"Lay down your arms, you rascal, or I will have you shot."
Full of righteous indignation, the helpless man complied, seeing that many of his brethren were also disarmed.
Their leaders were gone but they were true Saints. And were they not also free-born American citizens?
As the men rushed into the public square they were all forced to obey the summary command "Give up your arms!"
When all were assembled, they were compelled at the point of the bayonet to sign a deed of trust of all their (the "Mormons'") possessions to Gen. Lucas to defray the expenses of this unholy war.
This unrighteous deed being accomplished, and all the men of the town being placed under guard, the mob swarmed out into the town, pillaging, foraging, insulting women and abusing little children. Stock were shot down and left on the streets to rot. Fields were destroyed, houses were searched, everything of any value was taken and any one who dared to remonstrate was brutally threatened with murder.
Every house was searched for the men who were at the tragedy of Crooked river. At last three ruffians came to Lydia's door, and one who seemed to be the leader asked: "Have you any men in the house?"
"You have our men under guard," answered the fearless woman.
"Have you any man in the house?"
"I tell you, my husband is on the public square a prisoner."