Mormon History
Nauvoo Law and Order - 1844
Warsaw Message – February 7, 1844
Another Mormon Outrage.
To the Editor of the Warsaw
Message:
Dear Sir: -- Through the columns of your Journal, I wish to make a full and fair
statement of an occurrence with myself and the Mormon Prophet, Joseph Smith, in
Nauvoo. I beg your indulgence while I give the particulars, as I wish it to go
to the world in its true color.
On the 17th day of last month, I was waited on by a Mr. Roundy of Nauvoo, at Mr.
Davis' store, of that place, with a request to go immediately to see the Prophet
at his own house as he had some important business with me. I asked him if he
knew what was wanting -- He said he did not. I went with him to see what the
prophet wanted. On arriving there we were told that he was gone to his farm in
the country. He then requested me to go and see a Mr. Phelps who was his clerk;
he in all probability could tell what was wanting. On seeing Phelps he could
tell nothing about the business I was sent for. I then went to the Steam Boat
Hotel, where I board: got my dinner, and was returning to my business in Dr. R.
D. Foster's office, near the temple. On my way I was again met by this Mr.
Roundy, who informed me that the prophet had left the business with a Col.
Dunham to attend to, and that he was at the office waiting for me, and wished me
to call and see him immediately. I again asked if he knew what he wanted; he
assured me he did not know. We went to the office. Dunham was not there; after
waiting and looking for Dunham about one hour I told him I could stay no longer.
Said he "wait a few minutes longer, I have sent for Dunham, and I see the man I
sent running across the street, he no doubt sees him and will he here with him
in a few minutes." Accordingly I waited some 20 or 30 minutes; they did not
appear, and I told him I must leave, that he might tell Dunham he could find me
in Dr. Foster's office any time that evening. I was in the act of leaving, when
he said -- "If you cannot stay any longer I must inform you that I must detain
you in behalf of the people of the State of Illinois." I asked him why he did
not tell me so at first, and not trifle with me in that way; and where is your
authority and what am I detained for? He replied that he had no precept -- that
he was a police officer -- and by the city ordinances he could take me as
well without as with a precept; and that I was accused of an attempt to murder
and rob Mr. Badham, who resides some five or six miles from the city, on the
Carthage road; and that the prophet (Mayor) had told him that morning to arrest
me. I enquired who had made the complaint. He said [he] was at Esq. Johnson's
office, (it was now 3 o'clock P. M.) and asked for the papers. He (Johnson)
showed me a blank affidavit and warrant, and said he got word to make out those
papers this morning, and a Mr. Dunham had just left the office to find a man
that would swear to it; and if he could not find him, he would return and swear
to it himself. I remarked, that if Dunham could hire a man to swear a d----d
lie, he would do so, but if not, he would do it himself.
By this time there had several called to see the prisoner. I spoke freely
about the proceedings, and the power usurped by the prophet; which did not
relish so well. The prophet was brought to set matters right. He told me why he
had me apprehended; that he had been told I was the man, and he thought it his
duty as a Mayor to have me tried; and that they had a right to take a man
without a writ in that city; and said he "Mr. Sympson, you know that I am a man
that keeps nothing back. Mr. Badham has seen you, and says that you are the
identical man that stabbed and robbed him; and sent me word to have you
apprehended -- which I have done."
I was held in duress until seven o'clock, or a little after that time. Neither
Dunham nor the man he went after had as yet returned. The Prophet Smith, then
made an affidavit that he verily believed I was the man who stabbed and robbed
Mr. Badham, on or about the tenth of December last. The warrant was issued and
served at half past seven o'clock, P. M. We then went to trial. R. D. Foster,
Esq., was called to assist Esq. Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Badham and the Prophet,
Joseph Smith, were sworn in behalf of the State. --
Mr. Badham was examined first.
Question -- Would you know the man, were you to see him, that stabbed and
robbed you?
Answer -- I would. Col. Higbee, Esq., pointed out to him, and asked, Is
that the Man?
Answer -- No, nor nothing like him!
I then asked him if he had ever seen me before. He said he had no recollection
of ever having seen me. I asked him if he had sent the Prophet word that he had
seen me, and that I was the man who had committed the act, and he wanted me
apprehended.
Answer -- I NEVER DID!
Mrs. Badham testified that I was not the man, and did not resemble him in the
least. His holiness, the prophet, came next, and requested to tell his own
story, without any question being asked. After he had got through, I remarked to
the court that I wanted to propound a few questions to the witness. Leave was
granted.
Q. Have you the smallest particle of belief whatever, at this time, that
I am the man who committed the act with which I am charged?
A. No, sir, I have not now, and I never had!
Q. Why did you swear it in your affidavit?
A. I did not!
I replied -- you did, sir. He said he had not. I again told him he did. The
affidavit was then read, and he too plainly saw that the affidavit did not agree
with his evidence in the case. Said he, extending his hand towards Esq. Johnson,
who had just read the affidavit, -- Give me that paper. The court hesitated. He
asked for it again: he said he had a right to it; that it was his, and that it
was couched in stronger language than he had intended to swear to.
Mr. Higbee, my attorney, said he hoped the court would not give [it] up; that it
was a part of the record, and that he (Smith) had no right to it.
Smith then said that he had not sworn to it; that he had signed it, but the oath
was not administered to him. (This is with him and his Justice, Esq. Johnson.)
Smith went on to say that what he had done was to befriend me -- that he knew I
would be honorably acquitted, and that I would stand fairer than I ever did!!!!
(The Lord deliver me from such friends!)
I was now discharged by the magistrates.
I thin informed Esq. Johnson that I wanted a copy of the papers, and asked him
to make out a copy and certify them; he reluctantly consented to do so. After
calling several times for the papers, he told me I could not get them. I asked
his reasons for not giving me a copy, and he replied that it was not necessary
to give me his reasons.
I intended to have the papers published, & I have no doubt but his reasons are
that they do not want the public to see them; but I hope to bring those papers
to light at some future time.
In the foregoing I have given a fair, full, and unvarnished statement of facts
as they occurred, and ask a candid perusal of a reflecting community. As to the
injury it can do me, where I am known I disregard it. But I know not where I am
to be thrown, and should I ever be pointed out as one who was once tried for an
attempt to murder and rob [in] Illinois, I entreat you be not hasty in
condemning me, as it is too common in this country. In my native state of
Kentucky, where I was raised, no man who knows me, would for one instant believe
it. Nor do I believe for one moment that there is a man in Illinois, or
elsewhere, who knows me, can for one moment entertain a doubt as to my
innocence. No -- not even immaculate prophet himself! Where was I accused and
tried. In Nauvoo. Who by? Why by a man professing to be a prophet of the Lord,
Joseph Smith. Look for one moment at his evidence in the case; first state in
his affidavit that he verily believes I am the man that committed the act -- and
3 hours afterwards swear before a court of equity that he did not believe it
then and never believed it! Is not this enough of itself?
I have but a single request to make to the public -- and it is this: -- Examine
and investigate the transaction, and then decide as to the probability of the
charge made by Smith, my accuser. Do this, and I fear not the result. I intend
the whole matter shall be investigated in a legal tribunal. We must know that he
is not to swear what he pleases and pass with impunity. A Prophet as he pretends
to be, he must walk up to tract.
Yours, ALEX. SYMPSON.