The Neighbors React in Livingston County
Whether their alarm was justified or not, it is evident from Missouri county histories that Missourians were alarmed by the actions and rhetoric of the Mormons. The two short pieces which follow are pertinent to the Haun's Mill events.
History of Caldwell and Livingston Counties: written and compiled.... St. Louis: National Historical Company, 1886. pages 700-701
During the Mormon War Livingston county was not an idle spectator, but an active participant. No Mormons lived in the county, but the people sided with the Gentile population of Daviess and other counties, and demanded the expulsion or extermination of the "Jo Smithites." Early in the beginning of the troubles in 1838, a numerously signed petition was sent from this county to the Governor asking him to expel the Mormons from Caldwell and Daviess counties, and from the state. Mr. Adam Black bore the petition to His Excellency.
It was a force largely composed of Livingston county men, and led by the sheriff, Col. Wm. O. Jennings, that engaged in the massacre at Haun's mill, which is fully mentioned elsewhere in this volume. (See History of Caldwell County). Capt. Nehemiah Comstock, who lived in Greene township, was also a prominent actor in this tragedy. Certain members of Comstock's company are yet living in this county.
There were about 200 militiamen under arms in this county during the fall of 1838. These were led by Col. Jennings, and scouted through this and Daviess county chiefly, occasionally visiting Caldwell. Comstock's company was stationed at Haun's mill for some weeks after the surrender at Far West. While in this county the militia lived on their friends, and on themselves. Mr. James Leeper, whose father and brother were under Jennings, relates that he perfectly remembers cutting up his father's corn to feed the horses of the troopers.
A considerable sum of money was subscribed and given to Sheriff Jennings as a war fund, to defray certain expenses. In June, 1840, he turned over to the county treasurer, by order of the county court, a balance of this fund, amounting to $14.13, which sum was afterwards ordered paid to a Mrs. Marters.
During the Mormon War Livingston county was not an idle spectator, but an active participant. No Mormons lived in the county, but the people sided with the Gentile population of Daviess and other counties, and demanded the expulsion or extermination of the "Jo Smithites." Early in the beginning of the troubles in 1838, a numerously signed petition was sent from this county to the Governor asking him to expel the Mormons from Caldwell and Daviess counties, and from the state. Mr. Adam Black bore the petition to His Excellency.
It was a force largely composed of Livingston county men, and led by the sheriff, Col. Wm. O. Jennings, that engaged in the massacre at Haun's mill, which is fully mentioned elsewhere in this volume. (See History of Caldwell County). Capt. Nehemiah Comstock, who lived in Greene township, was also a prominent actor in this tragedy. Certain members of Comstock's company are yet living in this county.
There were about 200 militiamen under arms in this county during the fall of 1838. These were led by Col. Jennings, and scouted through this and Daviess county chiefly, occasionally visiting Caldwell. Comstock's company was stationed at Haun's mill for some weeks after the surrender at Far West. While in this county the militia lived on their friends, and on themselves. Mr. James Leeper, whose father and brother were under Jennings, relates that he perfectly remembers cutting up his father's corn to feed the horses of the troopers.
A considerable sum of money was subscribed and given to Sheriff Jennings as a war fund, to defray certain expenses. In June, 1840, he turned over to the county treasurer, by order of the county court, a balance of this fund, amounting to $14.13, which sum was afterwards ordered paid to a Mrs. Marters.
A History of Livingston County, Missouri published by the Livingston County Centennial Committee. Chillicothe MO: Artcraft Printing CO., 1937. page 42.
Wars
The Indian wars, the "Big Neck" and "Black Hawk," served to retard the settling of Livingston County. After the Indian "fright" subsided and the county began settling, the first conflict in which the county had part was the so-called Mormon War in 1838. While no Mormons lived in this county, its citizens did not stand by idle. Money was subscribed and a force of men, composed largely of Livingston County inhabitants, under the direction of William O. Jennings, marched to Caldwell and Daviess Counties where they participated in activities to drive out the Mormons. Captain Nehemiah Comstock also had a company. After the trouble was over, Mr. Jennings returned $14.13, the balance of the subscribed money, to the county treasurer.
Editor's Note: There were some extenuating circumstances that would have made both the families of Dick Weldon who moved from Clay County to Caldwell County, then to Daviess County, and the family of W.O. Jennings feel especially strong that the Mormons were going to try, and probably would if allowed, take over the entire area. Designating a county in Missouri for them to live in would not keep them from spreading into adjoining counties. William J. "Bill" and Annette Curtis with the help of Diane Forsythe are gathering genealogy and documentation for a later article on the Weldons and Jennings.
Wars
The Indian wars, the "Big Neck" and "Black Hawk," served to retard the settling of Livingston County. After the Indian "fright" subsided and the county began settling, the first conflict in which the county had part was the so-called Mormon War in 1838. While no Mormons lived in this county, its citizens did not stand by idle. Money was subscribed and a force of men, composed largely of Livingston County inhabitants, under the direction of William O. Jennings, marched to Caldwell and Daviess Counties where they participated in activities to drive out the Mormons. Captain Nehemiah Comstock also had a company. After the trouble was over, Mr. Jennings returned $14.13, the balance of the subscribed money, to the county treasurer.
Editor's Note: There were some extenuating circumstances that would have made both the families of Dick Weldon who moved from Clay County to Caldwell County, then to Daviess County, and the family of W.O. Jennings feel especially strong that the Mormons were going to try, and probably would if allowed, take over the entire area. Designating a county in Missouri for them to live in would not keep them from spreading into adjoining counties. William J. "Bill" and Annette Curtis with the help of Diane Forsythe are gathering genealogy and documentation for a later article on the Weldons and Jennings.
