davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
have no right to question them, y
must obev as YOU are commanded"

have no right to question Iheui, Aou
must obey as you are commanded
RSsm X su,.,,.,.,,,.,
's
man. He was mel nall way by the en-
iorants. and they held parley with
him. Bateman then returned and re-
ported that the emigants would surren-
der their arms and do as they had been
requested. The Mormon soldiers then
marched out to within 200 yards OF the
emigrants. They next took wagons anu
went to the camp and stated their ordefS'
The Surrender.
The emigrants then surrendered ana
put their arms, the sick and wonndsu
and children into the wagons. Wh,le
they were burying their dead men the
emiprants burst into tears and said they
feared treachery. AS soon as the wagons
were loaded the train was started. Inc
emigrants marched in sing lille, the W01'
men and large children being ahead'
then the men came.
The Butchery.
Wien the wagons were half a mile oil
the firing commenced. The Indians
killed all the women and large children
the Mormons killed the men. Inc drI-
vers with me killed the sick and wound
ed. We saved seventeen of the children
The dead we're stripped and mutilated
and the corpses left on the field. The
Mormons camped on the field. The next
day Lieut.-C Haight, Col. Dame and
other leaders came over. Finally they
quarrelled. Lieut.-Col. Haight said to
Colonel Dame:
"You ordered it, and damn you, it is
too late to go back p
Dame said he did not know there were
so many of them. We buried the dead
and drove the cattle to the Iron Springs
Selling the Spells.
All the wagonsand other property were
sold in Cedar City by order of the church
authorities. All these orders were fully
z;s,fsss;ysst, AsszasS stteQ1jpg the mas
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
Administrators Notice.

NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned
IN has been duly appointed and qualified as
Administrator ofthe estate of Enos Raifensparger,
deceased, late of Bethlehem township, Stark
county, Ohio. Those having claims against the
estate will present them for adjustment and those
knowing themselves indebted willplease call and
Eettle. lf.r ,taeil n W. CHAPMAN
mr22dw Administrator.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29

tie Sseete ttsSs IS fSSTS T6S 9nHlAnS kliI The
emigrants. l sent Carl Shirts, my SON
in-law, to raise the Southern Indians for
the work. Nephi Johnson went to other
tribes.
Obeying Orders.
On Monday morning 1 left the iron
works to obey my orders. Lieutenant
Colonel Haight said, awe are acting by
orders-it is all right. We will let the
Indians bear all the blame" I said we
were forbidden to shed innocent blood.
The reply of Haight was, "There is not a
drop of innocent blood in the whole lot.
Go, Brother Lee, and carry out the instruc'
tions of those in authority. If you are
dutiful in this, your reward shall be great
in the Kingdom of God, for God will bless
those who obey counsel and make all
things fit for the people of the Lord in
their days."
The Indian Attack.
On my way home l passed many In
dams out on the warpath. lpromised to
ioin them the next day. On Tuesday
morning the Indians attacked the train,
just at daylight, and killed seven and
wounded sixteen emigrants The Indians
lost some of their warriors. The emlgrants
then fortified their position, and the In
dians surrounded them and sent for me.
The whole country was aroused, both
whites and Indians rushing to Mountain
Meadows from all directions. | arrived
at the camp late on Tuesday afternoon,
and found the Indians in large force.
They demanded that | should lead the
attack. l refused until further orders
were received from Haight or Dame. |
then went South ten miles and met some
whites and Indians coming from that di-
rection. l camped there that night and
an sN,edaesday went to the Meadows
= a.
4 5sE8feey e2e 6r6ers came by MaSTE
HigOy. There were ffty-eight whites
and about 500 Indians there. Then Ma
jor Highly made speech and said that
the emigrants were all to be killed who
could talk that we must get them out OF
the Notifications by treachery.
The Horrible Programme.
was Is 70m0w the flag OF truce and
make a treaty with the besieged and
promise protection. l was also to get the
arms of the emigrauts and the sick and
wounded, and also the children jzzE:s5sss
ons. Then the troops, under Major Blg-
by would meet the emigrants. The In
HKts..,-..sssazik1 in oyo obylgA Eha-S
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29

