Speaker says militia leader betrayed Joseph Smith

George M. Hinkle was the LDS Church's own Benedict Arnold. As the colonel of the Mormon-controlled Caldwell County militia in 1838, Hinkle made a secret deal to hand over his own leaders, including the Prophet Joseph Smith, to their sworn enemies.

In recent years some historians have tried to rehabilitate Hinkle's reputation — arguing that his motives were to prevent bloodshed between the Mormons and non-Mormons in Missouri. But 19th-century legal documents purchased at a public auction last month tell a story that confirms Hinkle's darker motives.

Jeffrey N. Walker spoke about the legal cases of Joseph Smith on Friday at the University of Utah LDS institute during the J. Reuben Clark Law Society's annual conference. Walker, assistant managing editor for the Joseph Smith Papers project, said he was present at the auction at Spink Shreves Galleries in New York City on Jan. 28 when the 24 documents of Smith vs. Hinkle were purchased for the LDS Church. His discussion of the lawsuit at the conference was the first public announcement of the contents of this previously unknown legal case.

The lawsuit's roots began when Hinkle sold his Far West, Mo., home to LDS Presiding Bishop Edward Partridge and moved to De Witt, Mo. Partridge later sold it to Joseph Smith. Joseph and his family were living in Hinkle's old home when the Missouri militia arrested Joseph Smith.

After Hinkle delivered Joseph Smith to the state militia, Joseph was almost executed — but Gen. Alexander W. Doniphan refused to carry out the orders.

Hinkle betrayed Joseph Smith on Nov. 1, 1838. The documents testify that on that same winter day, Hinkle came back to his old home and kicked Joseph Smith's wife and children out of the house.

He took the household belongings, furniture, books and clothing. Hinkle also took Joseph Smith's horse, saddle and bridle.

Emma Smith came in tears with her children to the home of Lucinda Harris. Harris testified that Hinkle came by and threatened Emma Smith again and told her to "leave the country."

Hinkle sold Joseph Smith's horse, saddle and bridle to Samuel Bogart, the head of the non-Mormon Ray County Missouri State Militia.

A month later the prisoners were being transferred to Liberty Jail. Joseph Smith saw Bogart riding on a horse with Joseph Smith's saddle. Bogart told him he had sold the horse to someone named Wilson, but that he would be willing to buy it back for Joseph Smith for $200.

Bogart wouldn't give up the saddle, however. He wanted to keep it as a souvenir.