--- 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: 8 published: 1905-06 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. 8 (June 1905): 635–640.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0808unse 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: improvementera0808unse start_page: 635 end_page: 640 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1905-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0808unse 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.— April, 1905. L, D. S. Meeting House Burned.— On the nie:ht of the 1st, the meeting house of the Saints at Gavin, Miss., in the Southern States mission, was burned to the ground by the hands of enemies. Passing op President Charles Kelley,— President Charles W. Kelley, of the Box Elder stake of Zion, son of John P. and Eliza Long Kelley, and one of the best known citizens of northern Utah, died at his home in Brigham City, Sunday afternoon, 23rd. He was born in Hereford, England, June 9, 1841; baptized July 5, 1860, by Joseph Dilworth, in Herefordshire, and on November 22 of that year, he married Emma Price. In April, 1862, he was ordained a Priest by Elder William Thurgood, and in 1866 immigrated to Utah, crossing the plains in Captain Andrew H. Scott's ox train, which arrived in Salt Lake City October 8, 1866. Brother Kelley first located with his family in American Fork, where his parents had resided since 1862, and was ordained an Elder by Alonzo H. Raleigh, in 1868. In March, 1869, he removed to Box Elder county, where he took an active part in Church work, and when the Box Elder stake was organized, in 1877, he was set apart as second counselor to President Hans P. Jensen, in the stake presidency, and served in this calling till the death of Elder Jensen,when he was ordained president of the High Priests' quorum. In 1885-87, he filled a mission to England, and in April, 1888,was chosen second counselor to Rudger Clawson in the presidency of the stake, and became first counselor in April, 1897, succeeding Elder Adolph Madsen. After Elder Clawson was called to the apostleship, Brother Kelley was chosen president of the Box Elder stake, and was set apart November 20, 1899. This position he held at the time of his death. — §36 IMPROVEMENT ERA. The Suit to Account for Tithing. — On the 27th, the attorneys on behalf of the Chureh in the sensational and ridiculous suit brought by Charles A. Smurthwaite and Don C. W. Musser against the Trustee-inTrust, filed a brief demurrer in the Third District court. The Western Pacific Railway. — Work on the new railroad from Salt Lake City to the coast began in Salt Lake City, Friday, 28th, when the first ground was broken on Ninth South and Sixth West streets for a grade. The new road, which is called the Western Pacific, is backed by George J. Gould. Organization in Lincoln and Lakbtown Wards, — On Sunday, 30th, the lona ward, Bingham stake, was divided, and the Lincoln ward organized, with Heber Austin bishop. The new ward has a population of 204 members, and 54 families. On Sunday, 30th, Elder George H. Robinson was chosen bishop of Laketown, to fill the yacancy caused by the death of Bishop Ira Nebeker. Died. —Wednesday, 21st, in Ogden, Martha Brown Wayment, one of the oldest residents of Weber county, born in Bassingbourne, Cambridgeshire, England, May 26, 1823, and joined the Church in 1856. Monday, 17th, in Holden, Jane Roberts Bennett, born in Flintshire, Wales, June 22, 1824, and baptized December, 1850. — Thursday, 18th, in Riverside, Idaho,Hannah Clough, born in Yorkshire, England, 1816. She received the Gospel about sixty years ago, and came to Utah in the 70's. — Wednesday, 19th, in Provo, Catherine E. Newscome, one of the oldest residents of that place, born in Cork, Ireland, 1835; joined the Church in 1861. —The same day, in Lake Shore, Mary Graves, a faithful meciber of the Church, aged 88 years. — In Soda Springs, Saturday, 22nd, Bishop Ira Hogan, of Thatcher ward, Idaho. He" was born November 24, 1844, and had been in the bishopric, first, as a counselor to Bishop Pond, and then bishop of thatcher wai-d, since 1892. —Sunday, 23rd, in Salt Lake City, William Howell, one of the early-day railroad builders of Utah. He was born in Monmoutiishire, Wales, August 29, 1820; joined the Church in Birmingham, and came to Utah over fifty years ago. — In Salt Lake City, the same day, William B. Woods, one of the oldest residents, and a veteran of the Mauvoo Legion, a native of England, 73 years of age.— Monday, 24th, in Salt Lake City, Elizabeth Brazier, a pioneer, born in England 71 y«ars ago, and came to Utah in 1856, in Captain — Hodgett's company. The same day, in Lake View, Mads Jorgensen, an old resident of Utah. He was born March 7, 1827, and came to Utah in 1859. Elder Jorgensen filled missions to Denmark and the Northern EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 637 States, and for twenty-five years was a counselor in the bishopric of the Lake View ward.