The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-04-14

grants ulu not Tor an instant lose their
courage and presence of mind. With
promptness they wheeled their wagons
into an oblong corral and rapidly threw
up earth from the center of the corral
against the wagon wheels, making an
excellent barricade. AS soon as the
emigrants had completed the barricade,
the fire of the Indians was returned, and
three of the assailants were wounded
They had crept very close to the train,
not dreaming repulse possible, and lay
in the brush along the creek. Two of
the Indians died, Notwithstanding they
we're taken to Cedar City, where their
wounds were anointed with oil by
Bishop Higbee.
The leaders of the Mormon militia at
Cedar City were thrown into a state of
excitement by the arrival of an Indian
runner bringing the news of the unsuc
cessful assault, and they at once began
collecting their forces to 90 to the Mead.
ows to the assistance of their allies. 1t
is said that Haight told man that orders
had come from headquarters to Stay every
person in the train The Cedar City
forces being considered inadequate, Lee
sent to Washington, Utah, for reinforce
ments. When the troops were within a
short distance of the Meadows they were
told that the entire company was to be
killed, with the exception of such chill
dren as might be too young to remember
The Mormons were disguised as Indians,
and so successfully that the besieged had
no idea that their besiegers were white
men.
Safely intrenched behind their barri-
cade, they suffered only for the lack of
water. The spring was only forty rods
distance, and yet they dared not venture
to go to it. The whole rim of the basin
formed by the circling hills was masked
battery sending forth destruction every
time a form was seen inside the barri-
cade. 1t was at first supposed that only
the men were in danger, and a woman
stepped outside the corral to milk COW.
She fell pierced by bullets. At length,
the thirst of the party becoming intolera-
Bile, they decided to send two of the little
girls to the spring for water, No feel
ing of pity for even children entered the
hearts Of these men. Hand in hand the
little ones went on to the water Sud
denly came the crack of score of rifles,
and the youthful creatures fell, their
bodies filled with bullets, in sight of
their frantic parents. The emigrants at
this knew they could expect no mercy
And still their courage did not fail them.
They might hold out few days. But
starvation and the keen torture of unal-
layed thirst stared them in the face. After
they had passed four days in this state of
siege they drew up prayer for aid, re-
hearsing how the Indians had attacked
them and how they were surrounded.
This petition contained list of the en-
igrants names, their ages, places of birth
and residences at the time they began
the pilgrimage to the far West. There
were number of clergymen, physicians
and other professional men; also Free
Masons and OddFellows, and these, with
the rank of each, and the lodge to which
they belonged, were given. This letter
was addressed to" Any Friend of Human
ity," and it was a heart-rending cry of
distress from souls in mortal straits
The last name had hardly been signed
to the document when three noble men
lege of breaking through the barriers,
dashing past the enemy and crossing the
desert to California. They had begun to
suspect by this time that portion of
their asSailants were white men, and
they knew they had more to fear from
them than from the Indians. Under
cover Of darkness they left the be-
leaguered corral, and passed the am
pushed foe without detection. Somehow
their flight was subsequently discovered,
and Indian runners were sent after them.
One was mercilessly murdered. He was
killed while sleeping, exhausted, by an
Indian, who since boosted of the deed.
In after years he led "a person to the spot
where he committed the murder, and the
charrcd remains of the skull and larger
bones the body having been burned
still marked the spot. The appeal was
found near the body of the murdered
man by the Indian who killed him. He
gave it to a Mormon, who kept it long
time, and finally gave it to one of the
parties who was implicated in the mas.
sacre. He in turn destroyed it.
The other two men were overtaken at
Virgin Hills. They were stripped of
their clothing and told to run for their
lives. AS they did so a shower of az
rows was sent after them, and both were
wounded severely, one so badly that he
could scarcely crawl. He was bound to
stake, wood piled about him, and
burned alive. The last one made his
way to the camp of the Vagas Indians,
who gave him clothing and food. He
afterward tried to make his way to Cali
fornia, but was met by Ira Hatch and his
band and put to death by slow torture,
In the meantime the condition of the
besieged grew worse. Days passed.
Their suffering increased constantly; but
with courageous hearts they looked for
help to come. One thing they were de.
termined upon-they would die, and
never surrender.
On the morning of the nth Of Septem-
Der Il cry of relief broke from the corral
n wagon filled with white men and bear
ing II white flag was seen coming down
the Meadows. Succor was at hand! The
deliverers were none other than John ID
Lee, and the officers of the Mormon
militia. AS soon as they appeared the
Indians ceased firing, and in fanced Sc
curity the emiorantS rushed outside the