| 770 home, after a campaign of about thirteen days."-Governor Ford's Message of December 23,1844, pp. 19, 20.
By the above it will be seen that the officers of militia were aiders and abettors of the mob; that the murderers found an asylum in Missouri, and that the Carthage Greys betrayed their guilt by fleeing at the approach of the militia.
Of the trial Governor Ford states:-
"During the progress of these trials the judge was compelled to permit the courthouse to be filled and surrounded by armed bands, who attended court to browbeat and overawe the administration of justice. The judge himself was in a duress, and informed me that he did not consider his life secure any part of the time. The consequence was that the crowd had everything their own way; the lawyers for the defense defended their clients by a long and elaborate attack on the Governor; the armed mob stamped with their feet and yelled their approbation at every sarcastic and smart thing that was said; and the judge was not only forced to hear it, but to lend it a kind of approval. Josiah Lambourn was attorney for the prosecution, and O. H. Browning, O. C. Skinner, Calvin A. Warren, and William A. Richardson were for the defense."-Ford's History of Illinois, p. 368.
On June 23,1844, four days before his death, Joseph Smith wrote a letter to his wife, which is of historical importance, as it shows he had not then decided where he should go, and hence had not decided to go west, though some have since reported that he had. 3
3 Safety, June 23
Emma Smith:-Brother Lewis has some money of mine. H. C. Kimball has $1,000 in his hands of mine. Bro. Neff, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, $400. You may sell the Quincy property or any property that belongs to me you can find anything about, for your support and children and Mother. Do not despair. If God ever opens a door that is possible for me I will see you again. I do not know where I shall, go or what 1 shall do, but shall if possible endeavor to get to the city of Washington.
May God Almighty bless you, and the children, and Mother, and all my friends. My heart bleeds. No more at present. If you conclude to go to Kirtland, Cincinnati, or any other place, I wish you would contrive to inform me this evening.
JOSEPH SMITH.
P. S.-If in your power I want you should help Dr. Richards' family.
This letter is in our possession in his own handwriting.
(page 770) |