tell YOU. Wney were the fathers, moth,
ers brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and
children of the men who killed tne
saints in Jackson county, and afterwards
killed the Prophet in Carthage JAIL
Their children are in the poorhouse;
their relatives now refuse them because
they are the children of thieves, outlaws
and murderers. 1 have been told there
are many brethren who are willing to
inform on those who did this thing. |
hone there is no truth in the rumor. L
hope no such person lives
If there is, tell you what your tate
will he. Unless you repent at once, keep
secret all you know, and protect each
other, you will die dogs death. You
will soon 90 to hell as damned, lost souls.
Let me hear no more of treachery among
my people," Any one who had proved
traitor there would have met the de-
stroying angel at once.
After reported to Brigham Young
went home and met Lieut.-Col. Halgnt
and gave him full report Of Young's
statement. Haight said: "Well done,
faithful servant; you shall receive ce'
lestial reward for your services. You
have deserved well of God and the
Church"
Inext went to work to write up an ac-
count of the massacre, laying it to the
Indians, Iwrote long letter, the same
as has been introduced in evidence
against me. Brigham Young knew that
Il was false and written to save the Nor
mon Church.
His report to the government was a
part of the plan to save the Mormons
from blame.
It was years afterwards before knew
that / had been made tool OF by the
leaders. / only obeyed the orders OF my
superiors. l then believed / was serving
God and would leeeiEe z eelesllal lsN reward la
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
10 eighteen women, three of whom
and one was the mother of

was an honored man in the Church,
tlattered and regarded by Brigham Young
and the apostles until 1868, when | was
cut off from the Church and selected as a
scapegoat to suffer for and bear the sins
of my people.
His Confession Duty.
As duty to myself and mankind ! now
confess all that | know and all that did
at the Mountain Meadows massacre, with
out animosity to any one, shielding none,
giving facts as they existed.
The Massacre Ordered by the Church.
Those with me on that occasion were
acting under orders from the Church OF
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The
horrid deeds then committed were done
as duty which we believed we owed to
God and our Church.
We were all sworn to secrecy before
and after the massacre. The penalty Tor
giving information concerning the same
was death. AS am to suffer death for
what | then did and have been betrayed,
both by those who gave me the orders to
act and the most active of my assistants.
now give the world the true facts as
they exist, and tell why the massacre
was committed and who were active par
Elephants.
Brigham Young Responsible.
The Mountain Meadows massacre was
the result of the direct teachings of
Brigham Young, and it was done by the
orders of those high in authority in the
Mormon community. The immediate
orders for the massacre were issued by
Colonel Dame, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac
G. Haight and the Council at Cedar City,
Utah.
held no position either in the civil or
military departments. or in the Church
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29

-: s:es:,szEbbs s2sst& a. !Slle2Ge.
The brethren were again sworn to Sc.
crecy. This was also done by order of
the. .ct2rch.. RAich was then at war with
the United states Government.
High Priests Wishes.
George A. Smith, who was the second
in the priesthood, having just happened
to be there giving orders, visited the In
2esa-y.. ...:g 5fgF;4tas-saae Ee said he came
to instruct the people to let none of the
emigrants 60 through without pass from
President Young, Col, Dame and Lieut.
Col. Haight; that they must not sell the
cod gEsin; u 1aet
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
MISCELLANEOUS.
FOR SALE.

New two-story frame, seven-room house, No. 1S
Liberty street, well furnished and in good order
Price very low and terms easy. Inquire of
AMESDEN Il MILLER,
Feb22e Real Estate Il Ins, Agts, Harter's Block
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
T I S 4.

FISH DEALERS TAKE NoTICE.-I will keep
a full supply of LAKE and OCEAN FISH during
the season at bottom prices. Call or order,
DAVID ATWATER,
Feb22.dm Massillon.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29

r WISH to sell my place containing II acres, two
i miles from Louisville, on the louisville and
Freeburgh road. There are on the place good
dwelling house, blacksmith shop, two good
wells, an orchard Of good bearing fruit trees burn
and other out-buildings For further particulars
enquire on the premises.
noy9 '76-tf PETER J. MONNOT
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29

