Saga of the Sanpitch Volume 17, 1985 - Sanpete County

worked „ A visor shaded his eyes from the glare of the hanging light bulb; Prior to 1901 coal oil lamps were
used for light. Other offices were similarly equipped.
Deed records as early as 1855 are found in the Recorder's Office. One of particular interest is the deed
from Chief Arropine (Siegnerouch) to Brigham Young deeding "the portion of land and country known as
Sanpete County, together with all timber and materials on the same, valued at $155,000.00 . ."
It seems that there is always need for expansion and the facilities in the small courthouse were
becoming inadequate for the growing community. In 1894 there "was much agitation for the building of
a new courthouse." The Ephraim Enterprise for January 27, 1894, printed the following:
The county court at its session next Monday will again consider the advisability of building a
new courthouse. It looks as if the future location of the courthouse would be at Ephraim,, This
city is the natural location for the county seat. „ ."
A committee was appointed to investigate and draw plans for a new building, but the people decided
they couldn't afford a new courthouse at that time. Instead, $2,000 was appropriated to remodel the old
courthouse. A courtroom and Assessor's office were added to the second floor.
With this new addition this old courthouse served its purpose well for 41 years. The Manti Messenger
for March 8, 1935, reported that ground had been broken for the new County Courthouse which was to cost
about $90,000. Since it was to be built on the same property as the old building, it would "necessitate the
removal of the old school building and the county jail."
The jail, constructed of red brick from the Red Point south of Manti, stood just east of the first
courthouse and has a story of its own to tell. Some of the inmates housed there were the polygamists who
suffered early persecution because of their beliefs. At one time Clinton Bouvang, who played the guitar and
sang well, was requested to go into the jail and sing songs all night to the prisoners.
Probably, because the jail was so well constructed and ho doubt to allay costs of the new courthouse,
the entire cell block was moved into the new building. Alburn Lyon, a custodian in the new courthouse, said it
was his opinion that the cell block (all heavy metal) was lowered into the ground on to a cement base and the
basement was built around it. After serving well for some fifty years, the original jail has now been converted
into scrap iron.
The new modern, mechanized detention quarters are controlled on panels in the county law
enforcement dispatch office.
The old schoolhouse served a long and colorful history, being used as late as 1928 or after by the
County Treasurer and Assessor for a room in which tax rolls and notices were prepared.
The Ephraim Enterprise for October 25, 1935, describes the enthusiasm of the people and the
problems that were encountered as the courthouse construction was begun.
Impressive and colorful services marked the laying of the cornerstone of the new
Sanpete County Courthouse at Manti Friday. Culminating a courthouse drive lasting over a
period of three score years, the occasion marked the completion of the foundation structure
and the beginning of the walls which are to be laid with Sanpete's magnificent white oolite, cut
to a near marble smoothness.
Six county bands in gay uniforms maneuvered and played in the parade preceding the
ceremony. The cornerstone was laid by Frank Maylett, Chairman of the County Commissioners.
The article explained that a long extended drought preceding the depression made the building of the
courthouse with its attendant tax burden an impossible venture. After months of planning, interviewing and
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