The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-03-29

Oh UIl0 OlllCc.
JOHN d. LEE, convicted of murder
for the Observation-Disclosures massacre of
emigrants from Arkansas, in 1857, in
Utah, was executed at Mountain
Meadows on Friday the % instant He
was seated on his coffin about twenty
feet from the shooters. After the
order of the Court was read byMarshal
Nelson, Lee rose and made speech.
His last words to Nelson were, 'Aim
at my heart"
After the speech Pars0n Stokes,
Methodist, made a prayer, commencing
the soul of the condemned man to God.
Immediately after this handkerchief
was placed over Lees eyes. He raised
his hands, placed them on his head,
sitting firm. Marshal Nelson gave the
word fire and five guns were fired, the
bullets penetrating the body in the
region of the heart. Lee fell squarely
back upon his coffin, dead, death being
instantaneous.
The body was placed in a coffin and
the crowd dispersed. About seventy
five persons all told were on the ground.
Not child or relative of Lees was
there. The best Of order prevailed and
the execution passed off without a
mistake.
The body was to be given to relatives
at Cedar City.
THE LAST SPEECH.
I have but little to say this morning.
OF course | feel that | am upon the
brink of eternity, and the solemnities
Of eternity should rest upon my mind
at the present. [ have made out, or
endeaVOr0d to do so, q manuscript and
an abridged history Of my life. This
will be published. Sir, / have given
my views and feelings with regard to
all these things. | feel resigned to
my fate / feel as calm as a sum-
mer morning. [ have done moth
ing adversely wrong. My con-
scienceiS clear before God and man,
and I am ready to meet my Redeemer.
This it is that phases me upon this
field. I am not an infidel; I have not
denied God or His mercy. I am a
strong believer in those things. Most
| regret that parting with my family,
many of them are unprotected and will
be left fatherless. When I speak of
those little ones they touch tender
chord within me. Here Lees voice
faltered perceptibly) [ have done moth
ing designedly wrong in this affair. |
used my utmost endeavors to save this
people. I would have given worlds
were it at my command to have avoid
ed that calamity, but could not. / am
sacrificed to satisfy feelings, and am
used to crafty parties; but am
READY TO DIE.
[ have no fear of death; it has no
terrors, and no particle Of mercy have
asked, for the court or officers to spare
my life / do not fear death. [ shall
never go to a worse place than the one
[ am now in. Ihave said it to my
family, and [ will way it to-day that
the government of the United States
sacrifices their best friend, and that is
saying great deal, but it is true.
I am true believer in the gospel
of Jesus Christ | do not believe every
thing that is now practiced and taught
by Brigham Young. I do not agree
with him. believe he is leading the
people astray; but believe in the Cos
pei as taught in it's purity by Joseph
Smith in former days. I have my
reasons for saying this. / used to
make this mans will my pleasure, and
did so for thirty years. See how and
what / have come to this day. i
HAVE BEEN SACRIFICED
in a cowardly and dastardly manner