Progeny ~ Pearle Madsen Olsen

Pearle M. Olsen

Martin Van Buren Aldrich and wife Joanne Marie Home ~ researched by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

Snow Transportation and Removal. Kites and Winged Words ~ By Leland Stansfield

I shall now go back to when we children were made ready for the walk to school, but before we could do this, Herman Beck, with his snow plow would have to clear the way so we would have no trouble in walking that block.  (Leland lived just one block east of Hamilton School)  Sometimes our fellow playmates and neighbors would join us in the walk.

While I am about it, I might as well explain just what a snowplow is.  It is a wedge shaped wooden piece of wood, about four and one half feet wide at the rear end and it comes to a point of about five feet in length.  An iron ring is attached  to the front from which a horse can pull this odd looking contraption.  The weight of a man riding this plow is required to make a good trail.  The walkways are cleared in this manner all over the town in order to make it possible for people to get around and not have to wade through deep snow to get anywhere.

I know I have strayed somewhat from the subject of transportation and I intend to get back to it, but I just had to mention and tell about a few other thing that I thought were worth talking about.  I do hope some of the things I have written about will be interesting to the reader.

When school was out for the day, it was time for Mr. Barton to hitch up his horses again and transport the children.  H had brought them to school now he would see to it that they would be safely returned to their various homes.

The next day it began snowing heavily, and for two days more before it let up.  Mr. Barton was assured that he could use that bob sled throughout the rest of the winter and that he would not have to be going back to the use of wagon transportation.  The kids dearly loved to ride in the sleigh.

After finishing this article, I thought it would be nice to add a little something to it.  This is a short poem that I knew a long time ago, and it seemed appropriate to write it down at this time.

Boys flying kites haul in their winged birds

You can't do that way when you're flying words

Words unexpressed may sometimes fall back dead, but

God, Himself can't kill them once they're said.

Female Relief Society ~ September 3, 1877

Meeting held September 3rd, 1877

Opened with singing and prayer by Sister Peel.
Reports of donations and disbursements were read and also a letter of condolences to the family of President B. Young sent from the Sisters of Mt. Pleasant.

Sister Morrison addresssed the Sisters with a penful (sp) feeling for the loss of our beloved Pres. B. Young.  She said it was hard  trial and a great loss for the Latter Day Saints but the Lord gives and the Lord only takes what he gives and he finished his work upon the earth and was ready to go beyond the veil to dwell with the Gods.  Sister Morrison exhorted the Sisters to live so that we always may remember the good counsel and wise instruction that our beloved Prophet had given when he was amongst us.

Sister Peel also felt the great change and heavy loss of our dear Prophet and the same feeling was spoken of of every Sister that rose to speak.

Some business matter were arranged and a Sewingbee was selected of Mondy 24, September and meeting was closed with singing, "Let Those Who Would Be Saints Indeed" and prayer by Sister Morrison

MFC Morrison, Pres
K. Louise Hasler, Sec

Utah's First National Guard - Captain W.W. Woodring

1894-1897

Mustered April 14th, 1894 - - - Mustered out April 14th, 1897

Standing: Capt. W.W. Woodring, Axel Bjelke, Alfred Robinson, Fred Fechser, John T. Hansen, Carl Hastlar, Bent R. Hansen, Olaf Rosenlof, James B. Porter, J.M. Boyden, James Jorgensen, Ferdinand Ericksen, M.G. Rolf, D.C. Jensen, Thomas Braby,

Front Row: Ed Wall, John Lofgreen, Louis Lofgreen, Charlie Draper, J. C. Barton, Sam Chatterton, S. P. Christensen, John A. Matson, William E. Watson, George Thompson, Lennard Hansen, C.E. Hampshire, A.B. Williams

In Flanders Fields John McCrae, 1915.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.              Moina Michael replied with her own poem:                                           We cherish too, the Poppy red                                 That grows on fields where valor led,                                  It seems to signal to the skies                                   That blood of heroes never dies.              Kathy:  "In Flanders Fields"  a great post.  And yes, we have a Mt               Pleasanter buried there, Charles Rutishauser, KIA June 1944.  And by                 comparison, a trivia note,  three versions of the poem, page 152, my  book. lee  (below)

Memorial Day 2011 ~ Mt. Pleasant Cemetery ~ Military Rites

DOING YOUR BIT ~ Saga of the Sanpitch ~ 1985

Photo courtesy of Alice Hafen
World War II

World War I Years in Mt. Pleasant
Dorothy Jacobs Buchanan
Professional Division
Second Place Personal Recollections
Kaleidoscopic memories surge through my mind when I recall those busy years in Mt. Pleasant during
World War I. I am grateful that I retain mental pictures of another era that is significant in our historical world.

