Events of the Month

IN LIGHTER MOOD. Friend: "Did you get the appointment?" Office-seeker: "Nah! I got the disappointment!" "The evening wore on," continued the man who was telling the story. "Excuse me," interrupted the would-be wit; "but can you tell us what the evening wore on that occasion?" "I don't know that it is important," replied the story-teller. "But if you must know, I believe that it was the close of a summer day."— Commercial Tribune. One day Senator Hoar was joined in the corridor of the Capitol by a former colleague, and as they approached the entrance to the Senate Chamber, Mr. Hoar motioned his companion to pass in first. "After you," said the ex-senator, drawing back. "No, indeed" retorted Senator Hoar; "the X's always go before the wise." "When I hear a man boast that he is conservative," said Thomas Taggart, chairman of the National Democratic Committee, "I am reminded of a story told of William Travers, the stuttering joker, once famous in New York. "Travers went to the halt in which the Siamese Twins were first exhibited in this country. He gazed at them for a time as they sat with the bond of flesh that united them exposed to view. Then Travers, with his face as serious as an owl, remarked, 'B-b-b-brothers, I p-p-presume?'" You must not be sure you have a bov's heart because you have his ear. A teacher recently required an unusually obstreperous boy to remain after school, so that she could have a heart-to-heart talk with him. She kept him for a time, and gave him such counsel as seemed to move his heart. He looked at her straight and attentively, until she felt she had succeeded. She only realized the futility of her effort when, after she had concluded, he said calmly to her: "Teacher, it's your lower jaw that moves when you talk, ain't it?"

472 IMPROVEMENT ERA. The Denver Republican gives this incident as an illustration of the current saying, "As broad as it is long." It also shows that there are other places besides southern Utah where the country is dry: A man who drove across the country last summer to a little town in western Kansas met a farmer hauling a wagon-load of water. "Where do you get water?" he asked. "Up the road about seven miles," the farmer replied. "And you haul water seven miles for your family and stock?" "Yep." "Whv in the world don't you dig a well?" asked the traveler,excitedly. "Because, stranger," the farmer said, calmly, "it's just as fur one way as the other." This is a good one with which to meet the ward bishops. It has probably never before suggested itself to men in these parts who evade giving their share of money for meetinghouse expenses. It is told by Harper's Weekly that in a suburb of New York City a priest of one of the churches announced that a collection would be taken up to defray the cost of coal for heating the church. Nearly everyone in the parish contributed except one Muldoon. A day or two thereafter, the priest, happening to meet Muldoon,said: "Dennis, why didn't you give something towards the coal bill?" Whereupon Dennis gave his reverence a sly wink. "Come, come, father," he said. "The idea of your thrying to make us believe the money is wanted to buy coal for the church,whin I as well as your riverence knows that it's heated by steam!" William T. Dantz, who was with President Roosevelt while he was a western rancher, relates in Harper's Weekly an incident illustrative of the president's temper—although, he says, it is the only time he ever knew it to get away from him. It was during the last round-up of cattle, and Roosevelt and Dantz were saddle comrades and bedmates. It was a stormy night, and they went to bed—which consisted of tarpaulincovered-blankets on the wet ground—tired and hungry, the rain having drowned the cook's fire. "Hardly had we turned in," says Mr. Dantz, "when a night rider slashed a wet lariate across our bed, calling out, 'All hands out; cattle breaking away!' With a groan I slipped out sideways, and gripped in the darkness for my pony's picket-line. Suddenly I heard a burst of picturesque language, the gist of which was a general malediction on tne country, the man who made it, the men who lived in it, and the blankety-blank fool that would leave God's country for such a blankety-blank wilderness'—but there are certain situations too sacred to be described."

