​

 

Judge Roger V. Logan, Jr. Wrote the following article that was subsequently published in the Utah Historical Quarterly. It gives a lot of insight into the people on the Baker side of the wagon train. Utah Historical Quarterly - Summer 1992.


LONG OVERLOOKED DOCUMENTS IN NATIONAL ARCHIVES REVEAL
DETAILS ABOUT MOUNTAIN MEADOWS MASSACRE VICTIMS
FROM NORTH ARKANSAS

By Roger V. Logan, Jr.
Accurate detailed information about the victims of the Mountain Meadows Massacre has, for many years, been scarce. Many writers have studied the event, attempting to place blame, to expose complicity, draw meaning or teach lessons from the tragic details of the killing1. But, even with a considerable amount of literature on the subject, reliable information about the Arkansas emigrants has remained hard to find. It is, therefore, difficult to describe my joy when, after having collected information about the Massacre for many years, Ron Loving, a descendant of John Fancher (brother of emigrant Alexander Fancher), called me and said that he had found depositions taken in 1860 from close relatives and friends of the victims of the Massacre. Loving read from one of the documents signed by an ancestor of mine, James Douglas Dunlap. It contained information about one of his two brothers who had fallen in the massacre. In all, there are depositions signed by seventeen people. They provide a glimpse of what the caravan was like.

Loving discovered the depositions while reading microfilm copies of the original records in the National Archives filed under the rather uninviting title Territorial Papers of the United States Senate 1789 - 1873, Roll 15, Utah December 31, 1849 - June 11, 1870. Amongst a number of other items on the roll were the sixty pages of depositions. The documents were made as part of a futile effort by Arkansas's U. S. Senator William K. Sebastian, apparently prompted by State senator William C. Mitchell, to get the Federal Government to reimburse seventeen of the surviving children of the Mountain Meadows Massacre for the financial losses they had sustained in the event.

 

 

JOHN T. BAKER

The organizer of one of the main contingents of the emigrant caravan was Captain John T. Baker, a farmer, cattleman and slave owner who lived on Crooked Creek near modern Harrison, Arkansas. His wife Mary, in her depositor made October 22, 1860, said:
"My name is Mary Baker. I was lawfully married to John T. Baker in the county of Madison and State of Alabama [in] ...1823; we emigrated to Arkansas in the year 1847 where we resided together ...until the said John T. Baker left his home in Carroll [now Boone] County...with a lot of cattle, horses...and I am informed and verily believe that after the said John T. Baker had proceeded as far as a place in the west known as "Mountain Meadows" he, together with a large number of persons in company with him, were murdered, and their property all stolen or appropriated by the murderers. The object my husband had in going to California was to sell a large lot of cattle with which he had started, and when he left here in April 1857, for California he was the owner of, and started with 138 head of fine stock cattle, 5 yoke of work oxen, 4 yoke of work oxen extra, two mules, one mare, one large wagon, provisions, clothing and camp equipage for himself and five hands. The cattle were all good stock, and all three years old and upwards were picked cattle and such as in this market at the date of his departure from this place were worth at the lowest cash price twenty dollars per head...[here follows a list of property and value] amounting in all as far as I now remember to the sum of $4148.00 … in this market. …"

 

John T. Baker and his son Abel Baker and his married son George W. Baker were all victims of the Mountain Meadows tragedy2. Another of Bakers sons, John H. Baker, also gave a deposition verifying what his mother had said. He added that his father had taken guns, saddles and bridles and gave detailed information about his cattle. John H. Baker said that he was familiar with livestock prices in Arkansas and in California. He said:

 

"I have been in California -- was there in the latter part of the year 1852, stayed there until the month of September 1854, and from my knowledge of the country, and the price of property I think the property that the said John T. Baker left here with in April 1857, would have been worth at Mountain Meadows the full sum of ten thousand dollars. This statement, however is only made from such general knowledge as I have from the western trade, and also from the information of other traders. I cannot now state what amount of money my father started with, but I know he had money with him but as to the amount I do not know."

 

John Crabtree, a neighbor who lived about half a mile from John T. Baker said:

 

"Mr. Baker was a very industrious man, and a shrewd, good trader. ... I was at the house of the said John T. Baker, frequently while he was collecting the cattle, and I was present in April 1857 when the said Baker started for California... . I...aided and assisted him on his way a few miles when he started."

 

Hugh A. Torrance said:

 

"In April 1857 I was living on the farm of the said John T. Baker and while he was gathering cattle for his intended trip to California, I helped take care of the cattle and to feed them. They were a good stock of cattle, well selected and likely."

One of the facts which becomes readily apparent from the depositions is that John T. Baker was the organizer and leading character in the contingent of the Mountain Meadows Caravan which originated at Crooked Creek. Most of the depositions mention the other victims as having gone west in company with Baker. It is interesting to note that none of the 60 pages of depositions mentions Alexander Fancher, the person traditionally thought to have been the leader of the caravan. There is other evidence which shows that Fancher was in the caravan when it passed through Utah and that he was referred to as its leader by a number of persons who saw it there3.

