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Show Form No. 1f)-300a (Aev. 10-74) UNITHD STATES DHPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FOR NFS USE ONLY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RECEIVED DOT ^ 2 197o NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER DATE ENTERED 8 PAGE turning his head occasionally toward him. As though being apprehensive of danger, they got nearly a mile from the Fort. Charles told him to look at the stock, he did so raising himself on tip-toe. Charles instantly shot him. he then shouted to an indian not far off to run and take two horses. 6 The shooting took place about 12:30 p.m. Two missionaries, Ephraim Wright and Sheldon B. Luther, who were herding livestock nearby heard the shooting and raced to the fort to warn the others. Meanwhile the Indians crossed the river but returned as the group was attempting to take Hunt and the livestock back to the fort. Shots were exchanged as the Indians charged the missionaries. Alfred Billings was shot in the right forefinger and later the Indians claimed they suffered three dead and three wounded. Fortunately the Mormons successfully reached the fort. However the Indians set fire to some haystacks. The fire spread to the corral nearby destroying the enclosure despite the efforts of four or five men who put out the fire. The other men were kept busy exchanging shots with the Indians. The fighting continued until after dark. During the day the Indians ambushed two other missionaries, Edward Edwards and William Behunin, who were returning to the fort from a hunting expedition to the mountains. William Hunt suffered with the gunshot wound in his back until 3:00 a.m. when he died. /x According to the John McEwan account, the Indians who took part in the affair had all been baptized on September 7th with the exception of Charles, the Indian who shot James W. Hunt. He had been baptized on July 22nd. Continuing his description, McEwan notes "... they do not belong to our particular band, nor chief. Some Green River Utes, siome of White Eye's band, and band of thieves and murderers." The next morning, September 24th, the Indians visited the fort and warned the Mormons they must leave immediately or they would all be killed. Runners had been sent to the mountains to summon additional help. Respectful of Alfred Billing's appointment as president of the mission, the remaining men deferred to his decision regarding whether to stay or leave. They were undoubtedly grateful when Billings chose to leave the fort and return to Salt Lake City. Without waiting to prepare breakfast the group gathered their horses, assembled those items which could be easily transported and left the fort at 11:00 a.m. After crossing the Colorado River and traveling fifteen miles from the fort they stopped to rest their horses. At moonrise they resumed their journey for an additional twelve miles then camped and "kept a good guard." At sunrise on September 25th they resumed their escape and reached the crossing of the Green River at 2:00 p.m. Continuing their journey, the main group reached Manti on the evening of September 30, seven days after leaving the Elk Mountain Mission Fort. |
