1844-07-08-New York Tribune-Death of Joe Smith, the Mormon

Death of Joe Smith, the Mormon.

Source: New York Tribune, 8 July 1844, pg 2

Death of Joe Smith, the Mormon.

Our Western papers received yesterday bring us accounts of a melancholy tragedy enacted at Carthage, Ill. on the 26th ult. which resulted in the death of Joe Smith and his brother Hyrum. Another leading Mormon named Richards was severely wounded at the same time. The particulars of this bloody affair are thus given in the Quincy Herald, Extra, of Friday morning, June 28:

From the Quincy Herald, Friday morning, 3 o'clock.
Death of the Prophet Joe and Hyrum Smith are Dead. The steamboat Boreas just in from Warsaw, brings shocking intelligence from the scene of the Mormon war. The following slip from the office of the Warsaw Signal explains the dreadful tragedy:
Joe Smith and Hyrum are dead shot this afternoon. An attack from the Mormons is expected every hour. Will not the surrounding counties rush instantly to our rescue?
Warsaw, June 27th, 1844.

It seems that the circumstances attending the killing the Mormon Prophet and his brother Hyrum are as follows: On yesterday Gov. Ford left Carthage with about 120 soldiers for the purpose of taking possession of the "Nauvoo Legion" and their arms. They arrived at Nauvoo about noon, and called for the assembling of the Legion.

About 2000 men with arms immediately responded to its call. These troops were put under command of Col. Singleton, of Brown county, who accompanied Gov. Ford to Nauvoo.

The Governor finding all quiet left Nauvoo about 5 o'clock, P. M. with a company of sixty men for the purpose of encamping about seven miles from the city.

At about the same time that Gov. Ford left Nauvoo, the Prophet and his brother were killed at Carthage under the following circumstances, as near as we can ascertain them:

Joe and Hyrum were both confined in the debtors' room of the Carthage jail, awaiting their trial on a charge of treason. The jail was strongly guarded by soldiers and anti-Mormons, who had been placed there by the Governor.

A Mormon attempted to run by the guard for the purpose of forcing his way into the jail. He was opposed by the guard, and fired a pistol at one of the guard, giving him a slight wound.

A general confusion ensued in the crowd around the jail. Joe and his Mormon fellow prisoners it seems had provided themselves with pistols, and commenced firing up in the guard within. He then attempted to escape from the window, when a hundred balls entered his body, and he fell a lifeless corpse.

His brother Hyrum shared the same fate. Richards, a leading Mormon, was badly wounded. There our intelligence ends; what took place alter this, God only knows. Mormons immediately left for Nauvoo, to carry the news of the death of the Prophet. It is feared that the Mormons at Nauvoo will be so exasperated as to exterminate the Governor and his small force.

The Boreas brought down most of the women and children from Warsaw. It is feared their town is in ashes before this.

Our citizens were aroused this morning by the ringing of bells and a call to arms. Our three independent companies are already in marching order. Maj. Flood has ordered out the militia of his regiment, and the steamer Boreas is waiting to convey them to the scene of action.

There is no knowing where this dreadful affair will end. Many have expressed fears that our city is in danger, because most of the Warsaw families have taken refuge here, but we believe there is no danger, as we are too far from the scene of action.

Messengers have just left for Hannibal and the towns below, for the purpose of arousing the Missourians. The excitement in our city is intense, and the anxiety to hear the fate of Gov. Ford and his men is very great.

An extra from the St. Louis Evening Gazette of the 28th adds the following:

When we left Nauvoo about daylight this morning (Friday 28th) all was quiet. The Mormons had not heard of the death of the Smiths, as Gov. Foul, who was encamped a few miles back, had (as supposed) intercepted the messengers from Carthage.

At Warsaw all was excitement. The women and children were all removed, and an immediate attack was expected from the Mormons.

We met the "Boreas," just above Quincy, with 300 men armed and equipped for Warsaw, eager for fight.

I send the "Quincy herald" printed this morning, containing the particulars of Smith's death.

In haste; yours, &c.