Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-07-12
DEATH OF THE PROPHET.

From the Quincy (lU.) Herald
Joe and Hyr1m Smith are dead. The steamboat
Boreas Just in from Warsaw, brings shocking in
telligence from the seat of the Mormon war. The
following slip from the office Of the Warsaw sig
nal explains the dreadful tragedy:
Joe Smith and llyrum are dead--shot this nf-
ternoon. An attack from the Mormons is expected
every hour. viii not the surrounding counties
rush instantly TO our rescue?
UVsdt0, June 9th, 1874
1t seems that the circumstances attending the
killing of the Mormon prophet and his brother Hy-
rum are IS follows: On yesterday Gov. Ford left
Carthage with about 100 soldiers for the purpose
of taking possession Of the 'Nauvoo Legion and
their arms They arrived at Nauvoo about noon,
and called for the assembling Of the Legion.
About 1000 men with arms Immediately respon-
ded to the CALL These troops were put under
command of Col Singleton of Brown county, who
accompanied Gov. Ford to Nauvoo.
The Governor finding all quiet, left Nauvoo a.
bout five O'Clock, p. NJ. with company of sixty
men for the purpose Of cncamping about Z miles
| from the CITY,
| At about the same time that Gov. Ford left
Nauvoo the prophet and his brother were killed at
Carthage under the following circumstances, as
near as we can ascertain them:
| Joe and Hyrum were both confined in the debt
ors room of the Carthage Jail, awaiting their trial
on charge of treason. The Jail was strongly
guarded by soldiers and anti Mormons, who had
|
A Mormon attempted to run by the guard for
the purpose of forcing his way into the jail He
was opposed 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 fellow prisoners it
seems had provided themselves with pistols, and
commenced firing upon the guard within. He then
attempted to escape from the window, when a
hundred balls entered his body, and he fell life
less corpse.
lis brother Hyrum shared the same fate. Rich
ards, leading Mormon, was badly wounded.--
There our intelligence ends what took place af-
ter this God only knows Mormons Immediately
left for Nauvoo, to carry the news Of the death Of
the prophet. 1t is feared that the Mormons al
Nauvoo will be so exasperated as 10 exterminate
the Governor and his small force.
Our citizens were aroused this morning by the
ringing of bells and call to arms. Our three in
dependent companies are already in marching or
der. Maj Flood has ordered out the militia of his
regiment, and the steamer Boreas is waiting t
convey them to the scene of action.
There is no knowing where this fearful affa
will end Many have expressed fears that our city
is IN danger, because most of the Warsaw famllle.
have taken refuge here's but we believe there is n'
Nsdngcr, as VIC dfe too fax from the of action
Messengers have Just left for Hannibal and tn
towns below, for the purpose of arousng the Mis-
! sourlans. The excitement in city is intense
and the anxiety to hear the fate of Gov. Ford ant
his men is very great.
An extra from the st. Louis Evening Gazette o
S the 2Sth adds the following:
When we left Nauvoo about daylight this morn
t ing FRIDAY 2oth) all was quiet. The MQrmons ha
not heard of the death of the Smiths, Gov. Ford
who was encamped a few miles back had las sup
e posed intercepted the messengers from Carthage.
At Warsaw all was excitement. The wome
o and children were ak removed, and an immediate
: attack WIS expected from the Mormons.