History
In the fall of 1838 about 75 families, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, lived in the small settlement of Haun’s Mill in northwestern Missouri. Like many of the other places members of the Church of Jesus Christ tried to live, misunderstanding and distrust greeted them. The Sheriff of Livingston County, Missouri, William O. Jennings, was noted as the leader of a band of ruffians who strongly disliked Latter-day Saints, or as they called them, “Mormons”. Jennings initiated a truce with the members of the church in the area on the condition that ‘the Mormon people were peaceable’. But it was only a few hours after making this truce that church members learned that almost 100 men were molesting, stopping, and taking the firearms of fellow saints coming from the East to Caldwell County near Whitney’s Mill and turning them back the way they came.
Understandably this led the people at Haun’s Mill to be uneasy and many of them shifted to keep their weapons nearby. Soon there after a mob came and ransacked the community leaving 17 dead. This mass killing became a touchstone of fear, anger and distrust for members of the church at the time and for future generations as well.
Excerpt of the event from
Joseph Smith and the Restoration
** Warning** parts of this contains graphic, unseemly scenes of some of the things that unfolded at the site of the massacre.
More than three-fourths of the day had passed in quiet. Joseph Young, senior president of the First Council of the Seventy, who had arrived at Haun’s Mill a few days before, was sitting in his cabin with his baby in his arms and his wife standing nearby when he glanced out the open door to see a mob of 240 armed men riding at full speed toward the mill. Advancing through the scattered trees, the mob, led by Jennings and Nehemiah Comstock, formed a “three square position.” Captain Evans ran out to meet them, swinging his hat and crying, “Peace, peace!” Nathan Knight followed him making the same plea. But their requests were unheeded. No peace was to be granted. The mob had come to slaughter.
The Mob Attacks
The mob leader treacherously yelled, “All who desire to save their lives and make peace, run into the blacksmith shop.” The mob then surrounded the blacksmith shop and fired between the logs, the cracks being wide enough for them to aim directly at the brethren. Ellis Eamut, one of the number crowded in the shop, said, “Almost every ball that entered the shop took effect, and every moment someone was exclaiming, Oh, I am shot!”
Following the flight of the few survivors from the blacksmith shop, the mobbers rushed in and completed the brutal butchery. Anyone with a spark of life was again shot. Two little boys hiding behind the bellows were dragged out as they begged pitifully for their lives. One, Sardius Smith, son of Warren Smith, who lay dying at the feet of the mob, was grabbed by William Reynolds from Livingston County, who literally shot off the upper part of the little boy’s head and the boasted of the dastardly deed.
The Aftermath
Having killed all the men and boys they could find, the mob plundered the village and robbed the dead of their boots, clothing, and valuables.
Willard, the oldest son of Warren and Amanda Smith, was the first to enter the blacksmith shop after the mob had left. Stepping over the lifeless bodies of his father and his brother Sardius, he found his little brother Alma in the dirt and carnage, almost lifeless. He picked the lad up and carried him from the building.
Nineteen men and boys were killed outright or were fatally wounded, and 15 were wounded more or less severely.
Source: Ivan J. Barrett, Joseph Smith and the Restoration, (Young House, Provo, Utah, 1973), pp. 399-401
The bodies of those killed were eventually placed in the well at the mill. This well became a mass grave for the victims of this tragic incident.
Directly jump to:
Present
What to See
Tips and Logistics
Near by Site of Interest
Directions
Present
Today Haun’s Mill is just an open field. There are numerous trees and a stream on one side of the site with farmland covering the rest. The area surrounding Haun’s Mill is now called Fairview township. Note: For various reasons the area remains undeveloped in stark contrast to many of the Church of Jesus Christ’s historical sites around this part of Missouri. There are only a couple of markers to indicate you are at the correct site. If you are expecting historical information displays and rest room facilities you will be disappointed.
The Marker
Not far from the post that says ‘Haun’s Mill’ a stone plaque sits under a tree to commemorate those who lost their lives in the event that is generally known as the ‘Haun’s Mill Massacre’. Originally this marker and the red stone next to it was intended to mark the well where the victims were buried. In 1941 the landowner moved it to plow his field. (The actual location of the well/mass grave is thus unknown). Now instead of marking the spot the plaque serves as a small memorial.
The Mill Stone
Breckenridge, Mo City Park
The millstone was discovered by George Edward Anderson, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, around 1907 as he was on a photographic mission to record early history of the church from the east region of the United States.
What to See
Very little has been done to this site and at first glance seems rather empty. You might consider walking around the site taking a moment to ponder and reflect on the tragic events that took place here.
- A memorial marker sits beneath a tree a few feet away from the ‘Huan’s Mill’ post.
- The actual millstone from Haun’s Mill at the time of the massacre currently sits in a park about 10 minutes away in the city of Breckenridge. For directions read more under ‘Near by Site of Interest’.
Tips and Logistics
- Avoid going to Haun’s Mill during the rainy season. During heavy rain the site is susceptible to flooding and roads can become impassable. (Dirt and grass roads). Taking large RV’s or motor homes into the site is not a great option.
Near by Site of Interest
The Haun’s Mill Stone and Memorial at Breckenridge, Missouri
From Haun’s Mill/Fairview Township (About 10 min)
1. Head east on NE Layton Dr toward State Hwy A
2. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto State Hwy A
3. Continue onto State Hwy M
4. Turn right onto S 8th St
5. Turn left onto W Broadway St. (Destination will be on the left).
From Kansas City (About 1 h 20 min)
1. Get on I-70 W/US-71 N from E 10th St
2. Follow I-35 N to US-36 E in Cameron. Take exit 54 from I-35 N
3. Follow US-36 E to W Broadway St in Breckenridge
Far West Temple Site
From Haun’s Mill/Fairview Township (About 30 min)
- Take State Hwy M to US-36 W
- Turn right onto US-36 W
- Follow NW State Hwy D to NW far W Dr in Mirabile Township
- After about 10 minutes you’ll see the Far West Temple Site (NW State Hwy D, Kingston, MO 64650)
Directions
From Kansas City (About 1 h 20 min)
- Get on I-70 W/US-71 N from E 10th St
- Follow I-35 N to MO-116 E in Lathrop Township.
- Take exit 40 from I-35 N
- Continue on MO-116 E. Drive to NE Layton Dr in Fairview Township
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