Fort Union

Left; Mrs. Silas Richards; center: The first tree planted in Urdon; right: Mr. Charles Sharp. Fort Union By George Lee Sharp If you should motor to the countryside, some ten miles south and east of Salt Lake City, you would come upon a quiet and unobtrusive settlement, old, retired and quaint. This place you will find, upon inquiry, to be Fort Union, a relic of the "Mormon" settlements encouraged by Brigham Young during the period of expansion. Ajs you motor along a winding, dusty roadway, fringed with cottonwoods and willows, and sometimes not fringed at all, the tinkle of cow bells, drifting softly from the neighboring pastures, will reach your ears and cause you to gaze into the distance towards the meadows. You would see as you gazed, fields of waving grain enclosed with willow fences and dotted here and there with buildings and lively farmyards. Beyond the meadowlands, encircling the little valley, you would see a series of gently rolling hills. Then as you crossed the many gurgling streams of water, heard the songs of myriads of birds, saw the groups of sheltering trees and the buildings of the goodly farmers, adding a touch of civilization to it all, you would be reminded of Sleepy Hollow, only, of course, you would not see the shimmering Hudson in the distance nor th<, cozy farmhouse of Van Tassel. You would ride thus for some time, drinking in the untir- ing landscape, until not far in the distance you would sight a grove of stately poplars towering high above a group of build-

802 IMPROVEMENT ERA ings. Upon closer observation you would notice a square brick church, a tiny store, and an amusement hall of goodly propor- tions. Then if you said to yourself, "This is the heart of Union," you would have spoken wisely. The history of Union may not differ greatly from the history of other early settlements, but inasmuch as Union is typically pioneer in its foundation and development, a brief sketch may recall to mind the great work of our forefathers in the making of the land of Zion. I visited the site of the old stockade, formerly known as Fort Union, while seeking direct information on typical "Mormon" pioneer landmarks, and from some of the gray-haired pioneers I obtained an account of the founding, growth and expansion of the settlement. Not long after the arrival of the pioneers in Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young saw the necessity of expansion. Families were, therefore, sent into the outlying districts to make their homes and to till the soil, and it was partly the response to this call for new settlements that led to the founding of Union, now containing a population of about 500. Some of the most notable settlers in the upbuilding of the colony were: Elijah Cox, Robert Pate, Silas Richards, Rufus Forbush and his father, Thomas Ferry, Thomas Smart, and Warren Foote. Several families moved to the place and took unto themselves the task of making the soil productive. Things were progressing at a rapid rate when the famous Walker Indian War began, stopping the work of industrv for the more pressing task of providing protection. Orders were sent out for the "Mormons" to construct forts to afford protection from the marauding Indians, and so it was that Fort Union came to be built. Every able-bodied man put much of his time into building the fort walls, which were made of adobes, rock, and mud plaster. The walls were twelve feet high, four feet thick at the bottom, and two feet thick at the top. The ten acre tract of land on which the stockade stood was given by Warren Foote, one of the early settlers. Inside the fort ran a clear mountain stream which furnished a constant supply of water to the pioneers, in case they were forced to occupy the stockade. A road, running east and west, was constructed, this being the only road in the fort. It was after these details had been completed that the peo- ple set about to build a meeting house where they could go to church, have school, and present entertainments. The meeting

FORT UNION 803 house, when completed was about twenty by thirty-five feet, and was constructed of adobes. Silas Richards was the first bishop and also the first school teacher. His counselors in Church affairs were a Mr. Wilson and William Smith, Mr. Clements acted as clerk, this office being filled later by Charles Sharp, in 1861. Bishop Richards was also made justice of the peace and filled the position of postmaster. Union was by this time becoming almost independent. The stockade included a blacksmith shop owned by Charles Nolan; a carpenter shop conducted by Charles Pulsifer, and a store erected in one corner of the fort and managed by Mr. Proctor. Top left: The old Fort road. Right: The first meeting house; Bottom, left: Tlie oldest house] in Union; the oldest stable in Union. Advancing still further along the lines of trades some of the men went as far as to construct and operate a molasses mill some distance from the fort. A grist mill was also built, located to the southeast of the fort wall. Primitive sawmills came into opera- tion, and shingles began to replace the earth-covered roofs used up to this time. When rumors were rife that Johnston's army was on its way to Deseret, many of the settlers moved southward, some of the prominent families going to St. George. This movement was from 1857 to 1858. The Indian troubles passed, leaving Union unmolested.

804 IMPROVEMENT ERA The people spread out to settle on the adjoining fertile lands, and the old fort was abandoned. Farming was then, as now, the chief occupation of the settlers, the rich loamy soil, the abund- ance of water, and the ideal climatic conditions being encourag- ing, indeed, to agricultural pursuits. We pass briefly over the founding and growth of Fort Union. It is not in the least unusual or striking, but when coupled with a visit to the old landmarks it arouses in one that deep feeing of wonderment and respect for the trailbreakers of Utah. Even as we glance over the scenes, near and far, we realize that although the inhabitants have spread out and culti- vated the soil, Union, for some unknown reason, has retained the elements of unspoiled nature, the atmosphere of quiet and wild- erness. Perhaps it is destined to live quietly on — a relic of the times when the sound of the warwhoop mingled with the voice of prayer. Sandy, U*<ah, R. D. No. 1. The Goal My boy, for what goal are you aiming? The top of some high mountain peak? Do you find the path rugged and rocky? Does your heart grow weary, your body grow weak? Look forward and upward! Go onward! Do not glance back with sighs of regret. The view from the top is worth striving for. Without trying, you never can get To the land of a true heart's desire, To the goal honest manhood should set. Do you wish the respect of the noble? True friendship of men do you seek? Do the mockings and jeers of the idle Make your journey seem useless, your purpose seem weak? Look forward and upward! Go onward! Do not quit when the goal is in sight. The view from the top is worth striving for. Keep trying with all of your might For the things you want, and are working for. Keep on and you will win the fight. Does the task you are doing seem irksome? The work of each day commonplace? Are you trying with earnest endeavor, To climb to the top, and there for yourself make a place? Look forward and upward! Go onward! By shirking you never can win. The things you will gain are worth striving for. Push cheerfully onward, and then You will find that which you most value: The love and respect of your fellow men. Salt Lake City Velora Darger