Many people think that Brigham cut me off from the Church and
refused to recognize me following the massacre. I will relate a
circumstance that took place ten years after the facts were known
by him.
In 1867 or 1868 I met Brigham and suite at Parowan, seventy miles
from Washington, the place where a part of my family resided.
Brother James Pace was with me. The Prophet said that he wanted
uncle Jim Pace to go with me and prepare dinner for him, and to
go by my herd and take several fat kids along and have a good
dinner for him by the time he got there.
Brigham's will was our pleasure. We rode night and day, and felt
thankful that we were worthy the honor of serving the prophet of
the Living God. The time designated for dinner was one o'clock.
The company arrived at eleven o'clock, two hours ahead of time.
The Prophet drove to Bishop Covington's house, in the block where
I lived; he halted about five minutes there, instead of driving
direct to my house according to previous arrangement. Then he
turned his carriage around and got out with Amelia, his beloved,
and went into the Bishop's house, leaving his suite standing in
the street. Brigham felt his dignity trampled on because I was
not present to the minute to receive him with an escort, and
welcome and do homage to him upon entering the town.
As soon as I learned of his arrival I hastened to make apologies.
The Prophet heard my excuses, and said that his family and
brethren, all except himself and Amelia, could go to my house to
dinner; that he would not eat until about two o'clock. He then
whispered to me and said:
"Cut me a chunk off the breast of the turkey, and a piece off the
loin of one of the fat kids, and put some rich gravy over it, and
I will eat it at 2 p. m."
At two o'clock I again made his will my pleasure, and carried his
dinner to him as requested, when he did me the honor of eating
it. The rest of the company went to my house and took dinner.
Among my guests that day were Bishop Hunter, Brothers John
Taylor, W. Woodruff, several of the Prophet's sons and daughters,
and many others.
At dinner Brother Smith and others of the twelve apostles laughed
about the anger of Brigham, and said that if the Old Boss had not
got miffed they would have lost the pleasure of eating the fat
turkey. The party enjoyed themselves that day, and had many a
laugh over the Prophet's anger robbing him of an excellent
dinner.
At that time part of my family was at Washington, but I also had
quite a family living at Harmony, where several of my wives were
staying. The next morning the Prophet asked me if I was going to
Harmony that night. I told him that I did intend going.
"I wish you would go," said he, "and prepare dinner for us."
Brigham then gave me full instructions as to what to prepare for
dinner, and how he wanted his meat cooked, and said the company
would be at my house in Harmony the next day at 1 o'clock, p. m.
I at once proceeded to obey his instructions. I rode to Harmony
through a rain storm, and I confess I was proud of my position. I
esteemed it a great honor to have the privilege of entertaining
the prophet of the Lord.
My entire family in Harmony were up all night, cooking and making
ready to feed and serve the Lord's anointed and his followers. I
killed beeves, sheep, goats, turkeys, geese, ducks, and chickens,
all of which were prepared according to instructions, and eaten
by Brigham and his party next day.
Prompt to time, the Prophet and his suite and an escort on
horseback came into the Fort. There were seventy-three carriages,
besides the Danite escort. I entertained the entire party, giving
them dinner, supper, and breakfast.
In 1858 Brigham called upon me to locate a company of cotton
growers, of which Brother Joseph Ham was captain. This company
was sent out by Brigham and the leading men of Salt Lake City, to
test the growing of cotton on the Santa Clara and Rio Virgin
bottoms. In obedience to counsel, I located the company at the
mouth of the Santa Clara River, about four miles south of where
St. George now stands.
In 1859 or 1860, the first trip that Brigham took from Salt Lake
City to southern Utah, he went by way of Pinto, Mountain Meadows,
Santa Clara, and Washington. I was at Washington, building a
gristmill, some two miles west of the town, when he came along. I
was sitting on a rock about thirty steps from the road. His
carriage was in the lead, as was usual with him when traveling.
When he came opposite where I was sitting he halted and called me
to his carriage, and bid me get in. I did so. He seemed glad to
see me, and asked where I lived. I told him I lived in the same
block with Bishop Covington, and that he would pass my door in
going to the Bishop's. I then thought he would put up with the
Bishop, and not with a private person.
