| Until about 10-20 years ago [Mormons] literally were not allowed to talk about [the massacre]. When I said my family was intimately involved I meant just that. Of the 120 killed I am directly related to 10 of them, including my g-g grandparents and my g-g-g grandmother. My great grandfather was one of the surviving children as well as his brother and a cousin of theirs. The massacre was definitely done by Mormons. The Indians have been falsely blamed from the beginning. My great great uncle was 4 at the time and, according to family stories, he remembered being surprised when the "Indian" who had him washed off the paint and turned out to be a white man. Years ago when some Mormon missionaries called on my grandmother she told them she wouldn't talk to them because her husband's family had been involved. They said, "Lady, that never happened." She told them it had and to go ask. Surprisingly, they came back later and appologised. I know when I have mentioned my descent from the massacre to Mormon genealogists they have been more interested to meet me than upset. When we went back to the site for the 150th anniversary the local Mormon group supplied the tent for our meetings and provided lunch for all of us one day. The Assistant Church Historian has even written a book about the massacre using church records. Note: Milene's daughter is carrying the Poteet flag in our quiz photo, which was taken at the 150th re-enactment of the massacre. |
promising them safe passage if they would surrender their weapons.
After 150 years, William's great-granddaughter, Milene Rawlinson, finally came to see
the place that remains large in family memory. A retired teacher from the San Francisco
Bay area, she remembers traveling through the terrain north of St. George as a child,
but her father couldn't find any monument or memorial to the victims.
Like many of his generation, he didn't talk much about the massacre. But the Internet
has opened a new world of both answers and questions to Rawlinson, as she has
sought to find her family history and genealogy.
In her search, Rawlinson came upon Arkansas census records from 1860, listing both
William and Emberson — by then ages 5 and 8, respectively — as survivors of the
After 150 years, William's great-granddaughter, Milene Rawlinson, finally came to see
the place that remains large in family memory. A retired teacher from the San Francisco
Bay area, she remembers traveling through the terrain north of St. George as a child,
but her father couldn't find any monument or memorial to the victims.
Like many of his generation, he didn't talk much about the massacre. But the Internet
has opened a new world of both answers and questions to Rawlinson, as she has
sought to find her family history and genealogy.
In her search, Rawlinson came upon Arkansas census records from 1860, listing both
William and Emberson — by then ages 5 and 8, respectively — as survivors of the
MOUNTAIN MEADOWS, Washington
County — William Henry Tackitt was a
baby when his parents and several
extended family members were
murdered, so his descendants came to
southern Utah to remember him this
weekend, knowing he was lucky to
come out alive.
His father, Pleasant, age 25, and
mother, Armilda Miller Tackitt, 22,
were among 120 California-bound
emigrants killed Sept. 11, 1857, during
the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
William and his 4-year-old brother,
Emberson, were among the
approximately 18 child survivors who
were spared by Mormon militiamen
because they were too young to tell the
tale.
On orders from Latter-day Saint
leaders in the Cedar City area, the
militia exterminated everyone else in the
unarmed wagon train party after
County — William Henry Tackitt was a
baby when his parents and several
extended family members were
murdered, so his descendants came to
southern Utah to remember him this
weekend, knowing he was lucky to
come out alive.
His father, Pleasant, age 25, and
mother, Armilda Miller Tackitt, 22,
were among 120 California-bound
emigrants killed Sept. 11, 1857, during
the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
William and his 4-year-old brother,
Emberson, were among the
approximately 18 child survivors who
were spared by Mormon militiamen
because they were too young to tell the
tale.
