One final Spook- SUU's Old Main

"A symbol of sacrifice and service" burned to the ground on the morning of December 12, 1948.  Historic "Old Main"  lost its upper floor that Sunday morning.  Residents and students a like joined forces in the book brigade to rescue the "treasures" of the third floor. 

What began as an organized effort turned into chaos as time became the enemy.  Soon books were thrown from the balcony as the fire raged.

Strangely enough, the cause of the fire was never known... or was it?

Legend has it that the spirit of one Virginia Loomis started the 1948 fire.  Loomis is rumored to have been murdered in the Red Hills of Cedar  City in 1896.  Two years later the the stone from the quarry from where Virginia Loomis was murdered were used in the construction of old main in 1898.

Just two weeks prior to the fire, a 78 year old man was believed to have taken a job as custodian in old man.  This same man was the only suspect in the Virginia Loomis murder, but was released due to lack of evidence.

After the fire, the man was never seen again.  It is believed that Virginia exacted her revenge with the flames in Old Main...

Wander by Old Main at Midnight and discover the truth for yourself... maybe you will catch a glimpse of Virginia Loomis haunting the 3rd floor of "Old Main."

Mystery of the missing cemetery

Mystery of the missing cemetery....

 I thought I might find my answers here, but now I just have more questions...  After joining the local cemetery moon lit tour last week with my friends, I thought I might be led to the answer- where are the two infants of Andrew and Jane Morgan Patterson buried?

Andrew Patterson.  Andrew Embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ in Scotland joyously as it freed him from the life of a coal miner.  I often wondered how he felt when the prophet Brigham called him back to the mines at Fort Cedar.

 Their parents and my Scottish ancestors,  Andrew and Jane were part of the Iron Mission and they lost two infant children here, Alexzandra Patterson 1854-1854 and Andrew Patterson 1856-1856.

This marker honors those member of Fort Cedar of which Andrew and Jane were a part.  There is also record that Andrew's brother Alexander had a plot at well.  The fort plat of 1853  lists them as property owners within the fort walls.  The fort consisted of 63 acres and 120 lots.  The marker stands on the southwest corner of the fort adjacent to the John D. Lee Gate.

Beaver, Utah cemetery

Further information in regards to Fort Cedar are sparse and details of any cemetery here are nonexistent.  Because their is no record of their burial in the Cedar City cemetery, I was told they must be buried at For Cedar. Interestingly enough, Joseph Chatterly was the first burial in the Cedar City Cemetery was in 1853.  

So where are those babies?  Where is the Cemetery at For Cedar?

Moonlit graveyard tour

                 Just in time for Halloween
 
                  Moonlit graveyard tour

I love graveyards.  They seem to sing the history of its city.  I like to wander through them.  I love to read the names and wonder what type of lives the buried person(s) led.   So lucky was I to come upon my local cemetery's date for its Halloween Moonlit historical tour.  Not knowing what to expect,  I was surprised by the variety and the number of people which joined this tour.  The ambiance was perfect for the approaching Halloween Holiday

Cedar City was built on the faith of its settlers.  Francis Webster is somewhat a folk hero to this community.. some might even call him a legend.  As a wealthy English convert to the Mormon Church, Martin donated  large sums of money so that other converts could come to "Zion."  Because of this sacrifice, he and his family were members of the ill fated Willie Handcart Company.  He suffered greatly but his faith carried him when his frozen limbs would not.
Francis Webster is quoted for having said the following in regards to the Willie Handcart compy  in a Sunday School Class in the old rock church towards the end of his life, “I ask you to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about. Cold historic facts mean nothing here, for they give no proper interpretation of the questions involved. Mistake to send the handcart company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife was in it and Sister Nellie Unthank whom you have cited was there too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine, and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism? Not one of that company ever apostatized or left the Church, because everyone of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives, for we became acquainted with him in our extremities.”
  As a member of this community, he was instrumental in bringing the sheep industry town as well as helping to oversee the building of the local college.    It was an honor to have visited his grave!

Many pioneer communities were founded on music.  Cedar City was no different.  Joseph Cosslett was the cultural icon of his era serving as the first choir director in this newly founded settlement.  Music lifted the spirits of the weary.  Joseph was loved by the members of this town.  He was a renowned musician who also wrote the beloved hymn, "We'll Sing All Hail to Jesus's name."  Inscribed on his headstone is the following: "  A tribute of love from your associates, the Cedar City Choir, and a grateful public for a life of faithful service."

