OCR Text |
Show THE SAN JUAN RECORD, Thursday, March 20, 1980 - Page 4 Journal chronicles pioneer trek This journal is an imaginary one. The dates and events as well as the names of the people were taken from several sources. It recounts the adventures of those who took part in either the exploratory party or what is known now as the Hole - in - the - Rock party. During coming weeks we will continue with the account of the events that ended with the founding of both Bluff City and the huge San Juan County on April 6, 1980. As I turn the pages of the journal that my grandfather kept of the record of the days events ever since he was a teenager, I remembered the stories that he and my father had told me. Suddenly some- thing struck me: I was reading of events that took place just 100 years ago. There were the lists of names of those who were called for this as-y- et unnamed mission, but that was later called the San Juan Mission. These were the hardy pioneers who, on April 6, 1880, founded both Bluff City, as William Hutchins named it, and San Juan County. We pick up the journal in its sixteenth week: Sunday, February l: No meetings were held durWe ing the day, too cold. and one all this evening held had a good time. Monday, February 2: Powder came from Fifty Mile Camp yesterday. Weather is getting warmer and now that we have powder work on the road will go faster. Tuesday, February 3: The trip through the Hole took its toll of the wagons and much repair work is going on. Wednesday, February 4: The horses and oxen that are to be used to get up the hills ahead are being shod. Hope we get through in time for spring planting. Thursday, February 5: Weather is getting better. The company is in two camps again about one. half mile apart. Friday, February 6: Road work up ahead is going slow. Teams are wearing out. We have many good singers in camp and evenings are spent in listening to them. Saturday, February 7: Held a dance tonight on a large flat spot of sandstone that the wind had swept clear. Three fiddlers provided the music. 8: Sunday, February In spite each days work seemed slow - we made good progress on the road this week. Held two meetings today, one in each camp. Monday, February 9: Went two miles beyond the top of Cottonwood Hill with the boys from Panguitch. The road is now going over the same rough country we considered, on the exploring trip, to be too rough for a wagon road. 10: Tuesday, February Several of the boys started back to Potatoe Valley for the stock we had to leave there. Wednesday, February 11: Started to bring the wagons Cottonwood Hill today. It is almost as bad as the road down the Hole in the Rock. It took 4 to 7 span of horses up or oxen to bring up one wagon. Thursday, February 12: Still moving wagons up Cottonwood Hill weather very cold and stormy. Friday, February 13: Two man came into camp from Panguitch to work on the road. They brought 200 lbs. of pork and forty lbs. of Cheese from the Tithing Office. The cheese was sold at auction, giving the camp its name, Cheese Camp. Saturday, February 14: Four men started today for to bottom. Saturday, February the day looking for place to build the road. Spent a. The Constable from Escalante awd two other men came into camp today. They were looking for some stolen stock. They went on to see some stock that had been driven on a few days ago. Sunday, February 22: The boys returned from Potatoe Valley today without the stock. The snows were too deep and their, horses too weak to do anything. They did Fort Montezuma with a pack train. Word has come that supplies are very low there. We are sharing our food with bring some letters. Monday, February 23: Company going in the only possible direction, ON. The snows are too deep to return if we wanted to. Tuesday, February 24: Building road over the Slick Rocks. It is slow going. A mountain sheep led George over their trail, the Hobbs only possible one to the bot- them. Sunday, February 15: Had a meeting today all had a good time. Much fine singing. Monday, February 16: Road is mostly over or through rock, glad we still have some powder left. Tuesday, February sheet of water. 21: tom. Wednesday, February 25: Still camped on the bench above the Slick Rocks. Amasa Barton and the men from Panguitch started for home. Thursday, February 26: The Constable and party returned today, having found two of the stolen horses in the herd of Jim Dutton and Amasa Barton. Horses probably strayed into the herd when it passed Escalante. No arrests were made. 17; Snowed during the night and until noon. When it cleared the company began to move wagons over the new road and through the Chute. Wednesday, February 18: Plenty of grass here, the first in a long time. Henry Mountain north of us about 25 miles but in full view. Thursday, February 19: Worked on the road over Gray Mesa today. Making good progress. Friday, February 20: Drove seven miles over the Mesa today to a smooth bench close to the banks of the San Juan, which are a mile below. Cliffs so precipitous as to be .completely inaccessible. Bench terminates abruptly. We will have to build a road thru steep hills and little pockets that extend from top Friday, February 27: Finished the road down the Slick Rocks today. Saturday, February 28: Moved down over the Slick Rocks and camped not far from the base of Gray Mesa. Sunday, February 29: ' Drove seven miles over a rough sandy road to a lake Beautiful (Lake Pagabrit). A half mile as'Nvide and about and long looks deep. Cottonwoods, wil- lows, canes, flags, bulrushes and several kinds over and shod some horses. Lewellyn Harris, a - Laid missionary on his way to Mexico, came into camp bringing letters and papers. He did not stay but continued on his way to Mexico. Tuesday, March 2: Drove seven miles over sand and rock not as rough as coming to the lake. Plenty of grass and snow water. Wednesday, March 3: Moved on five miles over road much the same as yesterand camped in Castle day Wash. This wash gets its name from Indian ruins found in a cave. Found plenty of grass and water. Thursday, March 4: High wind and snow last night. The road is very sandy but smooth and fairly good. Friday, March clay. Saturday, March 6: Platte Lymen, George Sevy and Samuel Broson left today to find a way over what we call Cedar Mesa because of the sense growth of cedars. Sunday, March 7: All rested and held meetings. Much fine singing. Monday, March 8: Road down the 1000 foot cliff (Please turn to Page and SPRING SALE!! FREE!! Hot Dogs Come in and & Punch, Friday see these vehicles & 21-22- !! Saturday!! PRICED AT WHOLESALE PRICES!! MITCHELLS AUTO SALES, INC. Bonded Dealer 2723 - N. Hwy. 163 - Blanding - 678-217- 0 5: Moved five miles to Clay Hill to the only spot a road could be built. The place gets its name from the sticky blue w.v.w.v.v FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MARCH of grass grow luxuriantly. Make an excellent stock ranch. On a rock jutting into the Lake are the remains of an old fortification probably built several hundred years ago. Monday, March 1: 11) |