Terre Haute Weekly Gazette, Volume 8, Number 35, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 29 March 1877 — Page 6

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•FWURSDAV, MARGW 29, I87?T

John D. Lee was Shot Yesterday at Mountain

Meadows,

Where Twenty Year? Before, He Had Headed a Band, That Murdered la Party of

Emigrants.

His Speech lust Before he was Shot, in Which he Claims he was Innocent of MurJler.

Full Text of His Confession, 4 Wherein he Gives all the Details

of

intend

That Horrid MasJsacre.

All the Leaders of the Mormon Church Charged With the Crime.

SALT LAKE CITY, March 23.—The following is a correct copy of the confession of John D. Lee, carefully compared with the original, penned by Lee since his second trial and his sentence to death. It was written by him without aid or advice, and is now givep without alteration or erasure. Where any interpolation is made, it is distinctly marked. Thedocument WPH received, under ft cloee eeal, from United State# District Attorney Howard, who had received it from John D. Lee, himself, then in the penitentiary, at Halt Lake City, in February, 1877. It is certified to by Mr. Howard as a state ment written by Lee. Mr. Howard hitherto withheld it from publication, hut now, that the prisoner has not escaped the penalty of the law, permits it to be given to the public, as justice cannot be defeated by its ublication:

STATEMENT OF JOHN D.

LEE,

to let the troops into the territory.

He said: "We are going to stand up for our rights, and no longer be imposed upon by our enemies, and I want every man to he on hand, with his gun in good order and his powder dry." He_ instructed the people to part with

nothing

and he told me that a large company of emigrants had gone wnith. 1 hen lived at Harmony, twenty miles south of (dar City I obeyed the gammon-. P.-esiden'. sundown we spent the night in an open hou-e, on some blankets, where we talked almost Ml night. He told me that a company of

I emigrants had pawed through *ome two I a be or re at in with detraction, and that orife of them said he had helped to kill old Joe Stmt and his brother Hiram that other nicor bers of tbe company of emigrants had helped to drive the Moimor* i.a- Mis souri that others had said they had come to help Johnson's army clean the Mormons ont of Utah thai they bad the halters ready to bang old Brigham and Heber, and would have them s-rung up before snow blew) that t.ne of the emigrants called one of his oxen, (a pair of stags),

Brig, and the other. Heber, and that severaf of the emigrants had used all kinds of threa'* profanity. John M. Higbee, city marshal, had informed them that it was a breach of the city ordinance to Ufe profane language, whereupon one of them replied that he did not car*1 a damn for Mormon law*, or the Mormons either that thev had fouirht /heir w%y through the Indian", and would do it throught the damned Mormons, and it their god, old Brigham, and hi* prwsii^ would not sell their provision-, by God they would take what they wanted any way they could gel it that thus raging, one of them let lose his loins whip and killed two chickens and threw them in bia wagon that widow Ev-uis paid, "Gentlemen, the^e are my chicken^please don't kill them I am a poor widow that they ordered her to shut up, or they would blow her damned brains out, etc. that they had been raisin" trouble with all the settlements -and Indians on their way thai we wt-re threatened on the north'by Johnson's army that now our safety depended on prouioi and immediate action that a company of Indians had already gone south

of the facts connected with the Mountain Meadows massacre: In the month of September, 1857, the company of emigrants known as the Arkansas company, arrived in Parowan, Iron county, Utah, on their way to California. At Parowan, young Aden, one of the company, saw and recognized one William Laney, a Mormon resident of Parowan. Aden and his father had rescued Laney from an antiMornjon mob in Tennessee, several years before, and saved his life. He (Laney) at the time he was attacked by the mob, was a Mormon missionary in Tennessee. Laney was glad to see his friend and benefactor, and invited him to his house, and gave him some garden sauce to take back to the camp with him. The panie evening it was reported to Bishop Colonel Dauie that Laney had given potatoes and ouions to tbe man Aden, one of the emigrants. Wnen the report was made to Bishop Dame he raised his hand and crooked his little finger in a significant manner to one Barney Carter, his brother-in-law, and one of the "Angeld of Death." Carter, without another word, walked out, went to Laney's house with along picket in his hand, called Laney out and struck him a heavy blow on the head, fracturing hiB skull, and left him on the ground for dead. C. Y. Webb and Isaac Newman, president of the High Council, both saw Dames' manoeuvres. James McGuffee, then a resident of Parowan, but who, through oppression, has been forced to leave there, Pahranagat ., Nevada, knows these facts. UJjr pMUX VCillg BUUUk uiMvo, About the last of August, 1857, too Iste the attack had been made just aome ten days before the Mountain Mead- before daybreak in the morning, the Inows massacre, a company of emigrants rfians had been repulsed, with one killed passed through Cedar City. George A. and two of their chiefs from Cedar shot Smith, then first counselor of the church, through the legs, breaking a leg for each and Brigham Young's right hand man,

