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Show 510 WESTERN WILDS. An ox lay dead between the two camps, and just as witness' party was about to start, he saw a little German doctor, who belonged to the emigrant company, draw a two- edged dagger with a silver guard such as gentlemen carry and make three thrusts into the ox. Next he produced a small, half- ounce vial, filled with a light colored liquid, which he poured into the knife- holes. The question had previously been asked by these men whether the Indians would be likely to eat the carcass, and some thought they would. Witness did not see the train again. Ten or fifteen minutes after the German had poisoned the ox, some Indians came up and dickered with him for it. They finally gave him some buckskins, and then began skinning the ox. Witness supposed the Indians wanted the hide to cut up into soles for their moccasins. Don't know how long they were flaying the animal, as witness' party was driving away at the time." During noon recess, as it appears, some one suggested to this witness that he had missed his mark in saying that the ox was poisoned just as they started away, and that fifteen minutes afterwards the Indians came and bought the ox ( which they could have for nothing as soon as the emigrants left), and then flayed it ! Afternoon he tried to piece out his testimony by saying that the hame- strap broke and they were delayed to fix it. Mr. Baskin pressed him so closely on the cross-examination that he was completely tangled. The other witnesses for the defense produced very little of consequence. Meanwhile the country had been heard from. A roai of execration had sounded from Maine to California, and Brigham felt the necessity of being exonerated. He filed a deposition, and Judge Sutherland attempted to get it admitted on the trial, on the plea ( sworn to in the deposition) that Brigham's health forbade his making the journey. Only a short time before he had gone to St. George, a hundred and fifty miles further south than Beaver. It was not age and ill health, but the dread of Mr. Baskin's cross- examination that kept him out of the court- room. But his deposition was published in the papers, and proved an extraordinary document. Here is the material part of it : Q. When did you first hear of the attack and destruction of this Arkansas company at Mountain Meadows, in September, 1857 ? A. I did not learn any thing of the attack or destruction of the Arkansas company until some time after it had occurred, then only by floating rumors. Q. Did John D. Lee report to you at any time after this massacre what had been done at that massacre; and if so, What did you reply to him in reference thereto? A. Within some two or three months after the massacre he called at my office and had much to say with regard to the Indians, their being stirred up to anger and threat-ening the settlements of the whites, and then commenced giving an account of the |