Events of the Month

EVENTS OF THE MONTH BY JOSEPH F. SMITH, JR. Local, November, 1904. Died.—Tuesday, 8th, in Grantsville, of old age, Dorr P. Curtis, born January 21, 1819. At the organization of the fourth quorum of Seventy in Nauvoo, in October, 1844, he became a member. After the exodus he joined the Mormon Battalion and served in company "B" during the campaign.—Thursday, 10th, in Kanab, Charles S. Cram, one of the pioneers of southern Utah. He was born September 10, 1828, and was one of the presidents of the 85th quorum of Seventy.—Monday, 14th, in Centerville, Joel Parrish, a pioneer of 1847. He was born in Leeds county, Canada, Nov. 6, 1827, and joined the Church when ten years of age. During the building of the Nauvoo Temple, he worked faithfully on that structure; was driven from the city of Nauvoo with the Saints, camped at Council Bluffs during the winter of 1846-47, and arrived in the Salt Lake valley, September 22, 1847, in Perrigrine Sessions' company. Later he moved to Davis county where he became one of the leading spirits of pioneer days.—Wednesday, 16th, in Provo, Hannah Reese, who crossed the plains in a handcart company of 1856.— On the same day, in Annabella, Sevier county, Susan J. Gauchatt, a pioneer of 1847, born in Nauvoo, in 1846, aged 58 years.—Friday, 18th, in Salt Lake City, Rudger Clawson, son of Elder Rudger Clawson, aged 20 years.—The same day, in Payson, Levi 0. A. Colvin, one of the oldest citizens of that place.—Saturday, 19th, in Shelley, Idaho, George W. Catlin, who served in the Mormon Battalion, in company "C."—Monday, 21st, in Tooele City, Grace Clegg, wife of Benjamin Clegg,, born in Scotland, October £L1, 1825, and emigrated in 1853.—Wednesday, 23rd, in Cedar City, William H. Dover, born in England, November 15, 1836,

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 233 a High Priest in the Parowan stake.—Thursday, 24th, in Springville, Augustus Cox, aged 80 years.—In Provo, 24th, Perrina Campbell, born Canada, August 11, 1813, came to Utah and settled in South Jordan, in 1850.—Friday, 25th, in Salt Lake City, Elizabeth Burrows, born in Carrick-on-Sour, Ireland, March 7, 1829, emigrated thirty-one years ago.— Saturday, 26th, in Independence, Idaho, Mrs. Catherine Johnson, an active worker in the auxiliary organizations of the Burton ward, Fremont stake.—On the same day, in Provo, John F. McKnight was accidentally killed.—Sunday 27th, in Coalville, Susanna 0. Williams, an old resident of Summit county, aged 64.—Wednesday, 30th, the funeral of George F. Stratton, one of the oldest residents of Logan, was held. He was born in Kent, England, in 1832, emigrated in 1862, and became a High Priest in the Cache stake of Zion.—In Sugar Ward, November 30, Peter Moore, born England, September 5, 1825, came to Utah in 1871, living first in Hooper, Weber Co., and since then in Salt Lake Co. Utah Postal Business.—By a report of the auditor for the postal department, for the year ending June 30, 1904, it is shown that the total receipts in the twenty presidential post offices in Utah amounted to $320, 415; that the salaries of the postmasters were $30,650; that the expenses of special delivery services were $1518.16; clerk hire, $58,370; rents, lights and fuels $13,478; and the cost of free delivery, $53,749. Salt Lake stands at the head with receipts of $197,049.77; then Ogden with $49,820.10; and Logan with $12,427.74; Provo with $12,040.33, and the remainder in other offices,with Park City in the lead with $8,662.57. Official Election Returns.—The official returns from the general election held on the 8th, gives the following totals for the successful candidates in the state, and in Salt Lake county. Total Plurality Highest electoral vote for Republican ticket 62,446 29,033 Joseph Howell, Congressman 52,675 15,230 John C. Cutler, Governor 50,837 12,790 Daniel N. Straup, Justice .■>. 57,213 21,186 Charles S. Tingey, Secretary of State 54,163 19,817 M. A. Breeden, Attorney General 54,297 19,364 J. A. Edwards, State Auditor :. >"'3,755 18,751 James Christianson, State Treasurer 53,806 18,965 A. C. Nelson, Superintendent of Schools, 54,494 19,973 SALT LAKE COUNTY. John C. Mackey, Commissioner, long term 13,984 5,185