On a sunny day in August, 1914, Mama and I were preparing lunch at noon for my father who came
from his work downtown at that time0 However, he was a few minutes late that day, which was unusual;
but suddenly he hurried into the room and stated in excited tones, "We've just had word that Germany has
declared war on Russia. I'm afraid we're in for real trouble." And he was definitely right. Our lives changed
perceptibly. New patterns and problems engulfed us, as was true of the whole country. We were frequently
urged to direct our vigorous energy toward the War Effort. The Red Cross became activated, where many
women met to roll bandages and do necessary sewing and fashioning of medical supplies„ We were aware of how much the European Allied countries needed our help and we heard many sad stories of privations and casualties they were experiencing.

In school, we sewed many grey flannel petticoats and underwear suits for needy Belgian children.
Every Monday morning we bought a twenty-five cent Thrift Stamp and pasted in our small booklets until
we acquired $5.00 which we were supposed to save until we had enough to buy a $50.00 Liberty Bond.
School boys were directed to gather fruit pits, grind them up and burn them into charcoal which had
marvelous power of absorbing gases in the cannisters of soldiers' gas masks„ Another task that Mt. Pleasant
boys were assigned was to collect spokes from old wagon wheels, sand them well, then scrape them with
broken glass to make them very smooth, and finally, whittle them into knitting needles for the ladies to use0
For most women owned large knitting bags equipped with knitting needles, yarn, and items of clothing
that they were frequently knitting for soldiers. Thousands of socks, sweaters and scarves were sent overseas.
This gathered momentum after the United States entered the World War on April 6, 1917.
 We were all thrilled to know that General Pershing made the remark, "Lafayette, we are here!" when he landed the first troops in France.

Now, we had to redouble our helpful efforts„ Flour and wheat were badly needed by the troops and
Allies. We experimented using substitutes for white flour by using corn meal, oatmeal, graham flour and some
people even tried grinding up alfalfa leaves to mix with other ingredients to make a rather questionable type
of bread.

I have a letter which gives us an idea of the importance of wheat and the action that was taken to
acquire it. The letter came to my father who was Bishop of the L.D.S. North Ward, and is as follows:

UNITED STATES FOOD ADMINISTRATION
Kansas City, MO
May 28, 1918
Bishop of the Mt. Pleasant North Ward

Dear Sir:
I wish to express unto you my appreciation for your promptness in replying to the letter sent you by the
Presiding Bishopric and General Board regarding the sale of wheat owned by the Relief Society of your ward.

There has never been a time when wheat was so valuable. The crying need of the hour is food. The manner in which the Relief Societies responded to the call is indeed highly commendable.You can be assured that the wheat will be used in the manufacture of flour for the Government to be used for our soldier hoys or our associates in the war.

Thanking you very much for your cooperation in the matter, I am,
United States Food Administration
Agent, D. F. Piazzek

Then there was THE PLEDGE, which was a big hurdle for us children„ Our principal came into our
school room one day with a paper in hand and made a short but fervent speech about the pressing need
for everyone to save sugar, after which he read a pledge that he felt all patriotic children should sign and
passed it around the room. The pledge stated that each one of us would abstain from eating candy for a six week period. I was a choco-holic and loved candy in any form  Could my patriotism go that far? After the class, one of the boys approached me and announced that he didn't think that I could possibly keep that
pledge. The next day he brought me a box of those thrilling Pink Lady Chocolates to my home and told me that if I could keep the pledge the box would be mine at the end of the six weeks. I knew he was enjoying tempting me, but I decided I'd accept his offer by giving the box to my mother and instructing her to hide it until the time was up.  Of course she collaborated, and I passed Poker Pete's candy shop with averted face.
But how I did enjoy those Pink Lady delights! (I even treated the donor to some.)

