Stake Quarterly Conference

From time to time I run across stories about how the Mobbers at the Canem Creek Massacre suffered some ignomious fate. Most of them, like this one, are second-hand hearsay. This newspaper article was dated June 6th, 1912.

Interesting remarks were made by Elder Owens, Wesley Anderson and W. H. Jones. They related experiences, and Elder Jones told of a circumstance pertaining to the massacre of Elders Gibbs and Berry down in Tennessee, inwhich he barely escaped with his life. Stated that a man in the souther part of the state had informed him of a visit to a man in Tennesee (sic) a few years ago who was shaking with ague. The aged man had no bread in his board but asked the elders to remain and he would have a chicken killed, which he did.
In the conversation the host stated to his guests that he had never believed in a God until the massacre many years ago, and since then he had noticed that the judgement of the almighty had followed those who had participated in that bloody deed. The next day when the missionaries took their leave they enquired of the first neighbor who their host was and were informed that he was one of those who had assisted in the killing of the Mormon missionaries Gibbs and Berry.

This story sounds really good, but it is just too disconnected from its source for me to believe it. I guess I'm just a skepic by nature.

Greene County Mobbing: Part 2

This article from the The Elders Journal is a detailed treatment of the Greene County Mobbing

The month of May, 1905, witnessed two brutal attacks upon President F. J. Sorenson, of the East Tennessee' Conference, and two ofhis missionary companions, Elders Olof Jensen, whose home is in Independence, Idaho, and Elder W. L. Battie, who lives in Toquerville, Utah. The first of these outrages occurred on Monday, May 1. Elders Sorenson and Jensen had been holding a, series of very successful meetings near Whig, in Greene County, and on the night of May 1 had held another crowded meeting in a storehouse there belonging to a Mr. Gentry, they having been denied the use of the only church in that place.


They had the evening before, on their return, home from meeting, found a letter on the porch, addressed, "To the Mormons," notifying them to leave that neighborhood immediately. It was signed, "True Followers of Christ." During their final meeting of May 1 about a dozen shots were fired, and on their way through the woods to- the home of Brother W. L. Fillers, with whom they Were staying, they could distinguish forms moving among the trees. There were in the company President Sorenson, Elder Jensen, Brother and Sister Fillers, and Brother Fillers' father, an aged man. "As we came to a dark spot in the road," says President Sorenson, "several men who had been in hiding sprang out of the thicket and seized my companion and I, saying, 'You come with us, we will take care of you deceivers.' We asked them the cause of the sudden outbreak, and told them that if we had taught any doctrine we could not prove from the Scriptures we would make amends. We cited the laws of the land to them providing for the punishment of those who were lawbreakers, and said we were willing to go before the courts and stand trial. They then became quite calm, and would have released us, but suddenly out from the darkness came the real rioters, two Northern females, at the head of about fifty men, armed to the teeth, with rocks and pistols. These fiends of hell were chuck full of the devil, and their eyes- glared like the eyes of wild animals. Their names were Amy A. Smith, of Peoria, Union County, Ohio, educated at Oberlin College for missionary work, and Uphemia Davidson, of Iowa>,a graduate of the Moody Institute, of Chicago, each of them about 35 years of age. Their mission was to teach the people the ways of the lowly Nazarine and to organize Sunday schools. Instead they had now, like many of their pretended Christian brethren before them, organized an armed mob to come out against a couple of unarmed Mormon elders. Like tigers they sprang at us, and demolished the two lamps we were carrying. We were now in the dark, and two of these brave ( ?) men grabbed my companion, and giving him a start down the road, told him to 'git.' Like hail the rocks rained thick and fast about us. I got a few hard jolts with the rocks, and then sidetracked into the pines, followed by a fresh shower of the missiles. The cowards did not follow me, but flew down the road after my companion, yelling like madmen, and shooting at every step in the two-mile chase that. followed. Fully two hundred shots were fired, although not aimed directly at his body. He told me afterwards, however, that he heard them whiz past his head. Being an able-sprinter, Elder Jensen soon left his pursuers in the rear. After the uproar had quieted down and having in the meantime found Brother Fillers, I went in search of my companions, whom we found about a mile down the road, and who were also searching for us. It is needless to state our meeting was one of joy, more especially when I found Elder Jensen only suffering from a few bad bruises like unto myself. Providence interfered in our behalf or we would have suffered violence to a greater extent."

