The New York Herald Newspaper, March 22, 1877, Page 3

* tn Utah. LEES CONFESSION. The Story of His Early Life Conversion to Mormonism. d HE JOINS THE DANITES. ‘His Career as a Missionary, a Financier, a Legislator and a Jndge. SEALED TO HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW. How the Mountain Meadows Mas- sacre Was Planned, ROLL OF THE ASSASSINS. Organizing an Indian Attack on the Emigrant Camp. -SWORN TO SECRECY OR DEATH. - Brigham Young Indorses the Crime and Supports the Brethren. THE PROPHETS PLAN OF CONCEALNENT. a {BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) es PlocuE, Nev., March 21, 1877. ‘John D. Lee was indicted with several others by ‘ theGrand Jury of Beaver county, Utah Territory, “on September 24, 1874, for the crime of murder « Committed by him in the part he took at the Moun- tain Meadows massacre 1n Washington county, Utah * Territory, on September 10, 1857, at which time 120 , men, women and children, known as the Arkansas , emigrant train, passing through the Territory on « their way to California, were, after several days’ ‘ fighting, decoyed from their fortifications and ‘ red in cold blood by Mormons and In- x aians, , All of the emigrants who were | Oldenongh to disclose anything ofthe butchery ‘ Werekilled on the spot. Seventeen small children _ Were spared irom the massacre, the train was plun- dered and the most of the property turned over to » the Mormon Church at Cedar City. ‘The uloody * clothing, stripped from tne mutilated bodies, was _Bold at auction by order of the Church suthorities , &t Cedar City, Utab. Leo was first tried at, Beaver City, Utah, 1n the Territorial District Court, tu July, | 1875, Judge Boreman presiding. At this trial the ‘jury disagreed, Nine were for acquittal and three for conviction. A second trial was ‘had on the same indictment in September, 1876, in the same Court and before the same Judge, ; Tesulting in a verdict of guilty. Lee wus then,een- ; SeNcad to be shot on Jannary 26, 1877, he choosing ‘Slat mode of execution, the laws of Utah «per. ‘Baitting 9 party capitally odnvieted to choose the mode of tus death. on an kppeal to the Supreme » Court of the Territory the judgment of the lower Court was confirmed at the January term in 1877, and the sentence of the lower Court was ordered to be enforced at the March term in 1877, Judge Boreman set Friday, March 23, 1877, as the day of execution. LEE CONFESSES, After sentence of death had been passed upon Lee in September, 1876, he made a full confession , in writing of his participation in the Mountain Meadows massacre. which document he delivered to Mr. W. W. Bishop, one of his counsel, and dl- rected him to have the same published atter his execution. The following is the confession made by Lee:— WIS PLACE OF BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE, “My name is John D. Lee. I was born on Septem- ber 6, @812,, at Kaskaskia, Randolph county, Ill. My mother belonged to the Catholic Church and I ‘was christened in the faith. My parents died while T was still a child and my boyhood was one of trial and hardships, WIS MARRIAGE. “I married Agathe Ann Woolsey in 1833 and moved to Fayette county, IIL, on Muck Creek, where I became wealthy. EMBRACES MORMONTSM. “In 1886 I became acquainted with some travelling Mormon preachers. 1 bought, read and believed the Book of Mormon. I sold my property tn Illi- nois and moved to Fairwest, in Missouri, in 1837, “ ‘where I joined the Mormon Church and became in- timately acquainted with Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other leaders of the Church of Jesus @brist of Latter Day Saints, ME JOINS THE DANITES, - “I was subsequently initiated into the Order of hs Danites, at its first formation. ‘This Order was sol- emply sworn to obey all the orders of the priest- - hood of the Mormon Church; to do any and all things as commanded. The Destroying Angels of ‘the Mormon Church were selected from this organ- ization. ‘ AN ACTIVE MEMBER, “T took an active part as a Mormon soldier in the condicts between the people of Missouri and the Mormons which made Jackson county, Mo., historic ground.. When the Mormons were expelled from Missourl I was one of the first to settie at Nauvoo, I, where 1 took an active part in all that ‘was'done tor the Church or city. COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND POLIORMAN. “Thad charge of the construction of many of the Public butidings there. Was a policeman and body guard of Joseph Smith at Nauvoo, Alter his death Theld the same position to Brigham Young, who succeeded Smith as prophet, priest and revelator in the Church. A CHURCH OFPICIAL AND ORGANIZER. “L was Recorder for the Quorum of Seventy, head clerk of the Church, and organized the priesthood into the Order of Seventies. 