Crazy Brainstorming for "The Trip": Mountain Meadows Massacre

Some of the most interesting history I've learned has been attached to stories that are little known, but reflect the perspectives, conflicts and challenges of the times.  I'm trying to come up with a list of these little know stories that will illustrate different time periods or different themes. Things that support themes I can build through my explorations during my road trip research this summer.   Sometimes, stories are avoided because they show something that we don't want to discuss because it shows an aspect of a group or place that we feel uncomfortable discussing.  Ironically, that discomfort opens a door and can often grab the interest of someone who was disengaged before.  People value honesty.  They value novelty.  I'm trying to compile a list of interesting topics that are little known.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre merits some further exploring because it wasn't uncommon for settlers to pose as Native Americans and attack other settlers in order to maintain control over a territory.  Definitely an interesting exploration of the challenges of western expansion, but also a possible segue to exploring propaganda and bias to the "wild Native Americans" or socratic dialogue on what is and is not acceptable in maintaining a territory, property, etc.  It might be interesting to watch some movies in the Western genre and then watch some Revisionist-Westerns.  This could tie in to my visits through Utah, the Grand Canyon and Tombstone, AZ.  It would be neat to contact some historians and even movie producers and see if I can get any video talking with them.  It's exciting to think of the possibilities.  I wonder where I'll end up going with is as I plan the trip in more detail.