Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1877-03-28
LYON COUNTY TIMES
Last Hours Of Lee.

CEDAR Cry, March 24.-The ex-
ecution of Lee occurred within about
zoo Yards of the spot where twenty
years ago he decoyed the emigrants
out, and about the same distance
from the monument. About 100 per-
sons witnessed the execution. United
States Marshal Nelson, and a posse
arrived ut the Meadows abont eight
o'clock Thursday night from Beaver
with three Government wagons con-
tanning SQUAD of twenty-five SOL
diers from Camp Cameron and com
manded by Lieutenant Patterson. On
the first night out march of seventy
miles was made from Beaver to
Leech's. They came into came at 3
O'Clock p. M. Lee ate a hearty break
fast, smoked, rolled himself in his
blankets under cedar tree, and slept
soundly until about one o'clock. His
manner was cool and collected. and
he either failed to realize, or was in
different to the terrible fate, so soon
awaiting him. On the trip for the
FIRST time he confessed to staying five
emigrants. He spoke with great
bitterness against Brigham Young,
whom he accused of leading the
Mormons to destruction. Yesterday
morning about 0 O'Clock Lee was
taken from the camp in one OF the
Government wagons, headed by Lieu
tenant Patterson and his men, and
marched to the scene of execution
He slept we'll the night before and
his appetite was in no wise dimin-
ished. He talked composedly and
acted and talked with considerable
indifference. On arriving at the spot,
without any unnecessary delay, he
went to a convenient place and ex-
planned the situation of the emigrants
when the massacre occurred. The
picture presented this morning was
weird and strange beyond description.
The wagons, troops, etc., as seen
from an overlooking promontory,
going through the Meadows, was a
scene not dissimilar to one twenty
years ago on the same spot. The
wagons were placed together, and
behind these the six men selected to
do the execution were placed, armed
with needle-guns. Lee, IN company
with Rev. George Stokes of Mime
Gotta, Marshal Nelson and Mr.. How
ard, advanced. His steps faltered a
little as he approached the coffin. He
took off his overcoat and coolly seated
himself on the head of his coffin, as
though taking seat by comforta-
BILE fire. The prisoner vas about
twenty five feet from the wagons and
sat facing them. The Marshal in a
clear, steady voice read the death
warrant, to which the condemned
man paid little attention. He asked
to make statement. He spoke of
the solemnity of the occasion, bis
willingness to die, of his innocence,
of his. being the best friend the
United States had, and of Brigham
Young, whom he accused of going
back on one who had served him.
But he stood firm in the faith. He
spoke Of his family and was affected
to tears. All kneeling, and the pris-
oner by his csffin, Rev. Mr.. Stokes
offered a prayer. Lee again seated
himself and told the men at the
wagon not to mangle his legs, but to
aim we'll at his heart. He said that
lie was not at all excited, and that he
could give the word to fire himself.
The Marshal bsndaged his eyes, but
he would not permit his hands to be
tied, and clasped them over his head.
About the iast thing he sa'd, he told
the boys to aim we'll, and murmured
something against Brigham Young.
The Marshal then gave the command,
"Make ready! take aim! fire'' and
John D. Lee fell quietly back on his
coffin, his feet on the ground. and
died without q struggle Five balls
went through the region of his heart.
He displayed most extraordinary
courage, and met his fate either in
the belief that he was martyr or a
hero. In any event, he died with a
fortitude and resignation that made
his death easy. Lee gave directions
to District Attorney Howard as to
the disposition Of his property, divid-
ing it equally between three of his
wives and their children. Her equested
tho N,rohal n, 1al;yor hio hoJu ~ b;e