From Deseret News archives:
Archaeologists unable to find Pratt's remains
Robert J. Grow, Pratt's great-great-great-grandson, said there were no signs of Pratt and the digging ended around 4 p.m.
"The passage of time and the shallowness of the grave have left no specific identifiable human remains," Grow said. "This was a possibility and the family always understood that."
Family members intended to move the remains of Pratt, who was murdered in Crawford County in 1857 by Hector McLean of California, to Salt Lake City. Pratt was an original member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and his dying wish was to be buried in Utah.
Grow said archaeologists plan to close Pratt's burial site in the Wynn Family Cemetery today. The cemetery is east of Interstate 540 near Rudy.
"We have little or no doubt we've been excavating the right grave based on the science and the historical evidence," Grow said. "The family has now done everything to fulfill (Pratt's) dying request, but most importantly we've had an extraordinary experience with people in Arkansas."
Van Buren resident Cornelious "Junior" Peters said his great-great-great-grandfather William Stewart gave away the walnut coffin he'd made for himself so Pratt could be buried in it. Peters wanted to see the coffin and Pratt's remains.
Led by Weber State University archaeology professor LeGrand Davies, the team hoping to exhume Pratt's remains used pitishes, mattocks and trowels. The small hand tools allowed workers to pick away as they dug deeper. They expected to find the remains 18 to 30 inches below ground, Grow said.
The digging was at the south end of the cemetery in a spot just west of Old Fayetteville Road. Historical accounts show Pratt was buried four feet from the road. A scan by ground-penetrating radar in 2006 identified tracks where wagon wheels compacted the soil, indicating a road.
The team worked in an area that was 20 feet wide by 20 feet long, focusing on spots with the softest soil, an indicator that it had been disturbed and might be a gravesite.
"It's very wet right now," Davies said. "It's sticky clay."
Davies didn't know what to expect as he watched others dig Tuesday morning. Teeth were the most likely remains because they "just don't erode away." He hoped he'd find signs of bones or even bones themselves.
Recent comments
Don't you think it ironic that the State of Arkansas was cooperative...
Arkansan | May 5, 2008 at 5:52 p.m.
You are Wrong: You may be right up to a point. There was wrong on...
SFC RET VAN METER | April 24, 2008 at 11:28 a.m.
He wanted to be buried in Utah?
Utah and Arkansas should just...
Richard | April 24, 2008 at 11:11 a.m.
- Duchesne developers charged 3:16 p.m.
- Hall closing in on victory milestone 3:15 p.m.
- Pentagon defusing roadside bombs 3:11 p.m.
- Palin confirms tension with aides 3:08 p.m.
- Stock market dragged lower 3:07 p.m.
- 'Pirate Radio' fun rock 'n' roll movie 3:02 p.m.
- Cast second fiddle to '2012' effects 3:02 p.m.
- 'Men' goofily targets big business 3:02 p.m.
- Cast helps 'Play the Game' 3:02 p.m.
- Elk Ridge eyeing late payments 3:01 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
312 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
303 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - Will state consider gay rights law?
127 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
115 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
110
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
Why didnt you respond to the poster at 2:45 proving your facts are nothing...
Not all athletes are Catholic. They get a free education. I know of 10...
To the couple of people who tried to help me understand. I am still confused...
To "Keith In Colorado", Well stated as bottom line! Just because something...
"Hey we're kinda healthier than Cubans in a stat or two. Yeah! " You...
Rush Limbaugh flew to Afghanistan and told our troops: "Democrats want you to...
Mainstream? Not mainstream? Depends on what stream you are paddling your boat...
Maybe I wasn't clear, but I was not arguing that Medicare is a ponzi scheme....
'How would allowing more marriage decrease divorce?' - 3:24 p.m. Ok. I'll...
TIME FOR SLOAN TO "TOY" WITH A TRACTOR IN ILLINOIS. IT IS TIME TO HANG EM UP...


