Sons of Utah Pioneers
April 2015
Volume 3 Number 4
Hurricane Valley Chapter Newsletter
March’s Event:
Once again, our meeting was well attended, as we had 79 in
attendance. Everyone came to hear the report from Tom and Kitty Hirschi of their
Mission to 6th Crossing in Wyoming. There may have been some who thought it would
be a repeat of February’s
meeting, but it was not. As
the crowd began to gather, it
became obvious that we
needed to set up more tables.
After a delectable meal, Kitty
spoke to us about their
experiences. She spoke about the history of the Martin and
Willie Handcart Companies from the time they left England
until the time they were rescued.
Her telling of those experiences
was made more real to us as she
showed pictures of what the area
looked like, and of the youth
groups that came to experience the
trek. The areas of Rocky Ridge and
Devil’s Gate were heart-rending as
we contemplated the trials of the
starving and weary saints of the
Martin and Willie handcart
companies.
1
Tom completed the presentation by giving us the history of Levi
Savage and his crucial help along the way. Tom indicated that
Levi had become one of his heroes. He was impressed by his
devotion to the group despite the chastisement he received from
the leaders of the company. He also told the story of a young girl
who walked the entire way to the valley under dire
circumstances. The doctors wanted to amputate her frostbitten
legs, but her father would not allow it. A miracle occurred, saving her legs, and she lived
on to bear and raise many children.
We all benefited from contemplating the lives of our pioneers ancestors and the
challenges they endured with faith and courage, so that we could have the comforts
that we enjoy today. Thank you, Tom and Kitty, for an evening well spent.
April’s Event:
Every year our chapter holds an essay contest with the 4th grade
students from the Elementary schools of Springdale,
LaVerkin, Three Falls, Hurricane, and Valley Academy. This
age group studies Utah History, and so they were chosen for
the contest. The purpose of the contest is to connect
these children with their heritage, and perhaps get them
interested in researching and showing appreciation for
their ancestors.
The students are assigned to research one of their ancestors, at least 2 generations back
from them. In the past we have honored all of the winners, but this year, we will honor
most of them in their respective schools. We will bring only
the top 3 winners to our meeting, and honor them there. We
really want all of our members to see what our Elementary
Essay Contest is doing for the children of the Hurricane
Valley.
Our meeting will be in the American Legion Hall on Thursday,
April 16th, at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner is pot-luck. We look forward to seeing you all
there. Thanks!!
Calendar of Events:
May 21st -----History of Education in Hurricane/LaVerkin -Wayne Edwards
2
May 30th -----Trek to the Hurricane Mesa
June 18th -----Cowboy Poetry with Sam Jackson
Sam is a renouned western cowboy poet from Kanab Utah, who has sponsored a
number of cowboy poetry events. His poetry captures the pioneer spirit from a
different perspective. He is both reflective and funny. It will be a very entertaining
evening.
July 16th ----- TBA (Devin Ruesch)
August 20th -----TBA (Steve Stout)
September 17th ---- TBA (Richard Black)
October 15th ----- CCC Camps in Southern Utah (Dan Zaleski)
November 19th ----- TBA (Darwin Leavitt)
December tba ----- Christmas Dinner (Chapter Board)
Welcome:
We would like to welcome several new members to our chapter. These are:
1. Stephen Bird: Stephen and his wife Dora, live in LaVerkin and have been in this
area for about 10 years. He is the Commander of the American Legion Post 100.
2. Tom Hirschi: Tom has lived in Hurricane for the majority of his life, raising his
family here. Besides serving the community as a barber, he was a bus driver for
the school district, and served several terms as the Mayor of Hurricane. He and
Kitty just recently returned from a mission to 6th crossing in Wyoming, and they
are just heading back for the summer on another mission there.
3. Kenneth Heaton: Ken was among the founding members of the chapter, and has
just returned to join us. He served the community as a dentist for many years,
and also as a member of the Hurricane Utah Stake Presidency. He and his wife,
LaRue, live in Hurricane.
