The first settlers on the west side came from Tooele in the year 1875. They were attracted to the area because of the acres of natural meadows. Valison Tanner and his brother, Alma C. Tanner, were the first to arrive. They brought the co-op herds to feed in the meadowlands.

(Italicized text from http://www.grousecreek.com/intro.html, by Alan Smith; added by Ty Richins, January 2008.)

While living at Henefer, Summit Co., Utah, our attention was drawn to a letter in the Deseret News, in the winter of 1877 written by Isaac Kimball, son of Heber C. Kimball, giving a description of Grouse Creek Valley, and saying it was a good place for settlers. We wrote to Bro. Kimball to get more details about the place. He answered saying it was situated at the extreme west end of Box Elder County, near the Nevada line, said the land was good, feed on the range fine, and giving a favorable account of the place generally. William C. Bitteridge, Philip A. Paskett, William P. Paskett, Albert F. Richins, R. Allen Jones, and James R. Simpson met together and after talking the matter over decided to move down to said valley. It was decided that the following brethren should make the trip as soon as weather permitted in the spring: William C. Bitteridge, Philip A. Paskett, Robert Allen Jones, and Albert F. Richins. These men started on March 16th having four large animals consisting of three horses and a mule and one wagon. We arrived on Grouse Creek, down near the Buttes, on the night of March 21, 1877, and coming on up the valley located our claims on the next day on the East Fork. At this time there was not a house within about five miles of where our rock meeting house now stands, sage brush everywhere. The land on the West Creek was taken up because of the natural meadow existing there. The land was not yet surveyed.

Albert F. Richins and R. Allen Jones started back to Henefer in April, going by train. After arriving there, A. F. Richins sold his house and place and bought a yoke of oxen and an old wagon, and on May 27 started again for Grouse Creek. He was accompanied by his wife, one little child (Eliza), James R. Simpson and his wife and little child (Johnnie), furniture, and one calf, all in one wagon, one cow tied behind the wagon.

At Uintah the wagon broke down causing a delay of three days. A Bro. Gale fixed the wagon up and they started on again. All went well till they got to Locomotive Springs, about eleven miles east of Kelton, a large spring which caused hundreds of acres of swamp and tall rushes. After turning their cattle loose at night they discovered that there was a large herd of cattle loose in the swamps, and three men, a white man, a Negro, and an Indian, camped near by who had charge of the herd, going to take said cattle to Montana. Next morning hunting the oxen was like the proverbial hunting for a needle in a haystack. They walked for miles along the sides of the swamp and out towards Kelton but could see nothing of them. Then they went back towards Monument Point where there was another spring and swamp. A. F. Richins happened to see the heads and horns of the oxen showing sometimes above the tullies as they were reaching up and feeding on the tops of the high rushes, out on an island about 1 o'clock p.m., but he did not know how to get them. Just then the Negro came riding up and asked A. F. Richins and his wife if they had found their cattle yet. They said they had, pointing them out to him in the swamps.

The Negro saying, “I'll go and get them” starting swimming his horse through the slough and brought the cattle out. When arriving at “The Muddy” they found William C. Bitteridge and Philip P. A. Paskett who had come from Grouse Creek to meet them. It was a pleasant meeting. We traveled together with horse team and ox team (two wagons) arriving at Grouse Creek June 10, 1877.

While Albert Richins was at Henefer part of April and May, the writer, Philip A. Paskett and William C. Bitteridge Sr. stayed on the claim or camped on them sometimes going to Canyon for house logs and poles. Two of our work horses had died leaving us with two. We felt rather discouraged, as we lost these two were left, they stayed off so we felt they were afoot. We hunted for them day after day, sometimes walking up the big mountains at the head of Red Butte and back in a day, about sixteen miles, testing our strength to the limit as we sometimes had nothing but a piece of bread to eat. We were camped near the creek where the Mecham farm is located now. We had lost our animals for about two weeks. When one morning Bro. Bitteridge looking more cheerful than usual said, “We are going to find our animals today, or hear of them.” The writer said, “I hope so.” We went up Red Butte Canyon, sat down on the cliffs of granite rock on the big mountain to rest and got back to camp extremely tired and hungry. The writer under these conditions felt rather skeptical, and when nearly back to camp said to Bro. Bitteridge, “What about finding our horses now? ”He said, “We'll find out yet.” When we got to camp it was just getting dark and when we arrived, a big man was leaning against the wagon awaiting our return. He said to us, “Well, I've found where your horses are. They are down at Terro Hicks and Sickels have them hauling ore with them and you can get them by paying $3.50.”The man referred to was Robert Orr from Tooele. We were very glad to hear the news so we finally got our animals.

