}
–Photographed 2015 by David Walton
Cabin by James Monroe Redd Family
In 1887, sensing greater business prospects farther south, Monroe moved his small
family to Bluff. The journey was much easier this time! No holes to blast or
roads to pave, and a safe, easy river crossing at Dandy (now called Hite).
The family’s “first home in Bluff was a log cabin with dirt floors where the family
lived for six months. Later [Monroe] bought the home of Apostle Brigham Young, Jr.,
an acre of land and a three-room log house . . . for the fabulous sum of $250.00.
This home was in the luxury class at that time.” Monroe had enjoyed the work he
did herding the cattle and horses during his adventure through the Hole-in-the-Rock,
and decided to make a living at it. He joined with Joshua Stevens, Brigham Young, Jr.,
and Platte D. Lyman in raising cattle. Eventually, the people of Bluff bought out a
cattle company from Texas, and Monroe joined the Bluff pool to help pay for it.
In 1905, Monroe and Lucinda decided to move to Monticello. Here he went back to farming.
In total, he and Lucinda had nine children as a farm seemed like the best place to raise them.