loss of lives.
Colonel Reese had, but a few hours before we landed, returned, and
orders were promptly issued by Governor Boggs for 3000 mounted men to
repair to the scene of war. The troops below arw to rendezvous at
Fayette, and march immediately.
The Mormons have been for many days hauling in corn and other supplies
to their great depot, Far West. They have been reinforced by
many hundreds lately from Ohio and the Canadas, -- refugees and
Mormons. Do not believe that these disturbances are "humbugs." There
are serious and dangerous difficulties now pending. The writer of this
has every opportunity to know these facts, as he was an eye witness in
Caldwell, having been out with the troops. Mormonism, emancipation and
ablitionism must be driven from our State.
We, the exposed frontier men, have enough to contend with to protect
our shamefully exposed frontier, without having to combat the serfe
of the eastern degraded and fanatical rabble thrown with the "poor
Indians," on our border. Forbearance no longer can be exercised. If
the Government will not protect us, we will do it ourselves.
YET
MORE. -- The Missourian of the 27th, printed at Fayette, gives the
following additional information. A company was to be organized in
Fayette on the morning of the 27th.
Snowden's, Oct. 25, 1838.
Col. Jones: Sir, -- News has just reached us here that the Mormons have attacked and cut to pieces Capt. Bogard's company of 50 men, except three or four who have escaped. They say the Mormon force is 300 or 400. Richmond is threatened to-night. If you can spare, I wish you to detail two or three companies of troops, and repair to Richmond with all speed.
Yours in haste,
GEO.
WOODWARD,
Aid to Gen. Parks.
CARROLTON, Oct. 25, 1838.
Gentlemen: News of an appalling nature has just reached us. Capt.
Bogard, who was ordered with his company to guard the frontier of Ray
county, was attacked and cut to pieces by immense numbers. They were
overpowered by 3 or 400 Mormons, while they were guarding their own
families. But five minutes ago, three reports of a cannon were heard in
the direction of Richmond. Firing has been heard in various directions,
and there is no doubt but that these infatuated villians have attacked
Richmond.
The news of their burning and pillage has already reached you. They
have indubitably captured the cannon, and taken many prisoners --
probably killed many. Daviess county is a scene of desolation. Ray is
probably so ere this time; and their next movement will be at this
place. It is already threatened.
Be up and doing. Bring all the men you can, and let us check them in
their course of destruction and devastation. They are moving on with
giant strides to the climax of anarchy, civil war, and desolation. Wolf
and Baker will explain all. I have just received orders, by express,
from Gen. Brig. Parks, to raise 150 mounted men. Fifty have
volunteered, and the remainder I will obtain in a day or two.
Stir the people up in Howard and Chariton. Send all the braves you can
with Wolf, and we can meet and check them in their mad career.
Yours in haste,
WM. CLAUDE JONES.
To Congrave Jackson and others.
We have conversed with a gentleman who says that he had held a
conversation, in person with Joe Smith, a few days ago, and that Smith
stated that his people were prepared to die in defence of what they
thought to be their rights, that although the Governor might raise and
send against them the power of the State, yet he, and all the men he
could bring, would not drive them from their present homes.
We wonder that his Excellency has not called upon the Grays of this
City. They are armed and equipped for service, and would be more
efficient than any troops which he could muster, being better
disciplined and prepared for an emergency than raw troops can be. But
of their preparation and discipline the Governor has had ocular
demonstration.
Daily Missouri Republican – November 2, 1838
MORMON WAR. -- We give a large portion of our paper to-day to the
contents of an extra, issued at the request of the Governor, by the
Missouri Watchman, containing the evidence on which he has ordered out
the troops. We had several reports from that quarter yesterday. The
most authentic is, that a skirmish had occurred between the Mormons and
citizens near the line of Ray county, in which ten of the citizens were
killed and a number taken prisoners. This is but rumor, however, and
may or may not be true. There are so many reports it is almost
impossible to know what to believe or what to reject
From the Missouri Watchman of the 29th inst.
We have been requested by the Governor to publish an extra of our paper, giving to the [public], the intelligence which he, on yesterday, received in relation to our Mormon difficulties. We are also informed that a force of three thousand men have been ordered to be raised and to march immediately to the aid of the suffering inhabitants. The outrages of the Mormons are of a character never before witnessed in a civilized country. They have now placed themselves in an attitude of open defiance to the laws of the land. The contents of the letters published below show, that they have driven the inhabitants of Daviess county from their homes, pillaged and burnt their dwellings, driven off their cattle, and have taken the lives of our people. They will now be dealt with as enemies and traitors to the country.
MEETING OF THE CITIZENS OF RAY COUNTY.