In crossing the creek, on the way into town, the sand was heavy.
I was about to jump out and walk. He objected, saying:
"Sit still. You are of more value than horseflesh yet."
When we neared my residence, he said:
"Is this where you live, John?"
"It is. That is where the Bishop lives." The old man made no
reply, but continued on. Then he said:
"You have a nice place here. I have a notion to stop with you."
"You are always welcome to my house," I replied.
Then he said to the company, which consisted, I think, of
seventy-three carriages:
"Some of you had better scatter round among the brethren."
About half the company did so. The rest, with the Prophet, stayed
at my house. The next day the whole company went on to Tokerville,
twenty miles from my residence. I went with them to that place.
In the evening all went to St. George, and held a two days'
meeting. At the close of the meeting the Prophet called me to the
stand, and said:
"John, I will be in New Harmony on Wednesday next. I want you to
notify the Saints, and have a bowery built, and prepare for my
reception."
Brother Imday was President of that place, and was at the
meeting. I traveled all night, and reported the orders of the
Prophet to the people. Great preparations were made for his
reception. A committee of arrangements was appointed, with a
committee to wait on his Honor. Also an escort of fifteen Danites
was selected to accompany this committee. They went out fifteen
miles, where they met the Prophet and his followers and made a
report of our proceedings. He thanked them, and said:
"I am going to stop with Brother John D.," as he often called me.
"John, I am going to stop with you."
"You know you are always welcome," I said. Brigham drove to the
center of the town and halted; then he said:
"John, where do you live?" I pointed across the field about half
a mile.
It being his will, we went to my house, sixteen carriages going
with us. Quite a number of Brigham's company had gone by Kanab,
to Cedar City, to hold meetings in what settlements they would
pass through. The arrangements of the committee were treated with
indifference by Brigham and his party. All the company but one
carriage went to my house; that one stopped at Brother James
Pace's. During their stay at my house all were friendly. Brigham
asked me to go with them to Cedar City, which I did.
In 1870, some time in the fall, I went from Parowan by way of
Panguich, up the Severe River with Brigham, on a trip to the
Pareah country. On this trip I was appointed a road commissioner,
with ten men to go ahead, view out and prepare the road for
Brigham and his company to travel over. While at Upper Kanab I
had a private interview with him, concerning my future. Brigham
said he thought I had met with opposition and hardships enough to
entitle me to have rest the balance of my life; that I had best
leave Harmony, and settle in some good place farther south; build
up a home and gather strength around me. After a while we would
cross over into Arizona Territory, near the San Francisco
Mountains, and there establish the order of Enoch, or United
Order. We were to take a portable steam sawmill and cut lumber
with which to build up the southern settlements, and I was to run
the mill in connection with Bishop Stewart. This I consider an
additional honor shown me by the Prophet.
From Upper Kanab I was sent across the mountains to Lower Kanab,
to Bishop Stewart's, to have him carry supplies for the Prophet
and company. I had to travel sixty miles without a trail, but I
was glad of a chance to perform any duty that would please the
Prophet. I again met the company, and went with the party to
Tokerville, where I closed arrangements with Brigham about the
sawmill. All was understood and agreed upon, and we parted in a
very friendly manner. About two weeks after leaving Brigham and
party at Tokerville, I was notified that I had been suspended
from the Church because of the Mountain Meadows affair.
The following spring I visited the Prophet at St. George, and
asked him why they had thus dealt with me, without allowing me a
chance to speak for myself; why they had waited seventeen years
and then cut me off; why I was not cut off at once, if what I had
done was evil?
"I never knew the facts until lately," he said.
"Brother Brigham, you know I told the whole story to you a short
time after it happened."
The reply he made was this:
"Be a man, and not a baby. I am your friend, and not your enemy.
You shall have a rehearing. Go up to the office and see Brother
Erastus Snow, and arrange the time for the hearing."
