Ellott Willden - Revision history

1857admin: /* His Later Statements Relative to the Massacre */

2014-01-12T18:21:44Z

His Later Statements Relative to the Massacre

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:21, 12 January 2014
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	According to Ellott Willden, Major [[Isaac C. Haight\|Isaac Haight]] ordered Major [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]] to have Willden and [[Josiah Reeves\|Josiah Reeves]] shadow the Arkansas company to ascertain their intentions. It was probably Saturday, September 5, when Willden and Reeves entered the emigrant camp at Mountain Meadows. Significantly, Willden noted that the emigrants treated them civilly. Willden also credibly shows that the original plan to attack the emigrants was not at Mountain Meadows but in a narrow canyon on the Santa Clara River some miles to the south.		According to Ellott Willden, Major [[Isaac C. Haight\|Isaac Haight]] ordered Major [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]] to have Willden and [[Josiah Reeves\|Josiah Reeves]] shadow the Arkansas company to ascertain their intentions. It was probably Saturday, September 5, when Willden and Reeves entered the emigrant camp at Mountain Meadows. Significantly, Willden noted that the emigrants treated them civilly. Willden also credibly shows that the original plan to attack the emigrants was not at Mountain Meadows but in a narrow canyon on the Santa Clara River some miles to the south.

	Willden described a key event that occurred either in the afternoon or evening of Monday, the 7th or, more probably, Tuesday, the 8th: the killing of [[William Aden\|William Aden]]. Willden identified [[William C. Stewart\|William Stewart]] and [[Joel White\|Joel White]] as the Mormon sentries who killed Aden and fired on his Arkansas ~~company~~ companion. But Aden's companion successfully retreated to the safety of the emigrant camp. Willden also described how [[Joseph Clews\|Joseph Clews]] and he raced past the emigrant camp in mid-week, dressed in Indian garb.		Willden described a key event that occurred either in the afternoon or evening of Monday, the 7th or, more probably, Tuesday, the 8th: the killing of [[William Aden\|William Aden]]. Willden identified [[William C. Stewart\|William Stewart]] and [[Joel White\|Joel White]] as the Mormon sentries who killed Aden and fired on his Arkansas Company companion. But Aden's companion successfully retreated to the safety of the emigrant camp. Willden also described how [[Joseph Clews\|Joseph Clews]] and he raced past the emigrant camp in mid-week, dressed in Indian garb.

	[[Image:Elliott willden.jpg\|right\|200px\|Elliott willden.jpg]]		[[Image:Elliott willden.jpg\|right\|200px\|Elliott willden.jpg]]

1857admin: /* In the Iron Military District: Private Ellott Willden, Company F, John M. Higbee's 3rd Battalion */

2014-01-08T09:18:02Z

In the Iron Military District: Private Ellott Willden, Company F, John M. Higbee's 3rd Battalion

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:18, 8 January 2014
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	In the 1859 arrest warrant, Willden was listed as "E. Welean."		In the 1859 arrest warrant, Willden was listed as "E. Welean."

	For years, little was known of Willden's role. However, as discussed below, in the early 1890s, Ellott Willden made some particularly revealing statements about many aspects of the massacre. The publication of his statements in Turley and Walker's ''Mountain Meadows Massacre: The Jenson and Morris Collections'' makes available some of the most important new source material from a primary witness to the massacre.		For years, little was known of Willden's role. However, as discussed below, in the early 1890s, Ellott Willden made some particularly revealing statements about many aspects of the massacre. The publication of his statements in Turley and Walker's ''Mountain Meadows Massacre: The Jenson and Morris Collections'' makes available some of the most important new source material from a primary witness to the massacre.

	~~<br>~~

	=== Married Life ===		=== Married Life ===

1857admin: /* Immigration to America and onto Utah */

2014-01-08T09:15:24Z

Immigration to America and onto Utah

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:15, 8 January 2014
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	=== Immigration to America and onto Utah ===		=== Immigration to America and onto Utah ===

	His family immigrated to the United States in 1849 and arrived in ~~Utah~~ in ~~1851 when Ellot Willden was around 18 years old~~. Charles Willden, Ellott's father, had worked in the iron mills in Sheffield, England and as soon as his ironwork experience was recognized, it was determined to send him and his family to the "Iron Mission" in southern Utah with headquarters in Cedar City. There the founding of the Deseret Iron Company was underway.		His family immigrated to the United States in 1849 and passed several years in the Mormon settlements in western Iowa. In 1852, they joined the Thomas C.D. Howell Company, which departed in June for Utah Territory. As they started their journey, the family consisted of Charles, 45, Eleanor, 42, Ellott, 18, Charles, 15, John, 13, Feargus O'Connor, 11, Ann Jane, 7, and Mary Ellen, 1.
			[[Image:Mormon Trail.jpg\|thumb\|center\|700px\|<center>'''The Mormon Trail'''</center>]]

			They passed the usual milestones on the trail: Fort Kearney, the South Fork of the Platte River, Chimney Rock, Fort Laramie, the Sweetwater River, Independence Rock, Devil's Gate, Green River, Fort Bridger, Bear River, and Weber River. After suffering the usual hardships of overland trail they arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake in September.