At a very numerous Public Meeting, held
at the Court House, in Richmond, Ray county on Wednesday, the 24th day
of October, 1833, for the purpose of taking into consideration the
difficulties with the Mormons: --
The object of the meeting having been explained by Thomas C. Bunch,
Esq., the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, after reading
the report of Charles R. Morehead, William Thornton, and Jacob Gudgel,
Esq'rs., which is hereto attached: To Wit:
Resolved, That the report here made by Charles R. Morehead,
William Thornton and Jacob Gudgel, Esq'rs., be transmitted by express
to the Governor of this State; together with these resolutions:
Resolved, That this meeting have the most implicit confidence in
said report, as well from the known veracity of said gentlemen, as from
numerous other facts and circumstances in our knowledge corroborating
the same.
Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting the time has
arrived when it is the imperious duty of the Executive, by an armed
force to quell, the insurrection put on foot by the Mormons; and that
to effect the same, the Civil Authorities are wholly inadequate
Resolved, That Wiley C. Williams and Amos Rees, Esq'rs., be
requested to visit the Governor and lay before him the proceedings of
this meeting and urge upon him the necessity of ordering out,
forthwith, an armed force against the Mormons, sufficient to meet the
emergency.
Resolved, That we view with the utmost concern the conduct of
the Mormons in the counties of Daviess and Livingston and that
immediate action is necessary for the protection of our property and
houses from this lawless banditti.
Resolved, That heretofore, as citizens desiring to abide by the
laws of the land, we have been disposed to see this people called
Mormons dealt with for their offences by the civil authorities; but,
that in the opinion of this meeting, from their past and present
lawless course a resort to the laws will be more than useless, and
wholly insufficient to afford the country that protection to which it
is entitled.
Resolved, That we appeal to the Governor of this State to give
the people of upper Missouri protection from this fearful body of
thieves and robbers.
Resolved, That it would, at this time, be inexpedient to rake
any offensive step, but that we should, at present, act on the
defensive.
Resolved, That all who have in good faith renounced the Mormon
religion, should be protected, either those in this county or in
Caldwell, during the present excitement.
Resolved, That some men should now be raised to go to the
northern border of this county, and guard it from intrusion by the
Mormons, to act [entirely] on the defensive for the present, and that
Gen. Parks be requested to raise three companies for that purpose, or
that they be raised by volunteers.
REPORT.
The undersigned having, on Monday morning last, learned that the
Mormons had burned Millport in Daviess county (in addition to the
burning of Stolling's store in Gallatin, in said county,) and of their
having threatened to burn the store in Bancombe Settlement in this
county, and feeling an anxiety to know the truth in relation to said
reports, left this place, Richmond, on that (Monday) morning and
proceeded to Milport -- they, however, previously called at Judge
Morin's, who lives about one-fourth of a mile from Millport, who
informed them that all they had learned was substantially true, and
that much more had been done by the Mormons than the people of this
county had been informed of. He went with us to Millport, where we
found all the houses in ashes, except a grocery store house belonging
to a Mr. Slade, and a house in which Mr. Wilson McKinney had resided.
We also found the house of Mr. Robert Peniston, near Millport burned.
The horse-mill belonging to him (Peniston), was taken down -- the
stones, bolting chest, &c., lying out some distance from the shed, and
the shed yet standing. Mr. Morin informed us that the burning was done
on Saturday night last, that on the next day he saw Mormons there, and
saw them taking off beds and other things belonging to Wilson McKinney.
We also saw some furniture which we understood from Mr. Morin, belonged
to Mr. McKinney, standing out in the commons, and which seemed to have
been rifled of its contents. -- Mr. Morin expected, on the day we were
there, that the Mormons would be there (at Millport) to move off the
remaining property and to burn the balance of the houses. He stated to
us that he considered his situation a precarious one. That he had been
permitted to stay thus long owing to his having no wagon to move with;
but that he expected to get wagons that day and he intended moving into
Richmond immediately. He said that the county was entirely deserted by
the inhabitants, except himself and a few others, besides the Mormons,
and expressed it as his belief that the corn from his house to Diamon
would all be gathered and hauled into Diamon by the Mormons, in 48
hours from that time. He also stated to us that he was at Diamon a few
days previously, and saw a company of the men (Mormons) come into camp
with a drove of cattle amounting to about 100 head, which he supposed
to be other citizens'. He also saw a negro man in the possession of a
Mormon which he was very certain belonged to William Morgan, a citizen
of Daviess county. Mr. Morin looked upon those Mormons who were then at
Diamon, (amounting he supposed, to about 600 men,) as a band of robbers
and desperadoes. He advised us very strongly to go no further; not to
attempt to go to Diamon or Far West; that we would gather nothing by
doing so in addition to what we there learned. That the country on the
north side of Grand River west of him was certainly deserted, except by
the Mormons, and had been for several days; and that the houses were
all burned -- or to use his own words, that it was a "complete waste."
