| Show THE CHOICE PEOPLE WHO CAME TO SETTLE George Whitlock 1236 East 2nd South Mesa AZ 85203 Honorable Mention Historical continue being amazed plus SANPETE Essay historical records are adding new evidence about the truly exceptional qualities of the people who came to settle Utah and especially Sanpete Valley during the first several decades of Mormon migration to that area In my personal history the source of these people was Denmark but of course there is equal evidence of the stirring qualities of those who came of from England Europe It was Scandinavia and not nationality only the other parts of these people that made the difference butsingular sense of courage faith and devotion that dwelt in all of them Almost immediately those who were converted They were condemmed by their fellow countrymen were despised discriminated against reviled and pushed aside Their property lost value on the market They became aliens in their own land Instead of succumbing to the pressures they turned their eyes and their hopes toward that faroff land in the barren desert of Utah Even the people they were about to join had already been cast out of their own country as fugitive outcasts pursued at times by units of the army of the United States During one decade in the 1850-60s more than 000 people of all ages left Denmark and came to Utah The hardships of crossing the frigid seas in winter great plains in and the tiresome crossing of the makeshift wagons hand carts and on foot wassupreme sacrifice in itself Many lost loved ones out of their families When the Danish people got to Utah he settled mostly in Ephraim which was called Little Copenhagen As far as my grandparents were concerned that stop was only temporary although they liked Ephraim They were told to move south to 27 |