— In Los Angeles, Monday, 24th. Ira Nebeker, Bishop of Laketown, Bear Lake stake, and a pioneer of 1847.— In Ephraim, Wednesday, 26th, Mrs. Joseph Y. Jenson, wife of the first counselor in the South Sanpete stake presidency, born April 15, 1875.— Friday, 28th, in Taylorsville, Margaret McLachlan, wife of President William McLachlan, of Pioneer stake, born in Falkirk, Scotland, December 25, 184S, and came to Utah in 1873.— The funeral of Ann C. Miller, mother of Bishop Orrin P. Miller, was held in Mill Creek, on the 28th. Sister Miller was born July 15, 1838, in Birmingham, England, and came to Utah in the 50's. Mav, 1905. Bathsheba W. Smith Honored.— The eighty-third birthday anniversary of Sister Bathsheba W. Smith, president of the Relief Society, was celebrated in Provo, May 1st. A large party from Salt Lake City were present. The exercises were held in the B. Y. University, in the morning, and in the Tabernacle, in the afternoon. Sister Smith is now the only surviving charter member of the Relief Society, which was organized in Nauvoo by the Prophet Joseph Smith, March 17, 1842. "The Salt Lake Route." —The first regular passenger trains over the San Pedro Los Angeles & Salt Lake railroad, left Salt Lake City and Los Angeles Tuesday evening, 2nd, at the same hour. This road was first contemplated in the spring of 1900, the last construction began in 1901, and the last spike was driven at 3: 15 p. m. Monday, January 30, 1905, at a point twenty miles north of the California state line, in Nevada. Among the chief promoters of this new road are Senator William A. Clark, J. Ross Clark, and T. E. Gibbon. A road from Utah to southern California had been contemplated, and many unsuccessful attempts to build one made, years before the completion of the "Salt Lake Route," but because of peculiar circumstances, at the time, and pressure that was brought to bear, these early attempts failed. Among Utah residents who advocated such a road, and who in earlier days attempted to carry the scheme into effect were the late President George Q. Cannon, John Sharp, Theodore Bruback, Abraham H. Cannon, Charles W. Nibley and David Eccles. The Union Pacific commenced such a road in 1889, and later the Oregon Short Line. The latter abandoned the plan at the time of the sale of all 0. S. L. property south of Salt Lake City, to the San Pedro Los Angeles and Salt — Lake road, some three years ago. On Saturday evening, 6th, on the generous invitation of Senator Wm. A. Clark, president of the road, a party of Salt Lake business men left on a special train for Los Angeles, where they remained for several days as the honored guests of the city, A return visit to this city of the business men of Los Angeles will be made about the 12th of June. New Bishop Chosen. —Sunday, 5th, Elder Frank Stanley was chosen and sustained bishop of the Twenty-sixth ward. Pioneer stake, in place of Bishop Lewis Hoagland who had been called to preside over the New Zealand mission. Elder Stanley was ordained by Elder George A. Smith, His counselors are Don C. Rushton and George D. Bennett. Deaths. — Monday, 1st, in Smithfield, Thomas Smith, one of the earliest settlers of Smithfield, aged 78 years. — The same day, in McCammon, Idaho, Ann Grittins, a pioneer of southern Idaho, and a Latter- — day Saint, aged 79 years. In Panguitch, the same day.Anna Parker, one of the oldest residents of southern Utah. —Tuesday, 2nd, in Milford, Caroline Stoddard, wife of Arvin M, Stoddard, and a pioneer of 1847, aged 70 years.— Sunday, 7th, in Salt Lake City, Elizabeth A. W. Paton, daughter of Horace K. Whitney, aged 47 years. — In Provo, the same day, John Gillies, born in Perthshire, Scotland, and joined the Church in 1856. —In Salt Lake City, the same day, Arnold R. Schulthess, father of Arnold H. SchuHhess of the presidency of the Liberty stake. He came from Zurich, Switzerland, to Utah, in 1879. Domestic, April, 1905. Miscellaneous Events. — On the 10th, the United States Supreme Court decided that the right of trial by jury exists in Alaska. On the — same day, John D. Rockefeller gave to the American Baptist Missionary Union $200,000.— On the 17th, the United States Supreme Court, by a vote of 5 to 4, declared that the New York law limiting a day's work in bakeries to ten hours was unconstitutional, — On the 18th, the Newfoundland legislature passed a bill excluding American fishermen from the Newfoundland fisheries. Desertions from the Navy. —Sunday, &th, six hundred sailors belonging to the North Atlantic squadron, commanded by Admiral Evans deserted at Pensacola. A statement issued by the Bureau of Navigation shows that during the year 1904, there were 3,210 desertions from the navy, or 10.7 per cent of the enlisted force. Sale of a Lincoln Autograph Letter, —In New York, Thursday, 13th, an autograph letter written by Abraham Lincoln was sold for $110. The letter was written during the war and was dedicated to a soldier who had deserted the colors and begged for reinstatement. Deaths of Notable Persons.