Record
of
San Juan County Court
Utah Territory
[April 26, 1880 – March 2, 1885]
Know ye that I Silas S Smith having been appointed by the Legislative Assembly, of the Territory of Utah, Probate Judge of the County of San Juan in said Territory, and having taken the oath of office before Edward Dalton, Judge of the Probate Court, of Iron County, on the eighth day of March A.D. 1880,
Do appoint and by these present have appointed Charles E. Walton Clerk of the Probate Court of said County, to act in all matters pertaining to the business required by the said act of the Legislative Assembly, organizing said County, and require the same to be spread upon the Records of said County Court
Bluff April 26, 1880
The County Court of San Juan County met for the purpose of organizing said County as provided by an Act of the Governor and Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Utah Approved February 17 A.D. 1880
Present P.D. Lyman, Zechariah B. Decker and Jens Nielsen who by the above mentioned Act were appointed SelectmenCharles E. Walton, Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the Selectmen
Lemuel H. Redd Jr was appointed Assessor and Collector and the amount of his bond fixed at One Thousand Dollars. Adjourned till June 7th 1880.
Bluff, June 7th 1880
June Term — Court met pursuant to adjournment
Present Silas S. Smith, Judge, P.D. Lyman Zechariah B. Decker, and Jens Nielsen, Selectmen.
Minutes of the former session read and approved
George W. Sevey, James Lewis and Lemuel H. Redd Jr were appointed Judges of Election for Bluff City Precinct
Silas S. Smith Junr Z.B. Decker Junr and James Davis were appointed Judges of Election for Montezuma Precinct
Resolved that Bluff City Precinct shall include all that portion of the County bounded on the East by the Recapture Creek and the wagon road leading North from said Creek to Cane Springs; ^(and by a line running due South from the mouth of Recapture Creek to the line of Arizona) on the North by an East and West line crossing said road at Land Springs on the West by Green and Colorado Rivers and on the South by Arizona, with voting place at Bluff City
Resolved that Montezuma Precinct shall include all that portion of the County bounded on the East by the State of Colorado in the North by the parallel of Bluff City Precinct, on the West by said Precinct and on the South by Arizona; with voting place at Montezuma
Bluff City and Montezuma Precincts were created a Road District and
George W. Sevey appointed Road Supervisor
Resolved that six mills on the dollar be the rate of the County Tax assessed for the current year.
Kumen Jones was appointed Superintendent of District Schools
Twenty five Dollars was appropriated to pay for books
Adjourned till Aug 4th 1880
Charles E. Walton
County Clerk
Bluff August 4th 1880
Court met pursuant to adjournment.
Present Silas S. Smith Judge, and S.W. Mackelprang and Jens Nielsen, Selectmen.
The tax list was called up for equalization.
The taxes of V. H. Haskells were remitted
The matter of some property belonging to Hudson and Co., on which a portion of the taxes had been paid as alleged, was considered; no one appearing. The case was postponed for future hearing
The compensation of the Assessor and Collector for the current year was fixed at twelve and one half (12 ½ ) per cent of the Taxes assessed.
Twelve Dollars ($12.00) was appropriated to James Lewis for Law Books and stationary also Thirty three ($33.00) for presses and seals, an order book, to contain one thousand orders, and one record book for the Recorder and two for the County Clerk
Adjourned sine die.
Chas E. Walton
County Clerk
Sept. Term
Bluff, September 6th 1880
Regular term of Court
Present Jens Nielsen, Selectman.
As there was not a quorum present to transact business, Court adjourned sine die
Chas. E. Walton
County Clerk
Dec Term
Bluff, December 6th 1880
Regular term of Court
Present Wm Mackelprang, Selectman
Adjourned sine die
C.E. Walton
March Term
Bluff March 7th 1881
Regular term of court
Present Wm. Mackelprang, Selectman
Adjourned sine die
C.E. Walton
Clerk
June Term
Bluff June 6th 1881
Regular term of Court
Judges of Election for the General Election to be held August 1st 1881 were appointed as follows, viz:
For Montezuma Precinct, Wm. Heyde James Davis, and Henry Holyoak.
