Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-05-11

A REMARKABLE INTERVIEW WITH TIE SALT
LAKE PROPHET.

A REMARKABLE INTERVIEW Win TIE SALT
LAKE PROPHET.
A correspondent of the New York Hrald
reports very noticeable conversation, held
with Brigham Young, at Cedar City, Utah,
on the 18th of April last. lie describes as
follows the Mormon Prophet, and some Of
his counsellors
John W Young prepared the way for my
audience with his father, the President.
Crossing the hall, he led me into the large
room, beaming with light from logs of pine
and cedar Near the walls sat or stood sew
eral Mormon elders. In front of them two
or three bishops were seated. Grouped
around the centre table were several of the
most elevated dignitaries among the Latter
Day priesthood. John W. Young, First
Counsellor Of the President, took a seat
with his back to the fire, looking as hand
some, as wise and amiable NJ he is really
known to be. Brigham Young Jr., was
not present, being confined to his bed by i'll
ness. To the right of John W. Young sat
Daniel H. Wells, Vice President, his great
head, iron gray hair and beard and resolute
features, making picture of themselves,
Wells was one Of the earliest Nor
mon emigrants across the Plains
from Nauyoo, and has since been
among the strongest defenders Of the
Latter Day faith. lie commanded the Nor
mon army which checked the advance of
Johnston troops, 1873. Opposite Wells,
lounged in his overcoat, and at his accus-
toned ease George z. Cannon, First Apostle
OF the Church and Delegate of the Territory
to Washington. la the furthest corner and
in shadow, sat the most commanding person
in the room. Brigham Young never looked
more thoroughly like the patriarch that his
people love to call him than he did on this
occasion. His tall, broad form was envcl-
oped from shoulders to feet in a robe or cape
OF dark cloth generously edged with fur. a
glimpse Of the red lining Of which showed
from corner turned up over his shoe. lie
wore hat of peculiar shape, yet not unbe-
coming to his looks or to denote his dignity.
Under his pale and pleasant face was reveal
ed spotlc>s cravat, and the huge collar OF
silver fox which farcd away from his throat
and back behind his head set oil his features
finely.
"A conversation OF over three hours dura-
ton followed. We extract some OF the more
important passages. Young said
There is no doubt that the Mountain
Meadows affairs was directed by John d.
Lee. My disposition is such that had |
known anything about it | would have
gone to that camp and fought the Indians
and white men who took part in the per
petra.iOn of the massacre to the death. rather
than that such "A decd should have been
committed. This point was too difficult to
reach from Salt Lake, and besides, accord
ing to the rumors that reached us, the
people thought themselves that they would
do well if they escaped the vengeance of
the United States troops The burden OF
these rumors was that the MormonS were
To he massacrcd
II you were To inquire of the people
who live hereabouts, and lived in the coun-
try at tho time, you would find, il it should
be according to what have heard, that some
OF this Arkansas company boosted that they
had had the promise from the nted States
that the Mornon- were To be used up by the
troops, and that they had boosted, too, Of
having helped to kali Hiram and joseph
Smith and the Mormons at Missouri, and
that they never meant to leave the Territory
until similar scenes were enacted here This,
II true, may have embittcrcd the feelings
oil those who took part in the massacre, and
the probabilities are that Lee and his CON
ircres tool advantage Of these facts and the
disturbed state of the country to accomplish
their desires for p!undcr, which under other
circumstances would not have been gntiiicd