--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Joseph F. Smith Jr. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 8 number: 7 published: 1905-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Joseph F. Smith Jr., "Events of the Month," *Improvement Era* 8, no. 7 (May 1905): 553–560.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0807unse 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: improvementera0807unse start_page: 553 end_page: 560 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1905-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0807unse publication_year: 1905 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 1905, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Events of the Month EVENTS OF THE MONTH BY JOSEPH F. SMITH, JR. Local— March, 1905. Ward Reorganizations.— On Sunday, 12th, Walter Bramwell was sustained bishop of North Morgan ward, Morgan stake, with R. M. Heiner and Joseph A. Smith, counselors. The same day Morris Peters was sustained bishop of the Perry ward, Box Elder stake, vice Bishop James Nielson, Sen., removed from the ward. His counselors are Vinson Davis and Brigham Nelson. On Sunday, 23th, Bishop Albert W. Davis, Center ward, was honorably released from his position after many years of faithful service, and Robert H. Bradford was sustained bishop of that ward, with Albert J. Davis and Andrew F. Gutke, counselors. These brethren were ordained, on the 28th, under the hands of the Presidency; and at the same time Elder Albert W. Davis was ordained a Patriarch and David F. Davis,counselor in the retiring bishopric, was set apart as an alternate member of the High Council of the Salt Lake stake a position which he held at the time of the organization of the stake. Utah Legislature. — On Wednesday, 15th, the Legislature adjourned. Following are some of the important measures passed: H. B. 75. An act providing for county school districts of the first class, placing these upon the same basis of administration as school districts in cities of the second class, and making regulations therefor. H. B. 118. An act providing for uniform examinations of county school teachers throughout the state. H. B. 124. An act providing revenue for common school districts where the revenue from the state, county, and district school tax is insufficient. H. B. 138. An act providing for the establishment of a Central Utah Ex- periment Station, which is placed under the management of the Agricultural College experiment station. H. B. 194. An act for the granting to the United States the right of way over state lands for ditches, tunnels, and telegraphs and transmission lines in connection with irrigation works, and providing for the sale of certain state lands within the area of irrigation works controlled or constructed by the United States. H. B. 203. An act amending the laws relating to the manner of making amendments to articles of incorporation, by which a vote representing a majority of the capital stock of said corporation may amend the articles. H. B. 232. An act modifying our present irrigation laws. H. B. 238. An act providing for juvenile courts. H. J. R. No. 1. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution relating to uniform tax and exemptions therefrom by which mortgages are exempted from taxation. H. J. M. No. 4. A memorial to Congress praying for a grant of land for a state park, to be located in Strawberry Valley. S. B. 13. An act providing for investigations of the proper use of irrigation water and the reclamation of alkali lands. S. B. 45. An act to establish a state board of sheep commissioners, and stating the duties of same. S. B. 62. An act authorizing cities of the first and second classes to issue scrip against the funds to be raised by special taxes and to dispose of such scrip, and provide for the manner of issuing the same and enforcement and redemption thereof. S. B. 102. An act providing for the registration of all births and deaths within the state and defining the duties of the state board of health and the division of the state into registration districts and the appointment of local registrars and fixing their compensation; the issuance of birth and death certificates and burial permits, and providing penalties for violation thereof. S. B. 110. An act to prevent unjust discrimination against publishers of newspapers, by persons, association of persons, and corporations engaged in the business of gathering and distributing for publication, information of news, and declaring such combinations to be unlawful. Strawberry Valley Irrigation Project. — At a meeting held Friday, 31st, in the office of Engineer George L. Swendsen, in charge of the reclamation department of Utah, it was decided to carry out the Strawberry valley scheme, and to temporarily abandon the Utah Lake project. In accordance with the decision, the Strawberry valley is to be made into a reservoir site with a capacity for 100,000 acre feet of water. A division dam, forty-six feet high, and three hundred and twenty feet in length, is to be constructed in the southwestern section of the basin, across the Strawberry river. A tunnel, nearly four miles in length, is to be drilled through theWasatch range, east of Provo, as an outlet to the reservoir into Diamond creek. Channels are to be constructed at the meuth of Spanish Fork canyon which will cover many thousands of — EVENTS OE THE MONTH. 