„o9 crossed the mountains by trail, and and is now a merchant in reached the meadows between 9 and 10 Valley, rear Pioche, o'clock in the morning, the distance from my place being about 25 miles, but 1 was

cf

came down to Salt Lake City, preaching rage. I went to some of them that were t® different settlements. I, at that time, in the ravine. They told me to go to was in Washington county, near where the main body, or they would kill me for St. George now stands. He sent for me not coming before the attack was made. I went to him, aid he asked me to take While I was standing there I received a him to Cedar City by way of Fort Clara phot just above tny belt, cutting through and the Pinto settlements, as he was on

business, nnd must vuit all the settlements. We started on our way up through the canyon. We saw large bands of Indians, and he (George A. Smith) remarked to me that these Indians, with the advantage tbey had of the rocks, oould use up a large company of emigrants, or make it very hot lor them. After pausing for a short time, he said to me: "Brother Lee, what do you think the brethren would do if a company of emigrants should come down through here, making threat Don't yon,think they would pitch iitMi mew?" I replied that they certainly would. This seemed to please him, ani he again said to mt: "And vou ready think the brethren would pitch into them?" "I certainly do," was my reply, "and you had better hBtr«ot Colonels Dame and Haight to tend to it that the emigrants are permitted to pass, if you want them to pass unmolested." He continued, "I aslwd Xpaac (meaning Haight) the same question, and he answered me just as you do, apd I expect the boys would pitch into them." I again said to him that he had hetter say to Governor Young that if he Ranted the emigrants to pass without molestation he must instruct Colonel Dame or Major Haight to Chat effect, for if they Were not ordered otherwise, tbey would use them up, by the help of the Indians. He told the people at the Clara sot to sell their grain to the emigrant?, nor to feed it to their animals, as they might expect a big fight next spring with the United States. President Young did not

that would

abstain life. From the 1st to the 11th of September, 1857, a messenger came to me (his name was Sam Wood), and told me that Isaac C. Haight wanted me to ha at Cedar City that evening, without fail (this was on Sunday),

fr"r«

Parwn aad Cedar City, to piirttriw* tinemigrants, who were thm at Mountain Meadows, and liu tvai-ted nie to return home on the mornir ol Sunday, aod send Carl Schutz, Indian interpret* r,from my home in Harmony, to raise the Indians south, at Harmony, Washington and Santa Clara, to join the Indians from the north, and wake an attack upon the emigrant* at the Meadows. I said to him: "Would it nol bi well lo hold a council of the brethren before making a move?" He replied that every true Latter Day 8aint that regarded their covenants, know well their duty, and tbat the oompany of emigrants had forfeited their live* by their acts, and that Bishop Smith, Klingensmith and Joel White had already gone, by way^ of Pinto, to raise the Indians in iliat direction, and those tbat have gone from Parowan and hare will make an attack, and may be repulsed. He said: "We cannot now delay for a c-uncil of the brethren. Upturn immediately and stop Carl Shurtz tell him that I ordered you to tell h:m to go and I want you to try and get there before the attack is made, and make a plan for the Indians, and 1 will send Nepbi Johnson, the interpreter, to the Meadows as soon'as he can be got, to help Cat 1 Schnrtz manage the Indians," I did just as I was ordered. The Indians from tbe north, aad about Harmony, had already started for the Meadows before I reached home. Schurtz started immediately to do his part. I arrived at heme in the night, and remained till morning. I thought over the matter, and the morel thought, the more my feelings^ revolted against such a hcrrid deed. Sleep bad fled from me. I talked to my wife, Rachel, about it. She felt as I did about it, and advised me to let them do their own dirty work, and said if things did no just to suit them, blame would be laid -i me. She never did believe in blood atonement, and said it was from the devii, and that she would rather break such a covenant, if she had to die for so doing, than to live and be guilty of doing such An act. I finally concluded I would go that I would start dayhreak in the morning, and try to get there before the attack was made on the company, and use my influence with the Indians to let them alone. I

