RLDS Church History Search

Chapter Context

RLDS History Context Results

Source: Church History Vol. 2 Chapter 20 Page: 426 (~1840)

Read Previous Page / Next Page

426 and others have received from those troops, we are reduced to a state of almost absolute starvation; and Daniel Avery and myself are appointed as a committee to go out and beg corn and meal, or anything we may obtain that can render them assistance or relieve them in their suffering condition.

"JEDEDIAH OWEN.

"Sworn before D. W. Kilbourn, J. P."

-Millennial Star, vol. 17, pp. 580, 581.

"I removed my family from the State of Michigan to Clay County, Missouri, in the year 1835, where I lived in peace with the people, on my own land, eighteen months or more, when the people began to be excited in consequence of the emigration of our people to that county. The excitement became so great that I was obliged to sell my place at half price, and removed to the County of Caldwell, where I purchased me a farm, settled my family, and made a good improvement, and was in a good situation to support my family, and there lived in peace with the people until the summer and fall of 1838, when the mob began to arise, and we were obliged to fly to arms in self-defense; but notwithstanding our exertion, they murdered and massacred many of our people. We applied to the Governor for assistance, and his reply to us was, 'If you have got into a scrape with the mob, you must fight it out yourselves, for I cannot help you.' The mob still increased, until I was obliged to remove my family to Far West and there remain, surrounded with mobs of murderers until General Clark arrived with his army, with the Governor's exterminating order. Then we were all taken prisoners, our arms taken away; they then treated us with all the cruelty they were masters of, and took possession of whatever they pleased, burnt timber, and laid waste town and country.

"I heard General Clark say that he would execute the Governor's order; 'but notwithstanding, I will vary so much as to give some lenity, for the removal of this people, and you must leave the State immediately; for you need not expect to raise another crop here.' What were not taken to prison were permitted to return to their homes to make preparations to leave the State. Finding I had no safety for

(page 426)

Read Previous Page / Next Page

Killing Abinadi...

RLDS Church History Search