170 years ago today - 18 June 1843, Sunday

[William Clayton Writings] On the night of June 18, 1843, Clayton was visiting at the home of a Sister Booth, along with Ruth and her sister, Margaret {who had only recently become his first plural wife}. Suddenly William F. Cahoon rushed in, telling Clayton that Hyrum Smith wanted to see him at the temple immediately. Another writ was out for Joseph's arrest, but he was away with his wife and family, visiting Emma's sister, Elizabeth Wasson, who lived near Dixon. Clayton rushed to the temple where Hyrum met him and asked him to ride to Dixon immediately to warn Joseph. Clayton borrowed $120 for the trip, persuaded Stephen markham to go with him, and rode swiftly out of town at midnight on Joseph Smith's favorite horse, Joe Duncan. The two riders covered the 190 miles in sixty-four hours, with very little rest along the way. It is not suprising that Joe Duncan was so jaded at the end of the trip that he could not be ridden for several days.

[Source: Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]

3 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 18, 2013

    Why did WC specifically pressure SM to go with him?

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  2. Markham was involved quite a bit when some were trying to abduct Joseph Smith, or had been abducted, or in helping the Smith family when Joseph was separated from them.

    I don't know specifically why Clayton sought out Markham in this instances, except perhaps for his previous involvement in similar matters.

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  3. AnonymousJune 18, 2013

    The common knowledge on the riding limit for the U.S. cavalryman and his mount during the period of 1866-1891 was "40 miles a day on beans and hay or you'll have trouble for sure the next day." WC and SM also appeared to be riding double and when crunching the numbers they rode Joe Duncan over 71 miles a day!

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