The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1877-03-24
The Execution of Brigham
Young's "Ayenging
Angel"
Last Moments and Farewell Speech
Of the Mountain Meadows
Butcher.
"a I'M AT MY HEART. "

Salt Lake, March 23.-At 10 a. m.
precisely, Lee was brought out upon
the scene of the massacre at Mountain
Meadows, before the executing party,
and seated on his coffin, about twenty
feet from the shooters. After the order
OF the court was read to him and the
company present by Marshal Nelson,
which was concluded at 1924 a. m., he
asked Lee if he had anything to say
before the execution was carried into
effect. Lee said:
pointing to Mr.FFennemore, who was
fixing his camera near by to take Lees
photograph, preceding the shooting.
Lee, calling the artist, Fennemore re-
piled ''in second, Mr.. Lee" and
waiting until the artist assented his
readiness to listen, Lee said:
II want to ask you favor. L want
you to furnish my three wives each with
a copy of the photograph, /" meaning the
one being taken; "a copy of the same
to Rachel A, Sarah c., and Emma B"
Mr.. Howard responded for the artist:
tHe says he will do it, Mr.. Lee.''
Lee repeated the names over again
carefully, saying: ''Please forward
them. You willP'' He then rose and
said:
Lees Last Words.
81 have but little to. say this morn
ing. OF course 1 feel that 1 am upon
the brink of eternity, and the solemnity
of eternity should rest upon my mind
at the present. have made out, or
endeavored to do so, manuscript and
an abridged history of my life. This
will be published. Sir, l have given
my views and feelings with regard to
all those things. 1 feel resigned to my
fate. feel as
CALM AS A SUMMER MORNING.
l have done nothing adversely wrong.
My conscience is clear before God and
man, and am ready to meet my Re-
deemer. This it is that places me upon
this field. l am not an infidel. have
not denied God, or his mercy. am a
strong believer in those things. The
most regret is parting with my fam
lily. Many of them are unprotected.
and will be left fatherless. When
speak of those little ones, they touch a
tender chord within me- Here Lees
voice faltered perceptibly. I have
done nothing designedly wrong in this
affair. I used my utmost endeavors to
save this people. would have given
the world, were it at my command, to
have avoided that calamity, but 1 could
not. 1 am sacrificed to satisfy feelings,
and am used to crafty parties, but
AM READY TO DIE.
l have no fear. Death has
no terrors and no particle
of mercy have asked of the court or
officials to spare my lie. do not fear
death. I shall never go to worse
place than the one I am in now. I
have said it to my family, and 1 will
say it to-day, that the government of
friend, and that is saying a great deal,
but it is true. am true believer in
the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1 do not
believe everything that is now practiced
and taught by Brigham Young. 1 do
not agree with him. believe he is
LEADING PEOPLE AsTRAY,
But believe in the gospel as taught in
its purity by Joseph Smith in former
days. have my reasons for saying
this. I 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, dastardly manner. There
are thousands of people in the church
honorable and good-hearted-that I
cherish in my heart. regret to leave
my family. They are near and dear to
me. These are the things that rouse
my sympathy. I declare that I did
nothing designedly wrong in this un-
fortunate affair. I did everything in
my power to save all the emigrants, but
it is alone that must suffer. Having
said this, l feel resigned. I ask the
Lord, my God, to extend his mercy to
me and receive my spirit. My labors
are here DONE"
After the speech, Parson Stokes,
Methodist, made a prayer, commencing
the soul of the condemned man to God.
Immediately after this handker-
chief was placed over Lees eyes. He
raised his hands and placed them on top
Of his head, sitting firm, Nelson giving
the word
FIRE"
and exactly at IL O'Clock five guns
were fired, penetrating the body in the
region of the heart. Lee fell square
back upon his coffin, dead, his death
being instantaneous. The body was
placed in the coffin, and the crowd dis
persed. There were about seventy-five
persons, all told, on the ground. Not a
Child or relative was there. The best
OF order prevailed, and all pronounced
the execution a success. Lees last
words to Nelson were
"AIM AT MY HEART"
The body is to be given to his rela.
lives at Cedar City.