For Bluff city Precinct, L.H. Redds Jr. Jos A. Lyman and John Pace
Adjourned sine die
J. F. Barton
Deputy Clerk
Sept Term
Bluff September 5th 1881
Regular term of Court
Present Wm Heyde Judge, and Jens Nielsen and C J. Decker, Selectmen.
On petition of L. H Redd Junr Assessor and Collector the Court ordered his compensation for the years 1880 and 1881 to be raised to fifteen (15%) percent of the Taxes assessed
Twelve Dollars and Seventy five cents ($12.75) was appropriated for ballot boxes and stationary for the County.
Kumen Jones was appointed Road Supervisor for Bluff Road District
Montezuma Precinct was created a Road District and John Allan Junr was appointed Roads Supervisor of said District
The bonds of the Road Supervisors was fixed at Five Hundred Dollars each
Five Dollars ($5.00) was appropriatd to L. H. Redd Junr for his services in Registering voters up to date, and his compensation for future services fixed at five cents for each person registered
L. H. Redd Junr Joseph A. Lyman and Peter Allan were appointed a board of School Examiners
Adjourned sine die
C.E. Walton
Clerk
Dec Term
Bluff December 5th 1881
Regular term of Court
No quorum present
Adjourned till Dec 28th 1881
C.E. Walton Clerk
Adjourned session
Bluff, December 28th 1881
Court met pursuant to adjournment.
Present Wm Heyde, Judge and Jens Nielsen and Cornelius J. Decker, Selectmen.
Minutes of September Term of Court read and accepted
Thirty Eight Dollars and twenty two cents ($38.22) was appropriated to pay for printing etc.
One hundred and eleven Dollars and fifty cents ($111.50) was appropriated to pay County Officers for the years 1880 and 1881
Fifty Seven Dollars ($57.00) was appropriated to the County Clerk for services rendered
Sixty Dollars ($60.00) was appropriated to L. H. Redd Junr to pay for an escort hired to accompany him while assessing at the Blue Mountains, it being unsafe to travel alone on account of hostile Indians.
Six Dollars was appropriated to Jens Nielsen and L. H. Redd Junr for a trip to Montezuma in the interest of the County
Fifty Dollars ($50.00) was appropriated to be expended on the County Roads under the direction of Kumen Jones Road Supervisor of Bluff District to be worked at the rate of One Dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per day
Five Dollars was appropriated to the Coroner to defray the expenses of diging a grave and burying a tramp
Eleven Dollars ($11.00) was appropriated to C.J. Decker and Constable S. Rowley for services rendered in a crimanal suit.
Resolved that the Eastern boundary of Bluff City Precinct be removed East to the Kumen Gulch.
Jos A. Lyman tendered his resignation as County Surveyor, and Peter Allan was appointed in his stead
Bluff City Precinct was declared an Irrigation District
Adjourned sine die
C.E. Walton
Clerk
March Term
Bluff March 6th 1882
Regular term of Court
Present Wm Hyde, Judge, and Jens Nielsen and Henry Holyoak, Selectmen.
Minutes of last session read and accepted
On motion L. H H. Redd Junr was appointed Pound Keeper of Bluff City Precinct
John Allan was appointed Pound Keeper of Montezuma Precinct
The bonds of the Pound Keepers was fixed at Five Hundred Dollars
Ten Dollars ($10.00) was appropriated to the County Clerk to buy stationary for the County
Minutes read and accepted.
Court adjourned sine die
C.E. Walton
Clerk
June Term
Bluff June 5th 1882
Regular term of Court
Present Wm Hyde, Judge, and Jens Nielsen and Henry Holyoak, Selectmen
Sixteen Dollars ($16.00) was appropriated to defray the expenses of the March term of Court
Moved and carried that two School Districts be established to be known as the Bluff City and Montezuma Districts and to be bounded by the Precinct Lines
Minutes read and accepted
Adjourned sine die
C.E. Walton
Clerk
Sept Term
Bluff September 4th 1882
Regular term of Court
Present Judge Wm Hyde and Selectmen Jens Nielsen and Henry Holyoak
A petition signed by Wm Adams and sixteen others for an appropriation of Two Hundred Dollars to make a road to the Blue Mountains in order to reach the timber was presented, and on motion of Selectman Nielsen was laid over until such time as a road is located.
