185 years ago today, 17 Mormon men and boys were killed at Hawn’s Mill. What evidence can be found now? Paul Debarthe is an archeologist and member of the Community of Christ. He’ll discuss his latest book, “Hawn’s Mills Hamlet” and discuss the latest archaological findings from that terrible event.
Before he gets to that, we discuss some of his findings in Nauvoo. In the photo below, Paul has volunteers excavating the Times & Seasons Building. They’re finding type from the printing press, and Paul hopes to restore the building to its former form. (Note, there were 4 Times & Seasons buildings, and this is building #2 on the Community of Christ side of Nauvoo.)
Paul goes on to make an astonishing claim. Is the Mansion House in Nauvoo a stop on the Underground Railroad in which slaves were helped to freedom? Archaologist Paul Debarthe makes this surprising claim. We’ll also talk about the murder of an abolitionist by the name of Elijah Lovejoy and how that relates to the Underground Railroad. I was also surprised to find out that Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs started the Honey War after he sent Mormons from the state. Do you think Mormons helped hide runaway slaves?
Few Missourians are aware of what Mormons refer to as the Hawn’s Mill Massacre. How do modern-day Missourians view it? Paul had some students meet with the Caldwell County Historical Society, and they referred to it as the Hawn’s Mill Incidenct, as many of their ancestors had participated in the awful event.
Paul Debarthe will also dispel other myths. For example, was Nauvoo really a swamp? What happened to the rapids on the Mississippi near Nauvoo? Check out our conversation…
Who was the first woman ordained in the Community of Christ? I was surprised to find out that Paul Debarthe’s wife, Rina, was the first woman ordained following the 1984 revelation. Paul shares photos and stories about his amazing wife who passed away earlier this year, and the prejudice she faced, not only for her gender, but also the color of her skin. I was surprised to hear Paul say that his interracial children would be “spotted.” Check out our conversation….
Are you happy that the LDS Church (which has more money) has purchased the Hawn’s Mill site for better preservation? Do you think the LDS Church can learn from our Community of Christ friends regarding female ordination? What are youre memories of Nauvoo?
Wheat & Tares 
I really enjoyed this interview. My grandfather was an old-school printer who apprenticed in Germany, and he was always had an interesting expert take on the printing of the Book of Mormon and other early Mormon publications. So hearing about the archaeology is fascinating.
Rina also sounds like an absolute treasure of humanity.