Kit Carson in Amador County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Tragedy Spring
No 338
— Erected 1967 —
Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 26, 2009
1. Tragedy Spring Marker
Inscription.
Tragedy Spring. No 338. This campsite on the Kit Carson Emigrant Trail was a resting place for California settlers. It was named by members of the Mormon Battalion enroute to Salt Lake Valley. Three of their men, serving as advance trail scouts, were murdered here by unknown persons June 27, 1848. Battalion friends, arriving a few days later, buried them in a common grave and carved their names (Henderson Cox, Ezra Allen, Daniel Browett) on a nearby tree, thus preserving the grave’s location.
This campsite on the Kit Carson Emigrant Trail was a resting place for California settlers. It was named by members of the Mormon Battalion enroute to Salt Lake Valley. Three of their men, serving as advance trail scouts, were murdered here by unknown persons June 27, 1848. Battalion friends, arriving a few days later, buried them in a common grave and carved their names (Henderson Cox, Ezra Allen, Daniel Browett) on a nearby tree, thus preserving the grave’s location.
Erected 1967 by Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Sacramento County. (Marker Number 338.)
Location. 38° 38.364′ N, 120° 8.817′ W. Marker is in Kit Carson, California, in Amador County. Marker is on Tragedy Springs Road near Carson Pass Scenic Byway (California Highway 88). Gravesite and additional markers are located a short hike from the main marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kit Carson CA 95644, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Modern day travelers are invited to pause & rest as the pioneers did. Tragedy Spring Park was developed by cooperative agreement El Dorado National Forest & Sacramento County, Daughters of Utah Pioneers.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 26, 2009
4. Fountain on the Trail to the Gravesite
Plaque reads:
Fountain erected in memory of the three Mormon Battalion men buried here
Plaque placed by the Sons of Utah Pioneers, September 2, 1967.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 26, 2009
5. Interpretive Sign at the Gravesite
When members of the Mormon Battalion camped here, they noticed arrows & a newly-made mound. Upon opening it they found the mutilated bodies of their three friends. They reburied them, building a cairn to protect the grave. They also found Allen’s gold pouch, filled with gold dust & carried it to his widow in Iowa.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 26, 2009
6. Plaque - Granite Rock Displaying Replica of Tree Carving
Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 26, 2009
7. Plaque Embedded in Granite Rock Near Gravesite
To the Memory
of
Daniel Browett
Ezrah H. Allen
And
Henderson Cox
Who was supposed
To have Been Murdered
And Burned By Indians
On the Night of the 27 Of
June 1848
______________
The above is a replica of an inscription on a fir tree which stood near this spot bordering the Old Immigrant Trail. This plaque was dedicated to the memory of California's Pioneers by the Native Daughters of Amador County on August 30th, 1931.
Photographed By Habs-loc
8. Original Tree Carving
This photo of the actual carving is a 1940 re-photo of an original held in the collection of the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce.
HABS CAL,9-TRAG,1- Click for more information.
Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 26, 2009
9. Plaque at Gravesite
Ezra H. Allen, Co.B
July 28, 1814
Daniel Browett, Co.E
Dec. 18, 1809
Henderson Cox, Co.A
Nov. 6, 1829
Murdered June 27, 1848
Photographed By Syd Whittle, July 26, 2009
10. Gravesite of Henderson Cox, Ezra Allen and Daniel Browett
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 6,924 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 31, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8. submitted on November 16, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 9, 10. submitted on July 31, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.