During these difficulties we never forgot our prayers. We went to canyon and hauled out a set of house logs. As we were going up the big mountain stopping the team to rest one day, Bro. Bitteridge looking around at the grass remarked, “A man could easily mow this grass with a mowing machine if it wasn't for the brush that is scattered amongst it.” I mentioned this to show how the feed used to be on the hills, and in fact it was fine almost anywhere.

Even at this time we used to hold meetings in private homes, as there were a few houses on the West Creek which was five miles away, one house down at the forks of the creek belonging to Marshal Grover.

In the first part of April 1877, A. F. Richins and R. A. Jones threshed with flails the first wheat that was raised in Grouse Creek being raised on the West fork by Elisha Hubbard who had moved there with his family. It was about fifteen bushels of wheat and needed for seed. There were others settlers on the West Creek, namely Levi Beetol, Charles Brizzes, Charles Smith, father and two brothers, Alma Richardson, Isaac Kimball, and Ara Sabins. We found camped at the forks of the creek Valison Tanner, Richard E. Warburton, Ezra Rowberry and Wm. Gallaher from Tooele.Valison Tanner had charge of a cooperation herd of cattle from Tooele.

The following named came from Tooele, also, the latter part of March, 1877: Isaac Lee, his son, Joseph B. Lee, his son-in-law, Daniel McLaws, David H. Toyn, and Thomas Davis, arriving about the middle of April, located claims on the East Fork of Grouse Creek at the south of Red Butte canyon. After locating the claims, they returned home to Tooele except Joseph Lee, who was left in charge of the claims. They returned to Grouse Creek the next November arriving on the 15^th; David H. Toyn bringing his family with him.

On the morning of the 9^th of April 1878 Albert F. Richins went out to hunt for his work oxen, and found them about a quarter of a mile from his shanty. Both oxen were dead lying close together having been poisoned during the night with poison weeds. He had been working them with a yoke of oxen belonging to the writer, Philip Paskett. A. F. Richins used to hold the plow and the writer driving the two yoke of cattle.

In October 1877, Wm. C. Bitteridge Sr., Philip A. Paskett, and Wm. P. Paskett, with their families, started from Henefer, Summit County, Utah. Each having an ox team and wagon started to move to Grouse Creek, a distance of about 200 miles. When arriving at Brigham City, they encountered a hurricane which lasted three days. We stayed at a Bro. Conleys during this time. Before starting from Henefer, Bishop Wm. W. Cluff offered to let us put 125 bushels of wheat into the Tithing office at Coalville, Summit County and take that much out at Brigham City.This offer we gladly accepted and Bishop Alvin Nichols at Brigham City offered to take said wheat from the Tithing office to the grist mill and then haul the flour and place it on the cars at Corrine, to have all the bran and sharts as compensation. This agreement was fully fulfilled.

Charles Kimber and his brother, Wm. J. Kimber, came from Tooele to Grouse Creek in July 1875 to locate a farm. At that time there were but very few people in the valley, namely Valison Tanner, his brother, Alma, John Ferguson and Oliver Kilgore; the two latter working for cattlemen. The Kimber brothers located at a place northwest of the Buttes, where there was a nice stream of water coming out of the west foot hills. This place is about eleven miles southwest from our present meeting house. They returned to Tooele the following August coming back to Grouse Creek the latter part of June 1876 putting up a small stack of hay and building an adobe house. Charles Kimber making the adobies, going back to Tooele again and returning to Grouse Creek in March 1877 bringing with them Charles Kimber's wife and little girl (Annie), his father, mother, and sister with her small girl (Clara). These were the first women in the valley. A son was born to Charles Kimber and wife in October and was the first white child born in the valley. They all lived down on their claims above mentioned at the Kimber ranch.

Lorenzo D. Mecham and family were living on the West Fork at what is known as the Twin Springs.He afterwards homesteaded a farm on the East Fork. Benjamin F. Cooke had come from Grantsville, Tooele Co., in company with his brother, Henry and located about a quarter of a mile up from our present meeting house, they built a log house and moved into it with his family in the fall of 1877.We used to hold meetings in his house.

