Little Valley

The so-called Box Elder Valley(The first paragraph was taken directly from the records of Lorenzo Snow. ) or “Little Valley”, was well known to the early trappers and hunters in the Wasatch Mountains, and as soon as the settlement of Box Elder (Now Brigham City) was founded in 1851, Box Elder Valley became a favorite herd ground for the stock belonging to the settlers. In November, 1856, Eli H. Peirce and others were appointed as a committee to manage and control box Elder Valley and Devil’s Gate Canyon, for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of Brigham City. By an act of the Utah Legislature approved January 18, 1858, Box Elder Valley was granted to Lorenzo Snow and others for a herd ground. Father Abraham Hunsaker was among the men who ran the largest amount, or number of stock in the Valley.

The story is told of his sad experience with Johnston’s army. The army was returning from the Battle of Bear River enroute to Salt Lake City. Mr. Hunsaker had adopted an Indian boy, of whom he thought a lot. The boy was herding cattle in Little Valley. Upon seeing the Indian, the Army made the attack and as a result, the boy was killed. Mr. Hunsaker was very angry and did much talking, but nothing was ever done about it.

Myrna’s Mantua Memories

by Myrna Leone Sims Ward