New-York tribune., 1872-09-14
MORMON MURDERERS.
THE MOUNTAIN MEADOW MAssACRE-AN EX-
BISHOPS CONFESSION.

q
BISHOPS CONFESSION.
SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 13.-The subjoined
affidavit in fuby OF the least guilty among the parc
Ipaters I'm the affair." shows concusveIy that the terrible
Mountain Meadow massacre the act OF the Mormon
authorities IL will be remembered that large company
OF grants their way to California are known TO
have been all killed, with the exception of the young
children. When their massacre was discovered the
Msmons set aoa the story that they had perished by
the hands Of the Indians, but from time to time circum
santial evidence has appeared indicating that they
were murdered In cold blood by the MOrmOns In revenge
for previous Outagcs upon the latter perperated in
Illinois and Missouri. competent witness now says
under oath that the Mormon militia attacked the emf
grants and after fight OF several days without result
sent flag Of truce Offering them protection II they
would lay down their arms. The terms being complied
with the entire party was buchered by their captors
The affidavit is as follows:
STATE Of Heada County Of Lncora Personally appeared before
me- Ieier a eIk Of ourt OF the Seventh Judicial District OF
the state Of Nevada Philip Kngon Smith who being duly sworn on
s oath, '1{, Ny name is i6g kHgo3 smith reside & ~ the
M @ @IOIH % ] lSH we Isino o' .n & Gm % A. 81 ~ G s 70 a.
Wo9i6 s =. 1 SI o o Of a ab % hRs Rsa bT 'oS mai e
lauy OF mganis It's from Salt Lake City bound for Cali
Bai,s on % c.oT % Amer said company had e Cedar CITY 5S the
against them Said call regular military cal from the superior Of
cers the subordinate officers anu phts Of the regiment at Cedar
time d Blop Of he Church OF u chd,t Of Latter bay SAINTS at
Cedar City and the southern settlement said Territory Ny
Dame President Church at Plrosan in County
Hight was as Of said regiment ssd John Lee Hs
said Iron County major OF said regiment said regiment
s prepared oI aed operaon had 10 command nor once n sd
petition which resulted said npan being massaed At the Noun
psy Of % d @ CEDAR n hs Uooa llo Of S aid g Se s them
mustered Cedar City took its line Of march in pursuit Of them
C. Hght expressed desire that sad company might
e @sd pass on their way in peace bat Afterwards ne tod me
grants except the little children do lot know whether said head
Gaais Gaas ti' Of the a sa I,fe c
When the said ha got to Iron Greek about 20 miles from
through Sc6 sad company Would pass for The purpose influencing
asLe obtained permission q said White with him and aid him
three miles from Cedar City, Major John Lee asked
going replied that pyent the
ahF the '"''n'' Lee ''Pn'd have something 10 say O''
Lee vas @ & Te on A. way PS PI Ge me fsis & G Ooa one
night and the next day returned TO Cedar CITY, meeting s company
Allen who told Us that passed devong said company
o A s 9f L.. % sa c sS ety. Io . that e
Ssst e oa mo, Ssfn AZ 3 n T r o out Capt
John NJ Highly who ordered me muster armed and equipped as
and mustered with the reinforcing troops It was at this tune mat
s n Su m e s Children IL % f 5 company we're 70 be & Said
Haght had that time Just At sheIs
PaIOrsH that az which were present Cot Dame Lieut. eat
Col l. C. Hsght and Major John D. Lee. The result oi hs
S.ef Soe airesdv adv stated The sors,si
a05 Zee s S. Srs A. from tns we're to R tie erre CON-
SAYING n a i be Sn ehn Vas not n the ranks at that tine
ut on one % talking sade and could have
papr hands Said Lee then sent flag Of truce into the
camp offering said that # they lay down their arms
them" They accordingly laid down their came
out from cAnp and delivered themselves 70 said Lee The
then by the order Of said Lee separated rom
The marched ahead Of the Aer said emran had
shoot them that time said Lee the head Of the column
did hear lee give the order to ire but hear
officers passed down the column Ibe
mgrants then and there shot down, except seven
teen little ehli-eu Immediately took into charge 20 not
ns the Of said company, did not 10 count the
deaf Immediately little chen in baggage wagons belonging
10 the regiment and them Hamns Ranch aud iron there 70
Cedar and procured them homes among the people JOhn wins
evening of the massacre W. H. Dame and Lieut. Col liaigh
came 10 Hamn had the said children and fell into dispute
In which said Hagh told Col Dame that he was gong 70
report killing Of said emgran be shOud not have orded
two weeks sfer occurred said Major Lee who also
Indian Agnt Salt Lake City, and as believe, reported SAID
the Commander vas not present al
ether OF the before mentioned councils, nor at any eoun
said | orders except those con
saving the children and those ae the massacre ha
bishop aud not 10 military
othe firing of the t yoey discharged ny piece
e the delivered set about saving the cden
eommenced the Children before the hng had ceased
before the above entitled Court Tor
would be asnatet should attempt
10 MAZE The same before the Territory Of Utah After said
Lee returned Lake City ssioresad said Lee told me That be
ba reported President (meaning the COMMANDER In Ce
e 6t Meadows and the killing Of said emgran Brig
hs,n militia
the Terrory OF Utah. And further depOnent saith not
'Ns ~ PHuIP kLISGON SMITH
Subscribed before this 10th day Of April D. l
r. B. MILLER, County Clerk
The authenticity of this affidavit is fully certified to by
ChefJustlce Mexican aud Associate justice Stilckahu
of the Supreme Court of Utah Territory.