them. The Indians were in a terrible

PUV» W my clothes to the skin some six inches across. The Indians with whom I wai talking lived with me at Harmony. I was an Indian farmer. They told me 1 was in danger, and to get down into the ravine. I saw it was impossible for me do anything there, and I dare not ven ture to the camp, or to the emigrants, without endangering my life. I mounted my horse and started south to meet Carl fichurU. I travelled 16, miles, and stopped on the Megatsy to bait my animal, there was good grass and winter, and I had rode it over 40 miles without eating or drinking. This is the place where Tobin met his assassinators. About sunset I saw Shurtz and some 10 or 15 white men and about one hundred and fifty Indians. We camped. During the night the Indians left for the Medowa and reported to the men what had taken place. They attacked the emigrants again about sunrise next morning, which was Tuesday, and had one of their number killed and several wounded. With white men, I reached the Meadows about one o'clock p. m. On the way we meta small band of Indians returning, with some eighteen or twenty head of cattlfe. One of the Indians was wounded in the shoulder. They told me the Indians were encamped east of the emigrants, at seme springs. On our arrival at the springe we found about 200 Indians, among whom were two wounded chiefs, Mogneetas and Bill. The Indians were in a high state of excitement, and had killed many cattle and horses belonging to the company. I counted sixty head near Aheir encampment, that they had killed, in revenge for wounding their men. By the assistance of Oscar Hamblin, brother of Jacob Hamblin, and Shurtz, we succeeded in getting the Indians to desist from killing any more stock that night. The company of emigrants had corralled all their wagons but one for better defense. This corral was about one hundred yards above the springs.

anma

inches

This they did to get away frcm the ravine south, the better to defend themselves. Attacks were made from south

THE TERRE HAUTE WEEKLY GAaciXXJi.

of the ravine, and from the rocks on the west. Tbe attack was renewed that rrighftfcf »bw Indians in jpiteof aU we could do to prevent it. Whew the- attack commenced Oscar Hamblin, Win. Young and my»elf started to go to the Indianwhen opposite the corral on the north, bullets came around us like a shower of hail. We had two Indians with us. They threwjf themselves fiat on the ground to protect themselves from the bullets. 1 stood erect and asked iny Father in heaven to protcct me from the mi-Biles of death, and enable xe to reach the Indians. One ball parsed through my hat the h«r of my hc*dfc and another through my shirt, grazing my arm near the shoulder. A most hideous yell of Indians commenced the cries and shrieks of women and children so overcame me that I forgot my danger, rushed through the fire to tbe Indians, and pleaded with them in tears to desist. I told them that tbe Great Spirit would be angry with them for killing women and little children. They tola me to leave,or they would serve me in the same way, and that I was not their friend, but the friend of their enemie* that I vas a squ&sv, and did not hav the heart of brave, and that I could not see bloodshed without crying like a baby, and called me cry-baby, and by that name I aw known by all the Indians to thi* day. I owe my life on that occasion to O^csr Hamblin, wh* was a missiontiry' with the Indians, and had much influence with the Santa Clara Indiana they were the ones that wanted to kill me. Hamblin shamed them, and*called them dogs and wolves for wanting to shed the blood of their father, (myself,) who had fed and clothed them. We finally got them to return to the camp, where we would hold a council that I would send for the big captains to come and talk we told them they had puniehed the emigrac-ts eaough, and maybe th«y had killed nearly all of them we told them that Biahop Dame and President Haight would come, and maybe th«*y would give them part of the can le and let the company go with the teams. In this way w*coun-elfd them to suspend hostilities /or the present. The two that had been with Hamtdin and myself the night before, s*id they had Been two men on horse-back come out of the emigrants' camp, under full speed, and that they went towards Cedar City, Wednesday morning. I asked the man —think his name was Edward*—to go to Cedar City and say to Fre*ident Haight, for God's sake, for my sake, and for the sake of suffering humanity to send out meu to rescue that company. This day we all lay still, waiting orders. Oceasionally a few of the Indians withdrew, taking a few head of animals with them. About noon I crossed the valley north of the corral, thinking to examine tbeir location from the west range. The company recognized me as a white wan, and sent twe little boys, about four years old, to meet me. I hid from them, fearing the Indians, who discovered the children. I called the Indians, who wan-ed my gun and ammunition to kill them. I prevailed with them to let the children go back to the camp, which they very soon did when they saw the Indians. I crossed up behind some rock on the west range, where I had a full view of the corral. In it they had dug rifle pita the wheels of their wagon* w«re chained together, and the only show for the Indians was to starve them out, or shoot them as they went for water. I lav there some two hours aud contemplated their situation, and wept like a child. When I returned to cam$ some,six or eight men had come from Cedar city, Joel White, Wm. C. 8tewart, and Elliott C.

