In 1844 she [Nauvoo] was a city of nearly 30,000 inhabitants. Joseph Smith had issued an edict that all Mormons, from all parts of the world, should come to Nauvoo, making this spot the last place – the new Zion – where the work of the last days should begin. In answer to this call the faithful began to stream into the city. The Gentiles, so-called, the general populace of Hancock county, became alarmed at the growing religious and political strength of the Mormons, and, as the Mormons charge, became intensely jealous of the material, political and religious progress of the Saints. There can be no doubt William Smith, a brother of the prophet, was a member by suffrage of Mormon votes, granted unconstitutional charters to the Mormons. Under these special acts it is claimed that Smith and his leaders did a great many illegal things. The culmination of all the trouble, however, was the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor office by order of Mayor Joseph Smith at Nauvoo, some time about the middle of June, 1844. This led to Smith”s arrest. Francis and Joseph Higbee and others had renounced Smith and started the Expositor. But one copy was issued, but it bristled with assaults upon Smith and the Mormons. Its publication was ordered to be suppressed by the City Council of Nauvoo and the press and type were broken and thrown into the river. It is said that the press has since been on exhibition in Chicago, but it is doubtful whether the parts were ever rescued from the bosom of the “father of waters.” (“Anniversary of Carthage,” Salt Lake Tribune, vol. XLIV, June 24, 1894, no. 57, p. 16.)