Mormon History
Attempted Assassination of Former Missouri Governor - 1842
Daily Missouri Republican – May 12, 1842
A FOUL
DEED. -- By the steamboat Thames, we
learn that Liliburn W. Boggs, late Governor of this State, was most basely shot
on the night of the 6th inst. at Independence, in this State. Gov. Boggs'
residence was, we believe, in the suburb or edge of the town. The Clerk of the
Thames has furnished us with the following statement of the particulars:
Gov. Boggs was shot by an assassin on Friday 6th inst., in the evening, while
reading in a room in his own house, in Independence, Mo.
His son, a boy, hearing a report, ran into the room, and found the Governor
sitting in his chair, with his jaw fallen down, and his head leant back; and on
discovering the injury done his father, gave the alarm.
Foot tracks were found in the garden, below the window, and a pistol picked up,
supposed to have been overloaded, and thrown from the hand of the scroundrel who
fired it. Three buck shot, of a heavy load, took effect; one going through his
mouth, one into the brain, and another probably in or near the brain, all going
into the back part of the head and neck.
The Gov. was alive on the morning of the 8th, but no hopes of recovery by his
friends, and but slight hopes from his physicians.
A man was suspected, and the Sheriff most probably has possession of him by this
time.
The pistol was one of a pair stolen some days previous from a baker in
Independence, and the legal authorities have the description of the other.
In addition to the foregoing, we have the following from the Governor's
brother-in-law, who resides in Independence.
The Warsaw Signal – July 9, 1842
NAUVOO.
We
understand that the very mischief is brewing in Nauvoo, since the threatening of
Bennett to expose the villainy of Joe and his satellites. Several of Joe's right
hand men, among them, one of the Pratts, G. W. Robinson, and Sidney Rigdon, have
left the church and joined Bennett's party.
One disclosure particularly will prove interesting -- and that is in relation to
Bogg's murder. -- Bennett states that a Mr. Rockwell started suddenly from
Nauvoo, about two weeks before Boggs' assassination; that he (Bennett) asked Joe
where Rockwell had gone; and that Joe replied, that 'HE HAD GONE TO MISSOURI TO
FULFIL PROPHECIES!!' He says further, that Rockwell returned to Nauvoo on the
very day that the news of Governor Boggs' assassination arrived. Since that, the
Prophet has presented said Rockwell with a carriage and horse, or horses; and he
has suddenly become very flush of money, and lives in style. These statements we
give as we received them. It is said that Bennett has affidavits to prove every
fact above stated, and will shortly present them to the world. If this be true,
there will but little doubt remain, that Joe Smith was the real instigator of
Boggs's assassination.
MORMONISM. -- The disclosures made by Gen. Bennett in relation to this sect, are far from being void of interest. We publish to-day some matters from Bennett in relation to the attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs, which are at least of sufficient importance to be inquired into. One of their own papers, the Nauvoo Wasp, while defending Smith from any participation in the matter, gloried in the act, for he says "it remains to be known who did the noble deed." Apart from the act of which he is accessory, there are now pending against him in this State indictments for crimes sufficient not only to predicate a demand upon but to induce the Governor of Illinois to give him up.
American Bulletin – July 14, 1842
FOR THE BULLETIN.
MESSRS.
EDITORS: -- In accordance with your request I now proceed to give you some
account of the attempt on the life of Ex-Governor Boggs of Missouri.
Joseph Smith, the Mormon Prophet, in a public congregation in Nauvoo, last
season, (1841,) prophecied that Lilburn W. Boggs, Ex-Governor of
Missouri, should die by violent hands within a year. Mr. C. S. Hamilton,
of Carthage, Ill., stated in my presence, and in the presence of several other
gentlemen, at the tavern house of Mr. Robinson, in Warsaw, Illinois, on Sunday,
the 10th inst., that he was present and heard this prophecy; I was likewise
present, as were many thousand people, and heard the prediction. The
faithful,Joe Smith is called, from merited punishment.
In the Spring of 1842, Smith offered a reward of five hundred dollars to any man
that would kill Boggs. I heard the offer made to some of the Danites, and told
Smith that if he persisted in such a course, it would result in his ruin. Mr.
Jonathan Clark, of Hancock county, Ill., stated in Carthage on the 6th inst., in
the presence of Dr. Thomas L. Barnes, Jonas Hobart, myself and others, that Mr.
Taylor, an English emigrant, told him that he heard Smith make the same offer
and that he (Taylor) had, in consequence thereof apostatized and written
home to his friends in Europe detailing the horrible facts.
Mr. O. P. Rockwell left Nauvoo from one to two months prior to the attempted
assassination of Governor Boggs -- told Orson Pratt and wife that he (Rockwell)
had been in Boggs' neighborhood, in Missouri, and had had the honor of standing
on the corner of Temple lot in Independence, -- and returned to
Nauvoo the day before the report of the attempted assassination reached there --
said he came down the Missouri river to the Mississippi, then down to St. Louis,
then up to Nauvoo, etc., etc. At that time the "Nauvoo Wasp" declared, "It
remains to be known who did the NOBLE DEED." The Wasp was, and is yet,
edited by Wm. Smith, brother to the Prophet.
