| 819 Edward Partridge, the bishop of the church, as he relates in his autobiography: "I was taken from my house by the mob, George Simpson being their leader, who escorted me about half a mile, to the court house, on the public square in Independence; and then and there, a few rods from said court house, surrounded by hundreds of the mob, I was stripped of my hat, coat and vest, and daubed with tar from head to foot, and then had a quantity of feathers put upon me; and all this, because I would not agree to leave the county, my home where I had lived two years.
Before tarring and feathering me, I was permitted to speak. I told them that the saints had had to suffer persecution in all ages of the world, that I had done nothing which ought to offend any one. That if they abused me, they would abuse an innocent person. That I was willing to suffer for the sake of Christ; but, to leave the country I was not then willing to consent to it. By this time the multitude made so much noise that I could not be heard: some were cursing and swearing, saying, call upon your Jesus &c.; others were equally noisy in trying to still the rest, that they might be enabled to hear what I was saying.
Until after I had spoken, I knew not what they intended to do with me, whether to kill, to whip me, or what else I knew not. I bore my abuse with so much resignation and meekness, that it appeared to astound the multitude, who permitted me to retire in silence, many looking very solemn, their sympathies having been touched as I thought; and, as to myself, I was filled with the spirit and love of God, that I had no hatred towards my persecutors, or any one else."
Charles Allen was next stripped and tarred and feathered, because he would not agree to leave the county, or deny the Book of Mormon.
Others were brought up to be served likewise or whipped, but from such cause, the mob ceased operations, and adjourned until Tuesday the 23rd. Elder Gilbert, the keeper of the store agreed to close that; and that may have been one reason, why the work of destruction was suddenly stopped for two days.
In the course of this day's wicked outrageous and unlawful proceedings, many solemn realities of human degredation [degradation], as well as thrilling incidents were presented to the saints. An armed and well organized mob in a government professing to be governed by law, with the Lieutenant Governor, (Lilburn W. Boggs,) the second officer in the state, calmly looking on, and secretly aiding every movement, saying to the saints, "you know what our Jackson boys can do, and you must leave the country," and all the justices, judges, constables, sheriffs, and military officers, headed by such western missionaries and clergymen as the Reverends McCoy, Kavanaugh, Hunter, Fitzhugh, Pixley, Likens, Lovelady, and Bogard, consisting of Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and all the different sects of religionists that inhabited that country; with that great moral reformer, and Register of the Land Office at Lexington, forty miles east, known as the head and father of the Cumberland Presbyterians, even the Reverend Finis Ewing publicly publishing that the "Mormons were the common enemies of mankind, and ought to be destroyed" all these solemn realities were enough to melt the heart of a savage; while there was not a solitary offence [offense] on record, or proof that a saint had broken the law of the land.
And when Bishop Partridge: who was without guile, and Elder Charles Allen, walked off, amid the horrid yells of an infuriated mob, coated like some un-named, unknown biped, and one of the sisters cried aloud; "while you, who have done this wicked deed, must suffer the vengeance of God; they, having endured persecution, can rejoice, for henceforth, for them, is laid up a crown, eternal in the heavens" surely there was a time of awful reflection, that man, unrestrained, like the brute beast, may torment the body; but God, in return, will punish the soul.
CONFERENCE MINUTES.
From the N. Y. Prophet.
HARTFORD CONFERENCE.
Pursuant to public notice, a special conference of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assembled in the Temperance Hall, in the city of Hartford, Conn., on Saturday, January 4, 1845, at half past ten, A. M.
Elder Sirrine was appointed president, and W. I. Appleby, of New Jersey, Secretary.
Opened by singing, and prayer by the president.
Official members present-three high priests, four elders, three priests.
Representation of the branches in the vicinity of Hartford, were then called for.
Elder Sparkes represented as follows-Windsor branch, numbering fourteen members including two elders, one priest, and one teacher; Hartford, seven members including one elder and one priest. Saints unorganized-Farmington, eight-Bloomfield, seven.
The president delivered a short address on the subject of calling the conferences, &c., followed by Elders Lane and Sparks.
Adjourned until 2 o'clock P. M.
(page 819) |
