Nauvoo in Hancock County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

The Prophet's Last Ride

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012

1. The Prophet's Last Ride Marker

Inscription. On the morning of June 24, 1844, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum left their families, homes, and fellow Saints for the last time. Traveling on horseback, they paused on this bluff. Joseph looked admiringly at the unfinished temple and the city of Nauvoo and declared:

This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens; little do they know the trials that await them.

Joseph and Hyrum then continued on to Carthage, Illinois, where they faced legal charges and eventual death at the hands of a mob.

Sculpted by Stan Watts and Kim Company, 2003

Erected 2003.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1849.

Location. 40° 33.029′ N, 91° 23.13′ W. Marker is in Nauvoo, Illinois, in Hancock County. Marker is on North Wells Street north of Mulholland Treet (Illinois Route 96), on the left when traveling north. Marker is across from the Nauvoo Temple. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nauvoo IL 62354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. West Grove (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Edward & Anne Hunter Home (about 600 feet away); Nauvoo (about

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600 feet away); Commerce on the River (about 600 feet away); Nauvoo's Wards (about 800 feet away); William and Elizabeth Jones Property (about 800 feet away); William & Esther Gheen Home (about 800 feet away); William & Caroline Weeks Home (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nauvoo.

Additional commentary.
1. Chauncey Higbee and the Smiths
Chauncey L. Higbee, along with 6 other men, including his brother Francis, were somewhat directly involved in the murders of Jacob and Hyrum. It is a long chain of events: Higbee and the others are of the Church, Higbee is accused of immoral acts, Higbee is excommunicated, Higbee and the others create a newspaper, in the one and only printing of the newspaper is an attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the community at Nauvoo, Joseph and the town board call for the destruction of the paper, then comes the story we all know of Joseph and Hyrum being charged and murdered in Carthage. Chauncey Higbee later reconciled his past and made a new life for himself. In Pike County, he served as a

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012

2. The Prophet's Last Ride Marker

judge, as well as serving in several other political positions on the county and state levels.

I just thought this was an interesting connection to my local history. This is a lesser known part of the story, as many people in Pike County know nothing of Chauncey Higbee ever even being in Nauvoo. I wanted to add this because it is important for us history lovers to keep making connections and learning more. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted January 16, 2019, by Emily Pursley of Pittsfield, Illinois.

The Prophet's Last Ride image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012

3. The Prophet's Last Ride

Photographed By Bill Kirchner, April 19, 2012

4. The Prophet's Last Ride

Nauvoo Temple in the background.

The Prophet's Last Ride Statue and Nauvoo Temple image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Emily Pursley, January 5, 2019

5. The Prophet's Last Ride Statue and Nauvoo Temple

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 752 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 17, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 5. submitted on January 17, 2019, by Emily Pursley of Pittsfield, Illinois. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.