Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838, Copy [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 ca. late 1838–ca. early 1839; unidentified handwriting; fifty-seven pages; Mormon War Papers, MSA.
Copy of the testimoney before given before Honle Judge of 5th Judicial circuit in the State of . at the Court house in . by a criminal court of Enquiry begun Nov 12— 1838— State vs Joseph Smith Jr, , , , , , , Washington Voris Sidney Turner, JohnBuckhannon, , Chandler Haldbrook , , Martin C. Al[l]red, Wm Al[l]red, , , , Zedediah Owens, , Thos Beck Moses Clawson, John J Tanner, Danl J Thomas, , Elisha Edwards , Ebenezer Page, , , , , , David Frampton, George Kimble, , Henry Zabriskey Sheffield Daniels, Silas Manard, Benj Jones, , John T. Earl and Norman Shearer who were charged with and [illegible] several crimes of High treason against the State, Murder, Burglary, Arson, robbery & larceny—
a witness, produced sworn & examined on behalf of the State. Deposeth & saith:
That about 4 months ago, a band called the Daughters of Zion, since called the Danite band was formed of the members of the Mormon church, the original object of which was to drive from the county of , all those who dissented from the the mormon church, in which they succeeded admirably & to the satisfaction of the concerned. I consider Joseph Smith Jun as the prime mover and organizer of this Danite band— The officers of the band, according to their grades were brought before him at a school house, together with & , the three composing the first presidency of the whole church. Joseph Smith Jr blessed them & prophesied over them, declaring that [p. [1]]