Isaac C. Haight
Mountain Meadows Massacre Ringleader
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Mountain Meadows, Utah
TIME PERIOD
September 11, 1857
VICTIMS
120 confirmed
On September 11, 1857, Isaac C. Haight, as the Stake President and commander of the Iron County Militia, orchestrated the Mountain Meadows massacre in southern Utah, where a group of approximately 120 emigrants, known as the Baker-Fancher party, were attacked and killed. This incident occurred during the Utah War, a period marked by tensions between Mormon settlers and the United States government. Haight, along with other local leaders, justified the attack under the pretext of protecting the community from perceived threats posed by the emigrants. The massacre remains one of the darkest chapters in American history, with Haight's role as a ringleader being significant. As of now, Haight's actions have been widely condemned, and he has been posthumously held accountable for his involvement in the massacre, which has been the subject of extensive historical investigation and analysis.
Isaac C. Haight is believed to have played a central role in orchestrating the Mountain Meadows massacre, with some theorizing that he acted under the influence of Brigham Young's leadership and the prevailing tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons. There is speculation that Haight's motivations were rooted in a desire to protect the Mormon community from perceived threats, leading to the tragic decision to attack the emigrant group. Additionally, some believe that Haight's actions were part of a broader pattern of violence against outsiders during that period in Utah's history.
The Life and Infamy of Isaac C. Haight
Early Life and Conversion
Isaac Chauncey Haight was born on May 27, 1813, amidst the rolling hills of Windham, New York. Raised on a farm, young Isaac's life took a spiritual turn when he joined the Baptist church at eighteen, fueled by dreams of missionary work in distant Burma. An autodidact, he carved a path for himself as a schoolteacher, but fate had grander plans. Isaac found himself captivated by the burgeoning Latter Day Saint movement, and he threw himself into its teachings, converting fervently. His zeal led him to establish a small congregation of forty in his neighborhood. The atmosphere of religious persecution that followed the Saints compelled Isaac, his wife, infant daughter, and extended family to seek refuge in Nauvoo, Illinois, in July 1842.
Rise in the Latter Day Saint Movement
In Nauvoo, Isaac's life intertwined with history when he served as a constable and sometimes bodyguard to the movement's founder, Joseph Smith. Haight was the first to hear of Smith's assassination, a grim message delivered to him as he stood guard at the Nauvoo Temple. With the Saints, Isaac embarked on a westward journey, settling in Utah by 1847.
In December 1849, Isaac, alongside fifty others including Parley P. Pratt and George A. Smith, ventured into the mountains of southern Utah under Brigham Young's directive. This expedition laid the groundwork for future settlements. Between 1850 and 1852, Isaac traveled to England to master iron making, a skill crucial for the survival of new European converts he later helped across the plains. Upon returning to Utah, he entered polygamous marriages, expanding his family significantly.
As the first mayor of Cedar City and a member of the territorial legislature, Isaac Haight became a prominent figure, but his legacy would be marred by the specter of the Mountain Meadows massacre.
The Mountain Meadows Massacre
In 1857, tensions simmered in Utah, with Isaac at the helm as Stake President over local Wards and commander of the Second Battalion, Tenth Regiment, known as the Iron County Militia. This period, known as the Utah War, saw the Baker-Fancher emigrant party passing through on their way to California. Fears of federal troops replacing Governor Brigham Young drove George A. Smith to southern Utah, where he assured Haight that the militia could intercept and destroy these "invading" forces before they reached the valleys.
Isaac Haight and John D. Lee, amidst a deserted iron works on September 5, plotted what would become an infamous tragedy. That afternoon, a heated debate unfolded among Haight, John Higbee, Bishop Klingensmith, and others about how to handle the emigrant train. The proposed solutions ranged from extreme to moderate, with no consensus but an agreement to seek Brigham Young's guidance.
On September 6, Isaac declared his readiness to defend Zion, setting the stage for a brutal siege. Disguised militiamen and Paiutes attacked the emigrant camp for days. Then, under the guise of offering safe passage, they disarmed the emigrants, only to slaughter roughly 120 of them, sparing only seventeen young children.
Aftermath and Legacy
The U.S. Civil War interrupted immediate investigations into the massacre. Brigham Young excommunicated Haight and other conspirators in 1870. By 1874, indictments were issued against Haight, Lee, Higbee, and others. Haight fled with his son Caleb, vanishing into a network of Mormon communities in southern Utah, Mexico, and Arizona, evading capture for life. Only John D. Lee faced trial, leading to his conviction and execution by firing squad on March 23, 1877.
Final Years
Isaac C. Haight spent his remaining years as a fugitive, a man marked by history as both a pioneer and a pariah. He died on September 8, 1886, in Thatcher, Arizona, at the age of 73, leaving behind a complex legacy intertwined with one of the West's darkest chapters.
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Mountain Meadows Massacre
Isaac Haight orders the massacre of the Baker-Fancher party during the Utah War.
Excommunication from LDS Church
Brigham Young removes Haight and others from good standing in the LDS Church.
Indictment of Haight
Haight and eight others are indicted for their roles in the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Haight Goes into Hiding
Haight goes into hiding with his son to evade federal authorities.
John D. Lee Executed
Only John D. Lee stands trial and is executed by firing squad for his role in the massacre.
