Sanpete Creeper ~~~~ Have You Heard of The Polygamous Central RailRoad? (from our archives)

Sanpete Creeper ~~~~ Have You Heard of The Polygamous Central Rail Road?

History of Mt.Pleasant by Hilda Madsen Longsdorf p 166




It is said that the Sanpete Valley Railroad attained the name of the Polygamist Central because it is thought they signaled the people if an officer or deputy were on board the train.


From the city records of 1888 the following is taken:

About this time the polygamist wave struck Mt. Pleasant, and it was truly a dark, troublesome time, as many of the settlers were at that time living in polygamy. Many about the Territory and in the community were arrested and given a cash fine and a peni­tentiary sentence. A great deal of unrest was manifested every­where. Many men were hiding. As in other communities, there was what was called a Colob Guard organized; companies of ten or twelve men of Mt. Pleasant were called to guard trails leading through Thistle Valley and other districts to give warning to the polygamist if a United States officer or a deputy approached. This guard returned home only at night for provisions.




See: Kolob Guard



Portrait of polygamists in prison, at the Utah Penitentiary, including George Q. Cannon in 1889, arrested under the Edmunds–Tucker Act.




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.”
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.”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.






 
Labels: Bolitho, Sanpete Creeper

The COPENHAGEN DISTRICT Of Mt. Pleasant (From our Archives) taken from Knudsen Chronicles page 59

COPENHAGEN DISTRICT

The Knudsen family lived in the southwest quarter of town, called the

"Copenhagen District" 

 because so many Danes made their homes there.

 An interesting culture developed.  Because there 

were so many Sorensens, Madsens, Olsens, Hansens,

 Rasmussens, Jensens, etc.,

 nicknames based on former hometown,

 physical characteristics, or a humorous happening 

became common.  For instance, 

James Christensen, 

who came from the town of Hobro, was commonly called

James Christensen Harbro.  

Ole Sorensen, who said the word 'absolutely' often, 

was called Ole Absolutely. 

 Examples of other amusing names were

Olaf Coffee Pot, 

Chris Golddigger, 

Stinkbug Anderson, 

Fat Lars, 

Dirty Mart, 

Alphabet Hansen, 

Bert Fiddlesticks,

Otto By-Yingo Anderson, 

Pete Woodenhead, 

Long Peter, 

Little Peter,

Salt Peter,

Shimmy Soren, 

and Shingle Pete.

The Word of Wisdom was not stressed so much at the time, 

so they followed the customs of their homeland and

 continued to drink coffee and homemade brew called 

Danish Beer. 

 Symbols of hospitality were the coffee pot simmering

 at the back of the stove and freshly-made cinnamon buns

 or cookies covered with a colorful cloth waiting to be shared.  

If anyone chided them, they commonly replied with a smile,

 "Brother Joseph never meant the Word of Wisdom

 for the Danes."

One Dane explained, "Not all the goot tings should 

be left to the yentiles."

Preaching at a funeral of a friend, a Dane said, 

"He has gone to Heaven where there is no sorrow, or pain, 

or Word of Wisdom."

The Danes had a great ability to laugh at themselves: 

"The Danes of Mount Pleasant, it was said, 

had pretty wives, 

while the Swedes had homely wives. 

 The reason:  

the Swedes were hard workers, while the Danes

 loafed around and picked out the 

pretty girls when they came to town."

At times, old prejudices from Europe caused

 problems, but laughing about it seemed to help 

defuse anger:  "A Dane and a Swede were arguing 

about the virtues and vices of the two nations.  

As the argument reached its peak, the furious

 Swede demanded, 'What could be dirtier than 

a dirty Dane?' To which the Dane triumphantly 

responded, 'A clean Swede."'

How to Hang a Horseshoe

 Tudy Barentsen Standlee and her husband Wayne came to the Relic Home and chided me for having the horseshoe (on the front door ) hanging round side up. She and Wayne rehung the horseshoe on the spot.  And that is how I met Tudy! 

She was and is a "God Send".

Horseshoe Up or Down?

Do you hang a horseshoe up or down for prosperity or protection? Horseshoe luck comes to those who hang the horseshoe up in many traditions because the prongs are pointing to the heavens. There’s also the connection with the upward prongs symbolizing the horns of sacred livestock such as oxen. Note the similarity between the ancient Norse rune Uruz (the letter and shape U) and the horseshoe. Uruz is a protective symbol that also brings abundance and strength, like the horseshoe symbol.

Still others claim the horseshoe should be turned down because if the horseshoe is turned up, fairies sit in them and wreak havoc on a household or barn. Horseshoe up or down? It’s up to you! My family always hung them up so as to “catch the luck”.

