ABBOTT, Lewis

This may go to certify that I moved from Wayland Mass. 1832 to Jackson Co. Missouria. there I perchesd 80 acres of land I remained there untill the mob had driven the largest half of our sosiety out of the Co. where then I was attacked by a company of 40 mobers well armed under the command of Rev Isaac McCoy an Indian Missionary they threaten my life with much violence but left me on condition I would leave the County. Accordingly I move into Clay Co. following 1833. in 1834 I had business to transact with Mr. Dunlap an Indian agent among the Delawers I crost the Missouria River over on to the bank of the Caw River and on my return being disappointed of a Boat I was oblidge to retreat back 7 miles and crose the caw River and pass through the west part of Jackson Co. While I was traveling a few miles from my old place I was discoved by a young man who cared the news into the settlement that there was a mormon on the Pririe four of the men immediately mounted there Horses armd with Clubs they followed me I seeing no possible chance to make my escape I turned to them and plad for mercy a man by the name of Cantral being head one he nocked me down with his club and cut a larg hole in my head the others rode over me and beat me in the most cruel manner I says to Cantral how can it be possible you wish to spill my blood I asked him if I had not always used him as a Neighbor and a friend his answer was I and Jo Smith and all his followers ought to go to Hell likewise he said he had 400 men under his command who were sworn to put every Mormon to death that come within there reach and that I [never] should go a way alive, but as kind providence would have it I was inable to return to my home. The nex year following in August 183[5] I made an attempt to go to Jackson Co on special business old Cantral and Cammil and others leadings mobbers being dead and other having moved I was in hopes of being treated with more humanity but in that I was disappointed after I had crosed the River and traveled a few miles I was met by a man by the name of Linvil who accused me of being a Mormon. I did not deny the charge. After I had traveled about a mile further Linvil overtook me with a number of others they nocked me dow and beat me as they supposed near unto death, but through the mercy of the Lord I was once more enable to return to my family I removed from Clay Co. to what is now Colwald in 1836. There I remaind untill we was driven out by the State mob.

I further testify that I never had eny dispute or misunderstanding with eny Cityerson in Jacson Clay or Colwald Co. to my knowledge In Jacson Co I had 30 Acres under cultivation with Crops of Wheat and Corn which was mostly distroyed by the mob I yet own land there but should not dare to go upon it at the exspence of my life for In Colweld Co I purches’d 50 Acres of land which I paid $150 for that with my House and improvements all that I got for them was 45 dol those sacrifises with many other losses together with mooving out of the State, and being beat at too different times near unto death. All occasioned by a lawles mob without eny provication to my knowledg

I think the State had ought to pay me for my loss $1,500 at least and for my damage a great sum, as money would not hire me to pass through the same scenes again I do hereby certify that the foregoing be true according to the best of my knowledg

Lewis Abbott

[Sworn to before C. M. Woods, C.C.C., Adams Co., IL, 25 Jun 1839.]

ABBOT, Rufus

Handcock Co III.

I doe here by testify that while I lived in Jackson Co State of Missouri in 1833 A mob arose in and destroyed our property threatend our lives and whipt and beat a numbers of our people and run us from the county[.] and in clay co I was thretend anumbr of t[i]mes with distruction, and they barbarously murdred my son at Hons mill and drove me from my house and land, and compeld me to leave the state in 1839, this I certefy in the fear of God

Rufus Abbot

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

ADAMS, David W. [1]

LEFFINGWELL, William

Pittsfield Jan 22nd 1840

This may Certify that I David W Adams Born in the State of Connecticut and now residing in the State of Illenois that in the fall of the year 1838 remooved to the State of Misourie with my familly Consisting of eight where I had friends and after I go[t] allmost to my journeys end I was anticipating that I should soon embrace the Society of my friends. I was compelld to return back and seek shelter for myself an family the best way I could in the month of December, where I was obligd to sleep with my family in my waggon untill I could build me a house to live in after being deprived of Citizenship and suffering with the inclemency of the weather & the lofs of property I claim damage of the Missourians to the Amount of Four Hundred dollars

David W Adams

Sir please hand thiss over to Joseph Smith & you will oblige your servants

Wm. Leffingwell

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 22 Jan 1840.]

ALDRICH, William

Hancock Co Ill. January 6th 1840

This May Cirtefy that In the Month of Sept. AD. 1837 I left Ohio with My Family for upper Mo. We arived in Caldwell Co. Mo in Nov. AD 1837, thence Moved to Daviess Co. Bought an Improvement on a quarter Section Located Myself Dec. 1837 Where I Remained A Citizen untill the fall of AD. 1838 When I was frequently Interrupted By [-] and thretened By armed fourses of men gathered or they sed to Drove us from the Co.

Some time the first of Nov. AD. 1838 When we Received orders from General Wilson that we ware to leave the Co. in ten days it was sed to Be the governers orders Accordingly I left the Co., leaveing My Crops whic Consisted of Corn 23 acres 100 Bushel, Potatoes several tons Hay Oats and other Produce

I had on the Premesses to lay houses one stable Twenty six acres under fence in too fields under a good state of Cultivation

I also was Intitled too A Preemption on the Quarter Section, Under the act of 1838

I was als deprived of the privelege of Proveing if my Preemption being under the spetial order of General Clark which prohibited us from leaving Farwest in Caldwell Co. I do hereby Certefy that the above improvement part of which I Bought of James Ston the Remainder I made by labouring Eleven Months together with hired help I also Certefy that for the above improvement and Crops I Never have Received on Dollar and was depried the Privelege of going back to Daviess to see to my Bussness and but Compeld to leave the State which I did January AD. 1839 The loss of the Above Property I Value one thousand Dollars

For time and Expenses Moveing too and from five hundred

William Aldrich

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J. P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

ALEXANDER, H. M.

January 13, 1840

To the honorables Senate and House of Representatives in Congress Assembled at Washington City in the D.C.

I the undersigned by these present Reprisents To Your Honorable Body My Losses & Sufferings that I sustained from the hands of a Mob in the State of Missouri in The Year 1838 . . . and This may Certify while on a Journey To La. My family were Left in far west at the Time of the oppression By the Mob they were not Permitted To Leave their Homes To get Bread, and Therefore nearly Perishd for want of food &C. and further say that the Losses which I sustained of Real and personal property To be no Less than 1500 dollars, further was obliged to Leave the State to save my life and was obliged to Leave my family To suffer for about 4 Months

H. M. Alexander

[Sworn to before J. H. Randle, N.P., Madison Co., IL, 13 Jan 1840.]

ALLEN, Albern

State of Illinois Adams County January 7th 1840 SS

This day personally appeard before me Wm. Laughlin Justice of the peace within Said County Albern Allen who Duely Sworn according to Law Deposeth and Saith that he Mooved to Caldwell County Missouri 1836 I entered 2 fortys of which I gave up the Duplicates and the N. E 1/4 of S. W. 1/4 of Section 32 Township No. 56 Range 28 North of the base line and west of the 5th princepal Meridean also the NW. 1/4 of the South E 1/4 of Section 32 Township 56 Range 29 North of the base line of the 5th principal Meridian Also 80 Acres of which my Duplicate will Show Also 40 Acres I gave up my Duplicate and Cannot asertain the numbers which Land I had to leave after bieng taken prissoner and obliged to assine away My right and Compelled to leave the State by the Exterminating Decree of the Governer

Albern Allen

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

ALLEN, James D.

In the Spring of eighteen hundred and thirty eight I Settled in Randolph County Mo. bought thare 70 acres of land the numbers I do not recollect as the papers are all out of my hands but I paid for the land and had a good title but under the ordrs of the Goven[er] I had to leave the State my loss in So doing ammounted to considerable Say Four hundred Dollars

James D Allen

[Sworn to before A. Brown, J.P., Pike Co., IL, 10 Jan 1840.]

ALLRED, Martin C.

State of Illinois Pike County January the 18th AD 1840

A schedule of the Loss of Property time and Citizene ship and imprisonment which Martin C. Allr[ed] Sustained in Missourie By the Exterminating order of the Govenor of the State of Missourie

Taking all to gether I would not of Sufered all these things For less than one thousand Dollars the Number of Acres of Land Entered and owned By Martin C. Allred was one hundred and Twenty as My Duplicates will show or at least I have two of them which I will send you for testimony

[Sworn to before W.H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 18 Jan 1840.]

ALLRED, William

I William Allred and family Left the state of Tenesee & Moved to the State of Missouri in the year 1836 I then Entered in the County of Ray 353 acres of Congress Land I was then obliege to Leave my Land the Same Season the Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints of which I was a member ware obliege to Leave the Counties of Ray & Clay & Moved to the County of Caldwell I then Entered & bought in Caldwell County 240 acres of Land Lived in peace utill the Summer of 1838 the mob there a rose & Commenced there depridations upon the inhabitants of Caldwell & there was one Continual Scene of war untill Govoner Boggs Issued an Exterminating order the Millitia was then ordered out they encampt near our town we gave ware obliege to give up our guns & took us prisners the Militia quartered in our town & in our houses and stabled there horses in my houses 3 in number they killed our Cattle our hogs & Sheep fed our Corn plunder our houses Stole our propety the Commanding officer Gen. Clark then Cald us together & Selected forty Seven of which I was one they Shut us upin aStorehouse untill the next morning the took us to Richmond in Ray County & Shut us up in an open Corthouse where we Suffered much in hunger & cold we ware then put on trial haveing ben Charged with evry high Crime the trial Continued about fifteen days then they Exhonerated about 23 of which I was one on acount of the order of the Govener I was obliege to Leave the State to Save my life & my family for which I was obliege to Sell part of my Land at any price they please to give, three of my Boys being on were Business were taken by the Militia & kept in there possesion Some few days

the part of my Land that I Sold I was obliege to give up my Duplicates

William Allred

[Sworn to before A. Brown, J.P., Pike Co., IL, 10 Jan 1840.]

ALLRED, William

September the 3rd AD. 1839 State of Illinois Pike County

Of Damage sustained By Mr. Wm. Allred by the Mob of the state of Missouri and the Exterminating order of Governor Bogs it is Fourthousand Dollars at a moderate rate.

William Allred

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 4 Sep 1839.] BALLARD, Philip

State of Illinois Adams County S.S.

This day personally came before me William Laughlin a Justice of the Peace within Said County, Philip Ballard, being duly sworn Deposeth and saith That he was a Citizen of Missourie in 1834, and that I entered Land in Caldwell County Mo in 1837-and Settled on sd. Land in 1838-The land being the [SE] 1/2 of Section 18 Township 56 North of the base line Range No 27-Containing 80 acres

Philip Ballard

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

BARLOW, Lucinda

I hereby certify that in the fall of A. D. 1838, While Genl. Lucus was at Far West Caldwell Co. Mo. with his troops I saw some thirty or forty of the troops go to the house of Mr. Orrin Rockwell whose family was absent from home, and there plundered the house it of vegetables and furniture to the amount of two waggon load. Said Rockwell was a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints

Commerce Ill. Jany. 2d 1840

Lucinda Barlow

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 2 Jan 1840.]

BENNOR, Maviah

This is to certify to the Barbarous Acts of A Cruel Mob Committed on a portion of our Society at Hons Mill of which I was an eye Witness

On the 30 of October 1838 all of A Suding the war whoop was heard and an armed force ameadiately hove in Sight and Comnenced firing upon men women and Children our Society Called for quarters, but none granted the women and Children that fled in every direction nearly frightened out there sensis in this awful Scene of destruction I made out to escape and after a short and Bloody Conflict the mob dispersed not leaving so much as the clothes of the Dying and wounded but littraly took their Clothes from of thir backs & boots & shoes from thire feet also most of thire hous furnitir and to prove their Savage feracity more Clearly they Also literaly took a Corn Cutter and mangled an old gentleman Revolutionary Soldire by the name of McBride Cool Blodd, 16 were killed and among the Number killed was my father and two soon [sons] dyed of their wounds

Maviah X Bennor

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

BENSON, Jerome M.

There personally appeared before me, Samuel Comer one of the Justices of the Peace within & for the County of Hancock & state of Illinois, Jerome M. Benson, & after being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that on the 31st day of October A.D. 1838, he was a citizen of the state of Missouri, residing in the County of Caldwell in said state of Missouri, on my own premises viz. the South West fourth of the North East fourth of Section Number 23, Township 56 and Range 29-and on the day & Year aforesaid, & on the ten succeeding days, i.e. the first ten days of November A.D. 1838, on the premises aforesaid, certain divisions of the militia of the said state of Missouri, commanded by Generals Parks, Lucas & Clark, encamped & effected a total destruction of the following articles of property, belonging to me the said Jerome M. Benson, & for which this deponent hath received no compensation whatever—

And further this deponent saith not-

Jerome M. Benson

[Sworn to before S. Comer, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 9 Jan 1840.]

BENSON, Mary

DUTTON, Hannah

Also there personally appeared before me, Samuel Comer one of the Justices of the Peace within & for the County of Hancock & state of Illinois Mary Benson, Mary Holden & Hannah Dutton, and, after being duly sworn, according to law, depose & say that they were eye-witnesses of the destruction of the articles of property belonging to Mr Jerome M. Benson, & mentioned by him in the within affidavit and at the time &place mentioned in said affidavit by him subscribed and, to the best of our knowledge said affidavit, contains a true & correct Statement of the losses sustained by Mr Jerome M. Benson in Missouri Caldwell County from the 31st day of October A.D. 1838-to the 10th day of November A.D. 1838 and effected by the agency of the Missouri Militia as stated above by Mr Benson-

Mary Benson

Hannah Dutton

[Sworn to before S. Comer, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 9 Jan 1840.]

BENT, Samuel & Lettice

A Short time after General Clark came up to Far West We were residing Two miles from Far West, when we saw a number of the malitia at Mr Gad Yale’s who lived but a short distance from us, we saw them in about the house for two days. Saw them shoot down one of his hogs, saw them take his corn and belive they destroyed about ten acres, and likewise a small stack of Hay. Saw them carrying out of Mr Yales house a quantity of Furniture. Saw them set fire to a large Hay stack belonging to Mr Moss, which was entirely consumed. Mr Yale, at the time the malitia came to his house was absent from home on a journey. We Likewise saw some of the Troops in possession of Mr Cyrus Daniel’s house for several days: saw them take away Beds bedding and clothing and almost every thing of value in and about the House. We saw the troops carrying off corn from Mr Moss’s who was absent from home We hereby certify that the above statements are correct, according to our best knowledge and belief-

Samuel Bent

Lettice Bent

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 3 Jan 1840.]

BEST, Henry

Clifton this twelfth Day of January AD 1840

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress Assembled in the City of Washington in the Destrict of Columbia

I hereby represent to you the Loss that I sustained and the Sufferings I underwent in the State of Misouri because of the Religion of Jesus Christ which I profess and believe I moved into the State of Misouri in the Summer of 1837 and made A preemption right and Commenced to build A House in Davis County whare the Mob Came upon me acting under the Exterminating Order of Govonor Boggs and Drove me of by the forse of Arms and threatened my Life and threw My House into the River took My Gun from Me and Ordered me out of the State on pain of Death to acomplish which I wass obliged to Sacrifise My Stock and then was met by another Mob on the publick High way My Carriage Serched and Robed of All My valuabe papers for all of which Losses and outrage I Can git no redress from the Authorities of the State of Misouri. I Clam Damages to the amount of one thousand Dollars and ask your Honorable Body to award Justice to the opressed and I shall ever pray as in Duty bound & C

Henry Best

[Sworn to before J. H. Randle, N.P., Madison Co., IL, 13 Jan 1840.]

BIDWELL, Betsey

State of Illinois Adams Co. Jan 8th 1840

I Betsey Bidwell do hereby certify that when the Malitia was going to Far West I was about 4 miles from said place at Mr. Morrisses house 3 of the Melitia came there and said now we have got you and ordered us out of the house and then enquired for my husband I then attempted to tell them and one of them put his gun up to his face to take ame and swore that he would blow my brains out if I did not tell the truth they offered maney other abuses to tedious to mention

Betsey Bidwell I do hereby certify that the above certificate of Betsy Bidwell is correct

Cathrene X Morriss

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

BIDWELL, Robert W.

State of Illinois County of Adams Jan 8th 1840

I Robbert W. Bidwell do hereby certify that I was a citizen of Caldwell Co. Mo. and purchased land in said county but on account of my relegeon being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints commonly colled Mormons was compelled to sell my land to raise means to leave the State under the extermiating order of the Govener after I was taken prisoner by the Melitia I was upon the Public square in Far West one of the Melitia struck at me with a butcher knife and swore that he would cut my throat because I would not tell him my name I dodged the blow he then run for his gun I then got out of his way

Robet W Bidwell

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

BOOSINGER, George

State of Illinois Madison County

This day personally Came before the the undersigned a Justus of the pece in and for Said County of madison George Boosinger who after being Sworn uppon his oath-Says that he did sustain certain damagees by the in habitents of Ray County in the State of missouri during the years of 1836 &-1837 & 1838 & in the fore part of the year of 1839, towit, damages by being

on Sale of land one thousand dollars and by Sale of Stock & other property one thousand dollars, and by being Compeled to moove one hundred dollars the amount Cared out is $21,000

Subscribed and Sworn to before me this twentieth day of January A.D. 1840

J. C. Young J.P. George Boosinger

[Sworn to before J. C. Young, J.P., Madison Co., IL, 20 Jan 1840.]

BOYCE, Peter

I do hereby certify that at a low estimate the damages that I sustained in consequences of Gov. Bogges exterminating orders in Missourie to amount to $100.00

Peter Boyce

[Sworn to before A. Brown, J.P., Pike Co., IL, 10 Jan 1840.]

BOZARTH, Squire

I hereby certify that I was born in Kentucky and that I settled in the State of Missouri twenty one years ago where I became a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints some years ago. I continued my residence in Mo. untill I left it last spring in consequence of Governor Boggs’ order and the threats of Genl. Clark and others. I know that a large body of armed troops came to Far West about the first of November A.D. 1838, and that they took possession of the town and kept a guard around it for near two weeks and it was with difficulty that I could get out past the guard to go to my family three miles off.

