Scipio Story

PREFACE
I started to put this little history together JET my kids so that they could have it to remember Scipio. A place where they lived and grew up. It started out with just a few pictures and some captions under the pictures and as I was talking about what I was doing with others and trying to gather some information on some of the pictures I took, the project mushroomed. Before, I knew it I had so much information I wasn't sure what to do with it. I hope that you will enjoy the stories and the pictures. At least have as much fun reading the information, as I had putting it together JET you. As I have traveled and people ask where I am from I am amazed at the people who know where Scipio is or they know someone who is from Scipio. And most of the experiences that they have had with Scipio is positive. Gwen. Monroe once said "Make Scipio -proud of you, and be proud of Scipio." I think that pretty well says it all,
I hope that as you read of the struggles of the early pioneers and their determination to live in this little valley, you will better understand you heritage. It took a lot of people working together to make this valley what it is.
Whether it is called Graball, Round Valley or Scipio always be proud of where you came from. There is a lot of good people here who would help you in any way that they can. It is a community that will pull together in good times as well as bad.A BRIEF HISTORY OF SCIPIO
By Gwen Monroe
Be proud to say, "I'm from Scipio!"; and always make Scipio proud of you.
The first scouts and surveyors in the territory called this area Lake Valley and Round Valley. Lake Valley because of the lake in the area known as "the pond fields" by many of us and Round Valley because of the position of the mountains surrounding the valley. Such a lake was formed in the valley in the winter of 1922-23 and again in 1983-84.
The first settlers in this valley made a simple log homes on the little stream that ran around the base of the mountains to the southeast of the present townsite. They
-called their settlement "Graball". The reason for this name seems to have been lost in time.
They lived there several years taking up land to farm and improving the irrigation systems. But on the advice 04 Brigham Young, the present townsite was surveyed and the people moved and made their homes on the floor of the valley. This was to make them safer from marauding Indians and put the town and the highway running from Salt Lake City to St. George and on to California.
Tradition tells us that during the annual visit of President Young and company the question of giving the town
,a name came under consideration. A Mr. Carmen suggested the name of "SCIPIO". This was in honor of Scipio A. Kenner who was with the group and often traveled with Brigham Young as secretary and telegrapher. All the men were standing near the southeast corner of the present public square. Turning to Mr. Kenner, President Young said, "Yes, Scipio, we will name it after you.
This story has also been, confirmed by members of the Kenner family who settled and lived in Manti, Utah.
The name Scipio comes from a famous Roman family. Publius Cornelius Scipio was a Roman general who finally defeated the Carthaginian leader Hannibal. His family had great influence =Roman life and politics +or many years.
So Round Valley became "Scipio" and was later incorporated and its best claim to fame would be the people such as the Monroe's, Memmott's, Proberts, Ivie's and others it has produced and sent into the world where their influence has been felt.
When the first settlers came to the valley in 1859-60 to take up farms, Ben Johnson had a mail station in the canyon pass in the southwest and of the valley. Here mail frown Salt Lake City was delivered periodically. Later it was a stop for stage coaches traveling the main road to California.
Scipio was fortunate to be on the main road and was not
,isolated as some of the other Mormon settlements. because of its location, much needed goods could be ordered and delivered to the people in the valley. They were, for the most part, self-sustaining. They always welcomed the opportunity to obtain goods to make life more pleasant. Unlike today, when we can telephone orders that are put into a computer and on a jet plane and then an fast moving trucks for delivery, the pioneers waited months for something they had ordered.
Horse power was the only way to move goods. My great-grandfather Moroni Monroe along with Thomas and James Memmott, among others, were excellent teamsters and did a lot of freighting from Utah to Nevada.
The history of Scipio tells us that early in 1866 a man called "Sold Digger Peterson' came with goods which he freighted from California. Maria Sorenson sold the goods for him. Tea was $1.00 per pound. This was the first and about the only store in town until 1669 when a co-op store was organized. Henry MacArthur was Manager.
Henry MacArthur kept a record of sales in the store and the book has been preserved by the family. LaMar quoted from the book and it is very interesting to know the things they bought and the prices they paid.
A TYPICAL DAY
Pioneer life was difficult at best. To get life's bare necessities was a tremendous task.
