Violence at Wolf Creek

On September 17^th & 18^th, 1887, a conference was held at the Stutts schoolhouse in Wolf Creek, Lawrence Co., Tenn. About mid day on the 18^th, John Morgan got up to speak. During his talk a young man named Wep Gilbert “jumped from a side desk upon which he was sitting, seized a crutch nearby, raised it above his head and rushed forward to strike the speaker exclaiming ‘G-d d--m your old heart, that’s what you said when you were here before. I have had enough of your trying to induce my relatives to go to that country. Now they are there and want to come back but cannot get money to return. Just as if you knew what was coming to pass in the future.’”

One missionary (Elias S. Wright) intercepted the assailant and was able to get the crutch away from him. He then pulled out a knife, but he was prevented from getting close to President Morgan by other missionaries in what would best be described as a stand off. For several minutes he brandished the knife yelling threats, but being able to reach his target.  Friends of his tried to reason with him, but he was inconsolable. When the husband of one woman was nearly cut while trying to talk him down, the woman fainted. Quickly other women at the service began to “wail” which so disconcerted the young man that he ran from the schoolhouse. A mob began to gather outside and President Morgan thought it best to disperse quietly, and ended the meeting.

Wep Gilbert did indeed have relatives that had joined the Church. Wep was, of course, a nickname, in this case for Webster Gilbert (1863-1938). He was a nephew of the previous branch president Thomas Jefferson Gilbert (1840-1907). A story handed down in the Thomas Gilbert family was that Thomas had given "refuge to two Mormon missionaries that were being pursued by a mob. When the mob asked Gilbert to hand over the missionaries, at shotgun point he told them they would have to kill him first and that some of them would be dead in the road before they armed the missionaries." The family story isn't clear whether this was before of after his baptism.

Thomas joined the Church on February 9th, 1884, baptized and confirmed by E. R. Miles. The family story doesn't say who the missionaries were whose lives he saved, but it might have been Miles, and one of his companions J. J. Fuller, James A Taylor, or George A. Woodbury. Or perhaps two of the missionaries who replaced them after his baptism; Leo A. Bean, John Linton, James A. Ross, A. J. McCuistion, John W. Hart, Elias S. Wright, or Andrew Peterson. If anyone descended from these missionaries knows about theis story, I'm all ears. 

Not long after baptism (on May 31st, 1884) a branch was formed at Wolf Creek just a couple miles north of the border with Alabama. Members came from both sides of the state line. Thomas was ordained a Priest and set apart as Branch President. 

A note on his Church record indicates he emigrated to Utah in March 1887. Uncle Thomas wasn't the only one. Aunt Martha Jane Gilbert, Cousin Ada M. Gilbert, and Francis Adeline McMurtry went with him.  A group also emigrated on August 25th 1886 which included Cousin Mary Catherine Gilbert, Cousin David Samuel Chambers, Cousin Julie Isabel Chambers, Aunt Martha Ann Barnett, and Cousin Leander Jackson Gilbert. And that doesn't include unbaptized children who went along. Nearly all of them were related to Wep. In a little over a year close to a dozen of his relatives had left for Utah.

But did they want to return and were lacking the funds to do so. Hearsay is poor evidence, it is unlikely Wep knew first hand how his relatives felt, since he wasn't in Utah. Without something back it up it would be difficult to draw a conclusion. Besides with so many relatives who went west, it would be easy for some of them to be unhappy with the move while others were perfectly satisfied. The Gilberts who went to Utah stayed there and stayed in the Church. Other branches of the family went to Idaho and Washington. One family from Wolf Creek which went to Colorado eventually returned to Tennessee and left the Church, though I have not yet been able to connect them to the Gilberts. Regardless of whether the specifics of Wep's concerns were true, they were real to him. His opposition wasn't about doctrine or avarice. It was fear of change; of losing the people he knew and loved. And although I would never condone what he tried to do I can certainly understand it.

"They All Know Me Around Here" - Elder Cullimore, Part 11

This is the final part of the Mission Recollections of Albert Lorenzo Cullimore. It includes a couple of odds and ends. There is little indication of where or when during his mission these events occurred, except as noted.

