nd that the militia had been called out. At this
they were going back to their homes; but just then the militia came up, led
by Colonel Pitcher. He demanded that the "Mormons" give up their arms, but
they would not unless the mob, or militia as it was called, would do the
same. This Colonel Pitcher agreed to have done, and then the brethren gave
up their arms, consisting of fifty-nine guns and one pistol.

No sooner was this done than the most awful scene took place. The mob did
not give up a gun, but bands of them roamed over the country searching for
the Saints. Houses were torn down and burned, men were tied up and whipped,
women and children were driven out into the fields and forests. Many of the
county's leading men took part in these crimes, and even ministers,
preachers of the gospel as they called themselves, were seen leading mobs
from place to place.

The cold winter was now coming on, it being the month of November. At one
place a company of one hundred and ninety--all being women and children
excepting three old men--was driven thirty miles across a burnt prairie,
the ground being coated with sleet. Their trail could be easily followed by
the blood which flowed from their feet.

You will see by the map that Clay county lies north of Jackson, just across
the Missouri river. As the Saints were driven from their homes, most of
them made their way to Clay county whose people received them kindly. Soon
the shores of the river were lined with men, women and children, goods,
boxes, wagons, etc; The ferrymen were kept busy taking them over the river.
At night the place had a strange appearance. Hundreds of people could be
seen in every direction; some in tents and some in the open air around the
fires. The rain descended in torrents. Husbands were asking for their wives
and wives for their husbands, parents for children and children for
parents. Some had managed to escape with a little provisions; many had lost
all their goods.

There were at this time about twelve hundred Saints in Jackson county, so
it took many days for them all to get away. Some of the poorest of the
Saints who could not get away at first were driven out during the cold
storms of that winter.

Early next spring when nearly all the Saints had left, the mob set fire to
the deserted homes. One of the brethren reported that two hundred and three
dwellings and one grist mill were destroyed.

Topics.--1. Contrast between present conditions and p