Haun’s Mill Massacre by Richard and Pamela Price

Haun’s Mill By Nancy Harlacher This painting is Nancy Harlacher’s conception of Haun’s Mill just hours before the terrible massacre in 1838. It was based on information researched by Richard and Pamela Price and Larry and Nancy Harlacher over a five-year period (1968–1973) and includes aerial photographs from the U.S. Depart- ment of Agriculture, studies in the L.D.S. archives in Salt Lake City, archae- ological activities, and interviews with local residents. Greatest efforts were made to make this painting an actual reconstruction of the scene—even the cabins are located where archaeological evidence dictated.

During the 1836–1838 period about twelve thou- determination to banish the Saints, even to the point of sand Latter Day Saints moved into the nearly vacant Far shedding blood. Thus it was that while the main army of West area of “Upper ” with the hopes of build- settlers was gathering at Richmond for an assault on Far ing a Zionic community, where they could await the West, the Livingston County attacked the Saints’ time when they would be allowed to return to the Cen- village at Haun’s Mill. This act on October 30, 1838, ter Place in Jackson County. At first, it seemed that peace proved to be the worst atrocity of the war; it became and prosperity would bless their efforts, but during the known as the “Haun’s Mill Massacre.” summer of 1838 war broke out between them and the In 1887 Burr Joyce, a journalist for the Saint Louis nonmember settlers. Globe-Democrat, wrote one of the best descriptions of The war intensified after the Battle of this massacre, a shortened version of which is repro- on October 25, 1838, and after Governor duced here: issued his infamous “extermination order” on October At Jacob Haun’s mill, on Shoal Creek, in the east- 27, 1838. The settlers throughout Northwest Missouri ern part of Caldwell County, about eight miles south of began to be caught up in a spirit of mobocracy and a Breckenridge, there had collected about twenty Mor- 1 Haun’s Mill Massacre by Richard and Pamela Price mon families. Haun himself was a Mormon and had come to the site from Wisconsin a few years before. He had a very good mill, and clustered around it were a blacksmith shop and half a dozen small houses. The alarm that the troops were moving against them had driven nearly all the Mormon families in the coun- ty to Far West for safety. A dozen or more living in the vicinity repaired to Haun’s mill, which was twenty miles to the eastward of Far West. As there were not enough houses to accommodate all of the fugitives, a number were living in tents and temporary shelters. A few fam- ilies, perhaps four, had come in on the evening of the 29th, from Ohio, and were occupying their emigrant wagons. Not one member of the little community had George Edward Anderson 1907 photograph ever been in arms against the “Gentiles,” or taken any of original Haun’s Mill millstone. part whatever in the preceding disturbances. Word that the militia of the State had been ordered enridge, an agreement was reached by the Gentiles for to expel them from the country had reached the Mor- an attack upon Haun’s Mill. Three companies, number- mons of the Haun’s Mill settlement, and following this ing in the aggregate about two hundred men, were or- intelligence came a report that a considerable number ganized. They were commanded by Captains Nehemiah of men in Livingston County, together with some from Comstock, William 0. Jennings, and William Gee. The Daviess, had organized in the forks of Grand River near command of the battalion was given to Col. Thomas Spring Hill in Livingston and were preparing to attack Jennings, an old militia officer .... them. It did not matter whether or not the at the Whereupon a company of about twenty-five men mill had taken any part in the disturbances which had and boys, indifferently armed with shotguns and squir- occurred; it was enough that they were Mormons .... rel rifles, was organized at the mill, and David Evans Setting out from Woolsey’s after noon on the 30th, was chosen captain. It was resolved to defend the place Col. Jennings marched swiftly .... The word was passed against the threatened assault. along the column, “Shoot at everything wearing breech- Some of the older men urged that no resistance es, and shoot to kill” .... should be made, but that all should retreat to Far West. Entering the timber north of the mill, Colonel Jen- The day after the skirmish on Crooked River (October nings passed through it unobserved right up to the bor- 25), Haun himself went to Far West to take counsel of ders of the settlement and speedily formed his line for Joe Smith. “Move here, by all means, if you wish to save the attack. Capt. W. 0. Jennings’ company had the cen- your lives,” said the prophet. ter, Capt. Comstock’s the left, and Capt. Gee’s the right. Haun replied that if the settlers should abandon The Mormon leader had somehow become appre- their homes, the Gentiles would burn their houses and hensive of trouble. He communicated his fears to some other buildings and destroy all of the property left be- of the men and was about sending out scouts and pick- hind. ets. It had been previously agreed that in case of attack “Better lose your property than your lives,” rejoined the men should repair to the blacksmith shop and oc- Smith. cupy it as a fort or blockhouse. This structure was built Haun represented that he and his neighbors were of logs with wide cracks between them, was about eigh- willing to defend themselves against what he called teen feet square, and had a large wide door. “the mob,” and Smith finally gave them permission to The greater portion of the Mormons were, howev- remain .... On the 29th at Woolsey’s northeast of Breck- er, unsuspicious of any imminent peril. Children were

