OCR Text |
Show DUP Historical Marker Will Honor Old Mail Trail ESCALANTE Escalante' s chronicler Nathella Woolsey in her book "The Escalante Story" wrote, "if ever monuments are erected to unsung heroes, probably the tallest should go be for those who brought the mail." Sheila Woolley, first vice captain and marker chairwoman of the Escalante Camp of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers took those words to heart, and on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the Escalante Cemetery a marker will be dedicated to those who rode the old Boulder-Escalante Mail Trail. Everyone is invited to attend the dedication ceremony. Lois Olson and Betty Soren-sen, Soren-sen, Salt Lake City, marker chairwomen chair-women of the International Board of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Pio-neers will be in attendance. Nathella was Sheila's aunt and Sheila went to work and did her research by talking to many people. She wrote to DUP headquarters head-quarters to find out what was needed to qualify, then wrote the history of the trail for the plaque. She talked to Wade Barney about getting a large rock to use for the monument. Barney donated dona-ted his time to help her out in obtaining a large basalt boulder. Then, when the plaque was ready to be placed on the rock to complete the marker, Barney mounted it for them. The plaque tells the history of the Old Mail Trail and is a beautiful tribute to these "unsung heroes" and a dream-come-true for Sheila Woolley. The following is the inscription inscrip-tion from the plaque: Old Boulder Mail Trail The isolated trails between Boulder and Escalante, Utah, were important in the history of the two towns. The foot trail, used by Indians for centuries, connected the two areas and was known as the Death Hollow Trail. Mules, horses or people walking traversed tra-versed this steep and dangerous area. In 1902 a contract at $200 per year by U. S. Postal Service was given to James Schow for the twice-weekly mail delivery, over this shorter Indian trail. He used two to ten mules to carry mail, medicine and occasional travelers. This Old Boulder Mail Trail left Escalante, crossed the creek, and climbed the hill on the white rocks seen just above the dark ridge. In some places, steps were cut into the rocks. At the top of the hill, going was easier across the Anotone Flat, then a perilous and famous descent was made into Death Hollow. The trail crossed Mamie Creek and Sand Creek, then arrived at New Home Bench, where mall for Salt Gulch was left a wooden box nailed to a tree. In 1910 the U.S. Forest Service ran a telephone line along the trail to Boulder, attaching the wires to rocks and trees. Some of the glass insulators can still be seen in the tree tops. In 1924, Parcel Post became available, and the mules carried sewing machines, boots, pots, pans, machine parts, and cans of cream which were sent on to the creamery. In the early 1930's the Civilian Conservation Corps built better roads, and when the Hell's Backbone Bridge was done, this mail trail was unnecessary. The trail was still a shortcut and was often used by young men hurrying to a dance in either town. This monument is a tribute to those who endured the trail. 1997 No. 501 Escalante Camp Lana L W. Christian, Captain; Sheila W. Woolley, Marker Chairwoman, Chair-woman, 1st Vice Captain; Larue S. Spencer. Secretary. |