Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-03-27
MISCE LII A N Y.
JOHN MILLS, THE MORMON.

When the Mormons settled in Missouri, in 1888,
an enthusiastic young man named Mills, was their
most popular and admired preacher. Indeed,
so great was his fame, that whenever he held meet
ings crowd Of the saints were sure 10 be present.
A strong and violent mob of Lynchers was about
this time organized to put down the Mormons, un-
der the command of Col, Turk-one of the most
desperately dangerous men that Missouri, or in
truth, any other country, ever produced. Some Of
the Mormons were tarred and feathered, some were
scourged with long knoly hickoIies till they faint
ed from the excess Of torture and the loss of blood
others were forcby deprived Of their property, and
reduced in day 10 the condition of beggars while
others still shared doom of more mercy, and were
shot down on the prairies like so many wolves
AT last Turk resolved 10 take some of the conceit
out of the young preacher, Mills, and he gave no
tice to his men accordingly.
1t was dreadful cold night in mid winter, 1888.
and although the sky was cloudless and the full
moon shone out in all her splendor, the earth lay in
all that peary radiance, chill and dreary as frozen
tomb; for thick sheet of snow crusted its surface,
and the north wind howled over it dismal dirge.
IL was night to drive even thieves and outlaws
into barns and stables for shelter, and to keep hon
est people by the blaze of their own roaring hearths
And yet, strange to say, in large log cabin,
within three hundred yards Of the Missouri river,
then frozen from shore 10 shore, al least one hum
dred people had assembled to hold religious meet
ing They were Mormons, you may be sure. No
fanatics of an old faith would have turned out such
a night they must be fresh zealots, with some new
idea, but at its BIRTH in their hearts, and flaming
like meteor in their imagnations, or they never
could have ventured TO face such an icy blast as
that The congregation included men and women,
6 thoC
carried rifles, which they grasped with one hand
even when kneelng down in prayer-such was the
imminence of peril either real or imagined, they
deemed pending over them.
The preacher, the enthusiast Mills, had advanc-
ed to thrilling head of his eloquent discourse, and
was painting in terrible language the bitter perse-
cution which has ever followed The footsteps of all
great reformers, since the beginning Of time. New
er before had he been half so animated or half so
affecting. His blue eye cleaned like sar-hs
voice pealed like trumpet, shril as the wind
which whisled over the house top; and his beard
less lip seemed loaded with music Tears, groans
and wild shrieks, from the audience, proved the de-
spotic power of his eloquence.
Suddenly, three rifles exploded in quick success
sion before the door and three sentinels, shaking
with terror, rushed into the room, crying out. "Ihe
mob the mob Save yourselves from Col. Turks
mob"
No person can depict the scene of dismay and
confusion that ensued. The females screamed a.
loud, as if all hope had departed. Several of The
men sprang out Of the windows, as if pursued 6y
legion of devils, while most of those who remained
appeared Supplied and totally powerless, either to
escape or make ready for resistance. Indeed, there
was little space allowed for preparation. In few
mob numbering hundreds, had surroun.
ded the building and the muzzes of fifty cooked
guns and pistols thrust through the doors and
windows Still none within lifted finger in de-
fence-fear seemed to have turned them into stone.
Persecution had not hardened the "Latter day
Saints into veterans; and The since famous "Mor-
mon Legion" existed then only in the imagination
of the Prophet.
Presently the Lynchers, headed by the all-dread-
ed and gigantic Col. Turk, rushed in and began to
beat The people with the iron ramrods of their guns,
with very little distinction Of mercy, as to age or
sex. The cries of the poor sufferers sweled to
wall wilder than the howings Of the wind without.
At length old Turk roared-
"Turn out the women. and seize the men (; and
let us have the hickory switches and the tar and
feathers"
And the drunken mob shouted, and hastened TO
execute the brutal mandate.
Up to this time, young Mills had continued
standing with the bible of their prophet in his hand
but unear.hy pale and strangely excited, his teeth
and his bright eye swimming In halo
Of fire. Suddenly he made bound for an adjacent
window, and, notwithstanding more than twenty
endeayored 10 seize him. effected his escape from
the house.