David Whitmer Flees Far West

    David Whitmer claimed, as he fled Far West on horseback in early 1838, "The voice of God from heaven spake to me" and told me to "separate myself from among the Latter Day Saints, for as they sought to do unto me, so should it be done unto them." Rejected by their former companions, the Whitmer's found their way to William McLellin's, who "lived about twenty-five miles from Far West [Tinney's Grove]. With joy mixed with sorrow, he received them. Here they found a home from the `pitiless storm,' and remained and refreshed themselves for some days, until their friends had succeeded in bringing to them their families," Family members, initially left behind, shortly thereafter joined them. [Robinson, The Return, 1 (October 1889)].

William E. McLellin

    The bulk of the Saints were eventually forced from their homes in northwestern Missouri. A student of the period, Sean J. Cannon, recently provided the following contextual information. "With Joseph Smith in jail, it fell to Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and Edward Partridge to protect Mormon interests in Missouri. Attempts to petition the Missouri legislature to permit the Saints to remain without further reprisals were unsuccessful. The only acknowledgment of wrongdoing by the state was an appropriation of $2,000 to aid the Mormons in Daviess and Caldwell counties. After consolidating in Far West, Church members began to leave Missouri in November. As petitions to remain failed, the rest followed, fearing reprisals by mobs if they remained after February.

    Some families strayed into Iowa. Most made the 200-mile journey northeast toward Quincy, Illinois, tending to follow established roads. From personal accounts of the trek, a northern route extending eastward from Far West through Chillicothe and Monroe City to Quincy, and a southern route connecting Far West with Tinney's Grove, Keytesville, Huntsville, and Quincy, appear to have been the prevalent routes. Fear of Indian attacks in the West probably kept the move directed eastward.

Two main routes east to Illinois. The southern route ran through Tinney's Grove in Ray County, Missouri

Click on Map for Larger Image

    The Twelve also assisted organizing church self-assistance. As one of the Twelve, Brigham Young asked Bishop Edward Partridge, barely released from prison himself, to supervise the removal of the poor Saints. Due to his own pressing personal problems, Partridge had to decline. The remaining Twelve organized a public meeting to discuss compliance with the need to remove from the state. The meeting appointed a research committee of seven to draft an appeal to Missourians for assistance, search out families "actually destitute," and solicit the Saints themselves for help. A Committee on Removal, chaired by William Huntington was the next development. Brigham recommended a members' covenant, committing each signer to "stand by and assist one another, to the utmost" of their ability. Signers donated nonessential properties to help move the "worthy" poor. More than 380 saints signed the covenant. Committee members surveyed settlements to find out who needed help. John Taylor went to Log and Upper Goose creeks, Charles Bird into "the several parts of Caldwell County, " Huntington within Far West itself, and Brigham to the northwest part of the county. Acting on applications from the needy, the Committee initiated an organized exodus. [William G. Hartley, "Almost Too Intolerable a Burthen": The Winter Exodus from Missouri, 1838-1839," Journal of Mormon History, 18 (Fall 1992): 16-17].

    Soon only the poorest, mainly refugees from Daviess County, remained in Far West. Lack of food, clothing, and suitable shelter added to the misery of the harsh winter. Beginning in late January of 1839, a series of public meetings was held in Far West to call attention to the plight of indigent Church members. A committee of seven was formed to supervise the work of assisting them. Charles Bird established deposits of corn along the Exodus route and contracted for a ferry at Marion City, Missouri. Theodore Turley procured teams and wagons. As many families as possible were transported by boat from the port of Richmond down the Missouri River to St. Louis, then north to Quincy. By mid-February, a steady stream of Saints was traveling along the rugged roads from Far West to Palmyra, Missouri. A ferry near Marion City carried members across the Mississippi River to Quincy. The final work of the committee was to sell Church lands in Jackson County. Teams and wagons were then purchased in Illinois. Following a hasty transfer of Church headquarters from Far West to neighboring Tinney's Grove to avoid mobs, the final stage of the Exodus was under way. By mid-April, the last Saints had left Far West. [Sean J. Cannon, "Expulsion from Missouri," Historical Atlas of Mormonism, 48].