%stlttttzSsttttftpatFSR1N VSVS ANHAA VAN
Indians and the Mormons were both hos
tile to them, and would kill all not under
the protection of the church.
This pleased him and he laughed and
said. "All right" Lieut.-Co Haight and
Dame told him the same thing. He
taught the people that it was their duty
to kill all emigrants, and murder them
inst as Brother Smith and the other lead
ers wanted. Col. Haight then sent me
to Salt Lake City for the purpose OF re-
porting to Brigham Young, andhe prom.
ised me crown celestial as my reward
for what I had done.
Reporting to Brigham Young.
I went to Salt Lake City and made my
report to Brigham Young ten days after
the massacre. l told him all, everything
who were there, who were guilty and
who were active in killing the emigrants
i'm fact, all I knew. l said to him,
"You must sustain us or release us from
the endowment oath to avenge the death
of the prophets"
Brigham YOung's Blasphemy.
Brigham Young said, II will commu-
nicate with God" 1 went back the next
morning, when Young said, Brother
Lee. not a drop of innocent blood has
been shed. have gone to God in pray
err. God has shown me it was a just act.
The people did right; but were only a
little hasty. have direct evidence from
God that the act was just one, and in
accordance with Gods will. .,
"I sustain you and the brethren in all
that Won did. All / fear is treachery on
the part of the brethren concerned. 60
home and tell the brethren l sustain
them. Keep as secret as the grave
Never tell any one, and write me a letter
laying all the blame on the Indians.
n.,La,,, Enurr,e PLan for COncealment.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
BOB 7OOMBS.

He Thinks HayeS's Policy a "Good Thing
70, the Boys"
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
5.Is !. q

Iron county Mormon mnltla: 2nls was
on Sunday. Lieutenant C6IoMeI hMgnr
was the leader there in all things, civil,
clerical and military. 1t was crime
punishable by death to disobey his Or
ders.
The Emigrants Doomed.
Iie2teaapt. Glaaaaal .Haigbt gave me a
full aSSSSftfe 5f eS2S EIi1IEs stSSE55' ff0 'Wefe
coming. We slept in the iron works all
that night and arranged our plans. Lieu
Se6SMSS S:Is555f6M5II 'hiaigMC said the emigrants
were s...Eepgb set /. that they were bad
HEN1e s4Fksaia
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
Ile Eettlement of Utah.

and cities in Utah Territory. I'fSSssl
Offices in the Territory, and wasa men,
ber of the Mormon Legislature and Pro-
bate Judge of Washington county, Utah.
POlygaMY and Sealing.
Immediately after Joseph Smith re-
ceived the revelation concerning polyga-
my was informed of its doctrines by said
Joseph Smith and the apostles. Ibeliev-
ed in the doctrine, and have been sealed
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29

Brigham Young was then and for many
wears after fully satisfied with me and
nv act. He gave me three wives and
APPOINTED me Probate Judge Of Washing
ton county.
desert me now. Fifty head of cattle were
sold in Salt Lake City by the authorities
for merchandise. The emigrants had
$50, making 500 cattle in all. They had
only little money. When Cradlebaugh
g:as- Il,lse ,ip Utah. and went to Noun
~ IS Sfie
Gre, Brigham Young came with him; he
then knew all about the massacre ana
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
Roll Of the Assasslns Present.

Major John NJ. Highly, Philip K. Smith
Bishop of the church at Cedar City, Joel
White, William G. Stewart, Benjamin
Arthur, Alexander Widen, Charles Hop
kins, Tate Ira Ellew, Robert Wiley, Rich
ard Harrison, Samuel Pollock, Daniel
McFarlane, John Ure, George Hunter,
Joseph Smith. Samuel Jukes, Nephi
Johnson, Carl Shirts, Sven Jacobs, John
Jacobs, E. Curtis, Thomas Cartwright,
William Bateman, Anthony Stratton, A.
Loveridge, Joseph Clews, John Durfey,
Columbus Freeman, and others making
fifty-four or fifty-eight whites and about
400 or 500 Indians.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
ProcHE, New, March 81, 1877

John D. Lee was indicted with several
others by the Grand Jury of Beaver
county, Utah Territory, on SeptemberA,
1874, for the crime of murder committed
by him in the part he took at the Noun
tain Meadows massacre in Washington
county, Utah Territory, on September Is,
1867, at which time 12O men, women and
children, n,hk4=.s'-eS 'ss-
train, passing through the Territory on
their way to California, were, rs. g 6:
al days fghtiQG; deSaEed.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29