2 Haun’s Mill Massacre by Richard and Pamela Price playing on the banks of the creek, women were engaged in their ordinary domestic duties, the newly-arrived im- migrants were resting under the trees, which were clad in the scarlet, crimson, and golden leaves of autumn. The scene was peaceful and Acadian. It was now about four o’clock in the afternoon, and the sun hung low and red in a beautiful Indian summer sky. Suddenly, from out of the timber north and west of the mill the Gentiles burst upon the hamlet. The air was filled with shouts and shots, and the fight was on. It cannot fairly be called a fight. Taken wholly by surprise, the Mormons were thrown into extreme confusion. The women and children cried and screamed in excitement and terror, and the greater number, directed by some Haun’s Mill of the men, ran across the milldam to the south bank by C. C. A. Christensen of the creek and sought shelter in the woods. Perhaps Museum of Church History and Art twenty men, Captain Evans among them, ran with their guns to the blacksmith shop and began to return the glee how the poor child “kicked and squealed” in his fire. Some were shot down in their attempts to reach the dying agonies and justified his inhuman act by the old shop. Indian aphorism, “Nits will make lice.” The fire of the Mormons was wild and ineffective; Charley Merrick, another little boy only nine years that of the militia was accurate and deadly. The cracks old, had hid under the bellows. He ran out, but did not between the logs of the shop were so large that it was get far until he received a load of buckshot and a rifle easy to shoot through them, and so thickly were the ball—in all, three wounds. He did not die, however, for Mormons huddled together on the inside that nearly nearly five weeks. every bullet which entered the shop killed or wounded Esquire Thomas McBride was seventy-eight years of a man. Firing was kept up all the while on the fleeing age, and had been a soldier under Gates and Washing- fugitives, and many were shot down as they ran. ton in the Revolution. He had started for the blacksmith Realizing very soon that he was placed at a decid- shop but was shot down on the way and lay wound- ed disadvantage, Captain Evans gave orders to retreat, ed and helpless but still alive. A Daviess County man directing every man to take care of himself .... The fu- named Rogers, who kept a ferry across Grand River gitives were fired on until they were out of range, but near Gallatin, came upon him and demanded his gun. not pursued, as the few who escaped scattered in almost “Take it,” said McBride. Rogers picked up the weapon every direction. and finding that it was loaded deliberately discharged it Coming upon the field after it had been abandoned, into the old veteran’s breast. He then cut and hacked the the Gentiles perpetrated some terrible deeds. At least body with his ‘‘corn knife’’ until it was frightfully gashed three of the wounded were hacked to death with the and mangled. “corn knives” or finished with a rifle bullet. William After the Mormons had all been either killed, Reynolds, a Livingston County man, entered the black- wounded, or driven away, the Gentiles began to loot the smith shop and found a little boy, only ten years of age place. Considerable property was taken, much of the named Sardius Smith, hiding under the bellows. With- spoil consisting of household articles and personal ef- out even demanding his surrender, the cruel wretch fects. At least three wagons and perhaps ten horses were drew up his rifle and shot the little fellow as he lay cow- taken .... Two of the survivors have stated to me that the ering and trembling. Reynolds afterward boasted of his place was “pretty well cleaned out.” exploit to persons yet living. He described with fiendish Colonel Jennings did not remain at the mill more

