Starrh’s Ferry Precinct Committeeman Campaign

We moved into our new home in September 2022. The move from Fairmont Street to 200 South Road was only a little over a mile. It changed quite a few things. We changed elementary schools, we changed routes to work, we changed Wards, we changed Stakes, and we changed Precincts. We were in the Burley 4 Precinct and now are located, oddly, in the Starrh’s Ferry Precinct.

Starrh’s Ferry is a large Precinct, named after the historical ferry across the river. Here is the language from the historical marker:

“In 1880, George Starrh, a Snake River placer miner, started a ferry across Snake River one mile north of here.

“From 1880-2, freighters hauling supplies for a mining rush to Wood River used Starrh’s ferry (powered by river current when stiff winds were not blowing too hard), and local traffic lasted until Milner reservoir flooded out summer operations after 1904. But a small town with a post office (1909-12) remained there for more than a decade. During that time, nearby bridges replaced Starrh’s ferry.

Late last year the current Precinct Committeeman lost her husband and had some of her own health issues. In conversation she had indicated she did not think she would run again and I said I would be happy to run for the position so she did not have to worry. She was very gracious. Just weeks before the registration period she sounded like she might be planning to run again and suggested she let me know if she was going to do it. A few days before, she let me know she would not be running again. I had heard maybe another lady, Melissa Brown, would be running but nothing was confirmed and the current Committeeman didn’t say anything about another candidate. I threw my hat in the race on the first day for Candidate filing. That same day, Ms. Brown also filed for the same seat. The race was now on.

Before running, I also learned that Gem State Conservatives was building a coalition across the state to help committeeman run in contested races that were considered more mainstream Republican. The basic idea was that various individuals would assist candidates to help ‘right the Republican ship’ from the ‘conservative’ contingent of the party. A wide variety of aids would be made available from access to online registries to the covering of the costs for signs and postcards. There would be total autonomy on which resources we wanted to use, if any. Various meetings would be set up in order to help train on how to navigate the campaign website and even putting together a slogan. Also was the option of networking across the state to learn from other committeeman candidates. These all turned out to be very valuable resources. The meetings also helped provide encouragement in the topsy turvy emotions of a race.

I had assisted with various campaigns throughout the years, from U.S. Senator down to a city Mayor. The basic idea is always the same, connect with the voter. As I downloaded all the registered voters of my Precinct, I realized I already knew or had interacted with about 70% of them in some fashion over the past decade. When I started, the Starrh’s Ferry Precinct had 729 registered voters in roughly 396 households. Some of those are duplicates as married couples living with their parents, or college children, and more, are really not a separate household. There were 358 separate mailing addresses. The work started.

You can see the signs above. They are free to all candidates, but are generic and all basically the same. I was not in love with my short name in such a small fashion. You cannot cuss free signs though. I did my first mailer very early in the season as part of the Presidential Caucus. The Idaho Republican Party was kind enough to provide the Caucus jpeg. It brought about a dozen texts asking for more information. I dare say the flyer was effective as the Starrh’s Ferry Precinct was the best attended of the Precincts that caucused at Burley High School’s King Fine Arts Center.

The next stage was texting or calling every single person on the registered voter list. That turned out to be somewhat of a nightmare. My phone did not like texting over 700 people in two days in April. I did not want to use an auto-dialer. If someone wanted to reach out to me, I hoped they would do so. But then I could also avoid potential federal law on auto-dialers and all the disclosures that sometimes can get problematic. Just me, raw Paul Ross.

That drummed up another dozen conversations. Very helpful. Started quite a few conversations. Interesting how many people responded “STOP” but then were surprised and chatty when they realized a real person was sending out the text messages. A hurdle for me is that I still have my (801) prefix on my phone. Various said they don’t live in Utah. But it also helped cull the herd as many indicated they had moved, no longer lived in Idaho, and various other things. After a series of chats or text chains, a number of people were asking for more.

