James Bailey, blacksmith of Sheffield, and Sarah Goodlad, also of Sheffield, were married after banns on 11 December 1826 at the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul in Sheffield, Yorkshire (now Sheffield Cathedral). James was the son of James Bailey and Mary, of Askham, Nottinghamshire. Sarah was the daughter of John Goodlad and Elizabeth Hammond, of Sheffield.
Bailey – Goodlad marriage record
The couple will make their home in Mattersey, Nottinghamshire.
That is the substance of what the register records. Entry No. 869, page 290, Sheffield Archives & Local Studies, reference PR-138-3-22. The officiating minister was William H Vale, Assistant Minister. Both parties signed their own names, neither made a mark. The witnesses were Nathan Hampson and a second name only partially legible. Both James and Sarah were listed as of “this Parish,” meaning both had established Sheffield residence by the time they married. James was twenty-nine. Sarah was twenty-six.
James Bailey was born in Askham, Nottinghamshire, and baptized there at the parish church on 5 February 1797, the second child of James Bailey and Mary. Some list her last name as White, but no sources verify this information. His father’s trade was blacksmith, and James followed him into it. By the time he appears in Sheffield he is an established tradesman, already old enough to have made his own way in the world. His origins in Askham, a small Nottinghamshire village, and his presence in Sheffield’s industrial economy by his late twenties suggest a young man who went where the work was.
Sarah Goodlad’s story begins further back. She was born on 6 September 1800 in Rotherham, Yorkshire, the second child of John Goodlad and Elizabeth Hammond. She was baptized at the Parish Church of St Mary, Rotherham, on 30 November 1800.
Sarah Goodlad birth record
Another record of Sarah Goodlad’s birth
Third record for Sarah Goodlad’s birth
John Goodlad had been baptized on 28 February 1775 at the Parish Church of St Peter, Conisbrough, the son of William Goodlad and his wife Elizabeth. He was a cabinet maker by trade, and he and Elizabeth Hammond were married on 29 July 1798 at the Parish Church of St Mary, Rotherham. Their witnesses were Thomas Hammond and Sarah Hammond, almost certainly Elizabeth’s family. Elizabeth Hammond was a Yorkshire woman, born about 1776, whose origins beyond her marriage we have not been able to trace.
John Goodlad and Elizabeth Hammond marriage record
John Goodlad and Elizabeth Hammond marriage record – note, they could both sign their names
The Goodlads had five children. Ann, their eldest, was born in 1798. Sarah followed in 1800, baptized at the Parish Church of St Mary, Rotherham. By 1803, the family had moved to Sheffield, and Mary Ann was baptized there on 22 July 1803 at the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Sheffield (now Sheffield Cathedral). Elizabeth was baptized at the same church on 21 November 1806, and John — the youngest — on 2 July 1809, also there.
Elizabeth Goodlad birth record in 1806
John Goodlad birth record in 1809
John Goodlad was a cabinet maker working in Sheffield by at least 1803, when both Mary Ann’s and Elizabeth’s baptism records note his occupation.
Tragedy struck in 1809. John Goodlad was buried on 26 September 1809 at St Peter’s Church, Conisbrough, the parish of his birth, where his parents William and Elizabeth still lived. He was thirty-five years old. The Conisbrough register describes him as “John Goodlad of Sheffield, Son of William & Elizabeth Goodlad of this parish, aged 35 years.” He left five children under the age of eleven, the youngest barely four months old.
John Goodlad burial record
His daughter Elizabeth, three years old, was buried at St Peter’s Church, Conisbrough on 31 December 1809. His infant son John, described in the register as son of “the late John,” was buried at St Peter’s Church, Conisbrough on 28 January 1810, aged four months. Three deaths in four months: a husband, a daughter, an infant son.
Elizabeth Hammond was widowed at approximately thirty-three with three surviving children, Ann, Sarah, and Mary Ann. She remarried on 1 April 1811 at the parish church in Tankersley, Yorkshire, to Enoch Lumb, a Sheffield blacksmith baptized on 28 February 1774 at the Parish Church of St Peter, Woodkirk (now West Ardsley). Together they had three children: William Hammond Lumb, born 1 May 1812, his middle name preserving his mother’s maiden name; Grace, baptized 12 January 1817 at the Parish Church of St Peter, Woodkirk; and Noah, born 1822. William died in Sheffield in 1818 at age six. Noah died there in 1826 at age four. Grace survived, married Robert Frisby at the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Sheffield (now Sheffield Cathedral) on 20 December 1836, and raised seven children in Sheffield through at least 1881. The Frisby descendants share a half-blood line with Mary Ann Bailey Sharp’s descendants through their common mother Elizabeth Hammond, and any researcher who finds their way to the Frisby or Lumb families in Sheffield will find this the connecting thread. Enoch Lumb was buried in Sheffield on 1 January 1835. Elizabeth Hammond survived him as well, living in Sheffield until she was buried at St George’s Church, Sheffield, on 5 September 1849, aged 73. She had outlived two husbands and three of her five Goodlad children. She did not live to see her granddaughter Mary Ann Bailey leave England for America two years later.
Elizabeth Hammond Goodlad Lumb death record
Sarah Goodlad grew up in the household of a widowed and then remarried mother in Sheffield. When she and James Bailey married in 1826 at the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Sheffield, both were described as parishioners of that church, the same building where her younger siblings had been baptized, where her half-sister Grace would marry a decade later. It was the church of the Goodlad family’s Sheffield years, and Sarah married there in the presence of whatever witnesses attended that December day.
After the marriage the Baileys settled in Mattersey, a small village in the Bassetlaw district of Nottinghamshire, roughly thirty miles from Sheffield. James worked as a blacksmith. Their children were baptized at the parish church in Mattersey, their names recorded in the bishop’s transcripts now held at Nottinghamshire Archives:
Mary Ann, born 28 November 1828, baptized 8 December 1828 at Mattersey parish church. She is the thread that connects this family to Sagacity. You can read more about her at the Sharp-Bailey Wedding post.
George, baptized 20 February 1831 at Mattersey parish church, buried 21 October 1834, aged three.
John, baptized 10 February 1833 at Mattersey parish church. He disappears from the record after the christening, absent from the 1841 census, no death recorded, his fate unknown.
George James, baptized 10 December 1834 at Mattersey parish church, seven weeks after his brother George died, buried 14 January 1835, aged five weeks.
Sarah Elizabeth, baptized 11 December 1835 at Mattersey parish church, born less than a year after George James was buried. She appears in the 1841 census at Mattersey, aged five, and then vanishes from the record like her brother John.
Jane, born 19 April 1839, baptized at Mattersey parish church. She also appears in the 1841 census, aged two, and was buried 1 November 1841.
Jane Bailey birth record
Emma Jane, baptized 27 January 1843 at Mattersey parish church.
The 1841 census found the Bailey household at Mattersey: James, age 40; Sarah, age 40; Mary Ann, age 12; Sarah Elizabeth, age 5; Jane, age 2. Two teenage boys, Joseph Baker and George Swinden, both 15, rounded out the household, almost certainly apprentices to James’s smithy. Three children had died by then. Two more, John and Sarah Elizabeth, slipped from the record without explanation.
Sarah Goodlad Bailey died on 7 September 1843 at Mattersey, aged 43. The death was registered in the sub-district of Gringley, East Retford, entry No. 413. The cause given on the certificate was “Visitation of God,” the Victorian designation for sudden or unexplained death. The informant was P R Falkner, Coroner for the County of Nottingham, not James Bailey, which suggests Sarah’s death was sudden enough, or sufficiently uncertain in its cause, to require a coroner’s involvement. Emma Jane had been baptized on 27 January 1843; Sarah died seven and a half months later. The record does not say whether the two events were connected.
Sarah Goodlad Bailey death record
James remarried, to a woman named Harriet, born about 1804 in Green, Yorkshire, whose surname does not appear in any document found so far. By the 1851 census the household at Mattersey consisted of James, age 53, Blacksmith, born Askham, Nottinghamshire; Harriet, age 47, wife, born Yorkshire Green; Emma Jane, age 8, scholar, born Mattersey; and Thomas Parkinson, age 16, apprentice blacksmith, born Clayworth, Nottinghamshire. James had kept a young male apprentice in the house across every census, Joseph Baker and George Swinden in 1841, Thomas Parkinson in 1851, Charles Watkin in 1861. The smithy continued.
1851 British Census
Harriet died between 1851 and 1861. The 1861 census found James, now 63 and widowed, still at Mattersey, still listed as a blacksmith. Emma Jane, 18, kept house for him. Charles Watkin, 18, served as apprentice. It was the same household pattern, grown smaller.
1861 British Census
After 1861 James Bailey disappears from the record. No death certificate has been found. Mary Ann’s Utah death certificate, completed in Plain City in 1913, identifies her father only as “Bailey.” Her children in Plain City knew their grandfather’s trade and his surname but apparently not his given name.
England, Nottinghamshire, Church Records, 1578–1937 (Bishop’s Transcripts, Nottinghamshire Archives) — baptisms of James Bailey (5 February 1797, Askham), George Bailey (20 February 1831, Mattersey), John Bailey (10 February 1833, Mattersey), George James Bailey (10 December 1834, Mattersey), Sarah Elizabeth Bailey (11 December 1835, Mattersey), Emma Jane Bailey (27 January 1843, Mattersey)
England, Yorkshire, Parish Registers, 1538–2016 (Sheffield Archives & Local Studies) — marriage of James Bailey and Sarah Goodlad, 11 December 1826, Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul Sheffield, PR-138-3-22, page 290; baptisms of Mary Ann Goodlad (22 July 1803), Elizabeth Goodlad (21 November 1806), John Goodlad (2 July 1809), all at Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Sheffield; marriage of John Goodlad and Elizabeth Hammond, 29 July 1798, Parish Church of St Mary, Rotherham
England, Yorkshire, Bishop’s Transcripts, 1547–1957 (Borthwick Institute for Archives) — baptism of Sarah Goodlad, 30 November 1800, Parish Church of St Mary, Rotherham; baptism of John Goodlad, 28 February 1775, Parish Church of St Peter, Conisbrough; burial of John Goodlad, 26 September 1809, St Peter’s Church, Conisbrough, aged 35; burial of Elizabeth Goodlad, 31 December 1809, St Peter’s Church, Conisbrough; burial of John Goodlad junior, 28 January 1810, St Peter’s Church, Conisbrough
England, Yorkshire, Parish Registers, 1538–2016 (Doncaster Archives) — baptism of John Goodlad, 28 February 1775, Parish Church of St Peter, Conisbrough, page 8, reference P7
General Register Office, London — death certificate of Sarah Bailey, 7 September 1843, Gringley sub-district, East Retford, No. 413, DA 651580; birth certificate of Jane Bailey, 19 April 1839, Gringley sub-district, East Retford, No. 5, BC 917598
England and Wales, Census, 1841 (HO107/851/6) — James Bailey household, Mattersey
England and Wales, Census, 1851 (HO107/2121/86) — James Bailey household, Mattersey; Elizabeth Lumb household, Arundel Street, Sheffield
England and Wales, Census, 1861 (RG09/2412/62) — James Bailey household, Mattersey; Grace Frisby household, Sheffield
England and Wales, Death Registration Index 1837–2007 (FamilySearch) — death of Elizabeth Lumb, 1849, Sheffield, volume 22, page 686
Burials at St George’s Church, Sheffield, September 1849 (Sheffield Archives) — burial of Elizabeth Lumb, 5 September 1849, No. 3630, aged 73
Utah Death Certificate — Mary Ann Sharp, 30 October 1913, Plain City, Weber County, Utah, No. 390
In October 2015 I copied three items from the local news while following the Heyburn municipal election. Two were articles from the Times-News and one was a paid political advertisement. Six years later I photographed four pieces of campaign literature from the November 2021 Heyburn mayoral election. All seven documents have sat in folders. I am publishing them now because the people in them should be remembered and the documents together tell a story of a small city working through hard years.
The 2015 Election
Article — “Heyburn Council Spats Over Consultant Pay”Campaign flyer — “Attention Heyburn Voters”Article — “Candidates Spar over Past in Heyburn Forum”
The first article, by Eric Quitugua of the Times-News, concerned a dispute over pay raises granted to two city consultants — Ralph Williams, who advised on electrical matters, and Paul Aston, who handled building site consultation, agendas, legal notices, and fact-finding for planning and zoning meetings. Aston had worked with the city since the late 1980s and asked Mayor George Anderson for a raise. The council approved the raises 2-1. Councilwoman Cleo Gallegos, who was running for mayor against businessman Mark Rosa, voted against and questioned why she had not been consulted. Anderson said at the board meeting he had no answer for her. The article cited Heyburn City Code § 1-12-1, which provides that while the mayor has power to hire or discharge employees, the mayor is “without the authority to enter into any employment contract with any employees of the city without the express prior consent of the council, obtained by resolution of the council.” When a reporter asked City Attorney Steven Tuft about the matter, Tuft refused to discuss it and hung up the phone.
The campaign flyer, paid for by Lyle Santos, urged support for Rosa for mayor, Anderson for city council, and Rocky Baker for city council. It listed credentials and accomplishments for each, and charged that Gallegos and former councilwoman Joanne Justesen had voted in December 2012 for a waste contract 22% above the lowest bid, costing the city $48,000 plus $13,000 in attorney fees from the resulting lawsuit, and that Gallegos had voted to shift police dispatching from Cassia County to Minidoka County at an added cost of $7,954 per year since 2009.
The second article, also by Quitugua, covered a candidates forum hosted by the Times-News on 23 October 2015. All five candidates attended: Gallegos and Rosa for mayor, and Justesen, Baker, and Anderson for two council seats. The garbage contract was the dominant source of friction. Gallegos said she had voted for the higher bid because of an issue she could not discuss. Rosa countered that the vote had cost the city $48,000 more than necessary plus litigation costs. Anderson said he had tried to instruct the council not to fix something that wasn’t broken, but the members had not listened. Justesen said the lowest bidder had been in litigation over its ownership and she had concluded the other company was the better choice; she said she discussed it with Baker, who at the forum denied the conversation had taken place.
On the substantive questions the candidates found more common ground. Gallegos emphasized water rights and underground electric lines. Rosa spoke of fiscal responsibility and running the city like a business. Baker highlighted lift stations and sewer infrastructure costs and cautioned against the city getting ahead of itself. Anderson pointed to the 21st Street water project. Justesen raised the theme of growth, noting the city had “beautiful business parks but no businesses” and was “missing a factor.”
Transparency was the other main theme. Justesen said council minutes were too vague. Baker suggested projecting meeting paperwork on a screen for the public. Rosa agreed the minutes needed clarity. Gallegos said the city needed more public discussion of its decisions. Anderson said executive sessions were “highly sensitive” and suggested transparency would be helped if regular meetings drew crowds as large as the forum had.
Background on the Garbage Contract
The garbage contract dispute that dominated the 2015 forum had a longer history worth understanding.
In December 2012 the Heyburn City Council voted to award the city’s garbage service contract to PSI Environmental Systems at $5.65 per residential customer per month — 21 percent above the lowest bid of $4.46 submitted by Western Waste Services. Total Waste Management had also bid lower, at $4.50. The council additionally designated PSI as the city’s sole commercial garbage contractor, requiring businesses using other providers to switch. Rocky Baker was the sole dissenting vote on both motions. He called it “the worst business decision made by Heyburn in the more than 10 years he’s served on the City Council” and objected to forcing businesses away from their current providers. “We didn’t have a system that was broke,” he said.
The contract’s path to approval was itself contentious. The council heard public opposition at its regular meeting on 28 March and declined to vote. The following day it convened an emergency meeting — invoking an Idaho Open Meeting Law exemption allowing cities facing immediate financial loss to meet without the usual 24-hour posted notice — and approved the contract. Gallegos and Justesen voted yes. Baker voted no. City Attorney Tuft defended the emergency meeting: “They would have had a loss if they didn’t have a garbage contract in place today. I think it’s legitimate, personally.”
Lyle Santos, co-owner of Total Waste Management, was not informed the council would vote until about an hour before the meeting and was not allowed to address the council. He faced a 20 percent loss of his Heyburn commercial accounts and said he would have to lay off a Heyburn employee. Total Waste Management subsequently sued the city. In response, the council voted to terminate the PSI contract. The $48,000 figure cited in the 2015 campaign flyer and at the candidates forum reflected the cost difference between PSI’s contract and the lowest bid over the contract period, plus the $13,000 in attorney fees from the resulting lawsuit.
Lyle Santos was the same man who paid for the October 2015 campaign flyer attacking Gallegos and Justesen over that vote. Every figure on the flyer was accurate. The context it did not supply was that Santos had a direct financial interest in the outcome of the election. Baker, the sole vote against the contract in December 2012, appeared on that same flyer as a candidate to be supported.
Background on Heyburn and Mini-Cassia
Heyburn sits in Minidoka County on the north bank of the Snake River, across from Burley in Cassia County. The two counties together are known as Mini-Cassia, and their relationship has always been complicated — by sports rivalries, by water and land disputes, by the question of who gets to control shared resources. The J.R. Simplot Company’s departure from Heyburn is still discussed. Simplot had operated a potato-processing plant in Heyburn; after a years-long legal battle over electrical rates, the company closed the plant and gave the property to the city of Burley, which developed it into what became the Burley-Heyburn Industrial Park. “Simplot’s gift to Burley was a hard slap,” Gallegos told the Associated Press in 2018. Meanwhile, when Burley sought a site for a new airport, Heyburn annexed 320 acres into its impact zone to keep Burley from acquiring the land. Each county had its grievances and its retaliations, and they accumulated over generations.
George Anderson had been Heyburn’s mayor for twelve years by the time of the 2015 election. Cleo Gallegos had been on the city council since around 2000. Dick Galbraith had served on the Minidoka County Planning and Zoning board for nineteen years, including as its chairman, before joining the city council, where he had served for several years. Rocky Baker had served on the Heyburn Fire Department for twenty years, fourteen as assistant chief, before becoming a fire commissioner and then council president. These were not newcomers. They were people who had watched Heyburn’s struggles with infrastructure, growth, and its larger neighbor across the river for a long time.
The wastewater system was a live problem throughout this period. Heyburn’s treatment plant dated from the 1960s and had been upgraded in 1991 and 2008. The city’s collection system comprised 25 miles of pipe and 18 lift stations. By the mid-2010s the plant was falling out of EPA compliance and facing fines that threatened to bankrupt the city. Baker’s comment at the forum about lift stations and sewer lines being “a huge cost to the city” was not abstract campaign language.
What Happened: 2015–2021
Cleo Gallegos won the November 2015 mayoral election. George Anderson’s bid for a council seat was unsuccessful. Rocky Baker won a council seat.
On 6 December 2016, thirteen months after the forum, Clarence Lanier “Rocky” Baker died from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was 62. He had been born on 27 October 1954 — the candidates forum the day after his sixty-first birthday. He had married Georgia Schneider on 8 March 1975 at the Emerson Ward Building west of Paul, built a house in Heyburn in 1976, and never left. He had started at Ore-Ida in 1971 and worked his way up to maintenance supervisor at what became McCain Foods. His family wrote that he collected heart-shaped rocks to give to the people he loved. He was buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Heyburn. His funeral was held at the Burley United Methodist Church.
Meanwhile Gallegos was working on the wastewater problem. Through a judicial confirmation process — used because the scope of work required it — the city bonded for $12.4 million and arranged a financing package that brought the taxpayer burden down to $5.5 million through grants from the Army Corps of Engineers, USDA, and a Community Development Block Grant, saving Heyburn taxpayers $3.1 million against the total $9.6 million project cost. A $5.7 million construction contract was signed in November 2019. “I am excited for Heyburn to be moving in the right direction,” Gallegos said. “And I have nothing but pride in the direction it is going.”
In 2017, Dick Galbraith defended his council seat in one of the more unusual elections in Heyburn’s history. His race ended in a 112-112 tie. A coin toss was held per state guidelines; Galbraith called heads, and the coin fell tails. He contested the result and requested a recount. During the recount, officials discovered one ballot marked too lightly to be read by the machine, and Galbraith won 113-112. The story was picked up by CNN. “I was on City Council for 16 years and mayor for two, and I’ve never seen it,” Gallegos told CNN. “Every vote counts, especially in your small city elections.”