This mobbing was followed by another on May 19, when President Sorenson and Elder W. L. Battie were brutally assaulted. On the night of the 8th of May, Elders Battie, Litchfield, Jensen and President Sorenson stopped at the home of Marion Jones, about four miles east of Greeneville, spending the night there. On the morning of May 9, Elders Battie ad Sorenson, wishing to visit Brother W. L. Fillers and wife—the latter being sick, due to the mobbing of a, week previous—started for their home through the woods. They had not intended to go into that neighborhood after the ill treatment they received, but meeting Brother Fillers going to the mill, and being told that his wife was very sick, they concluded to go and see if they could not be of some use. On the way up Camp Creek, they met some of the men who were in the mob of May 1, who asked the Elders if they were not afraid to go back. President Sorenson replied, "Why should we ? We have broken no law, and we are American citizens, entitled to protection." One of them, whom Elder Sorenson recognized, said, "There ain't no law that can reach us here, and especially for driving Mormons out of our district." They told them to go back down the creek, and commenced to drive them in the direction they had come from. The Camp Creek section of country is well supplied with telephones, nearly every house being in possession of one. By this means these mobbers apprised the people of the Elders being- in that neighborhood again, and were able in a short time to raise a posse of men. They told the Elders they could soon muster 250 men, if they needed them. As Elders Sorenson and Battie passed the houses on their way down the creek, they heard the alarm being sounded on the 'phones, loud and long.

The Elders not going quick enough to suit the mob, they commenced to use violence toward them, running up against them, and shoving them, and bunting them in the back. Elder Sorenson told them that they were going, and that they ought not to lie cruel toward them. "We have had enough of you d—d Mormons," said one of the men, "and you had better get out of here quick." Being overpowered and being unarmed, Elders Sorenson and Battie could do nothing but do what the mob told them. When they were told to run, they did so, and when they were not going quick enough, a volley of rocks was hurled at them, bruising them up badly. Elder Battie was one mass of bruises in the small of his back, and Elder Sorenson was hit mostly on his arms and back. The mob increased in numbers as they went down the creek. On account of the rains the creek was out of its banks in places, filling the road ankle deep with water and mud. The mob made the Elders go right through it; if they attempted to take a by-path, they hurled rocks at them., so that they were soaked with water and mud up to their knees. Finally the Elders were made to run at a lively gait, and came to a foot log across the creek. The creek was about thirty feet wide here and about four feet deep. When Elder Sorenson was about half way across, one of the mob pushed him into the water, and then they all rushed to the opposite bank, and as Elder Sorenson tried to crawl out the opposite side, they stood over him with rocks. One of them said he would brain him if he did not get out of the water pretty quick. President Sorenson was dressed in a Prince Albert suit, and had his umbrella in his hand when he was pushed in the creek, so that he was now unable to walk quickly. The mob, however, pelted him with rocks, trying' to- make him run.

When the Elders came to the crossing near the Whig store, a man on a mule rode up, whom the Elders recognized. Elder Battie said to him, pointing to the howling mob behind him, armed with rocks, "They're a nice set of Christians you have got up here!" This man rode up to the crowd- and entered into a. conversation with them, the result of which was that most of them turned back. Two of them, however, continued to chase the brethren for another half mile, and then, with an oath of vengeance to kill them if they returned, they allowed them to go.

Wet, and covered with mud, Elders Sorenson and Battie proceeded to the home of Marion Jones, where they had only but a short time before separated from Elders Jensen and Litchfield. Here they procured suits of apparel while their clothes were drying. They showed Mr. Jones the bruises 'they had received, and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the Gospel's sake. The morning after the first mobbing, Brother Fillers, at whose home the Elders stayed that night, received a letter from the two Christian (?) women, who led the attack and smashed the lamps the Elders carried, as follows

"May 2, 1905.


