History of Funk's Lake ~~~ Palisade State Park ~~~ Saga of the Sanpitch vol. 2

 HISTORY OF FUNK'S LAKE

"Palisade State Park"

Arlisha F. Larsen

Sterling, Utah

Third Honorable Mention

Essay

It was in 1873 when my grandfather Daniel Buckley Funk

purchased the lake east of Sterling City from the tribe of

Indians that lived there.

My grandfather lived in Manti at the time and walked to

the lake site each day. He took one quart of buttermilk for

his dinner and he would share this with the Indians. He

became very friendly with them and they called him the White

God.

At this time, the Indians were in possession of the land

where the lake is now. He asked the Indians if they would

like to sell the ground, and how much they would take. They

told him they didn't know what the value of it was, and he,

in return, told them he would give them $75.00 in cash. 1In

those days, $75.00 was a lot of money. He also told them

after they sold the land they would have to move, and this

they agreed to.

In those days tools were very scarce, and the lake took

shape with picks and shovels and one horse and scraper, and

with the help of his boys. Soon the time had come to £ill

the lake with water. This had to be done by forcing the

water out of six-mile creek up hill. The Indians knowing

what had to be done watched in amazement as the water flowed

to the lake.

Trees were planted around the lake cabins, bathing

facilities, a dance pavilion and a steam boat were all built.

This made a beautiful resort where the people could enjoy

themselves. Stands were set up and as high as thirty

gallons of home-made ice cream were sold daily.

Large crowds gathered for the pleasure of boating.

One day several young people from neighboring towns wanted

to take a boat out on the lake without my grandfather with

them. After convincing him they could sail the boat them-

selves, nine of them went. Ile warned them to be sure and

 not all crowd to one side of the boat as the wind was causing

a rough lake. After they were out for some time, the winds

increased causing large waves. ‘The young people got excited

and scared, crowded to one side causing the boat to tip over.

Eight of them drowned. Only one could swim. He was John

Hardin Whitlock from Ephraim. My grandfather Funk made large

wire hooks to snag their bodies. All eight were recovered.

This lake has been known as Funk's Lake for years.

Recently it has been made a State Park, now known as Palisade

State Boating Park.

 

HAT MAKING IN PIONEER DAYS

HAT MAKING IN PIONEER DAYS

The art of hat making in pioneer days meant a great deal to the industrious women then as do other modern arts at this time.  Pioneer women were as eager to look their best and enjoy a change of style, as well as apparel, as are the women of our age, and although materials were not easily obtained, ways and means were contrived to possess those which could be procured.

These materials which consisted of straw for summer headgear for men, women and children and most any kind of soft cloth such as velvet, felt, silk, or wool goods was necessary for winter hats.

Trimmings for the smart summer hat were mostly all made from straw, braided into fancy lace and various shape and sized ornaments.

Chicken feathers dyed in many hues formed the popular winter hat trimmings.

Much painstaking and tedious labor was required in the making of straw hats in particular.

First the straw was gathered from the grain stocks, then trimmed down to uniform length, each straw opened down one side, spread out and scraped with the back of a small scissors.  A cot was always used on the thumb, during this process, to prevent that member from being injured.  Next the straw was placed in a straw splitter which would divide it into  from five to seven strips or strands.  Seven strands were used in braiding the braids then sewed, washed, bleached, starched or sugared for stiffening and then blocked for both men's and ladies' hats.  These strands were used in the making of straw lace and trimmings.

Winter hats were made by placing two or three layers of the selected material tightly over a block, made for this purpose for crowns, then covered with paste made from starch, and set aside to dry.  When dry the form was removed from the block; edges trimmed neatly, and wired to desired shape.  Brims were made by the same process.  

Lastly, these shapes were covered with velvet, silk or whatever was at hand and trimmed to suit the designers' fancy with the home made accessories.  

Those engaged in these activities were:  Miss Marie Jacobsen, Mrs. Ida C. Larsen, Mrs. M.F.C. Morrison.

Mrs. Louise Aldrich did much in the straw line making and teaching the girls to braid the straw and make the trimming.  I, Mrs. Wilhelmina H. M. Ericksen was one of the girls that took the training so I know and can tell of these activities in the early seventies.  (1870's)  

(written by Wilhelmina H. M. Ericksen)