| 361 upon his shoulder, ordering the saints to leave the county forthwith and surrender what arms they had. Other pretended preachers of the gospel took a conspicuous part in the persecution, calling the 'Mormons' the 'common enemy of mankind,' and exulting in their afflictions.
"On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, the 5th and 6th of November, women and children fled in every direction before the merciless mob. One party of about one hundred and fifty women and children fled to the prairie, where they wandered for several days, under the broad canopy of heaven, with about six men to protect them. Other parties fled to the Missouri River and took lodgings for the night where they could find it. One Mr. Bennett opened his house for a night's shelter to a wandering company of distressed women and children who were fleeing to the river. During this dispersion of the women and children parties of the mob were hunting the men, firing upon some, tying up and whipping others, and some they pursued upon horses for several miles.
"On the 5th, Elders Phelps, Gilbert, and McLellin went to Clay County and made an affidavit similar to the foregoing sketch, and forwarded the same to the Governor by express; and the Governor immediately upon the reception thereof ordered a court of inquiry to be held in Clay County for the purpose of investigating the whole affair and meting out justice to all; but alas! corruption, wickedness, and power have
"Left the wretched unwhipt of justice,
And innocence mourns in tears unwiped.
"Thursday, November 7. The shore began to be lined on both sides of the ferry with men, women, and children, goods, wagons, boxes, chests, provisions, etc., while the ferrymen were busily employed in crossing them over; and when night again closed upon the saints the wilderness had much the appearance of a camp meeting. Hundreds of people were seen in every direction. some in tents, and some in the open air around their fires, while the rain descended in torrents. Husbands were inquiring for their wives, and women for their husbands; parents for children, and children for
(page 361) |
