Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-03-30
peated the names over again, saying.
''Please forward them"
HIS LAST WORDS.

HIS LAST WORDS.
He then arose and said:
1 have but little to say this morning. VI
course, feel that am upon the brink OF
eternity, and the solemnity OF eternity
should rest upon my mind at the present.
l have made out, or endeavo1ed to 90 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. l feel resigned to
my fate. | feel as calm as SUNNI morn
ing. Ihave done nothing adversely wrong.
My conscience is clear before God and
man, and ] am ready to meet my REDEEM
er. This it is that places me upon this
field. am not an infdel. l have not de-
MED God or His mercy. | am strong be-
lever in these things. The most l regret
is parting with my family. Many of them
are unprotected and will be left fatherleSs.
When | speak of these Little ones they
touch tender chord within nue.. Ulere
Lees voice faltered percei tibly.) l havt
done nothing designedly wrong in ttils
affair. | used my utmost endeavorS t.
save these people. l Would have giy.i
worlds were they at my command to haN.
avoided that calamity, but could not.
am sacrificed to sttisfy feelings nd all
used to crafty parties; but | am ready t.
die [ have no fear of death. 1t HIS ~
terrors for me. and nn particle Of mere,
have | asked for from Court or officials
spare my life. I do not fear death.
shall never go to i worse pace t'an tl''
one | AIN now in. | have said it to my
family, and | will say it to-day that the
Government Of the Uulted States sacrifices
their b st friend, and that is saying great
deal, but it is true. am true believer
in the gospel of Jesus Christ. do not be-
lieve everything that is now practlsed and
taught by Brigham Young. [ do not agree
with him. I believe he is leading people
astray. But l believe in the Gospel as
taught in its purity by Joseph Smith in
former days. l have my reasons for say
ing this. | 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 Il cowardly, daS-
tardly manner. There are thousands of
people in the churcll-honorable, good
hearted-whom l cherish in my heart. [
regret to leave my family. They are near
and dear to me. These are things to rouse
my sympathy. 1 declare did nothing de-
signedly wrong in this unfortunate affair.
l did everything in my power to save all
emigrants; but [ am the one that must
suffer. Having said this [ feel resigned.
| ask the Lord my God to extend his mer-
cy to me and receive my spirit: my la
bors are here done.
THE LAST SCENE.
After the speech Parson Stokes {Metho-
Dist made a prayer, commencing the soul
of the condemned man to God. Immedi-
ately after this a hank erchief was placed
over Lees eyes. He raised his hands and
placed them on top of his head, sitting
firm, Marshal Nelson giving the word
Fire." and five guns fired, the balls pene-
trating 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 crowds dspers-
ed. There were about aeventy-fve persons
all told on the ground. Not a child OF a
relative Was there. The best order pre-
vailed. Lees last words to Marshal Mel
son were: Aim at my heart The body
is now on its way from the scene Of the
execution to be deliveie ed to relatives at
Cedar city.
By a singular coincidence letter writ
ten by John u. Lee since his conviction,
and addressed to one of his numerous
wives, reached the dead letter office of the
Postotfice Department on the day and near
the very hour Of his execution at Noun
tain Meadows. The letter had failed to
reach the lady through instruction, and
was forwarded to the right address by the
Postotfice Department on the day it was
received there.