The New York herald., 1877-03-20
THE MORMON MURDERER.
Is John D. Lee to Escape the
Death Penalty!
OPINION IN UTAH.
Il Would Have Shot the Old
Sooundrel Myself"
3 r IG III M YOUN G..
The Sons and CrandSons Of the Prisoner
Threatening Revenge.
OPINION IN UTA H.
B IGH M YOUNG,
rBx rxLxoRAPH TO THE HERALD I

At an interview with Governor Emery. at Salt Lake.
no Informed your correspondent in to some
rumors inregard pcttioning him for the commuta-
tion Of Lsos sentence to imprisonment for life that
be had not heard tho subject mentioned. Ho declined
70 indicate what he would pursue in case such
petition should reach him. Ho expressed tho hope
however, that no such petition would bc presented, as
no felt the full responsibility which would dcvolve
upon him in such an emergency
II 10 certain, however, the preparation Of such
document was at time discussed in an influential
sentile circles, and that few persons, Mormon and
Gentle. expressed their readiness to sign it, though
much larger number on both sides not only refused 10
tolerate the idea OF any change the sentence or any
delay in its execution but threatened to wait upon
the Governor and demonstrate against bis interference
One liberal Mormon said, being interviewed the
subject, ''No, sir; would rather shoot Lee myself
than have him escape have long enough encountered
tho stigma, both in Europe and America which tho
Mountain Meadows massacre has cast upon the people
Of Utah.
MORMON OPINION
81 went through the neld OF tragedy in the spring
OF 1858 and tho skeletons OF its victims exposed
and hoard tho story Of the endsh massacre from the
lips Of young who forced witness of por-
tion Of the bloody scene and my feelings were such
that would have shot tho old scoundrel Lee myself
had he appeared before me- Tho man who wants Lee
spared is NO iriend to the Mormon people.
Bishop Smoot, OF the fourishing city Of Provo,
lhirtynve miles from Salt Lake, in conversation on
with President Young through all the trying scenes OF
tho invasion Of General Johnstons army In 1867, and
thought he knew his mind In reference to
the massacre. He (Smoon had believed that
Lee was guilty man, though he know but little moro
OF The circumstances than we're familiar TO the public.
He knew we'll enough that Brigham Young had beon
ready and anxious that justice should be done tho
nstigators Of the Mountain Meadows massacre; but
had been the principal aim OF the judges and
prosecuting officers until recently reach Brigham
Mormons :sBrigham Young" continued Bishop
smoot, chad always said and Published that
he would lend any aid necessary to bring tho
guilty parties to justice whenever q should be
organized which was not controlled by the mob who
sought above all things else hts (Youngs) LIE"
Tho Bishop said that petition for Communication
Of Lee's sentence to imprisonment presented for his
signature he should probably append his name though
he would rather not such petition.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
Ri ain
OF Leo, In interview with exoccr of the courts
here who had something 10 do with Lees first trial,
expressed himself in this way" My religion teaches
me to see you in hell before giving you any evidence
while you are aiming to convict me-" This remark
probably referred the fact that much of the evidence
which convicted Lee procured through Church
instrumentaty.
THE FIRST TRIAL.
was told by former Church attorney. who figured
In the first trial. that tho failure OF the jury TO agree
on a conviction at that time principally due to
Misunderstanding on the part OF the counsel en-.
poyed by Leo and by the Church. In fact the most Of
tho evidence that convicted Leo was ready for use but
was not brought in for reason perhaps be-
cause II was incompatible with tho theory sot up
and argued earnestly by counsel that the
massacre Indian, not Mormon az
fair. THIS defeated the case. Subsequently
the present District Attorney, Howard determined
try Lee upon the merits of casc and procured GER
docu from tho Church authorities Including
Brigham Youngs letter Of instruction to spare tho
smiarants and them safely speedily out Of the
re hin latfn nj Too
Cedar City until alter the slaughter though tho yoang
man who bore It Is said TO have made tho quickest
round trip over made between Cedar City and Salt
Lake City. being about nine dcys.
MoRxoMsM AND THE MASSACRE
believe, my informant says, that It was not UNDER
stood that the Church authorities desired TO shield
Leo prevent tho facts OF coming out
In evidence. but that the Church attorneys wero
simply to represent and protect their interests Others
think that Brigham Young desrous Of saving Lee
tho undoubtcd fact that trial which convicted Leo
was essentially Church prosecution; that tho prn.
cpal If not all the important evidence was given by
Aormons. and that the jury was largely composed Of
the Introduction OF Klingensmiih, an acknowledged
participa'or IN tho massacre and Mormon apostle.
GUARD AND A FIRING PARTY.
Owing to tho inadequacy OF provisions for the safe
keeping OF prisoners at Bcavor United States Marshal
Nelson applied to Governor Emery Tor squad OF fed
era soldiers TO guard Lee and another squad TO exc.
cute him. This led to correspondence with General
sherman. who was willing to accede to the first re.
quest, but in regard said he did not regard
II part OF the duty OF tho army TO execute tho proc.
esses Of the civil courls
LEES SONS.
This request made Tor the reason that Il was |