Isaac C. Haight facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | Isaac Chauncey Haight May 27, 1813 Windham, New York, United States |
| Died | September 8, 1886 (aged 73) Thatcher, Arizona, United States |
| Spouse(s) |
Eliza Ann Snyder
(m. 1836)Mary Spring Murray
(m. 1849)Eliza Ann Price
(m. 1853)Annabella Sinclair MacFarlane
(m. 1853)Elizabeth Summers
(m. 1858) |
Isaac Chauncey Haight (May 27, 1813 – September 8, 1886) was an early member of the Latter Day Saint movement. He was also a pioneer in the American West. Haight is known for his role as a leader during the tragic Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Isaac grew up on a farm in New York. At age 18, he became a Baptist and hoped to become a missionary. He taught himself and worked as a schoolteacher. Later, he joined the Latter Day Saint Church and helped many others in his area join too. To escape religious challenges, his family moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, in July 1842.
In Nauvoo, he worked as a constable, which is like a police officer. He often served as a bodyguard for Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement. Haight was the first church member to hear the sad news of Joseph Smith's death. This happened while Haight was guarding the Nauvoo Temple.
Contents
Journey to Utah and Leadership Roles
In 1847, Isaac Haight traveled with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) to Utah. In December 1849, Brigham Young sent Haight and about fifty others to explore southern Utah. This area was about 300 miles south of Salt Lake City.
From 1850 to 1852, he went to England to learn how to make iron. When he returned to Utah, he helped buy and organize supplies. These supplies were for thousands of new European church members crossing the plains. Haight was also chosen to serve in the Utah territorial legislature. He became the first mayor of Cedar City, Utah, where he was also a farmer.
The Mountain Meadows Massacre
During the time of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Isaac Haight was a very important leader. He was the Stake President for several local church groups. He was also in charge of a group of local soldiers called the Iron County Militia. On September 11, 1857, Haight gave orders that led to the massacre of the Baker-Fancher party. This group of travelers was heading to California during a time known as the Utah War.
The Baker-Fancher group was one of many traveling through Utah. George A. Smith, another church leader, had told people in southern Utah to get ready for a conflict. United States troops were coming to Utah to replace Governor Brigham Young. Haight had promised Smith that his militia could stop any "invading" federal troops.
The Baker-Fancher group set up their camp in Mountain Meadows. For several days, they were surrounded by local Native Americans and militiamen. Some militiamen were dressed like Native Americans. After a few days, the militiamen came forward without disguises. They offered the travelers a way to leave safely. They said the travelers should give up their weapons and cattle. But after the travelers gave up their weapons, many people from the traveling group were killed. About 120 people died, but seventeen young children were saved.
Experts still discuss whether top church leaders, like Brigham Young, directly ordered this event. Or if the local leaders in southern Utah were fully responsible.
After the Massacre
Investigations into the massacre were stopped because of the U.S. Civil War. In 1870, Brigham Young removed Haight and some others from the LDS Church. By 1874, Haight and eight other men were officially accused of crimes.
Haight went into hiding with his son, Caleb. They hid in Mormon settlements in southern Utah, Mexico, and Arizona. He remained a fugitive, meaning he was wanted by the government, for the rest of his life. A reward of $500 was offered for his capture. Only one person, John D. Lee, was ever put on trial for the massacre. Lee was found guilty and was executed in 1877.
Death
Isaac Haight died on September 8, 1886. He was 73 years old. He passed away in Thatcher, Arizona.
