Morgan Pioneer History Binds Us 'Together thousand miles to Salt Lake. They joined with an old man named Mr. Bucannon, who had an ox team and wagon, but had gone only a short distance when the team gave out. They had to cut the wagon box in two, making a two-wheeled cart instead of a whole wagon, which necessitated them walking most of the way; Martha carrying her baby, Henry. William's duty on the journey was to take care of the wagons and at night to stand watch for Indians, wild animals, etc. At one time while the company was camped for dinner, Martha, nearly overcome with fatigue and sore feet from walking, sat down by a stream to bathe and rest her feet and body. In doing so she soon fell asleep. When she awoke, she realized the Company had gone ahead without her. William, supposed she was somewhere in the Company. She became very frightened and started walking, thinking she could follow the tracks of the wagon train and soon catch up with them. She had no idea of where she was and the wagons were out of sight. She was terribly disappointed when she came to the Platte River. She took off her shoes and started to wade, hoping and praying she could cross in safety, but the current became too swift and she had to turn back in despair. After what seemed to her to be quite a while, her prayers were answered as she saw two horsemen coming across the river from the opposite direction. They took her to the other side of the river and told her she would find the wagon train straight ahead. It was beginning to get dusk as she hurried to catch up with them. It was some time before William discovered she was missing and started looking for her. Finally he met her and there was a good cry for joy that she was safe and alive. After many hardships and experiences they arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in October of 1859, tired and worn out from the long journey, but with thankful hearts that they had reached Zion safely and alive. Here they settled for a number of years, living a few blocks northwest of the Temple grounds, in the old Nineteenth Ward area. While here William opened up a nail factory, which he operated for a time, making the first wrought iron nails ever made in Salt Lake for Brother John Taylor. He then took up his trade of blacksmith. Three children were added to the family while they were living in Salt Lake: Martha Jane, Louisa, and Mary Elizabeth (Polly). As was the rule in early days, many of the pioneers were called to colonize in other areas, and in 1866, William and Martha and their five children were sent to help colonize Weber Valley (now Morgan County) in the first year of its settlement. William again worked at his blacksmith trade, establishing the first blacksmith shop in Morgan on the property where Hall's Shop now stands (1967). He taught the trade to Thomas Geary and Thomas Butters. William always kept his blacksmith shop and after he was too old to run it, he rented it to others to run. Some time after his death it was sold to Earl Halls who used it for some years and then tore it down and built a more modern structure on the grounds. During the time the Union Pacific railroad was being built from Echo Canyon through Morgan County (about 1868), William had a contract to make shoes for the mules. He shod all the mules and horses receiving $10 for every span he shod. It was a big day when the first train came to Morgan. The whole town was there to see it arrive, some families waiting from about two in the afternoon until after ten at night. The big engine was puffing and belching black smoke as it came from the east around the point of the mountain across from Lake Como. It was a tremendous and marvelous sight and a great curiosity to many. When William and Martha first moved to Morgan they lived in a one-room dugout which was located on the lot that is now occupied by the Homer Francis home (96 South State). It had steps going down into it just like a cellar. Here is where Charles was born. Later they moved to a log house where the L. D. S. Seminary (20 North 200 East) now stands. Their last child, Rebecca Althura, was born here. A greater area for activity and support for this large family became necessary. In 1872, some more pioneering work had to be done when they bought land in South Round Valley for $600. Here they built a large stone home and with his son's help, cleared the land and made a farm. William planted all kinds of fruit trees: plum, pear, cherry, apple, and apricot, besides currents and gooseberries and a garden full of a variety of vegetables. He also had a bee colony. The boys used to work in the fields, take care of the irrigation and feed the animals while their father daily went to work at his shop. William and Martha were the parents of eight children, seven of whom grew to adulthood. Mary Elizabeth (Polly) died at the age of eleven years from diphtheria. Elizabeth married John Clayton. They lived in Coalville and then Salt Lake. George Moroni married Emily Ann Littlefield and moved to the Teton Basin in Idaho. William Henry married Susan Fry and they also moved to Idaho. Martha Jane married Thomas F. Welch and settled in Morgan until »oo