The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-07-05
DREADFUL NEWS!

Attempt at Rescue-KiIling of Joe Smith. HI
ram Smith and William Richards, in the Car
thage Jail.
On Friday morning last, just before sunrise,
our citizens were aroused from their siumber, by
The ringing of the bells of the city. The cause
of the commotion was the astounding news that
Just ca me down from Hancock, viz: of the at
tempt on the part of the Mormons TO rescue Joe
Smith from the jail in Carthage and the killing
of Joe Smith, Hiram Smith, and joe IS Secretary,
VIM. Richards, and of the great peril of Govern-
or Ford, and the handful of troops now in Nau-
VOC! An immense crowds had collected at the
court house, with DR.. Ralrton in the chair
VIM. Ii. Roosevelt Esq, being present, was cal
led upon to give a statement of recent occur
renee in Hancock. The gentleman seemed to
be is5csing under great excitement, but gave
a tolerabie connected account Of the last few
days in Carthage and vicinity.
1t appears that Joe Smith, Hiram Smith, and
a number of other Mormon leaders, were in Jail
at Carthage confined on certain offences against
the laws of the State The stCarthage Greys,n
a volunteer company. were placed as a guard
around the jail. AT 6 O'Clock, last evening, an
attempt was made by the Mormons on the out
side to rescue the Mormon prisoners from the
custody of the guard. A youth, about 10 years
Of age, "a Mormon.O began the fray, by shooting
the sentinel at the door, wounding him severely
in the shoulder. simultaneously with this at
} tempt, the mormons on the inside of the Jail, in
ciudln9 tue Oulltn 8. presented pistols tnT0s the
windows and doors OF the Jail, and fired upon
the guard without, wounding, il is supposed
mortally, four of the old citizc ms Of Hancock! Il
is unnecessary TO say that this blood-thirsty at
tempt, on the part Of the Mormons, was the sig
nal for certain and sure revenge. The lives o.
: the Two Smiths, and Richards, were quickly Ia
t ken, and we believe no others! Carthage was
filled with Nor mons-previous to the ARRAY, tho
Mormons appeared to be collecting around thu
Jail, 1t is now supposed, for the purpose of at
tempting 10 rescue their leader.
g. T. M. Davis, Esq, of Alton, came dow WI
. this morning from Nauvoo. The news of tn
q killing of Smith, had not reached Nauyoo whel
he lett. Governor Ford was in Nauvoo yester
day, and was 10 camp six miles out last night
Col. Singleton was In command at Nauvoo, VIII
! 100 troops. Great fears are entertained for Oh Ell
safety, If the Mormons rose up after hearing tn
death of the Prophet.
1t is also feared that both Carthage and Wal
saw have been burned by the Mormons, a
threats of that kind have been made. The VIZ
men and Children in the latter place have bee
m taken TO places Of s~afety-a portion of them can
down ON the Boreas this moring.
IL Tine 'German Guards'' and ''Rihe Campan
ID are BOW assembling, as we'll as a pc rtion of III
Militia, Tor the purpose of marching 10 the seer
of action. The Boreas has been chartered
I'd take them up. Our city has the appearance of
military camy.
Later intelligence confirms all of ii
above, except the charge that the affray
,o the Jail, which resulted in the murder ,
the Smiths, was commenced by the Mo
mons. We learn that Joe Smith defendt
himself bravely, having wounded three
four of his assailants. Out of this has pr
badly grown the statement that the prisone
fired pistols from the window, which we
OF first believed false.