ReconstructionWagon-train captain, victim
Alexander Fancher
1812–1857
1 topic · 4 dated events
This is not a photograph. No likeness of Alexander Fancher is known to exist. This is a generated painting, built from what the sources record of this person’s height and build, bearing, complexion, and from the dress of the period and place — nothing about the face itself is documented. How this was made, and the sources behind it.
Their part in each topic
The Mountain Meadows Massacre
Wagon-train captain, victim
Fancher had crossed to California before and was co-leader of the 1857 company that took his name. He knew the southern route from a time when its grazing was open and its settlements few. He was killed with his wife on 11 September; two of his children, Christopher Carson Fancher and Triphenia, were among the seventeen spared.
In the timeline
4 events across 1 topics, chronological. Only events this person was actually part of — present at, responsible for, or the subject of — not every event where the name comes up.
The Baker–Fancher company reaches Salt Lake City
The Arkansas company, roughly 120 to 140 people led by John T. Baker and Alexander Fancher and travelling with a large cattle herd, camped near Salt Lake City. Advised to go north around the Great Salt Lake, they turned back at the Bear River and took the southern road instead, through Provo, Springville, Payson and Fillmore.
Cedar City refuses to supply the company
The company reached Cedar City, the last settlement on the road where grain could be ground and supplies bought. The store had little to sell; Bishop Philip Klingensmith's mill charged an extreme price to grind their wheat. Angry words followed; the town marshal tried to arrest some of the men for intoxication and blasphemy and was faced down. The company left after about an hour.
The first attack and the siege beginhinge
At dawn the emigrants were fired on in their camp at Mountain Meadows. Several were killed and others wounded; the company circled and dug in, banking earth against the wagon wheels, and held out for days with no access to the spring. Attackers had painted themselves; survivors later said they saw the paint washed off in the creek. James Haslam left Cedar City for Salt Lake City between five and six that evening.
The massacrehinge
William Bateman carried a white flag to the corral. Lee entered and offered terms: give up the weapons, load the wounded into wagons, and walk out under militia escort. The emigrants, out of water and low on ammunition, accepted. The youngest children and wounded went first in two wagons, then the women and children on foot, then the men, each walking beside an armed militiaman. At a prearranged signal the militiamen turned and fired. Roughly 120 people were killed. Seventeen children, all six or under, were spared.
Appears alongside
People who share the most dated events with Alexander Fancher.
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