When the arms ware given up by order of Genl. Lucas, I had to give up two rifle guns which cost me seventy five dollars, and two pistols which cost ten dollars. I tried to get them again but did not succeed in obtaining them. A number of companies of troops were stationed in Far West whilst the town was guarded to the great annoyance of the inhabitants. I saw Capt. Bogarts Company which was stationed there burning the house logs which lay there in large quantities. When the troops left there they left the town bare as it were of every movable thing which they could burn. When the troops came to Far West I owned more than fifteen hundred acres of land in Caldwell County and the counties round about. When I sold my land which was at a great sacrifice I had to part with a number of my duplicates, for it is a custom in Missouri for people when they buy land of those who enter it to exact of them their duplicates. I know of no law in the state of Missouri or among any civilized people which would authorize such proceedings as were had by the troops against the Latter day Saints at Far West. Indeed I know that there was no law made by the legislature of the state up to that date authorizing such proceedings. The Legislature had not met for near two years previous, therefore I have had an opportunity to know. I owend one half of a saw and grist mill which I had to leave. I estimate my losses to amount to at least five thousand dollars

Squire Bozarth

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 11 Jan 1840.]

BRACE, Truman

I hereby certify that in the spring of the year A. D. 1832 I moved from the State of Ohio to the State of Missouri and became a resident in Jackson County-In the fall of the ensuing year there began to be Jealousies among the old inhabitants of the County who Soon began to collect in considerable numbers broke in the Houses of the Mormons and threatned their lives and committed a great many outrages One day as I was hauling a load of wood I saw a number of armed men on the prairies When the[y] saw me two of them came up to me. They ordered me to Stop or they would Shoot me. One of them named J Young asked me if I believed the book of Mormon; I told them that “I did” They said that I must leave the County. I told them I had neither team or means to take me and my family away, the said Young then Said he would shoot me and immediately made ready to Carry his threat into execution but the other man persuaded him not to do so, the rest of the Company then rode up I suppose there were about Fifty of them, the said John Young then took an axe gad which I held in my hand and commenced beating me with the same. I suppose I received about fifty strokes after breaking it he got a Raw Hide and Commenced whipping me with it he cut my Hat nearly all to pieces, while he was thus Engaged a man of the name of Jennings came behind me and struck me on the head with a Rifle which nearly knock’d me down; John Young then took an axe from me and going a few steps back threw the axe at me with great force but fortunately it did not hit me; at this time my wife and daughter seeing me thus situated came and entreated the mob to spare my life: I then went to the House and was followed by the mob they came into the House. I sat me down on the a chair when one of them thrust the mussle of the Gun against my neck and thrust me against the wall and then kicked me on the mouth with his foot and cut my lip, this was in my own House-the mob then commenced whipping one of my friends who was in the House of the name of [-] They then took him outside the house while they were doing this I contrived to get away and hide from them. They threatned to take my life so I was obliged to leave the County of Jackson believing my life was in danger; I removed from Jackson to Clay County after the mob had plundered my house and taken some of my property-I then moved into Caldwell County and was there during the disturbances I was taken prisener by the mob who was harrasing our people. Soon after the Malitia came up, I with most of the Citizens of Far West was Compelled to sign a deed of trust, by order of Generals Clark or Lucus who likewise ordered us to leave the State. I accordingly took my leave of the State and Came to Illinois whare I have resided nearly twelve months.

During the time the Malitia were in Far West I Saw them burning up House logs and saw them Shoot down Hogs and Sheep and Commit depredations on the inhabitants.

Truman Brace

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 3 Jan 1840.]

BRACKEN, James

State of Illinois Adams County SS January 7th 1840

This day before me William Laughlin a Justice of the peace for said county, personally came James Bracken who being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that in the year 1837 & 1838, he was a Citizen in Clinton County, Missouri & made & owned an improvement & house on Congress land in said County of Clinton, & was compelled to leave said improvent & house by orders of GeneralClark pursuant to the exterminating orders of Governor Boggs. & this Deponent further says that at & after leaving said house he suffered a loss of about one hundred barrels of corn & two cows, two yearlings & a Calf, besides different other articles: & he further states that sometime in november 1838, he heard one Richard Welding, a Citizen of Davis County Missouri, under command of Cornelius Gillam, say that he had killed four Mormons & had [——] to do it underhandedly and further this Deponent saith not.

James Bracken

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

BRACKEN, Levi

State of Illinois Adams County SS. Jany 7th 1840

This day personally came before me Wm. Laughlin a Justice of the peace within and for Said County-Levi Bracken who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that in the year 1833 he was a citizen of Jackson Cty. State of misourie and there made an improvement on Government Land with an intention of Entering sd. Land But was compelld to leave it on or about the 1st of Nov. of the same year by orders from Col. Pitcher & others in company I then moved to clay Cty. of sd. State mosurie. I there Entered Lands as will be seen by my Duplicates. And from this I was compelled to leave by a mob of the Citizens of Sd. Clay Cty. I Then moved to Caldwell Cty. Mo. Where I entered Government Land and occupied the Same peacably until in the fall of 1838. I was from this Compelld to leave by the Govenors exterminating Orders, executed by General Clark & others.

Levi Bracken

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

BRADY, Lindsey A.

State of Illinois Adams SS County January 7th 1840

This day personally appeared before me Wm. Laughlin a Justice of the peace within Said County Lindsey A Brady who being Duely Sworn according to Law Deposeth and Saith in 1837 He mooved to Missouri and entered one Eighty & forty one being the E 1/2 of the S. W. 1/4 of sextion 7 Township No. 56 Range 25 North of base line and west of the 5th principal meridian. also N. E. 1/4 of the S. W 1/4 of No. 10 Township 55 Range 29 North of the base line and West of the 5th principal Meridian also another forty in Caldwell County the number not Known in Consequence of Having to give up my Duplicate when on the highway was shot at by one & Chased by 5 and made my escape afterwards taken prissoner for One week & was Obliged to leave the state by the exterminating orders of the Governer Damage Estimated at 1000$

Lindsey A X Brady

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

BROWN, Alanson

This is to certify to the wrongs and Injuries that I have endurd in the State of Missouri-

in 1834 I Settled in lafaette County Built and made improvements upon Goverment land as was the Costom of the people I then planted a garden and twelve Acres of Corn I was abused and insulted by the inhabitants of the County and my life threatened until I was obliged to leave the Co. I then removed to Clay Co. I there lived untill Compeld to leave by Reason of the treaty which was made bettween our people and the Citizens because they had arisen in arms against us I then Removed to Daviess Co. and purchased, 80, Acres of Goverment land of the United States one Duplicate was taken from me by the Mob I there until the fall of 1838 under Continual threatning of my life if I did not leave the place although in the diferent Counties they repeatedly Said they had nothing against me only for my Religion and they were therefore Determined to drive me from the Country in Consequence of being Continualy harrassed by the Mob I went to Far West Caldwell Co. I was there taken prisioner by General lucas where I was kept for several days During my stay I saw much of the property of the Society Destroyed by the Militia I was then guarded home by order of Gen. Willson I was then ordered out of my house by Gen. Willson I then took my family to Caldwell Co. on my return I found my goods Strewed upon the goods and the soldiers occuping my house in Consequence of this painted armed forse under the Command of Cornelius Gilliam who were Riding through the Country and plundering every Man they Saw of his property I received this pass as it permitted So I did-

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

BROWN, Mary

State of Illenois Adams County SS

Personally appeared before me William Laughlin a Justice of the Peace in & for said County Mary Brown being Duly Sworn according to Law Deposeth & Saith that herself with her husband moved into the State of Missouri Carroll County her husband rented a farm for one Year She further States that a boddy of armed men Came to her house (he[r] husband being sick at that time) and ordered the family to leave against the next morning or they Should Suffer the Consequence accordingly the family Departed easterly into the adjoining County and there She States that her husband Died this all happened in the fall of 1838 She States further that She left the State by the exterminating of order of Governor Boggs the Spring following further Deponent Saith not

Mary X Brown

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

BURGES, Horace

This is to Certify to the injuries and Sufferings that I have received in the State of Missourie I arived in Colwel Co. with my fameley in Novem 1837 I bought me a farm and built me a house upon it in October 1838 I went with my fameley to viset my father in law in Daviss while I was in Davis my house was plundered of all that I had whilst I was in Davis General Wilsen came in to Davis, General Wilsen addressed us thus Gentlemen I have an order from the Govoner to exterminate you forthwith; I now take the the responcibilety upon my Self to give you ten days to leave this place; General Wilson gave us a passport saing, we should have protection for ten days; my lands I had to leave; all that I received would not a mount to more than forty dollars. at the same time I valued my lands at $300 dollars undder these imbarisments I had to leave the Stae; my wife was Confined while we ware journeing out of the State

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

CATHCART, Daniel

State of Illenois Handcock Co

I testify that in concequence of a mob ariseing in Davis Co. Mo. 1838 I was ablige to leave my home and move to Adam Ondi Ahman in the county a fore said and to expose my family with many others, in wet and cold, in a camp and that the Govenor refused to protect us but sent an armed force to disarm us and they came under the commnd of Col or Gen Lucas marched into our town took possession of it took our arms then let an other company come painted black under command of Cornelus Gillum take our horses abuse our men and then Sent a Strong gard with others and let them plunder our houses and camps, and that Gen. Wilson let them come, afterwards, he being sent to guard us (or the mob) he let them come and take my table furniture, and I told Gen Wilson of it but his reply was, you mus hook as mutch from some body els this I testify that they kild our cattle destroyed our Corn and camped quarterd in our private dwellings without our leave and drove us from the county with only 10 day [notice] and forced us to agree to leave the State, and I say it in the fear of God and that I hold a Premption claim in that county

N.B. they also came into Far West in 1839 threatend our lives chased us with knives and forced us from the state witness my hand and Seal

D Cathcart

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

CHAMBERLIN, Lorenzo D.

Warsaw Hanck County Ill January 5th 1840

This is a list of sufferings that I sufferd in the State of Misouri By the hand of the mob I first was Driven from Jackson Co Mo from my living and all the Joys that this world affords tore Down my fences turnd in their Cattle and hogs and Destroyd my Crops took my house and Caried it of of My land on to theirs and put it up again I lived like the heathen in tents which I Robd my Beds to make the same I then had my family to take care of and Cold winter Comming on I went into Clay Co Mo and there I found some friend I was Robed of my arms 1 gun worth $15 I then Moved into Clinton Co which I had to leave in atoo months through mutch loss of propperty I then went to the village of Diahman thare I was taken prisoner and Robd of my arms one Rifle worth $12 and other arms to the amount of 4 or 5 $4.50 cents and then Compeld to leave the State of misouri in the space of four months I then took what little I had left and started for illinois whare I now am living till further orders

from the time the people of misouri first Began to use their authority[.] they have Ben not less than fifteen hundred dollars danage to me

Lorenzo D. Chamberlin

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

CHAMBERLIN, Solomon

A Bill of damage

while Suffering as a mormon so cawled in the State of Missouri from the year of december 1831 till the Spring of 1839

I Solomon Chamberlin was driven by a mob from Jackson County and from Clay County from davis County and from Caldwell County and so out of the State and my famuly with me expence in I moved from the State of Newyork with a ton and a half of house furniture which I had nearly all destroyd and wasted by mobs in the above Countys I had I suffered the loss of Seven houses [-] by mobs Some of them they burnt and two or three plantations with the crops on the ground they deprived me of and Said crops and destroyd my fences or removed them on to their own land they Stole two mares from my dore one worth $100-the other worth $75 and one mule worth $75 loss of Cattle hogs: all my farming eutentials and mutch other property by mobs I owned lands but I bought them Secont handed wich is lost nearly all I Claim 15,000$

Solomon Chamberlin I have Seen mutch of the conduct of the mob while in the State of Missourie I have seen them the mormons drove by the mob into corn fields and hunted as though they had been wolvees and this after they had Surrenderd and given up their arms and at the same time the heads of the mob told me that they did not drive the mormons for any thing they had done but they was afraid they would become more numerous than they and they would put in mormon officers and the sooner they drove them the less they would have to drive I have seen mutch property destroyed and many horses stole and many houses burned by the mob and the malitia quarter upon us and order us out of davis County in 10 days which we had to leave in the time of the great snow storm and many suffered unto death I saw some of the mob by the name of yokeham and kentrail pull down one of the mormon houses and hawl it on to their own premises contrary to the owners mind and with out their leave

I have often had my life threatend and loaded firearms presented and been knocked down by those merceless mob and all without any provocation

Solomon Chamberlin

[Sworn to before T. Crawford, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

CHAPMAN, Amelia

Illenois Sept 30 1839 Quincy

A Bill of Damages a gainst the State of Missourie for Being Driven from the State unlawfully By a mob

I certify the a bov a count to be Just and tru a cording to the Bes of my Knowleg

Amelia Chapman

for her husban Absent

[Not sworn.]

CHENEY, Nathan

Hancock Co State of Illenois January 3d 1840

be it known to all whome it may concern that I saw an a[r]med soldire under the command of Gen Lucas come in and encamp on our lands with out our concent in the Town of Adam ondi Ahman and to take possession our houses and took possession of our store and camped in it and Saw them take one hors from Abraham Nelson I saw them kill our stock and plunder our houses and broke open my Chest and took out clothing and plundered my beauro and took me a prisner while labouring in the field and took my Gun from me by force all this was done in the State of Missouri and County of Davis in the fall of Eighteen hundred and thirty eight thay also compell me to leave the s[t]ate and also an anarmed force of Painted men under the command of Cornelius Gillum who was a member of the Legislator of the State afore said went through the Town plundering houses and abuse the inmates of the Same and I give my name and Testimony to that which I have seen and I lie not God bearing witness of it

Nathan Cheney

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

CHENEY, Nathan

State of Illenois Handcock Co January 3d 1840

A bill of damage sustained by loss of property in moveing into and from the state of Missouri by being driven out of the state

Nathan Cheney

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

CLAUSON, Moses

I Moses Clauson & family left the State of Newyork in the Spring of 1836 & moved to the State of Missourie the following Summer & in the month of Dec. 1836 I entered one hundred & twenty acres of Congress Land in the County of Caldwell State of Missouri I then Lived in peace untill the Summer of 1838 the mob then a rose & Commenced there deprodations uppon the in habit[s] of Caldwell & there was one Continuel Scene of war until his Excelency the Govenor of Misso[u]ri Issued an order to Exterminate the Mormons Church of Jesus Christ of [Lat]ter-day Saints or driv[e] them from the State we ware the Militia was then ordered out to considerable amount they encampd near our town & we ware obliege to give up our guns & took us prisners of war the Militia quartered in our town & in our houses they killed our Cattle our hogs & Sheep fed our Corn plunderd our houses Stole our property killed of the mormons & burned up our timber & fence & our houses the General Mr Clark then Cald the Mormons us together & Selected forty Seven of the mormons us of which I was one we ware then thrust in prison in a Storehouse & kept till Morning then we ware taken to richmond the distine of about 32 miles then thrust in an open Courthouse where we Suferd with hunger & Cold we ware Charged with evry high Crime they then put us on trial & Continued to try us for about fifteen day in Succesion they then liberated about 23 & Continued to try the rest Some few days more thy then liberated five more of which I was a moung the Latter we ware then taken under the Militia order & tried under the Sivil Laws I was obliege to Leave the State I was obliage to Sell my Land at a Low rate haveing been obliage at Some price to raise funds to move with of which I & family Sufferd verry Severly the amount of Loss is $500.00[.] the Land that I entered Lying in Sectians 30 & 31 Township Fifty Six range twenty Eight north of the base Line & west of the fifth principle meridian

Moses Clauson

[Sworn to before A. Brown, J.P., Pike Co., IL, 10 Jan 1840.]

COLE, Barnet

The State of Illenois Adams County January 7th 1840

personally appeared before me William Laighlin an acting Justice of the Peace for said County Barnet Cole being Duly Sworn according to law deposeth & saith that he was a Sitizen of Jackson County Missouri in the Year of our Lord 1832–1833 that he Bot land second handed paid for it received no title in Consequence of being Driven from that County by Mob headed by Moses Wilson & Robert Jonson Deponent saith he was Called upon by three armed men in Company to go out a pace with them said they some gentleman wished to see him went with them by Compulson to where there were from forty to fifty men armed one said is this mister Cole the reply was yes by one of the three who Came to the house he was asked do you believe in the book of Mormon yes was the reply made by Deponent they then said God damn him that is enough give it to him took off the Coat and Jaccoat and laid on ten Iashes and then told me I mite go holme

Depont. further states that in about five weeks after this there Came a Mob headed by Wilson & Jonson and Came into his house and gave him a second Whiping and ordered him to leave the County or it would be worse for him witness States he went into Clay County and was driven from that by a Mob Composed of the sitizens therof removed into the County of Coldwell entered there 40 acres of land in Township 55 Range 28 Section not known in Consequence of which I gave up the Duplicate further Deponent Saith not except that he left the state in Consequence Boggs exterminating order

Barnet Cole

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

COOMBS, Anthony

Clifton the twelfth of January A D 1840

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress Assembled in the City of Washington Destrict of Columbia

I hereby represent to you My Grievances thinking it My Duty acording to the tenets of My Religion and the Laws of My God (which is not and cannot be Conterary to the Laws of the Land may our Glorious Consitution be prepetuated unimpaired and Handed Down to unborn Generations) to remove to the State of Misouri with my Bretheren I acordingly Sent up My Goods and Chattles by the Hand of A Brother which Consisted of A Chest and A set of Carpenters tools Books and Beding & c worth one Hundred Dollars also I had an Acre Lot in the City Far West Caldwell County worth one Hundred more all of which has been taken from me unlawfully by A Mob acting under the Extermiating Order of Govenor Bogs of Misouri all of which I Submit to your Honorable Body and ask that you in your Wisdom will grant Me redress and I shall ever pray as in duty bound & c

Anthony Coombs

[Sworn to before J. H. Randle, N.P., Madison Co., IL, 13 Jan 1840.]

