[TruthTalk] Martyr or Gunfighter

[Judy Taylor]

From: "Charles Perry Locke" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Blaine, (and anyone else who cares to comment on it) I have heard that JS had a gun that someone smuggled in to him, and that he took a few shots himself. Is this true? If so, it kills the martyr theory because those who shoot back aren't martyrs, they are gunfighters.   Judy: I've been reading a very interesting book online written by the 7th Governor of Illinois Governor Thomas Ford, the man Blaine refers to rather disparagingly - it's an interesting history and his version is as follows: "The conspirators came up, jumped the slight fence around the jail, were fired upon by the guard, which, according to arrangement, was overpowered immediately, and the assailants entered the prison, to the door of the room where the two prisoners were confined, with two of their friends, who voluntarily bore them company. An attempt was made to break open the door; but Joe Smith being armed with a six-barrelled pistol, furnished by his friends, fired several times as the door was bursted open, and wounded three of the assailants. At the same time several shots were fired into the room, by some of which John Taylor received four wounds, and Hyrum Smith was instantly killed. Joe Smith now attempted to escape by jumping out of the second-story window, but the fall so stunned him that he was unable to rise; and being placed in a sitting posture by the conspirators below, they dispatched him with four balls shot through his body. Thus fell Joe Smith, the most successful impostor in modern times.; a man who, though ignorant and coarse, had some great natural parts, which fitted him for temporary success, but which were so obscured and counteracted by the inherent corruption and vices of his nature, that he never could succeed in establishing a system of policy which looked to permanent success in the future. His lusts, his love of money and power, always set him to studying present gratification and convenience, rather than the remote consequences of his plans. It seems that no power of intellect can save a corrupt man from this error. The strong cravings of the animal nature will never give fair play to a fine understanding, the judgment is never allowed to choose that good which is far away, in preference to enticing evil near at hand. And this may be considered a wise ordinance of Providence, by which the counsels of talented but corrupt men, are defeated in the very act which promised success. It must not be supposed that the pretended Prophet practiced the tricks of a common impostor; that he was a dark and gloomy person, with a long beard, a grave and severe aspect, and a reserved and saintly carriage of his person; on the contrary, he was full of levity, even to boyish romping; dressed like a dandy, and at times drank like a sailor and swore like a pirate. He could, as occasion required, be exceedingly meek in his deportment; and then again rough and boisterous as a highway robber; being always able to satisfy his followers of the propriety of his conduct. He always quailed before power, and was arrogant to weakness. At times he could put on the air of a penitent, as if feeling the deepest humiliation for his sins, and suffering unutterable anguish, and indulging in the most gloomy forebodings of eternal woe. At such times he would call for the prayers of the brethren in his behalf, with a wild and fearful energy and earnestness. He was full six feet high, strongly built, and uncommonly well muscled. No doubt he was as much indebted for his influence over an ignorant people, to the superiority of his physical vigor, as to his greater cunning and intellect. Perry: Of course, I guess even Satanists are martyrs if they choose death die rather than deny their beliefs. Judy: Amen....   From: "Blaine Borrowman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gov. Ford of Illinois was in on the conspiracy.  While in Nauvoo, Orrin Porter Rockwell overheard Ford tell one of his men that "the deed was done before this time," meaning, while the Ford people were in Nauvoo pacifying the Mormons, they knew the killing of Joseph and his brother had already been done in the city of Carthage.   Many years later,  Ford complained that Carthage had taken on the same reputation as Golgotha, and that he had been compared to Pontius Pilate.   Ford died penniless, and was buried in a pauper's grave, next to one of his son's who was a horsethief.   Judy: IMO you have mischaracterized the good Governor Blaine he is one of the three men the State of Illinois considers great in their history and one of the others is Abraham Lincoln. Ford and his wife both died in 1850 leaving their five children orphans.  Governor Ford spent his final three years practicing law and writing a book on the history of Illinois which a friend promised to publish posthumously so that the proceeds would help to support his children. He may not have been wealthy but he was hardly a pauper and he showed a lot of character in dealing with the State's financial woes.  The State of Illinois have erected a monumental statue over his grave.  Governor Ford claims to have had nothing to do with the death of the Smith brothers and he can not be tried and convicted by heresay.   Judy