In 1878, those who came from Henefer, as well as others, cleared some land and raised some wheat.We made a ditch from what is known as the Cooke Dam down to the writer's claim at the mount of Paskett Canyon, about three miles surveying as best we could without a spirit level; plowing a piece of ditch with two yoke of cattle, cleaning it out, and turning waters into it so as to be sure the water would run, repeating this till we finished the ditch and then the water was right there as in time to water the crops of A. F. Richins, James R. Simpson, Philip A. Paskett, and Wm. C. Bitteridge.

In the same fall Elisha Hubbard, Thomas Atkinson, and others went over on Goose Creek, Idaho, down to the Thatcher Ranch below where Oakley now stands and traded for an old Sweep Stakes threshing machine, and after a great deal of labor and time succeeded in getting it to Grouse Creek. They had to make some of the road and cross the creek a number of times without bridges. We very much appreciated the presence of said machine. After threshing arrangements were made for us, Wm. P. Paskett and Albert F. Richins, to take two loads of wheat to the grist mill at Corrine, Wm. P. to take fifty-two bushels with two yoke of oxen and A. F., the writer's one yoke of oxen, with about twenty-three hundred pounds of wheat. After a slow and tedious journey they got to Corrine. The miller said it was not a custom mill. They would buy the wheat and sell the flour so the boys concluded to go on to Brigham City; found the mill there was full. They went on to Willard; the mill was also full there. They stayed there for some time working for Thos. Birch (an old acquaintance) at a molasses mill for some molasses. While staying there, they thought they would go up to Henefer and see their relatives, so they walked to Ogden and from there rode on the cars to Henefer. After visiting they got Charles A. Stevens, a brother-in-law, they arrived all right and found their wagons and wheat in the street where they had left it. Nothing had been molested. The oxen had been unyoked and turned in the field which was open. The boys traveled on to Ogden with their grists arriving at the Sperry mill, the miller looked at Wm. P. Paskett's wheat which was good but not free from pieces of greasewood, and put it all on a large scales together. Wm. Paskett asked, “How much does it weigh?” The miller said instantly, “Fifty-two bushels,” when in reality it was twenty-six seamless sacks full each weighing from fifteen to twenty more than two bushels. Wm. could see in a moment what had been done but could do nothing to remedy it.

The miller then got up on A. F.'s wagon, untied one sack, just looked at the wheat then said, “I don't want it.” Part of this wheat was smutty.It had been raining and the wheat was wet and the smut had made the good wheat look smutty too. The miller told A. F. where another mill was. Albert took the grist there only to hear the same repeated, “I don't want it.” A man happened to be present who sympathized with Albert and said, “I want some pig feed, I'll give you six dollars for your load of wheat,” so this offer was accepted. A. F. brought two hundred pounds of flour and two dollars worth of sugar with the money he had to haul the load away across the railroad tracks to the man's house. They came back to Willard, got the barrel of molasses they had worked for, and finally got back to Grouse Creek the first part of December after being away six weeks. A. F. divided the two hundred pounds of flour and the two dollars worth of sugar between Philip A. Paskett and himself. I forgot to mention the miller would not let Wm. P. Paskett have the sacks the flour was in, but insisted on dumping it into the seamless sacks the wheat was brought in.

By this time water was scarce and we were under the necessity of hauling water from way up the creek and we would haul ice in the water to make water for domestic use. Brother Benjamin F. Cooke thought he would try digging a well near his house and was agreeably surprised to find good water about sixteen feet down. It was not long before all the settlers had a well near their house, a benefit which was very much appreciated.

The people were counseled to move closer together so as to be more convenient for meetings and schools. So a number of families moved up to what was called Cooksville, about a mile above our present meeting house. Those who moved with their families were, Philip A. Paskett, Wm. C. Bitterdige, W. P. Paskett, Albert F. Richins, and David H. Toyn.

[I] took the following items from the Church chronology Sunday, 19 August 1877.At a special Conference held in Brigham City, Utah, the Box Elder Stake of Zion, was organized with Oliver G. Snow as president, Elisha A. Box and Isaac Smith as counselors. Bishops were also appointed for the smaller settlements; Samuel Kimball for Grouse Creek. The following is taken from the writer's journal: On July 18, 1879, the Grouse Creek Ward was organized, with Samuel H. Kimball as Bishop and Benjamin F. Cooke and Philip A. Paskett as counselors. Philip A. Paskett was ordained a High Priest by President Oliver G. Snow and set apart as second counselor to Bishop S. H. Kimball. The meeting was at the home of B. F. Cooke. Two days meeting were held. We received some good instructions.

