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Show THE NEW SETTLEMENT OF SALT CREEK 7 September 21st-Sunday-Started from the city on Wednesday (17th) afternoon, one o'clock in company with my husband and his nephew for the new settlement of Salt Creek with bouyant spirits and hope in full exercise.1 Wagon load of necessaries, our span of mares in good order, dog sharp and little kitty to bring up the rear. Also cow and calf but had to leave the calf at Willow Creek. The first night we put up to Brother Smoot's at Little Cottonwood, 10 miles from the City.2 Started from there about ten o'clock in the forenoon-nooned at Willow Creek where we left the calf in the care of Brother Brown.3 Tarried for the night with Brother Mc- Lellan's folks, camp fashion, after we passed the point of the mountain, on entering Utah Valley the scenery of which was splendid. Started about ten next morning and moved to Brother Harrington's, American Fork, where we had a most excellent dinner for ourselves 1 Salt Creek, so named because of some salt springs in a nearby canyon that fed the stream, was laid out on the lower slopes of Mount Nebo. The town was later renamed Nephi in honor of a Book of Mormon patriarch. The county seat of Juab County, Nephi was a stopping place on the main route to southern California. By the end of 1851 the settlement had twenty-three cabins, chiefly of willows and mud. See Roberts, Comprehensive History, 3:480. 2 They had evidently stopped at the home of Abraham O. Smoot who became prominent as mayor of Salt Lake City and, later, of Provo. 3 Ebenezer and Phoebe Brown, who had settled in the Draper area, raised and fattened cattle to sell to emigrants on the way to the gold fields. See Kirk-ham and Lundstrom, Tales of a Triumphant People, p. 228. 64 THE NEW SETTLEMENT OF SALT CREEK and animals.4 Started from there about half past two and reached Provo a little after sundown where we tarried for the night alone. Made our own breakfast and started at seven, arrived about eleven to Sister Pine's at Hobble Creek 5 who with her family were delighted to see us. Made us a hasty dinner and supplied us liberally with squashes, pumpkins, beets, watermelon, etc. Arrived here last evening to Brother McLellan's house, he not here Mrs. Mc. did the honors of the house most hospitably." Today we have enjoyed ourselves in this place attending meeting and visiting around. Theodore has suffered all day with the earache receiving cold last night in consequence of a rain storm that wet his bedding in the waggon. (At Petit Neat) Salt Creek Settlement-September 23rd-Wednesday-Arrived here on Monday evening at half past six o'clock. Found the brethren on the ground in good spirits-delighted with the valley, had some carralls made. Brother Baxter 7 invited us to supper of which we partook and immediately after Mr. Haywood called a meeting to commence the organization of the people. Meeting opened by Father Gifford 8 after which Mr. Haywood made some appropriate remarks in reference to the necessity of having a watch as the little property we had in cattle and horses was our all and could not be very well risked and by strictly guarding the settlement in this way it might save a great deal of trouble with the Indians. He called for an expression of the brethren on the subject a few of which spoke in favor of establishing the watch, whereupon a vote was taken and also a vote appointing Brother Foote the captain of the guard and also to have an oversight in reference to the brethren having fire arms and in good order with the privilege of calling them out for examination and drill when he thinks suitable.9 Next Mr. H. pro- 4 Leonard E. Harrington, a former neighbor, was the first bishop of American Fork. See Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, 3: 799-800. " Hobble Creek was renamed Springville. 0 The Heywood party seems to have arrived at the settlement on Peteetneet Creek now known as Payson. Brother McLellan may have been James or William C. McClellan, early settlers in the area. See Emma N. Huff, comp.,. Memories That Live: Utah County Centennial History (Springville, Ut.: Utah County Company, Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1947), pp. 434-35, 438. ' Zimri H. Baxter, one of the first Nephi settlers, had been active in the work on the Nauvoo Temple. 8 This was probably Levi Gifford, one of the first Nephi settlers. Levi and his son Ichabod both served as town councilors. See Alice Paxman McCune, History of Juab County, 1847-1947 (Nephi, Ut.: luab County Company. Daughters of Utah Pioneers, 1947), pp. 56, 61. 9 Timothy Bradley Foote reportedly built the first home in Salt Creek, and he was one of the town's first aldermen. Ibid., pp. 59, 61. Foote's name appears 65 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD posed Father Gifford to preside over the meetings who was accordingly voted. Mr. H. also made some observations as to the right of individuals taking up and following their own particular branch of business and counseled Br. Baxter to build a grist mill and Brother Camp 10 to build a saw mill. Meeting was closed by prayer by Brother Foote. Tuesday we all enjoyed ourselves as new settlers remarkably well and the more the brethren explored the ground the better pleased they were. In the afternoon I walked about one half mile up the creek to see where we would have our lot and we were delighted with the place we design having