Interim Content

Caldwell County, Missouri

Summary

Located in northwest Missouri. Settled by whites, by 1831. Described as being “one-third timber and two-thirds prairie” in 1836. Created specifically for Latter-day Saints by Missouri state legislature, 29 Dec. 1836, in attempt to solve “Mormon problem.” Major Latter-day Saint immigration followed. Population by summer 1838 between 5,000 and 7,000. Population by 1840 about 1,500. Included at least nineteen Latter-day Saint settlements. Expansion of Latter-day Saint settlement beyond county borders resulted in conflict and violence between Saints and other Missourians. Governor Lilburn W. Boggs ordered that Saints be exterminated or driven from state, 27 Oct. 1838. State militia arrested and imprisoned JS and other Latter-day Saint leaders and expelled remaining Saints from state. Almost all Caldwell Co. Saints evacuated, by spring 1839.

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County
Caldwell County
State/Province
Missouri
Country:
United States of America