    The Senior Smith family also fled Far West. The following is from the pen of Lucy Smith, the mother of the prophet, concerning her family's removal from Missouri:- "Just as we got our goods into the wagon a man came to us and said that Sidney Rigdon's family were ready to start and must have the wagon immediately. Accordingly our goods were taken out, and we were compelled to wait until the team could come after us again. We put our goods into the wagon a second time, but the wagon was wanted for Emma and her family, so our goods were again taken out. However, we succeeded after a long time, in getting one single wagon to convey beds, clothing, and provisions for our family, Salisbury's family, and Mr. M'Cleary's family, besides considerable luggage for Don Carlos, who, with his family and the remainder of his baggage, was crowded into a buggy, and went in the same company with us."
    "For the want of teams we were compelled to leave most of our provisions and furniture. Another inconvenience which we suffered was, the horses were windbroken, consequently we were obliged to walk much of the way, especially up all the hills, which was very tiresome work."
    "The first day we arrived at a place called Tinney's Grove, where we lodged over night in an old log house, which was very uncomfortable." [Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Smith, 335-36].

    Martha Thomas wrote, "On the 14th of Feb., 1839, we started across the Prairie to Tenny [Tinney]'s Grove, about twenty miles. . . We are now on the upper road, as counseled. Found stations all along the road with provisions for those that had money and those that had not. . . Drew provisions and went on to the next, until we reached Quincy in safety." [Daniel Stillwell Thomas Family History, 25].

    Heber C. Kimball recalled, On the 14th of April, 1839, the committee [on removal] who had been left to look after the wants of the poor, removed thirty-six of the helpless families into Tenny's [Tinney's] grove, about twenty-five miles from Far West." [Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball (Salt Lake City, UT: Bookcraft, second edition), 249]. The committee arranged for men to chop wood for these families and Theodore Turley provided meal and meat to get them by until they could continue on to Quincy, Illinois. On 15 April the Committee removed the last remaining families from Far West. [William G. Hartley, "Missouri's1838 Extermination Order and the Mormons' Forced Removal to Illinois," Black and Bennett, Quincy, Illinois: A City of Refuge (Salt Lake City, UT: Millennial Press, 2000), 21-23].

Heber C. Kimball

In later years, following the Reorganization under Joseph Smith III in 1860, RLDS (Community of Christ) Missionaries quickly returned to the region around Far West.

