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Show llL f affpipffymy l(i3 o 7 ini "O 7- - "'Jt ' f wiwuni Peach Days Edition Box Elder NEWS-JOURNA- L September 3, 1947 Flax Once Was Important Crop Of Mantua Farms By WiHfred Hailing Boxelder Valley, later named Mantua in honor of Ptesident Lorenzo Snows birthplace, was settled in the spring of 1863 by the families of Hans Peter Jensen, Rasmus Nielson Jeppsen. Niels Christian Schow, Jorgen Lars Hansen. Jorgensen, Jorgen J. Hailing, Niels Nielson, Thomas C. Anderson, Peter Olsen Hansen. Frederick Sorensen, Hans Nielsen Petersen and a few others. Just previous to this time they had done a great deal in helping to rebuild the walls of the county court house at Brigham City that had been blown down by a terrific wind. As early as 1851 this valley was a favorite herd ground for the newcomers to the county. Among the herders who subsequently used this valley was father Abraham Hunsaker. The firs--t families settled in the north part of the valley along the creek because of the good water of the stream. One hundred and thirty acres of land were fenced and cultivated the first season. were The early inhabitants called by Ihe church authorities to raise flax in this valley. In the year 1864 Lars Hailing planted Vi an acre of flax. He raised twenlv bushel of seed which he sold for $3 00 a bushel. The coarser stalks of flax were made into coarse thread which was woven to make into gram sacks. This was done by a man named Peter Olsen who . had learned the trade in Tie liner fibers were spun into thread by some of the women The people built their houses close together to better protect themselves from the Indians. This practice was later aban-- ' doned w hen in 1863 a rock fort was built on the public square where ffe meeting house now stands and when the Indiana became more friendly. Mr. Hailing had a friendly Indian work for him during the harvest time His squaw came and cleaned the wheat. This Indian owned many horses and became wealthy. In 1864 some of the families moved to Bear Lake. Others came from. Brigham and more acres were fenced and water from springs W'as taken for irrigation. In the spiing of 1865 what was knonw as a HoPy Day was set aside. President Snow and othrrs came from "Brigham City to Mantua. Judge Jonathan C. Wright was with the party. All of the townspeople and visit-oigathered together on the knoll in the eastern part of the valley. President Snow named the knoP Mt. Hope. He dedicate! the land and the water that they- might be a blessmg to the people. The town was platted in 1864, north of Boxelder creek The mam street ran north and south and is the direct road to Cache valley as it is today. The part of the town south of Boxelder creek was laid out in blocks and lots The valley is about wide and 2 miles long. Amusements and socials were enjoyed early in the history of Mantua At first a branch of the church was organized with H. P. Jensen as president, James Keller and R. N. Jeppsen as assistants. On Sept. 9, 1877 Man- l tua was organized as an ward with P. C. Jensen as bishop and L. A. Larson and The P. Jensen as counselors. town .was incorporated in 1911. HISTORY . . in the making ' While we are proud of the grand tradition of the pioneers who first settled Box Elder County, we would like to point out that the county has a future as well as a past. And it is a glorious future, just as exciting and romantic Den-rnaik- s - as the early chapters related News-Journa- l, this Peach Days edition of the but we hope without the hardships. Box Elder County has a as yet unexplored. ' in great potential for development, The changes in the next hundred years will be just as startling as those made since the first settlers moved here to establish their homes nearly a century ago. And so we say, remember the past but look to the future. History has been made here but clso it is being made, now and tomorrow. Let us pause on this occasion to pay tribute to the pioneers who gave us our start and at the same time . give thought to the young men and women, the boys and girls of to- day who will carry on this great tradition in the future. s 1-- 4 eccle-iastka- County Commissioners Lewis S. Wight Joseph A. Nielsen Orlando (Dick) Allen X |