Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1877-03-24

CEDAR CirY, Utah. March 2s.-Lee made
q short spOoch, in which he expressed his
confidence in tho Mormon religion ~ rc-
vsaled to Joseph Smith. He denounced
Brigham Young In severe terms. said he
hal never Intentionally done wrong and
was prepared 10 die. His language was
evasivc and contradictory 10 what he had
previously said aud written. lie died 81
he had lived, 0 religious fanatic.
Tho Marshal, with tho soldiers and Leo,
District Attorney Howard and Rev. Mr..
Stokes, arrived ct Mountain Meadows
about 3 o'clock on Thursday evening. AZ
ter eating and stationing guards. all re-
tired around the campfire except Lee and
Rev. Mr.. atokos. who slept together In .
agon. Leo slept all night and took .
light breakfast. lie gave directions - 70
the disposition OF his property 70 District
Attorney Howard, dividing IL equally be-
tween three Of Ills wives aud their chill.
drrp. lie requested tho Marshal 10 deliver
his body to his wife Rachel. Ho also 70.
qucstd that he might DO shot at short
range. and that they would aim athis heart.
No knclt down on his coffin and WA re-
qucsted to sit there while = photographer
present took his picture. Lee called tho
artist to him and requested that each OF
his wives should be forwarded . copy.
After his remarks Rev. Mr.. Stokes offered
prayer, Leo knseling on his coffin. A
bandagc was then placed OF his eyes. and
he sat on his cofln aud took of bis coat
and hat and handed them 10 an officer.
aud held up his hands and said he was
ready. Tho Marshal gave the word. and
three shots went through his heart. lie
fell back upon his coffin and died without
q struggle. Quite . number OF spectators
were present. and the best order prevailed.
The body wa Immediately placed In the
cofin and sent 10 his wife Rachel. During
the last few days Leo has had some hopes
Of executive interference In response to
the petition recently prssented By his chill
dren.
The last Hours efLee.
CIpAR CRY. March 2i.-Ths execution
Of Leo occurred within about 200 yards OF
the spot where twenty years ago he docoyed
the smigrants out, and about tho same
distance from the monument. About 100
persons witnessed the execution. United
States Marshal Nelson and . posse arrived
at the Meadows about 8 o'clock Thursday
night from Beaver with three Government
wagons containing . squad Of twenty-five
soldiers from Camp Cameron and com.
manded by Lieutenant Patterson. On the
frat night out sslhrch Of seventy miles
was made from Beaver 10 Lcech's. They
came into camp at 3 o'clock p. NJ,
Lee ate Q hearty breakfast, smoked. rolled
himself In his blankets under Q cedar tree.
and slept soundly until about O'Clock.
His manner wAs cool and collected, and he
other failed 10 realize, or was indifferent
Ia the terrible fate, 30 soon awaiting him.
On tho trip for the first time he confessed
~ Staying five emigrants. He spoke with
great bitterness against brigham Young,
whom he accused OF leading the Nor
mons to destruction. Yesterday morning
about y o'clock Lee was taken from the
camp In ono Of tho Government wagons.
headed by Lieutenant Patterson and his
men, and marched TO the scene OF eIscu-
ton. He slept we'll all last night aud bis
appetite was In nowise diminished. He
talked composedly and acted and hiked
with considerable Indifference. On ar
irving at the spst, without any unnecessary
delay, hc went 10 . convenient place
and explained the situation OF the N
grants when the massacre occurred. the
picture presented this morning was weird
and strange beyond description. The
wagons, troops, etc., ~ seen from an over.
looking promontory. going through the
meadows, was . scene not dissimilsr W
ono twenty years ago on tho Same spot.
Tho wagons were placed together, and Boz
hind theso the six men selected 70 do the
execution wore placed, armed with needle
puus. Lee, In company with Rev. George
Stokes OF Minnesota, Marshal Nelson and
Mr., Howard, advanced. His steps
fsltercd 0 littlo as no approached the
coffin. He took of his ovsrcoat
and ccolly seated himself on tho
head Of his cofin. - though taking
a seat BY q comfortable firs. Tho prisoner
was about twenty-five feet from the
wagons, and sat facing them. The Mar
shal In o clear, steady voics read the death
warrant. 10 which the condemned man
paid little attsntion. He asked 10 make .
statement. He spoke Of the solemnity Of
the occasion, his willingness 10 die, Of his
innocence. Of his being the best friend the
lnltsu blhrs uAos snu VI bhi8uslu AOuu8s
whom he accused Of going back on n who
had served him. But he stood firm In the
faith. lie spoke OF his family and WAS
affected 10 tears. All knseling. and the
prisoner by his coffin. Rev. Mr.. Stokes
offered . prayer. Lee again seated him
self and told the men at the wagon net 10
mangle his legs, but 10 aim we'll at
his heart. He said that he was not
at all excited, and that be could give the
word to fire himself. The Martial ban.
dagsd his eyes. but he would not permit
his hands 70 DO tied. and clasped them
over his head. About the last thing he
said. he told the boys 10 aim well, and
murmured somsthing against brigham
Young. The Marshal then gave tho COM
mand. "Mske ready take aim hrsr
and John ID. Leo fell quietly back on his
coffin. his feet on tho ground. and died
without . struggle. Five balls went
through the region Of his heart. He dis
ulsyal n.Aa .sA~l... -..--.. and