The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-07-15
From the Quincy Herald, June 2s.



DEATH OF THE PROPHET JOE AND HIRAM
SMITH ARE DEAD The Steamboat Boreas, just
in from Warsaw, brings shocking intelligence from
the scene of the Mormon The following slip
from the Office of the Warsaw Signal explains the
dreadful tragedy.
"Joe and Hiram Smith are doad-shot thi. after
noon An attack from the Mormons is expected
every hour. VIII not the surrounding counties rush
instantly to rescue7
WARSAW, June 9th, 1914.
1t seems that the circumstances attending the kill
ing of the Mormon Prophet and his brother EIiranrarc
follows On yesterday, Gov. Ford left Carthage
with about hundred and twenty soldiers, for the
purpose ortaking possession of the Nnuvoo Legion
and their arms. They arrived at Nauvoo about noon,
and called for the assembling of the Legion.
About 1000 men with arms immediately responded
TO its call. The troops were put under command Of
Col. Singleton, of Brown county, who accompanied
Gov Ford to Nauvoo.
The Governor finding all quiet left Nauyoo about
5 o'clock p. NJ. with company OF ca men, for the
purpose of encamping about seven miles from the
city.
At about the same time that Governor Ford left
Nauvoo, the Prophet and his brother were killed at
Carthage, under the following circumstances, as near
as we ascertain them.
Joe and Hiram were confined in the debtors room
Of the Carthage Jail, awaiting their ual ON charge
of treason. The Jail was strongly guarded by sold
iers and nti-Mormons who had been placed there by
the Governor.
Mormon attempted TO rush by the guard for the
purpose of forcing his way into the jail lie was op-
posed by the guard and fired pistol at one of the
guard, giving him slight wound.
general confusion ensued in the crowd around
the jail. Joe and his Mormon follow prisoners, il
seems, had provided themselves with pistols, and
commenced firing upon the guard within. He then
attempted TO escape from the window, when hun
dred balls entered his body, and he fell Il ieless
corpse.
Ills brother Hiram shared the same fate Rich
ars, leading Mormon, was badly wounded. Here
our intelligence ends-what took place after this God
only knows Mormons Immediately left for Nnuvoo
TO carry the news of the death of the Prophet 1t
feared that the Mormons at Neuvoo will be so cX-
asperntcd as to extermnate the Governor and his
small force
The Boreas brought down most Of the women and
children from Warsaw. II is feared their town is in
ashes before this.
Our citizens were aroused this morning by the ring
ing Of the bells and a call to Our three indie
pendent companies already in marching ORDER
Major Flood has ordered out the militia of this rcgi-
ment and the steamer Boreas is waiting TO convey
them to the Of action.
Messengers have just left for Hannibal, and the
towns below, for the purpose of arousng the Missou-
rans The excitement in city intense, and the
anxiety to hear the fate of Gov Ford and his men is
very great.
LATER. Later accounts state that about two
hundred volunteer militia dispersed the guard about
the Jail in which Smith was confined, and then at
tackled the prisoners. They, the prisoners, fired in
self Defence and Smith, while endeavorng to escape
was shot as above described. The Mormons obtain
ed tho bodies of the Smiths and carried them 10 Nau
VOC. There was much excitement among the Nor
mons, but no violence offered