EXECUTION OF LEE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 312, 24 April 1877, Page 4

EXECUTION OF LEE.

The following particulars of the execu" tiozx and confession of Lee, the Mormon perpetrator of the Mountain Meadow massacres, received by the San Francisco snail> were telegraphed to the Dwnedin Star by its Auckland correspondent : Shortly before It o'clock on March 2? a sqttad of the- United Stales soldiers waa stationed in an open field, and John B» Lee, the condemned criminal, was placed before them. The troops numbered Mix men r and at his last ret ptesfc he was placed near them, tie asked them to aim at his heart, lie then addressed those present in a short speech full of bitterness, and seemed to be collected ami to have no fear. At precisely II o'clock the order was given, and Lee fell, expiring- without a struggle, lie made a short speech, in which he expressed His confidence in the Mormon religion in regard to Joseph Smith. lie denounced Hrighatu Young la severe terms. He made a direction as to the disposal of his properly to the district charities, but divided it equally between three of Ids wives and their children, tie ret jvested the Marshal ti> deliver his body to his wife iiachei, and also requested might by *hofc at a •hort range, and that they would airu at hi# heart- He knelt down on his coihn, and was recreated to sit there while the photographer present took a pie tore. Lee called the artist to him and requested that each of his wives should be forwarded a copy. He felt back upon his cothrv, and died without a struggle. Speaking of his confession and autobiography, Leo says:— **My autobiography, if published, wilt open the eyes of the world to the tuon•trotts deeds of the leader of the Mormon people, tt will also place in the hands of the attorney of the Government particulars of some of the most bloody and cowardly crimes that have been committed In Utah, which, if properly followed tip, will bring many down from their high place® in the Church to- face offended justice upon the gallows." Urigharu Voting has telegraphed to the A>'r York Mttald as follows If Lee made a statement m his confession implicating me. as contained i» your telegram of the 3lst fast., it is utterly false. My course of life 1* too* well known by thousands of honourable men for them to believe fur one moment such an accusation.— Jteto WAM YoCffo."