The Arkansas Emigrant Train

Today, the wagon train involved in the Massacre at Mountain Meadows is often called the “Baker-Fancher” train, or the “Fancher-Baker” train.  This, however, is misleading.  This name was given in the 1980’s-90’s in an attempt to portray the involvement of multiple wagon trains that had essentially merged.  A more accurate name is “The Arkansas Emigrants,” because the train actually consisted of approximately eleven individual companies, and could easily include more.  These emigrant companies left from many areas in Arkansas, including: Carroll County, Benton County, Johnson County, Washington County, and Marion County to name a few.  Most of these trains consisted of groups of extended family members, perhaps with a few additional members.  These companies left with the ultimate goal of reaching California, and of manifest destiny.  These groups met each other throughout the journey and had interactions with other companies not named above.  Groups would meet, travel together for a spell, and part ways again.

Contrary to popular belief The Arkansas Emigrants group (the Fancher-Baker train) did not meet up with each other until they reached Salt Lake City, Utah.  The plan was to meet in Salt Lake, rest for a short time, and travel South through Utah, towards Mountain Meadows as a large group.  The Fancher party was first to arrive, and the Baker party was last to arrive before the tragic events unfolded.  There were likely other groups intending to meet with the wagon train, but those who didn’t make it in time were spared from the massacre.  In Salt Lake City, the party stopped and attempted to resupply before beginning the last leg of their journey.  Brigham Young, after hearing that the emigrants were from Arkansas and allegedly Missouri (where a group of Mormons was persecuted and killed), ordered that the emigrants not be helped, but instead they were told that they could rest and graze their cattle at Mountain Meadows.  A rumor was spread amongst the Mormons that the emigrants poisoned a spring at Mountain Meadows causing the loss of several cattle and the death of a few people who ate the tainted meat.  These high tensions and feelings of resentment towards the Missourians led to the tragic events that unfolded.

SOURCES: 1)Mountain Meadows Association: http://www.mtn-meadows-assoc.com/

2)Lee, John D. Journals of John D. Lee 1846-47 and 1859, ed. Charles Kelly. Salt Lake City, UT: University of Utah Press, 1984.