Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838, Copy and Letter [State of Missouri v. Gates et al. for Treason]
Source Note
Minutes and Testimonies, [, Ray Co., MO], 12–29 Nov. 1838, State of MO v. Gates et al. for Treason (Fifth Judicial Circuit of MO 1838). Copied with letter ca. late 1838–ca. early 1839; unidentified handwriting; fifty-one pages; Mormons Collection, 1813–1970, Missouri History Museum.
kept me two or three days. There appeared to be about 100 mormons -[at ]- and a portion of them left with me for , others were behind coming on. Most of them had goods packed before them on their horses, which had been taken from ’ store. Two men went on ahead for waggons, and on my way to , we met two or three waggons which they said were going after the goods— I left before the store was set on fire, but I heard some one of the company command to take out <all> the goods out before setting the house on fire.
The following of the Defts. were in this expedition to Ebenezer Page, Maurice [Morris] Phelps, & . And the following of the Defts. I saw at while there. Joseph Smith Jr. , & .
I was in three days, and during that time saw a great deal of plunder brought in. Companies went out every day, a great deal of honey was also brought in. Also cattle and hogs— all which was called consecrated property I was a stranger to most of the men I saw. And further this deponent saith not—
Porter Yale
Benjamin Slade a witness for the State produced sworn & examined deposeth and saith:
I was in a meeting, at the school house in , while the Mormon troops were at in the last expedition— After the assembly had got into the house a guard was placed at the door. got [p. [37]]