Minutes and Testimonies, 12–29 November 1838 [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); unidentified handwriting; 126 pages; Eugene Morrow Violette Collection, State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia.
, , Henry Zabriskey, , Sheffield Daniel, George Kimball, & Normon Shearer satisfying the Court that they are poor persons, unable to employ counsel to assist them in their defence, It is therefore ordered that , & Esqrs. be appointed as cousel for said purpose— and not being able to progress further in the cause, the court adjourned until tomorrow morning 9 o’clock
Court met agreeably to adjournment 12 13th day of Novr— a witness, produced sworn and examined on behalf of the State, Deposeth and saith:
That about four months ago, a band called the Daughters of Zion, or <since cal[l]ed> the Danite band was formed of the memberes of the Mormon <church> the original object of which was to drive from the county of all those who dissented from the mormon church, in which they succeeded admirably &c to the satisfaction of those concerned,— I consider. Joseph Smith Jr 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 they should be the means in the hands of God of bringing forth the Millenial Kingdom. It was stated from by Joseph Smith Jr that it was necessary this band should be bound together by a covenant, that those who reveald the secrets [p. [2]]