The men left the home early to round up the horses. They were harnessed and hitched to a wagon, plow, harvester or whatever equipment had to be used that day. The arid land required irrigation--a monumental task to bring water to the thirsty ground. They worked-from sun up to sun down.
The pioneer women not only had the work of the house to do, but they helped to care for the sheep, chickens and other animals. They had to do the washing, spinning, winding, knitting and weaving of the wool. They made blankets and quilts. Curing meat, candle--dipping, soapmaking, gardening, cooking, preserving and caring for the sick were some of their other duties.
No push buttons, micro-waves, refrigerators or supermarkets in pioneer days! Woman's work was never done.
To do the family wash, water must be hauled from a stream or well--kettles--heated over a fire and then, with homemade soap, scrubbed on a scrubbing board. Wringing by hand and hanging to dry out in the weather is a far cry from our automatic washers and dryers of today.
Churning butter was usually a task assigned to the children. The cream saved from many milkings had to be stirred for hours to make it separate from the whey.
A typical day in pioneer times was a busy time. But, they found time to visit with friends and neighbors and to do church and community work as well.
IRRIGATION IN SCIPIO
Since water was the vital element needed to assure the success of a settlement, every stream, spring or trickle was scouted and appraised. This Round Valley was abounding in grass as the first scouts surveyed it but water seemed scarce. A small creek of water ran along the base of the mountains to the south. It came some distance from an upper valley but men of vision saw the possibilities of augmenting the system and bringing ample water to the valley.
I quote from a history written by George Monroe.
"In the 1651 year of our Lord one Thomas Robins, with Richard Johnson explored the-valley in search of water and found that water could be got. They at that time staked out a parcel of land up the creek, a place called "the gap". In the year 1860 Thomas Robins, William Robins, James Mathews, Elias Pierson, John Brown, Samuel Kershaw, Benjamin Johnson, settled in Round-Valley, now called Scipio and used said water. It was found that more water could be got by applying labor to the Maple grove springs. One Samuel Kershaw told me this at Beaver and invited George Monroe, John Memmott, William Shelton, Thomas Yardley to come and do the necessary work and settle there with them in the early spring of 1861. So said four men with their families moved to Round Valley and commenced the work and collected the water in the Maple grove springs together and conveyed down to the lake. We also the same spring commenced to build a dam at the mouth of the lake to hold back the water until we needed to irrigate.
Culinary water for home use came from one of two "big ditches passing through the town or from wells dug in the yard. A good piped water system was not installed until the mid 1920's. People and cattle drank from the same water supply.
Brigham Young thought the valley could accommodate more people. He advised the settlers to do everything possible to increase the water supply. They formed an irrigation company and it is recorded that in 1880 they made a new ditch above the reservoir and in 1892 the company bought the Little and Walker ranch. This is now known as the Town ranch. This action greatly increased the water in their reservoir.
On February 28, 1886 the Scipio reservoir dam broke, covering over one hundred acres of plowed land. The dam, built of sod and brush, was not strong enough to hold the increased supply of water. That early spring a larger and stronger dam was built of rock. The dam has been heightened and strengthened several times. Wells have been dug and every effort made to utilize the available valuable resource--water--still so vital to this valley.
MAKING ENTERTAINMENT
Although pioneer life was hard, they believed in playing and found time to entertain themselves with things of culture. They prepared and presented plays. They put on musicals, had variety programs, gave readings, skits, sang songs and danced. In later years troupes of traveling entertainers would stop in Scipio and perform and give the townspeople an opportunity to see "professionals".
Scipio history notes that in 1898 The Scipio home Dramatic Club and Elocution Class was organized with Mrs. Kitty Robins as chairman, Lizzy Y. Thompson and Josephine Memmott assistants. They gave many plays and evening entertainments. Also assisting in many of the entertainments given by the different Ward organizations.
Sports of every kind became part of the leisure time of the pioneers. They ran races, played ball, had wrestling and boxing matches. Showing off their horsemanship skills was also a way of enjoying a little free time.
Dancing was a part of their entertainment. The Saints were encouraged in this socialability and it seemed they danced at the slightest excuse. It is recorded that when the Relief Society Hall was completed in December 1894, a dance was held in it that evening.
Wood dances were held in the Fall. The men went to the hills to get a winters supply of fuel for the many stoves in the hall and classrooms of the church. They danced every night of the Christmas Holiday. Babies, too small to be left at home, were bundled up and brought to the dance. Having a small baby was no excuse to stay home. Many "matches" were made here.