'Mr. Fillers: You will receive pay for the lamps very soon. The people will pay for them.


" I , Miss Smith, kept the people from doing this thing last fall. Two weeks ago Sunday, Miss Davidson and I were given orders tostay away from your home while the Mormon Elders were there. Since we found the fight must come, we notified the American Sunday School Union, and the secretary of the National Anti-Mormon Missionary


Organization, with whom I am personally acquainted. Both gave us their support by offering help and sending literature to further inform us as to the teachings of the Mormons.


"We will say, the man (Elder Sorenson) who remained last night had better leave today. The people do not intend to harm either you or Mrs. Fillers, but the last words last night were to reassemble tonight should he still be here. The good crowd of last night will be reinforced by others from both creeks. I fear there will be many ruffians, and you know what angry mobs thoughtlessly do.


"AMY A. SMITH.
"EUPHEMIA A. DAVIDSON.”

These two women, graduates for the ministry, but whose sole mission seems to have been to foment trouble against the Mormon Elders, had been well treated by Brother and Sister Fillers. Sister Fillers had fitted them up two rooms in her home, rent free, furnishing them with every convenience, while Brother Fillers' father had provided them with flour and other food, and this, too, notwithstanding the fact that they have been drawing their salary from the organizations to which they are attached.

President Ben E. Rich has decided to vigorously prosecute the leaders of these mobs It will be remembered that in September, 1901, Elder B. F. Stewart, of Alpine, Ariz., and L. F. Zundel, of West Portage, Utah, were brutally assailed by a mob in Georgia. President Rich determined that the matter should be handled, and, knowing the local courts had not dealt justly with other perpetrators arrested for brutalities to our Elders, he sought the aid of the Federal authorities. Judge C. D. Camp, United States District Attorney at Atlanta, Ga., was employed to bring suits for damages in the sum of $50,000 for each of the Elders assailed, against the perpetrators of the outrages at that time, and so vigorously was the case pushed that the defendants were glad to compromise the trouble by paying court expenses and attorneys' and witness fees, amounting to $560.

President Rich and Elder James H. Wallis went to Atlanta, Ga., to see Judge Camp about the outrages committed on Elders Sorenson, Jensen and Battie. That gentleman manifested a very friendly feeling and discussed the legal grounds upon which the other suits were brought in the Federal courts, assuring President Rich that if any such occurrences happened again in his jurisdiction that he could rely upon him using every means in his power to protect our Elders. As a result of the conference it was decided to go to Knoxville, Tenn., the district in which the outrages were committed, and consult Gen. Will D. Wright, United States District Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee. President Rich made an appointment with Judge Wright for May 20, but on account of attending the Ohio Conference at Xenia that day, he could not go, and sent Elder James H. Wallis from the office at Chattanooga. Elder F. J. Sorenson accompanied Elder Wallis, and they were well received by Judge Wright, who, after listening to a recital of the outrages, expressed himself in unqualified terms, assuring the brethren that he would at once commence proceedings against the leaders of the mobs. He has since filed damage suits against the leader's of the mob, in the amount of fifty thousand dollars for each of the Elders- assaulted, while President Rich has arranged for the Attorney-General of Tennessee to commence criminal proceedings against them. This news has had quite an effect upon the perpetrators of the outrage. The two Christian (?) women have left, for parts unknown, and the men who were in the mob are afraid to get away from their homes after night. Their Sunday school is all broken up, and many have declared themselves as friends of the Mormon elders since the mobbing.

Greene County Mobbing: Part 1

Sometimes I troll books for hints to Tennessee's LDS history. In Andrew Jensen's Church Chronology is an entry for May 1905.

Mon 1 - Elders Frederick Jacob Sorensen and Oluf Jensen were brutally treated by a mob In Tennessee.

So I started looking for more detail on this mobbing and I found it in The Elders Journal June 1, 1905, Page 63.