1 took all of the de- grees in the Endowment House and stood high in the priesthood. ‘ AS A MISSIONARY AND FINANCIER, “T travelled extensively through the United States asa Mormon missionary, and acted as) trader aud financial agent forthe Church trom the death of Joseph Smith until the settiement at Salt Lake City, NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, member of the Mormon Legisiature and Probate Judge of Washington county, Utah, POLY@AMY AND SEALING. , “Immediately ater Joseph Smith received the revelation concérnilig ‘polygamy I was informed of its doctrines by said Joseph Smith and the aposties I believed in the doetrine, and have been sealed to eighteen women, thrée of whom were sisters and one was the mother of three of my wives. SEALED'O HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW. “1 was sealed to this old woman for her soul’s sal- vation. ‘LEB’S DOWNFALL. “1 was an houored man in the Church, flattered and regarded by Brigham Young and the apostles until 1868, whea I was cut off from the Church and selected as a Scapegoat to suller tor and bear the sins of my people. WIS CONFESSION 4 DUTY. Asa duty to myself and mankind | now confess all that I know an@ all that I did at the Mountain Meadows massacre, without animosity to apy one, shielding none, giving fucts as they existed. THE MASSACRR ORDERED BY THE CHURCH, ‘Those with me on that occasion were acting under orders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The horrid deeds then committed were done as a duty whieh we believed we owed to God and our Church, _ SWORN 70 sKoRECY OR DEATH. We were all sworn to secrecy before and after the massacre. The penalty for giving information con- cerning the same was death As | am to suter death for what] them) did and have been betrayed, both by those who gave me the orders to act and the most active of my assistants, I now give the world the true facts as they exist, and tell why the massacre was committed and who were active par- tictpants. BRIGHAM YOUNG RESPONSIBLE. The Mountain Meadows massacre was the result of the direct teachings of Brigham Young, and tt was done by the orders of thoge high in authority in the Mormon community. WHO GAVE THE ORDERS, * The immediate orders for the massacre were ts- sued by Colonel! Dame, Lieutenant Colonel laaac C. Haight and the Council at Cedar City, Utah. LEE NOT AN OFFICER AT THE TIME. Theld no position either in the civil or military departments, or in the Church at that time. THE STAKS'OF ZION AND ITS PRESIDENT. About September”, # went to Cedar City, where Imet Isaac C. Haigmt, President or Governor of chat Stake.of Zion, @Gd' also Lieutenant Colonel of the Iron county ymuiltitia, ‘Tuts was on a Sunday. Lieutenant Colonel aight was'the leader there in all things, civily clerical and military. {t was a crime punishable by death to disobey lis orders, THS EMIGRANTS DOOMED. Lieutenant Colonel Gaight gave me a full account of the emigrauts| who were coming. We slept in the iron works all fiat night and arranged our plana. INVENPING A sUsTUNICA TION. Lieutenant @alone! Haight sald the emigrants were a Saere.: they were bud men, robbers and murderers, and had helped to kill the Mormon prophets. 1 belioved nim, OXGANIZING AN INDIAN AYTACK. Iwas ordered to raise the Indians to attack the train and ruc off the cattle and to have the Indians kill the emigrants, Isent.Cari Shirts, my so: jay, to PGi, (elie tor the work. (Sia, BO ther tribes. OBRYING ORDERS, On Monday morning I left the iron works to obey my orders. Lieutenant Colonel Haight said, “We are acting by orders—it is all right. We will let the Indians bear all the blame.” INNOCENT BLOOD. 1said we are forbidden to shed innocent blood. The reply of Haight was, ‘There is not a drop ofin- nocent blood in the whole lot, Go, Brother Lee, and carry out the tnstructions of those in authority, A SANCTIMONIOUS MURDERER, “Ifyou are dutiful in this your reward shall be great in the Kingdom of God, for God will bless those who obey counsel and make all things fit for the people of the Lord in their days.” THE INDIAN ATTACK, On my way home I passed many Indians out on the warpath. | promised to join them the next day. On Tuesday morning the Indians attacked the train, just at daylight, and killed seven and wonnded sixteen emigrants. ‘The Indians lost some of their warriors. ‘The emigrants then fortified their position, and the Indians surrounded them and sent for me. GATHERING OF THE VULTURES. ‘The whole county was aroused, both whites and Indians rushing to Mountain Meadows from all directions, LEE ARRIVES, Tarrived at the camp late on Tuesday afternoon and found the Indians in large force. They de- manded thatI should lead the attack. | refused until jurther orders were received from Haight or Dame. REINFORCEMENTS. 