The New York herald., 1877-03-21

Preparations In progress for the execution
Of John d. Lee the chief murderer Of the Mountain
| Meadows massacre. The prisoner Is confined in the
peni,entiary at this city under tho charge Of United
statos Marshal Nelson.
ARRIVING
| AS indicated in yesterdays despatch, some dim.
Guilty regarding troops to guard the prisoner,
and doubts expressed that firing party could be
obtained among the residents OF Beaver City execute
| Lee. General Sherman expressed his Willingness
to detail troops for guard duty In and around the
prison before and during tho execution but did not
consider It duty Of army to execute prisoner
sentenced by civil court However, We to have
the guard in any event. Captain McConhe's company
OF infantry arrived hero this afternoon Salt Lake
| City and another company is expected soon.
LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE
| am wcn satisfied that my theory as to the
grounds which John D. Lee is secluded from every
body but the lew jail officials is correct namely, that
Sumner Howard, the District Attorney who prose-
cutod Lee, hopes to obtain from the prisoner sworn
statement with regard to tho participation Of Haght
Higbeo and Damo in tho Mountain Meadows massacre.
BUSINESS VIEW OF IT.
Marshal Nelson, who has charge OF tho prisoner,
positively refuses TO lot anybody Lee, on the
Nelson makes the singular plea In support OF his
refusal that Lees contract with William W. Bishop,
tho counsel who defended him his trials to publish
book containing Lees statement OF tho origin and
development Of tho movement which resulted in the
massacre at Mountain Meadows precudcs any oral
or written statement by tho prisoner representa-
tivcs OF the pross.
HIDING THE CONDEMNED.
It s positive fact that nobody outside OF his I'm
mediate guards have laid eyes the condemned man.
That Lee is safe enough in his coll awaiting his doom
thero be- OF course, doubt But the pertinacty
of Marshal Nelson in allowing body unconnectcd
with tho prison official capacity to see Lee is the
subject Of much comment here In fact, Marshal
Nelson says that he is determined that nobody
shall the prisoner except himself and deputies
forty-eieht hours distant
VALUE LIVE MANS STATEMENT.
1t should be understood that II tho condemned man
was enabled mako statement TO the press before
his death 1t would have far grcater weight than an
posthumous confession. It IS confidently believed
that the statement, autobiography or confession
whatever It may provo be-will definitely fix as far
he can do tthe guilt Of those of his accomplices
who may yet be living. But matter how definite
Leo's statement may be In that regard have no
value In legal sense alter his death.
RESCUE.
Marshal Nelson and District Attorney Sumner
Howard returned TO this city from Corn Creek last
night They havo both reported that they have good
reasons for believing that Rachel, tho head wife of
John D. Lee, has been active communication with
certain Indian warriors. evidently with view Of SC.
curing their cooperation in effort at rescue Rachel
has also been plotting with two OF Lees sons for tho
samc purpose Neither OF those efforts seem to hnvo
amounted to much. The officials also report In con.
ndent tone that tho Indians scattered through.
out the Territory and that they have iears on that
score
DISAPPOINTMENT or LAW OFFICERS
Since sending my despatch this evening learn that
hopes Of obtaining any revelations from tho con.
dcmncd touching hts accompliccs They com.
plain bitterly that Lee has suddenly changed his
mind and appears determined 10 avoid making any
statement that can bo OF to the prosecuting on
Judging from the language used by tho District
Attorney and his assistants they arc now satisfied that
II is useless TO expect any Information from the prs.
oncr as expected and as he Indirectly promised
LEES AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Lee during tho past few days. has not exhibited any
signs Of depression or nervous state. He keeps at
work upon his book, which he commenced at an
early stage OF hrs lilo and has not yet brought
In his journal The other day he wrote something as
follows Because others have betrayed their friends
and have gone back on their faith have no reason
for taking such course What havo cone Is with
tho approval OF my conscience and believe IL will not
be remembered against mo in heaven.
HE DESocxcEs BRIGHAM Youxe
Hc is sometimes very bitter against Brigham Young,
denouncing him for bctraying HIM tl.cc).
FAIrnFcL WIFE,
Rachel, his wife, spent short tmo with him to-day
and alter shc OF the prison she said ohm D.
Lee would die bravcy Tor the Mormon people Brig.
ham Young Jr., and John W. Young. Brgham's FIRST
counsellor, passed through hero for ST. George to
conference.
CHANGE IN THE CHURCH.
is reported that Brigham Young, sr., Will appoint