In November 2019 Mark Rosa defeated Gallegos for mayor and took office in January 2020. His administration was immediately contentious. At his first council meeting — a session lasting nearly three hours — Rosa requested the council restore his executive authority over city personnel, which Gallegos had delegated to the city administrator. The council tabled the request. Councilman Galbraith observed that the administrator was “here with boots on the ground, day in and day out all day long.” Councilwoman Rose Schmitt told Rosa: “I don’t know why you want all the power.” The question of mayoral authority over city employees — the same structural question at the heart of the 2015 consultant pay dispute — had not gone away.
In August 2020 a recall petition bearing more than the required 230 signatures was filed against Rosa. The petition charged that he had created a bullying culture at city offices and a hostile work environment for city employees, council members, and the city attorney; that he had refused to listen to citizens; that he had overstepped his financial authority by seeking to add funds to the budget to cover personal attorney fees to sue the city; and that he had tried to impede the city’s sewer projects. Rosa refused to resign. “I absolutely will not resign,” he told the Times-News. “All of these allegations are simply not true.”
On 3 November 2020 Heyburn voters recalled Mark Rosa by a vote of 748 to 440 — 62.96 percent in favor of recall. Rosa had won the office the prior year with 199 votes. “It’s too bad for Heyburn,” he said on election night. “But it is what it is. I feel like I never had a chance to do anything for Heyburn.”
One week later the City Council unanimously appointed Dick Galbraith as mayor and unanimously elected Joanne Justesen as council president. Galbraith said he hoped for “some healing in the city of Heyburn” and accepted the appointment as part of the responsibility he had taken on when he ran for his council seat.
The 2021 Election
Rosa campaign flyer, front — November 2021Rosa campaign flyer, back — November 2021Galbraith campaign flyer, front — November 2021Galbraith campaign flyer, back — November 2021
Mark Rosa ran again in November 2021, as he had promised on the night of his recall. His campaign flyer attacked Galbraith and the council directly. It charged that “Dick broke his oath of office when he voted to transfer the Mayoral authority to the un-elected city administrator, as did Rose, Chad and Joann while he was on city council.” It called the judicial confirmation bond process a betrayal of the voters: “They basically told the judge, the people in Heyburn were too stupid to make the best decision by not allowing us to vote. They had to spend 5.5 Million, BUT they asked the judge to spend $12.4 Million!” It called the wastewater treatment plant location a “bad idea” and warned: “Mark doesn’t want HEYBURN to be BURLEY’S TOILET!” The flyer was paid for by the Committee to Elect Mark Rosa, Deb Hopkins, Treasurer.
Dick Galbraith’s campaign flyer offered a quieter contrast. It noted his nineteen years on the Minidoka County Planning and Zoning board, seven years on the city council, and his appointment as mayor after Rosa’s recall. It credited his tenure with establishing “proper procedures and processes to avoid any abuses by current or future elected officials and employees” and noted his work on the wastewater bond refinancing, which “saved residents almost $1 million.” His stated vision: “to provide responsible leadership for the citizens of Heyburn. I want to see Heyburn grow, but not at the expense of its citizens.” His closing line: “Working as a team is best for our city.”
Dick Galbraith won the November 2021 election. Cleo Gallegos also won a seat, returning to the mayor’s office. Mark Rosa did not prevail.
After 2021
George Anderson, who had served as Heyburn’s mayor for twelve years and whose name appeared on the 2015 opposition flyer, died on 20 September 2024 at the age of 87. He had been born in Burley on 21 June 1937. A neighbor remembered him as “a good friend, neighbor, and a great mayor.” His funeral was held at the Paul Stake Center.
These documents are offered as a record of two moments in the life of a small Idaho city — the people who served it, the questions they argued about, and what became of them afterward.
Rocky Baker collected heart-shaped rocks. George Anderson served his city for twelve years. The sewer plant got built. The city went on.
Sources: Times-News (Twin Falls), Eric Quitugua reporting, October 2015; Times-News, staff reporting, 2012–2013; paid political advertisement, Lyle Santos, October 2015; KMVT, Amy Reid reporting, December 2016 (link); Baker family obituary, December 2016; Times-News, Laurie Welch reporting, 2018–2020; Associated Press, Laurie Welch reporting, April 2018; CNN, Ryan Struyk reporting, December 2017 (link); campaign materials, Committee to Elect Mark Rosa and Dick Galbraith for Mayor, November 2021; Echovita, George A. Anderson obituary, 2024 (link).
“The now defunct mining town of Contact, Nevada, is seen in this early Clarence Bisbee photo. The town once had a hotel, a church, restaurants, and a service station that burned in a 1942 fire. Remnants of the town remain about 20 miles south of the Idaho-Nevada border.
This photo caught my attention because I have some limited memories when I was very young of going to Contact, Nevada. In fact, it might be one of my earliest memories of traveling. My Dad has much more experience with Contact. Here is a quote from his history related to Contact.
“July 17, 1975, Larry called me at home and sent me to Twin Falls, to move Dale Aslett mining and milling from Garrison Utah to Tuscarora Nevada. It was my first time in the office, a little white house east of the shop. Nothing like the nice big office they built on the Northeast corner of their property later. The man in the office was called JR; his real name was Francis Cammack. He was a hunch back, heavy smoker, and bike rider. That was not a very good description, but true, I learned a lot about him over time, we would become good friends. He was excellent office help, and a good bookkeeper and accountant. I had learned years ago when going out of town for a company to take clothing, toothbrush, shaving things and lots of cash, I didn’t have credit cards at that time. A little bag of tools was also a good thing. JR gave me instructions on what I would be doing and where, that I needed to keep track of every dime spent, miles, and hours Dale Aslett would be paying the bill for the truck and me. When I went out to get the truck in the yard, I was met by the driver, of (his) truck #39 that I was to use. He told me he didn’t want me driving (his) truck that they should have waited till he had time to do the job and not put a driver in (his) truck. He was a Mechanic and driver for Circle A. he was mad giving me a lot of instructions, he gave me the keys, telling me not to hurt (his) truck and a flatbed trailer. I had temporary Nevada permits for 72 hours. I was off south on Highway 93 to Jackpot, Wells, Ely Nevada then East on 8 & 50 to Baker, Nevada then on 487 to Garrison, Utah. Off the paved road, on a dirt road 15 miles into the mountain, where mine was. The mine was a strip mine; they had cleared the pine trees and brush putting them in a big pile. Then I used a cat to push up the ore. It was Fluoride rock that had to be crushed, screened, and washed to remove impurities. Dale Aslett had a big pile of ore that he had crushed and more to crush. The product could not be cleaned to speck he tried everything he could think of. He had used a shaker screen table with water like used in gold mines but could not make it work. He was broken and needed to move on the next thing for him to try. This was silver mine at Tuscarora, Nevada. The man and his wife were living in a trailer house on the sight, with a diesel generator for power for mine equipment and their trailer. The other miners had moved on with no money to pay them. George and Rose Steel were all that was left. Years later I would work with them south of Contact, Nevada where Dale was trying his hand at barite ore mining, it would be a money maker for some years. George and I, with the help of a loader, loaded the trailer with conveyer belts and hoppers as much as we could put on and still stay legal. They invited me to eat with them, it was a big meal with deer steak, baked potatoes, boiled carrots with onions and homemade bread. Then I was on my way to Tuscarora about 250 miles, when I got their Dale had dug a long trench, the width of the cat’s blade, as deep as my trailer. I backed into the trench and Dale with a piece of 4 inch drill steel chained to the dozer lift arm, with a hook chained on the end of the pipe, would lift each piece up and dragged it out in the sage brush, then the next till I was unloaded. This I learned through time this was the normal thing for Dale. Later at Contact Nevada, and at Monsanto in Soda Springs Idaho. The nick name of chain and cable construction was really a fact. I traveled back and forth till everything was in Tuscarora, one night in Tuscarora I had to buy Dale supper he was out of money. I got to eat with George and Rose many times; George even took me out to the big pile of pine trees and dirt that had been stripped off the mine. There he had a secret door of pine boughs that led into like a big teepee. There inside hung deer, which he would cut off some meat for each meal, along with bags of potatoes, onions, and carrots. He would miss this at the mine in Tuscarora, only miles of sage brush. When I finished the last load my permits had run out, Dale told me not to worry. If I went north on highway 226 through Mountain City, Nevada and Owyhee, Nevada through the Duck Valley Indian reservation to Bruneau, Idaho in the dark no one would bother me, the Idaho border was only 50 miles that way, this was the long slow drive narrow two lain road with lots of bends and curves. That was an interesting time seeing the way Dale did things. When I got back to Twin on July 20th, the driver of (his) truck came out for a full inspection. Counting chains and binders are used to secure the loads and straps, checking the oil in the truck, looking at all the tires. Well, I passed, next was JR turning in all the paperwork, reporting what I had done, I drove 26 hours went 1075 miles on 185 gals fuel. JR told me Dale would pay me later, I didn’t know that would be months later, but I did get paid and very good.”
I have two copies of the History of Plain City, Utah. The front indicates it is from March 17th 1859 to present. As far as I can tell, the book was written in 1977. At least that is the latest date I can find in the book.
One copy belonged to my Grandparents Milo and Gladys Ross. My Grandpa has written various notes inside the history which I intend to include in parenthesis whenever they appear. They add to the history and come from his own experience and hearing.
I will only do a number of pages at a time. I will also try to include scanned copies of the photos in the books. These are just scanned copies of these books, I have not tried to seek out originals or better copies.
History of Plain City March 17th 1859 to present, pages 166 through 184. That is the end of the Plain City History!
Can you Remember or Did you know?
By Lyman N Cook
The following articles are a collection of stories and events that have been a part of Plain City. These are in no way a complete list of the stories that could be told. We have older people who can remember the colorful events and stories, the eras of history, and they should be told and recorded. I hope these people will do so while they are here to tell them. I have touched upon a few. Whether the stories are good or bad, it has been my purpose or intent to have all the questions and answers, but merely to help your mind reflect upon the beautiful memories of Plain City.
Please, as readers, do not take any personal offense or injury to any of the stories. They were not written with any unkindness in mind, but hopefully you will enjoy them.
The stories are, in reality, a tribute and a compliment to the early settlers of Plain City. I cannot comprehend the magnitude of courage and strength, and the hardships those early pioneer men and women endured. How unselfishly they worked and planned for the betterment of Plain City to make it a better place for you and I to live today.
I have a deep personal feeling that we owe them everything.
The most interest and pleasure that the book has brought to me has been the fact that I have had an opportunity to visit in the homes of so many wonderful and interesting people. Compiling, reading, and writing the history has so fascinated and compelled me that I have stayed up all night, only to find in the morning that I am just as refreshed as if I had slept all night.
The following people have been so kind and helpful to me in writing the stories. They have told me stories, and refreshed my memory. I feel a deep appreciation for them, and I feel that they should be recognized. They are: Mrs. Lavina Thomas (on tape), Lyle Thomas, Byron Carver, Lee Carver, Laura Musgrave, George Knight, Clyde Hadley, Amy Robson, Harvey and Jennie Cook, Dick and Luella Skeen, Bill and Nonie Freestone, Irene Skeen, Ivy Skeen Marsden, and many others: Kris Ewert, for her printing. A special thanks to all. And also Ina Poulsen.
“TRUE STORIES AND COLORFUL EVENTS OF PLAIN CITY “
SLEIGH BELLS
One of the pleasant memories of a cold, crisp, clear pioneer winter night, was the jingling of sleigh bells as families made their way to church or to visit with friends or neighbors. The rich sound of their ringing through the hollow night air could be heard all over town. First starting out faintly and then increasing in volume as they approached their destination. It would seem that the still, peaceful night was just made for the ringing of the sleigh bells.
Almost all the families had a string of sleigh bells that were a prized possession, and a family treasure. Some of the larger strands would go across the back of the horses and around underneath the stomach, also a strand would fit on the hames. The quality of the workmanship that produced the full, rich tones will continue to enrich our memories of the past. Maybe if we lost our minds be calm and drift back through the years, we can still hear the tinkling of the sleigh bells.
PIONEER HOMES, WASH DAYS, FEATHER TICKS, COLD BEDROOMS, OLD COAL, OR WOOD STOVES
The pioneer home was usually built with two rooms, and as the family income and new family members came along, they would add an addition of bedrooms, and a dining room, parlor, or living room. There was usually a large cook stove for the parlor and dining room. The kitchen was the center of activity in the home, and only on special occasions, or when company came, would they build a fire in the other rooms. They would usually bank the stoves with wood or coal to last as long as possible. But by morning, the fire was always out. They would have two or three coal buckets, and a kindling box, and some member of the family had the chore to see what they were always full. It took a strong constitution to roll out of bed on a cold winter morning and make the fire, and wait for it to get warm.
Monday morning in the home was washday. It would start very early and last all day. They would heat the water in a copper-bottom boiler and would usually boil the clothes to help get them clean. They used a homemade lye soap. The women scrubbed the clothes on a scrub board usually placed in a metal washtub, and after scrubbing, would rinse the clothes two and three times. They would then be hung on the clothesline to dry. There was a special pride taken in the wash and to tell a woman that she hung out a pretty wash was to pay her a special tribute.
The pioneer families would usually wait until cold weather to kill meat. They would cure it, salt brine it, or dry it. For fresh meat, they would put it in a flour sack and hang it high on the north side of the house. When they wanted fresh meat they would go outside, climb the ladder, or use a pulley to bring the flour sack in. They would cut off what meat they wanted and return the flour sack out on the north side. It was not uncommon to see flour sacks hanging from the north side of most homes.
The bedrooms were usually located on the north side on the north side of the house, and were the furtherest from the stoves. It was like going into another world, or the north pole to go to bed. If you slept with a brother or sister, you would try to get them to go to bed first so they could warm the bed. The frost and ice crystals would collect on the window glass usually forming in the fall and never leaving until spring. It would usually be about a half-inch thick on the glass. The frost crystals would form in beautiful designs and patterns on the windows.
The straw tick or mattress was made with a cover and filled with straw. Each year they would empty the straw, wash the cover, and refill it with new straw when they thrashed in the fall. They would place a feather tick on top of the straw tick, and it was filled with feathers from geese and ducks. It was really warm and soft. The sheets, blankets, and quilts were piled on the bed until they were so heavy that it was hard to turn over. It was especially nice when the dog would sleep on your side of the bed, as he made an excellent footwarmer. What a breed of people to survive the cold, hard time of pioneer life.
INDIANS
There seems to be no evidence of any Indian violence or hostilities in Plain City. However, they would visit the homes of the early settlers and ask for food. As a sign of friendship to the Indians, they would always give them food. It was a very frightening experience for the pioneer women to have the Indians call when the men were in the field working and they were home alone. The children were especially scared, and were taught to be very careful when they were around.
There were people alive today in Plain City that can remember when Indians would come into town and camp. Some favorite campgrounds were across from Paul Costley’s garage, and across the street north of George Cook’s home. The white kids always played close to home when Indians were in town, and they never went anywhere at night.
The Indians squaws would go to every home and ask or beg for food. The homes that were generous would be visited several times. The Indians would stay for several days, and they would then load their treasures and leave and go north. The Indians must have liked the people of Plain City because they returned each year for many, many years.
PERRY BOAT
The ferry boat and landing was located near where the river bridge crosses the Weber River on the Plain City, West Weber road on 4700 West. It provided a river crossing for people, cattle, sheep, horses, and wagons. The ferry was made of logs tied together, and a large molasses boiler and pole was used to push the ferry across the river.
In the spring when the flood waters covered all of the low lands, the ferry would run from the hill on the north side near the Warren canal to the hill on the south as you enter West Weber. When the water receeded, the ferry returned to the channel. It has been said that in the spring the Indians would come to the hill and if the ferry was on the West Weber side, they would call across the river until the ferry came to get them. Sarah Richardson Hodson could imitate the Indian’s call for the ferry. She seemed to know more abut the ferry than anyone we knew of.
It might be important to include information about the times before all of the times before all of the reservoirs were built to hold back and store the early run-off water. Almost every spring the river would leave its channel and flood the low lands of Slaterville, Plain City, West Weber, Warren and West Warren. During some years the water would be so deep the road was closed. As a boy I can remember traveling 4700 West when the water would be up to the running boards of the Model A. The last year of excessive water was in 1952.
Not too much is known about the ferry, but it lends itself to another colorful era of interesting Plain City history.
POST OFFICE
The Plain City Post Office was located where Neta Charlton’s home is located, or one block North of the school on the northeast corner. It was run by Charlie Neal and his wife, Pussy Neal. He ran the Post office for 25 years from 1877 or 1878 until 1902 or 1903 when the government closed the Post Office, and the mail was brought into Plain city by Fred Kenley and delivered by horse and buggy.
Merl England has in his possession a letter that was postmarked Plain City, Utah, August 8, 1891.
Pussy Neal had, and kept a start of live yeast and would sell it to the women of the town to use in mixing bread. Annie Skelton would send her daughter, Nonie Skeen Freestone, down to the Neal’s for yeast. It didn’t take many trips before Nonie developed a real taste for live yeast. She would buy a three-pound lard bucket full, but by the time she walked five blocks home, she would have half of the bucket drank. She claims that it was quiet a tasty drink.
EARLY BAPTISMS
A very important date in the lives of young eight-year-old people was their baptism. Nowadays this ordinance is performed in a stake center with a very beautiful font. Before this time, this ordinance was performed in canals, rivers, lakes, and ponds. One of the most popular places to be baptized was the First Rock Crossing, or seck, as it was called. This was located on Center Street next to George West’s home, long before the canal was cemented. There was a row of poplar trees along the street, and the children would dress behind the trees. Some people would take their children up the street in the buggy and dress them, and then return for the baptism.
There were usually just two baptisms a year, one in the late spring and the other in the early fall. As a result, there were usually several children to be baptized at a time. The children would sit on a log and wait for their turn.
Some of the young people went down to the river and were baptized. The location on the river was near where the present bridge is located. They used willow trees to dress behind. Laura Musgrave and Royal Carver were tow that were baptized in the river.
George knight told me that he was baptized in the Warren Canal about where the present pump is located. This was a colorful era of the past and should help to rekindle some pleasant memories for those who participated.
THE PRIVY, CRANNY, ROOSEVELT, OR ALIAS, THE ONE-HOLER, OR THE TWO-HOLER
There was a great deal of social status involved and a real pride taken in building, caring for, and beautifying the outdoor privy. Some of the seats were made of select lumber and sanded and smoothed to the point where they were quite comfortable. And on the other extreme, some seats were rough and slivery. Some families were careful to make the privy weather proof, while others you could look out the cracks in every direction.
You could usually tell the size of the family in the house, whether it be large or small, by the size of the property. Is it a one or a two holer?
Some of the families, to prove to the world that their cranny was something special, and a respected place, would cut beautiful designs in the top of the door. I never quite figured out whether the hole in the door was for ventilation, or simply to study the wonders of the sky at night. Some of the designs were a half moon shape, a diamond shape, star, or just a round circle.
The Skeen girls, Ivy Skeen Marsden, Lenora Skeen Freestone, and Jennie Skeen Cook, still maintain to this day that their little brother, Dick Skeen, learned to throw the baseball so very well by practice throwing at the privy. He would wait until the girls would get inside and lock the door, then he would open up the rocks, clods, green pears, or anything to keep them pinned down. Dick’s favorite was the dirt clod. He would aim for the hole in the door and throw the clod through. The clod would hit the wall, break up and shower the girls with dust and dirt. He would then really laugh when the girls would cry, scream, and holler for their mother to come and rescue them from their brother.
Halloween was a risky time for outdoor privies. One of the favorite Halloween pranks for the kids was to spend the night tipping over crannies. The only thing that I would like to say on the subject now is that I am ashamed and sorry, and I must report that I am one of the parents who feel like the kids of today are going to the dogs.
