--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Hull, Thomas collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 6 number: 5 published: 1903-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Thomas Hull, "Events of the Month," *Improvement Era* 6, no. 5 (March 1903): 396–400.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0605unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0605unse start_page: 396 end_page: 400 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1903-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0605unse publication_year: 1903 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1903, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Events of the Month EVENTS OF THE MONTH. BY THOMAS HULL, GENERAL SECRETARY OF Y. M. M. L A. Local—January 15, 1903—There are twenty-seven cases of small- pox at Salina, and the pest is spreading in all parts of the state 16—F. J. Hagenbarth, of Utah, was selected second vice-president of the National Live Stock Association of Kansas City Neils Morten Peterson, a surveyor and Indian fighter, and pioneer of Richfield, born Denmark, Nov. 12,1819, died There was a mass meeting at Mt. Pleasant to devise means for the completion of the mammoth reservoir Ezra Jacob Wycoff Barnard, born New York, July 8, 1830, a Salmon River missionary, died in Brigham City 16—Col. E. F. Holmes is chosen president of the Commercial Club, Salt Lake The naval recruiting station closed, having secured 35 enlistments in Salt Lake 18—Citizens of Mt. Pleasant organize a company to bore for oil Mrs. Ella Hunt, who returned three weeks ago from a mission to Germany, died in Loa, Piute county Charles H.' Nelson, born in Sweden, aged 68 years, a pioneer of 1862. died in Provo 19—Elizabeth Leyland Graham, mother of John C. Graham, widow of Wm. C. Graham, born in England, December 5, 1816, died in Provo; and Lucetta Penrose, wife of Hon. C. W. Penrose, of the Deseret News, born in England, Sep- tember 15, 1834, died in Salt Lake 20—The Legislature in separate houses voted for U. S. Senator; the result being : Senate— Smoot 10, Rawlins 6, Wells 2; House—Smoot 36, Rawlins 4, Wells 4, absent 1 The U. of U. wins the debate from the University of Idaho 21—In the joint assembly of the Legislature, Hon, Reed Smoot was declared elected U. S. Senator from Utah Dr. Payne was bound over in the sum of $7800 to answer the charge of murder of teacher Annie D. Hill Thomas Tyson Slater, born England, March 16, 1834, a pioneer of 1854, died in Huntsville 22—The Ministerial Association telegraphs to WashingtDU that it will protest against the seating of Senator-elect Reed Smoot Three pioneers of the state pass away: Thomas Ashton, born England, November 17, 1813, came to Nauvoo in 1841, died in Lehi; Oscar Win- ters, born Ohio, February 7, 1825, father of Mrs. H. J. Grant, Mrs. A. 0. Woodruff, and Mrs. J. E. Booth, came to Utah in 1852, died in Provo; and Mrs. Mary Smith, born England, June 17, 1811, wife of Judge Sam- uel Smith, pioneer of 1850, died in Brigham City 23—A great irrigation scheme, designed to water 50,000 arid acres in Davis county. EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 397 was discussed at a meeting in Parmington. It involves a five-mile tun- nel under the Wasatch at a cost of $310,000 Anna Erickson Lund, born Denmark, Sept. 26,1806. a pioneer of 1863. died in Huntsville 24—The B. Y. College has been granted the right to use the mails for its publications as second class matter The mayor of Salt Lake pardoned sixteen prisoners to make room for the builders who are to tear down the old jail, built in 1867, and erect a modern structure 25—Elizabeth Carr Brereton, born Eng- land, 1830, a resident of Provo since 1859, died Charles Warren Smith, born Iowa, January 16, 1849, a brother of Apostle John Henry Smith, died in Salt Lake 26—In the case of the U. S. vs. Frank Martins, Judge Marshall of the Federal court holds that the regulation excluding sheep from forest reserves is unconstitutional. This would throw 1,087,000 acres, in three reserves in Utah, open to flocks Utah enjoys a general rain storm Isabella West, born England, April 9, 1828, a pioneer of 1850, died in Salt Lake City 27—A heavy rain and snow storm prevailed over Utah The State Board of Health announces a quarantine against Ferron, where there are many cases of smallpox The Honse passed a bill providing for an appropriation of $7,500 in arranging for the Irrigation Congress at Ogden 28—A heavy snowstorm passed over Utah. In Park-City, a snowslide buried nine miners at the Quincy mine, killing three outright, and causing great damage. There is great danger of slides in all the canyons 29—In Judge Hall's court, the famous case, Ogden vs. The Bear River Irrigation and Ogden Waterworks Co., was decided against the city. The contract is held valid, and the damages claimed by the city from the old works are barred by the statut'es. Ogden loses all claim on the waterworks 30—Two children of James Johnson were killed in a cave-in which swallowed a part of their home in the Old Telegraph mine in Bingham 31—The precipitation for January in Salt Lake was 2.11, against an average of 1.44 inches for the past thirteen years. February 1—An unsuccessful attempt was made by girl inmates to burn the State Industrial School at Ogden Dr.John James