Young men of certain ages were required to register their names and important information, and they
were given an oblong metal badge to wear showing that they had conformed. Men were drafted, others
enlisted, but when a group of soldiers left to go into training for war, many townspeople assembled at the
depot and gave them a rousing sendoff, though I remember seeing tears shed.

Organizations prepared boxes of goodies to send to the boys overseas. I have a postal card picturing a
street scene in Paris, from where it was mailed on February 26, 1918. It was addressed to the North Ward
Y.L.M.I.A. and bore the following message: "I wish to thank you for the box you sent me some time ago. It was a real treat. Best wishes. P. C. Jensen.'

Musically, it has been said that World War I was a "singing war" in the United States„ Phonographs
of various types were becoming popular around that time. Tin Pan Alley was purchasing patriotic songs in
great numbers, and sheet music was constantly rolling off the presses. We knew the words of most of the
songs and sang them in school, at parties, in the streets on moonlit evenings while we strolled along--in fact,
almost everywhere„ "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" and "Over There" were two great favorites; also "Just a
Baby's Prayer at Twilight." I could produce a giant list. It was special fun to hear and sing some humorous
songs such as "Will Dey Let Me Use Mah Razor in de War," and "How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The
Farm?" I often think of one line which has always impressed me as being distressingly true: "I don't know what this war's about; but, by gosh, I'll soon find out."

BYU President George H. Brimhall composed a beautiful patriotic song entitled "Old Glory," which our
school class usually sang in our morning opening exercises„ It was a favorite. President Heber J. Grant taught himself to sing just one patriotic song that had great appeal, called"The Flag Without a Stain." He proudly sang it on many occasions, usually by request.

We had numerous bond rallies" where people pledged to buy as many bonds as possible., We'd often
have leading people from other cities give urgent pleas for help At times we would have a band play and
always patriotic songs. I'd like to give a few lines from one song, which I think are apropos:

What are you going to do for Uncle Sammy?
What are you going to do to help the boys?
When you're far away from home, fighting o'er the foam,
The least that you can do is buy a Liberty Bond or two.

We had new words and phrases emerge as an outgrowth of the war, some of which are still in use
today. Such words as "camouflage, "Ace," "slacker," to name a few. One phrase stands out because of its
frequent use and strong appeal-- "Doing your bit." A "bit" adds up to a great amount if consistently given.
On that sunny day of November 11, 1918, my brother and I were enjoying a moment of inertia by
lying on our stomachs on the warm earth at the beet dump between Moroni and Mt. Pleasant where we
weighed beets. Suddenly, a cacaphony of sound exploded around us. A long procession of cars hurtled by
bearing dozens of people shouting, singing, honking. We heard the strains of "It's Over Over There."
On the back of the last car, tall, red painted letters spelled out the word PEACE!!

Pioneer Recalls Hardships ~ Tribune July 22, 1923 ~ by Robert Aveson

Early Day Scenes of Salt Lake City in 1847 ~ 1860 .....From the Salt Lake Tribune April 6, 1930

"Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory"

Andrew Madsen's Journal Part IV

History of Andrew Madsen and the Early Settling of Sanpete County

Andrew Madsen Sr.

The following is an account written by Andrew Madsen concerning the settling of Sanpete Valley, the Indian Wars, Rattlesnakes in Manti, and Grasshopper Invasion.

David R. Gunderson  reproduced the original journal printed for private distribution several years ago and is currently working on a new edition to be published sometime in the future.

Mt. Pleasant as the name implies, is a city situated on a pleasant elevation in the north end of Sanpete County about one hundred miles south of Salt Lake City.  The site was selected by the early pioneers of Sanpete County as the most delightful and commending location for a rapid growing commercial and metropolitan city and its rapid growth and development fully demonstrate that the locators were not deceived.

After the Utah Pioneers had secured homes in Salt Lake Valley and were preparing to convert the desert into fruitful fields, a company of about fifty families from Salt Lake City and Centerville was organized and started late in the fall of 1849 for Sanpete Valley.

