On 7 February 1845 a large quantity of foodstuffs was stolen from non-Mormons in the vicinity of Lima, Illinois. The wagon used in the thefts was traced to Isaac Morley’s son-in-law, Amos Cox, while three other Latter-day Saints—Joseph Huff, Abraham Losee, and Warren Snow—were caught in possession of the stolen goods. All four men were arrested and incarcerated in Quincy, Illinois, on 12 February along with church member John R. Gilbert, who was accused of perjury. Because of Morley’s association with the wagon, a writ was issued for his arrest as an accomplice, but he eluded authorities and came to Nauvoo. When he arrived Morley claimed that “the mob have stolen property and concealed it on the premises of those brethren” as a pretext for persecuting the Saints in Adams County. Between 13 and 20 February, the four men arrested for theft all signed recognizances, agreeing to appear before the Adams County Circuit Court in the April 1845 term to face trial. (“Brethren in Trouble!,” Warsaw [IL] Signal, 19 Feb. 1845, [2]; “More Thieving,” and “The Mormons Committed,” Quincy [IL] Whig, 19 Feb. 1845, [2]; “Can Such Scamps Be Brought to Justice?,” Warsaw Signal, 26 Feb. 1845, [2]; Clayton, Journal, 14 Feb. 1845; see also the four recognizances dated 13, 15, 19, and 20 Feb. 1845 in the larceny cases against Abraham Losee, Warren Snow, Amos Cox, and Joseph Huff held during the April 1845 term of the Adams County Circuit Court that are a part of the collection Selected Court Files, 1840–1852, CHL.)

Warsaw Signal. Warsaw, IL. 1841–1853.

Quincy Whig. Quincy, IL. 1838–1856.

Clayton, William. Journals, 1842–1845. CHL.

Adams Co., IL, Circuit Court. Selected Court Files, 1840–1852. Photocopy. CHL. MS 14306.