The Green Forest tribune., 1893-07-13
HISTORY OF A CRIME.
INTERESTING DATA ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN
MEADOWS OUTRAGE
why the People ofArkansas Have no Patience Witt
Mormon Missionaries Brigham Young and
His Angels of Darkness.
IA Salt Lake (Utah) Writer.]

natural responsiveness of all descent
people to poiygamists. But, un-
d r.ealh, is deep and undying ha-
tired by the people of those states
against Mormons. 1t dates back
to the memorable and infamous
"Mountain Meadows massacre" of
more than third of u century, and
that is why the people Of these two
stotes, especially, make no secret OF
sexpelling or killing all Mormon
missionaries that may come within
their boundaries.
At an annual conference one
"a postle," Parly S. Pratt, was sent
to Arkansas as IL missionary early
ain 1853. Near Little Rock, he
abused the hospitality OF man
named Mclean by eloping with his
wife, although Pratt had several
wires at Salt Lake. Mclean
overlook Pratt and killed him.
When the news reached Salt
Lake, Brigham Young, president OF
H.,
.ernor of the territory, appointed
by the President OF the .. s., is
sued an order that no gentlles
should pass through the territory
of Utah. This was proven at the
trial of John d. Lee, one of the
leaders Of the massacre at Mountain
Meadows.
Shortly afterward Il caravan OF
Immigrants numbering l23 people,
entered Utah. They were from
Arkansas and Mississippi. A,
Salt Lake City it was the custom
tor emigrants to camp atew days,
purchase provisions, replenish their
stock, etc. But the governor OF
Utah, Brigham Young, ordered
them to move Oh, and us command
yer OF the Utah MALTA he summons
,ed them to enforce his order. The
MALTA was really the '.Navuoo Le-
gion which Wits was under imme-
diatc command ot '.Apostle" George
A. Smith, John d. Lee, Bishop"
Dame and and reinforced by BILL"
Hickman, chief Of the "Danites,"
who commanded a special force
of Danties, or "Destroying An
gels"
A schurch council" was called,
and an order was issued for the
assassination of the immigrants.
THIS was also proved at the
trial.
Although the crops had been
abundant the immigrants were re-
fused food all along the line from
Salt Lake through southern Utah.
The order had gone forth that they
were "enemies to the church" and
no Mormon would sell them pro
visions al any price. Their only
hope was TO find some friendly in
dians from whom they could get
sufficient food to last them until
they should reach southern Califor-
itornia.
At Parowar, about 40 miles from
Mountain Meadows, they were met
beyond the fortified walls Of the
town by Bill Hickman and his
Danaies and told that they must
pass to tie west Of the town. The
Mormon militia were then encamp-
ed within the walls of Parowar, and
awaiting the arrival OF the immi-
grants.
The immigrants were directed 10
Mountain Meadows, some OF the
Danites accompanying them. They
were told that they could here rest
and get provisions.
Mountain Meadows, is a beauti-
ful hillock, or mcssa, aoont one
mile in length by perhaps halt that
width. 1t has an elevation Of
about 200 feet, with a gradual slope
TO II cool spring amid a grove Of
elder and cottonwood trees. Here
was an excellent grazing, luxnrant
verdure and the most beautiful sur
roundings-a scene that would
seem to shut out all idea of the
possibility Of tho terrible crime
which was to follow.
On the morning after their en-
campment the imm' grants were
fired upon by what they supposed
to be Indians. They made hollow
square of their wagons, in which
were placed the women and chill
dren, and for three days they resist
ed the siege. Several were killed