On the night of May 1, Elders F. J. Sorensen and Oluf Jensen were assaulted by a mob of men and women. The outrage occurred immediately after the brethren had closed their meeting, and was led by two women of middle age, who are doing missionary work in East Tennessee. One of the women, Miss Amy A. Smith, is from Ohio, and is a graduate of the Oberlin College, of the Presbyterian faith; the other female, Miss Euphemia Davidson, is a graduate of then Moody Institute of Chicago, and is of the Methodist sect. These Christian missionary votaries led the band of ruffians, they threw the first stones, smashed the lamps carried by the Elders, and urged, as well as helped, the gang on in their work of pelting the brethren with stones and hounding them through the woods. Eight days later Elders Sorenson and W. L. Batty were attacked by members of the same tribe, who continued their assault with stones, and afterwards threw Brother Sorenson into the creek.

Asahel Luther Fuller

Elder Fuller was born Asahel Luther Fuller on 3 July 1852 in Des Moines, Iowa. His parents Amos Fuller and Esther Smith (a first cousin of Joseph Smith - Happy Birthday, Joseph), had joined the LDS Church in New York and had gathered to Missouri. After being driven out they settled in Lee County, Iowa. When Joseph Smith was killed the family moved to Voree, Wisconsin, probably following James Strang. But only a couple of years later the family was back in Iowa where Asahel was born. Asahel's father died in Des Moines and the family eventually joined the saints in Utah, settling in Mill Creek.

Asahel married Mary Jane North in 1872 and Mary Elizabeth Herbst probably in 1883. He was called to the Souther States Mission from February 19, 1887. (His older brother Jesse Johnson Fuller also served in west Tennessee) He was released from his mission on November 20, 1888 and upon arriving back in Utah on November 24, 1888 was arrested for "u. c." (unlawful cohabitation or polygamy).  Following his imprisonment he moved to Manassa, Colorado.

In March 1891 he was ordained a high priest to preside over a colony on Chama River in New Mexico. The colony was short lived, being broken up in 1895. Asahel died in Salt Lake City in 1923. Asahel's Mission Journals were donated to L. Tom Perry Special Collection Library at BYU and are available for viewing on microfilm.

The Mormons Left Town

In the New York Times in February 23, 1888 was printed the following article.

The Mormons Left Town

Memphis, Tenn., Feb 22. - Two Mormon Elders named Douglas and Fuller have been operating in the section of country between here and the Tennessee River for the past month. A few days ago, they went into Madison County, Tenn., and called on the Pastor of the Cumberland Church at Denmark on Saturday and asked to be allowed to hold services. The Pastor found out who they were and reported the fact to the Citizens, and they ordered the teachers of polygamy to leave the town under penalty of receiving a coat of tar and feathers. They went.

In September of that same year, the two Elders would become key figures in a brutal mobbling.

News from the Tenneessee Conference [1878]

I do like to read through newspaper articles to get a feel for how events were viewed when they were "current". Plus you never know what kind of details you might find.

Local and Other Matters

From Friday’s Daily, Mar. 15. [1878]

Missionary work. – Elder Edward Stevenson writes from Shady Grove, Hickman County, Tennessee. He and Elder Hyrum Clark are laboring in that part. The branch of the Church there numbers 17. It was organized by Elder H. G. Boyle. There is another small branch, at a place called Totty’s Bend. It was organized by Elder Sharp and Argyle. A man and woman were recently baptized there. The people come to meeting at night over the “clay hills” carrying torches to light them on their way. Many of the houses in that part of the country have no windows, rendering them particularly cold and airy in winter.

Elder Stevenson and Clark are laboring assiduously, holding meetings and preaching at every available opportunity

[In that very same article [dated March 20, 1878] in the Deseret News was the following paragraph]

The Keepapitchinin was pitched out of existence in 1870. As its editor’s announced intention was to publish “semi occasionally,” it is liable to resuscitation. After all it may not be dead, but merely sleeping.

I think Keepapitchinin is no longer sleeping

A letter from Joseph Bigham

While researching Elder Markham I found this letter in the LDS Southern Star printed on April 7th, 1900. Based on the content, it must be from Joseph Bigham, an early member of the Turkey Creek Branch.

Magnolia Tenn

Editor Southern Star:


If allowed a little space in your paper I would like to say a few words in regard to the “Mormons” and what I have learned about their doctrine.


