There was a sudden rush to the spot, when it was found that a quarrel between two Missourians had ended in one of them being severely wounded. This broke up the meeting and gave the brethren a chance to state in writing why they could not accept the propositions offered.
At the meeting a report was circulated that an army of our brethren was coming to help us, and to go into Jackson county by force. All kinds of strange stories were set afloat, and a small party, with Owens and Campbell at their head, went directly to Independence to collect an army to go and prevent their entering Clay county. Campbell swore, while adjusting his pistols in the holsters, "The eagles and turkey buzzards shall eat my flesh if I do not fix Joe Smith and his army, so that their skins will not hold shucks, before two days are past."
They sent word to Richmond, Ray county, and had their agents working in Clay county, intending to raise force sufficient to annihilate our brethren. About two hundred volunteered in Jackson, seventy in Clay, and fifty in Ray counties, and were to form a junction near Fishing river ford. Their plans were all laid, as they thought, to enable them to accomplish their purpose, but the Lord interposed His strong arm, for the preservation of our brethren, and while the mob were crossing the river to the north side, a squall met them on their return so that they were delayed; some attempted to cross the river after dusk, so great was their anxiety to be at their hellish work, but when near the middle of the river the boat sunk, and seven out of twelve men were drowned; among them was James Campbell, who had made use of such a terrible oath in the day. He floated down the river, and, lodging on some drift wood, his flesh was eaten by the eagles and turkey buzzards; thereby fulfilling his oath, and feeling the vengeance of an offended God. S. C. Owens came near being drowned, and was glad enough the next morning to make his way to Independence. Those who had crossed the river the day before, returned to join their companions in the morning, and felt glad that they had escaped with their lives. Immediately around our brethren was the protecting hand of the Almighty, and at the approach of the mob from Ray county, a tremendous hail and thunder storm raged, pelting them severely even to the cutting of holes in their hats; their ammunition was perfectly soaked, and they were glad enough to get back home. During this time scarcely any hail fell in the camp of the brethren, but all around them could be seen the work of destruction—limbs of trees were cut off by the storm, and trees themselves were twisted like withes.
In the morning Big Fishing river had raised forty feet, and our enemies said that Little Fishing river raised thirty feet in thirty minutes. Thus were our brethren preserved from their enemies.
On the night of the 28th the cholera, of which the brethren had been warned by the servant of God, broke out in Zion's camp. About twelve o'clock cries and groans were heard from those who had been taken sick, and they fell before the destroyer. So violent were the attacks that in some instances those who were on guard, fell with their guns in their hands; and it was only by great exertion that we were able to take care of the sick and dying. In the morning the camp was divided into small bands and dispersed among the brethren.
Out of sixty-eight taken by the disease, thirteen died, among whom was A. S. Gilbert. The rest recovered, for an effectual remedy was discovered, namely, to dip the patient in cold water, or pour it copiously upon him. This stopped the cramp, purging and vomiting. Whenever this remedy was adopted in season it did not fail to cure. We were indeed sorry to see our brethren who had come so far—one thousand miles—to our relief thus fall before the hand of the destroyer.
The Summer passed without anything special transpiring. The inhabitants generally manifested a kind feeling towards the Saints; yet, owing to the exposure of the previous winter and the hunger and privation, which the brethren had suffered, many of them were afflicted with fever and ague.
I began to make preparation to go on my appointed mission to Kirtland; but it seemed as if a struggle had commenced. Both my wife and myself took the fever and ague, also my aunt, Esther Culver; she was an aged woman, whose husband had died previous to our exile from Jackson county, and whom I had taken into my family as she had no child to care for her.
On the 15th of September, Sally, my wife, died; truly she died a martyr to the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was of a frail constitution, and the hardships and privations she had to endure were more than she could survive. A short time previously she had given birth to a son, which had also died.
My health continued poor, so that I could do but little work until the time had arrived for the Elders, who had been called to go to Kirtland, to start. I made the best arrangements I could for the care of my little son Samuel and aged aunt; and in company with a number of my brethren, got on board some canoes, which we had got for the purpose, and floated down the Missouri river. We traveled on the river by day, and at night camped on its shore. I was hardly able to walk when I started on this journey but my strength gradually increased. When we had got far enough from those who were so bitterly prejudiced against the gospel, that we could get a hearing, we left our canoes and parted, traveling two by two preaching the gospel to those who would listen to us.