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Missouri Mormon Walking Trail Missouri Mormon Walking Trail During the 1830s, Independence was a celebrated On cold day in late January 1831, five “Mormon” national garden spot on the western border of a rap- missionaries – Oliver Cowdery, Ziba Peterson, Parley idly expanding country. Beyond Independence stretch P. Pratt, Peter Whitmer, Jr., and Frederick G. Williams rich untouched prairie and half of an unexplored conti- – made their first appearance in town. They represented nent full of opportunity. The region’s abundant forests, the new Church of Christ, popularly known as “Mor- streams and valleys seemed to attract folks from every mons,” recently organized in the state of New York on walk of life to Jackson County, Missouri, slave and free- April 6, 1830. They were followers of a young religious man, immigrant and entrepreneur, bullwhacker and prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr. Their northern manners and missionary, southerner and Hispanic. unusual interest in tribes of Native Americans gathering Following its selection as county seat of Jackson to the west of the Missouri state line immediately drew County in 1827, Independence emerged as a tough fron- attention. Two of their number sought employment, tier community of settlers and storekeepers. Local poli- where the remaining three continued on preaching to tics mainly reflected the interest of the regions’ predom- the nearby Shawnee and Delaware tribes. inately southern population. Independence symbolized Revealed scripture, known as the Book of Mormon, many different dreams for those it attracted. Southern viewed the Native Americans as part of the lost tribes settlers found cheap new land for homes and planta- of Israel. Mormon missionaries seeking to share these tions. The new town was the perfect jumping-off point understandings with tribes to the west quickly discov- for exploitation of the great western wilderness. The ered they did not have the proper papers issued by the area promised sanctuary for some from the long arm federal government since federal law forbade access to of the law. And to a religious body popularly known as the Native Americans. Turning potential failure into “Mormons,” Independence represented the place they alternative success, they proselytized among residents called “Zion.” Here they believed Christ would one day of Jackson and surrounding counties. Word of these in- establish the Kingdom of God on Earth. roads prompted Joseph Smith and additional converts to come from the east. 1 Missouri Mormon Walking Trail On cold day in late January 1831, five “Mormon” missionaries – Oliver Cowdery, Ziba Peterson, Parley P. Pratt, Peter Whitmer, Jr., and Frederick G. Williams – made their first appearance in town. 1. TEMPLE LOT Arriving in mid-summer 1831, church leader Jo- the surrounding county. The envisioned colony reflect- seph Smith, Jr., identified Independence as the church ed the new religion’s largely northern heritage. Church gathering place. A temple complex was envisioned as administrative and social structures strove to harness the center of a city to be called Zion. On August 3, 1831, the physical, spiritual, and economic potentials of the part of Jones H. Flournoy’s farm was dedicated. This rapidly growing body to accomplish common goals. area is known as the Temple Lot. There was no progress Business and economic cooperation were attempted to on temple construction during the 1830s. promote participants success. The rapid growth of the Soon Mormon immigrants began gathering to In- colony and fear of its triumph fostered concerns among dependence. Some made their homes in town, while non-member observers. Many believed such apparent others helped plant new church settlements around clannishness and devotion to be unnatural. The Temple Lot is currently owned by the The temple lot corner stones are currently on display Church of Christ - Temple Lot inside the Church of Christ - Temple Lot building. 2 Missouri Mormon Walking Trail 2. FLOURNOY HOME Present Location, 1030 Block West Lexington In 1826, the Jones H. Flournoy family lived in this small brick building. Negotiations for the Temple Lot are thought to have taken place in this building between Flournoy and Bishop Edward Partridge on behalf of the church. Flournoy transferred 63 acres of land to Par- tridge in December 1831. After Flournoy disposed of his lands, the Moses G. Wilson family resided in the house. In the 1860s, as part of greatly expanded structure, this building was the home of Santa Fe trader William M. F. McGraw. John T. Smith purchased it in 1866 and constructed a large addition on the east facing Pleas- ant Street. In 1963, the First Christian Church needed the mansion space for parking. The original Flournoy house was rescued from demolition when William and Annette Curtis dismantled, moved, and reconstructed the building near their home. Relocated to its present site in 1989, this building is one of the few remaining examples of Independence pioneer home construction. Mormon social cohesiveness, coupled with competi- tion over scarce resources such as land, proved a threat Edward Partridge to rugged individualistic frontier values. Within a few First Bishop of the Church short years, fears erupted into violence. 