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.”

...the voice said "Leave," and our lives were spared - Elder Cullimore Part 6

A continuation of Elder Cullimore's mission Recollections...

Another incident that I remember well was the time that we went back to a town where we had been very well accepted at one time. We had a little trouble in finding a place to stay; however, a family said we could stay at their place if we could find a place to hold our meetings.

We went to the school trustee and arranged to hold our meetings in the building that was used for a church and school house.  We went back to the place we were going to stay to clean up a little and changed, and I sensed the feeling was different.  We went to the meeting place.  It was the custom for each person to bring an oil lamp with them, as there was no other way of lighting the place.  No one came but the preacher, and a blind woman led by a little boy.  We knew something was wrong, but we decided to go ahead with the services.  We put our books on a stand, and our cases and umbrellas on the platform.  There was a weed stove in the middle of the room, so we decided to put the lamp on it and hold the meeting there.

It was a long narrow building with three windows on each side and double doors in the front of the building.  There was a mob gathered around, and at a signal they began to throw rocks through the windows and doors.  I have never seen so many rocks being thrown.  They broke the benches, there was not a pane of glass left in the windows.  The sashes of the windows were even broken.  The preacher and the blind woman were pleading with the mob to let them out, but they replied that they were just as bad as we were or they wouldn't be there.

I was wondering what to do when a voice spoke to me, as plain as I am speaking to you now, and said but one word, "Leave."  I told my companion to follow me.  We ran out through the front of the building without the mob even seeing us.  We ran down the road through the trees until we came to the crossroads.  There was a big oak tree there; we hid behind the tree.  It was not long until the mob discovered we had left.  The strange thing was, however, we got out without them seeing us; but the voice said "Leave," and our lives were spared.

The mob took after us; and, as they came to the crossroads, they had a conference to decide which way to go.  It was decided that part would go one way, and the balance the other way.  Each took ropes and said they would hang one up and fill him with lead and let him down, and then string the other one up and do the same thing to him.  Here we were just a few feet away while all the plans were being made.

We went back to the building to get our belongings, but there were several of the mob still around the building; so we went back to the tree and stayed until after midnight.  We then went to Smithville, County Seat of Hickman County. [Smithville is the seat of DeKalb County]  We went to the proprietor of the hotel, got him up, and told him our story.  He furnished us with a bed.  I told my companion to stay in the room while I went back to the meeting house to get our belongings.  I went back and was successful in getting them.  When I went back to the meeting place, I found it would take three or four wheelbarrows to haul all the rocks out of the building which they had thrown at us.  When I got back to the hotel, Elder Larsen was on the corner telling the people of the incidents of the night before.  The Lord had again protected his elders.

Four Missionaries Beaten in West Tennessee...in 1888.

Today we have a guest post by Dale Topham. Dale's great grandfather, Asahel L. Fuller, served a mission in Tennessee, from 1887-1888. Elder Fuller and his companions were the victims of a savage beating. We have heard of this event on AMH before, but I think Dale's retelling is worth sharing.

The Manuscript History of the SSM, compiled by Andrew Jenson, and located in the Church Historical Department, recorded the following: "Sunday September 2  On this day Elders Elias S. Wright, Asahel L. Fuller, Thomas M. Holt, and James H. Douglas were taken by a mob and very badly beaten while visiting friends in the eastern part of Crockett County, Tenn." The Deseret News printed two different accounts of this incident and I have combined them to create a complete account.


During the week of  August 12 to 19, 1888, Elders Fuller and Douglas were laboring in the eastern part of Crockett County, Tennessee. While there, James Terrell Brooks "expressed a desire to be baptized" and the service was set for the 19th. The missionaries then contacted the conference president, Elias S. Wright, and invited him to participate in the baptism. At the services, onlookers sneered and hurled insults like, "He didn't receive the Holy Ghost, I saw him go by on a butterfly." After the baptism Elders Fuller and Douglas returned to the Brook's home and retired for the night, leaving their doors open because of the heat.


