On Sept. 11 1857, in Utah Territory, Mormons slaughtered a wagon train with more than 120 California-bound settlers from Arkansas. This became known as the "Mountain Meadows Massacre." The motive was the Mormon "religion.
" The wagon train was ambushed by a group of men dressed in clothing of Paiute Indians at a location called "Mountain Meadows." There was a skirmish with mutual casualties forcing the attacking party to retreat. The settlers fortified themselves behind their wagons. It was a standoff. A couple of days passed and the settlers saw a party of white men approaching and ran out, thinking they were saved. But it was a trick. These same men had been the attackers dressed as Indians. They disarmed the surprised travelers and proceeded to execute the men, women, and adolescents in cold blood.
