The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-07-22
MOUNTAIN MEADOW.
Trial OF the Murderers Seventeen Years
After the Massacre.
lCorrespondence New York World.l

Correspondence New York World.l
SALT LAKE CITY, July lin July. 1857,
party of emigrants from Mi sissippi and
Arkansas arrived at Salt Lake City on
their way to California. The party num-
bered l4S, of which 55 were men and boys
large enough to use firearms. Emigrant
trains usually stopped at Salt Lake 10 re
plenish their scanty suppy of provisions,
dispose of their exhausted stock in ex-
change for new, and frequently camp for
the winter in severe seasons, and they
were always welcomed and Hospitality
treated i'll consideration of the revenue
they would bring into this almost isolated
region. But, to their great surprise, this
party, Notwithstanding that they were
comparatively rich, and were willing to
pay literally for their much needed stock
and supplies, were refused the accustomed
hospitality and abruptly ordered to break
up camp and resume their journey.
The emigranC rOut.- lay north from Salt
Lake, through Arizona and Southern
California-thus avoiding the SHOWS OF
tie Rocky Mountains. With scarce
enough provisions to last them ha'f the
distance, their stock jaded and on short
allowance, the disheartened emigrants re-
luctantly resumed their journey of over
al
through Southern Utah they were refused
grain and provisions at any price, not
withstlnding this had been au unusually
productive season. and this fertile region
literally smiled with plenty. This con-
tinual and unprecedented inhospitality
seemed strange. indeed, to the now almost
starving emiDrants. COuriers had been
sent ahead by the Church authorities at
Salt Lake, commanding the settlers along
the route to sell or give nothing to the
''Gentiles' on pain of expulsion from the
Church. The first duty of Mormon is to
''obey COUNSEL" and to be ''cut off from
the Church is eternal disgrace.
THE CAUSE OF THE MASSACRE.
Bri CHAM Young, the prophet, Seer
and Revelator" of the Mormon Church,
was Governor of the Territory, also In
dian Agent, appointed by President Blu
chanan. He had just declared war against
The United States. placed the Territory I'M
der martial law, forbidding all persons en-
tering its limits, and permitting none to
depart. But this was not the cause of the
massacre. Other trains had entered the
Territory since the issuance of his ''prO-
clamation of war, and were told to de-
part in peace, frequently being conveyed
beyond the limits. But there was another
and far greater reason for the massacre.
About year previous prophet Of the
Mormon Church." while preaching as u
missionary in Arkansas, converted and
eloped with Mrs. Eleanor Mclean. Re
turning to Arkansas shortly afterwards to
abduct and bring the two children to
their disgraced mother. then at Salt Lake,
he was killed by the injured husband. On
receiving this news Brigham Young
prophesised that the ''death of the
Prophet would be avenged in the ratio of
an hundred TO one" And as this hap
pened tn be the first party of emigrants
passing through Utah since the news OF
the killing of Farley p. Pratt, the afore-
said apostle. they were selected as the vic.
tins, according to prophecy.
THE COUNCIL OF WAR.
Just after the emigrants departed from
Salt Lake a council OF war was held to de
eide upon the place, manner and other de
tails of their massacre. Brigham Young
Governor of the Territory and head Of
the MOI mon Church, his two High Coun-
cillors, Heber G. Kimball and George a
Smith (cousin of the Prophet Joseph
Smith) and Daniel III. Wells, Lieutenant
General commanding the NaITvOO Legion
and now Mayor of Salt Lake City, com
posed their council. Ali are living eX
cept Kimhall. 1t was decided to murder
the emigrants at spot called Mountain
Meadows" near the California line, about
two hundred miles south of Salt Lake
and about forty miles distant from the
walled city of Parowan Brigham Young
| issued the official order, which Lieuten
ant General Wells carried to Major John
| II Hxrhn Indian
Agent and commander of the militia O
that portion OF Utah. The militia wer,
enrolled as the "Nauvoo Legion" The
order of death had preceded the arriva
of the emigrants. and on reaching PrO'
wan they were compelled to drive around
the walls of the city and none were per
mittpd to enter its guarded gates for trade
and barter. as was the custom. Lee hat
promulgated Brigham Young's orders fol
| the military to appear ''armed ant
equipped, as the law directs" and at tina
very moment they were receiving theil
arms and ammunition for the murder o.
the poor unsuspecting emigrants.
Before camping the next evening thu
emigrants were Joined by two Mormon
spies, who said they had deserted th'
Mormons and wished to accompany thu
train to California. The spies selected al
the most suit bic camping place the spO
decided upon by the council of war at sal
Lakc-an oval-shaped meadow about thre,
hundred yards long, sloping from rug
Ved mountain-side to deep abyss below
Here the unsuspecting emigrants campeC
for the night, their last retiring place OIL
earth. The next morning at davbreak
September s, 1857, the sleeping emigrant
were aroused by vOlley of bullets from
the Mormons, painted as Indians, wht
had completely surrounded the camp
The emigrants wheeled their wagons II
line and hastily constructed earthen EN-
bankments for their defense. The sieg
lasted for six days, during which seven o
eight emigrants were killed and as man,
wounded, and but two MormOns killed.
THE SURRENDER AND MASSACRE.
Being hemmed in on all sides, cut Of
from water, almost starved and famishin!
of thirst, the emigrants had almost des
pajred of assistance when they spied in tn
distance what they thought to be thei
friends advancing and bearing a flag o
truce, whose presence was welcomed wit
defeaning cheers, as the emigrants though
their delivery was at hand. 1t was de
tlchment of the Nauvoo Legion, number
ing about 150, with John ID. Lee at thei
head. The siege was raised and com
mission under white flag was sent out
make peace with the "Indians" by giyin
them their guns and few blankets, an
he, with his militia. would escort them on
of the country-beyond the reach OF ful
ther danger. Knowing that Lee was
United States and territorial officer conf
dence was placed in his promises, and tn
emigrantS gave their arms and munitions
to be given to the ''lndiaEs" as a peac
offering.
The emigrants were then marched OF
of their entrenched camp-the men mrs
women next and little children last-bt
tween companies of armed men, drawn u
in open order. When about sixty yard
from the camp, volley after volley. Wer
fired upon the unarmed men, shriekin
women and their little babes. Many al
the horrible incidents related to have take
place; many too atrocious for belief, bI
the wholesale and cowardly slaughter
seventy-six women and children, and lift.
five unarmed men and boys, is matter
+, notorious and proven record. For son
unaccountable reason, probably sickenin
, at their butcherous work, seventeen chill
ren were spared, the Oldest being girl
thirteen, who will appear as witness
, the forthcoming trial. which will be calit