The following story was written in 1930 by the Teachers, Pupils and Patrons of the Carbon District. Please, read the foreword about this project. If anyone knows the names of the writers of these stories please notify Kathy Hamaker so credit can be given to those that deserve the credit.
Hiawatha nestles at the foot of Gentry Mountain, two arms of which seem to reach out and almost encircle the town. It is located eighteen miles southwest of Price and ten miles off the State Highway, which passes from Price through Emery County to Salina in Sevier County. The elevation of Hiawatha is 7,180 feet.
The first settler was an Austrian by the name of Smith. He located a ranch on the present site of Hiawatha and the traces of some of his dugouts may still be seen in the wash a few hundred feet from the present teachers' dormitory. All other buildings which he may have erected have long since been torn down and forgotten.
The development of the mining industry in the mountains adjoining was the reason for the founding of Hiawatha as a community. In 1908 F.E. Sweet, present owner of Standardville property, opened a mine on the middle fork of Miller Creek. He called this camp Hiawatha. Later two other mining men, Browning and Eccles by name, opened a mine in what is now Hiawatha property and called that camp Black Hawk.
The first houses in the community were erected in what is now known as Greek town. In 1911 sixteen houses were built east of the railroad tracks. The houses along the tramway were built in 1912 and 1913. A year later the houses west of the present school house were erected.
In 1911 the citizens of Hiawatha circulated a petition, which was signed by 70 voters, asking that the town be incorporated. This was granted, and on Sept. 26, of that year, the city government was established. Henry E. Lewis was the first president of the town board and Geo. E. Haymond, Dr. J.E. Dowd, Dr. J. R. Fleming and D. Johnson were the members of the Board. There were 435 people in Hiawatha, eighty-nine being voters.
The U.S. Fuel Company purchased and consolidated the two mines in 1912. The headquarters of the company were established in Black Hawk. Both towns, Hiawatha and Black Hawk, had post offices. In 1915 the post office at Hiawatha was closed and the town government was moved to Black Hawk following the consolidation. The name of the entire community was changed to Hiawatha. This is still the trade name of the coal shipped from the West Hiawatha mine.
In 1908 when the mine was opened on Miller Creek, Ruben G. Miller owned all of the water rights. It was necessary for the consolidated Fuel Company to purchase Miller's water rights, and the ranch owned by him, in order to get water for the camp. The Smith ranch was purchased as a town site for Black Hawk. When the mines were first opened good judgment was used in the laying out and development of the property. The room and pillar method was used and on account of existing conditions it was the best method. When the mines were first opened all the mining was done by hand. Shortly after this time undercutting machines were purchased. These machines travel on a truck and can thus be taken to any part of the mine which has a track. When a place is to be cut the machine is unloaded from the truck and set to the face of the coal. The machines are so constructed that they can dig their way back under the coal for a distance of six or seven feet. The faces are then drilled, shot down, and loaded out by men.
In 1917 a machine was procured which would cut the coal on the top. The coal was drilled and shot up from the bottom. This method did not prove to be successful because the bottom shots would break slate loose from the floor and mix it with the coal. Bottom cutters have been used since that time. During 1929 a new type of machine was put on the market which would cut the bottom, turn half over and shear the face down the center. One of those machines is now operating in King No. 1 mine.
The loading of the coal in the mine cars was done entirely by hand until 1917. At this time several types of mechanical loaders were put on the market. Two of these loaders were tried out in King No. 1 mine. Both proved to be failures. From then until 1925 all the coal was loaded by man power. At this time other types of loading machines were purchased which proved to be successful and for the past four years over 50% of all the coal mined has been loaded mechanically. The loading machine is nothing more than a conveyor which carries the coal from the face to the car. The rotating arms on the front of the machine drag the coal onto the conveyor. This machine is used in rooms and entries. A scraper conveyor is more adaptable to pillar extraction. Two such machines are in use in the King No. 1 mine at the present time. A scraper is a large bucket which is pulled up and down the face of the coal by a hoist and a rope. The coal is pulled into a hopper from which a conveyor carries the coal to the mine car.
