During the Black Hawk War, on November 26, 1865, Ute Chief Tamaritz’s band of around twelve warriors raided the thinly populated settlement of Circleville—ill-prepared to defend itself—killing four citizens.

Believing that Paiutes had aligned with the Utes, regional militia officers decided to question “All straggling Indians in the vicinity.” After a skirmish between two local Paiutes and militia men near Fort Sanford, settlers received word that two Paiutes had shot a member of the Utah Militia, and the area’s military commander advised Circleville and Panguitch residents to disarm the Paiutes encamped near those settlements.

Circleville residents met and decided to convince the local band of Paiutes to come into town to hear a letter read by the local bishop. The men who complied were disarmed and placed under guard, and the women and children were held in a cellar.

What happened next is not clear. One recorded account states that two young Paiute men attempted an escape amid gunfire, one successfully; it was then decided to put all the captives to death. The settlers buried the bodies of their victims in a mass grave. Several young Paiute children thought too young to bear witness were spared and adopted by local families. Soon after the incident, Circleville was abandoned.

In 1874, Circleville was re-settled by another group of settlers.

On April 22, 2016, Representatives of the Town of Circleville, Paiute Tribe of Utah, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Utah Division of State History, and Utah Westerners dedicated this monument. The monument was paid for by numerous caring organizations and individuals.

Located at Circleville Park in Circleville, Utah along with this monument about the same massacre.

Paiute Oral Tradition Circleville Massacre

There used to be a big old log house in Circleville, Utah, beside the road where it curves near where the potato cellars are. Years ago the white men at Circleville locked up in that house all the Indians who were living nearby and told them they were going to cut their throats. They began doing this by taking them outside one at a time and cutting their throats.

There were two young men inside who decided they were going to escape. One said to the other, “We will have to dash through them and run just as they open the door.” They did this and ran through the white men who were gathered all around, some on horseback. They ran toward the cemetery on the hill to the north. And as they were going over it, one of the pursuing white men on horseback shot one of the Indians in his side by his ribs but it was only a flesh wound. From there they ran up into the mountains and then the wounded Indian put some Indian medicine on this wound and wrapped it in part of his shirt. The white men didn’t follow them far, so from there they went on over to Parowan or Beaver.

As told by
Jimmy Timmican, Koosharem band
(~1895–1972)
who heard this story from Walker Ammon
(~1854–1920)
son of Chief Walker
(~1815–1855)

To the Memory of the Koosharem Band Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah

Massacred by local Mormon Settlers April 22–24, 1866

During Utah’s Black Hawk War (1865–1872)

In remembrance of the innocent who were lost in this place so long ago. None of us can ever hope to describe the emotions that these people might have felt. All we can do is honor their existence as human beings.

Koosharem Band of Paiutes

Dedicated April 22, 2016

Located at Circleville Park in Circleville, Utah along with this plaque about the same massacre.