So what did Joseph do from January to June, 1837 as the Chief Financial Officer for the Anti Bank? Nothing? He was swindling people, as Parley P. Pratt wrote:
Kirtland, May 23, 1837.
Pres’t J Smith Jr Deare Brother as it is dificult to obtain a personal interview with you at all times By reason of the multitude of Buisiness in which you are engaged you will Excuse my saying In writing what I would otherwise say By word of mouth.
Haveing Long Pondered the Path in which we as a people have been led in regard to our temporal management, I have at Length Become fully convinced that the whole scene of Speculation in which we have Been Engaged is of the Devel; I allude to the covetous Extortionary Speculating Spirit which has reigned in this place for the Last season; which Has given rise to Lying deceiveing and takeing the advantage of ones Nabour and In Short to Every Eavle work:
And Being as fully convinced that you and President Sidney Rigdon; Both By presept and Example have Been the principle means In Leading this people astray in these particulars and haveing myself Been Led astray and Caught in the same snare By your Example and
By false Prophesying and preaching from your mouths; yea haveing done many things Rong and plunged myself and family and others well nigh in to distruction, I have awoke to an awful sense of my situation and now resolve to retrace my steps, and to get out of the snare and make restitution as far as I can And now Dear Brother
If you are still determined to persue this wicked course untill your self and the Church shall sink down to hell; I Beseach you at least to have mercy on me and my family and others who are Bound with me for those certain 3 lots which you sold to me at the Extortionary price of $2;000 which never cost you $1:00; for if It stands against me it will rewin ruin Myself and a helpless family as well as those Bound with me for yesterday
Pres’t Rigdon came to me and Informed me that you had drawn the money from the Bank on the obligation you hold against me and that you had Left it to the mercy of the Bank and could not help what ever course they might take to collect it: notwithstanding the most sacred promise on your part that I should not Be ingured injured By giveing these writings; I offered him the 3 lots for the writings But he wanted my house and home also; now deare Brother will you take those Lots and give me up the writings and pay me the seventy-five dollars which I paid you on the same or will you taake the advantage of your Nabour Because he is in your Power if you will receive this admonition from one who Loves your Soul and repent of your Extortion and covetiousness in this thing, and make restitution you have my fellowship and Esteem as far as it respects our dealings Between ourselves;
But if not I Shall Be under the painful necessity of prefering charges against you, for Extortion, covetousness, and takeing advantage of your Brother By an undue religious influence for it is this kind of influence which Led us to make such kind of trades, in this society, such as saying it was the will of God that Lands Should Bear such a price and many other Prophesyings Preachings and Statements of a like nature.
Yours with respect,
Parley P Pratt.P. S. Do not suppose for a moment that I Lack any Confidence in the Book of Mormons or Doctrine and Covenants Nay It is my firm belief in those Records that hinders my Belief In the course we have Been Led of Late. [p. 4]
1 Jan (Sun)
Oliver Cowdery returned to Kirtland from Philadelphia, with bank note plates and printed bank notes for the KSS. [Marvin S. Hill, C. Keith Rooker, Larry T. Wimmer, BYU Studies, Vol. 17, No. 4, p.433-434; and Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pg.472.]
1 Jan (Sun)
Orson Hyde returned to Kirtland from Columbus, Ohio, and reported his lack of success in getting the Ohio Legislature to pass a bill granting a bank charter for the KSS. [Marvin S. Hill, C. Keith Rooker, Larry T. Wimmer, BYU Studies, Vol. 17, No. 4, p.433-434.]
2 Jan (Mon)
Members of the Kirtland Safety Society and adopted new, revised "Articles of Agreement," and reorganized their institution as the "Kirtland Safety Society Anti-banking Company, rather than continuing to use the previous name. Sidney Rigdon continued as president and Joseph Smith as cashier. Warren Parrish became secretary and bank teller. [Marvin S. Hill, C. Keith Rooker, Larry T. Wimmer, BYU Studies, Vol. 17, No. 4, p.433-434.] [D. Paul Sampson and Larry T. Wimmer, BYU Studies, Vol. 11, No. 4, p.432.]
2 Jan (Mon)
Joseph Smith obtained a loan from the Bank of Geauga in Painesville, for $3,018.99. This may have been to provide specie and financial backing for the new KSS. [Geauga County Court Records, 1837; as quoted by Marvin S. Hill, C. Keith Rooker, Larry T. Wimmer, BYU Studies, Vol. 17, No. 4, p. 456.]
5 Jan (Thr)
The KSS issued its first bank notes, probably to an initial amount between $10,000 and $15,000. [Marvin S. Hill, C. Keith Rooker, Larry T. Wimmer, BYU Studies, Vol. 17, No. 4, p. 445.]
