Walter C. Lyman, A Man of Vision

by Albert R. Lyman

A youth heard a voice from the wilderness
And he thrilled with what it said,
for it sang of work for him to do
In the wondrous times ahead.

And ever he looked and listened
Through changes of trying years
Nor paused from his cherished purpose
to nurse futile tears.

Then the voice called, "come hither,
and build in the wilderness,
A place where saints may gather
From poverty and distress."

He forsook all else and journeyed
Away to a wild dry place,
And spread thee a verdant City
On the desert's arid face.

He had answered the voice that called him,
Yet of wealth he had gathered none,
And he put him down in a borrowed home
When his work was done.

(This led to the settlement of Blanding in 1905)

The Passing of an Age

Tribute to Albert R. Lyman 

First settler of Blanding, written on his death Nov. 1973

        by Janet Wilcox

Our link with other days and times

    has left us now...

Stalwart yet singular he stood,

Like the rough hewn monoliths 

    of San Juan

A sentinel for all.

Patriarch, Father, Sage, Saint.

“The Old Settler”

Clung tenaciously to life

in disciplined steadfastness,

Until chill November winds

In kindly consequence,

Blew steadily

 And the last leaf let loose its hold

    And fell,

         The passing of an age.

Edge of the Cedars

By Ruby Bronson

Tribute to Walter C. Lyman and Albert R. Lyman

A young man, tired from riding,
Lay down on a warm day to rest.
He dreamed of a city abiding
In this beautiful part of the west.

While he later was hunting his horses
He climbed to the Mesa above
And there at the Edge of the Cedars
Envisioned the city he loved.

His dream lead him up to the mountain,
The mission of faith to fulfill;
He surveyed a ditch, as a fountain
Of water, White Mesa to till.

He inspired his nephew to move there,
Make friends with the Indians, and give
Of his talents as teacher and leader,
At the Edge of the Cedars to live.

And now at the Edge of the Cedars
A city has blossomed and grown,
And many an Indian and traveler
Now call this city their home.

Here the people are teaching the Indians
Their mission in life to fulfill.
We live now in peace with our brothers
Enjoying the fruits of God's will