EVENTS OF THE MONTH BY JOSEPH F. SMITH, JR. Local—February, 1905. Died.—Thursday, 2nd, in Pleasant Grove, Thomas C. Beck, born in Buckinghamshire, England, March 23, 1840, came to Utah with his parents in 1848.—Wednesday, 8th, in Fairview, Emmeline P. Miner, born Dec. 6, 1844, in Hancock county, Illinois, crossed the plains in 1853, and settled in Springville.—Sunday, 12th, in Hyde Park, George Seamour, a pioneer of Cache county, who crossed the plains in 1853. He was a member of the 17th quorum of Seventy and was born in Feb., 1838, in Suffolk, England.—Monday, 13th, in Bountiful, Newton Tuttle, born in North Haven, Connecticut, in 1835, joined the Church and crossed the plains in 1854.—Tuesday, 14th, in Provo, Julia D. Strong, born Sept. 28. 1832, in Gloucestershire, England, emigrated in 1852.—Tuesday, 14th, in Newton, Cache county, Ann D. Jenkins, aged 85 years, born in Wales, and a resident of Utah since 1861.—On the same day, in West Weber, Samuel F. Walker, born Jan. 2,1836, in Yorkshire, England, emigrated in 1861.—Wednesday, 15th, in Sugar, Salt Lake county, James Briggs, veteran of the Blackhawk War, born in Manchester, England, Jan. 4, 1845, came to Utah in 1856.—Friday, 17th, in Provo, Mrs. Ann Jones, born March 16, 1816, in Brymbo, Wales, emigrated in 1856.—In Ogden, 18th, Catherine M. Rolapp, mother of Judge Henry H. Rolapp, born July 20, 1830, in Germany, and a resident of Utah since 1891.—Monday ,20th, in Beaver, John X. Smith, a pioneer of southern Utah, born Northampton, England, Sept. 9, 1828, came to Utah in 1851. For many years he was Bishop of Beaver ward.—Tuesday, 21st, in Salt Lake City, William Pinney, superintendent of city school building construction of Salt Lake City, born London, July 10, 1843, and emigrated to Utah in 1866.— Wednesday, 22nd, in North Ogden, Wesley Rose, one of the oldest residents of that place. He was born March 23, 1821, on Lake Erie, was baptized in 1838, and came to Utah in 1850.—Tuesday, 23rd, W. A.

474 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Nelden, wholesale druggist of Salt Lake City, formerly member of the Board of Education, committed suicide at his residence.—Saturday, 25thr in Baker City, Oregon, Mary K. Stoker, born in Abbyfale, County Limerick, Ireland, May 6, 1841, came to Utah with her parents in 1852.— In Provo, Sunday, 26th, John G. Coultrin, son of Zebedee and Mary M. Coultrin, born in Nauvoo 62 years ago, came to Utah in 1852. The Smelter Smoke Trobble.—On Thursday, 23rd, the Salt Lake county Board of Health served notice on the smelter companies in Salt Lake county notifying them that at a meeting of the county board of health of Salt Lake county, Utah, held Feb. 16, 1905, the smoke and fumes arising from their smelters were declared to be a public nuisance, and the same was ordered abated immediately. The companies on which this notice was served are: United Smelting company, Utah Consolidated Mining company, Bingham Copper & Gold Mining company, and Bingham Consolidated Mining company. Elder L. John Nuttall dead.—Thursday, 24th, Leonard John Nuttall, a widely known citizen of the State died unexpectedly, at his home in Salt Lake City. He was the son of William and Mary Langhorn Nuttall, and was born in Liverpool, England, July 6, 1834. In the year 1852, he emigrated, and made his home in Provo where he took an active part in Church work and in the suppression of Indian outbreaks in that section. He was ordained a teacher, February 22, 1857, a seventy, May 19, of that same year; and in 1867, he became a High councilor in the Utah stake. In 1874-75 he filled a mission in Great Britain, and in August, 1875, just after his return home, was ordained a bishop and set apart to preside over the Kanab ward and the six adjoining settlements. This position he held until April 17, 1877, when he was called to preside over the Kanab Stake of Zion. In June, 1879, he became private secretary to President John Taylor, and held this position until President Taylor's death. Elder Nuttall was also private secretary to President Wilford Woodruff, until 1892, when he was given work that took him more into the open air, because of his failing health. Since that time he has been constantly employed in the interest of the Relief societies, looking after the real estate matters of the wards and stakes, and also the legal interests of that society. At the time of his death he was an active member of the Deseret Sunday School Union, and the board of Religion Classes of the Church. From 1881 to 1887, he served as Territorial Superintendent of District Schools. The funeral was under the direction of the Deseret Sunday School Union, and interment took place in the Provo cemetery. Elder Nuttall was a useful