How to Hang a Horseshoe for Good Luck Ritual

Once you’ve acquired a horseshoe from ebay, amazon, or an antique store, hang it for good luck and protection. Old horseshoes are the most powerful. Here’s how to hang a horseshoe for good luck:

1. Charge the horseshoe by holding it in your hands and visualizing it glowing bright with protective and abundant energy.
2. Ask your ancestors/gods/universe to bless the horseshoe with luck and protective powers.
3. Hang it above the door to your home or barn by nailing it in with seven nails. Seven is a lucky number and is best for horseshoe luck.
4. Believe horseshoe luck and protection are blessed upon you and your household.  
5.  https://otherworldlyoracle.com/horseshoe-luck-legends-magic/

How did a wise old blacksmith get a horseshoe?

• The legend goes that a wise old blacksmith was hard at work one-day making horseshoes when he attracted the attention of the devil. The devil, of course, has hooves himself and he decided he would try getting them shod. The blacksmith recognized the devil and nailed on red-hot shoes, driving the nails deep into the devil’s foot.

Chariton Jacobs Has Passed On

 

Chariton Jacobs

May 31, 1945 — May 24, 2023

Roosevelt

Watch Live Stream  

    Henry “Chariton” Jacobs IV, age 77 left his earthly home on May 24, 2023, in Murray, Utah surrounded by family after a short hospitalization.
    Chariton was born May 31, 1945, in Provo, Utah to Henry Chariton Jacobs III and Florence Fern McIntosh. He was the second child of three and the only boy. 
    He married Novie Fay Williams on November 21, 1970, in the Manti Temple. While married they had one daughter, Angeline Jacobs. Novie later passed away on December 1, 1986.  He married Annie Swasey Purcell on March 12, 1999, in the Vernal Utah Temple, gained five bonus children and they enjoyed 24 wonderful years together. 
    Chariton was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he served a mission in the Gulf States Mission, Baton Rouge, Louisiana was his favorite area. He served in many callings and enjoyed attending the temple.
    Chariton cut meat for 51 years, in several stores, he retired in January of 2022.  He enjoyed the outdoors, camping, fishing, and spending time with family especially the grandchildren, they could get anything out of their grandpa.  Games with his family around the table was one of his favorite things.  He loved the Gospel, and His Father in Heaven.
    He is survived by his wife, Annie Jacobs, his sisters, Karen Shelly Hacking, Roosevelt; Annette Hansen,,Fountain Green, Utah; his daughter, Angeline Jacobs, Roosevelt; bonus children, Luke (Tiffany) Purcell, Herriman, UT; Andrew (Jessica) Purcell , Bluebell; Warren (Erica) Purcell, Vernal; Cora (Michael) Sabo, Tooele; Kadee (Dakota) Fox, Roosevelt; 8 grandchildren and his beloved dogs, Abby and Phoebe.,
    He is preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Novie and a grandson, Odysseus Fox.
    Funeral Services will be held on Friday June 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Roosevelt West Stake Chapel.  Viewings will be held Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the Hullinger Mortuary and Friday before services from 9:00 to 9:45a.m. at the church.  
    Burial will follow in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, in Mount Pleasant, Utah at 3:30 P.M.

Map of Mt. Pleasant and Listing of Madsen Homes in 1940

 

Carol and Betty Farley ~~~ Shared by Carol Farley Corcoran (their daughter)

 

Carol and Betty Farley
Happy Anniversary  they will be celebrating 75 years in Heaven

Home of James Nielsen Anderson and his wife Dianthea Christine Peterson~~~Researched, Compiled and Updated by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

LET FREEDOM RING AND FIREWORKS BEGIN ~~~ Reader's Digest

GRAPHICAARTIS/GETTY IMAGES

 Kelly Kuehn

Updated: Jun. 05, 202~~~~~© 2023~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This day is incredibly significant in American history. It marks the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted (July 4, 1776) and the United States officially became its own nation. American citizens celebrate America’s birthday with festivals, parades, fireworks, barbecues and other festive activities.

Which country did we declare our independence from?

America declared its independence from Great Britain. In order to fully understand the significance of Independence Day and what happened in 1776, we need to go back in history a bit. Before America was its own country, it was comprised of 13 Colonies established by the Brits: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The first colony was settled in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. European countries, especially Great Britain, continued to colonize America throughout the 17th century and a good portion of the 18th century. By 1775, an estimated 2.5 million settlers lived in the 13 Colonies.

What led the colonists to seek independence?

