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 , 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 Tour Historic Warsaw, by Climer, Fornell, and Havens, 1984, p. This guide was written and published privately by researcher Brian Stutzman and is not affiliated with any group, church, or of Nauvoo on the 6 (C) According to a modern day Warsaw historian. government. It is part of a future book about Warsaw and the . For information email: [email protected]. Great River Road

Map #2. 204 Main, now a private

residence in an apartment building, was once home to “The Western World” newspaper between May 13, 1840 and May

5, 1841.(B) The paper moved down to the river area (map #3) as it went through a few name and ownership changes, and became Thomas Sharp’s Warsaw Signal. 1. Map #1. (See map on back) 154 Old sign from inside 710 South Water Street Main. The back brick part of the home was Warsaw’s first hotel, the Warsaw Map #4. 710 South Water Street. Built House. Also known as the Fleming in 1827 by early settler Major John R. Tavern and now a private residence, this Wilcox, it is one of the oldest homes in was where the mob met after they killed Warsaw. He died in 1840 and his widow Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum at Hannah married Thomas Sharp on the Carthage Jail. Upon their return, September 6, 1842. Sharp lived here for some of the mob boasted they had a time. It once housed the Warsaw Boat

“killed ol’ Joe.” Of the 5 men to stand Club and today it’s a private residence. trial for the murder of Joseph Smith, 2 Factories and businesses were once located near Water Map #5. 424 Main. The Thomas Sharp of them lived here. Eliza Graham, who Street and Main Street in Warsaw as shown above. Print Museum. In 1987, six local families worked and lived here, served the mob Map #3. Water Street and Main. In a started a museum at this site. It was that night. Being a Mormon, Eliza was building that is no longer standing, most short lived. Sharp never published here. the star witness for the prosecution at likely on the North side of Main Street at the trial. Her aunt who was not a Water Street, local accounts say Thomas Map #6. Oakland Cemetery (not Mormon, Ann Fleming, was the hotel Sharp published The Warsaw Signal shown) is located on Cemetery Rd. owner and a witness for the defense. newspaper during an era known as “The Several of those who were in the mob Ann contradicted Eliza’s testimony. All 5 that killed the Smiths are buried here. It Mormon Troubles” period (C). Sharp was an of the accused were acquitted. Eliza intense critic of the Mormons. Things is said the secret of who committed the moved to Nauvoo, married John Pack, escalated when William Smith, brother to the murders probably lies buried in Block 6 and then moved to Utah. John Pack Mormon prophet, beat Sharp for a seat in which is on the far back right hand side became a founder of the University of the state legislature in 1842. By 1844 behind the brown roofed building. Utah. A few years later the Flemings tensions simmered. In June 1844, after the 3. Also of note: LDS Apostle Willard moved to central California. Samuel Nauvoo City Council ordered the destruction Richards, a cousin of , Fleming, husband to Ann, served in the of the Mormon-critical Nauvoo Expositor moved to Warsaw about September 8th, California Legislature and became a gold newspaper, Sharp’s Warsaw Signal called for 1841 for several weeks to help prospector. In the drawing above, the citizens to make their feelings known with immigrants settle just south in an area “out building” on the left, which no ”Powder and Ball”. A few days later, Joseph called Warren. (A) Due to local hostilities, longer stands, was once a local jail. and were killed at Carthage. the settlement was abandoned in 1842. 2.