On the 21st of July, 1878, Elders Joseph Standing, and Rudger Clawson, a youth of twenty-two, were surrounded by a mob at Varnal Station, Georgia, and were taken to the woods apparently for the purpose of receiving a thrashing. Elder Standing at this juncture made some show of resistance when one of the mobbers fired at him. Immediately following this deed one of the gang, pointing at Elder Clawson, said, "Shoot that man!" Clawson turned and cooly faced the mob with folded arms and exclaimed,�"Shoot!" His coolness seemed to unnerve the mob who lowered their guns.
Elder Clawson, although risking his own life, escorted his companion's body back to Salt Lake City where a funeral was held in the Tabernacle, and buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Many years later, being charged with polygamy, he spent a prison term rather than deny what he knew to be a comandment from the Lord.
Not long after, he was called as a member of the Twelve, and at the time of his passing President of that Quorum.