Mr. Morin also informed us that the Mormons had ordered the other
citizens out of the county, and that he too had his orders to leave. He
appeared very anxious that we should not be seen at his house by any of
the Mormons; and that it should not be known that he had given any
information or expressed any thing unfavorable toward them, until he
got away. We did not visit Gallatin, but understood from Mr. Morin and
others whom we met moving into this county, that all the houses in that
place were burned, except a shoe-maker's shop belonging to Mr. Runville.
C. R. MOREHEAD,
WM. THORNTON,
JACOB GUDGEL.
Richmond, Mo., Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1838.
LETTER FROM JUDGE KING.
Richmond, October 14, 1838.
DEAR SIR.
-- As Mr. Williams will be to see you in reference to our Mormon
difficulties, I will be able to say all to you perhaps that can be
said. I deem it a duty notwithstanding to give you such information as
I have sought and obtained, & is such I assure you may be relied on.
Our relations with the Mormons are such that I am perfectly satisfied
that the arm of the civil authority is too weak to give peace to the
country. Until lately I thought the Mormons were disposed to act on the
defensive: but their recent conduct shows that they are the aggressors,
and that they intend to take the law into their hands. Of their recent
outrages in Daviess, you have probably heard much already. I will give
you the general facts, however. On Sunday before they marched to
Daviess, Jo Smith made known his views to the people, and declared the
time had come when they would avenge their own wrongs, and that all who
were not for them, and taken up arms with them, should be considered as
against them, that their property should be confiscated, and their
lives also forfeited.
With this declaration and much else said by Smith, calculated to excite
the people present -- the next day was set [apart] to see who was for
them and who against them; and under such severe penalties, that there
was some, I learn, who did not turn out; and about 3 or 400 men, with
Smith at their head, marched to Daviess. This was on Tuesday; the next
day was the snow storm, and on Thursday they commenced their ravages
upon the citizens, driving them from their homes and taking their
property. Between 80 and 100 men went to Gallatin, pillaged houses and
the store of Mr. Stollings and the post-office, and then burnt the
houses. They carried off the spoils on horseback and in wagons, and now
have them, I understand, in a store house, near their camp. Houses have
been robbed of their contents, -- beds, clothing, furniture, &c. and
all deposited, as they term it, "a consecration to the Lord." At this
time, there is not a citizen in Daviess, except Mormons. Many have been
driven without warning, others have been allowed a few hours to start.
This stock of citizens have been seized upon, killed [up] and salted by
hundreds; from 50 to 100 wagons are now employed in hauling in the corn
from the surrounding country. They look for a force against them, and
are consequently preparing for a seige -- building block houses, &c.
They have lately organized themselves into a band of what they call
"Danites," and sworn to support their leading men in all they say
or do, right or wrong -- and further, to put to instant death those who
will betray them. There is another band of twelve, called the
"Destructives," whose duty it is to watch the movements of men and of
communities, and to avenge themselves for supposed wrongful movements
against them, by privately burning houses and property, and even laying
in ashes towns, &c.
I find I am running out my letter too much in detail. I do not deem it
necessary to give you a minute detail of all the facts of which I am
possessed, but I give you the above in order that you may form some
idea of the disposition of these people. The Mormons expect to settle
the affair at the point of the sword, and I am well warranted in saying
to you that the people in this quarter of the state look to you for
that protection which they believe you will afford when you have
learned the facts. I do not pretend to advise your course, nor make any
suggestions other than what I have stated, that it is utterly useless
for the civil authorities to pretend to intercede. The country is in
great commotion and I can assure you that either with or without
authority, something will shortly have to be done.
I hope you will let me hear from you by the return of Mr. Williams, and
if you should come up the country shortly, it will give me pleasure to
take the trouble to see you.
I am very respectfully,
AUSTIN A KING.
Note: the original
Oct. 14, 1838 Austin A. King letter, as well as the Oct. 24th 1838
affidavit of Morehead, Thornton, and Gudgel is on file, along with
similar original and
microfilmed documents in the Missouri State Archives at Jefferson
City. Judge Austin's mention of the Danites was one of the first ever
to appear in the popular press. These two first-hand descriptions of
Mormon depredations in Daviess county have not been published in any
readily available book or journal. The files of the Missouri
Watchman are incomplete and not easily accessible; it was a weekly
paper, published at Jefferson City by Hammond & Cronenbold. It was
started on Mar. 29, 1838, a few months before the "Mormon War" began in
upper Missouri.
Lexington, 6 o'clock P. M.
October 25, 1838.