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Planning the Attack by Greg Seivers than two hours. Twilight approaching, he set out on his George S. Richards, Warren Smith, return to his former encampment. He feared a rally and William Napier, Charles Merrick, aged 9, return of the Mormons with a large reinforcement, and Sardius Smith, aged 10. doubtless he desired to reflect leisurely on his course The severely wounded numbered eleven men, one of future operations. Reaching Woolsey’s, he halted his boy (Alma Smith, aged 7), and one woman, a Miss Mary battalion and prepared to pass the night. But a few hours Stedwell. The latter was shot through the hand and arm later he imagined he heard cannon and a great tumult in as she was running to the woods. the direction of Haun’s Mill, betokening, as he thought, Bloody work and woeful! What a scene did Colo- the advance of a large Mormon force upon him. Rous- nel Jennings and his men turn their backs upon as they ing his men from their sweet dreams of the victory, he rode away in the gloaming from the little valley once all broke camp, moved rapidly eastward, and never halted green and peaceful! The wounded men had been given until he had put the West Fork of Grand River between no attention, and the bodies of the slain had been left to him and his imaginary pursuers. He and his men had fester and putrefy in the Indian summer temperature, won glory enough for one day, anyhow! They had not warm and mellowing. A large red moon rose, and a fog lost a man killed and only three wounded.... came up from the stream and lay like a facecloth upon The Mormons killed and mortally wounded num- the pallid countenances of the dead. bered seventeen. Here are the names: Timidly and warily came forth the widows and or- Thomas McBride, Augustine Harmer, phans from their hiding places, and as they recognized Levi N. Merrick, Simon Cox, one a husband, one a father, another a son, and another Elias Benner, Hiram Abbott, a brother among the slain, the wailings of grief and ter- Josiah Fuller, John York, ror were most pitiful. All that night were they alone with Benjamin Lewis, John Lee, their dead and wounded. There were no physicians, but Alexander Campbell, John Byers, if there had been, many of the wounded were past all surgery. Dreadful sights in the moonlight, and dreadful

4 Haun’s Mill Massacre by Richard and Pamela Price sounds on the night winds! In the hamlet the groans of the wounded, the moans and sobs of the grief-strick- en, the bellowing of cattle, and the howling of dogs, and from the black woods the dismal hooting of owls. By and by, when the wounded had been made as comfortable as possible, the few men who had re- turned gathered the women and children together, and all sought consolation in prayer. Then they sang from the Mormon hymn book a selection entitled “Moroni’s Lamentation”.... And so in prayer and song and minis- tration the remainder of the night was passed. The next morning the corpses had changed and were changing fast. They must be buried. There were not enough men left to make coffins or even dig graves. It could not be determined when relief would come or when the Gentiles would return. There was a large unfinished well near the mill, which it was decided should be used as a common sepulcher. Four men, one of whom was Joseph W. Young, a brother of Brigham Young, gathered up the bodies, the women assisting, and bore them one at a time on a large plank to the well and slid them in. Some hay was strewn upon the ghastly pile and then a thin layer of dirt thrown upon the hay. A day or two thereafter Captain Comstock’s com- pany was ordered to Haun’s mill, where it remained in Sardius Smith camp for some weeks .... While in camp at the mill, ac- by A. D. Shaw cording to the statements to me of two of its members, of their sorrows could have been avoided by the use of Comstock’s company lived off the country, as did the more discretion and meekness. On the other hand, that State troops at Far West. The Mormon cattle and hogs was an era of religious bigotry, and any denomination had been turned into the fields and were fine and fat. which claimed to have revelations direct from heaven The mill furnished flour and meal, and other articles of would have been the object of intense hatred. provision were to be had for the taking. The Mormon Some of the Saints forsook their religion and were men were either prisoners or had been driven from the spared the persecution. But the great majority of them country. became even more convinced that this work was true. By the 1st of April following all had left the State. This knowledge and assurance came to them not only Many of them had been killed, their houses burned, through the testimony of , but through their property taken, their fields laid waste; and the re- marvelous spiritual manifestations of their own. In sult was called “peace” (Church History 2:225-233). the words of one English immigrant who joined the An estimated three hundred Church members lost Church: “This is the work of the living God, and though their lives during these troubled times in Missouri death and hell combine against it, they cannot prevail.” when the Missouri settlers drove them out of the state And so even today, the “Marvelous Work and a at gunpoint. Wonder” continues to offer salvation to all who come The Haun’s Mill Massacre stands as a symbol of the to it. sacrifice and devotion of the Saints. After a century and a half of study and reflection, it can be seen that some Source: http://restorationbookstore.org/prints/haunsmill.htm

