Historian's Office,
Great Salt Lake City,
Elder John Taylor,
Dear Brother,
We are very busy writing the history of the latter days of
Joseph, and we have a great many conflicting statements on the subject,
which renders it necessary for me to call in the aid of an eye and ear
witness to enable me to do justice to it. You are the only person on
earth who can render me this assistance; I shall therefore feel obliged if you
will take the earliest opportunity to sit down with your Hon. colleague the Chief
Historian, and write out an account of all the circumstances relating to this
subject which came under your immediate observation or experience from
the 20th June 1844 to the date of your return from Carthage to Nauvoo.
Also please to give me the requisite information if you are able on the following
points:
Who were the Apostates staying at Hamilton's Hotel at the time in question?
At what period did Robinson stop the mail?
Joseph, Willard, and yourself tasted of the wine which was fetched by the guard
just previous to the martyrdom; did Hyrum taste of it?
Were you the mouth at prayer both evenings in jail? if not, who officiated
the first night, if any?
You sung "A poor wayfaring man of grief" at a quarter past 3 PM of
the 27th; was it Joseph or Hyrum who requested you to repeat it? I
have always understood that you had no sooner finished singing it the
second time than the firing commenced; if so there must have been a
considerable interval between the two exercises. What were the facts?
Who washed the bodies in Carthage?
Who nailed the boards together in which to take the bodies to Navuoo?
Two sets of messengers were sent from Carthage on the evening of the 27th
with the melancholy news to Nauvoo. What were their names, distinguishing
those who were turned back by Governor Ford?
Dan Jones makes the following statement: "We were awoke [during the night
of the 26th] by heavy treads as of soldiery close by, and heard a whispering
under the window 'who shall go in? how many shall go in? &c'. They came up
stairs to the prison door, ^against^ which we had taken the precaution to place a chair;
hearing us speaking to each other they hesitated, when Joseph called out,
'come on ye assassins! we are ready for you, and would as willingly
die now as at daylight!' Hearing this they retired again."
Do you know anything of this, and if so, how far is the statement correct?
Jones says that he was sent down stairs by Joseph the first thing next morning
to ascertain the cause of the disturbances in the night, and was addressed by
the officer of the guard (Frank Worrell) as follows: "we have had too much
trouble to bring old Joe here to let him ever escape alive, and unless you want
to die with him you had better leave before sundown; and you are not a damned
bit better than him for taking his part, and you'll see that I can prophesy better
than old Joe, for neither he nor his brother, nor any one who will remain
with them will see the sun set to day." He says Joseph then directed him
to go to Governor Ford and inform him of what had taken place, and what
had been said by the officer of the guard. How much of this is correct?
Jones says that the last words spoken on the evening of the 25th after
you had all retired to rest were by Joseph as follows: "Now see who will
have the most intelligent dream to night, brethren"; and that on awakening
next morning Joseph enquired who had the dream; when Jones himself related
one as follows: "Pourtrayed before my mind was Governor Ford and his troupe
on their way across the prairie to Nauvoo. The prisoners had intreated in vain
Gov came here to enforce the law on all people. Gov expressed his feelings
about the destruction of the press.
Joseph—spoke of imprisonment in Mo—
Ford spoke of the Constitution
Joseph said we were willing to pay for it if it were intended to resist the
Gov of the state. ^treason^ if People believed they were endeavoring to defend themselves
it was all right. 1/4 past 10 A.M. Gov left.
1/2 past 12 noon. Reed said he had got the magistrate on a pin hook
the magistrate had committed them without examination, and had
no further jurisdiction. if Justice Smith would consent to go to Nauvoo for
examination
Reed said that some weeks ago Wilson &. concocted a scheme for writ
for Mo, returned from Mo. night before burning press
1/2 past 2 o'clock Bettisworth, constable, came with Simpson & wanted to come
in, had some order but would not send up his name and guard would not let
them pass & Wasson went to inform the Governor, & council
20 [minutes before] 3 Dr Bernhisel returned from the Gov. thought the Gov was doing all
that he could.
10 mi[nutes] to 3. Hiram Kimball came
20 mi[nutes] to 4 taken by Constable Bettisworth from Jail. by a guard, contrary
to our wishes—compulsory & escorted to the Court House 4 o clock
case called by Robert F. Smith J. P. Council called for subpoenas
4:25 took copy of order to bring prisoners from jail for trial—4 1/2—took
name of witness.
