Lot
525 
Warsaw, Ills June 28 [1839], manuscript postmark with "25" rate on folded letter to Massachusetts; Mormon War letter datelined "Warsaw June 22, 1839" and reads, in part, "…The inhabitants of the State of Missouri like most of the slave states are of jealous passions & rebellious nature and they was afraid that we would inveigle off their slaves and settle so thick that they would lose their range for hunting and their cattle horses and hogs &c another reason was they was afraid that there would come in so many Mormons into their country they would have the balance in their favor at the Election and so hold all the country and town offices and that they would fight first. -- The Mormons first settled in Jackson county south side of Missouri River after about two years they grew such great enemies that a battle took place two was killed another inhabitant and one of the Mormons to such hights was the enmity carried that the Mormons had to leave the county They moved into Clay county North of the river where they lived in peace for about 3 years when they saw so many emigrants coming the inhabitants jealous of their Rights they raised a mob and was about driving them out of the state finily they compromised and they allowed the Mormons a county of North about 40 miles it was a great share of Praries with small skirts of timber on streams but there was timber enough to make it a good farming county by taking good care of the timber-the Mormons setled one county still north there was some inhabitants in the county that became great enemies and last fall at the Election they swore no Mormon should vote a fight ensud the Mormons drest them out although they had 30 to our 12. The inhabitants then swore that the Mormons should leave the county we cald on the Militia but the officers was obliged to disband them they had such a mob spirit they could not command them they soon began their depredation by stealing horses cattle hogs &c they came to the breathren houses threatned the woman and children driving them off then plundering the house and burning it-We appealed to the Governor he replied that if we got into a bad scrape we might get out the best we could-We had to retaliate this arouse the whole state the Governor ordered out 30000 men they came on against 600 Mormons we had no disposition to fight the Militia There was two or three undertook to Negotiate still they had no power from us but they agreed that six principle leaders should be given up to them our property real and personal should be given to the state and guns swords and pistols should be given up to them and we all to leave the state as soon as practible I forgot to state they had the priviledge to pick as many as they thought was guilty they took about 50 who after a mock trial was admited hom [home] on bail - they nor their bail has not been cold for the six they detirmined to shoot but none of them had courage to do it. they kept them in Jail all winter in the spring they had ordrs to take them to another county for trial they bribed the gard and come home, the deed that we signd proved to be a fudge and the men that framed it got laughed for their zeal after 4 or 5 months the guns was given up to us by going 30 miles for them and taking an oath that we would leave this state the best of them [the guns] was stole by the Militia the rest of them broke and rusty, we left that state in the winter we sold our Land for a trifle in money and some other property but their was a great sacrifice to the Brethern we moved in the dead of winter to Illinois 230 miles-- The inhabitants are verry kind to us many took farms and many work on the rail Road there is a great internal improvement in this state…Nahum Curtis", minor splitting at folds, few toned spots especially at right, F.-V.F., An exceptionally rare letter written by one of the Mormon Saints to his family back east, relating details of the Mormon War from the prior year., written up by Dr. Milgram in the March 2023 issue of Western Express and the May 1966 issue of Covers.Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
ONE OF THE FEW MORMON WAR LETTERS IN PRIVATE HANDS. A SIMILAR EXAMPLE (LETTER ONLY) FROM NOV 5, 1838 SOLD IN THE RISVOLD SALE (SPINK, JANUARY, 2010, LOT 540) FOR $10,000 HAMMER.
The term "Mormon War" can refer to several conflicts, but most commonly to the Mormon-Missouri War of 1838 and the Utah War of 1857-1858. The 1838 conflict was a series of battles and skirmishes between Mormon settlers and non-Mormon Missourians that resulted in the forced expulsion of the Latter-day Saints from the state.