During the depression and late thirties, and prior to World War II, the government had a P.W.A. and W. P. A. program. Workmen would come to your home and build outside crannies. They had a cement floor and a lid on the seat. They were weatherproof, and most people who owned one felt like that was the next best thing to running water. They were called “Roosevelts.”
Usually an old Sears catalog would act as a years supply of toilet tissue.
Some of the more discreet families would keep a pot, or thunderjug in the house for emergencies during the cold stormy winter nights. This fact was considered the family’s dark, deep secret, and was usually emptied before dawn.
With the exception of two years in the Navy, I used the outdoor privy for 26 years, and first four years after I was married. We sometimes hear it would be nice to go back to the good old days, but certainly not to the days of the outdoor privy.
SCHOOLS
The first school was in George Musgrave’s dugout. He later held school in a one-room adobe.
The first public school was built on the south of the square. It was built out of adobe. It was one room.
There was a school located on the northeast corner of the square. The town and ward used this building for some social functions. It was built of adobe in 1873 or 1874.
The North school was located where Walter Christensen now lives.
The South school is still standing and was remodeled by Harvey Cook into a home. It is located where Gordon Sorensen now lives, and across from Eldon Weston’s home. This home was built of brick.
The Poplar School was located across from Augusta Nash’s home.
I have been led to believe that there was school classes being held in all these four schools at the same time. This world be shortly before and after 1900.
EARLY STORIES
There have been at least ten stores and meat markets in Plain City up the present time. Some of the stores have stayed in the same place, but have had several different owners. I’ll just mention where the old stores were located. There were two Coy Stores. They were owned by Sarah Coy and Eliza Coy. One was across the street about where Mildred Sparks now lives. This is about 2200 North and 4650 West. The old ZCMI store was where B & C foods is now located. Garner’s store was where the pool hall is now. England’s store was where Merlin England’s now lives. McElroy’s store was where Jack’s Garage is now located. Stoker’s was located one block behind the school where Gordon McFarland lives. Maw’s was located just west of the bowery.
John Vause built and operated a meat market just north of Adela Carver’s home. Some of Steve Knight’s family operated a meat market about where White’s Café is today. Peter M. Folkman had a meat market across from the school on the east side.
Most of these early stores would trade merchandize for eggs and butter. This was especially nice for the kids of the town because they could take one egg or more and trade for candy. There wasn’t hen’s nest that was safe in Plain City. Laura Musgrave tells of how she would get Nonie Freestone and they would raid Nonie’s father’s chicken coop for eggs to go to the store for candy. There was real safety for Laura, as she always has been real sharp in having Nonie in her own father’s coop with her.
BLACKSMITH SHOPS
Christopher Folkman was the first one in Plain City. He learned his trade in Denmark. It was located near Leslie Maw’s home and Elmer Carver’s home.
Janus Lund’s Blacksmith shop was located near Dennis Lund’s home. He died in 1908.
Rall J. Taylor started his shop in 1908 and the building still stands just north of Kirt Knight’s garage.
Lew Ericson’s shop was located on the property of Neta Charlton.
George Davis’ shop was near Phil Alsup’s old home and across the street from Thomas.
Lee Gould’s shop was located near where Florence and Carl Hodson now live.
Farley’s shop was located near where Sterling Thompson now lives.
Lyman Skeen’s shop was located just south of his old home. The property is now owned by George Skeen Cook.
THE EARLY DENTIST
Lyman Skeen acted as the early dentist, and his only speciality was pulling teeth. He had a special pair of forceps which are still in the possession of the family.
People came from all of Plain City to have their teeth pulled. In those days they didn’t have any dental check-ups, or fill any decayed teeth. If a person got a cavity, they endured it until the tooth would ache and then Lyman Skeen would pull the tooth.
He was a large man and once he hooked onto the tooth, he had very little trouble getting it out.
Some of his children report that when anyone came to have their teeth pulled, they would run into the house and hide under the bed and hold their ears so they couldn’t hear the person holler or scream.
Lee Carver tells the story about as a boy going down to Lyman Skeen’s and having a tooth pulled. He was told if he would sit still and not holler to scream, and act like a man, that Lyman would pay him .25 cents. It certainly must be one of the rare cases of a dentist paying his patient.
George Knight told me he made a trip to Lyman Skeen’s home to have his tooth pulled. He was told that if he would take it like a man and not holler or yell, that he could drive the mules and wagons. After the tooth was out they went out and harnessed the mules and hooked them to the wagon and George drove the mules to his home. George said that there was nothing that Lyman could have done to make him feel more important and give him a bigger thrill than to sit on the seat with Lyman and drive those large mules home. He was so excited that he forgot what he had gone down there for.
Ina Poulsen tells the story of her toothache when she was a girl. It was a large double tooth, and it had ached for days. She finally decided that having it pulled couldn’t hurt any more than the ache, so she went to see Lyman Skeen. She walked down to his place in the evening and they were eating supper. She said he got right up from the table and didn’t even finish his meal to pull her tooth. Annie got the forceps and sat her in his large grandfather chair. Again, the Skeen kids scattered and hid from the noise. Ina did mention that she did holler and scream, but it was all over in a minute. She said he was really good at pulling teeth. It also gives some insight into the quality, character, and gentleness of Lyman Skeen.
ICE HOUSE
An Interesting part of the history of Plain City was the old ice house. It was located across from the school on the property where Clara Folkman now lives and sat behind the old home. In the winter when the Four Mile reservoir, river and other water would freeze hard enough, they would cut it with ice saws. They would then haul it by team and bobsleigh to the ice house for storage.
Peter M. Folkman owned and operated the ice house, and in the winter he would have as many as twenty men working for him. They would work through the winter and would fill a rather large building with ice. They would cover it with wild hay and sawdust so it wouldn’t melt so fast in the heat and it would last all summer.
They would sell it to the people of Plain City for their use in the old wooden ice chest, for making ice cream, mainly for parties, and for whatever else their need was.
MARTIN SMITH AND THE MEAT WAGON
One of the colorful characters that would come into Plain City was Martin Smith. He owned a team of skinny horses and a closed-in meat wagon, and peddled fresh meat from door to door. He would come into town two or three times a week. He always carried a green willow switch, and would open the meat box, and use the switch to chase the flies out.
The lady of the house would come out to the wagon and look over the variety of cuts, or I would imagine he would cut whatever they wanted. A favorite pass time of the kids of the days was to try and sneak weeneys when he was busy with their mother. He was a sharp enough businessman that he made sure he always got enough money to pay for the weiners.
It sounds rather primitive in todays worlds, but it filled a need and is another colorful chapter out of the past.
GEORGE MOYES AND HIS MILK TRUCK
George Moyes had the first milk truck in Plain City. He delivered the milk to some of the homes in Plain City. It was George that was coming home from the dairy and discovered the fire in the dummy had started and burned Charlie Taylor’s barn. He used his load of milk to help put out the fire. I don’t know of anyone today who wouldn’t like to own that little truck.
THE EARLY THRASHERS
A colorful time on the farm was thrashing time. The first machines were horse powered, and were a great improvement over the hand method. These colorful pictures are some of the early steam-powered thrashers. There were men who owned their own machines and would do custom work for their neighbors. When the thrashers would move onto a farm, it would usually take several days to complete the farmer’s field.
While the thrashers were at the farm, it was the responsibility if the farmer to feed the men three meals a day. This consisted of many of the neighbors who helped each other. They worked hard and they required large meals. The women worked all day long to prepare the meals. The phrase, “I have cooked enough food for the thrashers,” was probably coined during this era. The farmer had to take care of the horses also.
The men usually carried their own bedrolls and slept on the new fresh straw.
Arthur Skeen and Frances Thomas owned and operated thrashing machines that I remember.
THE GYPSY HORSE TRADERS
The horse trader would come into Plain City once or twice a year. They would arrive in large white-top wagons leading a large number of horses. Some of the camping areas where they would stay were; out by the beet dump, by the water tower, on the square, and in the lot across from the Lyman Skeen home where George Cook now lives. They would stay about a week and would camp or live in their wagons.
The kids were frightened at the sight of the traders and the week they were in town they placed close to home and never ventured far from home at night. The traders were famous for taking things that didn’t belong to them.
As a boy I can remember the trader camps and walking through them with my father. Because of the shady characters and the stories I had been told, I can remember of never letting go of my father’s hand. To see the people involved and the many horses there were, made a lasting impression upon my young mind.
If any of the townspeople needed a horse or team, or wanted to sell any horses, they would bring their horses, or come to the traders camp. They would barter, trade, or sell. In order to make a sharp deal they would dicker all day. There were many stories told of how sharp a deal they made or how badly they got stung by the horse traders.
LYMAN DUMP
There were two beet dumps in Plain City. One was located across from the water tower, the other was the Lyman Dump located one-half mile west of the canning factory where the railroad tracks crossed 5100 West. It was named after Lyman Skeen because of his work on the railroad to that plant, and on into Warren. John Vause was the weigh master and was more or less in charge of the dump. They would haul the beets with teams and wagons to the dump, where they would be loaded on to the rail cars and taken to Wilson Lane for processing. At times the cars were not available ad they would pile the beets by hand. The pile had to be six feet high and stacked just right. When cars were available, the factory would pay the farmers thirty cents a ton to load the beets by hand and then into the cars.
A story is told of a certain farmer that would bring beets to the dump. The drivers were supposed to stay on the wagon to weigh their beets over with the wagons loaded, and then back their wagons across empty. This farmer would get off the empty wagon, stay on the scales, but would reach up and take hold of a board on the scale house, and pull most of his weigh off the scales. John Vause used to say, “ Look at that fat old ____. He thinks he is fooling me, but I always take 200 pounds off whether he is on the scale or not,”
Mervin Thompson was there ad tells a story about Lyman Skeen hauling a large beet rack full of beets to the dump with a four-horse hitch. The lead team was fine large horses and the back team was large mules. The dump was elevated with a steep incline up to a platform where the wagon would stop and be unloaded. It was high enough to clear a rail car and the beets ran down into the car. The decline from the platform was steep. He made his approach with the team struggling to pull the heavy wagon up the incline. As the teams lunged forward down over the decline. Lyman sprang to his feet and held the mules back so the wagon rode up against the rumps of the mules, and he moved the lead horses out fast enough to keep out of the way. He never lost a sugar beet. It was truly a great display of fine horsemanship. It was truly his ability with the horses that saved him and his team from death or injury.
He calmly made a circle around to the approach incline and took the teams up the incline. This time he was ready for them and the mules and horses stopped where they were supposed to. As the teams came down off the decline, they knew they had been taught a valuable lesson by a skillful master.
THE SWIMMING HOLES
If anything in this world can turn a man into a boy again, it is the pleasant memories of the old swimming hole. The warm summer days with friends and the happy, carefree times are the most memorable in a life time. There seems to be a special magnetic force that pulls and draws boys to water. It is especially difficult to try and explain to parents that special force, and why it was so necessary to go swimming so much. We lived in the water and the longest part of the day was the one hour we had to wait for our dinner to digest before we could go in swimming again.
Every irrigation canal, pond, river, or creek had their favorite swimming hole. The favorite holes in Plain City were not by the First and Second Rock Crossing, the canal, but Four Mile, Draney headgates, and the Anderson hole in the river. The Anderson hole was located just below the Warren pump by the bend in the river and northeast of the bridges. One could tell by the number of ponies, wagons, and buggies, that there was always a large crowd, and from the laughter and the noise, you could tell they were having a great time. The Anderson hole was secluded enough, and no girls around. For the men and boys it was pure skinny dipping. If any boy had shown up with a swimming suit in those days, they would have laughed him out of town.
The Anderson hole was the place all of the men and boys took their Saturday night bath. George Knight tells the story that he counted 65 men and boys swimming at one time in the river. Sant Madsen was the oldest at 65, and there was a young boy of about 6 years of age.
Wilford, or “Wiff” Skeen was considered the most gifted and powerful swimmers around this country. During World War I he swam on a Navy swim team. Gordon Thompson and George Knight said that Wiff was the most beautiful swimmer they had ever seen. Fred Kenley, I think, was I the Navy and traveled throughout the world. He said in all his travels that Wiff was the best Swimmer he had ever seen. He would put his little brother, Dick Skeen, on his back and swim out into the middle of the river. Dick must have been real little then, but he would dump him off and make him swim to shore while he carefully watched. Someone lost a shovel in Anderson hole and Wiff dove down to the bottom and brought it up, supposedly the only man to ever touch bottom.
Ogden City, Swifts, and the By-Products, began to dump raw sewage into the river and ruined probably the greatest memory maker in all of Plain City. It just seems so strange that man has a habit of always destroying his own best things in life.
DRIVING THE COWS TO THE PASTURE
The people who milked cows for their own use or who later on milked cows to sell the milk to the creamery, would usually drive their own cows to pasture during the summer months. The pasture was located one, two, or three miles from home. It would require taking the cows out in the morning and returning them in the evening. This responsibility usually fell to the younger members of the family and required a cow pony. In those days everyone’s home, yard, and farm area were fenced so the cows traveling to and from the pastures did not create a problem. During the hot, dry summer weather, the roads and trails of the cows were very dusty. It was very difficult to follow the cows very closely as the dust was so heavy.
One of these pastures was called the West Pasture. It was located north and west from Ivan Moyes’ home. This pasture was owned by several different people. The number of cattle they would put in the pasture was based on the amount of the pasture that they owned. In the evening the first person to the gate would open it and let the cows out. The cows, from force of habit, would follow the same trail to the town park where they would feed. It was not uncommon to see twenty-five or thirty milk cows feeding on the square in the early evening. The farmers would go to the square, collect their cows, and take them home.
For those who played baseball, football, or just played on the square, there were some real hazards involved after the cows had been there.
Modern feeding and milking techniques have eliminated the need for the daily move to the pasture and also the need for the fenced-in yards.
CANNING FACTORIES
Another very important industry in Plain City was the growing and canning of tomatoes. The first factory built in Plain city was across the street from Loyd Olsen’s at 1900 North 4700 West. Laura Grieves Musgrave tells of working in this factory filling the cans with tomatoes. She was just a girl at the time, and expressed how happy she was to be able to earn money in those days. At that time there was no child labor laws.
Part of this factory was later moved near the square and used by the maw family for their store and other buildings.
The second canning factory still stands at 1975 North 4650 West, and was used for many years. The sandy loam soil of Plain City seemed to be ideal for the tomatoes to grow and helped to give them the flavor, quality, and yield that rarely can be equaled. Times were very tough to earn money in those days, and many men and women would work at the factory in the fall of the year to help supplement their income. This factory was built in 1925.
The empty cans would be shipped in by railroad and the processed tomatoes would be shipped out to the railroad.
The events that impressed my memories most about the factory, were the lines of loaded wagons and trucks waiting to be unloaded. While the farmers waited for boxes, or to be unloaded, or for their tomatoes to be graded, they would visit by the hour. The stories and the tall tales that would be told during that time will long be remembered. It used to fascinate me to watch the women peel the tomatoes. The full pans would be scalded and go around on a belt. The women would take a full pan, core and peel the tomatoes, and when the pan was full, they would put their number in the pan and return it to the belt. They were paid by the pan, and it amounted to five cents to ten cents a pan. In later years it raised from eight cents to ten cents a pan. The fastest peelers could peel about 60 pans a day.
Some of the fastest peelers were Dorothy Christensen, Thelma Hodson Wayment, Doris Hodson Chugg, and Ruth Arave Taylor, deceased. Whether peeling tomatoes, cutting potatoes, thinning beets, wall papering, or whatever, Ruth Taylor, as I remember her, had to be the hardest working woman I ever know. I always marveled at her ability.
Can your minds eye visualize the smoke coming from the tall stack, and the pleasant tomato odor that drifted along the air currents through the town of Plain City.
PEA VINERS – PEA WAGONS
One of the early industries, or cash crops of Plain City was from the raising of peas. It t must be remembered that in the very early times, the settlers were only interested and concerned about food to keep them through the winter. As they worked and improved their homes, the roads, and the irrigation system, their ability to products more and vary their crops increased. It was then that they branched out into the pea industry.
The main pea viner was located on 2200 north, about a half mile west of 4650 West, on the north side of the street. It provided work for some of the men of the community, to stack the pea vines. In the winter the farmers fed the vines to their cattle.
The farmers would plant the peas in the early spring, and the harvest would begin about the 4th of July. The pea vines would be out with a horse-drawn mower. They would pitch them on a wagon and haul them to the vines by a team of horses.
As young boys we would look forward to the horse-drawn pea wagons on their way to the viner. We would run out into the street and catch the wagon, pull off a big armful of peas, carry them into the shade, and eat peas all day long. I don’t believe that peas gave you as severe a belly ache as green apples, but it ran a close second. More important, we were ready to go after the first wagon the next day. As a young man, I pitched the peas on the wagon in the fields, and off at the viner.
Later, another viner was built out east. It was located about one-half mile east of the water tower.
In 1949, I was building my house and my friend and neighbor, Louis R. Jenkins, would come frequently and visit. He said, “You have a nice location, but when the wind is right you may be able to smell the pea viner, but you know, that’s a good smell.” I never forgot his statement though the pea industry lasted only a very few years after that date. But, who could ever forget the potent odor that came after the vines and the juices fermented. No wonder the people who hauled pea vines had very little, if any, sinus problems.
Epilogue: Included should be the smell and the people who would haul the feed fresh beet pulp.
TRAPPERS
The Plain City area is situated where there was many creeks, drains, sloughs, ponds, and water areas for the muskrats to live. It seemed to me at one time to another, about every young man was involved in trapping. This could have been an inborn spirit in each young boy to be a trapper or a mountain man. The season would usually start in the fall until the water froze, and then again in the spring when the ice left. It came at a time when jobs were hard to find for young men and provided spending money for them. Trapping provided a good source of money for me when I was going to high school. The hide buyers would usually pay from thirty-five cents to a dollar and a quarter, depending on the size of the hide.
A good trapper could usually catch around 100 rats a day. I know one trapper that brought and paid for a new car during one trapping season. Some of the better trappers in Plain City that I can remember were, Elwin Taylor, Everett Taylor, Lyman Thomas, and Joe Wheeler.
NICK NAMES
Practically no one grew up in Plain City without having a nick name tacked on to him or her, because of something they did, said, or the way they acted, or some mannerism. It was not all uncommon for a group of Plain City boys, just to impress a girl friend, to talk and call the individual by their nick name, and the girls never knew who they were talking about. On the other hand, someone may come into the town and ask for Don Singleton, Darrell Christensen, Boyce England, Elwin Taylor, Horace Knight, LaGrand Hadley, George Cook, Clair Folkman, Lynn Folkman, Eldon Weston, or Jay Freestone, only to be told that they didn’t know anyone living here by that name. But had they asked for “Seebo, ““Breezy,” “Buzz,” “Bunny,” “Skinner,” “Gandy Goose or Pety Hadley,” “Joe,” “Ober,” “Homer,” or “Grass,” the townspeople could tell them right away where they lived.
Some of these people whose names will be mentioned have passed away, and it is my purpose to pay tribute, and add to their good names, rather than take anything away from them. Some have also moved away, but they got their name in Plain City.
There are so many names that I simply can’t remember them all, but here are a few: “Buss” Lyman Skeen, “Rip” Ronald Skeen, “Geg” Garry Skeen, “Brig” Orson Knight, “Snide” Elmer Carver, “Suitcase” Blair Simpson, “Huss” Harold Hadley, “Tubby” Frank Hadley, “Duke” “ Frog” Kenneth Christensen, “Fooz” Grant Lund, “Hazel” Kenneth Lund, “Bud” Richard Dallinga, “Cirk” Keith Lund, “Sodie” Elmer Hipwell, “Diff” Jack Etherington, “Tiff” Clyde Skeen, “Taa” Jack Freestone, “Sunny” Lyman Freestone, “Bub” Howard Freestone, “Cork” Carl Hodson, “Tumbleweed” Don Van Sickle, “Red” Lyman Cook, “Chic” Dee Cook, “Heater” Bert Cook, “Beef” Wheat Taylor, “Big Chub” Charles Fulmer, “Little Chub” Robert Fulmer, “Buddles” Rulon Jenkins, “Curley” Quenten Jenkins, “Bun” Ray Hadley, “Weiny” Dwaine Hadley, “Mustard” Bill Hadley, “Napkin” Dennis Hadley.
