Home of Christian N. Ericksen and wife Annie Christianna Jensen ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

SANPETE CREEPER

THE SANPETE CREEPER

*(An article by the Editor, Hal Edwards in the Richfield Reaper, tells us about the train that serviced Mt. Pleasant, and other towns in Sanpete and Sevier Counties.) “It was affectionately known as “The Sevier Valley Creeper. Unless you lived in Sanpete County. There it was the “Sanpete Creeper.”
The “It” was the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad which linked the outside world to Sanpete and Sevier counties when the Marysvale Branch line was completed into Gunnison and Salina in 1890, later into Richfield in 1896.
The passenger train operated daily to Richfield, making a round trip back to Salt Lake City via Sanpete County and joined the Rio Grande’s main east-west line from Salt Lake City to Denver in Thistle.
But in 1949, after two years of substantial revenue loss, the passenger train was discontinued, bringing an end to an era which was one of the most significant breakthroughs in the history of southern Utah. ...However, freight trains continued to operate into the area regularly until April, 1983, when a giant mudslide near the town of Thistle covered the tracks.
But for nearly 90 years the small but important branch line, which provided this area’s only railroad service, was a major part of southern Utah’s economic development.The railroad actually brought service into Gunnison before 1890, providing service to the Sanpete County communities of Mt. Pleasant, Ephraim, Manti and Gunnison. 
...The story is told of the engineer, James M. Bolitho, who, when pulling into the depot, shouted to the crowd, “Git out of the way, I’m going to turn her around.” While most didn’t realize that was impossible, they scurried out of the way, expecting to see some kind of miracle!
The same story is told of Mr. Bolitho when he took the first train into Marysvale, Sept. 9, 1900. A historical account of that situation stated a panic, occurred in which two women were knocked down by the crowd, another fainted and a wagon driver who had contracted to haul mail to the south got so excited he drove his shiny new rig into a ditch and broke a wheel.
Perhaps the only reminder of what was once this area’s most important transportation mode will be remembered in Haywire Mack’s legendary song, [sang by Burl Ives], “The Big Rock Candy Mountain,” a song of the Rio Grande Railroad in southern Utah.”  

Did you ever Wonder what Happened to Jay Christensen ~ NSHS Music Teacher? Here he is.

 There he is at the piano.  Now living in Washington, Utah and a member of this group.  Find the link here:  https://www.facebook.com/westcoastjazzplayers/videos/922185844499601/

Squeaking Wheel Saves the Day ~ submitted by David R. Gunderson

On this Day 100 years ago ~ Neighborhood News ~ Mt. Pleasant Pyramid ~ November 26, 1917

Seventh Grade (circa 1956)

Home of Jens (James) Christen Jensen and wife Anne Marie Christophersen ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

GRATITUDE

Gratitude - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

These things I know to be true! 

The Lord wants you to have a spirit of gratitude in all you do and say. Live with a spirit of thanksgiving and you will have greater happiness and satisfaction in life ..Gratitude will turn your heart to the Lord and help you recognize His influence and blessings in your life. Even in your most difficult times, you can find much to be grateful for. Doing so will strengthen and bless you.

The following links are all about Gratitude as Latter Day Saints:

 https://www.lds.org/youth/video/good-to-be-alive?lang=eng

http://ldsudso-a.akamaihd.net/66852713001/66852713001_2351252361001_2010-11-23-thanksgiving-daily-8000k-eng.mp4?playerId=710849472001&lineupId=&affiliateId=&pubId=710874264001&videoId=798298919001

http://ldshds.brightcove.com.edgesuite.net/hds/hs1/1197194726001/1197194726001_3438085300001_2014-04-0200-president-dieter-f-uchtdorf-1080p-eng.mp4?playerId=710849472001&lineupId=&affiliateId=&pubId=710874264001&videoId=3446052785001

Overland Hotel ~~~ Deseret News ~ April 4, 1967

In the early 1900s this building was a creamery owned and operated by  Ole Hansen and the Barton Brothers.  It was organized in 1892.  The creamery was the first in Mt. Pleasant and third in the territory.  After the death of Mr. Hansen, it was turned into the Overland Hotel.  It was located at approximately 80 South State Street.

From our Obituary Files ~ Susan Sorensen Litchfield and husband Douglas William Litchfield

North Sanpete High School Seniors 1956 ~~~ Plans for the future

North Sanpete High School Graduating Seniors 1956 

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Morgan Winters Family Group Sheet

Various School Events Saved by Alice Peel Hafen

16

Home of Jens C. Meiling and wife Hannah Peterson ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

REMEMBER WHEN ~~~ 1975 ~ From the Alice Hafen Collection

Assorted Photos from the Alice Peel Hafen Collection

Front Row L to R:  Soren M. Nielsen, John Seely,  Don Nielsen,  Floss Nielsen, Linda Seely, 

Back:  Lou Seely, Carol Nielsen, Don Nielsen?, Nielsen

Airbase Runway, circa 1960

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Mary Napier Rowe 

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Emil Hafen

Son of Lizetta Ott Hafen 

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Clarence Barton, Arthur Mills, Jess Ivie

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The General Superintendency of the Deseret

Sunday School Union  1901 

Lorenzo Snow, Joseph A. Tanner, George Reynolds 

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(On the back it says: Sheepherder Camp in the early days) 

Maybe an Hunter Camp

JOURNEY OF FAITH ~ Eric and Caroline Gunderson ~ Written by David R. Gunderson

With permission of David R. Gunderson, we include the following book to our blog.   I will do a few increments at a time, as I have done with the Andrew Madsen and James Monsen histories.  I will also paste the pages over to David's own blog page: http://davidrgunderson.blogspot.com/

This book will be of interest to not only the Gunderson Family but also to the Brotherson, Ericksen, Peel,   Madsen, Larsen and more.

JOURNEY OF FAITH

Erick and Caroline Gunderson

ORSON PRATT LEE

Eliza Araminta Becksteadand Orson Pratt Lee 

One of the most very special features at the Relic Home is the Display of carvings done by Orson Pratt Lee.  In this display there is a prairie schooner with oxen and pioneers at the side animals and also Indians that he handcarved.  But there is also a chain of wood that he has carved out with no seams.  It is approximately 20 feet long.  He was a very talented fellow.

The Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum also holds such a carving display by Orson Pratt Lee.

We did some research on him and this is what we found.

  

After he married, he moved to Marysvale.  We certainly appreciate the carving display that was given to the Mt. Pleasant Historical Association in 1924.

His obituary follows: 

Hamilton Faculty 1936-37 ~~~Hamilton Band 1933-34

VETERANS DAY SALUTE 2017

Home of Moroni Monson and wife Annetta Elizabeth Nielsen ~~~ Researched and Compiled by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

Healers and Healing by Mary Louise Seamons

 

 Candace Blanchard Rowe