Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-03-30

lie Is SHOT ON THE SCENE OF TIE MOUNTAIN
MEADOW MASSACRE.

lie Is SHOT on THE SCENE OF TIE MOUNTAIN
MEADOW MASSACRE.
SALT LAKE, Utah 2S.-At | clock d M,
John u. Lee was brought out upon the
scene of tho massacre at Mountain Meadow,
before the execution party and seated upon
his ollin, 200 feet from the shooters Alter
the order OF the court had been read to him,
Marshal Nelson asked him if he had any
| thing to say before the execution was car
ried into effect. lie said, Z" wish to speak
to that man." pointing to Mr.. Fcnnimore,
who was fixing his canvass, near by, to take
Lees photograph. Lee, calling to the
artist, said, II want you to furnish my
three wives each a copy OF the photograph.
one each to Rachel A. Sarah Z. and Emma
L. Leo" lie repeated the names carefully,
saying, please forward them. lie then
| rose and said
LEES LAST WORDS.
have but little to say this morning. Of
course, feel that | a. upon the
brink of eternity and tho olemnty of
eternity should rest upon IN mind at this
time. | have made out, or ndcavOred to
do so, an abridged history o! ~ life. This
| will be published. Sir, | haze given my
views and feelings with regard to all these
| things. | feel resigned to my fate feel
a. calm as a summers morning. My con-
science is clear before God and man. and
am ready to meet my Redeemer. This it is
| that places me upon this field lam not an
infdel | have not denied God or his
mercy am strong believer in theS G
things the most regret is parting with
nv family. Many of them are unprotected,
and will be lett fitherless. When speak
of these little ones they touch tender cord.
within me- Here Lees voice faltered. Pro-
ceeding he said: have done nothing de-
signedly wrong IN this affair. used my ut
most epdeayors to save this people. would
have given worlds were it at my command
to have avoided that calamity, but could
not am sacrificed to satisfy feelings and
am used to crafty parties, but am ready
to die. | have no fear OF death. Ii has M
terrorS and no particle of mercy have |
asked from the court or any official. |
shall never 90 to worse place than the
enc am now in. | have said 1t 20 my
family and will say it to-day, that the gov
eminent of the United States sacrifices their
best friends. and that Is saying great
deal; but it is true. | ali Il true believer
in the gospel OF Jesus Christ. | do not be-
licvc everything that is now practiced and
taught by Brigham Young. do not agree
with him. | believe no IL leading
people astray. But | believe in
the gospel a. taught In Its purity
by Joseph Smith in the former days. have
my reasons for saying this. used to make
this man's will my pleasure and did so for
thirty years. See now what have come to
this day | 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,
regret leaving my family. They are near
and dear to me. These are things to rouse
my sympathies. | declare | did nothing
dcsignedly wrong in this unfortunate affair.
did everything in my power to save all
the emigrants, but am one that must SUI
fer. Having said this | feel resigned. |
ask the Lord my God to extend his mercy
to me, and receive my spirit. My
labors are now done - After the speech
the parsOn made prayer commencing the
soul of the condemned man to God. lm-
medately alter the handkerchief was
placed over his eyes, and he raised his
hands, sitting firm. The order was given and
the word fire. and at exactly eleven O'Clock
five guns fired, penetrating the body in the
region of the heart. Lee fell square back
upon the coffin. Death was Instantaneous.
The body was placed in the coffin and the
crowd dispersed. About IS people were on
the ground, and all were quiet aud orderly.