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 475 man, possessed of sterling characteristics and active in good works all his days. Alfred B. Lambson, Pioneer of 1847, dead.—In Salt Lake City, Sunday, 26th, Alfred B. Lambson, son of Boaz and Polly Walworth Lambson, a pioneer of 1847, died. Elder Lambson was born in Royalton, Niagara county, New York, Aug. 27, 1820; joined the Church in Nauvoo, April 4, 1844, was ordained a seventy April 13, 1844, and filled a mission in Virginia that same year, being called home to Nauvoo on account of the martyrdom. He married Melissa Jane Bigler, November 25, 1845, and was endowed in the Nauvoo Temple. He crossed the plains in Daniel Spencer's company, in 1847, arriving in Salt Lake valley September 25, 1847. He was a mechanic of great ability, and forged all the mill irons used in the first seven mills in Utah, excepting those brought over the plains, and used in the miH of Isaac Chase. He also forged all the dies, punches, etc., pertaining to the Deseret Mint, excepting the drop-hammer forged by Martin Peck. Elder Lambson's house, which is still standing, was the first house plastered in Salt Lake City. From 1852 to 1854, he filled a mission in the West Indies and passed through many trying scenes during pioneer days. Senator Kearns' Speech.—The presenting of a joint resolution providing for a constitutional amendment prohibiting polygamy, by Senator Dubois, of Idaho, Monday, 27th, in the United States Senate, gave to Senator Kearns the opportunity, on the 28th, to read an abusive, malignant speech—doubtless prepared for him for the occasion—against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its officers. He falsely accused the authorities of the Church with controlling the State of Utah, politically, in business, and in various other ways, to the detriment of the people of the state; of using the tithing of the Latter-day Saints for private purposes, and of placing burdens upon the Saints that they were not able to bear. The speech was received with poor grace, many of the Senators looking upon the effort as being founded in the disappointment on the part of Mr. Kearns in not being able to control the authorities of the Church or get their support to further his political ambitions. Winter of 1904-5.—Early in the month of February the temperature in Utah began to fall, due to a cold wave which passed over the State. On the 12th, the thermometer in Salt Lake City registered 4. 2 degrees below zero, being the coldest day of the season. It then rapidly rose, and at noon, 19th, registered 50 degrees. Since that time, spring

476 IMPROVEMENT ERA. weather has prevailed. The winter of 1904-05, in Utah, has been one of the mildest in the history of the State. Local.—March, 1905. Utah Land District Bill.—On the 3rd, the president of the United States signed the Smoot bill dividing Utah into two land districts. The bill passed the Senate on the 28th of February. The Uintah reservation will be included in the new land district, while the new land office will likely be located in Vernal. The plats of the reservation are being held for filing in the new office. Terrikle Accident at Granger.—One of the worst accidents in the history of the Church occurred in the Granger ward meetinghouse, Tuesday evening, March 7, during the services of the Mutual Improvement Associations of that ward. It was caused by the explosion of an acetylene gas tank, in the basement of the building, during the preliminary program, and just before the separation of the young people for class work. Nellie Mackay, daughter of Elder David Mackay, was killed, and about twenty-six others were painfully injured. The walls of the building were wrenched, parts having been carried entirely away, while the roof was raised from the building by the concussion. Miss Mackay was singing a sacred solo; the organ by which she stood was nearly directly over the gas tank, in a position to receive almost the full force of the explosion. The meeting house was shaken to its foundation, and when lights were brought to the darkened room, it was evident that the pulpit had been blown to the ceiling, carrying with it the organ, which fell upon Miss Mackay and killed her. The pulpit was splintered into bits of wood as small as a lead pencil. The building was completely ruined. The organist, a daughter of Commissioner W. J, Home, miraculously escaped without serious injury, being caA-ied the entire length of the house, landing on one of the men at the opposite end of the hall. It is marvelous that there were no other fatalities, and clearly a miracle that all were not killed. The gas plant has been used in the building for several years, and the reason for the calamitous occurrence has not been discovered. Died.—In Logan, Wednesday 1st, Benjamin Williams, a native of Wales, born in 1824, embraced the Gospel in 1853, coming soon thereafter to Utah, where he has always been an active Church worker. The same day, in Levan, John W. Shepherd, born at Charlotts Place, Southampton, England, March 27, 1831; baptized May 29, 1849, and a resident of Utah since 1866.—Thursday, 2nd, in pleasant Grove, Thomas C. Beck

