A Guide to Mormon History in Historic Warsaw,

An 1848 painting showing Warsaw’s early waterfront Warsaw, Once Home To:

In the 1840’s, tensions were high between the people of Warsaw and Nauvoo. Warsaw was a center of anti-Mormon feelings. Today, however, there is generally a feeling of peace Map of Warsaw, Illinois (From Google Maps) and goodwill between the communities and peoples. Warsaw has a very rich history A few “Non-Mormon” points of interest: spanning more than 200 years. For many, Fort Edwards Monument, (Map #7) located the brief “Mormon Troubles” period seems to on a bluff known as “The Point,” this 50 foot Willard Richards, LDS Apostle tower was dedicated in 1914. be just an unfortunate blip on history’s radar. Ralston Park, (Map #8) once the parade grounds for Fort Edwards, is now a city park. Most remember Warsaw as a bustling river Look for the model of the Statute of Liberty! city with much trade and industry. Warsaw Riverfront Park and Goose Landing (Map #9). Be sure to take time to see the river! was a hub for education, the arts, and social Historic Warsaw Brewery is north of “The life. What started as a temporary military fort Point.” Once home to Burgermeister Beer, the in 1812, then a permanent fort in1814, building has now been partially restored. Warsaw History Museum (Map #10), 401 Thomas Sharp, Editor of Warsaw became a city that even once Main St., has many items from Warsaw’s past. “The Warsaw Signal” aspired to be the Capital of the United States! Check sign in the front window for hours. Geode Glen Park (Map #11) Go east to 7th Eliza Graham, star witness for Today, Warsaw is mostly a bedroom and look for sign on the north side of the road. the prosecution of the 5 men who community to the industries across the river Warsaw is a welcoming town that offers a stood trial for the murder of the at Keokuk. Farming, hunting, fishing, variety of places to eat, shop, and stay. prophet . boating, and tourism are also important. For more info visit: www.warsawillinois.org Sources Cited: (A) History of Church Volume 4, p. 471 (B) Just 18 Miles South Quincy Whig 1899, 1900. This guide was written and published privately by researcher Brian Stutzman and is not affiliated with any group, church, or of Nauvoo on the government. It is part of a future book about Warsaw and the . For information email: [email protected]. Great River Road

Map #2 202 Main is the site of the Warren

Hotel, which was also once a store. In 1841 newly arriving Mormon settlers, especially from Britain, would shop here.

Map #4. 710 Water Street- “The Stone House.” Early settler Major John R. 2. Map #1. (See map on back) 154 Wilcox built this home in about 1838 Main. In 1835 Warsaw’s first hotel, the after living in a nearby log cabin for a Warsaw House, was built here. It was few years before. After Wilcox’s first completely torn down in 1899 and in wife Mary Kinney died he married 17 1900 the Piedrit family built the current year old Hannah Hardy in 1838. Wilcox home that’s shown here (B). Local legend died in 1840 and his widow then married says the back brick portion was part of Factories and businesses were once located near Water Thomas Sharp on September 6, 1842. the original hotel, but it was most likely Street and Main Street in Warsaw as shown above. Sharp lived here for a time. It was later built later. The original Warsaw House, Map #3. Water Street and Main. In a a boat club and is now a private home. also known as the Fleming Tavern, was building that is no longer standing, most where the mob met after they killed likely on the North side of Main Street where Map #5. 424 Main. The Thomas Sharp Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum at the grain elevators are now, it is believed Print Museum. In 1987, six local families the Carthage Jail. Upon their return, the local paper The Western World was started a museum at this site. It was some of the mob boasted they had published by Thomas Sharp. In 1841 the short lived. Sharp never published here. “killed ol’ Joe.” Of the 5 men to stand paper moved from “the foot of Main Street” Map #6. Oakland Cemetery (not trial for the murder of Joseph Smith, 2 to an unknown location on “Main Street” and shown) is located on Cemetery Rd. of them lived there. Eliza Graham, who changed names to the Warsaw Signal with Several of those who were in the mob worked and lived there, served the mob Sharp as editor. Sharp was an intense critic that killed the Smiths are buried here. It that night. Being a Mormon, Eliza was of the Mormons. Things escalated when is said the secret of who committed the the star witness for the prosecution at William Smith, brother to the Mormon murders probably lies buried in Block 6 the trial. Her aunt who was not a prophet, beat Sharp for a seat in the state which is on the far back right hand side Mormon, Ann Fleming, was the hotel legislature in 1842. Tensions continued to behind the brown roofed building. owner and a witness for the defense. simmer. In June 1844, after the Nauvoo Ann contradicted Eliza’s testimony. All 5 City Council ordered the destruction of the 1. Also of note: LDS Apostle Willard of the accused were acquitted. Eliza Mormon-critical Nauvoo Expositor paper, Richards, a cousin of , moved to Nauvoo, married John Pack, Sharp’s Warsaw Signal called for citizens to moved to Warsaw about September 8th, and then moved to Utah. John Pack make their feelings known with ”Powder and 1841 for several weeks to help became a founder of the University of Ball”. A few days later the Mormon Prophet immigrants settle just south in an area Utah. A few years later the Flemings Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, the called Warren. (A) Due to local hostilities, moved to central California. Patriarch, were murdered at Carthage. the settlement was abandoned in 1842.

3.