Red Water

Red Water by Judith Freeman is a work of historical fiction that examines the Mormon faith as three of the wives of John D. Lee recall their husband and their lives. John D. Lee was executed for his role in the 1857 Mountain Meadow Massacre, an incident where a wagon train of emigrants from Arkansas were murdered by Mormans and Indians.

Along with learning bout the faith, the descriptions of the scenery of Utah plays a large part. Both incredibly beautiful yet merciless, building a life in these surroundings was very difficult. Women were expected to be obedient in all ways and lived strictly under the thumb of their husband. In this case Lee at one time had over 17 wives, but by the time he was executed he was down to three.

Emma tells show more of how she became a Mormon, and came to America in 1855. She met and married the charismatic John Lee in 1858 and he brought her west to Utah. Life was difficult and her faith faded as she learned of the massacre. John Lee took Ann as his wife when she was only thirteen, she believes that her husband is guilty, and she wanders off to go travelling. Rachel was one of John Lee’s early wives, and believed in his innocence. She is the wife that accompanied him to prison and the execution ground.

Red Water was an educational and interesting story, but since we didn’t get any testimony from Lee himself, I felt it was rather incomplete. The massacre although pivotal to the storyline, is only referenced through rumors and gossip. I found Red Water to be a good blend of history and fiction. show less