Morten and Karen Rasmussen ~ Pioneers of the Month ~ July 2013

WHITTLING A WILLOW WHISTLE

In the Spring of the year when the sap is up in the willows, it is easy to make a whistle. Cut a length of willow, from between two branches so it has no knots (1).

Carve a notch halfway through the stem. Cut just through the bark and then slide the bark sleeve off the stem (2).

Be careful not to squeeze the bark sleeve too hard or it will crack. The bark slips off real easy after tapping it gently with the handle of a pocket knife. When the bark is removed, carve the inner soft wood as shown in the picture (3).

After the wood is carved, wet the carved end of the whistle in your mouth, and
slip the bark sleeve back on (4).

You have just made yourself a Willow Whistle.Six years ago we hosted both the Spring City Elementary and the Mt. Pleasant Elementary Schools. Out on the back lawn, we had 95 year old Alice Hafen demonstrating how to make this willow whistle. It was a delight for the children.

Grandma Alice knew so many of the pioneer craft that she was taught by her pioneer grandparents. She was a wonderful resource for both our blog and the Relic Home.

Sanpete County

The above is taken from a booklet prepared by the Sanpete Industrial Development Committee, Manti, Utah  in 1957

Sunday School Jubilee, Dress, Sheep Industry and Laundry, as Remembered by Arlo May Stansfield

Inside  the Laundry (compliments of Relic Home archives)

The Laundry was located on 5th west and 89 south
where Pat Willcox Meats did business,  and currently the Wine Distillery now operates.

(from Relic Home Archives)

Fourth of July ~ Chilldhood Daze

Edith Allred

Saga of the Sanpitch 1977

The Fourth of July   holiday was

the social event of the season for children. Weeks before the big event arrived, I was busy picking out

materials and pattern for my dress. Pastel shades in violets, organdies, georgette crepes, linens or ducks

were the most popular materials. Length of the ribbon sash often determined one’s social status.

Children saved their allowances for days, and obtained promises from daddy for a certain specific

amount to be forthcoming. Fifty cents was fair, but one dollar to spend all in one day was unbelievable.

Stirring patriotic speeches, in the patriotic meetings held after the parade, were sincere and

impressive. Although the younger children did not understand all of the speeches, they sensed their value

and appeal. The American flag was a symbol to be revered; no one put it down.

In the afternoon, races were held on the church lawn. What a thrill to win 35 cents for one race.

Baseball games, concessions, and matinee dances for the children offered additional fun for the day. Of

course, a grand ball in the Armory Hall completed the day’s festivities.

Several times a year, married folks’ dances were held in the Armory Hall. Younger people attended,

but the dances were geared for the older people, and the music was for their special dances. It was

fascinating to watch these people dance the schottische, mazurka, Virginia Reel, quadrille, Rye waltz, and

plain waltz. Jimmie Fiddler of Spring City furnished the music for many of these dances.

Some of the younger people tried to learn these dances, but none could master the techniques of

the “old timers.” Not one could kick up his leg with the sprightly grace of Hyrum Seely, Erick Ericksen,

Clarence Jacobsen, Hyrum Merz, Peter Peel or John Winkelman to name a few. Neither did any ever learn

to call the square dances like Erick Ericksen.

Playing out at night during the summer was another special form of entertainment. If one had

never hidden in Peter Matson’s garden spot waiting for the play leader to call “Run, My Sheep, Run”, he

had missed a part of his education, especially if Mr. Matson discovered him first.

“Kick the Can” was another fun game, especially when the older boys were part of the group.

Stolen secret kisses while we were hiding were all a part of the game.

Spirited baseball games took place in the middle of the road during the earlier hours of the day,

although they never quite attained the same amount of ‘spirit’ that some of the Little League games of

today generate. Perhaps the mothers had more to keep them occupied in those days; Kind drivers turned

their teams around the edges of the road so as not to disturb the game.

Riding out to the farm with Lawrence Winters on his hayrack was also an unforgettable experience.

Early in the morning we took our lunches and set out. Here, in the cool, crisp morning air I heard the first

meadowlark calling its mate. Just the joy of being alive on such beautiful days provided the zest for living.

Besides, we just might be the ones to find the first buttercup of the season.  
                 