I find that Jesse Morgan, wife and family also his father and other, his brothers, David Llewellyn and his sister, Amanda Barlow (who was at this time a widow with four little children), Joseph S. Barlow (who is our present Bishop) Alice, Mary Emily, and Jesse came from Fairfield, Utah, in 1878 and located at the mouth of Pine Creek. George Carson also came at the same time with his family, Jesse Morgan and Amanda Barlow afterwards moved down on the Cookville flat. We built a log tithing granary 15 X 15 feet on the inside. It had a rock floor and a dirt roof. We used it some for a school room. The writer taught school in it.

Richard E. Warburton, Alma Tanner and Valison Tanner started from Tooele for Grouse Creek November 10, 1875.They reached Newfoundland and there got snowed in till the next spring. The snow fall was unusually heavy that winter. They reached Grouse Creek April 30, 1876 and finally located on the West Creek which is now called Etna. We had an Indian killed two men near [Albion] and that they were troublesome over in Idaho. There was some excitement and the settlers moved together on the West Creek, and after holding a meeting decided to build a log fort for protection down at the forks of the creek. Said Fort was commenced but never finished. A man by the name of George McConky sent to the Governor of Utah requesting some rifles and ammunition so the settlers could protect themselves, so several cases of rifles and ammunition were received but the Indians gave us no further trouble.

On Jan. 3, 1879 a meeting was held in the house of Samuel H. Kimball for the purpose of organizing a water company. S. H. Kimball was elected chairman and Philip A. Paskett secretary of the meeting. After due deliberations on the prior rights were bought and a company was formed, known as the Irrigation Company of the East Fork of Grouse Creek, said company was afterward incorporated according to the laws of Utah.

It was on Sept. 15, 1880 a meeting was held at the house of Bishop Samuel H. Kimball for the purpose of reorganizing the Grouse Valley Ward; Bishop Kimball wishing to be released, Stake President Oliver G. Snow and Bishop Alvin Nichols of Brigham City were present. President Snow after talking a while said, “Now we'll give the saints here the privilege of choosing your own bishop so you may name who you want to be your bishop.” Charles Kimber, S., Philip A. Paskett, and William P. Paskett were named for that position. Charles Kimber received 20 votes, Philip A. Pasektt 19, and Wm. P. Paskett 11.Bishop Kimber chose Philip A. Paskett and Wm. P. Paskett as his counselors.

A few items in general – we had several very dry seasons with very little water for irrigation, but we continued to clear the land, using mostly the grubbing hoe for the purpose. We endured many hardships, but were greatly blessed in the health of the people. We were short of provisions sometimes. Mr. Samuel H. Case, a merchant of Terrace, was very kind to the people of Grouse Creek in letting them have provisions whether they could pay for them or not, he being willing to wait until they could. He did a great deal of good in that direction. Terrace was 25 miles away and in winter we had to travel 40 miles to reach it as we had to go around the mountain. Terrace was the place where we marketed our produce. It was on the Southern Pacific Railroad.

We had a good season in the year 1884.Here is an extract from the writer's journal: Sept. 28, 1884 we have had plenty of water this season and have raised extra good crops of fine quality corn and squash maturing, lucern [alfalfa] looking splendid. Oct. 19 – Beautiful weather, busy threshing grains Albert F. Richins had 1334 bushels. Wm. C. Bitteridge Sr., had 608 bushels and Wm. P. Paskett 696 bushels. The writer raised 460 bushels of fine volunteer wheat. It was a wet season.

Dec. 28, we were visited by Elder Lorenzo Hunsaker of Honeyville, and Darwin and Wm. Mecham of Park Valley who held two days meetings at the house of Wm. C. Bitteridge.A splendid spirit prevailed. The following named persons were ordained Seventies by Elder Hunsaker: James R. Simpson, Wm. C. Bitteridge Sr., Edward Kimber, Henry Hales, Albert F. Richins, Thomas Atkinson, David H. Toyn, and Benjamin H. Cooke. James R. Simpson was appointed temporary President of the Seventies in this Ward and Benjamin H. Cooke Secretary.