6 Jan (Fri) 6th I visited the office of the Kirtland Safety Society & saw the first money that was issued by the Treasurer or Society. It was given to Brother Bump (in exchange for other notes) who was the first to Circulate it.
I also herd President Joseph Smith jr. declare in the presence of F Williams, D. Whitmer, S. Smith, W. Parrish, & others in the Deposit Office that he had receieved that morning the Word of the Lord upon the Subject of the Kirtland Safety Society. He was alone in a room by himself & he had not ownly the voice of the Spirit upon the Subject but even an audable voice. He did not tell us at that time what the LORD said upon the subject but remarked that if we would give heed to the Commandments the Lord had given this morning all would be well.
May the Lord bless Brother Joseph with all the Saints & support the above named institution & Protect it so that every weapen formed against it may be broaken & come to nought while the Kirtland Safety Society shall become the greatest of all institutions on EARTH. (Wilford Woodruff's Journal, Vol. 1, 1833–1840, p.120)
"I have listened to him [i.e. Smith] with feelings of no ordinary kind, when he declared that the AUDIBLE VOICE OF GOD, INSTRUCTED HIM TO ESTABLISH A BANKING-ANTI BANKING INSTITUTION, who like Aaron's rod SHALL SWALLOW UP ALL OTHER BANKS (the Bank of Monroe excepted,) and grow and flourish and spread from the rivers to the ends of the earth, and survive when all others should be laid in ruins." (Warren Parrish, Painesville Republican, February 22, 1838, as quoted in Conflict at Kirtland, page 297)
9 Jan (Mon)
The new KSS banking office officially opened in Kirtland. Its officers were from the very beginning reluctant to redeem its notes with specie. [Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pg.472; Parkin, 1966, p. 219]
mid Jan 1837
Grandison Newell bought up a considerable amount of KSS notes then in circulation and presented them at the bank's Kirtland office, demanding that they be redeemed with specie. The bank probably ran out of its original stock of silver and gold coins well before the end of January.
19 Jan (Thr)
The Painesville Republican advised that the KSS bank notes were not being accepted by the Bank of Geauga in Painesville. For this reason local non-Mormon businessmen woud not accept the bills.
23 Jan (Mon)
Sidney Rigdon, President of the KSS, announced that the Mormon bank would no longer redeem its notes with no specie. Henceforth the notes were backed primarily by real estate, some of which was valued at highly inflated prices. [Kennedy, Early Days of Mormonism, p. 163; Cleveland Daily Gazette, Jan. 24, 1837, cf. issue of Jan 17; Marvin S. Hill, C. Keith Rooker, Larry T. Wimmer, BYU Studies, Vol. 17, No. 4, p.436]
26 Jan (Thr)
Michigan Territory became the 26th state of the USA; this helped establish confidence in that region's future. The coming of statehood also brought with it new banking laws and regulations, endangering the operations of faltering financial institutions in Michigan (like the Bank of Monroe).
27 Jan (Fri)
The Painesville Telegraph announced that the KSS bank would no longer redeem its bank notes with specie.
30 Jan (Tue)
A meeting was held in the Temple to discuss new attempts to obtain a bank charter for the KSS. [Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pg. 477.] It was about this time that the LDS First Presidency decided to purchase a controlling interest in the faltering Bank of Monroe.
1 Feb (Wed)
KSS bank notes were being exchanged at 12 1/2 cents on the dollar. If about $10,000 of the notes issued in January were still in circulation at this time, their combined face value was about $1,250. [Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pg.472; and Marvin S. Hill, C. Keith Rooker, Larry T. Wimmer, BYU Studies, Vol. 17, No. 4, p.445-449.
1 Feb (Wed)
The publication of the 2nd edition of the Book of Mormon was completed. Printing of the book had been carried out during the winter of 1836-1837.
2 Feb (Thr)
Following the publication of the 2nd edition of the Book of Mormon, Oliver Cowdery retired as editor of the LDS Messenger and Advocate and sold his share in the Church's printing business to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. As cash was very scarce in Kirtland at this time, Cowdery probably accepted a signed promissory note or nearly worthless KSS bills in this transaction. His brother, Warren Cowdery replaced him as editor of the LDS newspaper.
2 Feb (Thr)
A writ was issued for the arrest of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. upon complaint of Samuel D. Rounds, a front man for Grandison Newell. The complaint accused Smith and Rigdon of engaging in illegal banking and of issuing unauthorized bank notes. [Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pg.472.]
3 Feb (Fri)
At about this time Joseph and Hyrum Smith (most likely in company with Oliver Cowdery) left Kirtland for Monroe, MI. In leaving town at this time, Smith no doubt managed to avoid being served with the arrest writ issued on Feb. 2, 1837, thus buying himself some time before having to appear in court to face illegal banking charges. It is possible that he thought by his purchasing a controlling interest in the chartered Bank of Monroe he could avoid conviction on the illegal banking charges -- or, at least continue the Mormons' banking operations under the auspices of the Monroe firm.
