Stephen Markham's miraculous defense against a mob in Richmond

While Stephen Markham was in Richmond, Missouri, he was attacked by a mob led by Colonel William P. Penniston. After being struck with a club, Markham was surrounded by ten mobbers who intended to kill him. Miraculously, he declared he could kill the whole group with a single blow each, which caused the mob to flee. The local court and jury witnessed the entire incident but took no legal action against the mob.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

The examination of witnesses was continued, and Elder Markham was permitted to give his testimony. After he had closed, Blakely, one of the guard, came in and said to Markham, that he wanted to speak to him. Brother Markham walked out with him, and round the end of the house, when Blakely called out, “God damn you, you damned old Mormon; I'll kill you;” and struck at Markham with his fist, and then with a club. Markham took the club and threw it over the fence. There were ten of the mob, who immediately rushed upon Markham to kill him, Colonel William P. Penniston, captain of the mob, being one of the number. But Markham told them he could kill the whole of them at one blow a-piece, and drove them off. The court and jury stood and saw the affray, and the mob threaten Markham’s life, by all the oaths they could invent, but they took no cognizance of it.