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The following ten accounts of the Thomas E. Ricks shooting on the east bank of the Elkhorn River on 6 June 1848 have been prepared here for the Joel Ricks Family Organization after a thorough search of the Plains Journals by Lyndon W. Cook. The typescripts have been carefully taken from the original, except where indicated, and presented below in a form which approximates the original as closely as possible. With the exception of some bracketed words for clarification, the accounts stand unaltered as to grammar, punctuation, and misspelling. The first five accounts appear to be contemporaneous records; the sixth, Heber C. Kimball's account, although dated 6 June 1848, appears to be a later reconstruction (or at least a later recording) of the incident and became the official Church account; and the remaining four accounts, recorded about ten days later, are based on a letter from Heber C. Kimball's Company to Brigham Young's Company which detailed the confrontation with the Indians.

Tuesday 6th About 10 oclock A.M. an alarm was raised that the Indians were driving off our cattle, in a few minuets several men were in pursuit, following them to the river they took one ox from them, but they had killed one. Br Clawson got sight of one in the act of tying up his meat & fired upon him the Indians fled across the river, & Wm. Kimbal, Howard Egan Thomas Ricks & Willis Barthalomew followed the Indians across the river & coming up with them, they presented their guns when our Boys commenced firing with their revolvers the Indians returned the fire shot Ricks in the back with three Buck Shot & Egan through the wrist with a ball Just as he was fireing his revolver which threw the Pistol from his hand & he lost it his Horse was also shot in the top of the neck & Kimbal's in the top of the hip, the Indians altho the most numerous finaly fled & our Boys, brot off their wounded man--the news coming to Br [Joel]Ricks, he and Thos Whittle & a Boy started with a Buggy to meet them, but they missed the company & fell in with the Inidians who threatened their lives and robbed them of a yearling Colt about thirty dollars worth of Clothing & some other articles when they told them to go home saying that they had four men killd & some wounded--

This was a foolish affair on the part of our men. Elders of Israel are not called to make war upon the Lamanites--

Some forty Waggons crossed over today & President Kimbal broke up his camp here & moved out two miles & formed a Carel with some hundred & fifty Waggons & set a strong guard--

--Norton Jacob Journal, Church archives

Tuesday 6th of June we were Camped on the west Bank of Elk horn waiting for Sister Mary Smith and some others of the Saints. this day the Indians came into our herd of Cattle and succeeded in getting one ox which they killed immediately when the alarm was made numbers of the Brethren went in pursuit of them and over took them in a short time. the Indians not stoping when desired and appearing rather hostile, we fired upon them the Indians returned the fire the horse on which Wm Kimbal road was wounded, Bro Egean was shot through the arm Robert Ricks was shot in the back with three buck shot his wounds appeared almost fatal yet we persued our Journey and he continued to recover, Several of the Inidnas were wound in the afternoon of this day we moved about 2 miles and Camped for the night the others of our Brethren having arrived.

--William Burton Journal, Church Archives, Ms d 1508 Fld 8

Tuesd 6th June 1848 S.E. Wind. Pawnees [?] gathering in. W.W[oodruff]. with Dr. Richards. reading news 3 or 4 hours--S.W. Richards writing under Dr Rs dictation letter to * H Felt-- R[obert]. C[ampbell] comparing documents AW Babbitt arrived from Nauvoo reports Nauvoo Co few days behind Pettigrew came in from the Horn reports omahaws stole come cattele Howard Egan Wm Kimball & Ricks pursued them when Ricks shot supposed dead & Egan shot in the Wrist--

--Historian's Office Journal, Church Archives, Robert Campbell Clerk, CR 100 Vol.11

6 June 1848 -- In the morning I took a mule & Bro Hebe his poney & We went back to find some pigs that W left on the And I[t] came to pass that some Indians came to Drive of[f] Some Cattle Bro Wm [Kimball] Egan & Thomas Rix Went to stopt their Was twelve Indians & they presented their guns to fire or shoot the Bretheren Bro Wm & Egan & Rix had Pistols Bro Wm Shot & then there Was Severall shots made Bro Egan Was Wounded in the Wrist Bro Rix in the Back Bro Wm horse Was Wounded. And it Was Suposed that four Indians Was killed. the Camp moved two miles Bro Cornelius Lott & Siste Mary Smith the Wife of the Patriarch Hiram Smith Each with their Famileys came to camp. I was on Watch Last night half at Eight oclock.

