History, 1838–1856, volume A-1 [23 December 1805–30 August 1834]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 506
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on our part, that would in any wise be required of us by disinterested men of republican principle.
I am respectfully, your obt servt. Joseph Smith Jr
N. B. You are now corresponding with the (as I am informed,) will you do us the favor to acquaint him of our efforts for a compromise. This information we want conveyed to the inasmuch as his ears are stifled with reports from of our hostile intentions &c.
J. S. ....
I left the same day in company with and two other brethren for the western part of . While traveling we called at a <​the​> house <​of Mr. Moss​> for a drink of water. The woman of the house shouted from the door that they “had no water for Mormons, that they were afraid of the Cholera,” &c; <​at the same time throwing out Lazarus, as if defending herself from <​the cholera in the form of​> a personage​> We turned and departed, according to the commandment, and before a week had passed, the cholera entered that house, and that woman and three others <​of the family​> were dead.
When the cholera first made its appearance was <​one of​> the first men who stepped forward to rebuke it, and upon this, was instantly seized, and became the first victim in the camp. He died about six o’clock <​in the​> afternoon; and Seth Hitchcock died in about thirty minutes after. <​& Erastus Rudd died about the same moment, although, ½ a mile distant x​> <​note [1]7 Page 16​> As it was impossible to obtain coffins, the brethren rolled them corpses in blankets, carried them on a horse sled about half a mile; and buried them in the bank of a small stream, which empties into , all of which was accomplished by dark. When they had returned from the burial, the brethren [HC 2:115] united, covenanted, and prayed hoping the disease would be staid; but in vain for while thus covenanting Elder Eber Wilcox <​& Erastus Rudd​> died, and while some were digging the grave others stood sentry with their fire arms, watching their enemies. [HC 2:116]
26 June 1834 • Thursday
June 26th the elders wrote as follows,
“Sir, A company of our people exceeding two hundred men arrived in this the 19th. instant, and encamped about twelve miles from , where they were met, [p. 506]
on our part, that would in any wise be required of us by disinterested men of republican principle.
I am respectfully, your obt servt. Joseph Smith Jr
N. B. You are now corresponding with the (as I am informed,) will you do us the favor to acquaint him of our efforts for a compromise. This information we want conveyed to the inasmuch as his ears are stifled with reports from of our hostile intentions &c.
J. S. ....
I left in company with and two other brethren for the western part of . While traveling we called at the house of Mr. Moss for a drink of water. The woman of the house shouted from the door that they “had no water for Mormons, that they were afraid of the Cholera,” &c; at the same time throwing out Lazarus, as if defending herself from the cholera in the form of a personage We turned and departed, according to the commandment, and before a week had passed, the cholera entered that house, and that woman and three others of the family were dead.
When the cholera made its appearance was one of the first who stepped forward to rebuke it, and upon this, was instantly seized, and became the first victim in the camp. He died about six o’clock in the afternoon; Seth Hitchcock died in about thirty minutes after. & Erastus Rudd died about the same moment, although, ½ a mile distant x note 17 Page 16 As it was impossible to obtain coffins, the brethren rolled the corpses in blankets, carried them on a horse sled about half a mile; buried them in the bank of a small stream, which empties into , all of which was accomplished by dark. When they had returned from the burial, the brethren [HC 2:115] united, covenanted, and prayed hoping the disease would be staid; but in vain for while thus covenanting Eber Wilcox died, and while some were digging the grave others stood sentry with their fire arms, watching their enemies. [HC 2:116]
26 June 1834 • Thursday
June 26th the elders wrote as follows,
“Sir, A company of our people exceeding two hundred men arrived in this the 19th. instant, and encamped about twelve miles from , where they were met, [p. 506]
Page 506