234 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Edward D. Miller, Commissioner, short term 14,610 6,061 C. Frank Emery, Sheriff 14,863 6,377 W. 0. Carbis, Treasurer 14,574 5,653 I.M. Fisher, Auditor 14,657 5,830 Joseph U. Eldredge, Jr., Clerk 14,058 5,360 Percy 0. Perkins, Recorder 14,644 5,977 Parley P. Christenson, Attorney 14,073 5,034 Joseph B. Swenson, Surveyor 14,661 6,273 Campbell M. Brown,Assessor 14,655 5,937 The highest vote for a Parker (D) elector was for F. J. Kiesel, 33,413; for Debs, Socialist, 5,767; Congressman, 0. W. Powers, (D) 37,445; for W. M. Ferry, "American" candidate for Governor, 7,959; for James H. Moyle (D) Governor, 38,047. Oneida Stake Academy.—At the Oneida Stake Academy in Preston, Idaho, on Friday, 11th, the seventeenth anniversary of Founders' day was celebrated, About seven hundred persons were in attendance, including a number of the leading instructors of other Church schools- The exercises were held in the large assembly room of the Academy, and were mostly given by the students. At the beginning of the school year there were two hundred and thirty-six students enrolled. Salt Lake City's Water Supply.—At a meeting of the City Council held Thursday, 17th, a special committee reported that after several months of diligent effort it had secured options on water rights in Big Cottonwood, Little Cottonwood, Mill Creek and Spring Creek, and submitted the report recommending that the city be bonded in the total sum of $1,000,000, to secure the water under option, and thereby increase the supply of the city, at least four times the present capacity. In addition to the purchase of water rights and the piping, etc., of the water, part of the money from the bonds would be used to complete the sewer system in the southern and western parts of the city. The report was made the special business of the council for Monday evening,21st, when,, after considerable discussion it was adopted, and January 3rd set apart for a special election, in order to place the matter before the people for their approval or rejection. School Population of Utah.—Stake Superintendent of Schools A. C. Nelson, on Friday, 18th, compiled the census of the public schools of the state, for the year 1904-5, of the cities of the first and second class. The report showed the total number of students enrolled to be

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 235 64,292. Of this number 170 were colored; 32,383 were boys, and 31,909 were girls, a total gain of 627 over the school year of 1903-4. Dedication of Chicago Mission House.—At the conference of the Northern Illinois district of the Northern States Mission, held Sunday, 20th, the Church building recently purchased in Chicago, was dedicated. President German E. Ellsworth, of the mission, who was in charge of the exercises, reported the conditions under which the property was obtained; President. Ben E. Rich, of the Southern States mission, and a number of the elders of the Northern States mission, made remarks, and the dedicatory prayer was offered by Elder Hyrum M. Smith, of the quorum of Apostles. The main auditorium of the Church was well filled, the majority of those present being visitors. Fish Industry in Utah County.—On the 21st, Fish and Game Warden 0. A. Slade, of Utah county, made a report for State Warden Sharp pertaining to the fish and game obtained for private and commercial use in Utah county, during the years 1903 and 1904. The report is, without doubt, a revelation to the majority of the people of this state. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of fish are annually imported into the state to supply the local markets; but it appears from Warden Slade's report that this is an industry that it is well to cultivate, as Utah has many lakes and streams to supply abundantly many varieties of fish which at the present time are mostly imported. According to the report 749,090 pounds of fish, in the year 1903, were caught in Utah county, valued at $18,385.50. In the year 1904, the number of pounds had increased to 864,945, valued at $22,522. In the two years 500,000 lake and brook trout fry had been distributed. The sum of $200 was paid in fines, and $3,535.50 is the estimate of the value of the game shot during the two years. The report is underestimated, from the fact that many did not report, as their fish or game was for private use. Warden Slade also recommends that several varities of fish be procured of the better kinds to supplant the hardy but common fish found so plentifully in Utah lake. Jacob Riis' Lecture.—The first of the series of eleven lectures to be given this winter under the direction of the M. I. A. Bureau, was given in Barratt hall, Tuesday, 22nd, when Jacob Riis, the noted author and philanthropist, delivered his lecture, "The Battle with the Slum.'* Over eleven hundred people crowded into the hall, while a large number were turned away, being unable to gain admittance. The lecture was brilliant and instructive, portraying many of the unsavory conditions