On orders from Latter-day Saint
leaders in the Cedar City area, the
militia exterminated everyone else in the
unarmed wagon train party after
 |  |  |  |
| If you have a picture you'd like us to feature a picture in a future quiz, please email it to us at CFitzp@aol.com. If we use it, you will receive a free analysis of your picture. You will also receive a free Forensic Genealogy CD or a 10% discount towards the purchase of the Forensic Genealogy book. |
 |  |  |  |
| Milene Rawlinson's Personal Story as told to the Deseret News http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695208654,00.html |
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| Click here to see results of 5th occasional photoquiz survey. |
| Answers to Quiz #203 - March 22, 2009 |
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| ********** |
| If you enjoy our quizzes, don't forget to order our books! Click here. |
| Quiz #203 Results |
| Visit our blog at www.forensicgenealogy.info/blog. |
| 1. What happened? 2. When did it happen? 3. Where were these photographs taken? |
| Submitted by Milene Rawlinson. Milene's ancestors were victims of this tragedy. |
| This photograph was taken at a re-enactment of an event that has been called America's first 911. |
| Answers: 1. A prosperous wagon train traveling from Arkansas to California was held siege by a band of Paiute Indians. The local Mormon militia appeared to negotiate safe passage but later massacre most of the wagon train. There has been speculation that Brigham Young gave the order for the massacre. The Paiute Indians were not involved in the killing. 2. September 11, 1857 3. Mountain Meadows Massacre Grave Site Memorial during the 150th Anniversary Commemoration of the Mountain Meadows Massacre in September of 2008 |
| Congratulations to Our Winners! Rick and Jina the Fabulous Quiz Duo ace another one! Karen Kay Bunting Don Draper Caroline Pointer Gerald Vanlandingham Rex Cornelius Angie McLaughlin Jocelyn Thayer Carolyn Cornelius Marilyn Hamill Mary Osmar Susan Caton Beth Long Wayne Douglas Brian Kemp Diane Burkett Karen Petrus Mike Dalton Elaine C. Hebert Dan Schlensinger Larry Slavens Laurel Fletchner Carl Blessing Mike Swierczewski Mary Lee Alderman Betty Chambers Kitty Huddleston Jim Kiser Joe Ruffner Sharon Martin Kevin Beeson Mary South Tamura Jones Deborah Campisano Dolores Martin Donald Schulteis Maureen O'Connor Judy Pfaff Bill Hurley Stan Read Gary Sterne Robert E. McKenna, QPL |
| Comments from Our Readers |
I was interested to discover that a similar reenactment was held at Beller Spring, near
Harrison Arkansas, Saturday, April 21, 2007. I presume this was the 150th anniversary
of the day the settlers left for California. Similar scenes would have been photographed
there, but this picture is from Utah. Don Draper
*****
I was quite shocked to hear about this tragedy, as I was not familiar with it. It just
seems like such a un-characteristic action from a religious group.
Gerald Vanlandingham
*****
I think that Richard Turley's article in the Sept 2007 issue of Ensign, the publication of
the Mormon Church, is excellent. He tries to place this horrific incident in the context
of the times. Thanks for another informative, if very sad, quiz. Carolyn Cornelius
*****
What a sad and outrageous story. Last summer, while working on my own family
history I stumbled across my g-g-grandmother's involvement with the Strangite
Mormons in Michigan, who also had a rather dark side to them. Very interesting story.
Mary Osmar
*****
I saw an airing of the mountain meadow event on pbs frontline - the American
Experience, the Mormons in 2007. Mike Dalton
*****
Colleen, I loved this puzzle - I had never heard of this tragedy before - so, very sad, but
oh, so interesting!!! Elaine C. Hebert
*****
I had read about this event several years ago and found the quiz solution by googling
"poteet massacre". One of the persons in the photo has a knitting blog and this led to
the event. Dan Schlesinger
*****
I never heard of this story before but it seems to have caught everyone's attention about
one year ago. Sharon Martin
*****
Where the picture was take to me is inconsequential. What is important is that we
remember, and that we hold accountable those that caused it to be, even though to this
day, they play ostrich and hide this past responsibility to be buried in the sand.
How can a person, in this case a religion, be healed if they first do not accept
responsibility for their actions. They can but dodge the issue, and as time marchers on,
hope it will go away.
