"An Interesting Early History of Decatur County"by Mrs. O.N. Kellogg |
| Chapter Three ITEMS IN RELATION TO THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF GARDEN GROVE-IOWA?-TERRITORY-EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF ORSON PRATT, SR, A MORMON ELDER AND HISTORIAN-IN THE MILLENNIAL STAR, Volumes XI and XII |
| After the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith at Carthage, Illinois,
on the 27th of June, 1844, the Saints continued to receive persecutions
from the murderers of their prophet and patriarch. Frequently their hard
earned crops were destroyed, their stacks of grain burned, their cattle
shot, their houses torn down or burned, and their lives constantly
threatened. Many of the Saints were shipped, and others murdered in cold
blood. These murderers, receiving no check from the authorities of
Illinois, boldly threatened general massacre of men, women, and
children, unless the Saints would leave their own houses, homes and
firesides; depart out of the United States and seek asylum in the wild
unhospitable regions of the Rocky Mountains. Having for many years
endured the most heart-rendering persecutions while in Missouri and know
from bitter experience that the government would not extend to them the
protection promised in the Constitution, they concluded to depart from
the midst of the persecutors and seek out a location in the vast
interior wilds of the great west far from the abode of what is called
civilization and Christianity. “Accordingly, in the fore part of February, 1846, several hundred families of the Saints left their farms and their warm comfortable houses unsold and crossed with their wagons the great Mississippi River. Many of the wagons were ferried by boat, but the weather becoming intensely cold the broad Mississippi froze over, forming a bridge of ice on which many hundreds crossed. In consequence of the deep snow and the extreme cold we were obliged to form an encampment for several days at Sugar Creek, a few miles west of the river. While here the thermometer ranged for several days below the freezing point and sometimes falling 15 to 20 degrees below zero. Men, women, children and animals suffered severely with the cold. Notwithstanding the snow storms and the inclemency of the weather, our camp resounded with songs of joy and praise to God. All were cheerful and happy in the anticipation of finding a resting place from persecution in some of the lovely, solitary valleys of the great interior basin of Upper California, a Mexican province or whithersoever we may be lead.” “March 1st, 1846-We have now been encamped out nearly a month but yet we are cheerful and rejoice that we have the privilege of passing through the tribulations for the truth's sake. This afternoon the general camp moved about five miles to the northwest and, after scraping away the snow, we pitched our tents upon the frozen ground. Our beds were placed upon the frozen earth and, bowing before our Creator, we offered up praise and Thanksgiving to Him, implored His kind protection and resigned ourselves to the slumbers of the night. Previously to retiring the sky became clear. I obtained by a quadrant and an artificial horizon of quicksilver the altitude of the north polar star, for which I determined the latitude of the camp to be 40 degrees, 34' 52”.” “March 2nd, 1846-This morning the camp moved on in a westerly direction and we pitched our tents about four miles below Farmington.” “March 22nd, 1846-The day is rainy and unpleasant. Moved only about seven miles. The next day we went through rain and deep mud about six miles and encamped upon the west branch of Shoal Creek. The heavy rains had rendered the prairies impassable and our several camps were very much scattered from each other. We were compelled to remain for some to or three weeks during which time our animals were fed upon the limbs and bark of trees, for the grass had not yet started and we were a large number of miles from any inhabited country; therefore, it was very inconvenient to send for grain. The heavy rains and snows, together with frosty nights, rendered our situation very uncomfortable. Our camps were now more perfectly organized, and captains were appointed and counselors, together with other necessary officers. Game is now plentiful. Our hunters bring into camp more or less deer, wild turkeys and prairie hens every day.” “March 31st, 1846-The day being pleasant I obtained observation of the true time and regulated my watch. From observations I determined the latitude of my branch of encampment upon Shoal Creek to be 40 degrees 40' 07”; Longitude by lunar distance 92 degrees 59' 15” from Greenwich.” “April 9th, 1846-After remaining here about three weeks we concluded to move slowly on. The rain poured down in torrents. With great exertion part of the camp was enabled to go about six miles, while others were stuck fast in the deep mud. We encamped at a point of timber about sunset after being drenched several hours in the rain. The mud and water in and around our tents were ankle deep and the rain still continues to pour down without any cessation. We were obliged to cut brush and limbs of trees and strew them upon the ground in our tents to keep them from sinking in the mire. Those who were unable to reach the timber suffered much on account of cold, having no fuel for fires. Our animals were turned loose to look out for themselves, the bark and limbs of trees were their principal food.” “April 11th, 1846-During the night the mud froze hard. To any but our Saints the circumstances would have been very discouraging for it seemed to be with the greatest difficulties that we could save the animals from starvation and we