| Description |
undependable .due to deep snows and other weather conditions and Indian harassment, thus compelling the pioneers to be deprived of numerous needed items. Diaries and journals relate hardships encountered. Some lived in dugouts for months and slept on canvas and corn-husk mattresses. These stalwart souls could construct many of their implements, furniture and clothing needs. Some wool was available and, at times, even sheared with scissors. This was woven into "Linsey-woolsey" that caused the "boys to yell and complain because these pants and shirts itched and scratched." Girl's clothing was easier to construct. The mothers cut small dresses out of clothing they had carried across the plains. Hats were a necessity and were constructed of braided or woven straw. Bare feet were a common sight. Footwear was difficult to fashion with their meager equipment. There was a great need for a central store. Kary K. Nielson wrote, "There was a lot of talk about the church, or rather the Z.C.M.I., locating a store in our town and surely that was the test news we had heard in-a long time. The next summer the store became a reality and what a celebration the town had." The Ephraim United Order Mercantile Institution opened in 1871 and was fully completed in 1874* Some of the highest church authorities spent three days in Ephraim, giving excellent instruction on the spirit and essence of the United Order. Members were encouraged to renew their covenents by being re-baptized into the United Order. This ordinance was performed summer or winter, even when ice was present in the creek north of Hans "Rich" Hansen's home (75 U. 100 N). President ?righam Young was re-baptized at this time with other members. The significant two-story United Order edifice was constructed of oolite limestone and located in a prominent place on the corner of First North and Main Street, An early photograph displays a plaque over the eight-foot double west door that states, "The 14 |
