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CONSPIRACY
of NAUVOO [1] CONSPIRACY OF NAUVOO
Continued...
They
would gladly have passed out and escaped the trouble
they saw brewing for them; but, as they feared, they
were not allowed to depart so easily. One of the band
exclaimed in a very determined voice: "No, not
by a d@d sight! You know all our plans and arrangements,and
we don't propose that you should leave in that style.
You've got to take that oath, or you'll never leave
here alive." [6] The attention of all was now directed
to the two boys, and considerable confusion prevailed.
A voice in the crowd shouted, "Dead men tell no
tales!" whereupon a general clamor arose for the
boys to take the oath or be killed. Even their pretended
friends, Cowles and Law, turned against them. "If
you do not take that oath," said one of the leading
members, in a blood curdling tone, "we will cut
your throats." The looks and conduct of the rest
showed plainly that he had spoken only what they were
ready to execute. It was evident the mob were eager
for blood. That moment certainly must have been a trying
one, but it seemed that fear had suddenly vanished from
the bosoms of the two boys, and they coolly but positively
again declared that they would not take that oath nor
enter into any other movement against the Prophet Joseph.
The mob was now enraged, as they thought they were betrayed,
and it was with the greatest difficulty that the leaders
succeeded in keeping them from falling upon the boys
and cutting them to pieces. The leaders, however, were
no less determined that the boys should die, but as
the house in which the meeting was held stood but a
short distance back from the street, they thought it
better to be more quiet about it, lest some one might
be passing and discover what was going on. Order was
at last restored, when it was decided to take the boys
down into the cellar, where the deed could be more safely
accomplished. Accordingly, a guard, with drawn swords
and bowie knives, was placed on either side of the boys,
while two others, armed with cocked muskets and bayonets,
at their backs, brought up the rear as they were marched
off in the direction of the cellar. William and Wilson
Law, Austin Cowles and others, accompanied them to the
cellar. Before committing the murderous deed, however,
they gave the boys one more chance for their lives.
One of them said: "Boys, if you will take that
oath your lives shall be spared; but you know too much
for us to allow you to go free, and if you are still
determined to refuse, we will have to shed your blood."
But the boys, with most commendable courage, in the
very jaws of death, once more rejected the only means
that would save their lives. At this juncture, when
it seemed that each moment would end the earthly existence
of these two noble young men, a voice from some one
in the crowd, as if by Divine interposition, called
out just in time to save their lives: "Hold on!
Hold on there! Let's talk this matter over before their
blood is shed!" and with great difficulty some
of the more cautious ones succeeded in quieting those
whose anger and excitement prevented them from weighing
well what they were on the verge of committing, and
considering the consequences that would inevitably follow.
Thus the instantaneous death of the boys was prevented,
while the crowd retired to the further end of the room
and consulted earnestly together, in so low a tone,
however, that the boys could not hear what they said.
It was evident, however, that they were nearly equally
divided in their views of the feasibility of putting
the boys to death. Some appeared to be enraged and fully
determined to shed their blood, while others were equally
resolved to prevent the cruel deed. During the discussion
the boys distinctly heard one of them say: "The
boys' parents very likely know where they are, and if
they do not return home, strong suspicions will be aroused,
and they may institute a search that would be very dangerous
to us. It is already late, and time that the boys were
home." This was a very important consideration,
as well as a very unexpected circumstance in favor of
the boys. Hope rose high in their breasts as the discussion
continued, and one by one of the more excited conspirators
was silenced, if not convinced, until at length the
tide turned in favor of the boys, and it was decided
that they should be released. Some openly, and many
in their feelings, opposed this resolution, as they
considered it as unsafe to liberate the boys to re-[7]veal
all their plans, as to kill them and get them out of
the way.
A
strong guard was provided to escort them to a proper
distance lest some of the gang might kill them before
they made their escape. They placed a strict injunction
upon the boys not to reveal anything they had seen or
heard in these meetings, and declared if they did any
member of the conspiracy would kill them at first sight.
This caution and threat were repeated several times
in a way that gave the boys to understand that they
meant all they said, and would just as leave slay them
as not if they suspected anything had been revealed
by them. Everything being ready, the boys started off
in charge of the guard. Right glad were they to once
more gain the open air with so good a prospect for their
lives, and they breathed a sigh of relief and satisfaction
when they were out of sight of the house in which they
had endured such great peril. They took an unfrequented
road down toward the Mississippi River which runs around
one side of Nauvoo. Some of the guard were very much
dissatisfied with the way the tables had turned, and,
when they had got a safe distance from the house, they
halted to consider if it would not be best to slay the
boys on their own responsibility. They would gladly
have murdered them if they could have done so with any
hopes of having the deed remain undiscovered; but, after
some discussion, they contented themselves by reiterating
the cautions and threats that had been given to the
boys before starting. They continued their march until
within a few rods of the river, when they halted, and
one of the guards said: "Well, I guess we have
gone about far enough, and had better turn back."
