Elias Morris

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Morris, Elias (1825–98), Captain, Company E, Cedar City. Though not at the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Morris was involved in its planning at Cedar City as captain of a company that included many eventual participants and as second counselor to stake president Isaac C. Haight.

His mother, Barbara Morris, was reportedly threatened by members of the emigrant train as they passed through Cedar City. Morris later claimed that at the September 6, 1857 council meeting, he “opposed severe measures” against the emigrants and suggested postponing any action until counsel could be received from Brigham Young. On Wednesday evening he accompanied Haight to Parowan. Although he said he attended only the council at William Dame’s house that agreed to send aid to the emigrants, evidence suggests he was also at the “tan bark council” in which Dame gave Haight approval for the massacre.

One notable massacre participant, William C. Stewart, implicated Morris in the decision to kill the emigrants. In an 1890 letter, Stewart, impoverished and in hiding, recalled a conversation he had with Church Apostle Erastus Snow: “He [Snow] asked me if Elias Morris sent me any money. I said no. He said if he would lend you $1000 it is nothing but what he aught to do.” Stewart later added, “To save [Morris] & others, I am an Exile. He was I. C. H[aight%E2%80%99s] Councler & only for him & a few more I would not bee here.” Morris, along with Christopher J. Arthur, made his way to the Meadows on Friday but did not get there until after the massacre.

• Residence: Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States
  • Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Aug 3 2021, 3:57:41 UTC