555 acres of land in the southern part of Utah valley. The total cost is estimated at about $1,000,000. Died. — Monday, 6th, Henry Hancock, an old resiin Liberty, Idaho, dent, aged 92 years.— Saturday, 11th, Matilda Evpns widow of in Lehi, Israel Evans, born Feb. 5, 1830, and a pioneer of 1847.— On the same day, in Kanosh, William H. Manhard, born Canada, Nov. 12, 1823. He was a member of the Nauvoo Legion, and did service in the Walker and Black Hawk Indian wars. — Monday, 13th, in Farmington, Hannah B. Miller, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Bigler, a pioneer of 1848, born Harrison county, Va., June 24, 1820; she passed through the persecutions of Missouri and Nauvoo. — In Ogden, Tuesday, 14th, Julius C. Kiesel, a well known citizen, born Ludwigsburg, Germany, May 4, 1835. The same day, in Fielding, Bracie R. Welling, wife of President Milton Welling of the Malad stake, aged 27 years.— Friday, 17th, in Ogden, Richard J. Taylor, son of the late President John Taylor, born Salt Lake City, Feb. 4, 1848.—Saturday, 18th, in Salt Lake City, Ann A. Cannon, wife of Patriarch Angus M. Cannon. She was born June 10, 1836, in Newcastle county, Delaware; baptized in October, 1855, and came to Utah with her parents in 1857. In 1861 she accompanied her husband to St. George, where they went to build up the settlements on the Muddy. She returned in 1867, and resided in Salt Lake City until her death. The same day, in Santaquin, William Chatwin, a High Priest of that place, born at Bury, England, June 23, 1823.— The same day in Lake View, Tooele, Walter G. Adamson, born July 1, 1843. He was first counselor to the bishop of that ward.— Sunday, 19th, in Hyde Park, Sarah A. Woolf, a pioneer of 1847, over 90 years of age.— In Lehi, the same day, John Karen, a pioneer of that place, born in Liverpool, in 1834.— Monday, 20th, in Beaver, Eliza Cowdell, born July 1, 1838, and a pioneer of southern Utah.—Tuesday, 21st, in Lewiston, Martha Lewis, wife of President W. H. Lewis, Benson stake, born in Benton county, Tenn., Nov. 8, 1837, and came to Utah in 1850.—The same day, in Salt Lake City, Alfred J. Ridges, born in London, England, July 13, 1850. He came to Utah with his parents.— Saturday, 25th, in Lehi, William Gurney, a pioneer of Lehi, born Aug. 8, 1834, in Bedfordshire, England.— In Ogden, residents of Weber the same day, John Alexander Jost, one of the oldest county; born December 17, 1809, in Halifax, Nova Scotia— Monday, La wife »f Patriarch Philip De La 27th, in Tooele, Jeanette De Mare, Church worker, born April 13, 1840, in DunMare. She was an active Arizona, Patriarch Henry J. barton, Scotland— Monday, 27th, in Thatcher, in England, and a pioneer of Piatt, of St. John, born March 15, 1827, 1847.'— Wednesday, 29th, in Nephi, Charles Price, a pioneer of Juab . 556 IMP It VEMENT ERA county, and a veteran of the Church; born in England, 75 years ago. —Tuesday, 28feh, in Logan, Mary Knight Benson, widow of Elder Ezra T. Benson, born in England, January, 1830. — Wednesday, 29th, in Spring City, James T. S. Allred, a member of the Mormon Battalion, and a pioneer of Utah, born March 28, 1825. —Thursday, 30th, in Salt Lake City, John Daynes, born Norwich, England, April 15, 1831. He joined the Church when a young man, and came to Utah in 1862. Shortly after he arrived, he established one of the first music stores in the city. For thirty years he was leader of the Twentieth ward choir, and for many years a member of the tabernacle and temple choirs. April, 1905. Reorganization of the Y. L. M. I. A. Presidency. — On Tuesday, 4th, the presidency of the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association was reorganized, Martha H. Tingey being chosen President in place of Elmina S. Taylor, deceased, she chose Maria Y. Dougall as first, and Ruth M. Fox as second counselors. Historical Relic. — On Tuesday, 4th, John W. Rigdon presented to President Joseph F. Smith, for safe keeping,and to be placed in a Church museum or hall of relics, an oak cane, one of a number made by President Brigham Young out of the oak box in which the body of the Prophet Joseph Smith was carried from Carthage to Nauvoo, after the martyrdom, June 27, .1844. This cane bears the following inscription: "Presented by Brigham Young to Sidney Rigdon, 1844." On the 5th, Brother Rigdon also presented to Historian Anthon H. Lund, for the files of the Historian's office, a package of letters that were written by hi3 father. Reorganization of Pioneer and Indian War Veterans Societies. — Thursday, 6th, the Pioneers of 1847 held a reunion, on the Tabernacle grounds, and elected officers of the Pioneer Association. Nimpheus Murdock was elected president with William W. Riter, Enoch Parr, Louisa C. McLaughlin and Dianna Smoot as members of the Pioneer committee. The Utah Indian War Veterans also held their reunion and elected the following officers: Commander, J. M. Westwood; Senior Vice-Commander, R. N. Bennet; Junior Vice-Commander, J. D. L. Pierce; AdjutantGeneral, M. L. Pratt; Quartermaster-General, Edwin Lee; Chaplain, N. C. Murdock; State Chorister, George Harrison. A special committee was appointed to secure medals or badges, to conform to the requirements provided by the Utah legislature. Many other reunions of elders and saints of the various missions were held during the conference, enabling EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 657 those who have labored in the different missions to greet each other and the Saints, and to renew acquaintance. Suit to Account for Tithing.