At about 11 p.m. they were awakened by an armed mob of twelve to fifteen men, who ordered the Elders to accompany them to the woods. "Elder Fuller  commenced counting them, stating at the same time, 'you are a pretty looking lot of fellows.'"  James Douglas then sat up and repeated what Elder Fuller had said, then added, "What do you think Christ would think of you if he were here? Why do you disturb the quiet of peaceable citizens at this time of night with those hideous masks. If we have any transgressed any of your laws we are amenable; take us before your magistrates and we will answer any charge you may prefer."


The men told the missionaries they did not want them to preach in the area any longer. At this point Mr. and Mrs. Brooks came in and examined the masked men. Someone outside said, "enough said! enough said!"  and the men left the house, firing their guns in the air once they were outside, which according to Elder Douglas, made "the former scenes more hideous."


After this the missionaries went northwest to Dyer County for two weeks until they were informed that Elder Thomas Holt would be arriving soon. They returned to Bell's Station to pick him up, but in order to avoid publicity Elder Wright went through town alone while the other two skirted around it and waited in the woods for Wright and Holt. After Holt's arrival, they pumped him for news from home and shared some "delicious Utah fruit" along with bread and plum preserves. They took the round about way to Brook's house six miles east of town to avoid the townspeople and retired for the night.


This was on the first of September, and at 2 a.m. they heard someone yell "surrender" and were immediately surrounded by "a horde of demons in human form." The mob was armed with pistols, shotguns, rifles, and clubs, and "using the most blasphemous language," ordered the Elders to get up. The Elders were dragged from their beds, and when Mr. Brooks entered the room to see what was going on he was clubbed across the forehead. Two men held on to each of the four missionaries and took them through the mud an eighth of a mile, "using the blackest oaths that mortals can utter." With the exception of Elder Holt, who had managed to pull his pants on, the missionaries were wearing their "summer night clothing, which was exceedingly thin."


Upon arriving at their destination, the men began cutting branches six feet long and trimmed off the smaller branches, leaving "ugly knots." The four missionaries were then bent over a log, with their knees on one side and heads on the other. While some men held the elders down, six others began whipping their backs with the branches and whenever one would raise his head to speak, he was struck with a gun butt. With each lashing a "ridge was made in the flesh of the elders and a streak of blood would stain their clothing." After 35 lashes the mob asked them to leave the country. The elders did not respond and were whipped again by "a demon weighing probably two hundred pounds - filled with a legion of devils, at the end of a six foot knotty beech limb." After receiving another 15 lashes and threats of hanging, Elder Wright promised they would leave the county. Several more lashes were dished out and the missionaries were set free after being instructed not to leave Brooks' house until 6 a.m. Upon returning to Brooks' the elders rubbed turpentine on each others' backs as a remedy. They were treated in order of most severely wounded, and Elder Wright was first. Asahel was third in line behind Elder Douglas.


The next day Elders Fuller and Holt left for another county, while Wright and Douglas remained for a few days. The Deseret News reported afterwards that the men were "suffering considerably" but were able to "attend to some of their duties." Elder Douglas was satisfied that their groans were "still ringing in the mob's ears".

Dale confirmed for me what I suspected, that Elder Fuller was eventually sent home because of his injuries. Another version of this beating is recorded here.

Sweetwater Mobbing: Pelted with Eggs Number Two

[This is a continuation of a series of posts on Elders being attacked with eggs instead of guns. The following occurred in August in 1899.]

Elders George A. Smith and F. P. Hammond came to Sweetwater to fill an appointment made the week previous. They had seen the Mayor, Mr. "Bob" Beardshear, who said, "yes, gentlemen, go ahead and preach all you want to." It was Saturday afternoon, and as many people had come into the town to do business it was not long until a large congregation had assembled to hear what the "Mormons" had to say. Elder Adams spoke about twenty minutes, and when he had finished the mayor stepped up and advised the Elders to discontinue their meeting, as there was some talk of trouble; the meeting was dismissed and the Elders were distributing literature, when Mr. Chambers, the marshal, told them if they did not leave town he would arrest them. Elder Adams said, "If it is against the law to distribute literature we have broken it, and are at your mercy." In the meantime John K. Brown, who, it is said, lost a sister in the Mountain Meadow massacre, was active in stirring the young men to mob the Elders. Another important factor in raising this mob was Mr. James May, an ex-mayor of the city, who was desirous of throwing the eggs right in the city limits, but the marshal said he would be compelled to arrest the first to throw within the city limits.

