Historical Sketch of James HENDRICKS and Drusilla DORRIS
[ Table of Contents | Prev | Next ]

Persecutions

Expulsion from "the First Latter-day Saint Settlement in Missouri," by C.C.A. Christensen. © Copyright by the Museum of Art at Brigham Young University. Used by permission.

My husband's people, except one brother, were in Jackson County, Mo. where the Saints were driven from, so this brother wrote to Missouri to ascertain the character of the Saints and the answer soon came from the County authorities and a letter signed by over twenty other people pertaining to the character of the Saints and their assertions. We asked for the letters from Missouri that we might read them, then we invited Brother Buttler to our house to hear them read and desired to answer the letters while in our possession. And as they sat down to write, a young man came to get the letters. My husband said he had taken them for the night, but after he had taken them home if there he could get them from there. The man went to the door and said there is a heavy storm coming and wanted my husband to come and see; however he did not go then the man came back and sat down and again asked for the letters. He was then told he could not have them as we had them for the night and would not give them up so he bid us goodnight and left. We thought there must be something up. In a few moments my husband went to the door and sat down on the steps, when here came a boley of rocks hurled at his head¹. As quick as thought he stepped out into the darkness, to listen to the voices. He damned them and told them if they came again he would be ready for them. They threw some in the dark and then ran; he came in and they finished writing their letters. The letters from Missouri, however, did not prove anything to us.

Next morning everything stood on end, pig-troughs were on top of the gates and every old trumpery stood up on end. The wagon was propped up with the tongue sticking straight in the air and a pile of rocks lay at the gate. We had no weapons of any kind so after breakfast my husband went and bought a gun and gave out the word that he was ready for them.

The mob began to give themselves away a little at a time, until we secured substantial proof against them, then we had them arrested and made them pay for their mischief and during the trial they brought out the fact that the Deacon of the Baptist Church had promised to pay their fine if they were caught; however he refused to do so when they were apprehended and proven guilty.

My husband's brother forbid his family coming out to our house, so we had no society except the few Saints in the Branch of the Church. We went often to worship God and ask Him to guide us in all we did. We were happy though and high and low scoffed at us.

My husband was going on business right by my sister's door so I jumped on the horse behind him and went to see her. I was received very cool (she was next older than me in the family and before this we never met or parted without crying.) She told me to lay off my things and get a chair. After fifteen or twenty minutes silence she began saying, "Drusilla, what in the name of God and our Parents and everything else have you done; what have you done." I said, "Lovinia, what do you mean." Why in going after the Mormons and being baptized by them. I said, they preached the Gospel and I was baptized for the remission of my sins. She said she never wanted to come to our house again without we came out of that devilment and tried to get back into the Baptist Church again. I told her that would never be.

One of the neighbor women came in and began telling what she had heard. I paid no attention to her, when asked some smutty questions, but I never let on as though I heard her as my sister was the only one I wanted to listen to. She told me all she wanted to come to my house for was because Father and Mother were buried there. I said the same parents raised me that raised you. (This raise came to me with the spirit of it; I repeated the words): "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lay, My Grace all sufficient shall be thy supply. The Flames shall not hurt thee, I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine." I felt there was a personage with me and I was not alone. I found I had to serve God for myself and not for another. I had one sister who was baptized before I was and she was persecuted the same as I, so we then stayed at home and minded our own business.

In June we had a terrible storm. The next morning there was a great calm and everything looked as though it was praising God. We were so happy for we did enjoy the spirit of the Gospel. While we were yet at breakfast, my sister and husband's brother's wife came, although she had been forbidden to come to our house. But they had got so much news and lies gathered up they could not stand it any longer and they thought she would have more influence with us than he. (For he has gnashed his teeth in my face once because I believed in the gift of tongues. He asked if I believed any of the branch had the gift of tongues. I answered yes. He then said he would take us before the law for disgracing his children for I was their Aunt and my husband their Uncle and we believed in such nonsense.) She told some of the most notorious lies (that her husband had told her); she was almost broken-hearted. She said she came on purpose to get us out of such devilment. She wanted us to try and get back in the Baptist Church if we could. She said nothing to me but talked to my husband, as though if he would leave the Mormons, I would be obliged to. She told him if he and my sister Tabitha had wanted a bad name, she would rather we had joined a house of ill fame so we had remained virtuous than to join the Mormons. I said nothing; my husband walked the floor till he thought she had said enough, then he said, "If I was to leave this church with the testimony I have of its truth I should look for nothing but the fiery indignation of God poured out upon me for I know of its truth. She said "Jim, I will venture to stand between you and all judgment that could come upon you if you and Drusa would leave them (the Mormons). Then he bore his testimony in strong terms, it would take something of a different nature to lead us from the truth. My blood ran cold when she said she would stand between us and the judgments of God for I knew she could not answer for her own sins.