One evening we were taken in by a Mr. Cauls who didn't belong to any church.  He treated us very well, and after supper suggested we attend a big revival being held in the community church.  We told him we would be happy to go with him.  When we got there we noted that they had moved most of the benches out, and had straw on the floor.  There was only one bench in the center of the building for the mourners.  They were shouting and jumping around as we went in; but as soon as we were discovered sitting on a bench just inside the door, the shouting quieted down and the preacher couldn't get anyone to come to the mourners' bench.  The preacher announced that the servants of the devil were in the room.  Soon he came out with a great speech, saying,"You Mormons get out of here, we don't want you here."

We left with Mr. Cauls and went back to his home. About an hour later some men came to Mr. Cauls' yard and called him out of the house.  They told him to get rid of the Mormons or they would. Mr. Cauls sent word back to the church from which these men came, saying, "I am what you call a wicked man and you all know me, that I would not be bluffed.  Just tell the ones that come after these men that they are my guests and I am going to protect them, even with my life if necessary.  Tell them to come prepared to haul at least three or four dead men, as I have plenty of guns and they are all loaded."  After they had gone, he told us not to worry.  "They all know me around here, and they won't dare come." We spent a peaceful night, and in the morning we were invited back to stay anytime.

~~~~~~

From April 27th, 1896 to September 17th, 1896, Elder Cullimore was assigned to Lawrence County which borders on the Tennessee - Alabama State line.

We heard of a member of the Church living on the line of Tennessee and Alabama, so decided to canvass in that section and try to hold meetings.  We did a lot of tracting, but finally found the people.  We found most of the people in the area quite bitter.  The members helped us find a church to hold meetings in but told us it was not really safe as there were a number of moonshiners there, and they may think we were government men in disguise.  We went to our meeting place and were confronted by several tough-looking fellows who told us if we walked up on the platform we would have to be carried off.  The member told us to get out of the community if we wanted to avoid trouble.  He said he thought it best for us not to stay longer and said he wished he could sell his farm, but there were no buyers.  There had been many killings, and three were in the federal prison for making moonshine in the neighborhood.

~~~~~~

There were many interesting things of this sort which happened, but I won't take time to tell them.

Maltreating a Mormon Missionary in a Miserable Manner

Southern Scamps

Maltreating a Mormon Missionary in a Miserable Manner

The following extracts taken by the Territorial Enquirer from a letter (dated Aug 19) received by Mrs. Jesse J. Fuller, of Provo, from her husband who has been laboring as a missionary in Alabama and Tennessee, will be read with interest by many who have felt considerable anxiety on Bro. Fuller’s account since the receipt of the dispatch announcing his maltreatment by a mob in Lawrence County, Tenn:

Since I last wrote to you I have been with the Elders – six of them – holding meetings, which have been well attended and resulted in four being added to the Church besides two whom Albert baptized the day before I came.

Aunt Margaret McMurray, who has been kind to me and has believed the Gospel so long was one of them. She had been waiting for a month for me to come, and after I arrived, we held a meeting at her house, to which she had invited all her relatives and acquaintances to the number of 50 or 60. I preached the first Mormon sermon several of them had ever heard. Then I had the privilege of baptizing her and her son’s wife. There were a number present who never saw a Mormon baptism and came out of curiosity.

I presume you have heard of the horrible murder of Elders Gibbs and Berry at a meeting on Cane Creek. That is where I labored when I first came out and have stayed at Bro. Condor’s, where the men were killed, many times. We heard of the murder in the papers, but hoped the report would turn out to be false. To-day, I got a letter from Elder Roberts, which confirmed the sad affair, and it makes us all feel downcast.

Last Sunday, there were threats of disturbing our meeting and we were looking for some trouble, as our meeting was held about a quarter of a mile from where we held meetings, last September, when we were threatened with tar and feathers, but after the meeting closed, on Sunday last, Brother and Sister Lawson desired to be baptized, and we all went down to the creek where Elder Linton baptized them, and all went on nicely, no one offering a word or look against any of the proceedings. Then we separated, the Elders going home with the saints and friends, feeling thankful that all had ended well. About midnight, however, a couple of the Elders were waked up and ordered to dress by several disguised men. Elder Woodbury, leaving his hat, managed to get out of the window and pass by two or three of the mob without being detected. The other Elder was taken out  a half-mile and treated to a little sprouting, and I happened to be the one who got the treat.. There were seven in the crowd that took me out; four of them had guns. They were all young men, and I believe I would have been allowed to go but for two or three surly chaps; as it was they gave me a little warming about the legs. They left some marks on my right leg and arm, but the one who stood on my left side seemingly did not wish to hurt me, as he struck lightly, although the ring leader said, “Take off his coat and pop it harder.” I returned to the house and found Elder Woodbury all right after having been gone an hour. It was half past one o’clock when I returned and I went to bed again and slept soundly.