    J. W. Johnson, of Knoxville, Ray Co., Mo., writes: "Send an elder to Tinney's Grove as soon as you can. We need one. Bro. Wm. C. Kenyon lives four miles south of that place. I pray the Lord to send forth the laborers, for the harvest is great indeed." [Brethren of Missouri, can you not place and sustain one or two elders in the field. The demand from different portions of Missouri is very great. --[Herald] ED.] [Herald, Vol. 16 (1 October 1869): 213].
    Tinney's Grove, Ray Co., Mo., October 28, 1869.
Bro. Joseph:
    I am constrained to write you a few lines, that I may be comforted thereby. About three years ago, the Book of Mormon was revealed to me in a dream. I described the book to a person of whom I wished to get one. I had to do it before I could get it, having in times past, persecuted the faith and she knew it. I received the book and read it through. I began to grow in faith and in the knowledge of God. I began to teach the truth, and was called a mormon; and was told that I taught the mormon doctrine. I never heard one preach, but have been so teaching ever since. There is therefore more left for me to do, and I need help before I can do it, for I am laboring outside of the church. You now see what I need. Send some one that has the power to ordain and set the church in order. I think there are several here, that will receive the truth. Yours in hope of everlasting life.
    W. C. Kinyon. [Herald, Vol. 16 (1 December 1869): 345].
    Manti, Iowa, December 11th, 1869.
Bro. Joseph:
    I left Lincoln Co., Missouri, the 23rd of November, 1869, for Council Bluffs, Iowa; and desiring to do all the good that lay in my power toward spreading the truth, I thought I would enquire, where-ever my lot was cast for the night, if there were any "Mormons" living in the country, or if there were any who ever belonged to the Church of J.C. of L.D.S. By making this enquiry I have been the means, in the hands of God, in removing the prejudice of many, showing the true position of the church of Christ. God has blessed my efforts in so doing, for which I feel to praise his name forever. (page 54) As I passed through Carrolton, I made some inquiry there, and was pleased to find Bros. Ware and Marin, the fruit of Bro. Hayward's labor. I found them noble hearted saints indeed. I stayed with them two days. I tried to obtain some church to preach in, but was denied. I found many anxious to hear, and I gave out that I would preach that evening at a private house. I had some to come out and hear me, and they seemed well-pleased. There are some five or six believing there.
    Bro. Ware told me that there were some believing in Tinney's Grove, and were praying that some elder would come that way. Bro.Ware said if that I would go that way, he would go with me it being some twenty miles from Carrolton. I found it as I had been informed, that several were convinced of the truth of the gospel by investigating God's word, and by dreams and visions. I held two meetings in the school house, and preached to the people. God was with us. The next day I baptized B. Kinyon and Bro. Johnston; and before I left there I had the pleasure of leading two more down into the water to be "buried with Christ." There is a good opening in Ray county, and also in Carrol county. The harvest is great, but the laborers are few.
    I bid the brethren good bye, praying that God would bless them. I came through Clinton county, and found the work of God on the increase there, through the labor of Bro. J. Lee and others. May God bless the faithful laborers in his vineyard, is the prayer of
   Your brother, Daniel K. Dobson. [Herald, Vol. 17 (15 January 1870): 54.]
        Starfield, Clinton Co., Mo. January 15, 1870.

Bro. Mark H. Forscutt:
    I have just returned home from a short mission. I traveled in company with Bro. F.M. Bevins. He is a young elder in the cause; but full of faith, and willing. We traveled through the southern part of Clinton, then through Clay and Ray counties. We made a halt at Tinney's Grove, where we found Bros. Kinyon and Johnson. I remained with the brethren two days. Bro. Johnson and I then took a trip into Caldwell county. We held two meetings in Caldwell, at the last of which I was attacked, while speaking, by a minister of the Reform Church. He would take no position but to pick. This was on New Year's night. Early the next morning we returned to Bro. Kinyon's, and held meeting at 11 o'clock a.m., and in the evening in the Jasper School House.
    On Monday, 3d, Bro. Kinyon and I leaving Bros. Bevins and Johnson to continue the work at the Grove, started for Carrolton, some twenty miles distant. We arrived at one o'clock, tired after such a swift walk. We gave notice for meetings, which we held the same evening at the residence of Bro. Martin. The following day we tried to get a public building to meet in, but could not; so we continued to hold forth at Bro. Martin's. While at Carrolton, we staid with Bro. Robt. L. Ware, whom I found to be zealous for the truth. On the 6th, we returned to the Grove, and held a Two-day's meeting at the Jasper School House. On the 8th and (page 117) 9th we organized a branch of six members, to be known as the Waconda Branch.
    On the 10th, Bro. Bevins and myself started for home. Towards night we stopped to get some dinner, when the friend that took us in said he wanted us to preach in his neighborhood, which we did in the evening. On the 11th we arrived safe home, after a hard day's walk through the mud. We were out twenty-one days, and held twenty-one meetings; so you see we lost no time. We found prejudice high, wherever we went, against us; but, after meetings, they would come and shake hands with us, and ask us to come again. This was our treatment, with but one exception, and that was in Caldwell. There they threatened us, but that was because I handled their minister without gloves. How could I do otherwise when I never make a practice of wearing them? I keep none of my own, and I make it a practice never to borrow them.
    Remember me to Bro. Joseph. Tell him I will try and keep this part of Missouri awake if possible. May God bless you, and give you wisdom and strength to perform your labors, is the prayer of Yours in the gospel, J.S. Lee. [Herald, Vol. 17 (15 February 1870): 116-17].

