/ Places of the D&C / Carthage, Illinois
Carthage, Illinois
1844
Photo Credit: Christina Broberg, 2012
Significant Events At a Glance
- Martyrdom of Joseph Smith, Jr. and Hyrum Smith
Carthage Jail
Key Points of Interest
- Joseph Smith, Jr., Hyrum Smith, and multiple other leaders were arrested after the Nauvoo City Council had the printing press, type and other materials of the Nauvoo Expositor, a local newspaper, destroyed
- Illinois Governor Thomas Ford promised the men his protection if they surrendered and went to stand trial in Carthage
- Soon after their arrival, all the leaders were released on bail except Joseph and Hyrum: They were charged with treason and placed in Carthage Jail
- On 27 June 1844 John Taylor and Willard Richards were staying with Joseph and Hyrum in a room on the second story of the jail. A mob came to the jail, and the men tried to keep them out, but ultimately every man was shot multiple times except Willard Richards, who only had a grazed ear
- Hyrum died first, after being struck in the face by a musket ball and then in the back by a ball coming from the east window. His last words were “I am a dead man”
- John Taylor was shot with five balls, first in his leg, and then in his chest. The first shot to his chest hit his pocketwatch
- After John had been shot, Joseph moved to the window and was shot twice in the back and once in the chest. He went out the window and fell 25 feet to the ground. His last words were, “Oh Lord, My God!”
- Once Joseph was outside the jail, the members of the mob moved outside. Willard then dragged John to the nearby cell room and covered him with a mattress to hide him
- Though John was severely wounded, John and Willard both survived and returned to Nauvoo
- The murders of Joseph and Hyrum were later acquitted
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Carthage Jail front
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2012
Carthage Jail from Street
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2015
Carthage Jail Yard
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2013
Carthage Jail Well and Courtyard
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2004
Carthage Jail Interior
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2006
Carthage Jail Interior
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2007
Carthage Jail Hallway
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2009
Carthage Jail Downstairs Cell
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2018
Carthage Jail Upper Landing
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2008
Carthage Jail Upstairs Cell
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2001
Carthage Jail Upstairs Cell Interior
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2002
Bedroom Door with Bullet Hole
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2001
Carthage Jail Bedroom
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2008
Carthage Jail Second-Story Window
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2009
Carthage Joseph and Hyrum Statue
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2009
Carthage Statue Detail
Photo Credit: Kenneth Mays, 2008
Take a 360° Tour through Carthage Jail
