New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-24
TIE CONFESSION.

SALT LAKE CITY, March 23.-The following
~ literal copy Of the genuine confession OF John d.
Lee no part which has hitherto been published. al
though some OF the general statements OF fact nave been
long known by unauthoritatlVe tradition THIS paper
was penned ny Lee since his second trial and since his
sentence TO death Ii was written by him without aid
or advice and is given herewith without alteration OF
erosure Whore any Interpolation Is made 1t is DIS
tpctly marked The document received under close
seal from the hand Of United States observation-disclosures
Howard who in received il from the hand Of John
d. Lee then in the Penitennary at salt Lake City ~ the
month az February ST. and is certified By Mr.. Howard
as the identcl statement written by Lee Mr. Howard
has hitherto Withheld it from publication, but now That
the prisoner has escaped the penalty Of the law per
Int il to be given to the public end Of justice will
now be defeated by It's publication:
The statement Of John d. Lee u The cctS connected Wih
the Mountain MeadOCS Mdssaere:
fn the month Of September, 1857, the company Of
emcrauts known as "The Arkansas Company" arrived
IN Parowan Iron County, Utah. their way 70 Cali
forma At Por0wan, young Alden, one OF the company,
Jaw and recognized william Laney, Mormon resi-
dent Of Parowan. Alden and his father had rescued
Ianey from IN ant-MormOn mob in Tennessee several
wears before and saved his life lie GAnoy) at the time
no was attacked by the mob was Mormon missionary
in Tennessee Laney was glad 20 see ms friend and
benefactOr aud invited him to bis house and gave him
some garden sauce to take back TO the camp with him.
The same evening it was reported to Bishop Colonel
man Alden, OF the cmIgrans. When the report was
made to Bishop Dame he raised his hand and crooked
his little finger IN "a significant manner TO one Barney
Carter his brOtherin-aw and one OF the Angels OF
Death" Carter without another word walked out went
10 Lapey's house with long picket in his hand, called
Ianey out and struck him a heavy blow on the head,
frac;uring his skull and left him the ground for dead
c. Y Webb and Isaac Newman President Of The" High
Council" botn told me they saw Danes maneuvers
lanes McGulee, then a resident Of Parowan-but
through oppression has been forced 10 leave there ana
is now merchant in Pahranagat Valley, near PocLe
Neyada-knows these facts.
ORIGIN OF THE MASSACRE.
About the last August 1857, some ten days before
the Mountain Meadows massacre, the company OF emf
grants passed through Cedar City. George A Smith,
then first counselor in the church and Brigham YOungs
right hand man. came down TO Salt Lake CITY, preaching
to the different settlements at that time was IN wash
ugton County near wheres ST. George stands lie sent
for me- went 10 him, and lac asked me TO take him to
Cedar City by way of Fort Clara and Pinto settlements,
"a he was on business and must visit all the settlements
We started on our way up through the canon We saw
herds of Indians and he George A. bnltbI
remarked 10 me That these Indians, with the
soTaniage they had OF the rocks, could
use up q large company Of enlgrdntS, or make IL