Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-01-26
KetributiCn.


To-day is the line appointed for the DEATH
at Beaver, Utah, Of John D. Lee, Mormon
ex bishop, convicted as the active leader and
director Of the Mountain Meadows massacre ol
1857. liz the summer Of 1851 two trans OF
entrants ibound for California entered Salt
Lake City. One Of these tralos was formed OF
| a company of Missourians all men, bold and
| rough, en- route for the Sierra Nevada gold
mines; the other, and much larger train, was
| that of number of families from Arkansas,
comparatively wealthy people, and on their way
to southern California, as settlers. The Mis-
sourans at Salt Lake City having by their
thoughtless conduct greatly cxaspcratcd the
saints and having cause to fear their vengeance,
deemed it cxpclieut in leaving the city toJ0n
the Arkansas train.
The Arkansas men readily accepted this re
enforcement, inasmuch as tic Mormous APP
peared to be bitterly hostile to all Gentle 10
trudcrs in their territory, and were actively
preparing TO repel by force Charms column OF
the United States army approaching over the
plains under GeneralaA Ibcrt Sydney Johnston,
eseortng Few Governor OF Utah to take the
place OF Brigham Young, new judges, Ne. John
stou's provision train, moving 10 adVarc3 or MS
troops, was burned by the Alormons, and there,
by his eutrancc into Salt Lake City was delayed
till the return Of spring.
The traiu OF the Missouri aud Arkansas cml-
!, grants moved on southwark through Utah Tor
over three hundred miles, and without serious
interruption until they reached those fatal
Mountain Meadows. Here, in a little valley in
the desert, were grass and water; and, as their
horses had suffered from short supplies, the
train halted for few days rest and recupera.
ton Here the Mormous disguised as Indians,
and with some Indian allies mustered Tor the
occasion. made their appearance as enemies.
The cmigrants made iortiGcatlon OF their
Wagons, and alter successful defense Tor sevc-
raj days John y. Lee came forward with flag
of truce and with terms Tor surrender, which
were gladly accepted. The emigrants had 20
, alternative, tc; their horses were mostly Killed
and their mproVlscd fort was then cut oil from
the spring which had supplied the garrison
with water. The men marched out and laid
down their arms the women and children iol
lowing Then the signal was given by Lee and
, the massacre began, and was continued u0tl
. l27 mep, women and children were buchercd
out of the train Of lao, thirteen small children,
, too young TO tell the tale being saved. as it np
|
T. ried eff ia his wagon. The massacre took place
, on the 18th of September, 1851. 1t was not
till 1874 that the chain of evidence had become
strong enough and the United States courts in
Utah sufficiently fortified TO proceed to action
against ohm d. Lee. On November II, 1874
= however, over seventeen years after his crime
Lee was arrested as leading consplraor and
D actor in il; but it was not till July H.. 1876
+ that he was brought to trial. The trial was be-
/ fore Judge Lowe, of the United States District
f Court, at Beaver, 10 southern Utah, the c0un
, " town nearest the scene Of the massacre.
In the course of the trial Lee confessed his
y. participation in the conspiracy and massacre
f but pleaded 10 cXtenuation Of his guilt, thai
he had acted in obedience to orders from {
i leader in the Mormon Church. This trial was
brought 10 a close on the 6th Of August in tho
disagreement Of the jury, several Of the Nor
. mon iurymen not being satisfied that lies
should be convicted upon the evidence, inc!ud
ing his Own confession.
| On the 10th Of September last Lee wa:
! brought before Judge Boscmau: OF the United
, States District Court, at Beaver, for new
trial, and this time the evidence was deemed
, by the jury conclusive Of the guilt Of the pris
oner, and their verdict vas guilty Of murder
in the first degree
5 On The lO;h Of October Judge BOseman, ir
passing sentence upon the prisoner, said that
he Was offered up as sacrifice to the public
indignation, but that others equally guilty ii
his great crime might hereafter expect TO be
brought to punishment. Under the Terrific
rial law q man convicted Of murder may choose
death by hanging, by shooting or by bchead-
ing; aud as Lees choice was death by shoot
ing, be was sentenced to be shot 10 death on
,l,,, zeal, 70
\ Salt Lake City telegram Of today says the
case Of Bishop John D. Lee, convicted Of muir.
der 10 the Mountain Meadow massacre oil
the territory, which has granted a stay of exc
cuion.
Letter from Richmond.