their part to arrest or prosecute such citizens will inevitably lead to a renewal of the late disorders.
11. Resolved, That the Judge of this Judicial Circuit be requested not to hold any court in this fall, with a view to prevent unnecessary excitement and collision in said county, which might inflame the passions of its citizens and so endanger its peace; it being well known that the unpleasant difficulties already existing there have entirely prevented the due, impartial administration of justice.
12. Resolved, That this meeting deem it proper to recommend that a small military force be stationed in until next spring to prevent depredations upon private property, [p. [59]]
In response to the growing violence in the county, Backenstos and his posse of Mormon militia men had temporarily occupied both Carthage and Warsaw seeking to arrest men accused of committing violent actions against the Saints; in response, many anti-Mormons had fled the county to avoid arrest. John D. Lee, who was part of the posse, noted that upon entering Warsaw, “scarcely there was a Dog left to bark so great was the fear that fell upon them [the anti-Mormons].” (Lee, Journal, 1844–1846, 58; see also the editorial note preceding the entry for 30 Sept. 1845.)
On 27 September, the day following the public meeting that adopted these resolutions, a committee of three wrote to Illinois Supreme Court justice Norman H. Purple, who presided over the circuit courts in Hancock and Adams counties, informing him of this resolution and inquiring whether he would abide by their decision. In his response Purple agreed that it would be difficult to hold court under the current circumstances but stated that he was “only anxious to know what my duty is; and having ascertained this, shall endeavor to perform it without regard to consequences.” The fall session of the Hancock County Circuit Court was held as scheduled beginning 20 October 1845. (“No Court in Hancock,” Quincy [IL] Whig, 1 Oct. 1845, [2]; Hancock Co., IL, Circuit Court Records, 1829–1897, vol. D, p. 317, microfilm 947,496, U.S. and Canada Record Collection, FHL.)