Now it was time to put up signs. The signs arrived near the end of April. I had my strategic war map of the precinct and where would be the best sites for signs. Gem State Conservatives provided 25 signs. Of course the signs on corners never get much attention. Nothing more than weeds. But well selected sites, with property owners taking ownership of the signs, is best. That conjures up conversations between neighbors, discussions about issues, and questions for candidates to find out their stances. That was less than a sign per square mile in Starrh’s Ferry! I had to be very strategic on which stretches and which houses. Most were very complimentary and willing to help. It was just taking the time to go and visit each site and get the signs up. Hopefully in a way that an Idaho wind wouldn’t remove it. We did have some crazy winds for many days. I did have to replace the stands on more than a dozen signs, more than half of the total signs.

Then the voting started. That is when people started doing some homework and reaching out to friends and family. The first week of voting I lost at least an hour a day from work in responding to texts and addressing questions. It is always nice when the majority of the precinct is already familiar with, knowledgeable of, or circumstantially aware of both the candidates. Discussion and contrasting seems to be easily done and people do it on their own after asking their own questions. I really did not have to present myself, usually just answering questions. I was also surprised by how many of the questions really did not have to deal with my precinct race, but rather the contested Sheriff race (between Jarrod Thompson and Travis Worthington) and the Legislative District 27B race (between Clay Handy and Pat Fields). By giving insight and answers to both of those races, and even the U.S. Representative race (between Mike Simpson, Scott Cleveland, and Sean Higgins), the answers I provided gave them the information they also felt they needed for the Precinct race.

We still have a week of early voting to go and then the election on May 21st. Here are some flyers I have seen for people. Steve Taggart, a friend of mine in Idaho Falls, is running for a Precinct in Bonneville County.

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Here is the one for my opponent.

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Since I already felt I have connected and did not need to do as much cold-call introductions, I kept mine to the more generic postcard.

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There is the profile that is listed for Gem State Conservatives. Here is my biography:

Hi! I’m running for Republican Precinct Committeeman to represent Starrh’s Ferry on the County Rep. Committee. I have helped build and sustain our County party since 2014, serving as Chairman since 2022. I am involved in the community as an attorney, helping bring a public charter school, and more. I am asking for your vote on May 21. Contact me at paulnjross@hotmail.com

I guess we will see how things actually turn out on the 21st. But this week almost a dozen people texted or called to let me know that they voted early. The thought that they wanted to let me know makes me think it was for me (if they are in my Precinct). I voted on the first day early voting opened.

This week I will text everyone in my precinct again to encourage them to remember to vote, either early or on May 21st.

There are so many stories I want to share from discussions, but those will have to be in my journal and not in the public forum of my blog.

Your May vote could change path of state GOP

Upcoming vote vital for control of state GOP

History of Plain City Pt 7

I have two copies of the History of Plain City, Utah. The front indicates it is from March 17th 1859 to present. As far as I can tell, the book was written in 1977. At least that is the latest date I can find in the book.

One copy belonged to my Grandparents Milo and Gladys Ross. My Grandpa has written various notes inside the history which I intend to include in parenthesis whenever they appear. They add to the history and come from his own experience and hearing. 

I will only do a number of pages at a time. I will also try to include scanned copies of the photos in the books. These are just scanned copies of these books, I have not tried to seek out originals or better copies.

History of Plain City March 17th 1859 to present, pages 107 through 122.

SCHOOLS

Early Plain City School

Poplar School

            Submitted by Roxey R. Heslop

             Poplar was a branch of the Plain City Ward and it received its name from the long rows of Poplar trees on both sides of the street.

            The school district was organized in 1891. First school was held in the home of Peter McCue located about 3475 West 1975 North. James L. Robson was the first teacher followed by Mrs. W. Winslow and Myra Gray.

            A room school house was built about 1894 at 3320 West 1975 North. This picture is not the Poplar school which had no windows in the front but on the west side and three was a wood shed at the back but it is very similar in many ways.

