MOUNTAIN MEADOW.
The Merciless Massacre by the Mormons.
Testimony of Eye Witnesses as to Lee's Brutal Murders—The Plans to Lead the Emigrants into Ambnsh.
SALT LAKE, UTAH, Sept. 18.—In the Beaver Court the evidence of McMurdy on Friday afternoon and Saturday last was very clear and positive as to Lee having shot and killed four or five wounded men and women, lying helpless in a wagon that the witness was driving, and his heartless-ness in the slaughter. Witness drove in the lead at the time, and testified that as soon as Lee fired the first shot, preceded by the word "halt," the Indians rushed out of their ambush, apparently on all sides, surrounding the emigrants completely, and the work of destruction only lasted a few minutes; that from his best judgment there was not to exceed twenty five white men on the ground, who had been deceived as to what was wanted of them there.
Knight testifies that not more than onethird of this number took part in the massacres. It can be proved that several even of these shed no blood, firing in the air; that the Indians were armed, some with bows and arrows, but mostly with guns, and soon completed the destruction.
Nephi Johnson testified that he lived at Johnson's Fort, Iron county, in 1857. He was on the Mountain Meadow at the time of the massacre, and he affirmed that he did not know Lee's intention as to the destruction of the emigrants. He was on a hill nearby when Lee fired the gun. He saw Lee shooting and kill two or three. He was an Indian interpreter, and en-gaged to conduct the Jukes company of emigrants. The next following company was massacred from Beaver to Clara. When the witness got to Harmony, on the way with the company, Lee urged him to lead them into ambush in the Santa Clara mountains, and Lee would surround them with all they had. Witness refused, say-ing "You have shed enough blood al-ready; I have agreed to pilot this compa-ny through the country and will do so if it costs me my life." Lee called him a coward, whiffet, etc.
The defense cross-examined this witness more than the rest, and confused him some; but could not effect much damag-ing positive evidence as to Lee's acts and guilt.
Jacob Hamblin, the last witness called for the prosecution, testified to admissions by Lee to him of acts of murder and par-ticipation in commencing and completing the massacre, and that Lee justified him-self in the act.