236 IMPROVEMENT ERA existing in the large cities, and the thorough and humane methods employed in eradicating the same. Murray Labor Trouble.—Tuesday, 22nd, the citizens of Murray met in mass meeting to consider the advisability of taking action to replace the aliens employed at the smelters. Mayor J. H. Stratton presided at the gathering, which was attended by the City Council and about three hundred citizens. The main objections raised were that many of the Greek and Austrian employees were peace-disturbers, living in unsanitary surroundings, hoarding their earnings for the purpose of returning to their native lands, to live in luxury, according to the standards there. Mayor Stratton stated that this did not apply to all the foreign elements, for many were good at heart, but that wherein they refused to become permanent residents and citizens they were not desired in the community. A second meeting of a like nature was held on Monday, 28th, at which a committee was appointed to try to solve the difficulty. Death of Elder Mantle.—Elder John Willard Mantle, of Taylorsville, Salt Lake county, died on the 25th, in Baltimore, where he was laboring as a missionary in the Eastern States mission. He was the son of Llewelyn and Catharine Watkins Mantle, and was born in Salt Lake City, July 24, 1854. On the.29th of September, 1903, he was set apart by Elder Seymour B. Young, for a mission to the Eastern States,and left for his field the following day, where he labored faithfully. His health some time ago began to fail, due to some internal complications. On the 18th of November, he underwent an operation, after which he appeared to be rapidly recovering, but on the 25th he was seized by a severe spell of sneezing which evidently affected his heart, and it, being weakened by the operation, and perhaps by the anesthetic, could not resist the strain. The remains were brought home by Elder Wilford M. Allred, of Spring City, who arrived in Salt Lake City, on the fifth of December. December, 1904. Died.—On Thursday, 1st, in Salt Lake City, Eli B. Kelsey, born Tooele, Utah, May 6, 1853, a prominent real estate dealer, and son of Eli B. Kelsey, of pioneer days.—In Richfield, 1st, Marie Morrison, born Denmark, fifty-eight years ago, and came to Utah in 1859.—In Gunnison, 1st, Mary Shephard Baxter, born Scotland, December 5th, 1830,and came to Utah in 1863.—Saturday, 3rd, in Carbon county, Hannah Powell, an active worker in the Sunday School, Primary and Relief Society of the