Weldon weramon the number, but they had no orders they had come merely to see how things were. The Meadows are about fifty miles from Cedar city. Thursday afternoon a messenger from Cedar city returned. He said President Haight had gone to Parowan to coufer with Col. Dame, and a company of men and an order would be sent on to-morrow (Friday) that up to the time he left, the council had come to no definite conclusion. During this time the Indians and men were engaged in boiling beef and making their hide* up into lassos. I had flattered myself that bloodshed wa« at an end. After the emigrants saw me cross the valley they hoisted a white flag in the midst oi their corral. Friday afternoon four wagons drove up with armed men. When they saw the white flag in the corral they raised one also, but drove lo the springs, wh'ere we were, and took refreshments, after which a council meeting was called, of presidents, bishops and other church ofheera and members of the high council, societies, high prieats, etc. Mfjor John M. Hicbee, presided as chairman. Several of the dignitaries bowed in prayer and invoked the aid of the holy spirit to prepare their minds and guidh them to ue right and carry oat the counsels of their leaders Higbee said that the president, J. C. Haight, had been to Parowan to confer with Col. Dane, and their counsel and orders were that this emigrant camp must be used up. I replied: "Men, women and children?" "All," said he, "except such as are too young to tell tales, and if the Indians cannot do it without help, wenuat help them." I commenced pleading for I the company, and I said: 'Though som« of then* have behaved badly, they have been pretty well chastised. Mr policy would be to draw off the Indians, let them have a portion of the looee cattle, and withdraw with them under promise that they would not molest the company any more that the oompany would then have teams enough to take them lo California. I told them that this oourse could not bring them into trouble." Higbee aaid "White men have interposed, and the emigrants know, and there lies the danger of letting them gd." I said. "What white man interfered?" He replied that in the attack on Tuesday night, two men broke out of the crowd and started for Cedar City on horseback that they were met at Richeye Spring by Stewart, Joel White and another man, whose name has passed from me. Stewart asked the, two men their names, whta they met at the spring, and being told in reply, by on of tbe men, that his name was Aden, and that the other was a Dutchman front the emigrants' company, Stewart shoved a pistol to Aden's breast and killed him, paying, "Take that, damn you." The other man, the Dutchman, wheeled to leave as Joel White fired and wounded him. I asked him how he knew the wounded Dutchman got back to the emigrants' camp. He said because he was tracked back, and they knew he was there. I again said that it was better to deliver the man to them and let them do as thev wished with him, and tell them we did" not approve of such things. Ira

