Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-01-29

days had a very bad name; they were
often blamed with taking all the grist
tor toll. and then running the boy to the
top of the hill for the sack. How mucn
truth there Is In these reports l could
not saw: but l have often seen the time
when a miller would not get rich by
taking boy and all.
me first settlers were mostly from
Kentucky and Virginia, and no better
class OF people ever emigrated to a new
country. They possessed a social ana
friendly disposition, and their kindness
to strangers travelling through the coun-
try could not be excelled, as they hardly
ever turned any n away, or charged
tor keeping them over night. This be-
ing the custom OF the country, it was
seldom ever violated. The health OF
the country was much better than in any
other part of the west in the same lati-
tude. The diseases that prevailed were
of a bilious nature. and confined to the
lowlands and river bottoms. They were
produced by the decay of vegetation n
a damp atmosphere. liable to exist IN ali
new countries. and when the soil is rlch'
it is apt to be sickly; that has been my
experience in the west.
Inc Mormons took a fancy TO Missou-
ri, and after being driven q OF Jackson
county they again located at Far West,
Caldwell county, where they started the
foundation for a temple. The country
soon became thickly settled with them.
They claimed that the west was given
them by the Lord as their sole inherl-
lance, and that they would drive out and
destroy all the unconverted dwellers;
This created trouble between them and
the Missourians. and many OF both par
ties were killed.. The governor OF Mis-
souri, ordered out the militia, who, under
the command of Gen. Lucas, made forced
marches until they arrived at Far West,
where the appearance Of so formidable
and brave looking an army brought the
Mormons to terms. They surrendered
without firing a gun. which was highly
gratifying to most of the volunteers,
who expected to have lett their bones
upon the battlefield. L, being a miller,
was excused from military duty. and re-
NAMED at home to take care of the Ia
dies and keep the children from starving.
I remember attending church in Do
yer at the time, and was about the only
male present, and, being q single man,
l felt in more danger than If a gone
to, war !; but the minister was a good
Campbellite, saw my danger, and en-
tertained the ladies' with q good dis.
course, while was thinking to myself
what I should do in case the men die
not return home to relieve me OF so res
ponsible a charge, and as l had a brother,
q horse and a gun in the war, / was per-
sonally interested in their safety and de-
liverance from so dangerous a foe.
In the fall OF 1887 1 visited my ole
home in Pennsylvania, and travelled II
the same boat with the prophets ) osept
Smith, Sidney Rigdon. Brigham Young
and several of the Smith brothers. They
had been out viewing the promised land
and we're returning to Ohio. Joseph
was a man of more than ordinary intel
lectual capacity. and was quite reserved
He would not with any one
for fear they might think him no smart
er than the common run of mortals. bu
| Sidney Rigdon was capable Of doing al
the talking. Before he joined the Nor
mons he had been a Presbyterian min
lister. He made a good appearance, ant
was the most able defender OF the Nor
mon cause. The boat we were on brok'
her shalt below St. Louis, and conse
quently had to lay W for the night
Rigdon preached a sermon, and l thlnl
he vas the most eloquent speaker l eve
| heard. There were a number oil, minis
ters present belonging to other denomi
nations, but he was too much for them
They left the boat at Cincinnati, whicl
afforded me some relief, as / never fel
safe travelling on a boat with 80 man,
ministers.
Invent on up to Pittsburg, and the
took the stage over the mountains t
Chambersburg where, for the first tim
in my life. l came in sight of the 1roN
Horse. Now 1t runs through almos
every farm in the west.
With kind regards to old friends.
remain, yours truly,
n E--.~Ds