Oregon Trail in Idaho--Henderson Flat

The Utter massacre site is located in the Henderson Flat vicinity near Castle Butte. The encounter of the Elijah Utter party of 44 emigrants with hostile Indians on September 9, 1860, has evolved into a major documented tragedy inflicted by Indians upon overland travelers. This incident is also one of the rare occasions when Indians not only attempted but sustained a prolonged assault on encircled emigrant wagons. During the siege, several of the party managed to escape, but they ultimately faced further deaths and personal hardships before being rescued by a military expedition along the banks of the Owyhee River some weeks following the attack.

Directions: West of Castle Butte near Snake River.

Must See: Henderson Flat - this area is the site of the Utter Massacre.

Henderson Flat in Owyhee County, site of the Utter Massacre. 1999

Current Observations/Journal Entry:

"The Utter Masacre occured at Henderson Flat which is in the shadow of Castle Butte. Ten to 12 wagons, 40 people or so, circled their wagons and sustained an attack for two days. After the two days, the emigrants thought that if they left the wagons and headed for the river, the Indians would pillage the supplies and leave them be. Some of the emigrants did not make it to the river. A soldier escort had left this group at Salmon Falls thinking another escort would be picking them up--this left the group unprotected at Henderson Flat. It was October before the army arrived to rescue them; battling the elements for that month, it is believed that they resorted to eating one another to survive. I feel a shadow creep into my soul as I think about their struggle and the choices they made."