The brethren walked peacefully out of the city, and when hardly three-quarters of a mile from the post office a horseman galloped up and promised them protection. Soon after the arrival of Mr. Henry Foster, the gang of ruffians was seen. Mr. Foster kept them buck for some time, but in some way he was sidetracked and the Elders had no protection. They talked to the crowd, but all in vain, it only caused more cursing and laughing. The Elders would not run as commanded, so they were pelted with eggs; a bucket of flour was thrown at them, but missed its mark. After the eggs had all been thrown, rocks were used, hitting both Elders. Many citizens on horseback and in carriages came on top of the little hill and watched the whole performance. Little boys from six to ten years lined the street and took part in the yelling, which resembled a herd of cattle bellowing over the bones of one of their kind.

Many witnesses saw the mobbers, as soon as they went back, go to Mr. Brown and say, "We did the job and did it right; now we want our money." He brought out two or three dollars and was about to hand it to them, when he noticed he was being watched. "I haven't got enough here; let us go up to Mr. May's and I will pay you up." Another man saw them paid and the boys told the marshal they got $1 each, whereupon the officer told them if they were in town the next Monday they would be arrested. Elder Adams and myself went back Monday morning and conferred with the mayor, marshal, Alderman Williams, Recorder Jones and a newspaper reporter. Three of them said it was our right to preach and they would protect us in it, but the first two named advised us not to do further work in the city, as our lives would be in danger.

Too much praise cannot be given Aldermen Williams and Jones, John C. Warren, T. M. Mitchell and Postmaster Pardee. The Messrs. Brown and May are officers in their respective churches.

BY ELDER F. B. HAMMOND.

Cookeville Mobbing: Pelted with Eggs Number One

[A Survey of Mobbings in the Southern Star revealed a pattern; a shift from using guns in the 1880's to using eggs in the 1890's. Since the Easter season approaches, I thought we might enjoy a few examples. There are four in this series.]

March, 1898

During the latter part of March, Elders James Larson and R. G. Archibald entered Cookeville, Tenn., to canvass, preach, etc., but met with a very cool reception. Knowing that the brethren traveled without purse or scrip, many of the people did all that lay within their power to see that no food or shelter was provided them. The Easter season was near at hand, and eggs being very plentiful, the people showed their appreciation (?) of a visit from the "Mormons." Elder Archibald's hat was used roughly, being almost filled with eggs, while both Elders had them thrown upon their clothes, without respect to location. This gang of toughs was headed by the deputy sheriff of the county, Mr. Jared, and a newspaper editor, Mr. Sims.

The sheriff had granted the Elders permission to preach in the court house, but as they were about to begin services Mr. Jared entered, informing them that a rehearsal was to be held and they would have to get out. Next appeared a number of toughs, who also ordered the Elders to leave the court house post-haste. As they were going down the stairs leading to the street, a number of eggs were thrown, while one man threw a chair, which struck Elder Archibald on the head, nearly knocking him down, breaking his hat badly. As Elder Larson was going out of the main entrance someone from above dropped a brick which just grazed his hat. Had it struck him perhaps it would have ended his earthly existence. But in the midst of persecution the brethren were kindly cared for by a citizen, who, in the face of threatenings and abuse, was not afraid to denounce the unruly mobocrats.

A mobbing in Putnam County

In Putnam county, Tennessee. February 14th, 1885, Elders Joseph Franklin Miller and George Wilson were at the Rutledge home helping them prepare for emigration to Zion, and had just finished nailing the last packing box shut. Elder Miller decided to go to the Samples home for “some pop corn and a popper to help pass the night away.” As he left he heard the neighbors’ dog barking and thought it odd that the dog would see him a such a distance. Turns out the dog was barking at a mob of about 22 men. They had just left the Sample home looking for the Mormon missionaries, and were on their way to the Rutledge home. As luck would have it, they missed Elder Miller in the dark. Elder Miller didn’t see them and so continued on unaware to the Samples home.

