THE STORY OF THE SAGA OF SANPITCH
Ruth D. Scow Senior First Place Short Story The theme for his twenty-fifth volume of The Saga of the Sanpitch. "Silver Sunsets," seems aptly chosen. During these 24 years, this little annual magazine has accomplished much in telling many personal histories that have been written by Sanpete residents and former residents. Its winning entries have recorded over 2600 pages of our history that would never have been written—poems, essays, anecdotes and stories (all documented)~had it not been for the Saga.
Also, it has recorded over 800 winning entries and reproduced over 550 precious, one-of-a-kind pictures of Sanpete County's past. In 1969, when Richard and Nadine Nibley formed the Sanpete Development Corporation to preserve the old Ephraim Coop building, it seemed logical that if citizens of Sanpete County generally were remembering their pioneer heritage, the possibilities of restoring the old pioneer building might be greater. So at the conclusion of a visit to the home of Ross and Linnie Findlay by Stake President Vernon L. Kunz and his counselor, R. Clair Anderson, Linnie asked if it might be a good idea to have a writing contest about the early settlement of these valleys. As he walked out and closed the door, President Anderson replied, "Fine, you be chairman."
It was a challenge, and Linnie enlisted the help of Eleanor Madsen. President Kunz was often called on for guidance as Linnie and Eleanor visited each Stake Presidency and High Council in the county. Some suggested that the writing of this type of history should be left to the Daughters of the Pioneers, but the majority thought that contributions by the men might also add a good dimension.
Ross Findlay printed the first issues of The Saga at Snow College, with full support and encouragement of the late President, Floyd Holm. Sanpete South Stake loaned the first money for prizes and to pay the typist, and everything else was volunteered. Dr. H.B. McQuarrie provided the first cover picture.
When the contest was announced, there were just two or three weeks before the deadline for submitting entries for that first volume. Still, eleven entries were submitted, and judges were selected from former residents of Sanpete County. Nine entries were chosen for publication.
With the sale of that first volume at cents per copy, the money was repaid to the Stake, and a small scholarship was presented to Snow College. There was a little money left for another year, thus the Saga of the Sanpitch was born.
This volume is also a rare listing of 126 nicknames that were used to identify the people of Ephraim. Linnie and her husband Ross, with help from others, were the stabilizing leaders of the next four volumes (1969-1973). She said: When my husband and I came to Sanpete, we discovered here a quality that seemed to be unique in this area . . . a local pride mixed with a goodly concern for all people. A humility that can accomplish many things that would lie dormant in other places. It is a quality we have been trying to define because Utah and the west are full of pioneers, their descendants, and many stories, but there is something that makes anyone who has ever lived here proud of his heritage.
Called by the Stake Presidency, Ruth C. Scow became the chairman of the next three volumes (1974- 1977).
Volume 6 (1974) showed pictures taken from glass-plate negatives photographed by George Edward Anderson. Rell Francis, Springville photographer, and collector, donated copies made from these negatives. These copies showed the construction of the Manti Temple (1877-1888). Thirty-one winning entries were included in this volume.
Volume 7 (1975) contained photos of all the early schoolhouses in Sanpete, with a great variety of winning entries (including a report card, handwritten, dated February 27, 1857). That year there were so many entries that in order to get the winning ones published the print of the Saga was reduced.
The theme for Volume 8 (1976) was "Sanpete Celebrations." This year the format was enlarged to accommodate a Senior Division. Most every Sanpete town was represented. Included was a beautiful "Certificate of Marriage," which hung on a wall of a house in Chester. The lady of the house agreed to lend it. She lifted it off the wall; Max Call of Manti, took its picture, and it was returned it to its owner that night. Lillian H. Fox became the chairman of the Saga committee for the next five volumes, 9 to 13,(1977 to 1981).
The pages of the Saga have always been held together by staples; thus several of these volumes had reduced-size print, but the stories they told of sacrifice, humility, dedication, caring, and sharing with neighbors, and their love of God were greatly shown. Among the photos reproduced were Sanpete's old church buildings.
Volume 13 contains the story of Isaac Morley (Father Morley) who led the first settlers to this Sanpete Valley. This entry was written by his great-granddaughter Wilma M. Despain. Another entry, "Fairview Fort," was by Betty Ramsey. There were other exciting, worthwhile, and well-written entries. The volumes of the Saga now began to gain national recognition as an example of volunteer work that records a history of an area year after year. All entries cannot be published; however, a copy of all unused entries is filed and hopefully someday will appear in print. The knowledge they contain is priceless.
The cover of Volume 14 (1982) has a line drawing of Sterling's first schoolhouse. The artist chairman was Pamela Jensen, Sterling Utah. She says, "This year's entries have been staggering, more than could be hoped for or expected . . . even the pictures were popping out of nowhere, much to my delight . . . I have always enjoyed a good picture section." She then thanked all who had entered the writing contest and had taken the time to find pictures.
Pamela continued as chairman for 1983, Volume 15. "It isn't often a person gets the opportunity to say thank you in print, but I can and do thank the Saga committee for hours of tireless work, the printers for keeping expenses down, the stores who give us donated space, and especially the writers who search through old documents, histories, and remember to put those stories down on paper in such a way as to make us live, see and feel the past."
