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Show Volume XXIII Issue III The Ogden Valley news Page 11 April 1, 2015 Hyrum Barton Stallings (1873 – 1935) Note: Information for this historical account of the life of Hyrum Barton Stallings came from the book “From Swineville to Stringtown: Life in Eden, Utah for the family of Hyrum Stallings and Nancy Ritter” that was compiled by Ray Wilmot. For more information about the book, contact Mr. Wilmot at <Rpwilmot@hotmail.com> Hyrum Barton Stallings was the fifth son born to Charlotte Jane Hussey and Joseph Stallings at their home in Eden. He was the seventh child born to Charlotte, and Joseph’s 16th. Like most boys he was a robust, vigorous child. He had blue eyes and an abundance of curly black hair. As a lad, he joined in the family work and chores, learning from his older brothers, and sharing in the love of his mother and father, as well as his maternal grandmother Caroline, Joseph’s first wife and Charlotte’s mother. Hyrum Barton Stallings Hyrum played baseball on off days and holidays with his brothers and the neighbor boys—the Farrells, Burnetts, McKays, and Fullers. He attended school in Eden. He worked for his older brothers on their nearby farms. He loved good horses, pacers or trotters, which could be used either as saddle horses or buggy and sleigh horses. His trappings were always clean and polished. His great delight as a young man was squiring his best girl in a clean and smartly equipped horse and buggy. In 1896, Utah Power and Light revealed its plan to build a dam at Wheeler Creek to generate power for Ogden. Hyrum applied for a job digging trenches for the pipe. He was working high on the side of the mountain, near the mouth of the canyon, when a shale slide occurred. Hyrum was caught in the slide, and rolled to the bottom of the canyon. His right foot and ankle were crushed. He was rushed to Ogden, and for three weeks sat with his foot in a tub of crushed ice to stop the swelling and prevent gangrene from setting in. Finally, Doctor Gordon was able to take out some of the splintered bone and shale, and mold the badly mangled foot into shape. It was then put in a cast. Hyrum spent these weeks of treatment at the home of his cousins’ Charles and Mamie Hussey. From then on, he walked with a limp, and had to have his shoe specially made by a cobbler, Mr. Edwards. Hyrum rented the hay fields across from the Ririe house, and baled and stacked hay for cattle and horses. This land was later owned by the power company, and produced a fine quality of timothy and wild hay. He supplied the commercial businesses in Ogden, most of which depended on horses to deliver their products. Some of the companies he supplied were American Linen Supply, The Red Front Liver Stables, and Beckers Brewery. He paid his bills to Doctor Gordon with feed for his horses. There was hay to be hauled daily to Ogden during the season. Hyrum employed eight to ten men year round; relatives, friends and strangers among them. Often, five or six loads of hay went to one firm in Ogden in one day. It was a major business, and it continued until the horse was replaced by the automobile. When Hyrum’s father Joseph died, Hyrum inherited the bottom land below his house. He purchased more from Bishop Ferrin. A lot of this was marshland, and had to be drained before a horse or cow could graze on it. He began to drain the land by a series of tiles extending out into the marshy area. Finally, the water was drained into a creek, and then routed into the river. Then began the task of grubbing the willow and undergrowth, burning the large piles of vegetation. Some of these fires smoldered for days, leaving a peat-like soil that became a wonderful seedbed for grain and alfalfa. Hyrum cleared 25 acres of mountain land for a dry land wheat farm. He alternated the land between cattle grazing and alfalfa growing. On one trip up the mountain he decided to walk both ways. He had on high top leather boots. Not watching his path closely, he stepped on a rattlesnake, which immediately wrapped itself around his leg, striking the opposite leg. He started to run, jumping over sagebrush, and trying to dislodge the snake. Finally, after many attempts with a stick and his gloved hand, he succeeded in knocking it free. He hurried home, realizing how fortunate he had been to have been wearing his tall boots. This story was published in the Ogden newspaper. Through his hay hauling business, Hyrum became acquainted with many people in Ogden. In the fall, he would invite many of them to come and hunt wild game. He would lead them up the mountains above the Eccles and Lindsey ranches. Licenses were not required, and ranchers were happy to be rid of the wild birds that fed on their crops. Among those who joined in these outings were G L. Becker, Harry Todd, James Devine, C. S. Potter, Al Hastmark, John Browning, and C. R Hollingsworth. In the spring, many returned to fish. When William Howard Taft was president, he did a tour of the west, and rode up the canyon to the Hermitage as a guest of Billy Wilson. There he was presented with a mess of trout by Hyrum Stallings, caught in the North Fork River. Hyrum and Nancy Louisa Ritter were married in 1902. They moved into the Alex Ririe home on the north fork. Hyrum was already well-known as a farmer and stockman, and a successful businessman. Their home, located at the entrance to the valley, seemed to draw visitors. Folks in trouble with a broken harness, lame horse, or just thirsty for a drink of water, found a sympathetic ear at Nancy’s door. Indians, tramps, and relatives were all welcome. In the spring of 1907, Hy had a severe case of pneumonia. He had a high fever, and was out of his head. Left alone by his nurse, he went out through the window, and was found in a snow drift. Back in the house, his fever broke, and he began to regain his health. The couple had four children by 1908, and decided they needed a bigger house. Hy was already operating on the Moffat place, at the fork of Eden and Huntsville road. There was an unoccupied two-room brick house on the property. Enoch Fuller, a local carpenter, constructed an addition, which became a living room, dining room, and kitchen. Cold water was piped into the house. There was a porch on the south side. The big move was made with the help of many relatives. The parents believed in work, and introduced their children to it at an early age. A large garden was maintained, wood needed to be chopped, and coal needed to be hauled. Three more children were born here at the Moffat place. In the fall of 1915, another room was added. In 1916, the raising of peas for the canneries created a whole new industry. A vinery was 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 would be willing to share. St. Florence Easter Masses: Holy Thursday, April 2 – Mass & Eucharistic Adoration at 6:30 p.m. Good Friday, April 3 – Passion of the Lord Service at 6:30 p.m. Holy Saturday, April 4 – Easter Vigil at 8:30 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 5 – Masses at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Tuesday 6:00-6:30 pm Sunday 9:00-10:00 am or by appointment. Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary, Middle School, and High School Providing a challenging, college-focused education in the proven tradition of Catholic schools, for the families of the Ogden Valley. We want to teach your children! For information on our program, financial assistance, tours, or application, please call 801-393-6051 or 801-394-1515. built across the street from the Stallings home. Electricity came to the families at the fork of the road. Hyrum was one of the first homes hooked up. The telephone soon followed. Hyrum was one of the first directors of the Weber County Farm Bureau. Sugar beets were introduced as a result of this organization. It was a labor-intensive crop, and no one enjoyed the work it demanded. In 1917, war came to the valley, and many young men were called up. Hyrum’s holdings continued to grow. He bought the Ann Colvin farm up on the bench, where beets and peas were raised as cash crops. In 1920, he bought the John Walker place, including a five-room house. Remodeling began at once, adding two more rooms, a porch and a basement. This was a modern home by the standards of the day. It had hot and cold water, and a flush toilet. The family moved in in 1921. In 1919 - 1920, the town of Eden decided to bring water for household use from a spring on the north slopes. Surveyors laid out the pipeline plans. A committee including Joseph Backman, Jessie Wilbur, Arthur Ferrin Lorenzo Colvin, and Hyrum got the work started. From The Past . . . If you can identify this gentleman, please call Shanna at 801-745-2688 or Jeannie at 801-745-2879. Photo courtesy of Glenda Collins. |