We arranged the time of meeting. It was agreed that all parties
interested were to be notified of the meeting, and required to be
in St. George on the following Wednesday, at 2 p. m. All parties
agreed to this, and after talking over the whole thing I again
parted with Brigham in a very friendly manner. I went to
Washington and stayed with my family there. The next morning I
started for Harmony, to visit my family at that place, and make
arrangements for the rehearing that was to me of the greatest
consequence. I then considered that if I was cut off from the
Church I might better be dead; that out of the Church I could
find no joys worth living for.
Soon after I left Washington Erastus Snow, one of the twelve
apostles, arrived at my house and asked for me. My family told
him I had gone to Harmony to arrange for the new hearing and
trial before the Church authorities. He appeared to be much
disappointed at not meeting me, and told my family that Brigham
had reconsidered the matter, and there would be no rehearing or
investigation; that the order cutting me off from the Church
would stand; that he would send a letter to me which would
explain the matter, and the letter would reach Harmony about as
soon as I did. On the next Tuesday night an anonymous letter was
left at my house by one of the sons of Erastus Snow, with orders
to hand it to me. The letter read as follows:
John Doyle Lee, of Washington:
Dear Sir: If you consult your own interest, and that of those
that would be your friends, you will not press an investigation
at this time, as it will only serve to implicate ones who would
otherwise be your friends, and cause them to suffer with, or
inform upon you. Our advice is to make yourself scarce, and keep
out of the way.
There was no signature, but I knew it came from Apostle Snow,
written by orders of Brigham. When I read the letter I saw that I
had nothing to hope from the Church, and my grief was as great as
I could bear. To add to my troubles, Brigham sent word to my
wives that they were divorced from me and could leave me, if they
wished to do so. This was the hardest blow I ever received in my
life, for I loved my wives. As the result of Brigham's advice
eleven of my wives deserted me, and have never lived with me
since that time.
Afterwards I was arrested (on or about the 9th of November, 1874)
and taken to Fort Cameron, in Beaver County, Utah Territory, and
placed in prison there. A few days after my arrest I was visited
in prison by Brothers George A. Smith, Orson Hyde, Erastus Snow,
A. F. McDonald, and many other leaders of the Church. They each
and all told me to stand to my integrity, and all would come
right in the end.
At this time the Prophet was stopping with Bishop Murdock, in
Beaver City. My wife Rachel went under cloud of night to see him
and have a talk about my case. He received her with kindness,
saying:
"Sister Rachel, are you standing by Brother John?"
"Yes, sir, I am," was her reply.
"That is right," said he. "God bless you for it. Tell Brother
John to stand to his integrity to the end, and not a hair of his
head shall be harmed."
What is there more? I wait within the reach of death. There is no
help for the widow's son. Still, all is for the best.
Camp Cameron, March 23rd, 1877.
Morning clear, still and pleasant. The guard, George Tracy,
informs me that Col. Nelson and Judge Howard have gone. Since my
confinement here I have reflected much over my sentence, and as
the time of my execution has come, I feel composed. I hope to
meet the bullets with manly courage. I declare my innocence. I
have done nothing wrong. I have a reward in Heaven, and my
conscience does not accuse me. This to me is a consolation. I
place more value upon it than I would upon an eulogy without
merit. If my work be finished on earth, I ask God in Heaven, in
the name of His Son Jesus Christ, to receive my spirit, and allow
me to meet my loved ones who have gone behind the veil. The bride
of my youth and her faithful mother; my devoted friend and
companion, N. A.; my dearly beloved children, with whom I parted
in sorrow, but shall meet in joy - I bid you farewell. Be true to
each other. Live faithful before God, that we may meet in the
mansions that God has prepared for His servants. Remember the
last words of your most true friend on earth, and let them sink
into your aching hearts. I leave my blessing with you. Farewell.
John Doyle Lee
APPENDIX I - BLOOD ATONEMENT
As exhibiting the Mormon position on the doctrine of "Blood
Atonement," the following extracts are taken from the sermons and
preachings of the Prophet Brigham Young:
"I could refer you to plenty of instances where men have been
righteously slain in order to atone for their sins."
"Now, when you hear my brethren telling about cutting people off
from the earth, that you consider is strong doctrine; but it is
to save them, not to destroy them."
"All mankind love themselves; and let these principles be known
by an individual, and he would be glad to have his blood shed.
