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Chauncey W. Millard (c. 1851 – January 29, 1869) was a 19th-century criminal in the Utah Territory who was convicted of murder. At 18, he became the youngest individual executed in Utah's history. Millard confessed to killing his coworker, Harlan Swett, during an argument. Before his execution by firing squad Chauncey had an agreement to sell his body to a doctor in exchange for a pound of candy, which he reportedly consumed while awaiting execution.

Early life

Millard's early life is not well documented. He was reportedly born around 1851 in New York and described as a "child of doubtful paternity." After being placed in a poorhouse at six, he lived and worked there until being sent to labor for a farmer named Babbitt. Following alleged mistreatment, Millard ran away at 13 and led a transient lifestyle. During the American Civil War, he reportedly became a bushwhacker, participating in robberies and killings. He later claimed to have killed five men before moving west.

Murder and capture

In 1868, Millard was hired by Champion Mayfield, a freight driver, to transport goods from Salt Lake City to Nevada mining camps. Harlan Swett, another young freight driver, was also part of the group.

On December 11, 1868, while the group camped near the western shore of Utah Lake, Millard shot and killed Harlan Swett following an argument. He then attempted to shoot Mayfield, firing four shots and hitting him once in the hand, but Mayfield escaped across the ice-covered lake to safety.

Mayfield's escape and report of the murder prompted a manhunt led by Orrin Porter Rockwell, a prominent lawman. On December 17, 1868, Rockwell and his posse apprehended Millard near Cedar Valley. During his interrogation, Millard admitted to killing Harlan Swett and acknowledged a history of violence.

Trial and execution

Millard was tried and convicted of murder in Provo, Utah Territory. He was sentenced to death by firing squad, with the execution scheduled for January 29, 1869. With no family or associates to claim his remains, Millard sold his body to Dr. Don Carlos Roberts, who intended to use his skeleton for medical purposes. In return, Millard received a pound of candy, which he reportedly ate while awaiting execution.

On the day of his execution, Millard was seated in the execution chair and reportedly commented on the snowy weather, stating it was snowing just as it had on the day of the murder. Witnesses noted that he showed little emotion.

Legacy

Artifacts related to Chauncey W. Millard, including a preserved piece of tanned skin and the gun used in the murder, are displayed at the Hutchings Museum in Lehi, Utah. Dr. Roberts reportedly used a portion of Millard's skin to wrap medical instruments, while the rest of the body was accidentally destroyed during an unsuccessful attempt to clean the bones using lye.

References

1. ^ Pat Reavy (June 16, 2010). "Utah Has Interesting History of Executions". Deseret News. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
2. ^ "The Tale of Chauncey Millard". Hutchings Museum. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
3. ^ "From the Vaults: Artifacts on Display at Hutchings Museum". Lehi Free Press. August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
4. "All that remains of an executed criminal on display in a Utah museum". Fox 13 News. July 14, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2024.

• 1851 births
• 1869 deaths
• 19th-century American criminals
• Outlaws of the American Old West
• People executed for murder
• People executed by firing squad
• American people executed for murder
• People convicted of murder by Utah
• Criminals from New York (state)
• History of Utah