Next day I came back here (Lauderdale Co., Ala.,) – 10 miles. All the Saints (about 40 in number) are feeling well, and our friends who do not belong to the Church are more attached to us that ever before.

I am feeling splendid, and thankful that I can endure something for the Gospel’s sake.”

Missionary Letters "...but when they are friends they are solid ones."

Elder George J. Woodbury writing from Venus, Lawrence Co., Tennessee, April 19, 1884. The Venus post office opened in August 28, 1882 and closed down in May 31, 1906. I couldn't locate the exact site of the old post office, but one guide suggested that it was the unoffical name for Pea Ridge. The town of Pea Ridge was very close to the Knob Creek Branch, only a couple of miles away as the crow flies. Knob Creek was closely associated with Elders Fuller and Ross who were both named in Elder Woodbury's letter, and is about 20 miles from Sugar Creek (now Leoma), Tennessee, as Elder Woodbury describes. Today, all of these areas are part of the Lawrenceburg Ward.
"Since my arrival here I here labored in connection with Elder Fuller, most of the time in this county; but as he has been appointed to preside over this Conference, I will no doubt lose his company soon. However, I should not feel bad, for he deserves the office he is called to fill. He has done a great deal of good for the spread of truth in this land.


"Since I came here, Nov. 1, 1883, we have held fifty-nine meetings and baptized twenty five persons, quite a number of whom will probably emigrate in the fall. The work is progressing, and I believe that there will be two or three in this field who will come in at the gate soon, and not seek to climb up some other way. I think we are gaining friends all the time, although the feeling against us is very bitter in some parts of this county. Last Sunday Elder J. A. Ross and I went and held meeting on Sugar Creek, distant some twenty miles. We had a very good attendance at the meeting, and as it was my first trip there, Elder Ross wished me to speak. Of course I was glad to have the privilege, and spoke for about an hour. As soon as our meeting was through, one of the Campbellite Brethren (of whom there are a good many in that section of country,) assailed us. We gave him to understand that if we talked to him he must stick to the law and the testimony, to which he agreed. The crowd stayed, and we had another meeting as long as the first, but he soon got through with the Bible, and, as is common with them, began repeating newspaper stories and fiction about the 'Mormons,' and abusing them with his tongue. He wound up by telling me that I was a nice-looking young man, and a smart fellow, but that I had the 'Mormon' yoke on so tight that he thought I was lost. We were informed that we were likely to be mobbed that night, but we were not troubled. We will hold meeting there again on the last Sunday in this month. We expect to have President Roberts to hold Conference with us at Venus on the 3rd and 4th of May, when we hope to have a time of rejoicing, as there will be quite a number of Elders there from the different fields in the Conference.


"A lady died here lately with the measles, and we were invited by her father-in-law to sit up with the family night before last, and sing and talk to them. So after holding meeting on Sunday, we walked some five miles to the place, and found quite a houseful of people present. Among the rest was the County Judge. Things went off very nicely till near midnight, when the judge said he wanted to know something about Mormon polygamy, and wished us to tell him the straight of it. So we talked on that and kindred points till nearly morning, and I trust that good will result from it, as we were very kindly invited back. I think that the judge will always be a good friend to us, or, at least, he will never use his influence against the Elders.


"I had a letter recently from cousin David H. Cannon, jun. He is now in Texas, and has some good friends and some not so good. He was feeling splendidly, and I think he has enough of the family grit to stick to the rack, hay or no hay. He told me he tried eleven places one day, from half a mile to a mile apart, before he could get to stay over night, with the rain pouring down. That is more than ever I have had to do before getting a place to stay. On one occasion we had to try seven times, and that in the night one neighbor would send us to the next, and so on, until we began to think they had 'put up a job' on us, to run us from the country. Well, we know better how to appreciate friends after getting into a few snaps like that, and we need a little such experience once in a while, that we may learn to rely upon God.


"Well, I can say that I never felt as well repaid for six months' work in my life as I do for my missionary experience. I thank God that I was counted worthy to come and labor for a season in spreading the truth and helping to warn this wayward generation, and calling them to repent and turn unto the Lord.


