The New York herald., 1877-03-22
LEES CONFESSION.
The Story Of His Early Life and
Conversion to Mormonism.
He JOINS THE DANITES.
His Career as a Missionary, Financier, q
Legislator and Judge.
SEALED TO HIS MOTHER-lN-LAW.
How the Mountain Meadows Mas
sacre Was Planned.
ROLL OF THE ASSASSINS.
Organizing an Indian Attack on
the Emigrant Camp.
SWORN TO SECRECY OR DEATH.
Brigham Young lndorses the Crime and
Supports the Brethren.
ROLL OF THE ASSASSINS.
Organizing an Indian Attack on
the Emigrant Camp.
SWORN TO SECRECY OR DEATH.
Brigham Young lndorses the Crime and
Supports the Brethren.
THE PROPHETS PLAN OF CONCEALMENT.
.Bx TzLxaRAPH TO THE HERALD.

by TILI0RAPH TO THE HERALD.
PIocHE, New, March q. 1877.
John D. Lee was indicted with several others BY
the Grand Jury Of Beaver county, Utah Territory,
on September "a, 1874, for the crime Of murder
committed by him In the part he took at the Noun
tain Meadows massacre In washington county, Utah
Territory, September IL. 1857, at which time 40
men, women and children, known the Arkansas
emigrant train passing through the Territory on
their way to California, were, after several days
lighting, decoyed from their fortincations and
butChered In cold blood bv Mormons and In
diana. All OF the emtgrants who were
old enough to disclose anything Of the butchery
were killed on the spot. Seventeen small children
were spared from the massacre, the train was plum
dered and the most OF the property turned over to
the Mormon Church ut Cedar City. The bloody
clothing, stripped from the mutilated bodies. was
sold at auction by order Of the Church authorities
1T Cedar City. Utah. Leo was first tried at Beaver
1875, Judge Foreman presiding. At this trial the
jury disagreed. Nine were for acquittal and
three for convection. second TRIAL was
had on the same indictment In September,
1s76, In the same Court and before the same Judge
resulting In verdict OF guilty. Lee then sen.
senced to be shot on January 20, 1877. he choosing
shat mode of execution, the laws Of Utah per-
mitting party capitally convicted to choose the
mode ~ his DEATH ON an appeal to the Supreme
Court Of the Territory the Judgment Of the lower
Court was confirmed nc the January term in 1877
and the sentence OF the lower Court was ordered
to be enforced at the March term in 1877. Judge
Boreman set Friday, March 2s 1877. a. the day Of
execution
LEE CONFEssEs.
After sentence Of death had been passed upon
Lee in September, 1870, he made a full confession
In writing Of his participation in the Mountain
Meadows massacre. which document he delivered
to Mr.. w. W. Bishop, one OF his counsel, and d.
rected him to have the same published after his
execution. The following Is the confession made
by Lees
MS PLACE OF BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE.
'hy name is John d. Lee. was born on Septem-
My mother belonged to the Catholic Church and
was christened in the faith. My parents died while
was still child and my boyhood was one OF trial
and hardships
HIS MARRIAGE.
~ married Agathe Ann woosey in 1888 and moved
to Fayette county. Ill, on Ruck Creek, where
became wealthy.
EMBRACES NoRMoNIsM
I'm 1885 became acquainted with some travelling
Mormon preachers. bought read and believed
the Book OF Mormon. ! sold my property In I'LL
nois and moved to Fairwest In Missouri in 1887,
whore joined the Mormon Church and became in
timately acquainted with Joseph smith, Brigham
Christ OF Latter Day Saints.
lie JOINS TIE DANITEs.
~ was subsequently initiated into the Order of
Dantes, at its irst formation This Order was SOL
cmnly sworn to obey all the orders OF the priest
hood Of the Mormon Church; to do any and all
things commanded. The Destroying Angels OF
the Mormon Church were selected from this organ
ization.
AN ACTIVE MEMBER.
IL took an active part as % Mormon soldier In the
CONFLICTS between the people OF Missouri and the
Mornons which made Jackson county, NO.,
historic ground. When the Mormons were expelled
from Missouri was one OF the first to settle at
Nauvoo, Ill., where took an active part in all that
was done tor the Church or city.
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND POLICEMAN.
II had charge OF the construction Of many OF the
public buildings there. Was policeman and body
guard OF Joseph Smith at Nauvoo. Alter his death
held tho same position to Brigham Young, who
succeeded Smith as prophet priest and revelator
In the Church.
CHURCH OFFICIAL AND ORGANIZER.
Twas Recorder for the Quorum OF Seventy, head
clerk OF the Church, and organized the priesthood
into the Order OF Seventies. took all OF the de.
grees in the Endowment House aud stood high In
the priesthood.
AS A MISSIONARY AND PINAxcrEn
~ travelled extensively through the United States
as Mormon missionary, and acted as trader and
financial agent for the Church from tne death Of
Joseph Smith until the settlement at Sat Lake CITY,
In Utah.
THE SETTLEMENT OF UTAH.
the sites for the various towns and citieo In Utah
Territory.
As A LEGISLATOR AND JUDGE. "A
NJ held many Onices In the Territory, a1d was q