--Daniel Davis Diary, Church Archives, Ms d 1676

7 June 1848--...this Evning Br Heber Caled the people together and said he had not much to say but in short he would say that he [di]d not wan[t] to stur from this place untill Commence this knigh[t] and do our duty for Evry man to pr[a]y in his his familey night and morning unless we did our Cattle and and our wagons would fail look at the scrape at the horne how my son William was preserved by the power of God and Br Ricks[s] the guns leve[le]d at them and they Called upon there God and they was deliverd Br Howerd is geting bete[r] and Br Ricks better than Could be Expe[c]ted...

Fryda[y] Morning June 22 [1848] Vary Pleasant but Cool the wind being no[r]th westward at 8 oclock and past through a beautiful flat Country passing up the river or near grand I[s]land an[d] Came to Camp abo[u]t 5 Oclock on the bank of the river a vary beautiful Camping place althoug[h] we have to wade the River to get wo[o]d being all out Wentday--Br Rickes sun that was shot by the Indians is getting [better] fast and Br Howard Egan arms getting wel[l] my turn to stand guarde but beng some what wore out Br Wilber takes as Capt of Guard...

--Joseph G. Hovey diary, Church Archives, Ms d 1576

Tuesday 6th, about 8 o'clock an alarm was brought to camp by one of the herd boys, that Indians were driving off some of the cattle, from the herd about two miles below. A number of the brethren immediately started in pursuit, some on foot and some on horses. Howard Egan and Wm. H. Kimball went in company, and were afterwards joined by Ricks & Barthlolomew, all having horses. They proceeded at a rapid pace aout six miles down the river and as they went heard a number of shots fired, which created much anxiety for the safety of those on foot. When about six miles from camp, they came suddenly upon a party of about ten armed Indians who appeared very hostile, but the brethren did not anticipate any danger, their object being to hunt for the cattle, and if they found any to drive them back. However, immediately on the arrival of the brethren amongst the Indians the latter fired several shots, one of which took effect on Ricks, who fell from his horse to the ground apparently dead. At the same instant Howard Egan observed an Indian standing about 20 or 25 feet from them, and taking a dead aim with his rifle at Wm. H. Kimball; quick as thought he levelled his pistol and fired at the Indian to save W's life. The rifle fell from the Indians hands, but in falling, it exploded, the ball passing through the fleshy part of Wm's horse's hip. The Indian then ran off, but during this scene another Indian had fired upon Egan, the ball passing through his right arm above the wrist, mangling it severely, which caused his pistol (a six shooter) to drop to the ground. Another ball passed through his horses neck, which caused him to wheel round, making it difficult for Egan to keep the saddle. The brethren then saw it was best to retreat on account of lack of numbers and arms, and seeing that the Indians were determined to fight. All this scenery was but the work of a moment, during which time shots were heard in several other directions. The brethren then drew off towards camp, some distance, leaving Ricks on the ground, and on looking back, they observed one of the Indians proceed towards where Ricks lay & they feared it was to scalp him. However, he only picked up the pistol and then followed the others down the river. Er Egan soon grew faint with loss of blood and had to be held on his horse by Wm. Kimball, who also bound up his arm with his handkerchief to staunch the blood. They then proceeded onward towards the camp until they arrived at the place where they crossed the river, (Being now on the East side) and here they found several other brethren and informed them of Rick's situation, requesting them to fetch him to camp, which they agreed to do, and started accordingly. Er Egan and Wm. Kimball then proceeded slowly towards camp taking a circuit towards the bluffs, to avoid the timber, untill they saw some wagons going towards the camp, which proved to be a company with Martin H. Peck. On arriving at the wagons Er Egan was put in one of them being very faint with loss of blood, and they soon after arrived at the Ford of the Elk Horn. Here Dr Berhisel was sent for, and he dressed the wound, and ascertained that no bones were broke.