Death of Isaac Haight
Isaac Haight dies at the age of 73 in Thatcher, Arizona.
On September 11, 1857, Isaac C. Haight, as the Stake President and commander of the Iron County Militia, orchestrated the Mountain Meadows massacre in southern Utah, where a group of approximately 120 emigrants, known as the Baker-Fancher party, were attacked and killed. This incident occurred during the Utah War, a period marked by tensions between Mormon settlers and the United States government. Haight, along with other local leaders, justified the attack under the pretext of protecting the community from perceived threats posed by the emigrants. The massacre remains one of the darkest chapters in American history, with Haight's role as a ringleader being significant. As of now, Haight's actions have been widely condemned, and he has been posthumously held accountable for his involvement in the massacre, which has been the subject of extensive historical investigation and analysis.
Isaac C. Haight is believed to have played a central role in orchestrating the Mountain Meadows massacre, with some theorizing that he acted under the influence of Brigham Young's leadership and the prevailing tensions between Mormons and non-Mormons. There is speculation that Haight's motivations were rooted in a desire to protect the Mormon community from perceived threats, leading to the tragic decision to attack the emigrant group. Additionally, some believe that Haight's actions were part of a broader pattern of violence against outsiders during that period in Utah's history.
The Life and Infamy of Isaac C. Haight
Early Life and Conversion
Isaac Chauncey Haight was born on May 27, 1813, amidst the rolling hills of Windham, New York. Raised on a farm, young Isaac's life took a spiritual turn when he joined the Baptist church at eighteen, fueled by dreams of missionary work in distant Burma. An autodidact, he carved a path for himself as a schoolteacher, but fate had grander plans. Isaac found himself captivated by the burgeoning Latter Day Saint movement, and he threw himself into its teachings, converting fervently. His zeal led him to establish a small congregation of forty in his neighborhood. The atmosphere of religious persecution that followed the Saints compelled Isaac, his wife, infant daughter, and extended family to seek refuge in Nauvoo, Illinois, in July 1842.
Rise in the Latter Day Saint Movement
In Nauvoo, Isaac's life intertwined with history when he served as a constable and sometimes bodyguard to the movement's founder, Joseph Smith. Haight was the first to hear of Smith's assassination, a grim message delivered to him as he stood guard at the Nauvoo Temple. With the Saints, Isaac embarked on a westward journey, settling in Utah by 1847.
In December 1849, Isaac, alongside fifty others including Parley P. Pratt and George A. Smith, ventured into the mountains of southern Utah under Brigham Young's directive. This expedition laid the groundwork for future settlements. Between 1850 and 1852, Isaac traveled to England to master iron making, a skill crucial for the survival of new European converts he later helped across the plains. Upon returning to Utah, he entered polygamous marriages, expanding his family significantly.
As the first mayor of Cedar City and a member of the territorial legislature, Isaac Haight became a prominent figure, but his legacy would be marred by the specter of the Mountain Meadows massacre.
The Mountain Meadows Massacre
In 1857, tensions simmered in Utah, with Isaac at the helm as Stake President over local Wards and commander of the Second Battalion, Tenth Regiment, known as the Iron County Militia. This period, known as the Utah War, saw the Baker-Fancher emigrant party passing through on their way to California. Fears of federal troops replacing Governor Brigham Young drove George A. Smith to southern Utah, where he assured Haight that the militia could intercept and destroy these "invading" forces before they reached the valleys.
Isaac Haight and John D. Lee, amidst a deserted iron works on September 5, plotted what would become an infamous tragedy. That afternoon, a heated debate unfolded among Haight, John Higbee, Bishop Klingensmith, and others about how to handle the emigrant train. The proposed solutions ranged from extreme to moderate, with no consensus but an agreement to seek Brigham Young's guidance.
On September 6, Isaac declared his readiness to defend Zion, setting the stage for a brutal siege. Disguised militiamen and Paiutes attacked the emigrant camp for days. Then, under the guise of offering safe passage, they disarmed the emigrants, only to slaughter roughly 120 of them, sparing only seventeen young children.
Aftermath and Legacy
The U.S. Civil War interrupted immediate investigations into the massacre. Brigham Young excommunicated Haight and other conspirators in 1870. By 1874, indictments were issued against Haight, Lee, Higbee, and others. Haight fled with his son Caleb, vanishing into a network of Mormon communities in southern Utah, Mexico, and Arizona, evading capture for life. Only John D. Lee faced trial, leading to his conviction and execution by firing squad on March 23, 1877.
Final Years
Isaac C. Haight spent his remaining years as a fugitive, a man marked by history as both a pioneer and a pariah. He died on September 8, 1886, in Thatcher, Arizona, at the age of 73, leaving behind a complex legacy intertwined with one of the West's darkest chapters.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mountain Meadows Massacre
Isaac Haight orders the massacre of the Baker-Fancher party during the Utah War.
Excommunication from LDS Church
Brigham Young removes Haight and others from good standing in the LDS Church.
Indictment of Haight
Haight and eight others are indicted for their roles in the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Haight Goes into Hiding
Haight goes into hiding with his son to evade federal authorities.
John D. Lee Executed
Only John D. Lee stands trial and is executed by firing squad for his role in the massacre.
Death of Isaac Haight
Isaac Haight dies at the age of 73 in Thatcher, Arizona.