Then turning to the boys, he continued, "Boys,
if you ever open your mouths concerning anything you
have seen or heard in any of our meetings; we will kill
you by night or by day wherever we find you, and consider
it our duty." "Oh, don't fear on that account,"
replied the boys, anxious to allay their uneasiness,
lest they still might take a notion to slay them and
cast their bodies into the river, "we can see that
it is greatly to our advantage and necessary to our
peace and safety to keep silent concerning these things."
"I'm glad you've got sense enough to see it in
that light," was the rejoinder in a tone that indicated
his mind was somewhat relieved. During this conversation,
one of the boys looking towards the river, to his great
surprise, saw a hand rise into view from behind the
bank and beckon for them to come that way. The guards,
after admonishing them once more to be silent, and telling
them their lives depended upon their keeping the secret,
turned to retrace their steps just as one of the boys,
anxious to put them at ease as much as possible, said
to his companion: " Let's go down to the river."
"Yes," returned the guard, evidently pleased
with that arrangement; "you had better go down
to the river." The reader will readily understand
that the meeting had lasted until a late hour in the
afternoon and the conspirators had already detained
the boys so long that they were afraid their parents
and friends, some of whom perhaps knew where the boys
had gone, would become anxious and begin to suspect
foul play, and possibly might institute a search which
would prove exceedingly disadvantageous to the conspiracy.
The boys therefore very adroitly proposed to go to the
river, so if they were found there it would be sufficient
explanation for their long absence. The guards perceived
the idea instantly, and it pleased them, for it indicated
to them that the boys wished to keep the secret, and
avoid being questioned too closely. The boys started
off on a run toward the river, but, lest the guards
should watch them, and discover the presence of Joseph,
whose hand it was they had seen above the bank, they
directed their course to a point about a quarter of
a mile beyond where Joseph was, knowing that he would
follow them. On reaching the river, they stepped down
the bank and there awaited the arrival of [8] the Prophet,
the guards returned to the meeting. It seems that Joseph,
knowing the danger into which the boys had gone, had
become so uneasy at their long absence that he could
no longer remain at home, so he and one of his body
guard, John Scott, who was the brother to Robert, started
out to see if they could discover what had become of
them. Perhaps they suspected the boys had been murdered,
and that their bodies would be thrown into the stream,
as William Law's house, where the meeting was held,
was but a short distance from the river. At all events
they were there under the bank when the boys were liberated,
and now glided around close to the water's edge to the
point where the boys were awaiting them. It was a joyful
meeting; Joseph seemed delighted to see that the boys
bad escaped with their lives. The party walked on to
a point nearly opposite Joseph's store, where a board
fence came down to the edge of the river, forming, together
with the orchard trees and shrubbery, a suitable retreat
where they could converse without any danger of being
seen or heard. "Let us sit down here," said
Joseph. All four of them entered the secluded retreat,
and when they were seated he continued: "Boys,
we saw your danger and were afraid you would not get
out alive, but we are thankful that you got off safely.
Now relate to me all that you have witnessed."
The boys then gave him a complete account of all they
had witnessed, and passed through; repeated to him the
oath they had seen and heard administered to some two
hundred individuals separately; gave him the names of
all they knew that had taken the oath; in short they
gave him a most accurate recital of all they had seen
and heard. Joseph and his companion listened very attentively,
and, as the boys proceeded, a very grave expression
crept over the countenance of the former, showing that
a deep anxiety was preying upon his mind. When the recital
was finished a pause of some length ensued. Joseph was
very much moved, and at length burst out: "O, brethren,
you do not know what this will terminate in!" But
proceeded no further, for his feelings were so strong
that he burst into tears. In great agitation, Brother
John Scott, who was an intimate and trusted friend of
Joseph, sprang forward and throwing his arms around
the Prophet's neck, exclaimed: "O, Brother Joseph!
do you think they are going to kill you?" and they
fell on each other's necks and wept bitterly. The scene
is difficult to describe. The thought of losing their
friend and Prophet by the hands of such a bloodthirsty
mob was sufficient to wring their hearts; and those
brave men who but a few moments before had fearlessly
faced death, and scorned the proffered conditions on
which their lives might be spared, now wept like children
and mingled their tears with those of their leader.
Joseph was the first to master his feelings, and, raising
Brother Scott's arms from off his neck, he said, in
a deep and sorrowful tone: "I fully comprehend
it!" He then relaxed into a solemn study, while
his brethren anxiously watched the changes of his countenance
as if they would read the thoughts and feelings that
mere preying upon his heart. The scene was painful and
impressive. Each moment they expected to hear him say
that his work on earth was done and that he would have
to be slain to seal his testimony. After a long silence
he finally continued: "Brethren, I am going to
leave you. I shall not be with you long; it will not
be many months until I shall have to go." This
remark still left them in doubt as to his future fate,
but had such significance that Brother Scott again anxiously
inquired: "Brother Joseph, are you going to be
slain?" Joseph, for some reason, evaded a direct
reply, but continued in a tone that told too plainly
of the sorrow he felt: "I am going away and will
not be known among this people for twenty years or more.
