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THE MORMON MASSACRE This article was reproduced from an article in an early local and state newspaper. Believing that the matter possesses more than ordinary historic value, and that the real details have to some extent been neglected; and especially in view of the fact that ere long, the only living witnesses will have passed away; it seems but a plain duty, that the statements of these witnesses who were actually present and saw the deed, with their eyes should be collected and published, so as to preserve a true story, of which will one day be an interesting subject in the annals of Tennessee history. There is also one other reason why the real facts leading up to this killing should be published. (editors note; the real facts may or may not be real. The real facts would have been known by first hand account) Numerous accounts have been published in the state of Utah purporting to give the exact facts of this unfortunate episode but invariably these accounts have been given from a Mormon viewpoint, and reflect upon the good name of Tennessee. By an examination of the Mormon literature on this subject, one would infer that a band of ruffians had disguised themselves and united for the purpose of ruthlessly murdering the "Mormon Elders." The mobbers, as they are termed, are spoken of as a set of cowards, who without any just cause murdered a couple of the real and genuine "apostles." This is not true. There are at least two sides to the question, and the purpose of this article will be to give a correct statement of the entire matter as nearly as possible. Had they not undertaken to teach polygamy, all would have passed along smoothly, and no innocent blood would ever have been shed. Doubtless as early as 1875, or ten years after the close of the civil war, the Mormon church in Utah conceived the important idea of shouldering the responsibility of Christianizing the imaginary heathens of Tennessee. With this object in view, ten or fifteen Mormon preachers well educated and fashionably dressed, were sent into this state to do Missionary work to teach way fearing man the way of salvation. And this was done by incidentally explaining to him that it was alright to have a dozen or so wives, and many other things too repulsive to mention in a real civilized neighborhood. And for this reason, it seems, that these preachers sought remote places for their exploitations, such as the head waters of Cane Creek in Lewis County at that time. It is claimed by the Mormons that at this place "they found people willing to receive their preaching whereupon they at once set about the work of establishing a permanent church. Cane Creek is a pretty clear stream which rises in Lewis county, and flows westward through a portion of Hickman county, and into Buffalo river near Beardstown. The people had cleared away the woods, converting a wilderness into fields, and building for themselves homes on this small creek, were a hardy, yet honest folk. While unsophisticated, still they were good at heart, and before the dawn of this new religion, nothing had come to disturb their contentment or in any way to mar the happiness of their rural being. They were children of nature, accustomed to the hardships of back woods life. Their knowledge was limited, living remote, as they did from the centers of education. They knew little of the great world and its polish and refinement. Still they were honest at heart. Here they had erected for themselves homes, and were endeavoring to worship God in that first way, characteristic of frontier life. At this time there were different religious congregations on the creek such as Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian, Etc. In none of these had they been taught anything which possessed even a resemblance of polygamy much less had any one attempted to practice any thing of the kind. On the other hand those sturdy settlers, as a rule had been reared to despise the very thought of adultery in any form. Until then they had regarded the home as sacred. As yet no one in the guise of religion had come to defile it. Did the Mormon Preachers, or Elders, as they were called, disturb the quietude of this settlement? Let us see as early as 1880, elders Joseph Aagyle, Edward Stephenson and Martin Garn, of the Mormon faith began the holding of preaching's, and found here a few of the simpler people who yielded to their influence. They continued their preaching at intervals, and finally some of the settlers showed a willingness to unite with the Mormon Church. Thus a small branch of the Mormon Church was established. Afterwards others united, and before any particular notice had been taken of the matter, or any objection interposed on the part of citizens, opposed to such evil influences, others had joined seemingly permanent church was planted. In two or three years the Mormon Church became more firmly established. The members were deeply filled with a seeming devotion for what they, to all intents and purposes, regarded as a righteous cause. The Church now had a membership of thirty-five or forty. Big meetings were held, and baptizings were conducted the followers becoming imbued with the new religion in their zeal. The "Mormon Massacre" as it is spoken of in Utah, occurred on Sunday morning August 10, 1884. On the night previous four Mormon preachers came into the Cane Creek neighborhood, spending