Society cannot let that happen. This wound will fester, and will not heal, until, first,
acceptance starts the healing process.
Donald Schulteis
Harrison Arkansas, Saturday, April 21, 2007. I presume this was the 150th anniversary
of the day the settlers left for California. Similar scenes would have been photographed
there, but this picture is from Utah. Don Draper
*****
I was quite shocked to hear about this tragedy, as I was not familiar with it. It just
seems like such a un-characteristic action from a religious group.
Gerald Vanlandingham
*****
I think that Richard Turley's article in the Sept 2007 issue of Ensign, the publication of
the Mormon Church, is excellent. He tries to place this horrific incident in the context
of the times. Thanks for another informative, if very sad, quiz. Carolyn Cornelius
*****
What a sad and outrageous story. Last summer, while working on my own family
history I stumbled across my g-g-grandmother's involvement with the Strangite
Mormons in Michigan, who also had a rather dark side to them. Very interesting story.
Mary Osmar
*****
I saw an airing of the mountain meadow event on pbs frontline - the American
Experience, the Mormons in 2007. Mike Dalton
*****
Colleen, I loved this puzzle - I had never heard of this tragedy before - so, very sad, but
oh, so interesting!!! Elaine C. Hebert
*****
I had read about this event several years ago and found the quiz solution by googling
"poteet massacre". One of the persons in the photo has a knitting blog and this led to
the event. Dan Schlesinger
*****
I never heard of this story before but it seems to have caught everyone's attention about
one year ago. Sharon Martin
*****
Where the picture was take to me is inconsequential. What is important is that we
remember, and that we hold accountable those that caused it to be, even though to this
day, they play ostrich and hide this past responsibility to be buried in the sand.
How can a person, in this case a religion, be healed if they first do not accept
responsibility for their actions. They can but dodge the issue, and as time marchers on,
hope it will go away.
Society cannot let that happen. This wound will fester, and will not heal, until, first,
acceptance starts the healing process.
Donald Schulteis
| How Joe Solved the Puzzle |
| The first two were pretty easy, just by Googling "America's first 911," which I backed up with a search for Ms. Rawlinson, as well as the name "Poteet" from the photo. The pic source took some searching. I ended up following a link to the Deseret News provided by a Wikipedia footnote to an article about the 150th anniversary. A pic on that page looked like it was from the same event, so I did an image search for "Mountain Meadows 150th," which led to a photo gallery of images from The Spectrum & Daily News. I remember hearing some of this story in the aftermath of 9/11, as a possible reason for choosing that day, but did not know the full story until now. Incredible, truly. Joe Ruffner |
Isaac C. Haight - Battalion Commander, died 1886 Arizona.
Maj. John H. Higbee, said to have shouted the command to begin the killings. He
claimed that he reluctantly participated in the massacre and only to bury the dead who
he thought were victims of an "Indian attack."
Maj. John D. Lee, constable, judge, and Indian Agent. Having conspired in advance
with his immediate commander, Isaac C. Haight, Lee led the initial assault, and falsely
offered emigrants safe passage prior to their mile-long march to the field where they
were ultimately massacred. He was the only convicted participant and was executed by
firing squad in 1877. (See photograph above.)
Philip Klingensmith, a Bishop in the church and a private in the militia. He participated in
the killings, and later turned state's evidence against his fellows, after leaving the church.
Maj. John H. Higbee, said to have shouted the command to begin the killings. He
claimed that he reluctantly participated in the massacre and only to bury the dead who
he thought were victims of an "Indian attack."
Maj. John D. Lee, constable, judge, and Indian Agent. Having conspired in advance
with his immediate commander, Isaac C. Haight, Lee led the initial assault, and falsely
offered emigrants safe passage prior to their mile-long march to the field where they
were ultimately massacred. He was the only convicted participant and was executed by
firing squad in 1877. (See photograph above.)
