| Description |
The Indian party followed the carriage, at a distance, until they reached First South Street in Ephraim, then turned west. When the carriage drove into the Charles Whit-lock yard, the wounded horse fell dead. Mr. Larsen and Lady Doctor Snow helped Andrew into the house where they cared for his wound. In a field, three blocks west of town, Martin P. Kuhre, 28, his wife, Hansine J., their two-year-old son, William, a friend, Elizabeth Peterson, 17, and Soren A. Sorenson, were harvesting potatoes when Chief Blackhawk led his renegade Utes onto the farm. Mr. Sorenson walked over to Blackhawk, who had been his friend, since childhood, and placed his hand on the warrior's saddle. The Chief informed him the Indians had come to take the cattle herd. While they were conversing, three Indians fired at Mr. Kuhre and killed him within thirty feet of the two men. Mr. Kuhre was carrying his little boy when he fell. The child crawled to his mother who picked him up, held him against her side furthest from the Indians, and fled toward town while crying for help. White Horse Chief shot Mrs. Kuhre in the back of her head with a bullet. She fell mortally wounded. Elizabeth was struck by two arrows, the two women fell side by side. One Indian stooped from his horse, lifted the blood-covered child, examined him, then rather gently dropped him on his mother's body. The Indians rode west and drove about three hundred head of cattle and some horses toward the canyon. They stationed guards along their trail. Townspeople soon gathered at the site of the massacre. John F. F. Dorius picked up the baby and gave him to an old lady named Buel Anderson, who cared for him. Father Peter Thompson's wagon and team carried the three bodies into town. By this time, Niels, Louis Larsen and William Thorpe had armed themselves and gone in pursuit. When the Indians reached the bin rocks above Guard Knoll, they took a stand. A battle ensued that lasted for several hours. William Thorpe was killed and Louis Larsen received a leg injury. The cattle were not recovered. -11- |