8 Feb (Wed)
The US Senate completed the 1836 presidential election process by choosing Richard M. Johnson as Martin Van Buren's vice president. Van Buren took office amid fears of a rapidly worsening national economy.
10 Feb (Fri)
The Mormons, in association with some non-Mormon allies in Geauga county) attempted for a second time to secure a bank charter for the KSS. A bill was introduced in the Legislature with an amendment granting the KSS a charter and authorizing its capital stock up to $300,000. This bill was defeated. [Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pg.472.]
10 Feb (Fri)
A meeting of the Bank of Monroe Board of Directors was held in Monroe, MI. Joseph and Hyrum Smith attended, along with Oliver Cowdery. Following the Mormon buy-out of Monroe Mayor Harleston's controlling interest in the bank, Oliver Cowdery was made its Vice President. Bailey J. Hathaway, (a nephew of Mrs. Lemuel Durfee and Mrs. Joseph Comstock of Palmyra) was chosen to be the reorganized institution's non-Mormon cashier.
13 Feb (Mon)
At about this Joseph Smith obtained a loan from the reorganized Bank of Monroe and then began his return to Kirtland, leaving Oliver Cowdery behind in Monroe. Joseph and Hyrum Smith probably stopped over in Cleveland, attempting to redeem notes of the Bank of Monroe for specie. Joseph probably also attempted to negotiate a loan from the Bank of Lake Erie at Cleveland while on this trip to the west.
17 Feb (Fri)
At about this time Joseph and Hyrum Smith returned to Kirtland from their trip to the west. Brigham Young and William Smith met their stagecoach, (probably near Mentor) and informed Joseph of a possible plot against his life. William took Joseph's place in the coach, and all arrived in Kirtland without incident. Once back in the town, Joseph and Hyrum met Solomon W. Denton in the Kirtland Bank and confronted him with accusations saying that he had borrowed a pair of pistols with the intention of ambushing and killing Joseph Smith upon his return to Kirtland. Denton denied the accusations.
19 Feb (Sun)
Joseph Smith preached in the Kirtland Temple and informed the audience that the First Presidency had purchased the charter of the Bank of Monroe. In other words, they had purchased the controlling interest in a chartered bank.
20 Feb (Mon)
At about this time, the Feb. 2 writ (issued on Roundy's charging Smith and Rigdon with illegal banking) was probably served upon Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon in Kirtland. The two probably posted bond (perhaps before a Kirtland Justice of the Peace) and agreed to appear at a pre-trial hearing scheduled for March 24. The venue of this hearing is unknown, but perhaps it was Painesville.
20 Feb (Mon)
At about this time, a special "meeting" was held to consider accusations made against Solomon W. Denton. It is likely that this was a late February session of the High Priests' Quorum, presided over by Don Carlos Smith. If so, Denton may have shown his "contempt of the quorum" by not appearing at what must have been essentially a Church court trial examining his loyalty to the LDS leadership.
early Mar 1837
At about this time, Joseph Smith reportedly spoke with Solomon W. Denton, advising him to curb his adverse testimony, if called upon as a witness in an upcoming prosecution of Smith. Denton does not appear to have been cooperative when confronted with this counsel from the First Presidency.
mid Mar 1837
At about this time Solomon W. Denton was excommunicated from the LDS Church.
17 Mar (Fri)
Former President Andrew Jackson returned home to Tennessee, and said that he left office "with barely $90 in my pocket." This marked the beginning of the Panic of 1837, an ensuing national depression, and the resultant need for the US Government to borrow money to meet its financial obligations. Practically every bank in the US stopped redeeming bank notes before the end of March.
24 Mar (Fri)
A hearing was held to consider Roundy's complaint against Smith and Rigdon for engaging in illegal banking activities. Smith and Rigdon were apparently bound over for a jury trial at the fall session of the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas. [Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pg.472.]
6 Apr (Thr)
The semi-annual Spring Conference began at Kirtland. An important Priesthood meeting was held in the Kirtland Temple, in which new presidents were ordained to preside over the LDS Seventies. Some former Seventies were released, as Joseph Smith had decided that High Priests at that time should not serve as Seventies.
9 Apr (Sun)
Joseph Smith preached in the Temple, announcing that a severe judgment awaited those members who had turned "traitors" and were opposing the use of KSS bank notes. This disobedience, said Smith, "has given power into the hands of the enemy" (non-Mormons who opposed the KSS, etc.) Smith also warned that LDS "covenant breakers" would "feel the wrath of God." [Dean C. Jessee, "The Kirtland Diary of Wilford Woodruff," BYU Studies, Vol. 12, No. 4, p. 393]
13 Apr (Thr)
Grandison Newell filed a complaint with a Justice of the Peace (apparently with Judge Flint in Painesville) charging Joseph Smith with conspiracy to commit murder. The magistrate issued a writ for Smith's arrest. While such writs were theoretically returnable anywhere in Geauga county, they were usually to into the hands of the township constable for execution. In this case, the writ was effectively rendered returnable in Painesville.