She went home as she came, without any encouragement of our leaving the church, what she told us had come through the Baptist church and they were filled with a lying spirit. We talked over our conversation and it only served to open our eyes to the truth. One of our little band came in to stay all night with us. We talked, sang and prayed. Talked of the light of the Gospel and of dreams. I said I wished I could dream something that would come to pass, that would strengthen me in the Gospel in dreams so I went to bed praying that the Lord would give me a dream that would come to pass. I dreamed that the sister that had talked so to us the day before was sick with an awful disease and none were allowed to go to her but her two daughters. I said I would go and see her; I was told I would not be allowed to and it would do me no good to go and her head is as large as a half bushel so you would not know her. I thought I went but went to the back of the house, but was not allowed to go in.

In less than six months I saw this fulfilled to the letter. Her husband took the small-pox and came home and she took the disease and died. I went to the very spot I dreamed of going to so that the wind would blow from me toward the house. My brother came from the city of Nashville to wait on them. He came to the door and told me how she was but said Drusilla go back for you can not see her. Her head is as big as a half bushel and you would not know her. My husband went three times a day to see what they wanted and would take it to them. Neighbors and relations all came to us to hear from them for no one would go within a half mile of their house. My husband's brother became very friendly and talked of going to Missouri with us but when he got out among his friends they soon turned his mind. My husband was security for him for $500.00 but the worst enemies that the Mormons had in our neighborhood offered themselves as security instead of my husband and we were very glad to be released.

Rebecca Hendricks b. 2 Nov. 1835.

My fourth child was born in November 1835 and we called her name Rebecca. We sold out during the winter, settled all our finances ready to start for Missouri in the Spring of 1836. I had four sisters to leave but only one to regret the leaving. She was a Latter-day Saint.

We started on our journey May 1, 1836 in company with Mother Buttler, J. L. Buttler and families, Thompson Kimball and families. We journeyed without much trouble. In Illinois we were under the necessity of buying a yoke of cattle. We stopped at "Knight Prairie". Our men went to a little town and found where they could buy the cattle and they also found some Latter-day Saints. They were as glad as we and they came back with our men and stayed two nights. It was a brother Clark and wife and a Bro. Lane and wife. We had never met them before but were so glad to see a Latter-day Saint. We sang, prayed and praised God for the light we had received. We had a good time but had to part but in hopes that we should meet again.

We went on until we came to a little river, the name of which I have forgotten, here the fish were so plentiful at times the surface of the water was covered. It was decided to stop and fish and lay in a supply. The fish were so large they thought best to shoot them. They had good success until the whole camp had a full supply then their guns would not go off. When they would hold them up off the water it would go off but they could catch no fish. My husband said, the Lord is not pleased with them that kill flesh to waste or them that hath no need. I have known him after we reached Missouri to go shooting. He always got what we needed but could get no more.

We moved on to what was called Ocaw river. Here we had to stop, the wind was so high the ferry men refused to take us across. We all made ourselves comfortable as we could while laying over. I had been in the habit of using snuff and was just out. I knew it was a disgusting habit and I had heard the Word of Wisdom read, also my husband desired that I discontinue its use. I went quite a way out of camp. I there pled with the Lord to take away the desire for snuff from me and if he would do this, it would be a sign unto me that I would know he had caused the revelation (Word of Wisdom) to be written. I then went back to camp, and forgot that I used snuff for four days after and I never wanted it again. I had often tried to quit but this time the Lord took the desire away from me and gave me a testimony of the truth of the Word of Wisdom.

We went on our way rejoicing until we reached Clay County, Mo. We soon bought fifty acres of land there and there were six families living on it. We went in the house with a man by the name of Jerome Benson. I put my beds upstairs.

