The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1877-04-12
MOUNTAIN MEADOW MASSACRE.

Women aud Ch.idrru as Told bS the
Leader OF the Mormon Party.
" NV name Is John II. Lee. Was
born on September L, 1872, az kask-
aSkia. Randolph county, H. Ny mother
belonged % the Catholic church and
was christcuei IN the faith. My parents
died while | was still child and my
heyhood was one Of trial and harlships.
Il married Agatbe Ann Noulsey IN
1888 aud moved % Favctte county. H.,
on Ruck creek, where became wealthy.
In 1886 l became acquainted with
some travelling Mormon preachers. l
bought, read and believed the book .ot
Mormon. | sold my property in Hi
n0is and moved 20 Farwest, in Missouri,
IN 1897. where l joined the Mormon
church and became intimately acquaiut-
ed with Joseph Smith, Brigham Young
and other leaders OF the Church OF
Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints,
d" l was an honored man in the church,
tlattered and regarded bv Brigham
Young and the apostles until lS6S, when
l was cut of from the church and select
Cd as a scapegoat 10 suffer for and bear
the sins oi my people.
Z" As d duty to myself and mankind
now confess all that ! know and all that
l did at the Mountain Meadow massacre,
without animosity 10 any one, shielding
none, giving facts rs they existed.
Those with me on that occasion
were acting under orders from the
Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day
Saints. The horrid deeds then com
mitted were done As a duty which We
believed we owed to God and our
church.
- We were all sworn 10 secrecy before
and after the massacre. The penalty foE
giving information concerning the same
was death. As l am 70 suffer death for
what l then dii and have been betrayed,
both hy those who gave me the orders
70 act and the most active Of my assist
ants. now give the world the true
facts as they exist, and tell why the mas.
sacre WAS committed and who were active
participants
The Mountain Meadow massacre WAS
the result OF the direct teachings OF
Brigham Young, and i was done by the
orders OF those high IN authority IL the
Mormon community.
"Theimmelate orders for the massacre
were issued by Colonel Dame, LGeutcn,
ant Colonel Isaac c. Haight and the
council at Cedar City, Utah.
Il held no position either in the civil OF
military departments, or in the church
Mt that time
About September : went to Cedar
City, where | met Isaac c. Haight,
president or governor Of that State OF
Zion, and also lieutenant colonel Of the
Iron county Mormon militia. This wa,
ON aSunday. Lieutenant Colonel HaiEht
WAS the leader there in all things. clyil,
clerical and military. II WAS a Grim,
punishable by death To disobey hi.
orders.
Lieutenant Colonel Haight gave me G
full account Of the immigrants who wer,
coming. We slept in the iron works all
that night and arranged our plans.
Lieutenant Colonel Haight said the
immigrants were a rough set: that the,
were bad men. robbers aud murderers
and had helped to kin the Mormon
prophets. believed him.
Il was ordered 10 raise the Indians q
attack the tram and run of the cattl,
and TO have the Indians kill the immi
grants. sent Carl Shirts, my son-in
law, 10 raise the southern Indians ful
the work. Nephi Johnson went to othei
tribes.
"On Monday morning / left the irur
works to obey my orders. Lieutenant
Colonel Haight said. We are actinl
by orders-it is all right. We Will LEI
the Indians bear all the blame.
l said we are forbidden to shed limo
cent blood. The reply of Haight was
There is not drop Of innocent bloc,
in the whole lot Gro, Brother Lee, an,
carry ont the instructions Of those in au
thority. If you are dutiful in this yom
reward shall be great in the Kingdom o
God, for God Will bless those who ODE,
counsel and make all things tit for In,
people Of the Lord in their days.
"On my way home / passed many I'm.
dams ont on the vnrpath. promise,
TO join them the next day. On Tuesda,
morning the Indians attacked the train
just at daylight, and killed seven an,
wounded sixteen immigrants. The In
dians lost some Of their warriors. Tn,
immigrants then fortified their position
and the Indians surrounded them an,
sent for me.
The whole county was.arUused. boil
whites and Indians rushing to Mountain
Meadow from all directions.
81 arrived 1.-THE camp late on Tuesda,
afternoon and found the Indians in laru,
force. They demanded that / shoull
lead the attack refused until furthei
orders were received from Haight oI
Dame.
81 then went south ten miles and met
some whites and Indians coming from
that direction. I camped there tha
night and on Wednesday went to IN,
Meadows and sent q man 10 Cedar CITY
for further orders.
"On Thursday the orders came by Ma
ior Highly. There we're fifty-eight white,
and about 500 Indians there. Then
Major Highly made a speech and saii
that the immigrants were all 10 be killed
who could talk that we must get then
out of the Notifications by treachery.
81 was 10 follow the flag Of truce anc
make a treaty with the besieged, anC
promise protection. ! was also 10 ge
the arms Of the immigrants and the sicl
and wounded, and also the children int,
wagons. Then the troops, under Major
Highly, would meet the immigrants
The Indians were 20 remain in ambush
The women were to go ahead. The In
dians were then to kill the women. Tn,
militia were to kill the men, and / an,
the drivers Of the wagons were 10 xii
the wounded and sick that we're in Tn,
wagons.
Several other men then made speeches
Then we had a prayer circle, and thel
more speeches we're made, and it wa
agreed by all parties that il was the vii
of God for us TO do as we were ordered.
On Friday morning the Immigrant
had a white flag flying, and the Mormon
brethren again assembled. Speeche
were made, and all expressed themselve
as willing to act.
"There were present fifty-four or fifty
eight whites and about 400 or 500 In
dians. Highly addressed the party, say
ing that the immigrants must be put on
of the way.
"The flag of truce was then sent for
ward. 1t was carried by William Bate
man. He was met half way by the i'm
migrants, and they held a parley witt
him. Bateman then returned and re
ported that the immigrants would sur
render their arms and do as they Ina.