may 20, 50 BC - Kishkumen dies
Description:
After Helaman had been appointed Chief Judge, the band of Gadianton once again sent out Kishkumen to assassinate him.
This band had formed just over a year earlier, but had already been a cause of disturbance among the people, and the Nephites had already investigated and executed some of the members. The band had remained unknown for the most part, however.
It also appears that they had not committed any crimes that were severe enough to be mentioned in the record. But that they were active is plain.
At this time we have the second action of the group that is directly mentioned. Kishkumen snuck into the Judgment Seat to kill Helaman, obviously with the aim of inserting one of their own number (likely Gadianton) into the Judgment Seat.
However, the Nephites had been vigilant and a particularly vigilant servant had succeeded in gaining entrance into the secret meetings of Gadianton's band. In these meetings he learned secrets signs that members of the band used to identify one another. He also learned of the conspiracy to assassinate Helaman.
When Kishkumen came to the Judgment Seat he was met by this servant (who is never named). After receiving the proper signs Kishkumen accepted that the man was a member of the group and was there to lead him to Helaman.
While the two continued on the servant drew a dagger and killed Kishkumen. He then went to Helaman and reported all that he had learned. Helaman sent the army out to where Gadianton and the rest of the robbers were waiting.
However, in the time that all this took Gadianton began to get nervous. When Kishkumen didn't return according to schedule, fearing that he had been killed or captured, Gadianton led the members of his band into the wilderness, and thus avoided meeting the army in battle.
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