| Show He learned from Call that the old father of Chief Moshoquop of the Pahvants had been killed by California-bound Missouri immigrants The Pahvants were out to kill whites any whites for revenge Although Cunnison had mo hand in the incident he was soon to become involved caught up in all its fury This event alone should have made Gunnison stay put in Fillmore until this thing was settled but his sense of duty and the realization the winter would soon arrive compelled him to push to completion this portion of his task His intention was to work to the mouth of the Sevier River where it empties into Sevier Lake now dry then after he and his men would be wintering in Salt Lake City that phase Again Gunnison split his party sending one group to explore the mountains at the northeast of the valley and he with the other group proceeded southwest down-river towards the lake which proved to befoolhardy decision Some miles down the river camp was made by Gunnison and his men inbend in the river that was thought to be concealed and well-protected with willow tamarack and high steep banks In the meantime Moshoquop warriors had learned of their presence they were carefully laying pless for an ambush Another quote from the Guanison Valley Centennial History states Before sunrise on the morning of October 26 1853 the camp cook arose and madefire Captain Gunnison went to the river to wash and was completely surprised and startled by the crack of gunfire The cook lay dead As Gunnison ran toward the fire his body was pierced by many arrows He dropped in the tall grass and carnage went on As he raised his hand to plead for mercy the shot of an Indian renegade took his life Somehow two men according to the account made their escape and attempted to find the other group some thirty miles away The separated group was soon found up the river immediately they returned to the scene of the tragedy The sight they encountered chilled them with fear It was several days before the settlers at Fillmore received the gory news of the massacre when they did Anson Call and other men along with Chief Kanosh who was friendly and extremely helpful to the pioneers left for the site The remains of Gunnisonmen were buried at the camp-site however Captain Gunnison was placed to rest in the Fillmore Utah cemetery In addition to Captain John Gunnison seven other men lost their lives in the massacre The loss of these eight men wasstaggering blow not only to their respective families but also to the nation aswhole It served to fire the indignation of people |
