Crockett County Mobbing Part 2

After several pages of membership records, the author continued his story.

Crockett Co, Tenn. Sept 1, 1888
Elders Elias S Wright, Asahel S. Fuller and James H Douglas approached Bells Depot for the purpose of meeting Elder Thomas M. Holt from Utah. Knowing some excitement permits Bro Wright goes to the Depot alone and Bro Fuller and J H Douglas went along to in order to keep down the excitement. Soon and overtaken by Elders Wright and Holt. After partaking of some nice light bread and delicious fresh fruit dried from Utah, we went along quietly towards Bro Brooks, taking every precaution to avoid publicity. [We saw] One or two persons at most on the way, One of them offering an insult by way of asking concerning the balance of people in Utah.

We arrived at Brooks safely about 5 pm. Had quite a nice time with the family until about 10 pm. As we return to rest the homes of two { } before present themselves [ ] before us, and the sudden barking of the dog seems to make some of the family a little nervous. We, however, try to cast off all fear and are soon enwrapped in profound sleep. Nothing more is heard until 1 a. m. Sunday Sept 2, 88, when we are awakened by the words, “The Mob’s come! The Mob’s come!” Quicker than one could think we are all facing pistols. With a rough coarse, boisterous voice saying surrender! Of course being unarmed he have nothing to surrender but our lives. No time is lost we are compelled to leave our beds and are thrust out of the house without even a chance to put our pants on. No possible chance is given to reason. We are marched at the point of pistols, guns and clubs, by the masque demons about forty rods from the house. There we ask them if they do not wish to take us before the court where we will answer to any charge they wish to bring against us. “We’ll show you who the courts are” was the only reply. They now commenced to cut down beach limbs from four to six feet long and about ½ to ¾ in. through. We are now compelled to lean our bodies over a log 18 inches through and now the awful beating commenced stripe after stripe we receive bringing blood to the surface at almost every blow. If we attempt to raise our head we receive a lick over them with a pistol or club. By this means we are compelled to receive the lashing without any chance to ask even a question. We are now asked to leave to Co. which we hesitate giving an answer to when down come the stripes with redoubled fury, and the longer we hesitate the more enraged they become and thicker heavier and faster they come. Finally as a last remark we make the promise to leave and never more return. During all this time the most horrid oaths and blasphemies are indulged in we ever heard. Infuriated is but speaking it lightly and legion of devils can only express their madness. There were probably from 15 to 30 who took part in this horrible affair giving us as near as we can jude (sic) about 50 lashes each completely splitting their withes.