[William Clayton Writings] The day was saved by a self-appointed committee of nine women, including Mary Fielding Smith, wife of the martyred Hyrum Smith, and Leonara Taylor, wife of the wounded John Taylor. On the tenth they paid an unexpected visit to Foster, told him they would bear his insults no longer, and threatened that if he did not leave the city forthwith he would be visited by a stronger force the next day. ``The Dr was much frightened,'' recorded Clayton in a somewhat roguish tone, `` and looked every way for fear some one would be upon him. He is gone away and there are hopes that he will never return.'' (1)
-- Jul 11, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 11th All accounts from the west Confirm the report of the Death of the Prophet & Patriarch of the Church viz. Joseph & Hiram Smith & some reports say that Elders Richards & Phelps were killed & others Contradict it.
I wrote a letter to Mrs Woodruff & sent by Elder Stodard. I also sent by him the letter I took out of the Portland P.O. Br Stodard started for New York. He let me have: 8 Hymn Books 40 $3.20
6 Priesthood 20 $$1.20
Total $4.40
I spent the fore part of the day at Br MeAllisters. Several Elders were present who felt to mourn the death of the Prophet & Patriarch.
I attended meeting in the evening with the Saints in Boston. They felt to mourn the loss of the prophet & Patriarch of the Church, yet they were strengthend in the faith & we had a good time. I spent the night at Br Phelps. (2)
[Brigham Young] --11-- We proceeded to Peterboro'. (3)
-- Jul 11, 1844, Thursday
[William Clayton Writings] The next day the same sisters were ready to wait upon still more apostates and persuade them to leave in the same manner. (1)
-- Jul 12, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 12th I wrote a letter to the Editor of the Prophet giving a word of exhortation to the Saints abroad, to maintain their integrity & keep the faith and Patience of the Saints untill death. The accounts still Continue to Confirm the death of the Prophet and Patriarch to be a cold Blooded murder. (2)
[Brigham Young] --12-- I spent the day with the brethren in Peterboro'. (3)
Willard Richards and others discuss Joseph Smith's statement that "if he and Hyrum were taken away Samuel H. Smith [Joseph's brother] would be his successor." (4)
-- Jul 12, 1844. Friday.
[William Clayton Journal] A.M. at the Temple measuring Lumber. President Marks came up to enquire which was best to do about appointing a Trustee. We concluded to call a meeting of the several presidents of Quorums and their Council this P.M. at 2 o'clock. As I returned to dinner, Brother [Newel K.] Whitney came down with me and stated his feelings about Marks being appointed Trustee. He referred me to the fact of Marks being with [William] Law and Emma in opposition to Joseph and the Quorum. And if Marks is appointed Trustee our spiritual blessings will be destroyed inasmuch as he is not favorable to the most important matters. The Trustee must of necessity be the first president of the Church and Joseph has said that if he and Hyrum were taken away Samuel H. Smith would be his successor.
After dinner I talked with Cutler and Cahoon on the subject, and they both agreed in the same mind with Brother Whitney and myself. At 3 we went to meeting. Emma was present and urged the necessity of appointing a Trustee immediately. But on investigation it was considered we could not lawfully do it. Another meeting was appointed for Sunday Eve. Dr. Richards and Phelps seem to take all the matters into their own hands and won't tell us anything what they intend or have thought to do. (5)
-- Jul 13, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 13th (Prophet)(Patriarch) We obtained information this morning from quincy as late as June 29th. The Govonor had made Quincy his head Quarters for he could neither trust the people or Melitia in that region of Country. Had made a Proclamation to the citizens of the State, would protect either Party against an attact. The mormons had done all that Could be required of them. Still their appears to be a disposition of the people & troops to try to destroy Nauvoo. The Govonor acknowledges the death of the Prophet and Patriarch to be a wanton murder.
We do not obtain one word from any of our friends so that we can obtain anything Correct upon the subject. I hope we may get sumthing soon. I expect the mails are stoped. Mob spirit is rising through out the Country. Philadelphia is full of it. War is again Proclaimed against Texas by Mexico & the world is sheding the blood of Prophets, Patriarch and Saints in order to fill up their Cup. (2)
Footnotes:
1 - Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries
2 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
3 - Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).
4 - On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com
5 - George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton
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