Morgan Pioneer History Binds Us Together Rooms above provided lodging for riders of the Pony Express as well as travelers thereof. Directly north, he built a stable surrounded by a protective wall of heavy rock and lime construction, which, with regularly spaced apertures, served as a small fortification in the possible event of Indian uprising. Much of this structure still stands. In 1869, records show that Harriet Williams, wife of Daniel, was granted the appointment of postmistress for Morgan County and a post office was opened in a corner of the tavern. This followed close upon the heels of the building of the railroad through the county and the valley was alive with excitement and activity. Meanwhile, the direction of the railroad through the county had affected the town site considerably and in the next several years, the general plan of the city took shape. The main streets were surveyed and laid parallel with the tracks, the first street south of the shining rails gaining greater prominence due to the new business enterprises which began springing up along its course. During these years, Joseph, son of Daniel Williams, had grown to young manhood and married his wife, Amelia. Foreseeing the trend of business toward the front street, he purchased the land then owned by Thomas Metz, who was also engaged in operating a small store. Upon this property he built the original part of the present J. Williams and Sons Co. store which is still in good condition. On the opposite corner he built a two-story brick home. According to the terms of an agreement between father and son, a transfer of stock was made from the original store to Joseph's new business in 1880. (Joseph and Amelia had three sons and one daughter, Joseph, Daniel, Albert and Delia. Later the younger Joseph bought out his father's interest in the store, and he and his wife Mildred Johnson continued the tradition instigated by Daniel Williams, with their family. Joseph and Amelia were born the same year in the same month and left this life together within twenty-four hours of each other.) A great amount of trading in those early days was done by barter, since money was not plentiful. Produce, particularly grain and potatoes, was exchanged by the farmers for food and clothing. The produce was then shipped by freight to city markets by Joseph, the young business promoter. Little by little the business expanded and became firmly founded, operating at present, 1953, under the management of members of the third and fourth generations of the Williams family. Along with his many diversified interests and activities, Daniel Williams was also chosen by the people to engineer and construct the first irrigation system in Morgan County. He contracted to build the canal which still serves its purpose and is known as the "Big Ditch" as well as a number of other water ditches from the Weber River. According to the terms of his contract, he was paid 200 bushels of wheat for the work. In later years, Daniel Williams is known to have loaned money on many occasions during financial stress and thus became a banker of sorts and a friendly advisor to the people. As such, he was trusted, respected and loved by them until the end of his days. His entire life, until his very late years, was active and devoted to growth and development of the community. 238