Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1877-03-29
LEE, THE CONDEMNED MORMON.


As we entered the Warden's office Lee
was sitting alone in the front room
writing. There was no mistaking the
square, sturdy form, the firm, soldier-like
features, the keen eyes or the genial
good natured smile that lit up the face of
the old man as he arose to shake hands
and offer US chairs. These two years con-
finement have deepened somewhat the
wrinkles on forehead and cheek, and
rendered his face q trifie spare and care
worn, yet he was cheerful, polite, courte-
ous and hopeful. Age has crept rapidly
over him since his arrest al Panguish,
yet he looked hale and vigorous, bearing
his sixty-four years with an erect car
riage, a sprighuy, elastic walk, and firm,
military bearing. Skip the events of
single week In the fall Of 1857, and his
record is that of q brave, honorable
pioneer, who ranked high as a financier
and business manager among thS early
Mormon leaders.
Fhe ciocefy written manuscript that he
folded and laid away on the back part of
the table when the party entered was the
journal of his life. He tells how he was
converted to Mormonism; Of the perilous
journey he made to Sante Fe to get the
remittsnccs of coin which the soldiers of
the Mormon battalion sent back to their
wives who were waiting At Council Bluffs,
and of the reasons, the motives, the orders
that caused him to be present at the
great massacre.
fidelity to the church, and the readiness
Of Brigham Young to reward that fidelity
is remarkable. His confession details
the history of the subsequent events
how, when the massacre became known
and talked about, Brigham at last cut
him of from the Church publicly, but
privately assured him that it was only q
temporary measure for the benefit of the
Church. Cutting man off from the
Church divorces his wives. Eight wives
chose to be divorced, and left him in one
day. Three chose to remain, and are
still faithful to him. Brigham always
recognized Lee during his Southern
trips, and on ut least one occasion rode
publicly by his side. When Lees most
faithful old wife, Rachel, asked him at
Beaver regarding Lee, Brigham Young's
answer was, Tell Brother Lee not a hair
of his head shall be harmed" Nearly
twenty years ago the massacre was CON-
mitted, but, thank God, il is not too late
for the fuifillment OF the quotation placed
on the cross which stood ut the head Of
the pit wherein the emigranls' bones were
buried. Lees confession now renders the
quotation pertinent; Vengeance is
mine; will repay"
! Nestled close To the base Of the high,
preciptous cliff of the Wasatch range Is q
building that il destiaed 10 receive a
place in history. Years ago. when its
plain adobe walls were being erected i
heard the workmen say, ut is intended
by Brigham Young as u place to hold the
Gentiles." / was seven year old boy
then, and the saying was doubtless Jest;
but when / approached 1t on the late oc-
marking. as l examined the old mud
structure, how widely those workmen
missed the mark The day had already
come when the place has been used to
hold Brigham Young, and the Gentiles
were his jailers.
The prison Is about six miles south
ward from Salt Lake City, tlze brow sf
a low bluff that overlooks the Jordan.
Far to the north the waters Of the Great
| Salt Lake sullenly beat the shore.
| When l interviewed Lee seventeen
prisoners were In the penitentiary, two OF
whom were under sentence OF death.
The Mormon authorities allow the United
States marshals no other prison than
this, hence the most noted criminals are
often placed here to await the day OF
their execution.
John ID. Lee has most OF the time been
confined at the penitentiary. Confined Is
a wrong term, for he is simply captive
guest in the house of the warden, which
is built in front and outside OF the en-
closure. He was not ironed, not incar-
cerated and not specially guarded. When
captured he said TO Marshal Stokes, "lt
you do not iron me 1 give you my word
and honor that will not attempt to es.
cape" II. has always expressed full
faith in his ability to justify his conduct
at the Mountain Meadows. The Nor
mon Church has utterly deserted him
Mormon leaders decreed his death; Nor
mon witnesses rose up and testified
against him, and Mormon jury brought
in the verdict of guilty: To escape hs
must violate his word of honor, evade hi
guards and find his way TO Southern
Utah through q country thickly settled
with Mormons, any OF whom would re
turn him to justice. Most Of all, escap'
would deprive him Of the last hope Of re
gaining the respect or sympathy Of man
kind. His conviction was as much of
surprise to himself as il was to the world
Now that he has been sentenced to b
, shot, and his appeal overruled, hi
fate finally sealed. he perceiveo ford th
| first time the necessity of proving him
: self not alone guilty.
BEAVER, Utah, March 17.-Lee's healt
is feeble, but he writes uninterruptedl
on the history of his life, which 10 TO
: published by one of his counsel, parti
, for the benefi: of Lees family he ea'
and drinks little, is cool and firm, an