The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1877-04-21
NOTES FROM "LIFE OF
JOHN p. Lee"
FROM MANUSCRIPT IN THE POS.
SESSION OF w. w. BISHOP.
ESQ. ,'OF PIOCHE.



Brigham Young knew very we'll that l
was not a man who would willingly
take life, and therefore was not ordered
to do his bloody work. ] never took
part in any killing that was desired or
ordered by the Church, except the part I
took in the Mountain Meadows Mas.
sacre. I was well-known by all Of the
members Of the Church as one that stood
high in the confidence Of Brigham Young
and that / was olose-mouthed and re.
liable. By this means was usually In
formed of the facts in every case where
violence was used in the section of the
county where resided. knew of many
men being
KILLED IN NAUvoo
BY the Danites. It was then the rule
that all the enemies OF Joseph Smith
should be killed, and know Of many
man being quietly put out of the way by
the orders of Joseph and his Apostles
while the Church was there. 1t has
always been we'll understood doctrine
OF the Church that it was right and
praiseworthy to kill every person who
spoke evil OF the Prophet. This doctrine
had been strictly lived up TO in Utah
until the Gentiles arrived in such great
numbers that it became unsafe to follow
the practice; but the doctrine is still be-
lieved and no year passes without one or
more of those who have spoken evil of
Brigham Young being killed in secret
manner.
Springville, Utah, was one of the hot
beds Of fanaticism, and I expect that
more men were killed there in proportion
to population than in any other part of
Utah. In Utah it has been the custom
with the Priesthood to
CAsTRATE
Such men as were obnoxious to the lead.
ers. This was done for double purpose ::
first, it gave perfect revenge; and next.
it left the poor victim living example
to others of the dangers OF disobeying
the Council and not living as ordered by
the Priesthood. In Nauvoo it was the
orders from Joseph Smith and his
Apostles to
BEAT, WOUND AND CAsTIATE
All Gentiles that the police could take in
the act Of entering or leaving Mormon
household under circumstances that led
to the belief that they had been to the
house for immoral purposes. I knew Of
several such outrages while there. In
Utah it was the favorite revenge Of old.
WORKOUT members OF the Priesthood,
who wanted young women sealed to
them and found that the girl preferred
some fair young man. The old Priests
generally got the girls, and manya
YOUNG MAN WAS UNsExED
For refusing to give up his sweetheart at
the request of an old and failing, but
still sensual, Apostle or member OF the
Priesthood. As an illustration, will re-
fer to an instance that many good
Saint knows to be true. -.
WARREN SNOW
Was Bishop Of the Church OF Manti, San
Pete county, Utah. He had several
wives, but there was fair. buxom young
woman in the town, whom Snow wanted
for wife. He made love to her with
all his powers, went to parties where she
was. visited her at her home, and pro.
posed to make her his wife. She thanked
him for the honor offered, but told him
she was then engaged to young man, q
member OF the Church. and consequently
could not marry the old Priest. This
was not sufficient reason for Snow. He
told her it was the
WILL OF GOD
That she should marry him, and she
must do 30; that the young man could be
got rid Of; sent on a mission or dealt with
In some way so as to release her from bel
engagement; that, in fact, promise
made to the young man was not binding
when che was informed that it was con.
trary to the wishes OF the authorities
The girl continued obstinate. The
teachers OF the town visited her and ad
vised her to marry Bishop Snow. Hel
parents, under the orders of the
coUNsELoRs OF THE BISHOP,
Also insisted that their daughter mus
marry the old man. She still refused
Then the authorities called on thu young