Mountain Meadows Massacre Assassins

The Mountain Meadows Massacre Assassins. The very name conjures images of betrayal, brutality, and a stain on the history of the American West. While many individuals played a role in the tragic events that unfolded at Mountain Meadows in September 1857, this article will focus on those considered primary participants and, in some cases, direct assassins. It is important to remember that over 50 men were involved in the massacre, and disturbingly, none faced disciplinary action from the Mormon Church at the time. Of all these individuals, only John D. Lee was ever brought to trial, some 18 years after the appalling crime. He was ultimately convicted and executed in 1876, becoming a singular example of justice served, however belatedly, for the slaughter.

The landscape of southern Utah, normally a vista of scenic beauty, became the stage for a horrific drama. On September 11, 1857, a wagon train of emigrants known as the Baker-Fancher party was brutally attacked and decimated. The events that transpired that day continue to be a source of intense historical scrutiny and debate. Central to this discussion is the identification of those individuals most responsible for the planning and execution of the massacre. Examining the lives and roles of these Mountain Meadows Massacre Assassins sheds light on the motivations, circumstances, and complex relationships that fueled this tragic episode in American history.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre Assassins’ actions were influenced by a complex web of factors. Fear, religious zealotry, wartime hysteria, and longstanding tensions between Mormon settlers and outsiders all converged to create a volatile atmosphere in the Utah Territory. Understanding these historical contexts is crucial to grasping the scope and nature of the atrocity.

Here, we delve into the lives and actions of key figures implicated in the Mountain Meadows Massacre Assassins list, individuals whose decisions and deeds contributed directly to the deaths of over 120 men, women, and children.

Primary Assassins and Their Roles:

• George W. Adair, Jr.: A private in the Fifth Platoon, Company I, of the Iron County Militia, Adair gained notoriety for allegedly boasting about his involvement in the murders. He reportedly described, in graphic detail, how he killed infants by swinging them into the iron bands of wagon wheels. Despite being indicted for murder in 1874, Adair never faced trial.

• William H. Dame (1819-1884): As a colonel and regimental commander of the Tenth Regiment and the first mayor of Parowan, Utah, Dame held significant administrative responsibility. Although he did not personally participate in the massacre, he visited the site the following morning and was visibly shaken by the carnage. Despite his distress and reported comments, he was later indicted but saw the charges dropped as part of a deal related to John D. Lee’s trial.

• Isaac Chauncey Haight (1813-1886): As the commander in charge of the Second Battalion in Cedar City, the mayor of Cedar City, and the Parowan stake president, Haight wielded significant authority. He is widely considered the individual who ordered the massacre of the Baker-Fancher party. Although excommunicated from the Mormon Church in 1870, he was later reinstated. Haight, like many others implicated, evaded prosecution and died in Arizona.

• Jacob Hamblin (1819-1886): A prominent figure known for his work with Native American tribes, Hamblin owned the property where the massacre occurred. While his direct involvement is disputed, some accounts suggest he directed the Fancher party to Mountain Meadows. He later testified at John D. Lee’s trial, and his account of events has been subject to historical scrutiny.

• Ira Hatch (1835-1927): As a Mormon Indian specialist, Hatch played a key role in organizing the Paiute to participate in the attack. He was also reportedly involved in tracking down and killing emigrants who attempted to escape.

• John Mount Higbee (1827-1904): A major in the Iron County Militia and first counselor to Isaac Haight, Higbee is identified as the man who gave the order to begin the killing. He reportedly commanded, "Do your duty!" After the massacre, he fled when investigations began but eventually returned to Cedar City.

• Iron County Militia: This branch of the Nauvoo Legion, estimated to have included 50-100 members, participated in the Mountain Meadows Massacre. The militia’s involvement highlights the organized nature of the attack and the complicity of the local Mormon community.

• Nephi Johnson (1833-1919): A 2nd lieutenant in Company D of the Iron County Militia, Johnson allegedly led the killing of women and children. He later testified at John D. Lee’s trial, claiming he was only a witness.

