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Manuscripts

Essays on pioneer life in Arizona [microform] : approximately 1930

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  • Three essays on Mormons in Arizona [microform] : after 1913

    Three essays on Mormons in Arizona [microform] : after 1913

    Manuscripts

    Microfilm of three typescript essays by Evans Coleman, and which primarily trace the history of the Alpine, Nevada, area. The first essay, entitled "Firsts in Alpine," describes early events in shaping the settlement, including the arrival of the first settlers and the introduction of agricultural implements, a school, and mail service. The second essay, "Land Transactions in the Eighties," is a brief account of the influx of Mormon pioneers to the Alpine area and the decision of the first settler, a non-Mormon named Bush, to sell his land in the area. The final essay is a biography of Coleman's mother, Emma Beck Coleman (1840-1913). The account reads like an autobiography and is written in the first person as Emma. It describes the nomadic lifestyle Emma and her family were forced to lead as they faced persecution in Illinois and Missouri, and describes the hardships of traveling in wagons, specifically focusing on the discomfort suffered by the pack animals and Emma's recollections of going hungry. It briefly traces Emma's life in southern Utah, her move to Alpine, Arizona, in 1881, and her eventual settlement in Thatcher in the Gila Valley in 1899.

    MSS MFilm 00128

  • Life sketches of Arizona pioneers [microform]: c.1929-1940

    Life sketches of Arizona pioneers [microform]: c.1929-1940

    Manuscripts

    Microfilm of 17 brief typescript biographies of Mormon pioneers to Arizona. Many of the biographies were written by Belva Willis Ballard, including those of Samuel Parish (1798-1873), Frances Reed Willis (1840-1924), John Henry Willis (1835-1886), William Wesley Willis, Sr. (1811-1872), Shadrach Roundy (1789-1872), Priscilla Parish Roundy (1833-1914), and Lorenzo Wesley Roundy (b.1819). Also included are a life sketch of Lulu J. Hatch Smith (b.1876) by her daughter Alice Smith Hansen, a sketch of Samuel Francis Smith (b.1873) by his daughters Alice Smith Hansen and Emma Smith Dewey, a sketch of Lois B. Hunt (1837-1885) by May Hunt Larsen, a sketch of May Louise Hunt Larson (b.1860) by Nettie Hunt Rencher, and biographies by unnamed relatives of Alice Hansen Hatch (b.1837), Smith Doolittle Rogers (b.1852), Eliza Snow Smith (1859-1927), John Albert Freeman (b.1860), Sarah Adaline Hall Freeman (1860-1901), James Irving Youngblood (1837-1883), and Susan Hamilton Youngblood (d.1926). Included throughout the biographies are references to conversions to Mormonism, the death of Joseph Smith and the expulsion of the Mormons from Nauvoo, overland journeys to Utah, life in Toquerville, Parowan, and Beaver, Utah, life in Snowflake, Arizona, and experiences in the Mormon Battalion (see William Wesley Willis). Most of the sketches appear to have been written from 1929-1940.

    MSS MFilm 00090

  • Remembrances in the life of Charles Edmund Richardson [microform]: approximately 1934

    Remembrances in the life of Charles Edmund Richardson [microform]: approximately 1934

    Manuscripts

    Microfilm of a typescript autobiography of Charles Edmund Richardson, edited and typed in approximately 1934. It opens with recollections of the early life of Richardson's mother Mary Ann Darrow Richardson (1818-1872), including her conversion to Mormonism while stuck in Salt Lake City on the way to Oregon (despite her early fears of "dreadful Mormons"). He also writes briefly of his father, Edmund Richardson (1816-1874). The autobiography then recalls Richardson's early life in Manti and Springville, and includes many anecdotes of his childhood and school days as well as family life. It also covers his work at the Shoebridge Mill and in the mining camps, his learning Spanish at St. John for missionary work while teaching school, traveling along the Rio Grande, studying law and moving to Mexico, the "depredations of Texas outlaws" around Canyon Creek, Indian attacks near Wilford, and many anecdotes about life in Mexico. Portions of the document were written by Richardson's wife Sarah Louisa Adams ("Sadie") and his brother Sullivan Calvin "Sullie" Richardson. The second portion of the microfilm includes an autobiography of Sullie Richardson (1861-1940). Sullie also includes a variety of childhood anecdotes, including his school experiences, his father's work in the Nevada mines, and other family stories. He also describes traveling through Provo Canyon, encounters with Indians near Prescott, confrontations at Fort Defiance, working on the railroad near Rio Puerco, working for the water service in Brigham City, moving to Mexico and meeting President Diaz, teaching school, working on the Arizona Eastern Railroad, and moving to Thatcher, Arizona.

