The Salt Lake Tribune reports that a Crawford County Judge has approved a plan to disinter and move to Salt Lake City the body of influential early Mormon leader Parley Parker Pratt from a cemetery near Rudy, Ark.

Chosen by Brigham Young as one of the first Mormon apostles, Pratt was accused in California of breaking up the marriage of one Hector McLean. He later took the ex-Mrs. McLean as his 12th wife.  Though Pratt beat the rap in a larceny lawsuit filed by his wife’s ex, McLean and friends tracked Pratt to Alma, Ark. in May 1857, where they shot and stabbed him to death. His murder has been cited by some historians as one of the motives behind the Mountain Meadows Massacre, in which 200 settlers from Arkansas were slaughtered while traveling through Utah.

Advertisement

See a picture of the Arkansas monument to Parley Pratt, courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.

Advertisement

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article You decide, part 2 Next article Scotch Eggs