Orrin Porter Rockwell Guilty of Shooting Governor Lilburn Boggs?

Did Orrin Porter Rockwell Shoot Lilburn Boggs, Governor of Missouri?

Research by Kerry A. Shirts

Since critics insist on swallowing wrong information with gullible guilt, I thought I'd analyze the newest accusation they have chased around on the public newsgroups in the last few days. They say Porter Rockwell obviously shot Boggs, because that was the accusation, and Rockwell was found guilty in court. Are these facts provable? Not in a heartbeat, but my what a production the critics make of it all. Below are the facts as history has recorded then.

The Independent Expositor; Niles Register, Sept. 30th, 1843, has the following statement on the Rockwell case:

A Comprehensive History of the Church, Volume Two, Footnotes

"Orrin Porter Rockwell, the Mormon confined in our county jail some time since for the attempted assassination of ex-Governor Boggs, was indicted by our last grand jury for escaping from the county jail some weeks since, and sent to Clay county for trial. Owing, however, to some informality in the proceedings, he was remanded to this county again for trial. There was not sufficient proof adduced against him to justify an indictment for shooting at ex-Governor Boggs; and the grand jury, therefore, did not indict him for that offense." (Quoted by Bancroft, History of Utah, p. 156.)

The Attempted Assassination of Ex-Governor Boggs of Missouri.

History of the Church Volume 5, p. xxi - xxii

When an attempt was made to assassinate ex-Governor Boggs of Missouri it was perhaps to be expected that suspicion would fall upon the Mormon people and upon the head of Joseph Smith especially. Surely Boggs had given sufficient provocation to that people to make it probable that some fanatic of their number might undertake in misguided zeal, the act of revenge; and surely there would not be wanting those who would say that Joseph Smith in his capacity as Prophet had predicted the violent taking off of the ex-governor. Joseph Smith, however, in his communication to the Quincy Whig, in which appeared the first account of the rumored assassination of Boggs, promptly denied making the alleged prediction, and also denied any complicity whatsoever in the wretched business. It is only just to his memory to say that in all the investigation had upon the subject, historically, or judicially, his denial is not controverted. Even in the case of Orrin Porter Rockwell who was charged directly with the attempted assassination and taken to Jackson county, Missouri, for trial, it had to be admitted that "there was not sufficient proof adduced against him to justify an indictment for shooting at ex-Governor Boggs, and the grand jury therefore did not indict him for that offense." (Independent Expositor, Nile's Register, Sept. 30, 1843.)

John C. Bennett labors hard to prove by statements alleged to have been made to him by the Prophet, and subsequently by Rockwell, that they were jointly guilty of this attempted assassination; but there is no weight of evidence in his presentation of the case; nor is there any evidence that the Mormon people or the officials of the Mormon Church approved of revenge by acts of assassination. Bennett in his book "The History of the Saints," (p. 282) makes a quotation from the Nauvoo Wasp in which he charges editorial expressions of approval of the deed, as follows:

The Nauvoo Wasp of May 28, A. D., 1842, a paper edited by William Smith, one of the Twelve Mormon Apostles, and brother of the Prophet, declared, ["Boggs is undoubtedly killed according to report, but] fn Who did the Noble Deed remains to be found out."

This, however, is not an editorial expression of the Wasp; but is found in a communication, on the editorial page, it is true, signed by a now unknown writer under the non de plume, "Vortex," who is indignantly taking to task a correspondent in the Hawk Eye, a paper published in Keokuk, Iowa, for charging the supposed assassination of Boggs upon some Mormon. It is "Vortex" in the Wasp that refers to the then supposed assassination of Boggs as a "noble deed," not the editor. The editorial comment of the Wasp on this communication from "Vortex" is as follows: "We admit the foregoing communication to please our correspondent, not that we have any faith that any one has killed Governor Boggs. The last account we have received is that he is still living and likely to live." On the same page of the Wasp is published Joseph Smith's denial of complicity in the then supposed assassination of Boggs and also the prediction of his violent death.