In the year 1887, very late one evening two Elders D C Markham and Geo. W. Stranger, called at my father's house and asked for entertainment: informing us that they were traveling without purse or scrip. My father welcomed the Elders in and they soon were talking upon the gospel. I was a mere child, only years of age. The men and their doctrine were strange, yet their words seemed reasonable and satisfactory to my soul. Later I began to investigate the teachings, finding them to agree with the Bible. August 9, 1896, I, in company with my brother, S. A. Bigham, and Louisa J Beecham, were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints by Elder Henry A. Grover. I can say with an open heart and a truthful tongue that I have a testimony that the gospel is true, that the Book of Mormon is the word of God; Joseph Smith a true Prophet of God. How pleasing to me if every living soul could see the gospel in its true light, and be endowed with the Holy Spirit that leads into all truth. If they would but take upon themselves the cross of our Savior, for His yoke is easy and His burden light. It is true that the doctrine of Christ is not popular, yet we can rejoice when our name is cast out as evil: when we are scourged in the synagogues as I have been, only makes us more humble and prayerful. Yes, it makes us more tender-hearted and brings us to a unity of the saving faith.


Yours in the cause of Truth,


BRO. BIGHAM

The Mission of William Don Carlos Markham

William was born on January 6th, 1885 1855 to Stephen Markham and Mary Curtis in Palmyra, Utah  (His sister, Julina Markham, is my great grandmother).

Don was always cheerful, generous, and ready to lend a hand. One day when some neighbors came to buy a load of straw, Don went out with them and helped load the wagon and then rode home with them to unload it. When they asked how much they owed him for his labor, and the straw, he just laughed and said., "Imagine anyone charging for a load of straw". He stayed and had dinner for his pay. Biography of William D. C. Markham

He married Sarah Ann Warner on June 28th, 1878. The two had five children: Mary, Sarah, William, Bertha, and Stephen.

In 1884 he was ordained a Seventy and in May 1885 he was called on a mission to the Southern States. He arrived in the South West Tennessee conference on May 13th, 1885.

On July 18th 1886, Elder Markham held a church court in the Beech Creek Branch where four members of the branch were excommunicated.  We know, however, that not all four apostized at the same time. One of the members, Amanda C Queen, had turned from the church late in 1883, and so this was likely an effort to clean up church records. [I have checked newspapers, missionary journals, and mission newspapers. I have not found any more about this. Any suggestions?]

On December 21st, 1886 he baptized Emma Evans, the daughter of Zachariah and Phebe Evans. On January 7th, 1887 he ordained brother Zachariah Evans to the office of Priest.On May 8th, 1887 he and his companion, Elder George W. Stanger, baptized Elbert S. Bigham, Barbara Ann Bigham (nee Fisher) and Arminta Beechum (nee Busby) of Houston County who formed the core of the future Turkey Creek Branch and on May 16th, 1887 members of the Debusk family of Stewart County. They also blessed several children of members throughout 1887. William served until November 22nd 1887.

After his return to Spanish Fork, Utah, converts from his mission would sometimes come to stay with them. He and Sarah had 7 more children: Effie, Lucy, Otella, Joseph, George, Ora, and Verneia. William spend his last years in Church service, as Bishop of the Leland Ward. He died on May 9, 1908.

Wilford Woodruff and Benjamin Clapp

One of the interesting stories Wilford relates of his mission while serving alone in Tennesse is of his ride through a storm. Except that he was riding between two branches in Kentucky, and so was not likely in Tennessee. Though not really happening in Tennessee, I include it because it gives us a good idea of how Wilford operated on his mission.

From his Autobiography we read this.

