The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-21
From the Carthage Republican July ls.
The Old Carthage Jail.
SOME ACCOUNT OF THE TRAGEDY
WHICH GAVE TO THE OLD
BUILDING a WORLDWIDE
FAME.
THE MECCA OF MORM0NlSM.
KILLING OF THE MORMON PROPH-
EFT, JOSEPH SMITH, AND HIS
BROTHER HIRAM, BY AN
/ ARMED MOB.
Scenes and Incidents.
Interesting Particulars.
Scenes and Incidents.
Interesting Particulars.

a building around which clusters incidents
of historic interest, the fame of which has
gone into every civilized land under the
sun.
Within the past twenty-five years, thous-
ands of people, representing every state and
territory of the Union, and. doubtless, afmost
every country in the continent of Europe ana
America have visited and Inspected often.
times with superstitions awe,--the old stone
building in Carthage which, in 1914. was
the scene of a tragedy that marked an epoch
in the history of powerful and aggressive
religio-militsry organization. the growth of
which, 10 England and Americs. was the
wonder, if not the dread of the christian
world.
MoRMoNIsM IN HANCOCK COUNTY.
1t is not necessary in this connection to
speak of the rise and growth of Mormonism
in Hancock county. The whole subject has
passed into history from under abler pens
than our own and we must be content with
brief allusion to the causes of, and the
browning incident which rendered the old
Carthage Jail an object of worldwide inter
est.
The Mormon population in Hancock coun-
tv had increased in four or five years
from about 2, 500 to 10000 souls, most of
whom were inhabitants of Nauvoo ana vicni-
ty With this preponderRnce of population,
it will be seen that the Mormons controlled
the balance of power In the political and Off
cial management of county affairs; aud from
the exercise of this power it is claimed that
most, If not all, the trouble originated
which finally eliminated in the foreible he
gira Of that body from the county in 1916.
ORIGIN AND PARTICULARS OF SMITHS ARREST.
Ia May, Or the fore part of June. 1914,
Chauney l.. Uigbse. (now Judge Hlgoce,
undertook to establish weekly newspaper
In Nauvoo. through which to oriticise and
oppose the schemes of the Mormon leaders. =
One or fyvo issues OF the paper were permit
ted when some article appearing which
gave great oiTense to Smith, council of
Mormon dignitaries was called, who voted
Mr.. Higbee's newspaper a nuisance, and or
dered the press. and material to be destroyed
which was done. Aside from this unlawful
act, Joseph Smith had come in conflict with
the civil authorities of the state and county
ON questions involving good order and the
execution of the laws. for which one or more
warrants had been issued Tor hls arrest
The arrest was resisted for season, until It
became evident that the state authorities.
backed by competent military force, would
take the matter into their own hands. I'M
ucE tAAio tHkCGSGIALS aspCC0 VI Il
Smith decided to yield t. the arrest, and &C.
cordingly, On the Goth of June, 1874, him
self his brother, Hiram Smith, DR.. Taylor q
Mormon elder, and Mr.. Richards, IL clerk
or secretary of Joseph Smith, were brought
to Carthage, and placed in the debtors room
in the county jail, with the paramount view
of affording the prisoners the protection of
the building against mob violence.
GUARDS PLACED AROUND THE JAIL
At that time, Carthage boosted of q mill
tary organization, known as the Carthage
Grays," under command of Capt. (now Col. J
Robert T. Smith. A squad of eight men, Jun
der command of Lieut.. Frank WorreIl. was
placed as guard over the jail to watch as
well as protect the prisoners.
Precursors OF TROUBLE.
The afternoon aud night of the Goth passed
eff quietly. without incident worthy of REQ
ord. On the 9th, there arose feeling
among the citizens Of the town that the day
would bring forth some unusal event, the
character Of which they were not prepared tc
determine. Persons from q distance were oc
easioually arriving in town on horseb back, and
shortly afterwards hurrryingaway. Rumorf
OF an approaching mob were on every ton
que, but apparently without tangib BILE founda
ton. Capt. Smith, and others of his company,
aiternated through the day In Watching the
approaches to the town from the court house
| cupela. A number of citizens fearing trou
| Bile, had quietly taken their families aud sem
few personal effects out of town.
APPROACH OF THE MOB.
| About four O'Clock, on the afternoon OF the
| 9th, the alarm was given of the approach o.
an armed body Of men, from the direction O
point of tim Der northwest of Carthage
| When first seen, these men, mum bering appar
| entity LOO or more, were running in single filt
behind string of rail fence. When they haG
| approached within hundred yards of th,
| jail, they made q furious charge across tn,
| open space, empowering the guard and sur
rounding the building. The men were al
| disguised with blackened faces and garment,
of 0utre description. They were, also. vel
supplied with arms of various kinds.
| THE ATTACK ON THE rRrsbSERs.
The hall and stairway leading to the debt
/ ors' room was soon crowded by the assaiants
Meanwhile, Smith and his companions hear.
ing the noise, and suspsctipg It's Intentions
| had taken measures to secure the door lead
ing into their room, which seemed difficult
task for want of proper fastenings. Hiram
| Smith, DR.. Taylor, and MIR. Richards placed
| tue door, Wniie Joseph
Smith placed himself in position to com
mand range Of the hail in case the doc,
| should be forced. At this state of proceed
/ Ings some one of the sssailants in the hal
i fired shot through the door pannel. the hal
entering t1s left breast of Hiram Smith. Lin
ling him almost instantly With the KILN
of Hiram the door came open, when Josent
Smith commenced firing his revolyer(an old
fashioned pepper-box' AFFAIR." into the crowd
in the hall, wounding, it Is said, number Of
the assailants severely. The firing then com
msnced from those in tho hall. Several more
shots were fired at the PROSTATE body of Hi
ram, and at DR.. Taylor,who badly wounded
had crawled under bed. While in this Do
sitlon the DR.. was fred at several times, re
ceivlng additional wounds. That he was NOT
kiiied. but finally recovered, is miracle. -
Mf. hicnards, who stood quietly in recess,
was com Pleteiy hidden from sight by the
Jury.
THE KILLING OF JOSEPH SIXTH.
Joseph Smith, already wounded, and see.