CORKINS, L.

Handcock Co State of Illenois beit known that I testify that I moved to Jackson County and State of Missouri in the year 1832 and settled in Indipendence and in 1833 a mob arose and demolished a two story brick building belonging to our people ocupied as a dwelling hous and a Printing Office and they broke the Press and strewed the type and paper and Book work in the street and they came and surrounded my house and fastend me in with others and would not suffer us to pass out and afterwods one broke into my house I was a widow and had none to protect me from their insults and I saw one that they had tarred and featherd and we was compeld to leave the county, so I went into clay Co and in 1836 was compeld to leave there I then went to Caldwell co city of Farwest and in 1838 I saw an armed soldiere under the command of Gen. Clark marchd into the city and took our men prisners took there arms, and then selected out fifty or sixty prisners which they took to Richmond and kept them in close confinment for some weks they also took two from my house, they drove off stock, set their sentinels in my house, and burn rails, and frequently during the winter they would come in and threaten our lives and all this with out our leave and we was compeld to leave the State at the perril of our lives in 1839

L[ . . ..] Corkins

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

CORRILL, John

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress Assembled

The petition of Your petitioner respectfully sheweth that Your petitioner emigrated to the county of Jackson in the State of Missouri with his family in the fall of AD 1831, and was then a member of the church of Christ of latter day saints (commonly called Mormons;) about the same time and subsequently many of said society also emigrated to that place, they purchased lands of the United States, built houses, erected a printing office, established a Store and made various other improvements on said land but in the summer and fall of AD 1833 the Citizens of sd County Assembled unlawfully and after much threatning they proceeded violently and with force of Arms to Demolish the printing office and damage much other property, tared & feathered and severely whiped several persons and finally Expelled said society from said county about 1200 in number after taking from them their arms 52 guns or sword & pistol which they agreed to return on their leaving the county but never have done it but proceeded to burn their houses; destroy their fences &c. &c. and with menacing threats prevented them from returning to their possessions. The most of said society removed to Clay county Mo. myself among the rest to which place many others emigrated also from the East and many of said society purchased lands of U.S. and others, built houses and made other improvements on the same; but in the summer 1836 they were unlawfully expelled from said county by many of the Citizens and not permitted to return and peacably enjoy their possessions but by and with the almost universal consent of the citizens of that section of country said society removed to a new and almost entirely unsettled section of that state which has since been organizd into the county of Caldwell, to which place also and to Davis county adjoining many others emigrated from the east, Said society purchased large quantities of land of the United States and others on which they mad extensive and permanent improvements where they remained peacably untill the fall of 1838 when, after being much perplexed and Sorely oppressed by the surrounding Citizens (untill the spirit of Christian forbearance seemingly became exhausted and seemed to give place to that of Desperation) they were expelled from the state of Missouri by the unhallowed Exterminating order of Governor Bogs executed by military force under the command of Generals Lucas, Clark and others, their arms taken from them between 500 & 800 stand, and they forced from their homes and possessions in so short a time that necessity compelled them to leave or otherwise sacrifice them to the great loss and damage of said society and with menacing threats are still prevented from returning to the peacably enjoyment of their possessions, many of said society were detained in prision for several months.

Your petitioner further testifies that he acted as Agent, and entered some 2000 acres of land lying in Caldwell county for, and took Duplicates in the names of Joseph Smith Jun, Hirum Smith & Oliver Cowdery, and that the Duplicates for said land were deposited in the office of the Clerk of the county court of Caldwell.

Your petitioner further testifies that he owned land in Caldwell which he was of necessity compelled to sacrifice as well as other property in all as nearly as he can estimate to the amount of $2000-

And further your petitioner is of the opinion and firmly believes that no redress or remuneration can be obtained by the sufferer unless it by gran[n]ted by, or obtained through the intervention of the Sovreignty and General Government of the U.S. Therefor Your petitioner humbly requests Your Honorable body to take this unhappy affair into consideration, cause it to be carefully and thoroughly investigated, restore the unhappy sufferers to and protect them in all their rights of Citizenship, remunerate their losses and properly chastise the guilty and as in duty bound your petitioner will ever pray

[Sworn to before C. M. Woods, C.C.C., Adams Co., IL, 10 Jan 1840.]

CRENSHAW, David

State of Illenois Adams County SS. January 7th 1840

This day personally appeard before me Wm. Laughlin a Justice of the peace within Said Cty. David Crenshaw who was Duely Sworn according to Law Deposeth and saith In 1839 I was on my way to Far west Got as far as Chariton river Missouri. I returned back in Consequence of a mob In Caldwell, they would not suffer me to remain whire I was in Consequence of my being a mormon & I was told by the Citizens of Chariton Co. that I should leave there or be Killed and in Consequence of the Governers Exterminateing Decree was obliged to Leave the State by Suffering a Considerable Loss.

David X Crenshaw

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

CRISMON, Charles

State of Illinois Scott County SS. Charles Chrissman being of Lawfull age being Sworn deposeth &Saith, that himself and family are members of the Church of Christ Jesus Christ Called the “Latter day Saints” and that he is a resident of the State of Missouri, County of Caldwell & City of Far West. & that on or about the Last day of October 1838 or the first day of November in the same year, Himself and family were alarmed alittle before the setting of the sun by the appearance of an armed about several thousand armed men who marched within the Incorporated limits of Said City of Far West aforesaid, & himself & Family was taken a Prisoner of War & after receiving many insults by the Soldiers, was forced to leave the State forthwith with his family greatly to his damage &injury

Charles Crismon

[Sworn to before L. Harlan, C.C.C., Scott Co., IL, 1 Jan 1840.]

CURTIS, Lyman

Warsaw Handcock Co Illenois

This may Certify that I Lyman Curtis was at Farwest when the mormons Capitulated to the troop of Missouri they took my arms which they took to Richmond thirty miles which only Received on condition of paying Sixty two Cents and Swearing that I would leave the State after Sacrifying the most of my property left the State my wife being in delicate State of health I arrived in Illinois where I had a Son born Who was taken with fits and Soon died which no doubt was occasioned by the hardship of moving in the midst of winter.

While on my farm the Militia Surround my house they said to take me prisioner but I not being at home they Loaded their horses with Sauce and left the plantation

Lyman Curtis

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

CURTIS, Nahum

Handcock Co and State of Illinois

This may Certify that I Nahum Curtis moved to the State of Missouri in the year 1836 I purchased a farm and resided thereon untill the Autum of 1838 when the troubles came on between the Inhabitants and the Mormons I went to Farwest-my farm and family was ten miles from Farwest there I was Surrounded by those that cald themselves militia compeld to Sign away my property give up my arms and compeld to leave the State in the Spring my gun I got Afterwards by paying Sixteytwo Cents and Compeld to Swear that I leave the State immediately My arms was almost ruined by rust and bad usage the destruction of Property while the troops lay in Farwest was great they Killd Cattle hogs and Sheep and wasted and usd large quantity of corn and after the Troops left the Camp ground they left a large quantity of meat Some burnt Some momock over So it was not fit for use-I was obliged to Sell at great disadvantage and leave the State in the winter to the great injury of my health and family-the militia took from me one horse which I never got

Nahum Curtis

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

CURTIS, Percy

The State of Illenois Adams County SS

Personally appeared before me William Laughlin a Justice of the Peace of said County Purcy Curtis Being Duly Sworn according to Law Deposeth & saith that She moved into the state of Missouri in the month Sept. 1838 Settled in Coldwell County Depont Saith that She lost her husband on the road to Missouri and remained a widow while in that State was Compelled to leave in march 1839 under Circumstances the most distressing in Consequence sickns being Deprived of the necessary means of Comfort being exposed to the inclemency of the weather By Governor Boggses Exterminateing order executed by General Clark & others further Deponent saith not

Percy Curtis

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

CUTLER, Alpheus

When General Clark and troops were marching to Far West in Caldwell County they stopt at crooked river A number of the troops came up to my house and Barn they took from me a number of Tons of Hay Then came a gain and broke into my stables and took therefrom two horses, they then came into my house and took possession of the same, I told them I had as many in my family as I could take care of and wished them not to come in, they said they did not care for that but rushed-in, they gave me very abusive language and treated me and my family in a very rough manner They threw down my fences and left my fields exposed to the Cattle &c. Some time after they left my house they returned again and demanded a span of Bay Horses, belonging to me. I stood by the stable at the time, I refused to let them go told them that the door was locked and I did not intend to open it that day, They then presented five or Six cock’d Rifles to my breast and told me to take my choice either to open the door so that they could get the Horses or they would take my life. I then unlock’d the Door and they went into the Stable intending to take the Horses. however on account of their rushing in with their arms and the Horses taking fright and snappint at them, they were afraid to take them and exclaimed “Damn the Horses we cannot use them if we were to take them.” My son was working in the Yard. they went up to him and told him to do some thing for them, but he said that they must ask his father if they wanted him to do any thing for them, upon which they swore that they would shoot him.

I had Forty acres of land which I purchased from Goverment in Caldwell, and forty acres in Ray County which was entered in the name of another individual. The forty acres in Caldwell I was obliged to sell for Forty Eight dollars in order that I might be able to get away from the state in order to obey the Governer’s order-The other forty I Sold for fifty dollars in order to pay some debts I was owing

I hereby certify that the above statements are correct according to the best my Knowledge and belief

Commerce Hancock Co Illinois Jany 2 1840 Alpheus Cutler I certify that I was present when the Malitia Came to my Father’s House and that the foregoing statements are correct according to the best of my Knowledge and belief

Thaddeus Cutler

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 3 Jan 1840.]

DALEY, John

The State of Illenois Adams County SS. January 7th 1840

This day personally Appeard before me Wm. Laughlin a Justice of the peace within Said County. John Daley being Duely Sworn according to Law Deposeth and Saith that In the year 1837 he entered 800 Acres Land at the Land office Lexington as will be Seen by Certain Duplicates in part accompanying this affidavid

John Daley

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

DAVIS, Daniel C.

HORMUTH, Joseph

This is to certify that I Daniel C. Davis of Lee County, Iowa Territory, do sollomly swear & declare that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day Saints, commonly called Mormons; that I have lived in the State of Missouri more than three years immediately preceding the month of March 1838: that I was at the City of Far-West in the fore part of Nov. 1838 at which time Gen. Lucus of Jackson County Missouri entered the City with a large army, took possession of the City, posted his Centinals to prevent any person from going out, took the armes f[ro]m the inhabitants took Joseph Smith jun., Lyman Wight, Sidney Rigdon, Hyram Smith, George W. Robinson and between forty & Sixty others whom they took to prison in Ray County: that he quatered the army on the inhabitants, fed, waisted & destroyed their corn & forrage, killed Cattle, hogs, sheep &c; burnt rails, building timber & in great quantity without any leave or liberty given by the owners of the same; that, after they had taken the armes of the inhabitants, an order was given by the geniral for all the men in the City to parade on the public square & then Surrounded them with his army and compelled the Cityzens to make to the state of Missouri a deed of trust of their lands to pay the expences of the war; that, he then read Governor Boggs exterminating order given to General Clark to drive the Mormons from the state or exterminate them. General Clark having arrived at Far-West with a large reinforcement [gave] orders for the Cityzens to parade on the public square & made a speach to them aprobating the procedings of General Lucus and declared to the Cityzens that he would not put in rigorous execution the governor’s order, but through his mercy the mormons might be permited to Stay till Spring & then leave the state, & never think to ever make another crop in the State of Missouri; that General Clark Esquire quartered his troops on the inhabitants making use of their Corn, fodder, Cattle & hogs &c without leave or license; and I farther State, that in General Lucus troops I saw about two hundred men whose faces were painted black & red in the most horrid Savage Style whose voices corrisponded with their appearance. and was creditably informed that a man by the name of Cornelious Gilliam, a Senator of the State of Missouri, was their commander, which I verily believe.

Daniel C. Davis

This is to certify that I, Joseph Hormuth, am well acquainted with the above written Statements and do Solemly Swear and declare that they are verrily true; further certify that they tare down a house & burnt it for firewood; that, they entered houses, turned women & Children out of doors into the snow bare footed & they was obliged to [wrap] blankets about their feet to keep them from freezing.

Joseph Hormuth

[Sworn to before D. W. Kilbourn, J.P., Lee Co., IA, 6 Jan 1840.]

DECKER, Isaac

Deposition of Isaac Decker of Scott County of the State of Illinois taken on the Eighteenth day of January Eighteen hundred and forty, between the hours of ten AM and 6 P.M. at the office of N M Knapp Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Scott County Illinois, touching the matter of the petition to Congress for relief of the Mormons or Latter day Saints as an indemnity for their Losses by the Citizens of Missouri in the year 1838.

State of Illinois Scott County

Isaac Decker, being Sworn deposeth and Saith that he is now a resident of the County of Scott & State of Illinois, of Lawful age, and that some time in the month of March A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight, he removed from the State of Ohio, to Davis County in the State of Missouri, with no other intent or purpose than to become a resident Citizen in good faith under the Laws of the Said State of Missouri, And with that intent he purchased a preemption right to Congress Land, of one Benedict Welden, for which he paid the Sum of two hundred and fifty Dollars Lawful money of the United States, in the quiet possession of which this deponent Lived until the following October, and raised on Said Land, Seven acres of Corn, a part of which Crop he gathered and a part of which he left in the field; further that he raised Garden Vegetables of Value twenty five Dollars; and this deponent further says that on or about the twenty Eighth day of October A.D. Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight, he was Surprised in the Lawful possession of his Said premises, by a mob of armed men, Citizens of the State of Missouri, and then and there Surrounded and taken prisoners by Said mob, and Compelled to Surrender his property with force and arms and Compelled to Convey to Said mob his real Estate in trust to Said Mob to defray the Expenses of their unlawful designs, And this deponent further Says that he was Compelled under the order of Governor Bogg of Missouri issued on the twenty Seventh day of October A.D. Eighteen Hundred and thirty Eight, and Communicated by General Clark at Far West on or about the First of November 1838, to leave the State of Missouri under pain of death, In Compliance with which order I he Sought refuge, berift of all my his property in the Said State of Illinois in the Month of January A.D. 1839. Suffering the Greatest Extremities from the almost universal prjeudice which Existed against the Sect to which I he belong Ed and further the deponent Saith not.

Isaac Decker

[Sworn to before E. Sells, J.P., Scott Co., IA, 18 Jan 1840.]

DEMING, David C.

State of Illinois County of Adams Jan 8th 1840

I David C. Deming do hereby certify that on the 30th Oct 1838 I was on Shoal Creek Caldwell Co. Mo. about 3 oclock P. M. cutting wood and I herd the fireing of guns on the oposite side of the stream about 15 rods from where I was cutting I looked up and beheld a company of armed men surrounding a blacksmithshop in which there was about 30 men belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints commonly called Mormons the company was fireing towards the shop one man tried to make his excape from the shop but was shot down by one of the company that was surrounding them I also see a man by the name of David Evins make his excape and as he came running by me I asked him what was going on he said our bretheren were all killed or would be the fireing lasted between 30 and 60 minutes, about 15 minutes after the company was gone I started to the place of action and as I was going by the house of Mr Hawns I foung a man dead by the name of Mr Merrick I then crossed over the stream to the shop and found seven men and one boy dead in the shop and several wounded the next day I help bury 14 of my bretheren that was killed by the said company a few days after 3 or 4 died in consequence of there wounds. On the 3 Nov after there was a company of about 30 men under command of Comstock come to the place where the murder had been committed and incamped Comstock then come to me and told me that Gen. Clark gave him orders to take all the guns that he could find among the Mormons he compelled me to give up 3 guns that belong to my bretheren that had been given me to take care of and this same company under said Comstock committed many other debredations such as taking beehives killing hogs Cattle and taking Corn &C

David C Deming

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

DUDLEY, Moses

State of Illinois Adams County ss January 7, 1840

This day before me William Laughlin one of the Justices of the peace for said county personally came Moses Dudly who being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirtyseven & thirtyeight he was a citizen of Caldwell county State of Missouri, & that he made & had an improvement of about three acres of land & a good hewed log house on a Congress lot in Caldwell county state aforesaid. & that he was compelled to sign away & leave said improvement & also to leave said State of Missouri without any compensation or provocation, & this was done by the Militia under command of Generals Lucas & Wilson, and further said deponent saith not.

Moses X Dudley

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

DURFEE, Edmund, Jr.

I Edmund Durphy Jun. solemnly declare that sometime in October in Year of our Lord One Thousand eight Hundred And thirty eight the Militia under the command of Generals Lucas Willson & Clark took possession of a house belonging to Uriah B Powell contrary to his wishes like me that they the said militia burned [-] timber belonging to me that I had moved in to the Citty Far West for a dwelling House

Edmund Durfee Jr

[Sworn to before J. M. Campbell, C.C.C.C., McDonough Co., IL, 4 Jan 1840.]

DURFEE, Jabis

State of Illinois County of Hancock SS

I Jabis Durfee now living in Hancock County and State aforesaid do solemnly Swear that I moved into Davies County State of Misouri in December in the year of 1837 and settled on the North West Quarter of Section No eighteen in Township fifty eight North and Range-twenty Seven West. I improved said Quarter by cultivating a portion of the soil and building a house in which I lived also a mill. I resided on said tract of land untill October AD. 1838 which-entitled me to a Preemtion right on said land: according to the laws of the United States: Whereas I was prevented from proving up said right and entering said tract of land in consequence of an order from Governor Boggs authorising an armed force to drive me with others from the State.

We do solemnly swear that Jabis Durfee whose signature appears above was entitled to a preemption as above set forth

Perry Durfee

Gilbert Gold Smith

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 18 Jan 1840.]

