The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-01-25
herself with knife she CHANGED TO have in her possess
sion he shot her through the head

herself with knife she CHANGED TO have in her possess
sion he shot her through the head
THE PLUMBER
For years alter tho preparation OF this daring
crime the property oil the murdered emgrants was
openly used by their murdcrers, and the late Of the
missing ones Tor some time remained mystery their
death being laid the door OF the savages. Some
Indians did participate in the massacre but they
waited for the white savages 10 set them an cxampi
IN human outchery, only rushing from their ambush
to surround tho enigrants when, by Lees order tho
first shots had been fred. After the massacre the
bodies oil the murdered emigranls were lett on tho
open prairie 10 be devoured by the wolves So closely
the secret OF this terrible guarded
even IN .ne nor.nern Mormon settlements was "
known Tor long time that any white men had partic-
ipated In tho slaughter The first authentic It'd ngs
OF the late o the cmgrans reached the outside world
through Mr.. William H. Rogers a government agent
who heard something Of II white crossing tho Plains
in charge OF treasure tram Ia 1851. The next no
was appointed Indian Agent in Utah ana was ordered
TO rescue the children whom IL believed the Nor
mons had
SAVED FROM THE sAvAGEs.
With tho impudence OF brigands the "Latter Day
Saints" demanded ransom for their release Mr.
Rogers refused the demand and gathered the children
together To his amazement OF the children, then
about eight years old told him one day that
Indians, but white men, !hat killed their parents
with company OF cavalry he wen; to the Mountain
Meadows, whero horrible sight met his gnze. he
skeletons OF 100 men, women and children were spread
upon the held the flesh torn from the bones by hun
cry wolves ana bullet holes through the heads Of most
OF the victims large quantity OF HAIR from the heads
Of the women was gathered up from the sage bushes,
and all the remains were gwen christian burial
few days aerward two Mormons called Mr.. Rogers,
and telling him ''ther hearts were pressed with
grief said they would give him true history Of the
Mountain Meadow massacre II he would spare
their own lives He told them 10 proceed,
and then they related to HIM tho story told
above, naming Lee the leader Some blooded stock
wagons, carriages and other property owned by tho
cmigrants they said, bad been taken to the Mormon
.itting establishment and sold al public auction for
the benefit oil the 'Church." Brigham Young, II Is
said, Kept ono OF the carriages and piano Tor his
In the Mormon versions OF tho story OF the
sacre It made appear that tho cmigrants pro-
Mormon N
their progress through Utah. Tho Mormous said their
destruction chargcabl. TO the Indians
that they attacked because they had poisoned
spring at which cattle drank and died. and that In
dams the flesh Of these animals and died Also But
this has boon pronounced absolutely untrue by those
who have investigated tho matter, and II was well
tabshcd both before aud at tho time OF Lees trial that
tho murder oil the unsuspecting migrants but the
execution OF n well Land plan
ORDERED MORMON COUNCIL,
and that Leo not only executed but exceeded his
culinary orders With his own hand he killed wounded
women and children lying helpless after the nrst vol
ley. He shot man down VINO held child in his
arms and who know and recognized him through his
disguise.
In November, 1874, Leo was arrested, aud was soon
after indicted Tor participation IN this fearful crime.
He had evaded pursuit for long time. living
woman, among the Navajoe Indians, where his
hut was like arsenal His first trial con-
tinued through part Of July and August, 1875,
and on the testimony then adduccd the jury Jailed
agree during his trial his cell was searched, and
elaborate preparations for intended escape were
discovered. At this time one OF his wives tried
him, and. meeting with refusal, she assaulted tho
jaor In September. 1876, he was again tried. and
tho jury found him guilty Of murder IN the first dc.
gree. Having In that Territory the right 10 hoose
whether he should be hanged behcaded or shot, he
chose the atcr form OF execution, and was accord
ingiy sentenced to be shot on the Goth Of January
1877.