On the representation of Jens Nielsen Seventy five ($75.00) was appropriated to be spent on the road between Bluff and the Clay Hill under the direction of the Road Supervisor of Bluff District
On motion of Selectman Holyoak, One Hundred and Twenty five ($125.00) was appropriated to be expended between the [15]West line of Montezuma District and the Colorado State Line, under the direction of the Supervisor of Montezuma District
On motion of Selectman Nielsen, William Robb was appointed Justice of the Peace forBluff City Precinct in the place of George W.Sevey, resigned.
On motion of Selectman Holyoak one Dollar was appropriated for the relief of Assessor and Collector L.H. Redd Jr. to rectify a mistake in the assessment of Jos. S. Smith
L.H. Redd Jr, Pound Keeper rendered a bill of Thirty two Dollars and ninety five cents ($32.95) for expenses on sale of strays allowed
On notion of Selectman Holyoake an appropriation of Thirty two Dollars ($32.00) was made to pay the expenses of the June and September Terms of Court
On motion of Selectman Holyoke the School Districts of Bluff and Montezuma were consolidated into one District
Minutes read and accepted - Adjourned sine die
P.D. Lyman
Deputy Clerk
Dec. Term
Bluff December 4th 1882
Regular term of Court
Quorum not present - Adjourned till December 11th 1882
Dec. Term
Bluff December 11th 1882
Court met pursuant to adjournment.
Present Wm. Hyde, Judge, Jens Nielsen C.J. Decker and Henry Holyoak, Selectmen.
P.D. Lyman tendered his resignation as Prosecution Attorney; On motion of Selectman Holyoak it was accepted.
On motion of Selectman Nielsen A.M. Barton was appointed to succeed P.D. Lyman as Prosecuting Attorney.
Seven Dollars and twenty cents ($7.20) was appropriated to defray the expense of publishing the Financial Report of San Juan County in the Deseret News
Nine Dollars ($9.00) was appropriated to pay the Judges of Election of Bluff City Precinct
Two Dollars and eighty five cents ($2.85) was appropriated to purchase books for the County Recorder
Seventeen Dollars and eighty two cents ($17.82) was appropriated to reimburse the Road Supervisor of Bluff District for money expended on the road.
On motion the report of the Road Supervisor of Montezuma District was accepted
Moved and carried that the County License on the sale of spirituous liquors be fixed at Fifty Dollars a quarter in advance
Twenty Dollars was appropriated to the County Clerk for services rendered
Minutes read and accepted
Court adjourned sine die
C.E.Walton
Clerk
March Term
Bluff, March 5th 1883
Regular term of Court
Present Wm Hyde, Judge, and Jens Nielsen, C.J. Decker and Henry Holyoak, Selectman
Kumen Jones tendered his resignation as Supervisor of Bluff Roads District also as Supnt of District Schools- His resignations were accepted.
Nathaniel A. Decker was appointed Supervisor of Bluff Road District
Charles E. Walton was appointed Superintendent of District Schools
Henry H. Herriman was appointed Pound Keeper for Montezuma Precinct
The rate of the County Taxes for 1883 was fixed at 6 mills on the dollar
Thirty two ($32.00) was appropriated to defray the expenses of the two last terms of Court
Ten ($10.00) was appropriated to the County Clerk for services
Minutes read and accepted
Court adjourned sine die
Charles E. Walton
Clerk
June Term
Bluff June 4th 1883
Regular term of Court
Present William Hyde Judge and Jens Nielsen, C.J. Decker and Henry Holyoak, Selectmen
Resolved that the matter of repairing the County Road accross the Cottonwood Wash be referred to the Road supervisor
Resolved that the present traveled road from the mouth of Comb Wash to the Colorado State line be declared a County Road - said road to be four rods wide where practicable
Selectmen Jens Nielsen and C.J. Decker were authorized to lay out the County Road through the Bluff field
The report of Kumen Jones, Supervisor of Bluff Road District for the year 1882 was accepted.
