THE MORMON WAR.
From the St. Louis Republican, 16th.
MORE TROUBLE WITH THE MORMONS.—Our cor-respondent at Warsaw sent us by the La Clede, which arrived this morning, the following account of serious outbreaks between the Mormons and their opponents in Hancock county:
WARSAW, 11th Sept. 1845—10 o'clock, A. M.
Messrs. EDITORS : On Tuesday morning last, (9th inst.) an attack was made on a school-house in Rocky Run Precinct, by some persons unknown, but supposed to be Mormons, in which there was at the time of the attack a convention of Anti-
Mormons, or old settlers of the county. The door and windows of the house were completely riddled by the shots fired by the assailants. The attacking party approached under cover of the woods and bushes, fired one round and fled. No person was injured, but many were, I presume, much frightened at this sudden and un-expected attack. The old settlers in that section of the country armed themselves for defence, and if they are backed by their friends in other parts of the country, blood will flow. By a messenger just in, who came to purchase lead, powder, flints, &c. I learn that four build-ings were burned down last night, and one man shot, and very badly wounded, but not mortally. Yesterday, thirteen wagons, loaded with furniture, were seen wending their way to the City of Refuge, (Nauvoo.)
2 o'clock P.M.—Another messenger has just arrived from the country, and reports that large bodies of Mor-mons are patrolling the Southern part of the County, and that a number of families from the interior are on their way to Warsaw, seeking protection. I can form no opin-ion what the result will be. The storm may pass over without any very serious consequence, and there may be much destruction of property and the loss of many lives, before peace and quiet shall be fully and perma-nently established in this unhappy County.
Respectfully yours, &c.
From the St. Louis Republican of Sept. 17.
The Civil War in Illinois.
We have already given to our readers such infor-mation from the seat of civil war and commotion in Adams and Hancock Counties, Illinois, as we have been able to obtain. A long letter in the Quincy Daily Cou-rier of Monday last, confirms all that has been published in regard to the pretended origin of the difficulties—the firing upon a meeting of anti-Mormons, near Lima, as-sembled to consult upon measures to protect their pro-perty from the depredations of the Mormons. That such an attack was made, without injury to any one, is admitted to be true, but, while the anti-Mormon party charge it upon the Mormons, the latter allege that it was a trick of the former, to secure a pretext for the depre-dations which they are now making. The meeting, at all events, broke up in a hurry, escaping out of the doors and windows, and some of them leaving their hats be-hind them. On Wednesday and Thursday, after brief warning to the occupants, the burning of the dwelling houses of the Mormons commenced. On Friday, other houses were fired. In the course of that day, a commit-tee of Mormons, with a flag of truce, entered Lima, to treat with their enemies. Captain Newton volunteered to introduce them to some citizens of Hancock County, and did so. They met in council—Edson Whitney, Joel Catlin and Samuel Fleming, representing the anti-Mor-mons, informing them at the same time that they were not authorized by the public to do any thing, but acted on their own responsibility. They were ready, however, to receive any proposition tending to allay the excite-ment. The following proposition was then submitted :
ADAMS COUNTY, Sept. 12,1845.
"We, the undersigned, a Committee appointed by the Morley and Hancock settlements, (a branch of the Mormon church) Whereas, as there seeming to be some difficulty between said body and the Anti-Mormons, we, as repre-sentatives of said body, wish to make some propositions so as to make peace. We wish to sell our Deeded Lands as well also as our Improvements, as low as it could be rea-sonably expected—reserving to ourselves the crops now on the premises—and will take in exchange, Working Cattle, Beef Cattle, Cows, Sheep, Horses, Wagons and Harness, Store Goods, and any available property, and give posses-sion as soon as our crops can be aken off, and. receive the pay for the same, the whole of which may be purchased from the undersigned, acting as Committee, or from the respective owners.
DANIFL TYLER, MARCELLUS McKOWN,
HORACE S. RAWSON, SAMUEL ALGER."
