“One of the candidates was up on the head of a whiskey barrel, and made a very inflammatory speech against the saints.” — John Butler¹

On August 6, 1838, during Election Day in Gallatin, Missouri, tensions between Latter-day Saints and local Missourians erupted into violence. John Butler, a Latter-day Saint and local militia captain, rode into town to vote. As Saints gathered to vote together, Whig candidate William Peniston incited the crowd against them, accusing them of being thieves and liars. A fight broke out when a man tried to punch one of the Saints, further escalating as more men joined with clubs and knives. Despite being outnumbered, John Butler and the Saints defended themselves using improvised weapons like fence rails and rocks. After the skirmish, the Saints were allowed to vote, but John, fearing for his safety, chose to leave the town.²

1. John Butler, “A short account of an affray, 1859,” MS 2418, Church History Library

2. Saints, Volume 1, Chapter 28, 323-326