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Show Page -4- BAP address at Slaterville Meeting House Dedication crops brought hard times upon many of the people. April the 16th of this year, 1862, the Sunday School was organized, and Edwin W. Smout was put in Superintendent. Two years now passed with very few changes, until in August, 1864, Slaterville precinct was organized. Thomas Richardson was elected Justice of the Peace, and served three terms, and William Shaffer was elected Constable, and served two terms. Later, William Shaffer was succeeded by B.L. Bybee, who served two terms. The people were now starting to realize a small income from their farms; at least a living, with the exceptions of a few who lost their crops in the Spring, by the overflow of the River. On April 21, 1868, the Relief Society was organized, with Louisa Knight as President, Mary Field and Sarah Manning, Counselors, with Lea Smout, Secretary and Mary J. Allred, Treasurer. In June 1871, the small adobe school house was destroyed by fire, and of course, this necessitated the building of another. Work started at once, and a new frame house was erected, at a cost of $1,100.00. This house, with a few repairs and changes is still standing, and served as a church and school house, up until 1893, when the Ward purchased it from the settlement, for a meeting house; and it has served as such up until the present time. In the Spring of 1875, Thomas Richardson resigned his position in the Ward and on November 4, 1875, John Allred was set apart as President. He acted in this capacity for two years; until May 28, 1877, he was ordained Bishop of the Slaterville Ward, with John Knight and Stephen W. Perry, Sen., as counselors. January 6th, 1876, the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association was organized, and in 1877, Henry Bartholomew was put in President, with James A. Slater and George Stanger as Counselors, and Robert Stevens as Secretary. In July 1st, 1877, W.H. Manning was set apart as Ward Clerk. On July 15, the following year of '78, the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association was organized, with Mary E. Slater, President, Sarah E. Stanger and Serena Bartholomew, Counselors; Edith Ellen Hutchens, Secretary and Charlotte Ann Field, assistant Secretary. The Primary of the Slaterville Ward was organized November 15. 1880, with Ann Holley, President, and Philbe Singleton and Mary Ann Casey, Counselors, Sarah E. Stevens Secretary, and Amanda Knight, Treasurer. These organizations, with the energetic officers at the head, were successful in those days, and accomplished good work among the people. Everything was done to promote not only the intellectual, but the social welfare of the people as well. In the year 1891, a dancing hall was erected (by William O. Smout), in the North part of the Ward, (just north of Wardle's place). This served as the gathering place for all parties and entertainments of the Ward. Shortly after the erection of the Hall, Mr. Charles Wright, 391 |