The town produced many fine musicians who gave of their time generously to play for the dances and entertainment% and to accompany singers. It is recorded that a brass band was organized in 1894 with Christ Talstrup as chairman. Pioneer life way a little less trying when they could look forward to good entertainment and a break from the every chores.
Each fourth and twenty-fourth of July was commemorated and, celebrated with patriotic speeches, music, and drama. Parades were often held. One such program featured a sham battle between pioneers and Indians. Wesley Martin and Jack Johnson dressed as pioneers. They came from the north in a covered wagon chased by Indians. Levoy Memmott, Clay Peterson and other boys of that age dressed as Indians mounted on horses with bows and arrows. Some had shotguns.
The cowboys came to the rescue. They were Colley and Afton Memmott and other fellows of that age. They chased the, lndians off. Featured were Marlin Hansen and Rube Quarnbers as "Mutt" and "Jeff". Merlin, on Ribe's big horse and Rube on Merlin's burro. As the Indians went by Rube dropped off the burro in the middle of the road, cocked his long rifle and fired. The shell flipped out and hit Rube right between the eyes. He layed put as if he were dead. But he "weren't".
RODEO-IN SCIPIO
It was important to the people of the valley to have good horses. They were vital to making a living and providing for families. The men took great pride in their animals and developing horsemanship. They engaged in roping contests, pulling matches and matched races.
The Scipio Rodeo came as a development of these skills. It was sponsored by The Commercial Club and the town. It was the only one in this part of the state. This event was held for two days in August. Horses were furnished by the Ed Ivie family and Moore's Ranch. Cattle were rounded up of f the summer range.
People came from far and near to watch and to take part. A small entrance fee was charged each rider and each rider won some money. Many of the riders rode just for money. About one and a half acres were fenced off adjoining the Amusement Hall. Sates and shutes were built at the west end of the hall. I Arch, Quarnberg and Irvin Monroe were the pick up men and Hubert Quarnberg was the announcer. He rode to each corner of the arena with a megaphone and informed the crowd about what was happening.
Among the riders were Matt Croper, Lew Perkins, Joe Curtis and Bill Ivie. Ethel Robins was the best girl, steer rider and Leo Probert was top cow rider. Tex Prichard would bull-dog a steer off the running board of an old car.
Concessions were spaced around the outer rim of the grounds. On the street, to the north, rides and games were set up for the children. After each day's rodeo, prize fights or wrestling matches were held. The day ended in a big dance at night.
When Scipio stopped producing rodeos, Nephi picked up the action and the Ute Stampede was born.
FUN FOR THE YOUNG Young people in Scipio made their own fun. Sleigh riding, skating, horseback riding, swimming in the big ditch, were all great fun, The main stay for most young people were the parties. There were all sorts of parties. Chicken roasts, ice cream parties, oyster stews, candy pulls were some of the favorites. They seemed to happen an Sunday evening when there wasn't much else to do, A group would get together and a party just happened- One time we milked the neighbors cows on Sunday afternoon to get milk to make ice cream.
Sometimes the girls would plan a candy party without the boys, however, some way the boys always found out the time and place. When the candy was put on the window still to cool, a raid was on and some of the candy would disappear. All in fun as was expected.
Milking the neighbors cows in the afternoon or borrowing a few chickens from someone was not a sin and to some degree was expected. The older folk would sputter and fume but nothing ever came of it.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES
Because the "Gospel" had been the motivation for the saints to come to the valleys of the Rocky Mountains, they. soon erected a place of worship wherever they settled. And so it was with the families called by Brigham Young to settle Round Valley. They came in 1859-60 and built log homes on the stream that meandered in to the south end of the valley, close to the mountains. .,Then they built a log building for a church and school.
History tells us there were about 25 students. Thomas Memmott was the teacher. He received grain, vegetables and meat for his services.
A few years later, when the people moved from Graball to the new townsite another log school and meeting house was built a block north of the town square, it is recorded that on January 9, 1B65 a meeting was held to decide upon some indebtedness and also some furniture needed for the school. They decided to charge each settler forty-five pounds of wheat.
