The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-04-22

rose to the height of about sixty feet and
here was found the only spring in the
meadows. On this spot about thirty feet
from the spring, the emigrants camped.
After prayers TO their Almighty God for
their deIiveraDce from sickness and star
vatIon, the emigIants sought relief from
their worldly troubles in the repose of
sleep.
the next morning, at the dawn of
light, Monday, Sept. Z, 1857, they were
awakened with horror at the roar and
raule OF muskesry. A few volIeys, and
the hiring comparatively ceased, and
when the smoke had cleared away il was
found that six emigrants had been XII led
ED thirteen woundrd-all males. I'm
mediateiy the entire camp was aroused,
and with q remarkable presence of mind
the wagons were wheeled into line, and
in a very short time sufficient earthwork
was thrown up to form an almost inn
penetfable barricade. For six days and
seven nights was this siege kept up, and
during this time only fifteen emigrants
were illed and about dozen wounded
Only three Mormons were wounded
n ne killed. OF the emigrants, several
of those who were killed and wounded
had at the time intrusted themselves
without the barricade to OBJ ain water
from the adjacent spring. which was Gov
cred by Mormon sharpshooteIs. Nearly
dying from thirst, woman boldly ven
tured out, thinking they would hardly
harm her. she Immediately was shot
dead. Every effort TO obtain water from
the spring, either by day or by night,
was met by volley of bullets from the
ambushed sharp hooters. AS last re-
sort, as an appeal for mercy, two little
girls, under six years of age, were clothed
in pure white, and, hand-in- hand, they
started to the spring. Almost immedi-
ately tney fell-their innocent little
bodies riddled with bullets.
Prayers for mercy having failed, and
the cruel slaughter still continuing un-
sbated. on the evening of the fourth day
tie emigrants drew up petition, ad-
dressed to the friends of humanity every
where, stating their perilOus situation,
and asking for immediate assistance.
Attached to this petition were the names
of the emigrants, their place of nativity,
age, occupation, religion and names of
the society orders of which they were
members. The list of killed and wound
ed was also included.
l. was proposed to send this document
TO 6alfornia-aDout 200 miles distant
the nearest place from whence aid could
be expected. Three emIgrants, whose
bravery is honored though their names
are unknown, volunteered to undertake
the peri.ous journey. That night, mount
ed on the swiftest horses in the camp,
they run the blockade" and on the
wings of the wind sped on their journey
of hope and safety.
Evhan..oI a,
acutely suffering from extreme thirst,
the emigrants, on the seventh day of the
siel e, entertained terms of capitulation,
and thus virtually signed their own death
warrants. An emigrant train was espied
in the distance bearing a white fiag-the
symbol of truth. The women and chill
dren cried for Joy, and the emigrants be-
| iieved their deliverauce and safety was
at hand-rescue had come from an IN
! known and unexpected source. 1t was
| but decoy.
The emigrants of course ceased firing
AID a delegation was sent out to meeI
| their supposed friends-who proved tC
| be no other than MAJOR" John d. Lee
| and a few United States militia officers
with the Nauvoo Legion in the distance
flying the American flag. Seeing once
more the stars and stripes, and know
ing that Brigham Young was Governor
of the Territory and commander of the
militia, notwithstanding the presence Of
Lee, the emigrants suspected no treach
| cry and felt that their hour of delivery
from the murderous siege by the "In
didns" was at hand
With sympathetic tears Lee listened
to their suferings and offered them pro
lection flom the Indians" if possible
if they would continue on their journey
and promise not to further modest the
Indians. OF course this offer was gladly
accepted by the defenseless emigrants
Lee retired from the camp, under the pre-
tense of holding council with the In
dians. He soon returned, again be rims
aloft the white flag, and informed the
emgrans the Indians were very 10th tC
make any terms of peace, but finally con
sented to their departure if the emigrart!
would surrender their arms. FOOLISH,
! they gave to their execuIioners ther
| rifles, revolvers and ammunition, ane
willingly marched OUT of their only plac,
of safety TO be mercilessly shot dow
like cattle in a slaughter-pen. Abpu
fifty armed militia under John ID. LIE,
| were drawn up as a guard of safety a
the entrance of the emigrants' camp
Between this guard of soldiers, facing il
open rank, the now uDarmed mel
marched out from behind their defenses
the women came next and the childl e.
| followed lastly. The separation of tn
men and women was a preconcerted al
rangement made by their captors IN orde
to better carry out their tiendish designs
The procession of death had reaches
only about 100 yards when it was halle,
and John ID. Lee, an officer under tn
United States Government and a Mao
OF the Territorial militia, gave the order
Make ready, aim, fire!' which was sim
ultaneously repeated by the other officer
down the line. With agonizing shrek
and piteous appeals to Heaven for mere,
men, women and children in all parts o
the huddled group telling bleeding t
the earth, pierced with bullets, thick a
hail the leaden missiles poured in upo
them-gray-haired sires, with uplifte,
hands appealing to the Throne of Grace
fell dead across the bodies of their mul
dered sons and daughters defenseles
women, crazed with fear, clinging aroun,
their unarmed husbands and fathers TO
protection, were ruthlessly shot down
despite their heartrending cries, and il
several instances, while suppliantl,
| kneeling at the feet of their assassins
a few were publicly debauched and i'm
mediately after killed upon the dishon
ored spot; little children clinging to thei
mothers skirts were forcibly taken from
them and their throats cut amid their in
nocent cries to their mammals" for safe
~; and babes were snatched from tn
maternal breast and their brains dashe,
out against wagon wheels.
After ahOut three hours, bloodv worl
the dreadful carnage ceased, and abou
IL emigrants lay dead and dying upol
the field within circumference of 10
feet-about fifty were piled one upon an
other within square space of thirty feet
The wounded and dying were relievct
of their sufferings by being shot, stable,
or beheaded by the battle-axes of tn
Lord" the favorite war weapon of tn
Mormons. OF the 112 massacred fit
were men and boys-net one being spare,
who was able 10 bear arms. The Others
were women, little children and a few
babes. For some unaccountable reason
| probably disguised with their bloody an,
| inhuman work, the lives of seventeen
children were spared. Their ages rang
from four to thirteen years.
The three brave men who escaped tn
| vigil of the guards on the night of tn
| fourth day of the siege, bound for Cali
tornia for aid and relief from the beslee
ers, and bearing with them the pape
containing the names, occupation, ma
tivity, etc, of the doomed emigrants
were the next day overtaken by the MOI
mon Indian allies. Two were killed out
right, and the other, after being horribl,
! mutilated, was burned at a stake Thu