Among the original pioneers were the following ment, Seth Taft; Charles Shumway; D.B. Huntington; Barney Ward; John Lowry Sr.; Titus Billings; G. W. Bradley; Albert Petty; O.S. Cox; Albert Smith; Jesreel Shoemaker; Cyremus H. Taylor; Azariah Smith; Abraham Washburn; John D. Chase; Isaac Chase; Sylvester Hewlett; Wm. Potter; Gardner Potter; James Brown; Joseph Allen; Madison D. Hamilton; Wm. Richie; Harrison Fugate; Sylvester Wilcox; Gad Yale; J.Carter; Isaac Behunnin; Wm. Mendenhall; Edwin Whiting; Wm. Tubbs; John  Hart; John Baker; John Elmer; John Butterfield; Amos Gustin; John Cable; and W.K. Smith.

The pioneers cleared roads, built bridges and succeeded in passing through Salt Creek Canyon without a great deal of hardship.  They continued to move on southward in quest of a suitable location until the present site, Manti, was reached; thus being selected the frontier town of central and southern Utah.

The first camp was pitched on the stream now known as City Creek on the evening of November 22nd, 1849.  A few days later snow began falling and continued until the ground was covered to a depth of three feet.  The colony then changed quarters to the south side of Temple Hill where thy built dugouts which were occupied by some, while others remained in their wagons, on the hillside.

The Indians camped around the colony greedily devouring the dead animals which had died for want of food.  Th following Spring when the snow began melting and the days became warm, the peaceful colony were one day interrupted and startled by a continuous hissing and rattling of rattlesnakes which were found to exist almost everywhere throughout the homes of the settlers in boxes, cupboards, beds, etc.  A vigorous fight was at once inaugurated and hundreds were slaughtered in one night.

Of the two hundred and forty head of cattle brought in by the colonists less than one half were alive in the Spring, owing to the heavy winter.

The colonists were fortunate in having a fair supply of seed for planting.  The soil proved productive and crops began growing early, thereby giving some green vegetables for food within a short time after planting.  Ditches were made and water was easily taken out of the creek.  The crops grew and homes were erected until the settlers soon became comfortably situated.

About July 1st, of this year, Indian Chief Walker and a band of seven hundred warriors of the Sanpitch Indians with their squaws and papooses returned from a successful foraging expedition against the Shoshones and camped in a semi circle around the Colonists, remaining during the year.  They proudly exhibited their trophies of war, held frequent scalp dances and forced the squaws and children prisoners to dance with the scalp of their kindred attached to poles being significant of humbleness.  While thus being amused Indian Chief Walker and his leading men would tatalize the Colonists and threaten to treat them in a similar manner.  These fiendish actions would be kept up all night long, while occasionally a wild shriek or yell would burst forth from out of their camps.  The small Colony of Pioneers would lie in their beds not knowing whether or not their lives would be spared from the hands of the blood thirsty Indians until morning

President Brigham Young visited the Colony in August and christened the town Manti (in honor of one of the noted cities mentioned in the Book of Mormon).  The County he named Sanpete afte the Indian tribe then inhabiting this section, the chief of whom was Sanpitch.

A School house was erected of logs under the direction of Isaac Morley, Jessee w. Fox, and Mrs. Mary Whiting was installed as the pioneer teachers and the children were furnished the best opportunities of obtaining an education that the colonists could afforf.

A small grist mill was erected at the mouth of the Canyon by Phines W. Cook.  The only mill used previous to this was a large coffee grinder, which was passed from house to house as needed.

An act of Congress organizing Utah Territory was approved September 9th, 1850 and Brigham Young was appointed Governor.  A provisional form of government was instituted and Isaac Morley and Charles Shumway represented Sanpete County in the firs Legislative Assembly.  The Legislature met in Salt Lake City and passed an Act incorporating Manti which was approved February 5th, 1851.  Sanpete County was organized by authority of an act of the territorial legislature passed February 3rd, 1852 and Manti was made the County Seat.

In 1853 a Company of Veterans inaugurated under the direction of Madison D. Hambleton proceeded to move northward for the purpose of establishing a new colony and located on the stream just below where Mt. Pleasant is now situated.  The stream was named Hamilton (now Pleasant Creek) and the settlement was named Hamilton, giving honor to the name of their leader.  Early in March they built a sawmill at the mouth of the canyon and at once commenced cutting timber and sawing lumber for the purpose of building houses.  Work was at once commenced in clearing land, sowing and planting crops, building homes and they soon began to prosper.

