An Introduction to Folklore and Silver Reef

Eric Fleming
(Resident Hebestorian)

Silver Reef Museum
Wells Fargo Express Building

"I'm not a historian but rather a hebestorian" 

-Eric Fleming

                                                          (Hebestorian: He be tellin' stories)

We had two visitors come to our Television Production Class today to pitch an idea for possible television show.  Eric Fleming - who heads up the Silver Reef Museum and Dick Kohler - Chairman for the Washington County Historical Society (http://wchsutah.org)

John Kemple

Their idea was to produce a TV show that focuses on local folklore for of a ghost town called Silver Reef.  Silver Reef is particularly interesting because it is one of the few places in the world where silver was discovered in sandstone by John Kemple in 1886.  By 1878 Silver Reef was booming. The desire to strike it rich attracted many  Irish, Cornish and Chinese immigrants, referred to my the Mormons as "gentiles", into an already heavily influenced Mormon culture

Silver Reef 1880's

At on time, Silver Reef was the largest town in Washington County.  At it's
height, Silver Reef boasted nearly a dozen mines, six ore processing mills, retail stores, 16 saloons, hotels, banks, a school, Wells Fargo express office and other such amenities.

It was also unquestionably the liveliest town in Washington County.  There were lynchings, murders, gambling fights and anything else you might read about in great western novels.   Despite great differences between the Mormons and the gentiles they formed mutually dependent relationships. The Mormons had fresh produce and live stock and the minors had cash.

Bart Anderson aka "Ranger

The other reason they wanted us to produce this this TV show was partly pay homage to a local celebrity story teller and Park Ranger Bart Anderson aka "Ranger Bart." Bart was a story teller. Bart became an expert on the history of Southern Utah. His stores have become legendary.  "Ranger Bart passed away on  March 23.  They felt that a television show about the folk history and stories would be a great way to pay homage to the man who, for Decades keep these very stores alive.

I was quickly moved by their presentation and the idea of preserving folklore. I immediately started thinking of ways we could pull this project off.  Since that meeting, I have taken on a producer roll for this show.

Together, with the help of my co producer Ashlee Freer are cooking up something spectacular....