| 1107 the cholera entered that house, and that woman and three others of the family were dead.
When the cholera made its appearance, Elder John S. Carter was the first man who stepped forward to rebuke it, and upon this, was instantly seized, and became the first victim in the camp. He died about six o'clock afternoon; and Seth Hitchcock died in about thirty minutes after, as it was impossible to obtain coffins, the brethren rolled them in blankets, carried them on a horse sled about half a mile; buried them in the bank of a small stream, which empties into Rush Creek, all of which was accomplished by dark. When they had returned from the burial, the brethren united, covenanted and prayed, hoping the disease would be staid [stayed]; but in vain, for while thus covenanting, Eber Wilcox died, and while some were digging the grave others stood sentry with their fire arms, watching their enemies.
June 26th; the elders wrote Governor Dunklin as follows:
"Sir: A company of our people, exceeding two hundred men, arrived in this county the 19th inst., and encamped about twelve miles from Liberty, where they were met, by several gentlemen from this and Ray county, who went by request of the people, to ascertain the motives and design of our people in approaching this county, and as the deputation was composed of gentlemen who appeared to posses humane and republican feelings, our people were rejoiced at the opportunity of an interchange of feelings and an open and frank avowal of all their views and intentions in emigrating to this country with their arms. A full explanation having been given in a public address by our brother Joseph Smith Jun., which produced great satisfaction, the same in substance was afterwards reduced in writing and handed to the aforesaid gentlemen that it might be made public, as the shedding of blood is, and ever has been, foreign and revolting to our feelings, for this reason, we have patiently endured the greatest indignities that freemen of this republic have ever been called to suffer, and we still continue to bear with heart rending feelings a deprivation of our right having commenced negociations [negotiations] with the inhabitants of Jackson for a compromise wherein proposals, on our part, have been made which have been acknowledged by every disinterested man, to be highly honorable and liberal. An answer to our propositions has not yet been received from Jackson.
If we fail in this attempt, we intend to make another effort and go all lengths that would be required by human or divine law, as our proposals and correspondence with the inhabitants of Jackson, will doubtless hereafter be published, we think it unnecessary to detail the same in this communication, our right to our soil in Jackson county we shall for ever claim, and to obtain peaceful possession, we are willing to make great sacrifices. To allay excitement in the county, the aforesaid company of emigrants have dispersed to await the final end of all negotiations that can be made with the said county of Jackson.
Within the last week, one of our men being near the ferry, was seized by some Jackson citizens, while in this county, threatened with death if he made resistance, and carried over the river, prisoner to Independence, where he was put under guard one day, and after bearing many threats, was liberated. The houses of several of our brethren in this county have been forcibly entered by some of the inhabitants of Jackson, and a number of guns and small arms taken therefrom, where the men were absent from their houses, loaded guns were presented to the females, and their lives threatened if they made resistance, and we have been informed, and have no doubt of the fact.
Your second order for the restoration of our arms, was received last mail; we have not yet done any thing with it. Hoping that the influence of the inhabitants of Jackson county, will materially lesson in the surrounding counties, and the people become more tranquil, we think it wisdom to defer petitioning for a guard, while there exists a hope of a compromise, &c.
We believe that the President would render us assistance in obtaining possession of our lands, if aided by the executive of this state in a petition and thereby put an end to serious evils that are growing out of the Jackson outrage. In a letter from your excellency, of April 20th, we had a word on the subject of petitioning. We should be pleased to hear further, and would here observe that no communication from the executive, giving his opinion or advice, will be made public, if requested not to do so.
We are respectfully, and with great regard
Your obed't serv'ts,
A. S. GILBERT,
W. W. PHELPS,
JOHN CORRILL."
The drafting and signing of the above, was the last public act of the keeper of the Lord's storehouse, Algernon S. Gilbert, for he was attacked with the cholera the same day, and died in a few hours, according to his own words that he "would rather die than go forth to preach the gospel to the Gentiles."
The following is from the chairman of the committee of the Jackson mob, to our lawyer:
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