LIFE SKETCHES OF A JAYHAWKER 19 



spoils, but the Indians became dissatisfied with the division. After a lapse 

 of twenty years, during which there was trial after trial, with no jury ever 

 agreeing, Lee was convicted. In the hearing he said "there must be a vic- 

 tim, and I am selected as the victim. I studied for thirty years to make 

 Brigham Young my pleasure, and see what I have come to. I have been 

 sacrificed in a cowardly dastardly manner." He was shot to death while 

 seated on a rude made coffin, on the same spot where occurred the mas- 

 sacre. 



Almost a day out from Mountain Meadow we came to the point where 

 the road left the main trail. A halt was called, and Captain Hunt said those 

 who wished to go with him could do so, and he would guide them to safety. 

 The result was that out of the hundred and five wagons there was only 

 seven that accompanied him. When we started on Captain Hunt called out 

 to us "boys if you undertake that route you will go to hell." 



I know now he knew whereof he spoke. He had had considerable des- 

 ert experience, and we none. He realized these three men were fakes, 

 sent out by the Church for a purpose, but to tell us so would mean the loss 

 of his life. Brigham and the church wanted a short route to the Pacific 

 Coast, and here was the opportunity of having that route prospected. Count- 

 ing the toll in lives was a nominal consideration. 



But the train moved on, notwithstanding Captain Hunt telling us where 

 we would land. After two days travel we came to a bluff, seemingly a 

 thousand feet to the bottom, and straight up and down. A small stream 

 flowed at the bottom, and by using ropes and buckets we could get enough 

 for camp use, using it sparingly. The oxen had to go without, and after a 

 couple of days prospecting a greater part of the train turned back to take 

 up Captain Hunt's trail. But the "Jay Hawkers of '49" said they had 

 started on this trail, and would follow it or leave their bones on the way. 



After reconnoitering we found, by taking a circuitous route, we could 

 get the whole division, with the exception of two wagons. Others followed, 

 but the "Jay Hawkers" took the lead, and kept it, and followed as direct a 

 Western course as possible, turning aside for the low passes in the moun- 

 tains. There was no solid range of mountains to cross, but rather a series 

 of broken ranges where we crossed the passes at quite high altitudes. 

 Thus week after week passed with scarcely any grass, and oxen becoming 

 weaker from day to day, and then the distances were so great between 

 water places. When water was found it seemed impossible to use it, being 

 so blackish. 



On one occasion we had gone five daj'^s without water, but through a 

 kind Providence on the third night a snow came. About two or three 

 inches fell, but before the ground was barely covered we were all out gath- 

 ering the snow to melt, and before the storm had passed we had ample sup- 

 ply for ourselves and oxen. No doubt this is what saved many of us, for 

 we never reached water for two days more. It became a cause of anxiety, 

 whether we would ever reach the next watering place or not. It became 

 the custom toward the last to send out men to prospect for water, and if 

 water was found a smoke was made, as in this desert country smoke could 

 be seen a great distance. 1 



From day to day our cattle became weaker and weaker, and our provi- 

 sions were getting low. So we were put on short allowance. Finally the 



