anite who sat
behind him struck him upon the head and stunned him. They tied a
rope around his neck and a stone to the other end of the rope,
and sent him to the bottom of the Mississippi.
There was a man whose name I have forgotten, who was a great
annoyance to the Saints at Nauvoo. He generally brought a party
with him when he came to the city, and would threaten them with
the law; but he always managed to get away safely. They (the
Saints) finally concluded to entrust his case to Howard Egan, a
Danite who was thought to be long-headed. He took a party of
Destroying Angels and went to La Harp, a town near the residence
of this man, and watched for an opportunity when he would pass
along. They "saved" him, and buried him in a washout at night. A
short time afterwards a thunder storm washed the earth away and
exposed the remains.
The Danites also made an attempt to kill an old man and his son
over on Bear River. Ebenezer Richardson, an old tried Danite had
charge of this mission. Four Danites went to the residence of the
old folks. Two of them asked for lodgings and refreshments. The
old gentleman told them he was not prepared to entertain them,
and directed them to a neighbor who lived a mile away. They
insisted upon stopping, and said they were weary and would lie
down upon their blankets. The old man was suspicious of them and
utterly refused to keep them.
They then went away and counseled over the matter, and concluded
to wait until the family were asleep, then burst in the door
before they could have time to resist. The old man and his son,
being sure that the Danites had come for the purpose of "saving"
them, were waiting their return. Each of them had a gun.
Brother Richardson and his party waited until about midnight,
when they slipped carefully to the house and listened. All was
still. Then Richardson and another burst in the door. As the
Danites were in the act of entering the house the old man and his
son fired. Richardson's arm was broken below the elbow; another
Danite received a slight wound. The reception was overhot and
they backed water, glad to get away. Richardson later wore a
cloak to conceal his broken arm.
These matters were kept a profound secret. I was in Brigham's
office about this time. His brother Joseph and quite a number of
the others were present, when Brigham raised his hand and said:
"I swear by the eternal Heavens, and all good Mormons will do the
same, that I have unshea
|