Lyman Wight Escapes Mob Chasing by Fleet Horse and Leaping Wide Ditch

Lyman Wight's biography documented a remarkable preservation during mob persecution. He was recorded as being chased by seven armed men about six miles. He mounted his horse with only a blind bridle, no saddle or arms except a pocket knife. His horse being fleet, he escaped by out-running them and leaping a deep wide ditch, where none of his pursuers dared follow. This escape allowed Lyman Wight to continue his ministry.

In a letter written on August 24, 1857, to Wilford Woodruff, Lyman Wight provided additional specifics regarding this encounter. He specified that the pursuit occurred during the November 1833 Jackson County persecutions and noted that while sixty men initially pursued him, the number dwindled until only six remained. He further recorded that they ran him for 5 1/4 miles, during which he distanced himself by one mile. Regarding the ditch, Wight observed that the pursuers' horses could not clear it and were forced to go around, and he testified that his own horse did not sweat or puff during the event.