Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-02-15

great army of hungry, relentless and
frenzied savages who were determined
upon blood and plunder They saw that
it was not alone the hapless emigrants
who were in danger. but that when once
theslndians got taste of blood and vic.
tofv, their own firesides would be invad-
ed and themselves. their wives and fam
lilies would share the cruel fate of the
"Americats."
A running fight was then going on
between the Indians and emigrants. A
great many Indians had been killed,
and they we're furious over their loss,
ard disappointed. The people fed to
their forts and block-houses; everybody
was. armed, watching With sleepless Wig
lance for the moment when the infuriat-
ed savages, after having drank the blood
of those whom they were then pursuing.
their instincts would rise above neigh
boring distinctions, and in their intoxi-
cltlon of victory be able to discriminate
only as to races. and inaugurate gen.
eral massacre of all whites, whether
"Americats or ''Mormons."
A; this dark hour John D. Lee. then
onlya lay member. holding no Office
whatever of any kind called to his aid
four of his friends of nerve, courage and
discretion, and went to the Indians to
try TO persuade them to make peace and
spaIe the ''AmericatS." " They continued
Their efforts for two days or more. until
the Indians became infuriated and tried
to Kill them. while they were begging
for the lives of the emigrants. The In
dians called them ''enemies" and Amer
icats, and attempted to shoot them
down two of the bullets passing through
Lees clothes, one of them inhieting a
flesh wound. Lee and his comrades fed
for their lives, pursued by the Indians,
until they fell in with company of the
people who had assembled to protect the
settlements in case the Indians should
turn on them. Meeting this company,
Lee begged and implored them that a
message be sent to Cedar Fort to rally
the people to protect and save the emil
grants. Cedar Fort was then the head
quarters of all Southern Utah. p. X.
Smith was bishop and Isaac C. Haight
was stake president there; Haight was
also lieutenant colonel. being the officer
highest in command available. The mes.
sage was sent. but did not return till
next day, the distance being too great to
Get back sooner. When it returned John
N. Highly was on the field as major COM
handing Mr. Lee was not there In re-
sponse to any military order. nor does
he know that any other person was. The
| fight between the Indians and emigrants
was still progressing. The Indians had
lost heavily in killed and wounded and
we're furious. The emigrants had lost
several in killed and wounded and were
nearly out of ammunition; besides, the
Indians had got all their stock except
two teams. and had the train completely
surrounded.
The messengers returned from Cedar
Fort. saying that nothing could be done
to save theu. The Indians were still
lowering about. and Lee did all in his
power. demonstrating with them. but
they we're greatly enraged, and with
savage grins Knocked him for being SC
greatly overcome with grief for those
whom they considered their deadly enc
mics. They called him squaw and gau-
gots. (Which means in English ''cry.
baby'') because be shed tears-a name
that he bears among them even to this
day. He is frequently called yau-goti
by the whites
The emigrants being entirely at th,
mercy of the savages. had also sent q
message to Cedar Fort: imploring the
people to save them from the Indians
Three men were sent by the emigranti
on this mission. two OF whom were kill
ed. and the other returned wounded.
When the message returned from &c
dar Fort to the company, where Mr.. l.e'
was, there followed scene of indescrib
able confusion Lee wept with grea
emotion because he could not aid to saw
them, while the Indians. who knew lie
we'll, were yelling yau gots at him. Th'
train was about mile distant, surround
ed by Indians. At this juncture Majo
HIgby ordered Lee and others to 20 L
the train to assist the emigrants and tr
TO get them to Cedar Fort in safety. Tk
men obeyed the order. went to the emf
grants. found them in great distress
many killed and out of ammunition
They told them to load their arms int
the two wagons for which they ba
| teams. and have the women and ehildre
to follow 6rst, and the men after. an
be quick as possible and follow them
: Cedar Fort. and they wouIdedo the bes
j they could to save them that they mus
! be quick. as the Indians were angry an
desperate. and the chances we're againi
Z them. bat that all would be done thi
, could be 10 save them. The two team
i started with Lee for Cedar Fort. and ha
; 0at only half a mile fran the emiOrzI