Meanwhile the mob arrived at the Rutledge home where they convinced Elder Wilson to accompany them, with a promise that he not be hurt. As they left towards the woods they asked for Elder Miller and was told truthfully that he was back towards the other home. When Brother Rutledge tried to come along, however, was refused permission to join them.

While in the woods, the mob searched Elder Wilson. He freely offered that he had nothing but a knife on him, which he gave to them when he was asked. But then an argument broke out among the men saying that “neither his money nor any of his things should be taken from him.” Someone obviously in authority ordered that his knife be returned to him, which it promptly was.

The mob led him back to their horses and they rode him off about a hundred yards. There he was left with two guards while the other returned to the Samples house to look for Elder Miller. One mobber said that he didn’t “give a damn to get any of them but Miller.” “Miller came out to preach” said another snarlingly. “Yes” said a third “he’s a real hellcat.”

Meanwhile Elder Miller arrived at the Sample home where several sisters were popping corn. While he waited in the other room, Sister Rutledge’s baby awoke and started crying. For some reason only Elder Miller could comfort the child. She even preferred him to her own mother. After finally calming the child back to sleep, Elder Miller started back to the Rutledge home with pop corn and a popper. But found no one there. Confused and still unaware of the mob, Elder Miller was startled by voices outside the home. But for some reason he felt prompted not to investigate. Instead he knelt and said a prayer. Immediately he felt calm, and settled down to stoke up the fire. It wasn’t long before sister Lambert and sister Rutledge came to the house and warned him of the mob. Thinking the mob was right behind the sisters, Elder Miller quickly went into the woods and hid.

At the same time Elder Wilson was being questioned by the two left to guard him. They would sometimes step away to converse with each other privately. Elder Wilson thought he heard them arguing about whether to kill him or not. But before either one had the chance to try it, the rest of the mob returned empty handed from searching for Elder Miller.

While the mob was considering their next course of action, a pistol fired quite by accident by one guard and hit the other guard ( a local bailiff) in the foot. Several members of the mob took the injured man aside and tended to his wound.

The mob insisted that the Elder Wilson take his companion and leave by Monday (two days later) but insisting they did not have money to travel, they granted him thirty days to get the money together but that was the “extreme limit of [their] grace.”

They then secured Elder Wilson fast, administered twenty lashes upon his back with beech limbs, and turned him loose. Elder Wilson was not seriously injured by the blows he had received, and in a short time was able to join Elder Miller. The names of these mobbers were never learned. But one local man said it was “constables, ex-constables and Methodist preachers.”

Mobbed to Preach

[Elder Frank E. Douglas, President of the East Tennessee Conference wrote the following report to the mission office. The report made it into the Liahona.]

While Elder Garfield and I [Elder Douglas] were laboring in Scott County [Tennessee] a short time ago [probably 1925] we had a rather thrilling experience. We had received permission to preach during the noon hour at a large mill just out of Oneida. We had good success at the meeting, and a good man, a short distance from the mill, invited us to stay with him that night. Along about eleven o'clock we were awakened by a loud knock on the door and the voices of men outside. We became alarmed, knowing that the elders had had considerable trouble at different times in this part of the country. While we were on the edge of the bed putting on our clothes, the man with whom we were staying came into our room and informed us that some men from the mill wished to speak with us. We went to the door and much to our surprise found six or eight men requesting us to come to the mill and talk to the night crew who were to have lunch from eleven to twelve. We took up all the time allowed us and, after distributing a number of books and tracts, thanked God that we had been mobbed to preach rather than because of preaching."

A Song of Tennesse keeps back the Mob

[Marianne, an AMH reader, sent some missionary recolletions written by an ancestor of her's: Peter E. Johnson. Although Elder Johnson served his mission in Mississippi, it was a song of Tennessee that stilled a mob just long enough for them to escape. The mob, intent on preventing a mission conference from being held, had gathered at the meeting location: a farm belonging to a friend of the Elders, Mr. Martin, who lived about one mile outside the small village of Mechanicsburg, Mississippi. The mob followed them to the nearest railroad station which was at Bentonia, Mississippi, about 9 miles from Mechanicsburg.]

