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.
sourians at had taken the goods out of <’> the store, and piled them up. and set fire to the store house, and had gone off for waggons to haul off the goods, but that our waggons had got there first and had hauled them off.— I understood that the goods were deposited with the of the church at as consecrated property to the church. A great deal of other property was brought into the mormon camps, but know where it came from. but understood it to be consecrated property. It was frequently observed among the troops, that the time had come when the riches of the gentiles should be consecrated to the Saints.— From the time of the return of the troops from the town of was kept under military rule, troops paraded, and disciplined every day.
It was a generally prevailing understanding among the troops, and seemed to be so much so towards the last, that no other impressions prevailed, that they would oppose, either militia or mob, should they come out against them; for they considered them all mob at heart.— this was about the time the militia arrived there—
As to personally, I have thought him to be a good meaning man, but in connexion with others under the order of the Danite society, I thought I had as much to fear from him as from others. As to the constitution testifed of, by I never heard of it until he disclosed it when he was taken prisoner— I did not attend the first meeting in which the Danite band was formed. I did not see in the last expedition to have arms upon his person, but he constituted one of the counsellors of Jos Smith Jr & it was not usual for any of the presidency, composed of Prest. Smith & his counsellors, to take arms & go into the ranks.
When I arrived at , I staid the first night at 's house & informed that was coming out, with the militia answered that he did not wish to come out, & sent an express to him not to come, he remarked that they could settle the difficulties themselves. And further this saith not