    MSS MFilm 00188

  • Sketches of pioneer days in Southern Utah and Arizona [microform]: 1923-1924

    Sketches of pioneer days in Southern Utah and Arizona [microform]: 1923-1924

    Manuscripts

    Microfilm of a collection of typed anecdotes about early Mormon pioneers in Utah and Arizona, primarily written by Sullivan Calvin Richardson. The text opens with a general story of Mormons crossing the plains to Utah and early descriptions of settlements and the landscape. It also notes difficult working condition of laborers on the canal from the Rio Virgin, the building of settlements in Dixie, the construction of Call's Landing, and the giving up of homes on the Muddy River after some were found to be across the Nevada state line (where taxes were too high). The account includes quotes from settlers such as Charley Curtis, William Halladay, George A. Smith, Orville Allen, Lorenzo Watson, and Ammon M. Tenney. The microfilm also includes two poems identified as "The Transformation of the Pioneers," consisting of "Someone's Opinion of Arizona" by Charles O. Brown and "Answer to Some-one's Opinion of Arizona" by S.C. Richardson; a sketch of early Arizona by 'Lige Hancock; sketches of 1870s Arizona pioneers Peter O. Peterson, Andrew Anderson, Andrew Woods, O.C. Oveson, M.H. Peterson, and Andrew Locie Rogers by S.C. Richardson; the text of the "Arizona Song" by "some of the Salt Lake Boys;" and a sketch of Arizona pioneers by Joseph H. Richards.

    MSS MFilm 00189

  • The general trends and characteristics of Utah pioneer dress from 1847 to 1875 [microform] : 1947

    The general trends and characteristics of Utah pioneer dress from 1847 to 1875 [microform] : 1947

    Manuscripts

    Microfilm of a thesis entitled "The General Trends and Characteristics of Utah Pioneer Dress from 1847-1875," written by Fairfax Proudfit Walkup for her M.A. from the University of Utah in 1947. Based on research from the Utah Pioneer Costume and Manners Research Project, the paper set out to "discover in what particulars Utah pioneer dress followed the prevailing general lines and characteristics of current fashions and why it did so". The study focused on women's dress, including "whole costumes ... to items of women's underwear- chemises ... corsets, drawers ... nightgowns, petticoats, and stockings; and to certain items of children's clothing." Includes illustrations and bibliography.

    MSS MFilm 00215

  • Statements on Oliver Cowdery and a Mormon pioneer company [microform]: after 1844

    Statements on Oliver Cowdery and a Mormon pioneer company [microform]: after 1844

    Manuscripts

    Microfilm of two brief statements on Mormon history made by Samuel W. Richards. The first gives a short account of Oliver Cowdery. The second describes Richards's learning while he was at Nauvoo in 1844 of the formation of a pioneer company intended to "find a suitable place for the Saints to move to where they could rest for a time from the constant harassing and persecutions to which ... [they] were then being subjected." Richards writes of council meetings involving Hyrum Smith and Sidney Rigdon and of the pioneer company's intentions to travel to California and Oregon, "if deemed necessary," since it was "thought Lower California would offer the greatest inducements for locating a city for the Saints." The whole is addressed to B.H. Roberts, Salt Lake City.

    MSS MFilm 00166