Statistics

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Howard Ransom Egan

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Brief History

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Howard Ransom describes the miserable conditions at Sugar Creek, Iowa, after the expulsion from Nauvoo.  He attributes his rheumatism to it, which  may have contributed to his foot deformity.  He describes his experience as a boy of six at Sugar Creek in 1846 following the expulsion from Nauvoo:  “…it was raining all the time and water all over the ground except here and there a small point sticking up above the water. The land must have sunk, and how we got out of it I don’t know, but now I think it was there or there abouts that Mother and I got our start of rheumatism.”   (“Conditions At Sugar Creek, Iowa, 1846:” Pioneering The West, p.13.)  At the DUP Museum in Salt Lake City (in its Carriage House), there is a specially-made boot for a deformed foot, which is identified as belonging to Howard Egan.  It seems likely that it was Howard Ransom Egan’s boot.

Howard Ransom Egan was a pony express rider from April 3, 1860 until October 1861. Pioneering the West described one of his mail delivery experiences when he replaced a sick rider. “Riding through Egan Canyon in the dark, he caught the gleam of a camp fire.  On approaching it cautiously, he discovered an Indian war party. His first impulse was to gallop off.  But he reasoned that another war party was at the other end of the canyon waiting to trap him.  Thereupon, he came to a bold decision. Spurring on his horse, he galloped into the camp with deafening shouts and fired his revolver into the air. The startled Indians, fearing an attack by a large group of white men, scuttled off without a second look. He then took a short cut and arrived safely. The next day he learned that just as he had suspected, another Indian war party had been waiting to ambush him.” (Pioneering the West, pg. 94.)  Later a friendly Indian told him there had indeed been a trap set to catch a rider.  They wanted to find out what he carried that made him ride so fast. (Saddles and Spurs: The Pony Express Saga, pg. 88.)

“Major Egan and Tamson’s eldest son, Howard Ransom, lived at the Deep Creek Station until 1870 when he reportedly moved to Richmond, Utah.  He was listed as a member of the Deep Creek LDS Branch as late as October of 1874.

“[Howard Ransom] was crippled from birth and had to wear a specially made shoe on one deformed foot.  He was missing one finger, and another was twisted at a funny angle, caused by a hatchet accident when he was young.  He was a stage driver, Pony Express rider and managed the mail station at Deep Creek.  He and his father always maintained good relations with the Indians.  It is said that he had a great love for beauty of any kind.  He had originally started farming in Ruby Valley but soon moved to Deep Creek because of threatened Indian attacks.  While in Deep Creek, he married Amanda Andrus” and raised a large family.  In Cache Valley, near Richmond, Howard started a successful mine and two sawmills besides working the homestead. His oldest son, Howard  M., was born at Deep Creek.  In later life, he helped write a book about his father.  It was entitled Pioneering The West and contained many stories about Deep Creek.” (Bateman, Ronald R., Deep Creek Reflections, p. 62.)

Howard settled in Cache Valley, Utah in 1869. He married Amanda Andrus and raised a large family.

A glimpse of Deep Creek pioneer home life was given in a letter written by Hiram Rumfield, an Overland mail agent in 1862. He described Howard R. Egan’s wife, Amanda Andrus, as “young…beautiful and accomplished.”    He continued: “They have gathered around them, in this desert region, many of the comforts and some of the refinements of eastern life. While I write, this generous and simple hearted woman is engaged in singing an accompaniment to the tones of the Melodean. How homelike the associations, and how chastening to the soul of the weary way-faring stranger, are the gentle tones of the female voice…..The day was hot and the dust along the road almost suffocating. But now that shadows of night have gathered around us, a gentle breeze is playing in from the adjacent snow-capped mountain cooling the atmosphere to a most delightful temperature.”  (Rumfield, Hiram, Letters of An Overland Mail Agent in Utah. Edited by Archie Hulbert, Worcester, MA, American Antiquarian Society, 1909, p47)  from Deep Creek Reflections by Ronald R. Bateman, p 63.)

“Richmond, March 22 – The funeral of Howard R. Egan was held in the Richmond Meeting House Tuesday, March 21.  Music was rendered by the Richmond Ward Choir and a duet was sung by two girls. The first speaker was Walter Hill, his son-in-law, who paid tribute to his memory, especially praising him for his love of his parents and his fellowmen, and his interest in genealogical work.  Also his interest in the family history, of which he had commenced the publication.  A brief sketch of his life was read.  The other speakers followed in the same strain, each relating interesting things of the deceased.  His six sons were the pallbearers, a number of his granddaughters marching ahead with beautiful floral tributes and his widow following with two of his brothers supporting her.  The daughters and sons in line following with a large procession of friends and relatives.  A large number of carriages following the hearse to the Richmond Cemetery.” (Deseret News, March 25, 1916, page 8.)