1 then went south ten miles and met some whites and Indians coming {rom that direction. 1 camped there that night and on Wednesday went to the Meadows and sent a man to Cedar City for further orders, THB DEATH WARRANT, On Thursday the orders came by Major Higby. There were fifty-eight whites and about 500 In- dians there. Then Major Higby made a speech and said that the emigrants were ail to be killed who could talk ; that we must get them out of the fort- fications by treachery. THE HORRIBLE PROGRAMME. 1 was to follow the flag of truce and make a treaty with the besieged, und promise protection. J was also to get the arms of the emigrants and the sick and wounded, and also the children into wagons. Then the troops, under Major Higty, would meet the emigrants The Indians were to Temain in ainbush. The women were to go ahead, The Indians were then to kill the women. The militia were to kill the men, and I and the drivers of the wagons were to kill the wounded and sick that were in the wagons. A PRAYER MRETING OF MURDERERS, Several other men then made speeches, Then we had @ prayer circle, and then more speeches Were made, and it was agreed by all partes that it was the will of God for us to do as we were ordered, THE MORNING OF THE MASSACKR, On Friday morning the emigrants had @ white fag fying, and the Mormon brethren again assem- bled. Speeches were made, and all expressed themselves as willing to act. THE SETTLEMENT OF UTAI. “1 was on the Locating Committee that selected the sites for the various towns and citic® in Utah Territory, AS A LEGISLATOR AND JUDGE, “held many offices in the Territory, Was a | ROLL OF THE ASSASSINS PRESENT. Major John M. Higby. Philip K. Smith, Bishop of the church as Cedar William C. Stewart, Benjamin Arthur. Alexander Wilden, Charles Hopkins, Tate Ira Eliew. Robert Wiley. Richard Harrison, Samuel Pollock. Daniel McFarlane. Joun Ure. George Hunter, Joseph Smith. Samuel Jukes. Nephi Johnsen. Cari Shirts, Swen Jacobs, John Jacobs, E. Curtis. ‘Thomas Cartwright: Wiliam Bateman, Anthony Stratton, A, Loveridge. Joseph Clews, John Durfey. Columbus Freeman, And others, making fifty-four or fifty-eight whites and about 400 or 500 Indians. HIGBY’S HARANGUE, Major Higby then addressed the party and said:— “Brethren, it is the orders of the President that all the emigrants must be put out of the way. President Haight has counselled with Colonel Dame and has received orders from him to put all of the emigrants out of the way. All of them must be killed, especially those that might talk again.”” He spoke of the character of the emigranta. He said that the Chureh authorities of Southern Utab MARCH 22, 1877.-TRIPLE SHEET: to thefron Springs. SELLING THE SPOILS. Allthe wagons and other property were sold in Cedar City by the order of the Church authorities. All of these orders were fully obeyed. The horrors attending the nussacre of the emigrants were be- ‘| yond my description. THE OATH OF SILENCE, The brethren were sworn again to secrecy. This Waa also done by order of tho Church, which was then at war with the United States government, A HIGH PRIRST'S WISHES. George A. Smith, who was the second in the Priesthood, having just happened to be there giving orders, visited the Indian camp with me, He Bail hé-came to instruct the people to let none of the enllgrants go through without a pass from Presi- dent Young, Colonel Dame or Lieutenant Colonel Haight; that they must not sell the emigrants any more good grain, in fact anything. He said thatthe Americans were a mob of rufMans, trom the Prest- dent down. Ile asked if the Indians would kill all vad emigrants? 1 told him that the Indians and the Mormons were both hostile to them, and would kill all no& under the protection of the Church, PLEASING THE PRIEST, ‘This pleased him, and he laughed and said, “All right.” Lieutenant Colonel Haight and Colonel Dame told him the same thing. He taught the peo- ple that it was their duty to kill ali emigrants, and massacre them just as Brother Smith and the other leaders wanted. A CROWN CELESTIAL, Colonel Haight then sent me to Salt Lake City for the purpose ot reporting to Brigham Young, and he THE PLACE OF THE MASSACRE. Map of the Great Salt Lake Valley—Route of the Emigrants South- ward, Through Beaver and Cedar City to the Mountain Meadows. were all there, and that we were acting as church for the sake of Christ. We were then told we were there to doa duty we owed as good church people. That the orders of those in authority were that all of the emigrants that could talk must