DURFEE, Perry

Handock Co State of Illenois

I do hereby testify that I moved into Jackson Co Mo in the year 1832 and settled my self lived there till 1833 when a mob arose and thretend us from time to time but in the fall they getherd at Christian Whitmers and shot at us (we having come to gether to save us from them as the[y] was continually harrasing of us when they could find one by him self) they shot at us and kild one and wounded several others and thence we was requested to lave the county forth with, and I moved to Clay Co when a body of men collected to gether and burnt up a house belonging to us and I was frequently threatend, from thence I moved to Davis Co and Staid there till 38 a mob arose and notified us to leave the county and being harrast by them and my life threatend from time to time I for safety moved my Family to Far West and there I Saw an armed Soldiery come in to the town with out our liberty took us prisners searchd our houses plunderd us of what they pleasd, burnd house logs lumber shingles and ralis. also we was compeld at the point of the sword to sign a Deed of trust to defray their expences, they also came afterwards to my own house and took me prisner and caried of my property without my consent. I was prohibited from entering my preemption which I held in Davis Co-and was compeld us to leave the state and they also took Joseph Smith Junr S. Rigdon L. White and fifty or sixty others prisners, and without any tistimony caried them off and confinid them in prison and Joseph Smith Junr. they chaned and kept him with several others in Jail all winter

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

DURFEE, Perry

State of Illinois County of Hancock SS

I Perry Durfee now living in Hancock County and State aforesaid do Solemnly Swear that I moved into Davies County State of Misouri in the month of December in the year 1837 and settled on the South West Quarter of Section No five in Township No fifty eight North and Range No twenty seven West. I improved said Quarter section by cultivating a portion of the soil, and building a house in which I lived. I resided on said tract of land untill October 1838 which residence entitled me to a Pre Emption right on said land according to the law of the United States. Whereas, I was prevented from proving up said Right and entering said tract of land. in consequence of an order from Governor Boggs authorising an Armed force to drive me with others from the State

We Jabis Durfee and Gilbrt Goldsmith do slomnly swear that Perry Durfee whose signature appears above was entitled to a PreEmption as above set forth

Jabis Durfee

Gilbert Gold Smith

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 18 Jan 1840.]

DURFEY, James

State of Illinois County of Adams SS January 8th 1840

And Sayeth that in the month of September eighteen hundred and thirty six removed to the state of Missouri purchaseed Lands in the County of Caldwell of the united States at the Land office at Lexington state of Missouri Lived in the county of Caldwell till the first of November eighteen hundred and thirty eight when I was compeld to leave the state by order of General Lucas or Gener Clarks exterminating order and was compeld by an armd force to leave the state my life being saught for. Also, saw the citizens of Caldwell County plundered and abused by theinhabitants of the state of Missourie fird on by an armed force several times I savd one man Shot Down exspired in ashort time also two more shot Died in a short after the one the other Died on the spot. Also, was fird on by Samuel Bogard Capttain of the Militia of the State of Missourie being in company with another man while having Corrisspondence with a boddy of armd men by a flag of truce near far West in Caldwell County, &c. And further more this Deponent sayeth not

James Durfey

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

DUTTON, David

Then personally appeared before me, Samuel Comr one of the Justices of the Peace within & for the County of Hancock &state of Illinois, David Dutton, & after being duly sworn, according to law, deposeth &saith that on the 31st day of October A.D. 1838, he was a Citizen of the state of Missouri, residing in Caldwell County on the South West fourth of the North East fourth of Section Number 23, Township 56 and Range 29, and, on the day & year aforesaid, & on the ten succeeding days, i. e. the first ten days of November A.D. 1838. on the premises aforesaid certain divisions of the Missouri state Militia, Commanded by Generals Parks, Lucas & Clark, encamped & effected a total destruction of the following articles of property then belonging to me, & for which this deponent hath received no Compensation whatever,

That is to say-

And further this deponent saith not

David Dutton

[Sworn to before S. Comer, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 9 Jan 1840.]

DUTTON, Hannah

BENSON, Mary

Also then personally appeared before me, Samuel Comer, one of the Justices of the Peace within & for the County of Hancock & state of Illinois, Mary Benson, Mary Holden & Hannah Dutton, and, after being duly sworn according to law, depose &say, that they were eyewitnesses of the destruction of the articles of property belonging to Mr David Dutton &mentioned by him in the within affidavit, and at the time &place mentioned in Said affidavit by him subscribed, and to the best of our Knowledge said affidavit Contains a true and correct statement of the losses sustained by Mr David Dutton in Missouri, Caldwell County from the 31st day of October A.D. 1838, to the 10th day of November A.D. 1838, and effected by the agency of the Missouri Militia as stated above by Mr Dutton

Mary Benson

Hannah Dutton

[Sworn to before S. Comer, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 9 Jan 1840.]

EDWARDS, Elisha

State of Illenois, Gregsville Pike co Jan the 10, 1840

Damage that I have received In Colwel Co Missourie In 1839 damage receivd on land $175 dollars

Elisha Edwards

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 10 Jan 1840.]

EDWARDS, Rufus

State of Illenois Pike County January 10th 1840

Rufus Edwards

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 11 Jan 1840.]

ELLISON, Isaac

This the 27 of 1840 January 1840

I a resident of Illinois Pique County hear give and a count of my Self and famley of the Suffrige that we have born by President guverner bogs of mosorie to wit moved thar in the year 1837 and bought eighty acors of congress land I was driven from Colwell conty masouria and sollomly decare of by being fourst right away did [-] me three hundreD dollyars as witnis my hand anD Seald

Isaac Ellison

I being troubbled request to you releaf me and doo cirtyfy that these words are true

Isaac Ellison

I Isaac Ellison doe Salomnly Sware by the Ever living god that the above is a true bill of My Sufrages in the above case so help me god

Isaac Ellison

[Sworn to before D. R. Rogers, J.P., Pike Co., IL, 27 Jan 1840.]

ENGLISH, Lydia B.

In the year of 1832, Myself & husband William Whiting of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints moved to Jackson Co Missourie with the addition of eleven families more. we was greatly prospered through our industry for the first year, when insults and threats were becoming very frequent. in october the matter became alarming, a company of the old Settlers of the State met above big blue and were determined that our houses Should be thrown down at night we got the word at sun set, and gathered at different houses for Safety, leaving many alone, when at ten oclock we heard the logs begin to fall from of the buildings, at twelve they got to Peter Whitmers senior where several families had collected and not many rods from the house that we were in. their first attact was to the door and window while some mounted the house and began to throw off the roof while they were throwing stones and clubs in at every chance they could get the women who had crawled into the chamber with their children began to scream & beg for mercey while these barbarous ruffians in the shape of human beings were whipping and hounding their husbands and fathers with clubs and stones. all got from the house and made for the woods [2] as fast as possible, and frightned nearley out of their senses. We being astonished at the horrible noise scarcely knew what to do but in a moment all made for the woods as fast as their feet could carry them. I was then the mother of three children a boy two years old and a pair of twin babes but five weeks old my babes were taken by two young girls. and the boy I took and followed after, but getting sepperated I could find but one of my twins untill morning fortunately the woods was near. we sat down to listen and heard them throw the roof of my house, and chimney down. doors and windows were broken in a chair shop and chairs shared the same fate the same night I heard the roofs of ten buildings, leveled to the ground, no one was killed but some were badly hurt astonishing to think we ware driven from our homes and many were out cold frosty nights in Oct and November with nothing for a shelter but the Starry heavens. but this was not enough to satisfy their vengence. they came the next week with a large company hunting for and shooting at our men: they feeling it their duty to stand in the dfence of us their wives and [——] children, as well at as themselves, returned the fire. My husband [——] received a ball through his foot, which mangled the bones and caused him great distress and it was a great while a healing and I fear his hardships and privations was the cause of his Death which happned the next october the next day our men went to Independence to try for peace but I believe that the most they obtained was fair promises, and their guns taken from them, which they have never received to this day. the next day after their arms were delivered up the mob marched their band through our settlement enquiring for our fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons and threatning what they would do if they should find them or to us if we would not tell where they were they finally ordered us off in three days or death Should be our portion. what a time of trouble women running in every direction trying to get some one to carry them out of the reach of these deamons of human shape. my husband with many others had fled to Clay Co for their lives as they had been most severly threatned. they as soon as possible sent waggons to carry us awy

widow Lydia B English

[The above petition is not sworn or dated. However, the following fragment is very similar to the above petition and is sworn and dated, although unsigned. The fragment may have been written at the same time as the petition.]

woods frightend nearly out of their senses. We being astonis[h] at the horible noise scarely knew what to do but in a minit all made for the woods fast as they could get away. I give my two babes (which was but five weeks old) to two young girls which started. I took my boy two ye[ar] old and followed both did not see but one of then for three hours. Fortunately the woods was nigh, we sat do[wn] to listen I heard them throw the roof of my house an[d] chimney down doors and windows broken in peaces chair shop and chairs had the same fate. I heard the roof pulled from ten buildings that same night no one was killed but badly hurt Astonishing to think we were driven from our houses and homes many of us had to stay out coal from nights in Oct and Nov with no other Shelter than the star[y] heavens. this did not satisfy the mob for they came came the next week with a large company and fired [on] our men, which onely wanted their rights, re[turn] the fire my husband was wounded was ever afflicted with the same untill his death (which was next Oct) Our men went the next day to Indipendence to make peace, if poss[ib]le. Lieut. Boggs had ordered out the Malitia, and demanded their arms, promised peace and safety for three weeks and all their arms when they left the County.

Jan. 8t 1840

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

ETTLEMAN, Henry

State of Illinois A Dams County

I Henry Ettleman do Certify that I was Taken prisoner in november A.D 1838 in the State of missouri Caldwell County and Was Compelled to Sign a deed of trust and acknowledge the same to be my free act and Deed and was ordered by General Clark to leave the State forthwith and also was plundered and my horses taken from me by the missourians

and I also owned land the west half of the North East quarter of Section 24 Township 55 and range 29 and also the South East quarter of the north East quarter of Section 15 Township 52 range 26

Henry Ettleman

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

ETTLEMAN, Philip

State of illinois Adams county

I do hereby certify that I enterd a tract of land in Ray County misouri north west of southeast quarter section 17 township 52 range 26 and after living on it a while I had to leave it on account of a lawless set of men who came to me and told me that I would have to leave the state and took my horses from me with threatnings and said they would have my land within three days for a trifle

Philip Ettleman

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

FERRE, Lodowick H.

State of Ileanois Pike County

I, Lodowick Ferry certify that I was driven from my house and home in the State of Missouri in the winter of 1838 and 1839 out of the State. an sustained the damage of about 1000 dollars occationed by that by ordir of the Governer of said State in connection with others in the mob

Lodowick H Ferre

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 14 Jan 1840.]

FOOT, Reuben

State of Illinois Adams County SS. January 7th 1840

This day personally appeared before me William Laughlin a Justice of the Peace within Said County-Reuben Foot who being duly sworn according to law. Deposeth and saith the he was in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty Seven & eight a Citizen of Caldwell County Missouri. and that [t]he said deponent did at the Land Office in Lexington Fayette Cty. Mo. enter in his own name and for his own use One Eighty acre lot also One Forty acre lot in Township No. 55 North of the base line and west of the fifth principal meridian. Range No. 28. and also by Deed of Conveyance from Timothy B. Foot to said deponent the S. W [1]/4 of the N W. [1]/4 of Section No. Five in Township & Range aforesaid also by Deed of Conveyance from Jacob Stewart The S. E. [1]/4 of the North W [1]/4 of Section Five-Township and Range aforesaid-And that this deponent was in actual and peaceable possession of the lands before discribed, and had in his possession Duplicates of said Entries from the aforesaid Land Office-And That he was by force and arms Compelled to give up said Duplicates to the Citizens of Mosourie. and that without his own free will-was exterminatd from the State of Misourie and further this deponent saith not.

Reuben Foot

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

FORD, Jonathan

In the Spring of Eighteen hundred and thirty seven I bought a piece of land in Caldwell county Mo. of Mr. Robin the land being in Section No 22 Township No 56 and Range No 28 this piece of land contained eighty acres which I paid for and Received a lawful title on this land I lived in pice till 1838 when I was ordered to leave thare I complied with the orders with considerable loss of property a list of which follows

Jonathan X Ford

[Sworn to before A. Brown, J.P., Pike Co., IL, 10 Jan 1840.]

FOSDICK, Clarissa

Illenois Quincy Oct the 15 1839

A Bill of Damage against the State of Missouri for Being Driven from the State and loss of propperty

I certify the a bove acount to Be true and Just a cording to the Best of my knoweldg

Clarissa Fosdick

[Not sworn.]

FULLER, Catharine

I hereby certify that my husband and myself settled within about a mile of Haun’s mill Coldwell Co. Missouri in the fall of A.D. 1836 where we lived untill the massacre at the mills the 30th of Octr. 1838, at which time and place my husband was killed. About a week after the massacre I was at the mill and saw a large company of our enemies, as I understood, tented there I heard one of them by the name of Comstock say to Sister Merrill who lived in the house with me that if he could get his eye upon her husband he should be a dead man. Companies of from six to ten came to our house enquiring for men and guns a number of times

Catharine Fuller

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 3 Jan 1840.]

FULLMER, David

On the twentieth of October Eighteen Hundred and thirty Eight, I was ordered to leave the County of Daviss in the State of Missouri in three days by the Mob under pain of being Burned out I was Just recovering from a long Course of Sickness. I fled to Caldwell County in the Vicinity of Hans Mill. in a fiew days, myself, and the Citizens ware alarmed for our Safty from the fear of Mobs who ware Stroling about the County. we the Citizens in the Neighborhood Gathered to Hans Mill for the Double purpose of our better Security and Saving the mill from being burned. on the thirteth of the month I hered the report of Several Hundred Guns in the Diriction of Hans Mill. I Soon beheled Several men riding at full Speed having escaped from the mill and informed me that of the Slaughter that had taken place at the mill. in about an hour I repaired to the mill. the Mob was Gon about a Dozen men &Children wounded among the wounded was a woman who was Shot through the hand. there ware fifteen Kiled among whom was a boy who had his brains Shot out. the next day I met at the mill together with Several others to bury them and for the want of Strengh to dig Graves we were oblijed to throw them into a Dry well. in a fiew days after this the Mob returned and took posesion of the mill and Ground to Suit themselves. for Several weeks together. douring which time they would ride about the neighborhood with their faces painted abousing and insulting the Survivers terrfying our women and Children ordering us off from time to time und[er] pain of extermination & so-forth-after thus inhumanly treating us for Several weeks Capt. Cumstock drew his men off [——] and left us to our disconsolate Condition-about the twentieth of November I left the State of Missouri in Consequence of the Order of Gov. Boggs together with the inhumaine treatment of the Citizens of Said State-

I am a Native of Penn. in Eighteen Hundred and thirty five I moved to the State of Ohio where I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints and in the fall of eighteen Hundred and thirty Seven I moved to the State of Missouri Caldwell Couty from thense I moved to Daviss County to the place where I was driven out. I now live in Hancock County Illinois

David Fullmer

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 3 Jan 1840.]

GRANGER, Carlos

I hereby certify that I lived in the State of Missouri from the year A.D. 1832 till last winter. I lived in Far West at the time the troops came there about the first of November A.D. 1838. A number of armed companies were stationed in different parts of the town and the town guarded by them a week or ten days, these troops burnt up large quanties of house logs and rails and commit other depredations

They were very saucy threatening and abusing the inhabitants-I saw the Mormons closely guarded on the public square and there compelled to sign a deed of trust as I understood

I am not nor never have been a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints called Mormons but I am a friend to equal rights, and I never knew of any law in Mo. or any where else authorising such proceeding as were carried on by those troops at Far West

Carlos Granger

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 3 Jan 1840.]

GRIFFEN, Loyal C. K.

January 5the 1840 Warsaw Ill

Those are a list of suffering which I sufered by the laws of mobes in the State of Missourie I furst was driven from the county of Jackson at that time I was sick with the feaver not able to rase my head from my pillar I was sent out Into the world to seek friends but they ware hard to find they ware destitute of fealings for sick or well I was taken in to clay count[y] theire I received my health then I moved in to caldwell county which the peopple gave to the church of the laterdaysaints then I was driven into mashure that I did not like nor neather would any other man that thought anything of the laws of his country the laws that Washington planted in the United States of America I was harest around by this mob I was accused of things wrongfully I was striped of all my property I was striped of that that the laws of my country allowed me to hav and Keep in my possession that was the substance of life that was my fields of provishen my fences throne down to the merces of horces catel and hogs my Riffle gun was taken from me worth 30 dollars and my time lost which was from the time that the mobs comenst until January while I was driven in to the Viledg and their I was surrounded by armed forces garded day and night sum time and I had to live in a campe and their my family had to suffer the Cold weather my children sufferd with the want of food and rament for I had not the chanc to go and work for provishon nor clothen for after they gave us the privledg to go to our homes I dare not sho my head for they ware determend to take me their prisner and drag me in to their jale and their take their satisfaction out of me and their reasons for this was because I belonged to the church of the Laterdaysaints this was all of their plea they also brought aletter as they sed from that it was from the guvner of the State and this letter stated that we had to be out of the State by Such times or we should evry sole of us be mad extinct from of the face of the globe or earth from the comensment of this fus to the end of it was as much as 1000 thousand dollars damag to me and my famaly this would not tempt me to go throught the same trubles and loses of time agane so I close my trubles by being a friend to the laws of my country

Loyal C. K. Griffen

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

GRIFFEN, Selah J.

