Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, 28 November 1843, John Frierson Copy
Source Note
[JS and others], Memorial, , Hancock Co., IL, to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, , 28 Nov. 1843; handwriting of ; docket in handwriting of ; six pages; JS Office Papers, CHL.
had located themselves at , were Compeled by the mob to leave the place, notwithstanding the Militia were Called out for their protection. From the mob went to , and while on their way took some of our people prisoners and greatly abused and mistreated them. Our people had been driven by force from ; they had been Compeled to leave and sell their lands there, for which they have never been paid, they had finally settled in where they had purchased and paid for nearly all the government land within its limits, in order to secure homes where they could live and worship in peace, but even here they were soon followed by the mob. The Society remained in from 1836 until the fall of 1838, and during that time had acquired, by purchase from the Government, the settlers and preemptioners, almost all the lands in the County of and a portion of those in and Carrol Counties. Those Counties where our people first Commenced their Settlements were for the most part wild and uncultivated, and they had converted them into large and well improved farms, well stocked. Lands had risen in value from 10 to 25 dollars per Acre, and those Counties were rapidly advancing in Cultivation and wealth. In August 1838, a riot commenced growing out of the attempt of a Member of the Society to vote, which resulted in Creating great excitement and many scenes of lawless outrage: A large mob under the Conduct of came into the vicinity of , drove off our stock and abused our people, another party came into , took away our horses and Cattle, burnt our houses, and ordered the inhabitants to leave their homes immediately. <By orders of and > A a company of about 60 men went to disperse this mob under the command of . A conflict ensued in which and two of his men were killed and others wounded. A mob party from two to three hundred in number, many of whom are supposed to have come from fell on our people, and notwithstanding they begged for quarters, shot down and killed eighteen, as they would so many wild beasts. [p. [4]]