The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-24
VENGEANCE.
Execution Of John D. Lee at Noun
tain Meadows.
HIS DEATH INSTANTANEOUS.
A Cool and Firm Demeanor on the
Brink Of Eternity.
REGRETS FOR HIS FAMILY
I Feel as Calm as a Sum-
!. mer Morning"
LEES RELIGIOUS BELIEF.
he Declares Himself as Being Basely Sacri-
feed by His Leaders.
AIM AT MY HEART"
4 Feel as Calm as q Sum
!. mer Morning"
LEES RELIGIOUS BELIEF.
he Declares Himself as Being Basely Sacri-
feed by His Leaders.


by TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
CEDAR CITY, Utah, March %, 1877.
John D. Lee, the Mormon bishop, one OF tho
leaders Of the Mountain Meadows massacre, expi-
ated his crime by death this morning at the scene
OF the butchery The proceedings attending the
execution were conducted with a gravity and
decorum appropriate to the occasion. The con-
demned man died instantly, all five Of the
bullets aimed at him entering his heart. Lee died
speech just before being shot, in which he declared
his innocence OF the crime OF murder, as he acted
under the orders Of those over him in authority.
He claimed to have been sacrificed in cowardly
and dastardly manner by those who had given him
his orders.
THE LONG JOURNEY.
Ny despatch OF yesterday written on the road
gave you an account OF the march on Thursday
night from Beaver City to this place and beyond.
Our further progress the scene Of the massacre,
where Lee was to be shot, was an uneventful one.
We made several brief halts along the road and left
Pinto early in the morning and reached Mountain
Meadows about ten O'Clock.
ARRIVAL ON THE GROUND.
Counting the military escort, tho Marshall and
his deputies, and few officials, there were
probably eighty persons present. singular
feature was the presence OF O photographer, who
for the purpose Of taking pictures of Lee IN his last
moments and of the scene OF the execution.
THE pRELIMINARIEs.
There was very little ceremony observed, for as
soon as we'arrived at the scene OF the massacre
halt was called ana Lee was ordered to descend
from the wagon in which he RODE Marshal Nelson
then read the order and sentence Of the Court.
READING THE ORDER or EXECUTION
Marshal Nelson concluded reading the order Of
tho Court Mt precisely twenty-five minutesto eleven
formula. directing the Marshal OF the Territory to
conduct his prisoner from the place where he was
confined to the place of execution, and then to see
that he was shot to death. The Marshal read the
order In clear tone, his words being audible to
every one present. AS he concluded the reading
he asked Lee II he had anything to say before the
sentence of the law was carried out
LEE SPEAKS TO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS.
Lee looked up quickly and noticing Mr.. Fenni.
NOR, the photographer, in the act of fixing up his
prisoner. pointed with his finger toward him and
said:--
~ wish to speak to that man. Come over here"
at the same time reckoning with his hand.
SECOND OF TINE BEFORE ETERNITY.
Mr.. Fennimore nodded and said, "In second, Mr..
Lee" AS the words were uttered by the artist
involuntary though. over the incongruity Of the
reply, which measured second Of time to man
about to enter into eternity. Mr.. Fennimore, how
ever, occupied over minute before he was ready
to comply with Lees simple request.
REMEMBERING HIS WIVES.
Lee sad:-'T want to ask a favor OF you, sir I
want you to furnish each of my three wives copy
Of the photograph-one to Rachel A., Emma b. and
Sarah c."
Mr.. Howard, the District Attorney, who was
standing by the side OF the instrument, responded
for the artist whose head at the moment was
covered by the hood as lie was adjusting his
camera,
"IIe says he will do it,"
He repied:-"Please forward them to my wives
Sarah c., Emma i. and Rachel A."
LEES LAST SPEECH.
As the prisoner uttered tie lanes CT his wives
re seemed to pose himself involuntar.y and the
picture taken. He then rose from his seat and,
looking around ut his guards and the spectators,
spoke as toows:-
III have but little to say this morning. or course,
feel that am upon the brink OF eternity, and the
soemnIty OF eternity should rest upon my mind at
the present moment" l have made out, or en-
deavored To do so, a manuscript and an abridged
history Of my life. This will be published. SIR
turning to District Attorney Howard-l have given
my views and feelings with regard to all these
things. feel resigned to my fate.
"As CALM AS A SUMNER MoRNISG.v
al feel AS calm q summer morning. have
lone nothing adversely wrong My conscience is
clear before God and man. and am ready to meet
my Redcemer. This 1t is that places me upon this
dcld. am not an inndcl have not denied Cod
or Ills mercy. l ain a strong believer In these
things The most ! regret is parting with my
mrnily. Many Of them are unprotected and will be
left fatheress. When l speak of those little ones
they touch tender chord within mc.r
At this moment the prisoners voice trembled,
ana he perccptibly faltered in his words. He
continued, however, as ioows:-
he JUsTIrIEs HIMSELF
~ hsva dona nothnQ dosQ nedlv wronu i'm. thsa