Allen, high counsellor, and Robert Wiley, and others spoke, reproving me sharply

'V- AP 1 "re a-lSwl* i$i

for trying to dictate to the prieethood that it would set at naught all authority that he would not grve the lift of of otar brethren for a thousand sdcl) persons. "Ifweletthem go,"hecontiued,"tney will raira hell in California, and the result will be that our wives and children will have to be butchered, and ourselves loo, and they are no better to die than ours, and I am surprised to hear Brother Lee talk as he doee and as he has always been considered one of the staunchest in the church, now is the first to shrink from bis duty. I said "Brethren, the Lord must harden my beart before I can do such a thing. Allen said "It is not wicked to obey the council." At this junction I withdrew and walked off some 50 pacea and prostrated myself on the ground and w*pt in the bitter anguish of my soul, and asked the Lord to avert that evil. While in that situation Counselor C- Hopkins, a near friend of mine, came to we anil »*id* "Brother Lee, come, get up, anddon'i draw off from the priesthood. You ought not to do so you are only endangering your own life by standing out you can't help it,if this is wiong the blame will not rest on you. I paid, "Charley, this is the worst move this people ever made I feel it." He osid, "Come, go back, aod let them have their way." I went back, weeping like a child, and took my place and tried to be itilcnt, and was until Higbee said they (the emigrants) must be decoyed out through pretended friendship. I could no longer hold my peace, and said I, "Joseph Smith said that God hated a traitor, and so do I. Before I would be a traitor I would rather take ten men, and go to that camp and tell them they must die, and now to defend them«elyes, and give them a chance for their lives. That would be more honorable than to betray them, like Judas." Here I got other reproofs, and was ordered to hold my peace.

The plan agreed upon there was to meet them with a flag of truce tell them^ that the Indians were determined on their destruction that we dared not oppose the Indians, for we were at their mercy that the best we could do for them (the emigrants) was to get them, and what few trap* we could take in wagon*, to l«y their arms in tbe bottoms of the wagons and cover them up with bed clothes, and start for the settlement as soon as possible, and trust themsel re* in our hands. The small children ana woanded were to go with the two wagons the women to follow the wagons, and tbe men next the troops to stand in readiness on the east side of the road, ready to receive them. Schurtz and Nepbi Johnson were to conceal the Indians in the brush and rocks till the company was strnag eut on the road to a certain point,

arms,

aat)

at the

watch-word "Halt! Do your duty," each man was to cover his victim and fire. Johnson and Shurta were to rally the Indiana and rush upon and dispatch the women and larger children. It_ was farther told the men that President Haight said that if we were faithfalin carrying out instructions we would all receive a celestial reward. I said I was willing to put up with a less reward if I could be excused. "How can you do this without shedding innocent blood?" Here I got another lam-, pooning for my stubbornnew and disobedience to the priesthood. I was told that there was not a drop of innocent blood in tbe whole company of emigrants. They also referred to the Gentile nations who refused the children of Israel passage through their country when MOMS led then put of Egypt, tbat the Lord held that crime against them, and when Israel waxed strong the Lord commanded Joshua to slay the whole nation, men, women and children? Have not these people done worse than that to us? Have they not threatened to murder our leaders and prophet, and have they not boasted of murdering ourpatriarch and our prophet, Joseph and Hiram? Now talk about shedding innocent blood. They said I was a good, liberal, free-hearted man, but too much of this sympathy would be always in the way that every man now had to show his colors that it was not Bafe to have a Judas in camp. Then it was proposed that every man express himself that if there was a man who would not keep a close mouth, they wanted to know it. Then this gave me to understand what I might expect if I continued to oppose. Major Higbee said "Brother Lee is right let him take an expression of the people. I knew I dare not refuse, so I had every man speak and expres-i himself. All said they were willing to carry out the counsel of their leaders that the leaders had the spirit of God, and knew better what was right than they did. They then wanted to know my feelings. I replied: "I have already expressed them every eye was upon me as I paused "but,"' said I, "you can do as you please I will not oppose yon any longer?" "Will you keep a close mouth?" was the question. "I will try," wae mj answer. I will here say that the fear of offending Brigham Young and George A. Smith had saved my life. I was near being blood-atoned, in person, inder I. C. L. Smith, in 1854. but of this I have spoken in my autobiography. Saturday morning all was ready, and every man was assigned to his post of daty. During the night, or rather jnit before daylight, Johnson and Shurta ambushed tneir Indians the better to deceive the emigrants. About 11 o'clock in the morning the troops under Maior Higbee took their position on the road. The white flag was still kept up in the corral. Higbee called William Bateman, of the ranks, to take the flag of trace to Ihe corral. He was meta boat half way by another white flag from the emigrants' camp. They hM a talk. The emigrant was told that we had come to rescue them if they would trust ns.' Both men with flags returned to their respective places and reported, and were to meet again and bring word. Higbee called me out to go and inform th*»m the conditions, and, if accepted, Dan McFarland, brother to John McFarland, lawyer, who acted as aid-de-camp, would bring back word, and then two wagons would be sent for the fire­

children, clothing, etc. I obeyed, and the terms proposed were accepted, but sot without distrust.

