The Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1843-1852, 1844-07-17

Tor all sorts OF enormitles and atrocities met his \
death by violence at Carthage, Illinois, on the
rescue him from prison by, an armed force The
following are the particulars ofthe tragedy. -
DEATH or. THE MORMON PROPHET.
The events which led to endssucceeded the
sss anS; iSsSf,ns otSce soffha .Naux,o Eshcsi.
ipr. by ORDER Of Joe Smith and his Council, to-
ge,her with the declaration OF martial law and
adoption of other arbitrary measures by the Pro-
phet IN connection with that unlawful act, SO in
ceased portion of tue people OF Illinois against
the Mormons and the Mormons against them, that
affairs In that quarter have since presented
aspect more than usually threatened to the pub
lic peace. The latest point ofcoutest appears to
have been concerning the arrest of the persons
who by Smiths order, had destroyed the press
the officers who were sent from Warsaw for that
purpose having either been resisted, or Smith in-
sisting on having the prisoners taken before his
own Court on writ of habeas corpus, and there dis
charged, as had been before done in others. Such
proceedings were not calculated to restore quiet
the excitement increased, threats of violence by
both parties followed, and each of them prepared
for defence-the faithful Mormons Aocking to
Nauvoo, their chief city, and their adversares con-
gregating at Carthage and Warsaw. In the mean
time the Governor of the State deemed it neces-
lsary to, interPose- He despatched m esscnser to
Smith demanding the surrender Of the State arms
appear forthwith and explain their conduct. Af
ter some delay they surrendered themselves on
| the evening of the Gath ultimo, and were all ar
rested the next morning for the destruction of the
Expositor, and Smith also on warrant for trea-
son against the State. We know not what occur
red on the 29th, but Smith and two of his follow
ers lost their lives the next day, will he by
the following, copied from extra of the Quincy
Herald of the 2Sth
at appears that Joe and Hiram Smith, and
number Of other Mormon leaders, were in Jail at
Carthage, confined on certain offences against the
| laws OF the State. The Carthage Grays, a volun-
| teer company, We're placed as guard around the
Jail. About six o'clock the evening of the
9th, an attempt was made by the Mormons on
the outside to rescue the prisoners from the custo
| dy of the guard. A youth about nineteen years
of age, "a Mormon) began the afray by shooting
,he sentinel at the door, wouuding him severely
iii the shoulder. Simultaneously with the attempt
the Mormons on the inside Of the JAIL including
| the Smiths presented pistols through the windows
and doors of the jail, and fired upon the guard
without, woundng, it is supposed mortally, four
OF the old citizens Of Hancock 1t is unnecessary
to say that this bloodthirsty attempt the part of
the Mormons was the signal for certain and sure
vengeance. The lives of Joe Smith and his broth
er Hiram, and Richards, Joe Smiths Secretary,
We're quickly taken, and we believe no others
! Carthage was filed with Mormous previous to
the aHruy. The Mormons appeared to be collect
ing around the Jail for the purpose Of attempting
the Of their leader
Here our intelligence ends What took place
after this, God only knows. Mormons Immediate
~ lett tor Nauvoo to carry the news of the death
OF the Prophet. On yesterday Gov. Ford left
! Carthage with about 12O soldiers for the purpose
OF taking possession of the 'Nauvoo Legion and
their arms. They arrived at Nauvoo about noon,
About in men 1hS with rms
ded to the call These troops were immediately
put under the command Of Col. Singleton, of
Brown county, who accompanied Gov. Ford to
| Nauvoo.
The Governor, finding all quiet, left Nauvoo
about o'clock, p. NJ. with company of 60 men,
Tor the purpose Of encamping about seven miles
from the city. 1t is feared that the Mormons of
Nauvoo will be so exasperatcd as to cxtcrmiuatc
| the Governor and his force
| "Our citizens were aroused this morning by the
ringing ofbells and call to arms Our three in.
dependentcornpanies already in marching order
Major Flood has ordered the militia of his reg
nent' ana the steamer Boreas is waiting to convey
! them to the Of action
| Ihere Is no knowing where this dreadful affair
VIII end. Many have expressed fears that our city
IS In danger, because most of the Warsaw families
have taken refuge here, but we are too far from
| the scene Of action.
| Messengers have just left for Hannibal and the
towns below for the purpose Of arousinr the Mis-
l
and the anxiety to hear the fate of Gov Ford and
hs men very great.
1T is also feared that both Carthage and Warsaw
have been burned by the Mormons, as threats Of
that KIND have been made. The women and chill
dren OF the latter place have been taken to places
OF safety. A portion Of them came down here on
the Boreas this morning. The German Guards
and Rifle Company are now assembling as well as
portion OF the militia, for the purpose Of marching
to the scene of action"
Other accounts say that the news of Smiths
| fate had not reached Nauvoo at daylight of the
2oth, and hence it is inferred that Gov Ford, who
was encanlPed few miles back of the city, had in
tGrcePted I1rP the messengers from Carthage. AT
Warsaw all was excitement. The women and
children were all removed, and an immediate at
tack was expected from the Mormons
LATER-The Cincinnati Atlas, Of Juy4 con-
talns intelligence from Nauyoo M tsT o'clock on
,hc evening OF the 2sth June. We copy the fol-
lowing from that paper:
The steamer Mendoza, at St. Louis. left Nauvoo
on Friday at four o'clock. Capt. Riley says he
stopped at Nauvoo several hours, and talked with