The New York Herald Newspaper, March 22, 1877, Page 5

* ‘whore I joined the Mormon Church and became in- _ Obrist of Latter Day Saints, " Danites, at its frst formation. ‘his Order was sol- ~ hood of the Mormon Church; to do any and all | Mormons which made Jackson county, LEE'S CONFESSION. The Story of His Early Life and Conversion to Mormonism. HE JOINS THE DANITES. ‘His Career as a Missionary, a Financier, a Legislator and a Judge. 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 CONCEALMENT. ie {BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ] <i PIocHE, Ney., 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 tn the part he took at the Moun- tain Meadows massacre in Washington county, Utah ‘ Territory, on September 16, 1857, at which time 120 men, women and children, known as the Arkansas emigrant train, pasaing through the Territory on ' : « their way to California, were, after several days’ * fighting, decoyed from thelr fortifications and ‘ putdhierea in cold blood by Mormons and In- _ dans, AL of the emigrants who were ) @ldenonugh to disclose anything of'the butchery ‘ Werekilled on the spot. Seventeen small children _ Were spared trom the massacre, the train was plun- _ dered and the most of the property turned over to The bloody » the Mormon Church at Cedar City. * clothing, stripped from the mutilated bodies, was ,Sold at auction by order of the Charch authorities , ®t Cedar City, Utah. Leo was firat tried at Beaver » City, Utah, in the Territorial District Court, iu July, | 1875, Judge Boreman presiding. At this trial the / Jury disagfeed. Nine were for acquittal and three for conviction. A second trial was ‘had on the same iudictment in September, 1876, in the same Court and Uefore the saine Judge, ; Tesuiting ina verdict of guilty, Lee wus then,sen- ] ; Senead.to be shot on January 26,1877, he choosing “Shst mode of exceution, the laws of Utah »per- ‘Baitting a party capitally oGnvieted to choose the mode of tus death. on an iippeal to the Supreme + Court of the Territory the judgment of the lower Court was confirmed at the January term in 1377, and the sentence of the lower Court was ordered to be enforced at the March term in 187% 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 im 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 after bis execution. The following is the confession made by Lee:— WIS PLACE OF BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE. “My name is John D. Lee. 1 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 I was still a child and my boyhood was one of trial and hardships. WIS MARRIAGE. “T married Agathe Ann Woolsey in 1833 and moved to Fayette county, IIL, on Ruck Creek, where I became wealthy. EMBRACES MORMONISM. “In 1836 I became acquainted with some travelling Mormon preachers. 1 bought, read and believed the Book of Mormon. I sold my property in Illi- nois and moved to Fairwest, in Missouri, in 1837, timately acquainted with Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and other leaders of the Uharch of Jesus ME JOINS THE DANITES, “1 was subsequently initiated into the Order of emnly sworn to obey all the orders of the:priest- 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 conflicts between the people of Missouri and the Mo., historic ground.. When the Mormons were expelled from Missour! I was one of the first to settle at Nauvoo, Ill., where 1 took an active part in all that ‘was'done tor the Church or city. COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND POLICEMAN. “I had charge of the construction of many of the Public buiidings there. Was a policeman and body guard of Joseph Smith at Nauvoo, Alter his death Theld the same posttion to Brigham Young, who succeeded Simith as prophet, priest and revelator in the Church. A CHURCH OFPICIAL AND ORGANIZER. “I 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 PINANCLER. “I travelled extensively through the Gnited States asa Mormon missionary, and acted ag trader aud financial ageut for the Church trom Joseph Smith until the settiement at in Utah, THE SETTLEMENT OF UTAI. NEW ‘YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 1877.