The Utter Disaster
On September 9& 10, 1860, the Utter Wagon
Train engaged in a life-and-death
struggle with attacking Indians.
The assault on the wagon train of forty-four emigrants
led by Elijah P. Utter just north of here resulted
in the deaths of six men, two women, and three
children. Indian casualties were estimated at
between 25 and 30. Survivors followed the
Snake River to near the mouth of the Owyhee
River. When rescued by the Army 45 days
later, only fifteen had survived the ordeal
of hunger and deprivation. No other
Oregon Trail wagon train suffered
greater losses.