Ten ($10.00) was appropriated to Kumen Jones for services as Superintendent of District Schools for the years 1881-2
Resolved that Montezuma Precinct be declared a School District
The Financial Report of San Juan County for the year ending May 31st 1883 was accepted
Nineteen ($19.00) Dollars was appropriated to pay for County Seals
Sixteen 75/100 Dollars was appropriated to the Assessor and Collector to purchase blank books and stationary
Sixteen ($16.00) Dollars was appropriated for Court Expenses
Six ($6.00) was appropriated to the County Clerk for services rendered
Minutes read and accepted
Court adjourned
Chas. E. Walton
Clerk
Sept term
Bluff September 3rd 1883
Regular term of Court met
Quorum not present Adjourned till Sept 22nd 1883
C. E. Walton
Clerk
Bluff September 22nd 1883
Court met pursuant to adjournment
Present Wm Hyde Judge, and C. J. Decker and Henry Holyoak Selectmen
Five ($5.00) was appropriated to pay for publishing the Financial Report of the County
Twenty ($20.00) Dollars was appropriated to C.E. Walton for services as County Clerk
Thirteen ($13.00) Dollars was appropriated to defray the expenses of this Court
Court adjourned sine die
C.E. Walton
Clerk
Dec Term
Bluff December 3rd 1883
Regular term of Court
Present John Allan Jr, Judge, and William Robb and H.H. Herriman Selectmen
Amasa M. Barton was appointed Sheriff of San Juan County
Six ($6.00) Dollars was appropriated to pay for Commissions of County Officers
Fifteen ($15.00) Dollars was appropriated to C.E. Walton for services as County Clerk
Peter Allan was appointed Supervisor of Montezuma Road District
Five ($5.00) Dollars was appropriated to purchase books for the Road Supervisors
Resolved that two dollars per day be allow-ed to Road Supervisors for actual services rendered
One hundred and twenty five ($125.00) Dollars was appropriated to be expended under the direction of Jens Nielsen on a road to be made from Bluff to the Blue Mountains, provided that the people complete the road to saw timber
Seventy five ($75.00) Dollars was appropriated to be expended on the County Roads as follows - fifty dollars on the Recapture Macrackum and Kumen Gulches and twenty five dollars at Marble Hill and vicinity
Minutes read and accepted
Court adjourned sine die
C.E. Walton
Clerk
March Term
Bluff March 3rd 1884
Regular term of Court
Present C.J. Decker, Wm Robb, and H.H. Herriman, Selectmen
A petition of L.H. Redds Assessor and Collector asking for an appropriation of Forty six Dollars and seventy five cents ($46.75) for uncollected taxes was granted
A petition from Jens Nielsen for an appropriation of Fifteen ($15.00) Dollars to apply on the road between Bluff and the Hutchings Twist was granted
Two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) was appropriated to Alma Angel for freighting from Fort Wingate - for the County
Twenty Four ($24.00) was appropriated to defray the expenses of the two last terms of Court
Six ($6.00) Dollars was appropriated to C.E. Walton for services as Clerk
Minutes read and accepted
Court adjourned
C.E.Walton
Clerk
June Term Bluff June 2nd 1884
Regular term of Court
Present C.J. Decker, Wm Robb, and H.H. Harriman
The Financial Report of San Juan County for the year ending May 31st 1884 was presented by the Clerk and accepted
James B. Decker presented a bill of Fifteen ($15.00) Dollars for services as Prosecuting Attorney, -Allowed
The Supervisor of Bluff Road District presented a statement of the disbursement of money appropriated to be expended on the road – Statement accepted
Nine ($9.00) Dollars was appropriated to N.A. Decker for services as Road Supervisor
Bluff and Montezuma Road Districts were consolidated into one district
Fifty ($50.00) was appropriated to be applied on the County Road between Recapture and Mc Elmo, by the Road Supervisor under the direction of the Selectmen
Four ($4.00) Dollars was appropriated to Jens Nielsen and C.J. Decker for services in laying out the County Road