Some weeks after Rockwell left Nauvoo I asked Smith where he had gone.
"Gone," said he, "gone to fulfil PROPHECY,"with a significant nod,
giving me to understand that he had gone to fulfil his prediction in relation to
the violent death of Boggs.
On the evening of the 29th ultimo, twelve of the Danites, dressed in female
apparel, approached my boarding house, (Gen. Robinson's,) in Nauvoo, with their
carriage wheels wrapped with blankets, and their horses' feet covered with
cloths, to prevent noise, about 10 o'clock, for the purpose of conveying me off
and assassinating me, and thus prevent disclosures -- but I was so admirably
prepared with arms, as were also my friends, that after prowling around the
house for some time, they retired.
On Friday, the 1st. inst., I went to Carthage; and on the 5th I had a call from
Mr. O. P. Rockwell, the result of which is detailed in the following affidavits,
to wit:
STATE OF ILLINOIS,
HANCOCK COUNTY, ] ss.
Personally appeared before me, Samuel Marshall, a Justice of the Peace in and
for said county, John C. Bennett, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth
and saith, that on the 5th of July, 1842, at the house of Mr. Hamilton, in
Carthage, Mr. O. P. Rockwell came to him and desired a private interview, to
which deponent replied that if he (Rockwell) had any thing to say, he could
speak it out before the gentlemen present. Rockwell said it was a private matter
which interested them only -- deponent then went out with him. Rockwell said,
"Doctor you do not know your friends, -- I am not your enemy -- and I do not
wish you to make of my name in your publications;" deponent replied that he
recognized Joe Smith and all his friends, as his personal enemies; to which
Rockwell replied "I have been informed by Warner and Davis that you said Smith
gave me fifty dollars and a wagon for shooting Boggs and I can and will whip any
man that will tell such a cursed lie -- did you say so or not?" After looking at
him for a moment or two the deponent said, "I never said so, sir, but I did say,
and I now say it to your face, that you left Nauvoo about two months before the
attempted assassination of ex-Governor Boggs, of Missouri, and returned the day
before the report of his assassination reached there; and that two persons, in
Nauvoo, told me that you told them that you had been over the upper part of
Missouri, and in Boggs' neighborhood," to which Rockwell replied, "well I was
there; and if I shot Boggs they have got to prove it -- I never done an act in
my life that I was ashamed of, and I do not fear to go any where that I have
ever been, for I have done nothing criminal." Deponent replied, "certainly they
have got to prove it on you if you did shoot him; I know nothing of what you
did, as I was not there, I only know the circumstances, and from them
I draw my own inferences, and the public will theirs -- and now, sir, if
either you, or Joe Smith think you can intimidate me by your threats, you are
mistaken in your man, and I wish you to understand distinctly that I am opposed
to Joe and his holy host -- I shall tell the truth fearlessly, and regardless of
consequences." Rockwell replied, "If you say that Joe Smith gave me fifty
dollars and a wagon to shoot Boggs, I can whip you, and will do it in a crowd."
Deponent then said -- "why are you harping on what I have not said, I
have told you what I have said to your face and in presence of these
gentlemen, and you have acknowledged the truth of all I have said, and I shall
say it again, and if you wish to fight I am ready for you." The conversation
then ceased on that subject. Rockwell told deponent that he had been accused
wrongfully of wishing to assassinate him, or of being ordered by Smith to do so;
but deponent said, "I believe that Joe ordered you to do it -- I know that
orders were sent from him to the Danites for that purpose." Rockwell said that
Smith had never given him any such orders, neither was it his intention; and
further the deponent saith not.
however, will deny this, in order to save "THE LORD'S ANNOINTED."
as
JOHN C. BENNETT.
Sworn to, and subscribed, this 7th day of July,
1842, before me, at my office in Carthage.
SAMUEL MARSHALL, J. P.
{Seal.}
STATE OF ILLINOIS, }
HANCOCK COUNTY, } ss.
Personally appeared before me, Samuel Marshall, a justice of the peace in and
for said county, Clayton Tweed, who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth
and saith, That on the 5th day of July, 1842, at the house of Mr. Hamilton, in
Carthage, Mr. O. P. Rockwell came up to Gen. John C. Bennett, and said to him,
"I wish to have some private conversation with you, will you come out of doors
with me?" To which Bennett replied, "No, sir, if you have any thing to say to
me, speak it out before these gentlemen." Rockwell then observed, "It is a
matter which interests you and myself alone, and I should like much to see you a
few minutes by ourselves." They then went out, and were some time in
conversation, when loud words ensued, and deponent came up much agitated,
fearing there would be a fight, and heard Bennett say, "I now say to your face
what I said behind your back, that you left Nauvoo about two months before the
attempted assassination of Ex-Governor Boggs, of Missouri, and returned the day
before the report of his assassination reached there, and that two persons in
Nauvoo told me that you told them that you had been over to the upper part of
Missouri, and in Boggs' neighborhood," to which Rockwell replied, "If I shot
Boggs, they have to prove it." Bennett said "Certainly, they have got to prove
it on you, if you did shoot him. I know nothing of what you did, as I was
not there. I only know the circumstances, and from them I draw my own
inferences, and the public will theirs. And now, sir, if either you or Joe
Smith think you can intimidate me by your threats, you are mistaken in your man;
and I wish you to understand distinctly, that I am opposed to Joe and his holy
host -- I shall tell the truth fearlessly, and regardless of consequences."