From the following figures one can readily see the growth in the coal production of the Black Hawk mine. During the year 1912, 78,769 tons were produced. In 1929 the production had grown to 428,347 tons. King No. 1 mine is very safe from a gas standpoint. It is located high up on the mountain, all the cracks and crevices in the strata over the coal are free from water and in ages past the gas has escaped through these cracks. Gas is usually found in mines which are driven under rivers where the water pressure keeps the cracks sealed.
The first railroad to Hiawatha was built by the Consolidated Fuel Company in 1909. While this road was in operation the railroad headquarters and shops were located in East Hiawatha. Due to the heavy grades and the impossibility of hauling large trains, a new road was built by the Fuel Company in 1914. This road extended from Castle Gate, a distance of 23 miles. The road to Price was abandoned and the steel torn up in 1917.
The town is prosperous and within its limits can be seen the splendid school building, church spires, recreation hall, hotel and store buildings. The profusion of trees, lawns, flowers, and gardens emphasize the pride of the people in their attractive homes. Two hundred twenty-five dollars is given away each year to the owners of the best kept lawns and gardens. The company dairy farms, located at the old Miller ranch insures the employees of a plentiful supply of pure milk and cream. Water from mountain springs is carried to every home in the town through a well installed water system. A modern sewer system aids in sanitation. The town is governed by a Board, with the following members at present: J.P. Russell, President, F. E. Gleason, L.F. Crogan, D.V. Garber and E. E. Wright, trustees. Merrit Brady is Justice of the Peace and Wm. Steckleman is Town Marshall.
Until 1920 when the present school building was erected, considerable difficulty was experienced in housing the pupils. During one year school was held in five different buildings in the town. The teachers had much trouble in finding a places to live or board. The commodious teachers' dormitory solved this problem for the time being but there has been a tendency for many of the more recent teachers to live else where while teaching here or to be recruited during the teacher shortage from local people whose homes are already in Hiawatha.
Information was not available regarding all the names of the school principals, who have directed the local schools. H. A. Dahlsrud was principal for many years but resigned at the close of the year 1945-1946. He was succeeded by R.S. Williams, who is the present principal. Hiawatha has always taken pride in the quality of its schools and community interest and support has been given the Board of Education and its employees.
Possibly one of the greatest needs of a community like Hiawatha is adequate entertainment for its people. The company, realizing this built the amusement hall in 1917 and turned it over to the Y.M.C.A. to operate. This organization had charge of the hall until 1924, when the Hiawatha Welfare Association was organized and given charge of its management. The policy has always been to use this building for the civic improvement and entertainment of the people of the town. Picture shows are operated, dances conducted, road shows encouraged to "make" Hiawatha, and all other types of wholesome entertainment are encourage. At various times during the history of the community, the town has supported baseball and other clubs to occupy the leisure time of its people. Hiawatha has a fine Scout organization and enthusiastic leaders who sponsor it.
Reliable data was not submitted regarding the personnel of the mining Superintendents who have served Hiawatha since the establishment of the camp. James McKim is the present head of the United States Fuel Company properties at Hiawatha.
The following story was written in 1930 by the Teachers, Pupils and Patrons of the Carbon District. Please, read the foreword about this project. If anyone knows the names of the writers of these stories please notify Kathy Hamaker so credit can be given to those that deserve the credit.
The Kenilworth mining camp is known as one of the most attractive camps in Carbon County. It is situated in the west central part of the county in the Wasatch mountains at an elevation of about 6,400 feet above sea level. It is 120 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, three miles east of the Ocean to Ocean Highway, and the same distance from the Price river from which water is supplied. The population of the camp varies to some extent with the seasons, increasing in the winter when the mine works well.
In the early spring of 1904, Heber J. Stowell, a resident of Spring Glen was hunting horses in the mountains northeast of his home when he saw the large veins of outcropping coal. Stowell showed samples of this coal to W.H. Lawley, of Price, who was favorably impressed, and in 1905 these two men began prospecting. Money was scarce and the prospecting difficult until James Wade of Price and Fred Sweet of Salt Lake City became interested and financed the enterprise. Food and supplies for the prospectors were hauled from Price by Mr. Lawley, who states that while he was prospecting he lived in a tent which was pitched where the school house now stands. One night the tent fell in upon its occupants, because they had neglected to sweep the snow from the roof during the day.