 

GEORGE W. BAKER

Another leading citizen of the caravan was John T. and Mary Baker's oldest son, George W. Baker. He took his wife and family along on the trip west. Only three of his children would return4. Joseph B. Baines, a neighbor of the Bakers, testified on the 23rd of October, 1860, as follows:

 

"I...was living in one fourth mile of John T. Baker when the parties all left for California in April 1857. I now reside at the same place I did then and within a quarter of a mile of Mary Baker the widow of John T. Baker. George W. Baker was the son of said John T. Baker and Mary Baker and I know that the said George W. Baker left here about the same time of his father in April 1857. When George W. Baker left he was the owner of in his own right and had in his possession a considerable amount of cash and personal property, and had sold out his lands and was moving to California. He had a wife and four children when he left here. [ Baker's wife Manerva Beller Baker and children: Mary Lovina Baker, Martha Elizabeth Baker, Sarah Frances Baker and William T. Baker.] He was guardian of Malissa Ann Beller and she was also in the company with him and he had in his possession as guardian of said Malissa Ann Beller the sum of seven hundred dollars in cash. I had paid him as guardian that amount for the said Malissa Ann, and know he had that amount. I think Malissa Ann had a bed [?], bedding, evening apparel &c but of what value I can not say. The amount of personal property within the possession of the said George W. Baker, and which he carried off with him as well as I can make an estimate from my knowledge and information, recollection and belief was as follows [:] 2 ox wagons, chains &c each worth $125, ... [He] Had in cash in hand about [$]500. He had beds and bedding, evening apparel for himself and family, provisions for himself and family worth [$]500, 3 young mares at $100 each, ... 1 rifle gun [$]25, 1 double barrel shot gun [$]25, 136 head of cattle (or about that number)... [total value $] 4,320. He had oxen, but how many he had I do not know. Neither do I know their value. Baker had a good outfit, and his family was well provided for in the way of evening apparel, provisions, &c, and I have placed the estimate at a sum that I am satisfied is a low estimate of what said property was worth in this market. The cattle were a very good lot... . Three of his children are now living within one quarter mile of me at their grand mother's Mary Baker. The oldest of the children were recognized by their friends and relations here as soon as they returned, and this fact convinces me that said Baker and family except the children were all murdered at Mountain Meadows...

William C. Beller, George Baker's brother-in- law, said:

 

"...I was present when he [George W. Baker] started to move to California in April 1857, and saw his cattle and outfit for the trip. I think that George W. Baker had, when he started from here, one hundred fifty or sixty head of cattle, in which was included about eight yoke of work oxen. I think the cattle without the oxen were well worth in cash in this market fifteen dollars per head. ..."

 

"He was moving to California, and had his wife, 4 children, Malissa Ann Beller, D[avid]. W. Beller, and 2 hired hands with him and was well supplied with provisions, clothing, etc for the trip. ... I could pick [the Baker children] out of the crowd of children when they were brought back here. I know they are the children of George W. Baker."

 

John H. Baker, already mentioned, testified about the composition of his brother's family and estimated the value of his 136 cattle, 8 yoke of oxen, 3 mules, and other possessions at $3,815.00. He also said that he knew that the three children returned to Arkansas were his brother's.

 

Irwin T. Beller, a brother-in-law of George W. Baker, swore that he had accompanied Baker for two days at the start of the trip west and that he was familiar with his stock and other possessions. He estimated the value at $5,135.00.

 

MILAM L. RUSH

Lorenzo D. Rush, Sr., was one of the earliest settlers of the area which is now Harrison, Arkansas. His son Milam L. Rush died at Mountain Meadows5. The elder Rush testified October 23, 1860, as follows:

"I am the father of Milam Rush and know that he left here in the month of April 1857, bound for California; he left in company with John T. Baker. When my son the said Milam L. Rush left here he was the owner of from ten to twelve head of cattle. He had one rifle gun, three blankets, knives and his wearing apparel, and also about twenty five dollars in cash. I think his cattle were worth at a low cash price at least fifteen dollars per head. …. [total] $268.00."
H. A. Torrance testified that he was well acquainted with Milam L. Rush and knew that he had left with about ten head of cattle. Torrance said he was a neighbor to Baker, Rush, and Deshazo who were all emigrants in the Mountain Meadows Caravan.

JOHN M. JONES, NEWTON JONES, PLEASANT TACKITT AND CYNTHIA TACKITT
Francis M. Rowan, testified about members of the Jones and Tackitt families. He said:
"My name is Francis M. Rowan: I reside in the County of Carroll and State of Arkansas. In April 1857, I was residing in the County of Washington in this state, and the said John M. Jones and his brother Newton 1ones, on their way to California camped some 10 to 15 days within five or six miles of where I lived at that time. I had been acquainted with the Jones boys for a number of years previous to that time, and when they camped there, I was frequently with the boys; I was at their camp and saw their property, and being well acquainted with the boys, Milam Jones, and Newton Jones particularly pointed out the property that they owned, showed me their cattle and oxen. ...My recollection, and belief is that the two Jones boys owned four yoke of work oxen, one large ox wagon. John M. Jones was married and had his wife and two children with him, and was moving to California. He had with him the widow Tackitt and three or four of her children; Newton Jones, John M. Jones, his wife and two children, Widow Tackitt and three or four children and Sebron Tackitt constituted one company in family groups. The Jones boys owned the wagon, oxen and outfit, and the others seemed to be traveling with them and depending on the Jones boys for their support. The wagon was large and very heavily loaded; I suppose John M. Jones had a gun and other fire arms but of what value or number I do not know. Newton Jones had a fine rifle gun. They appeared to be well supplied with beds and bedding and wearing apparel for an excursion of that kind, and also with Provisions."

Rowan said that the Jones herd consisted of eight head of cattle and four yoke of oxen. With their equipment and other possessions he estimated the value of their property to be $1075.00. Rowan thought that the Jones each owned half interest in the wagon and that Newton Jones had one yoke of oxen of his own. He said John M. Jones had a gun. He also said:

"There were several other persons along, and who had separate wagons. There were three men by the name of Peteat [perhaps Poteet], or Petteats. The oldest one of the Peteats was a married man, had his wife and children along; They had a separate camp and wagon; There was another man Pleasant Tackitt who had a separate wagon; and before they started George W. Baker drove up and camped near the others. The Peteats and Pleasant Tackitt had oxen and other property but I can not say how many. They had horses, and camp equipage, provisions, and appeared to be well fixed for the outfit. ... I have no doubt but what all the parties were murdered at "Mountain Meadows" in September 1857, except a few children who have been sent back to the states." ...