Handcock Co and State of Illinois

Selah J Griffen his testamony a gainst the Mob ers of mosurie in Jackson County the mob Commenst thar abuse in 1832 And in 1833 in octobr they begain to whip and Abuse in a shamful Maner tairing down houses Laying our fensses down distroing our crops Driving our woman and childran in to the wilder[ness] thar to suffer the inclemancy of the wether And hunger and thirst plundering our houses And in November they Strip us of guns and Drive us a crost the river in to Clay County the lose of property susstained in Jackson County $10050 [150.00] dollars of book a counts Lost worth 20050 [250.00] of Crops and two guns worth 75 dollars hous and Black Smith Shop and tools to the amount of thre hundred Dollars Lost in the hol amounted was Seven hundred And Seventy five dollars is My los Buy the mob

Selah J griffen

In 1836 My family was driven from Clay County to Callwell County my property yet remains In Clay county which is worth three hundred Dollars and i have not had the yous of it Sinse we left Clay county

Selah J Griffin

1838 Callwell the mob begain to drive people from thairr homes to plunder thair houses drive of our stock Lay our fields open and distroy our Crops Taking pris ners without aney athoity Driving abusing in the most shamful Manner Coming in to our houses camping In some Stabeling thair horses in some feeding thairr horses with our grain and hay The troop Came to Calwell took us prisners Disarmed us then thretend us and Said that we must Seign ove[r] all propertys To them or thay wold tak our lives Or imprison us and when we had sinde The deade of trust tha orderd us to leve State or suffer deth i was obliged to leave home which i had paid the govement for Being a Blacksmith i had five hundred dollars of Book a counts taken from me and one Set of Blacksmith toals worth on hundred Forty akers of land in Calwell County The improvements thare or worth fore hundred dollars

Taken from Me Buy the troop 2 riffle guns One of the rifles worthe thirty dollars the Other worthe twenty dollars

Selah J Griffen

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

GROVER, Thomas

In the year A.D. 1836 I moved from the State of New York to the State of Missouri where I purchased Two hundred and twenty acres of land in the County of Caldwell besides a small lot in Jackson County One hundred and twenty acres of the above I purchased from Government, the remainder from individuals most of the lands were under improvement with good buildings &c &c In the begining of November AD 1838 while I was at home attending to my own concerns an armed force came up to my house one of the men whose name was-Baldwin drew a large Bowie Knife and Swore by the “Holy God” that he would cut my head off, this was in consequence of my being a Mormon, However after I had begd for them to spare my Life and he seeing my family in tears; he was softened down and did not put his threats into execution.

The mob obliged me to give up my duplicates which I held for the lands which I had purchased from Government.

They destroyed and laid waste your my Corn Fields and would frequently come to my house would give me and my family abusive language and would take what victuals they wanted and Search’d my house for arms at various times

I had frequently to hide from the mob (who I heard had threatned to kill me.) and the weather being very cold, and being continualy harrassed by my Enemies I was taken sick and suffered considerable [——] After hearing that we were ordered by the Authority of the [——————] State to leave the State of Missouri I made preparations to go. this was in the winter I and my family suffered much. my wife was confined on the road, and suffered every thing but death itself, my children were all sick for several weeks months and our sufferings were extreme, In this manner I was abused and after purchasing lands and improving the same and spending a Considerable sum of money in building &c &c I was driven from my home and was obliged to find a shelter out of the state of Missouri

I certify that the foregoing statements are correct according to the best of my knowledge and belief.

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 3 Jan 1840.]

HANCOCK, Solomon

State of Illinois Adams County S.S.

This day personally came before me William Laughlin a Justice of the peace said Cty. Solomon Hancock being duly sworn Deposeth and Saith that he was a Citizen of Caldwell Cty. Mo. in 1836. and that he sd. deponent entered Government Land at the Land Office Lexington Missouri, and there resided peacable until I was Compelled to leave by the Govenors exterminating orders executed by General Clark and others The Land above refered to will be described by a certain Duplicate accompaning this affidavit also this deponent held by Deed of Conveyance from Roil Ames The NE. 1/4 of SW 1/4 of Section No. Five Township No. 56, Range 29 And further this Deponent saith that he had purchased and paidfor Forty acres of Land lying in Jackson Cty and State of Missouri and being driven as aforesaid was prevented from getting his Deed

Solomon Hancock

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

HENDERSON, James M.

Handcock Co and State of Illinois January the 3rd 1840

James M Hendersons testimoney and Bill of Damage a gainst the government of Missouri. Commenceing in the faul of 1837 I emigrated from the state of Indiana to Missouri and arivd in farwes Caldwell Co. Mo. and livd there a few Months. I then Moved to ray Co. in the winter of 1838 livd there about 8 Months which time I maid $40.00 a Month at my trade shoe and boote making.

dureing which time I herd but little else then mob mob mob. yes dam the Mormons we will drive them in the faul. at tenth the Augest Election rold a rould a round and the mob Commencd there fun. I then was forst to leave My home and flee to Caldwell for Protecsion.

My losses sustaind in Ray Co. was $120.00 we soon was serounded on all sides and thretend to sho us no quarters onley at the Canons mouth. during which time we ware not slack in our duties to send Protisions aided by some of the influenshiel men of that upper Cuntry but what was his answer to us he said if you have got into a fus with the mob you must gait out the best way you Can you mus fight your own battles I Can guive you now protectsion atall[.] this was about the first of October 1838[.] there was then ameeteing Cauld of the latter day Saints Conveind in farewest for the Perpose of takeing an expression of the People wether they would stand for there Constitusional rites or not.

we all a greed that we wuld stand for the Constitusion and defend our rits at the expence of life. but what was more supriseing then all the rest was the governers order as extermination which reached farwest in some days after this order reached farewest a bout the 4 or 5 day of Nov but be fore this there was ginerl Lucus of Jackson Co. arivd about the 29th or 30th day of oct. witch also had an order to Eileminate us if we would not Comply with there proposels that was if we would guive up our armes and sign a way all our property to pay the expence of the ware and leave the State forthwith that we Could live otherwise we must Die wich order was a forged one with out Contridiction. to which we Cerrendered they then marched into our City and begin to plunder our houses insult our women &c they shot our hogs and Cattle to gratify there helish rage a perpose to destroy them and also burn our house logs among home was Capt. S. Bogert, Mathew McGaw, John Craig, Kneel Gillum, Charles Morehead, Leiutenant Cook. About this time there was a Masicree tooke place at Hons Mill were the Mob fell upon a settlement of our people and kild 18. amoung home was one little Boy a bout 8 years old a mong those Merderers ware Anderson Morten, James Blakeley, J Seego, these men I heard say they were there. Ginerl lucus then took 7 Prisners and started for Jackson Co. names of which is Joseph Smith Jr, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Weight, Gorge W. Robinson, Amasa Liman, and started for Jackson Co. the next day or 2 ginerl Clarke arivd with 1200–15 hundred men withe the proper order of Extermination from the Gov. tho betwin the time of Lucuss departier and the arivel of Clarke we was Cauld to perrade on the Square where was a strong gard plast a round us and we forst to sign this deede of trust. a mong those of our Entaginest ware Willey Willums, Thomas Berch, Gorge M. Hinkel, the first of importece that was done by Gen. Clarke was to Caul us together again and Celec 50 men of our society and made prisners of them without any proses what ever I was one of the 50. on the next day we amedeintly after this opperation of Clarkes he deliverd to us an adress in wich he stated that if we had not Complide with the treaty proposed by Lucus wich was Equil in athority with him that before that time our Women and Children wuld have ben slain and our housees left in ashes sad thought after some parleamentry remarks said you gentle men are at liberty now to go home to your famileys to precure wood and food &C but stateed that we neede not expect to see our leaders a gain for there doom is fixed, there dye is Cast, there fait is seald. but stateed to us the prisners: that he would Make Examples of us all. we was kept in Close Confinement that Night. next morning we was drove a way not a loud the priviledg of going to see our famileys nor even to have brecfast. when the most of our family livd in the City so we arivd at richmond the 3rd day. where we was kept in Close Confinement for a bout 4 weeks dureing the examination. then all that was not liberated Commited to jail or held to Bail. after laying in jail 9 days I guive Bail an got home I then had to Move away from the State

James M Henderson

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

HENDRIX, Reuben

January the 22 AD 1840 State of Illinois Pike County five by five township I now give you a true account of what i lost in the missouri I do justly Consider that I have lost 150 Dollars

Reuben Hendrix his hand and Seal

[Sworn to before D. R. Rogers, J.P., Pike Co., IL, 28 Jan 1840.]

HENDRIXSON, Jordan P.

State of Illinois Adams County SS.

This day and date afforesaid personally came Jordan P. Hendrxxson who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he emigrated to misouri in 1837. and in Clinton County Mo. Entered eighty acres of Government Land. And was compelled by the Governor exterminating orders to leave the state

J. P. Hendrixson

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

HERICK, Phebe

State of Illinois Adams County SS January 7th 1840

This day personally appeared before me William Laughlin a Just[ice] of the peace for said County, Phebe Herrick late Phebe Wood being duly Sworn according to law Deposeth and Saith that she was in the year 1838 a citizen of Davis Cty. Mo. and was driven to Farwest Caldwell Cty. Mo. and by being So driven off aforesaid Suffered a loss in house hold furniture & bed and bedding wearing apparel. and in hogs cattle &C to the amt. of $200. and by being driven from Farwest as aforesaid by the Governors exterminating orders executed by Gen. Clark and others. Sustained a loss of property to amt. $50

Phebe herick

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J. P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

HERRICK, Amos F.

State of Illinois Adams County S.S. January 7th, 1840

This day before me William Laughlin one of the Justices of the peace in & for said County, personally came Amos F. Herrick who being Duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that he was a Citizen of Randolph County, Missouri, from november 1835 to April 1839, & that in november 1835 he did purchase for his own use an improvement of twelve acres of land & house & stable & a preemption right on forty acres of land upon which said improvement was made & paid sixty dollars for the same, said land being in said County of Randolph previously entered by John [G]larkson. And this deponent further says that on the 11th day of July 1836, he did in his own name & for his own use, enter forty acres being north east of the northeast qr. of section no. 28. Township no 54 north of the base line & west of the fifth principal meridian, range no 15. as described in the Duplicate. No 11607: & that in the same year he did purchase for his own use also forty acres, adjoining the other forty on the north, partly improved, with two houses on it, & smoke house & hatter shop: & also that he purchased the northwest quarter of section 13 in township 54 north, Range 16 west, & that he had peaceable possession of the two said forties & lived on them three years, & that in november & December 1837 & 1838 being threatened by Mobbers led on by Daniel Davis & Archibald Rutherford, he sold said lands for less than half their value & left them: & further this deponent saith not.

Amos F Herrick

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

HERRICK, Lemuel

In the summer of 1832 I located myself and family in Jackson County Mo. calculating to become a permanent citizen but in that I was dissappointed, for in the fall of 1833 there begun to be quite an excitement with the old settlers about the church to which I belonged which was the church of latter day saints; and soon there was a large mob made their appearance amongst us and began to commit depredations on us.

I saw a man by the name of Robert Johnston who was or had been a member of the assembly; strike Elder Parley P. Pratt, with the breach of his gun which brought him to the ground, and cut a a severe gash in his head, because he contended for the faith and principles of our church. & brother Pratt sought redress at the hand of the authories of the place but could not get a hearing. and had to give it up. In a few days after this there was about sixty armed men with the reverend Mr Isaac McCoy missionary to the indians at their head came into my neighborhood and run of most our men, shooting at some, and whipping others, and swearing that they would kill every Mormon if they was not out of County in three days: They had previous to this taken our guns from us and came to my house for the purpose of searching for guns as they said but they told us that if we was not out of the Co within three days, they would massacree men women and children and leave none alive to carry the news: for they wouldn’t have the d——-d Mormons in their County, but such a scene of sorrow and confusion I never saw before. Women and children came flocking from every quarter to my house for shelter some screaming & hallooing murder some crying aloud some scared almost into fits others that were sick in beds got up and started for my house and fainted by the way while others had to bring them in their arms. but all this seemed to have no impression on the minds of the mob, but they appeared to be completely hardened to every sense of feeling and mercy. After this company left us I gathered up our beds and bedding with a few articles of household furniture and then took my family consisting of an aged mother wife and ten children and put out for the prarie in the month of November not knowing where we were going or what would become of us. Leaving my farm my buildings crop cattle hogs and fowls, and almost every thing that I possessed to the ravages of the mob. and six week alapsed before I found a shelter to put my head under after I left the mob pillaged my property destroyd my Crop hauld a way my rails and burnt my house and left the place desalate and i never have recievd one cent for the same neither have I ben permitted to return to my land to this day onley at the peril of my life from Jackson Co I got into the county of Clay after much fatiuge and maney hardships with my family thair put up buildings and made another improvement and staid untill the spring of 1837 when I moved with my famaly into Caldwell Co and went to the land office entred Eightyfive acres of land in hopes to lieve thair in peace but in this I was a gane dissapointed but notwithstanding I heard talk of mobs I went to work and my land and put up buildings and opened a farm of a bought thirty acres under good fence and set better then 100-apple trees of the best kind of fruit as I took paines to procure grafts which cost me twenty dollars but I didnot injoy the fruits of my labor long for in the fall of 1838 govener Boggs Extirminating order Came on us and I was compelled to sign a deed of trust and then leave the State at the sacrifise of my land and almost every thing that I possessed in the world I give this in testamoney of things that hapened under my obsirvation in Mosuria this 8th day of Jan 1840

Lemuel Herrick

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

HIGBEE, John S.

Quincy March 24 1839:

John S. Higbee was Born in the year 1804 in Clermount County State of Ohio late township I lived in that region of Country until I arived to the years of manhood I married and settled mySelf and family in fulton township lewis town hamelton County State of Ohio there I remained until Some Elders came to the town where I resided Calling themselves of the church of Christ of latter day saints they gave out an appointment to hold a meeting I attended after hearing preaching several times I went forward in the ordinances thereof and became a member of that church Comonly Called by the disbeliever the mormon Church my Companion allso Join the same Church by our labor and economy we had gained a Comfortable home for which we sold for the sum of six hundred dollars and started on the 28 of february 1833 and moved to the west Boundery of the State of missourie to the County of Jackson County where there was a number of members living of the same Church we got to the place we dsighned to go on the first Day of April 1833. here as other citicens I Bought land and allso stock and by my industry I put in a good crop and Built me a good dwelling house and allso other necesary Buildings we lived in this County until about the 7 Day of November but for several weeks Before this it was rumered that the inhabitants of the County, that did not believe as we did threatend to drive us from our lands and homes Contrary to all law Both of God and man we however was unwilling to Believe that any enlighted people could Be so destitute of humanity or feeling for their fellow Beings But to our astonishment and to their shame they commenced their outrages about the 20 20 of July 1833 By gathering to gether and tareing down a printing office belonging to this people a family allso lived in the building in a lower room was orderd forthwith out of their house threatened with immediate death if they refused the[y] allso took the Bishop of the church with an other member and tared and feathered them and abused many others from this time forth they continued to cary their helish desighns into effect they seem to get worse daily and hourly by stoneing our houses whipin some shooting at others runing poles through our windows and at lenth tareing down our Buildings unroofing & so[.] some of our Brothern in trying to rescue others and save their property went to where there was a Banditto of those demons a destroying our corn and allso houses to try to show them the imprepriety of doing as they were But to no purpose for as soon as they was discovered By this lawles Banditto they fired on them Being well armed wounded one man who expired the next day some of our Bretheren having arms they returned the fire and killed two of their number the news of this scurmage was soon carried through the county painted in various forms with many others thing to raise a great excitement of which it had the desired effect november the 5 the Day was set to make a general massecre we however seeing the rage of the people so that something must be done for our safety we agreed to meet togather or the most of the church and go and see these demons and try and have peace restored if possible But all in vain they would not hear our cries nor our petitions nothing but leaveing the County forthwith would appease the wrath of those people in this inclement season of the year not having time to gather our plunder many of us left all and fled for our lives not Being sufered to return to get our property about the sixth of november I started to go to Clay County west north of Jackson with a few of my things I was in company with my father who was about 70 years of age and alls[o] my mother who was about the same age allso my Brothers family with some others my companion at this time was very Dangerisly ill who had Just been confined a few days before she not Being able to set up But to go we must or suffer death immediately the first day we traveled near the ferry on the missourie to clay Co. here we made ourselves as comfortable as we could having left our Bed Beding and household furniture general we had But a few things to put over us here my companion being fatigued with the journey was allmost overcome so that she apeared to lay senseless a part of the night but this was not all for it commenced raining about three o clock in the afternoon it raining all night and part of the time it rained very fast insomuch that it raised the little Broks and rivers Quite high which made it Quite difficult traveling the next day it Being very mudy allso But to my story we had a small shelter for my companion of which one or to did watch her at a time through the nigh[t] whilst the rest clumb a steep hill for about one hundred yards and got under a rock here we sufered until dalight whilst my companion was exposed to the wet Both from rain and from the watter underneath that run under her however we put Brush under her and took care of her the best [way] we could morning came we began to gather up [our] goods to proceed on our Journey our things were all wet my companion takeing fresh cold we allmost gave up all hopes of her recovery she was unable to take care of the child or to give it suck we had to feed it and raiset by hand which was a great truble in the situation we were placed in however we proceded on our Journey Came to the river and crosed over in the afternoon here my compani[on] was not expected to live from one hour to another here we camped again and here we stayed a few days my companion Began to gain in health slowly we at lenth moved up the missourie a few miles wen we got the priveledge of going in astable [—-] without doors or chimney in or [clinking] we stayed in until winter was over in the spring we moved again down the river about 8 miles here we lived until the inhabitants of Clay Co. reQuested that we we should allso leave that County and I allso formd resolutions that we should do it we found there was no other alternative But to leave the County of which we did But not without much loss of property and expence we moved to the territory of which was atached to ray County at that time But was soon set of a county which was Called Caldwell County here we Bought land an settled down as other citizens of the united states But not long did we enjoy our priviledgs as free citizens of the united states for mobs arose on every side as it were and killed many of us and drive the Balence from the state I Just mention these last diffictly in a slighty manner knowing that I am unable with pen to describe to you the horrers and murders which they performed against this people But knowing that there will be a full account given by those that is more abley to wield the pen

[Not sworn.]

