Organization of the Cache Valley Settlements ~ Index
Great Salt Lake City, November 28th, 1859.
A president was duly elected by the people, to preside over all the branches or wards in that valley. Six bishops were also ordained and set apart to act in their calling, in their several wards. Twelve men were elected by the people to form a High Council and were set apart to their office. A proportionate number from each ward was elected by the people of those wards, that an equal representation might be given in the High Council, as nearly as we could ascertain.
We found about one hundred and fifty families there, and more continually arriving; houses in every state of progress, from complete, comfortable log cabins, down to the logs, to the logs still on the wagon, being hauled from the canyon. Many claims are taken, and the most desirable locations are fast being settled.
We labored faithfully in every settlement. The place heretofore known as Maughan's Fort we named Wellsville. Spring Creek settlement being situated in an elbow of the mountains and appearing to us somewhat of a providential place, we named Providence. The next settlement northward had been previously named Logan. The settlement on Summit Creek, six miles north of Logan we named Smithfield, and told the people there to be spiritually what their location really was– A City on a Hill, that could not be hid. Five miles northward from Smithfield is a settlement on Cub Creek, which we named Richmond. The settlement five miles north of Wellsville, on the opposite, or west side of the valley, heretofore known as The North Settlement, we named Mendon.
For beauty of landscape and richness of soil, Cache Valley can be hardly equalled; yet its altitude being considerably greater that that of Great Salt Lake Valley, renders it liable to deep snows and severe frost, which may admonish the settlers there to provide plenty of forage and sheds, barns, etc., for the preservation of their stock.
We were highly pleased with the reception that we meet with in every settlement, and the organization of the stake met with universal and cordial approval by the people.
On Thursday, November 17th, we returned to Wellsville, our starting point and in the evening, held a very interesting meeting, completed the organization by setting apart the president, who had been unanimously voted in at all the foregoing settlements. We faithfully instructed the officers and people according to our best ability in their various duties and callings; committed them to God, and to the faithful watch-care of his servants; blessed the people in the name of the Lord and bade them farewell.
Friday, 18th, left the valley and came over the mountains to Box Elder, fifteen miles, Brother Peter Maughan and Charles Shumway kindly piloted us over the summit in the midst of a snow storm. We arrived at Brigham City at one o'clock the same day, were we preached in the evening, and also subsequently in every town, village and settlement between Brigham City and Great Salt City dispensing the word in great plainness and with much assurance, as the Holy Spirit and the people will bear record.
We will not omit to say that, from Brigham City, brothers Lorenzo Snow, Bishop Alvin Nicholls and Abraham Hunsaker accompanied us over the mountains to Cache Valley and were with us and assisted in our labors a portion of the time.
At Ogden City we attended a general conference of that stake, held on Sunday 20th, instant, with Elders John Taylor and Lorenzo Snow, Bishop Nicholls and brother Reese, and with pleasure we mention the cordial good will shown to us by Presidents Lorin Farr, Bishop Chauncey West and also the people generally in Ogden. Brother West voluntarily rendered his services with his coach and four fine horses to convey us thro' the mud and storm to the settlements adjacent to Ogden City, while our own team rested, for which he has our hearty thanks.
We appreciate the kindness and hospitality of all our brethren and sister during our labors and journeyings upon this present mission. We tender to them our sincere thanks, with an assurance that, so far as our prayers will prevail, prosperity and happiness shall attend them.
We arrived home in Great Salt Lake City on Sunday evening, 27th, instant, having been absent seventeen days; during which time there was but one fair day. The remainder of the time we enjoyed a continued succession of rain, snow, hail and sleet, fog and wind.1
We remain your brethren in the gospel;
Notes…
- Deseret News, Salt Lake City, November 30th 1859.