That would be loving themselves even unto eternal exaltation."
"This is loving our neighbor as ourselves; if he needs help, help
him; if he wishes salvation, and it is necessary to spill his
blood upon the ground in order that he be saved, spill it."
"Any of you who understand the principles of eternity - if you
have sinned a sin requiring the shedding of blood, except the sin
unto death - would not be satisfied or rest until your blood
should be spilled, that you might gain the salvation you desire.
This is the way to love mankind."
"It is true the blood of the Son of God was shed for sins through
the fall and those committed by men, yet ye men can commit sins
which it can never remit. As it was in the ancient days, so it is
in our day; and though the principles are taught publicly from
this stand, still the people do not understand them; yet the law
is precisely the same."
"I have known a great many men who have left this Church, for
whom there is no chance whatever of exaltation; but if their
blood had been spilled, it would have been better for them. The
wickedness and ignorance of the nations forbid this principle
being in full force, but the time will come when the law of God
will be in full force."
"Will you love your brothers and sisters likewise, when they have
committed a sin that cannot be atoned for without the shedding of
their blood? Will you love that man or woman well enough to shed
their blood? That is what Jesus Christ meant. He never told a man
to love his enemies in their wickedness. He never intended any
such thing."
"I have known scores and hundreds of people for whom there would
have been a chance in the last resurrection if their lives had
been taken and their blood spilled upon the ground as a smoking
incense to the Almighty, but who are now angels to the devil,
until our elder brother, Jesus Christ, raises them up, and
conquers death, hell, and the grave."
"There are sins that can be atoned for by an offering upon an
altar, as in ancient days; and there are sins that the blood of a
lamb, of a calf, or of turtle doves cannot remit, but they must
be atoned for by the blood of the man. That is the reason why men
talk to you as they do from this stand; they understand the
doctrine, and throw out a few words about it. You have been
taught that doctrine, but you do not understand it."
"Now, take a person in this congregation, who has a knowledge of
being saved in the kingdom of our God and our Father, and being
an exalted one, - who knows and understands the principles of
eternal life, and sees the beauty and excellency of the
eternities before him, compared with the vain and foolish things
of the world; and suppose he is overtaken with a gross fault -
that he has committed a fault which he knows will deprive him of
that exaltation which he desires; and that he cannot attain to it
without the shedding of his blood; and also knows that by having
his blood shed, he will atone for that sin and be saved, and be
exalted with the gods, is there a man or woman in this house but
what would say, 'Shed my blood, that I may be saved and exalted
with the gods'?"
APPENDIX II - THE STORY OF LEE'S ARREST
United States Marshal's Office, Beaver City, Utah, April 1st,
1877.
My Dear Sir: As requested, I send you the facts of the arrest of
John Doyle Lee, from the time the warrants were placed in my
hands until I arrested him and brought him to Beaver City. I tell
it in my own way, and you can use it as you see proper.
About the 1st of October, 1874, warrants were placed in my hands
for the arrest of Lee, Haight, Higbee, Stewart, Wilden, Adair,
Klingensmith, and Jukes (the warrant for the arrest of Dame not
being placed in my hands at that time). I received instructions
from General George R. Maxwell, United States Marshal for the
District of Utah, that Lee was the most important one of all
those indicted, and that he wanted him arrested first, if
possible, but that it was a dangerous undertaking, for he was
satisfied by what he could learn that Lee would never be taken
alive. He wanted me to take him alive, if possible, but not at
too great a risk; that he did not want to give me any plan of
operations or particular instructions how to act, as he believed
I knew more about that kind of business than he did, and that he
did not wish to give any officer under him any plans when he was
sure, as he was in this case, that it would be laying a plan to
have one of his own officers killed. I took the case in hand,
thinking at that time that I would have to go to Lee's place on
the Colorado River. I was arranging for that trip.
On the 28th day of October, 1874, I started south from Beaver
City, to summon jurors for the November term of the District
Court for the Second Judicial District of Utah Territory, to be
held at Beaver City. I also intended to procure a guide, if I
could do so, and go to the Colorado River to make the arrest.