    Tinney's Grove, Ray Co., Mo., April 1, 1870.

Bro. Joseph:
    As I have been numbered with the saints, I hope that I will be able to do my part in the cause that we are engaged in, and I will try at this time to answer Br. C.W. Lange's letter, in Herald Feb. 1st, on page 85.
    Jerusalem will be built up and inhabited before the millenium. We notice in the 12th chapter of Zechariah that Jerusalem will be a cup of trembling unto the people, when they see her besieged. We notice also, that Gog is to gather his army against Jerusalem, for the purposes of taking gold, and silver, and other prey, and when they are at the point to overcome the Jews, and lay waste their country, behold! the Lord's fury comes up in his face,--a mighty earthquake is the result, insomuch that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all creeping things, and all men upon the face of the earth, shall fall to the ground, and every man's sword shall be turned against his neighbor, and God will smite them with an overflowing rain, and with great hailstones, fire and brimstone, and this for the purpose of magnifying himself in the eyes of many nations, that they may know he is the Lord.
    In the 38th and 39th chapters of Ezekiel, we learn that they are to fall on the open fields, all of the army of Gog, and Israel will go forth and gather the weapons of war, and they will burn them seven years; and they are to rob those that rob them, and are to bury Gog and all his multitude, which will take seven months.
    Now let us notice the 19th chapter of St. John's Revelations. We see the sacrifice of the army of Gog; the fowls of the air are called to eat the flesh of kings, and of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and of horses.
    Zechariah, in the 14th chapter, says the Lord will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the horses will be robbed and half of the city be taken; at (page 308) that time the Lord will set his feet on the Mount of Olives, and the Mount of Olives will open, one half will fall to the south, the other half north, forming a great valley the Jews will flee for protection from their enemies, like they did from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah. Then the Lord will come and all his saints with him.
    The Jews will then see their Redeemer coming in power to their deliverance, in the very time that they are in the greatest trouble; then they will see the wounds in his hands, and feet, and side, and they will know that they did pierce him; then they will mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son, and it will be a time of great mourning; all the families are to mourn apart, even their wives are to mourn apart; but there will be an end to their mourning, for their Lord will forgive them all their iniquities, and he will cleanse them from all their uncleanness, and Jerusalem will be a holy city from that tome henceforth. W.C. Kinyon. [Herald, Vol. 17 (15 May 1870): 307-08].

    Br. J. S. Lee, of Starfield, Clinton Co., Mo., April 15th, writes:--
    "I have just returned from Tinney's Grove. I went down in company with Br. R.A. Marchant, to hold a two days' meeting. There is a change in the presidency of the branch since it was organized. J.W. Johnson resigned, and Br. Elbert W. Cato was chosen to fill the vacancy. There has been five added to the branch since our last conference by baptism, and ten by letter, making a total of twenty-three members." [Herald, Vol. 17 (15 May 1870): 311].