Current Opening Bid: $2,000
Lot
526
Nauvoo July 1844, dateline on folded cover postmarked "Quincy, Ills Jul 10" red-orange cds with "25" rate and addressed to John F. Wingate (Brother), Brunswick, Maine; letter with FANTASTIC CONTENT REGARDING THE CAPTURE AND MURDER OF MORMON LEADERS, JOSEPH SMITH AND HYRUM SMITH WRITTEN BY A BODYGUARD, EDWARD B. WINGATE, reads, in part, "…Our whole troubles originated from a few Apostaties from this Church because Joseph would not uphold them in there Hellish Deeds they have said all manner of eavle against Joseph they could not say & do enough no other way but they had to go to work and publish a paper which they called the Nauvoo Expositer in that they publish all manner of lies that could be thought of therefore the city counsil came together for the purpose of taking into consideration the Above named press wether it was a nuisance or not which they had the power to do according to their charter granted them by the United States therefore they declared it a Nuisance and ordered the police to go to the office and take the press and burn it which they Did do. They then came out in all their fury they went to Carthage and the surrounding town and got the Devel in the people and they waged war against us there was at one time above a thousand Mobilrats that swore and passed resolution that they would exterminate all the Latter Day Saints in Nauvoo But thank god they could not raise forse enough General Smith called out Legion which Numbered about 5 thousand yet they wer few in number they wer equal to 20 thousand because their cause was a Just one and they would have faught until the Last Drop of Blood had left there Bodyes. The Goviner ordred out the state troops but could not controle them he therefore sent a letter to Joseph stating the circumstances as they wer and issued a writ for Joseph & his Brother Hyrum Smith to appear at Carthage to answer to the charge of Treason which God and all honest men knows they wer not guilty of But however they cornplyed with all that was put upon and was willing to go to justice when justice could be found the Goviner pleged his Word and honor that he would protect them they therefor started for Carthage with about 30 men and I had the pleasure of being of them Joseph & Hyram wer confined in Prison for safe Keeping and then waited for tryal. But instead of that what shall I say the Goviner with about 50 horse come to Nauvoo for the Purpose of making Peace But it was far from that it seems for wilst they at Nauvoo those ungodly wretches the Mobererats came out from there hiding place there was about 200 of them all armed with faces painted they rushed to the Jail nocked down the gard at the door 8 in number men that the Goviner had station there they went up in the jail to the room where Joseph & Hyram was and killed them both on the spot and wounded 2 others 4 shot each…I am your Brother, E.B. Wingate," small wax seal hole in verso, hinge repaired tear on verso, Very Fine and choice.Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
A HIGHLY IMPORTANT LETTER PROVIDING AN ACCOUNT OF THE LYNCHING OF JOSEPH AND HYRUM SMITH.
Joseph and Hyrum Smith were murdered by an armed mob on June 27, 1844, at Carthage Jail in Illinois. After the brothers were charged with treason and held in the jail, the mob stormed the building, shot them, and killed them, ending the founding period of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and leading to a schism among its followers.
The sender, Edward "Big Ned" Bradley Wingate (1820-1887) was raised in Maine and became an early Boston convert to the LDS faith. Wingate, believed to be a "Danite" or church policeman/body guard, was married to the daughter of church leader Sidney Rigdon and would escort Joseph Smith to the scene of his murder at the Carthage Jail.
Current Opening Bid: $2,500
Lot
527
Col. Stephen W. Kearny Military Courier Letter from Saint Louis, Mo., signed folded letter addressed to Lieut Col E.A. Hitchcock, Fort Jessup, Louisiana, carried by military courier "favor by Capt Alden" at lower left, datelined "Saint Louis July 24, '44" with contents discussing Mormon issues in Nauvoo and reading in part, "…We have had some trouble in Illinois between the Mormons & other Residents of Hancock county, and the Governor expects more trouble before long. In a detailed statement to me of the difficulties, he says he cannot rely upon the Militia to enforce orders, & asked me to station 500 Troops near Nauvoo. I sent a copy of his conununication to Washington for the President's decision…I learned from what I consider good authority, that if the President can be persuaded by those around him, that an Extra Session would ratify his Texan Treaty, that he will have one, not otherwise…" boldy signed "S.W. Kearny", Very Fine.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A GREAT LETTER CARRIED BY MILITARY COURIER SIGNED BY S.W. KEARNY DISCUSSING THE MORMON ISSUES IN ILLINOIS.
In the letter, Kearny refers to the Court Martial of Gen. Buell, "Mr. Porter's quoting but a part of a sentence was a dirty affair, but what else could be expected from such a man. It is only since he left the war department, that I have learned his character." Additional docketing on back flap reads, "Col. Kearny alludes to Mr. Porter but not to Genl. Scott in the Buell case",
General Don Carlos Buell was court-martialed early in his career for an altercation with an enlisted soldier named Corporal Simmons, whom he struck with his sword and cut off part of the man's ear. Buell was subsequently court-martialed for his actions. An Army tribunal, however, cleared him of any wrongdoing and he was acquitted. There was some opposition to this verdict, with even General Winfield Scott feeling that Buell should have been punished, but the court refused to retry the case.
Current Opening Bid: $500
Lot
528
Bellevue [Nebraska Territory] Feb 8th, 1861, dateline on four-page letter only (no cover) from a farmer lamenting the hardships of farm life, poor conditions, a fire wiping out his buildings, etc., in part, "…My farm is about 2½ miles from Platte river, 11 miles from where it empties into the Missouri. the Missouri is navigable for large steamboat. there has been some rich gold mines discovered on the headwaters of the Platte about 600 miles west of here. I had some Mindelheim & Kirchheim of going but I never have got off…T Thompson.", Very Fine and an excellent, detailed letter.Estimate $200 - 300.