Fielding Wilburn also testified about the Jones and Tackitt group. He said:

"I was living near the Indian line in Washington County, Arkansas, in the month of April 1857. I was personally acquainted with John M. Jones, and Newton Jones, Pleasant Tackitt, and the Widow Tackitt mentioned in the foregoing deposition of Francis M. Rowan. When the parties above named, were on their way to California, and while they were in camped on Indian Line in Washington County, Arkansas, I was at their camp and stayed with them two or three days. I was well acquainted, and on intimate terms with the Jones boys, and saw their property. . . . John M. Jones and his brother had to my own knowledge: one large good ox wagon, 4 yoke of first rate work oxen. Their wagon was very heavily laden with clothing, beds and bedding, provisions, &c. ..."

Wilburn went on to say that the Jones had six or eight stock cattle and that there were other cattle totaling about sixty but he did not know to whom they all belonged. He mentioned that the Widow Tackitt, Pleasant Tackitt, Peteats and others were in the crowd and said that they all left Arkansas for California together. He said that this all took place sometime in the month of April, 1857. He said that the Peteats, Basham and Tackitts had three wagons, several yoke of good oxen to each wagon and had one horse and provisions. Felix W. Jones testified that he was a brother to the two Jones men who have been referred to. He said that John M. Jones was married and went west with his wife and two children. He said that Newton Jones was a young man and was going with his brother to California. Jones gave further details about the property his brothers had taken with them and confirmed a lot of what Wilburn had already stated about them.

ALLEN P. DESHAZO
James DeShazo, who lived in the same neighborhood as John T. Baker, lost a son, Allen DeShazo, in the massacre6. On October 23, 1860, he testified that his son had left for California with Baker in April of 1857 and that he believed he had been murdered at Mountain Meadows.
"He had seventeen head of stock. The most of the cattle were likely heifers, and were worth in cash over two hundred dollars the morning he left here. ... This together with his evening apparel worth fifty dollars, and a violin worth ten dollars was all the property that I can remember that the said Allen P. had when he left."

James DeShazo said his son's property was worth three hundred dollars. Hugh A. Torrance said young DeShazo's cattle were well selected and "likely" and worth $15.00 per head at least.

CHARLES R. MITCHELL AND JOEL D. MITCHELL
One of the most interesting depositions is that of State Senator, later to become Confederate Colonel, William C. Mitchell7. Mitchell had the melancholy job of describing his murdered sons' property. Earlier, he had written to Senator Sebastian (December 31, 1857) and said:
"Two of my sons were in the train that was massacred, on their way to California, three hundred miles beyond Salt Lake City, by the Indians and Mormons. There were one hundred and eighteen unmercifully butchered; the women and children were all killed with the exception of fifteen infants --- one of [my] sons, Charles was married and had one son, which I expect was saved, and at this time is at San Bernardino, I believe in the limits of California. I could designate my grandson if I could see him. "

Mitchell felt strongly that something must be done to punish the guilty in this matter. He continued:

"From all accounts the President has not made a call sufficient to subdue them; the four regiments together with what regulars can be spared is too small a force to whip the Mormons and Indians, for rest assured that all the wild tribes will fight for Brigham Young. I am anxious to be in the crowd --- I feel that I must have satisfaction for the inhuman manner in which they have slain my children8."

Colonel Mitchell believed that his infant grandson, John Mitchell, had survived the massacre. He wrote about the boy on different occasions and worked tirelessly for the return of the surviving children. Mitchell was appointed agent of the U. S. Government to go to Fort Leavenworth, in Kansas Territory, to receive the surviving children. He went there in August of 1859, and he, with others from Arkansas, brought the children back to Carrollton where they were distributed to their families, and in one case, to a friend. Two of the surviving children who had been kept in Utah to serve as witnesses should the guilty be prosecuted, were taken to Washington, D. C., and then delivered to Mitchell at Carrollton, Arkansas, in January of 1860.

It is because of William C. Mitchell that we have most of the original written records of who the emigrants were. He was present at the taking of most, if not all, of the depositions, and appears to have been the one who forwarded them to Senator Sebastian in Washington. Mitchell's own deposition tells about his sons and their property:

"I was personally well acquainted with said Charles and Joel Mitchell---they were my sons, and I assisted them in making their outfits for the trip in the spring of 1857. They left in company with John T. Baker and many others and were murdered as I am informed and believe at "Mountain Meadows" in September of same year. They were on their way to California, and when they left here they had in their possession and under their control the following personal property. They had cash when they left this county in April of 1857 about the sum of two hundred and seventy five dollars. They had thirteen yoke of good work oxen. They had sixty two head of other cattle and when they reached Washington County in this state, they wrote to me that they had bought ten head more and intended getting two more so as to make one hundred head in all. ... They had one large ox wagon, log chains &c. They had their wearing apparel, beds, and bedding and cooking utensils. The property they had with them when they left for California in April 1857, was worth in this market, at the date of their departure ... [as follows:] 13 yoke of work oxen @ $60.00 per yoke $780.00, 74 head of other cattle, cows, steers &c @ 12 $888.00, cash on hand when they left here [$]275.00, 1 large wagon, chains &c [$]120.00, 1 horse, saddle bridle [$]100.00, guns, firearms, knives &c [$]50.00, clothing, beds, and bedding, provisions, cooking utensils, camp equipage &c [$]300.00 [total]$2513.00. ... I believe that said property at Mountain Meadows would have been worth the sum of about five thousand dollars."

