Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-16
CHELSEA, 18th March, lS43
From the Correspondence ofihe N. Y. Tribune.
THE MORMON WHY
WAS TT?

=, 1ALENA, Illinois, July !, 1874.
BY the Steamboat "Ohlo," Capt Atkinson, which
Is just in from ST. Louis, we have the intelligence
OF the murder Of Joe Smith, the great Mormon
Prophet and his brother Hyrum Smith, in the Jail
at Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois, on Thurs.
day night last You have, without doubt seen
many accounts lately of the disturbances between
the Mormons at NauvOo, and the citizens of Han
cock County. The Immediate cause of the last
disturbance was the destruction of the printing
press and materials of The " Nauyoo Exposilor"
paper established by some seeding bormons, for
the purpose of exposing of the enorlnities
practced by the Prophet and his followers The
whole establishment was taken into the street. burn
cd and destroyed by the City Marshal under pre-
tended authority granted by the charter OF the city
OF Nauvoo.
1t Is known that in 1910 the Mormons voted for
Gen. Harrison, and as they were increasing very
fast, it was thought necessary by the Locofoco Leg
lslature to do something to chsnge the vote and
cure 1t hereafter to the LOcOtoco party. iIyrum
Smith was in the Legislature, and it is understood
in this State that, in consideration of the Legisa-
ture granting to the Mormons the charter OF the
City OF Nauvoo, giving to the city authorities ex-
traordinary powers incorporating the Nauvoo Lee
gon and furnishing the members of the said Lee
pIon with the state arms, it was agreed by Hyrum
that the Mormons should forever hereafter vote the
Locoioco ticket 10 that agreement the Mormons
have adhered, and the Locofoco Member of Con-
gress from this District was elected by their votes
BY the charter Municipal Court was established
composed Of the Mayor or Chief Justice, and the
Aldermen as Associate Justices" which Court had
the power to grant writs of hoJedS corpus, &c. I'm
der this power, whenever Joe or any of his men
had been arrested for any crimes, writs of ha6eds
corpus would be sued out and discharges granted
The consequence was, that crimes have been COM
united at Nanvoo with perfect mpunity--the laws
of the State have been openly set at defiance 1t
was resolved by Joe that those engaged in destroy
Ing the press should not be given up to the proper
authorities, and on the other hand it was deternn-
cd by the citizens Of the County that they should
be arrested at all hazards. Martial law is declared
by Joe at Nauyoo, and the "Legion" is called out
and put under arms. The citizens of Hancock and
the nelghhoring Counties commehce rendeZvousng
at different points, messengers are despatched to
Missouri for men, arms and anmunition and every
thng wears the appearance of actual war. In the
mean time messengers sent to the Governor of
the State (lhomls ford) to request that he will Or
der out the militia to enforce the laws. The Gov
ernor soon makes his appearance at Nauvoo issues
IL powerful proclamation to the Mcrnons, comma nd
ing obedience to the laws and commenting in
strong and nervous language upon their recent out
rages. lie finally induces Joe and Hyrum to sur
render themselves up TO the civil authorities, by
pedglng his honor and the honor of the State that
they shall be dealt with only according to law Joe
and Hyrum went to Carthage, the seat of Justice
Tor Hancock County, attended by strong guard
OF armed men, where they delivered themselves up
and went to jail to await an examination on
charge Of heaSon. The Governor dsbanded Joe's
men, took their arms and ssnt them away but re-
timed comp ny of fifty men in Carthage to pro-
tcct Toe and Hyrum from any violence. The Gov
ernor then returned to Nauvoo aud made IA stump
speech to the Mornons, said to be characterized by
much violence, and which was received by muir
Inurs and Kisses. lie told them that if they com.
United any further violence they would be held res
ponslble, and that tens of thousands would come
upon them and avenge their wrongs by burning the
town and destroying every man, woman and child
within their borders.
On the night Of the 9th ult., while the jail at
Carthage was only protected by guard of eight
men, the balance Of the fifty being about half a
mile off it was attacked by band of about two
hundred armed men, disguised as Indians. They
forced and entered the jail and shot both the Smiths
dead upon the spot. The murderers Immediately
fled to the woods, and before the company of sol.
diels at Carthage arrived at the Jail Elder Taylor,
a friend Of the Snllhs, was in the jail at the time,
and received some wounds, but not mortal
The Governor, upon hearing that the Smiths had
been shot, and fearing the vengeance of the Nor.
mons, after the violation of the pghed faith of the
State that Joe should be held harmless upon his
giving himself up, Immediately put out, leaving
matters to take care OF themselves.