our lot or lots, as Mr. H. will take more than he wants for himself as some of his friends may come on and he would be glad to have a place for them. That portion of the creek that we desire is beautifully adorned with trees according to my heart's desire. In the evening, meeting was convened and Father Gifford as president opened the meeting by calling on Brother Miller to pray. Mr. H. remarked that we might have some singing which was heartily agreed and we sung unitedly "Come Let us Anew", after which Mr. H. made a few remarks about the guard and proceeded to take the names which were accordingly. Wednesday Mr. H. in company with Brother Camp started to explore the canyon where salt is to be obtained and immediately after his starting Brother Fox arrived with word that the Presidency were obliged to give up their intended trip to this place in consequence of the legislature being called and that Brigham sent word to Mr. H. to do the best he could in laying out the city'.11 A reminiscence of our former acquaintance as travelling companions served to wile away the afternoon with Brother Fox and I as Mr. H. did not return till dark, much later than anticipated which caused me some little uneasiness, fearing that they had missed their road. Also a man arrived from the city of Benjamin Johnston, with a note to Mr. H. requesting him to provide the man with board until a wagon comes frequently in Mormon history. He was a captain of the captains of ten in the second fifty of the 1848 immigration. Foote was one of several men who crossed paths with the dubious Dr. J. M. Vaughan, an accused adulterer who was shot and killed earlier in 1851. For details of this story see Brooks, On the Mormon Frontier, 2:380-81, 393, 396. ™ This was probably William Camp, a blacksmith from Georgia, who was listed in the 1850 Census as residing in Davis County. Camp was involved in court action over his Black slave, Dan, in 1856. See Brooks On the Mormon Frontier, 2:597. "Jesse W. Fox accompanied Brigham Young on many of his trips to locate cities throughout the territory. Fox succeeded William Lemmons as surveyor of Salt Lake City and was later surveyor-general of Utah. He also taught school in Manti. See Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:774-75. 66 THE NEW SETTLEMENT OF SALT CREEK with provisions and also to direct him in cutting hay, etc. until he heard further.12 This and Brother Fox having to board with us, Brother Camp having already done so since his being here, makes three boarders and with us three makes quite a family to cook for to a new beginner in housekeeping but as I have often remarked that "as my days so shall my strength be" and so it is. My health is much better than in the city and my aptness for cooking comes with the necessity and this I always believed in. Thursday-This morning the brethren convened together for the purpose of taking into consideration the laying of the city. The following was agreed to-that the blocks be 26 rods square, each block containing 4 lots and the streets 6 rods wide with the exception of the state road passing north and south which will be 8 rods wide, two blocks square to be reserved out of the same reserved for public purposes. The city to be 8 blocks square. September 28th-The brethren after convening for a short meeting session started to explore the canyons in search of building timber, leaving Brother Fox to have a care of us women. Returned late in the afternoon bringing good reports of plenty of timber but inaccessible to hewing for the present. Had a meeting and this was the principle subject discussed. Brethren Camp and Gifford started for the city this morning. I did not feel very smart today and did but little but yet my health seems to gradually improve and Mr. H. is remarkably good. October 3rd-Friday-Monday morning Brother Baxter started in company with one of the Gifford boys for the canyons to get out some house logs and remain one or more nights. Tuesday Mr. H. and Brother Fox with Theodore started for Sanpete to get lumber and a wagon box made. Also Brother Miller with his company started for the city to be there in time for Conference, so that we had but two men and three boys left to take care of us women folks if the Indians should happen this way. Towards night the mail 12 Benjamin F. Johnson had not, after all, gone with George A. Smith to settle Parowan, probably because of an accidental injury. In the spring of 1851 he accompanied Brigham Young on an exploring trip "up the Sevier, and over the mountains into Iron County. . . . Brother Joseph L. Heywood assisted in providing a team . . . we camped at Summit Creek (Santaquin) in Utah County. . . . It appeared to me as enchanted ground. . . President Young heard me and asked if I would like to settle a colony there, and I said, 'yes,' if he wished me to. He said he did, and that I might commence my arrangements as soon as I returned." See Benjamin F. Johnson, My Life's Review (Independence, Mo.: Zion's Printing and Publishing Company, 1947), pp. 132, 135. 