The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-03-29
A GREAT CRIME AVENGED.
Execution of John ID. Lee for the Mount.
ain Meadow Observation-Disclosures of the
HOrrid Crime.

Execution of John d. Lee for the Mount
ain Meadow Observation-Disclosures of the
Horrid Crime.
SALT LAKE, Utah, March %.
At IL a. m. precisely, John D. Lee
was brought upon the scene of the mas
sacre at Mountain Meadows, before the
executing party, and seated on his coffin,
about twenty feet from the shooters. Lee
made a speech, in which he said:
81 have but little to say this morning.
Of course feel that I am upon the brink
OF eternity, and the solemnities of eter-
nifty should rest upon my mind. At the
present / have made out, or endeavored
to do SO, manuscript and an abridged
history of my life. This will be pub
ished. Sir, | have given my views and
feelings with regard to all these things.
[ feel resigned to my fate. I feel as
calm as a summer morning. I have
done nothing adversely wrong. My con-
science is clear before God and man,
and l am ready to meet my Redeem
er. This it is that places me
upon this field. [ am not an infdel. I
have not denied God or His mercy. I
am strong believer in those things.
The most [ regret is the parting with
my family. Most of them are unpro-
tected, and will be left fatherless. When
l speak of those little ones, they touch a
tender chord within me. have done
nothing designedly wrong in this affair.
| used my utmost endeavors to save
these people. [ would have gwen
worlds, were it at my command,
to have avoided that calamity, but I
could not. 1 am sacrificed to satisfy the
feelings, and am used to CRAFTY parties.
but [ am ready to die. I have no fear of
death. 1t has no terrors, and no parti-
Gle OF mercy have l asked from the court,
nor have [ asked the officials to spare my
Life. [ do not fear death. I shall never
go to a worse place than the one I am
now in. I have said it to my family, and
| will say it to-day, that the Government
OF the United States sacrifices their best
friend, and that is saying a great deal,
but it is true.
" | am true believer in the gospel of
Jesus Christ. [ do not believe everv-
thing that is now practiced and taught
by Brigham Young. do not agree with
him. believe he is leading people
astray, but [ believe in the gospel as
taught in its purity by Joseph Smith in
former days. 1 have my reasons for
saying this. [ used to make this mans
will nay pleasure, and did SO for thirty
years. See how and what I have come
to this day. [ have been sacrificed in a
cowardly, dastardly manner. There are
thousands of people in the church hon
orable, good-hearted, that I cherish in
my heart. [ regret to leave my family.
They are near and dear to me. These
are things to arouse my sympathy. I
declare [ did nothing designedly wrong
in the unfortunate affair. I did every-
thing IN my power to save all the emf
grants, but l am the one that must
suffer. Having said this I feel resigned.
[ ask the Lord my God to extend His
mercy to me, and receive my spirit. NV
labors are done here"
After the speech Parson Stokes
(Methodist) made prayer, commencing
the soul of the condemned man to God.
Immediately after this a handker-
chief was placed over Lees eyes. He
raised his hands, placing them on top of
his head, sitting firm.
Nelson gave the word to fire, and,
exactly at II o'clock, five guns were fred,
penetrating the body in the region of the
heart, and Lee fell squarely back upon
his coffin, dead. His death was instan-
taneous.