Recent floods mirror disaster of 163 years ago
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Among those assisting flood victims on Jan. 15 was St. George City Mayor Daniel McArthur, whose ancestral ties to southern Utah include the first stake president of St. George. This ancestor, also named Daniel, welcomed President Lorenzo Snow to the St. George Tabernacle when he promised that the "windows of heaven" would be opened to those who paid tithes and offerings.
Mayor McArthur noted that on this date, 163 years ago, the settlement of St. George was founded. He also noted that during this same month of January 1862, an incredible flood destroyed the Jacob Hamblin fort. Journal accounts of pioneer families living in the fort at that time describe a scene of terror and emergency as the final evacuations were made shortly before the fort fell.
After nearly being killed on two occasions by the river, Jacob Hamblin, the early colonizer of the area, decided to move higher up the hill. Using stone that remained from the fort, he built the home that stands in Santa Clara, Utah.
Flood waters came within 50 yards of the home.
