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Show Page THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS 16 "=" August 1, 2005 Remarks from Eden School Bell Monument Dedication ‘Ceremony bl h oft Teeples today is “Pride in the Past and Faith in the Future.” However, a more appropriate title, because of what we are here for today, might be, “The Saga of the Old School Bell.” It is interesting to note that the written histories are the bell,where iti came from, how much it cost, how it Waite invited Lowell _— (now deceased) and myself to meet wi Toone, the faithful keeper of te Old School Bell is the past31 years, to start the ball rolling on the .thateee us together today. For of you who do not know me, I'm 2 tie manent home address for almost 84 years.I longevity here, plus the fact that I know many of the never revealed secrets about persons, places, and things, which most accurate “Life Cycle: oftthe Old School Bell.” ing Pridein the Past and Faith in the Future: The “Old School Bell” quite literally is a tangible, physical symbol of the past. And it can be seen, touched and heard, even as it will be today. But there were also profound, enduring intangibles that had their genesis in the lives of those who taught and matriculated under the actual bell in the belfiy. Such things as the quest for knowledge, ae character traits,_integrity, service before self; patriotis: From the bewinning of public education in Eden, these core values of character, and more, were presented for ee for me to speak for a few minutes today. However, I really was a student in the “Old Yellow School.” I started my academic career 77 years ago in the eet -— school year “ graduated from the gth gradein 1 t I'll try to stick to the facts a folklore ssoci with the dedication of this beautiful which will be unveiled shortly. Sorry, no goin, 4 really can keep secret ts! I think that it wouldbe app k are in the audience today, who actually studied ander the “Old School Bell” in the Yellow Brick S the 1910 vintage to stand, or to raise ‘your hand and be recognized. This event today was in early times an important part of you life. Thank you. And since it’ s time for true confessions, let me tell Let’s start at the beginning, but not too far bacl k— about 1859, when the first Mormon Pioneers came into Eden. Our culture, under the direction of Brigham Young, dosed a colonization concept of a fairly dense community ith churches, stores, schools, and essential located for d security, as well as foes socialization ani protection. The farms and The Mormon colonization concept also placed a high priority on education. Organized education had its beginnings in the eighteen thirties in Kirtland, Ohio and in Nauvoo Illinois in the 1840’s. Shortly after arriving in the Salt Lake ea in 1847, schools were established— even during that first season. Eden’s first school, a oneroom log ee was built in 1866. In 1884 it was replaced by a |; me building with a bell on top. When the new ‘Yellow Brick Schoolhouse was built in 1910, the bell was installed in the square bel: Customarily, these were schools directed by some member of the Church who was willing to sell his/her services for a small sum of money or valley produce in order that the children, particularly, might learn the ele- lady histori penings of our town and its people. One, who is no longer with us, is La’ ‘Verna Burnett Newey. Her splendid book is entitled “Remember My Valley.” If any of her posterity is here, please stand. The other is Melba Montgomery Colvin. She is the author and compiler of “The History of the Eden Ward, Ogden Utah Stake: ? Melba and some of her family ar ATi THE a ine Maker on n the ‘Sabbath a And the bell itself, as it usually does for bronze bells, but on the yoke from is hun; e first school in Eden was taught by Joanna iin 1866. The following year the Eden School acquisition date of our bell, which is in the late 1800s. Part of his biography states, “Charles Singletay Bell was rm on 7 February 1828. On January 1858, he began the operation of his own company in iba, Ohio. Starting with two employees and a weekly payroll of $7.00, they processed 8 tons of pig iron the first year.” The manufacture of bells began in 1875. Sales for the first year came to something over 1,000 units. By 1890, sales had increased to over 20,000 and fifteen i I d. The bells were divided into wock es, bell from 40 to 100 pounds d | and church bells k steel alloy oe wea from 150 to 1000 pounds. (Our bell is estimated to weigh about 175 unds.) Through experimentation, Mr. Bell discovered that his all y | ery mellow tone. I d durabili ly by tuition, which amounted to i cents per day for each student. In the winter of 1866-67, Edmund B. Fuller taught school in the ximitive log schoolhouse. There were 83 students enrolled. An intellectual man, Fuller was called upon in many instances to advise the community members. Tafa M, ings. But with alittle sleuthing and the help of the Intemet and some Providential Promptings, I believe I have been i f the bell, which we will get into inamoment UD malso going to tell you howthe bellwas used and in the 1947-1949 time frame until the present. We will also highlight the service of all who taught here by giving a brief biographical sketch of two of that cadre, namely Varga “Judy” McEntire Stallings and E. . Carl Green. I because itywas ay works. of two0 lovey community bom of these first schools. the week and church etfies permeated all TOUGHEST ATVs?! seri ats att ANCE THE YEAR'S BEST DEALS. $500 REBATE OF UP 1 “1, 14 . F the hell, of the continuous symphony of busy people attwo Now, as you look at the General Store, it is still a fWO-SHoty mercantile bui ~~ but early on it also housed a post office. The upper floor offered a dance hall, with a band playing on weekends, which was popular throughout the valley. It was used as a