            The teachers were Bessie Zinn, Blanch Bagley, Freed W. Dalton, Naomi Tracy, Emma Anderson, Sarah Stevenson, Etta Brow, Lottie Henigar, Minnie Rudiger, Melvina Wayment, Esther Steward, Welthy Lake, and Pearl Tracy.

            The Poplar School House was the center of church and social activities. Sunday School was organized 3 Sept. 1894. Primary and Religion were held there.

            Dances were wonderful. Everyone danced and the young folks were taught to waltz, two-step, quadrills, polkas, schottisches and others that were popular at that times. Richard Lund with his violin accompanied by his daughters, Annie or Alminda on the organ. Often lunch was served. Children’s dances were held.

            The Poplar Lane people were like a united family. Everyone went to church and attended all social events. All the children played together.

            Nearly all of the folks have gone but those who are left enjoy wonderful memories of the days of activity, associations and inspirations that was bought from the one-room school.

First consolidated public school. Built to replace the North, South, and Poplar Schools. It was built of adobe and located on the northeast corner of the square. It was used as a community and recreational center for many years after the second consolidated school was built.

Second public school after front door was sealed; new entrance was built on the east side when the gymnasium was added. Lunch room facilities were added to the west later.

Second public school after remodeling when front windows were bricked over but before later additions were made.

Interior of the second school, showing old wood and metal desks that were attached to long wooden planks.

CLASS PICTURE TAKEN IN THE POPLAR SCHOOL

Poplar school was a one room building. This picture was taken during the school term of 1901-1902 with Etta Brown as teacher. Later she married LeRoy E. Cowles who became the president of the University of Utah.

Top row: Emma Cottle, Elmer Robson, Ada Skeen, Williams Allred, Walter Cottle, Anzley Miller Luckart, Parley Taylor, Luella Cottle Stanger, Edmund Furnis, Alma Furnis, Laurence Cottle, Leslie Taylor, John Taylor.

Bertha Urry, Kate Urry East, Pearl Taylor Lund, Bertha Robson England, Alice Urry Wayment, Josephine Cottle Monroe, John Jackson, Elmer Taylor.

Roxey Robson Heslop, Manila Taylor Hancock, Emma Taylor Homer, Kate Kensley Nalder, Parley Stoker, Blanch Kenley, Drysdale, Unknown, Jessie Kenley Wayment, Evelyn Taylor Cottle, unknown, Martena Taylor Surrage, Merl Jackson, Zina Urry, Nellie Kenley Draney.

Some were too young to go to school and were brought for the picture.

                                                                                                Submitted by Roxey R. Heslop

This is the graduating class of 1907, Class of 1906-1907

Bottom Row

                     Pearl Taylor Lund, Lester Taylor, her brother

2^nd Row From Bottom

                        Kristina Grieve, John Quincy Blaylock, Principal

                        Lula Marriott Neal, Hazel Skeen Rhead

3^rd Row

                        Bertha England, Ruth Hodson Wheeler

                        Sylvia Richardson Singleton, Ruby Ipson Hunter

                        Jesse Cottle

Plain City Graduation Class

Left to Right, Back Row:

Mable Palmer, Noland Taylor, Gilbert Maw, Leone Lund

Middle Row:

Iris Poulsen, LaVerna Davis, Principal John C. Neal, Florence Singleton, Ruth Poulsen

Front Row:

Clifton Kerr, Marion Sneed, Arvilla Taylor, Ellis Giles, Margaret Hunt, Gilbert Taylor, Harold Carver

PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILT IN 1906

            This is located on the site of the present Plain City Elementary School.

            It included elementary through tenth grade in later years. The last year the tenth grade was held in the school was 1947. After that, it remained in use as an elementary school.

            The front windows were bricked over and later the front doors were bricked when the gymnasium was added to the east.

            Still later, a cafeteria was added to the west. The building was demolished in 1955, leaving the later additions and adding a new addition of classrooms to the east that same year.

            The students pictured at the bottom of the picture are enlarged on the3 following pages.

Weber County School District was organized in 1906-07. Plain City was dedicated in September of 1906.

