History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day...

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

(Signed) Daniel Dunklin.

To Messrs. W. W. Phelps, Isaac Morley, John Whitmer, Edward Partridge, John Corrill and A. S. Gilbert.

Letter of Algernon S. Gilbert to A. Leonard, Esq., Attorney.

Liberty, Clay County, Missouri,

February 13, 1834.

A. Leonard, Esq.:

Dear Sir:I have received a line from William Pratt, who called on you a few weeks since, to inquire if your services could be secured in the prosecution of claims for damages by our Church against the citizens of Jackson county; and by his letter it appears that you are willing to engage in our case. So far as I have conversed with the principal leaders of our Church, they are desirous to secure your services, which also meets the approbation of our counsel in this county, viz., Messrs. Reese, Doniphan, Atchison, and Wood.

I write this a few moments before closing the mail, and have not time to state particulars, as to the extent of the suits, but believe that four or five suits have been brought by Phelps & Co., for the destruction of the printing office, etc., etc., and by Partridge and others for personal abuse. I understand that at the next Monday term of the circuit court, petition will be made for a change of venue in Jackson county, and I suppose no case can be tried before next June {479} or October term. If it is expedient, some one of our people will call on you in a few days, and during the interim, wish you to drop me a line if convenient.

We have this day received a communication of the 4th instant, from the Governor, in which he states, that he is of opinion that a military guard will be necessary, to protect the state witnesses and officers of the court, and to assist in the execution of its orders, while sitting in Jackson county.

By this mail I write to Mr. Reese, enclosing him an order on the captain of the "Liberty Blues," requiring the captain to comply with the requisition of the circuit attorney, in protecting the court and officers, and executing their precepts and orders during the progress of these trials.

The foregoing relates to a court of inquiry into criminal matters, to be held in Jackson county, next Monday week.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Algernon S. Gilbert.

The Brethren in Clay County, Missouri, to Judge Ryland.

Liberty, February 19, 1834.

To the Hon. John F. Ryland, Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court, Missouri:

Sir:Learning that a court of inquiry is to be held in Jackson county, at the next regular term of the circuit court for that county, or that some kind of legal proceeding is to be commenced for the purpose of obtaining the facts, as far as can be, or bringing to punishment the guilty in that county,We, therefore, pray your honor to avail yourself of every means in your power to execute the law and make it honorable; and believing that the testimony of some of the members of our Church will be important, and deeming it unsafe to risk our persons in that county without a guard, we request that the order from the Executive, already transmitted, may be put in force.

Respectfully, etc.,

Edward Partridge,

A. S. Gilbert,

W. W. Phelps,

John Corrill,

John Whitmer.

Another request similar to the above was sent, same date, to Amos Reese, Circuit Attorney.

Letter of W. W. Phelps et al. to Judge Woodward.

Liberty, February 19, 1834.

George Woodward, Judge Advocate, in the case of the State of Missouri, versus Colonel Thomas Pitcher:

Sir:The undersigned request of you, if it be consistent with {480} custom and law, an official copy of the proceedings recorded by you, in the above stated case, for the purpose of preservation, as an important link in the history of our unfortunate society.

Respectfully,

W. W. Phelps,

Edward Partridge,

Algernon S. Gilbert.

Affidavit of Abigail Leonard.

I, Abigail Leonard, depose and say, that on the night of the 20th of February, 1834, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, a company of men, about fifty or sixty in number, armed with whips and guns, came to the house of my husband: among them were John Young, Mr. Yocum, Mr. Cantrell, Mr. Patterson and Mr. Noland. Five of the number entered the house; among them was John Young. They ordered my husband to leave the house, threatening to shoot him if he did not. He not complying with their desires, one of the five took a chair and struck him upon the head, knocking him down, and then dragging him out of the house; I, in the meantime, begging of them to spare his life, when one of the number called to the others, telling them to take me into the house, for I would "overpower every devil of them." Three of the company then approached me, and, presenting their guns, declared with an oath, if I did not go in, they would blow me through. While this was happening Mr. Patterson jumped upon my husband with his heels; my husband then got up, they stripped all his clothes from him excepting his pantaloons, then five or six attacked him with whips and gun sticks, and whipped him till he could not stand, and he fell to the ground. I then went to them, and took their whips from them; I then called to Mr. Bruce, who lived in the same house with us, to come out and help me carry my husband into the house. When carried in he was very much lacerated and bruised, and unable to lie upon a bed, and also unable to work for a number of months. Also, at the same time and place, Mr.

Josiah Sumner was taken from the house, and came in very bloody and bruised from whipping.

(Signed) Abigail Leonard.

Letter of Wm. W. Phelps to the Brethren in Kirtland, Detailing the Farcical Effort of the Officers of Missouri to Enforce the Law.

Clay County, Missouri, Feb. 27, 1834.