Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-03-29
JUSTICE AT LAST !

emigrants While passing through the
Mormon territory Of Utah, were SCI
upon by force of Mormons and In
dams and the Whole patty of one
hundred and twenty men, women and
children, cruelty murdered. 1t would
seem as if their blood continually
cried out for vengeance and not in
vain. The terrible crime has never
been forgotten, the universal belief
being that the massacre was instlga-
ted and carried ont by the Mormon
authorities. On Friday last, a we'll
known Mormon named John D. Lee,
who had at last been convicted Of be-
ing the leader in the plot, was execu'
ted by being publicly shot on the very
ground Of the massacre. Before his
execution, at which there We're some
seventy-live persons present, he made
speech, in which he expressed him
self resigned to his fate.
Below we give brief account of
the execution and the last words of
the miserable man who was the prime
leader in the terrible butchery:
SALT LAKE, MARCH 23.-At II A..
M. precisely Lee was brought out up
on the scene of the massacre at Noun
tain Meadows, 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 at 1854 A. NJ,
he asked Lee if he had anything to
say before the execution was carried
into effect. He then arose and said (:
II have but little to say this morning.
OF course | feel that am upon the
brink of eternity, and the solemnty
of eternity should rest upon my mind
at the present l have made out, or
endeavored to do SO, a manuscript
and an abridged history Of my life
This will be published, Sir. l have
given my views and feelings with re-
gard to all these things. | feel re-
signed to my fate. | feel as calm as
summer morning. | have done
nothing designcdly wrong. My CON
science is clear before God and man,
and I am ready to meet my Redeem
er. | am not an inidel. 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 these little ones they touch
a tender cord within me- Here Lee 9
voice laltered perceptibly. | have
done nothing designedly wrong in this
affair. | used my utmost endeav
ors to save those people. | would
have given the world, had it been at
my command to have avoided that
calamity bit | could not. | am sac
rifced to satisfy my feelings and am
used to crafty parties, but am ready
to die. | have no fear Death has
no terrors, and no particle Of mercy
have l asked of the court or officials
to spare my life. I do not fear death
shall never 90 TO worse place than
the one | am now in. have said it
to my family and l will say it to-day
that the government Of the United
States sacrifices it's best friend, and
that is saying a great deal, but it is
true. | am a true believer in the
gospel Of Jesus Christ. | do not be-
lieve everything that is now pract-
iced and taught by Brigham Young.
do not agree with him. | believe
he is leading the people astray, but |
believe in the gospel as taught in its
purity by Joseph Smith in former
days. / have my reasons for saying
this. / used to make this mans will
my pleasure, and did so for thirty
years. See Low and what | have
come to this day. l have been sacri-
feed in a cowardly and dastardly
manner. There are thousands Of peo-
pie in the church, honorable and
good-hearted, whom | cherish in my
heart. l regret to leave my family ;
they are near and dear to me. These
are things to rouse ny sympathy. |
declare / did nothing designedly
wrong in this unfortunate affair. |
did everything in my power to save
all the emigrants, but | AIN the one
that must suffer. Having said this, |
feel resigned. / ask the Lord my God
10 extend his mercy to me and receive
my spirit My labors are here done.
After the speech, Parson Stokes
(Methodist) made a prayer, commend
ing the soul OF the condemmned man
to God. Immediately after this a
handkerchief was placed over Lee
eyes. He raised his hands and placed
them on top Of his head, sitting firm.
Marshal Nelson giving the word
Fire" five guns fired balls, renetrat,
ing the body in the region Of the heart
Lee fell square back upon his coffin
dead. Death WAS instantaneous. The
body was placed in the coffin and the
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