were obliged to send off several days' journey to procure grain. Many of the people were destitute of food and many women and children suffered much from exposure to the inclemency of the weather and from lack of the necessities of life, such as they had been accustomed to in former days. But in the midst of all these temporal afflictions the Saints were comforted in anticipation of better days; they looked forward to the time when the light afflictions would cease, and when they should have the privilege of sitting under their own vine and fig trees with none to molest them or make them afraid. They were willing to endure hardships and privations for the sake of escaping the unrelenting persecutions of Gentile Christians from whom they had received for many years nothing but cruelty and the most heart-rendering oppression. Their desire was to establish themselves in some lonely spot where they and their children could worship God and obey His voice and prepare themselves for the glory which is to be revealed at the revelation of Jesus Christ. With these glorious anticipations, cheerfulness and joy seemed to animate every countenance and sufferings were endured without murmurings. The twelve apostles and other of the authorities met in council and determined to leave the settlements still further on our left and launch forth upon the broad prairies on the northwest, which for hundreds of miles were entirely uninhabited.” “April 22nd, 1846-During the last ten or twelve days we have traveled as is supposed some 25 or 30 miles. Rattlesnakes are quite plentiful. Timbers are seen in various places about our camp; some of our animals are badly bitten and poisoned.” “April 27th, 1846-This morning the horn sounded for all of the men to assemble themselves together to be organized for labor. One hundred men were appointed for cutting trees, splitting rails and making fence; forty-eight to cutting logs for the building of log houses; several were appointed to build a bridge; a number more for the digging of wells; some to make the woodwork for our ploughs; several more to watch our flocks and keep them from straying, while others were sent on a several days journey into settlements in Missouri to exchange horses, featherbeds and other property for cows, provisions, etc., and finally the whole camp was occupied in doing something. During this council for organization we were well drenched in rain.” “April 30th, 1846-According to information we have received several hundred families of the Saints are now on their way from Nauvoo, being strung along the road for more than one hundred miles.” “May 10th, 1846-A large amount of labor has been done since arriving in this grove; indeed the whole camp is very industrious. Many houses have been built, wells dug, extensive farms fenced and the whole place assumes the appearance of having been occupied for years and clearly shows what can be accomplished by union, industry and perseverance.” “May 11th, 1846-A portion of our camp again resumed the journey, traveled about six miles and camped. The following certificate and general letter of instructions were left with settlers of Garden Grove. 'To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and especially to those who are and shall hereafter be at Garden Grove, greeting: This certifies that at a public meeting of the authorities of the whole church, and of the Saints at Garden Grove, held on Sunday, the 10th of May, 1846, Elder Samuel Bent was duly elected and chosen to preside and of the Saints of Garden Grove, the apportion every man his share of the land to till, and to see that he does it or else give it to someone who will. To permit no one to beg or eat on the population who will not work upon it, and for the general interest, and according to counsel. And with his two counselors by him selected, to guide, regulate, order and superintend all matters, spiritual and temporal in any wise pertaining to said farm or location, and the Saints connected therewith. All that he shall retain all the implements connected with said farms as the property of that portion of the church which made the same, and who have or about to remove further west; and that for the benefit of the poor who are now here, and who shall hereafter arrive. And tithe all the income of the all the Saints for the benefit of the poor and sick. And if anyone neglect carefully to secure the crops he has raised, that he fathered the same into his store house that nothing be lost, and do all the other acts and things as he shall be directed by the Spirit of God, and the principles of revelation. And if the Saints will harken to their president and abide by his counsel in things they shall prosper, and where the keys of the kingdom shall be located, there they shall also come. President Bent has selected Aaron Johnson and Davis Fullmer for his counselors and the same has been approved by the general counsel. Done for him and in behalf of the general authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Garden Grove, Iowa Territory, May 12th, 1846.” Signed: Brigham Young, President and Willard Young, Clerk.” The amount of land surveyed and fenced in two large fields and prepared for crops was 30 acres in the north field and 325 acres in the south field, separated by a street 8 rods wide running east and west. The north field ran 240 rods north, and 200 rods east. The south field ran 200 rods south and 200 rods east. I find a list of 302 names, who were dwelling there the following summer. The form of government was of an ecclesiastical nature. Criminals and transgressors of the law of God were disfellowshipped from the church. |
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