Haun's Mill massacre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hawn's Mill Massacre
Part of Missouri Mormon War and Mormon Wars
"Haun's Mill" by C.C.A. Christensen
Location	Fairview township in eastern Caldwell County, Missouri
Coordinates	39°40′13″N 93°50′21″W / 39.670241°N 93.839035°W / 39.670241; -93.839035
Date	October 30, 1838 About 4 p.m.
Weapons	muskets and rifles
Deaths	18
Non-fatal injuries	15, plus 4 of the attackers
Perpetrators	~240 Livingston County, Missouri Regulators, Missouri State militiamen, and anti-Mormon volunteers

The Haun’s Mill Massacre (also called Hawn’s Mill Massacre) happened on October 30, 1838. A group of armed citizens, known as a militia, from Livingston County, Missouri, attacked a settlement of Mormon families. This settlement was in eastern Caldwell County, Missouri.

This event was the most violent part of the 1838 Mormon War in Missouri. It is still remembered by members of the Latter Day Saint movement. While "Haun" is a common spelling for the massacre, the mill's owner used "Hawn" in official papers.

About Hawn's Mill

Hawn's Mill was a mill built by Jacob Hawn around 1835–1836. It was located on Shoal Creek in Caldwell County, Missouri. Jacob Hawn was not a Mormon.

However, by October 1838, about 75 Mormon families lived along Shoal Creek. Around 30 of these families lived very close to Hawn's Mill. They also lived near the blacksmith shop owned by James Houston.

The Missouri Militia

The group of armed citizens involved in the attack was not officially authorized. It was led by Colonel Thomas Jennings from Livingston County. Other leaders included William O. Jennings, Nehemiah Comstock, and William Gee.

At the time of the attack, the militia had about 240 men. These men came from several counties in Missouri. Important people like Major Daniel Ashby, a state lawmaker, were also part of this group.

The massacre happened a few days after Missouri's governor, Lilburn Boggs, issued a special order. This order, sometimes called the "Extermination Order," was against Mormons. People still discuss whether the attackers knew about this order.

Some historians believe the local militia had not yet heard about the governor's specific order. Instead, they think the militia acted because there was already a lot of anger towards Mormons in Missouri. Reports from some people who had left the Mormon faith also led to the attack.

Before the massacre, anti-Mormon groups took guns and weapons from Mormon settlers. Because of this, many Mormons gathered at Hawn's Mill for safety.

A Short Truce

The growing power and anger of the Missouri militia worried the Mormon settlers at Hawn's Mill. On Sunday, October 28, they held a meeting. They decided to create a group to defend themselves. Thirty-six men were armed and ready for an attack.

That evening, one of the militia groups sent someone to talk. They agreed to a truce with the settlers. This meant they would stop fighting for a while. Monday, October 29, and most of Tuesday, October 30, passed peacefully.

The Attack

On October 30, around 4 p.m., the militia rode into the community. David Evans, a leader there, ran towards them. He waved his hat and called for peace.

When the militia approached, most of the Mormon women and children ran into the nearby woods. Most of the men went to the blacksmith shop. This building was very weak because its logs were far apart. This allowed attackers to easily shoot inside.

The shop became a deadly trap. The militia fired about 100 rifles into the building. They showed no mercy. The attack lasted for about 30 to 60 minutes.

After the first attack, several people who were wounded or had given up were shot dead. Militia members went into the shop. They found 10-year-old Sardius Smith, 7-year-old Alma Smith, and 9-year-old Charles Merrick hiding. Alma and Charles were shot, and Charles later died. A militia man killed Sardius by shooting him in the head. Another man later said this was justified, meaning "Nits will make lice, and if he had lived he would have become a Mormon."

Houses were robbed, and wagons, tents, and clothes were stolen. Horses and other animals were taken away. This left the women and children who survived with nothing.

Victims and Aftermath

As a result of the massacre, 17 Mormons died. Fifteen more people were injured. Only a few men were not hurt.

The next morning, 14 of the dead were placed into a large, unfinished well. They were covered with straw and a thin layer of dirt. Other victims were buried elsewhere later.

Four of the 240 militiamen were wounded, but none died.

After the massacre, some people said that Joseph Smith, the Mormon leader, had sent a message. He told the people at the mill to leave and go to Far West. However, Jacob Hawn, the mill owner, did not deliver this message clearly.

Joseph Smith later wrote that people who followed his advice had always been safe. He believed that if his advice had been followed, innocent lives at Hawn's Mill could have been saved.

The militia group stayed at the mill for almost three weeks. They continued to bother and rob the Mormons. Life during the winter of 1838–1839 was very hard. Most families stayed together until they could move to Illinois. By the end of February 1839, all the Mormons had left. Jacob Hawn later moved to Oregon.

Mormons asked the United States government for help. They said the state of Missouri was involved in the violence. This was because Missouri did not investigate or punish those who attacked them.

In 1941, the landowner gave permission for a special marker to be placed at the site. A program was held there on July 13.

Until 2012, the site of the massacre was cared for by the Community of Christ. In May 2012, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints bought the property.

Portrayal in Media

This event has been shown in movies and TV shows. It was part of the Latter-day Saint film Legacy: A Mormon Journey (1993). It also appeared in the Hulu series, Under the Banner of Heaven (2022).

Images for kids

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  The Haun’s Mill stone is now in Breckenridge, Missouri

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  A millstone shortly after being recovered

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  This marker and the red millstone were intended to mark the well where the victims were buried. In 1941 the landowner moved them, unaware that he had moved the marker from over the burial point. The exact location of the well is now not known.

See also

In Spanish: Masacre de Haun's Mill para niños