2004—12 July: Carthage
0397Worrellew Noticed in particular the name of one contributor, inscribed on the third picket from the left: “BETHANY WORRELL” A relatively uncommon surname, but one that figures in a poignant episode in local history of possible relevance to two families.

You see, one Frank Worrell was Captain of the Carthage Grays, a militia unit charged with the protection of prisoners Joseph and Hyrum Smith and their friends, on the day of the martyrdom. When the mob appeared, the Grays stood aside and let it enter.

Some days later, my beloved great-great-uncle Orrin Porter Rockwell was out one day with Return Jackson Redden, putting the roofs back on homes that the mob had torn off, when he saw the Hancock County Sheriff, Jacob Backenstos, approaching at top speed, pursued by several mean-looking characters. The sheriff called to my uncle, “Mr. Rockwell, save me!” Whereupon Port took down his rifle and shot the nearest roughneck in the vicinity of his belt-buckle.
Frank Worrell, for it was he, pitched from his saddle, dead, and the other pursuers scattered. Subsequently both Port and the sheriff were tried for Worrell’s “murder” and acquitted on the grounds that each was acting as an officer of the law.

So now I have a fantasy about looking up Bethany Worrell and ringing her doorbell. I have no idea what kinship she may share with the lamented Frank, nor whether she's an old lady or a babe in arms, living or dead. But I’d say something like: Hi. I’m Andy Anderson. We have something historical in common. Would you like to talk about it? 		0393ParkSignSethew
Back a Page
(Carthage)		 Such a Life
Contents		 Chapter 4
(1972-2002)		 Chapter 5
(2003-?)		 2003
2004
2005		 Chapter 6
(People)		 Next Page
(Nauvoo)
Welcome Stories Sections Such a Life People Places Site Search Do You Know?
Updated Jul 2020 [2004p15.htm] Page 504-26