— On Friday, 7th, Don C. W. Musser and Charles A. Smurthwaite entered suit in the Third District court, to enjoin the Trustee-in-trust from handling the tithing and funds of the Church. Judge Charles S. Zane and J. W. Stringfellow are their attorneys in the ^ase. This action is said to be a continuation of the fight waged by ex-Senator Kearns against President Smith, because of his failure to force President Smith to use his position in the Church for the former's political advantage. Died.— Saturday, 1st, in Lewiston, Bricham H. Telford, an active worker in the Benson Stake, and a member of the 117th Quorum «f Seventy.— The same day, in Hyrum, Niels C. Christensen, a pioneer of Cache county, born in Starbrand, Itanders amt, Denmark; baptized Dec. 23, 1859.— Tuesday, 4th, in West Jordan, the funeral of George M. Webster was held. EldeP Webster was a veteran of the Civil and Black Hawk Indian wars. He was born in London, England, August 28, 1832, and in 1843 immigrated to Illinois. In 1863 he started for California, but after arriving in Salt Lake City, investigated "Mormonism," was converted, joined the Church, and made his home in West Jordan, where he has performed a faithful labor.— On the same day, James Gilbert of Murray, an old and respected citizen of that place, died. He was born Oct, 28, 1847, and came to Utah with his parents in 1853.— In Salt Lake April 5, City, Monday 10th, Mary Jane Slack, born Mansfield, England, 1818, where she joined the Church in the forties. She came to America in 1858, and to Utah in 1861. She was a faithful member of the Church. Growth of Sunday Schools.— From the report of George D. Pyper, secretary of the Deseret Sunday School Union, rendgeneral 9th, it apered at the great semi-annual gathering on Sunday evening, an inpears that the total number of schools in the Church is 1,085, crease of 27 since the report of October, 1904. There are 106,212 members in the wards between the ages of 4 and 20 years, and of these 89, 031 are enrolled in the Sunday Schools, leaving the number not enrolled school sessions held, 46,599. The total number of officers at 17,181; teachers amounts to 17,219, an increase of 948 over 1903; the averand age per cent of attendance is 70. There are 57,969 male pupils, and number 61,338, a total of 119,309, an increase of 3, the female pupils more girls than boys iii the schools during the 819. There were 3.369 of pupils is 60. Stake year 1904. The average per cent of attendance Schools number 473, makand general officers not enrolled in the Sunday ing the grand total enrolled, 139,999, a total increase of 4,811. Latterday Saints children over eight years of age not baptized number 2,085. It was shown that eighty-four per cent of the officers and pupils observe the Word of Wisdom, and 94 per cent of the officers and teachers are tithe-payers. Number of volumes in Sunday School circulating libraries, 25,664, an increase of 2,668 during the year. Domestic—March, 1905. Enlargement op Navajo Indian Reservation. —By proclamation of President Theodore Roosevelt, March 10, the following described lands in Utah, were ordered withheld from sale and settlement, and set apart for Indian purposes; as an addition to the Navajo Indian Reservation, viz., Beginning at the mouth of Montezuma creek, (Utah) running thence due east to the Colorado state line; thence south along the Colorado state line to the San Juan river; thence down the San Juan river to the place of beginning. It is provided in the proclamation that any tract or tracts of land in this country described,which are settled upon or occupied, or to which valid rights have attached under present laws, prior to the date of this order, are excluded from the reservation. The land is surveyed and is a triangle adjoining the reservation on the northeast. The President's Addresses.— President Roosevelt, in an address before the American Tract Society, in Washington, on the 12th, declared that immigration must be aided and uplifted in order to further the high ideals necessary to keep alive the national spirit. He also spoke before the National Mothers' Congress, on the 13th, on family life, forcibly denouncing race suicide, his entire speech being found in this number of the Era. The Colorado Governorship Contest.