Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-01-15
THE CARROLL FREE PRESS.
CARROLLTOS,mJANUARY rs, 1917.
THE MORMON DlFFICULTIEs.


iSiiyes has furnished US with the Report of Cover
nor Ford upon the difficulties existing between
the Mormons aud Anti-Mormons, in Hancock
county, in that State. From this Report il APP
pears that the Sheriff and the persons who cou.-
pose the County Commissioners Court, were cleo
ted by, and under the influence Of the Mormons;
that the individuals arrested forthe murder Of the
Smiths objected to the jury emPannelled by these
officers; that each party selected an elesor to en-
pannela jury; that the Anti-Mormons, armed with
clubs and other weapons, assembledin great num-
bers around the Court, and compelled the ehesors
10 select an Anti Mormon jUry and that the Prls-
oners were tried and acquitted. On the other
hand, several Mormons, araigned for destroying
the printing Office of the "NaavOO ExPOsitor,"
we're tried by Jury selected by the Sheriff and
County Commissioners Court, and acquitted
Thus the actions Of Courtswere rendered mere
mockery Of justice. No matter how grave the
offence, or how clear the prisoners guilt was de-
monstrated, his friends would manage to control
the trial and secure his acquittal.
In the fall Of l845, the Anti Mormons, with
view to the expulsion Of the Mormons from the
State, burned down $50 or ITS cabins in and near
Nauvoo. The Sheriff called upon the citizens
of the county for sufficient force to quel the RI
OF, but received no assistance. He then called
upon the citizens Of Nauyoo, and several hun
dred placed themselves under his command
With thisforce he drove the Anti-Mormons across
the rverinto Iowa. The Nom 1ns whose houses
had been burned, now determined TO retaliate for
the injuries they had received, and secured the
country, stealing whatever they could carry or
snces the Mormons killed four Antics, and the
Antics one Mormon. The murderers, on each
side, were arrested tried, and, though their guilt
was clearly proven, acquitted.
At this stage Of the proceedings the Governor
appointed Gen. Hardin to lead asmalI force to the
theatre of action, for purpose Of arresting fur
ther outbreak. The Gen. dispersed the Sheriff's
posse, and restored the Antics to their homes
The Mormons, having by this time become sats-
fled that they could no longer enjoy peace while
they remained in Illinois, made an agreement with
Gen. Hardin TO the effect that they would remove
from the State in the Spring; and that, in the
meantime, small force should be stationed in the
county, to preserve the peace. In accordance
with this arrangement, the efficient force Of TEN
MEN was kept up until May last. In the spring
about sixteen thousand Mormons departed for
California. About one thousand MormonS, who
were unable to dispose of their property, now re-
mained. The properly of the Mormons having
been offered for sale at great sacrifice, induced
sgreat many persons from every section Of the
Union to locate at Nauyoo.
In the month Of August last the Anti -Mormons
again determined to expel the MormonS from the
State. For this purpose writs were issued for the
arrest of certain obnoxious persons. The Nor
mons, now the shadow of former greatness, fear
ing that if arrested they would be deliberately
murdered, refused to be taken. The Antics, in
censed at this determination, assembled posse
for the ostenSible purpose of serving the wrts.-
The new citizens of Nauvoo, who were exerting
themselves in assisting the Mormons TO dispose
of their property and remove from the State, ap.
Piled to the Governor for small force to preserve
order and protect their property. The required
force was Immediately granted, and its commander
authorized to toacceptthe services of such anumber
Of the citizens of Nauvoo aswere willing to enlist,
without charge to the State, as would enable him
to protect the town and suppress all riotous pro-
ceedngs. The Antics recruited their force until
it exceeded eight hundred men, and refused to
disperse; declaring that they cared very little a.
bout making the arrests, but that they had Hlerior
views to accomplish in marching into Nauvoo.
Soon after this treaty was agreed upon be-
tween the leaders of the two parties, to the effect
that the Mormons should deliver up their arms to
aperson appointed to receive them, and remove
from the State in two months; the arms to be re-
stored when they crossed the river. When this
treaty was submitted TO the Anti Mormon forces
it was rejected by small majority. The COM
mander of the Anti Mormons Immediately reti-
red from the field accompanied by large num-
Der Of his friends, and it was confidently reported
to the Governor that moro than one-half of the
Antics would follow their example. This infor-
nation proved erroneous, and the new accessions
to the ranks Of the Antics more than compensa-
ted them for their loss. They appointed new
leader and marched towards Nauvoo. The Gov
ernor, upon receiving information of the continu-
ance Of the disturbance, issued an order to COM
mandant Of militia in Adams county, to raise a
sufficient force to quellthe riot. This officer, re-
siding within few miles of the place where the
difficulties existed, and amongst people disposed to