Volume 16, (1984) was copyrighted by Eleanor P. Madsen. Pamela had gone with her husband and family to live in Nevada. Eleanor wrote that now they were at a loss as to whether the Saga was to continue. Then they remembered the old saying, "Three heads are better than one," so the three previous chairmen, Eleanor, Lillian, and Ruth decided that the Saga must continue. By dividing 1983 responsibilities they felt they could do it. And again they did. 1983 was Sanpete's disastrous water year. Albert Antrei wrote an essay, "The Neverlasting Hills," published but not entered in the contest.
In 1985 the Manti Temple was rededicated. Besides the winning entries of that year, the Saga also had a section telling the history of the Manti Temple plus many Temple pictures. Inside the cover was a picture of C.C.A. Christensen's famous painting that hangs in the Temple. This painting, done in the latter 1850s was of the Indian campground in the forefront and the bare gray hill that juts down into the valley in the background.
Eleanor and her co-chairmen again divided their responsibilities. "We feel that the Saga is continuing to grow in popularity. We hope others will develop the love we have for this book so that it may continue to serve its purpose!"
Volume 18 (1986) had for its cover a collection of varied dance programs and entertainments from Sanpete County. It included some 115 pages. Mardene Thayne was the designer. This year it was noted that "each additional volume of the Saga brings new writers and new readers."
Historical groups and libraries, as well as individuals, look forward to each new addition. Even the elementary and middle schools in South and North Sanpete are using the Saga in their Utah history classes. Eleanor P. Madsen continued as chairman, with Ruth Scow and Lillian Fox as committee members. Linnie was the treasurer with Diana Major Spencer as editor; Rae Ann R. Tibbs was responsible for the typing. This was a happy book of dancing, entertainment, open-air dance halls, and orchestras, all of which brought to the reader memories of the past. This was the year the Saga related to the theme of "Dancing in Sanpete County." The winning entries were published in their various categories in the usual way. A section giving some additional information and pictures on dancing in our County concludes the volume of 138 pages, thus preserving the fast-disappearing stories of this Sanpete Valley.
Volume 19 (1987) had the theme, "Memories of Snow College" in recognition of Snow's 100th anniversary. "Snow is very dear to the hearts of all who have received learning through its doors. It is basic to the economy of Sanpete County. Its cultural influence is felt near and far. The faculty and staff who have served there through the years, as well as those who now serve, have added great dimensions to the lives of its students." This volume contains 39 entries plus 19 Snow College pictures, including photos of the presidents of Snow.
In 1988, Volume 20, the chairman found that more help was needed so three chairmen were selected: Lillian H. Fox, Eleanor P. Madsen, and Ruth C Scow. Linnie Findlay continued as treasurer and Diana Major Spencer was the editor. The script committee was Norma S. Barton and Martha Rae Olsen. The judges were from Ephraim. As usual, the entries were written about various Sanpete topics and came from Preston, Idaho; Tacoma, Washington; Mesa Arizona; Mt. View and Santa Maria, California; and from Salt Lake City, Orem Monroe, West Valley, Sandy, and Richfield, Utah, plus entries from almost all of Sanpete's towns.
"Campfire Tales" was the theme chosen for Volume 21 (1989). Larry Nielson did the cover, which depicted two Indians in their canoe. He also contributed a line drawing of a runaway on the mountain. Written entries were very interesting and challenging, making for worthwhile reading. That year winning entries numbered 42, with 31 photos, and 137 pages. All this was a great addition to Sanpete history and to the Saga volumes which had gone before.
Volume 22 (1990) had as its theme "Prelude to Sanpete." Eleanor was again chairman with the same committee members. It told of the folks of many different cultures and countries, and also from the eastern United States, and their efforts to conquer the untamed wilderness. The cover painting was by Sandra Johnson, "First Winter in Manti."
Volume 23, (1991), with the theme, "Cultural Arts" paid tribute to all the folks who have made our lives better, who have touched our lives with their words, their music, their paintings, their teaching, and their skills. The cover of this volume is a graphic reminder of our Cultural arts and blessings here in Sanpete. There were 41 winning entries and 51 pictures.
Volume 24 (1992) had as its theme "From Peas to Parachutes and Hats to Harnesses." This volume was about ancestors who found much happiness in their work and learned that their lives were satisfying to them because they were creating industries and building businesses for future generations. They were learning, growing, building, and watching their dreams come true. The cover depicts the diversity of businesses that existed in the early days of Sanpete. The artist is Ned J. Ericksen, Moroni.
This year, 1993, Volume 25 has the theme "Silver Sunsets," in commemoration of a quarter century of historical writing about Sanpete County. Many of its authors have died, but they have left their remembrances, their thinking, and their style of writing for all of us who love this county and its people. With the publication of this little annual magazine, history has been preserved in stories, anecdotes, historical essays, and rememberings, for those who come after. The pictures are also a kaleidoscope of Sanpete people, their thinking, doing, enjoyment—in fact their lives.
The Saga of the Sanpitch has come full circle with a quarter century of publications. Linnie Findlay is again the chairman of Volume 25 of the Saga of the Sanpitch. Her work with the Saga spans 23 years. Appreciation is due to all the many contributors who have entered this contest over the years. They have done a great service to future generations.
Having a complete set of these volumes makes for a collector's item. Long live the Saga of the Sanpitch!
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