July 29, [1898]
took train for Bentonio where there was a mob for the purpose of not letting us get off the train but they stopped before reaching the depot and we get off our car out in the sticks. We walked to Mechanicsburg, going past the mob at the station and speaking kindly to them and out the road we went in peace. We rode in wagons 7 miles out to the place of conference (a cotton field) but didn't hold it. There were 32 Elders, President Ben E. Rich and a large number of saints and friends. There was also a mob of from 150-200 who swore they would open fire on us if we attempted to hold meeting and also we the Elders, must leave the county' immediately. There were quite a number of our friends carrying shoe boxes under their arms, I asked one, why the shoe box, he said he had just received them and hadn't taken time to change.



There were also a number of very choice bundles being carried about. This was all new to me and a question brought out that the shoe box and the choice bundles contained pistols and ammunition also that guns concealed close by. The mob was armed with shot guns and rifles and it looked as if things might happen. President Condie, Maycock and Flake together with a committee of three from the mob met between the two forces and tried to get a compromise. President Condie asked that in-as-much as we were there and all arrangements made to hold Meeting that we be allowed to hold conference and then we would leave the county. This the mob would not agree to, but that the Elders had to go right then. President Condie asked his counselors what they said, they each said to stay and take the consequences. All three agreed to this and said we would go and begin our conference.


Col. Bell, one of the mob committee, said his only object in coming here was to avert bloodshed and was very sorry at this decision for as sure as they undertook to hold a meeting the mob would fire upon them, but if they insisted, then he couldn't be responsible for the damage. It had been all he could do to keep the mob from firing until now. As they started to separate Pres. Condie turned and said; 'We are looking for Pres. Ben E. Rich about 11:00 and asked to not be molested until he got here. When he comes we will put the question up to him, if he says go, we'll go and if he says stay we'll stay. Col. Bell said we will grant that providing you will not try to hold a meeting until then. This agreed to, so we all waited. One of our friends a Mr. Martin met Pres. Rich at the station at Bentonio and of course had told him of the condition he would meet. It was necessary to drive through the mob in order to reach us. As the driver came up he called "Gentlemen the road please” As no heed was given to the request he repeated it and giving the horses the whip passed to the other side. Pres. Rich greeted them in his characteristic way, kind words and a smile.


The committee was still between the two forces although each had reported their decision to their group. After the introduction was over each committee told him their decision but stated that it was up to him to decide. President Rich turned about and with the toe of his shoe kicked in the sand a bit, then turned and said to the committee, “We’ll go”. Col. Bell expressed his appreciation at this decision. Pres. Rich said of course you’ll give us two hours but they still said no. Pres. Rich said now be fair and let the Elders gather up their belongings which are scattered around, for 25 Miles. They finally agreed to this, but we must be gone before 1:00 o’clock. This was agreed to. For 45 minutes Pres. Rich talked to those assembled the most powerful sermon I ever heard. He told them conference would be continued at Jackson, then asked if someone would loan him money to take the Elders there. He then asked for teams to gather up the Elders belongings and catch the company on the march to Bentonio. I was one of the ill so rode in the wagon. [Yellow fever was endemic among the missionaries at about this time] There were 25-29 Elders took the road led by Pres. Rich and Condie, two commands were given, 1st, not to break the ranks and 2nd, to smile and greet the mob pleasantly as they marched through. They still had 10 minutes. The wagons gathered the bundles and ill Elders then continued on. The weather was very hot and when they were within five miles of Bentonio we began to pick up the exhausted ones. The sick had to exchange places: walked the last four miles.


We were a sorry looking group that met at the rail road station. Thirteen miles isn't very far, but when it is to be done on the double quick and the temperature is 1000 that is something else.