HILL, Elisha

State of Illenois Handcock Co.

I testify that while I lived in Ray Co and State of missouri a Caucus meeting was hild in the Town of Richmond in 1837 to adapt measures to drive the mormons (so caled) out of the Co. and a committee appointed by Wiley Williams County Clerk consisting of three men to warn them to leave the Co Joseph Ewing David Snowden and Anthony McChristian was the men appointed, which warn us to leave, which we did and I went to Davis Co. at the election in 1838 they commensed depredat[ions] upon us with clubs clapboards loaded whips and knives which caused us to leave the Ground and many of us badly hurt and from that time the mob continued to commit depredations till the malitia was cald or sent out to exterminate us and they came marched into the Town of Adam-ondi-Ahman which we perchased from them the inhabitance of the co and took possestion of the Town took us prisners took our Arms kild hogs cattle &c and wounded many others took possession of our store and also our corn fields and forbid us taking any corn out of the feild and a painted company under the command of Cornelus Guillum amember of the Legeslation who rode through the Town plundering and taking just what they pleased and abuseing men womin and children and swearing that they would kill Joseph Smith Jr, S. Rigdon and others, and the malitia would not suffer us to leav the town without a pass from Gen Wilson and ten days only given us to leave the Co and in the spring of 1839 to leave the State

Elisha Hill

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

HODGES, Curtis, Sr.

A Schedule of the losses of Property and Damages which Curtis Hodges Sen. sustained in the State of Missouri, by the depredations of the mob, and being wounded by the Mob, and being drove out of the state by order of the Govenour of said State, he, not having done any thing contrary to the laws, the Constitution of that State, or of the United States, but in consequence of his Religion All of which was done in the years of our Lord and Savior 1836 and 1838.

I Curtis Hodges Sen. certify further that I was forsed to sell some of the above named land to get out of the State with my family to save our lives. 100 acres for 29 dollars

Curtis Hogdes Sen

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 14 Jan 1840.]

HOLSCLAW, Elizabeth

Handcock Co and State of Ill.

I herby testefy that when I lived in Jack Son Co and State of Missouri a Mob arose to the number of some hundreds collected in Independense and thew down a two story brick building ocupied as a dweling house and printing office and scaterd the tipe and paper in the street, they also broke open a store and scaterd the goods in the streets and I saw two men that they had tard and fetherd, they also cut open a fether bed in the yard destroyed a barrel of flower Stond houses broke in windows and chased me, fastend our doors Surrounded our house and would not let us pass out, there was 200 of them and there was none with in but widdow women and children afterwards they broke open the door and rushed in with a Dirk knife up on us and at length drove us from the county of Jackson. and when in Caldwell in 1838 an armed soldiery under the command of Gen. Lucas marched on to our premisis without leave, quarterd in our house burnd rails kild stock drive of droves of sheep beloning to our people, in the year of 1839 they came in to the city of Far west and order out our people threatning their lives if they was not gon in three or four days and compeld us to leave the state and I testify this in the fear of God this 4 day of Jan. AD 1840

Elizabeth Holsclaw

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

HOOPES, Jonathan

Clear crick township Davis County state of Missouri being Driven from my home together with family As I was on my road moving I was taken prisoner by Seventy five armed men the plundered my waggon and swore the shoot me and burn my waggon and all that was in it this was on the tenth day of september 1838 the wanted me to Denounce my religion and move my family from Davis County to levingston County with theirs and fight against my society and then the would protect me after the found that the Could not prevale with me to black my face I them told them that I would suffer Death before I would Join theminany such thing some them Cried out shoot him Dam him shoot em while others Cried let him go we want to have the fun of shooting all the Damed mormons and throwing them in a pile after a bout half a day the let me go tiling me to leave the County after two or three Days I went to get the ballance of my goods the about 30 or 40 armed men took my family prisoners and sought my life swearing that if the Could see me the would shoot me but by keeping myself hid in the woods I got away from them on the last week of September Thomas N Aubury Stold two of my horses one of them was a stud worth two hundred Dollars the other is worth Seventy Dollar[s] on the seventh of November I was taken prissoner by the malitia Commaned by General wilson and Parks he ordered our guns to be taken from us they took a rifle worth twenty five Dollars there the mob rode on my horses around me I dare not say one word a bout my horses General Wilson told us that we must leave the state forth with or be exterminated he said that was the governers orders but Gentle men said he I will take it on myself to let you remove out of Davis County in ten Days into Calwell County there to remane Dureing the winter and then you must leave the state he said we kneadd not think to put in a nother Crop if you do the mob will kill you off for we shant Defend you any longer while I was prisoner I hear[d] some of the mob swear that the shot Six mormons as fast as he Could load his gun his name is Wm. Peningston a nother man the name runnels said here is blood on my Shirt bosome thathe go[t] when he was killing a damed mormon

Jonathan Hoopes

N B a on the last february I went to Davis County to try to get my horses but I Could not get them I was attacted by Wm. Boman and Samuel odel the stoned me severly so that I Could scearce get home

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 14 Jan 1840.]

HOOPES, Warner

Mo Davis Co Adamondiamon August

At the election in galiten Wm. P[e]niston samuel Black Wilson McKinney with others raised against the Br & said they should not vote calling them thieves robers & liars &c & said they should not vote unless they done it by main strength & when the Br went to vote they ware opposed by the mob these men being at the head of the mob with dirks Clubs & stones & Bro stewart was dirked in the shoulder & others knocked down & we ware all forced from the village with severe threats of our lives & said they would have a mob on us I Warner Hoops immediately went to Richmond in Ray Co & borded with Nicolas Mckinney also with others Wiley Williams & lawyer Burch they ware engag supplying the mob with arms amunition &c & the sheriff of Davis Co Mr Morgan judge King & others said they ware in hopes that joseph smith jun & Lyman Wight would not be taken & tried acording to law so that they could have the pleasure of taking their scalps & also I was at ameting of the citisens in richmon ray Co in which lawyer Reas made a motion that the citisens should go against the mormons although the mormons had not broken the laws of the land but they should go against them & if the mormons proved to strong for them they would have to be tried their and they would make it as light as possible & on the other hand as heavy as possible on the mormons & I was drove from richmond on account of a false report that I had told the brethren that they had sent arms to the mob they gave me 20 minutes to leave the town in or they would take my life I went to adamondiamon & the mobs came against the Br their & jeneral Wilson & lawyer Davis gave me a writing compelling me to leave the Co. in ten day & the winter to leave the state & also stated that if I would go whare I was not known & renounce my religion I mite live in peace & also that I mite as well do it first as last for I would have to in the end for your leaders say they we intend to put them all to death & also one man by the name of Rogers stated that he had killed one damned old mormon & called him by name McBride & showed the blood on his sword & wished he could get the chance to kill some more damed mormons

Warner Hoopes

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 14 Jan 1840.]

HOUGHTON, Eli

Handcock Co and State of Illenois

I heerby Certify that I Eli Houghton moved to the State of Misouri in 1837 and bought land and Settled on the Same and mid an improved and raised a crop and in the fall of 1838 Some difficulties arose between the inhabtans and the mormons & I moved to far-west ten miles for Saifty while where there troops Surrounded us and compeled us to remain in the compas of the town they compeled mee to Sign away my Property gave up my arms and was compeled to leve the State which I did in the Spring middle of the of 1838 after I had moved home from farwest Letumant Lakey took mee prisoner and marched mee to Richman and kept mee two days and then Discharged mee out any charge bing perferd a gainst mee I was left to return with[out] any means for my Support

I Sustained a loss of Property to the amount of fourteen hundred Dollars $1400

Eli Houghton

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

HOUGHTON, James

Handcock Co and State of Illinois

This may Certify that I James Houghton moved to Missouri in the year 1836 I Settled on a piece of Land lived thereon untill of 1838 when there arose a difficulty between the inhabitents of the State of Missouri and the Mormons in the Autum of 1838 I Started for Farwest with a load Corn. I was overtakeen by a Company of men they took me prisioner and kept my horses and waggon in there Service they took me into theer camp there they had prisioners from Seventy to twelve years of age. I was with them two days when I got my discharge by Voliteering to Carry one Cary to his family Said Cary had his head Split open by a Rifle he Lay all the time in an open waggon insensible without any one to aid or assist him he died that night the man that Struk him was not taken into Custody or any notice taken of it the next day I was in Farwest and while there the Militilia tore down my fences distroyd my Corn killd my bees and all of the property they Could Lay theer hands on-they finally Capitulated and they took my Gun and I Signd a deed of Trust and was ordered with the Rest of the Society leftd the State which I did that winter in Cold winter to the great inconvenience of myself and family

I Sustained a loss of to the amount of $1500 in time and property

James Houghton

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

HOUGHTON, Ornan

State of Illinois Hancock County

I hereby Certify that I Ornan Houghton moved to the State of Missouri in 1836 I was Compelld to leave Clay County and go and Settle in Colwell County I Settled on land and raisd a Crop and in the Autum of 1838 Some difficulties arose between the Inhabitants and the Mormons I moved to Farwest ten Miles for Security while there troops Surrounded us and Compeld us to remain in the Compass of the town[.] they capitulated at last I Signd away my Property gave up my Arms and was compeld to leave the State which I did in the middle of winter to the great inconvenience of myself and family

After I had moved home again Lieutenant Lakey took me prisoner and marchd me to Richmon and kept me two days and then discharged me with out anny charge being perford against mi I was left to Return with out any means for my Support I Sustaind a loss of Property to the amount of $800 besides a great exposure of health

Ornan Houghton

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

HOYT, Mary Ann

State of Illinois Pike County SS

This day personally appeared before me Wm. H. Boling Clerk of the County Commis Court within and for said County and State Mary Ann Hoyt-and after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that in the year of 1835 She moved to the state of Missouri in the County of Caldwell, and that in March 1838 she moved to Davis County in said state, and there Bought a Preemption Right on 160 acris of Land, and from thence was driven to Diaman, and there Remained until the Governor of Missouri Raised the Militia under Command of General Wilson and Gave me his Exterminating order, and thereby Robed me of my Property and Premption Right, which I Consider worth $300.00 and from thence I was driven to the State of Illinois in distressed circumstances where I now Reside a lone widow, with five Children January 14th 1840.

Mary Ann hoyt

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 14 Jan 1840.]

HULET, Charles

In the year of 1832 I with my family belonging to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints made my residence in Jackson Co. Mo. as supposed for life but it seems in this I was mistaken for the old setlers began to be troublesome in a short time and threw down my fences and passed through my field when they saw proper but this I did not considder worth making trouble them trouble about, but in October 1833 things began to wear a more serious aspect the old setlers were much enraged and on the 4th of Nov. following about 80 of the old setlers came upon our brethren and began to commit depredations and I for the defence of myself and brethren with others met them, they fired upon us killed one and wounded anumber, the next day we marched to Independence gave up our guns with the promise of receiving them when out of the Co., for which there was a number days givn but the next day came and a mob with it and we were obliged to skulk in every direction I with a number of families went south into Vanburen Co. stayed until Jan 1834 we returned although it was a desperate undertaking they soon gathered came upon us took me prisoner and beat my son about cruely and o[]liged us to leave again we then went to Clay C and from there to Caldwell in 1838 a large body of men came upon us with orders to exterminate or drive us from the State they obliged us to sign a deed of trust conveying all our property into there hands they also burned my fence and killed one of my cows and took one gun from me which has never been returned

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

HUMPHREY, Smith

This is to certify that I Smith Humphrey being a member of the Church of Latter day Saints removed with my family to the State of Mo Carroll Co [&] bought a farm near the town of Dewitt in the Summer of 1838 [&] have been eye witness to trans actions of the inhabitance of that country [&] have been made to Suffer by them as follows on the morning of the 19th of August 1838 I being in Dewitt I was returnging home & was met by an armed force of men I suppose nearly one hundred Commanded by Colonel Jones [&] by force took [&] kept me a prisoner about two hours during which time they made many threats against the people called Mormons Such as that they were determined to drive them from that Co I also Saw the Sheriff of said Co. take G. M. Hinkel a prisoner & carry him out of town & said Hinkel returned the same evening & Also about the first of Oct as I was walking out from my house early in the morning I saw that my Stables had been Set on fire by some unknown hand during the night I was met by a party of 12 armed men commanded by Capt Hiram Standly who took me a prisoner back to my own house & there com pelled me to remove my goods from my house by their help in the presence of my self & family Set fire to & burned my two blocks of houses my wife being sick with the ague at the Same time I was then com pelled with my family to move into the town of Dewitt where we remained til about the 11th of Oct where the Church principaly resided & we had to continuly be under arms for our own Safety for the mob were encamped within one mile of town [&] continualy harrased us by night & by day firing at our men where ever they had a chance & they did fire into town [&] on the 11th of Oct we being compeled by force of arms after praying to the Judge [&] the Governor for relief & being denied when we sent by writen petitions [&] by individual mesengers left Dewit for Caldwell Co the people promised to remunerate us for our property but they have not done it many families were sick one woman died on the road I arived in Caldwell Co about the 13th after being there about two weeks I was taken prisoner by a company of several hundred who were under the command of Generals Lucas & Wilson & others of Jackson Co & others & they kept me for about three days [&] threatned of Shooting me during which time they took from me property to the amount of from thirteen to fourteen hundred Dollars braking locks [&] hinges from Chests frightning my family from my house & among the rest took $400.00 in Cash I also heard men that were under the command of General Clark in Farwest threaten individuals that were then under arrest by force of arms with out any legal Civil Process threaten them with imprisionment & punishment if they did not Sign the Deed of Trust So called I also Saw Seciel Wood a noted Cumberland Presbyterian Priest heading a Company of said mob armed about the 18th of Oct. near Dewitt

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

HUNTSMAN, Jacob

The State of Illenois Adams County SS January 7th 1840

this day personally appeared Before me William Laughlin a Justice of the peace within Said County-

Jacob Huntsman who being duly Sworn according to Law Deposeth & Saith that he was a Sitisen of Coldwell County Missouri in the Year of our Lord 1838 further Deponent Saidth that he had peaceable possession of a forty acre lot of land Situate in Sd. County the improvement a Cabin & five acres fenced Said Deponent further States that he was Compelled to leave with the receipt of twelve dollars further Deponent Saith noth

Jacob huntsman

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

HUSTON, James

State of Illinois Adams County

I James Huston Do Certify that I was taken Prisnor In November AD 1838 in the State of Missouri Caldwell County and was Compelled to Sign a Deed of trust and acknolledg the Same to be my free Act and Deed and I was orderd to Leave the State forthwith

and I also oned Land the west half of the South west quarter of Section thirteen Range 29 township 55

James Huston

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 9 Jan 1840.]

JAMESON, Charles

State of Illinois Madison County

This day personally Came before the undersigned a Justus of the pece in and for said County of Madison Charles Jameson who after being sworn uppon his oath says that he did sustain certain damagees by the in habit[ence] of Culwell County in the state of missouri during the years of 1835 & 1836 & 1837 & 1838. and in the fore part of the year 1839. towit damagees on sale of land and other property and mooving nine hundred and fifty dollars. damagees sustained by being wounded by them and one rifle gun taken at the time of being wounded two hundred and fifty dollars making in all $12.000 [1,200.00]

Subscribed and Sworn to before me this twentieth day of January A.D. 1840

[Sworn to before J. C. Young, J.P., Madison Co., IL, 20 Jun 1840.]

JOHNSON, Mahlon

Alton Jany. 13, 1840

To the honorable Senate and House of Representatives in Congress Assembled at the City of Washington and District of Columbia

I the undersigned do by these presents Represent You My Losses And Suffering in the State of Missouri in the Year 1838 by the hands of a mob who pillaged an distroyed my Goods, and Chattels, and drove me and my family from Lands Which I had Entered in that State. And previous To this was driven from Jackson Co my Crop Taken my house Burned &c. in 1833. Also was shot at in my Own house by the Mob and was forsed into Clay County and thene from Clay into Caldwell Co. and from thence To Illinois. This May Certify That-I was at Hawns Mill and one of those who was attacked By A Company of Two Hundred & Sixty Men under the Command of Arthur Cumstock. who fell upon us who were 36 in No. and killed and wounded 31 of the Company 23 of which are Dead, Then plundered Houses & Drove away Horses Waggons &c Loaded with Goods And this may Certify that the Losses which I sustained To be no Less than Two Thousand Dollars.

Mahlon Johnson

[Sworn to before J. H. Randle, N.P., Madison Co., IL, 13 Jan 1840.]

JUDD, Arza, Jr.

Handcock Co and state of Illenois

I doe hereby testify that I moved to Carl Co-State of Missouri in the year 1838 and some time in the fall a mob arose (we haveng perchas[ed] land in that county) and they came a gainst a small branch of the Church and shot at us a number of times, having camped a gainst us for several days and we had to suffer a great deal being exposed to storm and we was oblige to leave there and go to Far West and on the way a woman died in the wagon, and we had to bury her without a coffin, as we was threatend with distruction after we got to Far West several others died in consequense of the exposeure and soon after an armed force came and of 20 or 25 came to my house and orderd us off and said that we should see thunder and lightning at Far West before tomorrow night and in consequence of their threats we had to live in camps during a hard snow storm Soon after this warning by the mob, an armed force under the command of Genl. Clark surrounded us took our arms from us and took us prisners and Genl Clark said that he had orders from Gov. Bogs to exterminate us, but as we had behaved so well he would let us go if we would leave the state, but they compeld me with orders the rest of my brethren to sign a dead of trust at the point of the sword to defray their expences. they burnt house logs lumber rails & I saw them take a cow beas out of a mans inclosure and kill it they also took three yoke of oxen and a wagon from my son a small boy and I was compeld to leave the State and in witness where of I doe here unto set my hand this 6th day of Jan AD. 1840

Arza Judd Jnr.

[Sworn to before A. Monroe, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 6 Jan 1840.]

