Shan Ye Massacre 1857

On September 1857, 1 1 day, Baker Van Schell's immigrant truck was driving on a mountain ranch in Utah, about 35 miles southwest of Cedar City. This train is made up of several smaller political parties. They set out from Arkansas and headed northwest together. Some immigrants are on their way to California for permanent settlement; Others are just looking for greener pastures and leaving the train at the right time.

The train rolled in Kansas and Nebraska before entering Utah where a large number of Mormons lived. In Cedar City, which was supposed to be the last stop before the train left for California, the train tried to connect supplies, but the Mormons living there refused to sell supplies to foreigners.

To be fair, Mormons have experienced a lot of criticism, prejudice and even violence from non-Mormons, which is part of the reason why they moved to Utah. In addition to storing food for the coming winter, the church also instructed them to hoard guns and bullets in case they needed to protect themselves from attackers and persecutors. In addition, they are cautious about selling items that may help these potential enemies.

Mormons' fears are justified. 191After the establishment of Mormonism in the 1930s, Mormons were mercilessly persecuted. Their own founders were imprisoned many times before being killed by thugs; They suffered a massacre like the Homil Massacre, which had no reason, just because they were Mormons. Before the mountain grassland massacre, the United States had sent 1500 soldiers into Utah, which made Mormons living there feel depressed, emotional and nervous.

The stop at Cedar Creek was unsuccessful for Fancher's party. But that's the least of their worries. Soon, more misfortune befalls them: they draw people's attention to themselves, and as outsiders, they are regarded as threats.

When the train reached the mountain grassland, a group of Mormons attacked them. In order to protect themselves, several party member were killed before the organization pulled their wagons into a tight circle. However, Mormons continued to attack the camp several times, and Fan Zhequn was still besieged and could not continue to California.

On September 1857, 1 1, Mormon john D Lee raised the white flag. He entered the fantasy party circle, told them to put down their guns and convinced them that there would be no more bloodshed. His team led women and children out of the circle and then escorted them away. Every van was escorted by armed Mormon militia.

The gang walked for about a mile, and then the militia turned their guns to the Fanschers and shot at them. Subsequently, a group of Native Americans poured out of their hiding place and attacked these women and children, most of whom also died.

The exact reason why Indians were involved in this conflict is still unclear. It is possible that they just want to reduce the number of people who settle on their land. However, there is also a story circulating around Utah after the massacre, which proves that their actions are justified. The story is that after being refused supplies, the Fantasy Party deliberately poisoned a stream, causing some Native Americans to die. Probably, this story is not true, but it is also possible that Mormons instilled the story of this poisoned river into Native Americans and encouraged them to help kill the fantasy party.

In short, about 120 people died of begging on the way to a new life. Only 17 children survived the attack. These children were adopted by local families and taken back to Arkansas by the United States a few years later to reunite with other relatives.