die. LEADERS WITH INSPIRED TONGUES. Major Higby concluded as follows:—‘Our orders are from our leaders, who speak with inspired tongues, and their words are the will of good men. You have no right to question them. You must obey as you are commanded.” THE PARLEY. The flag of truce was then sent forward, It was carned by William Bateman, He was met half way by the emigrants, and they held a parley with bim Bateman then returned and reported that the emt grants would surrender their arms and do as they had been requested. The Mormon soldiers then marched out to within 200 yards of the emigrants. ‘They next took wagons and went to the camp and stated their orders, THE SURRENDER. The emigrants then surrendered and put their arms, the sick and the wounded and the children into the wagons. While they were burying their dead men the emigrants burst into tears and said they feared treachery. As soon as the Wagons were loaded the train was started. The emigrants marched in single file, the women and the large children being ahead; then the nen came, THE BUTCHERY, When the wagons were half a mile off the fire commenced. The Indians killed all the women and 18rge children, The Mormons killed the mea, The drivers with me killed the sick and the wounded, We saved seventeen of the children, The dead were stripped and mutilated and the corpses lett on the field. The Mormons camped on the field The next day Lieutenant Colone, Haight, Colonel Dame and other leaders came over, Finally they quarrelied. Lieutenant Colonel Haight said to Colonel Daine:— “You ordered it, and, damn you, It ls too late to go City. | Joel White, back!” Dame said he did not Know there were so many promised me @ crown celestial as my reward for what I had done, REPORTING TO BRIGHAM YOUNG. I went to Salt Lake City and made my report to Bngham Young ten days after the massacre. I told him all, everything—who were there, who were guilty and who were active in killing the eml- grants; in fact, all I knew. I said to him, “You must sustain us or release us from the endowment oath to avenge the death of the prophets.” BRIGHAM YOUNG'S BLASPHEMY. Brigham Young said, “I will communicate with God.” I went buck the next morning, when Young said, “Brother Lee, not a drop of innocent blood has been slied. I have gone to God in prayer. God has shown we it was @ just act. The people did right, but were only a@ little hasty. I have direct evidence from God that the act was a just one, that it was in accord with God's will. THE PROPULT SUSTAINS THR MURDERERS, “1 sustain you and the brethren in all that you dia. All I fear Is treachery on the part of the brethren concerned, tain them. Go home and tell the brethren I sus- Keep all secret as the grave. Never tell any one, and write me a@ letter laying all the blame on the Indians, BRIGHAM YOUNG'S PLAN FOR CONCEALMENT. “Iwill then report to the United States govern- ment that it was an Indian massacre.” Brigham Young was then and for many years after fully satisficd with me and my act. He gave me three Wives alter that and appointed me Probate Judge of Washington county, Nothing but cowardice has made him desert me now. Fifty head of cattle were sold in Salt luke City by the authorities chandise. The emigrants had 450, making 600 «cattle «in all. They bad only a@ livtle money. When Cradlebaugh was Judge in Utah and went to Mountain Meadows to tnvestigate for mer- the massacre, Brigham Young came with him; he then knew all about the massacre and upheld the brethren, He preached at Cedar City and said about the emigrants:;—“Do you know who they were? Iwilltell you, They were the fathers, moth- ofthem, We buried the dead and drove the cattic | the men who killed the saints in Jackson county, and afterwards killed the Prophet tn Carthage jail. ‘Their children are in the poorlonse; their relatives refuse them because they are the children of thieves, outlaws and murderers. I have been told there are many brethren who are willing to inform on those who did this thing. I hope there is no truthinthe rumor, I hope no such person lives, A TERRIBLE THREAT. “If there is, I tell you what your fate willbe. Un- less you repent at once, keep secret all that you know and protect each other you will die a dog's death. You will soon go to hell as damned, lost souls, Let me hear uo more of treachery among my people. Any one who had proved traitor there would have met the destroying angel at once,” HAIGHT INDORSES YOUNG, After I reported to Brighain Young I went home and met Lieutenant Colonel Haight and gave lum a full report of Young’s statement. Haight said:— “Well done, faithful servant; you shall receive a celestial reward for your services, deserved well of God and the Church !" CHARGING THE INDIANS WITH THE MASSACRE, Inext went to work to write up an account of the massacre, laying it tothe Indians. I wrote a long letter, the same as has been introduced in evidence against me Brigham Young knew that it was false and written to save the Mormon Church. ABETTING THE VILLAINY, His report tothe government was a part of the plan to save the Mormons from blame. LEB DUPED FROM FIRST TO LAST. It was years afterward before I knew that I had been made a tool of by the leaders. 