--- 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: 9 published: 1905-07 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. 9 (July 1905): 715–720.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0809unse 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: improvementera0809unse start_page: 715 end_page: 720 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1905-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0809unse 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.— May, 1905. Ecclesiastical Changes.— About the 14th, David Kinghorn was sustained as Bishop of the Lewisville ward, Idaho. — At the quarterly conference of the Xebo Stake, held Saturday, 20th, and Sunday, 21st, the Tintic district, of the Juab stake, was annexed to the Nebo stake, as it was more convenient for the Tintic Saints to attend conference in the Nebo stake. On the 21st, John T. Russell was chosen Bishop of St. John ward, Tooele stake.— On the 28th, Anderson Steedman was chosen and ordained Bishop of Mammoth ward in the stead of Bishop Fred — Lundburg who had removed to Payson. At the quarterly conference of the Box Elder stake, held Sunday, 28th, and Monday, 29th, Oleen X. Stohl was sustained and ordained president of the stake, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of President Charles Kelly. President Stohl chose as his counselors Lucius A. Snow and William C. Horsley. Purchase of the Prophet's Birthplace. — On Tuesday, 23rd, Junius F. Wells, in behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, purchased the Mack farm, inSharon, Windsor county, Vermont, where the Prophet Joseph Smith was born, Dec. 23, 1805. Monument to Memory of Daniel H. Wells.— Monday, 29th, a monument to the memory of the late President Daniel H. Wells was dedicated in the city cemetery, Salt Lake City. The monument which is one of the most imposing in the state, stands near the entrance of the cemetery, and was erected by the family of General Wells. The ceremonies were presided over by Ex-Governor Heber M. Wells. The speakers at the dedication were Presidents Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder and Anthon H. Lund, Bishop R. T. Burton and Elder Junius F. Wells. The invocation was offered by Bishop Orson F. Whitney and the benediction by Bishop William B. Preston. The monument is a polished shaft, sur- — mounted by a globe of dark Quincey granite, set on a Utah granite base. Bowers Granite Co., Montpelier, Vt., under the It was built by the R. C. direction of the Elias Morris Sons Co., of this city. Died. —Tuesday, 2nd, in Pleasant View, Idaho, Mary S. Bowen, president of the Primary association of the Pleasant View ward, born Spanish Fork, Oct. 19, 1860. — Wednesday, 10th, in Ogden, Mary Ann Rycraft, born London, May 10, 1821, joined the Church and came to Utah 50 years ago. —In Smithfield, the funeral of Robert A. Bain was held Friday, 12th. He was born in Dundee, Scotland, Aug. 28, 1830, was baptized January 9, 1847, and for many years was an active missionary. — In Price, Utah, Friday, 12th, Keziah J. J. Empey, one of the first settlers of that place. —Thursday, 18th, in Salt Lake City, Lorenzo D. Young, son of President Brigham Young, born Sept. 22, 1856. Thurs- — day, 18th, in Salt Lake City, Richard Brimley, a highly respected citizen who for several years was bishop of the 5th ward. He was born in Euxton, Lancashire, Eng., Aug. 26, 1822. — Monday, 22nd, in Coalville John Boyden, one of the leading citizens of Summit county, born in Staffordshire, Eng., in 1841, and came to Utah in 1860. For many years he was a member of the High Council of the Summit stake, and held many civil offices. —Friday, 26th, in Salt Lake City, Mrs. Annie M. Thomas, wife of Postmaster Arthur L. Thomas, from blood-poisoning. Sunday, 28th, in Salt Lake City, Matthew Miller, a high priest in the Salt Lake stake, born Maryhill, Scotland, Mar. 11, 1842. — In Salt Lake City, Monday, 29th, Isabella A. Wardrop, born Nauvoo, Mar. 10, 1846. — Tuesday, 29th, in West Portage, Patriarch Oliver C. Hoskins, the first president of the Malad stake. He was born in Georgetown, 111., May 17, 1827, was baptized at Garden Grove, Iowa, in 1851, and came to Utah in 1862. Oct. 23, 1887, he was ordained a bishop, and presided over the Portage ward until January 12, 1888, when he was chosen president of the Malad stake. Elder Hoskins filled several missions, and was an active Church worker. — Tuesday, 30th, in Ogden, William Butler, one of Utah's early settlers. He was born at Gorney, Wexford county, Ireland, Aug. 15, 1825, and came to Utah in 1850, where be joined the Church soon after his arrival. — In Parowan, Wednesday, 31st, Sarah F. McGregor, a pioneer of southern Utah, and a veteran of Kirtland and Nauvoo, born October 24, 1828, and baptized at the age of eight years. County Assessments for 1905. —The total assessed valuation for Salt Lake County for the year 1905, aggregates the sum of $47,898,247, an increase of $1,000,000 since last year. The assessment of Weber County is $12,341,827, an increase of $197,255 over 1904. EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 717 Beneficial Life Insurance Company.— On the 10th, articles of incorporation of the Beneficial Life Insurance company were filed in the office of the county clerk of Salt Lake county. The capital stock is divided into 1000 shares of $100. each. The officers of the company are: President Joseph F. Smith; first vice-president, John C. Cutler; second vice-president, Lorenzo N. Stohl; treasurer, Joseph Nelson; Secretary, John Stringham. There is also a board of directors which includes many prominent business men of Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Arizona. Death of Albert R. Smith.