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.
were in then in their hands and <that> they should prevail. He gave instructions to the spy company that they should go out to and surround country, to learn the movements of mobs. and that if they found any mob burning houses in , be sure said he that you do the same thing to them— was the captain of this spy company— It was stated in this meeting that the object of organizing these <spy> company was to be able to guard against mobs which they said were comeing on them from all quarters,
When was raising his company to go against . he remarked that it <(s company)> was said to be militia, but it was a cursed mob, and that in the name of the Lord he would go and disperse them.
— When was instructing the spy company, <or apparently in conversation with them>, above refered to, on his instructions. I heard it said that if they could not get rid of the mob in any other way, they could poison their families, them to death. At the time of this last remark I was engaged in other conversation and did not hear all that conversation— And further this saith not—