The Mormon Prophet and His Harem: Or, An Authentic History of Brigham Young, His Numerous Wives and ChildrenWaite, C. V. (Catherine Van Valkenburg)
History
The Mormon Prophet and His Harem: Or, An Authentic History of Brigham Young, His Numerous Wives and Children
Waite, C. V. (Catherine Van Valkenburg)
Latter Day Saint churches; Young, Brigham, 1801-1877
"Mormons have been accused of aiding the Indians in the
commission of this crime. I commenced my inquiries without
prejudice or selfish motive, and with the hope that, in the
progress of my inquiries, facts would enable me to exculpate
all white men from any participation in this tragedy, and
saddle the guilt exclusively on the Indians; but,
unfortunately, every step in my inquiries satisfied me that
the Indians acted only a secondary part. . . . White men were
present, and directed the Indians. John D. Lee, of Harmony,
told me in his own house, last April, in presence of two
persons, that he was present three successive days during the
fight, and was present during the fatal day." . . .
We close the testimony of Forney, by giving entire a letter from him to
the Department at Washington,--
"SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE, UTAH, }
GREAT SALT LAKE CITY, September 22, 1859. }
"Sir,--Your letter dated July 2, in which you request me to
ascertain the names of white men, if any, implicated in the
Mountain Meadow massacre, reached me several weeks since,
about 300 miles west of this city.
"I gave, several months ago, to the Attorney-General, and
several of the United States Judges, the names of those who I
believed were not only implicated, but the hell-deserving
scoundrels who concocted, and brought to a successful
termination the whole affair.
"The following are the names of the persons the most guilty:
Isaac T. Haight, Cedar City, president of several settlements
south; Bishop Smith, Cedar City; John D. Lee,[69:A] Harmony;
John M. Higby, Cedar City; Bishop Davis, David Tullis, Santa
Clara; Ira Hatch, Santa Clara. These were the cause of the
massacre, aided by others. It is to be regretted that nothing
has yet been accomplished towards bringing these murderers to
justice. I remain,
"Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"J. FORNEY,
"_Sup't of Indian Affairs, Utah Territory_.
"Hon. A. B. Greenwood,
"_Commiss'r Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C._"
So far as Brigham Young himself is concerned, the evidence is not so
direct, but is scarcely less conclusive.
In addition to the circumstances mentioned, of his failing to report the
massacre, or to make any mention of it in his public discourses, and the
testimony of the Indians, already referred to; in addition also to the
facts concerning the revelation sent from him,--facts communicated by
one intimately acquainted with the secret history of the church; in
addition to these things, if we reflect for a moment upon the framework
of the Mormon Church, we will find therein still more cogent evidence.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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