The St. Johns herald., 1899-04-01
Prophet Joseph Smiths Vision.


 The following was taken from the Globe Democrat, by John T. Berry. at Wisconsin in the year 1889:
 Spec al Core @pondence of the Globe Democrat
 CARTHAGE, ILL, April 1.-The re- markable vision at the execution of the Mormon prophet. Joseph Smith, which some people. still in the land of the liv- ing, claim to have witnessed at that grim spectacle, is among the singular 'spook lore" of Hancock County, and is even recalled with terror forty-four years af CT. It is a matter of common histo.y that Joseph Smith had gotten into serious trouble at Nauvoo with the civil authorities for having ordered newspaper office called the Nauvoo Ex- PosIroR demolished, and the type and presses thrown into the river. For this act Smith, his brother, Hyrum, Dr. Fay Tor, recent President of the Mormon Church at Salt Lake, and Mir. Rich ards, all Mormon dignitaries, were ar rested and brought to Carthage on June 26, 1S44 They were accompanied by an armed posse under order from Gov. Ford, more for pro lection 10 the prison- CTS than through fear that they would es ape. While crossing the then track less prairies 10 Carthage, Smith sudden " drew rein and, turning in his saddle, addressed his fellnw-prisoners, in sub stance, as follows:
 Brothers, have had vision, and I am sorely troubled Gov. Ford has promised us due prot ectiOn in the Carth- age Jail and fair trial hnt, alas, we are doomed. An angel has told me that my days and llvrum's are numher- ed. We shall be murdered hefore sur set 10 morrow. It is written"
 He then turned toward Nauvoo and gazed with earnest longing in that dreC- ton for several minutes.
 Then he exclaimed: "Zion my lovc, my joy my people-farcwell," '"
 The prisoners arrived at Carthage that day and were placed in the debtors room Of the old stone jail, which now stands in good condition. On the next afternoon, June ?, lS44, about4 o'clock a mob of armed men, wearing h deOus d:sgniSes, emerged from a strip of tim Der near the iail and made furious as sault upon guards, who fled in cOnfu- sion. It was the work of a few momen s 10 send 9 shower of bIllets lnto tEe struggling bodies of the prisoners. Smith defended himself noblv, but. finding himself overpowered. ran to the east window and attempted 10 jump ont His appearance was the signal for q vol lev of bullets from determined men in the yard below. With heavy groan the prophet fell to the earth and expired. In the meantime the mob had fled, and most of the inhabitants of the town al- so.
 A few who remained and went to the jaiI declare that as Smiths body lay, torn and bleeding, on the ground most beautiful, vision appeared, which cast a dazzling light upon them, blinding their sight for moment. Then. as they de- clare, the vision took clearer form, it being that of an angel a"rayed in spot less white. In one hand she carried a flaming sword, while in the other swung a basket of incense, the odors of which filled the air with strangely sweet per tune The angel approached the pros- tra'e form of the prophet. Then the light became more dazzling, when, amidst cloud of great glory and beau ty, the vision disappeared.
 The bodies of the murdered Mormons were cared for by citizen and taF en the next day to Nauvoo. Here they were received with great sorrow and la mentations by the stricken people. Both bodies were secretly buried, and their resting place is now unknown save to but one or two.
 At the trial of those supposed to have been connected with this murder, at least one witness for the prosecution swore that greal light descended from heaven when the attack was made. The testimony had littlo weight, however, with the jury, who acquitted the defend ants after a short consultation.
 There are few persons living to-day who claim to have been eye-witnesses to this great tragedy. Some members of the old Carthage Grays who were there guarding the jail, yet live, as do one or two who resided near the jail at the time. So great was the terror of the epeople, fearing vengeance at the h ,nds of the Mormons, that few remained to witness the beautiful vision which, as some of the faithful believe, came to bear away the spirit of their prophet to its new Zion, where trouble cometh not