Oliver DeMille purchased land for a community

Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 13, p.542 [p.542] In the year 1861 the land on the south of the stream was owned by an old Piede Indian named Shunes. Oliver DeMille purchased it from him and the town was born. Land was cleared, ditches dug, orchards, vineyards, corn, cane and other crops were planted. In spare time, roads were improved, especially the steep and narrow dugway along the river that led into this promising town. There was enough land to accommodate all who came, and many joined the rounding families. The soil was fertile, yielding abundantly, and they lived in peace and prosperity. If Oliver DeMille's plow broke, there were any number of plows he could borrow. He likewise did the same for his neighbors when they needed help. All banded together to aid in any kind of distress. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 13, p.542 There were Indian scares; wives and children were moved out and back again, but Shonesburg was never molested. Life was carefree and content. A building was erected about 1868 to serve as church, school and a community center. Oliver DeMille was sustained as presiding elder. School and church convened there for thirty-eight years. But as time passed, the ravaging floods proved to be the determining factor in the destiny of the little town. When the pioneers first settled Shonesburg, the river ran in a deep narrow channel and there was ample land on both sides. But as the precious soil washed away, the settlers were forced to leave. By 1890 Oliver and his family and Alma Beal, Oliver's brother-in-law, were the only ones left. The DeMilles had built a large rock house on the hill sometime around 1880, but in 1903 Oliver, too, had left. In later years the country encompassing Shonesburg was engulfed by Zion's National Park. The lone stone house still stands high on the hill. It and the name are the only reminders of the once thriving little community of Shonesburg. Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 13, p.542