Bennett further remarked, "why are you harping about what I have not
said? I have told you what I have said, to your face, and you have
acknowledged the truth of it, and I will say it again; and if you wish to fight
I am now ready for you -- you will never have a better time." This conversation
then ceased, and the parties separated -- and further this deponent saith not.
CLAYTON TWEED.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 7th day of July, 1842 at my office in
Carthage.
SAMUEL MARSHALL, J. P.
{Seal.}
STATE OF ILLINOIS, }
HANCOCK COUNTY, } ss.
Personally appeared before me, Samuel Marshall, a justice of the peace in and
for said county, Jonas Hobart, who being duly sworn accordingly to law, deposeth
and saith, That, on the 5th day of July, 1842, at the tavern house of Mr.
Hamilton, in Carthage, he came up to where Gen. John C. Bennett and Mr. O. P.
Rockwell were in angry conversation, when he heard Rockwell say, that if any man
said that Joe Smith hired him to shoot Boggs, he stated what was false. There
was then some warm talk about fighting, and Bennett said, "I tell you sir, to
your face what I have said behind your back, and if you are for fight now is as
good a time as you will have." Rockwell said he had been up into Boggs'
neighborhood, in Missouri; and said he, "if I shot Boggs they have got to prove
it." Bennett said "certainly they have -- I do not know what you did, I
only know the circumstances -- I have told them, and I have now told them
to your face, and you have acknowledged them -- and I shall tell them again
fearless of consequences," -- and further deponent saith not.
JONAS HOBART.
Sworn to and subscribed, this 9th day of July, 1842, before me, at my office in
Carthage.
SAMUEL MARSHALL, J. P.
{Seal.}
STATE OF ILLINOIS, }
HANCOCK COUNTY, } ss.
Personally appeared before me, Samuel Marshall Justice of the Peace in and for
said County, John H. Lawton, who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and
saith, that on the 5th day of July, 1842, he came up to where Gen. John C.
Bennett and O. P. Rockwell were in conversation, at the house of Mr. Hamilton in
Carthage, and heard Rockwell say that he had been up in Boggs' neighborhood, in
Missouri, and that if he had shot Boggs they had to prove it; and then began to
talk of whipping Bennett, whereupon Bennett replied, "I have said nothing behind
your back but what I now said to your face, and if you wish to fight now I am
ready for you;" the conversation then ceased and the parties separated; and
further this deponent saith not.
JOHN H. LAWTON.
Sworn to and subscribed, this 6th day of July, 1842, before me, at my office in
Carthage.
SAMUEL MARSHALL, J. P.
{Seal.}
I would say further, that, before Rockwell left Nauvoo, he was abjectly poor.
Since his return, he has left his family in the lower part of the city, taken up
his residence at the tavern of Capt. Amos Davis -- has an elegant carriage and
horses at his disposal, and his pockets filled with gold. Capt. Davis can, and
will, if called upon, tell more about his former poverty, and present apparent
affluence, at all events so far as gold is concerned. This is said to be
the same carriage and horses that were muffled on the evening of the 29th
of June.
If Smith is demanded, I will show by Col. F. M. Higbee and others, that he
murdered a certain prisoner in Missouri.
These are some of the facts of this outrage upon civilized society. Now
let the demand be made, and the truth shall appear. As Smith was an accessory
before the fact in this case, he should be demanded on the old indictments
for murder, treason, burglary, and arson and secured -- then the facts
shall appear in this case. Rockwell can be demanded on affidavit. I expect
Higbee on Tuesday next, if Smith does not have him murdered to prevent his
developments.
I am aware that Smith now seeks my life, and is fortifying his Mormon witnesses
by revelation; but if the demand is made as I have suggested, no earthly
force can save him.
JOHN C. BENNETT.
ST.
LOUIS,
July 13th, 1842.
Note: John C.
Bennett's July 13, 1842 statement, alleging that Joseph Smith, Jr. had sent
Elder Rockwell to Missouri to murder ex-Governor Boggs (and that Smith had
subsequently said that Rockwell had "gone to fulfill prophecy") is an expansion
of disclosures made in his "Second Letter," as published in the Sangamo
Journal on
July 15, 1842. Bennett's detailing of this allegation in the pages of the
Native American Bulletin was quickly reprinted in the pages of the Warsaw
Signal in
mid-July 1842 and in the Sangamo Journal on
July 22nd. Bennett supplies essentially the same information on
pp. 281-285 of his 1842 book, History of the Saints.