November 15.--While traveling in the night, with Brother Benjamin L. Clapp and others, a tremendous storm of wind and rain overtook us. We came to a creek which had swollen to such an extent by the rain, that we could not cross without swimming our horses; several of the company were females. We undertook to head the stream, to ford it; but in the attempt, in the midst of the darkness and the raging of the wind and rain, we were lost in the thick woods, amidst the rain, wind, creeks and fallen treetops. We crossed streams nearly twenty times. I was reminded of Paul's perils by water; but the Lord was merciful unto us in the midst of our troubles, for while we were groping in the dark, running the risk of killing both ourselves and animals, by riding off precipitous bluffs, a bright light suddenly shone round about us, and revealed our perilous situation, as were upon the edge of a deep gulf. The light continued with us until we found a house, and learned the right road; then the light disappeared, and we were enabled to reach the house of Brother Henry Thomas, at nine o'clock, all safe, having rode twenty miles, five hours in the storm; and we felt to thank the Lord for our preservation.

In "Wilford Woodruff: History of his life and labors as recorded in his daily journals" edited by Matthias F. Cowley, we read a slightly different version of the events.

At the close of the meeting I mounted my horse to ride to Clark's River, in company with Seth Utley, four other brethren, and two sisters. The distance was twenty miles. We came to a stream which was so swollen by rains that we could not cross without swimming our horses. To swim would not be safe for the women, so we went up the stream to find a ford. In the attempt we were overtaken by a severe storm of wind and rain, lost our way in the darkness, and wandered through creeks and mud. But the Lord does not forsake His Saints in any of their troubles. While we were in the woods suffering under the blast of the storm, groping like the blind for the wall, a bright light suddenly shone around us and revealed to us our dangerous situation on the edge of a gulf. The light continued with us until we found the road; we then went on our way rejoicing though the darkness returned and the rain continued. We reached Brother Henry Thomas' in safety about nine o clock at night having been five hours in the storm and forded streams many times. None of us felt to complain but were thankful to God for His preserving care. On the following day I preached at Damon Creek and organized a branch called Damon Creek Branch and ordained Daniel Thomas a teacher.

I like reading who was there. I start to think, did one of these people with him write their version of the events? Unfortunately, neither Seth Utley nor Benjamin Clapp wrote anything about the events.

Set Utley you can find here.

Benjamin Clapp was born in West Huntsville, Alabama and was baptized in Kentucky probably by Elders Patten and Parrish sometime before February 26th, 1836 when he was ordained a priest by Wilford Woodruff. Brother Clapp emigrated to Far West, Missouri and fought in the Battle of Crooked River at which Elder Patten was killed. He escaped to Illinois with the rest of the saints and was called on a mission to Alabama. After his return he was ordained as one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventy. After the move to Utah, he had a disagreement with Bishop Warren S Snow. As a result he was excommunicated and he left for California where he died a year later.

Elder Stevenson Returns to Salt Lake

In the Deseret News on September 25, 1878 is printed a notice of Elder Stevenson's return from Tennessee. Elder Steven recorded in his journal preaching in Lewis County Tennessee and introducing several people to the LDs Church including Sheriff John Carroll (a brother of Malinda Carroll), and Tom Garrett. Neither Sheriff Carroll nor Tom Garret ever joined the LDS Church. Melinda did however, and became a central figure in the Cane Creek Massacre.

Local and Other Matters

From Monday’s Daily, Sept. 23

From Tennessee – To-day we met Elder Edward Stevenson, who returned this morning from the field of his missionary labors in the State of Tennessee. Brother Stevenson left Salt Lake City on the 18th day of last December, and was released to return home on the 11th Day of August. During the time of his absence, he held 177 public meetings, which were generally very well attended. A great deal of prejudice had existed against the truth, but since the people have had an opportunity to investigate, many defenders of the Gospel have arisen and the feeling of sympathy and honest inquiry is steadily gaining ground.


Brother Parley P. Pratt, who was the companion of Elder Stevenson, remains to continue the labor of preaching in Tennessee, and will be assisted by Brother Thomas S. Higham, a young Elder who left here with the last party of missionaries.


Elder Stevenson was serving the fifth of seven missions for the LDS Church. Parley P. Pratt was the son of the Apostle Parley P. Pratt. More on both of them and Thomas S. Higham later.

