Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-03-28

The execution of John D. lee, formerly
bishop in the Mormon church, for his
part in the massacre of cmigrants al
Mountain Meadow in Utah, took place a
the scene of the slaughter Friday forenoon
about Is persons being present but not
child Or relative of the murderer. Lee
was taken to the place of his execution be-
tween 10 and II o'clock in the forenoon
and seated on his coffin about 20 feet from
the five men who were to shoot him. Aitel
Marshal Nelson had concluded reading the
order of court, he asked Lee if he had any.
thing to say before the execution was car.
ried into effect. Lee replied. " | wish tc
speak to that man." pointing TO Mr.. Fen
nemore, who was fixing his canvas near by
to take Lees photograph. Lee calling tc
the artist, Mr.. Fennemore replied, " In
second, Mr.. Lee" and, waiting till the ar
fist signified his readiness 10 listen, Lee
said: Il want TO ask you favor. / want
You to furnish my three wives each copy
of the photograph, copy to Rachel and
Sarah @. and Emma B." Mr.. Howard
responded for the artist, " He says he will
do it, Mr.. Lee Lee repeated the names
carefully, saying, Please forward them. y
Lee then arose and said; baye but little to Say thil
morning. Of course, feel that am upon the brink OF
eternity and the solemny Of eternity should res. up
on my mind at the present time. have made out, o.
endeavored to do so, a manuscript aud an abridged
history Of my life This be published sir, hay,
things. feel resigned to my fate feel as calm as
wrong My conscience is clear before God and man
| Rp0pnmer,
Places me upon this field. am not an lnhdel; nave
in those things The most t regret is parting with my
aimiX Many Of them are GnpTQyded iQr ana VII " DC
touch tender chord within me- (Here Lees voice
ialtered perceptibly0 have done nothing desgnediy
wrong in this affair, used my utmost endeayors tt
save this people would have given worlds, were It a.
my command, to avoid that calamity but could not
crafty parties but am ready to die. have no feal
Of delh; it has no errors; and no particle OF mercy
| life. do net fear death. shall never go toa worse
place than the one am now in. have said 1t to my
the United States sacrifices their best friend and that
is saying great deal but it is true. am true be.
every that Is now practieei and tauglt by Brig
ham Young l do not agree with him. believe he Is
taught in its purity by Joseph smith of former days
haye my reasons for saying this used to make TINS
mans VIII my pleasure, and dd 50 for 30 Years see
how and what have come to this day. have been
sacrificed M cowardly dastardly manner mere are
thousands of people in the church, honorable, good
hearted that cherish in my heart. regret to leave
my family They are near and dear to me Ihese are
things to rouse my sympathy. declare did nothing
dasignedy wrong in this unfortunate affair | dd
IN my power to save ~ ine ed tbis fee
resigned. / ask the Lord, my God, to extend HIS
mercy to me and receive my spirit MY laoofs mere
After the speech parson Stokes Methodist made a
prayer, commencing the soul of the condemned man
to God Then handkerchief was placed oyer Lee, :
eyes he raised his hands and placed them on the tp Of
The bullets of the five guns penetrated Lees body IN
he region Of the heart and he fell square BACK upon