John D. Lee - Lead Plate

I received the following photo of the lead plate and copy of the inscription from Char Obergh at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. There is virtually no way of telling for sure who wrote the text and when. The letters are incised with some type of a sharp metal device. Handwriting cannot be verified and so the author is in doubt. It was found in January, 2002 in the remains of John D Lees fort at Lee’s Ferry on the Colorado River.

Church experts say that it is a fake but it does bear the evidence of being very old from the lead and iron oxides covering the lead plate.

Ronald Loving

The text indicates the author to be J. D. Lee and written on January 11, 1872. The text reads as follows:

“AT THE PAHREAH I HAV NOW LIVE LONGER THAN ECCPECTED THO I AM NOW ILL. – I DO NOT FEAR ATHORTY FOR THE TIME IS CLOSING AND AM WILLING TO TAK THE BLAME FOR THE FANCHER. - COL. DANE – MAJ. HIGBY. AND ME – ON ORDERS FROM PRES YOUNG THRO GEO SMITH TOOK PART – I TRUST IN GOD - I HAVE NO FEAR – DEATH HOLD NO TEROR – LORD HAV MERCI ON THIS RESLESS SOUL.

BY MY OWN HAND –

J.D. LEE – JAN 11-1872”