“Punken” Elmer Ericson, “Eif” Kent Jenkins, “Perk” Ray Coy, “Bear” Ronald Hogge, “Stinne” Wayne Skeen, “Hinke” Verl Rawson, “Toad” Loyd Knight, “Tarzan” Thayne Knight, “Dob” Blaine Knight, “Ikee” Ivan Hodson, “Grit” Dean Moyes, “Bud” Knight, “Lym” Skeen, “Beaver” Gordon Hadley, “Trapper” Durland Hadley, “Deddy” Darrell Thompson, “Pubby” Vernal Moyes, “Sam” Lyle Thomas, “Gonnie” Kenneth Woods, “Jim” Theron Rhead, “Mag” Noel England, “Jim” Elwin Skeen, ‘Bones” Bob Folkman, “Swede” Brent Taylor, “Curly” Davis, “Mayor” Dean Baker. “Wimpy” Loren Facer, “Tooley” Louis Poulsen, “Dick” Elwood Skeen, “Mud” Claude Rhead, “Weeser” Gene Lund, “Fiddler” Elmo Rhead, “Hook” Harold Hobson, “Roan” Harold Ross, “Mike” Milo Ross, “Wheeler” Keith Blanch, “Luke” John Nash, “Tom” Vandel Maw, “Joe” John Maw, “Judge” Thayne Robson, “Bushy” Wayne Cottle, “Pickus” Paul Coy, “George” Cliff Folkman, “Willie” Warren Williams, “Wally” Wallace Knight, “Cruzz” Kent Robson, “Evert” Bill England, “Tom” Merrill Jenkins, “Aus” Bob Wade, “Cougar” Norman Carver, “English” Wayne Carver.
Something more interesting than the names is how each one got their nickname. You should ask some of them sometimes. We should announce from Plain city to the world that we have had for the last 55 years, the original ”Jaws” Paul Knight. It is very distressing and disturbing to read where some outsider has taken the name “Jaws” and capitalized on it, made a film, and grossed more than 25 million dollars, when the original “Jaws” had been in Plain City all along.
When we analize the personality, the good times, and especially the stories, I doubt that anyone in Plain City would take 25 million from our original “Jaws.”
THE PEST HOUSE OR PRIMITIVE HOSPITAL
The constant underlying fears that pioneers and early settlers lived with daily was the threat of disease, illness, or sickness. There just weren’t any doctors or medicine available, and if anyone got sick, they either got well on their own, or they didn’t make it.
If a dreaded disease, or plague, as it was called struck the early settlers, many of them felt like it was God’s way of punishing them for things they had done or for the things they had not done. There were so many mysteries and superstitions concerning that, that people acted and responded in what now might be considered strange ways. The people felt the best thing to do was to isolate the sick people, and as a result of this type of thinking, the pioneers built the Pest House. To make sure it was really isolated, the people went about a mile west of town on the bank of First Creek and built Pest house. The Pest House was located on the bank of the creek. There were some tall poplar trees surrounding the building, but have since been removed. Clyde tells me that information was handed down and told to him about the spot where the Pest House was located. Years ago there was some evidence of a building there.
When a person got sick, they would take him to the Pest house to get better. They were usually left alone to care for themselves. Someone from the town would take food and water, and provide some care, but for the most part, it was just a kill or cure method. In most cases the patients, if they died, expired from exposure or lack of care rather than from the disease because the building was poorly constructed.
During the Smallpox epidemic of 1871, or about then, there weren’t any public meetings held in Plain City from September until the next March. The people lived in total fear of the disease.
The William Skeen family was hit very hard with Smallpox and they lost four children. It has been told that while his family was very sick, he called for the church and they were fearful, they refused to go help. His friends also turned away. This good man was left to bury his four children all alone, and some of them at night. He was so disappointed in the Elders of the church and his friends, that he left the church and he named one of his sons that was born later “Frenz Denial.”
IMPORTANT FACTS
Ivan Skeen Marsden and Lona Ipson Watson were the first lady missionaries to leave from Plain City in 1914. They served in the Eastern States Mission.
The first car reported to be in Plain City was Dr. Rich, who drove out to treat a patient.
It mentions that Richie owned the first car. Some of the other early car owners were Tom England, John Maw, Lyman Skeen, and others. Later, Lyman Skeen owned an eight-passenger Chandler.
Sammy Sampson was one of the early barbers.
There are seven children of original settlers living today in1977 that we know about. There may be others. Four of them live in Plain City. They are:
Ada Skeen William Allred
Victoria Sharp Hunt
Mary Sharp Richardson
Ivy Skeen Marsden
Lenora Skeen Freestone
Jennie Skeen Cook
Elwood “Dick” Skeen
It is remarkable when you think after 118 years that there are still children of the first settlers still living.
Richard Lund was the early fiddle player in the town.
LYMAN SKEEN, OWNER OF GREAT HORSES
Lyman Skeen owned and loved great horses. He had two large barns full of fine Stallions, besides many work teams that he used in his construction business. He worked in Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho, on construction building canals, road beds, and whatever. He knew horses flesh and people would bring their horses from all over the country to have him doctor their horses.
Lyman made three trips to Europe to buy horses. On one occasion, he bought six head of Shire horses in England and brought them by ship to the United States, and by rail to Ogden. He also brought a little Englishman named Tommy ____ to take care of the horses and train them.
When they arrived in Ogden Lyman took Blaine Skeen, Elmer Skeen, Orson Knight, and others to help bring the horses home. Orson Knight tells before they brought them to Plain City, they paraded them down Washington Boulevard. He mentioned that no boy could have been prouder to lead those large horses down Washington. He said the little Englishman walked beside the horses with a whip, and he would crack the whip and the horses would rare up and prance and put on quite a display for the large horses.
Sline was probably the greatest Shire horse to ever come into the State of Utah, or the West. The little Englishman is holding Sline in the picture.
The Skeen kids can remember frequently someone yelling “Sline’s out.” and he would always prance up through the lot. Lyman would send his boys out to catch Sline, but they never could catch him. Lyman would sit back and watch his proud horse run and exercise, and when Lyman felt like he had enough, he would walk out and up to Sline and lead him to the barn. Whenever Sline had been he left hoof prints about a foot square through the garden.
“SLINE” – Importe I Three-year-old Shire Colt
L. SKEEN
LYMAN SKEEN WITH HIS SHIRE HORSE.
One of these big Shire horses died at the age of three days. It was raised on a bottle by Annie Skeen, wife of Lyman Skeen.
SAMMY SAMPSON THE BARBER
Sammy Sampson barbered in his home which was located across the street from Dell Sharp’s home. He was one of the early barbers. Byron Carver tells of getting his hair cut there when he was a boy. He said, “You could ask for any type of a cut you wanted, but you only got one cut, mostly bad,” I can see Byron chuckle ass a twinkle from the past came into his eyes. “Oh it was bad,” he said, “and as long as you had any hair left, Sammy would keep cutting.”
On one occasion he went to get his hair cut when it was hot and Sammy was cooking something that didn’t smell too good. Some of the men who had gathered were smoking El-rope-o cigars, and Byron was getting light headed as he sat in the chair. As Sammy worked him over he became more ill. Sammy soaped his neck and shaved it with a large thick, straight razor, that scraped more than it cut. Sammy kept a pan of hot water on the stove with a wash cloth on it that he used to wash the soap off. As he laid that hot cloth on Byron’s neck, Byron rolled off the chair and fainted dead away. When he came to, big Lafe Skeen was holding him on his lap. That was one hair cut Byron will always remember, and as long as he is alive the memory of Sammy Sampson the barber will live on.
Sammy charged 5 to 10 cents a haircut in those days, and trim and shave on the older men was 15 cents.
THE RACE TRACK, PLAIN CITY’S FIRST
William Skeen owned some very fine racehorses and he built a racetrack to train his horses. The neighbors would meet on occasion and race their horses to test the speed against their neighbors horses. Stories have been told that there were some very exciting races held at the track. It was located near four mile reservoir.
They tell the story of a man from Ogden, who was quite a footracer and he was supposed to have challenged and bragged that he could beat a horse in a certain distance. It was well talked up and word spread around, and the race was held. There was a little money that changed hands quite a crowd. But you know, no one can remember who won the race. It was another colorful time in early Plain City.
THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT SHOW
Growing up as a kid during the late twenties, thirties and into the early forties here in Plain City was quite an eventful time. It seemed that the world moved at a slower more relaxed pace and there was time to enjoy visiting and to crate your own entertainment and fun. Depression times were very hard for most families, with very little one and barely the necessities of life. There was very little money available for entertainment and if you had any entertainment, you created your own. They were carefree happy times. As a kid you were lucky if you got into Ogden once a month or even once during the summer. By comparison with today, all the entertainment seems to be provided for the young people and all they have to do is show up with money and everything is provided for them.
In the summer kids games and ball games were a very big thing and something was going on every day and night. Hide and seek, run sheepy run, kick the can, and whatever else anyone could think up were always popular. Skating and sleigh riding were the fall and winter games. You would skate all day and build fires at night so you could skate even longer.
Sometimes in the thirties the movies began to be very popular. Someone from Ogden would bring a movie out to Plain City every Wednesday night. It was held in the upstairs of the old church house and there would be two to three hundred people or more watching the show. The admission was ten cents and hardly anyone ever missed the Wednesday night movie. There was usually a serial episode before the regular movie and it would last for about weeks. It would lead you up to an exciting climax and then announce, “To be continued next week.” I can remember they would be the longest weeks ever, waiting to get back to the show to see what happened. Tail Spit Tommy always a big feature with the serials.
There were some very spooky shows and I can recall small kids screaming and crying, and they would have to leave the show. The shows were scary, but the spooky part was walking home at night after the show. You were always extra light on your feet, and with any strange sound out of the blackness of the night, you would be at a full gallop and double your stride. Ah, but they were good times.
The automobile and the war, and the latest movie hits in Ogden all led to the down fall of the Wednesday night show in Plain City. It was a colorful era in Plain City and one that everyone seemed to enjoy.
A TRIBUTE TO BETTY
Somehow the roads of Plain City look and seem a little different now days without the familiar figure of Betty. Her shopping bag in hand, her figure that time and age had bent a little, and limp that the years had brought on, headed up the road to Ogden. Time had also slowed her steps, but not her to walk to town.
Probably Betty was born fifty years too late to fit in well with a changing society. He life was the simple life, and her wants and needs were few. She was very string willed, proud, and stubborn in some regards. She was very determined not to be pressured into joining the modern world.
Some people say she was eccentric, old, strange, but she was a rugged individualist who refused to conform to anyones standards but her own. As a result of her ways the young people would sometimes tease and torment Betty. But in her own way she ignored them and went her way. Is it not strange that we from our own little worlds are so willing to unfairly judge other people by out own knowledge and standards. Especially if their standards and personality traits do not measure up or lower down to our own.
I wouldn’t begin to know how many thousands of times Betty walked to Ogden, and back with groceries, even after she was around seventy five years of age. I suppose before we could fairly evaluate Betty we should ask the women of Plain City how many times they have walked to Ogden, and back home. Their were many people who were good to Betty and wanted to help her, but she seemed determined and happy to do things her own way.
Betty was a hard worker and she worked for many people in Plain City. Later she worked in Ogden doing housework. I carried mail in Ogden for thirty years and would see Betty working at some of the finest homes in Ogden. Her family paid me a tribute when they asked me to speak at her funeral.
Betty will be remembered as one of Plain City’s remarkable characters. If we let our memories wander a little, and though our minds eye we might still catch a glimpse of a shadow of Betty walking to town.
I have two copies of the History of Plain City, Utah. The front indicates it is from March 17th 1859 to present. As far as I can tell, the book was written in 1977. At least that is the latest date I can find in the book.
One copy belonged to my Grandparents Milo and Gladys Ross. My Grandpa has written various notes inside the history which I intend to include in parenthesis whenever they appear. They add to the history and come from his own experience and hearing.
I will only do a number of pages at a time. I will also try to include scanned copies of the photos in the books. These are just scanned copies of these books, I have not tried to seek out originals or better copies.
History of Plain City March 17th 1859 to present, pages 141 through 149.
BONA VISTA IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
SUBMITTED BY FLOYD PALMER
This most important new culinary water system has made life a little more pleasant in this community and surrounding areas. It was turned into the lines just a century after sturdy pioneer families first put together temporary shelters and tapped several sweet water springs which they found in the area.
It replaces old flowing wells, bringing precious waster from the depths of the earth. In early days many deep and surface wells dug, covered over, and fenced off to keep children from falling in. They were first fitted with “pitcher” pumps, a short-handled affair which were the “pumper” out in a short time. Even the farm animals had to depend on well water pumped to the surface by hand.
Later, the easier to work, long-handled pumps were installed. These were followed by power pumps connected to a small storage tank. This was the ultimate in a private water supply.
In 1955, a Weber County man, Linn C. Baker, was a member of the State legislature. He is the one who sponsored the bill to create special improvement districts. The reason he was the sponsor of this bill was due to his work in the Health Department for the State of Utah. As he studied samples of water sent to him from the outlying towns, he became aware of the amount of contamination there was in the drinking water in certain areas, Plain City was among the highest on the list. This was traceable to shallow surface wells being used, also septic tanks with poor drainage.
Soon after the Weber Basin Conservancy District was organized, Plain City wanted to purchase one-thousand-acre feet of water. Their request was held in abeyance until a line could be built from Ogden Canyon. This, however, was never done.
Elmer Carver was on the executive committee of Weber Basin Project. Through the encouragement of Commissioner Carver, Mr. Ezra Fjeldsted, manager of Weber basin Project, and Linn Baker, all met with the Plain City Town Board to get something started. Floyd A. Palmer, a member of the Town Board, was asked to represent Plain City on a committee of surrounding towns in Weber and Davis counties. Mr. Ezra Fjeldsted acted as chairman of this group and several meetings were held in both counties which Mr. Palmer attended.
Following this, a public meeting was held in Plain city. Farr West, and Harrisville were asked to join in. This was for the purpose of starting a culinary water system. The results of this meeting, from all groups attending, were to go ahead, also to contact other nearby towns and get their feelings about joining in.
A series of meetings were held in Farr West, Harrisville, Slaterville, Marriott, Wilson Lane, and Plain City. Other towns were invited to attend. Ezra Fjeldsted represented Weber Basin, Floyd A. Palmer represented Plain City, Dick Groberg represented Farr West, Kenneth Brown represented Harrisville, Clifford Blair represented Marriott and Slaterville, and Arthur W. Sorensen represented Wilson Lane. The meetings were all met with a great deal of enthusiasm and interest.
Plain City Town Board consisted of Lee Olsen, President, Floyd A. Palmer, Elvin H. Maw, Merrill Jenkins, Blair Simpson, as members. A culinary water system was a prime item of the agenda in 1956. The town board along with several local residents were well organized to promote the need for a water supply to replace the surface wells and pumps.
On July 19, 1956, Elmer Carver, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners of Weber County, State of Utah, signed a certified documents that there be and is hereby created within Weber County, Utah, a Water Improvement District to be known and designated as the BONA VISTA WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, the same to embrace and include all real property lying within the following boundaries, to-wit: (SETS FORTH DETAILED LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF DISTRICT BOUNDARIES WHICH BOUNDARIES EMBRACE LANDS HEREIN ABSTRACTED – Abstracter)
That the following-named persons are appointed as the Board of Trustees of said Bon Vista Water Improvement District:
Floyd A. Palmer, Plain City
Richard Groberg, Farr West
Kenneth Brown, Harrisville
Clifford Blair, Marriott-Slaterville
Arthur Sorensen, Wilson Lane
This resolution shall take effect immediately and shall be recorded in the office of the Weber County Clerk. Recorded August 22, 1956.
Following this appointment from the Weber County Commission, the board held a short meeting. It was necessary to elect a chairman, after a discussion of each of the board members. Kenneth Brown was appointed as chairman.
The first order of business was to secure professional and legal help. Mr. Jack Richards was appointed attorney. Jack Reeves, of the firm of Nelson, Reeves and Maxwell, was appointed engineer. They were appointed to do the field work and present the plans and drawings back to the board.
When the plans were completed, the board spent much time deciding the most feasible and economical areas to run the lines in. Also, to give each town a fair share of the project. Following this, it was necessary to project estimated costs. The board spent many months getting costs and deciding on types and kinds of pipes and materials to use on the project. The overall plans had to look attractive and feasible in order to get a bonding company to handle the bonds.
The first step made to secure the bond issue was to get signed pledge cards with an agreement to pay $250.00 for a waster connection. This was a requirement. Committees were organized with Floyd A. Palmer, Richard Groberg, Kenneth Brown, Clifford Blair, and Arthur Sorensen acting as chairman in each of their respective towns. The result was very successful, all those serving on these committee are deserving of much credit for their untiring effort and accomplishments.
On August 20, 1957, a bond election was held to see if the residents would approve a $900,000.00 bond issue. The vote was 490 yes and 82 no. Edward L. Burton Company was retained as Fiscal Agent, and $698,000.00 was sold in General Obligation Bonds, and the system was under way.
On April 14, 1958, a contract was awarded to Smith-Scott Pipe Company to furnish cement mortar-lined steel pipe for the main lines.
Also, on April 14, 1958, a contract was awarded to Knudson Construction Company to install water mains in the Harrisville-Randall area which was Phase I of the project.
Also, on April 14, 1958, a contract was awarded to Chicago Bridge & Iron Company to furnish and erect a 250,000.00 gallon elevated storage tank in Plain City.
On April 28, 1958, Theron Palmer was hired as General Superintendent to oversee construction and to get it ready to serve and operated as a system.
On May 27, 1958, an office was rented from the E. B. Stone Estate on the corner of 9th and Washington. The district still maintains its offices here. The building was purchased by the district in 1969 and has been remodeled.
On May 27, 1958, negotiations were begun with the State Department of Welfare of obtain ownership of a spring located in Garner’s Canyon in North Ogden. The spring was used at the time by the welfare department at the Industrial School property for culinary use and irrigation use.
On May 27, 1958, Weber Basin let a contract to Statewide Construction Company to build the 16-inch transmission line from 4000 South on U-84, down into the district where Bona Vista could connect to it.
Also, on May 27, 1958, a piece of property located at 4100 West on 2200 North in Plain city, was purchased from Vern Palmer to construct the elevated tank.
Bona Vista Water Storage Tank
Raymond Concrete Title Company moved in and drove concrete pilings 80 feet into the ground to support the tank.
Gerald Larkin was then awarded a contract to construct a foundation so Chicago Bridge and iron could begin erection.
On July 3, 1958, a contract was awarded to Bert Robinson Construction Company to build lines in the Farr West and Plain City.
Also, on July 3, 1958, Standard Plumbing Supply Company was awarded a contract to furnish materials for service lines.
On July 17, 1958, the Weber County Commission agreed to purchase 60 fire hydrants to go on the system to be located by the Weber County Fire Chief.
On July 17, 1958, Smedley construction Company was awarded a bid to construct lines in the Slaterville, Marriott, and Wilson area for $44,975.00. The same day Mac Construction Company of Salt Lake City was awarded the bid to construct our North Ogden Reservoir for $16,911.00. This is a concrete underground reservoir.
On August 11, 1958, an agreement was reached with the Welfare Department to obtain full use of the spring in North Ogden. Weber-Box Elder water was purchased to replace the Welfare Department’s share of the spring.
On February 11, 1959, work began on the plans and site for a reservoir in the Roy area.
On March 23, 1959, it was decided to run a line on the North Plain City Road.
On August 27, 1959, it was decided to either buy or condemn the Hansen property for a reservoir.
A bid to build a tank in Roy was awarded to Wehyer Construction Company for #31,403.80 on September 23, 1959.