George Wood was a prominent Cedar City citizen.  He opened his home to the weary, penniless traveler.  After building a new home on Main Street, his original log home was a place of refuge for many.  Twenty-five children were born there.

 CJ Arthur Family- polygamist burial site- CJ Arthur  was unwilling to abandon his wives and family when the Church of Jesus Christ discontinued the practice of polygamy.  Because of this, he was considered an outlaw and hunted and imprisoned for his crime.  This is the only burial site of its kind in this cemetery.

As members of polygamist families, at burial children were identified by their mother.  This is reminiscent of the Hebrew culture.

The most infamous grave included on this tour was the grave of Mary McCune.   Engaged in her daily task in the hen house with a friend, Mary was attacked by a coyote.  The coyote clasped the neck of Mary.  Her friend yelled for her husband who came to the rescue.  In order to save the life of Mary, he had to strangle the coyote.  The gentlemen saved Mary's life but it was to late... the coyote was rabid.  Mary was placed in an institution because she had gone mad.   However, she became such  a threat to those around her that her life was ended.   Not known at the time was the fact that Mary was pregnant.  Her husband returned home to find both his wife and child dead and buried (her headstone tells this very story).

Time has worn the headstones of many graves here.  Some have crumbled others have been ruined by water.   

Headstones such as this are lost to history... especially when early records are non existent.

The dates and names on graves intrigue me, but it is the dash about which I wonder most.  Of course, I like those buried here have a birth day,  and one day a date of my death will come.  But what matters most is what I do with the dash... what will you do with yours?

Monday Memory- Carving Pumpkins

Monday Memory

Carving pumpkins

 

The Best thing about traditions is that they are not expensive and the memories they create last a life time.  I have been carving pumpkins the Monday evening before Halloween for the better part of 40 years and it still doesn't  get old.

 

 

 

Growing up on 2nd East, we didn't have a lot of the luxuries of life, but we had traditions and we had each other.  My parents raised us well, but I wouldn't say they were the most creative parents on the block-- of course there wasn't the internet or pinterest.  However, my dad was a pumpkin carver.  They weren't fancy mind you, but the memory associated with him carving pumpkins with us kids has followed me until this day.

I am so grateful he took the time for we seven to create this memory!

 Years have passed since my pumpkin days on 2nd East, but Rigby and I continue on with our children.  And we have added a few of our own including the reading of our favorite Halloween story---HALLOWIENER!

When I started this blog I wanted to have a place to record my family history research, but as it has evolved I now try to devote at least Mondays to recording my own history.  Pumpkin Carving is one such memory. 

Get started on your own history--- holiday traditions are a great place to start!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Wayne County Echoes

The Nielsen Grist Mill built in 1890 is only one of 20 mills remaining in Utah.  This 120 year old mill still stands at the foot of Thousand Lake Mountain near Capitol Reef in Utah.  It is a testament of its day of the hard working nature of the Mormon Pioneer.  Danish convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Hans Peter Nielson was the driving force behind this mill.  This particular mill is the only mill in Utah that has its original original water-powered workings.

 I am a lover of old barns... so many stories here, so many echoes

The Thurber Relief Society Hall in Bicknell, Utah echoes of the strength of the women of Thurber who initiated its building.  This building began construction in June 1897 and was completed in September of 1899.

Grave yards and Ghost towns on the road to Pinto

On the Road to Pinto is the historic and somewhat haunted Page's Ranch.  It stands as a marker of the early days in this valley and of the lives that crossed paths here....

Historic Pinto- 
So I think my friends love it or love to make fun of me and my road trips.  This time my friend Amy climbed on board for our fall adventure. We visited cemeteries and early settlements and took pictures of old houses and ate pie- Perfect Day, Perfect Weather, 

Amy and I loved having these traveling companions!

Pine Valley Chapel

The magnificence of Autumn

Last time I was here, it was the depth of winter--- I loved seeing Pine Valley in Autumn hues....

Autumn view of Pine Valley

Pine Valley Cemetery

The pie here is out of this world!

We never found these two cemeteries....

Pinto Cemetery

Special thanks to Ashton, Trase, 

Ty, and Maleck for joining the adventure!

Lion's Mouth
Indian Drawings