Will suspected a snow slide up the canyon had temporarily dammed the stream,and after breakfast he saddled a big black horse and with several others rode up the canyon to investigate. Some miles up the gorge and just west of where the South Fork joins the main canyon a huge avalanche had tumbled down from the south slope. At it deepest point,the slide measured fifty feet,and it extended to the canyon walls on the opposite side,damming the Provo River. It also covered part of what was called Ferguson’s Flat,a fairly extensive meadow like area on the north side of the river. Slick noticed that the house and store of William W. “Billy”Ferguson were nowhere in sight.
William Ferguson,one of the most colorful characters in the history of the canyon,had made it his home now for about ten years. Ferguson lived alone in the canyon;his wife and grown children lived in the valley. He operated a halfway house and store where travelers could take a moment’s rest from their journey,water their horses at the trough filled by the cold spring,and pass a few moments in conversation. They might decide to extend their stay and order a meal cooked by Billy himself. There was even an extra bed if it were a late hour and the wayfarer exhausted or the weather too intense to make travel safe or comfortable.
The atmosphere at Ferguson’s Flat was casual with entertainment furnished by Billy and his menagerie. He kept an assortment of dogs and cats on the ranch in addition to a fleet of pigeons. One of his dogs,Belle,was quite a dancer. Billy would play a lively tune on the guitar and say,“Come on now,Belle–let’s see what you can do.” Belle would prance round and round on her hind feet just as proud as her owner.
Will Slick had taken the river bottom road toward Provo as fast as conditions would permit. On the way he notified farmers and the Ferguson family of the tragedy. He continued on into the center of Provo recruiting help as he rode. He returned to the canyon accompanied by some 500 men. By the time they reached Ferguson Flat,the workmen from the power plant had already found what was left of the room in which Ferguson had spent his last night. With the reinforcements adding fresh vigor to the search,Billy was soon found on the shattered remnants of his bed. A rafter from the roof lay across the right side of his head,and a five-inch pole lay across his chest. Billy,it seems,had died instantly. So had his faithful dog Bette whose crushed body was found in the same room. The search for more bodies was continued,but none were found.