			Charles Willden, Ellott's father, had worked in the iron mills in Sheffield, England and as soon as his ironwork experience was recognized, it was determined to send him and his family to the "Iron Mission" in southern Utah with headquarters in Cedar City. There the founding of the Deseret Iron Company was underway.

	=== Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks ===		=== Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks ===

1857admin: /* Leaving Cedar City and Establishing Willden's Fort on Cove Creek */

2013-12-11T23:23:27Z

Leaving Cedar City and Establishing Willden's Fort on Cove Creek

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:23, 11 December 2013
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	=== Leaving Cedar City and Establishing Willden's Fort on Cove Creek ===		=== Leaving Cedar City and Establishing Willden's Fort on Cove Creek ===
	[[Image:Sketch Willden Fort.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|~~Reconstruction~~ of Willden Fort]]		[[Image:Sketch Willden Fort.jpg\|thumb\|right\|300px\|<center> A reconstruction of Willden Fort</center>]]

	In 1860, Ellott Willden and his father, Charles, visited Cove Creek, near the boundary line between Millard and Beaver counties and midway between Fillmore and Beaver. They made plans to establish a fort there. In 1861, the Willden family moved to Cove Creek and soon had built two houses, a dugout and a corral and had planted grain. Over time, they established Willden's Fort, a log-pole fort that became a convenient resting place for travelers journeying between Salt Lake City and southern Utah.		In 1860, Ellott Willden and his father, Charles, visited Cove Creek, near the boundary line between Millard and Beaver counties and midway between Fillmore and Beaver. They made plans to establish a fort there. In 1861, the Willden family moved to Cove Creek and soon had built two houses, a dugout and a corral and had planted grain. Over time, they established Willden's Fort, a log-pole fort that became a convenient resting place for travelers journeying between Salt Lake City and southern Utah.

1857admin at 08:07, 2 March 2012

2012-03-02T08:07:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:07, 2 March 2012
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	However, things improved somewhat in the next few years. By 1854, the inhabitants of Cedar City had left the confines of the original fort for Plat A, a new larger fort. Charles Willden had a lot and abobe-walled home next door to the ironworks chief engineer, Thomas Bladen, and two lots away from Cedar City bishop, [[Philip Klingensmith\|Philip Klingensmith]]. He also had an allotment in the community garden plot. In 1855, when it was determined to relocate the settlement again, Charles Willden had a lot in Plat B, which was located nearer to the foothills and southeast of Plat A. It occupied the area where the modern town of Cedar City now stands. By 1856, Charles had purchased a second lot and 22-year-old Ellott Willden had purchased a lot of his own.		However, things improved somewhat in the next few years. By 1854, the inhabitants of Cedar City had left the confines of the original fort for Plat A, a new larger fort. Charles Willden had a lot and abobe-walled home next door to the ironworks chief engineer, Thomas Bladen, and two lots away from Cedar City bishop, [[Philip Klingensmith\|Philip Klingensmith]]. He also had an allotment in the community garden plot. In 1855, when it was determined to relocate the settlement again, Charles Willden had a lot in Plat B, which was located nearer to the foothills and southeast of Plat A. It occupied the area where the modern town of Cedar City now stands. By 1856, Charles had purchased a second lot and 22-year-old Ellott Willden had purchased a lot of his own.

			==== The Deseret Iron Company ====

	In moving to Cedar City, the Willdens settled in an area dominated by the Deseret Iron Company, known more familiarly as the Ironworks. See [[Summary of Deseret Iron Company]] for a brief summary of its early development.		In moving to Cedar City, the Willdens settled in an area dominated by the Deseret Iron Company, known more familiarly as the Ironworks. See [[Summary of Deseret Iron Company]] for a brief summary of its early development.
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	=== In the Iron Military District: Private Ellott Willden, Company F, John M. Higbee's 3rd Battalion ===		=== In the Iron Military District: Private Ellott Willden, Company F, John M. Higbee's 3rd Battalion ===
			[[Image:Map southern utah 1.jpg\|left\|300px]]

	~~[[Image:Map southern utah 1.jpg\|thumb\|left\|300px\|Map southern utah 1.jpg]]~~		In 1857, the Iron Military District consisted of four battalions led by regimental commander [[William_H._Dame\|Col. William H. Dame.]] The platoons and companies in the first battalion drew on men in and around Parowan. (It had no involvement at Mountain Meadows.) [[Isaac_C._Haight\|Major Isaac Haight]] commanded the 2nd Battalion whose personnel in its many platoons and two companies came from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the north such as Fort Johnson. [[John_M._Higbee\|Major John Higbee]] headed the 3rd Battalion whose many platoons and two companies were drawn from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the southwest such as Fort Hamilton. [[John_D._Lee\|Major John D. Lee]] of Fort Harmony headed the 4th Battalion whose platoons and companies drew on its militia personnel from Fort Harmony, the Southerners at the newly-founded settlement in Washington, the Indian interpreters at Fort Clara, and the new settlers at Pinto.