1 only obeyed the orders of my superiors, I then believed I was serving God and would receive a celestial reward. Now I know it ia wrong and that my reward is not to be celestial. ORIGINAL PLAN OF THE MASSACRE. It was the first plan to have none but Indians take part in the massacre, but William C, Stewart, Joel White and Benjamin Arthur were coming to Mountain Meadows on Wednesday night; they met young Aden and another man going from the emi- grants to Cedar City for help. They told of the Indian attack and asked aid from the settlers, THE MOBMONS’ FIRST suOT. The only reply was o shot from Stewart, which killed Aden. The other man was wounded by White and Arthur, but. escaped, and carried word that the whites had come to help the Indians After this the authorities said that there was no safety, except in killing all who could talk. A BLOODTIIRSTY WRETCH, William ©. Stewart was the most bloodthirsty of any one there. He cut throats just for amusement, Klingensmith, the bishop at Cedar City, killed a man. Every one there took part in killing mien, women and children as a religious duty, TUE MORMON KINGDOM. We wero at that time in the midst of the excite- ment of the reformation, and were made to believe! by the teachings of our leaders that the fulness of time had come—that the Mormons were to conquer the world at once and inherit all the wealth of the universe; that Christ was to come and rule for 1,000 years, and that the Mormon doctrine was to be universally accepted, FALSE TEACHERS, We were followers of false teachers, I have fullen a victim to the arts OF Toolfia and ‘wicked men that I once believed were divine. 1 have had eighteen wives, Eleven of them have been di- vorced from me by Brigham Young; three still re- main true to me, and have clung to me during my imprisonment. 1am the father of sixty-four chil- dren, Ten are dead ; fifty-four are still living. FALSE WITNESSES. The witnesses on my trial have not told the whole truth, They are all guilty of helping to kill the emigrants, This is the only act of violence that I ever took part in except when in lawful bate, HE OBEYED ORDERS. I would not have acted on that occasion as I did to have saved my body from torture had I not be- Meved I was obeying the orders from the heads of the Church. I knew I was doing according to the teachings of the priesthood, and I still think Lieu- tenant Colonel Haight had his orders from the heads of the Chureh. i LEE'S PRIVATE JOURNALS DESTROYED BY BRIGHAM YOUNG. My journals and private writings have been de- You have | stroyed by order of Brigham Young. I have nothing leit but my memory to give as my account of the foul deeds done in God’s name during the years whea Brigham Young was chief ruler in Utah, OTHER MORMON MURDERS. I know of many other murders, castrations, and robberies committed by order of the priesthood, all of which 1 have fully stated in my writings de- livered to my attorney, W. W. Bishop. TELLING THE WHOLE TRUTH. I nave told the whole truth, and the God [am soon to mect face to lace knows that my assertions are nothing but truth. JOHN D. LER Arrest.—The foregoing is a full abstract of the confession of John D. Lee, taken from the original manuscript now in my possession and gives, so far as such a condensed report can do, @ full statement of tho facts disclosed in the writings of John D. Lee which relate to the Mountain Meadows massacre, WILLIAM W. BISHOP, PREPARATIONS FOR THR EXECUTION—PUBLIC CURIOSITY EXCITED--TROOPS ON THE MOVE AND FEARS O¥ A RESCUR, (uy TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Reaver Crry, Utah, March 21, 1877. The movements and condition of John D. Lee continue to be veiled in mystery. All efforts to ob- tain positive tutelligence regarding the prisoner are thwarted by the prison officials, wlio keep up an impenetrable veil of secrecy. PUBLIC CURIOSITY AND DOUBT, ‘This causes much dissatisfaction among the peo- ple here, while whetting their curiosity. They ask, Has a reprieve been granted at the eleventh hour, or what is the meaning of the conduct of Lee’s jailors? Lam so satisfied, however, that the key of the nye tery is the hope of the District Attorney, Sumner Howard, and of Marshal Nelson to obtain