There were a number of Saints in this settlement that had been driven from Jackson County and we had great times in talking of their trials in that County not knowing that the same fate awaited us. It was not a week until my husband's father, brother and wife and sister came to see us. They lived near Independence but had never heard the Gospel and said that they took no part in the driving of the Saints from that County. And now nothing would do but we must go home with them for a visit. The old Gentlemen said that James (my husband) must go, he knew that he would not be molested. But having told that his youngest son was a Mormon it was not easy to stay the hand of the wicked and ungodly. So we went home with him, partly to satisfy the old gentleman and partly to satisfy our own curiosity to see Independence where the center Stake of Zion should be. My husband also wanted to see the rest of his sisters that were there. After crossing the Missouri River we had an excellent view of the Country.

Reverend Isaac McCoy

When within about three miles of his father's house the Baptist Minister overtook us and the Old Gentleman had to introduce his youngest son James, and lo and behold it was the Rev. I. McCoy,² that old Baptist preacher who was at the head of Jackson County's mob along with Col. Pitcher and he was going to Independence and he would tell the boys to be still and not molest him for his father's sake but he would not wonder if his wagon wheels were sunk in the mill pond so he had better be kind of careful. That made his father and brother feel awful bad but James seemed very cheerful and showed no signs of alarm. They had said that we could not go home in less than a week. He must now go with them up town but they did not stay very long. They found that McCoy was making up a mob to come that night so they thought that we had best go. His father said he could not stand to see James abused. They got our and their teams ready. They intended to go with us as far as the river and wept nearly all the way, but it gave us an opportunity to explain the Gospel and we did not fail to embrace it. They went on with us until within four miles of our house where they turned back with sorrowful hearts. We reached home all right.

"Mobbers on the Missouri River," by C.C.A. Christensen. © Copyright by the Museum of Art at Brigham Young University. Used by permission.

Our wagons, some five or six in number, had stirred up the mob spirit for fear the Mormons would come and take away their place and nation. The mob was gathering within half a mile of where we stopped and the brethren we bought of had bought quite a tract of land and we had paid over money to them and they to the party they had purchased from who was also a Baptist preacher and of course when his flock required him to do anything he had to do it. And they wanted him to rue bargains. He first sent his wife to tell the Brethren they must give up the land for his church was not willing that it should go to the Mormons. The Brethren were not willing to give it up for they had drawn up agreements and made the first payment and had given their notes for the balance and everything was done according to law and now they were to have possession of the land. She made some threat if they did not give up the land willingly then they would be forced to. We found that the mob were still gathering at this place, I cannot remember their names. Our brethren began to gather and get ready to defend themselves. Lyman Wight stood the highest in the Priesthood of any one there and he was no coward. The next morning after the visit of the Preacher's wife, there were 25 or 30 of the Brethren there with their arms. I noticed they went upstairs and came down without their arms and soon after I had to go upstairs for something and in stepping on my bed I was frightened and on removing some of the clothing found the bed full of guns, pistols and swords. The brethren stayed there for the mob said if they could get Lyman Wight they could get along with the rest of them but would fight about four o'clock p.m. The land man rode up to the fence and four others stopped back four or five rods with broken horse whips in their hands. Eight or ten of the brethren were in the yard. He inquired for the man who had made the purchase of the land; they came out and asked what he wanted. He said he wanted the land he had sold back and was going to have it or he was going to do something terrible if they did not do as he said. He began to make some threats; I was looking out of the window not a rod from them. Lyman jumped over the fence and caught hold of his bridle and in less than half a minute there were 25 or 30 brethren around him and the man wilted which was no surprise for Lyman looked like he would tear him to pieces. He agreed to be rather decent but those four men never came up to the crowd. If the brethren had of known what they had been doing they would not have left a grease spot of them as they had caught one of the brethren alone and whipped him nearly to death and that is what had broken their horse whips and there was the commencement of the compromise in Clay County. We all gave up our land and agreed to go to Caldwell County.

Joseph Smith Hendricks b. 23 Mar. 1838.

