INDEX

Ancestry of James McBride Page 5
Siblings of James McBride Page 6
Move to Ohio Page 6 - 1810
Settling on the Red Haw Page 7 - 1820
Birth of James and Conversion to Mormonism Page 8 - 1818 - 1831
Move from Ohio to Missouri Page 9 - 1834
Move to Haun's Mill Page 10 - 1837
The Massacre at Haun's Mill Page 10 - October 30, 1838
Burying the Dead Page 14
Spying on the Mob Page 16
Arrival in Illinois Page 18 - 1839
Marriage; Martyrdom of the Prophet Page 21 - 1844
Exodus from Nauvoo Page 23 - 1846
Brother Thomas hanged in Iowa Page 24 - March, 1847
Arrival in Council Bluffs (Kanesville) and leaving for Utah Pgae 27 - 1850
Stampede! Page 28
Chimney Rock Page 29
Arrival in Salt Lake and founding of Grantsville Page 31- October 4, 1850
Building the fort at Grantsville Page 34 - 1853
Johnson's Army and fleeing again Page 37 - 1857
Death of Marion Louisa McBride Page 40 - 1875

 

Chapter 3

(October 30. 1838) One beautiful afternoon on the 30th day of October, 1838, my father came home from meeting with the brethren at the mill. He talked with me, and told me the arrangements made. He was called to help to form the guard. I was sick at the time, with

[page 11] the every-other-day ague [ague is a fever - possibly malaria], and father said on my well day, I should take his place with the guard and that he would guard on the day that I was sick. That with himself and me, he wished to fill one man's place. You will remember my father was then in his sixty-third year. During the summer he had been very sick--but having recovered, appeared to feel very well; in fact I think he looked better than I had ever before saw him.

My sister Catherine was living at the mill with Hauns' family. Leaving only me and my youngest sister Dorcas, at home with father and mother.

Father was in good spirits, and his countenance wore a cheerful expression. Having shaved himself in his usual style, leaving side beards--and taking with him his guns and blankets, started on his return to the mill to join the rest of the guard. Mother, with sister Dorcas started to visit a neighbor woman, living about a quarter of a mile distant from father's place. This being the day on which I was sick, the next day I should have taken father's place with the guard. I was then in my twenty-first year.

The day was gradually passing--evening was coming on.

The large red sun so characteristic of an Indian summer, shone through the smokey atmosphere. All was still.

My father had but little more than got to the mill--in fact not more than thirty minutes had elapsed from the time he left the house, when a gun was heard--and another--followed by the deadly crack of musketry, which told too well the fate of all who fell a prey to the blood-thirsty mob.

Perhaps not more than six minutes had passed from the firing

[page 12] of the first gun, 'till the massacre was accomplished,--the bloody deed was done.

The firing ceased--the screams of mothers, daughters and the wounded told the dreadful tale!

The bloody- picture in the book of time; may it ever stamp with stigma the brow of that government that offered not a protecting hand to those who were ruthlessly cut dowI1--wounded; or were made widows, and orphans, at the Haun's Mill Massacre.

The sun slowly sank beneath the western horizon-and darkness spread its broad mantle over the universe.

With a single exception, the dead were left lying where they fell--in fact there were none left that were able to take care of them. Whether dead or alive, all feared alike--all was uncertain--all was pain and sorrow.

In vain did the affectionate wife with aching heart and streaming eyes watch through the long, long night for return of her husband.

(October 31, '1833) The 31st day dawned, and again the rays of the morning sun kissed the landscape. As yet the extent of the massacre was not known.

Brother Amos having been detailed on the previous day to get wood for families was on his way to the mill when he was told there had been serious trouble there. His home was about three miles from the mill and as he was not detailed on guard, was not at the mill at the time of the slaughter.

He went on and passing the mill a short distance, came to Haun's house. The first object that met his eye in human form, was the

[page 13] mangled body of my murdered father [Thomas McBride], lying in the door yard. He had been shot with his own gun, after having given it into the mob's possession. Was cut down and badly disfigured with a corn cutter [a corn cutter was a scythe-like tool], and left lying in the creek. Some of the women had dragged him from the creek into the door yard, and left him there. One of his ears was almost cut from his head--deep gashes were cut in his shoulders; and some of his fingers cut till they would almost drop from his hand.

On further examination it was found that fifteen were murdered and fifteen wounded--one of whom was a woman, Mary Stedwell, who in trying to escape, was shot through the hand, and fell behind a log. Several bullet holes were found in the log, directly opposite of where she lay. Alma Smith a small boy; and I believe one __ Merrick were the only wounded children that were yet alive. Of the wounded men, three afterward died. Making eighteen dead in all.

[Alexander L. Baugh, Assistant Professor, Church History and Doctrine, BYU, lists 17 dead as follows: Charley Merrick-9 yrs,. George S. Richards, Sardius Smith-10 yrs,. William Napier, Warren Smith, Augustine Harmer, Thomas McBride, Simon Cox , Levin Merrick, Hiram Abbott, Elias Benner, John York, Josiah Fuller, John Lee, Benjamin Lewis, John Byers, Alexander Campbell and Severely Wounded: 11 Men, 1 Boy (7 years), and 1 Woman. The list of the dead may have omitted a non-member who was friendly to the Mormons.]

Isaac Laney a young man that was baptized into the church at the same time that I was, was in the blacksmith shop, when the mob began to fire on them. His gun stock was shot to pieces in his hands. He then escaped from the shop, ran to the mill and climbed down one of the mill timbers into the creek. That being the quickest way for him to escape danger. From there he went into the house, where sister Catherine, Mrs. Haun, Mrs. Merril and some other women were. They administered lo Isaac, and put him under the floor. He had received eleven bullet marks in his body. I was well acquainted with Isaac Laney, and helped to take care of him until he recovered. He told me that

[page 14] when trying to escape from the mob, the blood gushing from his mouth would almost strangle him. While he was under the floor he said he suffered a great deal for want of water. The women not daring to venture out to get water until they felt sure the mob was entirely gone. Isaac recovered, and lived thirty-five years from the day of the Haun's Mill Massacre.

 

Index Chapter 2 Chapter 4