In April 1855, forty one men under the leadership of Alfred N. Billings were called to establish a mission in the Elk Mountains. They left Salt Lake City, May 7, 1855, arrived at Grand River on June 11 and selected the site for a settlement. By July 15, they had built a fort 64 feet square, with stone walls, 12 feet high, 4 feet at the base and 1½ feet at the top.
On Sept. 23, 1855, James W. Hunt, while retrieving a horse from pasture about a mile outside the fort, was shot in the back and killed by a Ute Indian called Charles (a son of Chief St. John).
A fierce gun battle then ensued at the fort, and two more missionaries who were returning from hunting in the mountains (Edward Edwards, and William Behunin) were also ambushed and slain.
The three pioneers, James W. Hunt, Edward Edwards and William Behunin were buried within the enclosure. The fort was located at what is now 995 North Highway 191, Moab, Utah.
Mother: Nancy Davis Hunt
On Sept. 23, 1855, James W. Hunt, while retrieving a horse from pasture about a mile outside the fort, was shot in the back and killed by a Ute Indian called Charles (a son of Chief St. John).
A fierce gun battle then ensued at the fort, and two more missionaries who were returning from hunting in the mountains (Edward Edwards, and William Behunin) were also ambushed and slain.
The three pioneers, James W. Hunt, Edward Edwards and William Behunin were buried within the enclosure. The fort was located at what is now 995 North Highway 191, Moab, Utah.
Mother: Nancy Davis Hunt
In April 1855, forty one men under the leadership of Alfred N. Billings were called to establish a mission in the Elk Mountains. They left Salt Lake City, May 7, 1855, arrived at Grand River on June 11 and selected the site for a settlement. By July 15, they had built a fort 64 feet square, with stone walls, 12 feet high, 4 feet at the base and 1½ feet at the top.
On Sept. 23, 1855, James W. Hunt, while retrieving a horse from pasture about a mile outside the fort, was shot in the back and killed by a Ute Indian called Charles (a son of Chief St. John).
A fierce gun battle then ensued at the fort, and two more missionaries who were returning from hunting in the mountains (Edward Edwards, and William Behunin) were also ambushed and slain.
The three pioneers, James W. Hunt, Edward Edwards and William Behunin were buried within the enclosure. The fort was located at what is now 995 North Highway 191, Moab, Utah.
Mother: Nancy Davis Hunt
On Sept. 23, 1855, James W. Hunt, while retrieving a horse from pasture about a mile outside the fort, was shot in the back and killed by a Ute Indian called Charles (a son of Chief St. John).
A fierce gun battle then ensued at the fort, and two more missionaries who were returning from hunting in the mountains (Edward Edwards, and William Behunin) were also ambushed and slain.
The three pioneers, James W. Hunt, Edward Edwards and William Behunin were buried within the enclosure. The fort was located at what is now 995 North Highway 191, Moab, Utah.
Mother: Nancy Davis Hunt
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