-TRIPLE SHEET: member of the Mormon Legisiature and Probate Judge of Washington eounty, Utah. POL! AND SEALING. ' “Immediately ‘after Joseph Smith received thi revelation nig ‘polygamy I was informed of its doctrines by sald'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 vf three of my wives. SEALED/7O HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW. “I 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 Brigtam Young and the apostles until 1868, whea I was cut off from the Church and selected as a scapegoat to suiler tor and bear the ‘sins of my people. MIS CONFESSION 4 DUTY. Asa duty to myself and mankind | now confess all that I know and all that I did at the Mountain Meadows massacre, without animosity to any one, shielding none, giving facts as they existed. THE MASSACRE 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 belicved we owed to God and our Church. SWORN 70 sKORROY 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 suffer death for whatd 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- ticipants. BRIGHAM YOUNG RESPONSIBLE. The Mountain Meadows massacre was the result of the direct teachings of Brigham Young, and it 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 STAKE! OF ZION AND ITS PRESIDENT. About Soptembene J went to Cedar City, where Imet Isaac ¢. » lent or Governor of chat. Btake.of Zion, Gd aléo Lieutenant Colonel of the iron county Mon militia, ‘This. was on a Sunday. Laeutenant Colos@! Haight was'the leader there in all things, clvily clerical and military, {t was a crime punishable by death to disobey lis orders, HS EMIGRANTS DOOMED. Lieutenant Colonel Haight gave me a full account of the emigramé™! who were coming. We slept in the iron works alt fiat night and arranged our plana. INVENTING 4 JUSTIFICATION, Léeutenan Haight sald the emigrants were a aot; that they were bud men, robbers and murderers, and had helped to kill the Murmon prophets. 1 beloved nim, ORGANIZING AN INDIAN ATTACK. 1 was ordered to raise the Indians to attack the train and rus oif the cattle and to have the Indians kill the emigrants, [sent Carl Shirts, my sdn-in- aye 00 “indiang tor the qork. phn, Arne thertribes, OBKYING 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. Isaid we are forbidden to shed innocent blood. The reply of Haight was, ‘There is not a drop of in- nocent blood tn the whole lot. Go, Brother Lee, and carry out the instructions 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, und killed seven and wounded 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, UKE ARRIVES, Tarrived at the camp late on Tuesday afternoon and found the Indians in large force. They de- manded thatl should lead the attack. 1 refused until {urther 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 farther 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 fortu- fications by treachery. THR HORRIBLE PROGRAMA. I was to follow the flag of truce and make a treaty with the besieged, and 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 Higby, would meet the emigrants The Indians were to Temain in ambush. The women were to go ahead. The Indians were then to kill the women. ‘The militia Were to kill the men, and 1 and the drivers of the wagons were to kill the wounded and sick that were in the wagons. A PRAYER MEETING OP MURDERERS, Several other men then made speeches, Then we had @ prayer circle, and then more speeches were made, and it was agreed by all parties that it was the will of God for us to do as we were ordered, THR MORNING OF THE MASSACKR, On Friday mormng the emigrants had a white flag fying, and the Mormon brethren again assem- bled. Speeches were made, and all expressed themselves as willing to act. “L was on the Locating Commitiee the sites for the various towns and citi Territory. AS A LEGISLATOR AND JUDGE, “Lheld many offices in the Territory, And was « H \ ROLL OF THR ASSASSINS PRESENT. Major John M. Higby. Philip K. Smith, Bishop of the church at Cedar City. Joel White. { William C. Stewart. Benjamin Arthur. Alexander Widen, Charles Hopkins, Tate Ira Ellew. Robert Wiley. Richard Harrison, Samuel Pollock. Daniel McFarlane. Jon 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, espectally those that might talk again.” He spoke of the character of the emigranta. He said that the Chureh authorities of Southern Utab THE PLACE OF —_ of We buried the dead and drove the cattie to the'fron Springs. \ SELLING THE SPOILS. Allthe wagons and other property were sold tn Cedar City by the order of the Church authorities. All of these orders were fully obeyed. The horrors attending the massacre of the emigrants were be- ‘Yond my description. THE OATH OF SILENCE. The brethren were sworn again to secrecy. This waa algo 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 ordera, visited the Indian camp with me. He said he came to instruct the people to let none of the enilgrants go through without a pass from Presi- @ent 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 ruffians, trom the Presi- dent down. Ile asked if the Indians would kill a vad emigrants? 1 told him that the Indians and the Mormons were both hostile to them, and would kill all not 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 of reporting to Brigham Young, and he THE MASSACRE. Map of the Great Salt Lake Valley—Route of the Emigrants South- ward, Through Beaver and Cedar City to the Mountain Meadows. SCALE OF MILES 30 x were all there, and that we were acting as a 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 him. Bateman then returned and reported that the emi grants would surrender their arms and do as they had been requested. The Mormon soidiers 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 sald 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 men came. THE BUTOHERY. When the wagons were half a mile of the fre commenced. The Indians killed all the women and yarge 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 quarrelled. Lieutenant Colonel Haight said to Colonel Dame:— “You ordered it, and, damn you, It is too late to go back!’ Dame sald 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 Brigham Young ten days after the massacre. [ 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 back the next morning, when Young said, “Brother Lee, not a drop of innocent blood has been shed. I have gone to God in prayer. God has shown me it was a just act. THe people did right, but were only @ 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 PROPHET SUSTAINS THR MURDERERS, “{ sustain you and the brethren in all that you dia, All 1 fear is treachery on the part of the brethren concerned, Go home and tell the brethren I sus- tain them. Keep all secret as the grave. Never tell any one, and write me @ letter laying all the blame on the Indians, BRIGHAM YOUNG'S PLAN FOR CONCRALMENT, “{ will then report to the United States govern- ment that 1t was an Indian massacre.” Brigham Young was then and for many years after fully satisfied with me and my act. He gave me three wives after that and appointed mie 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 for mer. chandise. The emigrants had 450, making 600 «cattle «in all They bad only a lite money. When Cradlebaugh was Judge in Utah and went to Mountain Meadows to investigate the massacre, Brigham Young came with him; he then kuew 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 wero the fathers, moth. the men who killed the saints in Jackson county, and afterwards killed the Prophet in Carthage jail. ‘Their children are in the poorhonse; their relatives refuse them because they are the children of thieves, outlaws and murderers. I have been tokl 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 18, I tell you what your fate willbe. Un- less you repent at once, keep secret all that you kuow and protect each other you will die a dog’s death. You will soon go to hell as danimed, 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 @ 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 Chureh ! CHARGING THE INDIANS WITH THE MASSACRE. Inext went to work to write up an account of the niassacre, 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 to the government was a part of the plan to save the Mormons from blame. LEE DUPED FROM FIRST TO LAST. It was years afterward before I knew that I had been made a tool of by the leaders. You have I only obeyed I then believed 1 was serving God and would receive a celestial reward. Now I know it is 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 ©. Stewart, Joel White and Benjamin Arthur were coming to Mountain Meadows on Wednesday night; they met young Aden and another mun going from the emi- grants to Cedar City for help. They told of the Indian attack and asked aid from the settlers, THE MORMONS' FIRST suloT. 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 BLOODIIIRSTY WRETCH, William C. 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, the orders of my superiors, 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, Ihave Tallent a victim to’ the arts’ Of rooliiy ang /witked 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. lam 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 thatI ever took part in except when in lawful battle, 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 Church. LEE'S PRIVATE JOURNALS DESTROYED BY BRIGHAM YOUNG. My journals and private writings have been de- 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 when 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 have told the whole truth, and the God lam soon to meet face to face 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, a full statement of the facts disclosed in the writings of John D. Lee which relate to the Mountain Meadows massacre, WILLIAM W. BISIIOP. PREPARATIONS FOR THE EXECUTION—PUBLIC CURIOSITY EXCITED—TROOPS ON THR MOVE AND FEARS OF A RESCUR, (uy TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) Braver Crry, Utah, March 21, 1877. The movements and condition of Join D. Lee continue to be veiled in mystery. All efforts to ob- tain positive iutelligence 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 t tery is the hope of the District Attorney, Howard, and of Marshal Nelson to obtain from Lee # last confession that will tmplicate leading mem- bers of the Mormon Charch that I can readily um derstand 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 ny umner in the capture of Haight, Higby or perhaps still ers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and children 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. ° Marshal Nelson ts acting as if he feared trouble, Acrowd of Lee’s sympathizers and friends can be organized here which the Marsiial cannot hope to cope with. The family of the condemned man ia large and infuential and can readily secure the co-operation of am-element 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 lus friends to rescue Lee, and that, whether delcated or successful, a bloody struggie will follow, (uy TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.) INEFFECTUAL APPEALS FOR MERCY BY THB FRIENDS OF THE PRISONER, Sarr Lake Crry, Utah, March 21, 187% The friends of John D, Lee, who ts 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 anytning further to communicate relative to Lee, replied, nothing whatever. This indicates that Lee's doom 1s sealed, CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE TAKEN ON THB TRIAL OF LEE—BRIGHAM YOUNG'S BSTATE© MENT, Tho following extracts of evidence are taken from the proceedings in Lee’s tri COUNSEHLLING SLAUGHTER, ‘The evidence of Philip Klingensmith created intense excitement, He described a council composed of Haight, Higbee, himself, his two coansellors, Morrell, Allen and some others where the question of annihi Jatiog the emigrants, then passing. through the Mor. mon settlements, was discussed. He, with some others, was opposed to the massucre, while the rest favored it. That meeting led inarow. <A few days after avother meeting was beld to discuss the subject, aud at its close Haignt said to witness, “You oO over with Joel Whive and teil the President to let the emigrants go through.” Tho witness met the road told was going Leo — said, thing to ‘say to that’? Coming home the fotlowing day Klingensmith met Ira Allen, who sai “The die 16 cast; we doom of the emigrants is sealed." Lee, he said, bi eived Lis orders from headquar- ters at Parowan, This witness described how, ‘under orders,’” he went and procured bis horse and arms and started out with Charley Hopkins, Higbee, Willis, Sam MeMurdy and others, Willis andSam MoMuardy had their wagons along; reached Hamblin’s ranch at night, Where they tound Lee and some more men, from Lee they learned how matters stood in camp, Lee calied witness aside and produced a letter which ho Said Contained orders sentto him from Parowap. He then detailed to witness the condition of the train; he sald the emigrants were strongly tortitied and there was no way to got them out. Higbee said he had’or- 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 the firing the ‘solaiers’’ left and witness took charge of tho children, who were subsequently dise tributed among the neighbors. The property was taken to the tithing house cellar, where witness Haight aud Higbee said Lee bad saw Loe. been 61 to give Brigham Young a report of the Khngensinith said he reached Salt Lake about Ustol 15, and met Loe, who said he had told Bnghage ¥ everything that had occurred and the Prophi roved of it all. The next day Lee, Hoy livgensmith met in Young’s office and he them well, showing them his horses, carri aod other fine things, Brigham then sald to them :—“Whas you know about this alfair do not tell to any bouy; do not even talk about it umong yourselver,’? Klingensiwnith did got Know the names of any ot victima, Lee was engaged an hour or two in consulta. tion with them ; liad no conversation with the prisoner tus 0 What passed between them, Subsequent to tue massacre bad a talk with bim, but docs not remember what was said; glways auderstood that A Smith was commander of the Nauvoo Legion of Southern Utab; Lee bad direction of the troops on fhe ground; W. H. Dame wus cvlongl; Joba M. Higbee, lieutenant colsnel, abd Ivuac C. Margot, major; does not know whether the order for the mas sacre emanated from George A. Smith; he was general commanding officer trom the organization of the Nauvov Legion tll witness lett the couatr: During the crosa-examination of Ki smith one ‘of the counsel tor the defence said suppose you tired your piece over the heads of tho emigrants?"’ aud the witness answered: — “1 fir ny man, and suppose J killed him.”” After jling in part the orgamzation of the Mor. mon Church tn the cross-examination Kingensmith said be was afraid of persona! violence it be offered any active opposition to the massacre, and this feur grow out of expericnce, Ho bad seen ene man pul away aud heard of other cases. ‘the oldest chtld spared was only twoand a half. Joel M, White told a somewhat simiiar story to that of Kiingensmith, only be did not know as much about the butchery. on and him LER’S DEFENCE, The defence endeavored to show that the slaughter of the emigrauts wos an Indio massacre, although admitung that Leo was present thereat The witnesses called endeavored to show that tho emigrants ol voked the anger of the Indians by poisoning springs mess poisoned meat, and mad heir zeal to gave Leo. Among the evi- dence introduced was the following deposition of the Prophet himself, who excused himeelf from attendance pete in bea pre e ny . Btate your nee, condition of your py whether in its condition you could travel, to attend ip porson at Boaver the Court now sitting there? If not, state why not? A. Tam in my sev yours 18 would be « grea th and life, tor me to travel to Boave Tum aud bave bees some tin Q at offices, either ecclosiastical, civil or military, did old in the year 18577 the Governor of this 0x officlo Saperin: t of Indian Affairs aud rs i of the Chureh of J ‘urist of Lutter-day Nabute during the year 1857. @. State the condition of affairs Uteh and the federal governu 1857, A. In May or June, for Utah were stopped by the tion by mail was cut en route tor Uta wil the Latter-day Suints, according. y ni igh of destroy: tho reports shat tenglied jad; ing the of my real ere in the latter & = cS er and of ISSTY A. the tlon thers war uo United States judge rom Arkansas en route for ie clty Ik the summer or full t trains were passing through our Territory for the d it ramered that Peon a=. & from Al ad passed through the elty, as company of emigrants ordered ity by yourself or any one in suthorit wut.” it never heard of West, en route to Cuitornin, under yo any such th the then Acti ns ernue. Lor instructions h not tora wh ore ith the ough Utuh at that th what were those el and ndvico Was Kiven to Sao citigens not to sell grain the enrigrants to food thelr s but to let them have suthe cient tor themselven if they mut: tho simple reasou for this was that for + the prospect was at that tm 1 the United States and we wont @ the grain for loods the eitteses welled not to te fraln vo ver punished or exiled in s to the emiurants ‘witht my and we wanted to of the Territory ‘own atock ; ne tion tor furnisht owledge, sro Wilcn did you Srst hear Of the attack and destruction r iy COMpARY we In Meaduwsin Sepe tember, 1 A. 1 d\d not lenem anything of the attack or destruct the Arkansas until some time d oveurred; then only by Hosting rumors Jobn D. La ¢ what ad ‘ou reply t of three months ater th nd had moch tomay wi Heir Verne stirred Up to anger and Inonte of tho whites. end thew eemmmeneed pie te 5 rae, ‘aid not wish eid Pil ikitaes aeons mate Did Philip Dice tie time of bee's making his tepert and aia poe Smith to turn over the alk about tho massacre? $ ki aiag Aas hs eeu ything pertaining to the property. uy directions altar ith Qt my off m4 ru nt: at the Moun thing of that prope: and I do not to this day, except from Q. Why did you nut ws Gove forthwith to Investigate. bli aurhors to J trom the emi nor did | kaow “4 ie ramen tee been appoii by the Prosident of the Unt was then on the way here to take my kno rw soon be might arrive, mn in the dlebaueh, who the aud I would accompany them gate the matver aud bring the about the 10th trom Inawe ©, Uh concorning ® eh, tA fale tor Jobn D, the Arkansas tion trom I fariner for tt . Did you answer this communi t f Ienue C, Haight, who was then the Godar City. @, Will you state the A.Yox. Ti was to let this con of emigrants ps sroideted 4 to allay the angry moiested, and to the a1 wach as possible. cad George A, Smith’s deposition was also and 10 it he denied that be had any mili fi in 1867 or that ne discussed any tor Ang the emigrant train, " |