James Hunt Killed by Indians

James W. Hunt, a son of Daniel D. Hunt and Nancy DavisDaniel D. Hunt
Martha Elizabeth Hunt
Hettie May Wilkes
Edward Loyn Blacker
Ruth Blacker Waite, was attending the April 1855 LDS General Conference in Salt Lake City, when he along with forty other men were called by Brigham Young to serve a mission in southeastern part of Utah, which is now Moab. It would be called the Elk Mountain Mission, and a fort was to be established so that peace could be made with Indians, and a colony could be created there.

In May, 15 wagons, 65 oxen, 16 cows, 13 horses and other animals, plus tools, grain and farming equipment left Salt Lake. The group arrived in the area June 11, 1855, and were greeted by friendly Indians who wanted white people to settle there. By July, they had built a stone fort, 64 feet square, 12 feet high and 4 feet thick at the base. They had also planted 3 acres of wheat, corn and potatoes.

On 18 July 1855 James wrote a letter to his father in Salt Lake. The following paragraphs are a transcription of the letter done by Loyn Blacker.

July 18th/55 Elk Mountain Mission Station

Father, dear sir, I sit down with pleasure and in the enjoyment of good health to address a few lines to you. It is also with pleasure and satisfaction that I perused your letter of the 6th which was delivered by C.----(not clear) and party on the 14th inst. We arrived here on the 10th of June. The distance is estimated at 405 miles from Salt Lake City. I have seen no part of the country yet that offered the slight inducement although this valley is the best that I have seen. A very small portion of this land is covered with good grass, the remainder is quick-sand not withstanding, we have put in from 30 to 50 acres of wheat corn, potatoes & ---(not clear) and are doing well.

O July 7th we laid the foundation of our fort which is 64 feet square & 12 feet high 4 feet and the base. The walls will be completed today.

When we arrived here an Indian was the scariest thing we had but now we are surrounded by them. Yes, they are friendly and show no disposition to steal or take that what does not belong to them and they are at all times more or less, during the day time in our camp. Some of them are beggars but as a general thing they are superior to those who are in the settlement begging for a living.

They own a great many horses and some of the first quality. Our fort which is built of stone is situated about one mile and 1/2 from Grand River near some small springs and a short distance from the mountain side. Grand river is about (?) rods wide and is fordable at this season of the year but when we came through we forded it and Green River. They are about 50 miles apart.

This valley is about 20 miles long and 3 miles wide. In short, the face of the country is rough, timber scarce and grass plenty only on large streams.

The Indian that was employed to carry the mail for the company came to the Green River and then got scared out at the high water and went back home.

Eight of our number are preparing to start for home tomorrow, a part of whom will return within about 1 month. Probably small companies of whom will keep coming in until all have a chance to come in this fall.

We have had no rain since we started of any consequence until today which runs through the wagon cover on my paper while writing. I must now close my letter. Write to me again. You can send it by the carrier of this letter. I would like to have a letter from the boys.

Yours Resp. J. W. Hunt

Sept 22, 1855, one of the men of the group wrote about a group of younger Indians who were beginning to cause trouble, becoming, “saucy and impudent.” The settlers began loading their guns and decided to change the herd ground further from the area, which was being guarded by some of the men. The troublesome Indians were very upset by that and demanded to know why. Five of them started to move to where the cattle were. James W. Hunt, started ahead of them, on his horse with his lariat. The son of the chief, Suit-Sac-Obts, known to the settlers as Charles, followed him on horseback, all the while taunting him, asking what he was afraid of. James, being apprehensive of danger, kept looking back towards Charles.

About a mile from the fort, Charles raised up on his horse and shot James in the back, with the ball entering downwards about 11/2” from the backbone on the left, and 4” from the small of his back. This was about 12:30. One of the two men who had been herding the stock, hurried to the fort for help, while the Indians temporarily left. Three or four men hurried to help James by carrying him back to the fort in a blanket, but were then attacked by the Indians who returned, raising a war whoop.

The men began shooting back, and bullets were whistling by the time the fort was reached. The Indians led by Charles, set fire to the hay sacks, also nearly destroying the corral, driving off cattle, but were driven off after dark. Two of the men from the fort, who had been away hunting, were killed, along with three of the Indians.

James died the next day. The bodies of the three were buried inside the fort, but when the settlers realized Indian runners were being sent out to bring more help, and that their water supply had been cut off, the settlers decided to leave while they still could. The friendly Indians were saddened by what had happened and apologized for the actions of the aggressive ones. The settlers arrived in Manti Sept 30, and the Elk Mountain Mission was closed.

More information about the Elk Mountain Mission is contained in chapter 6 of "The Wilkes Epic", written by Loyn Blacker.

Wilkes Epic Chapter 6

The specific locality James W. Hunt and his forty companions were assigned to, was a little valley on the Grand River, where the settlement of Moab is now located. Forty-one men were called on this mission, with Elder Alfred N. Billings having been appointed the president. The company left Manti in Sanpete County, Monday, May 21, 1855. James W. Hunt was then twenty-two years of age.

The company took with them fifteen wagons, sixty-five oxen, sixteen cows, thirteen horses, two bulls, one calf, two pigs, four dogs, and twelve chickens, besides implements, seed grain, etc, beside their provisions. After a hard journey, they arrived on Grand River on the evening of June 11th. On the 12th, they crossed the river and came to some land that was cultivated by Indians, who were friendly and wanted the white people to settle among them. By July, they had built a stockade corral of logs, set three feet into the ground, and six feet above, and had put in their grain, etc. and started work on a stone fort. The fort was finished July 19th.

This writer has in his possession, the first and possibly only letter written by James W. to his father. The fact that it is now one month over one hundred-twenty eight years old, the writing has become dimmed, and is difficult to copy, but an attempt will be made to decipher it so far as is possible. It contains interesting information.

On the back page of the Church News for several years has been and still to this date - -March 1984 - - has appeared weekly a series of articles entitled "Missionary Experiences

As indicated above the accompanying article appeared on the 16th of February 1974 telling of the tragedy which occurred to James W. Hunt, son of Daniel D. Hunt.

On the back of the CHURCH NEWS for several years has been and still to this date - March 1984 - has appeared weekly a series of articles entitled "Missionary Moments"
As indicated above the accompanying article appeared on the 16th of February 1974 telling of the tragedy which occurred to James W. Hunt, son of Daniel D. Hunt.