	In 1857, the Iron Military District consisted of four battalions. The platoons and companies in the first battalion drew on men in and around Parowan. (It had no involvement at Mountain Meadows.) [[~~Isaac C~~. ~~Haight~~\|Major Isaac Haight]] commanded the 2nd Battalion whose personnel in its many platoons and two companies came from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the north such as Fort Johnson. [[~~John M~~. ~~Higbee~~\|Major John Higbee]] headed the 3rd Battalion whose many platoons and two companies were drawn from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the southwest such as Fort Hamilton. [[~~John D~~. ~~Lee~~\|Major John D. Lee]] of Fort Harmony headed the 4th Battalion whose platoons and companies drew on its militia personnel from Fort Harmony, the Southerners at the newly-founded settlement in Washington, the Indian interpreters at Fort Clara, and the new settlers at Pinto.

	In September 1857, 23-year-old Ellott Willden was a private in a platoon in Company F of [[John M. Higbee\|Major John M. Higbee's]] 3rd Battalion in Cedar City. See [[A Basic Account]] for a full description of the massacre.		In September 1857, 23-year-old Ellott Willden was a private in a platoon in Company F of [[John M. Higbee\|Major John M. Higbee's]] 3rd Battalion in Cedar City. See [[A Basic Account]] for a full description of the massacre.

1857admin: /* Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks */

2012-03-02T05:58:36Z

Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:58, 2 March 2012
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	=== Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks ===		=== Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks ===
	[[Image:Sketch - Iron works.jpg\|right\|thumb\|400px\|<center>'''The Early Ironworks in Cedar City'''</center>]]		[[Image:Sketch - Iron works.jpg\|right\|thumb\|400px\|<center>'''The Early Ironworks in Cedar City'''</center>]]

			==== Early Years in Cedar City ====

	In late October 1852, these working class immigrants from the West Midlands of England had joined other Englishmen as well as Scots, Welsh, Irish and others in the Iron Mission in southern Utah. On arrival, they lived in their wagons and a dugout. Ellott and his brothers tended the community livestock herd. They also tended ten head of sheep that they had brought with them. However, they passed a miserable winter, being short on both food and clothing. They subsisted largely on bran bread. By early spring 1853, they were digging roots and eating grass to survive. Ellott Willden's experience was probably similar to that of his brother Feargus O'Conner Willden (named after the Irish radical Feargus O'Connor) who feed sheep, milked cows, cut wood, and carried water.		In late October 1852, these working class immigrants from the West Midlands of England had joined other Englishmen as well as Scots, Welsh, Irish and others in the Iron Mission in southern Utah. On arrival, they lived in their wagons and a dugout. Ellott and his brothers tended the community livestock herd. They also tended ten head of sheep that they had brought with them. However, they passed a miserable winter, being short on both food and clothing. They subsisted largely on bran bread. By early spring 1853, they were digging roots and eating grass to survive. Ellott Willden's experience was probably similar to that of his brother Feargus O'Conner Willden (named after the Irish radical Feargus O'Connor) who feed sheep, milked cows, cut wood, and carried water.
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	In moving to Cedar City, the Willdens settled in an area dominated by the Deseret Iron Company, known more familiarly as the Ironworks. See [[Summary of Deseret Iron Company]] for a brief summary of its early development.		In moving to Cedar City, the Willdens settled in an area dominated by the Deseret Iron Company, known more familiarly as the Ironworks. See [[Summary of Deseret Iron Company]] for a brief summary of its early development.