From the Millard Milestones we read, "1873-74--a one room
school house was built an the public square. When it was
nearly completed the west end of the building blew in. This
happened on January 3, 1874 and the building was not
completed until July of that same year. In the large room,
two teachers taught school--one in each end of the room.
This was not satisfactory and in August 1893, a petition was
put in dividing the room into two parts. This building
was used for school and church purposes until 1895 when the
school trustees sold their part of the building to the
church for $550.00. It was this year that a two story brick
school building was completed. It stood where the sewing
plant now stands and served as a community center for many
years.''
CHOIRS IN SCIPIO
Music is solace to the soul, and music was an important part of pioneer life. The leaders encouraged the people to cultivate the arts and "If there is anything virtuous,' lovely or of good report or praiseworthy we seek after these things.''
These stalwart men and women were in this arid land because of their faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they sang anthems to his name. Chairs were a part of worship service and funerals for the departed. The meeting house had seats at the side &-the podium arranged to accommodate the choir members.
Thomas Memmott conducted the chair for several years and loaned his organ to be used until a new organ could be purchased. In September 1880 the first new organ was bought for the church house at a cost of one hundred thirty dollars.
And so the people sang and the Ward halls have been full of the music of choirs singing to the Lord.
INDIANS IN SCIPIO HISTORY
The Indians in the area were Utes and Pahvants. Brigham Young had encouraged the Mormons to make friends with the Indians, to feed them rather than to fight them. The Indians, feeling their hunting grounds were being encroached upon, would often raid the livestock of the pioneer settlements. In the 1860's the Indians grew troublesome and the effects of the Black Hawk War reached Scipio. On June 10, 1866 an Indian raid resulted in many cattle and horses being taken and James R. Ivie and Henry Wright were killed. The next day Panicari, and old friendly Indian, was killed by James A. Ivie, son of-James R. Ivie,
In the fall of 1666, because of the troubles with the Indians, the people built a fort and moved into it. The fort consisted of one-room log homes joined together with mud walls to form a square. The exits were on the north and east sides. All-the homes wore whitewashed. At night the men took turns guarding the fort and the cattle which were in a corral just outside the fort. Henry McArthur was the only settler who did not move into the fort. His home was across the road north and apparently he didn't feel it necessary. The settlers moved out of the fort in 1867, but the Indian troubles persisted. In October 1868, the last Indian raid was made on Scipio. One hundred horses and three hundred cattle and milk cows were taken.
William Robins was appointed by the government as an interpreter of the Indians. This helped in making peace with the Indians. -It is recorded that on February 51 1869 Indian Chief Black Hawk, principal in the last Indian war, held a meeting of peace at Scipio.
The Indians were not all bad. They used to come from Kanosh to beg for food. On one such trip a young buck went to the home of Thomas Memmott and insisted on some money, Thomas couldn't get rid of him until, Thomas dropped his upper false teeth onto his tongue and struck them out at the Indian. The Indian's eyes grew large, He cleared the front gate without touching it. Needless to say, Thomas wasn't bothered with that begging Indian again.
On another such trip by the Indians, Saubaquin, the chief, came along. They camped on the lot south of the Scipio ball park. Saubaquin took the horses to the big ditch to water them while the rest went out to beg. Bishop Robins walked out into the street to shake hands with "Old Saub" and bid him welcome. The horses jumped sideways and the old Indian fell to the ground, breaking his leg.
A few days later, the "spit-and-whittle boys" walked down to see Saub. One of-them asked how he broke his leg. Saub just said; "Too dam mutchy he-do-you-do Bishop!".
DID YOU NOTICE
Did you ever notice that everyone in Scipio had a good fence around their lot in town? it was a must. There were all sorts of fences, but they were good and kept up well.
Good vegetables and flower gardens were kept too but not close to the fences.
Farmers who didn't have a well would come from the field, unharness their horses and turn them loose in the street to go to the big ditch to water. Some of these horses were left in the street all night. In the morning the horses would be rounded up for work. Then the milk cows would be turned into the street.
More conscientious people would take their cows to the Little Hill east of town to graze. Or, they would take them to a field to pasture. But, some cows were left in the streets all day. Sometimes the town marshall would round up these animals and put them in the stray pen. The owner was charged five cents to fifteen cents per head to get them out. At that price it was still cheap pasture.
To this day, as you drive around the town, you will lee .well kept fences around the lots. Good fences make good neighbors.