Many hardships, as well as dangers, are encountered in prospecting. Mr. Lawley says, "I crept on my hands and knees to get at the coal, as the cliffs were straight up and down, above and below. One false move would have been certain death".
The first development work was done by Lawley and Stowell in Bull Hollow, on the northeast side of the mountains. This proved too difficult, so entry was made on the south side of the mountains where live coal was found on the surface. The south entrance was about halfway up the mountainside, making a sloping entrance to the mine. A very steep tramway led from the tunnel down the fill on the outside. This very steep tramway is not used at the present time due to the fact that a more accessible rock tunnel, which facilitates trackage, was driven in the floor of the vein. Some interesting stories are told about this steep incline. Many of the men, coming home from work would sit on a sled, a shovel or a board placed on the rails, and after a flying ride would reach the bottom of the mountain.
As the work progressed, a track was laid between the new mine and the D. & R. G. Western Railroad at Helper, a distance of three miles. With completion of the line, coal was shipped out for market. The company soon became know as the "Independent" because it was the first independent coal company in the county of Carbon. An interesting reference of old world history featured in the selection of a name for the new camp. Three peaks rising above the camp reminded the prospectors of the three spires of the Kenilworth Castle in Scotland, so they named the new town "Kenilworth".
As the work continued and a greater field was opened up, more men were employed, among them Joseph Barboglio, a present resident of Helper, President of the Helper State bank, and one of the wealthiest men in Carbon County.
Stowell engineered and built the first road up to the camp, and water to supply the inhabitants was first hauled in barrels by wagon and team by Clarence Stowell, a son of Heber J. Stowell.The first "dug-out" in Kenilworth was made by Heber J. Stowell on the northeast side. Everyone was not as fortunate as Stowell, however, for the mine was making such rapid progress that houses could not be erected immediately and many of the miners and their families were obliged to live in tents.
As soon as it was possible, the boarding houses were built. The fourth house east of the present hotel was one of the earliest, and while it was not large, it served its purpose by accommodating a few. Three apartment houses were built - one for the colored workmen, one for the Japanese, and one for the other workers. The Japanese boarding house still takes care of the people of that nationality, but the others have all served their purpose and are now used as family residences. The second house east of the boarding house was at one time used as sleeping quarters for the officials. This became known as the Cottage, a name which it still retains, although it has been used as family residence for some years. At a later date the present hotel was built, and still later the annex, which makes up part of the hotel which is now known as one of the best in the county.
Across the street from the present school house a residential place was used for educational purposes until the present building was erected. In 1928 crowded conditions compelled the transportation of seventh and eighth grade children to Spring Glen where a new and modern building was furnished.
In 1907, a grocery store was built, with William H. Brooks as manager. There was also an Italian store located half a mile from Kenilworth, off company land, but everything else was owned by the company. About this time an amusement hall was erected where shows and dancing were enjoyed. Mr. Lawley directed and staged the first show given, entitled "Rube and His Ma". In February of 1926, the building was destroyed by fire and replaced the same year by a more modern structure consisting of a theater, confectionery, library, dance hall, and pool rooms. Equipment for talking pictures was recently purchased, and the first talking picture was given December 13, 1930.
The Boy Scout hall was built by the Italians and used by them as a dance hall. Across the road from this now dilapidated building was a saloon, also owned by the Italians but which was destroyed by fire in the fall of 1926. A Greek coffee house furnished pastime for some of the inhabitants until it was also destroyed by fire in 1929.
Improvements continued and the old practice of hauling water in barrels was abandoned when the present system was inaugurated. Water is now taken from the Price River, treated with chemicals at the pump station on the highway between Kenilworth and Helper, then pumped into two large tanks above town.
Roads, too, have been greatly improved from the first rough wagon trails. At first the road lead directly from Price over a very steep hill know as Price Wood Hill. Another road led west of two to Helper. The present road leads out of camp between these two. This was greatly improved in 1930 when about a mile and a half, through Spring Glen, was surfaced with asphalt.