Philip Klingensmith, a Bishop in the church and a private in the militia. He participated in
the killings, and later turned state's evidence against his fellows, after leaving the church.
| TERROR IN THE EARLY WEST The picture shows a re-enactment, Of an American Tragedy, most foul, But has brought the act to attention again, And both sides have raised to the call. In September 1857, 120 people were killed, By misguided factions assuming they were right At Mountain Meadow, a Utah Pioneer Trail, Where both sides fought to end their plight. The photograph taken most recently, At a Memorial erected at the site, Performed by ancestors of those killed, To demonstrate to all about the fight. Robert Edward McKenna ***** May I have the job of your editor? And may I have a pay advance? How could ancestors of the victims re-enact the crime? Don't you mean their descendants? Colleen Fitzpatrick Understudy to Quiz Poet Laureate Robert Edward McKenna |
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|
| Children Who Died in the Mountain Meadow Massacre http://www.mtn-meadows-assoc.com/children.htm |
| Accounts of Child Survivors* www.mtn-meadows-assoc.com/survivoringchildren.htm |
| Emberson Milum Tackett, born 29 May 1853 in Johnson County, Arkansas, son of Pleasant and Armilda S. (Miller) Tackett. The third is a boy named Ambrose Mariam Tagit; says he had two brothers older than himself and one younger. His father, mother, and two elder brothers were killed, his younger brother [William Henry, listed below] was brought to Cedar City; says he lived in Johnson County, but does not know what State; says it took one week to go from where he lived with his grandfather and grandmother who are still living in the States. William Henry Tackett, born 20 January 1856 in Johnson County, Arkansas, son of Pleasant and Armilda S. (Miller) Tackett. The ninth is a boy whose name is William W. Huff. Ninth -- One boy obtained of William C. Stewart, of Cedar City; supposed to be three years old when obtained; says his name is Elisha W. Huff. Stewart says he paid for this boy, one gun, $20; one blanket, $10; for board forty-three weeks, $64.50; total, $94.50. Read more survivor accounts. Click here. *William Henry Tackitt was Milene Rawlinson's great grandfather. |
innocent men, women, and children of the Baker-Fancher Train in Mountain Meadows,
Utah is still largely unrecognized, and rarely recorded in history books...
Click here for the names of those who perished in the massacre.
Utah is still largely unrecognized, and rarely recorded in history books...
Click here for the names of those who perished in the massacre.
massacre. The two, along with 15 other
child survivors, were returned to family
members in Arkansas by federal
authorities in 1859. They were raised by
their maternal grandparents.
Emberson Tackitt was old enough to
remember some of what occurred,
Rawlinson said, and actually testified
against John D. Lee, the only man ever
found guilty and executed for the crime.
Over time, she's heard a few family
stories that came through her great
uncle's family.
One was his memory of when the
"Indians" had him and were threatening to
kill him, but he offered them his pants and
his boots if they would spare his life. "He
was surprised when they went down to
the river and washed off the war paint,
and he discovered they were white men,"
she said.
Through e-mail contact with one of
child survivors, were returned to family
members in Arkansas by federal
authorities in 1859. They were raised by
their maternal grandparents.
Emberson Tackitt was old enough to
remember some of what occurred,
Rawlinson said, and actually testified
against John D. Lee, the only man ever
found guilty and executed for the crime.
Over time, she's heard a few family
stories that came through her great
uncle's family.
One was his memory of when the
"Indians" had him and were threatening to
kill him, but he offered them his pants and
his boots if they would spare his life. "He
was surprised when they went down to
the river and washed off the war paint,
and he discovered they were white men,"
she said.
Through e-mail contact with one of
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| The cover of the August 13, 1859 issue of Harper's Weekly illustrating the killing field as described by Brevet Major Carleton "one too horrible and sickening for language to describe. Human skeletons, disjointed bones, ghastly skulls and the hair of women were scattered in frightful profusion over a distance of two miles." "the remains were not buried at all until after they had been dismembered by the wolves and the flesh stripped from the bones, and then only such bones were buried as lay scattered along nearest the road". |
| (Above) Trail of the Fancher Party (Below) Location of the Mt Meadows Massacre http://www.mountainmeadowsmassacre.com/ |
Emberson's descendants, she has also his boots if they would spare his life. "He was
surprised when they went down to the river and washed off the war paint, and he
discovered they were white men," she said.