The facts above being made known in camp brother Joel Ricks and T. Whittle with one or two others, took a light wagon, and started to fetch up brother Rick's son proceeding down the East side of the river. On arriving near the place where they expected to find the wounded, they were suprised and taken prisoners by a party of 20 or 30 Indians, who took them some distance down the river. The brethren had a trunk or trunks in the wagon which the Indians ransacked, taking a number of articles, and a good coat, worth fifteen dollars. After doing this, and making many signs and gestures of a hostile character, they let the brethren go without further harm, and they immediately returned towards camp, learning by the way, that the wounded man had already been taken to camp by the route on the other side of the river. Those brethren who started at the request of Er Egan and Wm. Kimball, together with others who joined them went back to the place, where the affray took place, and found brother Ricks, still laying in the same place and alive. They took him up and proceeded with him towards camp, and were met by a carriage, in which he was placed and about two oclock arrived with him in his fathers wagon. Dr. Bernhisel examined him and found that he was wounded by 3 large buck shot having penetrated the small part of his back. The Dr dressed his wounds but it was gnerally believed that he could not long survive. However, Pres Kimball and one or two others laid their hands on him and prayed for his recovery. The Lord heard their prayers and he revived immediately. There were still one or two brethren missing who went out on foot and much anxiety was felt on their account, but towards evening they arrived safe. The Indians succeeded in killing and carrying off an ox belonging to Er John Pack, but on starting away from the Elk Horn, a stray ox came to his wagon for which no owner could be found, so that the loss was in a measure made up. About 3 oclock the camp commenced moving off from the River, as it was considered wisdom to leave the timber as soon as possible, and all the wagons being over which had then arrived, so that we should not be in so much danger from the attacks of Indians, who it is pretty certainly ascertained are of the Omaha and Ottoe tribes, and from every circumstance are undoubtedly in the neighborhood for the purpose of plundering us of cattle &tc.

Brothers C.P. Lott, Joseph Fielding, sister Mary Smith and families had been expected at the "Horn" soon after dinner, and as it was known that they were not far distant some anxiety was felt for their safety, after the camp had moved about 2 miles, and the encampment had been formed Pres Kimball sent back 10 footmen, well armed to meet brother Lott and company, and about 5 oclock they arrived all safe, with the exception of having broke an axle tree, and being very short of team. The wagons were soon ferried across, the chains attached to the raft taken up, the raft made fast, and the last wagons composing this company on their way to camp, and before dark we had the satisfaction of seeing about 220 [110] wagons formed in one Corral preparatory to our proceeding on our long journey west. Those who were wounded felt as well as could be expected after the short journey.

--Journal of President Heber c. Kimball division, of Latter Day Saints Emigrants,

journeying from Winter Quarters, Omaha Nation, to the valley of the Great Salt

Lake, during the summer of 1848. Book 94 B, Church Archives

Thursday 15 [June 1848]...D.H. Wells. & Wood returned 12 c 1 with a letter from Heber. the brethren were called together at Pres Morley's Wagon & the letter read twice by T Bullock. it appears they came in contact with a band of Indians on the 6th. bros. Egan & Ricks were wounded. one Ox was killed & taken away. & the Indians made signs (to some brethren who they had prisoners) that they had 4 killed 3 wounded Heber's Camp was at Cedar Creek, will be here tomorrow--as soon as meeting was dismissed it commenced a tremendous storm of rain, hail, thunder & vivid lightening, which continued until night. it rained at intervals thro' the night.

--Camp Journal kept by Thomas Bullock of the Journeyings of the Camp of Israel from

Winter Quarters to the Great Salt Lake City in the year 1848 Ms d 1385 bx 1 fd 4 v. 6,

Curch Archives

Thurs June 15th 1848. Earley this morning a large number of teams were sent over from the other side of the river to assist us over. We were over by noon and encamped about one mile below the Ford. I got very wet. In the evening it rained very hard in which I had to detail the guard.

To day we heard from Kimballs Co who were at cedar Creek. After we left the Horn the Omaha made an attact on their cattle & horses. In trying to rescue them Br Ricks & Egan were badly wounded. They in return wounded & perhaps killed some of them.

--On the Mormon Frontier: The Diary of Hosea Stout, 1844-1891, ed. Juanita Brooks

(Salt Lake City: Utah State Historical Society, University of Utah Press, 1964), p. 315.

