Carlos G. Murray

Question: What happened to Carlos Murray after he served in Brigham Young’s Vanguard Company in 1847?

Answer: Carlos G. Murray was born March 12, 1829, in Ontario County, New York, to William Ellis Murray and Mary Spring. Carlos was a nephew of Heber C. Kimball. Carlos’ father was a brother to Vilate Murray, wife of Heber C. Kimball.

In 1846 Carlos was living in Nauvoo, Illinois. He was a Seventy and was endowed in the Nauvoo Temple on January 24, 1846.

In the spring of 1847 Carlos Murray was asked to join Brigham Young’s Vanguard Company. He was in the 10th Ten led by Appleton M. Harmon. Carlos, age 18, was one of the younger members of the company. He was assigned as a scout in the pioneer company.

Heber C. Kimball’s journal, Saturday May 22: “While crossing the bluffs this afternoon Carlos Murray discovered a grey Eagles nest in a small Cedar tree. On looking in it he saw a large young Eagle, but did not take it away. About half an hour afterwards, George R. Grant and Orson Whitney passing over the same bluff, saw the nest, took out the young eagle and brought it to camp.’

Heber C. Kimball’s journal, Wednesday May 26: “Carlos Murray has been trying to raise the young Eagle caught on Saturday. After stopping tonight, he put it under George Billings’ wagon, and awhile afterwards, when the men ran the wagon back, one of the wheels ran over its head, and killed it.’

After arriving in Salt Lake Valley, Carlos helped build the settlement, then returned to Winter Quarters that fall. He returned to the valley in 1848. About 1854, Carlos married Louisa, a sister of Alpheus Peter Haws.

In 1856 Carlos went to California and was traveling by the Humboldt River in what is now Nevada when he, his wife and a Mr. Redden were attacked and killed by Indians. A gold pencil and an earring were found and later identified as their property. Carlos’ revolvers were found in possession of travelers who said they had bought them from Indians on the desert. It is believed they were killed in May 1856.

A Deseret News Article reported that the information was obtained from a letter written to General Barr on the 5th of June, by a Dr. Hurt, who was camping 20 miles below the bridge on the Humboldt or St. Mary’s River. The letter stated that on June 1, Alpheus Peter Haws came into their camp and reported that some Indians had told him about the attack. If Alpheus found their bodies, he would have buried them there.

Source: “Biographies of the Original 1847 Pioneer Company,’ Church News, Updated, 14 October 2009; FamilySearch.org; The source of his approximate death date is located in Deseret News [Weekly] 18 June 1856, page 117; Heber C. Kimball’s Journal.