PART 5–Benjamin F.Stewart–Third Mayor
Payson Historical Society
“Feb. 9, 1863, at a municipal election, Benjamin F, Stewart was elected as the Third Mayor.
"The Farmers Oracle" Published — Black Hawk War Began
A Gardener's Club was organized May 16 with Joseph E. Johnson of Spring Lake Villa as president. 1 liis club held weekly meetings for the improvement of its members in horticulture. On the 22nd of this month Mr. Johnson commenced the publication of a semi-weekly paper called "The Farmers' Oracle." It was devoted mainly to the interests of farmers and gardeners. It consisted of eight small pages to an issue, three columns to ihp payu and published the first and third Tuesday in each month. This printing plant was the first to make an appearance in Utah outside of Salt Lake City. Mr. Johnson had a nursery in Spring Lake Villa. In the 9th issue of the Oracle, dated Sept. 22, 1863, it advertises: "A few choice pot-plants, Including Verbenas, Geraniums, Ice-plants, Pansies, etc., also fruits and trees."
A large and commodious school house was built on the hill in the southern suburbs of the city. It was known as the adobe school house. It was later torn down and the Central School built there.
About this time Samuel Worsencroft, a Tinner, started in business here.
January 8, 1865 the jurisdiction of the bishop of Payson Ward was extended south to include Santaquin and Spring Lake Villa.
As near as it is possible to ascertain, from records we now have, the first Sunday School held in Payson was about 1858. Those responsible for this early organization were: Charles Montrose, Williard G. McMullin, C. W. Wandell and John F. Bellows. The first Sunday School of which records were kept was organized May 5, 1865, with Isaiah M. Coombs as superintendent.
The settlers were still having trouble with the Indians. The Indians continually ran off with colonists' stock. During the winter of 1864-65, small-pox broke out among a band of Indians near Manti. A large number died, among them was Chief Arropeen's father. The Indians believed the* white settlers to be in league with the evil spirit, thus causing the epidemic, so in order for the sickness to cease they must kill off the ones responsible.
Matters came to a crisis when Chief Arropeen joined forces with Chief Black Hawk, with the intentions of running off cattle. The settlers hearing of the intended raid, a number of them went to gather their stock. On the way they wer.£ attacked by the Indians and Peter Ludvigsen was killed. After thi§ the "Black Hawk War" as it was called, developed rapidly.
The Indians ravaged about 27 settlements during the next two years. Late in the fall of 1867 Black Hawk accompanied only by his family appeared on the Uintah
reservation. Black Hawk repented and visited all the settlements asking forgiveness. He then retired to Spring Lake, the place where he was born, and died there about 1870 and was buried in the foothills.
In January of 1866 a census was taken of the city showing a population of 1,139. It was ascertained at that time there were in the community, 7,000 bushels of wheat, 219 head of oxen, 199 horses and mules and 131 vehicles.
Anson Sheffield, James Finlayson and John Loveless, school trustees, were instructed to build two school houses. One school was built in the northwest part of town, and finished. This one was always known as the "Rock School House." Between 1866 and 1875 four schools were built, one in each quarter of town. The other three were built of adobe.
A re-survey of the city, farming and hay fields was made by Daniel Stark. The limits of the city proper were extended half a mile each way. An ordinance was passed naming the streets of the city.
On November 19, the Deseret Telegraph Company set up its poles through town. The wires were stretched December 3 and a telegraph office opened in the Tithing Office with John D. Stark as first operator.”*
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