from Lee # last confession that will Implieate leading mem- bers of the Mormon Church that I can readily un deratand this policy of silence. TROOPS ON THE MOVE. It is currently reported here that a party of soldiers went southward from Beaver City last night, but no one seems to know the real object of the movement, ‘It is hinted that there are grave reasons for the despatch of the soldiers in that direction, In all probability they have gone to aid in the capture of Haight, Higby or perhaps still ers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and clildren of | higher Mormon personages. The departure of the |. troops was kept a profound secret and nothing is known as to their intentions, whereabouts or ob- Jective point. PEARS OF A RESCUE. e Marshal Nelson is acting as if he feared trouble, Acrowd of Lee’s sympathizers and friends can be organized here which the Marshal cannot hope to cope with, The family of the condemned man is large and influential and can readily secure the co-operation of amelement embittered against the Gentiles by the memory of many troubles and threats in the past, I will not be at all surprised if an attempt is made by Is friends to rescue Lee, and that, whether deleated or successful, a bloody struggie wil follow, (wy TELEGRAPH TO THE BERALD.] INEFFECTUAL APPEALS FOR MERCY BY TRE YRIENDS OF THE PRISONER, Sart Lake Crry, Utah, March 21, 187%, ‘The friends of John D. Lee, who is condemned tobe shot on Friday next, have sent numerous petitions, signed by prominent Mormons and Gentiles, asking for @ commutation of the sentence, to Governor Emery, but the evidence of guilt being so clear and the offence so heinous, the Governor to-day, In answer to a tele- gram from the United States Marshal at Beaver, in- quiring if he had anytoing further to communicate relative to Lee, replied, nothing whatever. This indicates that Lee's doom ts sealed, CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE TAKEN ON THB TRIAL OF LEE—-BEIGHAM YOUNG'S STATE© MENT. Tho following extracts of evidence are taken from the proceedings in Lee's trial: ~ COUNSELLING SLA COUNTER, ‘The evidence of Philip Klingensmith created intense excitement, He described a counell composed of Haight, Higbee, himself, his two counsellors, Morrell, Allen and some others where the quéstion of annibl lating the emigrants, then passing- through the Mor. mon xettiements, was discussed. He, with some others, was opposed to the massacre, Wi favored it, That meeting ended in a row, few days after avother meeting was beld to discuss the subject, and at its close Haight said to witness, “You may go ovor with Joo! White and teil the President to let the emigrants go through.’? Tho witness mes Lee on the road and toid = him was = going. Leo said, “1 some. thing to say to that.’ Coming home the following day Klingensmith met ira Allen, who “The die 1 cast; the doom of the emigrante ts Sealed. " Loe, he said, had received bis orders from beadquar- ters at Parowan, This witness described how, ‘ander orders,’? he went and procured bis horse and sre and sturted out with Charley Hopkins, Higbee, Willis, Sam MedSturdy and othe Willits and Sam MeMurdy had their wagons along; reached Hambilio’s ranch as night, where they tound Leo und some more men, from Lee they learned how matters stood in camp. Loo calied witness aside and produced a letter which ho said contained orders sentto him from Parowan. Ho then detailed to witness the condition of the train; he sald the emigrants were strongly tortitled and there was no way to get them out. Higbee said he had’er- ders to decoy them out disarmed. This plan was agreed upon and the execution of the stratagem in- trusted to Lee. BRIGHAM YOUNG'S SANCTION. After tho firing the “soldiers” left and witness took charge of tho cuildren, who were subsequently dive tributed among the neighbors, The property was taken to the tithing house cellar, where witness saw Loe. Haight aud Higbee said Lee bad been to give Brigham Young a report of the Khogensinith said he reached Salt Lake abou! 15, and met Lee, who said he had told Brg ‘everything that had occurred and the Propty roved of it all. The next any Lee, Hi lingensmith met in Young’s office and be them well, showing them his horses, carr! other fine things, Brigham then sald to them :—“Whas you know about this alfair do not tell to anybody; de hot even talk about tt umong yourselves,” Klingensinith aid got Know the names of any of victima, Lee was engaged an hour or two in consul tion with them; Nad ho conversation with the prisoner us to What passod between them. Subsequent to tue massacre bad a tuik with bim, but does not remember what was said; always anderstood that George A, Smith was com der of the Nauvoo Legion of Southern Utab: . bigger mierre of Hoes renee on the ground; . W. ame was colonel; Jobo Be thes tiuatdhent colonel, née Tease Ce Hteigut, major; docs not know whether the order for the mns- acre anated from George A. Smith; he was general com! ing officer from the organization of the Nauvov Legion tll witness lett the couniry. During the crosa-examination of Kiingensmith one of the cou: for the defenco said:—"'! suppose you tired your piece ovor the beads of tho emigrants?’’ aud the witness auswered:— “1 fired at my man, and suppose I killed him.” After detailing in part the orgamzation of the Mor. mon Church to the cros#-examination Kingeasmith said be was afraid of personal violence it he offered any active opposition to the massacre, and this feur grow out of experience, Ho had seen ene man put away aud heard of other cases. ‘the oldest child spared was only twoanda half years, Joel M, White told a somewhat simiiar story to that of Kingensmith, only he did uot know as much abot the butchery. Lur’s DEFENCE. The defence ondeavored to show that the slaughter of the emigrants Was an Indiuu massucro, although admitung that Leo was present thereat The witnesses called desenvorsd te stow Uy oe rants pro. yoked the anger of the In: yy poisoning springs and selling them poisoned meat, and made teed ens of the caso in sheir zeal to gavo Leo. Among the evi- dence introduced was the following deposition of the Prophet himself, who excused himself from attendance on the ploa of ull health ; BUGHAM YOUNG'S Rpehe th oe-agiom ). Btate your axe, © present condition your health, oat whother in its o ition you could travel, a 4 i porsou at Beaver the Court now isting there? If not. state why not? A, Lam in my heventy AR yours is would be a great risk, bott to my health and life, forme to travel rat this preseut tue; Iam aud have bees far no an invalid, a. er occlostastical, cfvil or military, did ou 1857? A. | was the Governor of this ‘erritory, ox officio Saperintendent of Indian Affairs aud Pro sident of the Chureh of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Haines 1857. of ft ition of affairs between the Territi roiment in the summer and fh em route for Utah the ustensible design of destroyim the Latter-day saints, according tthe reporte shat the ‘Q. Wore there any United States jadgos hore during the suinmer and fall of 18577 A. To the Lest of my recoliee tion there was no United States judge here in the latter art ot IBS Pro State what you know about trains of emigrants passing through the Territory to the West, and particularly about @ as en route for Oaliturnia, pi ait I of 1857, Port} jostructions given by any t tonell urain oF to trad it trains passing through Utah at thas ti hose instructions and counsel? A. Yes: coun: sel aud-adview was given to tie citisens not ty sell grain te the emigrants to feed their stock, but to let them hi cient for themselven if they ‘out thin was th ral yours our cr’ the prosper at we might with tho L nen route for and wo wai of the Territory were counselled not to teed grain to their own atoek ; no person was ever punished or exiled in quon- tion tor furnishing supplies to the emigrants within my knowled Q. Wh id you Srst hear of the attack and destruction Kanses company xt Mountain ows in Sep. tomber, INS A. I did not iearn anything of the attack or destruction of the Arkansas company until me alter it had occur ly b of the whites, re had already learned by F arrowed up with ar Q, Did Philip D."Lee at the time of At that time order Stnith tot order then the massacre? A. No: . Lee, and and then commenced old him to stop, ax, from what f mor, I did not wish my feelings ital of details. our office with John king bis report, and did you n over the stock to Lee and 1 Qt erty taken from th wsacre or know ever gave any dir i tions concerning the property takem migrants at the Mountain Meadows massacre, of that property or its disposal, pt from pubile rumor, overnor institute pesseotians toassacre aud bring the gail use another Governor hi tof the United States ve, and F did * . been appoinied by the Pr was then on the way here w take my pli know how soon he might arrive, and because the Unit Dl judges were t in Terri 4 soon atter Gi or Cumming arrived | asked him to Judco Cre ru dinseiet, with bim, Meient tenders to J f Xeptomber, 1 1 ot ‘company 0 1 A. T did reeat wc C. Hluight of Jobn D. Tee, who was then @. ne indians. fariner for the Luin veation? A. T ‘abe 9 | Did you Knswer this coummunieation ? Havo you that © ie liaight, who was thon the weting re} ie: made & diligent sexrcl for tt, bat eanuot George A. foto Me (angio gis na mand diy it he dented that d, } and tnt ‘any for