Because of the faulty memory of an aged Mormon, who gave me the of Isaac Laney as that of the man who was brutally beaten at Parowan, in southwestern Utah, because he sold a few onions to the emigrants who perished at the Mountain Meadows, a slight error crept into the first edition of "The Mountain Meadows Massacre."
Since its publication I have been most fortunate in meeting a wealthy man, now residing at Oakland, California, who lived next door to William Laney at Parowan at the time of the massacre, and from him learned the truth of the incident. His recollection of that incident has been verified by reference to a letter received a year ago from Judge James S. Aden of Tennessee, whose brother was a victim of the religion-crazed fanatics who exterminated Captain Charles Fancher's companions at the Mountain Meadows. Judge Aden's recollection of Laney's name was DeLaney. And because of the fact that I could learn nothing of any man by that name the Judge's interesting story of how his father aided William Laney, while the latter was a Mormon missionary, and how his brother was entertained by William Laney at Parowan, and given a few onions, was omitted from the first edition. It is now given in full. Also, at the recent Mormon general conference, I met the nephew of William Laney, and who told me that it was his uncle instead of his father, Isaac Laney, who lived at Parowan.
The above explanation has been given for purpose of disarming Mormon critics who are ever alert to even the slightest discrepancies that may find their way into the writings of those who presume to criticise the conduct and motives of the Mormon leaders.