Negotiations began to buy an eight-foot well from the Farr West Stake for $31,403.80 on September 23, 1959.
Linn C. Baker resigned as Secretary on January 1, 1961. He had been with the district since it began.
On December 6, 1961, it was decided to construct extensions to existing mains in the amount of $90,000.00 General Obligation Bonds were sold to finance these extensions. Waterfall Construction Company did the job.
All though the summer of 1961, the Farr West well was tested to see if it would hold up.
On February 28, 1962, President Wimmer signed the Warranty Deed on the Farr West well and property. On January 16, 1963, it was decided to put heat lights on our Roy tank. This was the first such installation in this area and it drew a lot of attention.
The Utah State Health Department studied the plans for use of the plans for use of the existing well in Farr West and decided against allowing it to be used because of its depth. A change application was then filled with the State Engineer to drill the well to a deeper depth.
On May 10, 1963, a contract with Wesley Stoddard was made to drill a well in Farr West for $21,632.00 plus $4,700.00 for the test hole to see how deep the well would have to go.
A meeting was held at the Farr West Pump House building on January 20, 1964. This building was contracted by the Bona Vista Water employees. The piping was also done by employees of Bona Vista.
R. W. Coleman Company was awarded a contract for $18,877.50 to change some lines under the interstate highway on November 22, 1965.
Negotiations began on March 28, 1966, with Weber Basin on the North Ogden Well, which was later drilled and is used in the system now.
Water meters were deemed necessary and were bought by bid from Waterworks Equipment Company and E. C. Olsen Company on October 28, 1968.
New Plain City Canal
BEGINNING OF PLAIN CITY IRRIGATION WATER
1859 Before the summer was over some water had been brought in their new ditch from Four Mile Creek to Plain City. In 1860, the Canal was completed to Mill Creek, the following year to Broom’s Creek and in 1862 to the Ogden River. The Right of Way in Weber River was purchased in 1873 at a cost of $2000.
In 1899 Samuel Wayment drilled an Artesian Well 249 feet deep producing additional water for the settlers. He also was in charge of the iron work and the building of the Chief Canning Factory in Plain City.
PLAIN CITY IRRIGATION-CEMENTING OF THE MAIN CANAL
SUBMITTED BY Wayne Skeen
For many years the Plain City Irrigation Company received it’s water from the Weber River. The diversion point into the canal was just north of the old American Packing Plant that was later called the Swift Meat Packaging Plant. The Irrigation Company had a large Plank Head Gate in the Weber River that forced the water into the Plain City Irrigation Company Canal because of high waters in the spring this gate would wash out and it was necessary to make a gravel and dirt dam each year using horses, scrapers, and even large bulldozers. In recent years this became a major problem.
The government began planning the Willard Project in 1960. This project would interfere to a certain extent with the existing canal used by the Irrigation Company because big Willard Bay Canal would be built in part of our existing canal and would also cross it in part of our existing canal and would also cross it in other areas. The leaders of this project wanted to provide a turn out from the big canal into the Plain City Irrigation Canal. The corporation of our company was necessary to give them the right to use the area affected by the construction of the Willard Bay Canal. The logical point of diversion would be west of the Farr West Church House. This meant that some new construction would be necessary to get the water into the old canal. It was in need of some repairs and it was at this time that the idea of a new cement lined canal was entertained.
Directors who served during this period of construction were as followed:
President Abram Maw 1959-60
President Alvin J. Robson 1961-65
Vice President Walt Christensen 1959-64
Vice President Carl Taylor 1965
Bert Hunt
Charles Heslop
Keith Blanch
Mike Panunzio
Secretary Wayne Skeen 1959-65
High lights of the minutes of the meetings during the construction period are as follow:
August 11, 1959
Ogden City had extra water for sale this year which was allocated out to various canal companies. A motion was made by Alvin Robson that this water be purchased to see them through the current season. It would be paid by those stock holders who subscribed for the extra water.
April 4, 1960
The meeting was called to discuss the new canal. Charles Heslop was assigned to work on interested free money from the Utah Water & Power board for the construction. Alvin Robson was assigned to work with the Soil Conservation on the completion of the surveying of the canal, and additional monies.
July 12, 1960
A meeting was held to discuss a possible shortage of water for the remainder of the year. Time was changed from 20 shares per hour to 25 shares per hour.
January 9, 1961
A priority was established with the Utah Water an Power board for interest free money and application made for $100,000.00
A survey showed that there was a 10% loss of water between the River turn out and the Point of use.
March 8, 1961
The Irrigation Company received a $10,000.00 cash settlement for their rights in the old canal from the O.U.R.D. Railroad Company that passes through their yards.
Alvin Robson, Carl Taylor, and Walt Christensen was to secure information regarding tiling of the canal from Victor Lund’s corner up to the Jesse Singleton property where the canal leaves the road and runs back into the fields.
April 20, 1961
A report was given by Alvin Robson regarding the tiling of the lower part of the canal. There were mixed emotions about tiling this section of the canal because of the fall and the amount of water to be delivered. “Alvin Robson commented as the discussion went on concerning the piping verses the cement lining. The stockholders are residents of this town and should have some concern towards the improvements and beautification of the community and that an open cement lined canals to greet the people entering the town is not very inviting and once it was constructed it would never be changed in our life time.”
Keith Blanch speaking as a town board member expressed his opinion regarding the beautification and eliminating hazards in the community and felt that it was worth while and the tax payers should help with the construction of the Irrigation Company in piping this section of the canal.
Glen Charlton and Lee Olsen from the town board were present. An opinion was asked from the town board members. Mr. Charlton felt it was a worth while project as long as it was right. Mr. Olsen commented that it was a good thing as long as it was sufficient to meet the needs of the water users.
The town board members agreed to cover the pipe that was laid with dirt. It was agreed that 2880 feet of 36 inch tile would be laid this spring from the old beet dump corner to Victor Lund’s corner.
April 27, 1961
The Town board members present: Dee Cook, Glen Charlton, Kent Jenkins, and Lee Olsen. Mr. Covey from Utah State University was also present.
Further discussion concerning cost of construction of the concrete pipe continued. Keith Blanch made a motion that the town board and property owners should join with the Irrigation Company in the cost of the 36 inch tile to be laid. Motion seconded by Carl Taylor
Mr. Robson suggested the property owners who would benefit from the lining of the canal pay $1.25 per foot frontage towards the pipe. The Town Board said they could only participate within the city limits and they would contribute $4,000.00 over a 10 year period. The bids were to be sent to Secretary Wayne Skeen by March 30, 1961.
April 30, 1961
The purpose of this meeting was to open bids. Utah Concrete Pipe Company received bids for 36 inch concrete pipe at $8.75 per foot. Waterfall Construction Company was awarded the laying of the pipe at $1.55 per foot.
Abram Maw made the motion that the project not be stopped at the beet dump corner but continue up to the up to the weir east of the water tower (where the pipe portion of the canal now starts) if the property owners will contribute $1.25 per foot. Motion seconded by Keith Blanch.
Charles Heslop ad Elvin Maw were asked to approach these property owners and get their approval to pay the $1.25 and also contact all stock holders and get their signature for government participation thru the Soil Conservation.
Charles and Elvin were successful in getting all the names except Jesse Singleton who would not accept any government monies and would not pay the $1.25 per foot to tile in front of his property.
Alvin Robson contracted Howard Singleton, Jesse’s boy and he agreed to pay the $1.25 but only up to the old house that sat in the field and that is where the concrete pipe starts today. Alvin Robson tried to convince the Director’s that they should at the company’s cost tile the remainder of the ditch along the road because any future expansion of the community would by hampered by open ditch reducing the width of the road. This motion turned down.
Walter Christensen made the motion that Alvin Robson meet with the Soil Conservation to discuss details of cost and tiling and lining the canal.
April 31, 1961
Alvin East, Maurice Skeen, and Owen Wayment from the Warren Irrigation Company met with the directors to discuss details and sign a contract for the exchange of Ogden and Weber River which would benefit both companies. The contract was signed.
Mr. Daniel Lawrence from the Utah Water & Power Board attended the meeting. Keith Blanch made the motion that Alvin Robson and Wayne Skeen be given the power to enter into a contract with the Utah Water & Power Board for the total cost of $1,300.000.00 and formulate all details.
May 3, 1961
Junior Taylor was appointed as Water Master of the year.
May 15, 1961
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the Weber Basin Project with E.J. Feldstead and commissioner Wilmer Carver. They needed additional votes to finish construction of the Willard Bay. A proposed addition would cost seventeen million dollars.
June 5, 1961
The purpose of the meeting was to see what should be done because it appeared that there would be a water shortage before the end of the year. It was proposed that we only run off water until the stream reached a point that we could not water properly and then start to use our shortage water and put turns on 1/3 basis.
September 27, 1961
The new project was discussed and it was recommended that the company hire an engineer and begin construction on the upper end of the new canal.
There were many problems that came out of the construction of this canal. It would be necessary to get some dirt to construct the pad for the canal. The company purchased some ground at the upper end of the canal from Max Stander. Then got the dirt that was necessary to build the upper end of the canal and then leveled the ground and gave it back to Mr. Stander. They also purchased additional dirt from Robert Penman. This dirt was trucked from his property just south of the Weber River and west of the main road. The dirt was hauled by farmers using their beet trucks, etc.. The new pad was made in the old canal banks where possible, but there was some trading of land etc. to straighten out the canal. There was also a problem in getting someone to dig out the canal to the size and shape required to allow 50 seconds feet of water at one time. The company asked for bids, but they only received one because the equipment needed to shape the canal was not available. In order to get the project moving Alvin Robson caught a bus on Ogden and went to the Fuller Forms Company in Arizona to see if they had some type of equipment that could be used. He purchased a right to one of their slip forms that could be used in forming and pouring the concrete. He returned to Ogden and worked with the Ogden Iron Works on 23rd Street and Grant Avenue where the construction of the slip forms took place. The next problem was to begin the construction of the project. Dean Hadley of Taylor was hired to do most of the big equipment work. Local farmers also helped with their equipment. The Soil Conservation furnished the engineering on the project. Herbert Issackson of Pleasant View was the surveyor. One of the major problems that existed and is still a yearly discussion is the amount of water delivered from the existing head gates. The government required that curtained head gates must be varied in size for them to participate financially.
Oct 1962
There was much contention and personal feelings during the construction of how it should be done. Some people left the jobs and never came back, but the project was finally finished. The construction created problems for some but most of the inconveniences were ratified by the Irrigation Company. New bridges were built, land was leveled, damages to property was crops were paid for during the construction. The Company paid for fencing materials with the property owners installing the fences. Cattle that used to walk across the stream would fall into the new lined canal and couldn’t get out. The Company paid for some of the cattle that were lost before the agreement to install fencing was made.
The total cost of the project was $199,754.08. The amount of $122,918.61 was borrowed from Utah Water & Power Board. This money was interest free if a yearly payment was made by November 30th each year. The last payment of $8.257.06 will be paid on November 30, 1977. Other cost not being paid by the stockholders come from the Soil Conservation and the sale of pieces of the old canal, and the town board. Vice President Bill Hatch of the First Security bank was also an asset in the financing of the canal.
We borrowed monies from the First Security Bank as construction went on to pay for cost on a daily basis. On December 31, 1974, the company owed the First Security bank $60,000.00 Alvin Robson and Wayne Skeen met with Mr. Hatch in May regarding this bill. Mr. Hatch said that the bank needed some type of security for this loan. There was nothing to give him because out rights to the canal had been given to the Utah Water and Power Board. Alvin Robson and Wayne Skeen then approached Mr. Lawrence of the Utah Water and Power Board asking them for more money for the project explaining the situation with the bank. Alvin Robson explained that they might just as well take over the ownership of the canal because the bill had to be paid. There was nothing to offer as security because the Utah Water and Power board had everything that the company owned. Later, Mr. Lawrence of the Utah Water and Power Board gave the Irrigation Company an additional $30,000 which helped to delete that note at the First Security Bank.
I was trying to find some photos and stumbled upon my Mom’s graduation pamphlet I had scanned a few years ago. Thought maybe it was time to share it, especially where I have seen some of her classmates have passed away recently.
1972 Baccalaureate and Commencement – Burley High School – Burley Idaho
These programs courtesy of the following Public Spirited Business Concerns
Amalgamated Sugar Co.
Burley Processing Co.
Burley Reminder
Cassia National Bank
First Federal Savings & Loan Assn., Burley Branch
First Security Bank
Guys ‘N Dolls
Idaho Bank & Trust Co.
Idaho First National Bank Burley Office
McCaslins
Ponderosa Inn
J. R. Simplot Food Processing Division
South Idaho Press
Class Officers
President Garth Beck
Vice President Bud Hoffbuhr
Secretary Jill Hinz
Executives Peggy Wood, Peggy Larson, Kaye Dawn Larson, Jeananne Gruwell, Jean Graham
Class Adviser Mr. David Peck
Baccalaureate Sunday, May 21, 1972 2:30 P.M.
Mr. Tom Gruwell , Principal, Presiding
Processional High School Band Mike Chesley, Conducting
Welcome Garth Beck Class President
Invocation Bud Hoffbuhr
Special Number Bel Canto Choir Elden Wood, Conducting “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
Address Dr. Walter R. Peterson
Cherubim Song Senior Octet
Benediction Calvin Pearson
Recessional High School Band
Commencement Monday, May 22, 1972 8:00 P.M.
Mr. Tom Gruwell, Principal, Presiding
THEME: “I Dream Dreams that Never Were and I Ask, Why Not” – George Bernard Shaw
Processional – High School Band – Mike Chesley, Conducting
Invocation – Connie Smith
Welcome Address – Garth Beck, Class President
Greetings from Austria – Marianne Koch – Exchange Student
“Man and His World” – Senior Choir
Valedictorian – Julieann Kerbs
Trombone Solo – Doug Nichols
Salutatorian – Edi Lou King
“The Halls of Ivy” – Senior Sextet
Presentation of Diplomas – Mr. Norval Wildman, Mr. Albert Klink, Mr. Dave Peck, Mr. Tom Gruwell
Class Song “Crescent Moon” – Class of ’72 – Gwen Bowen, Conducting
Benediction – Wayne Johnson
Recessional – High School Band
Adams, David Ratelle
Allen, Kathryn Marie
Allred, Anthony Jon
Allred, Howard Lynn
Amen, Joanne Marie
Andersen, Debra
Anderson, Roxanne
Anderson, Jerald DeLayne (1954 – 2017)
Anderson, Jay S
Anderson, Todd Michael (1953 – 1972)
Angus, Joyce Ann
Baker, Cheryl
Baker, Rell Dean
Banner, Marc
Barkdull, Marlene
Bewan, Lynnette
Beard, Patrick Scott
* Beck, Garth Warren (1953 – 2002)
Beck, Reid Belliston
Beckham, George Benjamin
Bedke, Douglas Herman
Bell, Larry W
Bench, Michael R
Berkenmeier, JoAnn
Bishop, Gregory Lynn
Black, Don Reid
Bodily, Ted O (1954 – 2019)
Bowcut, Bruce V
Bowen, Gwen
Bowers, Gloria
Bradshaw, Bill A Jr
Breeding, SHelly Marie
Briggs, Larry
Brill, Russel Dean
Brown, Julieann
Burgi, Lysene (1953 – 2016)
Burton, Arlen Lynn (1954 – 2014)
Call, Milo Jay
Campbell, Debra “Debbie” Kay (1954 – 2019) Johnson
Cargill, Elwin Verl II
Carey, Mirian June
Castillo, Yolanda Hernandez
Christian, Debbie Lynn
Clark, Bradley Hales
Clark, Antone “Tony” Lee (1954 -2015)
Coleman, Rick Lynn
* Crane, RoZann
Cunnington, Gaylene
Darrington, Jerilyn
Davids, Michael Lynn (1953 – 2020)
Davis, Donna Emily
Day, Debra E
Dayley, LaNae
Dayley, Lee K
Delaney, William W
Dille, LuRene
Draney, Rex Leonard (1953 – 2007)
Duncan, Rocky Gale (1954 – 2020)
Dunn, Rodney K
Dunn, Roger
** Eames, Lou Ann
Eldredge, Debbie
Farwell, Albert Michael (1952 – 2023)
Fairchild, Aleta Ann
Fenton, Wayne J
Ferlic, Beth Anne
Ferlic, Robert James
Filger, Thomas W
Fillmore, Louise
Fletcher, William Kent
Forschler, Laura Lynn
Forschler, Melody
Frazier, Lon Mitchell
Frost, Verlynn
Funk, Barbara Elaine
Gallegos, Linda K
Garcia, Don J
Garrard, Vickie Lynn
Goodwin, Irene Cecilia
Goold, Gary
Graf, Becky Ann (1954 – 2011) Moats, Kloer
Grafft, Duane Brian (1953 – 2006)
Graham, Jean
Green, Michael Dan
** Green, Sharon
Gregersen, Denice
Gruwell, Jeananne
Guiles, Randy Andrew (1953 – 2015)
Gunnell, Brent Udell
Hanks, Gary Thomas
** Hansen, Rae
Hansen, Sondra
Harper, Leslie C
Hatch, Karol (1953 – 2004) Kerr
Haycock, Con D
Hazel, Stanley Jarvis (1953 – 2008)
Heiner, Paula Jean
Hepworth, Linda
Hess, Steven Lerlan
Heward, William Alex
Hill, Michael Gordon
Hinz, Jill Marie
Hinz, Kathleen Ann
Hobson, Sheryl
Hoffbuhr, Vernard “Bud” Standley Jr (1954 – 1997)
Holm, Steve D
* Holmes, Thomas J
Holt, Phillip L
Holyoak, Kenneth Reid
Hunt, Timothy Lynn
Hunter, Richard A
Jackson, Kelly Ann
Johnson, Becky A
Johnson, Jack Wesley
Johnson, Mary Beth
Johnson, Wayne Richard (1953 – 2008)
Jolley, Patricia
Jonas, Sandy (1954 – alive)
Jones, Steven
Judd, Rockland K (1953 – 2012)
Karlson, Kerry
Kawamoto, Becky
Keen, George E
Keen, Vickie Rae Funk
Kelly, Pat
** Kerbs, Julieann
Kidd, Cory Vaughn
** King, Edith Louise
King, Gary
Knight, Robin Daniel (1953 – 2014)
Kober, Glen R
Koch, Marianne
Koyle, Garth H
Koyle, Shanna
Kunau, Nancy Rae
* Lamb, DeEsta Marie
Larsen, Brent
* Larsen, Scott William
Larsen, Vickie Esther
Larson, Vickey Irene
Larson, Kaye Dawn (1954 – 2019) Silcock
Larson, Peggy (1954 – 2016) Stirland
Lee, Roxanne
Lopez, Manuel Campbell
Loveland, Cynthia (1954 – 1981)
Loveland, Kevin R (1954 – 2008)
Lynch, Gary D
McBride, Anita Marie
McMurray, Susan Mary
* Mackley, Sally Irene
Mai, Kelly
Malloy, Michael John
Manning, Roger D
Marston, Della Kathleen
Martin, Gregory Max (1954 – 1975)
Martin, Stephanie Lyn
Martin, Stephen William
Maselter, Denise Ann (1954 – 2022) Rollins
Matthews, Ennis Eugene
Merrill, Kaye Ellen
Miller, John Edward
Moore, Debra Lynn (1954 – 2002)
Moorman, David Edgar (1953 – 1997)
Navejar, Oscar
Newcomb, Kathy Lorene (1954 – 2020) Bailey
Nichols, Doulgas Arthur
Nielson, Alice Ann
Nielson, Allan (1954 – 2020)
Obermiller, Cynthia Jean
Olsen, Ricky Ross
Olson, Donna Gaye
Ostrander, Diane Kay
Ostrander, Greg
Osterhout, Rex Dale (1954 – 2017)
Otte, Royce Oliver
Page, Linda Marion
Patteron, Peggy Ann
* Pearson, Calvin H
Peterson, Edith Victoria
Pitchford, Debra Faye
Poulton, William Arthur
Powell, Leslie Dean (1953 – 2005)
Priest, Roger Kirk
Ramirez, Adelita
Ramsey, Glenn Douglas
Randall, Steven Grant
Redder, Karen Lea
Reedy, Pamela Hannah
Rehn, Scott Leonard (1954 – 1994)
Rendla, Gary M
Rich, Diane S
Richardson, LuAnn
Rickert, Janice Norene
Ritchie, Neil B
Roberts, Kelly Jo
Robinson, Beth
Ross, Norman Clyde
Russell, Patricia B
Sager, Kent Leslie
Sandmann, Michael Remund
Schorzman, Anne
Severe, Rhonda
Short, David G
Silcock, Richard Donald
Simcoe, Steve Bryan
Sivley, Mary
Smith, Connie Sue
Sowers, Bill A
Spann, Debora
Stephenson, Julia
Taylor, David A (1953 – 2009)
Taylor, Russell Price (? – alive)
Thaxton, Stephen Craig
Thompson, Carlene Diane
Thornburg, Deborah
Telley, Marsha Ann
Tolle, Kent Ray
* Tollefson, Kathryn M
Tracy, Perry Alan (1953 – 2005)
Vannatian, Frances Ruby
Vorwaller, Kristine
Wardle, Diane
Wardle, Pamela Kaye
Warr, Dee Ann (1954 – 2013)
Warr, Paul K
** Weirich, Yvonne Denese
West, Monte M
Wetzstein, Lynette Kay
White, Kristine
Whittle, Ferol Kristine
Wickel, Lee Roy
* Winward, Brenda Arlene
Wolf, Richard Patrick
Wood, Peggy Ann
Woodland, Kirk
Woolstenhulme, Steven Leo
Worman, Barbara Ann
Wright, Edward R
Wyant, Ronald Lee
Wyatt, Marla Jean
Young, Richard LeRoy (1953 – 2022)
Zollinger Janene
National Honor Society Members
** Gold Cord – with 3.8 average or above
* Blue Cords – with 3.5 average to 3.8
The sketch of the Burley High School on the front of the Diploma case.