basketball court forrecreation as well. The sounds of happy ‘People hay- ON SELECT for 24 tt hs, Brother Stallings continues, “At 10:30 a.m. a small hand bell was sounded, and the children marched out side for recess. At 10:45 a.m.oe bell rang again and the children came running,most of them from across the street ata public park and baseball diamonds. They arch m the school at 12:00 noon, the bel sounding g the noon hour. At 1:00 p.m. the big bell called 1. At 2:30 p. m. they marched a eee i 74 one ever told who locked when he window a te din al marched iin again. School was out at ously. It seems to havebi aes ee placed on the roof of the schoolhousese before the year 1910 wien it was moved to the New Yellow brick building and installed in its belfry. Well, where did the bell come from and when? __ When Ben Toone and Iwere recently discussing the It would be difficult to estimate the number of students who attended the community schools from 1866 until 1947, the last year the school was in seouleh The same applies to the teachers. However, in humble tribute to all the teachers, here are brief biosgraphical sketches of two who may be remembered by some of you and who made a their lifetime professions in acade- of record i nm either left the ground floor or the hi tory on the bell, and that I should check them out, So when I yoke from which the bell was “¢ hae Loh School Bell Company.” And on the back, “Ni Yoke.” Since I had already exhausted sosources at the local library, I took a chance and asked my computer to respond to the words of the inscription. When I hit “SEARCH,” I got three pages about an individual named C.S. Bell of Hillsboro, Ohio and his Bellfoundry. As read the article, I was able to authenticate our bell as being one of his products. This is confirmed by the nar- The first is Vig Mae McEntire Stallings we * feel honored and siakaed to have Judy with us ie Her daughter Mary Sue Stallings Rasmussen provided the i biography. Ju rm in Huntsville, Utah on January 190 the eldest fstsix children born to William R. and con McEntire. As a young woman she worked in the Jesperson-McEntire Mercantile store. She gr EDEN CEREMONY baila; cont. from page 1 bok 14} cont. on page 17 A hell called the child } 1 4} dof: recess, md ze warned the people of fires or other emergenn a new yellow brick school replaced the te ler structure, the bell was mounted on the roof. The | isnow mounted on this monument International Daughters of Utah Pioneers, Eden Camp, 2005 Norma’s Quilting Custom Long Arm Machine Quilting right here in Ogden Valley. months* POLARIS” Quilts ~ Bedspreads ~Table Cloths ~ Runners & much more! ATVs. Hundreds of designs available VALLEY LARIS ; Pick up and Delivery 801-829-6403 Norma Aston BRANDI (801) 745-0703 snaston@yahoo.com HAMMON Local Innovative Specialist 801-389-4438 BRANDI@PINEVIEWPROPERTIES.NET ity. PiNEVIEW REAL ESTATE vw Under Con fract nl a 10 Acres Huntsville $295,000 Cader ladioadt in 2 months Wolf Creek S75, 000 = Under Contract pear Coming Soon! =e Motiotad Sa Se ow Coe pir ler eal a A Wolf Creek $195,000 1 Acre Durfee Creek pete 000 SS Under Copsract in 30 days Under Contract in 60 days —— ——a Salles James _— = the following description as to how the bell as used 01 a typical school day. He stated, “The bell near the top of the station. The bell’s principal use was = call to school,” and the “‘call toworship,” but early call to assemble in case of fire or other urgent matters. When Halloween approached, the school bell was also fair game for a mid-night break in by locals still unnamed and the excited tolling of the bell continued until the Lookout said -t ligh Ju MS er. They settled into the area between the Middle Fork and the North Fork rivers and named their new town Eden. The center block was the public square. The popant soon grew to250 People. MO. 6.9% aft highway. Each child was in his place according 7 the he was in. ‘The students then marched into the £. at 4 there WARRANTY AND Ds Jd WN, was another ring, and the children assembled four the square in 1866. It was used until 1884 when a largDOUBLE 1 me oftthe bells. However, the foregoing answered to when the Bell was acquire ired. How was the bell used? | _ Moving to the east, the fire station now occupies wide sidewalk leading to the road. Visualize, if you can, a twostory yellow brick building with a belfry, which would EDEN MONUMENT far in 1865 14 To. 1 for orientation purposes, if, you will see that the concept was followed almost per. fectly. The buildings have changed in appearance, of course, but the rudiments are still the same. Starting on the West we have the blacksmith shop. It i uring spring 1 the | in the fall. TI I anti 5 2 Do Ladies.” They are worthy of that term Than ed and dedicated historians who factually expand the borders of our And SO, because ofwhat Lavema ‘and Melba and 8. By invitation, the folk k were offered by Jay Bachman of,Eden. moming ladies and gentlemen. For those of you from out-of town, greetings and an welcome to the f Eden, Utah.V occasion this, the unveiling and dedication of a ‘monument highlighting “The Old School Bell!” And what a splendid setting for an event such as is in store for us today. Quite literally, an event which also complements and supplements the 158th anniversary of theentry of the Mormon Pioneers into - Salt Lake Valley. At the outset, it is m invite the members of ie National joard of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, whose headquarters are in Salt Lake City to stand and be recognized. And for you, ladies and gentlemen, to know that theirencouragement anand financial support have been principal factors in the reality of what’s being done here today. Iso worthy of | “Know what you want to do and how tto do it” members of the Eden coe of the Daughters ofthe Utah Pioneers beget = Home Wnanenty Inchuded Tee Virtual Tour Urchuded |