Sam Mitchell, one of William C. Mitchell's other sons, did not go west with the wagon train. He also gave a statement about his brothers. He said:

"I am a brother to Charles R. and Joel D. Mitchell mentioned in the foregoing deposition of William C. Mitchell. I was well acquainted with the outfit of the parties, and acquainted with all the property set forth in the tabular statement made by the said William C. Mitchell and from my knowledge of the property and its value I believe that the value therein given and estimated is a fair cash valuation. "

JESSE DUNLAP, JR. AND LORENZO DOW DUNLAP

William C. Mitchell's wife Nancy was a sister of two victims of. the massacre, Lorenzo Dow Dunlap and Jesse Dunlap. Jr9. The Dunlap Mitchell family had twenty - six members in the caravan and only five orphan children survived the massacre 10. Senator Mitchell gave a second deposition about his brother-in-law Lorenzo D. Dunlap. He said that:

"He was well acquainted with Lorenzo D. Dunlap who left for California in John T. Baker Company and that the said Dunlap had a wife and eight children who was all killed at or near a place called the Mountain Meadows, Utah Territory, except two small daughters who is at this time in my care and the said L. D. Dunlap had at the time he left Arkansas, the following described property to wit: four yoke of oxen worth sixty dollars each, twelve head of cattle worth fifteen dollars each, three guns, pistols, knives &c worth fifty dollars, one wagon, log chains, wagon sheet &c worth one hundred dollars. Provisions, cooking utensils, tent, bedding &c worth three hundred and fifty dollars. This statement is what property was worth at the time they left Arkansas in the spring of 1857. I am informed and believe it was worth more in Utah Territory. I was appointed special agent to receive and take charge of the children survivors of the Mountain Meadows Massacre and received the children above mentioned at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas Territory in August A.D. 1859 and returned them to Carrollton, Arkansas, in September 1859 and have no doubt of the death of L. D. Dunlap and [that he] was killed at or near the Mountain Meadows in Utah Territory. . . "

Three other family members verified that Mitchell's statement about Lorenzo D. Dunlap was correct. They were Samuel Mitchell, already mentioned, James D. Dunlap, and Adam P. Dunlap, both brothers of Lorenzo D. Dunlap.

My great, great, great grandfather, James Douglas Dunlap was, himself, helping to raise three of the orphaned survivors of the massacre. He also made an affidavit. He said:

"Jesse Dunlap and family left Marion County...en route for California in April, 1857 and was in company of Capt. John T. Baker and all of his family with the exception of three small daughters, I have no doubt, was killed at or near the Mountain Meadows in Utah Territory. And said Jesse Dunlap left with the following described property belonging to him, to wit: nine yoke of oxen worth sixty dollars per yoke, thirty head of cattle worth twelve dollars per head, five head of horses worth one hundred dollars each, three wagons, log chains &c worth one hundred dollars each, three guns, pistols and knives worth fifty dollars each at the time of departure... provisions, camp fixins, cooking utensils &c worth four hundred dollars. The said Dunlap family contained at the time he left a wife and nine children. The three youngest was delivered at Carrollton, Arkansas, in charge of William C. Mitchell special Agent in September A. D. 1859 and said survivors of said Jesse Dunlap is at this time in my possession. The said Jesse Dunlap deceased was my brother".

In a short statement, William C. Mitchell added that James D. Dunlap had the three children of Jesse Dunlap at his house "which is their home at this time."

In their affidavits, Robert H. Mitchell and William C. Dunlap tell how they were with William C. Mitchell, special agent for the U.S. Government, when he received surviving children from the massacre at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Territory11. These men said they were well acquainted with Jesse Dunlap and knew his outfit having traveled with him the day of his departure for California in the Spring of 1857. They said that the statement made by James D. Dunlap was correct. An additional affidavit made by Adam P. Dunlap and Samuel Mitchell also verified the accuracy of James D. Dunlap's statements.

CONCLUSION

The depositions, while not the only contemporary records of the Arkansas emigrants12, are some of the best. In reading them one can sense the concern that the affiants felt for the well being of the orphaned survivors who were bereft of parents and estate and who faced the prospect of great adversity. The depositions failed to accomplish their primary goal of securing government assistance under some sort of Indian depredations compensation act. Such laws were passed but none were made applicable to the Mountain Meadows survivors.

The documents are valuable for the detail which they add to the body of knowledge about the emigrant caravan, its composition and leadership. They also give some of the best statements of the purpose many emigrants had in making the journey west and also give an accurate account of the property owned by the emigrants. Since all the adult emigrants were killed there are few statements by persons who knew first hand what the emigrant caravan consisted of.
Footnote.