Sandy Jonas Burley High School Diploma
Mom’s actual Diploma.
Burley High School – Burley, Idaho
This Certifies That Sandy Jonas has satisfactorily completed a Course of Study prescribed for Graduation from this School and is therefore awarded this Diploma.
Given in the month of May, nineteen hundred and seventy-two
I have two copies of the History of Plain City, Utah. The front indicates it is from March 17th 1859 to present. As far as I can tell, the book was written in 1977. At least that is the latest date I can find in the book.
One copy belonged to my Grandparents Milo and Gladys Ross. My Grandpa has written various notes inside the history which I intend to include in parenthesis whenever they appear. They add to the history and come from his own experience and hearing.
I will only do a number of pages at a time. I will also try to include scanned copies of the photos in the books. These are just scanned copies of these books, I have not tried to seek out originals or better copies.
History of Plain City March 17th 1859 to present, pages 76 through 106.
HISTORY OF THE OLSEN GROCERY STORE
Two of the earliest merchants in Plain City were A. M. Schoemaker and William Van Dyke. Mr. Shoemaker had a little store just east of the old adobe meeting house. Van Dyke’s store was just across the street from the southwest corner of the public square on the sight of the John Maw store where the Plain City bowery now stands.
The Cooperative Mercantile Institution was organized in 1869 with John Spiers as President, J. P. Green, C .O. Folkman, George Folkman and Andrew Ipson as directors, and George H. Carver and J. S. Carver as the managers.
In the early days of Utah, the L .D. S. Church organized cooperative stores in different places called “Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institutions.” One of these was organized in Plain City in Jens Peter Folkman’s home at 2480 N. 4350 W. in March of 1869. He was appointed manager by the directors.
The capitol stock was $500.00. Mr. Folkman continued as manager for several years. At a reorganization some time later, John Spiers was retained as president and John Carver was elected vice president of the board of directors, which was composed of Jeppe G. Folkman, William Sharp and Alexander Marian Shoemaker, with George Bramwell as secretary and William G. McGuire as secretary-treasurer.
Finally a corner was bought by the company from Mr. Hansen in 1889, where Carl Olsen’s store is now situated. (1959) A frame building was erected and here Jens Peter Folkman continued as manger until the store was closed by Z.C.M.I. on account of bankruptcy cause through too many bad debts.
It was reopened by the parent store in Ogden and was managed by George and James Carver but was closed again for the same reason as before.
George W. Bramwell and his brother, Henry, bought the stock of goods and ran the store as a private business. Z.C.M.I. took over once more and hired George W. Bramwell to run it as a branch of their store.
It was next sold to Henry J. Garner and Robert W. Maw. They sold it to Thomas England. Thomas England sold his store to Peter J. and Evelyn Christensen, who rented it out for a time, then later sold it to Carl Olsen in 1925.
In the early days of the Olsen stores Parvin Produce Company of Ogden established the business of shipping potatoes from Plain City. They were located at the Olsen store and when they discontinued business, Carl Olsen and Wilmer J. Maw started shipping potatoes. Mr. Olsen loaded his cars at the end of the railroad spur in front of Roll’s Garage, now Jack Etherington’s Garage at 2415 N. 4425 W. and Mr. Maw loaded his cars by the “John Maw & Sons” store where they bowery now stands.
Carl Olsen
Don Olsen
Lee Olsen
The above was taken from a Historical Study of Plain City, Weber County, Utah, by Fern Olsen Taylor. A thesis was submitted for her Master of Science Degree in 1959.
The Utah Oregon Lumber Company business was purchased by Carl Olsen from Wilmer L. Maw, and at this time Annie Knight Geddes came to work for Mr. Olsen. Coal was also sold. Many loads of potatoes, coal, etc., were weighed on the scales located just south of the store.
Oscar Richardson worked with Carl in the produce shipping and George Elvie Weatherston worked with him in the store for a short time.
Carl opened the store with the help of his family, Lucille, Lee, Fern, Don, and Loyd.
A beautiful ice cream fountain was purchased and installed in the northwest part of the store. There were marble counter tops, malt machines, syrup dispensers and necessary equipment to make malts, splits, sundaes and many, many hand-dipped ice cream cones. A half dozen stools lined the counter. The choice of flavors then were chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry. A popular item was the candy punch-board that was a temptation some had a hard time resisting.
In 1939 Carl remodeled the back of the store. The partition at the east end and the swinging doors were moved, making room for a meat counter and meat cooler. More shelves and more groceries were added. Heat was provided by a coal heaterola. A shed was built by the store about 1889 and was used until 1949 for various purposes, a lumber storage shop, a barber shop and also later for a meat market. It faced the road and was located just south of the store.
In March, 1941, cold storage lockers were installed. The store was enlarged and a full-time butcher, Ralph Vause, came to work to serve the locker patrons. Many deer at hunting time were cleaned and dressed, filling the meat coolers to overflowing.
Carl Olsen sold his store to two of his sons, Lee and Don in April 1947. The store became “I.G.A.” and then later “A.G.“ Lee and Don enlarged the store, adding the brick building extending the south wall to the confectionery. The frame shed was moved to the back of the store and connected to a metal storage shed connecting the back of the store.
On July 9, 1949, the grand opening was held. Children came to the store from near and far to buy penny candy, a special treat.
Mr. Carl Olsen passed away February 25, 1955.
The Olsen family owned and operated the store for half a century and enjoyed a wonderful association with Plain City and the neighboring communities.
On April 18, 1973, Don and marge Olsen, and Lee and Clara Olsen sold the store to Perry and Sonia Merrill of Pleasant View. They Operated the store for three years and sold it to Elliot and Gayle Casperson. It is now the “B and C Market.” May 24, 1976.
COPY OF DOCUMENT PLACED AT THE BASE OF MONUMENT HONORING SERVICEMEN
August 26, 1944
To whom so ever of the dim and distant future, may come in possession of these documents, let it be known that:
We, the people of Plain City, Utah through our Committee for the men in Service with the aid of the people in the community do erect and dedicated this memorial, of everlasting granite, to honor the memory of those who, from our community, were enlisted and served in the Armed Forces of these United States of America and fought for its principles of Freedom, Justice and Democracy in the Second Great World War, which we have faith will culminate as all our country’s war have, in victory.
Today, August 26, 1944, when hostilities have been raging for 32 months, as we solemnly and proudly honor all Servicemen and Women, especially those who left from our community, and whose names are cut and will be cut in this monument, this war, cruel and savage beyond description is being waged across the seas, gravely threatening to destroy our freedom.
May God and justice destroy the forces and the barbarious leaders of those aggressor nations before they make it necessary for this nation of ours to again, by force of its arms, defend itself and the principles on which it was founded.
We, as a people are deeply grateful for the services and sacrifices made, not only the men who served in the war, but all those who fought and for those who died to defend this great nation since the first clash of arms in the battles of Lexington and Concord, we honor and revere the memory of them all. So in the erection of an everlasting memorial those, who left this country beginning 32 months ago to serve in the Armed Forces of these United States, to keep alive the flame of liberty and pass on to our posterity the stories of their brave and noble deeds, even beyond the time that this granite shall have crumbles to dust obliterating the names carved here on.
May we never again be called to erect other similar memorials because our country was again at war.
But rather, would we as a people whole heartedly join together to sponsor a shaft to commemorate the beginning of an era of eternal lasting peace without the horrors of war.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF PLAIN CITY
A group of men from Lehi came in the fall of 1858 and looked over the town, they also made a preliminary survey for a canal site, using a sixteen foot two by four grooved out and set on a three-legged tripod, with water in the groove to act as a level. This preliminary survey was made to the big levee that fall of 1858, some work was done on the big levee that fall, until it was necessary for the men to return to their homes in Lehi.
On March 17, 1859, a company of about 100 people arrived in Plain City about 5 o’clock in the afternoon. They camped in a hollow in the south part which later became Samuel Draney’s lots. The wagons were lined up east and west for protection against the north winds. Although snow was deep, they soon dug a big hole and built a fire making it as comfortable as possible.
One of the first things to do after arrivals was to survey the townsite and assign lots to the settlers, so they could get some kind of shelter for their families. Joseph Grue states that John Spiers and others who surveyed Plain City had in mind their home, the city of Nauvoo, and followed the pattern as nearly as possible. They surveyed the town at night using the north star and three tall poles just below it, as a working guide. The measuring chain was a piece of rope which they dragged along over the deep snow through which they waded. The original plat was six blocks long and three blocks wide, running north and south. Each block contained five acres and is divided into four lots. Each settler was allowed some choice in the selection of his lot, and each shelter was allowed twenty acres of farm land on the out shirts.
The Plain City canal was commenced in May of 1859 shortly after part of the crops were planted and completed to four mile creel that first year and later to Mill Creek and then to Ogden River, which relieved the situation somewhat during seasons when water was plentiful, but was of little benefit in dry seasons, the Plain City irrigation company under the supervision from the beginning.
Mr. Rollett, a Frenchman, introduced the culture of asparagus to Plain City, the seed came from France in 1859. This became one of the leading industries of Plain City, as the soil and climate are especially adapted to its culture. Plain City asparagus had become known far and near, and at the present time the asparagus in handled by the Plain City Asparagus. They ship asparagus to all parts of the United States.
Early homes were dugouts, then log cabins and later adobe. The first stone house was built by William Skeen in 1862 or 1863, by hauling rock from Hot Springs, northeast of Plain City.
The first school and meeting house was built in 1859. It was of log and adobe and was located on the south side of the public square. This adobe building was used as a meeting house, school house, amusement and dance hall for a number of years.
George Musgrave was the first Plain City school teacher. His first school was held in his dugout on his lot.
The First Relief Society was organized January 3, 1868, with Almira Raymond President. The first Primary was organized in 1881 with Susannah Robinson President. The first Mutual Improvement Association was organized in 1876 with William England as President.
An Episcopalian Church was built in 1877, and was used as a school and church. At that time, it had about 75 members. The building is still standing and still in use (Lions Club House).
Evelyn Sharp was the first white baby girl to be born in Plain City, and Thomas Singleton was the first white boy. They were born in 1859.
People of Plain City have always fostered amusement and entertainment of various kinds. In the early days they always had a brass band, a choir, dramatic association, and a baseball team. Regardless of all the hardships endured by the early settlers, recreation was always enjoyed. Dances were held in the old adobe school house on the south side of the square in winter and in the bowery near it in summer. They danced on the hard dirt floor at first, many of them in their bare feet. Most of the dances were square dances, at various times music was furnished by comb bands.
The first real meeting house that was built expressly for ward purposes is the present brick structure commenced in 1884 and finished in 1889.
The following men have been Bishops of Plain City Ward since it was first organized in the order listed: W. W. Raymond, L. W. Shurtliff, George W. Bramwell, Henry J. Garner, Henry T. Maw, Gilbert Thatcher, Wilmer J. Maw, George A. Palmer, Charles Heslop and the present Bishop Elvin H. Maw.
Plain City is principally a farming and dairy community, with sugar beets, onion, tomatoes, potatoes, peas, grain, alfalfa and asparagus being grown as the principal crops.
A branch of the North Ogden Canning Factory is located in Plain City and tomatoes are grown and processed each year. The canning factory was completed in 1925.
Many of the men of the community have profitable dairy herds, and each year a “Dairy Day” is held on the town square, prize stock being shown. Stock is shown from all parts of the state.
A Junior High School is located in the center of town, where approximately 225 children attend. L. Rulon Jenkins is now the principal of the school.
At the present time, Plain City has a population of approximately 800 inhabitants.
Each year on March 17 a “homecoming” celebration is held to commemorate the settling of the town.
Plain City was incorporated this year of 1944 with the town board as follows: Dean Baker, Chairman, W. Albert Sharp, Fred L. Singleton, Floyd A. Palmer, L. Rulon Jenkins and Don E. Carver as Secretary.
**************
The committee for the servicemen was selected about one year ago, and appointed by the Ward Bishopric, for the purpose of paying tribute and honor to the fellows and girls who enter the service.
The first funds were collected through a scrap iron drive, which was initiated by Dean Baker. The support of all the people of Plain City was gained by soliciting, and many tons of irons was donated by members of the town.
The task of securing the names to be placed on the monument and helping to plan its erection was done by the Committee for the Men and Women in the Service with William Freestone as Chairman, Elbert J. Moyes, Elmer P. Carver, John A. Hodson, Dean Baker, Mrs. Frank V. Skeen, Mrs. W. Albert Sharp, and Mrs. Vern L. Palmer.
As the original plans for the erection of his memorial called for only those who had been honored at Plain City, we deeply regret that names of some of the fellows who are in the Service, who have been residents at some time previous to their entering the service, will not appear on this monument.
We, the Committee for Servicemen, representing the people of Plain City extend our thanks and heartfelt appreciation to all individuals whose combined efforts have made the erection of this monument possible. The primary objective of this committee is to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and be to service to the community, state and nation and to transmit to our posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy.
This everlasting and beautiful monument is sturdy and tough and is truly symbolic of the sterling qualities and character of the men whose names it will bear until it shall have been worn away to dust by the elements of time and returned to mother nature from when it came.
As duly requested, this document was written and prepared by Mrs. Frank V. Skeen, Mrs. W. Albert Sharp, and Mrs. Vern L. Palmer, together with the aid of the other members of the committee, and whose sincerest hope and aim was that the full honor and credit due, is bestowed on the citizens of Plain City who form a part of the great until by which this nation was founded and is governed. May the heritage of these rights of quality and self government never be taken away from those to whom it rightfully belongs – the people.
Mothers or Fathers and Wives of Service Men whose names appear on the Monument. Picture taken August 26, 1944, at the dedication of the monument. [Gladys Donaldson Ross on the back row, fifth from the left.]
BEET GROWING IN PLAIN CITY
SUBMITTED BY RUTH K. FOWERS
The sugar beet industry was one of the early farming activities in Plain City.
The ground was prepared late in the fall and early spring for planting the seed much the same as it is today except horse drawn machinery was used instead of tractor operated ones.
After the seed sprouted and the young plants grew a few inches in height, the rows were cultivated, and a thinning of the plants was required since the seeds were drilled close together. Segregated seeds had not been developed at that time. This thinning process was that of spacing the beet plants several inches apart to allow the young plant to grow. This was usually done with a short handled hoe and hand labor. A good beet thinner might be able to cover an acre a day.
The best crop required another hoeing or two and cultivating to eliminate the weed growth. Regular irrigation was necessary to give moisture to the growing plants.
In October the beets were matured and ready for harvesting. Again this process required much manual labor and the use of horse powered machinery.
The beets were dug using a beet digger. The beet leaf was cut from the beet itself by hand using a long beet knife. Then the beets were thrown into rows or piles to be gathered up with a large beet fork to be placed on a specially built box on which they could be hauled to the beet dump.
Sometimes young members of the family, who were too young to lift the beet fork full of beets, could assist with the beet loading by grasping the tail of the beet and giving it just enough of a throw to allow to them to load in the beet box.
With a team and wagon they were then transported to the beet dump and emptied into either a railroad beet car or placed in the beet pile.
Double hitch teams and wagons load of beets ready to leave the field.
Unloading the wagon by means of a hand turned pulley which lifts one side of the wagon and dumps them into the hopper.
From the hopper the beets are elevated to be dropped into the railroad cars.
When the beets were brought in faster than the railroad cars could be loaded they were piled for later loading.
The beets were transported to the Amalgamated Sugar Factory where another process was utilized to manufacture refined sugar to be used in homes, industries, eating establishments or wherever possible.
In 1958, in Weber County, the average yield was 16.3 tons per acre. According to an article which appeared in the Ogden Standard Examiner on October 19, 1959, Mike Pannanzio averaged 28.8 tons per acre on a 13-acre piece. On a four acre piece, the yield was better than 30 tons per acre. This farm situated near the site of the Plain City beet dump which was located just north of 4100 West 1975 North.
The beet dump has since been removed and a modern housing development now occupied the site.
RALL TAYLOR’S OLD BLACKSMITH SHOP
He started his business in 1908, ad was still in business in the Forties. We understand this building was a part of the first canning factory in Plain City, and was moved to this location.
DAIRY DAYS
BY WILLIAM FREESTONE
The first Dairy Days held in Plain City was in May of 1926. The purpose was to finance the Plain City baseball team.
William Freestone was the manager for the team with Elmer Carver, finance, Angus Richardson was coach, Floyd Palmer and Byron Carver were score keepers, and Rufus Maw, umpire.
The general committee consisted of William Freestone, Chairman for the day, with Elmer Carver, Floyd Palmer, Merwin Thompson, Angus Richardson, Byron Carver, and Rufus Maw assisting. The entire team also worked hard to make a successful day.
The day was well organized. There was a big exhibit of cattle from all around the area, especially the Holstein Breeders Association. The local dairy men have full support to the day.
The afternoon programs consisted of a game between Plain City and Clinton. Horse racing and horse pulling contest were also on the program. The successful day ended in the evening with a big dance held in the town hall.
Dairy Days have continued to this day under various managements.
This information was obtained from William Freestone, Elwood Skeen, and Walter Christensen.
This picture is the baseball team that the first Dairy Days was organized to sponsor and finance.
Top Row L to R: Angus Richardson, Coach; Bill Freestone, Manager; Alf Charlton, Transportation; Horace Knight, Dick Skeen, Walt Moyes, Abe Maw, Tooley Poulsen, Clark Taylor
Bottom Row L to R: Rufus Maw, Umpire; Fred Singleton, Louie Giles, Clair Folkman, Frankie Skeen, Arnold Taylor, Wally Knight, bat boy
DAIRY DAYS
BY HAROLD THOMPSON
Merwin Thompson came to Plain City in 1907. He had lived briefly in Ogden during which time he worked on a big cattle and sheep outfit in Eden, Utah. Before that, he lived in Scipio, Millard County.
He ran the farm which was later owned by himself and his brother, Gordon. This farm was not very level when he and his brothers took it over, and they levelled it with horses and fresno Scrapers. They then established a fine irrigation system.