13 Apr (Thr)
Joseph Smith heard of the writ issued for his arrest. Knowing that an armed constable would soon appear in Kirtland to apprehend him, he fled town, thus avoid arrest and buying himself time to prepare a case in his defense. The bad news came to Smith suddenly and he was unable to solemnize the marriage of Wilford Woodruff, then in progress in Smith's own house. [Dean C. Jessee, "The Kirtland Diary of Wilford Woodruff."]
13 or 14 Apr
A posse of non-Mormon arrived in Kirtland, seeking Joseph Smith's arrest. This unfriendly group probably accompanied a Painesville constable who held the writ authorizing Smith's arrest. The posse found that Smith had left town and was unable to secure his arrest.
mid Apr 1837
Oliver Cowdery was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in Kirtland township and Frederick G. Williams was re-elected to the same. Neither man was especially loyal to Joseph Smith at this time.
10 May (Wed)
Major banks in New York City suspended the payment of specie for bank notes, initiating a period of "hard times" and "hard currency" in the USA.
mid May 1837
Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were unable to continue the operation of the Church's printing business due to overwhelming personal debts. They sold the printing office, press and bindery equipment to William Marks. This effectively ended the old "Literary Firm."
23 May (Tue)
Parley Pratt wrote an angry letter to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, accusing them of wrongful dealings with certain Church members, including himself. Pratt said that the LDS leaders took advantage over members like himself, "by undue religious influence," and insinuated that the "scheme of speculation" underlying the operations of the KSS was "of the devil." [Letter printed in Richard Livesey, "An Exposure of Mormonism," (1838), p. 9; original in the Lake County Historical Society Library].
26 May (Fri)
The Painesville Telegraph published an open letter to Sidney Rigdon, written by Grandison Newell. In the letter Newell outlined his charges that Smith had conspired with two other Mormons to have him murdered.
29 May (Mon)
Apostles Orson Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson accused Joseph Smith. Jr., before the Kirtland Stake High Council, of lying, financial fraud, and extortion. In the same Council session First Counselor Sidney Rigdon and "Assistant President" Oliver Cowdery presided over a meeting to consider charges brought against Second Counselor F. G. Williams, David Whitmer, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman E. Johnson, and Warren Parrish. It was decided the Council was not the proper body to try President Williams. Shortly thereafter Williams joined Rigdon and Cowdery in presiding. The members of the High Council were divided in their assessment of these various opposing charges and the meeting broke up without taking disciplinary action against any member of the Church. This open conflict between two factions in the Church leadership marked the beginning of a public acknowledgment of the split between Smith loyalists and reformers which began months earlier. [LDS History of the Church, Vol. II, pp. 484, 485]
29 May (Mon)
At about this time, Joseph Smith came out of hiding and allowed himself to be arrested, probably at his attorney's office in Painesville. It is likely that he was placed under bond and allowed his freedom until his hearing on the 30th.
30 May (Tue)
Joseph Smith, accompanied by his lawyers and potential witnesses, appeared before Justice of the Peace (Talcott?) Flint at Painesville. The prosecution (apparently conducted by James H. Paine, Esq.) did not have its case ready and the hearing was rescheduled for June 3rd. Probably Grandison Newell and his counsel were attempting to find Marvel C. Davis to testify in the case. Mr. Davis never was located during this period -- probably he was in Kirtland.
3 Jun (Sat)
Smith's pre-trial hearing for conspiracy to commit the murder of Grandison Newell, was conducted before Judge Flint in Painesville. LDS Apostles Orson Hyde and Luke S. Johnson testified, acknowledging that "Smith seemed much excited and declared that Newell should be put out of the way, or where the crows could not find him." They claimed Smith had said "destroying Newell would be justifiable in the sight of God, that it was the will of God, &c." Hyde and Johnson also insisted that Smith was "tender-hearted." Warren Parrish did not offer the corroborating testimony Newell expected, and his case was not a strong one after all. Nevertheless, the Judge found enough reason to bind Smith and some witnesses over to the next session of the county court.
9 Jun (Fri)
After a few days' respite, Smith appeared before the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas at Chardon, in the case of "Sate of Ohio vs Joseph Smith, Jr." for conspiracy to commit murder. Despite the offering of a considerable amount of incriminating testimony, Presiding Judge Van R. Humphrey did not feel sufficient evidence was presented to convict Smith on the charges. Joseph Smith was acquitted and returned to Kirtland a free man.
http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn3.htm#000037
