Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-04-10

THE MOUNTAIN MEADOW MAsSACRE.-Ihe
Salt Lake Valley Tan, of February 29th, con-
tains statement from VIM. b. Rogers, in regard
to the massacre at Mountain Meadows, in Sep
tember, 1867, when 100 men, women and chill
dren, emigrants from Arkansas, were murdered
by Mormons. In company with Dr. Forney,
Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Utah Terri
tory, Mr.. Rogers, about year since, traversed
the district of country where the massacre oc
Cured. The scene of the tragedy is thus de-
scribed: k efN ~AA4A
when we arrived here in April, 1859, more
than year and half after the massacre occur
red, the ground, for distance more than hun
dreG yards around central point, was covered
with the skeletons and bones of human beings,
interspersed in places with rolls or lunches of
tangled or matted hair, which, from it's length,
ssi emily belonged to females. In places the
ocres of small children were lying side by side
vii" Ii Sc of grown persons, as it parent and
child met death at the same instant and
with the same stroke Small bonnets and dress
es, and scraps of female apparel were also to be
seen in places on the ground there, like the bones
of those who wore them, bleached from long
exposure, but their shape was in many instan-
ces, entire In gulch or hole in the ravine by
the side of the road, a large number Of leg and
arm bones, and also of skulls, could be seen
|
buried there, but the action of the water and
digging of the wolves had again exposed them
to sight. The entire scene was one too horrible
and sickening for language adequately to de,
scribe"
| On the authority of information communicate
ed in his presence to Judge Cradlebaugh, by 6
participant in the massacre, Mr. Rogers describes
the attack on the emigrants, the protracted
siege which they endured, and finally the treach.
erous artifce By which they were induced te
surrender-when all were hrutay murdered
This man stated that Mormon council had SEM
out a party, disguised as Indians, to waylay the
emigrants. The latter fortified themselves al
we'll as they could behind their wagons, and the
attack continued in an irregalar manner for foul
} or five days. The emgrants suffered greatly fol
wait of water-if they attempted to go to The
spring, WHICH was only few yards distant, they
were sure to be shot down. The assaiants f.
nally resorted to treachery. Removing theil
disguise, Bishop Lee, with part of his men, re-
!, turned to the camp, bearing white flag. Lee
told the emigrants that the Indians had gone of
over the hills, and that if they would lay dowr
their arms and give Up theiE property, he sns
his party would conduct them back to Ceda!
City but If they went out with their arms, the
Indians would look upon 1t as an untrtendly act
, and would again attack them. The emigrants
trusting to the sincerity of his statement con
scented to the terms which he proposed. After
they had proceeded about mile on thsir way
on signal given by Bishop Highly, who was one
of the party with Lee, the slaughter began. The
{ men were mostly killed or shot down at the
first fire, and the women and children who i'm
mediately fled in different directions, were quick
ly pursued and dispatched.