Certified manuscript copy of document dated 1839 April 8, recognizing judge's conflict of interest in the trial of Smith, Lyman, and other Mormons indicted on charges of larceny if trial held in Daviess County. Directs removal of proceedings to the Circuit Court of the County of Boone, 2nd Judicial Circuit, Missouri, and transfer of defendants to the Boone County Jail under custody of the sheriff of Daviess County. Signed by Circuit Court clerk.
Description:
Gift of William S. Reese (Yale 1977), 2001., Joseph Smith, American prophet and writer, founder of the Mormon Church., Lyman Wight, pioneer Mormon leader and chief justice of Gillespie County., and The first Circuit Court in Daviess County was established in July 1837 as part of Missouri's Fifth Judicial Circuit. Court was held at Elisha B. Creekmore's house near the county seat of Gallatin. The court became part of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in 1839 and moved to the Gallatin courthouse when construction was completed in 1843. The Circuit Court currently belongs to the 43rd Judicial Circuit.
Subject (Geographic):
Boone County (Mo.) and Daviess County (Mo.)
Subject (Name):
Missouri.--Circuit Court (5th Judicial Circuit), Smith, Joseph,--1805-1844, and Wight, Lyman
Holograph document, a contemporary copy of the Daviess County Missouri Circuit Court’s indictment of Joseph Smith, Jr. for treason. The charges stem from Smith’s actions in the "Mormon War" in northwest Missouri in the fall of 1838. Document is signed by George W. Dunn, the Circuit Attorney; the Grand Jury included Adam Black.
Description:
P. 4 docket title, signed and dated on flap by Rob[er]t Wilson, clerk.
Subject (Geographic):
Daviess County (Mo.) and Missouri. Daviess County. Circuit Court
Subject (Name):
Black, Adam, fl. 1838-1841, Dunn, George W, and Smith, Joseph, 1805-1844