In 1926, a new and more convenient railroad from Helper to the mine, was constructed to replace the one which passed through the main part of town, and which eliminated the dangers of the old steep grade. To make trackage conditions better and to accommodate a growing market, the second tipple was built in 1927, and a third one built in 1931. The latter tipple is know as the largest coal mining tipple west of the Mississippi River. On busy days all the tipples are kept busy loading railroad cars for shipment.
In 1926 the streets of Kenilworth were improved with cement sidewalks and curbs along the entire length of Kenilworth avenue. Trees, which were planted 19 years ago by John Blackham, Sr., lawn and flowers, all help to make the place very attractive. Tennis courts, a splendid hospital, opportunities for church, all contribute to the happiness and welfare of the people.
All of the people of Kenilworth cooperate to make the community a pleasant place in which to live. Of the present workmen a great number of them are of foreign birth - Greeks, Austrians, Hungarians, Japanese, Italians, and Germans are among the leading groups. These people, for the most part, are very willing to enter into the American ways of living. Schools, churches, and civic organizations, are gradually Americanizing these foreign born groups. The change, however, cannot be remedied readily. The growing generation which is more Americanized, must effect the change.
The following story was written in 1930 by the Teachers, Pupils and Patrons of the Carbon District. Please, read the foreword about this project. If anyone knows the names of the writers of these stories please notify Kathy Hamaker so credit can be given to those that deserve the credit.
Clark's Valley (Kiz) is a broad fertile valley extending from Sunnyside on the East to the borders of Soldier Canyon on the West. It slopes southward six miles to the highway, forming one of the largest level tracts of land in Carbon County, and it is here that the farming and ranching community of Kiz is located.
The soil is deep and fertile, having been washed from the mountains by flood which have spread out over the valley floor. It varies in depth from two to fifteen feet.
Just who the first settlers were, no one seems to know. It appears that a man named Clark, owned a ranch here, which was well stocked with cattle and horses. There were houses, stables, granaries, and blacksmith shop on the place, and it said that the ranch was sold at one time for $75,000.00. This was before the year 1898. In 1898 a man by the name of Fausett owned the ranch and had it stocked with a large number of horses. A few years later it appears there was a drought and the ranch was abandoned. The houses and buildings fell into decay and brush again grew up in the cultivated fields.
In June, 1906, Orson Dimick and John Higginson came into the valley and settled on the abandoned ranch. They were later joined by Nephi O. Perkins and Ephraim Dimick, Orson's father, his wife, Kiziah and others. As the country was not yet surveyed they had only squatters' rights to the land. Gratien Etchebarne came to the valley in 1910. He owned a large herd of sheep and wanted a ranch for this headquarters. He was the first man in the valley to file on his claim, in 1916. He was very enthusiastic about the future of the valley and spent more money for development purposes than any other person.
A little work was done on the present reservoir in 1910, but work did not begin in earnest until George Mead came in July, 1914. In 1916, Francis Dimick came to the valley to homestead, and several years later Lafe M. Norton and his family came to make their home. The Workman, Babcock, and Asay families also moved to Kiz.
Through the efforts of Mr. Norton and Mr. Etchebarne school was established in the fall of 1924. The first school house was an old log granary with a dirt roof and the owner was Mr. Etchebarne. Mrs. Mary Tidwell, of Wellington, was employed as the first teacher at a salary of $40.00 per month in cash and board and room for her and her husband. The school district paid $25.00 of this salary, and the remainder was paid by Mr. Norton and Mr. Etchebarne. As the roof of the granary leaked, the school was moved to Mr. Dimick's granary. When the teacher became discouraged and resigned, Vivian Norton - an eighth grade student - was permitted to finish teaching for the school term. School was next held in a log house owned by Lew Workman. By Spring there were 17 children enrolled. The teacher was paid by the transportation allowance for each child.
By the time schools started again, Mr. Etchebarne had completed the building where school is now held and an experienced teacher, Mrs. Elsie Huntsman was employed. A short time later, Mrs. Huntsman met a tragic death by drowning when the car in which she was riding enroute to Price, overturned in the bottom of the wash.
