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Show THE MORMON MURDERERS. 511 massacre. I told him to stop, as, from what I had already learned by rumor, I did not wish my feelings harrowed up with a recital of details. Q. Did Philip Klingensmith call at your office with John D. Lee, at the time of Lee's making his report ; and did you at that time order him to turn over the stock to Lee, and order them not to talk about the massacre ? A. No. He did not call with John D. Lee, and I have no recollection of his ever speaking to me, nor I to him, concerning the massacre or any thing pertaining to the property. Q. Did you ever give any directions concerning the property taken from the emi-grants at the Mountain Meadows massacre, or know any thing as to its disposition ? A. No. I never gave any directions concerning the property taken from the emi-grants at the Mountain Meadows massacre ; nor did I know any thing of that property or its disposal, and I do not to this day, except from public rumor. Q. Why did you not, as Governor, institute proceedings forthwith to investigate the massacre and bring the guilty authors to justice ? A. Because another Governor had been appointed by the President of the United States, and was then on the way here to take my place, and I did not know how soon he might arrive; and because the United States Judges were not in the Territory. Soon after Governor Gumming arrived, I asked him to take Judge Cradlebaugh, who belonged to the Southern District, with him, and I would accompany them with sufficient aid to investigate the matter and bring the offenders to justice. Q. Did you, about the 10th of September, 1857, receive a communication from Isaac C. Haight, or any other person of Cedar City, concerning a company of emigrants, called the Arkansas company? A. I did receive a communication from Isaac C. Haight or John D. Lee, who was then a farmer for the Indians. Q. Have you that communication ? A. I have not. I have made a diligent search for it, but can not find it. Q. Did you answer this communication ? A. I did, to Isaac C. Haight, who was then the acting President at Cedar City. Q. Will you state the substance of your letter to him ? A. Yes. It was to let this company of emigrants and all companies of emigrants pass through the country unmolested, and to allay the angry feelings of the Indians as much as possible. ( Signed) BRIGHAM YOUNG. Here was a Governor, Prophet, Indian Superintendent, and absolute head of a theocracy, who only heard of a massacre " some two or three months after it occurred," by " floating rumors," and refused to listen to an account of it lest he might have his " feelings harrowed up!!" Too tender- hearted to do his sworn duty ! And so ignorant of what was going on that he heard " only rumors." Verily, the world has been sadly mistaken about Brighani Young. |