During the 1920’s Merwin acquire four fine registered Holstein heifers from Joseph Skeen of Warren. From his beginning, he developed a high producing registered milking herd.
In the late 1920’s he helped organized the Plain City Black and White Days and served for over forty years as a director of that exhibition. In the beginning, the show was for Holsteins-Friesias Cattle only. Later, it was expanded to include all dairy cattle.
At the time of his death, his dairy farm, dairy buildings and dairy was one of the best farms in Weber County.
The Ralph Robson family have participated in Dairy Days for many years. Shown are two animals they have shown.
DAIRY DAYS
BY FLOYD PALMER
This was first known as Plain City Black and White Days. It was sponsored by the Plain City Farm Bureau, as a fund-raising project for the baseball team. Later, it was sponsored by Holstein Breeders and the Plain City Farm Bureau. The financial help came from local people and business firms in the area.
Members of the Ogden Chamber of Commerce, along with the “Ogden Livestock Show” committee and the Weber County Commissioners, all became interested in lending their support tot eh growing need for an expanded show. These people were influential in getting the three-county shows (Jersey Show, Coliseum-Guernsey Show, Huntsville-Holstein Show, lain City) to combine their shows, and this is how it became known as the “Plain City Dairy Day.”
This move with the support of local people reaching out for help, was the means of getting the Weber County Commissioners and the State Legislature to give financial help for the show. It is also supported by many individuals and firms in a financial way. The officers now consist of the following:
Plain City has become the home of one of the largest Dairy Shows in the State of Utah. It is held annually around the middle of May and is open to all breeds of dairy cattle. The opening day is devoted to the Junior divisions. This is limited to bonafide 4-H Club members and F. F A. Future Farmers Only. The second day is designated for the Open division. It is also held under strict rules, such as, Registration Certificates, State Health Standards are required, including Health Certificates and blood tests.
The management is well planned and organized. It consists of General Management, Directors, Clerks, and special committees, Finance, Premiums and Entries, Junior Department, Junior Judging Classes, Publicity, Cattle Supervisor, Grounds and Dinner, Special Awards Committee, and Tractor Driving Contest.
Many of the very finest dairy herds in the United State of Utah are on exhibition here.
The judging is by top quality judges, usually out of state judges are used foe the open division. The junior department is also very selective to get the best judges possible. Rules adopted by the Purebred Cattle Association of Utah are strictly enforced for the Open Division. The Junior Division is placed according to the Danish System of judging.
The Junior Division exhibits 150 to 175 animals. The open Division exhibits 250 to 200 animals. The breeds are mostly Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, and Brown Swiss. Cash rewards run from $1600 to $2000. Ribbons are also awarded in both Open and Junior Divisions. Special awards are given to the juniors in Fitting and Showmanship, Outstanding Exhibitor, Best Club Group of Animals, (five animals owned by at least three exhibitors.)
One of the outstanding special awards is the Frank M. Browning Memorial Award. A Swiss Cow Bell is given to the outstanding 4-H exhibitor. Other
Other special awards are: Lynn Richardson Award to the outstanding F.F.A Exhibitor; Smoot Dairy Award which is a special prize to the 2nd and 3rd place 4-H boy in fitting and showmanship; Five Points Drug Company which is a special prize to the 2nd and 3rd place F.F.A member in fitting the showmanship; Utah Holstein-Friesian Association Award, which is a trophy for the three best females bred and owned by exhibitor: Weber Chapter F.F.A. which is a belt to the F.F.A. exhibitor taking best care of his exhibits: Read Bros. Halter to the 4-H member under 13 years of age placing highest in fitting and showmanship: John Chugg Halter to the 4-H member placing highest in showmanship only: C. W. Cross Gift Certificate to the F.F.A. boy placing highest in fitting and showmanship: Curtis Breeding Service Halter to the 4-H club member over 13 years of age placing highest in fitting and showmanship: Federal Land bank Award to Grand Champion Cow: Commercial Security Bank: Production Class, 14 cash awards and ribbons.
Mr. Robert P. Stewart, Principal of the Plain City Elementary School takes very active part in the success of Dairy Days. For several years Mr. Stewart has organized a dairy class at the school. Paul Knight has furnished the facilities. The calves have been furnished by Paul Knight and Archie Hunt. The school instructors have been Ray Hull and Steven Gertsch. Both boys and girls have entered the Dairy Class activity. In addition to oral instructions, they feed, groom, care and prepare the calves to be shown in the ring to be judge. As many ass 25 very enthusiastic youth have taken part. The award money has been divided among the participants.
The Plain City School, under the direction of Principal Stewart, has served an annual Dairy Day Dinner. This has been an outstanding attraction to many state and local officials, business, and dairy people. The food is always delicious, and the service is excellent. French-grown Plain City asparagus is always included in the meal.
The faculty and P.T.A. operate the concession stand on the park for the two-day dairy show. This serves a worthwhile purpose for the school and those attending the day’s events. The school children have been good to help clean the grounds after.
Since this Dairy Days started, small dairy herds have almost become extinct. They have been forced to grow larger and develop better grades of producing animals. We now have dairy herds entering this show from Utah dairy farms that are recognized as top dairy herds of the nation. They also exhibit their cattle at national shows.
This Plain City Town Board takes an active part in helping to promote the success of Dairy Days. The last few years they have provided help to put up the tie racks, take them down, and clean up the grounds.
Over the years, the Dairy Days Committees have replaced the old pole fences with a new set of painted tie racks that can be moved after the show is over. They also have a moveable loading chute for the cattle.
The 1977 Plain City Dairy Days will be listed on the program as the Forty-Eight Annual Show. This takes it back to 1929 for the beginning of Plain City Black and White Days. It would seem appropriate to list and give credit to some of the management people that have served fifteen years or more. They include:
Ralph Robson Merwin Thompson
Clair Folkman Floyd A. Palmer
Lee Olsen John Chugg
J . W. Hatch Fay Boyer
Robert (Bob) Penman Edgar Smoot
Verl Poll Clifford Smout
Mary Papageorge Kogianes Burns Wangsgard
Lynn Richardson Byron Thompson
A L Christensen
Plain City has the largest all-breed dairy show in the State of Utah.
Plain City School Students take great pride in learning how to train and groom their loaned animals for the Dairy Days Show. For them it means a full day away from the books while they get the real learning of being part of a real livestock show.
PLAIN CITY CEMETERY
SUBMITTED BY Floyd Palmer
The old of the Plain City Cemetery grounds came about only once a year. This was when the tulips came into blossom for about two weeks. After this it was solid mass of tea vines and weeds.
A newspaper article that appeared in the Ogden standard Examiner in the spring of 1938 was submitted by Roxy Heslop.
Bloom Wave Will Appear No More
Spring of 1938 Roxey Heslop
BLANKET OF FLOWERS…. The field of varicolored tulips being admired by 14-year-old Idona Maw of Plain City will be dug up and replaced with grass and shrubbery as a part of the improvement program underway at the Plain City Cemetery. The tulips will be taken out as soon as they cease blooming, Wilmer J. maw announced. An elaborate sprinkling system fed by a 700-foot artesian well will be laid throughout the cemetery. The well recently completed, flows 40 gallons per minute. The blanket of blooms will be removed because of the short of tulip lives. Bulbs will be given free to persons interested in obtaining them for replanting. (Standard-Examiner photo)
The new beautification program started in the year 1937. It came about through Floyd A. Palmer and his affection for his mother, Emma Jane Carver Palmer, who had suffered a long illness. She had said to him many times that she hoped someone would keep the weeds and tea vines from growing on her grave in the Plain City Cemetery.
Following her death on May 26, 1937, Floyd went to Bishop Charles L. Heslop and asked of something could be done to improve the Cemetery grounds. Bishop Heslop was quick to say, “…yes, and I would like to make you the Chairman of a committee to start the project.” Following their conversation Walter J. Moyes and Art M. Simpson was called in by the Bishop to assist on the committee. The preliminary took several months of work and study to formulate a workable plan for the project.
It was decided to drive a flowing well for the water. Raising the necessary money was the next step. Local lot owners were contacted and letters were sent to those living in and out of the state. We asked for $5.00 per lot and stated we would drive a well large enough to handle all that participated. The response was good and very few questioned the feasibility of the project. A 2 ½ pipe was washed 730 feet deep for the well. It required continuous drilling and was necessary to haul water in to drill with. Wesley and Virgil Stoddard from West Point did the drilling. The well was flowing a beautiful stream of water in May, 1938. The people were happy to have water available for flowers on Memorial Day.
Pipe lines were laid to service each lot from stand pipes with a hose connection. Our Cemetery Sexton, Walter J. Moyes, agreed to care for the lots for $6.00 a season. The owners were to help prepare the lots for seeding. Much credit is due to Walter for the first lawn planted and their care. Some lots were seeded in the Fall, of 1938. Others, in the spring of 1939. As each lot was improved, it made a new appearance.
L-R: Floyd A. Palmer, Art M. Simpson, and Walter J. Moyes
This caretaker system continued to grow each year through 1934. Then the flow of water became inadequate to serve all desiring lawns. This, along with public interest, led to developing a way to extend caretaker service to all lots. Through the counsel and help of many interested town residents, it was decided that the best method would be to levied to finance the project on a sound basis. Rulon Jenkins gave much help and assistance to get things started for the Town Incorporation. It was necessary to raise money to finance the preliminary work of surveying, engineering fees, Attorney fees, etc. Our first annual Potato Day Celebration, July 4, 1943, was a financial success. Dean Baker was the Chairman of this and many others worked hard on the committee. The profit was used toward the Incorporation of the town.
Petitions were circulated through the town of Plain City and were presented to the Board of County Commissioners of Weber County on November 27, 1943, certified as follow:
“That they have read the said petition, including the names of signors thereof, and what they are acquainted with each of the signors whose names appear as following: L. Rulon Jenkins certifies to names appearing opposites the number 1 to 50, inc.; Dean Baker certifies to names appearing opposite the numbers 101 to 150, inc,; W.A. Sharp certifies to names opposites numbers 201 to 253, inc,; and they believe each of said respective signatures to be true and genuine.”
The board of Weber County Commissioner approved a RESOLUTION to take effect and be in force from and after 5 O’Clock P.M. on the 13th day of January, A. D 1944, creating the TOWN OF PLAIN CITY.
A Board consisting of a President and four Trustee was appointed by the County Commissioners. The following named persons were appointed, to-wit: Dean Baker, President, L. Rulon Jenkins, Fred L. Singleton, Albert Sharp, and Floyd A. Palmer Trustee, to hold office until the next municipal election. Bond was fixed at $500.00 each.
The Board then moved ahead with plans to complete the Cemetery improvement. Potato Day, July 4th, again brought some revenue and a one mill levy on property tax in November, 1944, was enough to purchase pipe and get it installed with mostly donated labor, in Fall, 1944. In the spring of 1945, the caretaker building was relocated on the west side of the cemetery for a pump house. A new pressure pump was purchased and placed in the building with a connection to the irrigation ditch. This furnished plenty of water to sprinkle the entire cemetery.
Walter Johnson was Sexton at this time and was employed on a full time scale. There was a big job to be done preparing the lots to be seeded. Many concrete coping, large trees, obnoxious weeds, fences, and undesirable shrubs had to be removed. After this, it was necessary to haul in some top soil, spade and level the lots to prepare them for seeding to grass. This took several months and required a lot of donated labor. Mr. Johnson is deserving of much of the credit for his extra efforts and hard work.
The next change came about through the action of our State Legislature. The 1945 Session made it possible to organized Cemetery Maintenance Districts throughout the State. A one mill Property tax levy can be levied. After a thorough investigation and holding public meetings, the Town Board and public favored creating a Cemetery District.
In pursuance to Chapter 17, Session Laws of Utah, 1945, property owners of Plain City, Utah, filed a petition with the Board of County Commissioners for organization of a Cemetery Maintenance District. The Board set Monday, June 11, 1945, at 11 O’Clock A.M. in the session room for the purpose of hearing objections of any taxpayer within the proposed District boundaries. No objections were recorded.
An election was held in Plain City, Tuesday, July 17, 1945, for the organization of the Plain City Cemetery District. There were 407 legal registered voters, less non-property owners, leaving a total of 310 legal registered voting taxpayers. The official canvas of votes cast were as follows:
Total Vores Cast 233
Yes 222
No 10
Spoiled 1
The Board if County Commissioners of Weber County, State of Utah, met pursuant to Chapter 17, Session Laws of Utah, 1945 at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, July 19, 1945, in the session room and organized the Plain City Cemetery District, and that the following be recommended to the Governor of the State of the Utah, as the first Commissioners of said subdistricts:
Albert Sharp, District Number One
Floyd A. Palmer, District Number Two
Charles Helsop, District number Three
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
(Signed) L . M. Hess, Chairman
At the next election LeRoy Folkman replaced Charles Heslop as a Commissioner. They are as follows:
Floyd A. Palmer, Chairman
Albert Sharp
LeRoy Folkman, Secretary
During 1952, a new brick building was constructed for the pump house and caretaker. A 60’ Flag Pole was installed. Memorial Day Services were held at the Cemetery on May 30th.
In the spring of 1953, Charles Telford was employed as a full time Sexton and Caretaker. Mr. Johnson had requested to be released because of health. Mr. Telford had great pride in his work and did an excellent job as caretaker. He always went the extra mile to help keep the grounds in beautiful shape. New chain link fencing and gates were installed at different times around the boundaries of the Cemetery.
It has been necessary to open new lots on the north side of the Cemetery. These have been seeded and made a part of the new area. There had been good planning for future growth when this extra land was purchased.
Charles Telford was stricken with a stroke while he was working at the Cemetery on June 9, 1963. He was found by a neighbor living by the Cemetery, after Lulu, had phoned her to tell Charles his dinner was ready. Mr. Telford never recovered from this. After going to the hospital he was taken to the Roy hospital where he passed away on September 25, 1967. The town of Plain City is very grateful to Charles and Lavina Telford for their faithful work.
The Sexton and Caretaker job was then taken over by Jerry Bradford and LeRoy Folkman. They have continued with very fine devoted service to the town.
In 1967, Floyd A. Palmer moved to Ogden and when the election came that fall, Abraham Maw was voted in to take his place on the Board. By then, Floyd had been helping with the Cemetery growth and improvement for 30 years. He is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this excellent town and Church programs that has gone on. Also to work with so many fine people who will continue their service and may this responsibility be passed on to those who will have a desire to continue.
SERVICEMEN’S MONUMENT
This monument was built to honor the Servicemen who serve in World War II. Photo shows it as it stands today in front of the Town Bowery and Church parking lot.
THE FOLLOWING WAS TAKEN FROM DEEDS IN POSSESSION OF MRS. GEORGE WEATHERSTON:
The townsite of Plain City was established. An act of Congress April 24, 1820, entitled, “An Act Making Further Provision For The Sale Of The Public Lands, Etc.”
Six hundred forty acres of land were provided for people of this townsite.
“Now know ye that the United States of America, by these present, do give and grant unto the said Franklin D. Richards, Judge of Weber County, in trust as aforesaid, and this successor in said trust above described, the tract as described.”
Signed: Ulysses S. Grant, USA
Utah became a territory in 1872.
INCORPORATION AND GOVERNMENT OF PLAIN CITY
In Utah the community affairs were first conducted by the President Elder, and later by the Bishopric of the L.D.S. Ward.
As all community members wanted a voice in the governing of the town, it became necessary to formulate a system whereby elections could be held and others could be voted into office.
A group public-interested men spent many hours promoting the incorporation of Plain City. Petitions had to be formulated and circulated to gain interest and cooperation of the townspeople.
A Committee had been chosen to help beautify the Plain City Cemetery. They found that the only way service could be maintained was to incorporate and thereby secure money through a tax levy.
On January 13, 1944, the Articles of Incorporation for the town of Plain City were filed in the Weber County Clerk’s office in Ogden, Utah.
Adoption of a resolution designating Plain City as an incorporated town was made and action was taken by Weber County Commissioners, George F. Simmons, Lyman M. Hess and Joseph Peterson. Appointment of a “President of the Town Board” and four “Trustees” was made to serve as a governing body until the next municipal election two years later.
A nomination was made by L. Rulon Jenkins that Dean Baker serve as President. The following were appointed to serve:
The cemetery district was officially created on July 19, 1945.
Town board meeting were held in the Plain City School.
Formerly, the county had jurisdiction over road improvement. Now, the town board had to assume the responsibility or road upkeep and new construction. The state tax funds, based on the population of the town, could now be secured for improvement of roads and culverts. Later, it would be used law enforcement, public works, recreation, etc.
In November, 1945, the first municipal election was held in the plain City. In 1946, the following elected men took office:
In 1948, the town board directed a beautification project on the Town Square. The five-acre park was leveled and sodded in the spring of 1949. Dairy Days had to be held on the school grounds and on neighboring property.
A granite monument was erected on the Church ground honoring those who had served in World War II.
In November, 1948, President Elmer Carver was elected to the position of Weber County Commissioner. On April 12, 1949, the duties of President of the Town Board were taken over by Floyd A. Palmer, who was appointed to succeed Mr. Carver to the post. Meetings were held with three Trustees until a fourth could be appointed. They met in the home of President Palmer.
On January 1, 1950, the following men took the oath of office:
President of the Town Board . . . . . . . . Clair M. Folkman
Elvin H. Maw was appointed Town Clerk. Meetings were held at Clair Folkman’s home.
Plain City’s assessed valuation for 1950 was $390,220.00
An annual celebration was held each year on July 4th. It was called “Potato Day.” A queen and her attendants were chosen to reign over the day. The affair was sponsored by the Town Board and the Cemetery Committee to raise funds for the upkeep of the cemetery and other purposes.
Walter Johnson was employed as caretaker of the cemetery.
On October 2, 1950, Frank Anderson became the Town Marshall. He served until August of 1951.
In 1951, Plain city joined the Municipal League. It was made up of cities and towns in the State of Utah. Years later, the name was changed to “Utah League of Cities and Towns.”
The population of Plain “City in 1951 was 829. The elected men of Plain City would now hold office four years instead of two years.
In January, 1952, the Trustees elected to the Board were:
Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lee Olsen
Earl Hadley
Holdover Trustees. . . . . .Elvin H. Maw, Town Clerk
Lewis Vincenti
On April 7, 1952, Frank Hadley was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Earl Hadley, who passed away April 4, 1952.
On April 6, 1953, Rulon Chugg was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Lewis Vincenti, who passed away December 1, 1952.
In May 1953, a flagpole was installed at the Plain City Cemetery.
The Town Board discussed the possibility of bringing the following elected officers:
President of the Town Board . . . . . . . . Lee Olsen
Town Board meetings were now held at President Lee Olsen’s home and at the L.D.S Church.
Gordon Thompson was serving on the Mosquito Abatement District.
Plain City voted to have supervised control of the town dump. Victor Lund, Ezra Richardson, Elwin Taylor, Verl Stokes, and later Carston Illum have been employed as supervisors.
Plain City signed an application for culinary water.
Lights were installed on the town square for night games and recreation. A dedication ceremony was held and President Lee Olsen threw the switch for the first time on July 2, 1954.
On November 7, 1954, the new L.D.S Church was dedicated.
In 1955, public restroom were constructed on the north side of the recreation hall.
On October 25, 1955, the new addition to the Plain City School was dedicated.
A motion was made that the Town Board assist the Lion’s Club in building a water tower.
On January 2, 1956, Elvin H. Maw, Town Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to the following-elected trustees:
Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . Floyd A. Palmer
Elvin Maw
Holdover Trustees. . . . Merrill Jenkins
Blair Simpson
The Town Board sponsors and assists the Plain City “Dairy Days” show each year.
Floyd A. Palmer was assigned to serve on the Board of Trustee in the Bona Vista Water District. Theron Palmer was Superintendent of Bona Vista.
The Town Board assisted the Lions Club and the Plain City Ward in building a bowery and fireplace south of the Town Square in 1957. This was completed in 1958.
Property was purchased from Llewellyn Hipwell, located west if the Lions Clubhouse for the purpose of building a Town Hall.
