[John D. Lee] Election day, 6 August 1838, provided Lee an opportunity to defend the rights of Mormon voters when Missourians who objected to Mormons voting started a riot. When one member of the secret order [Danites] made the sign of distress, eight others, including Lee, waded in with clubs and brought calm to the street. Organized marauders on both sides set loose looting and burning; Lee later admitted to looting. Governor Lilburn Boggs sent in the state militia with his "Extermination Order" to protect the public good. The Mormons, including Lee, left Missouri for Nauvoo, Illinois.
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: John D. Lee, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/l/LEE%2CJOHN.html]
Gov. Boggs' "Extermination Order" of Oct.27, 1838 also came after Sidney Rigdon's "4th of July" (1838) "War of Extermination" speech, which speech had Joseph Smith's full knowledge and approval.
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