GENTLEMEN:--
This letter is sent after you on express by Mr. William Bryant of Ray
county. Since you left us this morning, Mr. R. Morehead came here on
express for men to assist in repelling a threatened attack upon
Richmond tonight. He brought news that the Mormon armed force had
attacked Capt Bogart this morning at daylight, and had cut off his
whole company of 50 men. Since Mr. Morehead left Richmond, one of the
company (Bogart,) had come in and reported that there were ten of his
comrades killed, and the remainder were taken prisoners after many of
them had been severely wounded. He stated further that Richmond would
be sacked and burned by the Mormon Banditti to-night. Nothing can
exceed the consternation which this news gave rise to. The women and
children are flying from Richmond in every direction. A number of them
have repaired to Lexington, amongst whom is Mrs. Rees. We will have
sent from this county, since 2 o'clock this evening, about one hundred
well-armed and daring men, perhaps the most effective that our county
can boast of. They will certainly give them (the Mormons) a warm
reception at Richmond, to-night. You will see the necessity of hurrying
on to the City of Jefferson and also of imparting correct information
to the public as you go along.
My impression is that you had better send one of your number to Howard,
Cooper and Boone Counties, in order that volunteers may be getting
ready and flocking to the scene of trouble as fast as possible. They
must make haste and put a stop to the devastation which is menaced by
these infuriated fanatics. And they must go prepared, and with the full
determination to exterminate or expel them from the State en masse.
Nothing but this can give tranquillity to the public mind and
reestablish the supremacy of the law. There must be no further delaying
with this question anywhere. The Mormons must leave the State, or we
will one and all. And to this complexion it must come at last.
We have great reliance upon your ability, direction and fitness for the
task you have undertaken, and have only time to say God speed you.
Yours truly,
E. M. RYLAND.
Messrs Amos Rees and W. C. Williams.
Producer and film crew will visit Chillicothe to gather information on Mormon War
By LAURA SCHULER/C-T
City Editor
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
For the second time in a matter of
months a film crew will visit the Chillicothe area in an effort to
gather information and footage on the area's history.
However, instead of showcasing Chillicothe's sliced bread history,
former mayor and Mormon Jeff Foli says the crew will be gathering
information on what is now referred to as the Mormon Wars.
Kenneth Ballentine, a southern California movie producer, will be in
town next week, July 24-26, to do some preliminary taping and
investigating. Foli explained that after touring the area and gathering
footage, Ballentine will take his work back to California.
“If they are inclined, they're likely
to do a full-blown documentary,” Foli said.
Local resident Charlie Peniston provided some history on the Mormon War
yesterday (Tuesday).
Peniston's ancestors were among the first settlers at what was called
Splond Ridge and later named Millport. He noted that the Penistons
settle in Daviess County in 1832-1833 and built the first home in the
county as well as the first mill. Peniston said that the family also
brought the first slaves into the county and held the first church
service as well. His direct ancestor, Theodore Peniston, was also the
first lawyer in Daviess County.
He noted that in the 1830s the
Missouri governor Lilburn Boggs divided Ray County into four smaller
counties and allowed Mormons to establish themselves in Caldwell County
after they were expelled from Independence, Mo.
Between 1834 and 1836, the Mormons settled by the hundreds and
thousands into the county. They elected their own sheriff, mayor and
commissioners. Peniston noted that the original non-Mormon settlers
were “pushed aside” and later moved out of the county, establishing
their homes elsewhere.
When the Mormons came into the area, Peniston said, they came through
DeWitt, Mo., which was a large port at the time, and took wagons up to
Caldwell County.
Peniston said that Mormon leader
Joseph Smith and his followers dressed and talked differently than the
settlers, had more than one wife and different values than the pioneers
of the area.
“Most of the non-Mormons were from Kentucky and Tennessee,” Peniston
said, describing the settlers as somewhat of a “rougher cut” than the
Mormons. Small-scale conflicts, Peniston said, soon followed.
Mormon Lyman White, however, did not go to Caldwell County, but instead
established a farm in Daviess County. . . .
Film crew to visit Chillicothe for last portion of Mormon War documentary
Constitution-Tribune
Friday, August 29, 2008
For the third and
last time, movie producer Kenneth Ballentine and film crew will visit
Chillicothe Sept. 4-5 to gather final footage and information on the
Mormon War era 1830-1840.
According to former Chillicothe mayor and Mormon Jeff Foli, this
information is potentially important because of the 170-year old
prophesies of founder Joseph Smith and the area’s future as the Mormon
Promised Land of Zion.
“The Mormons learning the history they have never been taught, and our
realizing the destiny of our area will be important for our future
cohabitation so history does not once again repeat itself in any form
of tragedy,” Foli said.
Foli said that the area’s history books report that just nine days
after Joseph Smith allegedly took the Chillicothe cannon, known today
as the “Old Sow,” the Chillicothe militia attacked the Mormons at
Haun’s Mill in Caldwell County. Because of the longstanding social,
political, and economic contention and hostilities between Mormons and
(Missourians), the Mormons were immediately ejected from the State of
Missouri by the governor in an order of extermination against
them.......