Another extract from my journal: May 16, 1885: We were visited by the three county selectmen, James Pitt, Carl Jenson, Wm. Lowe and County Surveyor, Nephi P. Anderson, who had come to locate and mark out a county road. The brethren attended meeting on Sunday and spoke to the saints. We had agreed time. On Monday the 18^th, I accompanied these men over the Hardesty Pass, over the “cut off” to the elbow on Grouse Creek and camped for the night. On Tue.19 went down the old California road 2� miles to the north line of Utah. Lorenzo Jensen of Brigham City drove the team. The writer carried a flag on horseback and stopped at different points while the surveyor made observations. Lorenzo Jensen plowed a furrow much of the way to mark where the county road was to be. The writer helped the county men until they reached the south line of section 10 in township 11 in Grouse Greek, or where Willie Shaw's farm is located. It was difficult to get hay as there was little on the East Creek or fork till we made a success. We were diligent in attending to our meetings and occasionally young and old engaged in the same dances. These were three things the saints lived up to pretty well. These were attending to Sunday meetings, attending to their prayers, and paying their tithing.

Martin DeWitt and family moved to Grouse Creek in 1878.Four sons-in-law came with him. They settled below the forks of the creek but afterwards moved to Idaho as the water was scarce at Grouse Creek.

A few extracts from the writer's journal: Cookesville, Dec. 11, 1892 – a meeting was held at the house of Marshall Grover for the purpose of attending to school business. David H. Toyn stated the object of the meeting, that it was the desire of the people to start a day school immediately. It was agreed that Philip A. Paskett be hired as teacher for $35.00 per month. He was released from acting as trustee and Marshal Grover appointed in his stead. Philip A. Paskett commenced school on the 19^th of December with 25 pupils namely: Mary Toyn, Alice Kimber, Ida Grover, Fannie Kimber, Emily E. Paskett, Eliza Richins, Charlotte Paskett, Moud Davis, Francis Toyn, Sarah Paskett, Edwin Shaw, James T. Shaw, James Bitteridge, John T. Bitteridge, John Haynes, Thomas Haynes, Henry Lee, Eli Lee, Isaac Lee, Alvin Lee, David A. Toyn, Robert Grover, Sam Grove, George D. Richins and James Simpson.

On March 9, 1883, the writer finished his school term. The school trustee and parents visited the school in the forenoon. We had an examination of the pupils. The parents expressed themselves as well satisfied with the way the children had learned during the term. We had songs and recitations, a dance in the afternoon for the children, and a dance in the evening for all. We enjoyed ourselves fine.

Mar. 27, 1883, a company dam and ditch were located in Bro. Lorenzo Richins' field afterwards known as the Morgan Dam by Wm. P. Paskett, Jesse Morgan, A. F. Cooke and Philip A. Paskett. The dam and ditch were finished the same week intersecting the main ditch the east side.

On Monday, Mar. 26, Clara Show started day school in the Tithing granary (A log building 15 x 15 feet, rock floor).

In August 1883, A. F. Cooke was elected Justice of the Peace, truly qualified and received his commission.

On Monday, Nov. 12, the writer being requested by the settlers to commence a day school, do so having 26 pupils. The terms were the teacher was to have $120.00 for a term of ten weeks, to be paid one dollar per head in cash and the balance in labor or anything else acceptable.

April 14, 1884, we now had a school district, no. 20.Two young ladies from Brigham City, Annie Gregerson and Ettis Madson, came to teach school. Miss Gregerson taught on the East Creek for $20.00 per month and Miss Madson on the West Creek for $25.00 per month.

Aug. 28, The following brethren and sisters paid us a visit: Apostle Lorenzo Snow, Pres. Oliver G. Snow, J. D. Burt, Alvin Nicholas (county Bishop), Charles Kelly, Sister Minnie Snow of Brigham City, Bishop Harper of North Willard and Bishop Carl Jensen of Bear River City. We held two meetings on the 28^th and had a fine time. Bro. Chas. Kelly reorganized the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Assn as follows: Philip A. Paskett, Pres.; James R. Simpson and Henry Hales as counselors; Bishop B. F. Cook, Secretary; and Wm. P. Paskett, treasurer. While here Apostle Lorenzo Snow blessed Evan Osborn Kimber, gave him the name Evan Osborn Kimber.

Bishop Nichols asked the writer if I would set as his agent in this Ward in receiving and handling the tithing. I said, “Yes, I'll do the best I can if you wish me to act as such.” “I suppose you will explain it to the Bishop so he'll understand it.” He said, “I'll see the Bishop about it." This was because the Bishop lived ten miles away.) So he told the bishop in my presence, “Bishop, I want Bro. Philip A. Paskett here to act as my agent to have sole charge of the tithing in this ward, to receive, sell and handle the tithing to the best advantage, but (humorously) if he does any crooked work with it, we shall hold you responsible for it.” (The latter was said in a half-joking way, but no doubt meant) So the writer handled the tithing for a number of years, going to Brigham City at the latter part of December and setting up, and with the assistance of Stake Clerk Severin N. Lee, making up the balance sheet each year.

