| 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 4
A few rods south of the blacksmith shop, was an unfinished well, about eight or twelve feet deep; but no water was in it. This made the sepulcher for the dead. Fifteen murdered persons, including my father, were carried on a board, one at a time, and dropped into that well--by brother Amos McBride, James Dayley and Jacob Myers: the only three able bodied men that were present.
It was now plainly shown that there was no mercy for us. What few men and boys that were of much age--yet alive--were under necessity of hiding away, to escape danger.
About the first day of November, being tired of lying out in the woods, I concluded to venture a trip to the mill. I was anxious to see the grounds on which the slaughter took place; and learn if possible, the general situation of affairs.
[page 15] Accordingly, with feelings that I can not here describe, I slowly wended my way to the spot. I walked over the grounds, noticing here and there the blood stained earth--and seriously reflecting on our then sorrowful situation. On the outside, the logs of the shop were defaced with bullet marks, and on the inside of the shop, the ground was scarcely visible for blood.
I traced the blood from the dead bodies of those who were carried and buried in the well. 1 went to the place and stood at the edge of the silent tomb of my beloved father. A silent prayer I offered to God and turned away.
I went to a house in which a widow woman lived, by name [William] Napier--her husband was a victim of the massacre. She was yet there with her family. She advised me to be careful least the mob might come upon me, and kill me.
Having spent a few minutes at the house I went into the mill, to look once again through it. While there a noise attracted my attention, and I saw the woman of whom I have just spoken--running and beckoning to me in an affrighted manner. I sprang to the door-way, and saw about thirty rods distant a posse of men, coming in the direction of the mill. I did not feel right in trusting myself in their hands-but rather than let them see me run to escape, I would have died. I therefore walked from the mill to the dam, crossed it and quietly walked on until I was out of sight. Why they did not fire at me I can not tell.
A few days after, a company of men, commanded by Nehemiah Comstock
[page 16] took possession of the mill.
In that company was a man by name [Howard] Mopin, for whom, my father who was then a magistrate, had collected a judgment amounting to ten dollars and ten cents, just before his death. Mopin now threatened that my mother's house would he burned down over us if the money was not forth coming. I heard of the threats made, and after reflecting for a time took the money and started to chance my fate with the mob, In as bold a manner as I could assume, 1 went among them. They did not bother me, and I soon thought myself quite safe. I found Mopin, and presented him with the money. He took it, and seemed somewhat effected, on learning the situation of my father's family. To remunerate me for my trouble, he gave me ten cents.
I was quite small for my age--was smooth faced and very sickly--which perhaps in part accounted for me being allowed to depart in peace. Having ventured thus far, I decided that I would again return, and as a spy,
One day having worked my way back into their midst I discovered that a man by name Robert White, who was a member of the Church had turned traitor and gave the enemy all the information he could about the Mormon families and their situations. The captain who was aside instructing his men, I overheard mention my brother Amos' name, as one having a gun--which he said was hid in a hollow tree and if he refused to give it up when called for, they were instructed to shoot him down without further ceremony.
[page 17] As soon as a chance presented itself, I left the camp, and as soon as I was out of their sight, made my way across the hills, to where Amos lived--and told him what 1 had heard. I advised him to go and get his gun, and demanded of him, to give it to them--.as we were betrayed, and if he tried to keep his gun, he would lose his life. I then hurried away before the mob came. Amos done as I had advised him.
A few days after, brother Amos, James Daley and David Lewis, were taken prisoners. They were kept a few days, harassed and tormented, and then set at liberty.
While Comstock's Company remained at the mill, they used it to do their grinding. They would shoot down our cattle and hogs--not caring how much they were needed by the widows and children that had been left lo care for themselves, When they wished honey, they would take the hive to their camp, split it open with an ax, and help themselves. This was indeed hard to endure, but to resist was death.
The Governor of Missouri (Boggs) not being satisfied with the suffering already borne by the Latter-day Saints issued orders requiring them to surrender their fire arms, give up their principal leaders, and leave the state at a given time. The suffering caused by that exterminating order of Boggs' could hardly be described. Families were turned out of their homes, and the widows and orphans found themselves cast helplessly upon the mercy of the church. Some were without teams, and almost destitute of food and clothing. Thus exposed to the storms of winter, and travel a journey of more than two hundred miles.
[page 18] It was now necessary to get rid of our home at the mill in the best way we could. If we could get something for it, well and good, and if not, we were to leave it any how. The place was worth about one thousand dollars.