67 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD carrier arrived which strengthened our party. Wednesday night Brother and Sister Billings with her niece, Mrs. Kimball and their son called, by Mr. H.'s request, on their way to Conference.131 found Mrs. Billings to be a very motherly agreeable woman. Mrs. Kimball who is Father Morley's daughter slept with me so that I had quite an acquaintance with her. Last evening Mr. H. returned from San Pete bringing with him Mrs. Noble and child.14 Started this morning with her for the city leaving me to try the friendship of this little community in his absence. Immediately after it commenced raining and continued all day, wind blowing at times very violently which made it very unpleasant about cooking and quite cold sitting in the wagon. October 4th-Saturday-This morning Brother Fox and the mail carrier returned from San Pete having spent the night in the canyons with six mules as the mares suffered so much in travelling the wet roads. They also had to leave the lumber ten miles this side of San Pete. About noon when Theodore went after the mares to prepare to start for the city he found one of the mares (Palmer) had lost her colt in consequence of the hard day's travel the day before. So we concluded it would not answer to put her in harness in her weak state. October 10th-Friday-Sunday the 5th Palmer was so much better as to be able to travel so that Theodore and the mail carrier started about noon with the horses and wagon for the city. I thought I should then have a resting spell for a season but was mistaken. After taking a walk to where our lot is, which fatigued me very much, a team arrived with Mary Anne (B. Johnston's wife) and child and the teamster Ezra B. . I was so glad to see her that it excited me very much and flew about without any feeling but that of joy which caused me a night's suffering afterwards. Brother Baxter attempted to have a meeting [in] the evening but it proved rather a failure. He proposed having the next on Thursday evening. I suggested that we might have it on Tuesday evening to which he assented and we separated. The day was very pleasant. Monday was pleasant weather and I verily thought that Sister Johnston's arrival would rid me of all responsibility in the house " T h e party of travelers would appear to have been settlers from Manti on their way to the semiannual October conference of the LDS church in Salt Lake City. The group probably included Titus and Diantha Billings. A Brigham i cJSfr ' a g e l e v e n ' waS l i s t e d M l i v i n g w i t h t h e Bikings family at Manti in the 1850 Census, but whether this was the son of Mrs. Billings's niece is not known. " Probably a wife of Joseph Bates Noble. 68 THE NEW SETTLEMENT OF SALT CREEK keeping department but between the confusion of her things and her little boy not feeling very well I found I had to do about as much as ever-all the extra time I worked on the awning, hoping to have a kind of shed to screen us from the weather. After considerable labor on the part of James and myself we raised it over the two wagons but for want of more cross poles on [the] back part I did not think it very safe. Tuesday-Rather stormy looking. Helped Mary Anne some to fix her things in the forenoon, and in the work, that she might have a chance to get her things fixed. In the afternoon made her an apron and commenced a warm sack to keep her boy warm who seemed to suffer much from the cold air morning and evenings. The afternoon was turned out very stormy and very cold. Our awning covering was blown down by the hard wind. Wednesday-Looked as if it might clear off. Had my washing done with Sister Margaret Baxter's assistance. Felt rather tired in the afternoon, made out to finish the little boy's sack. Quite stormy all the afternoon and snowed before we retired. Thursday-Snowed during the night so that there was quite a surface on everything about two inches deep on the tops of the waggons but not quite so cold. The sun kept in clouds all the forenoon, the ground very wet and air chilly. About noon the sun came out very shy. I wrung out my clothes out of the cold water and shortly after was taken with a bowel complaint which obliged me to go to bed which prevented me from accomplishing anything. I felt some better in the evening and attended the meeting which was made interesting by the arrival here of a Brother Klingonsmith from the city on his way to San Pete, who gave us considerable news concerning the conference of a very cheering nature.15 The principle business was the making [of] settlements all along the southern route. This day the sun came out with considerable vigor but in the shade was very cold. Made two caps for Sister Margaret's boys. Brother Morley 10 passed here this afternoon-had some refreshment at Brother Baxter's, told them that Brother George A's company would be here in a few days and [it] was expected that Mr. H. 15 In 1851 Philip Klingensmith was in the bloom of manhood: tall, handsome, keen of mind, and a confirmed optimist. He and his family were living in Manti. In a few years he would participate in the massacre at the Mountain Meadow. Klingensmith was the first to break the pledge of silence, making his deposition before the county clerk in Delamar, Nevada. His story was essentially the same as that told many years later by other participants. 