A few short months ago, it was heralded through this State that Porter Rockwell was the individual who attempted to murder ex-Governor Boggs, of Missouri. It was confidently stated that Joseph Smith was accessory before the fact. The thing was swallowed as a precious morsel by the enemies of Mormonism. It was iterated and reiterated by the public journals, and the general expression of a certain class was that Mr. Smith ought to be hung; there was no doubt of his guilt; he was one of the most inhuman, diabolical, dangerous, and malignant persons in the universe; and when a requisition was made for him by the Governor of Missouri, it was considered worse than "arson" or "treason" that he should be acquitted by the legal authorities of this State, under habeas corpus; and afterwards, when Porter Rockwell was taken, it was exultingly stated that they had got the scoundrel, and that he would now receive the due demerit of his crime. How stands the matter when it is investigated—investigated by a Missouri court? The following will show:—

History of the Church Volume 6, p. 36

The last Independence Expositor says:—"Orin Porter Rockwell, the Mormon confined in our county jail, some time since, for the attempted assassination of ex-Governor Boggs, was indicted by our last grand jury for escaping from our county jail some time since, and sent to Clay county for trial. Owing, however, to some informality in the proceedings, he was remanded to this county again for trial. There was not sufficient proof adduced against him to predicate an indictment for shooting ex-Governor Boggs, and the grand jury therefore did not indict him for that offense."—[St. Louis New Era.]

It appears, then, after all the bluster, the hue-and-cry about Mormon outrages, Mormon intrigue, "blood," "arson," and "murder," that "there was not sufficient proof adduced against him to predicate an indictment for shooting ex-Governor Boggs, and the grand jury therefore did not indict him for that offense." This speaks for itself: it needs no comment. We are glad, for the sake of suffering innocence, that Mr. Rockwell stands clear in the eyes of the law. Thus it seems that after exerting all their malice and hellish rage to implicate the innocent, they can find no proof against him. But yet he must be again incarcerated, without proof, for another hearing. This is Missouri justice. If he was guilty of breaking jail, why not try and punish him for that before that court? Where is the necessity of remanding him to another county for another hearing? It is evident that they wish to immolate him, and, by offering him as a sacrifice, glut their thirst for innocent blood.

The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith

Accused in the assassination attempt on ex-Governor Lilburn Boggs, Rockwell was apprehended at St. Louis in March 1843, taken to Jackson County, imprisoned, mistreated, and eventually, on December 13, acquitted. Emaciated, he arrived back in Nauvoo on Christmas Day, 1843. (Smith, History of the Church 5:135-42; Schindler, Orrin Porter Rockwell, ch. 5.)

Orrin Porter Rockwell, who was accused of the shooting of Boggs, went into retirement when the governor issued papers for his extradition. He went east to New Jersey and remained for some time. Following the discharge of President Smith by Judge Pope, Rockwell concluded to return to Nauvoo by going down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He reached St. Louis where he was recognized by Elias Parker who had him placed under arrest, March 4, 1843. He was carried to Independence in chains and was placed under bonds in the sum of five thousand dollars, which, of course, they knew he could not raise, as no person outside of Missouri would be acceptable as a bondsman. He was placed in the custody of the same malicious Joseph H. Reynolds, sheriff of Jackson County and was imprisoned for eight months, receiving the worst kind of inhuman treatment. The enemies of the Church knew they had no grounds against him, therefore no trial was held. Instead they who had him in charge treated him brutally while he was in their hands. March 15, 1843, the Prophet wrote: "I prophesied in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that Orrin Porter Rockwell would get away honorably from the Missourians."

