Wickenburg Massacre facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wickenburg Massacre
Frederick Wadsworth Loring in a photograph taken two days before his death
Location	Wickenburg, Arizona
Date	November 5, 1871
Attack type	Mass murder
Deaths	6
Non-fatal injuries	2
Victim	White Americans
Perpetrator	unknown

The Wickenburg Massacre was a sad event that happened on November 5, 1871. Six people traveling by stagecoach were killed. They were on their way from Wickenburg, Arizona Territory, to San Bernardino, California. The attack took place on the La Paz road.

The Attack

Around mid-morning, the stagecoach was about six miles from Wickenburg. It was attacked by 15 Yavapai warriors. These warriors were from the Date Creek Reservation. Sometimes, people mistakenly called them Apache-Mohaves.

Six men, including the driver, were shot and killed. One of the victims was Frederick Wadsworth Loring. He was a young writer from Boston. He worked for Appleton's Journal. He was covering an exploration trip led by Lieutenant George Wheeler.

Two people managed to escape the attack. They were William Kruger, a male passenger, and Mollie Sheppard, the only female passenger. According to William Kruger, Mollie Sheppard later died from her injuries.

Remembering the Event

People have placed memorial plaques near the site several times. These plaques help us remember the Wickenburg Massacre.

In 1937, the Arizona Highway Department put up a plaque. The Wickenburg Saddle Club also added plaques in 1948 and 1988.