John Tanner and his family

Page 396

John Tanner and His 388 Family Brother John J. Tanner was along on this occasion. The gathering and we were forced to watch our stock as they I had killed a fat cow were killing our cattle and feeding on our crops. to keep it from the mob, and sent my brother Albert to Far West, a mile and a half, for some salt, and told him not to go within gunshot of any brush as the mob was taking every good horse they could get by any into Far West. mob was now or foul. The boy went and on his return some men came out of the brush and called to him but he made good his retreat. He came her that the up to the door and my wife saw him as he rode up. He told mob was after him. She loosed the other horse that was tied to the wagon, means, fair the halter. Two men rode up and said, "The mob has not taken your horses yet." She answered, "No, Sir, nor do I mean they shall." Seeing my wife so firm and determined, they seemed ashamed to force the halters out of the hands of a woman and rode off. When and held them both the mob by Far West, men and make was near 10,000 strong - - they proposed to meet a party of our treaty, about seven miles out. Brother John M. Hinkle, or Colonel Hinkle, and one hundred men went out to meet them. I was one of the number, and when we arrived at the point designated to meet them, they were not there. But we soon found that a We had no us and were within five miles of our city. choice afforded us now, but to take a round about road and ride three miles to their one, or attack them from the rear, and we were not war­ ranted to do that. So with our old mares and plough horses started on a fifteen mile heat. We made the trip as soon as they, and were on the ground in time. But we had left some young colts behind on the way. they had passed we rode in we were met by Brother Joseph Smith who formed us in a line and straightened our pants, telling us to be as calm as a sum­ mer's morning. This was a common word with him. By this time the mob had come into the lower part of the city, and were marching up and forming in line just below us. When Brother Joseph had us straightened out, and our arms all ready for use, we were ordered to present arms, and every man to pick his man and hold site on him. But not should we fire When until he gave the order, We were about twenty rods off, and with arms at a pre-sent and our men picked, we were ordered, "Forward, march." I thought we were pretty close then, and so did the mob, for they drew off at a double quick step and in not very good order. Colonel Hinkle, on a pretense of having an offer of a compromise with the mob, turned and they were sentenced to be shot. We then called to arms, and learned it was to surrender and lay down our arms. This seemed hard. Brother Alexander McCray drew his sword and went through the six clips right in front of their armed forces. He indignantly threw it on the ground nearly to the hilt, and turned and walked proudly away. I expected to see him filled with shots. Then their over Joseph and Hyrum Smith, were guards were placed around the city.