George Albert Smith Jr.

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George Albert Smith Jr.

Birth
Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA
Death
2 Nov 1860 (aged 18)
Burial
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA GPS-Latitude: 40.7748655, Longitude: -111.8587122
Plot
I-15, Grave 3W
Memorial ID
View Source
Deseret News 1860-12-05 Page 317
Murder of George A. Smith, Jun., by Indians

On Wednesday evening last letters were received in this city, from Washington county, announcing that George Albert Smith, eldest son of George A. Smith, of the Quorum of the Twelve, was treacherously murdered by a band of Navajo Indians, on the 2d day of November, while exploring the country to the east of Colorado, in the direction of New Mexico, in company with some eight or nine others, under the direction of Mr. Jacob Hamblin, of Santa Clara.

The young man left his father's house, in this city, some time in September, for the southern part of the Territory, and on arriving in Washington county, attached himself to Mr. Hamblin's exploring company. They had been out some two or three weeks when the fatal occurrence took place, which has caused much grief to his parents, sister, and other near and dear relatives, who mourn the loss of a doted son, a beloved brother, and a kind and warm hearted relative and friend.

The circumstances attending the tragedy, in brief, as narrated, are as follows:

After crossing the Colorado and traveling nearly one hundred miles over a sandy desert, without water, the explorers very unexpectedly, late in the day, came upon a large company of Navajo Indians who had fled thither from their own country for safety, as the United States troops had fallen upon and killed many of their old men, women and children, for which they were very angry, and when they saw the small company of whites, they wanted to kill them or a part of them to avenge the blood of their slain. The Indians were encamped by a spring on the desert when Mr. Hamblin and party came up. Through his interpreter he soon ascertained the feelings of the warriors and ever means was taken to conciliate them that could be devised, with some success. Some few exchanges were made with the Indians, near whom the party encamped that nigh and remained during the next day, for the purpose of establishing friendly relations with the infuriated savages, before leaving them, if possible.

Late in the afternoon a horse, belonging to the deceased, left the band and put off from camp, and on his mounting another and going after it, was met not far from but out of sight of the camp, a hill intervening, by a few Indians who took his pistol from him, and shot him with it four times, three balls striking him in the back near the kidneys and the other passing through one of his thighs. He was also shot with three or four arrows, and fell from his horse, after which the Indians left him and put off. He was soon found by his comrades, who immediately perceiving that all their hopes of effecting a conciliation were at and end, decamped and put back in the direction of the Colorado, taking with them their wounded and dying companion, whom they placed upon a horse and carried some eight miles before he expired. Performing the rites of sepulture hurriedly, as the savages were in hot pursuit, they very fortunately effected their escape by traveling during the night, and returned to their homes on the Santa Clara,from whence the sad news was immediately forwarded to the bereaved parents and friends in this city.

Deceased was born July 7th, 1842; was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when eight years old; ordained to the office of a Priest at the age of thirteen, and to the office of an Elder in 1857. He was a young man of promise and beloved by all who knew him. He was for some two years, previous to the commencement of the late difficulties, an apprentice in the News Office, where he had no enemies but many friends. We mourn his loss as a relative, but our grief is assuaged by the assurance, that all is right with him, and that he left a record untarnished and unstained by any wicked or malicious act.

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George A. Smith Jr was originally buried in the Smith Family Cemetery which was located in the orchard on the Smith family farm, off No. Temple and 2nd W. in downtown Salt Lake. The LDS Church Museum is now built on the property. George Jr. was buried with his niece, Annella Smith Merrill and then both were moved to same grave in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

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Currently the "Official" records of SLC Cemetery lump all the pre-1876 grave removals under "Estate of George A. Smith" the I-5 and I-14 lots have 11 unrecorded people, including Patriarch John and grandmother Clarissa. Until the original Sexton's 1876 report to the City Council turns up, the names can not be added to the official record.
FAG Contributor #47645188

Deseret News 1860-12-05 Page 317
Murder of George A. Smith, Jun., by Indians

On Wednesday evening last letters were received in this city, from Washington county, announcing that George Albert Smith, eldest son of George A. Smith, of the Quorum of the Twelve, was treacherously murdered by a band of Navajo Indians, on the 2d day of November, while exploring the country to the east of Colorado, in the direction of New Mexico, in company with some eight or nine others, under the direction of Mr. Jacob Hamblin, of Santa Clara.

The young man left his father's house, in this city, some time in September, for the southern part of the Territory, and on arriving in Washington county, attached himself to Mr. Hamblin's exploring company. They had been out some two or three weeks when the fatal occurrence took place, which has caused much grief to his parents, sister, and other near and dear relatives, who mourn the loss of a doted son, a beloved brother, and a kind and warm hearted relative and friend.

The circumstances attending the tragedy, in brief, as narrated, are as follows:

After crossing the Colorado and traveling nearly one hundred miles over a sandy desert, without water, the explorers very unexpectedly, late in the day, came upon a large company of Navajo Indians who had fled thither from their own country for safety, as the United States troops had fallen upon and killed many of their old men, women and children, for which they were very angry, and when they saw the small company of whites, they wanted to kill them or a part of them to avenge the blood of their slain. The Indians were encamped by a spring on the desert when Mr. Hamblin and party came up. Through his interpreter he soon ascertained the feelings of the warriors and ever means was taken to conciliate them that could be devised, with some success. Some few exchanges were made with the Indians, near whom the party encamped that nigh and remained during the next day, for the purpose of establishing friendly relations with the infuriated savages, before leaving them, if possible.

Late in the afternoon a horse, belonging to the deceased, left the band and put off from camp, and on his mounting another and going after it, was met not far from but out of sight of the camp, a hill intervening, by a few Indians who took his pistol from him, and shot him with it four times, three balls striking him in the back near the kidneys and the other passing through one of his thighs. He was also shot with three or four arrows, and fell from his horse, after which the Indians left him and put off. He was soon found by his comrades, who immediately perceiving that all their hopes of effecting a conciliation were at and end, decamped and put back in the direction of the Colorado, taking with them their wounded and dying companion, whom they placed upon a horse and carried some eight miles before he expired. Performing the rites of sepulture hurriedly, as the savages were in hot pursuit, they very fortunately effected their escape by traveling during the night, and returned to their homes on the Santa Clara,from whence the sad news was immediately forwarded to the bereaved parents and friends in this city.

Deceased was born July 7th, 1842; was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when eight years old; ordained to the office of a Priest at the age of thirteen, and to the office of an Elder in 1857. He was a young man of promise and beloved by all who knew him. He was for some two years, previous to the commencement of the late difficulties, an apprentice in the News Office, where he had no enemies but many friends. We mourn his loss as a relative, but our grief is assuaged by the assurance, that all is right with him, and that he left a record untarnished and unstained by any wicked or malicious act.

-------------------------

George A. Smith Jr was originally buried in the Smith Family Cemetery which was located in the orchard on the Smith family farm, off No. Temple and 2nd W. in downtown Salt Lake. The LDS Church Museum is now built on the property. George Jr. was buried with his niece, Annella Smith Merrill and then both were moved to same grave in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

------------------------

Currently the "Official" records of SLC Cemetery lump all the pre-1876 grave removals under "Estate of George A. Smith" the I-5 and I-14 lots have 11 unrecorded people, including Patriarch John and grandmother Clarissa. Until the original Sexton's 1876 report to the City Council turns up, the names can not be added to the official record.
FAG Contributor #47645188