The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1877-03-24
MADE AFTER SENTENCE OF
DEATH HAD BEEN PASSED UPON
HIM TO his ATTORNEY, w.
w. BISHOP, ESQ.,, OF
PIOCHE.
The Mountain Meadow Massacre. "
at Mountain Meadows, Washing-
ton County, Utah Territory,
September 10th, 1857,
Brigham Young, John ID. Lee, Isaac
c. Haight, Colonel Dame and
John M. Higbee.

MONUMENT, MOUNTAIN MEADOWS, Utah,
March 23.-12 Il P. NAT As seconds to
II A. II. precisely Lee was brought out
before the executing party, seated on his
coffin, about twenty feet from the shoot.
ers. After the order Of the Court was
read to him and the party present by
Marshal Nelson, Lee made o speech of
about 500 words. bitterly denouncing
Brigham Young, and calling himself q
scapegoat for the sins Of others, and he
hoped God would be merciful, Lee de.
MED that he was guilty of bloodshed to
the last, and maintained that his mission
to the Meadows was one Of mercy. AZ
ter Lees speech, Parson Stokes, Metho-
dist, made prayer commencing the
soul of the condemned man to God.
Immediately after this the handkerchief
was placed over Lees eyes. He raised
his hands. placed them on top Of bis
head, sitting firm. Nelson gave the word
"ire" and exactly at II CLOCK five guns
were fred, the bullets penetrating the
body in the region of the heart. Lee fell
square back upon the coffin dead. Death
was instantaneous. The body was
placed in the coffin and the crowd dis
persed. There were about seventy i've
persons, all told, on the ground, and not
child or relative Of Lees was there.
The best order prevailed, and all pro.
nounced tho execution success. Lee's
last words to Nelson were: "Aim at my
heart" The body is now passing to be
given to relatives at Cedar City.
MOUNTAIN MEADOWS, Utah, March 90.
After Marshal Nelson concluded read
ing the order of the Court ct 1924 A.
M, he asked Lee if he had anything to
say before the execution was carried into
effect. Lee said: II wish to speak to
that man. pointing to Mr.. Fennemore,
who was fixing his canvas near by to
take his photograph before the shooting
Fennemore replied, I'm second. Mr..
Lee" Lee waited until the artist as.
sented his readiness to listen. Lee said
II want to ask you favor. want you
to furnish my three wives each copy
of my photograph. (meaning the one
being taken) copy Of the rame to
Rachel A.. Sarah c., and Emma B."
(Mr. Howard responded for the artist. }
He says he will do it. Mr.. Lee" Lee
repeated the names over again carefully,
saying, please forward them" He
then arose aud said:
LEES SPEECH.
II have little to say this morning. OF
course. l feel that ! am upon the brink
of eternity, and the solemnities OF stern.
ity should rest upon my mind at the
present. I have made out. or endeav.
ored 10 do so, manuscript and an
abridged history Of my life that is to be
published. Sir, have given my views
and feelings with regard to all these
things. feel resigned to my fate.
feel as calm as Summer morning, and
have done nothing adversely wrong.
My conscience il clear before God and
man, and I am ready to meet my Re.
deemer; this It is that places me upon
this field. am not an infidel, l have
not denied God or bis mercy. I am
strong believer In those things. The
most that I regret is parting with my
family. Many Of them are unprotected
and will be left fatherless. When l
speak OF those little ones they touch o
tender chord within me. Here Lees
voice faltered pereeptibly.) have
done nothing 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
avoided that calamity, but I could NOT.
I am sacrificed to satisfy feelings, and
am used to crafty parties, but am
ready to die. have no fear; death has
no terrors. and no particle Of mercy have
l asked OF Court or officials to spare my
life. ] do not fear death. Ishall never
go to worse place than the one am
now In. I have said It to my family and
will say II to-day, that the Government