to settle in the counties surrounding Caldwell, including De Witt in Carroll County and Adam-ondi-Ahman in Daviess County. Fear that the growing number of Saints would outnumber the local citizens, and misunderstandings regarding the doctrine, purposes, and practices of the church, created a series of escalating conflicts, and the Governor of Missouri eventually called out 2,500 state militiamen to put down what he alleged to be a "Mormon rebellion." He also issued an extermination order to rid the state of the church. Terrified, members of the church poured into Far West for protection and found themselves under siege. Joseph Smith Jr., Sidney Rigdon, and others surrendered at the end of October 1838, hoping to alleviate the persecution on the main church body of members, but were put on trial by the state for treason on trumped up false charges. The main body of the church was then forced illegally to sign over their property in Far West and Caldwell County to pay for the militia muster and then leave the state. The main body later settled in Nauvoo, Illinois. Aftermath and Far West today Far West became a ghost town soon after the departure of most of the church population. The county seat was moved to Kingston, Missouri and many of the log houses in Far West were relocated. John Whitmer continued to live in the nearly empty town, where he owned a large farm. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased the temple site and some of the surrounding area in 1909. Since then, Far West has been maintained as a historic site. It is located south of U.S. Route 36 on Missouri Route D. The site includes the cornerstones of the planned temple, each encased in glass, and a monument to the early settlers that was dedicated in 1968. The church also honors the Far West legacy in the name of a ward located in Cameron and, since 2015, a stake centered in Gallatin. Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has a congregation that meets in Far West, across the street from the historic site. In 2004 construction began on a historic village adjacent to the temple site. It is operated by the Far West Historical Society to accommodate and increase tourism. The Country Store has been in operation since 2006. In May 2012, The Church