Delta in Millard County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Gunnison Massacre Site
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 5, 2013
1. Gunnison Massacre Site Marker
Inscription.
Gunnison Massacre Site. . In 1853, Captain John W. Gunnison was selected to lead an expedition to find a trans-continental railroad route. He followed the Old Spanish Trail through Salina Canyon, over the mountains to Pahvant Valley, and upon reaching Fillmore, visited his friend, Bishop Anson V. Call. Gunnison made friends in Utah while serving with Howard Stansbury's mapping expedition in 1851. Bishop Call warned him of Indians near the Sevier River because an old Indian brave in the Kanosh Tribe had been killed by members of a California-bound wagon train. Moshoquop, son of the dead brave, had vowed to avenge his father. Gunnison knew Kanosh and Moshoquop as friends, but they did not know of his return to Utah. , On the evening of October 28, 1853, Gunnison and his party made camp on the bank of the river. They took a few shots at migrating wildfowl. Two Indians heard the shots and crept near enough to see the military uniforms and army equipment, but not close enough to recognize the men. The Indians reported the news; and during the night, plans were made and the camp was surrounded. At daylight the cook made a fire, Gunnison went to the river to wash up, and men began working with the horses. As the sun appeared over the mountain the first shot was fired. Three men escaped on horses, although one fell and had to hide in the brush. One man swam the river and hid in the willows. Eight men were killed by guns and arrows. , The survivors made their way to Fillmore and reported the tragedy. Gunnison's body was taken to Fillmore for burial. William Potter, a Mormon guide, was buried at his home in Manti. Six men rest in a common grave at this site. They are John Bellows, W.J. Creuzfeld, botanist; R.H. Kern, artist; and Privates Lipcott, Calfield, and Merteens of the United States Army.
In 1853, Captain John W. Gunnison was selected to lead an expedition to find a trans-continental railroad route. He followed the Old Spanish Trail through Salina Canyon, over the mountains to Pahvant Valley, and upon reaching Fillmore, visited his friend, Bishop Anson V. Call. Gunnison made friends in Utah while serving with Howard Stansbury's mapping expedition in 1851. Bishop Call warned him of Indians near the Sevier River because an old Indian brave in the Kanosh Tribe had been killed by members of a California-bound wagon train. Moshoquop, son of the dead brave, had vowed to avenge his father. Gunnison knew Kanosh and Moshoquop as friends, but they did not know of his return to Utah.
On the evening of October 28, 1853, Gunnison and his party made camp on the bank of the river. They took a few shots at migrating wildfowl. Two Indians heard the shots and crept near enough to see the military uniforms and army equipment, but not close enough to recognize the men. The Indians reported the news; and during the night, plans were made and the camp was surrounded. At daylight the cook made a fire, Gunnison went to the river to wash up, and men began working with the horses. As the sun appeared over the mountain the first shot was fired. Three men escaped on horses, although one fell and had to hide in the brush. One man swam the
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river and hid in the willows. Eight men were killed by guns and arrows.
The survivors made their way to Fillmore and reported the tragedy. Gunnison's body was taken to Fillmore for burial. William Potter, a Mormon guide, was buried at his home in Manti. Six men rest in a common grave at this site. They are John Bellows, W.J. Creuzfeld, botanist; R.H. Kern, artist; and Privates Lipcott, Calfield, and Merteens of the United States Army.
Erected 1988 by West Millard County, Daughters of Utah Pioneers. (Marker Number 447.)
Location. 39° 21.119′ N, 112° 34.555′ W. Marker is in Delta, Utah, in Millard County. The historical marker was originally located at the massacre site ( N39°16.8480' W112°46.6800') It was vandalized, and is now located at the Great Basin Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 45 West Main Street, Delta UT 84624, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Topaz 1942–1946 (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Escalante Trail (about 700 feet away);
Regarding Gunnison Massacre Site. The massacre site is on a dirt road at N39°16.8480' W112°46.6800'
Photographed By Bill Kirchner
3. Gunnison Massacre Site
Photographed By Bill Kirchner
4. Gunnison Massacre Site
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, October 5, 2013
5. Gunnison Massacre Site
The massacre site is on a dirt road at N39°16.8480' W112°46.6800'
Photographed By Bill Kirchner
6. Gunnison Massacre Site
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,205 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 20, 2013, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.