Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-01-30
Al MOUNTAIN MEADOW.
GRIEF STORY or THE MASSACRE
THAT SHOCKED THE WORLD.


womens and Children wansomiy hutch
erred 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
saved at the time Of the Mountain
Meadow massacre in 1857 That terri
BILE slaughter of innocent women and
children, as well as of unarmed men.
took place so long ago that but few now
remember any of the details surrounds
ing it. A band of emigrants number
ing, it is variously stated, from 100 to
$50, had started from Arkansas to reach
the gold fields of California. Their
train consisted of some 600 head of cat.
tie, 80 wagons. and 80 mules aud horses,
and the total value of their possessions
was between $50. 900 and $40 600.
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
guilty of poisoning streams and of COM
hitting other outrages These charges,
it is believed, had no foundation, but
were brought to cast reflection upon the
emigrants 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 a circle, dug a pit in the
center. 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 numLer 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 ID. Lee, who was afterward exc
cuted for being the principal participation
in this horrible crime, in his confession
gave the following as the plan of the
massacre, which lie 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 as they had delivered themselves
into the 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 aud women.
the latter in front. were to follow the
wagons, all in single file, and ON each
side of them the militia were to be
drawn up two deep, and with 20 PAGES
between their lines. Within 200 yard
of the camp the men were to be brought
to halt until the women approached
a copse of scrub oak about mile dis.
tant and near to which Indians lay ia
ambush. The men were now to re-
sumo their march, the militia forming
i'm single file, each one walking by the
side of an emigrant, and carry his
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-
ment was to give the signal by saying
to the command: @Do your duty,
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
troopers 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
tell the tale of the massacre.
This diabolical program was fully car
ried out to the letter. All the men,
women, and children over seven years
Of age were butchered aud but II lives
we're spared These were of children
varying in age from two months TO
seven years. All the stock and prop
erty were carried IF and the bodies Of
the dead were stripped and robbed of
every ornament or money found on
them.
But the lamest attempt was made to
bury the victims A little earth was
scattered over the bodies. but the first
rain washed that away and the remains
became a prey to the wolves and COY
Otes. Many of the bodies were fright
fully nutilated and when, two years
afterward, q detachment Of United
States troops was sent to decently inter
them skulls and bones we're found scat
erred for the space Of mile around the
ravine, whence they lad been dragged
~ Wild beasla Nearly all the bodies
lad been gnawed BY wolves 50 that few
could be rec ,gnized aud their dismem-
Tered skeletons were bleached by long
exposure. Many Of the skulls were
crushed in with the butt ends Of mus
kets or cleft with tomahawks; others
were shattered by firearms discharged
close 10 the head A few remnants of
apparel, torn from the backs OF women
ana children. still futtered among the
bushes, and near BY were masses Of hui
man hair, matted and txodden in the
mold.
These bones were carefully gathered
together and buried, and over them was
built cone shaped cairn some 12 feet
in height and leaning against iEs north
ern base was placed : rough slab Of
granite with the following inscription:
Here 10 men, women. and children
were massacred in cold blood early ID
xs.~.k~.~. Y~s@e 1877 Wsamm nn.m.no &~rrss A -