The New York herald., 1874-11-14
New Light on the Mormon
Question.
a True History Of the Horrible Massacre
at Mountain Meadow.
The Mormon Leader Arrested.
Brigham Young and Polygamy
Doomed.
The Mormon Leader Arrested.
AFTER THE PROPHET BRIGHAM WHAT !?

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 8, 1874
You have. no doubt. already been advised by
telegraph Of the arrest Of man by the name OF
John D. Lee In Cedar City, Beaver county, on the
charge OF haTing been the leader in the horrible
Mountain Meadow massacre, the circumstance
regarding which. the readers or the HERALD not,
perhaps, being familiar with, will relate:-
NARRATIVE OF THE MASSACRE.
William H. Rogers, government agent. crossed
the Plains with General Sidney Johnson's army In
1857, in charge OF the treasure train. Rogers
heard OF the terrible massacre at Mountain
Meadow on his way across the Plains. 1t was re-
ported that the emgrants were murdered by
indians. These emigrants were white men,
American citizens OfArkansas. General Algernon
s. Jonnson's army was unable to reach Salt Lake
City In season, and was obliged to encamp
at Fort Brdger for the winter OF 1857 In the
spring or '5S, however, the army marched into
the valley OF the Great Salt Lake. On approach
Ing the valley they were met by Peace Commits.
sioners, sent by our government, who had pre-
ceded the army aud had seen the great Prophet
o! the Latter Day Saints. Terms were made be-
tween General Johnson and the Mormon Prophet
to the eject that the army should not camp with.
In nifty miles OF any Mormon settlement Conse-
quently the army was stationed at what is now
called "Old Camp Floyd" distance OF frty-fve
miles sOuthwestward from Salt Lake City. While
located here Information was received in regard
TO the Mountain Meadow massacre and the
action Of the government at Washington, ap-
propriatng $4,000 for the recovery OF the chill
dren presumed to have been saved from the mas
Bacrc and supposed to be In the hands OF the
Indians. MIR. Rogers, being appointed Indian
agent, was instructed, during the summer OF 1858,
to proceed to the scene OF the massacre and rescue
tho surviving children He took a company or
cavalry and left Camp Floyd for Cedar City, near
the scene OF tile massacre. On arriving on the
ground he found the banes Of a hundred and
thirty human beings, men women unaa children.
In gathering up the remains for burial he dsco7-
cred that large number OF the murdered
persons had been shot through the head
the ball entering the back part OF the
head and coming out at the front. The wolves
ana coyotes had eaten the flesh from the bones.
A two bushel basket or women's hair that was
strewn around among the sage brush was gathered
mp by Mr.. Rogers. 1t might be here stated that
Mountain Meadow is situated twelve miles from
Cedar City, and the samejdstance from temple or
the Latter Day Saints.
THE CHARACTER OF THE MAssACRRD RxlGRANrs
1t appears that in 1s49, upon the excitement
created by the gold discoveries in California,
several pioneers OF Arkansas went to California
In search OF the precious metal. They were very
successful. In the fall OF 1885, with their large ac-
cumuiated gains, they returned to Arkansas for
the purpose Of taking their families and some OF
their relatives to settle In the new El Dorado, In
which they had been 80 fortunate. They purchased
large amount OF bloodcd stock aud fitted out q
train OF about forty wagons. They numbered abo1J
one hundred and forty.six men, women and chill
dren. They were known to be very wealthy
they started across the Plains On arriving at Salt
Lake City they were told ny the Mormons that
mountains by the Old emgrant route. The Nor.
mons assured them that there was
BETTER PASS
by going down through Southern Utah, passing
through Southern Nevada, going over the rauge
Of the mountains ana coming out near Los Ange-
assured the emigrants to he practicable ana SAFE
Placing confluence in the reports and statements
Of the Aormons the emtprants started by the
southern route. Passing down through the set
Elements OF the Latter Day saints unmoested,
they encampe1 at what is known as
MOUNTAIN MEADOW,
little narrow valley dividing the hs and noun;
srass and esutu place. e ca@p sIpp o
did these emgran.s think that this beauti ul spot
would In short time be their sepulchre the
scene OF a Sanguinary massacfe-the worst mas
sacre that we have any record Of IN the history OF
the bloody deeds Of the savages upon the early
story the e inaian %nras1s in s Wyo%ns
valley, which Campbell SO eloquenty depicts,
emigrants. at Mountain Meadow. While en-
camped in this lovely spot they were
. cy' as they Supposed Indians several 81 their
number were wounded. The pioneers, however,
with the handling OF the old Kentucky ride, were
able to keep their assaiiants at long range.
ao o Te Wheels Were sunsen
down to their axletrees. Earthworks were
up on the ntsae Of the
defence. A ditcn was dug IRON this iortincation
to spring near at hand to enable the emigrants
to reach water under cover. For live long days
they were able to sustain themselves here without
any further loss In wounded or killed. Their stock
had been captured and driven OF early In the at
tack. ON the sixth day. early in the morning,
they discovered large body Of men coming up
been done that morning, and no supposed Indians
in sight. white nag was hoisted by the white
men approacniag them @ and these aoGmea na sa, emit
dressed
ABRAUFIFuL YOUNG GIRL
In white and placed her outsae or the fortiflcatlon
once approached. fhey were Mormons--Laltsr
Day Saints--and headed by
JOHN D. LEE,
the man just arrested for criminal participation
Lee told the emigrants tnat there were large
numbers OF Indians IN the hills; but II they tthe
protect them ana take them back to the Mormon
eettlements, they then being 800 miles southwest
After . long parley the emigrants consented to
the proposition Of Lee; 1t may be here remarked
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS IN
GOLD
% which they had procured BY their previous ven ven.
took their arms WITH taem the Indians were IN
sucn great numbers that they would massacre
them. Plumber, said the Mormon CHEF, was all
laid down their arms, taxing Win them such Of
their valuablcs as they could conveniently carry,
and consented to accompany the Mormons back
TO Cedar City-twelve miles. The emigrants
marched out OF their fortncations In the direction
OF the above named place. The Mormons.
HEADED ny LEE,
fell directly In their rear. At this time not an In
dian was In sight, and 200 yards from the wagons
OF the einigrants was ihaugurated the scene Of
this
TERRIBLE DEED.
Ice and his party commenced firing upon the emf.
grants shooting several OF the moss prominent
men through the head on tue FIRST fire. The emf.
grants being entirely unarmed, the sla lighter was
an easy task. After all tue men and most OF the
women had been Killed young lady OF eighteen
summers sprung forward, and. clasplng her hands