  Coming home in the late afternoon, we lay on our backs atop a load of newly mown hay and talked

of our dreams and aspirations, the lazy white clouds floating above us in the blue sky.  

Perhaps the greatest thrill of the year was our annual trip to Manti to attend the Sanpete County

Fair. Mama always managed to get us some new clothes for this occasion. What fun it was to ride the

Ferris wheel, judge the produce to suit ourselves, and tease the animals. Once we took one of my friends

with us. We were all in the Manti Theater watching a wrestling match. We were twelve and had not yet

developed an appreciation for the violence of the wrestlers, so we ran outside.

As luck would have it, two nice-looking young men who were also about twelve came along and

invited us to go in the Ferris wheel. We accepted, and when it stopped with us on the very top, the boys

asked us our names and told us they were Kermit and Gail. This was the real beginning of my romantic

interests in Manti, a love affair I never forgot because of the many good times I had there with relatives and

friends.  

                                                          

       As my own two daughter were growing up, I was saddened to see them dancing all evening with the

same boy. I felt that they never really got to know what fun was, for growing up in Sanpete included a

liberal education in dancing with all the boys, not just one possessive “steady.”

At Moonwinks, Moroni Open Air, Palisade Park, Fountain Green, and Fiddlers’ Green we danced

under the stars until all hours. Then home we went with a few friends to have bacon and eggs.

Ephraim, Armory Hall, Fairview, Spring City, Manti, all were a part of the dancing circle. July 3rd

dances usually lasted all night, and the Junior Proms were held for two consecutive evenings. Never were

children treated to such dancing pleasure.

Thank you, Sanpete County, for a childhood I would not change.

Peter Madsen Peel and Wife, Christine Folkman Peel

This information was found  the Scandinavian Jubilee page 190

Peter Madsen Peel was Mt. Peasant's first blacksmith......Christine Folkman Peel served for many years as a counselor to Mary Margaret Morrison in the Relief Society.

Carolyn Christensen

01/22/1928 - 06/20/2013



Arla Carolyn Christensen 85 of Mount Pleasant, UT passed away June 20, 2013 in Sandy, UT. She was born January 22, 1928 in Mount Pleasant, UT to William McKay and Dolores Evelyn Christensen Zabriskie. Graduated from Wasatch Academy in 1946 and later worked for Wasatch in the business office as a book keeper and later as a cook in the cafeteria. Married James Elmer Christensen June 24, 1947 in Mount Pleasant, UT. He passed away Sept of 1999. Later married Robert Heeson Bushell April of 2011. He passed away June 2012. Carolyn enjoyed playing the piano, but her real passion was the love of her church. She devoted all of her life in service and was the oldest member. The missionaries at the 1st Presbyterian Church always made her feel loved and special. She is revered by all who knew her. Survived by daughters, Faye Elaine (Wallace) Coates, Sandy, UT; Julie Kae (Jay) King, Corvallis, MT; Ann Marie (Charles) Weber, Lake Charles, LA; 11 grand children and 12 great grand children. Preceded in death by her parents; husbands; daughter, Teri Katheryn Brower; son-in-law, Gerry Brower; siblings, Duane, Gail, Marland, Darwin and Kay Zabriskie. Memorial services will be held Thurs June 27, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church (1815 E 9800 S Sandy, UT 84092). Visitation Friday June 28th at 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Rasmussen Mortuary (96 N 100 W) Mount Pleasant, UT. Interment in the Mount Pleasant City Cemetery following.

Keneflei and Flapjacks

Old Mt. Pleasant North Ward Church- Torn down in 1952

This picture of the Old Mt. Pleasant North Ward Church  also shwos  the Hamilton Elementary School in the background, the bell tower which stood atop 

The following are excerpts from History of Mt. Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf concerning the planning and construction of the North Ward Church:

First Meeting and School House

Early in 1860, a temporary building for meeting and school purposes was finished. It was a building 20 feet by 30 feet, located almost in the center of the fort; facing south, with one door and two windows, and a huge fire place in the west end of the building.

The logs for the building had been cut in the mountains and hauled to the fort by Orange and Wellington Seeley, John Carter, and several others, and later when the tithing office was built, Orange and Wellington Seeley had the contract to get logs out, while others were assigned to haul them from the mountain.