"The people here are mostly very poor, but when they are friends they are solid ones."

Knob Creek Branch

One of the early branches of south west Tennessee was Knob Creek. Formed by Elder J. J. Fuller, it included just a handful of members.

The Knob Creek Branch was part of the South West Tennessee Conference. It is a small community about 10 miles south west of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Even today it is a distinctly rural location.

Below is a list of the baptisms at Knob Creek.

Finlay Allison Houser: Baptized September 9th, 1883
Polly Houser (nee Shaffer): Baptized September 25th, 1883; Died in full faith September 3rd, 1885
Eveline Finney (nee Spiers): Baptized October 25th, 1883; widowed before 1880.
Matilda Green: Baptized October 25th, 1883; Excommunicated for apostasy June 7th, 1885
Aurena Marinda Spiers: Baptized Nov. 1st, 1883; Excommunicated for bad conduct Oct. 25th 1886.
John R Spiers: Baptized March 13th, 1884; died 1889 in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.
Sarah Spiers (nee McGee): Baptized March 13th, 1884

In the summer following the batism of John and Sarah Spiers, "Elders J. A. Ross and A. J. McCueston were harassed considerably. While holding meeting in Knob Creek they were accosted by a fiendish mob of five, armed with hickory cudgels and warned to leave the county before 10 o'clock next day. Despite their portentious premonitions the Elders unrelentingly prosecuted their labors warning the people of the dangers of living in Babylon and partaking of the sins of the world."

No baptisms were reported after the mob violence. Two members were excommunicated, a third passed away. Reports about branch membership were noted twice a year, in February and August and continued until August 31st, 1888.
 
In 1895, when Elder Willard Washington Bean made his visit to Cane Creek, he met with the "Uncle" Fin Houser who told him quite a story about his conversion. Today, the area is part of the Lawrenceburg Ward.

Reed Patch Branch

About 11 or 12 miles west of Lawrenceburg Tennessee was a small rural community called Reed Patch. It sat next to, and took its name from, Reed Patch Creek. Today there is little left of this community. A tractor repair shop, a restaurant, a few farms and some scattered homes. It has long since been consolidated under the Lawrenceburg Ward, following the emigration of most of the members to Zion.

But on the weekend of Aug 2nd & 3rd of 1884, there was quite a crowd.

Minutes

Of the organization of the Reed Patch Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Organized Aug 2, 1884.

The Elders + Saints met in the School House at 3 O’clock pm. Present of the Elders. J. J. Fuller, President of the Conference, Geo J. Woodbury, Thos A. H. Robins and L. A. Shepherd of the traveling Elders of the South West Tennessee Conference.

Of the Saints M. J. Dodd, Lotta Dodd, Geo B. Dodd, Marvel H. Dodd, Pleasant Ball, Elizabeth Ball, James H. Ball, Sarah E. Ball, Matilda Green, John H. Wm J. Harris, Eliza J. Cummings, Mary E. Tice. Sophia Weaver, Margaret Brown, David H. Brown, Nancy S. L. Brown, Jonathan A Harris and about twelve others not belonging to the Church.

Meeting Called to order by Pres J. J. Fuller. Sang “We’ll Sing the Songs of Zion” Prayer by Elder G. J. Woodbury. Sung “The God that others Worship.”

Elder L. A. Shepherd then addresses the meeting on the first principles of the Gospel.

Prest. J. J. Fuller the arose and stated the object of the meeting. Made some remarks on the dealings of God with the Children of Israel and the organization of the church in that day and also of the organization of the Church of Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints being an exact pattern of it.

Took up the subject of authority and explained the nature of the Aaronic and Melchisedec (sic) priesthoods, the duties of the different officers especially Presiding Priest. Henry C. Harris was then sustained as Presiding Priest.

Elder Woodbury spoke on the previous subjects and was thankful that we were enabled to organize a Branch

Pres. Fuller then made remarks on the nature of the sacrament and said the ordinances would be administered tomorrow at 10 O clock a.m.

Henry C. Harris was then ordained to the Office of Priest and set apart to preside over the Reed Patch [Branch] of the Church by Pres. J. J. Fuller.