• Samuel Jukes: A private in the Second Platoon, Company F, Iron County Militia, Jukes was indicted in the massacre. Details regarding his role in the tragedy remain scarce.

• Philip Klingensmith (1815-1881?): As the bishop of Cedar City, Klingensmith held a position of considerable influence. He was present at the massacre and reportedly carried orders between militia officers. Klingensmith later confessed to his complicity and testified at John D. Lee’s trial.

• John D. Lee (1812-1877): A prominent leader in the massacre, Lee was the only individual punished for the tragedy. He was convicted and executed in 1876, becoming a scapegoat for the actions of many.

• Paiute Indians: While the Paiute participated in the attack, historical accounts indicate that Mormon militiamen were responsible for the majority of the killings. The manipulation of the Paiute by Mormon leaders remains a controversial aspect of the massacre.

• George Albert Smith (1817-1875): As First Counselor to church president Brigham Young, Smith’s role is a subject of debate. It is unknown whether he had prior knowledge of the attack, but his position in the church hierarchy raises questions about his responsibility.

• William C. Stewart: A Second Lieutenant in the Iron County Militia, Stewart was implicated in the massacre through eyewitness accounts. He was indicted in 1874 but evaded capture.

• David Wilson Tullis (1833-1902): A private in the Iron County Militia, Tullis’ participation is disputed. While some accounts suggest he was involved in the killings, family history indicates he feigned illness to avoid the massacre.

• Daniel Hanmer Wells (1814-1891): As Commander-in-Chief of the Nauvoo Legion, Wells held a high-ranking position in the territorial militia. Like George A. Smith, the extent of his knowledge and involvement remains unclear.

• Elliot Willden (1833-1920): A private in the Iron County Militia, Willden was present at the massacre site. Despite being indicted in 1874, the charges were never pursued.

Other Individuals Implicated:

Numerous other individuals have been cited in various sources as having been involved in the massacre, including:

Ira Allen, Benjamin Arthur, William Bateman, Thomas Cartwright, John W. Clark, Joseph Clews, Ezra Curtis, Labez Durfey, William Edwards, Columbus Freeman, Oscar Hamblin, George Hawley, Richard Harrison, Charles Hopkins, John Humphreys, George Hunter, Swen Jacobs, John Jacobs, Samuel Knight, Dudley Leavitt, Alexander Loveridge, James Matthews, John Magnum, Daniel McFarland, John McFarland, Samuel McMurdy, Harrison Pearce, James Pearce, Samuel Pollock, Carl Shirts, William Slade, Sr., William Slade, Jr., George Spencer, Anthony Stratton, William Taite, John Ure, John Weston, Joel White, Samuel White, Alexander Wilden, Robert Wiley, John Willis, William Young.

The Top of the Hierarchy:

Three figures at the apex of the Mormon hierarchy cannot be ignored in any discussion of responsibility for the Mountain Meadows Massacre:

• Brigham Young: As governor of the Utah Territory and president of the Mormon Church, Young held immense power and influence.

• George A. Smith: As First Counselor in the First Presidency, Smith was second in command within the church.
• General Daniel H. Wells: As Commander of the Nauvoo Legion, Wells oversaw the territorial militia.

While the extent of their direct involvement or prior knowledge remains a subject of debate, the ultimate responsibility and accountability for the actions of their subordinates rest with these leaders. At the very least, they were heavily involved in covering up the atrocity in the years that followed. The legacy of the Mountain Meadows Massacre Assassins remains a stark reminder of the dangers of religious extremism, wartime hysteria, and the abuse of power. The quest for truth and justice in this tragic chapter of American history continues to this day.

See Also:

• Mountain Meadows Victims and Members
• Mountain Meadows Historical Accounts and Testimony
• An 1889 Account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre (By Hubert Howe Bancroft)
• Mountain Meadows Massacre (primary article)
• Utah War

Sources:

• Mountain Meadows Association
• Mountain Meadows Monument Foundation
• 1857 Iron County Militia
• Gibbs, Josiah F., The Mountain Meadows Massacre; Salt Lake Tribune Publishing Co., 1910.