Anson never had the privilege of speaking to the Prophet again, but he saw him on the morning of the 24th of June, when he rode up to the Nauvoo Legion while on parade near the Nauvoo Mansion, and said, with all the feeling he could express, "Boys, I have come to bid you good by. I am going to leave you for awhile. You are my boys, and I bless you in the name of Israel's God. Be faithful and true, and you shall have your reward. Farewell."

Anson, in speaking of it later in life, said "I little thought, knowing his many deliverances from the hands of his enemies, that it was the last time I should see him alive. That night I went home to rest with my family, about one-fourth of a mile east of the Temple, on Brigham Street. On Thursday, the 25th, I as usual paraded with the Legion. Friday and Saturday, 26th and 27th, attended to the same routine of business. Saturday night I was one of the Temple guards. Sunday morning, the 28th, I saw O. P. Rockwell ride into the city at full speed, with the sweat dripping from his horse, shouting with his stentorious voice pitched in the highest notes of intensified sorrow and wrath: "Joseph is killed! Joseph is killed! They have killed him! They have killed him!"

The sorrow that overwhelmed the Saints as that awful news spread throughout Nauvoo, as it did in a remarkably short time, cannot be adequately described by tongue or pen. Even those who knew that he had been taken to Carthage and were also aware of the murderous spirit that animated those who had been seeking to apprehend him, and the threats they had indulged in, were unprepared for the news, for they had vainly hoped that he would be set free when an investigation of the charges brought against him had occurred, or be enabled to escape as he had in the past. They were all conscious of his innocence, and felt that the Lord would intercede in his behalf, and not suffer his enemies to take his life; and on learning that they had done so they were stunned—almost paralyzed. Few if any were more powerfully affected by the news than Anson Call. By a strong effort he controlled his feelings and suppressed the inclination to seek personal vengeance, but was deprived of the power to sleep, and lost all desire to eat; and besought the Lord in earnest prayer to restrain him from doing anything that would be unwise or that would add to the trouble that already enveloped the Saints. When the bodies of the martyrs were brought into Nauvoo he took his family to see them, and they were strongly affected by the sight. On the third night after the martyrdom Anson had a dream or a vision in which he saw the Prophet and heard him assure a congregation of Saints that, although dead, he should still lead the kingdom, the keys of which had been given to him, and would be held by him forever. This assurance proved a great comfort to Anson, and enabled him to comfort others. Very soon thereafter he went to Carthage and was piloted around by the jailer. He saw the blood from the Prophet's veins upon the well curb, and the hole through the panel door made by the bullet that killed Hyrum, as also the blood stain upon the floor where he fell, which stain the jailer assured him he had been unable to erase. Anson told him he hoped he never would be able to wash it away, but that it would remain as an everlasting testimony against his murderers. He saw a number of those who were implicated in the murder, most of whom he was personally acquainted with, especially Captain Robert Smith, of the Carthage Greys, the man who issued the writs against Joseph and Hyrum, and to whom long before, Anson had borne testimony that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and who had apparently never been able to look him in the face afterwards.

Anson took an active and prominent part in the events that followed the martyrdom. He was detailed as one of the one hundred men who were selected to assist the mob from burning houses and committing other depredations against the Saints in the fall of 1845. He saw his father's house burn down, and also the man who applied the torch to it. He had obtained special permission from the sheriff to look after his father's property, as he was living in the region where the mob was unusually active in committing outrages. He arrived at his father's home about an hour after nightfall, and saw the house burning, and various articles of household goods scattered about, but could see none of the family. Surmising that they were not very far away, he went through a cornfield near the house, calling for his father. After awhile he heard a response "Anson, is that you?" and, following the direction of the voice met his father, who felt so outraged that he was rendered desperate and disposed to resist. On inquiring where his mother and sisters were, the father led him out into the middle of the corn field, where his aged mother was found resting upon a bed, her daughters being elsewhere in hiding. He learned that ten minutes before the torch was applied to the house the inmates were given a chance to flee therefrom, and take such articles of clothing and bedding as the could carry in away in their arms. While the mother and daughters were doing this the father was talking with Mr. Stevenson, the leader, who was master of the masonic lodge at Warsaw, of which Father Call was warden. The bigotry and malice that swayed the people were so strong that even the fraternity of the masonic order lost its power. Mr. Stevenson did not attempt to restrain the mob who were with him, nor even dismount from his horse; but, turning from Father Call, as if ashamed to look him in the face, he said "I have nothing against you as a man, but you are a "Mormon," and we must serve you all like." He then called out to those who were with him, "Gentlemen, do your duty." One man held a match, and another a bundle of hay, and at the expiration of the ten minutes the hay was placed in one corner of the house and set on fire. The same procedure was followed at the homes of Harvey Call, Chester Loveland and Jeremiah Willey, all located in the same region, the first mentioned being a brother and the latter two brothers-in-law of Anson Call. These inoffensive and despoiled Saints arrived in Nauvoo about noon the following day.