January 12th, Apostle Orson Hyde and Ezra T. Benson visited the colony and preached to the people, and on January 13th, A. B. Strickland assisted by Mrs. Oscar Winters began teaching school. Brother Strickland, who had some difficulty with the children, was assaulted and abused by James R. Ivie, the dispute arising over some punishment inflicted by the teacher upon a brother of Ivie. Brother Strickland closed his school the 26th of March. On April 9^th, Alma J. Forsyth began a similar school for the summer months. We quote Rudolph N. Bennett, in a talk given by him at a pioneer meeting, March 24, 1924, "There was at that time three months at school and nine months out at work, not vacation; no wonder some of us have not the book learning we would like, but we did not have the opportunity to get it. The school seats were then made of slabs and the desks were of rough boards. The schools now have all that is necessary, including music." Concerning the use of the building, we again quote Mr. Bennett, "This building was also used for a dance hall, 'Nigger Shows,' theatre and school doings. The lights were furnished by a sage brush or cedar fire; on special occasions tallow candles were used. The house was always packed because the people were glad for any kind of entertainment that could be given."

pp 62-63

New Meeting House

January 4, 1865, a special meeting was called for the purpose of discussing ways and means of erecting the new meeting house, as the Social Hall was now too small and a larger place was needed to accommodate the people. It was proposed to erect a large meeting house in the center of the church block. A resolution was adopted assessing each person over eighteen years of age $10.00. Besides, a property tax of three percent was levied upon the property. William S. Seeley, Amasa Scovil, Niels Rosenlof, and William F. Reynolds were appointed as a building committee. February 17th, a contract was let to James Hansen and Niels Ro­senlof to erect the building. It was to be of white adobe and was to be completed by May 1, 1866. The contract price was $14, ­000.  p. 93

Work was at once begun, a good foundation laid, and the wall started, but on President Young's next visit, he told the people the building was too small and, consequently work was discontinued for the time being. March 4th, a grand celebration was held in Salt Lake City, celebrating the re-inauguration of President Lincoln, and a number of people throughout the county attended. On Saturday, April 5th, upon learning of the assassination of President Lincoln, all business houses in Salt Lake City were closed and the communities were in mourning. p. 94

Brigham Young Visits Mt. Pleasant

President Young and a number of the twelve apostles again visited the community. They were met by the brass band, the Sunday School children and a great many saints. At a large gathering held in the bowery, Joseph F. Smith, Wilford Woodruff, George A. Smith and George Q. Cannon spoke of the benefits of  co-operation and home manufacturing, and also dwelt on the Word of Wisdom. President Young pronounced a blessing upon the people, begging them to live their religion. Many good instructions were received and the saints rejoiced much over the visit. Lauritz Larsen was at this time serving as the church re­corder. The grasshoppers having nearly disappeared, the people "were successful in again raising a large crop of grain. The Union Pacific Railroad had reached Ogden and many implements were shipped into the territory. A combined reaper-mowing machine, called "The World," and a hay rake were purchased and brought to the town by C. W. Anderson and Andrew Madsen. This was the first rake and machine brought to Mt. Pleasant.

       

August 16th, Paul Dehlin, Abraham Day, and Samuel S. Witten were appointed to supervise the building of the meeting house, on the foundation laid in 1867, at which time, on account of the trouble with the Indians, work was suspended. Ebbie Jessen took contract for the mason work for $800.00 and Erick Gunderson and Jacob Rolfson the carpenter work for $2,000.00 A poll tax of $10.00 for each man was paid towards it. It might be interesting to know that at that time adobes were $10.00 per thousand, and freight on window glass was $25.00 cwt., from the Missouri River. At about this time some people became dissatisfied and apostatized from the church. The High Council, a quorum of twelve men, chosen by the church to settle difficulties among the Saints, was organized with Bishop Seeley as the president. p 131

From the minutes of the priesthood quorum the following is taken: "December 11, 1870, High Priests met according to

appointment in the new Meeting House. After some remarks

President Staker stated he did not feel to lengthen his remarks on account of the uncomfortable condition in the house." This is the first record of any gathering having been held in the build­ing.