Oct. 28, 1885 - We have had an extremely dry season and unfavorable for crops. The rabbits being very numerous are destroying considerable grain and other crops and even digging the potatoes up after eating the vines off.

On Oct. 24, 1885, Bro. William Lowe of Willard with a gang of men finished making a dug way up the big mountain between Grouse Creek and Terrace on the Keg Spring road, the dug way being nearly a mile in length. Those working on the road were: County selectman – Wm. Lowe, Peter Lowe, Ned Morgan, and three others. Percilla, daughter of Bro. Lowe, acted as cook. From Grouse Creek Wm. C. Bitteridge, Philip A. Paskett, Albert F. Richins, David H. Toyn, Wm. Show, Willie Show, B. F. Cooke, Henry Green, Wm. Boty, Frank Hales, and Heber S. Snow. Wm. Lowe stated he was surprised that as few men had done such an amount of work in so short a time, which was about twelve days.

On Nov. 5, the following brethren held meetings in the district school house: Stake President Oliver G. Snow, Bishop A. Nicholas, Bishop Jensen of Montua, Bishop Harper, Ex Judge Smith, J. C. Wixom, and N. P. Anderson. All the brethren addressed the meetings and gave good instructions.

Nov. 27, 1887, Sunday. We were visited by Apostle John W. Taylor, Seymour B. Young, Pres. Horton C. Haight, Moroni Picket, and Franklin Brim of the Cassia Stake, held two meetings and received timely instructions, had a splendid time.

On November 4, 1888, Bros. Adolphus Madson and Charles Kelly, counselors to Stake President, Rudger Clawson, visited Grouse Creek Ward. Held two meetings enjoying a spirit of freedom and feeling pleased with the spirit that existed here. They were favorably impressed with the place.

June 5, 1885, J. C. Wixom, Supt. of Sunday School and John D. Peters, Supt. of Day School, Sisters Amelia Graeht and Charlotte Squires visited Grouse Creek. J. C. Wixom spoke first at a meeting commencing at 2:00 p.m. J. D. Peters spoke in the interest of day schools. Both brethren spoke well. The sisters organized a Primary Association and appointed Sister Amanda Barlow President; Alice Kimber and Mrs. Atkinson as counselors, James W. Bitteridge secretary, Emily E. Paskett assistant secretary and Alice Barlow Treasurer.

July 12, 1889.This season we have suffered much from drought. The old creek channel being dry and has been so since March. The majority of our crops have scorched up. There has been plenty of work on the outside so the men folks could obtain money to get provisions. The drought continued year after year preceding date, still people feel hopeful.

There are a few items I should have mentioned earlier, in the earlier part of our settlement here the people passed through hardships, sometimes being without flour for several days at a time; also being without light, only having the light of the stove or fireplace.S ugar was a luxury, sometimes the people went hungry, some gathered greasewood greens, cooking and eating them. Their families increasing but none old enough to give much help to their parents. Their first grain was cut on the East Creek with an old fashioned “cradle”. And we very much appreciated it when in after years we got a self binder by cooperating together.

On the West Creek meetings were held every third Sunday in the month at which times meetings were suspended on the East Fork. Sunday School was on the West Fork Creek every Sunday. Those who took an active part were: Valison Tanner, Supt. and family, Richard E. Warburton and family, Chas. Lucas and family. In later years meetings on the West Creek were discontinued.

On the 23, June 1890, we were visited by some of the Stake authorities, Pres. A. Madson, Charles Kelly, Sister Widerborn, Pres. of Relief Society. Alvira Rees, Pres. of Primary, Bro. N. L. Lee, Stake Clerk, Bro. Munsake, David Booth, Maggie Widerborn, and Sister Minnie Snow, Pres. of Young Ladies Mutual Assn. A two day conference was held and a splendid time enjoyed.

On the 26 of March, 1891, our new log social hall 20 x 35 feet was finished and we had a dancing party. We bought an organ of A. A. Player for $75.00.Jas W. Bitteridge being the first to speak in that hall, we had a good time and Bishop Charles Kimber gave notice that he wished all church meetings to be held in the hall. It was built by voluntary donations and belonged to the Ward.

