| Date | February 16–17, 1895 |
|---|---|
| Location | Pelican Point, Utah County, Utah, United States |
| Type | Homicide |
| Outcome | Unsolved |
| Deaths | 3 |
The Pelican Point murders refer to the killings of three ranch hands—Albert Enstrom, Andrew Johnson, and Alfred Nelson—whose bodies were discovered in Utah Lake near Pelican Point, Utah County, Utah, in 1895. Despite an extensive investigation, publicized trials, and the involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies, the case remains unsolved.
Background
Albert Enstrom, 22; Andrew Johnson, 20; and Alfred Nelson, 17, were cousins working as ranch hands at a livestock operation near Pelican Point, a remote area on the western shore of Utah Lake. On February 16, 1895, the three men attended a legal hearing in Lehi related to a property dispute involving Enstrom's stepfather, Harry Hayes. After the hearing, the three were last seen returning to the ranch.
Two days later, neighbors noted the ranch appeared deserted, but no immediate search was conducted. Their families initially believed the men had traveled to Arizona to seek work, delaying the reporting of their disappearance to law enforcement.
In early March, Caroline Hayes, the ranch owner and Enstrom's mother, visited the property. She discovered clothing and other personal belongings belonging to the three men, but no sign of their whereabouts. Convinced of foul play, Hayes contacted local law enforcement.
Discovery of the bodies
On April 15, 1895, a sheepherder found Albert Enstrom's body floating near the shore of Utah Lake. Five days later, the bodies of Andrew Johnson and Alfred Nelson surfaced approximately three miles away.
Each victim had been shot in the head with a .38-caliber revolver, suggesting execution-style killings. One of the men had an additional gunshot wound to the chest. Investigators determined that the men were likely killed while asleep in their cabin. Evidence suggested their bodies were loaded into a wagon, transported onto the frozen lake, and dumped through a hole cut into the ice.
The cold water preserved the bodies, although their faces were unrecognizable due to damage from scavenging animals. Their clothing and much of their physical features were intact. Missing from the ranch were personal items, including quilts, tools, firearms, and a wagon with a team of horses.
Investigation
The murders attracted significant media attention. Local newspapers described the crime as "The Most Atrocious Crime in Utah's History." The remoteness of Pelican Point and the lack of forensic capabilities at the time posed challenges for law enforcement, including Sheriff George Storrs of Provo.
Early suspects
Initial suspicion fell on Oliver Slade of Lehi, who had previously evicted Enstrom's family from a nearby property over unpaid rent. Slade also had a pending lawsuit against Harry Hayes for property damage, and the three men had attended the related hearing shortly before their disappearance. However, investigators quickly cleared Slade due to insufficient evidence and his reputation as a peaceful individual.
Attention then shifted to members of the victims' families. Harry Hayes, Enstrom's stepfather, was noted for his contentious relationship with his stepson. Witnesses described frequent arguments between Hayes and Enstrom, including alleged threats with a firearm. Hayes also displayed apathy toward the murders, which some interpreted as suspicious behavior.
Another suspect was William Tyril, stepfather to Andrew Johnson and grandson of Porter Rockwell. Investigators speculated that Hayes and Tyril might have conspired to kill the men to prevent them from inheriting the ranch, which was held in the names of their mothers. However, Tyril was eventually exonerated due to lack of evidence.
Harry Hayes trial
In December 1895, Harry Hayes was indicted for the murders. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, including witness testimonies about his previous threats and his apparent indifference following the disappearances. Prosecutors portrayed Hayes as a vengeful stepfather motivated by property disputes.
Hayes was convicted in April 1896 and sentenced to death by hanging. However, newly elected Sheriff George Storrs reviewed the case and expressed doubts about Hayes's guilt, describing the evidence as weak. Storrs successfully petitioned Utah Governor Heber Wells to commute Hayes's sentence to life imprisonment. Storrs vowed to identify the true killer.
George H. Wright
Sheriff Storrs's investigation turned to George H. Wright, also known as James G. Weeks. Wright had a history of cattle rustling and fraud, and Storrs linked him to items stolen from the ranch, including quilts, a Spencer rifle, and a wagon. Wright's estranged wife, Jennie, testified that he confessed to killing the ranch's horses to avoid detection. She also described Wright's erratic behavior after learning of the bodies' discovery, including a sudden illness and nervous prostration.
Wright was later implicated in the 1896 murder of William Crampton in Colorado. Despite efforts to apprehend him, he evaded capture and disappeared in 1897. Storrs's pursuit of Wright spanned multiple states but yielded no results.
1914 confession
In 1914, W. E. Davis, arrested in Los Angeles, reportedly confessed to killing three men during a range war. L. C. Peterson, an uncle of Alfred Nelson, believed Davis's confession matched details of the Pelican Point murders. However, no evidence substantiated Davis's claims, and the confession was deemed speculative.
Legacy
The Pelican Point murders remain unsolved. The victims are buried side by side in a cemetery in Benjamin, Utah. Their headstones bear the inscription:
"... But truth shall conquer at the last, for round and round we run, And ever the right comes uppermost, and ever is justice done.”
Artifacts and documents related to the case are preserved at the Hutchings Museum in Lehi, Utah.
In 2016, BYU Radio's The Apple Seed dramatized the case in an episode titled Murder at Pelican Point.
References
- ^ Andrew Adams (April 17, 2019). "124-Year-Old Murders Still Leave Mark in Less-Traveled Corners of Utah County". KSL. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ Amber Foote (January 13, 2007). "Murder at the Lake: The Pelican Point Mystery". Daily Herald. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ "Pelican Point Murders". Provo Daily Enquirer. December 17, 1896. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- "Says He Believes Davis Was Pelican Point Murderer". Ogden Daily Standard. January 30, 1914. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- The Apple Seed Team (April 15, 2016). "Murder at Pelican Point". BYU Radio. Retrieved January 21, 2025.