    Tinney's Grove, Ray Co., Mo., April 22, 1870.
Bro. Joseph:
    I will write you a few lines, to inform you that the work of the Lord is still on the increase in this part, and the Lord is daily making his work manifest unto us by the gifts of healing, prophecy, and tongues. I have seen one miracle performed which seems to me ought to be enough to awaken every one who witnessed the scene, both believer and unbeliever. It was that of a young man who had a severe attack of typhoid pneumonia, (as we thought), and was spitting blood at a frightful rate. He requested the elders to administer to him, which they willingly did, but without any visible effect. In a day or two he wished to be administered to again, which was done, and he began to get better, and he soon requested baptism, and, being unable to stand alone, there was a wagon procured, and he was helped into it, and was carried to the creek, about three-quarters of a mile, and was carried into the water by Brs. Kinyon and Woodin, and was baptized, Br. Kinyon officiating. He was then helped back into the wagon, and was confirmed by Elder E.W. Cato; and he is now well, and able to bear testimony that this is the work of God.
    When I wrote to you last I lived in Lafayette county, and two of the brethren came over to see us from this part, (having seen my name in the Herald,) and told us that this was a better country for us than where we then lived; and without hesitating we came over here, and I am glad to say we found it far better than we expected, though the Land is not so rich, we found a generous and noble-hearted people, and a place where every one can devote as much of his time in the work of the Lord as he wishes.
    I wrote to you that we had a branch organized in Lafayette county, and we all moved over here and were received by letter into the Waconda branch, consequently the Cottonwood branch will be known mo more. The saints here seem to be doing all they can, and are in good spirits. This branch now numbers twenty-three.
    Your brother in Christ, A.J. Cato. [Herald, Vol. 17 (15 June 1870): 377].

    Tinney's Grove, Mo., Dec. 5th, 1870.
Bro. Joseph:
    We are sowing the seed of truth in Ray and Carroll Counties, Mo. There are several believing in this part of the country. We are baptizing some once in a while. We have had some difficulties in the branch, though times are better with us at the present than they were. We met last night in testimony meeting; we had a time of rejoicing that I hope will be long remembered by the saints.
    Our branch numbers twenty-nine (page 153) members; from what I can gather from the brethren, the most of them will aid in the burden by taking the Herald. I will try and do the best I can in getting subscribers.
    R.L. Ware. [Herald, Vol. 18 (1 March 1871):153].

    Tinney's Grove, Ray Co., Mo., March 23d, 1871.
Messrs. Editors:
    We have a branch of the church in Tinney's Grove, Ray county, Missouri, which was organized March 13th, 1871, with eleven members; E.W. Cato, president; J.W. Johnson, clerk. I had the privilege last Sunday, of baptizing one more member into this branch of the church of Christ. There are others in this part in the faith. I hope they will soon unite with us. The work in this part of the vineyard is prospering. The Lord is blessing his people.
   Yours in the cause of Zion, J.W. Johnson. [Herald, Vol. 18 (15 May 1871):309.]

    Tinney's Grove, Mo., November 9th, 1872.
Br. Joseph Smith:
    After considerable delay in the Sierra, Nevada, waiting for my pay, I arrived two weeks ago; am well and my youngest daughter Lovina. I am hunting up the saints and strengthening them. Will hold meeting to-morrow here. I find some ten members here. I have a number of old acquaintances here, and have a large connection in south west Kansas, near Arkansas City. They are mostly unacquainted with the true faith. The people here give better head than in California. I have found some here that the elders have not found demanding baptism; but I am somewhat like the apostle about planting and Apollos watering. I may teach, and that any member cannot be denied of doing, and cite the candidate to some one else that is more in practice (page 752) and less worthy in faith, and often in practice; and there is a feeling prevalent that the candidate feels freer and more resigned for the person that taught them the ways of life to baptize them. Well, this is my case, but I have cited several to others. I feel like another man since I saw the sunny land of my long-forsaken home. Well, brother, I feel determined by the grace of God, my heavenly Father, to live to my faith, and by every day's walk, to preach a sermon to the sinners in this world, thereby to receive approbation when the Lord comes in his kingdom. A.C. Inman. [Herald, Vol. 19 (15 December 1872):752[.

