The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-03-24
EXECUTION OF LEE.

precisely Lee was brought out upon tn
scene of the massacre at the Mountain
Meadows before the executing party
and was seated on his coffin about twent..
feet from the shooters. After the orde
of the court was read TO him and tn
company present by Marshal Nelson, b
made speech of about five huL dret
words, bitterly denouncing Brigham
Young, a1d calling himself scapegos
for the sins of others. He hoped Goc
would be merclful, denied that hi
was guilty OF bloodshed to the last, snt
maintained that his mission to the mead
ows was one OF mercy.
After the speech Psrson Stokes, Meth
oGlst, made a prayes, commencing tn
soul of the condemned man to God, I'm
mediately after this the handkerchie
was placed over his eyes. He raised hi
hands and placed them on his head, st
ting firm. Nelson gavefhe word to tir'
at exactly IL o'clock, and the five guns
were fired, the charges penetrating the
body IN the region Of the heart. Le'
fell squarely back upon his coffin
dead. His death was instantsneou:
The body was placed in the coffin and
the crowd dispersed. There were about
seventy-five persons all told on the
ground. Not q child or relative there
The best of order prevailed and all pro-
nounced the execution success. Lee:
las, words to Nelson were "Aim at my
heart" The body will be gwen to hi:
relatives at Cedar City.
Lees Speech.
SALT LAKE, March 23.-After Mar
shal Nelson concluded the reading of the
ordee of the court, at 1924, he asked
Lee If he had anything to say before the
execution was carried out. He said, 81
wish to speak to that man." pointing to
Mr.. Fennimore, who was fixing his
canvass near by to take Lees photo.
graph. Preceding the shooting Lee, call
cd TO the artist. Fennimore, replied,
ain second Mr.. Lee and waiting till the
artist asserted his readsness Mr.. Lee said
81 want to ask you favor. | want you
to furnish my three wives each copy OF
the photograph. (meaining the one being
taken), copy of the same to Rachael A.,
Sarah g. and Emma b." MIR. Howard
responded for the artist: ale says be
will do SO Mr.. Lee" Lee repeated the
names over again carefully, saying,
"please forward them" Hethen arose and
said: 81 have but little to say this morn.
ing. OF course / feel that l am upon
the brink of eternity and the solemniLy
of eternity should 'cst on my mind a.
I
ed to do so, n manuscript unabridged
history of my life This will be pub
li.hed. | have given my views and
feelings with regard to sll these things
| feel resigned TO my fate. l
feel rs calm rs summer
morning. have done nothing
advisedIy wrong. My conscience is clear
before God and man. | am ready TO
meet my redcemer. This it is that places
me on this field. l am not an intidel.
have not denied God or His mercy. l
am strong believer IN those things.
The most l regret is the parting with my
family. Many Of them are un-
protected and lett fatherless. When
speak of those poor little
ones, they touch Il tender chord
within me. Here Lees voice tal-
tered perceptibly. have done nothing
wrong in this affair. / used my utmost
endeavor to save this people. [ would
have given worlds were they at my com
mand to have avoided that calamity, but
| could not. am sacrificed to satisfy
feelings and AIN used to crafty parties,
but am ready to die do not fear death {;
no particle OF mercy hs We | asked. | do
not lear death. l shall never go to a
worse place than the one L am
now in. l have said it to my family,
and l say it to-day, that the government
of the United States sacrifices its best
but i. is true. l an true believer III
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. l do not
believe everything that is now prac,iced
and taught by Brigham Young. l do
not agree with him. | believe he is
leading my people astray.. l believe in
the Gospel rs taught in its purity by
Joseph Smith in former days. l have
my reasons for saying this. used to
make this mans will my pleasure, and did
80 for thirty years. Bee now ana whaI
l have come to this day. / have been
sacrificed in cowardiy and dastsrdy
manner. There are thousands Of peO.
pie in the church, honorable and good,
thst i cherish in my heart. |
regret to leave my family. They are
near and dear to me- These are things
to rouse my sympathy. declare l did
nothing desigredly wrong in this untor.
tunate affair. | did everything IN my
power to save all the cmigrants, but | AIN
the one that must suffer. Having said
this, feel resigned, and | ask the Lord
my God to extend HIS mercy to me and
receive my spirit. My labors here are
done.
Lees Confession.
ell n