[Apostle John Taylor diary] In morning engaged in writing. In afternoon in council with the Twelve at Dr. Richards. This evening a report came from Carthage, to the following effect: that Gen. Deming, sheriff of the county, had shot Dr.Marshall, a mobocrat, in the breast, in the Court House at that place. The circumstances as near as could be gathered were these; they had a dispute about some land, wherein Marshall struck him, and also used very abusive language. Deming told him to desist; but he still persisted in this course of conduct; this aggravated Deming to such a degree that he drew a pistol and shot him. Several of the bystanders arrived in the city with the news; who thought Deming perfectly justifiable. Deming has always acted the part of a gentleman and a man of honor while in this city, and has so far been a friend to this people; he has taken an independent and straight forward course since his election. There are two parties existing at this time in the countr
y, termed Jack-Mormons or men favorable to us, knowing the justice of our cause; and Anti-Mormons or men who oppose us and desire our expulsion. Appearances at this time indicate that they will quarrel among themselves, and cease to molest us. I am sorry that Gen. Deming should have been concerned in this, not that it was wrong; because this man was a mobber and a wicked man; but on account of his family. Deming's influence being about equally balanced between the two parties; and Marshall being a mobocrat; it will be very likely to cause a contention between the two parties, and they will in all probability let us alone.
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
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