The next night an attack was made upon the Saints living at Independence.  A party of brethren went to the aid of the Saints, and found a mob tearing down the store of Gilbert, Whitney & Co.  The mobbers fled, but the brethren captured one of them in the act of throwing brick-bats through the window.  They brought him to a justice of the peace to have papers made out for the mobber’s arrest.  The justice would not do it, so the man was released.  Three days after, this same mobber had the brethren arrested.  It was no trouble for him to get papers from the same justice.  As one of the brethren remarked at the time, “Although we could not obtain a warrant against him for breaking open the store, he had gotten one for us for catching him at it!”

Topics.—­1.  The character of the early Missourians. 2.  Mobbers’ meetings in Independence. 3.  Work of the mob.

Questions and Review.—­1.  From what sections did most of the early settlers of Missouri come? 2.  From what section did the Saints come? 3.  What difference of opinion existed between the people of the north and the people of the south? 4.  Why did the Missourians hate the “Mormons?” 5.  Why did many outlaws come to Missouri? 6.  What did the mobbers want the Saints to promise? 7.  What advice did Governor Dunklin give? 8.  Why did the law not protect the Saints? 9.  How was Bishop Partridge abused? 10.  Tell about the arrest of the four brethren.

CHAPTER XIV.

Expulsion from Jackson county.

In this small history, an account of all that happened in Missouri during those cruel times can not be given; but enough can be told to show you what the Saints had to endure in the early days of the Church.  If you will but think of the sufferings the boys and girls must have gone through when the mobs tore the roofs from their houses, drove them out on the prairies to go hungry and cold, and killed or whipped their fathers, you may then appreciate God’s blessings to you who live in peace and comfort.

The persecutions, which began in earnest October 31st, 1833, continued day after day.  On November 2nd a mob attacked a settlement on Big Blue River.  They unroofed one house and were beating a brother by the name of Bennett, who was sick in bed, when a party of brethren came to the rescue.  There was some firing of guns between them, and a mobber was wounded in the leg.

On November 4th as a band of mobbers started out to make a raid on the Saints, word was sent to the brethren, and thirty of them soon gathered to withstand the mob.  A battle ensued in which two of the mobbers were killed.  One of the brethren was so badly wounded that he died the next day.  Brother Philo Dibble was shot and severely wounded, but he was administered to and soon got well.

The whole country was now aroused.  Word was sent broadcast that the “Mormons” had got the Indians to help them, and that they had taken the town of Independence.