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Show GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY1 525 officials to spare my life. I do not fear death. I shall never go to a worse place than the one I am now in. I have said it to my family, and I will say it to- day, that the Government of the United States sacrifices its best friend, and that is saying a great deal, but it is true. I am a true believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I do not believe every thing that is now practiced and taught by Brigham Young. I do not agree with him. I believe he is leading the people astray; but I believe in the gospel as it was taught in its purity by Joseph Smith in former days. I have my reasons for say-ing this. I used to make this man's will my pleasure, and did so for thirty years. See how and what I have come to this day. I have been sacrificed in a cowardly and das-tardly manner. There are thousands of people in the Church, honorable, good- hearted, that I cherish in my heart. I regret to leave my family. They are near and dear to me. These are things to rouse my sympathy. I declare I did nothing wrong designedly in this unfortu-nate affair. I did every tiling in my power to save all the emigrants, but I am the one that must suffer. Having said this, I feel resigned. I ask the Lord my God to extend his mercy to me, and receive my spirit. My labors are done. EXECUTION OF JOHN D. LEE. Having thus spoken he sat down on his coffin. The minister offered a fervent prayer. The spectators were ordered to fall back. Marshal Nelson gave command : " Make ready ! Aim ! Fire !" The five rifles cracked simultaneously, and Lee fell back dead, without a struggle. Five balls had passed through him in the imme-diate vicinity of the heart. Either alone would have caused instant death. His countenance was perfectly placid ; his lips parted to some-thing very near a smile. |