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Show Volume XXVII Issue VI The Ogden Valley news Page 9 August 1, 2020 Note: Following are selections from the autobiography of James Burt, Sr., compiled by Jennie C. Neal, a granddaughter, in June 1942, from James Burt’s autobiography and also his biography by Christina Burt Marshall, a daughter. The information is from “History of the Eden Ward Ogden State Utah: 1877 – 1977.” I, James Burt, Sr., was born at Blontyre Works, Lannark, Scotland, on 8 January 1822, in the parish of Blontyre. I went to work when I was nine years old. Previous to this, nothing of any consequence happened to me—just the ordinary things that happen to boys…. On May 9, 1862, the family left Scotland and sailed on the “Sir William Top Scot.” It was a vessel, and it took them six weeks to cross James Burt, Sr. the Atlantic Ocean. They came overland on the train to the Missouri River. Sailing up the Missouri River, they landed at Florence, Nebraska, after a long, hard journey. The water in the Missouri River was so muddy that they could not use it. Father dipped water from the river and put oatmeal into it to settle the dirt. At Florence they secured a tent shelter to sleep in, as they were unable to find shelter in the hotel. From Florence, they went to Council Bluffs to rest and wait for the company to get ready to start across the plains to Utah. During the three weeks’ stay, there was a great sickness among the people at Council Bluffs. Mary caught the Mountain Fever and was put in a wagon with another sick child. Soon our mother became ill and had to go into the wagon. The rest of the family, father, Jim, Ellen, John, Lizzie, and Christina, lived in a tent. When the oxen were ready to travel again, they started the trip westward across the plains. Three families were assigned to one wagon. This made it necessary for all who could to walk. At that time, I was five years old and the youngest child in the family. Even I walked Early Pioneer James Burt, Sr. each day as far as I could; then I was taken into the wagon. My sister, Mary, nor mother could walk, because they had not recovered from their illness. Father, Jim, John, Ellen and Lizzie (Elizabeth) walked. Father, Jim and John walked all the way from Council Bluffs to Salt Lake City, Utah. A thrilling experience is always in my mind. One day as we were traveling along, we stopped to rest. Captain Haight’s ear caught an unusual sound. He told us to listen. Coming from the west toward us, we could hear a rumbling sound. He said, “A buffalo stampede!” He commanded the men to form a circle with the wagons close together. The oxen were put in the center with the men to guard and control them. The women were told to take the children and all huddle on the opposite side of the encampment. Then he rode out on his horse toward the oncoming buffalo. Such a rumble! The buffalo were bellowing as they ran, adding to the terror of the situation. The captain shot and killed the leader of the herd. The obstruction of his huge body and the sound of the gun caused the herd to divide— part of them going to the right, and the rest of them going on an angle to the left. By the time they reached the encampment, the herds were far enough apart that they did not endanger the company. However, the oxen in the enclosure were frightened, and the men had to work hard to divert their attention from the passing herd of buffalo. One of the oxen caught the spirit of the stampeding herd and went wild. He had to be shot by one of the guards. This calmed the much-frightened teams. All fully appreciated the bravery of Captain Haight and often told of it to each other. Every day the captain went out scouting and returned with fresh meat—elk or buffalo—for the camp. Indians were encountered many times, but they did not like an attack. Whenever they came near the camp, the captain was kind and gave them some sort of a gift to prove his friendship. When the company arrived in Salt Lake City, a friend, Charles Livingstone, helped find a house for the family to live in. Before the next spring came, another Scotch friend, Paul Gorley, had persuaded father to move to Goshen. This was a little farming community south of Utah Lake, but there was little work for a blacksmith. He left the family there and went to Salt Lake City to work for Brigham Young, working there all summer and fall. When he came home for Christmas, he walked from Salt Lake City and across the lake on the ice. He could not be happy away from his family, so he moved them to Salt Lake City and continued to work for Brigham Young. He was given a job, given a government wagon and teams, and sent to Logan, Utah to do the iron work on a flour mill. It took him two weeks to make the trip. He was very disappointed upon arrival to find there was no decent place to live. They lived in a log room which was little more than a hovel. He was supposed to receive his pay through tithing and fast offerings. It was hard for him to bring himself to ask for the things he needed for his family, and they often went without. He stayed in Logan a year. When the mill was completed, he went back to Salt Lake City…. Ogden Valley cast a spell over the family. His three daughters, Lizzie (Elizabeth), Mary, and Christina, married, and they and their husbands took up land in the north end, also his son Jim (James). He also married, and he and his wife (Mary McBride) went to the Valley. Father went back to the Valley to be a blacksmith for the farmers of the tree settlements (Huntsville, Eden, & Liberty). He settled in Eden, Weber, Utah, bought a small piece of land, and set up a blacksmith shop. He took Jessie Wilbur to work with him blacksmithing. He was one of the stalwarts of the community. Everyone felt keenly his wonderful spirituality. He was Sunday School Superintendent for years. He blessed many babies and performed the ordinance of administration very often. People came to look upon him as one whom the Lord used as an instrument in blessing others. His power and influence for good were wonderful. Not only his family, but everyone who knew him loved and revered him for his kindness, generosity, patience, perseverance, and high level of spirituality. After his beloved wife, Mary, passed away May 16, 1897, at age seventy-six years, he sold his shop to Jessie Wilbur and built a little home in Liberty, Weber, Utah, among his children who also lived in the Valley. When I moved to Ogden, I persuaded father to come and live with us. This he did and passed away at my home, 186 Poplar Avenue, Ogden, Utah, on July 17, 1904. He was buried in Eden Cemetery at the side of his lovely and beautiful wife, Mary McBride Burt. From The Past . . . 1956 -1957 Valley Jr. High Student Body Officers Connie Staples, Marlin Jensen, and Frances Grow. Photo from “The Many Faces of a Bulldog” compiled by Kera Fuller Erickson. Back Row, left to right: Mary McBride Burt Atkinson, Christina Burt Marshall Front Row: Elizabeth (Lizzie) Burt Lindsay, James Burt, Jr., Ellen Burt Miller. Absent is John McBride Burt. Two of James Burt, Sr. and Mary McBride Burt’s eight children died in their youth. The Ogden Valley News is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please mail, email, or call Shanna at 801-745-2688 or Jeannie at 801-745-2879 if you have material you are willing to share. MASSES: Saturday Night website 4:30 p.m. Call or check Sunday Morning 8:00 a.m. for current Mass anda.m. Sunday Morning 10:00 Reconciliation schedule. Tuesday Night 6:00 p.m. PArochIAl VIcAr Fr. 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