Ferdinand Erickson and his first wife, Clementina Morrison and baby Beatrice

Neils Rolph Home ~ Researched by Tudy Standlee

Duty ~ A Poem by Ellis Reynolds Shipp

To those of you who may not know the story of Ellis Reynolds Shipp, she came across the plains as a child with her father and mother. Their first home was in Pleasant Grove, where her mother passed away, her father remarried. They later moved to Mt. Pleasant. Everyone who knew her knew she had a great gift. She learned fast, remembered everything. She was obviously very intelligent. When Brigham Young came to Mt. Pleasant for a conference, he asked to meet with this young girl. After visiting with her a short while, he invited her to live in the Lion House with his family where she could get the best education possible here in the Utah Territory. She prayed about it and worried some about leaving her father. Her father encouraged her to go to Salt Lake and take advantage of Brigham Young's offer. She was tutored with the children of Brigham Young. One of her tutors was Karl Maeser. She later married Milford Shipp and ultimately gave birth to ten children. Four of those children died in infancy. Milford had entered into polygamy and married four more wives. Brigham Young announced that women would be sent east for training as doctors so that they could return to Utah and serve as physicians. Ellis left her children with her sister wives and went to Philadelphia to study medicine. After three years, she returned home and set up her medical practice in Salt Lake. During her career she delivered more than 5,000 babies. She also served on the Relief Society General Board. Amongst everything else she accomplished in her life, she wrote a book of poetry entitled "Life Lines".  

DUTY

Oft we ask ourselves the question

What list for us to do?

What in life the best vocation----

Best for woman to pursue?

Shall we be the dolls of Fashion?

Loved and flattered for a while,

Simply live for passing passion,

Sycophantic smile;

Shall we live for vain ambition?

Live to gain life's wealth and power?

Feast on words of adulation,

on the friendship of an hour?

Shall we live for public duty?

To reform low and vile?

Shall we stake our all on beauty,

Or to add to Mammon's pile?

Shall we live for home's fair altar?

Ne'er to pass beyond it's shrine?

Shall we put our hearts in halter

of mere Fashion all the time?

To these queries, what's the answer?

Duty at the time is all!

Let our thoughts and feelings center

On our Duty !  That's the Call !

Know it, love it, act it bravely,

Wheresoever o'er the path it may lead,

For 'twill bring so perfect pleasure,

And at last the richest meed.

Past Fourth of July Celebrations in Mt. Pleasant, Utah

 Hazel (Jensen) Anderson dressed for 4th of July in Mt Pleasant circa 1904.

 We always looked forward to getting ready for the big Fourth of July parade.  Mama always made a really nice dress out of embroidered material for each of us girls every summer.  We got new white long stockings and nearly always a pair of black patent leather slippers.  All the kids in the neighborhood had aboout the same type of clothes.  The night before the Fourth of July, about eight or ten of the girls around the block slept together on the Lund's upstairs porch.  It was really awe inspiring to watch the heavens, and once in a while the stars fell and left a streak of light across the sky.  We listened to the sounds of the night that were so eerie, but we eventually fell asleep. 


The next thing we knew the cannons in the hills were shooting off with a boom that fairly shook the earth around us.  Then we listened for the sound of music; the town band got in a hayrack or some other vehicle that could carry them and rode through town playing.  It was wonderful, so exciting; soon they came past the house, and we went home to get ready for the big parade and the rest of the Fourth of July festivities.  All the kids planned how much money we would ask for to spend on the big day.  One day stands out in my mind as a really special day because we asked for and received ~twenty-five cents to spend!  We decided to spend a nickel in the morning at the parade and then in the afternoon go up to the drugstore and have a BANANA SPLIT, which cost $.15.  Then we still had another nickel to spend at night when we saw the fireworks shot off on the corner below the big schoolhouse where a monument stood.  It was a thrill to watch the fireworks, especially when we were sure the sparks hadn't caused a fire anywhere in town.






THE FOURTH OF JULY SHOW Elizabeth Jacobsen Story Cheyenne, Wyoming 
Even now I become emotional and fearful when I remember the 4th of July show in 1920 when I was a child growing up in Mt. Pleasant, Utah. It was the glorious 4th of July celebration and I was five years old. This year I had been chosen along with many other South Ward Primary children to put on costumes and ride on a horse-drawn wagon in the 4th of July parade this early morning. My mother had dressed me in an authentic costume for the occasion. I was wearing long socks, high-buttoned shoes and an off-white coat with a bertha collar trimmed with fine lace. The bonnet I wore on my head was a lovely blue bonnet which was trimmed with blue ribbon bows. It tied under my chin with two steamers of blue ribbon. All the costumes and children were adorable. We were an excited group of young children really having a great time. Then it happened. There seemed to come out of nowhere some riders on horse-back who looked exactly like wild Indians with feather headdresses and all. They rode close by the wagon and were whooping and hollering like Indians. Then one of them came close to our wagon and grabbed me about the waist and dragged me from my place on the wagon onto his horse, and we rode off.

I was screaming and kicking and struggling with all my might and all the time remembering tales of Indian massacres and torture that I had been told. I was absolutely terrified. When eventually the Indian imposter let me down into the arms of a strong bystander and I was asked my name and who my parents were, I could not speak a word. I was hysterical. When somehow my father found me in the crowd and I felt safe again, I could the speak, but only softly at first. Today at present

I have found in an old photo album with pictures taken by Kodak in the 1920’s a small picture of the two men dressed as Indians and myself dressed as the little Pioneer Girl. I do not look too happy in the photo about the whole thing, but a thought now occurs to me as I recall this day. Yes, I had really been the star actress this day. I had played the role of a frightened little five-year-old Pioneer girl as if it were for real, and even though I had been an unwilling actress in the drams, I had played my part very well without any rehearsals. It must have been the best performance of my life on any stage or in all the other parades I’ve been in since. I had played my role with feeling. I, along with the other actors, had pleased the watching crowd in this ‘The Fourth of July Show.’

Reverend Martinus Nelson for the Women's Home Missionary Society ~ Researched by Tudy Barentsen Standlee

THE MT. PLEASANT STORY ~ United States Department of Agriculture ~ A study done in 1850

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.