During the summer the Indians were seen skirmishing about in a sulky, sullen manner, showing a spirit of dissatisfaction and the great Indian Chief Walker, continually gave indications of a desire to stir up trouble between the colonist and the redskins, notwithstanding his treacherous pleadings for white neighbors to settle among them and teach them the principals of a peaceful and happy government.  This bloodthirsty chieftan's purpose was only for more victims to slaughter.

An aged, diplomatic chief, named sowiatt, pleaded with his people to let the white men build homes and dwell with them in peace and his counsel generally prevailed, because he was reliable old Chief and desired peace, while Walker was very treacherous and could not even be trusted by his own tribe.  Walker desired the scalp of Charles Shumway and at last determined to make an effort to get someone to torture so that he could frighten his pale faced friends.

One day in the early summer, while most of the able-bodied men were at Hamilton assisting M.D. Hamilton, or in Salt Lake City after supplies, Walker and a band of painted redskins entered Manti and demanded the body of Shumway and others  against whom they had imaginary grievances, that they might be tortured and put to death.  This demand was not granted and an attack was threatened.

The old men and  women, also boys who were remaining at home, determined to resist the savages at once making preparations for battle, but the leader Sowiatt conquered and hostility ceased.  This vexed and humiliated Walker so much that he abandoned his tribe and went into the mountains alone, hoping that his actions would draw the warriors' affection from the Sowiatt to him.

July 18th, Alex Keel was killed at Payson, Utah by Arropine, a prominent Indian Leader.  This act caused the breaking out of the noted Walker Indian War and on July 19th, a band of blood-thirsty Indians fired upon guards at the Hambleton sawmill at the mouth of the canyon, but were forced back.

During the night a raid was made by the Indians upon the cattle that were corraled at Hambleton trying to frighten them away, but they were fired upon by the guards and tow of the Indians were killed.  The other Indians made their retreat, carrying with them their dead comrades and leaving behind them a gun and blanket which was covered with blood.  The following morning the veterans with their families, cattle and  provisions made a retreat to Spring Town for safety, where James Allred and about fifteen families had settled and built a fort in 1852.

While the settlers were rushing to Spring Town for shelter, their wagons, lumber and sawmill at the mouth of the canyon were burned and destroyed by the raging Indians.

The following day raids were made upon the herds of Manti and several horses and cattle were stolen and driven into the mountains.  A similar attack was made  on the range near Neph and Wm. Jolley was wounded by Indians at Springville.  The colonists became alarmed and at once organized for a defence of their homes and families.

A company of fifty militia men under Capt. P. W. Conover were sent out from Provo to assist the settlers at Hambleton, who were very few in proportion to the savages.

The troops met the savages on July 23rd, at Hambleton's Mill and engaged in a fierce bloody battle resulting in the death of six warriors and a complete routing of the Indians, who fled to the mountains.

By the aid of the militia, the settlers of Hambleton harvested their crops and returned to Spring Town, but the Indians were on the alert and did not wait long to recruit from the previous engagement.  One Sunday, Spring Town was attacked and all the horses and cattle were rounded up and started for the mountains; the the herders were fired upon and fled to the fort for protection, while the Indians rode away, yelling and waving their red blankets in defiance.  A posse was at once organized and soon on the trail of the Indians for the purpose of rescuing their cattle and horses.  When they neared the herd, some of the Indians broke back towards the Fort as if to attack their wives and children and thus the posse were compelled to return and protect their homes and families.  When they neared the Fort, the Indians fled to the mountains, joining those of their tribe who were rushing on with the cattle.  Two of the herding ponies escaped from being stolen by the Indians and returned to the Fort, thereby giving the settlers the means of communication with Manti, the only point from which relief could be expected.

A messenger was dispatched immediately and by riding west across the valley, then south, succeeded in evading the vigilant Indian scouts.  The express Messenger reached Manti at about three o'clock in the afternoon, making one of the quickest trips ever recorded.

