Miriam B. Murphy History Blazer, March 1996 In 1864 trustees of the American Home Missionary Society decided to expand the Society’s evangelical efforts into the Far West. The Reverend Jonathan Blanchard was sent to survey Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. He was impressed with the possibility for missionary activity among the Mormons and received strong support for the venture from …
The History of a Pioneer Utah Cottage
Becky Bartholomew History Blazer, January 1996 Sightseers wonder about the histories of old brick and adobe houses scattered across rural Utah. Six blocks west of Main Street in Fountain Green sits a small stucco cottage on 1.05 acres. Local lore says that it was built for a widow on the order of Brigham Young. Whether or not this is true, …
The Steamboat Era Was Glamorous but Very Brief in Utah
Yvette D. Ison History Blazer, March 1995 On May 23, 1871, nearly 3,000 people stood by the banks of the Bear River in Corinne to witness the launching of Utah’s first steamboat—an event that excited the imagination of the public. About a year earlier, Corinne businessmen had conceived the idea of creating a steamship line to rival the newly constructed …
Old La Sal Was Once a Thriving Cow Town
Miriam B. Murphy History Blazer, November 1995 Ghost towns, colorful reminders of the old west, are generally relics of the mining industry. Utah, however, has several ghost towns of other origin. This is the story of old La Sal, the ghost site of a once vigorous cow town, now stripped of its houses, stores, barns, corrals—and even its name. According …
Robbers’ Roost in Utah’s “Outback” Was a Haven for Outlaws
Jeffrey D. Nichols History Blazer, August 1995 Between the Colorado, Green, and Dirty Devil Rivers lies a wild stretch of land crisscrossed with steep-walled canyons and hidden draws. For over 30 years this inhospitable terrain served as a hideout for outlaws of every description. Robbers’ Roost was a stronghold of the Wild Bunch, Butch Cassidy’s motley band of bank robbers, …
Utah Had Hollywood Style Western Gunfights
Becky Bartholomew History Blazer, March 1996 Utah Territory had its share of bona fide, shoot-em-up gunfights. In 1890, for instance, Price was as surprised as lawman Jack Watson when Watson was gunned down in broad daylight on its main street. He had had a colorful career. As a Confederate soldier he sustained a wound to the instep that gave him …
Just Who Was the Outlaw Queen Etta Place?
W. Paul Reeve History Blazer, May 1995 According to legend, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Harry Longabaugh) infamous Utah outlaws noted throughout the West for their daring train, bank, and payroll heists, had a variety of female companions–but none quite as mysterious as the wild and sophisticated Etta Place. Some say she was a native of eastern Utah and …