The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-04-03
John D Lees Last Moments
THE SCENE OF THE EXECUTION
OF THE SENTENCE OF DEATH
Last fridays Trag edy ON the Spot
ON which the N1Ouniain Mead
OW Massacre was Perpetrated
Described by an Eyewitness,
From the New York Herald.l

From the New York Hsrald.l
Before 8 O'Clock the soldiers, ,un,ier the
command of Lieut. Patterson, had been
placed in wagons and driven To thescene
of the emigrant camp, where the criminal
was TO expiate his crime. Some of the
solciers were placed on the att ,ining
hills to guard against surprise The wag
ons meanwhile were placed in line near
the monument and army blankets placid
overthe wheels Behind this screen the
squad OF men who had been appointed 10
shoot Lee we're to be stationed. The
purpose of this concealment of the firing
party was to prevent the men composing
it from being seen by any one, there being
a fear that some ofthe numerous relatives
of Lee might wreak vengeance on the
heads OF his executioners
The boards Of which the coffin was to
be formed were next unloaded from
wagon and the carpenters began to nail
them together 1t was rough pine box.
While it was being made Lee sat at some
distance away with Marshal Nelson in
tently watching the scene around him.
The civilians began 10 arrive just then,
and those specially invited as witnesses
EHere allowed 70 come within the military
ed to witness the proceedings from con
siderable distance east of the ravine Lee
sat like an Indian chief near the spot
where he was to die, as cool and collected
as ever He began writing an autograph
note In the District Attorneys memoran
dun book. Then he exchanged few
words with the Rev. Mr Stokes.
AtlO9 o'cl ok the military was drawn
up in line and closer up to the scene of
execution. Then the photographer made
his appearance on the scene Soon after
this the prisoner arose, and holding the
arm Of Mr. Stokes and preceded by the
Marshal and District Attorney, advanced
toward the little corral Of wagons The
coffin had been in the meantime placed
about % feet from the wagons.
Lee was dressed in a gray coat and
flight brown overcoat He seated himself
on the C fin as soon as he arrived at it
As soon as he seated himself he looked
around hurriedly, though eoolly. A few
minutes were then occupied by the photo
grapher, who took picture of the con-
demnedman and the grouped line of spec.
tators. Then the reporters were invited
to approach, and Marshal Nelson read
the death warrant During the reading
OF the document the prisoner manifested
no emotion, and on its conclusion be was
informed that be could then speak if he
desired. -.,..-.s, i +
He proceeded to deliver his random
speech. His voice was very clear and his
manner self.possessed, but he talked
sometimes with remarkable precision,
and then rushed off into humid STYLE
When he spoke of Brigham Young's
treatment of him he exhibited feeling,
Thespeech ended, Lee requested the
Rev Mr.. Stokes to offer prayer, and
both knelt beside the coffin. The minis
ter prayed with fervency for the prisoner
and his family, and asked that if he was
an innocent man, as he professed to be-,
his innocence might be established here.
after. Then the reporters withdrew
Lee took off his overcoat without assist
ance and shook hands with Mr.. Stokes,
Marshal Nelson, District Attorney How.
ard, and few others. The handkerchief
was tied over his eyes, and as it was being
done he asked the Marshal not to ito his
hands. The favor being granted, Lee
clasped his hands over his head, bracing
himself up at the same moment, exclaim.
ing, "Enter my hearl!"
All near the prisoner stepped aside, and
Marshal Nelson. at little distance south
west, pronounced the words, Ready
aim-firer' A flash was seen, and Lee
fell over with dull thud upon his cotfin,
his arms falling on both sides of the box ;
then there came three or four lightly dis
connected reports.
Lees pulse ceased to beat probably at
the moment his heart was penetrated =
Several of the five balls with which he
was shot passed entirely through his
body, and cut ridges in the ground in the
rear. Nine guns were fired in all, four of
them containing blank cartridges. Three
of the balls penetrated his heart, making
but one hole on the body.
A few minutes after the shooting cor
poral tainted in the ranks. The body was
placed in the coffin and photograph neg
alive was obtained of it, and the specta
tors were allowed to view it. The color
had entirely left the face, the mouth had
fallen open. The coffin was nailed up at
once, to be taken by the soldiers to Cedar
City, and thence to Lees wife Rachel in
Pangwitch. -
Before execution Lee gave what money
hehad to tue District Attorney to be CIV
en- to Rachel, one of his wives. He gave
his coat to Marshal Nelson and his scarf
to Howard.