The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-04-05

hands returned 10 the scene Of the slaughter %
bury the dead. The bodies were all in . nude
state. The Indians, through privilege given
them, had stripped the bodies Of every vestige
OF clothing. Many of the parties were laughing
and talking As they carried the bodies to the IA
VINE for burial. They were just covered over .
little, but did mot long remain %, for wolves
dug them up, and, after eating the flesh from
them, the bones Laid. upon the ground until
buried some time after by Government military
officers.
At the time of burying the bodies, Dame and
haight got into another quarrel. Dame seemed
to be terror-stricken, and again said he would
have to publish it. They were about two PAGES
from me. Dame spoke low, ~ if careful to
avoid being heard. Haight spoke loud, and
me to have them used up"
Dame said: II did not think there was 90
many women and children. I thought they
were nearly all killed by indiana
Haight said: 1T is too late in the day for you
to back water. You know You ordered and
connseled it. and now you want to back out"
Dame said: Have you papers for thati" or
show me papers for that"
This enraged Haight to the highest pitch, and
Dame walked off.
Haight said: ''You throw the blame of this
thing on me and will be revenged on you if 1
have to meet you in hell to get it."
From this place we rode to the wagons. We
found them stripped of their covers and every
particle of clothing. Even feather-betls had
been ripped open and the contents thrown upon
the ground in looking for plumber. 1 crossed the
mountains by the Indian trail, taking my little
Indian boy with me on my horse. The gathering
up of property and cattle was left in charge of
Bishop P. X. Smith. The testimony of Smith in
regard to the property and disposition Of it was
nearly correct.
a messenger by the name of James Haslett was
sent with dispatch to President Brigham Young,
asking his advice about interfering with the conn
gany, but he did not return on time. This had
no knowledge of until the massacre was COM
mitted. Some tive weeks after the deed was
done Isaac G. Haight sent me to report to Gov.
Young in person. asked him why he did not
send a written report. He replied that could
tell him more satisfactorily than he could write,
and could stand up and shoulder as much of
the responsibility as I could conveniently; that
it would be feather in my cap some day, and
that I would get celestial salvation, but that .
man who shrank from it now would go to hell.
l went and did as was commanded. Brigham
asked me if Isaac G. Haight had written letter
to him. I replied: Not by me. He wished me
to report in person.
''All right" said Brigham. "Were you an
eyewitness to the most of it?"
II was, replied.
Then proceeded ard gave him full history
of all, except my opp,sitiOn; that left ont en-
tirely. told him Of the killing of women and
children and the betraying Of the company.
That told him 1 was opposed to, but did not
say to him to what extent was opposed to it,
only that was opposed to shedding innocent
blood.
why" said he, "you differ from Isaac
(Haight), for he said there was not n drop of in
nocent blood in the whole company"
When l was through, he said it was awful that
he cared nothing about the men, but the women
and children was what troubled him.
said: " President Young, you should either
release men from their obligations sustain
them when they do what they have entered into
the most sacred obligation to do"
He replied: II will think over the matter and
make it the subject of prayer, and you may
come back in the morning and see me-"
l did SO. He said: John, feel frst-rate.
asked the Lord if it was all right for that deed
to be done, to take away the vision Of the decd
from my mind. And the Lord did SO, and feel
first-rate. 1t is all right. The only fear l have
is of traitors"
He told me never to lisp it to any mortal
being not even to Brother Heber.
President Young has always treated me with
the friendship of father since, and has sealed
several women to me since, and has made my
home his home when in that part of the Terri
tory, until danger has threatened him.
This is true statement, according to the best
of my recollection. JOHN ID. LEE.
This statement have made for publication
dtteI NY ueitIiIs ttuu IicANc dSIccu Will d nAcuu
to have the same, with very many facts pertain
ing to other matters connected with the crimes
of the Mormon people under the leadership of
the priesthood, from the period before the BUTCH
cry Of Nauvoo to the present time, published
for the benefit of my family, and that the
world may know the black deeds that have
marked the way Of the Saints from the Organizes
ton of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Later
day Saints to the period when a weak and too
pliable tool lays down his pen to face the
executioners' guns for deeds of which he
is not more guilty than others who to-day are
wearing the garments of priesthood and living
upon the "tithing" of a deluded and priest-rid-
den people. My autobiography, if published,
will open the eyes Of the world to the monstrous
leeds of the leaders of the Mormon people, and
will also place in the hands of the attorney for
the Government the particulars of some Of the
most blood-curdling crimes that have been COM
mitted in Utah, which, if properly followed up,
will bring many down from their high place in
the church to face offended justice upon the gal
lows. So mote it be. JOHN u. LEE.