— On Friday, 21st, Senator Orville H. EVENTS OE THE MONTH. 639 Piatt, of Connecticut, died in He was born in Washington, Washington. Conn., July 19, 1827, and had been in public life for many years. He served as Secretary of State of Connecticut, in 1857, and was in the state legislature for several terms. In 1879, he entered the United States Senate and served continuously until his death being considered one of the strongest members of that body. — Joseph Jefferson the veteran actor, who has a world-wide fame, died at his home in Palm Beach, Sunday, 23rd. He was born in Philadelphia, Feb 20, 1829.— On Friday, 28th, Brigadier General Fitzhugh Lee, U. S. A., (retired) died in Washington, D. C, from an attack of apoplexy. He was born at Clermont, Va. Nov. 19, 1835, and was a nephew of General Robert E. Lee the famous Confederate General. He graduated from West Point in 1856, and during the Civil war was an officer in the Confederate army. In the war with Spain, he also took an active part, commanding the Seventh army corps; and after the war, became Military Govornor of Havana, and, later, the commander of the department of Missouri, U. S. A., beirg appointed to the regular army with the rank of brigadier-general in February, 1901. Carnegie's Great Gift. — On the 27th, the announcement was made that Andrew Carnegie had transferred, to a board of trustees consisting in the main of presidents of the most important colleges in the United States and Canada, $10,000,000 in bonds as a fund to provide annuities for college professors in the United States, Canada and Newfoundland, who from old age or other physical disability, are no longer in a position to render the most efficient service. The pension fund from these bonds will amount to an annual income of $500,000. The amount has been transferred in five per cent steel corporation bonds to a board of trustees —twenty-five in number, twenty-one of whom are presidents of universities. Ninety-three institutions under the rules will be benefitted from the Foundation. All state and sectarian institutions are excluded from the benefit. May, 1905. No Polygamy in Hawaii.— On the 8th, the federal grand jury in the Hawaiian Islands, reported that polygamy was not practiced in the *'Mormon" colony. The investigation was the result of anti-"Mormon" falsehoods circulated for political effect. Tornado in Kansas. —The most disastrous tornado in the history of central Kansas swept over the town of Marquette at midnight, 8th, wrecking the town, killing twenty-four of the inhabitants, and wound- ing many others. The tornado formed three miles south of Marquette, and within five minutes had wrought the destruction. Foreign.—April, 1905. E\RTHQ¥AKE IN INDIA. — Reports from India regarding the earthquake, on the 4th, show that about 13,000 lives were lost in that terrible catastrephy. The Remains op John Paul Jones.— On Friday, 14th, the body of Admiral John Paul Jones, the founder of the American navy, and the hero of several daring and successful naval battJes during the Revolutionary war, was unearthed in Paris, France, through the untiring efforts of General Horace Porter, American Ambassador to France. General Porter has carried on the search for five or six years, and has himself stood the expense of the undertaking, which has resulted so successfully. The St. Louis cemetery, in Paris, where the Admiral was buried, was covered with houses,and the search was carried on by tunneling. The body was in a leaden casket, and the identification is considered beyond question. He died in Paris, July 18, 1792. The remains will be brought to America, and a suitable monument erected to his memory. Famine in Spain. — On account of the long continued drought, a famine prevails in Andalusia, Spain. Mobs have destroyed the government military granaries at Lebrija, in the attempt to capture them, and bakers' stores have been plundered. Wagons distributing bread in the streets were attacked by the people, and in the excitement much food was wasted. The government has reduced the duties on corn and flour. The Bishop of Madrid denounced the rich, and declared his willingness to sell the episcopal jewelry to buy food. The government has provided municipal bakeries but is unable to meet all demands. May, 1905. Russia's Internal Troubles. —The internal troubles in the Russian Empire continue. In Warsaw, on the 1st, troops fired on the striking workmen in the streets, killing over thirty and wounding many more. Riots also occurred at Lodz, Kalisz and other parts of Poland. The same day it was announced that the Czar had conferred religious freedom on his subjects as an Easter gift. On the 8th, the report was circulated that there had been a massacre of Jews at Zhitomir government of Valhynia, southwestern Russia, in a riot which began on the 7th and continued for forty-eight hours. Orthodox Christians fell upon the Jews in the streets. The Jews armed themselves and fought their assailants. Many were killed on both sides.