			==== The Ironworks in 1857 ====

	In April 1857, the delivery of a new steam engine from Great Salt Lake City seemed to breathe new life into the ironworks. Working from April to June they installed the steam engine and completed the new engine house. In the first week of July, they were ready to begin smelting. They “put on the blast” and had a modicum of success. But they continued to be plagued with problems ranging from poor quality raw materials to smelting equipment that lacked technical sophistication. When in late July the steam engine seized with sand from the dirty creek water, they speedily dug a reservoir to store a supply of clean water for the boiler. They continued making smelting runs through August. All the while crews at the ironworks manned all the necessary functions there, while other crews, mainly miners and teamsters, gathered the raw materials – iron ore, coal, limestone, and wood – necessary to sustain smelting.		In April 1857, the delivery of a new steam engine from Great Salt Lake City seemed to breathe new life into the ironworks. Working from April to June they installed the steam engine and completed the new engine house. In the first week of July, they were ready to begin smelting. They “put on the blast” and had a modicum of success. But they continued to be plagued with problems ranging from poor quality raw materials to smelting equipment that lacked technical sophistication. When in late July the steam engine seized with sand from the dirty creek water, they speedily dug a reservoir to store a supply of clean water for the boiler. They continued making smelting runs through August. All the while crews at the ironworks manned all the necessary functions there, while other crews, mainly miners and teamsters, gathered the raw materials – iron ore, coal, limestone, and wood – necessary to sustain smelting.
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	From late April to September, those working up the canyon in mining or hauling wood, coal, limestone, rock, sand or “adobies” to the ironworks were [[Isaac C. Haight\|Isaac C. Haight]], [[James Williamson\|James Williamson]], [[George Hunter\|George Hunter]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Ira Allen\|Ira Allen]], [[Ellott Willden\|Ellott Wilden]], [[Swen Jacobs\|Swen Jacobs]], [[Alexander_H._Loveridge\|Alex Loveridge]], [[Joel White\|Joel White]], [[Ezra H. Curtis\|Ezra Curtis]], [[Samuel McMurdie\|Samuel McMurdie]], [[Samuel Pollock\|Samuel Pollock]], [[John Jacobs\|John Jacobs]], [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]], [[John M. Macfarlane\|John M. Macfarlane]], [[Samuel Jewkes\|Samuel Jewkes]], [[Nephi Johnson\|Nephi Johnson]], [[Thomas H. Cartwright\|Thomas Cartwright]], [[William Bateman\|William Bateman]], Elias Morris, [[Benjamin A. Arthur\|Benjamin Arthur]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Robert Wiley\|Robert Wiley]], and [[Philip Klingensmith\|Philip Klingensmith]]. Those working at the ironworks on the furnace, engine, coke ovens or blacksmith shop included Elias Morris, [[John S. Humphries\|John Humphries]], [[Ira Allen\|Ira Allen]], [[John M. Urie\|John Urie]], [[Benjamin A. Arthur\|Benjamin Arthur]], [[James Williamson\|James Williamson]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Samuel Jewkes\|Samuel Jewkes]], [[Joseph Clews\|Joseph Clews]], [[Richard Harrison\|Richard Harrison]], [[William C. Stewart\|William C. Stewart]], [[William Bateman\|William Bateman]], [[John M. Macfarlane\|John M Macfarlane]], [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]], [[John Jacobs\|John Jacobs]], [[George Hunter\|George Hunter]], [[Samuel Pollock\|Samuel Pollock]], [[William S. Riggs\|William S. Riggs]], [[Alexander_H._Loveridge\|Alex Loveridge]], [[Ellott Willden\|Ellott Wilden]], [[Ezra H. Curtis\|Ezra Curtis]], [[Eleazer Edwards\|Eliezar Edwards]], [[Swen Jacobs\|Swen Jacobs]], [[Joel White\|Joel White]], and [[Thomas H. Cartwright\|Thomas Cartwright]]. (The two lists overlap because some worked both in the canyon and at the Ironworks.) Other prominent figures at the ironworks who were not later involved at Mountain Meadows were Samuel Leigh, George Horton, James H. Haslem, Laban Morrell, John Chatterley, Thomas Gower, Thomas Crowther and others.		From late April to September, those working up the canyon in mining or hauling wood, coal, limestone, rock, sand or “adobies” to the ironworks were [[Isaac C. Haight\|Isaac C. Haight]], [[James Williamson\|James Williamson]], [[George Hunter\|George Hunter]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Ira Allen\|Ira Allen]], [[Ellott Willden\|Ellott Wilden]], [[Swen Jacobs\|Swen Jacobs]], [[Alexander_H._Loveridge\|Alex Loveridge]], [[Joel White\|Joel White]], [[Ezra H. Curtis\|Ezra Curtis]], [[Samuel McMurdie\|Samuel McMurdie]], [[Samuel Pollock\|Samuel Pollock]], [[John Jacobs\|John Jacobs]], [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]], [[John M. Macfarlane\|John M. Macfarlane]], [[Samuel Jewkes\|Samuel Jewkes]], [[Nephi Johnson\|Nephi Johnson]], [[Thomas H. Cartwright\|Thomas Cartwright]], [[William Bateman\|William Bateman]], Elias Morris, [[Benjamin A. Arthur\|Benjamin Arthur]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Robert Wiley\|Robert Wiley]], and [[Philip Klingensmith\|Philip Klingensmith]]. Those working at the ironworks on the furnace, engine, coke ovens or blacksmith shop included Elias Morris, [[John S. Humphries\|John Humphries]], [[Ira Allen\|Ira Allen]], [[John M. Urie\|John Urie]], [[Benjamin A. Arthur\|Benjamin Arthur]], [[James Williamson\|James Williamson]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Samuel Jewkes\|Samuel Jewkes]], [[Joseph Clews\|Joseph Clews]], [[Richard Harrison\|Richard Harrison]], [[William C. Stewart\|William C. Stewart]], [[William Bateman\|William Bateman]], [[John M. Macfarlane\|John M Macfarlane]], [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]], [[John Jacobs\|John Jacobs]], [[George Hunter\|George Hunter]], [[Samuel Pollock\|Samuel Pollock]], [[William S. Riggs\|William S. Riggs]], [[Alexander_H._Loveridge\|Alex Loveridge]], [[Ellott Willden\|Ellott Wilden]], [[Ezra H. Curtis\|Ezra Curtis]], [[Eleazer Edwards\|Eliezar Edwards]], [[Swen Jacobs\|Swen Jacobs]], [[Joel White\|Joel White]], and [[Thomas H. Cartwright\|Thomas Cartwright]]. (The two lists overlap because some worked both in the canyon and at the Ironworks.) Other prominent figures at the ironworks who were not later involved at Mountain Meadows were Samuel Leigh, George Horton, James H. Haslem, Laban Morrell, John Chatterley, Thomas Gower, Thomas Crowther and others.