5 The Truth Behind the Hawn’s Mill Massacre by Brent M. Rogers On October 30, 1838, more than 200 Missouri mi- litiamen attacked the Hawn’s Mill settlement located on Shoal Creek in Caldwell County, Missouri, where doz- ens of Mormon families lived. On that day, the Missouri militia opened fire on the small community, shooting into the small crevices of the blacksmith’s shop where several Mormon men and boys had taken refuge. The organized Missouri militia then entered the building to execute more. At the end of the horrific slaughter, 17 Mormons lay dead in pooled blood, more than a dozen others were wounded, some Latter-day Saint women were assaulted, and many Mormon men, women, and children had fled or hid in the woods. It was the violent crescendo of the in Hawn’s Mill Missouri. by Al Rounds In the days preceding the attack, Missouri militia this boasted land of liberty,” wrote Amanda Smith, the visited Jacob Hawn’s Mill. The militiamen threatened Missouri militiamen demanded that she and her fellow and disarmed the Mormon residents. These pre-mas- religionists “deny [their] faith or die.” Amanda, whose sacre initiatives suggest that the militia planned to act husband and son were killed and who had another son before Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued the seriously wounded in the blacksmith’s shop at Hawn’s Extermination Order on October 27, 1838. Mill as described above, did not renounce her beliefs. Hawn appears to have been a major reason why Mor- She led what remained of her family through the cold, mons at the mill did not follow Joseph Smith’s counsel sleeping outdoors the whole way to Quincy, Illinois. to move away from the settlement and in closer to Far Without access to horses or wagons, many of the West for safety. Due to the growing threat of the militia, Saints walked in wintry conditions from Missouri to Smith informed Hawn that they should abandon the Quincy. John Hammer, who was just 9-years-old at the mill so as to not risk the lives of the Saints living there. time, vividly remembered the stark conditions of the However, when Hawn returned to the settlement, he forced exodus from Missouri. In a stirring account he reported that Smith said the Mormons could stay and recalled: maintain the mill. Hawn may have been motivated by When night approached we would hunt for a log or the fact that he stood to lose his livelihood if the Mor- fallen tree and if lucky enough to find one, we would mons were to abandon the settlement. build fires by the sides of it. Those who had blankets The Missouri militiamen disdained church mem- or bedding camped down near enough to enjoy the bers. Nathan Kinsman Knight, an observer to the mas- warmth of the fire, which was kept burning through the sacre, stated, “At the Blacksmith shop they had killed entire night. Our family, as well as many others, were Bro. Warren Smith and one of his sons and wounded almost barefooted, and some had to wrap their feet in the other. The boys were under the bellows pleading for cloths in order to keep them from freezing and protect their lives. The mob put their guns thru between the them from the sharp points of the frozen ground. This, logs and fired.” at best, was very imperfect protection, and often the The Missouri militiamen who indiscriminately shot blood from our feet marked the frozen earth. at church members demonstrated their vitriol towards In the months and years following the massacre, in and desire to exterminate all Mormons at Hawn’s Mill hopes of gaining redress and justice for the crimes com- by shouting the phrase, “Kill them … Knits make lice.” mitted against them in Missouri generally and at Hawn’s The Hawn’s Mill victims clearly felt that their suf- Mill specifically, Latter-day Saints later wrote nearly a fering was because of their religious convictions. “In

6 The Truth Behind the Hawn’s Mill Massacre by Brent M. Rogers thousand petitions and affidavits detailing their suffer- ing. Many of those texts documented the incidents of violence and abuse at Hawn’s Mill. Taken together, they comprise some incredibly significant texts in Mormon history. Along with narrative pamphlets and other histories of the Missouri difficulties, these writings, and the as- sociated efforts to obtain redress and justice from gov- ernment at all levels, helped create a shared memory for the Latter-day Saint people, who were willing to suffer inequality and endure intense trials for their faith and belief. Men, women, and children demonstrated their faith when they did not deny their religious convictions to save themselves from cruelty and deprivation in the aftermath of the Hawn’s Mill massacre. Their sacrific- es, in addition to the sacrifices experienced by all the Latter-day Saints who endured the Missouri violence, should be remembered, understood, and memorialized with compassion and charity. Source: http://www.ldsliving.com/The-Truth-Behind- the-Hawn-s-Mill-Massacre/s/77184

Tragedy and Truth: What Happened at Hawn’s Mill is the first historical narrative exclusively devoted to ex- plaining why and how the massacre happened and what measures church members took in its aftermath. But why did the attack occur? Who was involved? And did the Saints at Hawn’s Mill disobey Joseph Smith’s counsel? These and other telling questions are The Blacksmith Shop explained and clarified by four top LDS Church history by Kirt Harmon scholars in this fascinating book devoted exclusively to helping readers understand why and how the massacre Hawn, whose name has historically been misspelled at Hawn’s Mill happened. as Haun, was an early settler in Caldwell County and established a milling business there prior to the Mormons’ settling in that location. He was not a church member and never joined the LDS Church.

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