The Deseret News of March 3, 1871, published the following

"Mt. Pleasant. Elder George Farnsworth writes an interesting letter on the 26 ult. from Mt. Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah He says that on account of the very mild winter, fears of the scarcity of water during the coming summer for irrigation pur­poses have been very general throughout Sanpete Valley. But as such fear has been dispelled by the abundance of snow which has fallen during two or three weeks, prior to the date of his  letter. p. 134

Under date of April 28th, the Deseret News contained the following from a correspondent from Mount Pleasant: "The Northern Sanpete

Co-operative institution, organized a short time ago, having sold shares to a considerable amount within the past few days, taking mostly young stock in payment, was started from this place this morning for the herd ground in Thistle Valley. Our new meeting house is nearly completed. The weather in this section has been very cold and stormy, causing delay in sowing, hut a good crop is anticipated this season. The health of the people is generally good." p. 134

A committee was named to clean the interior and white wash the walls of the meeting house, which had been built a few years previous. In 1889 it was thought advisable to have the meeting house heated with coal instead of wood. Report was made that fifty benches had been made by members for use in the bowery

They proposed to get a church bell before the next year. A
committee was appointed to get men and teams to level the north side of the church square, and to further beautify the grounds by planting suitable shade and pine trees. A committee was also appointed to supervise the painting of the fence." Note: The fence was built by Levi and William Reynolds, and was extra high. p. 164

"BANNER CELEBRATION of OLD TIMERS HELD IN
MT. PLEASANT.

"Mt. Pleasant, March 21, 1910.-Yesterday was Pioneer Day in this City, but the Pioneers and their descendants held their celebration Saturday. A program was given at the North Ward Meeting House. An interesting feature of the day was a collection of Pioneer relics, displayed at the Opera House. There were old spinning wheels, wooden shoes, flint-lock guns of over a hundred years ago, Indian millstones, pewter ware brought across the plains in the handcart companies, and many other things. The day's festivities closed with a grand ball in the evening at the Madsen Opera House." p. 195

In 1913-14, the old "meeting house" was remodeled and new benches purchased. At this time, the gallery was taken out, and a vestibule was built on the west. The building was dedicated by President Anthon H. Lund, and then became known as the North Ward Chapel. p. 198

Later (John Hasler) took the leadership of the ward choir; George Farnsworth, the former leader had resigned. At that time, no printed

music was arranged to the Church Hymn books, he wrote all the notes and arranged them to the Latter-day Saints' Hymns, until the Psalmody was edited. No heated rooms were provided for their practices, a leader had to make his own fires, and bring his own coal oil for their lights. Later, when an organ was pro­vided for the meeting house, the leader had to teach the organists before the practices. Entertainments had to be arranged to en­courage the members as well as the public. In this capacity, Mr. Hastler labored for over twenty years. . . . He was greatly thankful to be able to enjoy his work. He was noted for his punctuality, he never was known to have been late to meet an ap­pointment where duty called.

He was an organizer in this line of work, not only in Mt. Pleasant, but in many other towns he organized choirs and bands. p. 243

Scofield Photos from the Johanna Madsen Hafen Collection

Those Big Horses Can Pull At Your Heart Strings, Too

Photos courtesy of The Salt Lake Tribune  ~ Sunday, April 24, 1977

Que Seely  and Pulling Horse

Que Seely, resident of Mt. Pleasant (now deceased) pulled horses as a hobby. 

It cost him both legs, amputated below the knees in horse -related injuries and
 complicated by diabetes.

He loved big horses all his life

He won second place in his first pulling contest in Ephraim in 1946.

He  conditioned his team beginning in the spring by pulling them every day.

He pulled his team in 13 states and in 1976 pulled them in his wheelchair.

In a pulling contest the big teams are hooked up to boats or sleds loaded with rocks,

barrels of cement, anything heavy enough. 

The winners are the ones who pull the farthest.

Que passed away October 24, 1981

He was married to Eva Tolman Seely

History of Mary Campbell ~ Mountainville History ~ Compiled by Melba Shelley Hill

Additional information taken from Family Search:  

Mary died 30 November 1966 in Boise, Idaho

She was married to David Garlic from Fairview.  He died in Idaho in 1952.

They were parents to twelve children.

Photos of South Side of Main Street ~ Found at City Hall

Five and Dime            ~              Safeway  

Drugstore  ~ Main and State

Telephone Office

Red and White