WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY (Washington County, Utah)

A ROMANTIC STORY FROM THE WASHINGTON COTTON FACTORY

Washington, Utah

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The Washington Cotton Factory was a place of romance during the peak years. Most of the employees at the factory were young women. The hours were long and they often worked a six-day week. That left little recreation time for the girls and few chances to meet eligible men.

On one occasion, a young man from a northern county came to Dixie looking for a wife. When he heard that the factory in Washington was full of single women, he went there to try his luck. He arrived at the factory at noon as the girls were eating their lunches in the grounds surrounding the factory. Quickly he formulated a plan. He jumped onto a large rock near the girls and took his hat off, conscious perhaps, that his 6 foot 2 inch frame and curly blonde hair made him not too hard to look at.

"Give me your attention please." he said.

"I have come to Dixie on business and will be here only a short time. One of my hopes is to find a second wife. Look me over girls and if any of you would like to get better acquainted, I'd be glad to visit with you after dinner."

The girls giggled and whispered and dared each other until half a dozen went to talk to him. He found his second wife there at the factory, married her, and took her back home with him when he left Dixie.