The Saints and Nauvoo's Success in Extradition

In mid-1843, when Joseph has arrested the third time, he and his attorneys determined that instead of going before a state or federal court as they had in the past, they were going to go to Nauvoo. In this third and final attempt by Missouri to have Joseph Smith extradited, Nauvoo's city courts heard the case and ruled in Joseph Smith's favor. Matthew Godfrey: Newspapers were absolutely vital sources of information in 19th century America. The local Illinois newspapers played a primary role in stirring up antagonism towards the Saints and were often very critical of the Saints.