We were to be let alone there so we were glad to do so and not be mixed up with. Our leading brethren worked day after day to accomplish this move. We were among the first to go and Bro. Emit and family, (the Elder who baptized us) went with us. We soon selected a place, built a cabin and cut hay for we had but little time to prepare for winter. We got about 12 tons of hay stacked very nice. On looking out one evening we saw the prairie on fire and knew it was three miles away but the wind was driving it direct to us. He said he would go and fight against it. I went with him two or three hundred yards but he had not time to light his fire until the fire was upon us. We were forced to run for life. The grass was tall and the flames were high and when we reached the house the flames reached the stacks and burned them up. The house was filled with cinders but we saved it. We now did not know what to do but we found a man who had raised some corn a mile from us who wanted to sell it. My husband gave him $60.00 for six acres in the field. We gathered and cribbed it, then we were provided for the winter again. I never lived happier in my life. I was always very sickly until now. I had quit taking snuff, tea and coffee and I became healthy and strong. Where before I could not walk half a mile, now I could walk three miles and not tire for we kept the Word of Wisdom. I can bear my testimony to the world. I could run and not be weary, walk and not faint, I received health in my naval and marrow to my bones and hidden treasures of knowledge. I often made myself feel like the old Nephite women while they were traveling in the wilderness for they became strong like unto the men.

We never missed a meeting for we loved the Saints and had confidence in them. We read considerable, mainly the Bible, Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants; had our children baptized when eight years old and in fact could hardly keep them waiting until they were old enough.

We entered land³ at the land office, paid our money and began to live as we supposed the Saints would live, to make their own clothing, etc. We bought some sheep and prepared to sustain ourselves but when we were driven we had to do the best we could to keep soul and body together. In the years of 1836 and 1837 we did pretty well and on March 23, 1838 my fifth child was born and we called his name Joseph Smith Hendricks.⁴

NOTES

1. "One night as I and another brother were talking over matters together, a half a dozen rocks came whizzing by our heads. So we thought we had better take care of our heads. We then stooped down under the logs, and the rocks went over us. Well, we never said anything about it until a few days after. One John Mitchel told some of his neighbors that he and some more liked to have killed the Mormons the other night, throwing rocks at them; he knew they must have hurt them very bad for he heard the rocks bounce off of them. [John] Lowe, [justice of the peace,] heard of the affair and got on his horse and rode down to John's and says he, 'John, I have heard a bad tale about you and I have come down to see you about it. I heard that you and some more of your companions threw rocks at the Mormons. Now tell me, did you do it, or was you telling a lie? Now tell me.' John hung down his head and said that he did, but he knew that it was wrong and he hoped that he would forgive him and he would do so no more." (Autobiography of John Lowe Butler I, typescript, BYU Special Collections, p. 10.)

2. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 designated lands west of the Missouri River as Indian territory. Whites were not allowed to live west of that boundary. As a noted Baptist Missionary to the Indians, the Reverend Isaac McCoy seized the opportunity and arrived in the Westport area with his family on 28 December 1831. (Westport is now part of Kansas City, Missouri.) The area became a "jumping off" place for travel west of the Missouri. And Indians who were removed from the Eastern United States were given money as part of the treaty. McCoy's son, John Calvin McCoy established a two-story log cabin trading post in Westport in 1833. Westport increasingly competed with and then surpassed Independence, Missouri as the preferred jumping off point for western exploration. (www.westporthistorical.org and www.experiencekc.com, accessed 23 September 2000.)

3. In August of 1836, James Emmett bought 40 acres in section 35 of (Mirabile) township 56, range 29. Nearly a year later two of his converts, John L. Butler and James Hendricks, bought adjoining property. James Hendricks bought two properties in section 35. On 12 June 1837 he entered SE ¼ of NW ¼ and three months later, on 20 September 1837, he added W ½ of NW ¼. On the south of the Hendricks was Hosea Stout's property, and on the west, Lyman Wight. A map showing these properties is included in Appendix B, "A Map of Far West to Crooked River." ("Mormon Residents of Log Creek Area, Caldwell County, Missouri," www.farwesthistory.com/rbranch2.htm, accessed 1 August 2004.)

4. "The mother and baby were critically ill and not expected to live. The Prophet Joseph Smith was in the vicinity and James sent for him. Joseph Smith blessed Drusilla and she was promised health and strength. Taking the baby in his arms he asked if they had a name for him. Since they had not selected one, the Prophet, with James assisting, blessed the baby and named him Joseph Smith Hendricks. The mother and baby regained their health." (Henry Hendricks Genealogy, Marguerite H. Allen, 1995 edition, p. 59.)

Historical Sketch of James HENDRICKS and Drusilla DORRIS
[ Table of Contents | Prev | Next ]
Tuesday, 28-Sep-2004 21:08:03 MDT