Three ($3.00) Dollars was appropriated to James Lewis for services as Judge of election in 1880 his account having been overlooked
Eleven Dollars was appropriated for Court Expenses
Twelve ($12.00) Dollars was appropriated
to C.E. Walton for services as Clerk
Minutes read and accepted
Court Adjourned
C.E. Walton
Clerk
Special Term Bluff July 4th 1884
Special term of Court
Present Selectmen C.J. Decker, Wm Robb and H.H. Harriman
Four Dollars and thirty five cents ($4.35) was appropriated to C.J. Decker and H.H. Harriman for services as Road Commissioners
Twenty nine ($29.00) Dollars was appropriated to be expended on the County Road and the Road Supervisors Report accepted
Five ($5.00) Dollars was appropriated to pay for publishing the Financial Report of San Juan County
Fourteen ($14.00) was appropriated to defray the expenses of Court
Fifty ($50.00) was appropriated to be expended on the County Road
Minutes read and accepted
Court adjourned sine die
C.E. Walton
Clerk
Sept Term Bluff Sept 1st 1884
Regular term of Court
Quorum not present, Adjourned .September 29th 1884
C.E. Walton
Clerk
Bluff September 29th 18[84]
Court met pursuant to adjournment
Present Jos. F. Barton, Judge and C. [J.] Decker and William Robb, Selectmen
Resolved that the Montezuma Pre[cinct] shall be known hereafter as the Mc Elm[o] Precinct and that the West line of said Precinct be changed from Kumen Gu[lch] to three miles East of the mouth of Montezuma Was[h]
McElmo Precinct was established [a]Road District and H.L. Mitchell as Road Supervisor for said District
Frederick J. Jones was appointed to a vacancy in the office of Select[men] San Juan County
Seventy eight Dollars and twenty [five] cents ($78.25) was appropriated to Jens [Nielsen] to be expended on the road from B[luff] to the Blue MountainsMotioned and carried that all [ ] of the County Road lying West of Butler Wash be discontinued.
Forty ($40.00) was appropriated [to L.] H. Redd for services as Deputy [ ] Treasurer for four years ending
Fifteen ($15.00) Dollars was appropria[ted] to L.H.Redd for extra trip in [ ][from Bluff to Comb Wash]
Ten ($10.00) Dollars was appropriated topay for Commissions of County Officers
The road running from the mouth of Recapture Creek to the Northern line of the County via the Blue Mountains and Cane Springs was declared a County Road
Court adjourned till 2P.M.
2P.M. Court resumed session – present J.F. Barton, Judge and C.J. Decker, Wm Robb and Frederick J. Jones, Selectmen
Eighty ($80.00) Dollars was appropriated to his expended on the County Road in Mc Elmo District under the direction of the Road Supervisor
One Hundred ($100.00) was appropriated to be expended on the county Road be-tween Bluff City and McElmo Precinct under the direction of the Road Supervisor
Three Hundred ($300.00) Dollars was appropriated to be expended on the County Road from the mouth of Recapture Creek to the North line of the County
Twenty five ($25.00) Dollars was appropriated to C.E. Walton for services as Clerk
Thirty nine ($39.00) Dollars was appropriated to C.J.Decker for services rendered to the County
Twelve ($12.00) Dollars was appropriated to pay Court Expenses
Amasa M. Barton was appointed County Recorder
Wm Robb tendered his resignation
N.A. Decker was appointed to succeed Wm. Robb as Selectman
Minutes read and accepted
Court Adjourned
C.E. Walton
Clerk
Bluff December 1st 1884
Regular term of Court
Quorum not present – Adjourned till December 30th 1884
December 30th1884
Adjourned term of Court
Present F.J. Jones N.A. Decker and H.J. Nielsen, Selectmen
Jos. F. Dougherty was appointed Road Supervisor for the McElmo District
Nine ($9.00) Dollars was appropriated for Court Expenses
Minutes read and accepted
Court Adjourned
C.E. Walton
Clerk
Bluff March 2nd 1885
Regular term of Court
Present F. J. Jones N.A. Decker and H.J. Nielsen Selectmen
E. Mitchell was appointed Supervisor of McElmo Road Disttrict
F.J. Jones and H. J Nielsen were appointed a committee to look out a road from Bluff to the Comb Wash
