Joe Smith and Brigham Young laid out Independence, but very soon thereafter enough citizens of the county collected to drive them off, after several stubborn fights.

In this quote, Cole Younger, a former outlaw and figure in the American Wild West, reflects on the early struggles faced by Joe Smith and Brigham Young, leaders of the Latter-day Saints (LDS) movement, in their efforts to establish Independence (a town in Missouri) as a central point for their religious community. Younger mentions how the Mormon leaders initially laid the foundation for Independence, but soon faced violent opposition from local settlers, resulting in their expulsion after several stubborn fights. The quote highlights the challenges the Mormon community faced in trying to establish a place of independence and safety in a hostile environment.

The reference to Joe Smith and Brigham Young speaks to the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Smith, the founder of the LDS movement, and Young, his successor, were both key figures in the Mormon migration and the settlement of the American frontier. They sought to establish safe havens for their followers, but their efforts were met with fierce resistance from non-Mormon settlers who were opposed to the church's religious practices and growing influence.

The origin of this quote comes from Cole Younger’s perspective as a member of the Wild West community, a time of great conflict and tension between various groups, including Mormon settlers and local citizens. Younger’s account reflects the historical reality of the time, where religious and cultural differences often led to violent clashes. The expulsion of Mormons from places like Independence was part of a broader pattern of discrimination and violence directed at the LDS community.

In essence, Younger’s quote captures the volatile nature of Mormon settlement in early America, highlighting the struggle for religious independence and the challenges faced by the LDS movement in its early years. It reflects the broader context of the American frontier, where religion, territory, and cultural differences often led to conflict, shaping the experiences of the various groups that tried to claim a stake in the expanding nation.