Niobrara in Knox County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Newel Knight
Mormon Monument
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2021
1. Newel Knight Marker
[east side]
Born Sept. 13, 1800 Died Jan. 11, 1847
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Erected in loving appreciation of our father who died during the hardships of the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matt. 5 Ch. 10 Verse
[west side]
Others who died at Ponca in the years 1846-7
Mr. Cavol Mrs. Cavol Lucy Brunson Ann Boyce Mrs. Rufus Pack Mrs. Spicer Crandall Mrs. Newel Drake Mrs. Dame Cardurout Noble Benjamin F. Mayers
Erected 1908 by The Church of Latter Day Saints.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Mormon Pioneer Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1847.
Location. 42° 44.657′ N, 98° 3.795′ W. Marker is in Niobrara, Nebraska, in Knox County. It can be reached from 522 Avenue 0.4 miles south of State Highway 12, on the left when traveling south. The marker is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Nebraska. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the prairies. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Ponca Tribe (approx. 0.4 miles away); Life After the Expedition (approx. 1.6 miles away); J. Alan Cramer Interpretive Shelter (approx. 1.6 miles away); Lewis and Clark Expedition (approx. 1.6 miles away); They Opened The West (approx. 1.6 miles away); 1846-47 Mormon Winter Camp (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Peaceful Ponca (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Forced Removal (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niobrara.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 2021
2. Newel Knight Marker (west side)
Also see . . .
1. Newel Knight (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Newel Knight was a close friend of Joseph Smith and one of the first branch presidents in the Latter-day Saint movement. Knight was baptized into the Church of Christ (the original name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), in May 1830 by David Whitmer. Prior to this, Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, had cast an evil spirit out of Knight. This event is considered by some to be the first miracle performed in the history of the Latter-day Saint movement.(Submitted on October 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
In both Missouri and later at Nauvoo, Illinois, Knight constructed mills. In 18461847, Knight was part of the Ponca Encampment, led by George Miller. While in Nebraska preparing to travel west, Knight grew sick and received a blessing at the hands of his wife Lydia. Knight died at Ponca (in what is today Knox County, Nebraska) from lung inflammation, probably pneumonia.
2. Newel Knight Mormon Monument (Find A Grave).
Excerpt: In October 1835, Newel and Lydia Goldwaite Bailey(Submitted on October 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)were both living at the Hyrum and Jerusha Smith's boarding home in Kirtland, Ohio. Lydia described Newel as "tall, had light brown hair, a keen blue eye and a very energetic and determined manner". They married on November 24, 1835, at the Hyrum Smith home by Joseph Smith (Joseph's first marriage he performed). They had seven children: Sally Knight, James Philander Knight, Joseph Ether Knight, Newel Knight, Lydia Knight, Jesse Knight and Hyrum Helaman Knight. On their way from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City Newel died at the Ponca Camp, Nebraska. The Ponca Indians were very friendly and welcomed the Mormons. A sickness spread through the camp and Newel was one that got it. It was like pneumonia. Newel and 10 others died at Camp Ponca.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 20213. Mormon Monument (east side)
3. Mormon Monument History (negenweb.us).
(Contributed by Judy Carlson, 2000) Excerpt: In 1846 a party of Mormons led by Newell Knight was the first to leave wagon wheel marks in the Niobrara valley. Sixty-five families were headed to the Rocky Mountains in search of a new home.(Submitted on October 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Needing to make camp for thewinter they chose a spot near the mouth of the Niobrara River, having been invited by the friendly Poncas. They built a fort of log cabins and settled in. Some claim that the Mormons dug the mile long canal that cuts along the west edge of the old Niobrara State Park and thus got the name of the Mormon Canal. Others believe that it was so named because of the tragedy that befell the Mormons there.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 7, 20214. Newel Knight Mormon Monument (west side)Looking east; the Niobrara River is in the background.
During the difficult winter, illness swept through the camp. They buried their leader, his wife and eight others. When spring arrived, the party returned to Kanesville (now known as Council Bluffs).
In 1908 the Church of Latter Day Saints erected a monument. It is located west of Niobrara, 1½ mile south of the State Park entrance. The stone monument tells of their plight and lists the names of those that died here in Knox County.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