Briggs, born Canada, Mav 23, l'^23, an old soldier who came to Utah with Gen. Connor, died Jan. 29, on his ranch near Ephraim 2—Police officer Horace A. Heath, after a desperate fight with three unknown hold- ups, whom he was trying to arrest, shot one of them dead. They had attempted to rob J. G. Morrison's grocpry, in which they failed owing to the bravery of Mr. M There is a total of 443 officers and en- listed men in the Utah National Guard, with 27,344 men in the State available for military duty, but disorganized 3—Thousands view the remains of the desperado killed by Officer Heath Ann Mabbot Tuttle, born England, December 2, 1821, a pioneer of 1852, died in Manti. on the 2nd inst 4—A fire visits Richfield, de- stroying $3000 worth of property The Utah Lake Commis- sion is organized, with A. F. Doremus, chairman, and George C. Lambert secretary This was the coldest day of the winter, the mer- curv dropping to 4 degrees above zero 5—The cold con- tinues, the thermometer registering 5 dpgrees above in Salt Lake and 22 degrees below in Deseret, and 24 degrees below zero in Coalville 398 IMPROVEMENT ERA. The Legislature adjourned until the 9th 6—The Fifth Legis- lative Assembly was warmly welcomed, banqueted and entertained by Senator-elect Reed Smoot, at Provo The mayor and chief of police of Salt Lake announce the positive closing of all gambling houses 7—Congressman Joseph Howell, wife, and private clerk, Lewis T. Cannon, left for Washington The Utah lake has filled up the foot of water pumped out of it last fall, and is rising rapidly towards the compromise point 8—The new Phillips Congregational church is dedicated with appropriate ceremonies 9—A pro- test is received in Washington by Senator Burrows, signed by nineteen Salt Lake citizens, who, in a pamphlet of 62 pages, object to the seating of Senator-elect Smoot, on the grounds: 1. That the Mormon priesthood, according to the doctrines of that church, is vested with supreme authority in all things, temporal and spiritual. 2 That the first presidency and twelve apostles are supreme in the exercise and transmission of this authority. 3. That this body of men have not abandoned the principles and practice of political dictation, so also it has not abandoned belief in polygamy and poly- gamous cohabitation. 4. That this attitude of the first presidency and apostolate ever since the suspensory manifesto of 1890 is evidenced by their teachings since then. 5. That this body of officials, of whom Senator-elect Smoot is one, also practice or connive at and encourage the practice of polygamy and polygamous cohabitation, and those whom they have permitted to hold legislative office have, without protest or objection from them, sought to pass a law nullifying enact- ments against polygamous cohabitation. 7. That the supreme authorities in the church, of whom Senator-elect Smoot is one, to wit, the first presidency and twelve apostles, not only connive at violations of, but protect and honor the violators of the laws against polygamy and polygamous cohabitation. The names of the signers are given below. Dated at Salt Lake City, January 26, 1903. W. M. Paden, P. L. Williams, E. B. Critchlow, E.W. Wilson, C. C. Good- win, L. U. Colbath, W. A. Nelden. Clarence T. Brown, Ezra Thompson, John J. Coram, J. W. Leilich, W.Mont. Ferrv, H. C. Hill, S. H. Lewis, George R. Hancock, George M. Scott, Clarence E. Allen, Abiel Leonard, H. G. McMillan. TO—Snow and frost are playing havoc with the flocks in Utah and surrounding states A distillery at Ogden and a canning fac- tory at Draper are among the industrial enterprises spoken of 11—The Atlas Block, Salt Lake, was completely destroyed by fire, and the Central Block was partly destroyed. Loss to buildings and contents will perhaps exceed $300,000 Salt Lake was visited by a snow blizzard, the most severe in years: seven inches of snow fell 12—The Legislature held memorial services in honor of Lincoln and McKinley, Senator Love and Representatives Done and White speaking before the joint meeting 13—Arizona refuses to cede the "strip" to Utah, and the Legislative Representatives D. H. Morris and Johnson return unsuccessful The Legislature visits Logan, investigating the State Agricultural College, where they were banqueted. A. Kuhn, a pioneer business man of Ogden, dies EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 399 Forty leading citizens, headed by Gov. Wells, sign a petition for Senator- elect Smoot, intending to offset the petition of the ministerial associa- tion. Thirty-eight are leading Gentiles. Among the signers are: R. N. Baskin, Chief Justice Supreme Court; W. M. McCarty, Justice Su- preme Court; M. A. Breeden, Attorney General; S. T. Stewart, District Judge; C. W. Morse, District Judge, Dennis C. Eichnor, District Attorney; W. J. Meeks, County Recorder; John May, Deputy County Recorder; J. O. Nystrora, City Recorder; J. J. Thomas, City Councilman; James Devine, Chief Salt Lake Fire department; W. S. McCornick, banker; W. H. Bancroft, vice-presi- dent and general manager Oregon Short Line railway; J. R. Walker, secretary Walker Bros.' Dry Goods company; W. H. Dickson, lawyer; H. E. Booth, lawyer; M. L. Ritchie lawyer; Arthur Brown, lawyer and ex-United States Senator; George T. Odell, manager Consolidated Wagon and Machine com- pany; James Chipman, banker, and ex-State Treasurer; D. H. Peery, broker; Ralph Guthrie, Broker; James K. Gillespie, real estate; R. B. Whittemore, real estate; George Y. Wallace, president Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone com- pany. 14—This is the'coldest day of the year,the thermometer ranging from 4 degrees below zero in Salt Lake to as low as 32 in some parts of the State. Domestic.