History of Utah, 1540-1886 - Brigham Young University

THE GUNNISON MASSACRE. 469
with some of them by an agent of Brigham. At
daybreak all arose and prepared for their day's work,
but while seated quietly at breakfast the men were
startled by a volley of rifles, a flight of arrows, and
the yells of a band of Pah Utes, who had crept, under
cover of the bushes, to within twenty-five yards of
the spot. The surprise was complete. In vain Gunnison,
running forth from his tent, called out to them
that he was their friend. He fell, pierced by fifteen
arrows, and of the rest only four escaped, after being
pursued for several hours by the Indians. 57
Site of the Gunnison Massacre.
When Captain Morris reached the scene of the
massacre no bodies were found. There was hope,
therefore, that others were still alive, and a signal-Are
was lighted to assure them of safety ; but all the night
long no response was heard, nor any sound save the
howling of wolves. Still the men remained at their
post, though not more in number than the party that
had been massacred. At daylight the corpses were
discovered, and though none were scalped, they were
mutilated with all the atrocity common to the most
savage tribes. Some of them, among whom was that
of Captain Gunnison, had their arms hacked off at the
57 One of the survivors was thrown from his horse into a bush, where he
lay for several hours, the Indians passing him on every side. Beckwith, in
Eept. Explor. and Surveys, ii. 7-4.