Current Opening Bid: $100
Lot
529
Camp No.43 - 125 miles above Fort Kearney. On the South Fork of the Platte. May 22d 1850, dateline on letter only (no cover) with contents, in part, "…we traveled about 50 miles through the "Shawnee" indians. These are a lousy, thievish looking set, numbering about 400…Crossing the Kansas, we encamped near the hut of a chief; who had the U.S. flag floating proudly over his miserable habitation. A great many ugly looking indians swarmed around our camp, that night; but we had nothing to fear from them, as they only wanted whiskey, an article which the government has prohibeted being sold amongst them…Traveling up the river 8 miles to the head of 'Grand Island' we came to 'Fort Kearney'. This post, built on the flat bottom is garrisoned by about 200 soldiers, and about a half dozen six pound guns. According to the register kept here 2400 wagons had already passed…We are now on the South Fork (Platte river) about 200 miles from 'Fort Laramie'…J.F. Snyder, W.H.Snyder Belleville Ill. On the S.Fork of Platte…", Very Fine, an important & historic letter.Estimate $300 - 400.
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Current Opening Bid: $150
Lot
530
Santafee, New Mexico August 2d, 1849, dateline on four-page folded cover mailed with black "Platte City Mo. Oct 4" cds and manuscript "5" rate marking to Fayette, Mo., letter reads, in part, "…Again I hasten to write a few lines by imigrants returning to the states. In 10 minets after I wrote my last we set sail & after some days traveling over the attone mountains we reached Kit Carsons Ranch of New Settlement 45 miles of Toas. There four of us left the waggons the next day where we found Kit the day after at 10 oclock in bed with his pretty Little Mexican wife who is as white as he is Kit learning I was cousin to Jo Walker took quite a liking to me & thru the influence of Major McDaniel & Kit thay came vary near geting me in as saddler to the excort that here on there way to California after three dayes stay we left for this place thence to gallistier 25 miles south…A.J. Willis, PS write to San Francisco get information from Taylor the P.M. as to how it should be directed", some paper loss on address panel and aging, nonetheless, Fine.Estimate $500 - 750.
A WONDERFUL EARLY NEW MEXICO LETTER WITH GREAT CONTENT ABOUT THE WRITER'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE FAMOUS KIT CARSON.
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Current Opening Bid: $250
Lot
531
Outstanding Group of Gold Rush letters, included are five folded letters with red "New York Ship 7cts" cds's with full contents detailing the arduous voyage from the East to California, these are lengthy letters with descriptive text talking of the sea voyage, Slavery in Brazil, and much more, additionally there are two letters (no cover or postal markings) from the California gold fields with wonderful contents as well as two folded cover from the East with manuscript 40¢ rates, one cover is datelined "Hotel de la Europa a Rio Janeiro 26th April 1849" with lengthy letter in part, "…This is the great mart of Slavery it is to be seen here in its most degraded and revolting form. I suppose ¾ of the population are slaves…Charles Sibree,", a second is datelined "At Sea Ship Ellth Ellen 11th April 1849", lengthy letter describing life at sea and arduous trip to California, of the two California letters one is datelined "Gold Run Valley Jan 19th, 1851" and second is datelined "Cal North fork American R. Aug 3rd 1851" with miner's content, prices, etc.; some wear & faults as would be expected, Fine, a wonderful group full of historic content.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
This group is the subject of an article by Dr. Milgram inn the American Philatelist (July 1973, Vol. 87, #7). Please see our website for full transcriptions Complete images:
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Current Opening Bid: $950
Lot
532
Wonderful Lengthy Letter Detailing voyage to San Francisco, postmarked very light but readable orange-red "San Francisco, Cal. 18 Aug" cds with matching "40" rate handstamp on folded letter to N.Y.; datelined "At Sea Aug 8, 1850"; very lengthy transcribed letter full of content which must be read to be appreciated, reads, in part, "…We had on board the "Lucy Allen" a bad woman, 2 young men with her who were very bad characters from New York City, called by some bowry boys… as we landed the down upon us impounded some of us until we were all bloody in our faces six of us got the blows the rest of us went free without harm…There was gambling, drinking and laziness and all sorts of wickedness as you will recall this was on Sunday that we landed… I saw mahogany dugouts (canoes) at Panama I should say they were five feet through they are the best boats the natives have…I saw prickly pear trees 10 feet high, all kinds of cactus grow here without nursing, lemons are as large as my 2 fist and as sweet as honey…I should think about 2000 are waiting for a passage 2/3 of those on board had through tickets on steamers but were afraid on account of being sick…some have just come in from California brining the dust [gold] in boxes… July 4 fine day how to celebration some speeches some toast drank with a loud hurrah for California and everything else, some got drunk and had a fight finally went to bed at 12:00" with additional great detail of the lengthy voyage from the east to California, light wear and toning along folds, Fine.Estimate $200 - 300.
Current Opening Bid: $375