May 26, 1895, we were visited by Pres. Horton G. Haight of the Cassis Stake and Pres. Rudger Clawson and Chas. Kelly of the Box Elder Stake held a conference at which our Bishop, Charles Kimber Sr. resigned his position as bishop because of his age. We were transferred to the Cassia Stake of Idaho. David H. Toyn was sustained as Presiding Elder until when he was set apart as a bishop and ordained by Apostle John Henry Smith, and Wm. P. Paskett and Albert F. Richins sustained as his counselors, Apr. 20, 1896.

1900, Grouse Creek Valley is about 40 miles long and 15 miles wide from summit to summit and feed abundant on the range. Thousands of sheep were tailed from California and the owners after a few years would sell out and return to California with a little fortune, as sheep and wool at that time demanded a good price. Thousands of cattle and hundreds of horses feed on the range and gravitated further south as winter approached where they wintered well. At that time stockmen didn't think of feeding their range animals in winter.

Jan 5, 1901.We are having an open winter no snow on the ground and the weather mild.

Aug. 18, we have had an extremely hot and dry summer, some of the farmers pasturing their grain with their cows, because of the scarcity of water. Feed on the range burned up and many springs dried up but the people were not discouraged.

Frank Paskett, (son of the writer) left to go on a mission to the southern states and was to leave Salt Lake City on Oct. 10, 1906.Allen N. Tanner was called to go on a mission to Australia. Albert F. Richins was called on a mission to England Nov. 1903, the two years he was gone Charles Kimber acted in his place as counselor.

The season of 1906 was an unusually favorable one for the farmers. Oct. 1. Brother Valison Tanner met with a serious accident, falling off a load of hay and was paralyzed from his shoulders downward. He was taken to the hospital at Ogden but finally died. The Dr. said his neck was broken. They took some pieces of bone out.

Feb. 18, 1907. The winter so far has been quite mild and considerable rain fall.

Our day school and Sunday Schools have not been neglected; a nice school room was built of hewed logs and afterward a nice school room of dressed sand stone was built and qualified teachers engaged. A rock school room was also built on the West Creek, now called Etna.

June 14. When we arose this morning a strange light greeted our eyes. The trees were hung down with a heavy snow. The branches touching the ground and many of them broken and the trees injured.

Nov. We had had a very wet season the creek is booming. Wages are high and laboring men scarce. We have raised good crops. People are generally improving in circumstances and feeling well as they were raising bigger crops.

1909. We have had a prosperous season this year. A water pipe line has been completed conveying the water of Buckskin Springs to the homes of 30 farmers on the East Fork. The water right was purchased from Catlin Bros. and formed and incorporated with the following officers: David H. Toyn, President; Directors, Allen H. Tanner, Wm. P. Paskett, George R. Richins, and Parley R. Paskett; James W. Bitteridge, Secretary. Each one of the stock holders holds an equal right in the ownership and use of said water and at this writing the waters have been piped to the houses and corrals of those who wished it, and proves a great blessing and is a grand success so far. The company was formed for mutual benefit and not for money making. The pipe was wooden pipe 4 inch pipe for two miles and then two inch pipe for one, to run about a mile up the creek and about a half mile down. Some was three quarters inch galvanized pipe, altogether it cost nine thousand dollars which was soon raised (this pipe has since been replaced with iron pipe). Each of the 30 share holders paid $300.00 in cash.

Dec. 31, 1910. We have had a very dry season, yet the water held out well for irrigation; the writer raising 1200 bushels of oats and 65 bushels of wheat. The settlers were now engaged in building better houses and the people getting in fairly prosperous conditions.

Jan. 28, 1911. We are having a very mild winter, very little snow so far.

1912. On Sunday, November 17, we held Sunday School and Sacrament meeting for the first time in our new rock meeting house. A number of brethren were called upon to make a five minute talk each. Those who spoke were Bishop David H. Toyn, Wm. P. Paskett, Albert F. Richins, Philip A. Paskett, Lorenzo Richins, Richard E. Warburton, George A. Blantham, Allen N. Tanner, Joseph Barlow, James Cooke, Miles E. Wakefield, Charles C. Toyn, and Jens Anderson. This is the fourth meeting house the saints have built; beginning with a small log house. The Bishop and his counselors were visibly affected the way the brethren appreciated their labors and responsibility in having the house built. The meeting house was built of white sand stone and was a good size. (I haven't got just the dimensions.) Has a basement for amusement, basketball, plays, shows, etc. The house has a number of classrooms besides the main meeting room and all together cost about ten thousand dollars. (The Ward records were accidentally burned up.)

