Bluff in San Juan County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Parley R. & Ency Camilla (Bayles) Butt

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 18, 2016

1. Parley R. & Ency Camilla (Bayles) Butt Marker

Inscription. In 1879, at age 17, Parley R. Butt was one of 26 men who scouted possible routes for the San Juan Mission and established Montezuma Fort. A few months later, he traveled with the main group of pioneers as they blazed the Hole-in-the-Rock road. In 1881 he went back to Parowan, Utah to marry Ency Camilla Bayles. Parley and Ency returned to the Bluff Fort, where they began their family.

Accepting an assignment in the spring of 1887, the Butts, along with several other families, moved 40-50 miles north to the Blue Mountains, where they helped settle the Verdue and Monticello.

On a cold, windy night in October 1897, Ency was chilled and shivering. After popping corn for their seven children, Ency retired early. She remarked that she was grateful for her new sewing machine and her thoughtful children. Tragically, Ency died that night while in labor with her eighth child. The baby also died-unborn. Ency was 33.

One year after Ency's death, Parley married Edith Bayles, Ency's sister. Parley was a cattleman and merchant. He also served as county attorney, sheriff, and school trustee. He died in 1940 at the age of 78.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1897.

Location. 37°

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17.013′ N, 109° 33.174′ W. Marker is in Bluff, Utah, in San Juan County. It can be reached from 5th East Street. Marker is on the grounds of the Bluff Fort Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 550 East Black Locust Avenue, Bluff UT 84512, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Navajo Nation

and in Canyon Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: F.I. Jones & Mackelprang Families (here, next to this marker); The Butt Families (here, next to this marker); Henry & Sarah Ann Robinson Holyoak Wagon Encampment Display (a few steps from this marker); Bayles Family (within shouting distance of this marker); The San Juan Gold Rush (within shouting distance of this marker); Bodil and Jens Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); The Barton Cabin/West Wall of the Bluff Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Barton Family (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bluff.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, May 18, 2016

2. Parley R. & Ency Camilla (Bayles) Butt Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 625 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2016, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.