(February 24, 1839) We left Haun's Mill, on the 24th of February; on our way to Illinois. The first day we traveled about nine miles--and then camped in a house which had been vacated by one of the brethren. The day had turned extremely cold--and we decided to remain at that place 'till the weather became more favorable for traveling. While there camped, we were informed that our guns, which had been taken from the saints at Haun's Mill and at the surrender of arms at Far West, had been taken to Richmond in Ray County--and that we could get them by first describing them, swearing to the description--and paying a fee of sixty-cents for each gun. James Dayley and myself decided to ascertain the truth of the matter, and if possible, get our guns. My main object was, however,
[page 19] to get possession of my father's gun--with which you may remember father was shot
(February 27, 1839) Accordingly about the 27th, we started to Richmond--at the same time the main body of our company started on their journey to Illinois. We had no horses to ride--no teams were traveling in that direction-consequently, we were compelled to go on foot.
And now, let me say-this was the beginning of the three hardest days suffering from fatigue that I ever experienced.
The first day about one hour before sunset we arrived in Richmond--and after describing our guns, taking the oath, and paying the required fee, we were directed into a room in which was stacked several hundred guns--all of which justly belonged to our people-but of which they had been unwarrantedly deprived. My father's gun was not to be found by us--but fortunately I got my brother Amos' gun--James Dayley got his. Having done all we could, we turned our faces in the direction of our company. Having traveled about ten miles on our way, at a late hour we stopped for the night at the home of brother Pleasant Ewell who had been a good friend to many of the Saints--and who gave us lodging, supper and breakfast.
At an early hour of the morning we were again traveling. After a hard days trip, just before sunset we came to a place where we were informed our company had passed about eleven o'clock that day. We were now on the road our company had traveled, which made us anxious to push forward. We had been without eating since ear1y breakfast, so we arranged with the man of the place for our dinners,
[page 20] for which we paid twelve and a half cents each.
A few miles ahead, commenced a prairie--through which we would have to travel for about eighteen miles. The country through which we were traveling was a new country, and it was not thought strange there to travel ten or more miles without seeing a house. But with the hope that our company had camped at the edge of the prairie and we might overtake them, we traveled on. Darkness came upon us, we reached the prairie, but found no one there. The wolves howling around us in almost every direction. We were indeed tired--but to lie down in the cold, and trust ourselves to the hungry appetites of howling wolves, seemed hopeless, and we still traveled on. Repeatedly I proposed to my traveling companion to stop, but he would not consent to the proposition at that critical time. Slowly we trudged on, 'till at a late hour--when we saw, to our right--and about a mile distant a fire in the timbers. We left the road, and went in the direction of the fire. When we got to the place, we gathered wood to keep fire and there camped for the rest of the night.
Before day dawned, the shrill clarion of the dung-hill cock informed us, we were then but a short distance from a house. We went to the house and got our breakfasts; which were very acceptable to hungry, and weary foot travelers.
About eleven o'clock that day we overtook our company. We had traveled an average of about forty miles each day--and
[page 21] you are left to judge the good feelings we enjoyed, at again joining our friends.
After a tedious journey--and a great dea1 of exposure-from which many died, we arrived in Adams County, Illinois. At which place I built a house, about four miles east of Payson. I rented a piece of land which I farmed one season.
At that place Dorcas married Harrison Severe.
(April 1840) in the spring of 1840, about the last of April, I started to Nauvoo, Hancock County. Taking with me my mother, and sister Catherine. Accompanied by Amos and family--James Dayley and family and Harrison Severe and wife--also a young man by name of William Pope, who afterward married Catherine.
At Nauvoo I got in with a man named Creamer, from whom I got a small place, and raised a crop of corn the first year. The gathering of the church was at Nauvoo.
(1841) In the year 1841, I rented a portion of a farm from a man named John Eagle, which I cultivated.
(July 26, 28.1841) My circumstances were very good, and all went well until about July, when my mother Was taken with the kings evil--from which, she died about the 26th or 28th, of July, 1841.
[Dennis' notes - "kings evil" a form of tuberculosis characterized by swellings of the lymphatic glands. His mother Catherine's generally accepte death date is July 27. This date is taken from the Nauvoo cemetery records.]
At that place Catherine married William Pope.
In the autumn of 1841, I moved north about two miles, and built another home. On which I remained about a year and a half and then disposed of it.
(1843--March 7, 1844) In the spring of 1843, I bought a piece of land, about one mile still north, on which I built a home,
[page 22] and made some improvement. While on that place, I married Olive Mahetable Cheeney, on the evening of 7th, day of March 1844. Olive Mahetable Cheeney, daughter of Aaron Cheeney, and Mahetabel Wells, was born on the 16th day of May, A.D. 1817, in Bloomfield, Cataraugus County, state of New York.
(June 27th 1844) On the 27th day of June 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith, and Patriarch Hyrum Smith were murdered at Carthage Jail Illinois.
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