The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-17
VENGEANCE OF OANITeS.
The Founding Of a Prosperous Mormon
College at Independence. Mo.

In 1873 Llcwellyn B)ggs was Governor
OF Missouri, and the standard Of The Nor
mons noatcd wide and free over the town Of
Independence. They had come three years
before, lOOtsorc and weary from kirkland,
penniless and with empty hands, ana nal
settled in and about Independence. They
were received by the original pioneer with
that calm phlegm which distinguished
his welcoming Of other emigrants. The
Normons were little understood ~ 10 their
religious peculiarities by the people OF Jack
son county, and 80 spread their tents ana
lighted the fires of a new home without pro-
test or objection.
In three short years they waXed rich, and
with riches they became insolent. Others
came and were still coming, flock sue
decided flock, like pigeons in the spring.
they would soon Outnumher the original
pioneer, ard confidently spoke Of the day
when they. the Lords chosen, would occupy
Jackson county 10 the exclusion and cast
ing out of every Gentle.
But the MOrm0ns spoke too soon. The
first inhabitants OF lndependcce were "A
positive people, prompt To take action.
Governor B)g"s was resident OF the
town and opened gateway 10 local ellort
by "A proclamation ordering the departure ~
the Mormons within thirty days. They did
not 90 and the impulsne Gentlles fell upon
them hip and thigh and drove them out.
Agail the MOrmOns We're cNiles, and,
broken in spirit and pride, turned eastward
through tic tangled bottoms Of Missouri
Tor Illinois. NauyOO was settled, and later,
when their church split on the polygamous
rock, and they left Nauyo0, the pOlygamous
faction with Brigham Young a. their head
aad prophet, began their long pilgrimage 10
salt Lake. II j, not the present purpose -
ID In gNf4nLlkn tlErfIDtlDu of
their woeful march across the plains.
Graves Of men and skeletons OF mules and
cattle marked the way, and the Mormons
ate of the bread OF bitterness and almost oil
despair.
II last they reached the ya'ley-the Zion
Of their search, and planted The seeds OF
new empire.
In their journey to Nauyoo, and IN their
subsequent flight westward 20 salt Lake,
there was one name that burned deep in
every Mormon mcm0ry-the name OF Level
len BOggs.
The PRAYER tor vengeance on LlcWellen.
| BOggs TOR the stroke he dealt them was con-
slant in their hearts. Many, # not all oil
them, knew him personally, and this very
acquaintance permitted an Intensity ana
point 30 their deep hatred, Of whlch they
| otherwise might have been deprived. on
| the sun-burned plains and IN the deep
1 =
| BOggs and thirsted for a reckoning. once
| safe and settled in salt Lake these wishes
| gave birth 10 plans and plans 10 execution
| John Partridge and John Oliver Cowdrey
| were two of the Mormon leaders. strong
| of person. men Of action rather than pi
counsel. mentally narrow ana purDihd,
they had abiding faith in their religion ana
were abiect followers OF brigham Young
fuese men were personally named III 'o'
> .I.t ri al a
| ind nursed their hatred OInim through iour
weary years.
-Four years after the proclamation John
Partridge was Chief Of the Dlnlies-"the
DESTROYING angels Of the Mormon .hurch.
Governor BOggs, no longer Governor, Was Il
resident OF independents. His house was VA
| the centre Of hye-acre grove on sOuts
Pleasant street, next 20 the residence No"
occupied by Captain Williams.
The old Boggs house was torn down aD"u'
a year ago.
Partridge resolved 90 execute the VEN
geance 80 prayed and lOnged for, ana ~
long deferred. Taking IA detachment OF
mis- Danites, including COwdrey, they toni
| ed backward across the mountain and plain
until they stood again within reach and
| swoop of Independence. They did not dis
close their presence and made hidden camp
AS near as might be 10 their victims house,
Partridge and Cowdrey kept cons'sn'
watch, waiting for chance 10 strike IN
safety. At last II came and Pariridg,
killed Governor Boggs with saot from his
| rife as the Governor sat by his open windo"
in the early hours Of the evening.
Great was the jubilation IN Mormondou
when the Danites returned and Boosted al
vengeance, bloody and complete, and Dlck,
eas in foot notes 10 his american Notes,
refers 20 the tragedy as illustrating page
OF American social life.-kansas City ,iaT