John Ashman

Information from Enoch3000@aol.com   AWT # 11022

JOHN ASHMAN

Heart Throbs of the West

Heart Throbs of the West: Volume 3

British Contribution To Utah

John Ashman

     John Ashman was one of the pioneer masons of Fillmore. He learned his trade in England and when he arrived in Utah in 1864, continued to work at his trade. Houses were either plastered or whitewashed in those early days-no dainty colors of kalsomine or fancy patterns of wall paper to choose from. Mr. Ashman would prepare the lime, then mix it with water, and after everything was removed from the room, he would proceed to brighten up log, slab, plastered or factory walls and ceilings. He often said his labor was like love-it covered all unsightly objects with beauty.

     He was a jolly, lovable Englishman, always singing as he worked. Many of the pioneers acknowledged that he made house cleaning easier by his wit and humor. Part of an old rock fence that he, with the aid of his wife, built, still stands in Fillmore.-Rhoda Ashman Melville.

Heart Throbs of the West

Heart Throbs of the West: Volume 10

Travel and Freight

On the Spanish Trail

     "In company with my mother's only brother, John Ashman, Jr., who was a pioneer of eighteen sixty-four, I took a lead of freight from Fillmore, Utah, to Nevada. We sold our loads and were making our return to Fillmore, our home town, carrying with us a considerable amount of money which we had received from the sale of our loads.

     Man on front single wagon is Abe Carling, Jr. The man on double wagon with four horses is John T. Ashman, Jr. Picture was taken at Croft's place, west of Deseret, Utah. Third man is Stringham. Photographer Anderson took the picture.

     "We had traveled miles on the road when we came to a house by the side of the road. In it a negress was busily engaged preparing a meal. We had traveled the road before and had talked to the negress, who was employed as cook for Ben Tasker's band of robbers. An adjoining room ofthe cabin was used for a stable and in it we saw several horses saddled, bridled, and tied in the stable. We also noticed large pieces of beef and other provisions hanging from the ceiling of the cabin.

     "When approaching the place we saw a white horse tied to a cedar tree in the distance, but thought nothing of it. In talking with the negress we learned that Ben Tasker and his men, with the white horse, were waiting for us in the distance. Had these men known that the negress had divulged their secret, it probably would have gone hard with her. As soon as we learned of our plight we made arrangements for Uncle John to take the saddle pony which we had along with us, and also the money, and make his way home by another road. He went by way of Deseret, while I continued on the regular road.

     "The little pony seemed to know that there was trouble in the air, for it traveled at an unbelievable rate of speed, and took Uncle John and the money to their destination safely. Something must have happened to thwart the plans of Ben Tasker for I continued on my way unmolested, and saw nothing more of him or his men."--Mrs. Isabel C. Brunson.