My labors were here done. I had as little to say aa possible, in fact, my tongue refused to perform its office. I sat down on the ground in the corral, near where some young men were engaged in paying last respects to some person who had just died of a wound. A large fleshy old 1 »dy came to me twice and talked while I sat there. She related their troubles, and said that seven of their number

were

killed and forty-seren wounded, on the first attack that several had died sinoe: She asked me if I was an Indian agent? I said, "in one sense I am, as the government has appointed me farmer to the Indians" I told her this to satisfy her. 1 heard afterwards that the same ane'&tion was asked, and answered in the yr*siW4:v- ••.*:»«« n-vv- •. S} v-. (,* A

V-

"i ,A' Ks* 4"

same manner by McFarland, who had been sent by Higbee to the corral to hurtf toe up, for iear that the Indians would tome back and be ppon them. .When all was ready, Samuel McMardy, counsellor to Bishops P. K. Smith and Klingensmith, drove out in the lead: his wagon had the seventeen children, clothing and arms. Samuel Knight drove the other team, with five wounded men and one boy aoout fifteen years old. I walked behind the front wagon to direct the course and shun being in the heat of the slaughter but this I kept to myself. When got ttfrned fairly to the east I motioned to Samuel McMurdy to «steer north, across the valley. I at the same time, told the women, who were next to the wagon to follow the road up to the troops which they did. Instead of raying to McMurdy not to drive so fast, as he swore to on my trial, I said to the contrary, to drive on, as my aim was to get out of sight before the firing commenced, which we did. We were about half a mile ahead of the company when we heard the first firing. We had drove over a ridge of rolling ground and down on a low flat. The firing was simultaneous along the whole line. The moment the firing commenced McMurdy halted and lied his lines across the rod of his wagvin box stepped down coolly with a double-bar-relled shot gun walked back to Knight's wagon, who had wounded men and was about twenty feet in the rear. As he raised his piece he said: "Lord my God, receive tbeir spirits, it is for the kingdom of heaven's sake that we do thi«." fired, and killed two men. Samuel Knight had a muzzle loading rifle, and he shot »nd killed the three men, and then struck the wounded boy on the head, who fell dead.

In the meantime, I drew a five shooter from my belt, which accidentally went off, cutting across McMurdy's buckskin pants in front, below the crotch. Mc Murdy said: "Brother Lee, you are excited take things cool. You was near killing me look where the ball cut," pointing to a place 'in his pants. At this moment I heard the •cream of a child 1 looked UP. and saw an Indian have a little boy by tbe hair, dragging him out of the hind end of a wagon, with a knife in his hand, getting rerdy to cut his throat. I sprang for the Indian with my revolver in hand, and ahouted at the top of my voice, ''Arick oomacot too sooet," (stop, you fool). The child was terror-stricken his chin was bleeding, and I supposed it was cat with the knife, but afterware learned that it was done Dy the wagon box, as the Indian yanked the boy down by the hair of the head. I had no sioner rescued this child than another Indian aeized a little girl by the hair. I rescued her. Soon as I could speak I told tbe Indians they must .not hurt the children that I would die before they shonld be hurt tbat we would bny the ohildren of them. Before this titue the Indians bad pushed up around the wagon in quest of blood, and dis-

