The LDS Church leaders in Iron County, Utah were pressing for action against the Fancher Wagon Train occupants who, according to them, had caused serious problems along the California Road as they passed south through the Utah settlements in their migration to southern California in September, 1857.              A group of younger men in the … Continue reading A RIDE TO BRIGHAM YOUNG →

This is the second in our series dedicated to happenings surrounding the Mountain Meadow Massacre of 1857.  In the first, we told of the events at Corn Creek near the location of the current town of Kanosh, Utah.  This week we continue. Following the “California Trail” through Southern Utah, the Fancher wagon train passed through … Continue reading JOHN D. LEE AT THE “MEADOWS” →

Over the next few weeks there will appear here a series of stories taken from the transcripts of the trials of John D. Lee for his part in the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857.  September is the anniversary of the tragedy.             The problems at Mountain Meadow were undoubtedly the worst event in the history … Continue reading THE INCIDENT AT COAL CREEK →

Shauntie, Elephant City, North Camp, South Camp, Frisco and Newhouse were mining towns located in central Beaver County in southern Utah Territory between 1870 and about 1928.  As one town would die another would rise.  The camps were located on the flanks of the San Francisco mountain range ten to twenty-five miles west of the … Continue reading SHAUNTY BURNS →

Bat Masterson, as most westerners know, was the famed lawman in Dodge City, Kansas for many years.  He kept that wild town under wraps for the terms he served there, and survived many gun battles with various rowdies who came through the town.  He ended up in New York state and was a warm friend … Continue reading LUKE SHORT AND “PINE TOP” →

Much has been written and portrayed about the great Apache leader Cochise.  Whatever the stories and legend, it should be remembered that he was a man of honor and an unyielding fighter when aroused by a sense of injustice.             One afternoon in 1860, Cochise and four of his braves visited their friend, the American … Continue reading COCHISE →

He stood about five feet nine inches tall and weighed about 180 pounds.  He was often seen around Austin, Texas dressed neatly wearing a silk hat and dressed in a Prince Albert suit of the finest material.  But, don’t let the dandy look deceive you.  Ben Thompson was as quick with a six-shooter as anyone … Continue reading BEN THOMPSON WALKED INTO A BAR →

  The southern Arizona town of Tombstone was founded in 1877 by a prospector named Ed Schieffelin.  Ed was staying at Camp Huachuca (wa-CHU-ka) as part of a scouting expedition against the Chiricahua (chir-i-COW-uh) Apaches.  From this safe place, and ignoring the warnings of the soldiers, he ventured out into the desert “looking for rocks.”  … Continue reading THEATRE AND ENTERTAINMENT IN TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA →

The mining town of Frisco, in Beaver County, Utah, was proud of the fact that the main buildings along its Main Street were made of stone and concrete.  The Hotel Southern, built in 1879 was hailed as “fireproof” by its builder and owner, J.J. Ferrin.             At the mine, southwest of town, all the structures … Continue reading WATT WATKINS: THE HERO OF THE HORN SILVER →

The north wind that swept down the Milford Valley in the wintertime was biting cold almost every morning.  For those few families living in the “Beaver Bottoms” along the Beaver River bed (an area often called “Reed”), keeping warm through cold nights in January and February was almost impossible.  Of course, there was no insulation … Continue reading SKATING TO SCHOOL IN WINTER →