When I reached Parowan I learned that it was currently reported
that Lee had come from the Colorado River, and was then in the
southern counties of Utah. He was supposed to be at Harmony,
because it was known that he had some accounts due him there,
which he was then probably collecting, in the shape of provisions,
to take back with him to the river. I at once started again, on
my way south, determined to arrest him at Harmony, and to do so
alone, for I did not know where reliable aid could be had. I
considered there was no time to lose, and that I was taking no
more chances in attempting the arrest alone than I would be
taking if I found him at the Colorado River, at his stronghold,
even if backed by a strong force.
On my way I met Thomas Winn. I told him what I was intending to
do. I told him I was going to arrest Lee. Winn said he considered
it madness, as it was reported that several of Lee's sons were
with him, and all armed. He volunteered to go with me and take
even chances.
We finally decided that he should go to Iron City and get help,
as there were then several men there that we could depend on. He
was to get these men and be at Harmony by daylight on the morning
of the 30th of October. I was to go to Harmony and get there soon
after dark the night of the 29th of October, and make the arrest,
if I thought I could do so and get away in safety under the cover
of night. If not, I was to find out where he was, and wait for
assistance.
When I got to Hamilton's Fort, eight miles south of Cedar City, I
learned that Lee had left Harmony and gone back to the Colorado
River, by the way of Toquerville, and was then several days ahead
of me. I then sent a boy out on the Iron City road to stop Winn
and send him back. I proceeded on my way and summoned my jurors.
I could hear nothing of Lee in the southern country. On my way
back I stopped at Thomas Winn's house, and got him to go over on
the Severe River, to see if Lee had not gone by the way of
Panguitch, and stopped there to lay in more supplies.
Winn started on the 5th day of November, and took Franklin R.
Fish with him. They pretended to be looking for stock. They were
to report to me at Parowan, on the night of the 7th of November.
I returned to Beaver City, and made my returns.
On the morning of November 7th I started for Parowan to meet my
men, Winn and Fish. That same day Brigham Young went from Beaver
to Parowan. He passed me near the Buck Horn Springs. I have no
doubt but that he thought I was there to assassinate him, for he
had four of his best fighting Danites with him as a guard. They
were armed with Henry rifles, and as they came up to me the
Danites rode between me and their beloved Prophet's carriage; but
they had no reason for alarm. Brigham Young was not the man that
I was after at that time. I met Winn and Fish at Red Creek. As
they were coming out of Little Creek Canyon Winn remarked:
"Your man is there!"
As the men had found that Lee had made everything ready for a
start, we rode on to Parowan, where I arranged my plan of action.
Fish was to go back over the mountains to Panguitch that night,
with instructions to come out and meet us, in case Lee should
start away from Panguitch. I was to start back toward Beaver City
until I had passed Red Creek settlement, and then go up Little
Creek Canyon. The others, Thomas Winn, Thomas LaFever, Samuel G.
Rodgers and David Evans, were to go into the mountains in
different places, and all to meet near Thompson's Mill on Little
Creek. We followed this plan, and met at the mill. We then went
over the mountains towards Panguitch.
The snow on the way would average fully two feet in depth, and
the night was very cold. We stopped at a place about three miles
from Panguitch for the night. I sent David Evans into Panguitch
to see Fish, and find out if all was right. Long before daylight
we saddled our horses and started on, for the night was bitter
cold. We had no blankets with us, and dared not build a fire, for
fear it would alarm Lee and notify him that we were there. We
reached the place where Evans was to meet us sometime before
daylight; he was not there. We waited until after the sun was up,
but still Evans did not come. Then thinking that my plans had
been found out in some way, and that my two men, Fish and Evans,
were captured, and more than likely Blood Atoned, I concluded to
act quickly and effectually.
We mounted our horses and dashed into the town at full speed. We
found Evans, and learned that Fish had not been able to locate
Lee, but knew that he was in town. I then ordered my men to go to
different parts of the town, and keep a good lookout, and not to
let any wagon go out of town until they had searched the wagon. I
inquired of the citizens about Lee, but could learn nothing from
them about him. Some said they never knew him, others that they
never heard of such a man, had not even heard the name.
