| Idaho (Canyon County), Middleton — Hostility Erupts Into Violence — Ward Massacre | | | On August 20, 1854, the Alexander Ward Party of 20 men, women, and children were traveling on the Oregon Trail with five wagons, a day behind a larger party led by Alexander Yantis. The Wards pulled their wagons off the Trail for lunch and to water their stock when two white men and three Native Americans approached the party to trade for a horse. When the trade failed, one of the Indians attempted to ride off with the horse and was killed.
Fearing retribution, the Wards hurried back to the . . . — Map (db m22398) HM | | Idaho (Canyon County), Middleton — Peaceful Trading Turns Hostile — Ward Massacre | | | In the 1830's, local tribes, including the Shoshone, Paiute, and Bannock began trading with Euro-American fur trappers and missionaries passing through southern Idaho. Peaceful exchanges beneficial to both groups increased in 1842 when wagon trains crossed southern Idaho on the Oregon Trail. As they moved through the Boise Valley, the trains obtained food, stock and services from native bands in exchange for a variety of goods and animals. What was only a few hundred wagons in 1842 became a . . . — Map (db m22333) HM | | Idaho (Canyon County), Middleton — 75 — The Ward Massacre | | | Only 2 young boys survived the Indian attack on Alexander Ward's 20 member party, Oregon bound on August 20, 1854. Military retaliation for the slaughter so enraged the Indians that Hudson's Bay Co. posts Fort Boise and Fort Hall had to be abandoned, and the Oregon Trail became unsafe without army escort. Eight years of Indian terror followed. Finally the 1862 gold rush brought powerful forces, civilian and military, that gradually subdued the tribes. — Map (db m22328) HM | | Idaho (Canyon County), Middleton — To the Memory of the Pioneers — Ward Massacre Memorial | | | To the memory of the pioneers who were massacred by Indians near this spot August 20, 1854.
This monument is dedicated by Pioneer Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution Boise, Idaho
William Ward Age 44
Margaret Ward " 37
Mary Ward " 18
Robert Ward " 16
Edward Ward " 9
Francis Ward " 7
Flora Ward " 5
Susan Ward " 3
Eliza White " 30
George White . . . — Map (db m22336) HM | | Idaho (Canyon County), Middleton — Violence is Avenged — Ward Massacre | | | In early September, 1854, Major Granville Hallar set out with a US military force from their post in Oregon to avenge the Ward-party deaths. Upon arrival at the rebuilt Hudson Bay's Fort Boise near the mouth of the Boise River, the Indians they encountered were arrested, but released after proving their innocence. The next day, four Indians were arrested - three were killed and one was wounded, but escaped.
The expedition next advanced up the Payette River tracking a suspect Indian band to . . . — Map (db m22366) HM |
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