Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-05-09
Al MOUNTAIN MEADOW
BRIEF STORY OF THE MASSACRE
THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD.

Ono Hundred and Twenty Unarmed Men,
Women, and Children Wantonly Butch
cred by Indians and White Men Dis
guised as Indians-Aid Sought for the
Survivors.
An attempt is now being made to give
Congressional aid to those who were
,aved at the time of the Mountain
Meadow massacre in 1857. That terri
bic slaughter of innocent women and
children, as we'll as of unarmed men,
took place so long ago that but few now
remember any of the details surround
ing it. A band of emigrants number
ing, it is variously stated. from 12O to
$50, had started from Arkansas to reach
the gold fields of California. Their
train consisted of some 800 head of cat
tie. 80 wagons, and 80 mules and horses,
and the total value of their possessions
as between $50, 900 and $40, 900.
They had proceeded as far as Cedar
City, Utah, and it was alleged that dur
ing their journey from Salt Lake City
to that place the emigrants had been
utility of poisoning streams and of COM
nitting other outrages These charges,
it is believed, had no foundation, but
we're brought to cast reflection upon the
rmigrants and to enable the Mormons to
throw the responsibility of the crime
upon the Indians.
The attack commenced on Sunday, and
the emigrants at once placed their
wagons in circle, dug pit in the
ceAler, in which they placed their wives
and children, and prepared to stand a
siege. In this way they offered more
resistance than was expected and with
stood the attack for four days. During
this time their ammunition gave out
and many suffered intensely from thirst,
for water could only be obtained at
night, and the trip to the creek, although
but short distance, was attended with
great peril, as the approach was covered
by the Indians.
Finally company of Mormon militia
appeared, and one of their number was
sent forward with flag of truce. These
Mormons agreed to protect the emf
grants if they would lay down their
arms and ammunition to avoid further
exciting the Indians. This was done.
John d. Lee, who was afterward exc
cuted for being the principal participator
in this horrible crime, in his confession
gave the fol owing as the plan of the
massacre. which he asserted was ar
ranged and ordered by high Mormon
officials.
1t was arranged that Lee should con-
clude terms with the emigrants, and as
soon a they had delivered themselves
into tho power of the Mormons should
start for rancho on the eastern side of
the meadows with the wagons and
arms. the young children, and the sick
and wounded The men and women,
the latter in front, were to follow the
wagons, all in single file, and on each
5 de of them the militia were to be
drawn up two deep, and with 20 PAGES
between their lines. Within 200 yards
of the camp the men were to be brought
to halt until the women approached
Il copse of scrub oak about mile dis
taut, aud near to which Indians lay i'll
ambush. The men were now to re-
sumo their march, the militia forming
in single file, each one walking by the
oioc VI oh Shi' Si"hV, anu SaiiJ hio
musket on the left arm. AS soon as
the women were close to the ambus-
cade Higbee, one of the Mormon lead
ers. who was in charge of the detach.
mant, was to give the signal by saying
10 the comm md: "Do your duty, I"
whereupon the militia were to shoot
down the men, the Indians were to
slaughter the women and children,
sparing only those of tender age, and
Lee with some of the wagoners was to
butcher the sick and wounded. Mounted
tro 'psrs were to be in readiness to pur-
sue and slay those who attempted to
escape, so that, with the exception of
infants, no living soul should be left to
ell the tale of the massacre.
This diab olical program was fully car
lied out to the letter. All the men,
women. and children over seven years
of age were butchered aud but II lives