The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-03-31
JOHN D. LEES EXECUTION

The large city dalies OF last Saturday gave
lengthy accounts of the execution, on the
previous day, at Mountain Meadow, in Utah,
of John d Lee, the Mormon bishop, for his
connection, tweay years ago, with the well
known Mountain Meadow Massacre
That massacre took place Ia September,
1851. A party of emlgrants, consisting of
about $50 men, women and children, had
been made up in Missouri and Arkansas, and
started across the plains tor California Like
all similar parties, though well equipped in
other respects, they had taken along provis.
ions enough only TO last them to Utah, intend.
ing there to replenish for the rest OF the jour.
ney. The crops in Utah they knew that year
had been unusually abundant, and no appre-
hension was felt but that they would be able
to buy all they wanted of the Mormons at
reasonable prices. 1t was the year, however,
that Buchanan had sent small army to Utah
to quell rebelioas spirit that had manifest
ed itself among the Mormons, and it seems to
have been decided by Brigham Young and
his council TO treat all Gentiles as enemies.
At all events, the emigrants found il impossi-
bic to purchase any but the meagerest sup
plies, and these only by stealth, few Nor
mons being unable to resist the liberal prices
they offered, and the party were peremptor-
ly ordered out Of the territory. They pro.
ceeded on their journey as fur as Mountain
Meadow, where making q brief halt, they
were suddenly surrounded by Indians, who
attacked them. They hastily entregched
themselves and stood a close siege of four
days, when body of armed Mormons, with
Lee at their head, came TO their "reliet"
That Is, the emigrasis were persuaded to
break up their entrenchnent, lay down their
arms, and march out under flag of trace.
AS they did So Lee suddenly gave the word
of command, and the whole party were in
stan,ly massacredl One hundred and thirty
three were slain-includi0g the entire party,
except about dozen infants, supposed 10 be
too small to remen Der the occurrence
1t was proved on Lees trial thu, the whole
bloody deed had been cOncocted at the coun
clI OF the church, convened by onder of Brig
ham Young at Parowan, and that Gen Geo
A. Smith, first counsellor TO Brigham; Col
William c. Dame, bishop of Fillmore: Lieut.
Col. Haight, president Of the Cedar C.ty
Stake of Zion Bishop Higbet, and John
ID. Lee were at the council, matured the plan
and exhausted TO Lee the duty Of It's execution
Previous To his execution last Friday Lee
made lengthy confession, ia which he
gives the details OF the council anl The bloody
massacre It concocted, bu, defeaSs himself
by insisting that he earnestly opposed the
movement at every s,ep and denies that he
headed the Mormon soldiery tha,consummat-
ed the act, though the proof on hat point At
Lis trial was abundant and overwhelming.
The execution uf Lee was mlnaged with
little ceremony. Being led to the very spot
where the massacre had occurred, he was
seated upon his coffin, bandase placed over
his eyes, and then being lett alone, he raised
his hands until they rested upon his head.
lie sat erect and was perfectly cool, as firm
in every nerve - though kc WIS in his own,
house, wik danger far away. The firing
party silently raised tier pieces, the click of.
the hammers lreakiag with lainful sharp
cess upon the stiffness. Then Il was he spoke
bis last words: shoot Through the heart,
boys" i