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 237 Sunnyside ward.—Tuesday, 6th in Salt Lake City, Elmina S. Taylor, President of the Y. L. M. I. A. since 1880. She was born in Middlesfield, Otsego county, New York, September 12, 1830, and spent the greater portion of her life in Church work.—Wednesday, 7th, in Monroe, Benjamin Barney; a High Priest of the Sevier stake.—Thursday, 8th, in St. George, Belanthon Burgess, a pioneer of Washington county.—Friday, 9th, in Monroe, Catherine Jones, a pioneer resident of that place.—Saturday, 10th, in Springville, John E. Allenan, a prominent citizen of that place.—On the 10th, in Salt Lake City, Albert J. White, a pioneer resident of Utah.—In Los Angeles, on the 10th, H. J. Faust, a pioneer of 1851. In the early days he performed the perilous task of carrying the mails between Utah and California points. At the time of his death he was returning to Utah from El Paso, Texas, where he had been as a delegate to the Irrigation Congress. School Elections.—An election for members of the boards of education in Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo and Logan, was held on Wednesday, ?th. Only little interest was taken, and many of the old board members were re-elected. In Ogden, the whole Democratic board was re-elected,, excepting one member—H. H. Thomas, Republican, 5th ward. In Salt Lake City, the citizens of all political creeds placed a non-partisan ticket in the field which was opposed by the "American" (anti-"Mormon") party, which also nominated candidates in each of the five precincts. The claim of the anti-"Mormon" party was that the non-partisan candidates were the tools of the Church. A very light vote was cast, and because of the lethargy manifested, the anti-"Mormon" party succeeded in electing their candidate in the fifth precinct. All the other candidates of the nonpartisans were elected. The candidates in the five precincts were as follows: First—Charles S. Martin, N., J. J. Corum, A. Second—Arnold G. Giauque, N., B. F. Redman, A. Third—Oscar W. Moyle, N., John D Hagman, A. Fourth—Matthonihah Thomas (long term),N., H. C. Edwards (short term),N., E. 0. Howard (long term), A., W. M. Ferry (short term), A. Fifth—G. B. Pfoutz, N., Joseph Oberndorfer, A. Senator Reed Smoot.—The investigation by the Senate committee on privileges and elections resumed the hearing in the case of Senator Reed Smoot, Monday, 12th. A large number of witnesses have been subpoenaed, among them being John Henry Smith, Charles W. Penrose,. George Roynolds, Geo. H. Brimhall, John Nicholson, J. E. Hickman and William Budge. Farmers and Smelter Smoke.—For many months past there have-

238 IMPROVEMENT ERA. been considerable agitation in Salt Lake county in regard to the deadly fumes from the Murray smelters. Several mass meetings have been held, and in many ways the differences between the farmers whose lands have been damaged, and the smelter authorities, have been discussed, with an attempt at some kind of settlement, but without success. On Monday, 12th, a petition signed by 819 residents of Salt Lake county was given to the county commissioners requesting that the smelters be declared a nuisance. It is to be hoped that some satisfactory solution to this question may be speedily reached, since both interests are of vital importance to the material welfare of the people. Domestic—November, 1904. The Irrigation Congress.—The twelfth National Irrigation Congress convened, in El Paso, Texas, Tuesday, 15th. The assembly was called to order by President William A. Clark, Senator from Montana. The other officers were Lewis W. Shurtliff, Utah, 1st vice-president; W. C. Johnson, Colorado, 2nd vice-president; John Hall, Texas, 3rd vicepresident and Col. H. B. Maxson, Nevada, secretary. Shortly after the congress convened letters from President Roosevelt, in which he expressed his regret for his inability to be present, and another from President Diaz, of the same import, were read. The principal subjects discussed were pertaining to irrigation and forestry, and many excellent papers were presented. On the 17th, delegates from Mexico, Texas and New Mexico occupied the attention of the congress. Their discussion was concerning the head waters of the Rio Grande river, a subject that has occupied the attention of Congress and the courts for several years. It was finally decided to erect a dam at Elephant Butte, New Mexico, for the purpose of storing the water whereby thousands of acres on both sides of the Rio Grande may be reclaimed, and thus the differences which have existed were amicably settled. One of the important features of the Congress was the granting of a request made by the Mexican delegates that they might be given permanent recognition in the Congress. Before the close of the Congress, Portland, Oregon, was selected as the next place of meeting, and the following general officers were elected for the ensuing year: Governor George C. Pardee, California, president; Judge Lewis W. Shurtliff, Utah, 1st vice-president; J. H. Stevens, Florida, 2nd vice-president; and J. T. Richards, Oregon, secretary; C, B. Booth, N. Y., chairman executive committee. Honorary vice-presidents from each of the States were chosen, also one member from each on the executive committee. Utah's representatives are John Henry Smith,