The mob was on hand for a lynching and doing away with the Elders and they were fully prepared to carry out their threats. Pres. Rich bought the tickets then asked protection of the rail road agent who appealed to the sheriff, governor, marshal and mayor but each denied him. The agent sent a telegram on to the next station saying there were 33 U.S. Citizens lives that were in danger and that it depended on the trains' speed. They were becoming noisier, threatening and demanded the agent to turn the Elders over to them. In the midst of all this Pres. Rich told the boys to go outside get on a pile of logs and sing Tennessee. This is the Chorus:

We love the old plantation; we love the Lorrowe Tree,
We are going-we are going-many voices say to me.
We are going-we are going-from the land we thought was free,
We are going-~ are going-till we find our liberty.
Then farewell, O, farewell, old home and Tennessee.
O land of freedom grant us, a freemen’s right to be
By the rolling Mississippi and the rippling Tennessee.


After the singing the mob seemed to halt or at least quiet down. The announcement was made that train time was nearing. We could hear the wave of voices again calling for ropes and threats of doing away with the Mormons before the train came. I could feel the cold chills down my back as I listened to the howl of the mob. You bet we all prayed that the train would hurry for there was yet 15-20 minutes. It seemed that the fury of the mob would break upon us when the toot of an engine was heard. The last car passed the depot before the train stopped and while the agent was telling the conductor about the trouble we were getting aboard in the least possible time. Pres. Rich was the last one to get on. We all felt like singing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow,"


We reached Jackson in the night but reporters were there and we pointed out Pres. Rich and he gave the report. One of the reporters remarked, "Had it been me, I wouldn't of left" Pres. Rich replied, “Well, you see shot guns and rifles were trumps and as they held a full hand we passed it" Someone in the crowd yelled, ''Whoopee! That feller hasn't always been a preacher".


Our conference was continued July 31, August 1, which was well attended and enjoyed by all.

The Conference was noted by the President Rich in a telegram snet back to the mission office at Chattanooga dated at Bentonia, Miss., July 30th, 1898:

"Don't send mail here. We leave tonight to hold conference at Jackson. Have been driven out by one hundred and fifty men with rifles and shotguns."

President Rich then relates very much the same story as given by Elder Johnson, although without nearly the detail, and most importantly, without any mention of their singing about Tennessee. Too bad. President Rich also names two other members of the mob, Major Dill and Captain Lee, both were considered moderating influences on the mob's violent intent.

The LDS Southern Star does say that one Jackson, Mississippi newspaper printed a fair account of the event. The Daily Clarion Ledger on August 1st, 1898. I have not been able to track down the article. Nor have I been able to find the song from which the chorus above comes.

Attacked by a mob, maybe.

A few weeks ago I noticed an entry in Jensen's Church Chronology about two Elders, Heber C. Miller and Joseph H. Walton Jr., who were attacked by a mob in Tennessee on August 10, 1905. The date was interesting in that it was 11 years to the day after the Cane Creek Massacre. But Jensen gave no other details. No location other than Tennessee. I determined to flesh out the details.

I started with the Elders Journal. This was a publication of the Southern States Mission which includes 1905. I figured if it were anywhere in print it would be there. But to my surprise, the searches came up empty. I tried name searches, and even reading page by page starting in August 1, 1905 and on for several months. Still nothing. It is a little perplexing. But I noticed that the web site I was reading this at, Mormon Publications of the Twentieth Century, did not have a copy of the August 15th, 1905 volume.

Next I went to digital collections of Utah Newspapers. But again, no articles containing the words Tennessee and the names Watson or Miller in August or September of 1905. Could it be that Jensen found this event important enough to include in his chronology, but that it wasn't considered newsworthy in Utah. I find that hard to swallow.

So I ask you, where would you check next?

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.

A Dog Obeys Its True Master

In 1974, Rex D. Pinegar shared this story in the July issue of the New Era. Elder Pinegar's grandfather lived near Smithville, DeKalb County, Tennessee. On May 14, 1895, Elder Pinegar's grandparents, Harvey and Josie Pinegar, were baptized.