Through e-mail contact with one of Emberson's descendants, she has also learned that
the boy "remembered seeing people wearing his mother's clothing and using family
items" that had apparently been taken following the massacre.
While many of the descendants seem to have come to terms with what took place,
others "are incredibly angry still," Rawlinson said, noting conversations she has had
with others who are in southern Utah this weekend for a variety of memorial events.
The largest events have been sponsored by the Mountain Meadows Association, whose
mission has been to seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Read more....
surprised when they went down to the river and washed off the war paint, and he
discovered they were white men," she said.
Through e-mail contact with one of Emberson's descendants, she has also learned that
the boy "remembered seeing people wearing his mother's clothing and using family
items" that had apparently been taken following the massacre.
While many of the descendants seem to have come to terms with what took place,
others "are incredibly angry still," Rawlinson said, noting conversations she has had
with others who are in southern Utah this weekend for a variety of memorial events.
The largest events have been sponsored by the Mountain Meadows Association, whose
mission has been to seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Read more....
| Mountain Meadows Massacre on YouTube |
| Four (of nine) Utah Territorial militiamen of Tenth Regiment "Iron Brigade" indicted in 1874 for murder or conspiracy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Meadows_Massacre |
| John H. Highbee |
| Philip Klingersmith |
| Photograph of John D. Lee (seated next to the coffin) just prior to his execution. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_D._Lee |
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| (Not shown: William H. Dame • William C. Stewart Ellott Willden • Samuel Jukes • George Adair, Jun.) |
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| Fanchers' livestock brand, a monogrammed J-F. registered in 1852 at Tulare Co., California, intended destination of ill-fated Fancher-Baker train, to Captain Alexander Fancher's older brother John Read more about the Fancher party. Click here. |
| Mountain Meadows Massacre Memorial http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wallner/mmmintro.htm |
Eerily sharing the same
September 11 date, the 1857
Meadows Massacre was the
largest religious massacre in
America's history until
September 11, 2001. Before the
tragedies of Oklahoma City in
1995, and September 11, 2001,
the Mountain Meadows
Massacre was the largest civilian
massacre in our Country's
history. It was the worst atrocity
in the annals of the West. Yet the
massacre of more than 120
September 11 date, the 1857
Meadows Massacre was the
largest religious massacre in
America's history until
September 11, 2001. Before the
tragedies of Oklahoma City in
1995, and September 11, 2001,
the Mountain Meadows
Massacre was the largest civilian
massacre in our Country's
history. It was the worst atrocity
in the annals of the West. Yet the
massacre of more than 120
| In Memoriam In the valley below Between September 7 and 11, 1857 A Company of More Than 120 Arkansas Emigrants Led By Capt. John T. Baker And Capt. Alexander Fancher Was Attacked While En Route to California. This Event Is Known In History As The Mountain Meadows Massacre |
The 1990 Monument, located on Dan Sill Hill, overlooks the site of the Massacre in the
Mountain Meadows Valley, in southern Utah.
This memorial lists the names of the Arkansas Emigrants who died there on September
11th, 1857, along with the names of the children who survived and were returned to
their relatives in 1859.
Mountain Meadows Valley, in southern Utah.
This memorial lists the names of the Arkansas Emigrants who died there on September
11th, 1857, along with the names of the children who survived and were returned to
their relatives in 1859.
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See more pictures taken at the September 11, 1999 dedication ceremories of the cairn
memorial at the site of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Click here.
memorial at the site of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Click here.
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| Here lie twenty-nine victims of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, reinterred on 10 September 1999 by their descendants. For more photos, click here. |
| More from Milene |