1t was the Grst plan to have none but
Indians take part in the massacre, but
William G. Stewart, Joel White and Ben
iamin Arthur were coming to Mountain
Meadows on Wednesday night; they
met young Alden and another man going
from the emigrants to Cedar City for
help, They told Of the Indian attack
.IsS IS keS esS ifSGH sfS ssSISefs.
The only reply was a shot from Stew
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29

Major Highly then addressed the party,
and said -
Brethren, it is the orders of the Presi-
dent that all the emigrants must be put
out of the way. President Haight has
counselled with Colonel Dame and has
received orders from him to put all Of the
emigrants out of the way. All of them
must be killed especially those that might
talk again."
..kza.ss.ala lactba charactar of the emf.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
Embraces MOrmOnlsm.

read and believed the Book of Morm6Ne
sold my property in Illinois and, NOV
ed to Fairwest, in Missouri, in 1887, where
Joined the Mormon Church and became
intimately acquainted with Joseph Smith,
Brigham Young and other leaders of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints.
was subsequently initiated into the
Order of Danites, at its first formation.
This Order was solemnly sworn to obey
all the orders of the priesthood Of the
Mormon Church to do any and all things
commanded. The Destroying Angels of
the Mormon Church were selected from
this organization.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
An Active Member.

took an active part as Mormon SOL
der in the conflicts between the people
ofIIissouri and the Mormons which made
Jackson county, Mo-, historic ground.
When the Mormons were expelled from
Missouri was one of the first to settle at
Nauvoo, ILL.,, where took an active part
in all that was done for the Church or
city. had charge of the construction
of many of the public buildings
there. Was a policeman and body guard
of Joseph Smith at Nauvoo. After his
death held the same position to Brigham
Young, who succeeded Smith as prophet,
priest and revelator in the Church. l was
Recorder for the Quorum ofSeventy, head
clerk of the Church, and organized the
priesthood into the Order of Seventies.
/ took all the degrees in the Endowment
House and stood high in the priesthood.
/ travelled extensively through the Unit
ed States as a Mormon missionary, and
acted as trader and financial agent for the
Church from the death of Joseph Smith
until the settlement at Salt Lake City, in
Utah.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
A Prayer Meeting Of Murderers.

drivers of the wagons were to kill the
wounded and the sick that were in the
wagons.
A Prayer Meeting Of Murderers.
Several other men then made speeches.
Then we had prayer circle, and then
more speeches were made, and 1t was
agreed by all parties that it was the will
of God for us to do as we were ordered
On Friday morning the emigrants had a
white flag flying, and the Mormon breth-
rem assembled. Speeches were made,
and all expressed themselves as willing
to act.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29

u eHsS We were acting as church for
Christ's sake.
We were then told we we're there
to do a duty we owed as good church
people. That the orders of those in au-
thority were that all the emigrants that
casl12 tax 2aust die. ,..
MSj6f Higoy Concluded as follows
s01r esdsSS sEs from epr Leaders. Yho
Speak 4 fEh fnsPIfe VongGe6, and tfIeiz
words are the will Of good men. You
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29

by Mormons and Indians. All Ut 5s4el
emigrants who were old enough to dis
close anything of the butchery were kill
ed on the spot. Seventeen small children
were spared from the massacre, the train
was plundered and the most of the prop
erty turned over to the Mormon Church
at Cedar City. The bloody clothing,
stripped from the mutilated bodies, was
sold at auction by order of the Church
authorities at Cedar City, Utah. Lee was
first tried at Beaver City, Utah, in the
Territorial District Court in July, 1875,
Judge Boreman presiding. At this trial
the Jury disagreed. Nine were for ac-
1uittal and three for conviction. A Sec
ond trial was had on the same indict-
ment, in September, 1875, in the same
Court and before the same Judge, result
ing in verdict of guilty. Lee was then
sentenced to be shot on January 26, 1877,
he choosing that mode of execution, the
laws of Utah permitting party capitally
convicted to ochoose the mode ofhis death.
On an appeal to the Supreme Court of the
Territory the judgment the lower Court
was confirmed at the January term in
1877, and the sentence of the lower Court
was ordered to be enforced at the March
term in 1877. Judge Boreman set Fri
day, March %, 1877, as the day of execu-
ton.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
Misplace Of Birth and Early Life.

any name is John D. Lee. Twas born
on September6, 1912, at Kaskaskia, Ran
dolph county, Ills. My mother belonged
to the Catholic Church and was ChEisLs
ened in the faith. My parents died while
l was still a child and my boyhood was
one of trial and hardships. married
Agathe Ann Woolsey in 1883 and moved
to Fayette county, ILL.,, on Ruck Creek,
where l became wealthy.
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
Lees Confession.