            The teachers are: John Quincy Blaylock, Laura Lamon, Rosabell O’dell and Elda Cooley.

1909, 8^TH Grade Graduation Class.

Back row L to R: John Taylor, Roxey Robson (Heslop), Easter Lund (Stevenson), Elvin Maw, Mildred England (Hart) (Robins).

Front row L to R: Lona Ipsen ( – ), Teacher John Q. Blaylock, Bertha Hodson (Bullock).

Enlargement of the students in the 1907-07 school picture on the preceeding pages, showing the center one-third of the students.

Early school buses were privately owned and used for summer vacations and school trips.

Enlargement of the students in the 1906-07 school picture on the preceeding page, showing the left one-third of the students.

L. Rulon Jenkins, teacher and Principal of the 1906 school during later years in the 30’s and 40’s.

Early classes held in the 1906 school during succeeding years. Dates and identities not known.

Early Plain City Class Picture Date and teacher unknown. We hope you can identify a parent or grandparent to make it more meaningful to you.

View of the 1906 school after the gymnasium had been added and more modern bus transportation used.

CLARA SKEEN THOMAS

SUBMITTED BY BEVERLY B EDDY

            The Plain City School Hot Lunch Program was organized by Clara Skeen Thomas, wife of George Sidney Thomas. Clara Thomas was the first to start the Hot Lunch Program at the Plain City School 1923-1924.

            She received $1.00 per day. She served vegetable and tomato soups, chip beef gravy on mashed potatoes and chili. These were purchased at the cost of three cents a bowl. With this money she received from the food, she would but the materials needed to prepare the next meal.

            For years, she cooked and prepared the food at her home. She would have to take it up to the school each day. This would consist of three blocks each way. Later the school purchased a coal oil stove, which made it possible to prepare the food at the school. Each year the Hot Lunch program started in November and ended in March.  Clara Skeen Thomas cooked and prepared the hot lunch at the Plain City School for eleven years and never missed a day.

SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

L to R: Ivy Carver, Elizabeth Lund, Vacona Singleton, Tillie Moyes, Bell Woods.

SCHOOL BUS TRANSPORTATION

SUBMITTED BY ELMER ROSE

            Oh what progress in education when in 1926, Weber High School opened its doors for County students. This high school is located on Washington Blvd. and presently occupied by the Adult Education Center.

            Elmer Rose, of Warren, drove a bus to accommodate the northwest area of Weber County. Mr. Rose’s route covered several miles each day. He picked up all the high school students from Warren and both elementary and high school students from the south end of Plain City. He dropped the elementary students off at the Plain City elementary school. The student’s near the street car tracks were left to ride it to the high school.

            Mr. Rose then continued his route through the North Plain City Road, back along highway 84 to within a reasonable distance from the car line. Then after passing the Harrisville along the route to Ogden limits.

            On the route going to the high school, Mr. Rose picked up the Farr West Elementary students and delivered them to the Farr West School. He returned down the North Plain City Road picking up the elementary students for Plain City School.

            The bus contracts to maintain and operate these units of transportation were awarded by bids. The lowest bidder getting the job if his outfit met the approval of the school board.

            The inside of the bus had a bench on each side facing the center. The girls usually occupied these seats. In the center was a bench called a straddle seat. The boys were crowded together astraddle this bench.

            The first bus was small and about 30 students were crowded into it. The students gave this bus the nickname of “Cracker Box”.

            He often chartered his privately owned bus to take scouts, F.H.A. and other groups on excursions and other activities.

            Mr. Rose removed the bus from its chassis during the summer so that he might use the truck for farm trucking.

            This picture is of the second privately owned bus maintained and operated by Elmer Rose. This bus had a large capacity, accommodating about 50 students.

BUSSES LOADED IN FRONT OF WEBER HIGH SCHOOL IN 1926

            The first buses to transport students to Weber High School in 1926 were operated and maintained by the individual owners. The contracts were let to the person whose bid was accepted by the Board of Education. Since these first buses were individually owned, the owners often used them for 4-H, temple, and various other excursions and activities.