Tensions started brewing when Great Britain passed legislation that gave it more control within the Colonies, especially when it came to taxing the colonists. The Crown was in debt after the French and Indian War, so it started taxing the American Colonies to boost revenue. The passage of legislation like the Stamp Act in March 1765, the Townshend Acts in June and July of 1767 and the Tea Act of 1773 forced colonists to pay more money to Great Britain—even though the Colonies didn’t have a say in the Crown’s policies. This became known as taxation without representation, a concept that was a heated pillar in the American Revolution.

Events like the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party further escalated tensions between British occupiers and American colonists. Those tensions exploded in April 1775, when the Battles of Lexington and Concord broke out in Massachusetts as British forces attempted to confiscate weapons from the colonists. It was the first time Colonial militias battled British troops, and thus, the American Revolutionary War began.

Reader's Digest: https://www.rd.com/article/4th-of-july-history/

© 2023

SENIORS BID FAREWELL ~~~ 1930 NORTH SANPETE

 

Independence Day

 

Emma Dewey Allred (Widow of Isaac Allred) Later Married William Hayward

 Emma Dewey Allred Hayward

Emma Dewey was born on 21 April 1826

EMMY DEWEY ALLRED HAYWARD Emma Dewey was born on the 28 April 1826 in Babton, Wiltshire, England, the daughter of Sara Ranger and John Dewey. Her father died when she was about four years old and her mother married James Targett of Cadford, Wiltshire, England, and to this union was born four children: Ann, Eliza, John, and Mary. When Emma was just a young girl, she heard the gospel from a missionary by the name of Isaac Allred. She was converted to the truth of his words and braved the condemnation and ridicule of family and friends to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was baptized 6 July 1852. Her mother and stepfather disowned her so she packed her few belongings in a trunk and left England, never to see her family again. She worked her way to America, the land of Zion in 1852. On opening her trunk after her arrival, she found that someone had poured ink all over the few clothes and belongings she had brought with her. It was three years later when she left Mormon Grove, Kansas, on 1 July 1855, with the Richard Ballantine Company to walk all the way to Utah. Somewhere during the crossing of the ocean or the first year in the United States, she met William and Ruth Hayward who were also converts. They arrived in Utah in 1853. Emma's company arrived in Salt Lake 25 September 1855. The Haywards and Emma Dewey became great friends and they settled in Ogden, Weber County, Utah. Plural marriages were being practiced in the church at this time, and Emma Dewey became the third wife of the missionary who converted her. She was sealed on 7 October 1856 to Elder Isaac Allred who was born in Bedford County, Tennessee on 28 June 1813. He married his first wife, Julia Ann Taylor, on 10 October 1832. A daughter, Emma, was born to Isaac in Ogden; they then moved to Ephraim where a son, Adelbert, was born. In 1859 Isaac moved his family to Mt. Pleasant, where he was engaged in sheep raising. On the 12th of May he was accidentally killed by a lifelong friend, Tom Ivie. They had been sitting at the campfire when they began arguing over some sheep; in the heat of the argument Tom pulled an aspen pole from the fire and hit Isaac on the head. The blow killed him instantly. His friend and murderer was tried and condemned to death, but he escaped and went East. President Brigham Young prophesied that Tom Ivie would apostatize from the church and buzzards would pick his bones. This prediction was literally fulfilled as the remains of Mr. Ivie were subsequently found in a cornfield devoured by buzzards. Thus, Emma Dewey Allred has left a widow with two small children. During this period of bewilderment, William and Ruth Hayward came to her aid and befriended her. Emma had known nothing but hardships and hard work from her early childhood, and being a widow with her small babies to provide for was just another chapter in her life to strengthen her character. William entered into polygamy and took Emma as his second wife on 6 June 1863. He made a home for her in Moroni, Utah. On 26 April 1864 a son, Thomas Henry, was born to them. Thus in the triangle of plural marriages, Thomas had half brothers and sisters that had half brothers and sisters that were no relation to Thomas. Being a second wife obliged Emma to do whatever she could to earn a living for herself and three children. They went barefoot, poorly clothed, and often hungry while their mother bent over the washboard or perspired over hot irons to earn a few cents from her neighbors. They grew up in the very poorest of their surroundings. The children assisted their mother as they were able in the chores, and they indeed learned the value of money. William had been called to help settle the Sevier Valley (later called Richfield) in about 1859. He later built a double house and moved Emma and her children to Richfield. They saw much poverty and because of Indian disturbances were forced to leave their home and move to Nephi. Here a daughter, Ruth, was born to Emma, but she died while still an infant of dysentery. William was called to help resettle Richfield in 1870; he took Ruth with him, but Emma remained in Nephi. Her daughter married Thomas West and moved to Chester in 1875; Emma followed her two boys. She was the first school teacher in Chester. Through all of Emma's hard work, she always found time to give her time and talents to the church. The Chester Ward Records show that she was very active. She was a teacher in the first Sunday School and on 2 December 1883 was sustained as second assistant in the Sunday School. She held this position until 1892 when she was advanced to first assistant--a position few women have ever held. She had been sustained as Second Counselor in the Relief Society on 13 January 1878 and when the Primary was organized on 22 June 1880 she was its first President. She was released from the Primary in 1893. She followed the pattern of the Master Teacher of teaching by doing. She would take her primary children out into the wheat fields and follow along behind the thrasher gleaning the grain they left. Her hands were often raw and bleeding. When they had gleaned all they could, she would have it thrashed and give the wheat to the bishop, thus teaching the children both the value of work and the blessing of giving. William Hayward died from internal injuries sustained from over lifting; this happened on 27 September 1891 at the age of 74. He was buried at Richfield. Emma left Chester and moved to Mt. Pleasant to make her home with her daughter in 1893. While there she furnished the bread for the sacrament for 12 years. She would take the bread in a little egg basket lined with a white napkin and covered with a lid. She would carefully gather any pieces of bread left over and be very sure that not one piece was wasted; she explained to the grandchildren and neighbor children that it was an honor to eat these pieces of bread as they had been blessed. Her kindness to children and loved ones was most outstanding and she was affectionately known wherever she went as "Aunt Emma." Her grandchildren called her "Grandma Great." On Tuesday, 20 April 1909, at the age of 83, she gathered her family together and walked several blocks in the rain to have a four-generation picture taken. Soon after returning home she became ill and slipped peacefully away during the night. She was buried at Mt. Pleasant. Her obituary read, "Another of Mt. Pleasant's pioneers has passed to the Great Beyond in the person of Aunt Emma Hayward. She died early Wednesday morning, 21 April 1909."

