The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-24
BY TELEGRAPH
OF JOHN D. LEE
MAKES A SPEECH BY HIS COFFIN.
Ho Is Shot at tho Scene Of the Mountain Moa.
dow Massacre-Wants His Photograph Sent
to his Three Wives.


AT IL a. m. precisely. John d. Lee wa
brought upon the scene of the massacre o.
Mountain Meadow, before the executing
party and seated on his coffin about twenty
feet from the shooters. After the ordei
of the court was read to him Marsha
Nelson asked If he had anything to say be
fore the execution was carried into effect
Lee said, l wish to speak to that man
pointing to Mr.. Fennemore, who was fix
ing his canvas near by to take Lees photo
graph. Lee calling to the artist said ]
want you to furnish my three wives each q
copy OF the photograph, one to Rachel A.,
Sarah c., and Emma B. Lee. He repeated
the names over again carefully, saying
please forward them. He then arose aud
said l have but little to say this morn.
ing. OF course feel that l am on the
brink of eternity and the solemnity of eter.
nifty should rest upon my mind. At pres.
emit l have made out, or endeavored to dc
so, manuscript or abridged history of my
life. This will be published. Sir, have
given my views sad feelings with regard to
all these things. 1 feel resigned to my
fate. feel
AS CALM AS A SUMMER MORNING.
| have done nothing adversely wrong. NV
conscience is clear before God and man,
and am ready to meet my Redeemer.
This 1t is that places me upon this field. ]
am not an infdel. have not denied God
or his mercy, am strong believer on
those things. Most regret parting with
my family. Many of them are uDprotect.
ed and will be left fatherless. When !
speak of those little ones
THEY TOUCH TENDER CHORD WITHIN NE
(here Lees voice faltered perceptlbly).
have done nothing decidedly wrong in this
affair. l used my utmost endeavor to save
this people. would have given the world
were 1t at my command TO have avoided
that calamity bu. could not. am sacri.
feed to satisfy the feelings aud am used tc
crafty parties, but am ready to die.
have no fear of death, it has no terrors and
no particle OF mercy have asked from the
court or officials. shall never go to 6
worse place than the one am now in.
have said it to my family and l will sey il
to-day that the government of the United
States sacrifices their best friend and tina,
is saying great deal, but 1t is true. l am
a true believer In the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.
DON'T BELIEVE IN PoLYGAMY.
/ do not believe everything that is nov
practiced and taught by Brigham Young
l do not agree with him. believe he II
leading the people astray, but believe in
the gospel as taught in its purity by JOSEPH
Smith in former days. have my reasons
for saying this. used to make this mans
will my pleasure, and did so for thirty
years. See how and what l have come to
This day 1 have been sacrificed in cow
ardly, dastardly manner. There are thou
sands of people in the church, honorable
good-hearted, that cherish in my heart
I regret to leave my family; they are neal
and dear to me. These are things to roust
my sympathy. declare
DID NOTHING DEsroNRDLY WRONG.
in this unfortunate affair. l did every
thing in my power to save all emigranti
but am the one that must suffer. Hav
ing said this l feel resigned. l ask the
Lord my God TO extend His mercy to mt
and receive my spirit. My labors are here
done.
After the speech Psrson Stolles (Metho
dist made prayer commencing the sou
of the condemned to God Immediately
after this handkerchief was placed owe
Lees eyes, he iaised his hands placed then
on top of his head sitting firm, Nelson
giving the word Fire !" and exactly Al
eleven o'clock five guns were fired pene
lrating the body in the region ofthe heart
LEE FELL SQUARE BACK uroN THE COFFIN
Death was instantaneous. The body wa,
placed in the coffin and the crowd dis
persed. There were about seventy-fiv,
persons on the ground, not child or rela
tive of the deceased present. The best or
der prevailed. Lees last words to Nelson
we're "Aim at my heart" The body will
be given to relatives at Cedar city.
HIS coNFEssIoN-FULL ACCOUNT OF TIL
MURDER AND HIS ATTEMPT TO SAVE
THE EMIGRANTs.
In the confession Of Lee left TO be pub
hshed after his death, be gives the follow
ing description of his efforts to FAVE tn
emigranos, after the first attack on tn
train had terminated, the emigrsnts hoist
ed the white flag in the midst of their cor
raj. Friday afternoon four wegons drov
up with armed men. When they saw tn
white flag In the corral they raised one ais
but drove where we were and took refresh
ments, after which council meeting wa
called of presidents, bishops and othe
church officers and members of the higl
council, societies, high priests etc. Msjo
John NJ. Blgbee presided as chairman
Several Of the dignitSries bowed in prayer
invoked the
AID OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
10 prepare their minds and guide them t
do right and carry out the councils of thei
leaders. Higbee said that President l. c
aaight had been to Paroman to confe
with Colonel Dame and their counsel an
orders were that this emigrant camp mus
be used up.
replied-"Men, women and children
"All," said he, "except such as are TO
young to tell tales, and If the Indians car
not do it without help We must help"
l commenced pleading for the compan
and SAID though some of them have bs
haved badly they have been pretty we
chastised. My policy would be to draw Of
tho Iudiana lat fhay,N haua n yNnrt;on IF th