Ohio was being quickly settled.

Within a few miles of Kirtland, Cleveland and Paynesville were rising on the lake shore, and to the south there were numerous villages; but the society of the Saints at Kirtland was especially prosperous, and so sudden had been the increase of its numbers and its wealth that the wonder of the neighbouring settlers gave birth to envy, and envy intensified their religious hatred.

Twice before Smith had left Fayette he had been arrested and brought before a magistrate, accused of committing crimes of which the courts were unable to convict him.

Now the same spirit gave rise to the same accusations against his followers.

About this time webs of cloth were taken from a woollen mill near Paynesville, and several horses were also stolen.