Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-07-14
MORMONISM In 1914.
The Murder of Joseph and Hyram
smith.


From the Muscatine iowa Journal, 9sth.
Iwenty-slx years ago yesterday, June
~, 1874, Joseph Smith, the Mormon
prophet and his brother Hyram, were
killed by mob while confined in Jail at
Carthage. ILL.,, twenty-five miles from this
city Many of the older citizens will recol
lect the circumstances. Mormonism was
then III the height of It's prosperity. Nau-
VOC was then city OF $4,000 inhabitants,
with numerous Mormon neighborhoods
near and far. Mormon missionaries were
scattered over half the civilized world.
The Mormon leaders were in their glory
A million dollar temple was under way.
10 Smith was sort of autocrat, ruling
with high hand, and becoming more and
more avarcious as well as ambitious, and
less and less regardful of the rights Of
others
: Nauvoo was becoming n city of refuge
for all the robbers, thieves and murderers
| for hundreds of miles around. Many came
| from Missouri, and no requisition from the
Governor of that State was permitted to be
enforced until 1t had been passed upon by
the Council of Nauvoo. The Danites, a
murderous band, were not idle. There
were terror and indignation through all that
region of coustry. Some OF the MOrmOns
themselves had grown restlyeand rebellious
until finally "a considerable faction deter
mined TO shake of the rule of Smith and
expose his crimes. For this purpose they
procJred the materials for printing paper
which they proposed to start in Nauvoo,
right in the face of the Prophet. This he
would not permit. The Council was called
together and it was 6ecreed that the print
ing press and materials must be DESTROYED.
1t was done.
The people outside determined that the
Smiths should now be brought to Justice.
Hundreds OF armed men were gathered at
Carthage, Warsaw, and other places in the
vicinity. Governor Ford had been apprised
of the contemplated collision, and came on
the ground 20 preserve the peace Under
solemn assuTaHces from the Governor that
their personal safety should not be ndan-
gered. Joseph and Hyram Smith gave tnem-
selves up 10 the authorities OF the state and
were taken to Cartilage for preliminary ex-
animation, which they underwent and gave
the required bail for their appearance be-
fore the District Court On being dis
charged they were Immediately re-arrested
on charge of treason against the State of
Illinois and confined in Jail. Rumors that
they would be lynched by mob were al
ready rife. The militia had not been dis
banded. Governor Ford sent Carthage
company to guard the Jail where the
Smiths we're confined, and himself went to
Nauvoo 10 further interview leading Nor
mons. On the day following, June 27th,
1874, about o'clock p. m, the Jail was
surrounded by company of about 200
disguised men. The Carthage company
were at a convenient distance away. The
guard at the Jail fired a blank cartridge at
the mob, evidently acting in accordance
with prearranged plan. The mob rushed
in and fred upon the prisoners, Hyram
Smith fell dead, shot through the
head. Joseph was armed with re-
volver, and resisted as long as he could,
wounding two or three of the mob before
he was overpowered. But he was soon dis.
abled, and after being wounded:was killed
outright, three or four balls passing
through his body. Though many rejoiced
at the death of the Smiths, very few ap-
proved the method of their taking off,
The Mormons continued on at Nauvoo
two or three years longer, Brigham Young
having been chosen leader, when they took
up their line of march for their present To-
cation at Grea. Salt Lake City. The glory
of Nauvoo soon departed The splendid
temple erected there, long since tumbled
into ruins. The remains of it are still
pointed out to travellers. Scarcely anything
is left Of this once famous city but the grand
site on which it stood.