KELLEY, Moses

State of Illinois Adams County SS January 7th 1840

this day personally appeared before me William Laughlin a Justice of Peace for said County Moses Kelly who being duly Sworn according to law Deposeth & saith that he was a Sitizen of Ray County Missouri in the Year our Lord 1838 that he owned thirty acres of land situate in said County Deponent further saith that he was Compelled to sell to the highest bider & leave the state by order of the Governor further deponent saith that he was at Hons Mill upon Shoal Creek where were Collected several of his Mormon brethren and while there an armed force Came upon us & fired upon which we asked for quarters but they Continued fireing untill there were seventeen or eighteen killed and some eight or ten wounded among the dead was found a man who was literally choped up and was detained Prisioner of war under Captain Comstalk three days women were shot at and abused one woman received a ball through her hand further Deponent saith not

Moses X Killey

Moses Kelley against the state of Missouri in bill of Damage Dr. $350.00

Moses X Kelley

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., 7 Jan 1840.]

KENT, H. N.

I Started from the State of Indiania in May Eighteen hundred and thirty seven for the State of Missourie the last of June or first of July bought at the Land office in Lexington Lafayette county Mo. one hundred and thirteen acres of land lieing in Caldwell County Mo. Section No 4 Townsip No 55 in Range No 28 this piece of land I went onto and by my own labours endeauvered to make a comefortable holm for my Self and family but contrary to my expectations after undergoing a considerable Degree of hardship in the fall of the year 1838 was ordered to leave the State which I complied with in february 1839 with considerable loss as I was obliged to Sell my property for just what they pleased to give haveing no other means to moove with

Losses damages &C Sustained by the underSigned in the State of Missourie in the fall of 1838 and winter of 1839 under Governor Boggs exterminating order

H. N. Kent

[Sworn to before A. Brown, J.P., Pike Co., IL, 10 Jan 1840.]

KEYES, Perry

State of Illenois County of Adams Jan 8th 1840

I Perry Keyes do hereby certify that in 1836 in the month of may as my Father was going from the town of Independence to his place of residence a company of about 30 men under command of Moses Wilson attacted him and whipped him most shamefully with there gunns and ramrods and on the 18th gay [day] of may I was on the Prairie hunting horses a company of men under command of Controll and they whipped me untill I was scarsely able to stand Controll and one of his men by the name of Yocum held me while one of the others by the name of John Youngs whipped me he gave me 23 lashes with a cowhide and all this for my religeon for I am a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints commonly called Mormons another company also whipped Barnett Cole and Liman Leonard most shamefully and swore that they would kill all the Damned Mormons men women and chrilderen.

In 1837 I entered me 40 acres of land in Caldwell Co Mo. of government and afterwards ware compelled to leave the State under the exterminating order of Governor Boggs

Perrey Keyes

[Sworn to before J. Orr, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

KINGSBURY, Joseph C.

I hereby Certify That in the fall of the year A.D. 1838 I was residing at Far West Caldwell County Missouri I was there when the Malitia Came up to Far West-Companies of whom were stationed in different parts of the town and the town was strongly guarded by them, they had not been there long before they commensed burning house logs &c &c[.] Four days after the arrival of the Malitia one of the Officers of the name of—-Bradford (one of the Commissarys I believe) came to my house, and said that he wanted to get a House for the use of the Officers and asked if I would not let them have mine. I told him I could not as three of the Family were sick one of whom was not able to sit up, and only having one room only sixteen feet square. He then said that if I would not suffer them to have the House, that he would suffer the soldiers to come into House and abuse us as they pleased, he then went away-fearing for the safety of my Family from Said threats I was induced to turn out of my home and seek a shelter Elsewere. He then came and took possession of the House without my leave, but fearing the Consequences I was obliged to leave it. I along with the rest of the Citizens were paraded on the public square and compelled to sign a deed of Trust-And to give up our arms which were demand of us-Agreeable to the orders of the Executive of the State I left Missouri for Illinois. my family were sick that I was obliged to stop on the road And our sufferings were extreme.

Joseph C Kingsbury

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 3 Jan 1840.]

KNIGHT, Nathan K.

State of Illinois County of Hancock

Affidavit of Nathan K Knight of Commerce county and State before said taken by me Daniel H. Wells one of the justices of the peace within and for said County said Knight being sworn states under oath About one year ago last July he started from Kirtland Geauga County Ohio for Caldwell County Misouri he arrived in Misouri in Carrol County in the October following while pirsuing his journey through said county of Carrol he was met by an armed force of men he thinks about fifty in number by whom we he was stopped and told he we could not go any farther onward, and demanded our his armes which he gave up into their possession peaceably They then took us back about three miles. they by this time considered his gun of no manner of account and gave it back to him after going back about one mile further at a place called Whitney mill on Shoal creek in said County of Carrol they the said armed force of men stopped with him he was there kept under arrest for the space of four days this company posted men through the country for sentries and then left for the business of holding a caucus or a meeting for the purpose as they told us, to masacre and devise means to masacre and drive the mormons from the county after they had gone he took advantage of that circumstance and maade his escape in order to avoid the sentries he went out in to the praire with no road during his captivity were he was much exposed having no house to go into and one of his children took very sick he died the next morning after he left and was burried in open Praire

the next day he arrived a place called Hons Mill in caldwell County State Of Misouri After suffering much from hunger and the inclimency of the weather he here concluded to stop a short time in order to recruit not only himself and family but his team for they were all very much fatigued, after stoping here two days he thought to prepare to pursue his journey not having yet reached the place of his destination while thus prepareing in order to start early next morning he with others suddenly found himself surrounded by an armed force of about three hundred men on horses the first that he heard was the command to halt and form a line of Battle, they immediately commensed firing as they came into line, these words were often and he distinctly remmembers were frequently repeated by the said armed force of men “kill all” “Spare none” “give no quarters” while some of his friends were crying for quarters he turned his attention to his famly, the women and children who were wholly destitute of any presence of mind and screaming murder &c &c he was trying his utmost exertion to get them away from this horrid masacre, the balls were flying in every direction he turned in order to make a signal for his life and saw many of his friends lay bleeding in their gore, he cried for quarters they replied we have no time to quarter you but god damn you we will halve you presently, these were the precise words as near as he can remember he was shot through the body and one of his finger was shot off when he fell, they said “they had got the Devil and they would cut him into swine meat” he then tried the utmost exertion in his power and raised to his feet and through their thickest fire made his way several rods over a hill and thus made his escape, his clothing was literally cut to pieces with bullets, they plundered him of property at this time to the amount of about seven [——] dollars, he lay at this place viz Hons Mill six weeks confined to his bed in consequence of his wounds during this time some of those engaged in the proceedings before related came in frequently where he was confined during one of these times one of their number made this expression with an oath, that he shot Mormonism into him and when he should get well he would shoot it out of him again And when he did get able to get about it seemed they designed to put their threats in execution for as he was walking towards the house one evening morning he was shot at, the ball passing through his clothing when the order came for the Mormons to leave the State of Misouri he was brought away by the publick charity of the church he is cripled in all probability for life

Nathan K X Knight

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P. Hancock Co., IL, 1 Jan 1840.]

LAWSON, John

State of Ill Pike County I Certify that I John Lawson moved a family to the state of Missouri in the year of 1836 we arived on crooked river on the 14 of July & there was detained about two week on the account of the excitement in Clay & Ray Counties in which tine their was several metings held of the citisens held & decision was that the mormons must leave their counties & also that they ware willing we should settle in calwell Co which we immediately moved the family nane was Murdock I there sold my team waggon & harness for $200.00 to Edward Partridge & let him have $30.00 in money & took a writing for 20 acres of timbered land & alot in farwest & ahouse 16 by 20 fee & returned to the state of New York after [——] family & moved 1837 as far as ohio said Partridge wrote to me [——-] house was ready I tarried in ohio till May 1839 & moved to the [——-] of Illenois & was informed by Edward Partridge that the mob [———] robed him of all his property & land was uncertain whether he would be able to save any orget any thing for it so that I am depreved of my home & property to the amount of 230 Dollars

John Lawson

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 14 Jan 1840.]

LEANY, Issac

It is well know that there has bin a great difficulty existing between the Misouriens & the people called Mormons, and I am well aware that there is many false reports respecting the matter, now in circulation, I shall now endeavor to become clear of all prejudice & give to the community a fare account of the barbarous Slaughter that taken place on the 30th day of Oct. 1838 at Hawns Mille on Shoal Creek, I was an eye witness to the murder that was thare commited I was one that escaped being murdered or wounded but it was through difficultys, there was but three or four besides myself that Stood to see the result of the matter that escaped being killed or wounded, in order to set forth the matter to the Satisfaction of the inquireing mind I must firs show what gave rise to so horrid a Scene, firstly it was a jealous notion in the Misouriens, that the mormons had some eavl desine in guethering themselves toguether Secondly they thought that the mormons would be apt to all vote the same ticket and many other other notions that ware false & groundless, and when the election came round [——-] some of the Misouriens publickly decared that the Mormons Should not be entitled to a vote, for they was not entitled to a vote in jackson county & they Should not be thare, this was in daviss county, the mormons contended that they ware a free people that they Supported the goverment & was in Subjections to the laws of there country & that they had an equal right to vote, this Soon bread a contention between the too partys, & Soon come to blows, it is well known that the Misouriens was the agressers, that they first began to ensult, and also firs began to strike with unlawful weapons, the Misouriens Soon got tyared of there fun for the mormons proved too jolly for them as Soon as the fray was over and the mormons left the ground without voteing in order to keep down fur ther desturbance, this wa at gallington the county Seat of Davess county, the news Soon came to Far West caldwell county that there had bin a fray in gallington with the Mormons & misouriens & that too of the Mormons was killed & also that the Misouriens would not Suffer the mormons to bary there Dead this raised a considerable exitement with the Mormons & about onehundred men went from Fare West to gallington to See about what was going on & to barry the dead and to See if they could not Settle the furse, they found that the report was false about there being any killed, the mormons then endeavored to Settle the mattir without any further desturbance, they went to Adam Black a justice of the peace & ast him if he was willing to Stop the fuss and all live toguether in peace he Said he was, they then ast him to Sign his name to an article that they had drawn to that affect & he refused, they had heard that he had Swore that he would raise a company against them & that they Should not be allowed to live in peace amongst them, so the mormons pressed on Black to Sign his name to the article which was equally as binding on themselves as it was on Black or the Misouriens, he refused to Sign there paper but Said that he would right one him Self & Sign it he acordingly done So, and both partys Signed the article.

It is commonly reported that Joseph Smyth lead this company to Davess county this report is false it is true he went along but not as a leader he went along in order to use his enfluence to kep down further difficultys, but the Misouriens determed to not be at peace with the mormons they noised it a broad that Smyth had brought a great company of men & had compelled Squier black to Sign his name to a certin paper, makeing out that there was Something dreadfull therein contained

Now my friend the truth was but littl regarded by the Misouriens but any thing was Said & done to raise an excitement against the mormons, ther were many things that transpired which I Shalnot mention, because I expect to be breaf in my account & only mention the leading items & heads of things that transpired.

We will next notice the Scrape that taken place at Dewit, the Mormons purchassed a town plot in Carroll County at the mouth of grand River 65 miles East of far West & had made a considerable progress in improveing the place the citizens of carroll became displease to See the great emigration from the East to that place So they rose up in open rebellion against the laws of the land & under took to mob the mormons from ther homes & from there land, the mormons was desirous to have the matter farely envestegated & the dificulty Settled without the Shedin of blood they Sent a request to Ketsville Chariton County desireing them to come and See wher the rong laid, they used many efforts to Settle the matter but all in vain, the [——] Misouriens guethered and made there threts until at lenththe militia was Called out, but before this the too pary had a little engagement or rather the Scouters of these too partys got engaged & Some blood was Shed & Some lives was lost, So the militia came and placed them Selvs between the too partys, jeneral Parks was commander the business of the militia was to enquire into the cause to remove the difficulty & put down unlawful conduct, the fact was easy asertained that the Misourians was in falt, that they reguardless of laws had emboddyed themselves to drive the inocent from there homes the militia new that the Misourians had taken an unlawful Step, but being filled with the Same Spirret, even the Spirrit of mobocracy they was not as reddy to go to work as perhaps they would have bin had they [——] of found the mormons the ones to go to work uppon, and instid of going to work & dispurseing the mob & puting down Such conduck the jeneral came to the mormons [——————————-] & telling told them that he could not do any thing for them, that it was out of his power to help them that would for Said he if they Should get in an engagement that the greater part of his men would fight against them & that he Should be under the necisity of withdrawing his men amediately to keep them from joining the mob, this was quite encourageing to the mob to See the militia as they was calld So ready to join them, So the mob increased in number verry fast, biding defyance to the law regardless of republickenism trampleing on the libertys our fathers so dearly baught as Soon as the mob thaught there number Sufficint for the mormons they Sent the mormons word that if they was not gone by Such a time which was verry Short that they would come upon them & masacree them, the time rolled round and the mormons was not gone, the mob then Sot an other time which was verry Short for them to be gone in, the mormons Saw that perhaps there was ten to one & that they could not Stay in peace & that if they undertook to sta[y] the result would be evil that there was over [—-] by aband of lawless mobs that the result would be in the Sheding of blood, accordingly the time rolled on and the mob came against them & the mormons under took to compermise the matter with the conditions of the compermise was to that the mormons Should all be gone in the Space of twelve hours with there familys & by complying with these conditions they would not come against them nor molest them any more the mob agreede to pay them for there land which they never done, the mormons bundled up & left there in the twelve hours being compelled to leave agreat deal of there property not being able in so Short a time to get teams & to guether there Stock, there was one poore woman that was Some what afflicted being exposed in moveing died by the way, the mob being over joyed in the Success that they had in driveing the mormons the great victory they had gained in driveing these deluded imposters & false teachers as they called them, that they guethered themselves toguether to Speak of the noble deed that they had done it was ajoyful time with them in deed not realizeing the Scandle & disgrace that they had brought upon themselves & there country & not realizein that these people had as good a right to by land & Settle on it & worship god as they pleased so far as they did not enfringe on others rights, So Some of them not recolecting ther name at presant made a Speech on the Subject & Said we have gained the victory we have Succeeded in driveing the mormons from this place, now the land is just comeing in market in Daviess County & they will go & Settle thare & enter the land & get Such a hoalt thare that it will be imposible to get them out from there & now is our time to Stop them So let us take the cannon and follow them before they get too Strong a holt thare we have helped you drive them from here now come on boys & help us to drive them from Daviess or they will take the country in a Short time, So they gueathered up the canon & all the force that they could & went on to Daviess & located themselves at mill port they took too of the mormons prisners as they went, this [—-] company was headed by Lawyers & priests there was Sashel Woods a notible prysbytterian prieast that was a head leader amongst them this man who professes to be a follower of Christ & one that calls on Sinners to repent just See what a Sample he has givento the world & his followers, I Shall more fully treat on the conduct of this man hereafter now my friend you know that it is commonly reported that the mormons is altoguether in falt I would have you to clear your Self of prejudice & notice how the mormons [..]bin treated for these thing is true and this is the way that they [————————] was treated you need not Suppose that because I am a mormon that I have not told the truth about the matter, & now my reader this is not all the ill treatment that we the mormons have reseaved, I did not expect when I commenced wrighting to have wrote So much on the Subject but Seeing that I could not gave full Satisfaction without first Showing the leading cause, I only expected to wright a few things, but Seeing that a few things will not tell the Story I Shall endeavor according to the best of my understanding to give full Satisfaction, but I am unlurned & you must excuse my awkerdness & watch for my meaning & not for my imperfections for I wright this in order that the world may know the truth of what has taken place in these our days

there is one thing that I forgot to mention which transpired before the mob made there attempt to drive the mormons from Dewit, that is concerning the threats & attempt the mob m[a]de on Daviess county there was about three or four hundred mob came to Davis count & went to driveing off the mormons cattle & hogs & took weguns and many other articles & threatened to masacre them if they did not leave the county the militia was c[a]lled out & the mob was dispersed, they then went amediately to Dewit and as I Stated before that the mormons Sent to Keetsville chariton county to get them to come and investegate the matter, they also Sent to the govenor & the govenors orders was to them you have got your Selves in to difficultys & I cannot help you, you will have to fight your own battle & help your Selves, So we See that the govenor was not reddy to hear the cryes of the inocent but was ready to See the mob plunder & Steal & infringe on the rights of the a people whoos charectors have bin empeached & misrepresented to the world, it is well known that this Same governor was a mob carrector in the jackson county fuss, there was men here from plattsburg & from Davisse & from the different countys round about & they were all engaged in the driveing the mormons from Dewit carroll county, & this is why they could Say to the carroll boys we have helped you now come & help us. Now my fellow travlors to eternity, I have no doubt but you have heared the matter in quite a different light, but I expect to Stand before the bare of an impartial god eve the bar of the god of Abraham Isaac & Jacob thare to give an account for the deeds done in the boddy and realizeing this I can clearly & boldly Say that this is the way the mormons has bin treated yea & if this was the worst I Should have but little grouds for complaining to what I have & it is because of the religion which they hold too that they are So persecuted the laws of the land guarentees to every man to worship god according to the dictates of there own concience So far as they do not in fringe on other mens rights, & if the mormons has infrom on any ones rights why not take them to the law & punish them according to the crime commited, & if they have stold or robed or murdered punish them & let the inocent go clear, but instid of this the laws of the land was laid down & mob laws ruled & this kind of law wants neither judge nor jewry, but all that the mob laws of Misourie required was to Suspisoion a man to be a mormon & then a pile of black hickrys & this law was put in force against a great many of the mormons & Some that was not mormons, on Suspition fared the Same fate, many of the mormons was cruely whiped there houses burned & there property Stold, & had to put up with many vexations, which I Shall more fully treat on hereafter

