The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-04-17
WHOLE NO 904

once, and returned on the evening OF the same
day with Sheriff Estes and several citizens of
West Point who took an interest IN the case.
The Hodges being still found in custody, a
complaint was sworn by the Sheriff against the
two younger brothers, but no evidence having
appeared against Amos be was discharged.
Iu the meantime, and while these Proceedings
were going on. Tom Brown had learned on the
arrest of the three brothers, and after having
rapidly spread the news among their Mormon
adherents throughout the city IN order 10 sum
mon them 10 the rescue, he withdrew from the
dangerous neighborhood. and fed 20 bold him
self aloof in safer parts.
AS soon a. the arrest OF the Hodges became
well-known, the greatest excitement prevailed
among the Mormons of the city as well as the
surrounding neigbborhood, and large numbers
OF the worst Of them began 20 collect and CO.
alesce IN secret, 10 swear the lro,bers clear
by testifying that they were in Nslvoo al the
time of the murder. When we add 10 this.
the fact Of the case beng before a Mormon
magistrate who was liable 70 Mormon Influence,
to say nothing Of the positive swearing which
was ready TO assail the mere crcGmEtautal eyl-
dence OF the COMPLAINT II will be adm. tied that
the hopes OF justice were rather FAINT and
small. When, therefore the o.f.ce OF the
Squire was opened for examination Of the
prisoners on the 18th, Bonney who appeared
for the prosecution, took alarm from he ex-
citing countenances which throngec the court
room IN anticipation OF discharge. and on
pretence Of obtaining more testimony from
: Iowa, obtained an adjournment tin the follow
ing day at 10 O'Clock. While the prospect was
the darkest, lie had been struck with "A new
idea winch he was quite sure would extricate
him from the perlous position IN winch he
was placed, and the breathing time be Lad OBJ
tanned was barely sufficient, il al thiugs went
barmoniously. to accomplish its performance.
lie had bethought him that the Grand Jury or
Lee county, where the murder was committed,
were then in session at West Point, and II be-
could run with bis witnesses to that piace, aud
r obtain an indictment that day lie cou!d return
TO Nauvoo. lodge il with the Justice, supercede
his authority. and consign the murderers to
prison on higher authority 70 await the requi-
sition OF the Governor OF Iowa.
In pursuance Of this idea, tie instant ad-
journment was granted lie gathered ms wit
4 nesses together and set out for Aontrose;
but just al they we're about embarfiug, a
D steamboat arrived from Fort Madison, loaded
with passengers. amongst whom we're several
e witnesses against the prisoners. who recognized
them as OK hunters on whom general suspicion
, bad already fixed the murder These lew
facts strengthened the facts immensely, and
many were for an immediate exam!nason, but
Bonney had resolved upon lis pan, and re-
. fused to turn back. Indeed. he had despatched
i q special messenger IN advance 20 West Point,
j, to advise the Grand Jury Of Ai. coming, and
be knew that they would remain IN .ession TO
, await his arrival.
b II was as he supposed; though light had set
= In when he reached the county towu--the
n Grand jury we're still III delberaton and after
? a brief audience of the witnesses. srbed the
}. bill which the prompt attorney ksd already
drawn up. \ certified copy Of the original,
=. which was also ready to hand was then givsn
to Bonney, and with this document in his pos
q session he set out that very ulgnt 20 return to
= Nauvoo.
g In the meautIme Nauvoo had been thing I'D
d with people from al parts Of the ne.ghborbood
3 and the confidence OF the Mormon Trends OF
. the accused increased. az they cCmpiacently
HuINcNOu Iue rtTtuSIu OI tle IA AIN tfhJ ta0
n rallied to build the abI against tho c.rcam-
10 stanuial structure Of the prosecution Amoa
y had not been idle, since the hour OF Las re ease
u but had raket every particle Of influence that
Y, could be got together to make sure OF dis
- charge Finally there seemed 70 Lim Do3hIng
10 add 20 the strong aspect OF the case and he
" reposed calmly with his witnesses uDtil TIE ap-
1t pointed hour.
D. As the morning Of the 18th advanced towards
10 O'Clock, the people began 10 ponr INTO the
u -, Irl
n come in from the interior and from the towns
j. OF Iowa, on the other side, choked the maln
. highways OF their ordinary passage Cen.
~ Deming the Sheriff OF Hancock county, was IN
IL attendance with hls posse, and q was suggested
I TO hlm by some who observed the excited faces
or the ant-Mormon population, oontrasted
o. with the equally fierce determination On the
le other side, that crisis in the history q the
p city was at hand, and he had better summon
the assistance OF the military TO Toe prepared
E. for the worst. To nse the language of Bon
1t ney, " Friends and foes alike were there, and
1t ON every face was depicted anxiety, fear or
hope"
vt length Bonney whose absence had begun
70 to cause considerable wonder, arrived at the
le last moment, and court convened. For a
IA WHILE the rush and murmur OF the crowd pre-
:, vented the examination from commencing. but
~ silence being finally obtained, the proceedings
70 we're opened by Almond Babit, Esq, on the
part OF the defence. and who prepared TO pro-
ceed by calling the complaint for cross exam
in ination. At this moment, Bonney rose TO iD-
10 terpose an objection to this course, and draw
= ing from his pocket the indictment against
le stephen and William Hodges. and Thomas
D. Brown, for the murder of Mr. Miller tl.escy
% being yet alive) congratulated the court upon
being able to relieve II of it's labors by The ID
le terpostion Of the superior decision OF another
2 body. This was like throwing petard INTO
I, church. The court was IA an .usiaLt one
scene Of confusion and the cheers and curses
ie of the respective sides mingled 10 one over
II whemng din. For short time i seemed 81
y. If a melee we're abont to take place in the room
and Gen. Deming began TO regret that he had
le not called the military out but happily the
re storm went by the fIends % the. prisoners
:, submitted and the brothers were safely re-
= consigned 90 prison TO await a requls ton from
0 Iowa.
" AN now seemed quiet says Bonney ia his
IL book, when speaking OF this juncture. yet
tine slightest cause would have resulted II the
u destruction of Nauvoo and the expulsion OF
p the Momons." Therefore to guard against
J. all further danger he suggested TO the counsel
q for the prisoners that they might aa tel sur
render themselves at once. and so avoid the
y delay arising out of the procuration OF a requ-
: sition. AS the counsel had the interests OF
their own private families 10 consul against