			==== Willden's Role with the Ironworks in 1857 ====

	During this period in mid-1857, Ellott Willden had a variety of specific roles including working on the canyon road to the coal mines, making "adobies" for the furnace and other structures, hauling wood to be made into charcoal, and helping make the reservoir to supply water to the steam engine.		During this period in mid-1857, Ellott Willden had a variety of specific roles including working on the canyon road to the coal mines, making "adobies" for the furnace and other structures, hauling wood to be made into charcoal, and helping make the reservoir to supply water to the steam engine.

1857admin: /* Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks */

2012-03-02T05:56:09Z

Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:56, 2 March 2012
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	=== Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks ===		=== Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks ===
	[[Image:Sketch - Iron works.jpg\|right\|thumb\|The Early Ironworks in Cedar City~~\|400px~~]]		[[Image:Sketch - Iron works.jpg\|right\|thumb\|400px\|<center>'''The Early Ironworks in Cedar City'''</center>]]

	In late October 1852, these working class immigrants from the West Midlands of England had joined other Englishmen as well as Scots, Welsh, Irish and others in the Iron Mission in southern Utah. On arrival, they lived in their wagons and a dugout. Ellott and his brothers tended the community livestock herd. They also tended ten head of sheep that they had brought with them. However, they passed a miserable winter, being short on both food and clothing. They subsisted largely on bran bread. By early spring 1853, they were digging roots and eating grass to survive. Ellott Willden's experience was probably similar to that of his brother Feargus O'Conner Willden (named after the Irish radical Feargus O'Connor) who feed sheep, milked cows, cut wood, and carried water.		In late October 1852, these working class immigrants from the West Midlands of England had joined other Englishmen as well as Scots, Welsh, Irish and others in the Iron Mission in southern Utah. On arrival, they lived in their wagons and a dugout. Ellott and his brothers tended the community livestock herd. They also tended ten head of sheep that they had brought with them. However, they passed a miserable winter, being short on both food and clothing. They subsisted largely on bran bread. By early spring 1853, they were digging roots and eating grass to survive. Ellott Willden's experience was probably similar to that of his brother Feargus O'Conner Willden (named after the Irish radical Feargus O'Connor) who feed sheep, milked cows, cut wood, and carried water.

1857admin: /* References */

2012-02-28T10:01:11Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:01, 28 February 2012
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	= References =		= References =

	Bagley, ''Blood of the Prophets,'' 128; Bigler and Bagley, ''Innocent Blood: Essential Narratives,'' 344, 393; Bradley, ''A History of Beaver County'', 71; Carter, ed., ''Heart Throbs of the West,'' 4:135; Gottfredson, ''Indian Depredations in Utah,'' 231; Jenson, ''Encyclopedic History of the Church,'' 162; Lee, ''Mormonism Unveiled,'' 293, 380; Lee Trial transcripts; Lyman and Newell, ''A History of Millard County,'' 105-106; Merkley, ed., ''Monuments to Courage,'' 33, 37, 52, 134-35; Olsen, "The History of Charles and Eleanor Turner Willden" (accessed at http://handfamily.org/02360004.htm); Palmer, “The Early Sheep Industry in Southern Utah,'' Utah Historical Quarterly'', 42/2 (Spring 1974), 179; Seegmiller, ''A History of Iron County,'' 374, fn. 7; Shirts and Shirts, ''A Trial Furnace,'' 62 fn. 69, 175, 288, 293, 297-98, 329, 331, 474, 484, 487, 496; Turley and Walker, ''Mountain Meadows Massacre: The Jenson and Morris Collections;'' 133-223; Utah State Archive and Records and Service, Commissioner of Indian War Records, Indian War Service Affidavits, affidavit of Ellott Willden, accessed at http://archives.utah.gov/research/inventories/2217.html; Walker, et al, ''Massacre at Mountain Meadows,'' 140-41, 149, 151-52, 157, 159, 163, 171-72, 179, 230, Appendix C, 264; Charles Willden, ''Biography of Charles Willden, 1806-188'' (accessed at http://handfamily.org/02360002.htm); and Gary Young, family history records of Ellott Willden.		Bagley, ''Blood of the Prophets,'' 128; Bigler and Bagley, ''Innocent Blood: Essential Narratives,'' 344, 393; Brooks, ed., ''Journal of the Southern Indian Mission,'' 120; Bradley, ''A History of Beaver County'', 71; Carter, ed., ''Heart Throbs of the West,'' 4:135; Gottfredson, ''Indian Depredations in Utah,'' 231; Jenson, ''Encyclopedic History of the Church,'' 162; Lee, ''Mormonism Unveiled,'' 293, 380; Lee Trial transcripts; Lyman and Newell, ''A History of Millard County,'' 105-106; Merkley, ed., ''Monuments to Courage,'' 33, 37, 52, 134-35; Olsen, "The History of Charles and Eleanor Turner Willden" (accessed at http://handfamily.org/02360004.htm); Palmer, “The Early Sheep Industry in Southern Utah,'' Utah Historical Quarterly'', 42/2 (Spring 1974), 179; Seegmiller, ''A History of Iron County,'' 374, fn. 7; Shirts and Shirts, ''A Trial Furnace,'' 62 fn. 69, 175, 288, 293, 297-98, 329, 331, 474, 484, 487, 496; Turley and Walker, ''Mountain Meadows Massacre: The Jenson and Morris Collections;'' 133-223; Utah State Archive and Records and Service, Commissioner of Indian War Records, Indian War Service Affidavits, affidavit of Ellott Willden, accessed at http://archives.utah.gov/research/inventories/2217.html; Walker, et al, ''Massacre at Mountain Meadows,'' 140-41, 149, 151-52, 157, 159, 163, 171-72, 179, 230, Appendix C, 264; Charles Willden, ''Biography of Charles Willden, 1806-188'' (accessed at http://handfamily.org/02360002.htm); and Gary Young, family history records of Ellott Willden.