—January 15—President Roosevelt signs the Coal Duty Rebate bill 16—Customs officials are ordered to admit coal to the U. S. free of duty 17—Admiral Dewey re- turns to Washington The big 16-inch rifle is tested successfully at the Sandy Hook proving grounds ; 19— General Miles and wife arrive in St. Petersburg on their trip around the world Much regret is expressed at Washington at the action of the Germans in bombarding San Carlos, by the Panther 20—Minister Bowen arrives in Washington 21—The President signs the Militia Reorganization bill 22— The Panama Canal treaty is signed in Washington 24— The Alaskan boundary treaty is signed Senator Teller is re-elected by the Democrats in Colorado, after a disgraceful legisla- tive fight 27—John D. Rockefeller gives seven million dollars to be used for medical research Twenty persons or more are killed in a rear-end collision between trains at Westfield, N. J 28—A fearful collision occurs between two trains, near Tucson, Arizona, in which about twenty people lose their lives 29—President Roosevelt sends to Congress the appeals of China and Mexico for a new universal coinage standard 30—The Venezuelan negotiations continue in a deadlock John T. McDonough accepts the appointment as a justice of the Supreme Court in the Philippines 31—Baron Speck von Sternburg, German Special Envoy, presents his credentials to the President. February 1—Troops are ordered to Waterbury, Conn., to quell strike riots The Thomas Jefferson Mem. Association appeals for funds to build a memorial to Jefferson in Washington 2—Minister Bowen asks that the preferential rates question between allies and Venezuela be submitted to the Hague 5—The discussion of the statehood bill brines out the question of polygamy and the influence of the "Mormon" Church in politics, and Senator Rawlins declares many "Mormons" are governed by church officials in politics 6—Sec. Moody accepts Naval Constructor Hobson's 400 IMPROVEMENT ERA. resignation made because of his failing eye-sight 7—The soft-coal miners accept an offer of an increase of 12i per cent in wages made by the operators 9—Hooper Young is sentenced ta life imprisonment for the murder of Mrs. Pulitzer in N. Y 11— Senator Morgan, of Alabama, announces he will not oppose the seating of Smoot because he is a "Mormon," but would rather do it because he is a Republican 12—Deep snow on the South Dakota ranges causes death to many cattle 13—Envoys of the allies and Venezuela sign the arbitration protocol at Washington Senator Depew declares, in the statehood bill discussion, that the vote of the "Mormon" Church is absolutely controlled by the central hierarchy of that organization. Foreign—January 15—The Rand mine owners agree to pay a $150,000,000 war contribution 17—An agreement for separation is reached between the Crown Prince and Princess of Saxony The German warship Pa?i^Aer shells Fort San Carlos, Venezuela 18—M. De Blowitz, the famous correspon- dent of the London Times, dies in Paris 20—Dr. Lorenz, in Vienna, praises American doctors, nurses and hospitals 22—The German warships renew the bombardment of Fort San Carlos 23—Col. Arthur Lynch, M. P., is convicted of high treason, in that he fought with the Boers, and is sentenced to death, in London Com. Scheder, the German Commander in Ven- ezuelan waters, declares that Fort San Carlos fired the first shot at the Panther 24—The pending reciprocity treaty between Cuba and the United States is causing much apprehension in Great Britain 25—Count Boni de Castellane is re-elected to the French Chamber of Deputies 27—The sentence of death upon Col. Lynch is commuted to penal servitude for life 28—The projected uprising in China has spread to many provinces 30—Secretary Chamberlain is enthusiastically greeted at Kimberley 31—The railroad strike in Hoi land is greatly extended. February 1—President Castro replies to the allies' claim for prefer- ence, that Venezuela desires to treat all claimants alike 2—The strike in Holland ends 3—Civil war breaks out in Honduras Wm. P. Redmond, M. P., Irish leader, is released after serving half his three-year term of imprisonment 4—Bread riots and strikes occur in several cities of Spain The Berlin foreign office criticises Minister Bowen 6— M. Giron severs all relations with the crown princess of Saxony Turkey is preparing for trouble in the disturbed regions of Macedonia 8—It is reported that on January 13, a thousand lives were lost in a cyclone and tidal wave that swept the South sea islands The Czar invests the governor of Finland with unlimited power 12—Fourteen battalions of Turkish sol- diers are ordered to the Macedonian frontier 13—The Buenos Ayres naval department building burned. Loss $800,000 Bolivia submits under protest to the land claims of Brazil. Large increase is noted in the desertions of the British Army 14—Britain and Germany wire their fleets to raise the blockade on Ven- ezuelan ports. The trouble now goes to the Hague.