protecting the people from mob violence, and
to save their property from lawless thieves who were roaming the
country in armed bands.

The Gentiles and Mormons hastened to the executive of the State.
The Gentiles asked for a military force to protect the settlers
from Mormon violence. The Mormons requested, an investigating
committee to inquire into the whole subject and suggest means
necessary for future safety to each party. Also they demanded
military protection from the mobs and outlaws that infested the
country.

The Governor sent troops to keep order. They were stationed about
midway between Far West and Adam-on-Diamond. A committee was also
appointed and sent to Gallatin to inquire into the recent
disturbances. This committee had full power to send for
witnesses, make arrests of persons accused of crime, and
generally to do all things necessary for a full and complete
investigation of the entire affair.

Many arrests were made at the request of the committee. The
persons so arrested were taken before Justice Black, of Daviess
County, and examined; witnesses were examined for both parties,
and much hard and false swearing was done on both sides. After a
long and fruitless examination the committee adjourned, leaving
the military to look after matters until something would turn up
to change the feeling of danger then existing. It was thought by
the committee that all would soon become quiet and peace would be
restored.

The Gentiles of the country were dissatisfied with the action of
the committee and in no way disposed to accept peace on any
terms; they determined that, come what would, the Mormons should
be driven from the State of Missouri. Letters were written by the
Gentiles around Far West to all parts of the State, and
elsewhere, giving the most fearful accounts of Mormon atrocities.
Some of the writers said it was useless to send less than three
or four men for each Mormon, because the Mormons felt sure of
heaven if they fell fighting, hence they did not fear death; that
they fought with the desperation of devils.

Such reports spread like wildfire throughout northern Missouri,
and thence all over the States of the Mississippi Valley, and
resulted in creating a feeling of the most intense hatred in the
breasts of all the Gentiles against the Mormons. Companies of
volunteers were raised and armed in every town throughout
northern Missouri, and commenced concentrating in the vicinity of
the Mormon