work. These grinders used in the past by many of our Pioneers were hand operated machines, patterned in construction and operated similar, but were many times larger, to the small mill used for grinding coffee through the years before the dawn of the century. The machine was equipped with a heavy crank and in the process of operating the labor of one was required to keep wheat in the hopper and two or more sets of hands changing at intervals to keep the crank going around and grinder operating to turn out the coarsely ground flour. The process was slow; some times requiring hours to turn out enough flour for a month's supply of bread for an ordinary sized family. Having commented briefly on the simplicity and honesty that characterized the way of life of our Pioneers, their humble homes, the crude implements they used for tilling, for harvesting crops, and thrashing and milling wheat into flour. We marvel at their accomplishments achieved during the early period of consecutive years in colonization, when a shortage in crop yields for several consecutive years was a constant threat to their existance. Fortunately, through relentless persistance and determination, bolstered by promises made to the faithful, their hopes and aspirations were realized. When we reflect on their marvelous achievements, we are confronted with the fact that we are dealing with the history of a people, many of whom unfortunately had little education; that is to say, learning referred to as that acquired from books. However, because of unbounded success during uncertain perilous times, we are led to believe they were endowed with more than ordinary wisdom and foresight. In this connection, it is refreshing to note that within comparatively recent years, organizations composed of sons and daughters of Pioneers have been formed, the chief purpose of which is to keep alive our faith with them and leave in writing as a heritage to future posterities a history of the lives, activities, and achievements of our illustrous forebearers. It remains for the future to reveal the contributions of Pioneer culture to our civilization. -54- Chapter 5 ORGANIZATION OF IRRIGATION COMPANIES The pioneers of 1853 through 1860 recognized, as did the first settlers and as we do today, that water plays an indispensable role in the life of a community; that success of different phases of agriculture; the one industry that would consume time and labor of the greater number of them would be uncertain with insufficient water for domestic use and to mature crops. This particular region laying to the west from Ogden was then, as it is today, unsurpassed by any section of the state in availability of an adequate water supply. Two large streams, known today as Ogden and Weber Rivers, sources of which are miles beyound mountains to the east of us, replenished as they wend their ways through canyons and open spaces, by water from springs and streamlets flowing down ravines along sides of snow-covered mountains; emerge from Ogden Canyon to the east and Weber Canyon to the southeast of Ogden City have supplied the principal part of water needs of this lower valley as well as for upper valleys since the time waters of these streams were first diverted to serve the needs of man. Weber River after entering this valley, flows several miles in a northwesterly direction, merging with Ogden River below the city. The combined streams continue on to form the south boundary of Slaterville. Two other streams known as Mill Creek and Four-Mile Creek, either of which is of no little importance, enter from the east and flow within the bounds and entire length of our settlement; Mill Creek approximately through the center and four-mile creek through the north central part. These streams have supplied a necessary part of water needs from the time irrigation of crops was commenced in this area. Pioneers who settled here in 1853, many of whom located between these two streams, had scarcely time to get settled before they assembled and executed business of fan reaching importance in organizing what today is known as the North Slaterville Irrigation Company. Now operating as a company, they filed on the waters of Mill Creek and Ogden River which secured for them early claims to waters of these streams. First claims to these waters had previously been secured by Lynn and Mound Fort Companies representing early settlers of two districts of the north section of Ogden City. However, these companies refusing in later years to cooperate in defending their early rights in court forfeited first claims to Slaterville Irrigation Company as stipulated in a decree of the court handed down to that effect. Pioneers of 1853 who settled to the south between Mill Creek and Weber River and new arrivals who joined them in 1853, inspired by accomplishments of their neighbors to the north in securing early claims to water of Mill Creek and Ogden River the previous year, organized the South Slaterville Irrigation Company and filed on the waters of Weber River which gave this company priority rights to waters of this stream. Because of the contour of land and a great volume flow, this stream offered more than an adequate water supply for crop production on all accessible land of this area. Organization of a third irrigation company, which filed on the water of four -55-