History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

116
THE STOEY OF MORMONISM.
were three years of comparative rest for the people of
God, the effect of which soon appeared in Zion's
wilderness.
The men of Missouri were quite proud of what they
had done; they were satisfied on the whole with the
results, and though their influence was still felt, no
further violence was offered till the summer of 1836.
Then the spirit of mobocracy again appeared. The
Jackson-county boys had served themselves well;
why should they not help their neighbors? So they
crossed the river, in small squads at first, and began
to stir up enmity, often insulting and plundering their
victims, until the people of Clay county, fearing
actions yet worse, held a meeting, and advised the
saints to seek another home. 7
For their unrelenting hostility toward the latterday
saints, for the services rendered to their country
in defying its laws and encouraging the outrages upon
citizens at Independence and elsewhere during the
first Mormon troubles in Missouri, Boggs was made
governor of that state, Lucas major-general, and
Wilson brigadier-general. 8
After his election, as before,
Bog^s did not hesitate to let it be known that
held at P. P. Pratt's house in Clay co. (some time during the winter of 1S33-
4—date not given), at which it was resolved to appeal to Smith, at Kirtland,
for aid and counsel; and P. P. Pratt and Lyman Wight, having volunteered
their services, were despatched with the message. Starting from Liberty on
Feb. 1, 1S34, on horseback, but penniless, on a journey of from 1,000 to 1,500
miles, through a country but partially settled, they arrived at their destination
early in the spring with plenty of money received from friends along their
route. Pratt's Autobiog., 114— 10; Utah Pioneers, 33d Aniversary, 17; Home's
Migrations, MS., 3; Young's Woman's Experiences, MS., 2.
7 'From threats, public meetings were called, l-esolutions were passed, vengeance
and destruction were threatened, and affairs again assumed a fearful
attitude.' Cor. Joseph Smith, etc., 5. See also Greene's Facts, 12. 'A meeting
of the citizens was held at Liberty on the 29th of June, 1S36, in which
these matters were taken into consideration. The Mormons were reminded
of the circumstances under which they were received, and requested to leave,
time being given them to harvest their crops and dispose of their property.
Fortunately for all concerned, the saints. . .agreed to leave on the terms pi'oposed,
denying strenuously that they had ever tampered with the slaves, or
had any idea of exciting an Indian war. ' Ferris'' Utah and the Mormons, 82-3.
8 These officers 'all very readily received their commissions from their accomplice,
Gov. Boggs; and thus corruption, rebellion, and conspiracy had
spread on every side, being fostered and encouraged by a large majority of
the state; and thus treason became general. ' Pratt's Persecution, 55-6.