Church History and Modern Revelation 1950, p. 155

On Christmas day, 1843, a large party assembled at the Prophet's home, spending the time in music and a social visit. During the festivities a man with long shaggy hair, apparently drunk, came in and was taken for a Missourian. A scuffle ensued and the Prophet beheld the stranger's face. To his great surprise and joy he recognized that this long-haired, disheveled man was his long-tried and true friend, Orrin Porter Rockwell. When the confusion ceased, Brother Rockwell related his experiences. When he arrived in Independence the crowd suggested that he be hanged, but he was placed in jail. In a few days he went through a mock trial. The magistrate said he found no evidence against him, but placed him back in prison, where Sheriff Reynolds bound him hand and foot with chains. Once he escaped, but was captured and through the help of the Lord, was not hanged. When Bennett's scheme was put into effect to get the Prophet, Reynolds came to Rockwell and said he had discovered from letters that Joseph Smith had unlimited confidence in Rockwell, and if Rockwell would only "tote him out by riding or any other way, so that the Missourians might apprehend him, Rockwell might please himself whether he stayed in Missouri or return to Illinois; they would protect him, and any "pile" that he might name, the citizens of Jackson County would raise. "You only deliver Joe Smith into our hands, and name your pile." Rockwell replied: "I will see you all damned first, and then I won't." On the 13th of December he was taken before the court and was tried, not for the shooting of Boggs, but for breaking jail! He was found guilty and sentenced to "five minutes" imprisonment in the county jail. He was kept five hours, while his enemies tried to think of some other charge to make against him, and then he was released. He had to use caution in getting away from Missouri because of the unfriendly spirit there, but after much difficulty finally arrived in Nauvoo on Christmas night, where the party at the home of the Prophet was gathered. (D.H.C. Vol. 6:134-13-142.)

Essentials in Church History, p. 290
Orrin Porter Rockwell, who was accused as the principal in the shooting of ex-Governor Boggs, went into retirement with the Prophet when Governor Ford issued papers for his extradition. He traveled east as far as New Jersey where he remained for some time. Following the discharge of President Joseph Smith by Judge Pope, Rockwell concluded to return to Nauvoo, evidently by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In St. Louis he was recognized by Elias Parker who had placed him under arrest, March 4, 1843. They carried him to Independence in chains, where he was placed under bonds in the sum of five thousand dollars, which they knew he could not raise, as no person outside of Missouri would be accepted by the court as bondsman. In the custody of the notorious Joseph H. Reynolds, sheriff of Jackson County, he was cast into prison bound hand and foot. Here he remained a prisoner for eight months.
March 15, 1843, the Prophet wrote: "I prophesied in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that Orrin Porter Rockwell would get away honorably from the Missourians."
On Christmas evening, 1843—the last Christmas day Joseph and Hyrum Smith celebrated on earth—a large party assembled at the Prophet's home, and spent the time in music, dancing and a social visit. During the festivities, a man with long shaggy hair, apparently drunk, came in and acted like a Missourian. A scuffle ensued and the Prophet had an opportunity to see the stranger's face. To his great surprise and joy he discovered his "long-tried, warm, but cruelly persecuted friend, Orrin Porter Rockwell." The party came to order while Rockwell related in detail his experiences and sufferings while in Missouri.
Orrin P. Rockwell's Story.—The story is too long to tell in full at this point. It is sufficient to relate the following incidents. When he arrived in Independence a large crowd had gathered and suggested hanging him at once, but he was placed in jail. In two or three days he underwent a mock trial, where false witnesses testified against him. The magistrate said he found no evidence against him, but placed him in prison for safe keeping, where Sheriff Reynolds chained him hand and foot. One time he was able to escape, but was recaptured and only by the providence of the Lord was saved from being hanged. About the time that President Smith was demanded by the governor of Missouri, Reynolds, the sheriff, came to Rockwell and said that he had discovered from letters that Joseph Smith had unlimited confidence in Rockwell, and if Rockwell would only "tote him out by riding or any other way," so that the Missourians might apprehend him, Rockwell might please himself whether he stayed in Illinois or returned to Missouri, they would protect him, and any pile that he would name the citizens of Jackson County, would club together and raise. "You only deliver Joe Smith into our hands, and name your pile." Rockwell replied: "I will see you all damned first, and then I won't."
The time of further trial was continually delayed, but on the 13th of December, he was taken before the court and tried—not on the charge of shooting Boggs, but for breaking jail! He was found guilty and sentenced to "five minutes' imprisonment in the county jail," but was kept there five hours, while his enemies tried to think of some other charge to make against him. He was finally released and with great difficulty made his way to Nauvoo, where he arrived that Christmas night.