Saturday, July 20, 2019

William Ashton participates in the 1889 4th of July program in Whitney

I found this on Family Search.  It was contributed by Alexis Beckstead.  William Ashton is my great great great grandfather.  I descend from his daughter Mary while the Becksteads descend from Sarah.  I also note that family search has added a middle name; William Albert Ashton.


In the book "The Trail Blazer, a history of the development of Southeastern Idaho," by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, it states that Amasa Beckstead provided Accordion music for the 4th of July program in 1889. In the same program it mentions that his Grandpa Ashton gave a speech. Other relatives added to the entertainment: Andrew Beckstead gave a speech, Elton Beckstead demonstrated a Step Dance. Joseph Beckstead sang a song and provided mouth-organ music with Riley Clark. These were among 43 numbers in the long program. The small community really knew how to celebrate.