Mississippi River & Carthage Jail

We started the next day in Illinois and ended it in Illinois, but were in Missouri in the middle. 

This way we were also able to see the Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.  Well, from a distance... as we drove past.  "Look, kids, it's the St. Louis Arch.  Quick, you're going to miss it.  Yep, there it goes." 

And Taylor was able to see the Mississippi River for the first time!!!  It's one of her dreams come true!  Is she spoiled or what?  Having all her dreams come true at such a young age.   

The Mississippi River!  


 

Taylor was in awe.  She was very excited, but a little surprised that it was so brown.  She chanted M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I-R-I-V-E-R over and over again while we were crossing it. 

More of St. Louis, Missouri.

My only landscape picture of Missouri.

We drove north and crossed the Missouri River. 

Then we crossed the Mississippi River again and into Illinois once more.  

And so, after crisscrossing a couple of states and major rivers, we arrived at Carthage, Illinois.  This is the town where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed, in Carthage Jail.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints owns the property now and have it set up as a historical site.  

There is a visitor's center and missionaries give tours of the jail. 

The first room inside the jail is the kitchen/dining room/parlor/bedroom.  It had multiple uses. 

The downstairs jail room, is around the corner.  It was for short-term prisoners.  Joseph and his cellmates stay here the first night or so.  

 Then moving upstairs. 

This is the "dungeon room."  Joseph, his brother, Hyrum and their friends were moved to this room because the jailer worried for their safety downstairs.  

Eventually, the jailer gave up his own room for Joseph, Hyrum, John Taylor & Willard Richards. 

It was very special to be able to visit Carthage Jail, to see it in person and stand in the same room Joseph & Hyrum Smith were in.

When the mob that killed Joseph and his brother, came to Carthage Jail some of them fired bullets through this window. 

Another part of the mob rushed inside and up the stairs.  Hyrum went to the door to block it.  A bullet went through the door.  It hit and killed him. 

Bullets were flying all around the room.  Joseph Smith & John Taylor were hit.  

Joseph fell out this window, to the ground below.  John Taylor fell to the floor.

The mob left as soon as they saw that Joseph was dead. 

Willard Richards and John Taylor did survive the encounter.  

John Taylor later became the 3rd President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  His wife, Leonora Cannon Taylor was the aunt of George Q. Cannon.  

George Q. Cannon married Brigham Young's daughter, Caroline Partridge Young.  He adopted her children from a previous marriage.  

One of these children was Vera Young Cannon.  She married Heber Chase Sharp.  They are James' great-grandparents.  

 

 So we have a connection to George Q. Cannon and John Taylor through James' side of the family.  John Taylor is where our Taylor got her name.  

After seeing Carthage Jail we drove to Nauvoo, Illinois.  It's only about 30 minutes away.  In Nauvoo, we went inside John Taylor's home.  

I'll post about Nauvoo tomorrow.  I have to go prepare a Primary lesson now.  I'm substituting in Primary already.  Only our second Sunday in the branch.