1. Lee, John D., Mormonism Unveiled; Including the Remarkable Life And Confessions of The Late Mormon Bishop, John D. Lee; (Written by himself.) ...Also the True History of the Horrible Burchery Known as The Mountain Meadows Massacre. Illustrated, St. Louis, Vandawalker & Co., Publishers, 1892, and Brooks, Juanita, The Mountain Meadows Massacre, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma, 1966, Gibbs, Josiah F., The Mountain Meadows Massacre. Salt Lake Tribune Publishing Co., Salt Lake City, 1910, Carleton James H., and Mitchell, William C., Report on the Subject of the Massacre at Mountain Meadows in Utah Territory in September 1857 of One Hundred and Twenty Men, Women, and Children, Who Were from Arkansas. And Report of the Hon. William C. Mitchell, Relative to the Seventeen Surviving Children Who were Brought Back by the Authorities of the U.S. After Their Parents and Others with Whom They Were Emigrating Had Been Murdered. [Arkansas State Senate Document] Little Rock, Arkansas, True Democrat Steam Press, 1860. There are many other books which deal with the Mountain Meadows Massacre and scores of newspaper articles and even some fictional books about it. See: London, Jack, Star Rover, Valley of The Sun Publishing Co., Malibu, California, Second Printing 1987, (originally published 1915).
2. Letter of William C. Mitchell to A. B. Greenwood Commissioner of Indian Affairs dated April 27, 1860, in Microcopy 234 Letters Received By The Office Of Indian Affairs 1824-1881 Roll 899 Utah Superintendency 1849-1880-1859-1860 M-244/1860, National Archives, (Microfilm Publication) Washington, D. C., 1957.
3. Brooks, Juanita, The Mountain Meadows Massacre, supra, pages 44, 49, 52, 69, 142 and 151 refers to the caravan as the Fancher Company, and see Lee, John D., Mormonism Unveiled, supra, page 242.
4. Mitchell, William C., Report on the Subject of the Massacre at Mountain Meadows, supra, page 32.
5. Ibid.
6. James DeShazo was a pioneer citizen of Boone County, Arkansas. He was killed during the Civil War and was buried at the Old Milam Cemetery northeast of Harrison, Arkansas.
7. Allen, Desmond Walls, The Fourteenth Arkansas Confederate Infantry. Arkansas Research, Conway, Arkansas, 1988, pages 9, 10, 12 and 42.
8. Letter of William C. Mitchell to Senator William K. Sebastian in 36th Congress, 1st Session. Senate Executive Document 42. Message of The President of The United States, Communicating, In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, information in relation to the massacre at Mountain Meadows, and other massacres in Utah Territory, Washington, D. C., 1860, page 42-43.
9. Ibid., page 47.
10. Carleton, James H. and Mitchell, William C., Report on the Subject of the Massacre at Mountain Meadows, supra, page 32.
11. Letters of William C. Mitchell to A. B. Greenwood in 36th Congress 1st Session. Senate Executive Document 42, supra, page 90.
12. The following letter from William C. Mitchell to fellow Arkansan Alfred B. Greenwood, Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the Buchanan Administration, is one of the best sources of information on the identity to the Arkansas emigrants who were involved in the massacre at Mountain Meadows. It is from the National Archives collection of letters received by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Utah Territory.

"Crooked Creek, Arkansas
Apl 27, 1860"
Sir
As there is no list of the names of the survivors of the Mountain Meadow Massacre of 1857, which was conveyed to their relatives and friends in Arkansas. [They are:]
Martha Elizabeth Baker
Sarah Frances Baker
William Twitty Baker
Rebecca Dunlap
Louisa Dunlap
Sarah Ann Dunlap
Prudy Angeline Dunlap
Georgeann Dunlap
Saphrona Huff
Christopher Carson Fancher
Triphena Fancher
John Calvin Miller
Mary Miller
Josiah Miller
Felix Jones
Mariam [Milam] Tackett
William Tackett

All of the above is in the care of their relatives and friends in Arkansas except Saphrona Huff who was taken by her grandfather Brown who lives in Miggs Co. Tennessee to Tennessee. There was two of those children wounded in the battle. Sarah Frances Baker shot through the left ear and Sarah Ann Dunlap shot through the right arm and her shoulder dislocated having no use of it and much less than the other. Those children vary in age from ten years to four years old. Also included you will find a list of the killed and missing as far as we can obtain them. All of the children that was large enough to recollect state that they were never in the possession of the Indians but kept by the whites.

I am Yours
Respectfully
WM. C. MITCHELL
Special Agt.
Hon. A. B. Greenwood
Commissioner of Indian Affairs
Washington City, D.C.

​

The following depositions are as they appear in the National Archives, Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are kept as close as possible to the original documents.
Ron Loving

State of Arkansas (1)
SS
County of Carroll

Be it remembered that on this 22nd day of October, 1860 personally came and appeared before me the undersigned, John Bunch, an acting and duly commissioned Justice of the Peace, and duly qualified as such within and for said county, Mary Baker, the widow of John T. Baker Deceased, to me, personally, well known to be the widow of said John T. Baker, deceased, and who after being duly sworn according to law, to testify the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in regard to the matters in and about the amount, kind, and quality of property which the said John T. Baker had in his possession, and owned in his own right when he left the county of Carroll and state of Arkansas in the month of April A.D. 1857. Deposed as follows, to wit;
My name is Mary Baker. I was lawfully married to John T. Baker in the county of Madison and State of Alabama on or about the ------- of ------ A.D. 1823; we emigrated to Arkansas in the year 1849, where we resided together as man and wife, and until the said John T. Baker left his home in Carroll County as aforesaid with a lot of cattle, horses, etc as herein often particularly specified; and I have been informed and truly believe that after the said John T. Baker had proceeded as far as a place in the west known as "Mountain Meadows." He, together with a large number of persons in company with him, were murdered, and their property all stolen and appropriated by the murderers; and I here state that I have not at any time incurred any pay, or return of any of the property that the said John T. Baker left here with as aforesaid. The object, my husband, the said John T. Baker had in going to California was to sell a large lot of cattle with which he started, and when he left here in April 1851 for California he was the owner of and started with the following described personal property that is to say:

138 head of fine stock-cattle
5 yoke of work oxen
1 yoke of work oxen, extra
2 mules
1 mare
1 large ox wagon
Provisions, clothing, and camp equipage for himself and five hands. The cattle were all good stock, and all three years old and upwards, were picked cattle and such as in this market at the date of his departure from this place were worth at the lowest cash price twenty dollars per
head and which would amount to the sum of $ 2,760.00
The nine yoke of work oxen were worth in
this market at the date of departure, fifty
dollars per yoke. $ 450.00
The ox wagon was worth $ 100.00
The mules were worth each $125 $ 250.00
The mare was worth $ 100.00
He had in cash the morning he left, the sum of
$98.00 in cash. $ 98.00
The clothing, provisions, tents, camp equipage,
etc, was worth here $ 350.00
Fine rifle gun worth $ 25.00
One Colt repeater. $ 15.00
------------
$4,148.00

Amounting in all as far as I now remember to the sum of Four thousand one hundred forty eight in this market. I have placed this estimate of the cattle and oxen at low figures, as I know that such oxen as those my husband left here with could not have been purchased at a lower price than from fifty five to seventy dollars per yoke. The stock cattle had been bought with the view to make quick sales on arriving at California, and were a well selected lot of cattle. My husband was a good trader and would not, and did not puchase any inferior cattle for the outfit. I believe that the foregoing statement of amounts, numbers and descriptions of personal property, is a true and correct inventory of the property that the said John T. Baker left this county with in the month of April 1857 and I am fully persuaded and really believe that the said property was worth at "Mountain Meadows," where my husband, as I am informed and believe, was murdered, the sum of about ten thousand dollars. I can only make this statement from information received from others, and heresay of course, that I only form my opinion from "heresay." But be this estimate over, or under the amount that the property was worth at Mountain Meadows, I have stated in the above facts truly, and faithfully upon my own knowledge, and upon such information as I deem reliable, and I make this statement upon a full knowledge of the facts stated in the annexed schedule as being within my own knowledge, so help me God.

Her
Mary "X" Baker
Mark

Sworn and subscribed to before me this day and year first herein written, and I do hereby certify that the above statement of the said Mary Baker was made by her, reduced to writing in my presence, read over to her and by her sworn to and subscribed in writing whereof I have hereunto set my hand as such Justice, the day and year of foresaid.

John Bunch J P

And at the same time and place came also John H. Baker to me personally well known, and who after being duly sworn, according to Law, to Testify and the truth to speak in requard to the matters in the captions hereof mentioned, deposed as follows that is to say;
My name is John H. Baker, I am a son of the witness Mary Baker (whose Deposition is hereto annexed) and John T. Baker, deceased. I have had hearing of the deposition hereto annexed of my mother, Mary Baker and I have of my own knowledge and recollection, full belief that her statements and calculations therein made and given are correct. I was living one half mile from my father when he started to California in April 1857, and know that he had the number of cattle and other personal property in said schedule set forth by the said witness, Mary Baker. I was well acquainted with the price of stock at that time, was also well acquainted with the kind, quality and worth of the property as mentioned in the tabular statement made in the deposition of the said Mary Baker, and I know that the personal property, therein mentioned was the property of my father, and that he started to California with all and more personal property than mentioned herein. He had more guns, saddles, bridles etc. than is mentioned in said stated estimate, etc. Know that such oxen as John T. Baker took with him could not have been purchased in this market and got fixed and ready for the trip under a cost of from Sixty to Seventy dollars. I know also that the mare and mules are put down at a fair estimate, and as to the amount of provisions and camp equipage, my opinion is that it is below the real value, but of this I can not say with so much certainty. I have been in California. I was there in the latter part of the year 1852, stayed there until the month of September 1854, and from my knowledge of the country, and the price of property I think the property that the said John T. Baker left here with in April 1857, would have been worth at Mountain Meadows, the full sum of Ten Thousand dollars. This statement however is only made from such general knowledge as I have from the western hands, and also from the information of other traders.

I cannot now state what amount of money my father started with, but I know he had money with him, but as to the amount I do not know. The stock cattle were a well selected lot of cattle, and were sold in this market at twenty dollars per head. I have a good knowledge of the quality of cattle, for I helped my father collect the cattle and also went a few days travel with him when he started to California, and have of my own personal knowledge gave the statements as regards the value of this property here. So help me God.

J. H. Baker
Sworn to and subscribed to before me this
22nd day of October 1860.
John Bunch J P

And at the same time and place, came also John Crabtree a witness known to me to be of lawful age and who, after being duly sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in regard to the matters in the caption hereby mentioned, upon his oath deposed as follows, to wit; I was well acquainted with John T. Baker in his life time, and was living about a half or three quarters of a mile from him when he left, in April 1857, for California. Mr. Baker was a very industrious man, and a shrewd, good trader.

I saw the cattle and property that the said John T. Baker owned and started with to California. I cannot give the exact number of cattle he started with, but he had somewhere between one hundred and thirty and forty head of cattle. He had two mules, one mare, one large ox wagon, provisions, camp equipage, and a general outfit for a trip from here to California. As to the amount of money he started with, I do not know. I believe the cattle he had and started with were worth in cash in this market the sum of Twenty dollars per head. I think the oxen he started with would have been worth fifty five or sixty dollars per yoke. I think the mules were worth at the time he left here one hundred and fifty dollars each. The mare was well worth in this market one hundred dollars. The ox wagon was worth one hundred and twenty five dollars. And from my knowledge of the outfit, and the amount of provisions needed for the support of the said John T. and his five hired hands, I would say that the estimate made by the witness Mary Baker at Three Hundred and fifty dollars is a very low estimate, and I think it would more nearly have reached the sum of Five hundred dollars.

I was at the house of the said John T. Baker, frequently, while he was collecting the cattle, and I was present in April 1857 when the said Baker started for California, and I had a good opportunity to notice the quality and condition of the stock and outfit, and I have made the above estimate of the prices and value of the stock of cattle, oxen, mules, wagon, mare, and etc.