Four years after Grandfather joined the Church, my father, then a young lad eight years old, accompanied his family and the members of two other families to a baptismal service. Grandfather was to baptize his young daughter and the daughters of a neighboring family on that cold December 3, 1899. As they traveled toward the stream at Reynold’s Mill, they were approached by three men on horseback. When the men asked where they were going, Grandfather explained their intentions. The leader threatened to bring a mob upon them if they carried out the baptismal service. Grandfather informed him that he and the 20 people with him would complete their errand regardless of what the man and his associates did. Grandfather and his party continued their journey to Reynold’s Mill.

Arriving at the mill they located a secluded spot for the baptism. The hill above the river was covered with trees, scrub oak, and ivy. My father, young John, was perched on a fallen tree that stretched out across a sandbar into the slow-moving stream. Here he could observe every detailof this sacred ordinance. Grandfather waded out into the stream to find the right depth and then returned to the riverbank for prayer. In the quiet of the prayer John heard the sound of a cracking limb. Opening his eyes and glancing quickly up the hill through the trees he saw the men who had stopped them earlier. They had arrived with a mob to carry out their threat. One of them was by a pile of rocks and was ready to pelt the baptismal participants. Suddenly all eyes were opened as a big redbone hound owned by the leader of the mob bounded down to within a few feet of my father. Young John looked fearfully at the hound as it growled menacingly. These men and their associates were determined to stop the baptisms from being performed. My Grandfather Pinegar courageously proceeded with the services.

Convinced now that these Mormon families were unafraid of his threat, the mob leader commanded his dog to attack Grandfather Pinegar. At this moment an amazing thing happened. The dog let out a low growl and his hair bristled like that on an angry hog’s back. Suddenly it bared its teeth and turned on its master, leaping at his throat and knocking him to the ground. The rest of the mob fled in fear when they saw the dog turn on its owner. As soon as the astonished leader could free himself from his dog, he left in hurried pursuit of his associates, with the dog yelping close at his heels.

A miracle had occurred! The Pinegar family and their neighbors thanked the Lord for their deliverance, and the baptismal service continued without further interruption.

That evening the families returned to Grandfather’s home. After darkness had fallen upon the mountain cabin, the troublemakers returned and again threatened to mob my grandfather and his Mormon friends. As they taunted him from the gate, Grandfather commanded them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to leave. The mob departed and did not return.

In around 1901 Harvey and Josie Pinegar left Tennessee and took their family to Carbon County Utah.

Crockett County Mobbing Part 3

In the Deseret News dated September 12, 1888 appeared an article describing the mobbing in Crockett County. It was based on a letter written by one of the Elders, though which one the paper does not say. The article differs only in some of the details. The number of lashes for each Elder was estimated at 45, and the first Elder to answer that they would leave and promise not to return was Elder Wright. The letter writer did not condemn him for speaking first, but agreed it was the only prudent action.

In addition we learn that Brother Brooks was also dragged from the house after being hit in the head with a club. Although he was not whipped as the Elders were, he was forced to watch, perhaps under the hope that he would learn something from the experience and renounce the Mormons. Elder Wright had a similar gash on his forehead.

The next Day President of the Conference, Elder Wright directed Elder Fuller and Elder Holt to leave for Weekley County. Elder Wright and Elder Douglas stayed for a couple of days but eventually joined them. There they rested and recuperated from their wounds.

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.

Crockett County Mobbing Part 1

Crockett County, Tennessee is today distinctly rural. Just west and a little north of Jackson, Tennessee, is a small city of Bells. Bells, Tennessee sits on a railroad and was once named Bells Depot, though the name is older than the railroad. It began as a stage coach depot. The name was changed in 1880, though the people still called it Bells Depot for many years. What follows is an account of a mobbing that happened in this small community in western Tennessee.

Crockett Co. Tenn, Aug 19, 1888 Our appointment having been made by people living about five miles east of Bells Depot, one for Aug 18 and one the following day Aug 19, Upon which day also Bro James F Brooks had decided to cast his lot with the L. D. S. and notice of it also having been communicated freely we were on hand, as usual, to fill the appointments and attend to baptism.

The meeting passed off quietly, possibly twenty five having gathered as each meeting with but little interest however. At the close of Sunday meeting we announced that we would attend to [the] baptism of Bro Brooks, Accordingly went forth and performed this ordinance. The balance of the day and until bed time was spent pleasantly and closed the day by prayer.