CARS
I do not know when the first car came to Scipio. I do remember a small, one seat car with the engine in the rear. It belonged to Andreas Peterson. When he started it, it would alert everyone in every part of Scipio. I don't know where the gas came from.
In about 1915 or 1916 Will Memmott bought a Model T Ford. Then Charles Memmott bought one. Jense Peterson put in a gas pump for service. Studebakers and other large cars were brought in by Will Hatch, Orvil Thompson and others. Monroe's and Henry Miller got Dodges. It was a real mark of progress to the community.
Tie posts and hitching rails were soon replaced by gas pumps. Car races on Sunday afternoon replaced the horse races. In some cases, good horses were pitted against the early vintage cars. It was interesting and a change.
These old cars seemed to become more fun and more useful as they grew older. der. Clif 1 Memmott would take a I load of kids ids to Scipio Lake where they would meet other young people. He would pull his old "fliver" out on the ice. We would tie ropes to the car and he would drag us around the lake, playing pop-the-whip.
Some families would jack-up one hind wheel and then fasten a pully to the spokes of the wheel and run a belt to a 16" or 18" circular saw. *They would saw up the winter's wood supply. This would save alot of chopping and chips.
Two fellows by the name of Craig and Bosselman, plowed their farm out by the "Tater Knoll" pulling a plow behind a Model T Ford. We found many uses for our cars. At first, they were very few. Now, everyone has one, two or three all parked at their places.
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SAMIE CURLING
Written and Complied by
Clayton E. and Mary E. Memmott
The call to Zion --"the gathering"-- was a call that greatly influenced the course of, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint history. As the call was issued, over eighty-five thousand LDS emigrants crossed the treacherous oceans. They !aced the danger, of storm and disease to face an unknown future in an untamed country.
"This religious impulse among believers was described by one LDS emigrant in these words: 'I believed in the principle of the gathering and felt it my duty to so although it was a severe trial to me, in my feelings to leave my native land and the pleasing associations that I had formed there, but my heart was fixed.' Thousands followed that same gospel star to Zion. (Ensign, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; July, 1991; page 7)
The Church leaders chartered only the most seaworthy ships, and it is to be noted that in over a fifty-year period not one group of LDS emigrants was lost in the Atlantic. Some of the crossings were almost like pleasure cruises while others seemed like horror stories.
Some of the hardships faced were overcrowding, storms, seasickness, diseases such as cholera and dysentery, discouragement, loss of lives, damaged ships, fear of the ocean , I loneliness , etc.
Because of the hardships +aced by the emigrants, specific patterns of living on the ships were established. Strict sanitation and frequent fumigation was practiced. The passengers (sick and well) were ordered to spend time in good weather on the deck of the ship to promote good health. Other distractions for the hardships were needlework, games, reading, religious services, prayer meetings, etc.
John Memmott, %on of Thomas Memmott and Sarah Wilden Memmott, left England to answer the call of "the gathering"--a call that changed his life's direction and the direction of his-family, and our ancestral history. With him was his wife Jul i a Wilson, I son, and his five children Sarah, Martha, Thomas, John Alma, and Anna Laura. On April 22, 1855 they boarded the Samie Curling. Their passage of the Atlantic took only thirty days, as they arrived in New York Harbor, New York on -May 22, 1855. Brother Israel Barlow was their director.
The Samie Curling was one at many sailing ships employed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to transport the Saints from England to America.
Ship Captains were eager to be commissioned by the church for this undertaking. The Saints were a pleasure to have an board. Whenever they sailed, the Saints took over cleaning the ship. The ship was spotless. In addition, the Saints maintained order and board. The Captain and his crew could just relax ax and enjoy the trip.
When boarding the ship, the single men would be housed on the boarding side. Families were assigned to the middle and the single women the far side of the ship. This helped to maintain order as the trips usually took about thirty days to complete. The ship was loaded to capacity making it very crowded on the trip. Sickness was common, but with the care the saints gave to the ship and people, sickness was kept to a minimum.
Travel on ships, such as the Samie Curling, was often difficult, but in time, the conditions were improved. We are grateful to John Memmott and family far responding to "the gathering," and for +allowing the gospel direction to Zion. For in his following this gospel direction, he has affected the lives of all those who have followed him.

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