    Tinney's Grove, Ray Co., Mo., January 20, 1873. Br. Joseph:
    In many places the people are anxious to hear preaching. Since I have been connected with the church I have preached at a good many places in Ray and Carrol counties, Mo., with success. The Lord has promised to bless my labors. I am still trying to do all I can according to my circumstances; and I have reason to believe good will be done here yet, if the saints are diligent. The school-houses are open to any faithful elder. I have five appointments in Carrol county, principally new places. I trust good many be the result. I do not feel weary in the cause I am engaged in; but by the help of the Lord I ever expect to fight my way through. May God bless us all. I remain your brother and co-laborer for Zion. Robert L. Ware. [Herald, Vol. 20 (15 February 1873):120[.
    Proctorville, Caldwell Co., Mo., Dec. 23d, 1873. Br. Joseph:--
    I feel in duty bound to let you know what we are doing in this part of the Lord's vineyard. My brother and myself have volunteered to do battle for the Lord. We started out about November 8th from Cameron, Clinton Co., Missouri, took cars to Brackenridge, then south ten miles to the Hazel Dell Branch. We found it in a very weak condition; six members, only two of whom were men. They gladly received us. We called a meeting, which was well attended. We preached five or six discourses, then went east about fifteen miles, to visit a brother and his wife; found them in good health, preached four discourses to a real nest of old Adventists. There we met the children of God, and Satan appeared also.
    In preaching from John's Revelations, we sprung the question of the angle bringing the everlasting gospel. One said, "Tell us, if you please, who the angel came to." We said that we would answer next meeting. When meeting hour arrived, the house was crowded. The "Spaulding romance," and "Old Joe Smith" were made use of to whip the servants of God; but the Spirit of Elijah's God rested upon his servants, and we silenced every weapon brought to bear upon the work of these last days.
    We then came back to our former place, preached several sermons, thence to Tinney's Grove, Ray Co., Missouri, where we were cordially received by the brethren. We got the School House, the first time a Latter Day Saint has had the pleasure of speaking in it; broke down a great deal of prejudice that was existing there; the Lord truly blest us, which we feel thankful for; left a good feeling in the minds of the people, and we earnestly pray that those Saints in that vicinity may let their light shine, for truly they are the servants and children of God. May the blessings of heaven rest upon them. (page 56)
    We attended the Conference, November 27th, a good one; recruited ourselves, and started out again on the tenth of December; visited the Far West Branch, and then to the Hazel Dell Branch, and found all the brethren well. We have been preaching all the time that we could get place to preach in, and that is nearly every day.
   Yours in the gospel bonds of peace. G.W. Nuttall.[&] Caleb E. Blodgett. [Herald, Vol. 21 (15 January 1874):55-6[.

    Tinney's Grove, Ray Co., Mo., August 24th, 1874. Br. Joseph:--
    The Elders I believe are doing all they feel able to do, E.W. Cato, Presiding Elder of the Waconda Branch, is doing all he can in the Branch, and is preaching to the world whenever circumstances will admit. Br. Kinyon has been laboring in the vicinity of Richmond, and also near New Hope Church, for six months past, with good success. Br. R.L. Ware has moved back to this country. I have been preaching, (as I thought), all I could; but when I fixed a resolution that I would spend all my time, except what it takes to support my family, I find that I can devote one-half or two-thirds of my time to the work of my heavenly Master. Since I made this resolution I have been traveling and preaching in Livingston and Carrol Counties; I also made a trip across the Missouri River, to Pettis County, and opened a new field over there. The churches were opened for me to preach in, and the people were all anxious to hear; and when I left, the cry was, "Come again," which I will do as soon as the weather gets cool enough for me to travel. I preached at a little village three miles north of Sedalia, and at Hopewell Church, nine miles east of north from Sedalia. After my last meeting at Hopewell, two ladies and one gentleman, (the husband of one of the ladies), come out of the crowd to shake hands with me, and the man said, "That is just what I believe."
    O brother Elders, will we stay at home trying to hoard up the perishable things of this life, while there are thousands of our fellow beings in darkness; or will we make some sacrifice in trying to spread the glorious gospel of Christ in warning the inhabitants of the earth to flee from the judgments of God? My love to all Saints. Your brother in the gospel of peace, A.J. Cato. [Herald, Vol. 21 (15 September 1874):586].