Mr. Whitney remarked to the committee that he believed their proposition would be unsatisfactory in one particular: j that if he had to bay out a bad neighbor to get rid of him, he would like to know what distance he would remove from him. The committee replied that they would not agree to leave Hancock, nor would they say in what part of that county they would again settle. It is useless perhaps to add that the interview amounted to nothing; and the work of destruction commenced again that evening. On (to-day) Saturday, several more buildings were burned. In passing along a road about three quarters of a mile distant, about 3 o'clock, I saw the smoke and flames of two rising upon the air. On arriving at Lima, I ascertained the buildings were situated about a mile and a half from that place. Many men were collected in groups in the streets, and the doors and windows of the houses were filled with women and children looking in silent despair upon the work of the de-stroying element. Where the Work of destruction will stop, God only knows. The feeling is deep and intense, and the excitement continually spreading. Up to Friday morning, as near as I could ascertain, twenty-three buildings were burned. During last night and to-day the number is probably swelled to thirty perhaps more, the party enga-ged in the work go undisguised, in broad day light, and ap-ply the torch. So far no one has been injured, nor has any property, I was fold, been destroyed tat the houses, ex-cept by accident Sparks from some Of the buildings fell upon a few grain stacks, which ignited, and were con-sumed.
The party which first commenced the work of destruc-tion did not amount to more than twenry or thirty. What the number is now cannot be ascertained. The anti Mor-mons, not engaged in the burning, are collecting and pre-paring to act upon the defensive. I understood a meeting of anti-Mormons was to beheld at Carthage to-day. What it will amount to time will determine. The Mormons are encamped about three miles from where the scene of de-struction first commenced. Their number on Friday was variously estimated, from one to three hundred, but an hour's time may greatly swell their ranks. Both parties are well armed, and all the anti-Mormons with whom I con-versed, expressed the belief that the work of destruction could not be stayed until the Mormons were driven into Nauvoo. Time will either confirm or negative this belief.
Our accounts by the last boats are brought down to Sunday night. The work of destruction was progressing, and extending itself with hourly increasing violence. The anti-Mormons, it is understood, have taken measures to secure a general concentration of forces from far and near, and they declare that they will not step short of the expulsion of every Mormon from Hancock county—in which Nauvoo is situated. It is said that up to Sunday night about sixty houses had been burned down in Han-cock and Adams counties. Captain DUNN is at the head of four or five hundred anti-Mormons from Augusta, and expresses a determination to protect the friends of that party against the Mormons. Meanwhile, we have from Nauvoo a proclamation of the Sheriff of Hancock county, commanding the said rioters and other peace breakers to desist forthwith, disperse, and go to their homes, under the penalty of the laws; and calling upon the law abiding citizens, as a posse comitatus to give their united aid in suppressing the rioters, and maintaining the supremacy of the law.
Progress of the Civil War—One of the Anti-Mormons Killed.
The following letter to the St. Louis Republican from the Editor of that paper, brings later intelli-gence respecting the Mormon War. Blood has al-ready been shed!
WARSAW, Wednesday morning, Sept. 17.
I reached here this morning about 5 o'clock. At this place and at Quincy, I find a state of excitement of which it is very hard to give a just description, for there are all kinds of reports and stories afloat. As well as I can gather the facts at Quincy and here, they are substan-tially these:—The citizens, under the style of Anti-Mormons, have determined to drive the Mormons out of the County. The first difficulty commenced in Adams County, which adjoins Hancock in what is known as Morley Settlement, or Precinct. In this quarter, which is near the town of Lima, a party has been out burning the Mormon houses, barns, stacks, &c.
In this war of extermination, they include not only the Mormons, but all who are suspected of favoring the Mor-mon cause, or of harboring Mormons about them. The reports vary very much as to the number of houses burn-ed. At Quincy, the number was stated at from fifty to sixty; but I think this a large estimate. The anti-Mor-mons, I am told, are divided into two companies. One is known as the "Fire and Sword" Company—whose duty it is to set fire to Mormon buildings, and drive the occupants off. The other division act as spies and guards, generally not appearing or taking a very prominent part. I am told that a company of the "Fire and Sword" men were out in the Morley Settlement on Saturday, and on their return they reported that they had burnt thirty-three houses, and had got through before supper. At Quincy, it was reported that among the buildings burned was a mill, and that in a conflict between the parties one or two Mormons were killed, and three or four wound-ed. I do not know how much reliance to place in these reports, but from the excitement I think them not im-probable.
Mr. HEAD, the Clerk of Hancock county, has fled from Carthage, the county seat, with the records and papers, to Quincy. I was told that the Clerk of Brown county had also gone to Quincy, but of this I am not certain. It is expected that the troops from Adams and Pike coun-ties will be immediately called out. A messenger was despatched to Governor Ford at Springfield on Sunday last.
