In the meantime the Lord had given a commandment to Zion to build a temple to His holy name.
CHAPTER VIII.
MR. PIXLEY'S BITTERNESS—OUR ENEMIES MAKE PLANS FOR OUR OVERTHROW—THEIR RESOLUTIONS—OUR PRINTING OFFICE DESTROYED—BRETHREN TARRED AND FEATHERED—OUR APPEAL TO THE GOVERNOR—HIS ADVICE—SAINTS DRIVEN—UNEXPECTED ENGAGEMENT—SEVERAL KILLED AND WOUNDED.
While peaceful pursuits characterized the doings of the Saints, the mobocratic spirit of our enemies was but slumbering for a short time, and the uneasy, restless spirit of the people would occasionally manifest itself, until, at last, in July it again burst forth. The sectarian priests and missionaries around us were among the first to come out both secretly and openly against us. Among the more active of these was a Mr. Pixley, who did not content himself in slandering us to the people of Jackson co., but also wrote to eastern papers, telling horrible lies about us, with the evident intention of rousing a spirit of hatred against us. His talk was of the bitterest kind, his speeches perfectly inflammatory, and he appeared to have an influence among the people, to carry them with him in his hellish designs. Nor did he confine his actions to the white settlers, but tried to stir up the Indians against us, and used every means in his power to accomplish his purposes. His efforts were seconded by such men as Reverends McCoy, Fitzhugh, Bogard, Kavanaugh, Lovelady, Likens, Hunter and others; and by their perseverance, at last the public mind became so excited, that on the 20th of July a meeting was called and largely attended by not only the rabble of the county, but also by men holding official positions. A full account of this proceeding was published, and it was stated among other imaginary evils that we were poor, and that the members of our Church who gathered from various places did not possess much of this world's goods, which was, apparently, a crime in their estimation. We were also accused of believing in the gifts and blessings of the ancient gospel. Other things were enumerated, when it was resolved that "no Mormon shall in future move and settle in this county; that those now here shall give a definite pledge of their intention to move out of the county within a reasonable time; that the editor of the Star be required forthwith to close his office and discontinue the business of printing in this county; that the Mormon leaders here are required to use their influence to prevent any further emigration of their distant brethren to this county, and to counsel and advise their brethren here to comply with the above requisitions, and that those who fail to do so, be referred to those of their brethren who have the gift of divination and of unknown tongues to inform them of the lot that awaits them.
"These resolutions were read, considered and unanimously adopted. It was thereupon agreed that a committee of twelve be appointed forthwith to wait on the Mormon leaders, and see that the foregoing requisitions be strictly complied with by them; and upon their refusal, that said committee do, as the organ of this county, inform them that it is our unwavering purpose and fixed determination, after the fullest consideration of all consequences and responsibilities under which we act, to use such means as shall endure their full and complete adoption, and that said committee, so far as may be within their power, report to this present meeting.
"The following gentlemen were named as said committee: Robert Johnson, James Campbell, Col. Mores Wilson, Joel F. Chiles, Hon. Richard Fristoe, Abner T. Staples, Gad Johnson, Lewis Franklin, Russel Hicks, Esq., Col. S. D. Lucas, Thomas Wilson and James M. Hunter, to whom was added Col. R. Simpson, chairman.
"After an adjournment of two hours, the meeting again convened, and the committee of twelve reported that they had called on Mr. Phelps, the editor of the Star, Edward Patridge, the Bishop of the sect, and Mr. Gilbert, the keeper of the Lord's storehouse, and some others, and that they declined giving any direct answers to the requisitions made of them, and wished an unreasonable time for consultation, not only with their brethren here, but in Ohio.
"Whereupon it was unanimously resolved by the meeting that the Star printing office, should be razed to the ground and the type and press secured. Which resolution was, with the utmost order, and the least noise and disturbance possible, forthwith carried into execution, as also some other steps of a similar tendency; but no blood was spilled nor any blows inflicted. The meeting then adjourned until the 23rd instant, to meet again to know further concerning the determination of the Mormons."
In the meeting of the 23rd another committee was appointed to wait upon our leaders and learn from them what course they intended to pursue. At the meeting of this committee and our brethren it was stipulated that our people should leave the county before the 1st of January following, and that those who were then on the way to Zion should only remain sufficiently long to make a selection of another home.