The citizens soon came crowding around in disagreeable numbers. I
saw I must resort to strategy, or I and my friends were in
danger; so in order to disperse the crowd, I took out my book and
pencil and took down the names of those around me. I then
summoned them to assist me in finding and arresting Lee. They
each and all had some excuse, but I refused to excuse any of them
and ordered them to go and get their arms and come back and aid
me. This worked well, for in less than five minutes there was not
a Mormon to be seen on the streets of Panguitch. About this time
I rode near Thomas Winn, when he said:
"I believe I have Lee spotted. I asked a little boy where Lee's
wife lived, and he showed me the house."
This was something to work on. I rode around to the house that
Winn pointed out to me. As I turned the street corner I saw a
woman looking into a log pen, and when she saw me she turned back
towards the house, then turned and walked back to the pen, and
appeared to be talking to someone in the pen. She seemed to be
very much excited. I rode by the house and around the lot, and
while doing so I saw a little girl go out and look into the pen
for a little while; she then took up a handful of Straw and went
buck into the house. I, like Winn, was then satisfied that Lee
was in that pen. I then told Winn to keep the place in sight, but
not appear to be watching it, while I was getting ready to search
for Lee. I soon afterwards met Samuel Lee. I took down his name
and ordered him to assist me in searching for and arresting John
D. Lee.
"John D. Lee is my father, sir," said he.
At that I told him it made no difference to me if he was his
grandmother, that I was going to search the house and wanted him
with me. He said he was going down to the threshing machine to
see his brother Al, and started off. I drew my revolver and told
him to stop. He walked right along, looking back over his
shoulder at me all the time. I then spurred my horse and went in
front of him. He said:
"You can shoot and be hanged. I am not heeled, but I am going
down to see my brother Al."
While we were talking, Alma Lee came up and asked what was up.
Sam said:
"This is the officer come to arrest father."
"Is that all! I thought there was a dog fight."
He then took Sam one side and talked to him for a time. Sam soon
came back and said he was ready to go with me. I then dismounted
and had Winn do the same. I first went into the house, where I
found several women. I searched the house thoroughly, but found
no one in it that I wanted. I then said to Sam:
"We will go over to the other house."
"All right, come on," said Sam, and started out ahead of me.
When I got into the yard I stopped, saying:
"Hold on; here is a corral out here, let us examine that."
At this Sam came to a standstill, and was very much excited. I
was then certain that my man was there. I had to urge Sam
considerably to get him to go up to the corral with me. Henry
Darrow, one of Lee's sons-in-law, followed us. I took a circle
around the corral, and then walked up to the log pen. This pen
was about seven feet wide, nine feet long, and four feet high in
the clear. There was a hole close to the ground, just about large
enough for a man to crawl through. I first went to this hole and
looked through into the pen, but I could see nothing but some
loose straw in the back end of the pen. I then discovered a
little hole between the top logs, near the back end, where the
straw covering was off. I went to this hole and put my eye down
to it, and then I saw one side of Lee's face, as he lay on his
right side; his face was partly covered with loose straw. I
waited a few seconds, until Winn came near enough for him to hear
me without my speaking over a whisper. I then said:
"There is someone in that pen."
"I guess not," said Darrow.
"I am certain there is a person in there."
"Well, if there is, it is likely one of the children," said
Darrow.
By this time Winn was in position and holding his Henry rifle
ready for instant use. Winn and myself were alone. All my other
men were in other parts of the town. Just then I saw Fish coming.
I then said:
"Lee, come out and surrender yourself. I have come to arrest
you."
He did not move. I looked around to see if any of my men were
coming. I saw Fish sitting on his horse in front of the door, his
gun in his hand. I motioned my hand for him to come to me, but he
remained still and kept watch of the house, as if he was going to
shoot, or expected danger from that quarter. His action surprised
me, for he was a brave man, and quick to obey orders. I then
looked at the house to see what was attracting his attention, and
I soon saw there was enough there to claim his full time. I saw
two guns pointed through the logs of the side of the house and
aimed directly at me, and Fish was watching the people who held
those guns. That looked like business. I instantly drew two
pistols from my overcoat pocket, taking one in each hand. I put
one pistol through the crack in the roof of the pen, with the
muzzle within eighteen inches of Lee's head. I then said to Winn:
"You go in there and disarm Lee, and I promise you that if a
single straw moves, I will blow his head off, for my pistol is
not a foot from his head."
