History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

648 THE MOUNTAIN MEADOWS MASSACRE.
weed. 9
It has been intimated that those who accused
the emigrants of poisoning the Pah Vants were not
honest in their belief, and that the story of the
poisoning was invented, or at least grossly exagger-
ated, for the purpose of making them solely responsi-
ble for the massacre. 10 The fact has never been so
established, notwithstanding the report of the superintendent
of Indian affairs, who states that none of
this tribe were present at the massacre.
Continuing their journey, the emigrants proceeded
to Beaver City, and thence to Parowan. Grain was
scarce this year, and the emigrants were unable to
purchase all they desired for their stock, though for
their own immediate necessities they obtained what
they required at this place. Arriving at Cedar City,
they succeeded in purchasing about fifty bushels of
wheat, which was ground at a mill belonging to John
D. Lee, formerly commander of the fort at Cedar,
but then Indian agent, and in charge of an Indian
farm near Harmony.
It is alleged by the Mormons, and on good authority,
that during their journey from Salt Lake
9 Sen. Doc, 36 Cong. 1st Sess., ii. no. 42, p. 76. Forney mentions that
an ox belonging to a Dr Ray of Fillmore died from this cause while the emigrants
were in that neighborhood, that his wife was taken ill while rendering
the tallow, and that a boy who was assisting her died a few days afterward.
One or two Indians who ate some of the meat were also poisoned.
10 ' John D. Lee, living 150 miles south of Fillmore, informed me that
about twenty Indians and some cattle died from drinking of the poisoned
water, and Indians from eating the poisoned meat.' Forney's Rept, in Id.,
p. 75. This report was dated S. L. City, Aug. 1859. In a letter to Brigham,
' dated Harmony, Nov. 20, 1857, Lee writes: The company there [at Corn
Creek] poisoned the meat of an ox, which they gave the Pah Vant Indians to
eat, causing four of them to die immediately, besides poisoning a number
more. The company also poisoned the water where they encamped, killing
the cattle of the settlers. This letter was used in evidence at Lee's trial in
1S76. ' Mormonism Unvailed, 254-5. At this trial was also placed in evidence
a letter from Brigham to the commissioner of Indian affairs, dated Jan. 6,
1858, in which Lee's statement is repeated almost verbatim. Id., 313-15. In
his confession, made a few months after his trial, Lee declares that President
Isaac C. Haight told him of the poisoning and other atrocities committed by
the emigrants, and gave him instructions as to the part he should take in the
massacre. After that event Lee states (still in his confession), '1 thought
over the matter, and made up my mind to write the letter to Brigham Young
and lay it all to the Indians.' Id., 254.