When the news reached Manti, drums were sounded and their cattle was at once rounded up and sentries posted at all prominent points while hasy preparation was made for sending relief to Spring Town.

Twelve yoke of oxen and wagons, accompanied by teamsters and twelve mounted guards left as quickly as possible, arriving at Srping Town at daylight the following morning.  The colonists were taken to Manti and given quarters in a fort which had been erected that year.  The entire population of Sanpete at this time numberd only 765 men, women and children, who remained and fortified themselves in the Fort at Manti until the Spring of 1854.

Guards were kept at the little mill at the mouth of the canyon to prevent an attack from Indians until sufficient flour could be ground for the winter supply, but on October first, both Miller and Guard, John E. Warner, and Wm, Mills were killed by Indians who made their escape, leaving the mill undisturbed.  The indians, however, returned later and burned the mill, claiming that it was done in retaliation for the shooting of five Indians, who were convicted of stealing cattle and ordered executed by Major Higgins.

A few days previous to the killing of the Miller and the Guard, four ox teams loaded with grain started for Salt Lake City, being followed a few hours later by twelve horse teams hauling provisions, feed and a number of Saints enroute to the semi-annual Conference.  Arrangements were made for camping at Shumway Springs (now known as Duck Springs near Moroni) but the first teams kept going until they reached Uintah Springs (Now Fountain Green),

Before the rear team reached camp the Indians made an attack, killing all the drivers, Thomas Clark, Wm. E. Reed, Wm. Luke, and James Neilson driving away their oxen.  Having no use for the grain the savages cut open the sacks and scattered the wheat over the ground to complete their work of destruction and show their hatred for the white men.  The mangled bodies of those unfortunate freighters were picked up by the rear companhy and removed to Salt Creek (now Nephi) for interment.

Several Indians watched them from the  cover ofcedar and brushes on the mountain slopes, making frantic gestures of joy over their massacres.

A few days previous to this Capt. J. W. Gunnison a United States Topographical Engineer and a corps of seven men, including W. Potter of Manti, were killed by Indians while in camp on the Sevier River, near where the City of Gunnison is now situated.

During 1854, the Indians confined their depredations chiefly to southern Utah, but frequently invaded the herding grounds ofSanpete, stealing both cattle and horses and making good their escape.

On January 20th, 1855, Walker, the great Indian Chief died at Maddow Creek.  Arropine, who had begun the work of exterminating the white men became Chief of Walker'stribe and  made a treaty of peace.  Thus the Walker Indian War was ended.

On May 21st, 1855, A.N. Billings and a company of forty men were sent from Sanpete to settle the Elk Mountain country and make peace with the Indians.  They crossed the Grande River and erected the Mormon Fort, where Moab is now located.  In August some of the colonists returned to Manti and on September 3rd, the Indians made an attack, killing Wiseman Hunt, Edward Edwards, and Wm. Behunin and wounding Capt. A.N. Billings.  the colonists entered the Fort, which the Indians immediately surrrounded, giving notice of their intentions to kill all the inmates.

The next day some of the Chiefs interceded in behalf of the white men and the imprisoned colonists were permitted to return to their homes with the understanding that the settlement should be abandoned.  The request being complied with the colonists then returned to Manti.

In the Spring of 1854, R.N. Allred and R. W. Allred, together with fifteen families left the Manti Fort after remaining in the Fort over winter, where thy had stayed after being driven and forced away from Spring Town by the Indians the fall previous and located on Pine Creek seven miles north of Manti, the site afterwards being called Ephraim.  Isaac Behunnin had built a home on this creek as early as 1851, but had to return to Manti for protection from the Indians.  This settlement was really the first successful attempt towards forming a colony outside of Manti.  Several additions were made to their number during the fall of 1854 by families of Scandinavians from Salt Lake City.

The grasshoppers invade the farms in 1855 and 1856 and destroyed almost all crops, causing much hunger and starvation.  In December, 1857, a general jubilee prevailed through the colonies because of the abundant crops, which had been harvested, having overcome the two previous years of hardships.

To be continued ............

Heritage Day at Spring City ~ May 25th

Osral Allred   posted this lovely painting, which he'll contribute to the 
Art Squared Auction at Heritage Day in Spring City May 25th