River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-03-29
The Mountain Meadow Massacre.

Lee, Une OF the Jeaders, tinaily EAplates Ills
Crime.
In the month of September 1857
company of emigrants en- route to CAL
ifornia were brutally murdered while
passing through Utah. Twenty years
passed before any one was punished
for the crime, but on Friday, the Odd,
John ID. Lee, one of the alleged lead
els of the massacre paid the penalty of
his crime.
At 10 a. m. precisely Lee was
brought out upon the scene of the mas
sacre at Mountain Meadow, before the
executing party, and seated on his
coffin, about twenty feet from the
shooters.
After Marshal Nelson concluded
reading the order of the court, a.
1874 a. M, he asked Lee if he had
anything to say before the execution
was carried into effect. Lee said
81 wished to speak to that man
pointing to Mr.. Fennimore, who was
liking his canvas near by to take Lees
photograph preceding the shooting.
Lee calling to the artist, Fenpimore
replied, "In second. Mr.. Lee," and
waiting till the artist asSented his
readiness to listen, Lee said: 81 want
to ask you favor. l want you to
furnish my three wives each with
copy of the photograph meaning the
one being taken "a copy of the same to
Rachel A, Sarah G.. and Emma B."
Mr.. Howard responded for the artist,
"IIe says he will do it,Mr. Lee" Lee
repeated the names over carefully
saying, "please forward them" lie
then rose and said 81 have but little
to say this morning. OF course l feel
that am upon the brink of eternity,
and the solemnities of eternity should
rest upon my mind at the present. l
have made Out,or endeavoI ed to do so,
a manuscript and an abridged history
of my life. This will be published.
Sir, have given my views and feel
| feel resigned to my fate. l feel
as calm as summer morning.
| have done nothing Intentionally
wrong my conscience is clear before
God and man, and / am ready to meet
my Redeemer. This it is that places
me upon this field. | am not an inf
del. | have not denied God or his
mercy. am strong believer in
those things. The most regret is the
parting with my family. Many of
them are unprotected and will be left
fatherless. When speak of those lit
tie ones they touch tender chord
within me. Here Lees voice faltered
perceptibly.l have done nothing de-
signedly wrong in this affair. l used
my utmost Cndeavors to save the peO-
pie. | would have given worlds, were
they al my command, TO have avoided
that calamity, but could not. | am
sacrificed to satisfy feelings, and am
used to crafty parties, but am ready
to die. have no fear of death. 1t
has no terrors, and no particle of
mercy have asked, for | do not fear
death.
shall never 60 to worse place
than the one am now in. Ihave said
it to my family, and will say it to-
day, that the government of the United
States sacrifices their best friend, and
that is saying a great deal, but it is
true. | am true believer in the Cos
pei of Jesus Christ. do not believe
everything that's now practiced and
taught by Brigham Young. do not
agree with him. believe he is lead
ing the people estray, but believe in
the gospel as taught in its purity by
Joseph Smith in former days. | have
my reasons for saying this. l used to
make this mans will my pleasure, and
did so for thirty years. See how and
what | have come to this day. have
been
SACRIFICED IN A CowARDLY, DAs-
TARDLY MANNER.
There are thousands of people in tho
church, honorable, good-hearted, that
| cherish in my heart regret to leave
my family. They are near and dear
to me. These are the things to rouse
my sympathy. l declare | did nothing
designedly in this unfortunate affair.
did everything in my power to save
all the emigrants, but ] am the one
that must suffer. Having said this /
feelresigned. ask the Lord my God
to extend His mercy to Inc, and re-
ceive my spirit. My labors are here
done. The last moments and the
death.
After the speech Parson Stokes,
Methodist, made a prayer commend
ing the soul of the condemned man to
God.
Immediately after this the hand
kerchief was placed over Lees eyes
and he raised his hands, placing them
on the top of his head, sitting firm.
Nelson gave the word ''fire y and
exactly at IL o'clock Eve guns were
fired, penetrating the body in the re-
gion of the heart. Lee fell square
back upon his coffin, dead. His death
was instantaneous. The body was then
placed in the coffin and the crowd dis
persed.
There were about seventy-five per.
sons, all told, on the ground. Not
child or relative of Lee was there.
The best of order prevailed. All pro-
nounced the execution a success.
Lees last words to Nelson were,
"Aim at my heart.
LEES CONFESSION,
Lee left long confession written in
February which gives history of the
massacre. According to this document
a few Mormon leaders aided by a
band of Indians did the work. Lee
claims to have been forced unwilling
ly, in the matter and places the chief
responsibility upon President Haight
and Colonel Dame. According to his
story an effort was made TO dislodge
the emigrants from their camp for two
or three days, but without success.
The Mormon leaders then deliberately
arranged to secure a truce and both
parties raised white flags. The Nor
mons then concealed portion of their
party and the Indians, and led the
helpless party of emigrantS into the
where upon givan signal all
were killed. The reason given for this
by Lee were that the emigrants were
abusive Of and hostile to the Mormon
religion. Lee admits having piloted
the party into the ambush, but claims
that ha xvaa eomDollod 70 do So and