            Owners often used them for hunting trips. Family and friends slept in them overnight lodging away from home. The straddle bench was removed to make room for the bed.

            Some owners removed the bus body from the chassis and placed another bed on the truck, so as to utilize it for farm trucking during the summer.

            School transportation has evolved from the horse-drawn school wagon to the giant sized yellow school bus.

            Today students ride to school fairly comfortable. The buses are warm, the seats padded, the radio plays popular music. These luxuries were undreamed of by the students who rode in the white top covered wagon, or the horse drawn sleigh in the midst of winter.

                                                                                    SUBMITTED BY RUTH FOWERS

SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM WORKERS

L to R: Hazel Kennedy, Mabel Moyes, Thelma H. Palmer, VaCona P. Singleton- Head Cook.

L to R: Principal Earl Cragun, Fern Hogge, Mabel Moyes, Norma Jensen, Hazel Kennedy.

Demolition in 1955 of the school building of 1906. This building had been in use continuously since that date. Many changes and additions had been added around it.

View of the new addition added in 1954-55 as seen through the rubble of the 1906 building and the construction equipment of the new building.

View of the Plain City Town Square from the roof of the school gymnasium.

Three view of the Plain City Elementary School as it stands today in 1977 with its many additions.

Idahoans submit petitions in request for open primaries

Denali National Park

Amanda is always the deal shopper. Well, that keen eye paid off in 2021. She found tickets (red eye) to Fairbanks, Alaska, for $118 per ticket. That meant we could take the entire family to Alaska for about $750! Who could pass up a deal like that? We booked tickets and started to make arrangements. We arrived early morning on 19 July. We went straight to the hotel, in the bright light of the early morning hours, to get some sleep.

Ross family at 2:16 am in Fairbanks Alaska at the airport.

Later that day we made a stop or two, one of which was at Pioneer Park.

Hiram, Amanda, and Lillian Ross with the SS Nenana at Pioneer Park in Fairbanks

Paul, James, Hiram, Lillian, and Aliza Ross with the Harding railroad car in Fairbanks.

We spent quite a bit of time at Pioneer Park and took too many pictures. But our goal was Mount Denali, which as a kid I knew as Mount McKinley.

We checked in at the Denali Park Hotel and went to discover some of the magic at Denalia National Park.

Lillie, ALiza, Amanda, James, and Hiram in Healy, Alaska

Paul and Lillian Ross in Healy, Alaska

Ross family at Denali National Park and Preserve entrance

We saw some pretty amazing scenes.

Spectacular sight in Denali National Park

James, Lillie, Aliza, and Hiram played in an Alaskan creek and noted it in 2021

Denali was hidden from us though. We did not get to see it while in the park.

Denali was there, but for some reason we could not see the highest mountain in North America.

Apparently Denali is often elusive. Many visits come to the park but never catch a glimpse of her. Even here, you would have thought we could see her shadow or silhouette. Nope.

Even the next day from the south, nothing. MIA.

Another view we could have seen Denali, but she remained hidden. Bashful thing.

We made our way to Talkeetna and Anchorage. I will have to write about those another day.

Amanda and Ross kids playing in Denali National Park stream

Manti Temple Open House

Like many others, we took the opportunity to attend the Manti Temple Open House. We scheduled it during the kids’ Spring Break from School. The last time we were in Manti was for Zach and Alyssa Smart’s wedding in 2018 (I posted it about it at the time). We took this picture as a family then.

Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, Lillian, and James Ross at Manti Temple in 2018

We decided to recreate the 2018 photo. Here is what we were able to do with the exhausted and cold kids.

Paul, Amanda, Aliza, Hiram, Lillian, and James Ross at Manti Temple in 2024

We all are 6 years older! I don’t think my hair line has receded anymore since then, although it still might be thinner. All are taller.

We waited for more than 2 hours to get into the temple for the tour. It was brisk and chilly, but the kids seemed to take it well. They even rolled down the temple hill a few times. We snapped this photo near the beginning of the line at the bottom of the hill. Grandma Jill Hemsley joined us for the occasion too!

