1. The Elliott Cutoff was a covered wagon road that branched off the Oregon Trail at the Malheur River where present-day Vale, Oregon, United States is today.
12 Facts About Elliott Cutoff
1. 2.
Elliott Cutoff had been a supportive donor for the new road, and was traveling as far as Fort Boise to meet his wife and children who were coming with the 1853 emigration.
3.
Elliott Cutoff was probably aware the Native Americans had attacked the Road Viewers the previous year, so he took the Barlow Road and the established Oregon Trail until he was able to locate his family near Fort Boise.
4.
Elliott then headed back to what is Vale where the Cutoff begins along the Malheur River.
5.
The Elliott Cutoff was around 130 miles shorter for destinations in the Upper Willamette Valley.
6.
Finally Meek's ruts led them into Harney Valley where Elliott Cutoff chose a campsite along the Silvies River near present-day Burns, Oregon.
7.
Elliott Cutoff's followers reached a breaking point and by the time they reached the west end of the lakes, they began to tie wagon tongues together with the intention of hanging Mr Elliott Cutoff.
8.
When Elliott Cutoff was preparing to lead the train around the lakes, he formed a rescue party to ride ahead for help and supplies.
9.
The Elliott Cutoff was an unplanned venture for him as well.
10.
Elliott Cutoff's old mare had a stillborn colt and he was cooking the colt over a fire late at night near Butte Disappointment when the settlers saw his smoke and went to investigate.
11.
William Macy, who led the Road Viewers in 1852 and who was one of the road commissioners in 1853, was hired for a sum of $1,000 to essentially do what Elliott Cutoff had done in 1853.
12.
The Elliott Cutoff is not on the official list because it is represented by two separate trails: the Meek Cutoff and the Free Emigrant Road.