National SUP Events:
Saturday, April 11th, there will be a Regional Symposium in Cedar City. It will start at
1:00 p.m. and go to 5:00 p.m. It will be held at the YSA 2nd Stake Center Chapel 85
North 600 West. The speakers will be:
Douglas Alder
“History of the St. George Temple”.
Leo Lyman
“Freight and Stage Routes to Southern Utah.”
Thomas Alexander “Wilford Woodruff and the St. George Temple.”
3
William Hartley
“The Mormon Trail and Its Emigrants 1846 – 1869: A Myth-ridden
Story Rarely Told Right.”
Dinner will start at 5:30 with the Keynote speaker , Elder Bruce C. Hafen, and will be
held in the Cedar City Institute of Religion, 650 W. Center St.
The cost of the Symposium is $5.00, if you are only going for the afternoon sessions. If
you are going for the entire program with the dinner it will by $15.00 in advance.
Tickets may be purchased from S.U.P. Headquarters (801) 484-4441 or from Harold
Shirley (435) 586-8442.
May 9th, 2015 SUP Annual Historical Symposium Saturday. $25.00 per person. At
the door $30.00 per person. (for the complete program) Afternoon session only will be
$10.00 per person. It will be held at 2 venues:
Attendees whose last names start with “N – Z” SUP Headquarters Building 3301 E.
Louise Ave. Attendees whose last names start with “A – M” Canyon Rim Chapel, 3051 S.
2900 E. The Dinner and Keynote speaker will start at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at the
East Millcreek Stake Center, 3103 E. Craig Drive
“The Life and Death of Apostle Parley P. Pratt” Speakers will be:
Matthew J. Grow ---- “The Apostle Paul of Mormonism: The Missionary Journeys of
Parley P. Pratt”
Alexander L. Baugh ---- “Tis Not for Crimes I Have Done” P.P. Pratt’s Missouri
Imprisonment 1838 – 1839
Mitchell O. Pratt ---- “I Die a Firm Believer’” The Murder, the Reaction, and the Grave of
P.P. Pratt”
Robert Steven Pratt ---- “The Hymns and Poetry of Parley P. Pratt”
Elder Craig A. Cardon ---- Keynote Speaker at the Banquet.
September 17 – 19th ---- National Convention----Brigham City, Utah
It will be held at the Box Elder Stake Center, 420 South 800 West. The Main Speakers
will be: Friday Evening: Michael Ballam; Saturday Morning, Janice Kapp Perry and
Saturday Convention Speaker will be Lloyd Newell of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Additional information can be obtained by going to https://www.sup2015.com
Early Registration (before Sept. 1st) $100 (Treks $25 per person, or 2 for $40. Morning
Late Registration (after Sept. 1st) $115
or Afternoon )
Thursday only registration
$35.00
Friday only registration
$45.00
Saturday only registration
$40.00
4
Farewell:
Just as this newsletter was headed to the press, we got word that one of our own has
graduated. Victor Crosby Hall, age 87, passed away on
March 26, 2015. He was born at home in Hurricane to J. Harvey and
Hannah Crosby Hall on April 23, 1927. He graduated from high
school in 1945. He went on to Dixie Jr. College, and the U of U,
obtaining a teaching certificate. He began teaching in Henderson,
Nevada as a 5th grade teacher. He served for many years as an
elementary principal. He married Louise Elder in 1950, and
they had 6 children. When Louise retired in 1991, they
moved back to Hurricane. His interests included
photography, travel, hiking, history, writing, and other activities. He wrote many
histories for people in town. He was a member of the Hurricane Valley Chapter of the
Sons of Utah Pioneers, serving for some time on her board. He wrote, edited and
produced the film we have on the making of
the Hurricane Canal. We are grateful to have
had association with him!
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on
Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Hurricane LDS
5th Ward (Red Brick Church) 274 South 100
West, Hurricane, Utah. Visitations will be
held Monday evening from
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at
Metcalf Hurricane Valley
Mortuary, 140 North Main
Street, Hurricane, Utah,
84737 and prior to services
on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will
be Hurricane City Cemetery, with Military Hon ors.
5