	For full bibliographic information see [[Bibliography]].		For full bibliographic information see [[Bibliography]].

1857admin: /* Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks */

2012-01-30T09:54:14Z

Moving to Cedar City and the Ironworks

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:54, 30 January 2012
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	In moving to Cedar City, the Willdens settled in an area dominated by the Deseret Iron Company, known more familiarly as the Ironworks. See [[Summary of Deseret Iron Company]] for a brief summary of its early development.		In moving to Cedar City, the Willdens settled in an area dominated by the Deseret Iron Company, known more familiarly as the Ironworks. See [[Summary of Deseret Iron Company]] for a brief summary of its early development.

	In April 1857, the delivery of a new steam engine from Great Salt Lake City seemed to breathe new life ~~for~~ the ~~Ironworks~~. ~~After its arrival,~~ they ~~built a new room to house~~ the engine~~, connected its boiler to a steady water supply~~ and ~~modified the furnace to accommodate~~ the engine. In ~~early June~~ they ~~started an iron run using the steam engine~~. ~~However,~~ the ~~new machinery created its own set~~ of problems. ~~Through~~ the ~~end of July~~, they ~~experimented with different configurations~~ of ~~furnace~~, ~~engine~~ and ~~piping~~, ~~attempting~~ to ~~optimize the blast furnace~~.		In April 1857, the delivery of a new steam engine from Great Salt Lake City seemed to breathe new life into the ironworks. Working from April to June they installed the steam engine and completed the new engine house. In the first week of July, they were ready to begin smelting. They “put on the blast” and had a modicum of success. But they continued to be plagued with problems ranging from poor quality raw materials to smelting equipment that lacked technical sophistication. When in late July the steam engine seized with sand from the dirty creek water, they speedily dug a reservoir to store a supply of clean water for the boiler. They continued making smelting runs through August. All the while crews at the ironworks manned all the necessary functions there, while other crews, mainly miners and teamsters, gathered the raw materials – iron ore, coal, limestone, and wood – necessary to sustain smelting.

	~~From late April through July, those working up the canyon in mining or hauling wood, coal, limestone, rock, sand or “adobies” to the ironworks were [[Isaac C~~. ~~Haight\|Isaac C. Haight]]~~, [[James Williamson\|James Williamson]], [[George Hunter\|George Hunter]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Ira Allen\|Ira Allen]], [[Ellott Willden\|Ellott Wilden]], [[Swen Jacobs\|Swen Jacobs]], [[Alexander_H._Loveridge\|Alex Loveridge]], [[Joel White\|Joel White]], [[Ezra H. Curtis\|Ezra Curtis]], [[Samuel McMurdie\|Samuel McMurdie]], [[Samuel Pollock\|Samuel Pollock]], [[John Jacobs\|John Jacobs]], [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]], [[John M. Macfarlane\|John M. Macfarlane]], [[Samuel Jewkes\|Samuel Jewkes]], [[Nephi Johnson\|Nephi Johnson]], [[Thomas H. Cartwright\|Thomas Cartwright]], [[William Bateman\|William Bateman]], Elias Morris, [[Benjamin A. Arthur\|Benjamin Arthur]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Robert Wiley\|Robert Wiley]], and ~~[[Philip Klingensmith\|Philip Klingensmith]]. Those working at~~ the ~~ironworks on~~ the furnace~~, engine, coke ovens or blacksmith shop included Elias Morris, [[John S~~. ~~Humphries\|John Humphries]]~~, ~~[[Ira Allen\|Ira Allen]]~~, ~~[[John M. Urie\|John Urie]]~~, [[Benjamin A. Arthur\|Benjamin Arthur]], [[James Williamson\|James Williamson]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Samuel Jewkes\|Samuel Jewkes]], [[Joseph Clews\|Joseph Clews]], [[Richard Harrison\|Richard Harrison]], [[William C. ~~Stewart\|William C. Stewart]], [[William Bateman\|William Bateman]]~~, [[John M. Macfarlane\|John M Macfarlane]], [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]], [[John Jacobs\|John Jacobs]], [[George Hunter\|George Hunter]], [[Samuel Pollock\|Samuel Pollock]], [[William S. Riggs\|William S. Riggs]], [[Alexander_H._Loveridge\|Alex Loveridge]], [[Ellott Willden\|Ellott Wilden]], [[Ezra H. Curtis\|Ezra Curtis]], [[Eleazer Edwards\|Eliezar Edwards]], [[Swen Jacobs\|Swen Jacobs]], [[Joel White\|Joel White]], and [[Thomas H. Cartwright\|Thomas Cartwright]]. (The two lists overlap because some worked both in the canyon and at the Ironworks.) Other prominent figures at the ironworks who were not later involved at Mountain Meadows were Samuel Leigh, George Horton, James H. Haslem, Laban Morrell, John Chatterley, Thomas Gower, Thomas Crowther and others.		The smelting continued until September 13. In other words, around September 3, when a dispute arose between some settlers and several men in the passing Arkansas company, the blast furnace was running nonstop. And when Cedar City militiamen, many of them ironworkers, mustered to Mountain Meadows where they were involved in the massacre on September 11, other ironworkers in Cedar City continued the smelting runs night and day. For additional details, see [[Smelting at the Ironworks in 1857]].