  Grandmother was very modest and unassuming. She never had much to say about her life nor did she leave any stories that would help complete her history. One letter from her half-sister Ann in England was found among her papers, so she did hear from her family. In asking some of her grandchildren what they could remember about her, one of them said, "I remember her little cape and bonnet trimmed with a feather and lace which she always wore to church." Others said about all they could remember was her kindness and hard work. All of them said she was one of the hardest-working persons they had ever known. One remembered her beautiful flower garden and the bouquets she always sent home with them, and another has a favorite spot in his flower garden where some of her Lily-of-the-Valley grow. I was just a year old when she died and cannot remember her, but I have been told by my mother many times how she used to play with me and laugh at my actions until the tears would roll down her face. She laughed at my hands when I was born because they were so big. She said, "When she puts them over her face they are so big they cover her whole face. What greater gift could a father and a grandmother give you than hardworking hands?"

Emma Dewey Allred Grave Marker 


~~~~

ISAAC  ALLRED
murdered by Thomas Ivie
May 11, 1859

https://draft.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/823365018368490611/8709786379137482513

Home of Wilford Woodruff Brandon and his wife Margretta Wilcox~~~Researched, Compiled and updated by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

 

Duane Allen Shelley Has Passed On

 

Duane Allen Shelley


10/14/1935 ~ 6/16/2023


Duane Allen Shelley passed away peacefully on June 16, 2023. Allen was born on October 14, 1935, to David A. Shelley and Geneva McArthur Shelley. Allen graduated from North Sanpete High School and then attended Snow College, where he played football. He also attended Utah Trade Tech studying heating, air, and welding. Allen married Phyllis Coates on June 19, 1965, in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Manti Temple on March 2, 1974.

Allen worked in heating and air until he took over the family sheep farm. He spent many hours on the farm baling hay, moving water lines, and taking care of the sheep herd. Each summer he herded the sheep to the mountain for the summer where he would spend time with his children riding horses and cooking dutch oven meals. Allen loved his horses. He had several quarter horses, palominos, and appaloosas. One of his favorite things to do was go fishing. He bought a boat that he loved to take family and friends on to fish.

Allen served on the Mt. Pleasant City council for years where he developed many relationships with those in the community. He briefly served in the army. He was active in the LDS church serving in many capacities such as a counselor in the Bishopric.

Allen is survived by his children Abbigail C. Shelley, Mt. Pleasant, UT, Amanda S. Nelson(Skyler), Saratoga Springs, UT, and Chet A. Shelley(Nicole), Pleasant Grove, UT. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Boston, London, Graham, Jacoby, and Paisley. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and sisters; David, Blain, Dale, Darwin, Melvin, Ned, Margaret, Marion, and Betty.