Nestled in the rugged landscape just south of the Idaho state line, a seemingly unremarkable patch of land holds profound significance. The site, characterized by its arid terrain, dotted with sagebrush and parched grasses, is accessible only via a rudimentary dirt path. This unassuming location, spanning just under five acres, is the Washakie Cemetery, the final resting place for over 200 members of the Northwestern Shoshone tribe. Among those interred here is Sagwitch, a pivotal figure in Shoshone history, known for leading survivors of the tragic 1863 Bear River Massacre to embrace the Mormon faith.
The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone, headquartered in Brigham City, Utah, is now actively pursuing ownership of this historically significant site. Their aim is to integrate the Washakie Cemetery into their existing 180-acre tribal land, effectively solidifying the intended boundaries of their reservation near Portage, Utah.
Mark Bedel, the band’s executive director, articulated the tribe’s vision, stating that acquiring the cemetery would "complete the reservation as it was intended." This initiative reflects a deep desire to honor their ancestors and preserve their cultural heritage.
The pursuit of ownership began with Bedel and Patty Timbimboo-Madsen, the band’s natural resources manager, presenting their case before the Box Elder County Commission. Their initial understanding was that the county held jurisdiction over the cemetery. However, a surprising revelation emerged: Box Elder County’s property records indicate that the Washakie Cemetery is legally owned by the estate of George M. Ward, who served as the bishop of the Washakie Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 1920s.
Ward’s death in 1950 complicated matters. Despite the cemetery’s tax-exempt status, the land was never formally transferred to his heirs. This legal limbo has created an obstacle for the Shoshone tribe in their quest to secure ownership of this sacred ground.
The Washakie Cemetery’s origin is inextricably linked to Sagwitch. Historical accounts, as detailed in Scott R. Christensen’s 1999 biography, "Sagwitch: Shoshone Chieftain, Mormon Elder, 1822-1887," suggest that Sagwitch was buried at the very spot where he succumbed to pneumonia, likely in 1887. As his sons transported him back to the Washakie settlement on a stretcher, he passed away, and that site became his final resting place.
Jon Warner, Sagwitch’s great-great-grandson and the current director of the tribe’s Housing Authority, adds further context. He recounts a period when Sagwitch sheltered Isaac Zundel, an LDS administrator from the settlement, from federal agents who were actively pursuing individuals practicing polygamy. This act of protection occurred in a camp located in Rough Canyon, west of the settlement, highlighting Sagwitch’s commitment to his community.
Over time, other Shoshone individuals who resided in the Washakie settlement were buried near their revered leader, Sagwitch. This organic expansion transformed the field into a designated cemetery. Even today, some tribal members continue to choose the Washakie Cemetery as their final resting place, underscoring its enduring significance.
Beyond individual burials, the Washakie Cemetery has also served as a reinterment site for Native American remains unearthed during excavations on federal properties, such as Hill Air Force Base. These remains, carefully gathered and respectfully reburied, find their final peace alongside their ancestors.
The graves within the cemetery are marked by a combination of simple, handmade markers and more formal headstones. Notably, Sagwitch’s grave bears a headstone erected in 1963 by the Sons of the Utah Pioneers, acknowledging his historical importance.
Sagwitch’s life was deeply impacted by the Bear River Massacre on January 29, 1863. This tragic event saw the U.S. Cavalry, responding to escalating tensions between the Shoshones, Mormon settlers, and pioneers traversing the Oregon Trail, launch an attack on a Shoshone encampment west of present-day Preston, Idaho. The massacre resulted in the deaths of over 300 Shoshone people, many of whom were women and children. Sagwitch and two of his sons survived the carnage, carrying with them the trauma and loss that would shape their future.
In the aftermath of the massacre, Sagwitch and his followers made a pivotal decision: they chose not to join the other Shoshone and Bannock tribes on the Fort Hall reservation in southern Idaho. Instead, they sought refuge within the embrace of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Under the church’s protection, they learned agricultural practices near Corinne, in Box Elder County. However, the pervasive hostility from non-Mormon settlers in the area compelled them to move further north to Washakie, where the church had acquired thousands of acres for a settlement.
By the mid-20th century, the Shoshone community in Washakie began to disperse, seeking employment opportunities in the defense industry in Ogden and northern Davis County, while others relocated to Fort Hall. Many continued to visit Washakie, maintaining their connection to their ancestral home.
In 1966, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made the decision to close the Washakie ward. Subsequently, in the early 1970s, the remaining homes were burned, and the land was sold to a private ranching operation. This act was viewed by those who considered Washakie home as a profound insult from the church they had embraced.
Driven by a desire to reclaim their heritage, the band eventually purchased back 180 acres of their ancestral land. This strategic move was crucial in their pursuit of federal recognition as a tribe, which they achieved in 1988.
The current reservation is held in trust by the federal government for the benefit of the Northwestern Band. Historical records indicate that the heirs of George Ward attempted to transfer ownership of the Washakie Cemetery to the tribe, likely in conjunction with the establishment of the reservation. Two quit-claim deeds were filed with the Box Elder Recorder by Ward’s descendants in 1989.
However, these deeds proved ineffective, apparently because the Ward descendants were not officially recognized as the legal owners of the cemetery. Sadly, at least one of those descendants, J. Moroni Ward of Tremonton, has since passed away, according to genealogy records.
The Northwestern Band now faces the challenging task of navigating probate records to identify surviving heirs or potentially engaging a title company to unravel the complexities of ownership. Mark Bedel acknowledges that resolving this issue "may take some time."
The Washakie Cemetery represents more than just a burial ground; it is a tangible link to the past, a repository of cultural identity, and a symbol of resilience for the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone. The tribe’s unwavering determination to gain ownership of the Washakie Cemetery underscores their commitment to preserving their heritage and honoring the legacy of their ancestors, including the revered Sagwitch. The Shoshone are committed to honoring the elders and ancestors buried here. The eventual goal is to create a Shoshone tribal park that includes the cemetery. The Shoshone also plan to ensure that the sacred ground is maintained and protected for future generations. The quest to secure the Shoshone ownership of this land is not just about property, but about preserving the history of the Shoshone people.