I think sometime in the latter part of the winter said Joseph Smith moved to the district of country the saints had purchased & he settled down like other citizens of a new county & was appointed the first elder in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints, holding no office in the either civil or military. I declare that I never knew <​said​> Joseph Smith, to dictate by his influence or otherwise any of the officers either civil or military he himself being exempt from military duty from the amputation from his leg of a part of the bone on account of a severe sore.

I removed from to , purchased a preemption right for which I gave 750 dollars, gained another by the side thereof—, put in a large crop & became acquainted with the citizens of who appeared very friendly. In the month of June or July there was a town laid off, partly on my preemption & partly on lands belonging to Government— the emigration commenced flowing to this newly laid off town very rapidly. This excited a prejudice in the minds of some of the old citizens who were an ignorant set & not very far advanced before the Aborigenees of the country in civilization or cultivated minds, fearing lest this rapid tide of emigration should deprive them of office of which they were dear lovers. This was more plainly exhibited at the Augt election accordingly in the year 1838; The old settlers then swore that not one Mormon should vote at that election; accordingly, they commenced operations by fist & Skull; this terminated in the loss of some teeth, some flesh & some blood. The combat being very strongly contested on both sides — many Mormons were deprived of their votes & I was followed to the polls by three ruffians with stones in their hands, saying they would kill me if I voted.

A false rumour was immediately sent to , such as two or three Mormons were killed & were not suffered to be buried, The next day a considerable number of the saints came out to my house— said Joseph Smith came with them— he enquired of me the difficulty, the answer was political difficulties— he then asked if there any thing serious, the answer was, no, I think not— we then all mounted our horses & rode up into the prairie a short distance from my house to a cool spring, near the house of where the greater number stopped for refreshment whilst a few waited on , he was interrogated to know, whether he justified the course of conduct at the late election or not, he said he did not, & was willing to [p. 124]