The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1869-12-02
The Mormon Prophets Tragedy.

THE Atlantic Monthly for December
contains a historical account Of Mormon
ism in Illinois under the rule of the
prophet Smith, closing with the tragical
death Of Smith and his brother
After giving an account Of the destruc-
tion, in 1914, of the Nauvoo ErDosit0r
office by the followers of Smith, the arti-
Gle reads:
OF course the destruction of the Erposi-
tor was not enough, of itself, to kindle so
intense popular passion. 1t takes great
deal of hammering to heat an iron bar,
but it reddens very rapidly at last For
four years the entire country had been
kept in state of unwhOlesOme excite
ment by these people. After all that may
be said of the faults of both sides, it is I'M
possible to deny that the MOTmOns were
bad neighbOrs. The large majority were
ignorant, honest, Woodworking folk, who
were harmless and peaceable. But the
thieves and Migrants, who in other COM
munities are ferc naturp, were in NauvOo
patronized and protected, FOR several rea-
sons. The city charter, granted by the
Legislature in a sordid subserviency, gave
to the municipal court a wide jurisdiction.
The accused Mormon always appealed to
this court for protection against the perse-
cutting Gentle, and he always got off scot
free Smith rather enjoyed defying the
outside world, and perhaps felt also Sc
cret sympathy with loafers in trouble.
Intoxicated with so abnormal power,
surrounded by knaves that flattered him
and dupes that worshippcd him, Smith be-
gan to develop vices that were truly royal.
He appropriated the exclusive right to
deal in real estate, to sell liquor, to marry,
and give in marriage. He was too ignor-
ant to look far beyond his own horizon.
He thought the rustic noises of his burgh
the murmur of the world" He discOv-
cred in 1914 that the other Presidential as
pirants were all unsatisfactory, and an
nOunced himself in the NauyOo NeighJ0r
as Candidate for the Presidency, and a
creature of his, named Bennett, for the
Vice Presidency. He went so far as to
have views, and to publish them. lie
sent out missionaries to advocate his
claims.
OF late he had grown more violent and
open in his lawlessncss. He had sent d
band of his followers into Missouri to kid
nap the witnesses in case where q Nor
mon thief was TO be tried lie had brutal
ly assaulted and beaten county officer in
the streets of NadvOO. He stood indicted
In the courts for perjury, in having sworn
TO purely imaginary charge of murder,
against gentleman whom he wanted to
to drive out of NauvoO. That absurd
ecclesiastical court of his had repeated
ly discharged men accused of grave of
fences, and warned the officers against any
attempt 10 rearrest them.
1t was this arrogant sense OF his own
power that at last destroyed him. At first
he treated the shcriffs warrant with con-
tempt. At the second summons, he told
the officer he would 60 the next day with
him to Carthage. He did not keep his
appointment. The officer went back to
Carthage alone. But day or two after
wards the Smiths came riding into Car
thage unattended, except by their common
council, and the others accused of riot,
and gave themselves up to the county au-
thOrities. They were taken before JUS
tlce of the peace, and entered into recog-
nizance to appear at court. They were at
once discharged; but the Smiths were
Immediately rearrested on a charge OF
acknowledging arms against the govern
ment OF the State-and recommitted to
the county jail
There was large body OF militia al
Carthage, and small regiment at War
saw. The Governor, not knowing how tC
employ their idle hands, ordered them tc
rendezvous at Golden's Point. lie sent
Singleton to NauvoO 20 take command oil
the legion raised by Smith. Singleton, or
his arrival, found two thousand mer
armed and equipped. Though a littlC
dismayed by the apparition, he inspected
them and reported to- the Governor.
On the morning OF the 9th of June, the
Regiment of Colonel Levi Williams
started from Warsaw, In obedience to the
call OF the Governor to rendezvous al
GOlden's Point, a settlement in the vicini
ty of Nauyoo. They went out in hjpI
glee, fully expecting to march to tn,
city of the Saints, and not doubling tina
before they left it some occasion woul,
arise which would make il necessary I,
remove this standing scandal from tn
face of the earth. There were none bu
words of law and order on their lips; bu
every man clearly understood the
Nauvoo was to be destroyed befcr
they returned. A public meeting
in Warsaw had unanimously "R,
solced, that he will forthwith proceed t
Nauvoo and exterminate the city and il
people"
Order reigned in Warsaw-for the me
were all gone. The whole male adul
population, with trifling exceptions, wer
in Williams regiment. Among the caT
tains were William N. Grover, afterward
distinguished lawyer of st. Louis, an
United States Attorney for Missouri,-a