February 2004. American Massacre. The Tragedy at Mountain Meadows, September 1857, by Sally Denton. This book tells the story of the Mountain Meadows massacre of approximately 140 men, women and children of the Fancher Train from Harrison, Arkansas as they traversed southern Utah in September 1857. Denton, herself of Mormon descent, outlines the history of the Mormon Church, its conflicts with the US government in 1857, and the investigations into involvement by Mormon leaders in the massacre. Our discussions in the Boise group were greatly enhanced by a member who claimed to be a descendant of one of the 17 children that survived the massacre. She came armed with a big folder full of newpaper clippings and other information. The book is 243 pages long and I found it hard to put down, Its well referenced with 34 pages of footnotes and citations and an 11 page bibliography.
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