Warsaw is under considerable excitement; and at present is vigilantly guarded by armed men. At a place called Rocky Branch, abo it six miles from this place, Gen. WILLIAMS is encamped with a number of men—Anti-Mormons. The General is the Commander of this Brigade, but I suppose will operate against the Mormons—law or no law. Yesterday a deplorable circumstance, occurred about seven miles from here, which I believe will form the element for a much wider difficulty than any thing which has yet transpired. The story, as well as I can gather it in the confusion of reports, follows:
It is said, that on Sunday or Monday three men enter-ed Carthage, and inquired for Mr. Backenstos, the Sher-iff, who is a Jack Mormon, and very obnoxious to the anti-Mormons. Mr. Backenstos made his escape. Yes-terday, Mr. Franklin A. Worrel, a merchant of Carthage, and a Lieutenant in the Carthage Greys, was out, with about twelve or fourteen other persons, when they came up with Backenstos and a number of Mormons, at a place called Prentices' Shanty. The Mormons beckoned to Worrell and his party to keep away, but they either did not understand the signal or disregarded it.
On their approach, two guns were fired. A ball from one entered Worrell's breast, killing him almost instant-ly. The corpse is now in this town. The other ball en-tered the cap of the man by his side. As you may sup-pose, this has added fuel to the flame, and this morning I find a majority of the citizens here preparing to go out and nothing is talked of but a general battle, and the driv-ing of the Mormons from the County.
Numbers of people, especially women and children, are leaving the country as fast as they can get away. I found a number, with their baggage and household af-fairs, on the bank of the river. Thus far the Mormons have fled in every instance, making little or no resist-ance; but they cannot flee much farther, and they must either stand and fight, shortly, or leave the county.
It is reported here, and credited, that the same process of burning out the Mormons, has been commenced in the upper part of this county. It is said, that they have commenced burning the Mormon houses in the La Harpe settlement and Camp Creek settlement. The de-termination appears to be to burn the Mormon houses, but the Antes claim that they will not injure the sick, or widows, nor destroy the grain. When they find sick persons, or women, they give them notice to leave—in fact but few wait for the notice, and as soon as the house is vacated, they set fire to it.
I have not time now to comment on these proceedings farther than to say, the excitement exceeds anything of which I had any conception.
Alarm and excitement pervade all classes, and terror is depicted on the countenances of all the families I have yet seen. This week, I believe, must bring matters to an issue. From the apparent concert with which the anti-Mormons are acting—their simultaneous attacks—the deep and deadly hatred which they entertain to the Mor-mons—the fact that the Mormons from all the settle-ments out of Nauvoo are being driven into the city—I judge a fight must come off this week, which will proba-bly give a predominancy to one party or the other. I shall wait the result.
It is very doubtful whether the Governor or civil au-thorities can act in time to prevent the worst results. There is a report in this place—said to have been brought in last night—that three hundred Mormons, with some pieces of artillery, had marched towards Carthage. Their purpose, it is said, was to bring away the family of Back-enstos. The report is not much relied upon by the more intelligent citizens. I send you with this a copy of the Warsaw Signal, from which you will see the temper of of feeling prevailing here.
The Republican gives the following additional particulars:
It is stated in the Nauvoo Neighbor, that accounts had been received there of the destruction of forty-four houses and out-houses in Green Plains and Lima dis-tricts. The "Neighbor" insists, that the shots fired upon the anti-Mormons at the meeting on Tuesday, were fired by their own party, and that the Mormons knew nothing of the occurrence until the next day.
A partial list of the houses destroyed is published in the Nauvoo paper—and it is added—"All that we shall remark on the above is, that Col. Williams is at the head. We had for some time heard a rumor that the mob were preparing for 'farther outrages,' but were really in hopes, as our people had given no provocation whatever, that law and order would govern the old citizens. Our peo-ple, though they have been basely treated, and shot at, as can be proved, have been quiet, not retaliating even in self-defence, seeking peace at all hazards.
The same paper says that writs against the "twelve " and some others, upon the charge of ''treason," have been issued in that County.
The planing mills, carding machine, &c. belonging to Norman Buel, about a mile from Lima, were burnt.
Mr. WORRELL, who was killed by the Mormons, as stated above, was in command of the guard at Carthage on the day of the murder of Jo. and Hyrum Smith.
The "Warsaw Signal " is full of violent appeals to the old citizens, to put an end, by any means, to the disorders of which they complain, and it is declared that "anarchy will reign in Hancock until one or the other of the belli-gerents shah leave the country."
RUMOR OF WAR IN IOWA.—It is rumored in town, that the people of Lee county, Iowa, are drivin the Mormons as in this county. We know not whence this news comes, and cannot vouch for its correctness. [Warsaw Signal.