10 Isaac Morley, frequently called Father Morley, had taken charge of the company that settled Sanpete valley in the fall of 1849. He had served as first 69 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD would be along with the next company which would be for this place. October 12th-Sunday-Yesterday pleasant and rather warmer than the day before. Made out to commence my cloth caps but did not work to much advantage on account of the cold air which affects my health, giving me the bowel complaint several times within the last few days but good health is general among our little company and peace and good will with the exception of Brother Baxter's family who are disagreed among themselves. Today has been some warmer than yesterday and I have been better in health. This evening according to appointment we met together for worship and had a good meeting. Br. Baxter called on Brother Foote to pray after the meeting had been opened by singing. The remarks made by Bro. F. and B. were excellent. Sister Gifford spoke a few words and I followed her, feeling a desire to acknowledge the goodness of the Lord to me all the day long. October 13th-Monday-Very pleasant weather. James and Ezra hauled two loads of hay. I worked on my caps all day. Mrs. Johnston's little boy improves in health. Two or three straggling Indians round. We all enjoy ourselves first rate with the exception of Brother Baxter's two wives who are determined to leave him. Tuesday-Warm pleasant day. The nights and mornings are very cold. Expected that Ezra would have started early this morning after the lumber but it took him so long to go after the cattle that it was near noon before he started. James cut hay all day. The mail carrier arrived in the evening bringing intelligence of a company near at hand on their way to Salt Lake. Heard nothing from Mr. H. or B. Johnston. Wednesday-Still continues pleasant weather. This morning the cattle returned that Ezra took yesterday morning. Expect they have been on the road all night from where he camped. The mail carrier fortunately about starting, drives them back but makes yesterday's work on Ezra's part worse than nothing. October 16-Thursday-Very pleasant weather. Last evening ten wagons arrived here on their way to [Little] Salt Lake or Iron County and this morning Brother John Smith came over from the counselor to Bishop Edward Partridge from 1831 to 1840 and had been ordained a patriarch in 1838. From 1851 to 1857 he served in the territorial legislative council, representing Sanpete County. See Jenson, LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, 1:235-36. 70 THE NEW SETTLEMENT OF SALT CREEK camp to see me.17 Had no word from Mr. H. but learned that the Presidency was coming this way to locate the capital in Pauvan Valley.18 Said we might expect them the first of the week. Suffered some today from bowel complaint-have it more or less lately. Otherwise my health is good. Making some progress with my cap work. A Brother Everett of San Pete ordered two caps from me today.19 Sent Brother Washburn's by him and I sent Br. Patten's by the mail carrier yesterday. October 17th-Friday-Brother Foote started this morning for the city. I sent by him a cap for Brother Barlow and one for Betty Johnson's little boy. Brother Foote expected to meet Mr. H. on the way. A party of Californians camped here last night. Weather very pleasant during sunshine but very cold night and morning. Our prayer meeting last was a kind of confession meeting, more particularly on the part of Brother Baxter who feels pretty bad about the girls going away. Felt rather poorly today. October 18th-Saturday-Still pleasant weather. Joel Johnston's family arrived here this afternoon in company with other wagons on their way to Salt Lake. They made some little excitement and confusion for Mary Anne and I. The children were so cross and noisy. October 19th-Sunday-Pleasant day, rather cloudy in the afternoon. Walked up to our lots with Mary Anne which hurt me some. She was much pleased with the location but rather disappointed to find that her lot did not join mine, Brother Fox's being between. Joel's folks started after breakfast and we were glad of it. They made so much confusion. This afternoon Brother Bradley and family came from the city, not bringing me a single word from Mr. H. They will start in the morning for San Pete-he will return immediately to get his house. Also Father Gifford arrived from the city and still no word from Mr. H. or any other news. Our prayer meeting did not amount to much, was late on Father Gifford's account. Tuesday night-When the mail carrier arrived this evening bringing no intelligence excepting that no one had started for this place up to Monday morning, it made me quite low spirited, together with not feeling very well, a sort of melancholy came over me '' This was John Calvin Lazelle Smith of Parowan. The territorial capital was to be located in Pauvan or Pahvant Valley, present-day Fillmore, Millard County. 19 This was probably Elijah (or Elisha) Everett rather than Addison Everett, the former being listed in the 1850 Census as a resident of Manti. 