the night with Tom Garrett. The names of these preachers were W. H. Jones, J. H. Gibbs, W. S. Berry and Henry Thompson. It was generally understood that services would be held on the Sunday following at the home of James Conder, a member of the Mormon Church. Hence the citizens who were determined in their purpose to for ever put a stop to the Mormon preaching's, at least so far as they affected this particular vicinity made ready and on the next morning were fully prepared. No one believes that the disguised citizens meant any special violence toward the preachers further than to give them a sound threshing, and to ask that they leave the neighborhood immediately. At any rate on the morning in question, three of the preachers, Elders Gibbs, Berry and Thompson, proceeded on their way to to the Conder residence which was down the creek about one mile from the home of Mr. Garrett, where the meeting was to be held. Elder Jones, for some reason, had remained at the Garrett residence for a short while. Soon he also left for the Conder residence and alone. On his way and near the Conder residence he encountered some ten or twelve masked men. The disguised men did not offer any violence towards Jones, more than to take him in charge, and questioned him as to the whereabouts of the other preachers. Ascertaining that the three others had proceeded him and were then at the Conder place, they left Jones in custody of one of their number, continuing on their way in quest of the others. Upon arriving at the Conder residence, they found that quite a crowd had assembled. Old man Conder, owner of the premises was standing at the yard gate, and when informed that he must remain in their hands for the present, he became greatly enraged, and cried out to his son Martin Conder, and step-son J. Riley Hudson who were then in the orchard nearby, to get the guns quickly and come to his rescue. The boys made for the back entrance to the house. Members of the mob, seeing that serious trouble was eminent, also rushed for the house in hope that they might explain, and thus avoid bloodshed. But in the house where the audience had gathered, and singing already begun preparatory to the regular service, and encounter occurred between young Martin Conder and a member of the mob, young Conder snatching the mask from the face of the party. Real trouble then began. The preachers were at once taking a hand in the scramble and all was confusion. Young Conder was in the act of taking a gun from the rack, when a member of the party grappled with him. Being prevented in his effort to obtain the gun, Conder drew a pistol, which was aimed at a member of the party but snapped. In the excitement that prevailed, a shot was fired which took effect in the body of Elder Gibbs. He died almost instantly. Elder Berry was next fired upon and killed. By this time, Elder Thompson seeing that the affair was becoming serious, jumped out at the back door and made good his escape. At this juncture Martin Conder who had secured another gun in the meantime, aimed it at the party who had just shot Berry, but before he could fire someone shot and killed him. In the affray Mrs. James Conder was accidentally shot in the thigh but not fatally. The mob had begun its retreat. while all this had been transpiring, J. Riley Hudson had climbed into the loft, or stairs and procured a gun. Coming to the door he fired a shot into the retreating mob. The shot taking effect in the body of one of the members proving to be David Hinson, Hinson hardly had fallen, before one of the other masked parties said; "I'll have revenge", and aiming at Hudson fired and Hudson fell dead. Hinson was carried away by the masked party and died two hours later. But
let us leave this awful tragedy and forget if possible the sorrow it
wrought and return to Elder Jones who was left guarded by a lone member
of the mob. The mischief did not end altogether with the loss of these five lives. There was no further bloodshed, but feelings ran high. and as the news of the killing spread, good people became incensed and soon the entire neighborhood was in a stir. Brave men, who loved their wives and daughters, avowed their readiness to shed their life's last blood for their protection against the evil teaching of polygamy. As it were, an "unwritten law", was enacted in the hearts of those who opposed the new religion and it was declared that no further Mormon Churches would be established nor preaching's held. It was indeed a trying time. A sad epoch in the history of Lewis County. Folks who were still inclined to remain loyal to the Mormon faith through fear absconded. Not only members of the Mormon Church, but many good people who had been friendly to the "Elders" entertaining them in their homes, immediately left for other parts, because of the unpleasantness of the situation; in many instances leaving their near relatives behind. Families were separated. Breaches were created that could never again be reconciled. There was not the slightest intention of murdering these elders when the mob went to the Conder home. There has always been more than one theory as to who fired the first shot. Be that as it may, five persons were killed and a sixth crippled for life. Mrs. Conder who was shot and never recovered, drew a pension from the Mormon Church as long as she lived. She and Mr. Conder have long since passed thence. The massacre was the county's most bloody tragedy. |