We tried to rest but had been in bed but about three hours when suddenly we were awakened by an armed mob of about 12 men all masque (sic) with a request that me, Elias Wright, Asahel S. Fuller, and James H. Douglas go with them to the woods.

We didn’t like the idea very much, so commenced reasoning with them asking if we had broken any laws, if so, we were answerable to them. Told them they aught to be ashamed of themselves for being in such business. Through our talk they finally sloped away and as they passed into the woods find a volley of ten on turner shots to close their dastardly cowardly act.

The following week Mrs. Brooks learned from different sources of persons connected with the mob and wrote a very polite note to one of them accusing him of being an accomplice. We attended their house and judging from what followed those intrusted (sic) in what took place before, and some of them having been over taken, became enraged and on Sept 2 , 1888 finished their cowardly act to be found later in this book.

Elders assulted at Pine Bluff

Quoted in the Latter-day Saint Southern Star on September 9, 1899
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ELDERS ASSULTED
President J. Urban Allred wrote the following particulars relative to the raiding of the meeting at Pine Bluff, sixteen miles from Dover, Stewart county, Tenn.: "While holding the last of a series of meetings at Pine Bluff on Sunday night, we were disturbed several times by a mob throwing stones an eggs at the school house in which we were preaching. When [the] meeting closed the crowd dispersed. We expected to be assaulted, so Elders Stewart, Poole, Thurber and myself went with the largest crowd and Elders Hyrum Olsen and H. C. Pettey went in another direction. Our party escaped violence, but the other Elders were attacked with rocks from men in ambush. The rocks falling in the purpose for which they were thrown, one of the fiends fired a shot which hit little Mary Harden. The child was just 12 years of age, and her frantic screams on having the ball pierce her leg caused the would-be muderers to flee. As soon as the shot was fired all lights were extinguished, so had any more shooting taken place there would be nothing to determine the exact location of the Elders. Robert, the childs brother, was very much excited until he found that the wound was not fatal. The doctor thinks it necessary to remove the ball.
"Our meeting at the above named place was a most successful and pleasant one. We baptized one honest soul and left the majority of the people our friends, who say the dastardly, and disgraceful affair will be vindicated. A searching party with bloodhounds has been organized to search out the guilty party or parties. It is to be hoped that justice will be meted to those who attempted the lives of the Elders."

The Chattanooga Times had the following account:

MORMON MEETING RAIDED.
Dover, Tenn., Aug. 29,--(Special.)--While two Mormon Elders were holding services at Vinson's school house, fifteen miles below Dover, Sunday night, a raid was made upon the audience by unknown parties. Several rocks were thrown into the crowd. Pistols were fired, and one little girl was shot through the leg. The neighborhood is very much wrought up over the affair, and an effort to detect the guilty parties by aid of bloodhounds is being made.

The same paper of September 1 says:

SUICIDE THOUGH REMORSE.

Dover, Tenn., Aug. 31,--(Special.)--Baston Winson, a farmer of this county, committed suicide Monday night by shooting himself with a pistol and then cutting his own throat. Bloodhounds which were put on the track of the parties that broke up the Mormon meeting and shot a little girl Sunday night tracked up to Vinson's premises, Monday. No arrest was made, however, but Vinson was supposed to be one of the guilty parties. It seems from writing he left on a pillow case that he thought he had killed the little girl and then committed suicide to rid himself of remorse of conscience. The writing was to that effect, and stated that he shot at one of the Mormon Elders and did not intend to hurt anyone else.

Such instances as these impress one very forcibly with the peculiar manner in which the law of retribution works. Those who violate the laws of God must answer for the same, and the fact that men commit sins and are not overtaken in this life does not prove that they escape the hand of justice.
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[Editors note: Today Pine Bluff is a shadow of its former self. Some of the land was flooded when the Kentucky Dam was finished in 1944. The land that wasn't flooded - including the Vinson School where they met - was formed into the Land Beween the Lake National Recreation Area in 1964. The remaining residents were relocated over the next four years.]