3. PARTRIDGE HOME SITE AND SCHOOL The homes of local church leaders Bishop Edward Partridge and Counselors John Corrill and Isaac Mor- ley were located along the main trail leading from In- dependence toward the Unorganized Territory to the west. In 1833, Partridge was forcibly taken from his home and tarred and feathered on the Public Square. A brick school was also nearby and used as a meeting- house during unpleasant weather. Near this location, Mormons surrendered their weapons to the Missouri Militia in November 1833. 4. FLOURNOY HOME Original Location, Lot 92 Flournoy Home In 1826, Jones Hoy Flournoy constructed a four- In 1831, Edward Partridge met with Mr. Flournoy room south-facing brick home here along the western and agreed to purchase the Temple Lot. edge of the town of Independence for his family. When During the Missouri-Mormon Wars 1838, while the Mormons selected Independence as their center of prisoners - Joseph Smith and other Saints were invit- gathering in 1831, Bishop Edward Partridge negotiated ed to dine with General Wilson and his family at this with Flournoy for rights to a site for a temple. Friction home. 3 Missouri Mormon Walking Trail between the Mormons and other settlers in Jackson County escalated, ending with the expulsion of church members form the county in November 1833. Similar problems followed the church into Clay and Caldwell counties in northern Missouri. Following their surren- der and arrest at Far West, Missouri, November 1838, Joseph Smith and other leaders were returned to Inde- pendence as prisoners. By 1838, Moses G. Wilson and his wife Margaret Ann owned the Flournoy House and invited Joseph “Smith to dinner with them. General Wil- son had taken a lead among citizens driving the Mor- mons out of Jackson County. In addition, the Wilsons had lost a son in the so-called “Mormon War.” During dinner, as Joseph recounted a stirring narration of what Gilbert Whitney & Co. church members endured during their expulsions from Though not the original store, this is the original Jackson County and northern Missouri, Margaret Ann location of the Gilbert Whitney & Company store Wilson was so moved that tears ran down her face. and continues to operate today under the same name. 5. RATHBUN Among the earliest Mormons in Independence Rob- battered open and contents strewn in the street. During ert and Hannah Rathbun owned this lot. Their black- the exodus of the Mormons form Jackson County, Gil- smith shop was broken into July 20, 1833. Along with bert and his family fled to Clay County, were he died of other church members, the Rathbuns were eventually cholera in 1834. forced to leave the county. 8. PRINTING OFFICE 6. PUBLIC SQUARE Lot 75 The public square surrounding the courthouse was In June 1832, the first paper published in Indepen- the focus of escalating tension among the Mormons dence, The Evening and Morning Star, appeared from and other Missouri settlers. Sidney Rigdon, a noted the Mormon press located on the west side of South church leader, preached from the courthouse steps in Liberty Street (between Lexington and Kansas). W.W. 18232. Later, church members Edward Partridge and Phelps, the church printer, and his family resided here. Charles Allen were tarred and feathered on the square, On July 20, 1833, locals demanded a halt to publication July 20,1833. In November, Mormon leaders were ar- of the paper. After Phelps declined an ultimatum to leave rested and subsequently appeared in the courtroom. the county, the press was thrown into the street. Large While surrendering to the local Militia, church mem- galley sheets of the church’s Book of Commandments bers stacked their weapons around a large stump in the were removed and placed in an old log stable behind the courthouse yard. building. A. Sidney Gilbert’s nieces, Mary Elizabeth and Caroline Rollins, risked their lives to successfully rescue 7. GILBERT AND WHITNEY STORE some of the galley sheets. A large tree trunk was forced Lot 51 through the lower windows of the printing office and The northwest corner of Liberty and Lexington is used to wrench the brick building from its foundation. the site of the Gilbert and Whitney & Co. church store, The roof was drawn into the street. The press was heav- purchased in November 1832 by A. Sidney Gilbert. In ily damaged and the office rendered unusable 1833, 500 men gathered to demolish the establishment. For several days following the July 20, 1833 attack Gilbert agreed to close the store. In November 1833, the on the printing office, church members were hunted business was again targeted for destruction, its doors and abused. Other businesses of the church members 4 Missouri Mormon Walking Trail and their private homes were substantially damaged.
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