Camp of Iseral No -- Uper Encampment Loop Fork Frid. June 16th, 1848. Leight clouds & occasional showers through the day, about 9 morning report reached camp that some 5 Indians were seen about 1 mi. above on the River Several men went on foot--capt. J D Lee & J Wakely reconnortered the country for 5. ms above but no discovry was made of Indians--about 1 P.m. Pres. B. Young E. Snow H.H. Eldridge & Dr. Wells came to our camp=Pres B.Y. Shook hands with J.D. Lee & Said Br. John why have you not been to See me before this. J D Lee Said that he had Just returned from reconnorting the country in Search of Indians--I know replied the Pres that you always have your hands full- at the Same time handed J D Lee a Letter bearing date June 15th '48. giving an account of the Batle fought by Elder H.C. Kimble's Co. with the Omaha Indians, on Elkhorn June 6th 1848. which J.D. Lee read to the Co. the Letter stated that about 8. oclock morning a Party of ab[o]ut 10 Indians came into the Heard well armed & drove of[f] Some catle alarm was made--& some on foot & others on horseback Started after the Indians. Wm Kimble Howard Egan & Bro. Thos Ricks having fleet Horses Soon got ahead of them. they appeared verry hostile one of them levling his gun at Wm Kimble=When quick as. thought Howard Egan who stood within 2 Rods of the Indian Fired at the Indian the shot took effect--the Indian reeled & fell which lowered his hand So as to cause the ball to take effect in the Horse hip on which Wm sat about this time a No of Shot were fired one of which Struck Bro Ricks in the back with a Ball and 2 Buckshot--which brought him to the ground=Egan with an other shot from his 6-shooter brought an other Indian to the ground--when a large Ball Struck Egan on the right arm--Just above the wrist which mangled the Leaders [hand] so as to render it useless from further Servise--an other ball about the Same time Struck the Horse,s neck on which Egan Sat. which turned the animal towards camp Several Shots were heard in difirent directions The Indian seeing the determination of the brethren=Fled=leaving the ox that they had Butchred & carreed with them the whole round. the Brethren on foot came up & placed Bro. T. Ricks in a Buffalo Skin & carried [him] to camp the distance of 4. ms in the mean time Bro. Ricks the young man's Father[Joel Ricks] & Bro Bartholomew--who Paritally had unloaded a waggon missed the Brethren who had returned an other way with the 2 wounded men=fell into the hands of Indians=who after taking them=Prisoners--Plundered their waggon--then took them to one Side, leveled their Guns at them Doub[t]less determined to dispatched them--when the 2 Prisoners unarmed contin[u]ed to pray to the Lord=when all of a Sudden Terror Siezed hold of them theier guns fell & their countenances changed--while the Prisoners walked off & made their escaped--When the wounded reached camp Bro. T. Ricks apparrantly was ghasping for Life--Elder H. C. Kimble & others laid their hands on them & prayed for thier discovery [recovery]=the Power of God So rested on them that they rec[e]ived immediate relief=their wounds were dressed by Dr. Burnhisel--& are all doing well=

--John D. Lee Journal, Huntington Library, San Marino, California

Thursday June 15th 1848 ...A short time after we were camped on the west side of the Southfork Squire Wells returned from Hebers camp with a letter from him to Brigham and all the saints. It written on the bank of cedar creek and the contents about this--the day after we left the Elkhorn river some of the Herds boys came in and said that the Indians were driving off the cattle. A company, some horse and some on foot were immediately sent to bring them back. William Kimball, Egan and Rix on fleet horses were first among the scattering lerking Indians, one of whom Egan discovered preparing to shoot William. As quick as thought Egan drew a pistol and discharged it at the Indian--his gunn fell-he realed a little and went off. The gun in falling went of[f] and the ball lodged in the hip of Williams horse. In an instant two Indians fired from ambush--two buckshot lodged in the back of Rix who fell the third shot hit the horse in the neck which made him wheel and go towards camp. A ball struck Egan on the right arm above the rist and disabled it for farther use. His pistol fell to the ground, he soon was faint with the loss of blood and had to be held on his horse. This occured about 4 miles down the river from the camp. A wagon was sent after Rix. The cattle were all drove to camp save one ox that the Indians killed and took offf. (The firing I suppose) had assembled about 50 Indians who when the wagon came took it down the river about a mile farther and plundered it of a great deal of valuable property & let them go back again. As soon as Rix arrived in Camp, hands were laid upon him and he revived immediately. Both the wounded were doing well. That day they were calculating to start, but this hindered that they got only four miles from the river.

--Diary of Oliver Boardman Huntington, Mss 162, BYU Archives