Richmond Jail

From The Encyclopedia of Mormonism

See this page in the original 1992 publication.

Author: Christy, Howard A.

When the Latter-day Saints at Far West, Caldwell County, Missouri, surrendered to the state militia in late October 1838, seven Church leaders-Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, Amasa Lyman, and George W. Robinson-were arrested (see Missouri Conflict). They were first taken under guard to Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, and then to Richmond, the county seat of Ray County. They were confined on November 9, not in the county jail but in a small vacant house on the town square. Here they were imprisoned for three weeks to await a court inquiry into charges of treason, murder, arson, robbery, and perjury. Other Saints were also arrested and brought to Richmond for trial.

At the inquiry on November 28, the prisoners were bound over for trial, and Joseph Smith and five others were removed to a jail in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, to await further hearings (see Liberty Jail). Pratt and four others remained in the Richmond County Jail, some until late April 1839 and others until June 1839.

During the time Joseph Smith was incarcerated in Richmond, the prisoners were chained together under miserable conditions and constant harassment. One incident during the imprisonment has become a legend. Pratt recalled that Joseph Smith, chagrined at the verbal abuse, boasting, and obscenity by the guards, stood up in chains and commanded, "silence, ye fiends of the infernal pit. In the name of Jesus Christ I rebuke you, and command you to be still; I will not live another minute and hear such language. Cease such talk, or you or I die this instant!" (p. 221). The tormenters reportedly fell silent.

The Richmond Jail no longer stands, and no marker designates its location.

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