History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]

  • Source Note
  • Historical Introduction
Page 1826
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<​December 21​> Two letters came into the from the Sheriff of Clark County Missouri, <​from them​> it appears that that wishes to continue the old game of seizing witnesses and making prisoners of them, to cover up her mobocracy and kidnapping under legal form. The following answer was written
“City of , Ill. Dec 21, 1843 Sir: Two letters were put into my hands this morning relative to the Witnesses of ’s innocence as to being accessory to horse stealing some four years since: In the first place, was abducted from this , contrary to law; in the second place the principal for felony, by the Law of , should be indicted within three years &c.. Again, the Revised statutes of have a wise provision in such cases as ’s. If therefore will sue out a Commission, according to the law con[HC 6:132]cerning depositions (R.S. page 219 to 222) directed to Alderman , an acting Justice of the peace, for the city of , and County of , the necessary testimony to establish s innocence will be taken according to law and forwarded to the proper officer in due time.
Respectfully &c.
J. White Esq Dep. Sheriff Clark Co Waterloo Mo.
P.S. you will have the politeness to shew this to .”
In the evening I was visited by several strangers, and had considerable conversation with them.
22 December 1843 • Friday
<​22​> Friday 22. At home at 9 oclock a. m. reading a magazine to my children
A little after 12, went into the room occupied by and , and commenced a conversation with Dr. John F. Charles to convince him that mobocracy is not justifiable; and that I did not deal in Politics.
David Holman living about 2 miles from , went out in the evening with his family visiting— about 10 o’Clock he discovered his house on fire— the neighbors had inquired how long he would be gone— a man rode to A company went up, secured the provisions to themselves, and fired the house.
Warm and pleasant weather.
23 December 1843 • Saturday
<​23​> Saturday 23. At home counselling the brethren who called on me; and attending to my domestic duties, making preparations for a christmas dinner party.
Prayer meeting in the Assembly room
24 December 1843 • Sunday
<​24​> Sunday 24 At home received a visit from , one of the men who assisted in kidnapping ; he manifested some repentance and sorrow for his part in that transaction, and promised to use what influence he had with the Missourians to have set at liberty. [HC 6:133]
25 December 1843 • Monday
<​25​> Monday 25. This morning about 1 o’Clock I was aroused by an English Sister, Lettice Rushton Widow, of Richard Rushton Senior, (who ten years ago lost her sight—) accompanied by three of her sons, with their wives, and her two daughters with their husbands, and several of her neighbors, singing “Mortals awake with Angels join” &c., which caused a thrill of pleasure to run thro’ my soul. All of my family and boarders arose to hear the serenade, and I felt to thank my Heavenly Father for their visit, and blessed them in the name of the Lord. They also visited my brother who was awakened from his sleep, he arose and went out of doors to them, he shook hands with and blessed each one of them in the name of [p. 1826]
December 21 Two letters came into the from the Sheriff of Clark County Missouri, from them it appears that that wishes to continue the old game of seizing witnesses and making prisoners of them, to cover up her mobocracy and kidnapping under legal form. The following answer was written
“City of , Ill. Dec 21, 1843 Sir: Two letters were put into my hands this morning relative to the Witnesses of ’s innocence as to being accessory to horse stealing some four years since: In the first place, was abducted from this , contrary to law; in the second place the principal for felony, by the Law of , should be indicted within three years &c.. Again, the Revised statutes of have a wise provision in such cases as ’s. If therefore will sue out a Commission, according to the law con[HC 6:132]cerning depositions (R.S. page 219 to 222) directed to Alderman , an acting Justice of the peace, for the city of , and County of , the necessary testimony to establish s innocence will be taken according to law and forwarded to the proper officer in due time.
Respectfully &c.
J. White Esq Dep. Sheriff Clark Co Waterloo Mo.
P.S. you will have the politeness to shew this to .”
In the evening I was visited by several strangers, and had considerable conversation with them.
22 December 1843 • Friday
22 Friday 22. At home at 9 oclock a. m. reading a magazine to my children
A little after 12, went into the room occupied by and , and commenced a conversation with Dr. John F. Charles to convince him that mobocracy is not justifiable; and that I did not deal in Politics.
David Holman living about 2 miles from , went out in the evening with his family visiting— about 10 o’Clock he discovered his house on fire— the neighbors had inquired how long he would be gone— a man rode to — A company went up, secured the provisions to themselves, and fired the house.
Warm and pleasant weather.
23 December 1843 • Saturday
23 Saturday 23. At home counselling the brethren who called on me; and attending to my domestic duties, making preparations for a christmas dinner party.
Prayer meeting in the Assembly room
24 December 1843 • Sunday
24 Sunday 24 At home received a visit from , one of the men who assisted in kidnapping ; he manifested some repentance and sorrow for his part in that transaction, and promised to use what influence he had with the Missourians to have set at liberty. [HC 6:133]
25 December 1843 • Monday
25 Monday 25. This morning about 1 o’Clock I was aroused by an English Sister, Lettice Rushton Widow, of Richard Rushton Senior, (who ten years ago lost her sight—) accompanied by three of her sons, with their wives, and her two daughters with their husbands, and several of her neighbors, singing “Mortals awake with Angels join” &c., which caused a thrill of pleasure to run thro’ my soul. All of my family and boarders arose to hear the serenade, and I felt to thank my Heavenly Father for their visit, and blessed them in the name of the Lord. They also visited my brother who was awakened from his sleep, he arose and went out of doors to them, he shook hands with and blessed each one of them in the name of [p. 1826]
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