— The Colorado legislature, on the 16th, by a vote of 51 to 41, unseated Governor Alva Adams, and declared James H. Peabody elected. In the recent election Alva Adams received a plurality of 9,874 votes; but Governor Peabody contested the election, and, after an investigation, lasting almost since the 8th of November, in which much bitter feeling was manifested and a great deal of fraud discovered on both sides, the legislature declared as above. The contest awakened much comment throughout the United States, and the consensus of opinion appears to be that a great wrong has been done in unseating Governor Adams. In accordance with a prepared plan, Governor Peabody, on the 17th, resigned, and Lieutenant-Governor Jesse EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 559 F. McDonald— who had taken no part in the controversy — became the governor of the state. Commendable Legislation.— On the 17th, the legislature of Wisconsin passed a bill prohibiting the importation, sale, or gift of cigarettes in that state. Rockefeller's Gift for Congregational Missions. — At a conference of Congregational ministers, held in Boston, Tuesday, 21st, a protest with twenty-seven signatures was presented, addressed to the Prudential Committee of the American Board of Commissions for foreign missions, opposing the offer of John D. Rockefeller, head of the Standard Oil company, wherein he proposed to give the foreign mission society of the Congregational church the sum of one hundred thousand dollars. The protest was based on the ground that the Standard Oil company stood before the public under repeated and formidable indictments, in specific terms, for methods which are morally iniquitous and socially destructive, and that the acceptance of such a gift would involve the constituents of the board in a relation implying honor toward the donor, and subject the board to the charge of ignoring the moral issues involved. After due •consideration the committee appointed to act in the matter declared that "for over a century the American Board has accepted contributions irrespective of their source.It has been held as a principle that acceptance of a donation does not imply indorsement of the donor." Domestic— April, 1905. New Panama Commission.— On the 3rd, President Roosevelt issued old an order appointing the new Panama Commission in place of the commission which by request resigned some time before. There were an seven men in the old commission, and the number were considered embarrassment to executive work; hence, it was desired that only three members should compose the new: but to this there was statutory constraint, and so the matter was managed in this way. The President reappointed one member of the old commission, Benjamin M. Harrod, and Charles E. Magoon, govthese new men: Theodore P. Shonts, chairman; the canal zone; John F. Wallace, chief engineer; Rear-Admiral ernor of Hains, U. S. A., reM. T. Endicott, U. S. N.; Brigadier-General Peter C. the army engineers. The law tired; and Colonel Oswald H. Ernst, of regulate the pay of the commissioners. He empowers the President to should all receive salaries of $7,500 and traveling directed that thev to which Mr. Shonts should receive $22,500, Mr. expenses; in addition and Mr. Wallace $17,500. This gives to the three Magoon $10,000, hardest-worked members salaries proportionate to the labor and efficiency expected of them. Foreign.— March, 1905. Mexican Ambassador Dead. —Senor Manuel de Azpiroz, Mexican Ambassador, died March 24, aged nearly sixty-nine years. He had been stationed at Washington since March, 1899, and prior to that held important commissions in the Mexican foreign relations department. He was a soldier of the republic at the time of the French invasion, and after the capture of Maximilian was public prosecutor in the court-martial proceedings against him. Russian Conditions.— During the month of March, the disturbances in Russia continued. The news of the defeat of Kuropatkin was received with rejoicing in St. Petersburg and in Poland. A revolutionary movement of considerable proportions was manifest in connection with the industrial disturbances. Poland was flooded with proclamations calling for a revolutionary uprising and demanding the use of the Polish tongue in all Polish schools and courts. On the 26th, Baron Von Nolken, chief of police at Warsaw, and several others,were severely wounded by the explosion of a bomb which was thrown into the baron's carriage. Foreign.— April, 1905. Fatal Earthquake Shock in India.— On the morning of April 4, a severe earthquake, followed by several others during that and the following day, occurred in India. Dharmsala, eighty-five miles north of Simla,was entirely destroyed, and about eighty per cent of the inhabitants were killed, while great damage was done in other parts, and many lives were lost. Santo Domingo. — At the suggestion of the Dominican government, President Roosevelt has directed the selection of American citizens by President Morales to collect and administer custom receipts at Dominican ports. The receipts will be apportioned upon the plan embodied in the treaty upon which the Senate failed to act. The arrangement is designed to meet existing difficulties until the Senate shall take action. Mexico on a Gold Basis. — A new monetarv system is to go into effect in Mexico, May 1st, under which the currency unit will be the peso of 75 centigrams of gold. Silver dollars will be valued at that equivalent, or practically 50 cents gold. It is announced that the min closed to the free coinage of silver April 16.