In January, 1958, Town Clerk, Elvin H. Maw, administrated the Oath of Office to the following elected officials:
President of the Town Board . . . . . . . . . Kent Jenkins
The Board signed an ordinance with Bona Vista Water District and construction of a culinary water system was begun. Surface wells and pitcher pumps would soon be a memory. The above information was taken from:
A book “ A Historical Study of Plain City “ by Fern Olsen Taylor.
Ogden Standard Examiner news clipping
Research by Clara Olsen
In 1958, Lee Carver contracted the building of the 20’ x 44’ Town Hall. In May, the new municipal building was completed to serve the Town of Plain City, under the direction of President Lee Olsen, Trustees: Floyd A. Palmer, Glen Charlton, Kent Jenkins, Elvin H. Maw, Town Clerk.
Zoning ordinances were passed.
Work on the Willard Bay was underway.
On March 17, 1959, Plain City celebrated its Centennial year. It was observed with a week of outstanding events. We wore pioneer clothing, walked to church and enjoyed many programs as we honored pioneer ancestors. One special feature was the presentation of a pageant written by a Plain City native, Mrs. Gwendolyn Jenkins Griffin, called “Sand In The Shoes.” A large cast of characters, choir, and band members participated. Wheatly and Fen Taylor were program chairmen.
A large water tower storage tank is now an important new part of the scenery in the Plain City area.
In May, 1959, letters were sent to all residents of Plain City, informing them that they were required to obtained building permits. Walter Moyes was assigned to be the building inspector.
On January 2, 1959, Theron Palmer reported that the water was turned into Plain City water lines.
In 1960, two newly-elected Trustee took Office:
Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Blanch
Dee Cook
Holdover Trustees . . . . .Kent Jenkins
Glen Charlton, Town Clerk
The Plain City Ward was divided June 12.
The Plain City Town Board is now working with Mountain Fuel Supply Company to have natural gas piped into the town. The project is to be completed in 1961.
Plain City board members are organized a “Zoning Board.”
Plain City Improvement Council for community development was organized with executive committee members as follow:
Mayor, Lee Olsen Merrill Jenkins
Rulon Chugg Carl Taylor
Lyman Cook Clair Folkman
Mrs. Rosella Maw
In 1961, it was decided that the 40-year-old Recreation Hall would be renovated. Many hours were spent by dedicated men and women on this project.
The Plain City Town Board considered purchasing property from Bernard Poulsen for a park. It was voted down.
The population of Plain City now is near 1,5000. (Standard Examiner)
The 1962 elected officials for this term were:
President of the Town Board . . . . . . . Kent Jenkins
Rulon Chugg was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Keith Blanch.
The Town Board is supporting the Summer Recreation Program, and junior Posse activities.
George Weatherston was the first Justice of the Peace in Plain City. He resigned in 1966, and Keith Daley was appointed to that office.
On June 3, 1967, Plain City received a proclamation signed by Governor Rampton:
“Where Govern Rampton did declare Plain City a City of the Third Class.”
The former title of “President of the Town Board” will now be changed to “Mayor”. Keith Blanch was the first to be officially called “Mayor of Plain City.”
The title of “Trustees” will be changed to “Councilmen”. There will now be five councilmen instead of four.
In April 1967, the recently renovated recreation hall was destroyed by fire.
In 1968, three new councilmen were elected and installed. The Oath of Office was administered by Keith Daley:
In November, 1968, Plain City approved the “Sewer Bond Issue” by a 228 to 69 vote. Plans for the project are underway with work to be completed in 1969.
Mayor Keith Blanch became the manager of the Plain City-Farr West Sewer System.
“Mans First Trip To The Moon” – July, 1969.
In January, 1970, the following officials took the Oath of Office:
Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Blanch
Councilmen . . . . . . . . . .Kent Jenkins
Melvin Cottle
Vernal Moyes
Holdover Councilmen. . Lynn Folkman
Rulon Chugg
Cherrill Knight resigned her position as City Recorder and Lucille White took her place.
Plain City annexed 57 acres of land bordering on the South of the town to become “Pioneer Village.”
A Railroad line was constructed along the north side of Plain City extending to little Mountain where the Great Salt Lake Minerals and Chemical Corporation is located.
On November 27, 1971, the new Bank of Utah was dedicated in Plain City.
Two newcomers and one incumbent won elections in 1972. Keith Daley administered the Oath of Office to :
Councilmen . . . . . . . . . . . . .Darwin Taylor
Wayne Cottle
Lynn Folkman
Holdover Councilmen. . . . . .Vernal Moyes
Kent Jenkins
On October 23, 1973, the council asked for bids and plans for new restrooms to be constructed west of the concession stand on the Town Square. They accepted the bid of Verl Rawson for $5,000.00
In January 1974, Keith Daley, justice of the Peace, administered the Oath of Office to the following who were elected in November, 1973:
Councilmen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David Thomas
William VanHulten
Holdover Councilmen. . . . . . . . Wayne Cottle
Darwin Taylor
Lynn P. Folkman
In 1974 Kelly Hipwell was hired as full-time “Public Works Director” for Plain City. Walter Johnson and Elbert Moyes have served as Public Works’ employees. Carson Illum is presently “Plain City Public Works” employee.
Lucille White resigned and Diane Taylor became the City Recorder.
Plain City endorsed the Mass Transit Proposition.
The new Weber High School was dedicated March 28, 1974, in Pleasant View. Plain City students attend Weber High School and Wahlquist junior High School.
England Builder’s Lumber Company was heavily damaged by fire on April 6, 1975.
The Lions building was restored by the Plain City Lion’s Club. The building was formerly the Episcopal Church built in 1877.
Residents of Plain City were asked to post “House Numbers”.
Ground breaking was held for the new “Pioneer Park” racetrack in the northeast part of Plain City, in 1975.
“The Bicentennial Year” – 1976 – three new councilmen were elected:
Councilmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ralph A. Taylor
In July, 1976, the assessed valuation of Plain City was $2,862.521.000.
New subdivision ordinances have been formed.
The property of Bernard Poulsen was purchased for a park. The 20 acres will be developed for posse drills and future recreation.
The Utah Transit Bus Service was initiated in Plain City in 1977.
The population in March of 1976, was approximately 2,300.
Those now serving on the Plain City Planning Commission are:
Boyd Parke, Chairman
Frank Hadley
Paul Knight
Darwin Taylor
Farrell Bingham
Those now serving on the Plain City Board of Adjustments:
Orlo Maw, Chairman Lee Painter
Garry Skeen Farrell Bingham
Archie Hunt
The above information beginning in 1959, was taken from the Ogden Standard Examiner newspaper articles and the Plain City Council minutes.
Clara Olsen
Dean Baker
Elmer Carver
Clair Folkman
Floyd Palmer
Mayors
Keith Blanch
Lee Olsen
Ball Park with Concession Stand built by the Town in the background
Town Hall erected in 1958
Bowery built by the Town and the Lions Club [Milo James Ross finished off cement on Bowery]
Dean A. Baker
Submitted By Beverly B. Eddy
The town of Plain City was incorporated, approved and effective January 13, 1944. Dean A. Baker worked many long hours helping to organize the Town Board when Plain City was incorporated and served as Plain City’s first mayor, January 13, 1944.
During World War II (with the help of scouts) Dean gathered scrap iron from all over the surrounding area, hauled it to Plain City and piled it in the town square, to help in the was effort. According to a letter he has from the Governor of Utah, Plain City collected more iron than any other community in the state of Utah. When the iron was sold, the money was used to help finance the incorporation of the town and to build a monument (located in the center of town) honoring all the Plain City men and women who served in the armed services.
Dean Baker helped organized the first Plain City cemetery District in the State of Utah, July 19, 1945.
The Plain City Lion’s Club was chartered May 11, 1948 with 65 charter members. Dean Baker was chosen for their charter president. The history of the Plain City Lion’s Club is an inspiring one of unselfish service to the community.
Some years ago, Dean was asked (in an interview concerning the Lion’s International) how he felt about his Lion’s Club activities? His answer was “I’ve enjoyed everything I have ever done in the Lion’s Club and was always well paid in the satisfaction that comes from doing something for others. But the Lion’s have done more for me that I ever did for them. When I was seriously ill and recovering at home after some major surgery, the Plain City Lion’s came down to my place and harvested over 20 acres of corn for me. They showed up here with over 20 trucks, tractors and corn Choppers, harvested my crop, hauled it to the pits and put it away. Then they all went home and harvested their own crops. But nine was the first crop harvested. You ask me what I think of the Lion’s Club? Mister, I love ‘em.” –and great big tears rolled unashamedly—the guy really meant it. The Lion’s Club has done this for many other people. The Lion’s Club is the largest service club in the world.
Some years ago Dean Baker acquired the old Episcopalian Church building (built in 1878) in Plain City. He offered this building to the Lion’s Club for a club house. In order for the club to finance the purchase (which would return only his investment in the property) he deeded the property to the club and allowed them to sell two-thirds of it. This raised part of the funds and the club put on queen contest and other promotions to raise the balance. Dean organized and helped with these promotions until the money was raised.
The Lion’s have completely remodeled the building several times. They now have a beautiful clubhouse, which they have turned over to the Town Board for use as a Civic Center available to all.
Dean Baker was an Air Raid Warden in Plain City and went to meetings every week. Just about the whole time of the war. Meetings were held at the City and County building in Ogden.
Dean was chairman of the first Potato Day Queen Contest Celebration, which was held for many years thereafter. At this celebration there were well over one hundred horses. They held horse shows, children’s races and parades. The celebration committee gave away horses and saddles and other prizes and still made $1,000 or more for the town. This was one of the biggest events of the year and everyone participated. There were wrestling matches. Flag raising ceremonies to start the day off. Later in the day, Dean held a Rodeo in his pasture just west of the town square by his barn. Many of the young boys and girls riding calves. Horse races were also held. Everyone had a great day.
The old Singleton Home, and is presently owned by a daughter, Art and Florence Singleton Simpson
Picture of Merlin England Milk Truck in front of the Cream O’ Weber Diary located between 25th and 26th Street on Ogden Avenue. He hauled milk for many, many years. Many people would ride into town and home with Merl England in those days.
It was nearly one hundred years ago that a small band of families broke away from the Mormon Church in Plain City, Utah, to once again embrace the Episcopal faith. That summer of 1876, representatives of these 13 families met with the Rev. James Gillogly to ask his help in forming a new congregation.
Rev. Gillogly encouraged the brethren by traveling to Plain City from Ogden, where the tiny congregation would hold church services in the public school house. The ten mile trip was made regularly, regardless of weather conditions.
Finally, an appeal was made through the “Spirit of Missions” asking church members in the east for money to build a church. A corner lot of one acre was purchased for $150, and another $100 was all it took for the people of Plain City to build their long-awaited church.
The resulting dusty red, adobe brick building is a monument to the perseverance of those early settlers. Erected in 1877, the building still stands today—and is in better shape than ever because of the recent Bicentennial efforts of the Plain City Lions Club. [Built by William Sharp]
The Lions actually took an active interest in the old church on 1952. Members needed a place to meet, but with no other space available, decided that the church was the most likely spot.
They intended to buy the building, but were hampered by the lack of funds in the club’s coffers. Turning down the offer of a loan from two businessmen in town, the club raised their funds through a Memorial Day celebration and the sale of two lots from the church’s one acre of ground.
The building was finally theirs. Members fixed it up, and even added a modern new kitchen, restrooms and a furnace room. By 1974, however, the old structure had nearly succumbed to weather, time and vandalism.
The Bicentennial restoration of the original church was voted to be a most appropriate way to celebrate America’s heritage. A new roof was put on. Double doors decorated the front entrance. Aluminum windows and screens were attached to keep the harsh weather out. Cement windows sills were built to replace the rotting wood. Inside, a new hardwood floor and draperies finished the church’s now-modern décor.
Wheatley Taylor, club president, took a personal interest in the church’s “memorial bell,” carted to the little western town in 1878 to sit atop the building’s belfry. “We believe it is the first church bell to ring in Plain City,” he said, adding, “When we took the bell down, the wood just came apart in our hands.”
Taylor scoured the state in search of a craftsman who could repair the cracks in the metal bell. While cleaning the bell, he found an inscription which explains the bell’s name. Engraved on the huge 500 pound bell is the inscription, “in Memorial Rev. James Lee Gillogly Obit XIV Feb. MDCCCLXXXI.”
The bell now sits atop the church, nestled in a new belfry.
Once again, the Lions Club coffers were exhausted. The club made application to the Bicentennial Committee for funds and also asked that the building be named a historical site. Cooperation was received on both counts, Lions report.
The building has turned into a true civic center for the 2,000 residents of Plain City. The Lions Club entertains townspeople by scheduling special programs in the completely-renovated building.
Other civic groups also use the center for their special purpose. When town meetings draw an overflow crowd, they are naturally moved next door to the larger quarters of the Lions Civic Center.
Clean, light and airy, with sparkling new metal chairs, the interior belies the building’s historic façade.
Although most of the work was done recently as part of the club’s Bicentennial efforts, members’ original restoration work back in the 1950’s has not been forgotten. In 1962, the Plain City Lions Club was presented with the state’s D. A . Skeen Award, in honor of the past International President who spent his childhood years in Plain City.
Through much hard work and effort by the Lions, not only is the building now restored, but so are the integrity and strength that forged it in the beginning a hundred years ago.
DAVID ALFRED SKEEN
Submitted by Roxy Heslop
David Alfred Skeen was the sponsor of the Plain City Lions Club. He was born 13 May 1885 in Plain City, the son of Lyman Stoddard Skeen and Electra Phelomila Dixon Skeen. His father came to Plain City with the first group that arrived 17 March 1959.
The family seemed to be very interested in education when few people thought of attending college. D. A. Skeen was an attorney in Salt Lake. His brothers, Jedidiah D. and W. Riley were also attorneys. His oldest brother Lyman, 14 years older, was a medical doctor who was very brilliant but passed away at the age of 35.
There were eleven children born in Plain City and were very progressive people. At thew death of their mother, their father married Annie Skelton and they had eight children all born in Plain City. Ivy Marsden, Leona Freestone, Jennie Cook and Elwood Skeen are living (1977) and are happy to claim Plain City is a choice place.
D. A. Skeen, founder of Lionism in Utah, charter member and first president in 1921 of the Salt Lake City Lion’s Club is a native Utah son. He was born at Plain City. Lion D. A. Skeen served as District Governor of District 28 in 1922. At that time District 28 included all of Utah and part of Idaho. He continued to be very active in Lionism and was elevated to the position of International President in 1944.
During the United Nations Conference held in San Francisco in 1945 he served with Melvin Jones, founder of Lionism, as a Consultant and Special Delegation. He was a Consultant and Special Delegate to the Paris Peace Conference in 1946. He was an ardent supporter if the United Nations and was a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association for the United Nations.
Past President Skeen has served with distinction and has witnessed the growth and development of Lionism throughout the World.
I recently attended the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) annual conference in Tucson, Arizona at Starr Pass. The resort is secluded and away from downtown. From the resort there were a number of trails and my law school buddy, Andrew Curtis, and I took a few of them out to see the desert. We were also joined by Michael Wilder on our last evening in Tucson.
That last evening we hiked over to the Bowen House. There is an interpretive sign in the desert, a few articles online. Sherry and Ruby Bowen moved to Tucson in the 1920s from Rockford, Illinois. The change of climate was to help with her heart complications. He was a typesetter who eventually became the editor of the Arizona Daily Star. They moved to this location in 1931 and started this home while living in a cabin.
Michael Wilder and Andrew Curtis visiting in front of the Bowen House
The Bowens left Tucson in 1944 and moved to New York City where Sherry Bowen worked for the Associated Press.
Of course the genealogist in me was curious about the man and woman more than the house. I found this article from Alex Jay on the Stripper’s Guide.
View of Tucson from Starr Pass Marriott
“Sherry B. Bowen was born Sherry Bowen Krauskopf in Maywood, Illinois, on March 13, 1900, according to the Cook County, Illinois, Birth Certificates Index at Ancestry.com. His parents were Charles C. and Mary Hort. Bowen served in the Army during World War I and on his Report of Interment card, his birth surname was crossed out and “Bowen” was written above it. A note said he had legally changed his name but the date of the change was not recorded.
Starr Pass Marriott Resort
“The 1900 U.S. Federal Census said Bowen was the only child and his father was a school teacher. In the 1910 census, the family still resided in Maywood and their address was 900 8th Avenue. Bowen had a younger brother, Karl, and their father was a principal and teacher.
According to the Interment card, Bowen’s Army service started May 28, 1918. He was a private in Company B, 336th Battalion, Tank Corps. He was discharged July 18, 1919.
In 1920 Bowen was a university student and still lived with his parents at the same address. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (New York), August 5, 1956, said Bowen studied at the University of Illinois and then joined the Bloomington, Illinois, Pantagraph. Bowen’s move was reported in the Daily Illini, February 1, 1922.
Krauskopf Resigns Illini Position for Job on Pantagraph
Sherry B. Krauskopf ’23 has resigned as one of the news editors of The Daily Illini to accept a position on the editorial staff of the Bloomington Pantagraph. He will leave to assume his new duties Saturday.
Krauskopf will start as a reporter but will be given a taste of the mechanical side of newspaper work and will De training on the city editor’s desk as he intends to follow the editorial phases of newspaper work.
Beginning as a reporter in his freshman year Krauskopf has rounded out five semesters of work on the staff of The Daily Illini, two years as a reporter and thus far this year he has been one of the six news editors.
Ruby Butts Take Vows Of Marriage To S . B. KrauskopfAnother romance of The Daily Illini culminated in a wedding last night when Ruby D. Butts ’23 became the bride of Sherry Krauskopf ’23 at 7 o’clock in the home of the Rev. James C. Baker, 1209 West Green street, Urbana. Mr. Baker read the service before members of the immediate families.The date for the wedding had originally been set for June, but owing to the serious illness of the groom, the ceremony was performed last night. The bride wore a gown of black satin and Spanish lace and a corsage of American roses. Geraldine Hegit ’23, who was bridesmaid, wore blue taffeta and carried a shower bouquet of La France roses. Karl H. Krauskopf ’26, brother of the groom, acted as best man. Mrs. Krauskopf has been a member of the staff of The Daily Illini for the past three years and was society editor this year until forced to resign because of ill health. The groom was a reporter on The Daily Illini in his freshman and sophomore years and was a news editor last year.
According to the Democrat and Chronicle, Bowen moved on to the Springfield, Illinois, Register. In Tucson Arizona, Bowen was at the Independent and then worked 16 years at the Arizona Daily Star.
The 1930 census recorded Bowen, a newspaper reporter, and his wife, in Tucson on North 1st Avenue. The 1933 and 1934 Tucson city directories listed his address as Route 1, Box 399A. In 1935 he resided in the Tucson Mountains. Bowen’s address was Anklam Road in the 1936 directory.
Bowen brought his wife, Ruby, to Tucson from Rockford, Ill., in the late 1920s in hopes that the climate would improve her health. Bowen was a typesetter and later city editor at the Arizona Daily Star. The Bowens homesteaded in the Tucson Mountains and began living in a cabin there in 1931 while Bowen built the house of native stone. They expanded their claim to 2,000 acres. Ruby Bowen wrote for Desert Magazine of the Southwest. Her diary of her first year in the Tucson Mountains refers to the wildlife she saw, including javelina, deer and wild mountain sheep that came to the base of the cliffs nearly every evening to graze. She wrote that a mountain lion would pace about when she was cooking meat and once attempted to get in the window.
American Newspaper Comics (2012) said Bowen wrote The Story of Santa Claus which was drawn by Ed H. Gunder and ran from December 17 to 22, 1951. The strip was syndicated by the Associated Press.
Moving back to the Conference, it was a great chance to get reacquainted with my law school friend, Andrew Curtis. These conferences are good as I get continuing education credits for both Idaho and Utah. Nothing too earth-shattering learned, confirming much of what I knew or had forgotten. But a great opportunity to stay in a very nice resort and visit a new area.
Paul Ross and Andrew Curtis flying to Tucson from Salt Lake City