Winn was going into the pen. Darrow then commenced to beg me not
to shoot. Lee also spoke and said:
"Hold on, boys, don't shoot, I will come out."
He then commenced to turn over to get out of the pen, at the same
time putting his pistol (which he had all the time held in his
hand and lying across his breast) into the scabbard. I said to
Winn:
"Stand back and look out, for there is danger from the house."
Darrow continued to beg us not to shoot. I told Darrow that I
would not hurt a hair of Lee's head if he surrendered peaceably,
but that I was not going to die like a dog, nor would I permit
Lee to get away alive. Lee came out of the pen, and after
straightening up, he asked very coolly:
"Well, boys, what do you want of me?"
"I have a warrant for your arrest, and must take you to Beaver
with me," I said,
Lee then asked me to show him the pistol that I put through the
pen and pointed at his head. He said:
"It was the queerest-looking pistol that I ever saw. It looked
like a man's hand with the fingers cut off short."
It was a dragoon pistol, with the barrel cut off short. He
laughed when he saw it, and was not at all excited. We then went
to the house. The women seemed wild, some of them crying and all
unreasonable in their language. Lee told his family to be quiet,
and did all that he could to pacify them. I sent and bought some
wine, and took a pitcher of the liquid into the house to the
women. They all took a drink. When I got to one of his daughters,
who was crying bitterly, she took the glass and said:
"Here is hoping that father will get away from you."
"Drink hearty, miss," I said.
By the time all the family had taken a drink a large number of
people had gathered around the house. I think fully one hundred
and fifty Mormons were there. I turned to one of my men and told
him to find some place where we could get something to eat. Lee
heard me, and apologized for not thinking to ask us to have
something to eat before that time.
"But," said he, "the women folks have been making so much fuss
that I have thought of nothing."
Lee then ordered breakfast for us all. His sons gathered around
him and told him that if he did not want to go to Beaver, to say
so, and they would see that he didn't go. Lee then took me one
side and told me what his friends proposed, and wanted to know
what answer he should give them. I thought he did this to see if
there was any chance to frighten me. I told him to tell the boys
to turn themselves loose; that I knew I had no friends in that
place, except those who came with me, but we were well armed, and
when trouble commenced we would shoot those nearest to us, and
make sure of them, and then keep it lively while we lasted. Lee
said he did not want anything of that kind to happen, and would
see that the boys behaved themselves.
We started from Panguitch soon after breakfast. We put two of our
animals in the team, making a four-horse team. Darrow drove. Lee
and Rachel, one of his wives, and two of my men rode in the
wagon. It was about 11 a. m., on Monday, the 7th day of November,
1874, when we left Panguitch with Lee as a prisoner. We reached
Fremont Springs that night at 11 o'clock, and camped there until
daylight. The roads were so bad that we had been twelve hours in
making thirty miles. The night was dark and cold, and having no
blankets with us we could not sleep.
We left Fremont Springs at daylight, and reached Beaver about 10
o'clock, a. m., November 10th, 1874. We had been twenty-four
hours without food. Lee and Rachel had fared better, for they had
a lunch with them. When we reached Beaver the people were
thunderstruck to know that Lee had been arrested. After the
arrest Lee was in my custody the greater portion of the time that
he was in prison. He never gave any trouble to me or his guards.
He never tried to escape, but at all times assisted the guards to
carry out the instructions received from the officers.
I remain your most obedient servant,
William Stokes.
APPENDIX III - DEATH OF JOHN DOYLE LEE
John Doyle Lee was executed on Mountain Meadows, Washington
County, Utah Territory, at the scene of the massacre, on the 23d
day of March, 1877. On Wednesday preceding the day fixed upon for
the execution the guard having Lee in charge started from Beaver
City, where Lee had been imprisoned, for Mountain Meadows, where
it had been decided to carry the sentence into execution. The
authorities had received information that an attempt to rescue
Lee would be made by his sons, and precautions were taken to
prevent the success of any such attempt. The place of execution
was kept a secret, and a strong guard procured. Lee was cheerful
and seemed to have but little dread of death.
