to rage in this unlucky portion of the state. Which party, the Mormon or anti-Mormon, committed the first act of open violence, is not very clear, though the weight of evidence in this respect is against the Saints. At all events, it is quite evident that Joseph at this period had made up his mind to resist the laws, and, if possible, play the part of Mohammed. To further these objects, he had organized a formidable band of ruffians, as the nucleus of a disciplined military force, but whose present business it was to inflict vengeance upon apostates and obnoxious Gentiles, and, in fact, like the executioners of the German Vehme, to commit any crime, however horrible, in obedience to the mandates of the prophet. These were the "Danites," or "Brothers of Gideon." But "the pear was not yet ripe."
The Governor acted with vigor. A strong military force was organized and placed under the command of General J. B. Clark, who, by a rapid march, surrounded Far West, and made Joseph and Hyrum Smith, with some forty others, prisoners, and virtually ended the struggle without a battle. The Mormons, panic-struck, delivered up their arms, and entered into a treaty by which they agreed to leave the state. During this period of commotion, some lamentable scenes occurred, exhibiting the revengeful bitterness of the popular mind, among which was the murder of sixteen Mormons, including two boys, at Hawn's Mill, by a lawless band of armed men. The Saints charged this dastardly violence upon those in command; and, unfortunately, the phraseology of General Clark's instructions, and of his subsequent address to the Mormons, furnishes some plausibility to the accusation.
