Connecticut western news., 1877-03-30
The Mormon Massacre.

In the mouth of September, 1887, par : ty of emigrants on their way from Arkan- sas to California, was inhumanly slaugn- tered by Mormons under the leadership ot John D. Lee. at what is known as Moun- tain Meadows. It has been very oinlcult matter to obtain evidence to duplicate and convict the guilty in this horrible crlme' but it has finally been accomplished by the arrest, imprisonment and execution ot John D. Lee, Mormon elder, who before his death and while iu prison, wrote a full con- fession. Lee was shot last Friday, on the same ground where were murdered the en- igrants twenty years before. His contes- sion states that in the wholesale slaughter of this large train of 12O emigrants, he ac'- ed under the orders of Brigham Young. He obtained the assistance of about 15O lndi- ans, who, with dozen or more white Mor- mons did the bloody work in the name of, and to promote the interests of, the Mor- mon religion. Lees statement of the plans of the slaughter and it's execution is as fol- lows:
 EThe plan agreed upon there was to me ct them with flag of truce, tell them that the Indians were determined on tbelr destruc- tion, that we dare not oppose the Indians, for we were at their mercy; that the best we could do for them Cthe emigrants) was to get them and what few traps we could take in the wagons, to lay their arms in the bottom of the wagon and cover them up with bedclothes, and start for the settle ment as soon as possible, and to trust them selves in our hands. The small children E Id women were to go with the two wagons the women tc follow the wagons and the men next, the troops to stard in readiness on the east side of the road ready to receive them. Shurtz and Nephi Johnson were to conceal the Indians in the brush and rocks till the company was strung out on the road to certain point. and at the watch word "Halt! Do your duty!" each man was to cover his victim and fire. Johnson and Shurtz were to rally the Indians, and rush upon and despatch the women and larger children. It was further told the men that President Haight said that If we were united in carrying out the instructions we should receive the 'celestial reward"
 Saturday morning all was ready, and ev- cry man assigned to his post of duty. During the night, or rather just before daylight, Johnson and ShurtZ ambushed their Indians, the better to deceive the emi- grants. About II a. m. the troops under Major Higbee took their position on the road. The white flag was still kept up in the corral. Higbee called William Bate man out of the ranks to take flag of truce to the corral. He was met about half way by another white flag from the emigrant camp. They had talk. The emigrant was told we had come to rescue them if they would trust us. Both men returned to their respective camps.
 When all was ready. Samuel McMurdY. counsellor to Bishop R. K. Smith (Klin- gensmith) drove out on the road. We were about half mlle ahead of the comps- ny when we heard the first firing. The firing was simultaneous along the whole line. The moment the firing commenced, McMurdy halted and tied his lines across the rod of hls wagon box, stepped down coolly with 8 double-barrelled shotgun, walked back to Knights wagon, who had the wounded men. and was about twenty feet in the rear. AS he raised his piece he said, s'Lord. my God, receive their spirits. for it is for the kingdom of heavens sake that we do this" fired and killed two men. Samuel Knight had muzzle-loading rife, and he shot and killed the three men, then struck the wounded boy on the head, who fell dead. At this moment I heard the scream of a child. Hooked up and saw an Indian have little boy blythe hair of his head, dragging him out of the hind end of the wagon, with knife in his hand, get ting ready to cut his throat. By this time the Indians had rushed up around the wag- on in quest of blood, and despatched the two runaway wounded men. saw an Indian pursue little girl who was fleeing He caught her about hundred feet from the wagon and plunged his knife through her. Passing along the road I saw the dead strewn along the distance of about half mile. The women and children were killed by the Indians. When came to the men they lay about a rod apart. here came up with Higbee, Bishop Smith ard the rest of the company. As I came up Higbee said to me. 'Let us search these persons for valuables," and asked me to assist him. He gave me 8 hat to hold. Several men were already engaged ir searching the bodies.
 When Lee rendered his report of tht massacre to Brigham Young, he seemed a first troubled about it, but after he haG
 made the matter ''subject of prayer" h'
 said, .'John, feel first rate. I asked thu
 Lord if It was all right for that deed to b.
 done, to take away the vision of the deec
 from my minl, and the Lord did so, and
 feel first rate. It is all right.
 LEe1sLATIvE-Mr. Reed. of Cornwall
 in the House of Representatives. Marcl