pe. The evening of February 7, 1839, when the guard
should come with their supper, was fixed as the time to try; but Hyrum
wanted to be sure about the matter so he asked Joseph to enquire of the
Lord if it was wisdom for them to make the attempt. Joseph did so and was
informed that if they were all united they would be able to escape that
evening. Therefore all but Lyman Wight agreed to the plan. He wanted to
wait till the next day, and as the brethren would not go without him, they
decided to wait.

That evening the guard left the door wide open and gave them a good chance
to escape, but they did not try. The next evening the jailor brought a
double guard with him, and six of the brethren came to see the prisoners.
Though it was a very poor chance to escape, they meant to try. When the
guard went to close the door the prisoners followed and tried to prevent
him, but they did not succeed. All but one of the visiting brethren were
also locked in, and he had a narrow escape from the mob outside who soon
collected and made all kinds of threats against the prisoners.

The visitors now thought that they also were in great danger, but Joseph
told them not to fear, as not a hair of their heads would be injured. This
promise came true, because at a trial they had next day they were all set
free and nothing was taken from them.

April 6, 1839, the prisoners were ordered to Gallatin, Daviess county.
After their long confinement the brethren were weak, and it was hard to
stand the long journey. On the 9th they had another trial or hearing. The
jury consisted mainly of men who had taken part in the Haun's Mill
massacre, and most of the time during the trial they were drunk. The
presiding officer, Judge King, was also as bad as the jury. This mock trial
continued for several days. Men who sat on the jury during the day acted as
guards at night, where they boasted of their murders, thefts, etc., to the
prisoners. This trial resulted in the brethren being held for "murder,
treason, burglary, arson, larceny, theft, and stealing."

The prisoners now asked for a change of venue, that is, a change of place
of trial. This was granted, and on April 15 they started for Boone county
under guard of the sheriff and four men. On the night of the 16th the
sheriff told them he was going to take a drink of grog before going to bed
and they could do as they pleased. The sheriff and three of the guards went
to bed drunk, and the other guard helped