The Portland daily press., 1877-03-23
The Mountain Meadows
Massacre.
BISHOP LEES CONFESSION,
The Crime Perpetrated by Brigham
YOung's Orders.

NEW YORK. March 22.-John d. Lee, the
Mormon bishop, confesses that the Mountain
Meadow massacre was the result of the direct
teachings of Brigham Young, and was perpe-
trated by orders OF those high in authority.
The immediate orders for the massacre were
issued by Col. Dame, Lieut.. Col Isaac G.
Hight, and the Council at Cedar City, Utah,
Lee narrates the details of the massacre in
vivid manner and says of the treacherous plan
to lure out the emigrants by flag of truce
was to follow the flag of truce and make a
treaty with promise of protection. j was
also to get the arms of the emigrants, and the
sick and wounded, and also the children into
wagons; then the troops under Highly would
meet the emigrants The Indians were to
remain in ambush. The women were to go
ahead The Indians were then to kill the
women. The militia were to kill the men, and
and the drivers of the wagons were to kill
the wounded and sick in the wagons
A council of war was held by the Mormons
that it was the will of God for us to do as
ordered. On Friday morning, the emigrants
had a white flag fyiag, and the Mormon
brethren again assembled Speeches. were
made, and all expressed themselves willing to
act.
The roll of assassins is as follows:
Major John M. Highly, Philip x. Smith,
Bishop OF the church at Cedar city, Joel White,
William G. Stewart, Benjamin Arthnr, Alexan-
der Widen, Charles Hopkins Tate, Ira Ellen,
hOUtIb w icy, IeCudTu IIaIrlSUu, odmu6l IOI-
lock. Daniel McFarlane: John Ure, George
Hunter, Joseph Smith, Samuel Jakes, Nephi
johnson, Carl Shirts, Swim Jacobs, John
Jacobs, Z. Curtis. Thomas Cartwright, Will
liam Bateman, Anthony Stratton, A. Love-
ridge, Joseph, Clews, John Durfey, Columbus
prised "a or 4S whites, and some 400 or 500
Indians. The emigrants then commenced to
put their arms, sick and wounded, and children
into wagons. While burying their dead, the
emgrants burst into tears, and said they
feared treachery. AS soon as the wagons were
loaded, the train was started. The emgrants
marched in single file, woman and large chill
dren being ahead. When the wagons were
half milo off, the fire commenced. The
Indians killed all the women and large chill
dren, the Mormons killed the men. and the
drivers with me killed the sick and wounded.
We saved II children. The dead were strip
ped and multilated, and their corpses lett on
the field. Haight then sent me to Salt Lake
City to report to Brigham Young, promising
me crown celestial as my reward.
l made my report to Brigham Young ten
days after the massacre. L told him every
thing l knew and said to him 'Ycu must
sustain us, or release US from the endowment
oath to avenge the death of the prophets
Brigham Young said he would communicate
with God.
went back the next morning, when Young
said '.Brother Lee, not a drop of innocent
blood has been shed. 1 have gone to God in
prayer. God has shown me that it was a Just
act. The people did right, but were little
hasty. have direct evidence from God that
the act was just one, that it was in accord
brethren in all that you did. All l fear, is
treachery on the part of she brethren concern
ed. Go home and tell the brathern sustain
them. Keep all secret as the grave. Never
tell any one, and write me letter laying all
the blame on the Indians
William G. Stewart was tho most hlood
thirsty OF any one there. He cut threats just
for amusement. Every one there took part in
the killing as religious duty. We were at
that time in the midst of the excitement of
the fitness of time had come, that the Nor
mons were to conquer the world at once and
inherit all the wealth of the universe; that
Christ was tt come and rule for thousand
years, and that the Mormon doctrine was to
be universally accepted.
My journal and private writings have been
destroyed by order of Brigham Young 1 have
nothing left but my memory from which
to give an account of the foul deeds done in
Gods name during the years when Brigham
Young was chief ruler in Utah. 1 know of
many other murders, castrations and rob-
berries committed by order of the priesthood,
all of which have fully stated in my writ
lngs delivered to my attorney, w. w. Bishop
L have told the whole truth, and the God 1 am
sorry to meet face to face. knows that my
assertions are nothing but truth.
A Beaver City, Utah, despatch says that
soldiers were to be sent south ward Tuesday
night, it is believed to capture Hight Highly
atd other prominent MormoDs who are i'm
plicated in the Mountain Meadows massacre by
Lees confession.
Marshal Nelson is acting as if he feared
trouble. A crowd of Lees friends and SYM
pathizers can be organized here, which the
Marshal cannot cope with. 1t will not be at
all surprising if an attempt is made by his
IN rc,.1
not, bloody struggle will follow.
SALT LALE, March 22.-The United Stated
Marshal left Beaver, Utah. last evening with
John ID. Lee. 1t is supposed the execution
will take place at Mountain Meadow upon the
scenes of the massacre. These movements
will be kept as quiet as possible, as it is feared
an attempt at rescue will be made. A COM
pany of soldiers attended the party. Mountain
Meadow is about 80 miles from Beaver city,
and about IL miles from River Valley, the
nearest telegraph office. A company of troops
with Lee passed Cedar City at one o'clock
this morning