Amanda, Paul, Hiram, James, Lillie, and Aliza Ross with Jill Hemsley at the Manti Utah Temple

It was a long line.

We finally made it inside. I think we moved through faster than I would have preferred. However, it was fun to be in parts of the temple I had never before seen. The Assembly Room was amazing. I enjoyed the novelty of the stairwells. The new screens in the Terrestrial Room, although necessary for the video presentation, are very disruptive of the room. I really appreciated and felt some of the paintings.

We also recreated another photo from 2018. Some of the landscaping was redone…

Aliza and Lillian Ross attempting to recreate a 2018 photo at the Manti Temple

Here is the photo they were recreating. Aliza and Hiram were waiting for a hummingbird to land on them. Unfortunately, with the new water conserving landscaping, I am sure there will be many fewer hummingbirds. Too bad the grounds didn’t just do away with the grass. The flowers were so amazing.

Hiram and Aliza Ross waiting for a hummingbird in 2018

If you look closely, you can see the keystone of the door in the 2018 photo. Too bad the bench is also gone.

Dinosaur National Monument 1958 & 2024

I had these two photos shared with me many years ago of my Grandparents, Milo and Gladys Ross, at Dinosaur National Park. The Quarry Exhibit Building opened in June that year to the public. You can see the building to the left in the picture. The construction stairs and ladders are still in place and were removed that year. I would expect those were removed for the opening to the public, so this might predate the June opening.

Milo and Gladys Ross with Janet, Gerry, and Brent Preece

Milo Ross and Harold Ross were the sons of John “Jack” William Ross. Jack’s brother, James, had a number of family in the Vernal, Utah, area. Carma Ross Preece is on of James’ daughters. Brent, Gerry, Janet, and Lorri Preece are all her children (and Daryl was later added).

Based on these photos, it appears Milo and Gladys and Harold and Colleen made the trip out to Vernal to visit their first cousins. It may have had something to do with the opening of the Quarry Exhibit, if so it doesn’t appear Milo and Harold took their children with them.

Harold and Colleen Ross, Milo and Gladys Ross, Gerry, Carma, Janet, Brent, and Lorri Preece

We took our family to Dinosaur National Monument in March 2024. I knew the one photo was at the Quarry Exhibit, I suspected the other photo was nearby. I showed the pictures to one of the Rangers at the Quarry Exhibit and she gave me all sorts of history and information. Here was the kink, the photos were both backwards. We figured it out because the south end of the Quarry Exhibit does not have the elevation that it does on the north end. She also pointed out that the mountains in the second photo very much looked like Split Mountain, but she could not figure out the location that far to the north.

While at the Quarry Exhibit, I snapped this photo of the vicinity of where the prior photo was taken. You can see the structural upgrades to the building that were recently done. The Ranger indicated we were not allowed to go up on top, so this was the best we could do.

Dinosaur National Monument Quarry Exhibit

Here is a picture of the full Exhibit Building. The round entry building was removed due to the same issues that required redoing the foundations of the full building.

Dinosaur National Monument Quarry Exhibit

With a little sleuthing, we located the photo with Grandpa and Grandma Ross. Now to find the second location. The Ranger indicated it appeared to be north of Split Mountain, but if the photo was reversed it might simply be the Split Mountain overlook. But it was hard to tell and imagine if it is reversed.

We went out to the Josie Morris cabin and nothing quite lined up the father north we got. So we came back and went up to the Split Mountain Campground. We could tell it was the overlook almost immediately. Although the road had been expanded and other things had changed, it was the right location.

Split Mountain Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument, 1958 and 2024

This one was easier to take a family photo on our windy, brisk day.

Lillie, Hiram, Paul, James, and Aliza Ross at Split Mountain Overlook, Dinosaur National Monument

I tried reaching out to Janet Preece Pedersen, but she and Richard were out of town. We will have to make the trek back another time.