Mountain Democrat., 1857-10-17
From the Los Angeles Star Extra Of Oct 10.

Horrible Massacre OF Immigrants'
In our last publication, We gave the
substance of rumor which had just then
reached US, Of the massacre of large
party Of emigrants on their way to TINS
State by Great Salt Lake City. Wewere
unwilling at first to credit tho statement,
and hoped that rumor had exaggerated
the facts, but the report has been con-
firmed, and the loss Of life is even great
er than at first reported. This IS the
foulest massacre which has ever been per-
petrated on this route, and one which
calls loudly for the active interposltion OF
the Government Over one hundred per-
sons have fallen by the hands of the mer-
ciless dcstroyers, and VIC hope that inn
mediate steps will be taken by the author
| tiles to inflict a terrible retribution on
those concerned. There is no longer rea-
son to doubt the facts-we have them
from different parties, and all agree in
placing the number Of the slain at over
one hundred souls, men, women and chill
drcn.
The details, as far as yet known, are
these "a train Of emigrants, from
Missouri and Arkansas, for this State,
were waylayed and cruelty butchcrcd on
the route, at place called Santa Clara
canon, near the rim of the Great Basin,
about three hundred miles from Salt Lake
City. The scene of the massacrefs diff
ferently designated, as the Santa Clara
canon, the Mountain Springs, and the
Mountain Meadows. But all agree in To-
eating it near the rim Of the Great Basin,
and about fifty miles from Cedar City,
the most southern Of the Mormon settle
mcnts. Of party of about one hundred
and thirty persons, only fifteen infant
children were saved. The account was
given by the Indians themselves to the
Mormons at Cedar City, to which place
they brought the children, who were pur-
chased from them by the people Of that
city. Whether the cause assigned is suf'
ficient to account for the result, or wheth'
er a different cause is at the bottom oi
the transaction, we will leave the reader
to form his own conclusion. We can
scarcely believe that party travelling
along highway would act in the manner
described, that is to poison the carcass Of
an OK, and also the water thus endangcr.
ing the lives of those who were coming
after them. Yet this is the story told by
all who have spoken Of the massacre. II
is stated, the emigrants had On OK which
! died, and they placed poison in the body
and also poisoned the water standing in
pools, for the purpose Of killing the In
dians that several of the tribe had died
from this cause, and that the whole force
mustered, pursued the train, and coming
up with them at the above named place,
which favored thcirpurpose, attacked and
murdered the whole party, except a few
infant children. The Indians state that
they made but one charge on the party
. in which they cut off the greater portion
of the men, and then guarded the outlets
of the canon, and shot the men and wo
men down as they came out for water;
that one man was making his escape with
few children, and they followed him,
killed him, and took the children fifteen
in number, the eldest under five years Of
age. The report was brought to San Ber-
nardino by MessFs. Sidney Tanner and w
Matthews"