The party reached Mountain Meadows about 10 o'clock Friday
morning, and after the camp had been arranged Lee pointed out the
various places of interest connected with the massacre, and
recapitulated the horrors of that event. A more dreary scene than
the present appearance of Mountain Meadows cannot be imagined.
The curse of God has fallen upon it and scorched and withered the
luxuriant grass and herbage that covered the ground twenty years
ago. The Meadows have been transformed from a fertile valley into
an arid and barren plain, and the Mormons assert that the ghosts
of the murdered emigrants meet nightly at the scene of their
slaughter and re-enact in pantomime the horrors of their taking
off.
As the party came to a halt at the scene of the massacre
sentinels were posted on the surrounding hills, to prevent a
surprise, and preparations for the execution were at once begun.
The wagons were placed in a line near the monument, and over the
wheels of one of them army blankets were drawn to serve as a
screen or ambush for the firing party. The purpose of this
concealment was to prevent the men composing the firing party
from being seen by anyone, there being a reasonable fear that
some of Lee's relatives or friends might hereafter wreak
vengeance upon his executioners. The rough pine boards for the
coffin were next unloaded from a wagon, and the carpenters began
to nail them together. Meanwhile Lee sat some distance away.
At 10.35, the arrangements having been completed, Marshal Nelson
read the sentence of the Court, and at its conclusion turned to
Lee and said:
"Mr. Lee, if you have anything to say before the sentence of the
Court is carried into effect, you may now do so."
"I wish to speak to that man," said Lee, pointing to the
photographer, who was adjusting his camera near by. "Come over
here," said Lee, beckoning with his hand.
"In a moment, Mr. Lee," replied Mr. Fennemore.
"I want to ask a favor of you," said Lee. "I want you to furnish
my three faithful wives each a copy," meaning the photograph
about to be taken. "Send them to Rachel A., Sarah C., and Emma
B." Lee then repeated the names of his three wives carefully,
saying to the artist, who had approached him: "Please forward
them - you will do this?"
Mr. Fennemore responded affirmatively.
Lee then seemed to pose himself involuntarily, and the picture
was taken. He then arose from his coffin, where he had been
seated, and, looking calmly at the soldiers and spectators, said
in an even tone of voice:
"I am on the brink of eternity; the solemnities of eternity rest
upon my mind. I have made out - or have endeavored to do so - a
manuscript, abridging the history of my life. This is to be
published. In it I have given my views and feelings with regard
to these things. I feel resigned to my fate. I feel as a summer
morn. I have done nothing wrong; my conscience is clear before
God and man. I am ready to meet my Redeemer and those that have
gone before me, behind the veil. I am not an infidel. I have not
denied God and His mercies. I am a believer in these things. Most
I regret is parting with my family; many of them are unprotected
and will be left fatherless." Here he hesitated. "When I speak of
these things they touch a chord within me. I declare my innocence
of anything wrong. I am only a victim - a victim must be had. I
do not fear to die; I trust in God; Death has no terror. No mercy
have I asked. I do not fear eternity. I am a believer in the
gospel of Jesus Christ. It is my last word - it is so. I believe
in the gospel that was taught in its purity in former days. I
regret leaving my family; they are near and dear to me. These are
things which touch me - those poor orphaned children! I ask the
Lord, my God, if my labors be done, to receive my spirit."
Lee was informed that his hour had come. He looked at the small
group of spectators, exchanged a few words with Marshal Nelson,
saying:
"I ask one favor of the guards - center my heart."
The Marshal then bound a handkerchief over Lee's eyes, but his
hands were allowed to remain free. Lee straightened himself up,
faced the firing party as he sat on his coffin, clasped his hands
over his head, and exclaimed:
"Remember! The balls through my heart!"
The Marshal gave the order to the guards, Fire! As the word
"fire!" rang out on the morning air a report was heard and Lee
fell back, dead. There was not a cry, not a moan.
THE END.