Higbee, Skinner, Sharp Emmons Morisson = = Council
for State.
25 to 5—writ—was returned as served—June 25th.
to return with him, although he had promised that they should go. With a letter of
importance I saw myself driven from Carthage, galloping through the masses of mostly
soldiers, half Indians and semi barbarians. I hurried across the prairie, had
gone down on a boat from Nauvoo towards Quincy, but while landed at Warsaw
awoke in the midst of powder, smoke, death, and carnage." After he had
finished the recital of the dream he says that Joseph remarked, "that is ominous
of future events. I do not believe that the Governor will ever take me to Nauvoo
alive."
Do you remember this? and if not, what is your opinion respecting it?
The following is copied from Dr. Willard Richard's journal, and you will
perceive it is a meagre report of the interview with the Governor in Carthage jail;
as you were present you will doubtless be able to fill most of the blanks:
"Thursday, June 26th, 1844. 9:27^AM^ A.M. Gov & Col Geddes arrived at
the jail. Joseph stated the coming of the constable gave up called
upon some 20 bystanders that we submitted but fear of life go before
Esq. Wells go on prairie to Apennoose Habeas Corpus Letter
to Gov. wrote another letter to Gov by James sent Hunter & Lewis
Capt. Anderson's certificate Proclamation Order of Lieut Gen. to
Dunham.
Marshal explained about passes &c arrests Marshalled
the Legion had no power any thing further brought here
Gov acted on the state of the Habeas Corpus
trial before Esq. Wells.
Gov. thought sufficient time had not been allowed by the posse to get ready
can be very safely admitted that your statements are true
was satisified now they had [blank space] *[blank underline] said it would be unsafe for
Joseph to come
*the name or names here is very illegible. it is [illegible] [illegible]
Law read was stated by Reed to belong to civil not criminal cases.
State insisted to have a commission crime acknowledged.
Court asked if the parties admitted there was sufficient cause to bind
over [blank] and the council admitted there was sufficient cause to bind
over [blank] with cognizance in common form.
Court acknowledged the admission and ordered cognizances at 5 p.m."
You will not doubt be able to tax your memory sufficiently to fill up
these blanks.
Do you know anything of a petition which was drawn up on the 27th
at Nauvoo by the wives ^and other female relatives^ of the prisoners during the time that the Governor
was making his speech near the Mansion, and presented to him afterwards
in the Mansion? and particularly, are you satisfied from what you
may have gathered from the statements of your wife or others, that Emma
refused to sign said petition?
I want you to describe the scenes in the jail with great care and
minuteness; for as I said before you are the only man on earth who
can do it.
It would be desirable to unite Dr. Bernhisel with your council on
this subject, as he was back and forth between Nauvoo and Carthage
during the period in question, and will be able to throw light on some
things without doubt. I am writing him and Bror. Geo. A Smith by
this mail, and will refer you to them for general news.
As we are now right upon this part of the History, and find that
it must remain open during your pleasure, I believe you will lose
no time in attending to the matter.
I saw Mrs. Taylor a day or two since; she and your family are well.
Yrs truly,
W. Woodruff
Wood - without Knowledge were they committed — to jail.
Reed — urged a continuance till witnesses could be had.
15 to 5 - o'clock. Skinner suggested 12 tomorrow
Wood proposed till witnesses could be got. till tomorrow any time &
adjourn if they are not ready - without bringing in the prisoners.
Reed—hoped no compulsory measures should be made use of in this
enlightened country.
Skinner—if witnesses cannot be had after due dilligence a continuance
will be granted.
Court said this writ was served yesterday—will give till tomorrow 12
noon to get witnesses."
I presume that with the help of the above extracts you will be able to
produce a pretty full account.
I wish you would call to mind as much as you can remember of the
proceedings before the Justice in Carthage on the 25th, when you and the
rest of the brethren entered into recognizances; and say positively who was
said Justice, and if Robert F. Smith, why it was not done before
Thomas Morrison the Justice who issued the writ. I extract the following
from the Doctor's journal, this being the only report we have of the proceedings
in question:
"C. L. Higbee - mentioned affidavits not here moved = an
adjournment, & read Law.
Reed objected to an adjournment—said court
was not authorized to take recognizance without their acknowledging
their guilt = or having witnesses to prove, ^that but^ we admit the press
was destroyed—read Law—to show - that justice could
not recognize without admission of guilt
Offered to give bail or ^asked court^ discharge, us.