Daniel Jones Stewart

STEWART, Daniel Jones, an Elder who died while filling a mission was born Feb 25 1871 in Beaver county Utah the son of Urban Van Stewart and Mary Ann Jones He was baptized when about eight years old and subsequently ordained a Seventy In 1895 he was called on a mission to the Southern States and left for Chattanooga Tennessee July 27th of that year He took hold of missionary labors in great earnest and gave promise of becoming a successful Elder but he was stricken with typhoid fever of which he died Nov 1 1895 His body was shipped to his home in Adamsville Beaver county Utah in charge of Elder George H Horne.

May 25th-26th 1883 West Tennessee Conference

On May 25th the West Tennessee Conference was to have been held at Beech Creek, Wayne County, Tenn., arrangements having been made to hold the meeting in a mill shed belonging to Mr. Harold. On the night of May 24th some parties burned a school house where it was understood the Conference would be held. Mr. Harold fearing that his mill property would meet with a similar fate requested that the meeting be held elsewhere; therefore the Conference was postponed until May 26th, when it was held in a grove on the property of Mr. Grimes.

An effort was made by Parson Bennett, of the Baptist faith, to raise a mob to drive the Elders from the county; he boasted that 100 men had promised to assist him; he, with about twenty followers attended the meeting on the morning of the 26th, but no disturbance was made. There were nineteen Elders present from Utah; the Word of God was made plain, a large number of people being present at the meetings. The Conference was the means of making many friends. During this month some persecution was reported from different parts of the Mission; threats were made, but no violence was resorted to.

[Latter Day Saints southern star, Volume 1, page 138]

President Buryl Gene McClurg

On September 12th, 2009, President Buryl Gene McClurg, a man intertwined with the history of the LDS Church in Nashville, Tennessee, passed away at the age of 79. President McClurg was born in Arkansas, graduated from BYU, and made Nashville his home. In Tennessee owned a small construction company. He has served as a bishop where he helped his ward endure tornados. He was later stake president, and then the first President of the Nashville Temple, and was released four years later in 2004. President McClurg's passing was also noted in the Church News. Though I never had a chance to meet him, I am grateful for his contribution to building up the Church in Tennessee.

Beech Creek Branch Membership List

The Beech Creek Branch was organized on July 23rd, 1882 by Elder R. Spence and Elder W. S. Geddis. Beech Creek flows from Waynesboro to the Tennessee River a couple of miles below Clifton. Most of the members lived near the Tennessee River end of the creek, most likely in the area circled in red.

On the southside of Beech Creek, is a bluff over looking the Tennessee River. Elder Robison described it as 400 feet high and slightly undercut by erosion so that when they threw rocks over the edge, they could not see the spot in the river where the rocks hit the water. Today the bluff is more sloping, but it is a great place for a view of the River.

Below are the members listed in the South West Tennessee Baptism book. Note there are some name I have talked about before. One in particular some of you may recognized from previous posts is Amanda Queen.

