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they never gave up or accepted defeat. They were a mighty force in occupying this untamed land. They put forth tremendous efforts and physical stamina. They brought many skills with them. They did not pray for ease, but for strength. The highest tribute we can pay them is not grief but gratitude. We should all try to emulate their ideals." Another man said, " The Danes proved to be strong-willed and individualistic, not afraid of work and enjoyed a challenge. I had an uncle who did things the hardest way to ensure himself a day's work." The Danish People had a great sense of humor and enjoyed telling stories, often about themselves. In her book Ferron Creek. Wanda Peterson says,: "Brothers and sisters enjoyed gathering in the evening and laughed until their sides ached as they spun tales of their growing up years. The jokes they told were kind, showing an understanding of the foibles of human nature, the comical rendering of English from people learning a new language." A favorite story is one about a man from Gunnison who said. "Ve didn't use our heads like Ole Borg! He married a vidow vit t'ree daughters, unt den raised dem to please hisself. Dee made gut vifes, unt den he married them and his only mother-in-law was his vife." At one time so many Danes lived in Spring City and Ephraim that each town, in rum. was galled Little Denmark. it would be appropriate if Sanpete had an area set aside for Little Denmark, such as Solvange in California, or at least a building to display artifacts and information about Danes. Mt. Pleasant D & RG Depot. Eldon Hughes Pioneer Board member Nov. 10. 1976 3 |