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 239 vice-president, and Fred J. Kiesel, member of the executive committee. The Congress was pronounced by the delegates one of the most successful ever held. Statue op Frederick the Great.—The statue of Frederick the Great, presented to the people of the United States by Emperor William of Germany, was unveiled at the army war college, in Washington, on Saturday, 19th, with elaborate ceremonies. The statue, which is a replica of the one in the royal palace at Potsdam, was presented by the Kaiser as a token of his gratitude for the reception accorded Prince Henry while in this country, and as a gift of friendship to the American people. President Roosevelt, in accepting the statue from the German ambassador, Baron Von Sternburg, in behalf of the people of the nation, said: "I accept it with deep appreciation of the friendly regard which it typifies for the people of this republic, both on the part of the emperor and on the part of the German people. * * * * I most earnestly pray that in the coming years these two great nations shall move on toward their several destinies knit together by ties of the heartiest friendship and good-will." Missouri Building Burn.ed.—During the night of Saturday, 19th, the Missouri State Building at the Worlds Fair, St. Louis, was burned. The fire was caused by an explosion of a hot water furnace in the basement. The building with its furnishings, worth about two hundred thousand dollars, was entirely destroyed. It was the most elaborate of all the state buildings at the Fair. December, 1904. St. Louis Fair Closed.—The great Louisiana Purchase Exposition, at St. Louis, closed on Thursday, December 1. The Fair was the largest and the most elaborate ever held. During the seven months that it was open the admissions were 18,317,457, and out of that number about 11,000,000 paid the entrance fee. The paid admissions at Chicago, in 1893, for the six months, were about 10,000,000 more than at St. Louis, but notwithstanding this the St. Louis Exposition managers expect to settle all claims, and when their affairs are wound up, to be free from debt. In regard to this, the New York Times, says: "It is very creditable to the managers of the St. Louis Fair, that they should have succeeded in carrying out their ambitious program without finding themselves confronted at the end with a huge deficit, and certainly no thinking American will deny, with respect to the fair, that it was worth to the country all it cost." "Every resource of liberality was exhausted," says the St. Louis

240 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Globe-Democrat, "to give visitors the limit of amplitude for their money. The Pair throughout was run for high ideals, for merit, beauty and completeness, as an exhibition of skill and progress for the earth. Everything planned was accomplished, if within the compass of human endeavor. Looking back over the seven months of the Fair, and the years of preparation, St. Louis rejoices that the achievement hoped for was reached beyond the dreams of the sanguine, and will stand in history as a splendid realization." Foreign, November, 1904. The Baltic Fleet Court of Inquiry.—On the 30th, President Roosevelt appointed Rear Admiral Charles Davis, as the American member of the Dogger bank court of inquiry. About the same time Great Britain appointed Rear Admiral Beaumont as her representative. Admiral Pournier was chosen, on the day previous, as the French representative; and Admiral Baron Von Spaun, on the 30th, by Emperor Frances Joseph as the fifth representative in case the four fail to agree. Spaun was the former commander of the Austrian Navy. December, 1904. Inauguration of President Diaz.—On Thursday, 1st, in the city of Mexico, the inauguration of Porfirio Diaz, as president of the Mexican republic for the seventh time, and of Senor Don Ramon Corral as vicepresident, took place in the chamber of deputies, under most favorable circumstances. The term of office, as in the United States, is for four years; but in Mexico there is no rule, implied or otherwise, limiting the president to any set number of terms, as is the case in our country. At the time of the first inauguration of President Diaz, in 1877, the constitution of Mexico limited the term of the president so that he could not succeed himself, and at the close of President Diaz' first term, Manuel Gonzalez was elected. The administration of Gonzalez, however, was such a marked contrast to that of Diaz, being characterized by corruption and extravagance, that the united people demanded the return of Diaz to office. The Constitution was amended, and from 1884 to the present time, Porfirio Diaz has been re-elected successively. He has done so much for Mexico, and under his guiding hand the republic has advanced with such rapid strides, that, should he desire to retire from the Presidency, it would be over the protest of the Mexican people. He was born Saptember 15, 1830, in the State of Oaxaca. On his father's side, he is of Spanish descent, while his mother was a Creole of Spanish and Mexieca (Indian) descent.