T. H. Robins was sustained as clerk of the Branch. Sang “School thy Feeling” Benediction by T. H. Robins

Sunday Aug 3d 1884

Meeting called to order by Elder Woodbury. Sung a hymn. Prayer by Elder Shepherd. Sung “How dark and gloomy was the hour". Elders Fuller and Woodbury broke and blessed. Elder Fuller asked the blessing and Elder Woodbury passed it. Elder Woodbury asked the blessing on the cup and Elder Robins passed it. Elder Robins spoke on Repentance 30 min. Elder Shepherd followed 15 min. Elder Woodbury Spoke 60 min. Sister Sarah Ball Furnished the bread, 60 persons present.

Dismissed by Elder J. J. Fuller

There were almost 35 people at the Saturday meeting and nearly twice that many on the Sunday meeting. Great turn out for a small branch. It would be typical of the turn out at my ward today. And apart from a few differences (the selection of hymns, the use of one sacrament cup, and perhaps the length of the Sunday meeting) the meeting sound familiar and comfortable.

I also note that in this meeting and in the previous one for Wolf Creek, while there was a local leader set apart in each branch, the position of clerk went to a missionary. Perhaps the Church felt it was OK to let someone without experience (but with a testimony) lead the church so long as the records were kept properly. Again not too different from today.

Wolf Creek Branch Organization

Wolf Creek is a small community southwest of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee about a mile north of the Alabama State line. The first baptism there was Virginia E. Grimes (nee Philips) on July 8 1883. Others were baptised soon after at Wolf Creek and in nearby Lauderdale, Alabama. By 1884 Elder J. J. Fuller, President of the South West Tennessee Conference organized the saints at Wolf Creek into a branch.

Minutes

of the organization of the Wolf Creek Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints. Organized may 31st 1884.

The Elders and Saints met at the residence of Thomas Gilberts at 2:30 PM


Present of the Elders. Elder J. J. Fuller President of the Conference Elders John S. Linton, Leo A. Bean and James A. Ross of the travelling Elders of the South West Tennessee Conference.

Of the Saints, Thomas Gilbert, Charley O. Brown, John McMurtrey, David S. Chambers, Martha Ann Barnett. Lucinda O. Brown and 12 others not belonging to the Church.

Meeting called to order by President J. J. Fuller Hymn 47 “Come, come ye saints,” was sung. Opening prayer was offered by Elder J. A. Ross, Hymn 234 Come all ye sons of Zion. Pres Fuller the addressed the meeting for one hour on authority explaining the nature of the Aaronic and Melchisedec Priesthoods quoting passages from Heb 7 chapter and Doctrine and Covenants.
Elder Ross then followed in a few additional remarks.

Thomas Gilbert was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood and to the office of priest and set apart to preside in the Wolf Creek Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by Pres J. J. Fuller.

L. A. Bean addressed the meeting quoting 1 Cor 12 12-21

Elder John S. Linton was appointed clerk of the Branch

Sang hymn on page 268 “The spirit of God like a fire is burning”

Benediction by Elder John S. Linton

John S. Linton - Clerk

Branch baptismal records continue until 1888.

Findley E Houser

About seven miles away from Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, in an area called Venus, lived "a case-hardened sinner" name Findley Houser. "Uncle Fin" as he was called by the people in Venus, Tennessee "read the bible every practically every evening, but claimed the preachers were not preaching the gospel that Jesus taught, and had little trouble in confounding local ministers."

As it happened, "providence came to his rescue." Having been mostly healthy all his life Uncle Fin was suddenly afflicted with a disease that caused fits. At about the same time in 1880, two missionaries were passing out tracts and holding meetings. Elder Fuller and Elder Woodbury. One evening the two knocked on the Houser home and explained who they were and that they were traveling without purse or scrip. After asking if they could stay there for the night, Mary, Uncle Fin's wife, politely declined, saying her husband was prone to fits and that he would be embarrassed to entertain guests in his condition. Being inspired, the Elders offered to "cheer and comfort him" which pleased Mrs Houser enough that they were asked to stay for the night.

During their stay, the conversation turned to religion. His family was surprised when conversation did not turn into an argument. In fact, the doctrines the Elders shared matched the ones Uncle Fin had been using in his discussions with the local preachers. The next morning, Findley asked the Elders to minister to him before they left. Afterwards he felt so much better, he asked the Elders to return and administer to him again. In short order, his health was completely restored and he and his family were baptised two days later.

Even after the Cane Creek Massacre, and several years of being out of contact with the Church, the Housers remained true to the gospel.