I shall go to rest for a season." This reply did
not clear away their [9] doubts any more than the former
one, but it was evident he intended to leave the people
and keep hid more closely than he ever had done, or
else, with prophetic vision, he discerned the final
outcome of his enemies' efforts, and, through compassion,
forebore to crush the spirits of his brethren by telling
them plainly the whole truth. Subsequent events leave
us still in doubt as to the real purport of his words.
The dark clouds of persecution from enemies without,
fearfully augmented by traitors from within, grew so
threatening toward the close of the Prophet's life,
that he saw something must be done for the safety of
himself and the people. He therefore conceived the idea
of moving the Saints once more, and this time far beyond
the cruel blasts of persecution, and seek shelter behind
the barriers of the Rocky Mountains. He called for a
company of volunteers to explore the great West and
find the most suitable place for the Saints to settle.
Quite a number volunteered and began to make preparations
for the journey. It is a well known fact that just previous
to surrendering himself to be taken to Carthage, Joseph
got into a boat and started across the river, evidently
to evade his enemies. He intended to keep out of their
hands until this company had procured a suitable outfit
for such an undertaking, when he would have accompanied
them. Some of his brethren, however, begged him not
to desert the people in such a time of trouble and danger,
and at their importunity he returned to Nauvoo, and
we all know the result. He was induced to surrender
himself to the officers of the law, was cast into prison,
and there cruelly murdered by a bloodthirsty mob. Perhaps
in reply to Brother Scott's question, Joseph was revolving
these plans in his mind and looking forward to the time
when he and the Saints would be beyond the reach of
persecution; it is now impossible to tell, but the events
which followed rather indicate that he foresaw his death.
However, he continued in great earnestness: "They
accuse me of polygamy, and of being a false Prophet,
and many other things which I do not now remember; but
I am no false Prophet; I am no impostor; I have had
no dark revelations; I have had no revelations from
the devil; I made no revelations; I have got nothing
up of myself. The same God that has thus far dictated
me and directed me and strengthened me in this work,
gave me this revelation and commandment on celestial
and plural marriage, and the same God commanded me to
obey it. He said to me that unless I accepted it and
introduced it, and practiced it, I, together with my
people, would be damned and cut off from this time henceforth.
And they say if I do so, they will kill me! Oh, what
shall I do? If I do not practice it, I shall be damned
with my people. If I do teach it, and practice it, and
urge it, they say they will kill me, and I know they
will. But," said he, "we have got to observe
it. It is an eternal principle and was given by way
of commandment and not by way of instruction."
It will be seen from these outbursts of his soul what
a conflict was going on in his mind, and the agony that
he endured can only be imagined by those who knew his
sensitive and generous spirit. Persecution and imprisonment
from the hand of an enemy would be passed by almost
unnoticed when compared with these murderous thrusts
from the daggers of alienated friends. Death, to a man
who was so familiar with the unseen world and the happiness
to be enjoyed there, was stripped of its terrors. His
fear of simply losing his life caused him little anxiety.
But his whole soul was in the work which the Lord had
given him to do, and such bloodthirsty opposition to
a commandment of God among his brethren caused the greatest
anxiety and grief. His greatest trials are no doubt
hid deepest from our view. The consultation lasted for
a long time before they separated to their homes, and
impressions were made on the minds of our two young
heroes that will last forever. They got an insight into
the life of the Prophet and the na-[10]ture of the work
he had to perform, that had never before entered their
imaginations. Their love for him and the cause in which
he was laboring was increased, and gladly would they
have laid down their lives to have saved his. Before
separating, however, Joseph placed a seal upon the boys'
lips, and made them promise that they would not reveal
what had transpired that day to a living soul--not even
to their own fathers, for at least twenty years. The
object of placing this injection upon them no doubt
was for their own safety, as their lives would probably
have been taken if any of the conspirators should ever
find but that any of their proceedings had been revealed.
The boys kept their promise, and now, after a lapse
of so many years, these important facts, which throw
light upon many of the acts and sayings of Joseph Smith,
which his brethren could never before fully understand,
are revealed and placed with other important records
in the archives of the Church. The muse of history,
too often blind to true glory, has handed down to posterity
may a warrior, the destroyer of thousands of his fellowmen,
and left us ignorant of the valorous deeds of real heroes,
whose lot chanced to be more humbly cast; but in that
day, when all men's actions will be revealed upon the
housetops, we shall no doubt see the names of Denison
L. Harris and Robert Scott among the world's heroes
as stars of no small magnitude. "Fact is stranger
than fiction," and in value they cannot be compared.
I respectfully submit the above narrative, which is
a true recital of events that actually transpired. The
manuscript has been carefully scrutinized by proper
authorities who are satisfied of its authenticity and
have approved its publication, as an important and accurate
item of history connected with the Church. Horace Cummings.
(Taken
from The Contributor, Vol. V, pp. 251-260.)
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Above:
The Pioneers went through great harship in their quest to build Zion
