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Today in History: Mormon militia massacres 120 Arkansas pioneers

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 10:35 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

On September 11 1857, Mormon militia members of the Utah Territorial Militia, aided by Southern Paiute allies, slaughtered the Baker-Fancher wagon train of Arkansas families bound for California at Mountain Meadows, Utah, killing at least 120 emigrants. The attack, driven by Utah War tensions, concluded a three-day siege and remains one of America’s deadliest frontier massacres.

1 of 1

Story summary

On September 11 1857, Mormon militia members of the Utah Territorial Militia, aided by Southern Paiute allies, slaughtered the Baker-Fancher wagon train of Arkansas families bound for California at Mountain Meadows, Utah, killing at least 120 emigrants. The attack, driven by Utah War tensions, concluded a three-day siege and remains one of America’s deadliest frontier massacres.