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Show SUN ADVOCATE & Xrice is situated in the Northwest corner of what was formerly known as Castle Valley, so named from the castle shaped hills. The district formerly belonged to Sanpete County. The Indian troubles that raged in Utah and Sanpete district were brought to a close on the 19th of August 1868 by a treaty of peace. Shortly after this date, Bishop William Price of Goshen, made an exploring trip up the Spanish Fork Canyon, over Soldier Summit, and came across the stream known as White River, following it down for about six miles and came to another stream coming from the Pleasant Valley known as Fish Creek, and at the junction of these two streams named them Price River, and has borne that name ever since. In October 1877 two trappers, Caleb Baldwin Rhodes, and Abraham Powell, from Salem came over the same route and established themselves by building a small log cabin in the southwest corner of what is now known as Price. They returned back to Salem after the trapping season was over. The trapper and hunter Abraham Powell, was killed by a bear in the Nebo Mountains Dec. 7, 1878. January 21, 1879 Caleb Baldwin Rhodes, Frederick E. Grames, and Charles Grames arrived on the river and began establishing their homes for permanent residence. Rhodes was a good sized man, hardy and accustomed to hardships, A trapper, hunter, prospector and Indian interpreter. He was born April 4, 1836, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Foster Rhodes, birthplace Edger County, 111.; and came to Utah 1847. He was chosen Second Counselor to Compiled by Ernest S. Horsley 25, 1944 and conveyed water onto the desert lands and brought the barren wastes into fields of grain and vegetables. Their food was somewhat scanty at times and many meals had to be made of straight deer meat. During the years of 1880 and 1881 a number of settlers came in to the river from Utah and Sanpete counties. March 1881 grading for the Rio Grande Western Railroad commenced, and the first through train from Grand Junction to Ogden was established May 17, 1883. In 1882 quite a number of settlers came from Southern Utah, Joseph Birch of Leeds, Brigham O. Mclntire of St. George, John D. Leigh of Cedar City, Erastus W. Mclntire, Charles H. Empey, Peter and Erastus, and Bertha Olsen of Paragonah, Utah, and several others settling at what is now known as Helper, Spring Glen and down the river to Wellington. In February 1880 Castle Valley was organized into a County and given the name of Emery County in honor of George W. Emery, then Govener of Utah. Early in 1883 the Price townsite was selected and laid off in blocks and lots, with streets running east and west, north and south. In August 30, 1883 the Post Office was established with Frederick E. Grames, come to live at Price, June 6, 1879. She died April 7, 1925, age 75. Charles W. Grames, pioneer January 21, 1879 was born in England 1855 came to Utah in 1857, was of an unassuming quiet nature, followed farming and sheep herding, made several entries of land and sold to other persons. He passed away in August 1935 age 80. Robert A. Powell, arrived on the Price River March 12, 1879 and settled up the highway about four miles, northwest from Price town. He was born Oct. 13, 1839 in Adams County, 111., son of James and Jara-mi- a Wimmer Powell. Came to Utah Oct. 13, 1852. Was a tall rawbone man and accustomed to pioneer life, followed farming, bee keeping and raising of fruit. His wife and children arrived on the river to make their home June 6, 1879. Their daughter Betsey was the first child born along the Price river Sept. 18; 1880, raised a large family and was interested in the building of school houses. He passed away Feb. 15, 1921, age 82. His wife Rachael Davis Powell, born in Utah Oct. 23, 1855, had 14 children; died June 11, 1930. to Bishop George Frandsen, at organization of the Price Ward Nov. 20, 1882. He did a lot of good in helping to build up Price and Emery and Carbon Counties. He did farming and bee keeping ; and was said he held the secret of the fabulous Rhodes gold mine, somewhere out in the Uinta district. He passed away June 2, 1905 at his home about three miles northwest of Price City. He was buried in Price Cemetery. Frederick Empire Grames who also arrived January 21, 1879, was one of those hardy Englishmen having been born August 19, 1850 at Findon, Susses, England, came to America 1857, son of Charles W. and Maria Lillywhite Grames. His location was due west of Price town. He opened up the first mercantile store here, and was the first Postmaster August 30, 1833. He was Precinct Constable for several years; manufactured the first water level to survey the canals in this locality. Was a farmer and stockman. He died Aug. 12, 1897 and was buried on a piece of his homestead. His wife Martha Ellen Powell Grames was one of the first two women In the month of March, 1879 others arrived on the Price River, Thomas Caldwell, Levi Simmons, William Z. Warren from Spanish Fork, William Davis, James Gay from Salem. April 1, 1879 came John A. Powell and wife Sarah J. Plumb Powell, she was the first woman known to arrive in this locality, but only stayed a few days. These early pioneers soon began to make canals Thursday. January 2, 1975 January 1894 quite a sentiment arose in the north end of Emery County for a division of the county, and a petition got up and presented to the Legislatures and on March 8, 1894 creating Carbon County. May 1, 1894 an election was held, electing the county officers and Price was made the County Seat. In 1895, a large brick Town Hall was built. In 1908-0- 9 the large Court House was erected. In April 1911 Price town became a city of 3rd class, with telephone, electric lights and water system. In 1912 a sewer system started, Carbon High School was organized. Larger school houses, Library, and several churches soon began to spring up. Postmaster. A depot was built and with Price listed on the Railroad time card, prospects began to brighten up. A canal five miles northwest of the town was started in March 1884. The Price Water Company was organized in M I 974 Kaiser Steel mined its 50 millionth ton of coal from the Sunnyside Mine. 1 - ; C'l I , .hi. t l i . i rr" - s .,.. w t m . f I c$J. " r 7 went.. Coal mining at Sunnyside started in 1 896, the same year as Utah Statehood... In PAGE February 1884 and began the construction in March tu bring water onto the townsite, commencing at a point about five miles n the river. In the meantime a precinct was organized with a Justice of the Peace and Constable, also a school district was established. The large Log Meeting House was erected on the town and settlers began to erect homes on it and hauled water in barrels from the river for domestic purposes until May 1888. The Adobe school house was built, lots fenced and fruit trees planted with shade trees all along the sidewalks. The town was incorporated with a President and board of Trustees, a newspaper established, mercantile business houses built on the town. A large City (brick) Hall erected, Carbon County created and things in general moved along at a nice steady rate. Homes soon began to be established on the townsite and water was hauled in barrels from the river for domestic purposes until May 1888 when the Price Water Company canal was finished to the east side of town at a cost of $20,000 dollars. Then the town soon began to grow, lots were fenced, gardens and fruit trees planted, also shade trees all along the side walks. The Adobe school house completed and a time of rejoicing. Several stores were erected. Freighting of Government goods out to the Reservation country at Fort Duchesne brought some money and store credits into the community. In January 1891 a newsaper, The Eastern Utah Telegraph was published. During the first six months of this year a bad type of diptheria raged and many children died, one family of seven all taken away. In July 14, 1892 a petition signed by 108 persons to the county court of Emery County and a town organization granted. On the 8th of November that year an election was held, and James W. Whitmore was elected President with Henry G. Mathis, John H. Pac, Arthur W. Horsley and Soron Olson, trustees with Alf Ballinger, clerk and treasurer and so on things rice s .history star over years ago Mar. HELPER JOURNAL r -" - - i r " - - . y" l; Kir r' m,. Kaiser Co. started mining at Sunnyside in 1942 with leased property from Utah Fuel Co., who also owned Castle Gate and Clear Creek. In 1950 Kaiser bought out Utah Fuel and operated the Castle Gate and Clear Creek mines as their Utah Fuel Division. sr33!.. . - KAISER r |