71 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD 20 that I could not shake off. John D. Lee and Company arrived to day bound for the further settlement on the rim of the basin Brother Gustin, etc. arrived here from San Pete but are going to the city before stopping here.21 October 21st-Wednesday-This morning Sister Morley passed on her way to the city. Sent Mrs. Benson's cap by her. She had an order from Morley to get pay for the lumber that Mr. H. got from Shumways that was given by mistake. She wants a cap made and will send the size. Bishop Call's company for Pauvan 22 settlement arrived today on their way-about 15 wagons making with Brother Lee's over thirty wagons camping tonight on the other side of the creek-so that almost every night we have an addition to our number, more or less. James and Ezra finished getting up the hay today as too late to cut anymore. October 22nd-Thursday-The two companies started this forenoon for their respective destines. Also Brother Gustin and those who came with him, for the city and with them started also Father Gifford. Sister Margaret and her two boys and Liddy, the wives of Brother Baxter who are determined to leave him as they consider they have not been properly treated either by him or Sister Baxter. As a company we are very few indeed, there being only 2 men, 4 women, 5 boys and three children. If the Indians were known to this our cattle would be in danger. Two of Brother Call's wagons happened along this evening which was very pleasing to me at least for the name of having more. October 23rd-Friday-Another company of twelve wagons arrived today about noon from Pauvan and with the two camp on the other side of the creek. This evening Brigham and his company arrived on their way to Pauvan.23 He and Brother Kimball spent 20 John D. Lee had served as official recorder for the Iron County Mission of 1850-51. At the October 1851 LDS church conference he was authorized to start a settlement at the junction of the Rio Virgin and Santa Clara River. For details of this venture see Robert Glass Cleland and Juanita Brooks, eds., A Mormon Chronicle: The Diaries of John D. Lee, 1848-1876, 2 vols. (San Marino, Calif., Huntington Library, 1955), 1:133-34. 21 This was probably Amos Gustin (listed as a Manti resident in the 1850 Census), who was named one of nine councilors in the first election at Nephi in May 1852. See McCune, History of Juab County, p. 61. 22 Anson Call, an early settler in Davis County, had been authorized by the legislative assembly to organize Millard County. See Roberts, Comprehensive History, 4:10 n. 18. 23 On October 21, 1851, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, George A. Smith, Zerubbabel Snow, Daniel H. Wells, Major Rose (Indian subagent), and 72 THE NEW SETTLEMENT OF SALT CREEK some of the evening with us. Also Brothers George A., Horace Eldridge, Fox, etc. So that we had a very pleasant evening. Had a letter from Mr. H. who expects to be here in a few days. Benjamin Johnston has got as far as Summit Creek and will be here tomorrow. Heard from Brother Fox that Theodore has again run away which will cripple Mr. H. very much. Sister Vilate Kimball has sent me cloth, etc. to make caps for her boys and to use Brother Kimball's words, sends me lots of love. October 25th-Sunday-Last evening Brother Benjamin Johnston arrived to our great joy and satisfaction. It seemed to me about as good as Mr. Haywood's coming himself, tho he came with an idea of taking his family back to Summit Creek, supposing that little or nothing was done here for his benefit. He readily admitted that his men had done well and was delighted to find his boy looking so much better than when he left the city. He is of the same opinion with Mary Anne and myself that it would be every way more economical and pleasant for us to live together this winter and has given directions to the men to build a willow house as quick as possible. Was disappointed that our lots were not side by side and concluded to risk having the house put up on Brother Fox's lot which comes between ours. He is very willing to have Ezra leave him and hire to Brother Baxter or anyone else. I received by him a letter and parcel from Mr. H. and further intelligence that Mr. H. would not be here before the first of the month which knowledge more forcibly determining me to fall in with theirs and my own wishes to live with Mary Anne. Mary Anne and I had a pleasant ride today to see and determine about the lots and also to the Plaster Paris mountain.24 Brother B. [Benjamin Johnson] is much pleased with this place and appears to be well satisfied that he has made a start here. He has James consent to remain with him and take up land to make him a farm. others left Salt Lake City for the Pauvan Valley. They traveled through Utah and Juab counties and reached Chalk Creek in Pauvan Valley on October 28. On the following day a site was selected for the territorial capital and surveyed. The city was named Fillmore and the county Millard after the president. See Deseret News, November 29, 1851. A daily account of the journey was printed in the News on December 13, 1851. This was an important event in the history of Utah Territory. Perhaps because of it, Governor Young proclaimed January 1, 1852, "A Day of Praise and Thanksgiving" for the territory and asked his followers to wash their bodies with pure water, attend to their flocks and herds, prepare the "best of food," and abstain from evil thoughts, words, and deeds. See Deseret News, December 27, 1851. 24 Gypsum of the massive rock variety was abundant in a nearby canyon and later proved to be an important resource for the county when it was commercially mined. 73 MARTHA SPENCE HEYWOOD Our company has no additions as yet but are all well and meet [with] no disturbance. Brother Baxter for some reason best known to himself has avoided speaking to me since the girls went away. I presume I shall find out the reason in due time. I have no considerable cap work to attend to as Brother Benjamin has brought me some material to make him some for his men and boys and also will trade as many caps as I can make for the things that I will want. 74 |
