purpose.

Governor Lucas, writing to A. Ripley, January 4, 1840, referring to the Mormons, said: "Since their expulsion from Missouri, a portion of them-about one hundred families, have settled in Lee County, and are generally considered industrious, inoffensive and worthy citizens." These people were therefore the first Mormon residents of Iowa, and their settlement within its limits began in 1839. Governor Lucas appears to have been their warm friend and encouraged their presence.

Across from Montrose, on the east side of the Mississippi river was a little town called Commerce, then containing about twenty houses. It had been started by a company of New York speculators, but had not proved a fortunate venture, and they were glad to find a purchaser. The site was bought by the Mormons, who changed its name to Nauvoo, from the Hebrew, which signifies beautiful, and the location actually fills the definition, for nature had not formed a lovelier spot on the banks of the river from New Orleans."

The "Saints".in large numbers then crossed the river, and settled in the new town. Joseph Smith came on from his prison in Missouri and declared Nauvoo to be thenceforward the seat of the Church. His power was then very The people

great and his word was law to his followers. of Illinois were very friendly to the new comers. In 1840 the legislature granted them four very liberal charters for the government of the city. One was a city charter, another authorized the establishment of a university, another was for industrial purposes, and another for a military body to be called the "Nauvoo Legion." The town increased rapidly in population and the foundation of a new and magnificent temple was laid. Nearly all those who had been driven from Missouri took up their residence at Nauvoo or its immediate vicinity. Converts were gained all over the west and to some extent in the east also. Early in the year 1840, Brigham Young, H. C. Kimball,

Orson Pratt and Perly P. Pratt, left New York City on a mission to England, and soon people from over the ocean began to make their appearance in Nauvoo, having been converted by these missionaries to the Mormon faith. A writer in The Salem (Ohio) Advertiser who visited the city in 1843, exclaims, "Nauvoo is the best place in the world. Its facilities, tranquilities and virtues are not equaled in the world. No vice is meant to be tolerated, no grog-shop allowed, nor would we have any trouble, if it were not for the lenity in suffering the world to come in and trade and enjoy our society. Peace and harmony reign in the city. The drunkard is scarcely ever seen as in other cities, neither does the awful imprecation, or a profane oath, strike upon your ear; but while all is storm and tempest in comparison abroad, respecting the Mormons, all is peace and harmony at home."

As captivating as this picture seemed, yet trouble soon came to the residents in Nauvoo. Notwithstanding the favor at first shown by the people of Quincy and vicinity to their new Mormon neighbors, yet they soon got into trouble with them. The Saints" were prosperous and increased in numbers. They were charged by the people around them with being arrogant and overbearing. Their city charter gave them large powers and they passed ordinances which almost set the laws of the state at defiance. Then came the revelation of July 12, 1843, permitting plurality of wives to the Mormon brethren, and this added new fuel to the hatred of the people around them. In June, 1844, the Governor of the State called on Smith to go to Carthage and deliver himself up to the civil authorities. In spite of the remonstrances of his friends. he complied, saying. I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as the summer morning. I shall die innocent, and it shall be said of me: he was murdered in cold blood." He and his brother Hyrum were shot by a mob in Carthage on the 27th day of July, 1844.

At Nauvoo, the election of Brigham Young as President of the Church of Latter Day Saints followed soon after the death of Smith, and for awhile comparative peace reigned. The great temple was finished and dedicated. But the aroused enmity of the people around them did not cease. They did not like their neighbors, and the people of Quincy, their old-time friends, on the 22nd of September, 1845, in public meeting declared that further efforts to live in peace with the Mormons were useless. They said: "It is a settled thing that the public sentiment in the State is against them, and it will be in vain to contend against it, and it is their duty to obey the public will and leave the State as speedily as possible."

The Mormons themselves had come to recognize this state of public feeling. They saw that they could not much longer remain in this beautiful city of Nauvoo. As early as September 9th of the same year, a general council was held in the city, when it was resolved that a company of fifteen hundred men should be selected to go to Salt Lake Valley, and a special committee of five was also selected, to gather information on the subject of emigration. There is nothing to show that this company of fifteen hundred ever actually set out on the proposed journey.

When the resolutions of the Quincy meeting were communicated to the Mormons, they acquiesced in the demand that they should leave, but asked for further time. They said they could not set out so early in the spring when there would be neither food nor water for man or beast; but it was their full intention to go far enough away to be free from their enemies. They immediately began the sale of their property. Hundreds of farms and lots and two thousand houses were offered for sale in Nauvoo. The city was full of excitement. Sales of property were rapidly and hastily made. Wagons in great numbers were prepared, covered with canvas tops, and preparations made for the great exodus before them, the like of which

had never before occurred since the children of Israel left Egypt. In January, 1846, the order was made in Council that a detachment should immediately set forth. All could not go at once. Some must be left behind. As to these Brigham Young said: "Beloved brethren, it now remains to be proven whether those of our family and friends who are necessarily left behind for a season to obtain an outfit through the sale of their property, shall be mobbed, burned, or driven away by force." And in truth, all these things did happen to the poor people remaining in the town.

The actual crossing of the river into Iowa commenced on the 10th day of February, 1846. The people passed over with their teams and baggage in the river-craft then in use. At their head was Brigham Young himself, who directed all their movements, and with him were John Taylor, George A. Smith, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Perly P. Pratt, and Amasa Lyman, all elders and leaders in the Mormon Church. The cold increased so that within a few days the river was frozen over and crossing was made on the ice. The entire transfer of the first emigration was not completed until May, when about sixteen thousand souls in all had stepped on Iowa soil. Their first camp was made at Sugar Creek, a few miles from Nauvoo. The snow covered the ground. After a few days rest they began their march toward the setting sun. In the long line were three thousand wagons, thirty thousand head of cattle and great numbers of horses, mules and sheep. Bad as were their surroundings, they were not despondent. Says elder John Taylor: "We were happy and contented, and the songs of Zion resounded from wagon to wagon, reverberating through the woods while the echo returned from the distant hill.” There were stringed instruments in every company. Prayers, singing, dancing and storytelling, were intermingled around the evening camp-fires.