Docket Entry, 1–circa 6 July 1843 [Extradition of JS for Treason]
Source Note
Docket Entry, [, Hancock Co., IL, 1–ca. 6 July 1843], Extradition of JS for Treason (Nauvoo, IL, Municipal Court 1843); Nauvoo Municipal Court Docket Book, 55–87, 116–150; handwriting of and ; CHL.
for the mob availing themselves, of the exterminating order of , would, if I were found in the , surely take my life— that I had no way to escape them but to flee with all speed from the . It was some ten days after this before I dare leave the . At last the evening came in which I was to leave the . Every preparation was made that could be made for my escape There was a carriage ready, to take me in & carry me off, with all speed. A pilot was ready— one who was well acquainted with the country— to pilot me through the country, so that I might not go on any of the public roads. My wife came to the to accompany me, of whose society I had been deprived for four months. Just at dark, the Sheriff & jailor came to the , with our supper. I sat down & ate. There were a number watching. After I had supped, I whispered to the jailor to blow <out> all the candles but one, and step away with that one from the door. All this was done. The sheriff then took me by the arm, and an apparent Scuffle ensued— so much so, that those who were watching, did not know who it was the Sheriff was scuffling with. The Sheriff kept pushing me towards the door, & I apparently resisting, until we reached the door, which was quickly opened & we both reached the Street. He took me by the hand & bade me farewell, telling me to make my escape, which I did with all possible. The night was dark. After I had gone probabably probably one hundred rods, I heard some person coming after me in haste. The thought struck me in a moment that the mob was after me. I drew a pistol & cocked it, determined not to be taken alive. When the person approaching me spoke, I knew his voice, & he speedily came to me. In a few minutes I heard a horse coming. I again sprung my pistol cock. Again a voice saluted my ears, that I was acquainted with. The man came speedily up & said he had come to pilot me through the country. I now recolected I had left my wife in the . I mentioned it to them & one of them returned & the other & myself pursued our journey as swiftly as we could. After I had gone about three miles, my wife overtook me in a carriage, into which I got & we all rode all night. It was an open carriage & in the month of February 1839, We got to the house of an acquaintance just as day appeared. There I put up until the next morning, when I started again & reached a place called Tenny’s Grove; & to my great surprise, I here found my family & was again united with them, after an absence of four months, under the most painful circumstances. From thence I made my way to where I now am. My wife after I left her went directly to [p. 149]