Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1919-07-04
PIONEERING ON BEAR LAKE :
AS TOLD BY LATE ]. b. DUNN

The following from the pen of the
late John B. Dunn was published In
the Paris Post some two years ago.
In view of he fact that his death has
taken from our midst another one
OF the few remaining pioneers OF this
valley. We feel that the article will
be read with interest at this time by
both old and young:
The 10th day or Aprii, 1854, two
families. Mrs. Meranda Campbell,
her two sons, David and Warren,
and Mr.. and Mrs. John Dunn and
their three daughters. Charlotte Ann.
Harriet Amelia and Permelia. and
their nephew, James Dunn. started
from Providence, Utah. with one
wagon and two yoke of oxen each,
and a few stock cattle. They trav-
eled by way of Gentle valley. Soda
Springs, crossing Bear river on John
Cozzen's ferry boat near the mouth
OF the outlet. These families were
the first to settle in Bloomington.
which was on the 18th day OF April.
1854. Subsequently. under the su-
pervision Of President Charles C..
Rich, Horacio Merrils, william Bell
and John Dunn located Main street,
north and south through Blooming
ton, using the north star as a guide.
I'm June President Young and
company came over the mountain by
way of immigration canyon. the road
being very nearly impossible. They
travelled as far south as Eish Haven
and held meetings in Paris,
THE first house built In Blooming
ton was erected by John Dunn. The
finishing lumber was manufactured
by the use OF a whip saw in the
hands Of John Long and James Mel
son.
During the months of January,
February and March OF '65 no teams
passed over the road between Paris
and Bloomington owing to the drift
ing SHOWS which averaged from four
to six feet deep.
President James II. Hart and
Geo. Osmond taught the first school
in Bloomington, in a log building
with a dirt roof. and a wagon cover
for partition.
"Hezekiah Duffin and David Kim
ball built the first ball room in the
valley on he island south Of Paris.
The dancing was executed according
to the rules adopted by the national
association OF teachers OF dancing.
viz: All single figures OF square,
contra dances. and round dances re-
quiring eight measures of time "a
perform them in four measures for
each movement.
The last of March, 1855. Misi
Mary Ann Rich, who was then In heI
girlhood, in company with her father
General Charles c. Rich, came ovei
the mountain from Franklin Il
Bloomington on snow shoes. Late
Miss Rich became the bride of DR.
Pomeroy OF Paris. They are nov
located in the safe of Washington.
My fishing and hunting expert
ence commenced in 1854 by takinl
a thirteen pound trout from Bloom
ington creek. When fishing on tn
lake ! used 40 seine and a boat
In May. 80 large trout, and q fev
other fish. were removed from tn
se,ne at one landing. near the moutl
OF Swan creek. During this tim
was sending fish to Cache valley
Brigham City. Plain City and Sal
Lake City.
, Beaver were 30 numerous that
trapper could average four ever
/ day. but four head OF elk was tn
, most I ever killed in one day. an
remember Of killing nine head Q
deer in one day. In the fore part Q
, the winter of 1886 I bagged Sc deel
And ON one occasion / happsaed Z