Old Ephraim Trifold Pamphlet: The Legendary Grizzly of the Bear River Range

Why was he called Old Ephraim? How big was he? Where did he die? When did he die? Was Old Ephraim the last grizzly bear in Utah? What happened to the skull? Who was Old Ephraim? Who was Frank Clark?https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/oldephraim/1005/thumbnail.jp

Old Ephraim Didactic

Who was Old Ephraim? Who was Frank Clark? Why was he called Old Ephraim? How big was he? Why is the skull damaged? How did the skull end up at USU?https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/oldephraim/1004/thumbnail.jp

Grave Wayfinder: Visit Old Ephraim\u27s Grave

Hiking directions to Old Ephraim\u27s Grave. This loop hike takes you to Old Ephraim\u27s grave via the Willow Creek Trail, Ephraim\u27s Cutoff Trail, Long Hollow Road (FR 056), Steel Hollow Trail, and Rick\u27s Canyon Trail. The total distance is 11.75 miles from the Right Hand Fork trailhead, and the hike takes 6 to 7 hours plus breaks. It can be hiked from late spring to early fall. There is no cell service along the route.https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/oldephraim/1001/thumbnail.jp

Old Ephraim Booklet: The Legendary Grizzly of the Bear River Range

The story of Old Ephraim has circulated since the early twentieth century, when the legendary grizzly preyed upon sheep grazing in the Bear River Range. Frustrated herders, hoping to limit losses to their flocks, pursued the elusive bear, but he remained largely unseen and unheard for many years. The only trace of Old Ephraim was his distinctive tracks, which exhibited only three toes on one foot—hence the nickname, “Old Three Toes.” In August 1922, after attempting for more than nine years, sheepherder Frank Clark finally trapped and killed Old Ephraim. Nearly a century later, the story of Old Ephraim has been told and retold. While many aspects of the story remain the same, parts have become exaggerated to the point that some believe the legend is only a fantastical campfire story. But Old Ephraim was real, and his skull, on display in Utah State University\u27s (USU) Special Collections & Archives, is a tangible connection to the legend. This overview traces the legend from its roots, examining the era when Old Ephraim roamed, the stories of his death, and the saga of his skull, separating fact from fiction as we remember the legendary grizzly of the Bear River Range.https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/oldephraim/1002/thumbnail.jp

Digitizing Items from Special Collections: The USU Approach

The presentation outlines a USU pilot project in using the Institutional Repository to promote and provide access to materials in Special Collections

USU Libraries Land Acknowledgement Workshop Part 2

Two guest speakers shared their thoughts on considerations for scholars examining questions related to land and working with materials of or describing indigenous peoples.Dean McGuire, Graduate student, USU History Department A Sincere Middle Ground: Collaborative Research between Native Communities and Scholars What does “collaboration” mean for Native people and academia? What do scholars have to gain from working with Native people in the present to learn about the past, and much more importantly, what do Native people and communities today have to gain from working with educational institution such as universities? In 2018, a number of scholars who associate with Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) participated in a roundtable where they discussed various methods and principals for Native history. Among these principles is a commitment to engage with Native people about their own past, but the approaches and purpose for collaborative research is still debated by scholars. American Historical Review published an exchange in spring 2020, “Historians and Native American and Ingenuous Studies,” which was prompted by David J. Silverman’s earlier review of two books, Lisa Brooks’s Our Beloved Kin: A New History of King Phillip’s War and Christine M. DeLucia’s Memory Lands: King Phillip’s War and the Place of Violence in the Northeast. In his review, Silverman argued that Brooks’s and DeLucia’s collaborative research with Native people in the present led to a number of misinterpretations about the past (King Phillip’s War). That review set up a much larger and heated discussion about collaboration in the AHR Exchange. By looking at this exchange, we can better understand how collaborative research serves Native communities and academia.”Clint Pumphrey, USU Manuscript Curator The Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nations Digital Archive is the product of a 20-year project to collect materials produced by tribal members and digitize relevant records found in archives across the state. In 2019, the members and friends of the tribe who compiled the archive approached librarians and archivists at USU’s Merrill-Cazier Library to make the archive accessible through the library’s website, a process which is currently underway. Manuscript curator Clint Pumphrey will discuss the history of the archive and what it contains, as well as important considerations for the ownership, description, and access to these materials.”https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/lib_land/1001/thumbnail.jp

From the Stacks to the Syllabus: Librarians Teaching Credit-Bearing Courses in the Disciplines

Join us for an engaging discussion of the opportunities and challenges associated with librarians teaching credit-bearing courses in academic departments. Topics will include: how relationships with students and faculty change when we assume new roles; how these experiences impact our work as librarians; and how we can balance workloads and expectations given new responsibilities. This roundtable will encourage reflection on issues related to the perception and work of librarians in the academy