After sentence of death had been pass
ed upon Lee in September, 1876, he made
a full confession in writing of his partici-
patton in the Mountain Meadows massa-
ere. which document he delivered toaA aAtsEs;
The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-03-29
SMALL FARM FOR SALE.

Feb22.dnn
Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-09-10
NOW NOT 10 DROWN

Men are drowned by raising their arIus
above water, the unbuoyinR weight of
which depresses the head. Other animals
have neither motion nor ability to act in a
similar manner, and therefore swim nstur
ally When man falls into deep water. he
will rise 10 the surface, and will continue
there if he does not elevate his hands II he
moves bis hands under water In any way he
pleas, S. his head will rise 80 high as t~ al
iow HIM free liberty to breathe: and il he
will use his legs in tho act Of walking (or
rather walking ur stairs,l his shoulders
will rise above the water. % that be may
use lcss cxertion with his hands, or apply
them TO other purposes Thcse plain dircc
:ions arc recommended 10 the recollection OF
ihMc who have ooa learned u lwim 10 their
youth. as they may be found highly advan-
tAecous In preserving lie. 81
Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-09-10

CONNECTIONS.
]. AT Sionx City with Illinois CeL..a si..2
City and Pscinc and Sioux City and ST. Paul kn
fDAds.
Passenger train going east connects at Dsyi.
Junction with branch iratos arriving 1T PoIi-
!andviile at 1913 p r., and then connecting with
Howsfd's stages for Virginia. Eden, fairview.
Beioit, Canton, Harnsbnrg, fiandrean. LInvood,
Rock kapids, Sioux Falls and all points on the
Big sioux River, and from leaving PortIandville
At ! Is p. m. connects at Davis junction With
train going went.
:; xtElk Point yith stages for P,rc., Nes
4. Al yermillion with stages for Lodi, R,v. ;
side, Turner, Bloomingdale and Finlay.
s. At Aeekling with stages for St.J Jsmes
.. At Gsyville with stages for 81. Helena.
!. Al fankton with stages for all points
southern and western Dakota. and North Nebras
q; and during the season Of navigation with
Missouri River Transportation Companies line
q g. steamers ior Randall, Bru!e, Pierre, sully,
Rice, Bismarck, Stevenson, Berthold. Bu1ord,
Arrol and Benton; connecting At Pierre with
| trans portation wagons for the Black Hills.
This Is the only Direct Route to the
Black Hills.
GEO. &. MERCHANT.
e. v. DERRIcKsON, 0snv EspSsSaGsadt
A0EM
Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-09-10
| EXPRESS.
CONNECTIONS.
P. Transfer With Union Pacific H..

CONNECTIONS.
\. At e. P.Transfef With Union Pacific K..l
soau lor Omah A.
.. At Council Bluffs, with Kansas City, st. .Jo.
and Council Bluff Railroad for st. Louis ana 81
points sonth.
western Railway 70. Chicago and all pointa ess..
I. At Sioux City with the Sioux City and 81;
raul, Illinois Central and Dakota southern Rail
roads, Steamers for npper Missouri river, during
navigation, and with stages for all points In ;he
Northwest.
S. A, Blair with Omaha and Northweetern ~
r for Omaha and Southern NebraskA.
g. At Fremont Neb., with the Union Pacific :.
K. for points west, and the Pacific ceast.
Z. AT Wisner, with stages for Norfolk. and Ill
points in Northern Nebraska.
Be sure your tickets read via sc. 4 PR
&c. Hills, Gen'l Ticket Ag't
I. 1v11SG3. Supenntendent,
CD. 0CoNxoR.
Western Passenger Agent.