On my own judgement, and from my knowledge of the value of property at that time and I think and believe that the estimate as made by the witness Mary Baker, is below the real value of the amount of property that the said Baker owned, had in his possession, and took away with him when he started to California in the spring of the year 1857; I was present when he started, and aided and assisted him on his way a few miles when he started. The John T. Baker of whom I speak was the same Baker of who Mary says, was murdered in the west at a place known as "Mountain Meadows". I also know that the witness of the said John T. Baker is the identical Mary Baker, the witness who has first deposed herein; she now lives at the same place where she did, where the said John T. Baker started in April 1857, for California, and I have been acquainted with the family and have lived a close neighbor for over 4 years next, before Baker left, and have lived a close neighbor to his widow ever since, so help me God.

John Crabtree
Subscribed and swornto-before me this
22nd day of October 1860.
John Bunch J P

Depositions herein was again resumed, and thereupon came Hugh A. Torrance, a witness known to me to be of lawful age, who after being duly sworn in accordance to law, to testify the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, in regard to the matters in the caption hereof mentioned upon his oath deposed as follows, to wit; "My name is Hugh A. Torrance, I reside in this county. In April 1857, I was living on the farm of the said John T. Baker. I was then in the employment of the said John T. Baker, and while he was gathering cattle for his intended trip to California, I halped take care of the cattle and to feed them. They were a good stock of cattle, well selected and likely. I know that the cattle he left here with, when he started to California in April 1857, were worth Twenty dollars per head, and perhaps had cost more to buy them and gather them up and feed them while he started with them. The oxen were worth from fifty five to sixty dollars per yoke. The mare was worth one Hundred dollars; The mules about one hundred and twenty five dollars each, the ox wagon was well worth one hundred and twenty five dollars, and from my knowledge of the outfit, provisions, clothing and camp equipage, I am satisfied that the same was well worth from three hundred and fifty dollars to five hundred dollars. He had one hundred and thirty five, or forty head of stock cattle worth twenty dollars per head, and I think he had nine yoke of work oxen worth per yoke from fifty five to sixty per yoke. I have been shown and had hearings of the tabular statement made by the witness Mary Baker, whom I know to be the widow of the said John T. Baker, and from my close and intimate knowledge of the property therein mentioned, I am satisfied that the estimate therein made is below what the property was worth in cash the morning that the said John T. Baker left for California and further this deponent saith not.

H.A. Torrance
Subscribed and sworn to before me this the
13th day of October, A.D, 1860
John Bunch J P
State of Arkansas
SS
County of Carroll

I, John Bunch, an acting, commissioned, Justice of the Peace, duly qualified as such within and for said county, do hereby certify and make known, that the annexed and foregoing depositions of Mary Baker, John Baker, and John Crabtree, and Hugh A. Torrance were sincerely taken before me on the days therein named.

That the statements, dispenses, and evidences of said several witnesses was reduced to writing in the presence of said several witnesses, and respectively read over to them in their presence, and hearing, and by them, severally sworn and subscribed to by them, I further certify and make known, that I am personally well acquainted with each witness, and know them to be reputable persons, and to be the identical persons who they represent themselves to be. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand officially as such, Justice of the Peace, this 23rd day of October 1860.

John Bunch J.P.
State of Arkansas
SS
County of Carroll

I, Sam W. Peel, as the clerk of circuit court, and ex officio clerk of this county court of Carroll County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that John Bunch, whose genuine official signature appears to the answered and foregoing certificate, was at the time of taking said depositions and the making of said certificate and now is an acting Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified as such within and for said county, and that his said certificate is in due form of law and by the proper office. That his signature thereto annexed is genuine and in his own proper hand unto, and that full faith and credit are due all his official acts as such Justice of the Peace.
In witness whereof I, Sam W. Peel, as the clerk of said court as aforesaid hereunto set my hand and seal.(The public seal of said court having been destroyed by fire) This 25th day of October A.D. 1860

S. W. Peel, Clerk.
State of Arkansas (2)
SS
County of Carroll

Be it witnessed that on this 22nd day of October, A.D. 1861, personally came and appeared before me, the undersigned, John Bunch, an acting Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned and qualified as such within and for said county, William A. Mitchell, of the county of Marion, and State of Arkansas, who after being duly sworn according to law, to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, in regard to the matters in relation to the property of Charles R. Mitchell and Joel D. Mitchell, who it is supposed were murdered at a place known as "Mountain Meadows" and whose property was taken my the murderers. Upon his oath aforesaid deposed as follows;

I was personally well acquainted with the said Charles and Joel Mitchell. There were my sons, and I assisted them in making their outfit for the trip in the spring of 1857. They left in company with John T. Baker and many others, and were murdered, as I am informed and believe, at "Mountain Meadows", in September of the same year. They were on their way to California, and when they left here they had in their possession and under their control, the following personal property. They had in cash when they left this county, in April 1857, about the sum of Two hundred and seventy five dollars. They had thirteen yoke of good work oxen. They had sixty two head of other cattle and when they reached Washington county in this state, they wrote to me that they had bought ten head more and intended getting two more so as to make one hundred head in all. I have no doubt from all the information I have on this subject, and I fully believe that when they left the state they had with them one hundred head of good saleable cattle. They had one large ox wagon, log chains, etc. They had their wearing apparel, beds, and bedding, and cooking utensils. They had guns, pistols and Bowie knives. The property they had with them when they left for California in April 1857 was worth in this market, at the date of their departure, at a fair and reasonable cash valuation as follows, to wit:

13 yoke of work oxen @ $ 60.00 per yoke $ 780.00
74 head of other cattle, cows, steers @$12 $ 888.00
cash on hand when they left here $ 275.00
1 large wagon, chains, etc $ 120.00
1 horse saddle & bridle $ 100.00
Guns, fire arms, knives, etc $ 50.00
Clothing, beds, and bedding, provisions,
cooking utencils, camp equipage, etc., $ 300.00
-----------
$2513.00

Amounting in all, the property that the said Charles and Joel D. Mitchell left this state with, for California in the year 1857, to the sum of Twenty five hundred and thirteen dollars. I have made the above estimate at what the said property was worth here, and know all as did know all the property above valued except the ten head of cattle that was bought in Washington County, of which I have no knowledge, only from heresay. But I believe that the amount above stated is a fair estimate of the value of said property at "Mountain Meadows," where the parties were murdered and robbed. I have no knowledge and from heresay but am informed and believe that said property was of double the value there to what it was here and from all the information I have been enabled to obtain I believe that said property at Mountain Meadows could have been worth the sum of about five or six thousand dollars. This last statement is only given as the information of others. So help me God.

Wm. C. Mitchell
Sworn to and subscribed to before me this
22nd day of October 1861.
John Bunch, J.P.

And at the same time and place came Samuel Mitchell, an other witness known to me, to be of lawful age, who, after being duly sworn in, in relation to the matter in the caption herein mentioned, deposed as follows:

"I am a brother to Charles R. and Joel D. Mitchell mentioned in the foregoing deposition of William C. Mitchell. I was well acquainted with the outfit of the parties, and acquainted with all the property set forth in the foregoing statement made by the said William A. Mitchell, and from my knowledge of the property and its value I believe that the value therein given and estimated, is a fair cash valuation of the property and its value in this market at the date of the departure of said parties for California. They left this county in company of John T. Baker and many others, all bound for California, and I have no doubt but what they were all murdered at a place known as "Mountain Meadows", so help me God.

Samuel Mitchell
Sworn to and subscribed on this 22nd day of October 1861 .
John Bunch, J.P.
State of Arkansas
SS
County of Carroll

I, Samuel W. Peel, as the clerk of the circuit court and exofficio of the county and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified as such within, and for said county, do hereby testify that John Bunch, whose official signature appears to be annexed, and foregoing depositions of Wm C. Mitchell, and Samuel Mitchell, was at the time said depositions were taken, and now is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said county, duly commissioned, and qualified as such, and that his official signature thereunto annexed is genuine and in his own proper handwriting, and that fullfaith and credit are due all his official acts as such. In witness whereof, I Samuel W. Peel, as clerk as aforesaid, have hereunto set my hand as such clerk, and affixed my private seal (The Public seal of said court having been destroyed by fire). Given under my hand this 22 day of October 1860.

S W Peel, Clerk
State of Arkansas (3)
SS
County of Carroll

Be it remembered, that on this 23rd day of October, 1860, personally came and appeared before me, John Bunch, an acting Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned, and certified as such within and for said county, Joseph B. Bains, who after being duly sworn according to testify the truth, the whole truth, in regard to the amount, quality and value of certain property which was in the possession of George W. Baker when he left here in the month of April 1857, and in company with John T. Baker and others bound for California, upon his oath as aforesaid deposition as follows;

I have lived in Carroll County, Arkansas for a number of years, and was living here in the month of April 1857, and was living in 1/4 of a mile of John T. Baker when the parties all left for California in April 1857. I now reside at the same place I did then, and within 1/4 of a mile of Mary Baker, the widow of John T. Baker. George W. Baker was the son of the same John T. Baker and Mary Baker, and I know that the said George W. left here about the same time of his father in April 1857. When George W. Baker left he was the owner in his own right, and had in his possession a considerable amount of cash and personal property, and had sold out his lands and was moving to California. He had a wife and four children when he left here. He was Guardian of Melissa Ann Beller and she was also in company with him and he had in his possession as Guardian of the said Melissa Ann Beller, the sum of seven hundred dollars in cash. I had paid him as Guardian that amount for the said Melissa Ann, and know he had that amount. I think Melissa Ann had a bed, bedding, wearing apparel, but of what value I cannot say. The amount of personal property within the possession of the said George W. Baker, and which he carried off with him as near as I can make the estimate from my knowledge, information,, recollection and belief was as follows, that is to say:

2 ox wagons chains, each worth at $125.00 $ 250.00
Had in cash on hand about $ 500.00
He had beds, bedding, wearing apparel for
himself and family, provisions for himself
and family, worth $ 500.00
3 young mares worth $100.00 each $ 300.00
1 rifle gun $ 25.00
1 double barrel shot gun $ 25.00
136 head of cattle(or about that number)
(worth in this market @ 20.00 each) $ 2720.00
-----------
$ 4320.00

He had oxen, but how many he had, I do not know. Neither do I know their value. The other specified property is all I now remember with sufficient knowledge so as to give an accurate estimate of the amount and value. Baker had a good outfit, and his family was well provided for in the way of wearing apparel and provisions, and I have placed the estimate at a sum that I am satisfied is a low estimate of what said property was worth in this outfit. The cattle were a very good lot, and taking into consideration the demand for cattle at that time in this market, I think the estimate is strictly within the cash limits of the market price here. The estimate of the cash paid him as Guardian for Melissa Ann Beller, may have been paid out in the stock purchased. But of this I am not positive; if the whole amount was expended in buying cattle, then the amount of the annexed statement included the value of George W. Bakers property and Melissa Ann Beller's estate. If perhaps all of said estate of said Melissa Ann Beller was not expended here for stock, then the above estimate is below the real amount of the value of said property. I have no doubt but what the said George W. Baker, his wife, Melissa Ann, and all others in his family, except three children were murdered at the massacre of Mountain Meadows.

​

​

​