Near Middleton in Canyon County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

The Ward Massacre

Photographed by Rebecca Maxwell, September 9, 2009

1. The Ward Massacre Marker

Inscription.
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.

Erected by Idaho Historical Society. (Marker Number 75.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Idaho State Historical Society, and the Oregon Trail series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is August 20, 1854.

Location. 43° 40.618′ N, 116° 36.518′ W. Marker is near Middleton, Idaho, in Canyon County. It is on Lincoln Road 0.2 miles east of Middleton Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Caldwell ID 83605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Snake River Plain

and in Greater Boise.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: To the Memory of the Pioneers (within shouting distance of this marker); Violence is Avenged

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Peaceful Trading Turns Hostile (within shouting distance of this marker); Hostility Erupts Into Violence (within shouting distance of this marker); Mill Wheel (approx. 2.1 miles away); Middleton Sub-Station (approx. 2.1 miles away); Idaho's First Heroine - Madame Marie Dorion (approx. 3.9 miles away); A.K. Steunenberg, Frank Steunenberg (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middleton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The College of Idaho (was approx. 3.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

More about this marker. This marker has been moved to stand near Ward Memorial State Park, a site dedicated to the victims of the massacre.

Additional commentary.
1. I am a descendant of survivor William M Ward
I have heard about the Ward Massacre all my life, saw family photos of William and his brother Newton. I also saw the original newspaper articles from the dedication of the site and marker. William died in Yountville, California

Marker and Ward Memorial State Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Rebecca Maxwell, September 9, 2009

2. Marker and Ward Memorial State Park

in the Veterans home there in 1922. Just this week I received jpg files of his original memoirs, that he dictated to someone. The first time I saw them was in 1969 when they were given to my grandmother. I remember they were rolled in a leather cover with rawhide string. My grandmother, mother and I, sat on the bed and rolled them out very gently. The paper was brittle and golden brown. We sat for hours trying to read the pages. It was an amazing story that still needs to be told. I have started reading and transcribing it. I will be posting the original and transcription online soon. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

— Submitted August 16, 2012, by Kari Lemons of Mountain View, California.

2. I am also a Ward Decendant
I am a Ward descendant. Alexander would have been an uncle. My 5th great grandfather, Sheriff Holman in the Dallas Oregon area, fostered the two boys after the attack. My 5th great grandmother was their Ward aunt.

— Submitted November 26, 2022, by Trina Sellers of Seattle, Washington.

Additional keywords. Oregon Trail, Fort Boise, Fort Hall

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Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 9, 2009, by Rebecca Maxwell of Boise, Idaho. This page has been viewed 18,323 times since then and 492 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 9, 2009, by Rebecca Maxwell of Boise, Idaho. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.