En

atched the two remaining wounded men. justice to my statement, I would say that if my shooter had not prematurely exploded I would have had a hand in dispatching the five wounded men. I had lost control of myself, and scarce knew what I was about. I saw an Indian pursae a little girl, who was fleeing he caught her about one hundred feet from the wagon, and plunged his knife throagh her. 1 said to McMurdy he had better drive the children to Hamblin's ranche, and give'them some nourishment, while I would go down and get my horse at the camp. Passing along the road Iaaw the dead strung along for a distance of about half a mile. Women and children were killed by the Indians. I saw Schurtz With the Indians, and no other white man with them. When I came to the men they lay about a rod apart. Here I came up with Higbee, Bishop Smith and the rest of the company. As I came up Higbee said to me, "Let us search these persons for valuables, and asked me to assist him gave me a hat to hold. Several men were already engaged in searching the bodies. I replied that I was unwell and wanted to get upon my horse and go to the ranch and nurse myself. My request was granted. Reaching Hamblin's ranch, being heart sick and worn out, I lay down un my saddle blanket and slept, and knew but little of what passed during the night. About day break in the morning I heard the voices of Colonel Dame and Isaac C. Haight. I heard some very angry words pass between tbem which drew my attention. Dame said he would have to report the destruction of the emigrant camp And company. Haight said it was an Indian massacre. Dame said he did not know so well about that. This reply seemed to irritate Haight, who spoke quite loudly, saying "How the hell can you report it any other way without implicating yourseif." At this, Dame lowered his voice almost to a whisper could not understand what he Baid, and the conversation slopped. I got up, saw the children, and among others, the boy who waa pulled tfy tbe hair of his head out of the wagon by an Indian, and paved by me. That boy I took home and kept him at home until Dr. Forney, government agent, came to gather up the children and take tbem east. He took the boy with the others. That boy's name was Wm. Fancher hie father was captain of the train he w** taken east and adopted by man in Nebraska named Richard Sloan. He remained several years and then returned to Utali and is now a convict in the Utah peniitentiarv, having been convicted for the crime of highway robbery. He, is now known by tbe name of Idaho Bilf, but his true name is Yfm. Fancher. Hia little sister was also taken east .and is now the wif* of a man working for the Union Pacfic railroad companyi near Green river. The boy, now a man, has yet got a scar ea bis chin, caused by the cut on tbe wagon box &oee who are curious enough to examine will find a large scar on the ball of hia left loot, caused by a deep cut made by an ax while he was with me. I got breakfast that morning, then all hands returned to the eeene of the slaughter to bury the dead. The bodies were all in a nude state the Indians, through the night, had stripped them of every vestige ot clothing. Many of the parties were laughing and talking as they carried the bodies to the ravine for buried. They were just covered over little, but did not long remain ao, for the wolves dug them up, and after eating the flesh from the bones, laid upon the ground until buried, some time after, by the government military officers. At tbe_ time of burying the bodies, Dame and Height got into another quarrel. Dame seemed to be terror stricken, and again said he would have to publish it. They were about two pases from me. Dame spoke low, as if careful to avoid being heard. Height spoke loud, and said, "You know you counselled it, and ordered me to "I ''-tf'i. 'inr?.

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have them used up." Dame aaid, "I did not think there were so many women and chidren. I thought there were nerely all kill by Indiana.". Height wad,.4:It late in the day for you {ooack water. You know you ordered aid counselled it, and no* vou want to back out." Dame said, "Hafe you papers for that," or, "Show me the papen for that." This enraged Haight to the highest pitch, and Dame walked off. Haight said, "Youi throw the blame of this thing on me, and I will be revenged upon you if I have to meet you in hell to get it." From thin plaoe we rode to the wagons. We found them stripped of their covers and every particle of clothing, even the feather beds bad be»n ripped open and tbe contents turned out upon the ground looking for plunder. I recrossed the mountains by the Indian trail, taking my little Indian boy with me on my house, gathering up the property and cat-

