Alpine has it's own pioneer history and amazing men and women who sacrificed lots to settle our little community, as well as the state of Utah. One man, who many know his story, is John Moyle. His homestead is a mile west of us and we are lucky to know his history: (the following passage is from this link)
John Rowe Moyle, a master of stonework who came west with the earliest handcart companies in 1846. He settled in Alpine Utah, which was nearly 22 miles away from downtown Salt Lake City. He was called to be a stone mason on the Salt Lake Temple. In order to fulfill his calling, and to be to work by 8:00 in the morning, every Monday Moyle would wake up at 2:00 a.m., and begin his long walk over the hill, and through the valley to the temple of the Lord.
He would spend the week in Salt Lake, working on the temple, and then on Friday, at 5:00 p.m., he would start the long walk home, where he would tend to the duties of his farm over the weekend.
One weekend, while tending to his farm, he was kicked as one of his cows bolted while milking, resulting in a compound fracture to his leg. In the lack of any sophisticated medical help at the time, the only available solution for his injury was amputation. His family and friends removed a door from its hinges, and strapped him onto it, and then removed his leg with a hacksaw.
As soon as he was able, once he could sit up in bed, he took a piece of wood, and using his carving skills, carved an artificial limb for himself so that such a little thing like the loss of a leg would not prevent him from walking each week to work on the temple.
As soon as he was able to stand the pain from walking on his stub leg, he again journeyed to the temple, and resumed his work, which he did for many years to come.
22 miles. 6 hours. One way. Every weekend. By foot. Then he even lost a leg....
Moyle's sacrifice and endurance is honorable and inspiring. It makes me proud to be a Utahn and even more proud as an Alpiner. Happy 24th/Pioneer Day/Birthday to you, Utah and all those in our memory.
picture taken by me 200 film
