Excerpt from History of the Mountain Meadows Massacre: Or the Butchery in Cold Blood of 134 Men, Women and Children by Mormons and Indians, September, 1857, Also a Full and Complete Account of the Trial, Confession and Execution of John D. Lee In 1856 a Mormon mob drove the United States Judge from his bench at the point of the bowie knife, and he fled the Territory. This, coupled with the frequent and horrible murders of non-believers, the butchery of apostates and the persecution of "Gentiles," led President Buchanan to send an army to Utah to displace Young, seat a new Governor, and enforce the laws. As the troops drew near, Young issued a proclamation denouncing the army as a mob, and called the Mormons to arms to repulse it. This was in 1857, and at that critical juncture occurred the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The new Governor declared the Territory to be in rebellion, but in 1858 an understanding was reached, and President Buchanan issued a proclamation of pardon to all who would submit. The army entered the valley and remained two years. We have no disposition to go into any inquiry as to, the details of the Mormon belief. We have now to deal only with its outward manifestations. It is but fair to say that an inconsiderable number who believe in the revelations of the First Prophet - Joseph Smith - denounce polygamy, abhor Brigham Young, and cut off utterly from the Utah Church. They have their headquarters in a Western State, and a son of Joe Smith is their churchly head. The history of the crimes perpetrated in Utah under the protection and by the direction of the Mormon Church would fill a ponderous volume. The arm which the church has used for its vilest deeds is known as the "Danite Band," or the "Destroying Angels," an organization of ruffians who cut a throat or dash out brains at command of the Church dignitaries, with all the nonchalance of a coachman cracking his whip on a frosty morning. To "use up a man" is a command they well understand, and their acts are held against them by the Church as no crime, but rather as steps to celestial rewards. By their early entrance into the Utah valley the Mormons gained much influence with the Indian tribes, and by shrewd devices have used them for years as weapons with which to wreak vengeance upon Gentiles. A third powerful arm of the priesthood is the doctrine of "blood atonement," teaching that blood maybe justifiably spilled to punish apostacy, prevent heresy or avenge the Church. Thus, with these three, an ignorant and infatuated people, taught to hate non-believers, despise the Government, persecute Gentiles, and use up enemies, the Church stands a power in Utah. For a fuller understanding of the incidents about to be related, let us sketch briefly the line of localities to be mentioned. Utah lies between the 42d and 37th parallels of latitude, and the 34th and 37th of longitude, being nearly a perfect parallelogram. A chain of mountains on the east side runs from the northern end along the east boundary half the distance of the Territory, and then trending westward and southward across it, striking its west boundary one hundred miles north of the Colorado river, at or near the supposed head of navigation on that stream. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com