April 12, 1913. We have had a very cold winter. In January the small pox made its appearance in the family of Wm. P. Paskett, supposed to be brought from Ogden. The writer was appointed quarantine officer. The county physician came and pronounced it small pox, there were 71 cases reported, some had it lightly and some so bad they were almost beyond recognition. No one proved fatal. There was one thing that was not quarantined, that was the faith and prayers of the saints. The county physician said it was a remarkable record as far as he knew, without parallel. The last of these cases was released from quarantine after fumigation on March 29, 1913.

One case I would like to mention, that of Mrs. Josephine Kimber, who was in a delicate condition. She was covered with pimples from head to foot, could hardly stand up or lie down. Her life seemed to hang in the balance for a number of hours. Her mother was sent for, in a few days Mrs. Kimber gave birth to a baby girl; it had pimples on it when it was born. Mother and child lived alright. The doctor said it was wonderful. The baby was Fern. Mrs. Kimber had eleven cases in her family; James Cooke had nine in his family.

Aug. 7, 1913. This summer has been noted for the unusual fall of rain. Crops were good but some hay was damaged.

1917. On Monday evening April 21, there was a meeting in the meeting house. Present: Apostle A. R. Richards, W. McMurrin, Stake President John A. Eliason, (we had now been transferred to the Raft River Stake) Jos. Harper, Bishop David H. Toyn, and his counselors. Opened with singing; prayer by Philip A. Paskett, Elder Richards made a few remarks, after which he offered the dedicatory prayer, dedicating the new house. The old bishopric were released after appropriate remarks stating that the old bishopric had worked together for over twenty years and thought they had earned an honorable release. So it was put to a vote and carried. Joseph S. Barlow was proposed and sustained as bishop and Frank Paskett and John Hadfield sustained as his counselors. An excellent spirit prevailed; there were 200 (?) present.

On July 26, 1916, Philip Paskett was set apart as a member of the Raft River Stake High Council by Pres. Henry Belnap.

May 31, 1917. The past winter has been a very severe one. Thousands of sheep and cattle have died down on the winter range, south of here. Hay has fetched $35.00 a ton and sometimes could not be obtained for that. The people of Grouse Creek lost some cattle, sheep, and horses, but not as many as in some places.

Oct. 2, 1918. We are having an unusually mild season this year, no frost yet this fall. Squash, cucumbers, string beans, and green peas are doing well, something rare for Grouse Creek.

July 19, 1919. Charles C. Toyn was appointed superintendent of Sunday School.

May 31, 1921. We were awakened by young Willi Snow, who had run up on the front porch and cried out, “Grandpa, our house is on fire.” I jumped out of bed and asked him if his mother (my daughter) was safe, but he was gone. He was barefooted and in his night clothes. I looked out a four bedroom window and could see the house all on fire, the flames roaring out of the window. I gave the alarm on the phone and dressed quickly and ran to the burning house. I looked around for the mother (Emily Snow) and found her down in the lat in her long night dress holding her two children, one in each hand and gazing as the burning building. She had a drawer containing valuable papers which was all she had time to save. She said, “Well, Father, this is all I had time to save”, showing me the drawer. I was I was glad to see her and the children alive. The neighbors soon gathered round but could do nothing to save the building. The people rallied to their assistance and soon helped the victims of the fire materially.

On August 7, 1921, Bishop Joseph S. Barlow was appointed second counselor to Pres. John A. Elison and on Aug. 14, Wilford Richins was appointed and ordained bishop of the Grouse Creek Ward in his stead, with John Hadfield and Thomas E. Kimber as his counselors.

There had been plenty of water this season and crops have been unusually good. We have had a good crop of fruit this season. People feeling much encouraged.

Mar. 8, 1922. We are having the severest winter and more snow than we have had for 46 years. Many livestock have died, range stock mostly. There is no indication of winter breaking up at this date.

Feb. 1924. We are having a very mild winter, some farmers plowing and harrowing at this date. The season just past has been an unusually dry one, crops are one third of the average.

Dec. 31, 1925. The season of 1925 has been a very wet one, and good crops raised – such a season was much appreciated. I may say our day school has been going successfully, all the time that is in the school season. A fine school house has been built of pressed sandstone with four commodious rooms and costing about $9,000.00 and at present three teachers are engaged, a principal and two lady teachers and the school is a success.