1

tie which was left charge of Bishop P. K. Smith. The testimony of Smitn in regard to the property, and the disposition of it, was very nearly correct. I m'lKt not forget to state that after the attack, a messenger, by name of James Haslem, was Bent with a dispatch to President Brigham Young, asking his advice about interferring with the company, bnt he did not return in time. This I had no knowledge of until the massacre was committed. Some two weeks after the deed was done. Inaac C. Haight sent me to report to Governor Young in person. I asked him why he did not send a written report? He replied that I could tell him more satisfactorily than Ee could write, and would stand up and shoulder as much of the responsibility as I could conveniently that it would be a feather in my cap sjtne day, and thet I would get celestial salvation, but that the man who shrank from it now would go to Hell. I *ent and did as I was commanded. Brigham asked me if Isaac C. Haight had written a letter to him. I replied, "Not by me. But," I said, "he wishes me to report in person." "A' 1 right "said Brigham, "were ^ou an eye witnesa?" "To the most of it," was "my reply. Then I proceeded, and gave him a fuli history of all, except that of my opposition that I left out eniirely. I told him ot the killing of the women and children, and the betraying of the company. That, I told him, I was opposed to, but I did not say t« him lo what extent I was opposed to it, only that I was opposed to sheading innocent blood. "Why," said he, "yo« differ from Isaac Haight, for he said there was not a drop of innocent blood in the whole company." When I waa throagh, he said it was awful, that he cared nothing about the men, but the women and children was what troubled him. I said, "President Young, you should eithei re lease men from their obligations, or sustain them when 'hey do what, they have entered into the most sacred obligation to do." He replied, "I ill think over the matter, and make it the subject of prayer, and you may come back in the morning and see me." I did so. He said, "John, I feel first rate. I asked the Lord, if it waa all right for that deed to be done, to take away the vision of the deed from my mind, and the Lord' did so, and I feel first rate. It is all right. The only feir I have is of traitors." He told me never to lisp it to any mortal being, not even to Brother Heber. President Young has alwaya treated me with the friendsnip of a father since, and has sealed several women to me since, and has made my home hia home when in that part of the territory, until danger has threatened him. Thia is a true statement, according to tbe beat of my recollection. [Signed] JOHN D. LIE.

THE EXECUTION.

SAM LAKE CITY, March 23.—At 11 a. m., precisely, Lee was brought out upon the scene ef tbe massacre at Mountain Meadows, before the executing party, and seated on his coffin, about twenty feet from the shooters. After the order of the court was re4d to him and the company present, he made a speech of about five hundred words, bitterly denouncing Brigham Young, and calling himaelf a scapegoat for Ine sina of others. He hoped that God would be merciful denied that he was gailty of bloodshed te the last, and maintained that his mission to thti Meadows was one of mercy. After the speech Parson Stokes, a Methodist, made a prayer, commendidg the soul of the condemned man to God. Immediately after this the handkerchief frae placed over Lee's eyes, he raised hia hands, placed them on top of hia bead, sitting firm, Nelson giving the word fire, and exactly at 11 o'clock, fif* gtiina fired, penetrating the body in thf regiott of the heart Lee fell square back apoa hia coflin, dead. Death was instantaneous. The body was placed in the cofiiif and the crowd dispersed. There were about seventy-five persons, all told, on the ground, net a child or relative of Lee's being there. The best of order prevailed, and all pronounced the execution a success. Lee's last words to Nelaoa were, "Aim at my heart." The body ia now passing to be given to relativea at Cedar City.

After Mershal Nelson concluded readind the order of eonrt, at 10:31 a. m., hrf aaked Lee if he had anything to say before the execution was carried into effect. Lee aaid I wish to see that man, (pointing to Mr. Fennemore, who was fixing his canvass near by to take I«e's photograph proceeding I be shooting.) calling to tbe artist, Fennemore replied, "In a second Mr. Lee," and waiting till the artist asserted his readiness to listen, Lee said: "I want to ask you a favor I want you to furnish my three wives each a copy the photograph (meaning the one being taken)- A copy of tbe aame to Rachel A., Sarah C. and Emma B. Mr Howard responded for the artist: "He says he will do it, Mr. Lee." Lee repeated the names over again carefully, saying: 'Please forward them. You will."

HIS LAST WORDS.

He then arese and said: "I have but little to say thia morning, of course. I feel that I am upon the brink of etenuty, and the solemnity of eternity should reat upon my mind at the present. I have made out, or endeavored to do so, a manuscript and an abridged history of *aj life. Thia will be published, sir. 1 have given my viewa and feeUings with regard to all these things. 1 feel resigned to my fate I feel as calm as a summer morning: I have done nothing wrong my conscience is clear before God and man, I am ready to meet my redeemer. This it ia that pleases me upon thfs fieid. I am not an infidel I have uot denied God or hia mercy I am a

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