The people had many thrilling experiences during these times. Once a drunken Mexican held the whole Norton family prisoners at the point of a gun for several hours until Mrs. Norton persuaded him to go home for his supper. When he left they sent for help. Jake and Lew Workman came to relieve Mr. Norton in the watch for the Mexican. While Mr. Norton warmed himself in the house Jake sighted the Mexican creeping stealthily upon the tent from behind, with a loaded revolver in his hand. He fired and shattered the Mexican's arm, the bullet penetrated his side. He was taken to Price for treatment and later ordered out of the county by the sheriff.
Until 1926 the people had to go to Price or Wellington for their mail. At this time there were quite a number of people residing in Kiz and they were granted a request for a post office. In selecting a suitable name Mr. Mead proposed the name of Kiz, in honor of Kiziah Dimick, the pioneer woman of Clark's Valley, who was always know as "Aunt Kiz". The name was submitted and accepted. The first mail left the Kiz post office November 2, with George Mead as postmaster. And thus the community of Kiz came into being.
The following story was written in 1930 by the Teachers, Pupils and Patrons of the Carbon District. Please, read the foreword about this project. If anyone knows the names of the writers of these stories please notify Kathy Hamaker so credit can be given to those that deserve the credit.
Latuda, a coal mining community, is located about seven miles west of the mouth of Spring Canyon, at an elevation of 6,700 feet. Among the first to prospect in Latuda were Frank Gentry, who lived here until his death in 1928; George Schultz, S. N. Marchetti, and Gus Goddart. Mr. Cameron and Mr. Latuda organized the coal company in 1917, with Mr. Shultz as Superintendent of the mine, which position he continues to hold. In the same year S.N. Marchetti and family came to the camp for the purpose of building a store. Since Mr. Marchetti's death in 1929, his wife has conducted the mercantile business.
At first there were only two or three houses, the remainder of the employees living in tent until January, 1918, when twenty new houses were completed.
Liberty mine was the name by which the camp was know until the post office was built and the community was then renamed Latuda, honoring the Mine Superintendent, Frank Latuda.
The mining town showed a steady progress from the time of the first shipment of coal from a temporary tipple in January, 1918. In 1920 the mine office was built of native stone and in 1922 thirty-five more homes were built to meet the housing demands of the miners.
The output of coal showed a steady increase from the year 1922. For a time a thousand tons of coal were taken from the mine as a daily capacity, but with the erection of the new tipple in 1928 the capacity increased to fifteen hundred tons daily. The total output of the Latuda mine from 1927 to 1931 has been over two million, two hundred seventy-five thousand tons.
Based on solid hard rock, the seam of Liberty coal varies from six to nine feet and is topped by a seventy-foot stratum of rock, which is so close grained that it appears almost like cement. For a "soft" coal it is one of the hardest in existence. Because of the natural rock roof, the Latuda mine is considered one of the safest in the state.
Nestling at the junction of several mountain canyons, the camp is in a pretty site. The chief disadvantage is the water problem. Culinary water is hauled from Helper, although spring water is piped through the mine into the camp.
A new school building was erected of native stone in 1921. Prior to that time one of the homes was converted into school rooms and was also used for all entertainment's and social functions.
On February 16, 1927, Latuda was the victim of a series of disastrous snow slides. The first slide occurred at the check cabin, near the mountain of the mine, catching the mine foreman, Gus Goodert, just as he entered the cabin. He was buried under twenty feet of snow and ice and killed instantly. He had been in the employ of the company since its organization in 1918, and was considered one of the most capable mining men in the district. An hour or so later the second slide swooped down the canyon, wiping out a row of houses in the town and killing the barn boss, Moroni Mower. Mr. Mower was engaged at the time in the hazardous task of moving furniture and in other ways assisting families to move from their homes, which were considered in danger of the slide. Others were buried in the snow but were not seriously injured. Nearly a mile of railroad track was covered with snow and debris, a condition which tied up the rail service for four days.
The population of Latuda fluctuates from two to four hundred. During the summer many of the miners leave on vacations or to work on farms. Most of the population consists of American, Italian, Welsh, German, Serbian, Scotch, Australian, Finlanders, and Japanese, the latter being found in a separate colony.
The present town officers include Constable Paul Veillard and Justice of the Peace, Clarence Reid. The camp is located in precinct #556.