Monday, June 1, 2009

Moving into the 20th Century

Around 1888 John Darrington donated land for a Relief Society building. It was made of red brick and is still in use (1984) across from the Church house. Local women raised funds from projects ranging from selling eggs and butter to holding box socials. The building was dedicated in 1902. Sophia Ottley was the first president. In 1876, Brigham Young requested the Relief Society women to undertake a grain storage project. Granaries were built and the congregation saved whatever they could spare in specially made bins. During World War I this supply was sold and the money placed in the Burley State Bank. Unfortunately, the bank went broke and the Relief Society sisters were $600 out of savings. The little one room building has undergone some change through the years...it has a different entrance, a new fence, a fireplace, and has been wired for electricity, all financed by persons in the community.
During WWI fifteen men from Elba went into their country's service and there were fifty-eight enlisted boys and girls serving in WWII. Two were killed in action.
In November 1940, the Rural Electric Association brought electricity to Elba, Almo, and Malta, and coal oil lamps were no more. This modernization revolutionalized living for most residents, bringing lights, new style washing machines, refrigeration, and electric cookstoves.
Elba's cemetery lies East of town in a fenced area surrounded by sagebrush. When Etta Hull remarked once to her mother how forlorn and desolate it seemed to be buried there, Abbie said, "I can't think of a more beautiful sight on resurrection morning than to see this valley and these mountains." It has become the final resting place for many Ottleys and their friends and neighbors.
Abbie passed away May 22, 1952 and was buried in the Elba Cemetery.



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