James Laman Killian

James Laman Killian was born September 16, 1845 at New London, Iowa, to Ethan Demaris and Miriam Elizabeth Sampson. His parents separated when James was less than two years old. His mother then married Thomas Killian who adopted him and raised him as his own. He was about twenty-one years old before he found out that he had another father. It came about in this way. A stranger rode into the fort one day and seeing James, he said: “Why Ethan Demaris, I haven’t seen you in years”. To this James replied: “You’re wrong stranger, my name is Jim Killian”. When he went home he told his mother of the incident and she gave him the full story, which was very disturbing to him.

 

When the family came to Utah they settled in Glenwood, Sevier County. Here he met Rachel Powell whose family had just crossed the plains. They were married on her 15th birthday in his grandmother’s home. He took her to live in the dugout which he had prepared for their first home. It had only a dirt floor and no real furniture, just a few boxes and a make-shift bed. It wasn’t long until he was able to build them a log cabin and began immediately to fashion some suitable furniture. Rachel was delighted that she was finally going to have some real chairs and a table. But her happiness was short lived. The very day they were completed the Emigration Officer came to collect the final payment on Rachel’s ocean passage, a debt James had assumed when they were married. Since he had no money to make the payment, the officer was content to take the new furniture and a cow and call it paid. This was a great disappointment to the young couple but a relief to know they were free of debt.

 

Eleven children were born to this family, all but one living to maturity. Jim worked at freighting and road construction as his occupations, but was best known and remembered for his role in dealing with the Indians. He took an interest in them, learned to speak their language and to understand their ways. He made friends with some, and many times risked his life trying to protect the settlers and their properties in times of severe troubles. Twice he had to move his family into the Fort along with all their neighbors for protection from raiding parties and Indian skirmishes. He took an active part in the famous Black Hawk War and at the time of his death was given a veteran’s burial. This allowed his widow a small pension to care for her needs during the remainder of her life.

 

In 1896 James and his family moved to Orangeville, Utah. By then the children were grown enough to support themselves. He engaged in a little farming, but due to his rugged experiences his health failed, and he passed away at the early age of 58. This was on May 18, 1903. He was buried in the Orangeville Cemetery.

 

Although he was never considered a religious man in an active way, he respected the Church and was generous and helpful in serving others all his days. His large posterity revere his memory, respect his courage and peace-making efforts. His many experiences with the Indians have been told and retold with great interest and appreciation as well as extreme admiration.

 

One of the special stories that is best remembered by his family , called “Indians at Rocky Ford” tells of his riding alone one stormy night to locate a man who had been ambushed at the river crossing called Rocky Ford while taking a load of flour to Salina. It was a hazardous experience and one that nearly cost his life. Years later, after the troubles had been settled, one of the Indians that had been in that raiding party told Jim that he had had his gun trained on him that night as a flash of lightening gave him sight, but when he tried to shoot that some power he could not understand prevented him from pulling the trigger.

 

May his memory live long in the hearts of his descendants and his courageous deeds be preserved for us to enjoy.

 

Written by Elva Killian Miller, a Granddaughter