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 477 born in Wolverhampton, England, March 23, 1840, and came to Utah in 1848.—In Payson,Monday, 6th, Lucinda Windward,born in Grassfield,Canada, September 24, 1837,received the Gospel in Nauvoo,and came to Utah in 1855.—In Lehi, the same day, Alexander Loveridge, a pioneer of that place, born April 14, 1828, in Ontario county, N. Y.—The same day, in Provo, Mrs. Ann Bolton Smith, widow of Alma Smith, and a pioneer of 1847, born in New York, 64 years ago. She was the daughter of Curtis E. and Rebecca Bolton.—Wednesday, 8th, in Riverdale, Weber county, Eliza Clough, aged 80 years.—In Ogden, Wednesday, 8th, Sarah M. Tharp, born May 12, 1811, at Zanesville, Ohio.—Sunday, 12, in Deweyville, Matilda Evans, of Lehi, widow of Israel Evans who served in the Mormon Battalion. She was one of Utah's early pioneers.—On the same day in Ogden, the funeral of Lucy Seager, a pioneer of Weber county, was held. Domestic.—February, 1905. The Statehood Bill.—On the 27th, the Senate of the United States passed the Statehood bill, after amending it so as to admit Oklahoma and Indian Territory as one state, and New Mexico as another, leaving Arizona a territory. The original bill, as it passed the House, in April, 1904, provided for the admission of Oklahoma and Indian Territory as one state, and New Mexico and Arizona as another. The action of the Senate was displeasing to the members of the House, many of whom declared that they would not vote for the bill in its present form. Death op General Lew Wallace.—On Wednesday, 15th, General Lew Wallace, author, soldier and diplomat, died at his home in Crawfordville, Indiana. He was born in Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana, in 1827, and fought through the Civil war, in the Eleventh Indiana Volunteers. He served in West Virginia, first as an adjutant-general, and then as brigadie*r-general, commanding a division at Donelson; and in 1862 he was made major-general. General Wallace passed through many notable engagements of the war, including Shiloh, the defense of Cincinnati, and the battle of Monocacy. He was also a member of the court that tried the assassins of President Lincoln, and president of the court that tried and convicted Henry Wirz, the commandant of Ander. sonville prison. From 1878 to 1881, he was Governor of New Mexico, from 1881 to 1885, Minister to Turkey. Among his writings are Ben Hur, which appeared in 1880, one of the most popular novels ever written; The Life of General Harrison, 1888; The Fair God, 1873; The Boyhood of Christ, 1888; The Prince of India, 1893; and The Wooing of Malkatoon, 1898.

478 IMPRO VEMENT ERA. Fatal Mine Explosion in Alabama.—In a coal mine at Virginia, Alabama, on the 20th, 116 men were imprisoned by an explosion which closed the entrance of the mine. The workmen near the entrance were killed by the explosion and the others suffocated before aid could reach them. Nearly one hundred families, and about three hundred children are left destitute through the terrible accident. Acquittal of Judge Swaynb.—The United States Senate, on the 27th, acquitted Judge Charles Swayne, of Florida, of all the charges entered against him in the impeachment trial which has been pending before the Senate for some time. Domestic.—March, 1905. President Roosevelt and Cabinet.—The inauguration of Presdent Theodore Roosevelt as president of the United States, and Charles W. Fairbanks as vice-president, took place in Washington, on the 4th, attended with elaborate ceremonies. The oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Fuller. On the 6th, the president sent to the Senate for confirmation the names of the members of the cabinet. They were confirmed, and are as follows: John Hay, District of Columbia, Secretary of State; Leslie M. Shaw, Iowa, Secretary of the Treasury; William H. Taf t, Ohio, Secretary of War; William H. Moody, Massachusetts, Attorney- General; George B. Cortelyou, New York, Postmaster-General; Paul Morton, Illinois, Secretary of the Navy; Ethan A. Hitchkock, Missouri, Secretary of the Interior; James Wilson, Iowa, Secretary of Agriculture; Victor H. Metcalf, California, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Deaths of Notable Persons,—Mrs. Jane Stanford, widow of Senator Leland Stanford, of California, died in Honolulu, on the 1st. She had largely endowed the Leland Stanford University, and was one of the most benevolent women of the United States.—Ex-Senator Edward 0. Wolcott, of Colorado, died on the same day in Monte Carlo, France, where he had gone to benefit his heabh. He was a Republican in politics, and served two terms in the United States Senate, from 1889 to 1901.— Judp;e John H. Regan, the sole survivor of the Confederate Cabinet, died at Palestine, Texas, on the 6th, aged 86 years.—On the 9th, Senator William B. Bate, of Tennessee, twice governor of that State, Congressman for over eighteen years, and a veteran of the Mexican and Civil wars, died suddenly in Washington. He was 78 years of age. Foreign.—February, 1905. The Simplon Tunnel.—The piercing of the Simplon tunnel through the Alps, connecting Switzerland with Italy, was completed Friday morn-