Mary A Nunnely: Baptized Mar 11, 1882
Nancy Kyle: Baptized Mar 11, 1882
Sarah J. Nunneley: Baptized Apr 21, 1882; Emigrated to Utah in 1883
Miranda C. Nunneley: Baptized Apr 21, 1882; Emigrated to Utah in 1883
Octavia E. Braly: Baptized Jun 4, 1882; Emigrated to Idaho 1883
James C. Queen: Baptized Jun 17, 1882
Nathan W. Halford: Baptized Jun 17, 1882
Margaret E. Halford: Baptized Jun 17, 1882
Amanda C. Queen: Baptized Jun 25, 1882; Cut off for apostasy July 18th 1886 by Eld. Markham
George W. Nunneley: Baptized Jul 4, 1882; Died in full faith and friendship Aug 17th, 1885
E. L. A. Brooks: Baptized Jul 4, 1882; Cut off for apostasy July 18th 1886 by Eld. Markham
Lucinda N. Queen: Baptized Aug 24, 1882
Nancy E. N. Keeling: Baptized Aug 24, 1882
Mary Taylor: Baptized Aug 24, 1882
Francis M. Saunderson: Baptized Aug 24, 1882
Noah Smotherman: Baptized Aug 24, 1882; Died in 1882 in full faith in the Gospel
Elizabeth M. Grimes: Baptized Sep 17, 1882
Millard F. Grimes: Baptized Sep 17, 1882; Cut off for apostasy July 18th 1886 Markham
Rachel F. Grimes: Baptized Sep 17, 1882
Sophia Banks: Baptized Sep 24, 1882
Mary E. W. Griggs: Baptized Oct 22, 1882
Noah Weaver: Baptized Jan 28, 1883; Cut off for apostasy July 18th 1886
William Nunneley: Baptized Mar 18, 1883; Emigrated to Idaho [illegible] Utah May 1888
“Sister” Downing: Baptized [no date]; Died Nov 11 1886 Wayne Co.
Jemima Marrow: Baptized [no date]
Jrsuna Downing: Baptized [no date]
Florida Casteel: Baptized [no date]; Emigrated to Utah 1882
[Andrew Ernest] Casteel: Baptized [no date]; Emigrated to Utah 1882
Gaston La Braley: Baptized Nov 1, 1883; Emigrated to Idaho 1883
Nancy M. S. Braley: Baptized Nov 1, 1883; Emigrated to Idaho 1883
Byron E. Braley: Baptized Nov 1, 1883; Emigrated to Idaho 1883 a woman [?]
Jehu R Hensen: Baptized Nov 4, 1883; Removed to Arkansas Sept. 1884
Mary Jane Hensen: Baptized Nov 4, 1883; Removed to Arkansas Sept. 1884
Sophronia A Gambrill: Baptized Nov 4, 1883; Removed to Arkansas Sept. 1884
Laura F. Gambrill: Baptized Nov 4, 1883; Removed to Arkansas Sept. 1884

Amanda Queen's story can be found here and here.

Elder Woodbury wrote a letter from Beech Creek on February 2nd, 1885, parts of which were reprinted in the Deseret News on February 25th 1885.

Elder John A Hawks wrote the Deseret News on April 19th, 1884 describing a conference at Beech Creek at which they “were threatened by a mob, but still we held our meetings in peace.” Printed May 7th, 1884.

On August 11th, 1878, on the third day of the Southern States Mission Conference in Haywood Valley Georgia, William R. H. Manning was ordained a teacher to labor in the Beech Creek Branch. Though I'm not sure he was from there as the first baptism at Beech Creek wasn't for another four years later in 1882.

The First Relief Society Presidency in the Southern States

On August 10th, 1878, on the evening of the second day of the Southern States Mission Conference in Haywood Valley, Georgia, “President [John] Morgan stated that he would proceed to organize a Relief Society for the Benefit of the sisters in the Southern States Mission. They could be a great help to the Elders in spreading the gospel, as they could do so by writing their friends, distributing tracts and disseminating the principles of truth among their associates and friends. All were invited to join who wished to do good.”

“Sister Victoria Faucett was unanimously sustained as president, Sisters Sinia Lawrence and Emmeline Faucett, her counselors. Sister Joan Manning, secretary; all of whom were elected for six months.”

Martha "Victoria" Faucett (nee Bailey) was born in Walker County, Georgia on February 6th, 1860. She married Alfonzo Cromwell Faucett, probably just before the August 1878 Conference. The marriage date on Family Search is an estimate of 1879 and is probably based on the birth of their first child, Dixie Leona Faucett on November 9th, 1880 in Manassa, Colorado I now believe this is actually Victoria Ann Coxwell born in 1842. She married Jesse B. Faucett. I think the age is a better match for the calling she was given. Jesse was Alonzo's uncle.

Sinia Hamilton Lawrence was born on January 29th, 1855 in Georgia to Thomas Anderson Lawrence and Sinai Ann Scoggin. Sinia emigrated to Colorado sometime before April 4th, 1881 when she married James Ranson Keel.

Martha Ann Emmaline Faucett was related to Victoria Faucett. She was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on October 28th, 1856 and her whole family moved to Georgia before 1860. Emmaline married Ramsey Fricks in 1879.

Joan Manning was probably the wife of William R. H. Manning who was ordained a teacher of the Beech Creek Tennessee Branch on the third day of the same conference.

[Bessie dug up some more from John Morgan's journal and posted it at Ancestral Ties]