Mormon History
Illegal Destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor - 1844
Warsaw Messenger – June 11, 1844
E X T R A.
_______
"The Time is Come!"
TUESDAY JUNE 11, 1844.
Mr. Sharp: -- I hasten to inform you of the UNPARALLELED OUTRAGE, perpetrated
upon our rights and interests, by the ruthless, lawless, ruffian band of MORMON
MOBOCRATS, at the dictum that of that UNPRINCIPLED wretch Joe Smith.
We were privately informed that the CITY COUNCIL, which had been in extra
session, for two days past; had enacted an ordinance in relation to libels,
providing that anything that had been published, or anything that might be
published tending to disparage the character of the officers of the city should
be regarded as LAWLESS. They also declared the "Nauvoo Expositor," a
"nuisance," and directed the police of the city to proceed immediately to
the office of the Expositor and DESTROY THE PRESS and also the MATERIALS, by
THROWING them into the STREET!!!!
If any resistance were made, the officers were directed to demolish the building
and property, of all who were concerned in publishing said paper; and also take
all into custody, who might refuse to obey the authorities of the City.
Accordingly, a company consisting of some 200 men, armed and equipped, with
Muskets, Swords, Pistols, Bowie Knives, Sledge-Hammers, &c, assisted by a crowd
of several hundred minions, who volunteered their services on the occasion,
marching to the building, and breaking open the doors with a Sledge Hammer,
commenced the work of destruction and desperation.
They tumbled the press and materials into the street, and set fire to them,
and demolished the machinery with sledge hammer, and injured the building very
materially. We made no resistance; but looked on and felt revenge, but leave
it for the public to avenge this climax of insult and injury.
C. A. FOSTER.
June 11,1844.
We received the above communication by the hands of Charles A. Foster, about 1/2
past 11 o'clock to-day. We have only to state, that this is sufficient! War and
extermination is inevitable! Citizens ARISE, ONE and ALL!!! -- Can you stand by,
and suffer such INFERNAL DEVILS!! to ROB men of their property and RIGHTS,
without avenging them. We have no time for comment, every man will make his own.
LET IT BE MADE WITH POWDER AND BALL!!!
LATER -- 6 o'clock, P. M. We have just learned from Carthage, that writs have
been procured, and officers despatched to Nauvoo, to arrest the perpetrators of
the outrage.
It is also rumored, that Joe is causing the arrest of every man in Nauvoo, who
is opposed to him, and does not justify his proceedings.
By the stage driver we learn, that the press, &c., were destroyed a little after
sun down, last evening.
We await the final result with anxiety. Much excitement exists; but the course
determined on, is to throw Joe into opposition in the laws.
It seems that, in destroying the Expositor office, Jo's orders were, if
resistance were made, for the officers to demolish the building, and property,
of all who were concerned in punishing said paper; and, also, take all into
custody who might refuse to obey the authorities of the city.
Accordingly, a company consisting of some 200 men, armed and equipped with
muskets, swords, pistols, bowie-knives, sledge-hammers, &c., assisted by a
crowd of several hundred minions. who volunteered their services on the
occasion, marched in the building, and breaking open the doors with a
sledge-hammer, commenced the work of destruction and desolation.
They tumbled the press and materials into the street, and set fire to them,
demolished the machinery with a sledge-hammer, and injured the building very
materially.
Warsaw Messenger – June 12, 1844
UNPARRALLED OUTRAGE AT NAUVOO.
Below we give the
particulars of the most diabolical outrage that has ever been perpetrated in
this free country. Had it been the act of an excited multitude, it would have
appeared much more excusable; but it was the deliberate work of men who acted
not from the impulse of a sudden emotion, nor amid the tumult of an intoxicated
multitude. It was done in cold blood! and is there any thing further needed to
exhibit the feindish and tyrannical disposition of Joe and his sattelites. To
comment on this most wanton act would be an insult to our readers.
The following are the particulars which appeared in our extra of yesterday:
TUESDAY JUNE 11, 1844.
Mr. Sharp: -- I hasten to inform you of the UNPARALLELED OUTRAGE, perpetrated
upon our rights and interests, by the ruthless, lawless, ruffian band of MORMON
MOBOCRATS, at the dictum that of that UNPRINCIPLED wretch Joe Smith.
We were privately informed that the CITY COUNCIL, which had been in extra
session, for two days past; had enacted an ordinance in relation to libels,
providing that anything that had been published, or anything that might be
published tending to disparage the character of the officers of the city should
be regarded as LAWLESS. They also declared the "Nauvoo Expositor," a
"nuisance," and directed the police of the city to proceed immediately to
the office of the Expositor and DESTROY THE PRESS and also the MATERIALS, by
THROWING them into the STREET!!!!
If any resistance were made, the officers were directed to demolish the building
and property, of all who were concerned in publishing said paper; and also take
all into custody, who might refuse to obey the authorities of the City.
Accordingly, a company consisting of some 200 men, armed and equipped, with
Muskets, Swords, Pistols, Bowie Knives, Sledge-Hammers, &c, assisted by a crowd
of several hundred minions, who volunteered their services on the occasion,
marching to the building, and breaking open the doors with a Sledge Hammer,
commenced the work of destruction and desperation.
They tumbled the press and materials into the street, and set fire to them,
and demolished the machinery with sledge hammer, and injured the building very
materially. We made no resistance; but looked on and felt revenge, but leave
it for the public to avenge this climax of insult and injury.
C. A. FOSTER.
June 11,1844.
We received the above communication by the hands of Charles A. Foster, about 1/2
past 11 o'clock to-day. We have only to state, that this is sufficient! War and
extermination is inevitable! Citizens ARISE, ONE and ALL!!! -- Can you stand by,
and suffer such INFERNAL DEVILS!! to ROB men of their property and RIGHTS,
without avenging them. We have no time for comment, every man will make his own.
LET IT BE MADE WITH POWDER AND BALL!!!
We take the following, from an extra of the Nauvoo Neighbor. It shows the devils
in their proper light.