As I before Stated the mob guethered there force & there canon and went to mill port & there began to prepare to make an attact on the mormons in Daviess they increased in number verry fast, they had generally called the mormons cowards because they would Suffer themselves imposed upon & abused without resenting, now the mob was collecting dayly at millport & makeing prepareation to burn rob murder & driv the mormons from Daviess whilst the mob was prepareing themselves with guns there was a circumstance took place which puts me in mind of an old Story which I have often heard told upon the mormons, when the mormons was in jackson county, it was reported that they had a large Stone Fort & that the mormons was takeing to it a wagon load of coffins which they Said was to bury there dead in, & the waggon broke down & the coffins bursted open & they were filled with guns which[] they was takeing & burrying in there fort & in this way there guns was discovered, This report was false, but this circumstanc which was Similar was true one of the mob by the name of john comer was takeing a his wagon load of guns to millport and his wagon broke down & he took out his guns which was in boxes insted of coffins & drug them into a thicket & hid them & went to get assistance about fixing his waggon & whilst he was gone Some of the mormons discovered his loading, & it being in there Settlement got a company of mormons to watch the wagon & guns until ther owner Should come & See what was there calculation at lenth there came too men john comer and a nother man with him, the mormons informed them that they had found a wagon & Some boxes of guns out in the thicket close by & that they wanted to get them to hall them to Farewest for them, these men discovered that the mormons was in earnest they accordingly obeyed there request the mormons kept these men & guns a few days untin the jineral came with the militia & they gave up the guns & prisoners to them, there was 44, united States yawguns there was many that taken place from time to time which I [——] Shall not mention but leave it for them to Set forth who are more capeble & who are was eye witnesses to the outrages that has bin cmmitted

I Shall now prcede to give an account of the bloody but[c]hery that taken place at a blacksmyth Shop at Hawns mille on Shoal creek on the 30th day of Oct, 1838, the mob party increased from time to time & committed outrages after outrages until at lenth the mormons not willing to bare it no longer they Said to the jeneral what must they do was they not to have no protection must they Stand and See there property Stolen there familys abused there houses burned there cattle drove off & nothing to be done for them, then jeneral Donathan Said to them go & defend your Selves & drive the mob from Daviess county drive them to hell, breathing out an oath against them, the mormons then went out Supposing that they was legaly ortherized, & finding that the mob had burned Six or Seven of there houses & was carying on at a great hand Stealing & driveing off there Stock So the mormons went to work determed to rout them or dy in the attempt, they Soon got the mob in the notion of leaving Daviess county So a a great portion of them fled in to Livingston a joining county & told that the mormons was burning there houses Steeling & plundering & it was Soon blown to the four winds that the mormons was doing everything that was bad now the citiz of livingston & the mob that had left Daviess began to Steel cattle from the mormons that lived in the neighbourhood of Hawns mille & also to go threw the neighbourhood & take there guns from them, they came twice & drove off cattle & an other time they came & took Several guns they also as we heard Said that they would burn our mill down, & we new that they was not too good to do it, & nowing that it was our only chance to get on going, for we dare not to go to there milles So about thirty of us went to guard them from burning it down & while we was guarding the mill we held a council to now what plan we Should fall upon to accomplish a treaty or to come on Some conditions of peace it was voted that a letter Should be written & Sent to them imediately desireing to k[n]ow what there determinations was, for they had imbodyed themselves Several days before we had & we heared thay was comeing on us, we had appointed to take them the letter & just before he Started they came a mesage from them desireing too or three of our leading men to go & meet the too or three of there leading men & see if they compermise the matter, this was the verry thing that we wanted, So in the presance of there mesinger we elected thre men to go compermise with them, we also in the pesance of there mesinger unanimously agreed to abide the treaty that our men Should make with them our thre men then Started fourth with to the place that they desired them to come to & thare they met with twelve or fourtee armed men, So the too partys began to councl the matter & Soon found that the difficulty that was between them was easy removed, that it was in consequence of false reports that had occasioned them to guether themselves to guether, they had heared that the mormons intended to come &C burn dow there houses, they Settled the difficulty without mutch trouble, the Misouriens was not willing to countunance Such conduct as this Steeling party was gilty of, nor be called of that party So they would not associaiat with them, but agreed to use there enfluence to get them to come & compermise with us also & we was useing every effort that lay in our power to get on peasible terms with them when we thought that we had got the difficultys Settled with the greater part of them & was likely to Suceede in geting it [3]

About the time that the Church commenced mooving from the State there was a Committe appointed to Receive donations in Cash & property and put into waggans teems &c for the purpose of Removeing the poor they had bin very busily employed for about two months & had got the poor all away except between thirty & forty famulies & arrangements going on as fast as they Could be entered into when out Came from Davise County a Company of men armed with Wm. Bouman at their head Came into Far West and there told their Business & there was told by Wm. Slade & a man by the name of Glues neither of them belonging to the Church that the Committe were doing all they could the mormons were doing all of them getting away fast as they could but all would not do they came over to the Committe house & there gave us our orders & that was that we must all be out of the County by the next Fridy night which was giving us Six dayes for to do that-that Requird a month & the then what was to done the Committe amediately Commenced hiring teems & the Sending the famulies to Ginneyis grove with as little of their affects as they Could get along with & live & amediately there Came in a heyey Rain & fifteen famulies then witheout any manner of a Shelter & Sutch a Storm it was the Creeks Raised So high that they became impasable & the Roads intolerable & the in the attemp to obey the Commands of a mob there was one yoke of oxen drownd & then we had to give up & Run the Risk of their threats but the Lord blocked up their way of Coming to us as well as ours of getting out then the time passed on for about 8 or 10 dayes long & the Committe had got the principle part of the poor out & this Said Bogart [ra]isd a Company of men & came to the Committe house a place this Comitte had to do their Buisness & there they Commenced operations Breaking in the Windows of the houstablees Shacks & evry thing they Could lay their hands on & then there was only two of the Committe left viz Daniel Shearer & Elias Smith & drove them from their Buisness & they were obliged to leave the town & take with them what they Could & leave the Rest of the property to the mob for in the lane of a Coupel of men that had just mooved into the place &what the names of this last mob was Whitiker, Odle, Raglin, Bogart & in the intermediate time between these two mobs there were a number of teems Came up from Illinois for purpose of taking away famullies & while St[a]ying over night there was one for of their horses Stole belonging to a man by the name of Burton & a week after two of our people went back for the purpose of transacting Some bussness & found one of those horses in the possession of a man by the name of Kearns the Very man that we Suspected had Stole the Span & we found afterwards to our Satisfaction that he Kerns had traded the other one away for an indian poney & then Sold the poney to one of our people Sam.Parker while I was liveing near Hawns mills on Shoal Creek Mo and about the 25th or 26th of October 1838 I was informed that a company of mob of twenty in number under Nehemiah Cumstock had been to the mill and leveled pieces at those present demanding all their guns one man gave up his rifle another who had his gun in hand refused and started off two of the mob followed and snaped their guns at him twice or three times each one of these men I was told was Hiram Cumstock the other name I never learned though the man whom they were trying to shoot made his of way off and gave word to the neighbor who met the next day at the mill to hear the story from the different families who informed us that the mob had sworn the burning of the neighbourhood and mill with the other hard threats such as killing Hiram Abbot who would not give up his gun we also learned that thare was another company of men lying below us at house of Mr McCrosky & knowing that either of those companies was far superior to ours in numbers some of the neighbours wanted to leave their homes and run off but haveing only about seven waggons to twenty three or four families we had to stay and defend our selves and as I recollect it was on the twentieighth of the month we concluded to offer them terms of peace but before our mesengers had started thare came one from the company below us with a request that we would send three men to the house of Oliver Walker to make a treaty with three men which they would send to the same house David Evans Jacob Myers seignior and Anthony Blackburn was chosen to meet them and on going to Walkers they met ten men with each a rifle instead of three without arms however peace prevailed and a treaty was soon made and agreed a pon I suppose to the satisfaction of both sides and on next day two of our men went back again those two were Evans and Ames they was told that the other company had sent a mesenger to Cumstock and his company with word of the treaty between us and them and also told them that we wanted to treat with them they said that Cumstocks company was not only mad with us but mad them with them for making any kind of a treaty with us Evans sent them word that he wanted nothing but peace and would not fight them without offering them terms of peace I cannot tell whether or not they got the word or not but well I remember that on the thirtyeth of October about three o clock in the afternoon Cumstocks whole army of two hundred and fifty men came a pon us our company was about thirtyseven in number being joined by a company of families traveling to the other side of that County and the adjoining Counties stoped thare to get grinding at the mill Cumstocks company formed a kind of broken line at the distance of about seventyfive yards situating their horses in front for a kind of breastwork commenced a fire without passing a word meantime Capt Evans advanced toward them and called aloud for quarters untill they fired I sppose between fifty and a hundred rounds with out any answer then we could do nomore than fire afew shots while the women and children made their escape a fire the mob still advancing came within about four or five rods when I made my es cape by flight being shot four times through the body and once across each arm being about the last man off the ground now I am well aware that this is an incredible story to tell that amman being shot four times through body made his escape by flight but I have the scars to show ten in number one ball entering my body through the inside corner of my left shoulder blade came out just below about two and a half or three inches below my collar bone and as far as three inches on the right of the midle of my breast another entered through the muscle under the hind part of my left arm and passed through my body and came out under the middle of my right arm another passed through the my left hip on the inside or through the uper end of my hip bone another through my right hip hit the bone just about the joint glanced out through the skin and rolled down my drawers leg in to my boot these four balls made eight visible wounds with two others one across each arm are all the wounds in my flesh I cannot tell how many bullet holes was in my clothing thare was twentyseven in my shirt but to my story haveing made my own escape and hid my self I listened at them shooting the wounded which could not escape I was informed that one of these murderers followed old father McBride in his retreat and and cut him down with an old sythe while he was pleading for mercy this was seen by Mrs ames and two other ladies who were secreted under the creek bank Waren Smith and his Son was also shot a second time being unable to retreat after their first wounds Jacob Fouts and Wm. Champlin feined their selves dead and lay still untill their pockets were robed and after they supposed the wounded all were all dead they robed the houses took the horses from the mill and out of the stables and two waggons from the mill and off they went for the night but on the first or seccond of Nov they returned and camped at the mill robed that plundered the neighbourhood taking off such things as they pleased mob law being established

the in this band of robers murderers and thieves was Wm. Man Esq, N. Cumstock Esq Howard Maupin Jesse Maupin James and Stephan Reynolds called Runnels Hiram Cumstock a young man named Glase Erasmus Severe Jacob Rodgers Robert White George Miller Sardis Smith Elijah Trosper

these men came on painted black trimed of with red rags and ribbands screming like so many demons enough to dis grace a heathen forest much more a land of liberty after some spend in this manner captain went to Richmond to draw pay for his service I was told that instead of pay they gave him a cursing and threatened him with justice throwing the murder and robery in his teeth and orders to return the stolen property [thema] this made Cumstock mad and on his way home he passed the mill and stuck up an advertisement stating that the stolen property should be brought to his house and could be had by paying him for taking care of hit some of the property was got and I have seen some of the horses that was worked [——] to death and rode nearly down but some of the best of them could not be found for asmall reward and one of the mob was going round trying to buy the chance of such they being about the best that was taken

the names of the murdered

Benjamin Lewis

John York

John Lee

John Byers

Wm Napier

Warren Smith

Austin Hammer

Simon Cox

Levi Merick

Elias Benner

George Richards

—- Campbell

Josiah Fuller

Thomas McBride

Sardis Smith a little boy

wounded

Tarlton Lewis

Jacob Fouts

Jacob Myers

Jacob Hawn

Jacob Potts

Isaac Leany

Wm Yocum

Nathan Night

—-Walker

Charles Jimison

Alma Smith a little boy

Mary Steadwell

Hiram Abbot

Charles Merick a boy mortally wounded

this I will support in any court of justice April the 20 1839 Quincy Illinois

Isaac Leany

[Not sworn.]

LEE, Alfred

The State of Illenois Adams County SS Jany 7th 1840

Personally appeared before me William Laughlin a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Alfred Lee being duly Sworn according to law Deposeth and Saith that He was a Sitizen of the State of Missouri in Jackson Clay County in the Year of our Lord 1834 was Driven from that place by a mob Composed of the Sitisens of Sd. Clay County Depont. further Sayeth the he removed to Coldwell County and Came in possession of land as per Duplicat and was Compelled to Sell and leave the State By Governor Boggs Exterminating order executed by General Clark and others further Deponent Saith not

Alfred Lee

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J. P. Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

LEE, Alfred

The State of Missouri-Dr to Alfred Lee in a bill of Damages Sustained by the extermininating of Governor Boggs as Stated above $800.00

Alfred Lee

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 7 Jan 1840.]

LEE, Eli

State of Illinois Adams County SS

Personally appeared before me Wm. Laughlin a Justice of the peace for said County Ely Lee being Duly sworn according to law Deposeth and Saith that he went into Jackson County Missouri in the Year of our Lord A.D 1833 was driven out the Same Year by the order Colonel Pitcher went into Clay County remained there till 1836 was then driven from thence to Coldwell County by a mob Composed of the Sitizens of that County and was Compilled to leave the state in Consequence Boggs exterminating order in AD 1838 Executed General Clark & others further Deponent saith not

Eli Lee

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

LEE, Eli

The State of Missouri to Eli Lee-Dr in a Bill of Damage to the amt. of $300.00

Eli Lee

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

LEFFINGWELL, William

Pittsfield Jan 22nd 1840

This is to certify that I Wm. Leffingwell Born & Brought up in the state of Connecticut now residing in the State of Illinois that in the fall of 1838 removed with my family to the state of Missourie where I had previously paid for Lands I had friends living & after geting prey near my journys end & anticipating that I soon should again embrace my frinds but to my astonishment I was denied the privelige of citizenship on acount of my religious belief I bing a member of the Church of later-day Saints in consequence of that I was obligd to return back & seek ashelter the best way I could among strangers with a famly of eight souls untill I with my own hands build a cabin suficent to winter in thus you may see that after I had moved along journy I lost the object of of my persuit for the which I claim damage of the Missourians to the amount of five hundred dollars

William Leffingwell

[Sworn to before W. H. Boling, C.C.C.C., Pike Co., IL, 22 Jan 1840.]

LEWIS, Tarlton

I hereby certify that I was born in South Carolina, was raised in Kentucky and lived in Illinois about four years. I then moved into the State of Missouri and settled within about one mile of Haun’s Mill Caldwell County in the fall of A. D. 1837, where I lived untill I left the State in consequence of the order of Governor Boggs and the treatment which I received from a merciless band of ruffians

In the fall of A. D. 1838 I frequently heard rumours that mobs were collecting in different parts of the Country around for the purpose of driving the people called Mormons out of the Country. I belonged to that people having joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints more than two years previous On the 30th of October A. D. 1838 I should judge about thirty five of our society were at Haun’s Mill; a large portion of whom were movers who had stopt there in consequence of the threats and abuse which they had received on the road. The first intimation which we had that an Enemy was near us, was Some one cried out that an armed force was coming upon us. I looked and saw a number of armed men rushing out of the woods on Horseback at the distance of of twenty or thirty rods off Their number I judged to be between two hundred and two hundred and fifty. Two of our brethren made signs and cried for quarter, but their entreaties were not heeded The company began to fire upon us instantly, whereupon a number of us took shelter in a Blacksmith Shop which was near at hand. I staid there until six or eight had fallen around me being Shot down by balls, which came through the Cracks. Six of us left the shop about the same time and were the last that left it. we were all either killed or wounded in the attempt to make our Escape I was shot through the shoulder. There were fifteen killed who were buried the next day viz

Elias Brenner

Josiah Fuller

John Boyers

George Richards

John Lee

Thomas McBride

Levi N. Merrick

John York

Austin Hammer

——-Campbell

Warren Smith and his son Sardius Smith

William Naper

Benj Lewis

There were ten or eleven men two boys and one woman Wounded two of those who were wounded viz Hiram Abbot and Charles Merrick a boy only ten years of age have since, to my knowledge, died of their wounds While I was confined with my wound; companies of Six or Eight came to my house three or four times Enquiring for arms and threatning to take me a prisoner and carry me off. Twice they Examined my wounds to see if I were able to be moved but concluded that I was not.

Tarlton Lewis

[Sworn to before D. H. Wells, J.P., Hancock Co., IL, 3 Jan 1840.]

LOVELESS, John

State of Illinois Adams County SS

This day personally Came before me Wm. Laughlin a Justice of the peace in Said County John Loveless being Duely Sworn Deposeth & Saith That In the year 1833 he become a Cittizen of Jackson County Settled on Congress land with The intention of Entering it and was Compelled to Leave there by the Orders of Col. Pitcer in 1836 I mooved To Caldwell and enterd land and Settled on it 80 Acres of which my duplicate will Show I was Taken Prisner on my way To far West by the militia In the month of October or November I was presant at the time That Wm. Cary was Stuck over the head with a Gun by one and of the Militia by the name of Dannohoo Wm. Cary was A prisner at the Time. and at the Same time this Dunnohoo Jurked up a spear and made an attemp to take my Life, And likewise Saw this Dunnohoo brake open several houses while I was a prisner. And I saw them Shoot down Several hogs and Cattle and left them Lying and I Continued with Them to the Camp and Kept Under Gard for Some days and my mare Saddle and bridle was Taken. after I was Liberated went back and got They gave me my mare without Saddle and bridle they promised If I would go Come back I should have my Saddle & bridle & when on my way back was taken prisner again by John Backster and others and my mare Taken from me and have never Seen her Since when They Took the mare, or at the time they took the mare they presented there Guns to my breast & Swore they would shoot me If I did not Give her up so I dismounted and Gave her up and Finally had To Leave The State by the Exterminateing Decree of The Governor.

John Loveless

[Sworn to before W. Laughlin, J.P., Adams Co., IL, 8 Jan 1840.]

Notes

[1] This petition was sent to Senator Richard M. Young. Young served as a senator from Illinois during the years 1837–43.

[2] See fragment on the next page.

[3] At this point the handwriting changes. The following paragraph appears to be written by another person.