[CHAPTER V.]

PREPARATIONS FOR ABANDONMENT OF NAUVOO—JOURNEY WESTWARD—WINTER NEAR INDIAN CAMP—TEST OF FEALTY—WESTWARD JOURNEY TEMPORARILY ABANDONED—EMPLOYMENT IN MISSOURI—JOURNEY TO UTAH—CHOICE OF HOME—MISSION TO COLONIZE PAROWAN—MISSION TO COLONIZE FILLMORE—MASSACRE OF GUNNISON PARTY.

The winter of 1845 and 1846 was chiefly spent by Anson in the work of making wagons and otherwise preparing for the journey westward. He received his blessings in the Temple on the 10th of December 1845, his wife at the time being unable to accompany him, as she had given birth to a son five days before. She, however, was likewise favored in the following spring. Anson succeeded in selling his home in Nauvoo for about one-fourth its value, and he and his family crossed the Mississippi and started westward on the 15th of June. They crossed the Des Moines river at Eddyville, and there sorrowfully buried their youngest child, a boy, six months and twelve days old. They overtook Father Call at Pisgah and the body of the Church at Council Bluffs, and crossed the Missouri river on the 7th of July. On the 9th Anson's young son, Moroni, died and was buried the following day in a hickory bark coffin, peeled from a tree by the father and grandfather. Although the season was then so late, the question of journeying on as far as possible towards the Rocky Mountains was still being discussed. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball each organized a company of seventy-five wagons for this purpose. Anson was made captain of the first ten wagons of Brigham Young's company, which included Father Call and his sons Harvey and Josiah. George Miller and James Emmett had previously assumed to organize a company, including fifty-two wagons, and started westward to find a favorable place to winter. Anson and such of his command as were ready were advised by the council of the Apostles to follow on after them, and did so. They left the Elk Horn river on the 22nd of July, 1846, and travelled up the Platte river to the Pawnee missionary station, where they overtook the Miller and Emmett Company. While camped on the west side of the Loupe Fork a message from the apostles at Winter Quarters was received, advising that they proceed no farther westward that season, but to find a good place and establish a camp for the winter. They also advised that a council of twelve men be selected to direct the affairs of the camp, and suggested the names of twelve men to so act. The council was so organized, George Miller being president, and considerable exploring done to find a suitable place to winter, but without success. They were invited by two Ponca chiefs to winter with them on the Missouri river, and guaranteed protection, plenty of feed for their animals, and timber with which to build houses. The invitation was accepted, and nine days spent in journeying to the place. They located on the west side of the mouth of the Running Water river, and one hundred and twenty-five houses were erected in fort form.

Nucanumpa, the aged chief of the Poncas, was taken sick and sent for the brethren composing the council to come and have a talk with him. He had killed and cooked his best dog and had a feast prepared, which the council, on being invited, partook of, and then proceeded to tell them that he had a friendly interest in the "Mormons" and instructed the Indians to treat them well, and in return wished the "Mormons" to see the he was properly buried, and to erect at the head of his grave stone such as he had seen in St. Louis when he once visited that place, with a proper inscription on it, giving his name, age and title. The proposition was agreed to and carried out, and the Poncas proved to be good and peaceable neighbors. The Sioux, however, didn't feel bound by the agreement made with the Poncas, and stole some of the horses and cattle from the Saints. The principal feed for the animals consisted of rushes, and the winter weather was severe, and some of the remaining animals died as a consequence.

George Miller developed an arrogant and rebellious spirit, and was not disposed to submit to the direction of the Apostles, and as many of the people as could be influenced by him and James Emmett also became disgruntled.

On the 27th of February, 1847, Apostles Ezra T. Benson and Erastus Snow arrived at the camp with instructions from the Apostles' quorum for the Saints to return to Winter Quarters before journeying westward, to replenish their teams and stock of provisions. After delivering their message the Apostles departed without waiting to see what action would be taken as to their requirement.