More News about the Merchants in Beaver/North Creek Utah

1) Old Anvil near the Merchant Home (turn sideways) 2) Merchant mailbox in front of home 3) Merchant Family name sign on front porch

Last weekend, we finally arranged a trip together to the Beaver, Utah area. We stopped by the DUP Museum first as it holds so much promise for information about the Merchants. It didn't open until 11 am so we headed for the North Creek area where the Merchants settled in the late 1850's.

Not much had changed since last year when Jayne discovered the area...or so we thought. We got brave and stopped at a home, hoping to meet someone who could answer our questions. The only thing we met at first was a barking wiener dog. J., the brave sister, wanted to approach the dog and said the wagging tail was a sign that he liked us. Me, the cowardly sister, thought only of the dog piercing my leg with his teeth. I noticed a neighbor across the street checking his mail. We quickly walked in that direction.

We asked if he knew of any Merchants living in the area. He nodded and said "Darrell Merchant lived over by the pine tree there but he died 3 months ago." J.and I both sighed. Darrell was about 91 years old. It would have been nice to have met him.

We went over to his place which had been moved in the 1930's from near the river to higher ground. We took a bunch of pictures and then headed back into town. The DUP museum was now open and we asked questions about Darrell. The hostess told us her husband interviewed Darrell last year and they will try to transcribe the tape and send it on to us. We again felt encouraged that our attempts to find out more about Elizabeth will continue and someday be successful. Enjoy the photos of North Creek!