In his history for April 11, 1839, Joseph Smith promised Stephen Markham deliverance, notwithstanding the dangerous situation he and Joseph were in. While Joseph was awaiting trial, Markham was to be a witnesses for Joseph, but would be beaten by a guard:
The
examination of witnesses was continued and Elder [Stephen] Markham was
permitted to give his testimony, after he had closed, Blakesly one of the Guard
came in, and said to Markham, that he wanted to speak to him, Brother Markham
walked out with him, and round the end <S. Markham mobbed.> of the house
when Blakesly cried out “God dam you; you damd old Mormon; I’ll kill you” and
struck at Markham with his fist, and then with a club. Markham took the club,
and threw it over the fence. There were ten of the Mob, who immediately rushed
upon Markham to kill him, Col. William P. Peniston, Captain of the Guard being
one of the number. but Markham told them, he could kill the whole of them at
one blow a piece and drove them all off. The court and Grand Jury stood, and
saw the affray, and heard the Mob threaten Markham’s life by all the oaths they
could invent, but they took no cognizance of it— The ten mobbers went home
after their guns to shoot Markham, and the Grand Jury brought in a bill for
“Murder, Treason, Burglary, Arson, Larceny, Theft, and Stealing,” against Lyman
Wight, Alexander Mc.Rae, Caleb Baldwin, Hyrum Smith and myself.
<Committee>
This evening the Committee assembled at Daniel Shearers, after prayer by
Brother James Newberry, he was ordained an Elder on the recommendation of Elder
[Heber C.] Kimball, under the hands of Elder Kimball, H[iram] Clark and
W[illiam] Huntington Elder Kimball reported that Jesse T. Maupin, the Thirty
Dollar messenger they sent to us, had returned, that the prisoners were well
and in good Spirits. Brother [David W.] Rogers who had returned from Jackson
County reported that he had sold all the lands in Jackson— Elder Kimball was
requested to attended a meeting of the County tomorrow, and as an individual
mention the case of the Committee and brethren generally and learn their
feelings. whether they would protect the brethren from the abuse of the Mob, in
case they come immediately to drive them out as they had recently threatened
Continuing, we read the
following:
During
this night the visions — — — — — of the future were opened to my understanding
when I saw the ways and means and near approach of my escape from imprisonment.
<April
11> and the danger that my beloved Brother Markham was in, I awoke Brother
Markham and told him if he would rise very early and not wait for the Judge and
Lawyers as he had contemplated, but ride briskly, he would get safe home,
almost before he was aware of it, and if he did not the Mob would shoot him on
the way. And tell the brethren to be of good cheer, and lose no time in
removing from the Country
In
the entry for April 12, we read the fulfillment of this promise:
<12
[Stephen] Markham’s return> Friday 12 This morning Brother Markham arose at
dawn of day, and rode rapidly towards Far West, where he arrived before 9 a.m.
The Mobbers pursued to shoot him but did not overtake him.
Further Reading: