State rights democrat vol. 12 no. 35

              LEE'S CONFESSION. 
His Account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. 
The Decree of Extermination. 
Lee Reports the Massacre to Brigham Young in Person.
 HE SAYS HE WAS “A WEAK AND TOO PLIA-BLE TOOL"—THAT HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY WILL OPEN THE EYES OF THE WORLD TO THE MONSTROUS DEEDS OF MORMON LEADERS. 
[From the San Francisco Call.] 
The Execution. 
CEDAR CITY, March 23.—The execution of Lee occurred within about 200 yards of the spot where 20 years ago he decoyed the emigrants out, and about the same distance from the monument. About 100 persons witnessed the execution. U. S. Marshal Nelson and posses arrived at the Meadows about 8 o'clock last night from Beaver with three govern-ment wagons containing a squad of twenty-two soldiers from Camp Cam-eron, and commanded by Lieutenant Patterson. On the first night out a march of seventy miles was made, from Beaver to Leech's, and came into camp about 3 o'clock in the af-ternoon. Lee ate a hearty breakfast, smoked and rolled himself in his blanketis under a cedar tree and slept soundly until 1 o'clock. 
HIS MANNER WAS. COOL AND COL-LECTED, 
And he either failed to realize or was indifferent to the terrible fate so soon awaiting him. On the trip for the first time he confessed to the slaying of five emigrants. He spoke with great bitterness against Brig-ham Young, whom he accused of leading the Mormons to destruction. This morning about 9 o'clock Lee was taken from camp in one of the gov-ernment wagons, headed by Lieut. Patterson and his men, and the marching to the scene of execution commenced. He slept well all last night, and his appetite was in no wise diminished. He talked composedly, and acted and talked with remarka-ble indifference. Arrived at the spot, he went to a convenient place and explained the situation of the emi-grants when the massacre occurred. 
The picture presented this morn-ing was weird and strange beyond description. The wagons, troops, etc., as seen from an overlooking promontory going through the Mead-ows was a scene not dissimilar to the one twenty years ago on the same spot. The wagons were placed to-gether, and behind these six men se-lected to do the execution were post-ed, armed with needle guns. Lee, in company with the Rev. Mr. Geo. Stokes, of Minnesota, Marshal Nel-son, and Mr. Howard, advanced.—His step faltered a little as he ap-proached the coffin. He took off his overcoat, and as coolly seated himself on the head of his coffin as thogh he was taking a seat by a comfortable fire. The prisoner was about twenty-five feet from the wagons, and sat facing them. The marshal, in a clear, steady voice read the death warrant, to which the condemned man paid little attention. 
HE ASKED TO MAKE A STATEMENT. 
He spoke of the solemnity of the occasion, his willingness to die, his innocence, of his being the best friend the United States had, and of Brigham Young, whom he accused of going back on one who had served him. But he stood firm in the faith. He spoke of his family, and was from the first affected to tears. All kneeling, and the prisoner by his cof-fin, the Bev. Mr. Stokes offered a prayer. Lee again seated himself and told the men at the wagon not to mangle his legs, but to aim well for the heart. He said he was not at all excited, and that he could give the word to "fire" himself. The marshal bandaged his eyes, but be would not permit his hands to be tied, and clasped them over his head. About the last thing, he told the boys to aim well, and murmured something against Brigham Young. The Mar-shal then gave the command—"Make ready, take aim, fire!" and 
JOHN D. LEE FELL QUIETL BACK ON HIS OWN COFFIN, 
His feet resting on the ground, and died without a struggle. Five balls went through the region of his heart. He displayed the most extraordinary courage, and met his fate either in the belief that he was a martyr or a hero. In any event, with a fortitude and resignation that made death easy. 
His crime was a terrible one, and after twenty years of waiting, the fearful punishment of the law over-took him and was consummated on the very spot where he plotted and executed the destruction of 130 men, women and children. No member of his family was present. He has fifty children alive. He requested that his body be sent to Pangwitch to his wife Rachel. His remains have just reached Cedar. They will be sent to Pangwitch to-morrow. 
THE CONFESSION. 
Appended is the last confession of John D. Lee. It was written by him-self, without aid or advice, and with the certainty of death staring him in the face, having been penned by him subsequent to his second trial and sentence to die. The original docu-ment was placed by Lee in the hands of U. S. District Attorney Howard, in the penitentiary at Salt Lake City, last month, with the understanding that it should not be published until after his death. The statement was repeated by Lee on the field at the scene of execution yesterday. As a gentleman, Mr. Howard kept the faith reposed in him, with-holding its publication until the prisoner had suf-fered the extreme penalty of the law. 
LEE'S STATEMENT—ARRIVAL OF THE AR-KANSAS COMPANY IN UTAH. 
In the month of September, 1857. the company of emigrants known as the "Arkansas Company," arived in Parowan, Iron county, Utah, on their way to California. At Parowan young Aden, one of the company, saw and recognized one Wm. Laney, a Mormon resident of Parowan.—Aden and his father had rescued Laney from an anti-mormon mob in Tennessee several years before, and saved his life. He (Laney), at the time he was attacked by the mob, was a Mormon missionary in Ten-nessee. Laney was glad to see his friend and benefactor, and invited him to his house and gave him some garden sauce to take back to the camp with him. 
BISHOP DAME'S SIGNIFICANT SIGNAL. 
The same evening it was reported to Bishop (Colonel) Dame that Laney had given potatoes and onions to the man Aden, one of the emigrants.—When the report was made to Bishop Dame he raised his hand and crooked his little finger in a significant man-ner to one Barney Carter, his brother-in-law, and one of the "Angels of Death." Carter, without another word, walked out, went to Laney's house with a long pick in his hand, called Laney out and struck him a heavy blow on the head, fracturing his skull, and left him on the ground for dead. C. Y. Webb and Isaac Newman, president of the ''High Council," both told me they saw Dame's maneuvers. James McGuffee, then a resident of Parowan—but through oppression has been forced to leave there, and is now a merchant in Pahranagat valley, near Pioche, Ne-vada—knows these facts. 
About the last of August, 1857, some 10 days before the Mountain Meadows massacre, the company of emigrants passed through Cedar City. George A. Smith—then First Coun-cellor in the church and Brigham Young's right-hand man—came down from Salt Lake City, preaching to the different settlements. I, at that time, was in Washington county, near where St. George now stands. He sent for me. I went to him, and he asked me to take him to Cedar City by way of Fort Clara and Pinty set-tlements, as he was on business and must visit ail these settlements. We started on our way up through the canyon. We saw bands of Indians, and he (Geo. A. Smith) remarked to me that these Indians, with the ad-vantage they had of the rocks, could use up a large company of emigrant , or make it very hot for them. After pausing for a short time he said to me, "Brother Lee, what do you think the brethren would do if a company of emigrants would come down through here making threats? Don't you think they would pitch into them?" I replied that "they cer-tainly would." This seemed to please him, and he again said to me, "And you really think that the brethren would pitch into them?" "I certain-ly do," was my reply, "and you had better summon Colonel Dame and Haight to tend to it that the emi-grants are permitted to pass if you want them to pass unmolested." He continued: "I asked Isaac (meaning Haight) the same question, and he answered me just as you do, and I expect the boys would pitch into them." I again said to him that he had better say to Governor Young that if he wants emgrant companies to pass without molestation that he must instruct Col. Dame or Major Haight to that effect, for if they are not ordered otherwise they will use them up by the help of the Indians. He told the people at Santa Clara not to sell their grain to the emi-grants nor to feed it to their animals, as they might expect a big fight the next spring with the United States. President Young did not intend to let the troops into the Territory. He said, "We are going to stand up for our rights and will no longer be im-posed upon by our enemies, and want every man to be on hand with his gun in good order and his power dry," and instructed the people to part with nothing that would sustain life. 
From the 1st to the 10th of Sep-tember, 1857, a messenger came to me—his name was Sam Wood—and told me that President I. C. Haight wanted me to be at Cedar City that evening without fail. This was Sat-urday. He told me that a large com-pany of emigrants had gone South. I then lived at Harmony, 20 miles South of Cedar City. I obeyed the summons. President Haight met me. It was near sundown. We spent the night in an open house on some blankets, where we talked most all night. He told me that a com-pany of emigrants had passed through some two days before, threatening the Mormons with destruction, and that one of them had said he had helped to kill old Joe Smith and his brother Hiram; that other members of the company of emigrants had helped drive the Mormons out of Missouri; that others had said they had come to help Johnson's army clean the Mormons out of Utah; that they had the halters ready to hang old Brigham and Heber, and would have them strung up before the snow flew; that one of the emigrants called one of his oxen (a pair of stags) "Brig," and the other "Heber," and that several of the emigrants had used all kinds of threats and profani-ty. John M. Higbee, the city mar-shal, informed them that it was a breach of the city ordinance to use profane language, whereupon one of them replied that he did not care a d— for the Mormon laws, nr the Mormons either; that they had fought their way through the Indians and would do it through the d— Mor-mons; and if their God—old Brig-ham, and his priests would not sell their provisions, by G—they would take what they wanted any way they could get it; that, thus raging, one of them let loose his long whip and killed two chickens, and threw them into his wagon; that the widow Evans said, "Gentle-men, those are my chickens; please don't kill them. I am a poor widow." That they ordered her to "sut up," or they would blew her d— brains out, etc; that they had been raising trouble with all the settlements and Indians on their way; that we were threatened on the north by Johnson's army, and now our safety depended on prompt and immediate action; that a company of Indians had al-ready gone South from Parowan and Cedar City to surprise the emigrants, who were then at the Mountain Meadows, and he wanted me to re-turn home in the morning (Sunday) and send Carl Shurtz (Indian inter-preter), from my home (Harmony), to raise the Indians South, at Har-mony, Washington and Santa Clara, to join the Indians from the north, and make the attack upon the emi-grants at the Meadows. I said to him, "Would it not be well to hold a council of the brethren before mak-ing a move?'' He replied that "every true Latter Day Saint that regarded his covenants knew well their duty, and that the company of emigrants had forfeited their lives by their acts," and that Bishop P. K. Smith (Klin-gen Smith) and Joel White had al-ready gone by the way of Pinto, to raise the Indians in that direction, and those that have gone from Parow-an and here will make the attack, and may be repulsed. "We can't now delay for a council of the breth-ren. Return immediately and start Carl Shurtz; tell him that I ordered you to tell him to go, and I want you to try and get there before an attack is made, and make the plan for the Indians, and I will call a council to-day to talk the matter over and will send Nephi Johnson, the interpreter, to the Meadows as soon as he can be got, to help Carl Shurtz manage the Indians." 
LEE STARTS ON HIS MISSION. 
I did just as I was ordered. The Indians from the north and about Harmony had already started for the Meadows before I reached home.—Shurtz started immediately to do his part. I arrived at home in the night and remained till morning. I thought over the matter, and the more I thought the more my feelings revolt-ed against such a horrid deed. Sleep had fled from me. I talked to my wife Rachel about, it. She felt as I did about it, and advised me to let them do their own dirty work, and said if things did not go just to suit them, the blame would be laid on me. She never believed in blood atone-ment, and said it was from the devil, arid that she would rather break such a covenant if she had to die for so doing than to live and be guilty of doing such an act. I finally conclud-ed that I would go; that I would start by daybreak in the morning and try to get there before an attack was made on the company, and use my influence with the Indians to let them alone. I crossed the mountains by a trial and reached the Meadows be-tween nine and ten in the morning, the distance from my place being 25 miles. 
But I was too late. The attack had been made just before daybreak in the morning, and the Indians re-pulsed with one killed and two of the chiefs from Cedar shot through the legs, breaking a leg for each of them. The Indians were in a terrible rage. I went to some of them that were in a ravine. They told me to go to the main body or they would kill me for not coming before; the attack was made. While I was stand-ing there I received a shot just above my belt, cutting through my clothes to the skin some six inches across. The Indians with whom I was talk-ing lived with me at Harmony. I was an Indian farmer. They told me I was in danger, and to get down into the ravine. I said that it was impossible for me to do anything there, and I dare not venture to the camp or to the emigrants without endangering my life. I mounted my horse and started south to meet Carl Shurtz. I traveled sixteen miles and stopped on the Megotsy to bait my animal, as there was good grass and water. I had rode over 40 miles without eating or drinking. This is the place where Mr. Tobin met his assassinators. About sunset I saw Shurtz and some ten or fifteen white men, and about one hundred and fifty Indians. We camped. During the night the Indians left for the Meadows. I reported to the men what had taken place. 
They attacked the emigrants again about sunrise the next morning, which was Tuesday, and had one of their number killed and several wounded I, with the white men, reached the meadows about 1 o'clock P. M. On the way we met a small band of Indians returning with some eighteen or twenty head of cattle. One of the Indians was wounded in the shoulder. They told me the In-dians were encamped east of the emigrants at some springs. On our arrival at the springs we found about two hundred Indians among whom were the two wounded chiefs, Mo-queetus and Bill. The Indians were in a high state of excitement; had killed many cattle and horses belong-ing to the company. I counted sixty head near their encampment that they had killed in revenge for the wounding of their men. By the assistance of Oscar Hamblin (brother of Jacob Hamblin) and Shurtz we succeeded in getting the Indians to desist from killing any more stock that night, 
THE EMIGRANTS IMPROVISE A FORT-IFICATIOV. 
The company of emigrants had corralled all their wagons but one, for better defense. This corral was about one hundred yards above the springs. This they did to get away from the ravine south, the better to defend themselves. The attacks were made from the south ravine and from the rocks on the west. The attack was renewed that, night by the In-dians, in spite of all we could do to prevent it. When the attack com-menced, Oscar Hamblin, Wm. Young and myself started to go to the In-dians. When opposite the corral on the north, the bullets came around us like a shower of hail. We had two Indians with us to pilot us ; they threw themselves flat on the ground to protect themselves from the bul-lets. I stood erect and asked my Father in Heaven to protect me from the missiles of death and enable me to reach the Indians. One ball passed through my hat and the hair of my head, and another through my shirt, grazing my arm near the shoulder. A most hideous yell of the Indians commenced. The cries and shrieks of the women and children so over-came me that I forgot my danger and rushed through the fire to the Indians, and pleaded with them in tears to desist. I told them that the Great Spirit would be angry with them for killing women and little children. They told me to leave or they would serve me the same way ; that I was not their friend, but a friend to their enemies ; that I was a squaw and did not have the heart of a brave, and that I could not see bloodshed without crying like a baby, and called me "Cry Baby," and by that name I am known by all the Indians to this day. I owe my life on that occasion to Oscar Hamblin, who was a mission-ary with the Indians, and who had much influence with the Santa Clara Indians. They were the ones that wanted to kill me. Hamblin shamed them and called them dogs and wolves for wanting to shed the blood of their father (myself), who had fed and clothed them. 
We finally prevailed on them to return to camp, where we would hold a council; that I would send for big captains to come and talk. We told them they had punished the em-igrants enough, and maybe they had killed nearly all of them. We told them that Bishop Dame and President Haight would come, and may be they would give them part of the cattle, and let the company go with the teams. In this way we reconciled them to suspend hostilities for the present. The two that had been with Hamblin and myself the night before, said they had seen two men on horseback come out of the em-igrant's camp under full speed, and that they went toward Cedar City. Wednesday morning I asked a man—I think his name was Edwards—to go to Cedar City and say to Pres-ident Haight, for God's sake, for my sake, and for the sake of suffering humanity, to send out men to rescue that company. This day we all lay still, waiting orders. Occasionally a few of the Indians withdrew, taking a few head of animals with them. 
About noon I crossed the valley north of the corral, thinking to ex-amine their location from the west range. The company recognized me as a white man, and sent two little boys about four years old to meet me. I hid from them, fearing the Indians, who discovered the children. I called the Indians, who wanted my gun or ammunition to kill them. I prevailed with them to let the children go back into camp, which they very soon did when they saw the Indians. I crept up behind some rocks, on the west range, where I had a full view of the corral. In it they had dug a rifle pit. The wheels of the wagons were chained together, and the only show for the Indians was to starve them out, or shoot them as they went for water. I lay there some two hours, and contemplated their situa-tion, and wept like a child. When I returned to camp, some six or eight men had come from Cedar City. Joel White, Wm. C. Stewart and Elliott C. Weldon were among the number, but they had no orders. They had come merely to see how things were. The Meadows are about 50 miles from Cedar City. Thursday after-noon the messenger from Cedar City returned. He said that President Haight had gone to Parowan to con-fer with Colonel Dame, and a compa-ny of men and orders would be sent to-morrow (Friday) ; that up to the time he left the Council had come to no definite conclusion. During this time the Indians and men were en-gaged in broiling beef and making their hides up into lassoes. I had flattered myself that bloodshed was at an end. After the emigrants saw me cross the valley, they hoisted a white flag in the midst of their corral. 
ARRIVAL OF MORMON REINFORCEMENTS A MORMON COUNCIL HELD. 
Friday afternoon four wagons drove up with armed men. When they saw the white flag in the corral they raised one also, but drove to the springs where we were and took refreshments, after which a council meeting was called of President, Bishops, and other Church officers and members of the High Council, Societies, High Priests, etc. Major John M. Higbee presided as Chair-man. Several of the dignitaries bowed in prayer—invoked the aid of the Holy Spirit to prepare their minds and guide them to do right and carry out the counsel of their leaders. 
THE DECREE OF EXTERMINATION GOES FORTH. 
Higbee said that President J. C. Haight had been to Parowan to con-fer with Colonel Dame, and their counsel and orders were that "This emigrant camp must be used up." I replied, "Men women and chil-dren ?" "All," said he, "except such as are too young to tell tales, and if the Indians cannot do it with-out help, we must help them." I commenced pleading for the com-pany, and I said though some of them have behaved badly, they have been pretty well chastised. My pol-icy would be to draw off the Indians, let them have a portion of the loose cattle, and withdraw with them under promise that they would not molest the company any more, that the com-pany would then have teams enough left to take them to California. I told them that this course could not bring them into trouble. 
FATE OF THE EMIGRANT NESSENGERS. 
Higbee said, "White men have in-terposed and the emigrants know it, and there lies the danger in letting them go." I said, "What white met interfered?" He replied that in the attack on Tuesday night two men broke out of the corral and started for Cedar City on horseback ; that they were met at Richey's Spring by Stewart, Joel White and another man, whose name has passed from me. Stewart asked the two men their names when they met them at the spring, and being told in reply by one of the men that his name was Aden, and that the other man was a Dutchman from the emigrants' com-pany, Stewart shoved a pistol to Aden's breast and killed him, saying, "Take that, d—n you." The other man, the Dutchman, wheeled to leave as Joel White fired and wound-ed him. I asked him how he knew the wounded Dutchman got back to the emigrants' camp. He said be-cause he was tracked back, and they knew he was there. I again said that it was better to deliver the man to them and let them do anything they wished with him, and tell them that we did not approve of such things. 
LEE REPROVED FOR TRYING TO DICTATE TO THE PRIESTHOOD. 
Ira Allen, High Counselor, and Robert Wiley and others spoke re-proving me sharply for trying to dic-tate to the priesthood ; that it would set at naught all authority : that he would not give the life of one of our brethern for a thousand such persons. "If we let them go," he continued, "they will raise h—l in California, and the result will be that our wives and children will have to be butcher-ed and our selves too, and they are no better to die than ours; and I am surprised to hear Brother Lee talk as he does, as he has always been con-sidered one of the staunchest in the Church, now is the first to shirk from his duty." I said, "Brethern, the Lord must harden my heart before I can do such a thing." Allen said it is not wicked to obey counsel. At this juncture I withdrew—walked off some fifty paces and prostrated my-self on the ground and wept in the bitterest anguish of my soul, and asked the Lord to avert the evil. While in that situation Counselor C. Hopkins, a near friend of mine came to me and said : "Brother Lee, come get up and don't draw off from the priesthood. You ought not to do so. You are only endangering your own life by standing out. You can't help it; if this is wrong—the blame won't rest on you." I said, "Charley, this is the worst move 'this people' ever made. I feel it." He said, "Come, go back, and let them have their way." I went back weep-ing like a child, and took my place and tried to be silent, and was until Higbee said they (the emigrants) must be decoyed out through pre-tended friendship. I could no longer hold my peace, and said I, Joseph Smith said that God hated a traitor, and so do I. Before I would be a traitor I would rather take ten men and go to that camp and tell them that they must die and how to de-fend themselves, and give the a show for their lives ; that would be more honorable than to betray them like Judas." Here I got other reproof, and was ordered to hold my peace. 
THE PLAN ADOPTED FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE EMIGRANTS. 
The plan agreed upon there was to meet them with a flag of truce, tell them that the Indians were deter-mined on their distruction ; that we dare not oppose the Indians, for we were at their mercy ; that the best we could do for them (the emigrants) was to get them and what few traps we could take in the wagons, to lay their arms in the bottom of the wag-on and cover them up with bed clothes, and start for the settlement as soon as possible, and to trust themselves in our hands. The small children and wounde were to go with the two wagons, the women to follow the wagons and the men next, the troops to stand in readiness on the east side of the road ready to receive them, Shurtz and Nephi Johnson were to conceal the Indians in the brush and rocks till the company was strung out on the road to a cer-tain point, and at the watchword "Halt ! do your duty !" each man was to cover his victim and fire. Johnson and Shrutz were to rally the Indians, and rush upon and die., patch the women and larger chil-dren. 
CELESTIAL REWARDS PROMISED THE FAITHFUL. 
It was further told the men that President Haight said that if we were united in carrying out the in-structions, we would receive a "ce-lestial reward." I said I was willing to put up with a less reward, if I could be excused. "How can you do this without shedding innocent blood?" Here I got another lam-pooning for my stubbornness and disobedience to the priesthood. I was told that there was not a drop of innocent blood in the whole com-pany of emigrants; also referred to the Gentile nation who refused the children of Israel passage through their country when Moses led them out of Egypt—that the Lord held the crime against them, and when Israel waxed strong the Lord com-manded Joshua to slay the whole nation, men, women and children. "Have not these people done worse than that to us? Have they not threatened to murder our leaders and Prophet, and have they not boasted of murdering our Patriarchs and Prophets, Joseph and Hiram? Now talk about shedding innocent blood." They said I was a good, [Conducted on 2d Page.] 
[Continued from 1st Page.] 
liberal., free-hearted man, but too much of this sympathy would be always in the way; that every man now had to show his colors; that it was not safe to have a Judas in camp. Then it was proposed that every man express himself; that if there was a man who would not keep a close mouth they wanted to know it then. This gave me to understand what I might expect if I continued to oppose. Major Higbee said: "Brother Lee is right. Let him take an expression of the people." I knew I dare not refuse, so I had every man speak and express him-self. All said they were willing to carry out the counsel of their leaders; that the leaders had the spirit of God and knew better what was right than they did. 
LEE FINALLY GIVES IN AND JOINS IN THE CONSPIRACY. 
They then wanted to know my feelings. I replied, "I have already expressed them." Every eye was upon me as I paused; but, said I, “You can do as you please, I will not oppose you any longer." "Will you keep a close mouth ?" was the question. "I will try," was my an-swer. I will here say that the fear of offending Brigham Young and George A. Smith had saved my life. I was near being "blood-atoned" in Parowan, under J. C. L. Smith, in 1854, but of this I have spoken in my autobiography.
CARRYING OUT THE PLANS—HOW THE EMIGRANTS WERE DECOYED TO THEIR DEATH. 
Saturday morning all was ready, and every man assigned to his post of duty. During the night, or rather just before daylight, John-son and Shurtz ambushed their Indians the better to deceive the emigrants. About 11 o'clock A. M. the troops, under Major Higbee, took their position on the road. The white flag was still kept up in the corral. Higbee called William Bateman out of the ranks to take a flag of truce to the corral. He was met about half way with another white flag from the emigrants' camp. They had a talk. The emigrant was told we had come to rescue them if they were willing to trust us. Both met with flags, returned to their re-spective places and reported, and were to meet again and bring word. Higbee called me out to go and in-form them the conditions, and, if ac-cepted, Dan McFarland, brother to John McFarland, lawyer, who acted as aid-de-camp, would bring back word, and then two wagons would be sent for the firearms, children, clothing, etc. I obeyed, and the terms were accepted, but not without distrust. I had as little to say as possible—in fact, my tongue refused to perform its office. I sat down on the ground in the corral, near where some young men were engaged in paying the last respects to some per-son who had just died of a wound. A large, fleshy old lady came to me twice and talked while I sat there. She related their troubles—said that seven of their number were killed and forty-six wounded on the first attack; that several had died since. She asked me if I was an Indian agent, I said, “In one sense I am, as government has appointed me Farmer to the Indians." I told her this to satisfy her, I heard after-ward that the same question was asked and answered in the same manner by McFarland, who had been sent by Higbee to the corral, to “hurry me up for fear that the Indi-ans would come back and be upon them." 
LEAVING THE EMIGRANT CAMP. 
When all was ready, Samuel Mc-Murdy, Counsellor to Bishop P. K. Smith (Klingensmith), drove out on the lead. His wagon had the seven-teen children, clothing and arms. Samuel Knight drove the other team, with five wounded men and one boy about 12 year old. I walked behind the front wagon, to direct the course, and to shun being in the heat of the slaughter—but this I kept to myself. When we got turned fairly to the east I motioned to McMurdy to steer north, across the valley. I at the game time told the women who were next to the wagon to follow the road up to the troops, which they did. Instead of my saying to McMurdy not to drive so fast—as he swore on trial—I said to the contrary, to drive on, as my aim was to get out of sight before the firing commenced, which we did. 
THE MASSACRE—REVOLTING SCENES. 
We were about half a mile ahead of the company when we heard the first firing. We had drove over a ridge of rolling ground, and down on a low flat. The firing was simul-taneous along the whole line. The moment the firing commenced Mc-Murdy halted and tied his lines across the rod of his wagon stepped down coolly with a double barreled shotgun, walked back to Knight's wagon—who had the wounded men, and was about twenty feet in the rear. As he raised his piece he said, "Lord, my God, re-ceive their spirits, for it is for the Kingdom of Heaven's sake that we do this," fired and killed two men. Samuel Knight had a muzzle loading rifle, and he shot and killed three men, then struck the wounded boy on the head, who fell dead. In the meantime I drew a five shooter from my belt, which accidentally went off, cutting across McMurdy's buckskin pants in front, below the crotch. McMurdy said, "Brother Lee, you are excited; take things cool; you was near killing me. Look where the ball cut," pointing to the place on his pants. 
CHILDREN SNATCAED FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH. 
At this moment I heard the scream of a child. I looked up and saw an Indian have a little boy by the hair of his head, dragging him out of the hind end of the wagon, with a knife in his hand, and shouted to the top of my voice, "Arick, ooma, not too sooet" (stop, you fool). The child was terror-stricken. His chin was bleeding. I supposed it was the cut of a knife, but afterward learned that, it was done on the wagon box as the Indian yanked the boy down by the hair of the head. I had no sooner rescued this child, than another In-dian seized a little girl by the hair. I rescued her as soon as I could peak; I told the Indians that they must not hurt the children—that I would die before they should be hurt, that we would buy the children of them. Before this time the Indians had rushed up around the wagon in quest of blood, and dispatched the two runaway men.
LEE’S DEMORALIZATION—THE ROAD STREWN WITH THE DEAD.
In justice to my statement, I would say that if y shooter had not pre-maturely exploded I would have had a hand in dispatching the five wound-ed. I had lost control of myself, and scarce knew what I was about. I saw an Indian pursue a little girl who was fleeing. He caught her about one hundred feet from the wagon, and plunged his knife through her. I said to McMurdy that he had better drive the children to Hamblin's ranch and give them some nourishment, while I would go down and get my horse at the camp. Passing along the road I saw the dead strung along the dis-tance of about half a mile. The women and children were killed by the Indians. I saw Shurtz with the Indians, and no other white man with them. "When I came to the men they lay about a rod apart. Here I came up with Higbee, Bishop Smith and the rest of the company. As I came up, Higbee said to me, let us search these persons for valu-ables, and asked me to assist him. Gave me a hat to hold. Several men were already engaged in search-ing the bodies. I replied that I was unwell, and wanted to get upon my horse and go to the ranch and nurse myself. My request was granted. 
DAME AND HAIGHT QUARREL. 
Reaching Hamblin's ranch—being heart-sick and worn out—I lay down on my saddle blanket and slept, and knew but little of what passed through the night. About daybreak in the morning I heard the voices of Col. Dame and Isaac C. Haight. I heard some very angry words pass between them, which drew my atten-tion. Dame said he would have to report the destruction of the emigrant camp and the company. Haight said, "How—as an Indian massacre?" Dame said he did not know so well about that. This reply seemed to ir-ritate Haight, who spoke quite loud-ly saying, "How the h—ll can you report it any other way without im-plicating yourself? At this Dame lowered his voice almost to a whis-per, I could not understand what he said, and the conversation stopped. 
SOME OF THE SURVIVORS OF THE MASSACRE. 
I got up, saw the children, and among the others the boy who was pulled by the hair of the head out of the wagon by the Indian—and saved by me. That boy I took home and kept until Dr. Forney, Govern-ment agent, came to gather up the children and take them East. He took the boy with others. That boy's name was "William Fan-cher. His father was Captain of the train. He was taken East and adopt-ed by a man in Nebraska, named Richard Sloan. He remained East several years, and then returned to Utah; and is now a convict in the Utah penitentiary, having been con-victed the past year for the crime of highway robbery. He is now known by the name of "Idaho Bill," but his true name is William Fancher. His little sister was also taken East, and is now the wife of a man work-ing for the Union Pacific Railroad Co., near Green river. The boy (now man), has yet got the scar on his chin caused by the cut on the wagon box, and those who are curi-ous enough to examine will find a large scar on the ball of his left foot, caused by a deep cut made with an while he was with me. 
BURYING THE SLAIN—CONDITION OF THE BODIES. 
I got breakfast that morning, then all hands returned to the scene of the slaughter to bury the dead. The bodies were all in a nude state. The Indians, through the night, had stripped them of every vestige of clothing. Many of the parties were laughing and talking as they carried the bodies to the ravine for burial. They were just covered over a little, but did not long remain so, for the wolves dug them up, and, after eat-ing the flesh from them, the bones laid upon the ground until buried, some time after, by a Government officer. 
DAME TERROR STRICKEN—HE HAS ANOTHER QUARREL WITH HAIGHT. 
At the time of burying the bodies Dame and Haight got into another quarrel. Dame seemed terror strick-en, and again said he would have to publish it. They were about two paces from me. Dame spoke low, as if careful to avoid being heard. Haight spoke loud, and said: "You know that you counseled it, and or-dered me to have them used up." Dame said: "I did not think that there were so many women and chil-dren. I thought they were nearly all killed by the Indians." Haight said: "It is too late in the day for you to back water. You know you ordered and counseled it, and now you want to back out." Dame said: "Have you the papers for that?" or, "Show the papers for that." This enraged Haight to the highest pitch, and Dame walked off. Haight said: "You throw the blame of this thing on me and I will be revenged on you, if I have to meet you in hell to get it.” From this place we rode to the wagons. We found them strip-ped of their covers and every parti-cle of clothing, even the feather beds had been ripped open and the con-tents turned out upon the ground, looking for plunder. I crossed the mountains by the Indian trail—tak-ing ray little Indian boy with me on my horse. The gathering up of the cattle left in the charge of Bishop P. K. Smith. The testimony of Smith in regard to the property and the disposition that was made of it was very nearly correct. I must not forget to state that after the at-tack a messenger by the name of James Haslem was sent with a dis-patch to President Brigham Young, asking his advice about interfering with the company, but he did not re-turn in time. This I had no knowl-edge of until the massacre was com-mitted. 
LEE REPORTS THE MASSACRE TO BRIGHAM YOUNG IN PERSON. 
Some two weeks after the deed was done, Isaac C. Haight sent me to report to Governor Young in per-son; I asked him why he did not send a written report. He replied that I could tell him more satisfacto-rily than he could write, and if I would stand up and shoulder as much of the responsibility as I could con-veniently that it would be a feather in my cap some day, and that I would get a celestial salvation, but the man that shrunk from it now would go to hell. I went and did as I was commanded. Brigham asked me if Isaac C. Haight had written a letter to him. I replied not by me ; but I said he wished me to report in person. "All right," said Brigham. "Were you an eye-witness?" "To the most of it," was my reply. Then I proceeded to give him a fail his tory of all, except that of ray oppose-tion. That, I left out entirely. I told him of the killing of the women and children, and the betraying of the company ; that I told him I was op posed to; but I did not say to him to what extent I was opposed to it, only that I was opposed to shedding in-nocent blood. "Why," said he "you differ from Isaac (Haight), for he said there was not a drop of inno-cent blood in the whole company." 
HOW BRIGHAM YOUNG RECEIVED THE NEWS, 
When I was through he said that it was awful; that he cared nothing for the men, but the women and chil-dren was what troubled him. I said "President Young, yon should either release men from their obligation, or sustain them when they do what they have entered into the most sa-cred obligation to do." He replied, "I will think over the matter and make it a subject of prayer, and you may come back in the morning and see me." I did so. He said, "John, I feel first rate. I asked the Lord if it was all right for the deed to be done and to take away the vision of the deed from my mind, and the Lord did so, and I feel first rate. It is all right. The only fear I have is of traitors." He told me never to lisp it to any mortal being, not even to Bro. Heber. President Young has always treated me with the friend-ship of a father since, and has sealed several women to me since, and has made ray home his home when in that part of the Territory—until danger has threatened him. This is a true statement according to my best recol-lection. 
JOHN D. LEE. LEE'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND ITS STARLING REVELATIONS. 
This statement I have made for publication after ray death, and have agreed with a friend to have the same with very many facts pertain-ing to other matters connected with the crimes of the Mormon people under the leadership of the priest-hood, from a period before the butch-ery of Nauvoo to the present time, published for the benefit of ray fam-ily, and that the world may know the black deeds that have marked the way of Saints from the organiza-tion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, to the period when a weak and too pliable tool lays down his pen to face the executioners' guns for deeds which he is no more guilty than others who to day are wearing the garments of the priesthood and living upon the "tithings" of a de-luded and priest-ridden people. My autgobiography, if published, will open the eyes of the world to the monstrous deeds of the Mormon peo-ple, and will also place in the hands of the attorney for the government the particulars of some of the most blood-curdling crimes that have been committed in Utah, which if proper-ly followed up, will bring many down from their high place in the church to face offended justice upon the gal-lows. So mote it be.