	By the ~~time reports reached them~~ in ~~early August of a threatened “invasion” of U~~.S. ~~troops into Utah~~, ~~they had decided on further changes to~~ the ironworks~~. They determined that a reservoir was necessary so as to provide a steady supply of filtered water to~~ the ~~steam~~ engine. ~~Immediately~~, ~~they set to work~~, ~~digging~~, ~~lining~~ and ~~filling~~ the ~~reservoir~~. ~~From late August to early September~~, ~~shortly before the crisis involving the passing Arkansas emigrant company~~, ~~they began a new furnace run~~. ~~But it~~, ~~too~~, ~~ended in failure~~, ~~probably around the time that a dispute arose between some community members~~ and ~~several of those in the passing Arkansas wagon train~~.		From late April to September, those working up the canyon in mining or hauling wood, coal, limestone, rock, sand or “adobies” to the ironworks were [[Isaac C. Haight\|Isaac C. Haight]], [[James Williamson\|James Williamson]], [[George Hunter\|George Hunter]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Ira Allen\|Ira Allen]], [[Ellott Willden\|Ellott Wilden]], [[Swen Jacobs\|Swen Jacobs]], [[Alexander_H._Loveridge\|Alex Loveridge]], [[Joel White\|Joel White]], [[Ezra H. Curtis\|Ezra Curtis]], [[Samuel McMurdie\|Samuel McMurdie]], [[Samuel Pollock\|Samuel Pollock]], [[John Jacobs\|John Jacobs]], [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]], [[John M. Macfarlane\|John M. Macfarlane]], [[Samuel Jewkes\|Samuel Jewkes]], [[Nephi Johnson\|Nephi Johnson]], [[Thomas H. Cartwright\|Thomas Cartwright]], [[William Bateman\|William Bateman]], Elias Morris, [[Benjamin A. Arthur\|Benjamin Arthur]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Robert Wiley\|Robert Wiley]], and [[Philip Klingensmith\|Philip Klingensmith]]. Those working at the ironworks on the furnace, engine, coke ovens or blacksmith shop included Elias Morris, [[John S. Humphries\|John Humphries]], [[Ira Allen\|Ira Allen]], [[John M. Urie\|John Urie]], [[Benjamin A. Arthur\|Benjamin Arthur]], [[James Williamson\|James Williamson]], [[Joseph H. Smith\|Joseph H. Smith]], [[Samuel Jewkes\|Samuel Jewkes]], [[Joseph Clews\|Joseph Clews]], [[Richard Harrison\|Richard Harrison]], [[William C. Stewart\|William C. Stewart]], [[William Bateman\|William Bateman]], [[John M. Macfarlane\|John M Macfarlane]], [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]], [[John Jacobs\|John Jacobs]], [[George Hunter\|George Hunter]], [[Samuel Pollock\|Samuel Pollock]], [[William S. Riggs\|William S. Riggs]], [[Alexander_H._Loveridge\|Alex Loveridge]], [[Ellott Willden\|Ellott Wilden]], [[Ezra H. Curtis\|Ezra Curtis]], [[Eleazer Edwards\|Eliezar Edwards]], [[Swen Jacobs\|Swen Jacobs]], [[Joel White\|Joel White]], and [[Thomas H. Cartwright\|Thomas Cartwright]]. (The two lists overlap because some worked both in the canyon and at the Ironworks.) Other prominent figures at the ironworks who were not later involved at Mountain Meadows were Samuel Leigh, George Horton, James H. Haslem, Laban Morrell, John Chatterley, Thomas Gower, Thomas Crowther and others.

	During this period in mid-1857, Ellott Willden had a variety of specific roles including working on the canyon road to the coal mines, making "adobies" for the furnace and other structures, hauling wood to be made into charcoal, and helping make the reservoir to supply water to the steam engine.		During this period in mid-1857, Ellott Willden had a variety of specific roles including working on the canyon road to the coal mines, making "adobies" for the furnace and other structures, hauling wood to be made into charcoal, and helping make the reservoir to supply water to the steam engine.

