eived information that an attempt to rescue
Lee would be made by his sons, and precautions were taken to
prevent the success of any such attempt. The place of execution
was kept a secret, and a strong guard procured. Lee was cheerful
and seemed to have but little dread of death.

The party reached Mountain Meadows about 10 o'clock Friday
morning, and after the camp had been arranged Lee pointed out the
various places of interest connected with the massacre, and
recapitulated the horrors of that event. A more dreary scene than
the present appearance of Mountain Meadows cannot be imagined.
The curse of God has fallen upon it and scorched and withered the
luxuriant grass and herbage that covered the ground twenty years
ago. The Meadows have been transformed from a fertile valley into
an arid and barren plain, and the Mormons assert that the ghosts
of the murdered emigrants meet nightly at the scene of their
slaughter and re-enact in pantomime the horrors of their taking
off.

As the party came to a halt at the scene of the massacre
sentinels were posted on the surrounding hills, to prevent a
surprise, and preparations for the execution were at once begun.
The wagons were placed in a line near the monument, and over the
wheels of one of them army blankets were drawn to serve as a
screen or ambush for the firing party. The purpose of this
concealment was to prevent the men composing the firing party
from being seen by anyone, there being a reasonable fear that
some of Lee's relatives or friends might hereafter wreak
vengeance upon his executioners. The rough pine boards for the
coffin were next unloaded from a wagon, and the carpenters began
to nail them together. Meanwhile Lee sat some distance away.

At 10.35, the arrangements having been completed, Marshal Nelson
read the sentence of the Court, and at its conclusion turned to
Lee and said:

"Mr. Lee, if you have anything to say before the sentence of the
Court is carried into effect, you may now do so."

"I wish to speak to that man," said Lee, pointing to the
photographer, who was adjusting his camera near by. "Come over
here," said Lee, beckoning with his hand.

"In a moment, Mr. Lee," replied Mr. Fennemore.

"I want to ask a favor of you," said Lee. "I want you to furnish
my three faithful wives each a copy," meaning the photograph
about to be taken. "Send them to Rachel A., Sarah C., and Emma
B." Lee then repeated the names of his three wives carefully,
sa