1857admin at 09:22, 26 January 2012

2012-01-26T09:22:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:22, 26 January 2012
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	=== In the Iron Military District: Private Ellott Willden, Company F, John M. Higbee's 3rd Battalion ===		=== In the Iron Military District: Private Ellott Willden, Company F, John M. Higbee's 3rd Battalion ===

	[[Image:Map southern utah 1.jpg\|thumb\|left\|300px]]		[[Image:Map southern utah 1.jpg\|thumb\|left\|300px\|Map southern utah 1.jpg]]

	In 1857, the Iron Military District consisted of four battalions. The platoons and companies in the first battalion drew on men in and around Parowan. (It had no involvement at Mountain Meadows.) [[Isaac C. Haight\|Major Isaac Haight]] commanded the 2nd Battalion whose personnel in its many platoons and two companies came from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the north such as Fort Johnson. [[John M. Higbee\|Major John Higbee]] headed the 3rd Battalion whose many platoons and two companies were drawn from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the southwest such as Fort Hamilton. [[John D. Lee\|Major John D. Lee]] of Fort Harmony headed the 4th Battalion whose platoons and companies drew on its militia personnel from Fort Harmony, the Southerners at the newly-founded settlement in Washington, the Indian interpreters at Fort Clara, and the new settlers at Pinto.		In 1857, the Iron Military District consisted of four battalions. The platoons and companies in the first battalion drew on men in and around Parowan. (It had no involvement at Mountain Meadows.) [[Isaac C. Haight\|Major Isaac Haight]] commanded the 2nd Battalion whose personnel in its many platoons and two companies came from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the north such as Fort Johnson. [[John M. Higbee\|Major John Higbee]] headed the 3rd Battalion whose many platoons and two companies were drawn from Cedar City and outer-lying communities to the southwest such as Fort Hamilton. [[John D. Lee\|Major John D. Lee]] of Fort Harmony headed the 4th Battalion whose platoons and companies drew on its militia personnel from Fort Harmony, the Southerners at the newly-founded settlement in Washington, the Indian interpreters at Fort Clara, and the new settlers at Pinto.
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	For years, little was known of Willden's role. However, as discussed below, in the early 1890s, Ellott Willden made some particularly revealing statements about many aspects of the massacre. The publication of his statements in Turley and Walker's ''Mountain Meadows Massacre: The Jenson and Morris Collections'' makes available some of the most important new source material from a primary witness to the massacre.		For years, little was known of Willden's role. However, as discussed below, in the early 1890s, Ellott Willden made some particularly revealing statements about many aspects of the massacre. The publication of his statements in Turley and Walker's ''Mountain Meadows Massacre: The Jenson and Morris Collections'' makes available some of the most important new source material from a primary witness to the massacre.

	<br>		<br>
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	=== Married Life ===		=== Married Life ===

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:21, 12 January 2014
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	According to Ellott Willden, Major [[Isaac C. Haight\|Isaac Haight]] ordered Major [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]] to have Willden and [[Josiah Reeves\|Josiah Reeves]] shadow the Arkansas company to ascertain their intentions. It was probably Saturday, September 5, when Willden and Reeves entered the emigrant camp at Mountain Meadows. Significantly, Willden noted that the emigrants treated them civilly. Willden also credibly shows that the original plan to attack the emigrants was not at Mountain Meadows but in a narrow canyon on the Santa Clara River some miles to the south.		According to Ellott Willden, Major [[Isaac C. Haight\|Isaac Haight]] ordered Major [[John M. Higbee\|John M. Higbee]] to have Willden and [[Josiah Reeves\|Josiah Reeves]] shadow the Arkansas company to ascertain their intentions. It was probably Saturday, September 5, when Willden and Reeves entered the emigrant camp at Mountain Meadows. Significantly, Willden noted that the emigrants treated them civilly. Willden also credibly shows that the original plan to attack the emigrants was not at Mountain Meadows but in a narrow canyon on the Santa Clara River some miles to the south.

	Willden described a key event that occurred either in the afternoon or evening of Monday, the 7th or, more probably, Tuesday, the 8th: the killing of [[William Aden\|William Aden]]. Willden identified [[William C. Stewart\|William Stewart]] and [[Joel White\|Joel White]] as the Mormon sentries who killed Aden and fired on his Arkansas ~~company~~ companion. But Aden's companion successfully retreated to the safety of the emigrant camp. Willden also described how [[Joseph Clews\|Joseph Clews]] and he raced past the emigrant camp in mid-week, dressed in Indian garb.		Willden described a key event that occurred either in the afternoon or evening of Monday, the 7th or, more probably, Tuesday, the 8th: the killing of [[William Aden\|William Aden]]. Willden identified [[William C. Stewart\|William Stewart]] and [[Joel White\|Joel White]] as the Mormon sentries who killed Aden and fired on his Arkansas Company companion. But Aden's companion successfully retreated to the safety of the emigrant camp. Willden also described how [[Joseph Clews\|Joseph Clews]] and he raced past the emigrant camp in mid-week, dressed in Indian garb.

	[[Image:Elliott willden.jpg\|right\|200px\|Elliott willden.jpg]]		[[Image:Elliott willden.jpg\|right\|200px\|Elliott willden.jpg]]