— On Wednesday, 17th, President Albert R. Smith, of the San Luis stake of Zion, died at his home in. Manassa, Conejos county, Colorado, after a lingering illness. He was the son of Silas S. and Sarah A. Ricks Smith, and was born in Paragoonah, Iron county, Utah, April 11, 1862. With his father he became one of the pioneers of Conejos county. He performed a mission to the Southern states in 1887, and for several years was clerk of the San Luis stake. In 1892, he was called to preside over that stake, succeeding his father who at present lives in Utah. During his administration he gained the love of the Saints, and the good will of the Gentiles residing in Conejos and adjoining counties. June, 1905. President Brigham Young's Birthday. —The 104th anniversary of the birth of President Brigham Young was celebrated at Logan, Thursday, June 1. Many guests from Salt Lake City and other parts of the state were in attendance. A splendid program and a banquet were the features of the entertainment. Brigham Morris Young was chosen president of the family association. Death of Elder Joseph Gill. — Elder Joseph S. B. Gill, a missionary laboring in the Eastern states mission, died in Pittsburg from an attack of typhoid fever, Friday, 2nd. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Brown Gill, and was born in Weston, Oneida county, Idaho, October 1870; was baptized by Elder Rasmus Nielsen when eight 9, years of age, and was an active worker in the Weston ward. Elder Gill was a member of the 142nd quorum of Seventy, and was set apart for his field of labor in the Eastern states, Nov. 1, 1904, by Elder Seymour B. Young. The body was brought home by Elder J. H. Archibald. Died.— In Kaysville, Thursday, 1st, Robert W. Barton, a pioneer and Indian war veteran, born Yorkshire, England, April 29, 1826, came to America in 1843, and joined the Church in Nauvoo. During the exodus, he journeyed with the Saints to Utah where he arrived in 1851, the building up of settlements.— Friday, 2nd, Caleb Baldand assisted in win Rhodes, a pioneer trapper and hunter, who came to Utah in 1846, one year before the pioneers. —In Wellsville, Monday, 5th, Samuel G. Perkins, a pioneer of that place. — In Ogden, Wednesday, 7th, James Riley, a pioneer of Weber county, born in Wigan, Lancashire, April 27, 1823, joined the Church in his native land, and came to Utah in 1852. —In Salt Lake City, Thursday, 8th, William C. Dunbar, one of the best known citizens of the State of Utah, born in Inverness, Scotland, 83 years ago, joined the Church in 1840, and came to Utah in 1852. Two years later he filled a mission in his native land, and for many years was a counselor to Bishop John Sharp of the Twentieth ward. He was always actively engaged in church work, music, and useful enterprises among the people. In 1870, with Edward L. Sloan, he founded the Salt Lake Herald, and for many years was the manager of that paper. Domestic—May, 1905. — Chicago's Reign of Terror. For the past four months, Chicago has been subject to a reign ^of terror caused by the teamsters' strike. The strike began when a number of garment workers, employed in one of the leading clothing houses, quit work as a protest against the employment of men who were not members of the union. The places of the strikers were soon filled, which aroused the union men, who persuaded the teamsters employed by the clothing house also to strike. The strike gradually spread, and other businesshouses that had dealings with the firm where the trouble began, were drawn into the dispute, and were boycotted by the unions. The teamsters' union took up the cause of the strikers, and tied up almost all traffic in the city. The Chicago authorities seem powerless to cope with the striking element, and the mayor, for some reason, has refused to call on the governor for militia to quell the unlawful disturbances which hourly take place. Even peaceable citizens have been brutally beaten and murdered by the lawless strikers, who have hired ruffians to assault non-union men and union men who are at work. In April, a workman was brutally murdered, and a released convict boastingly declared that he had been hired to commit the crime, for which he received the sum of fifteen dollars. This remark led to the arrest of one of the leaders of the carriage makers' union, who confessed to the employment of ruffians for the purpose of assaulting non-union men. Other union were arrested, and officers now await trial on the charge of murder. At -the present writing, no settlement of the difficulties appears in sight. Of these brutal scenes, the New York Independent says: No honest man endowed with common sense should have the least EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 719 difficulty in ascertaining the true character of thelabor insurrection in Chicago, or in seeing what is the only remedy for such disgraceful and shocking exhibitions of anarchy. Throughout last week the city was at the mercy of a mob. In many of the streets there was almost continuous riot. Several men were killed, many were so brutally beaten that their injuries may be fatal, hundreds were disabled by wounds of various kinds. Citizens having not the remotest connection with the controversy were murderously attacked. The pastor of one of the Presbyterian churches nearly lost his life at the hands of ruffians who sought to uphold the cause of the strikers and boycotters by beating anyone who seemed to be without protection. In the heart of the city, at the doors of its finest hotels, men were shot or clubbed almost to death simply because they had accepted work which the attacking ruffians had declined to do. A peaceable old man, delivering a little bundle of goods in his own wagon, because there was no one to do it for him, was murdered for thus trying to keep his agreement and earn a living. These were some of the incidents of this insurrection of the teamsters' union. Last Survivor of toe War of 1812.— On the 18th, the body of Hyrum Cronk, the last of the veterans of the war of 1812, was buried in Cypress Hill cemetery, New York, with imposing military honors. May Fatalities.— On the night of Wednesday, 10th, a sever? tornado swept over the town of Snyder, Oklahoma, and caused terrible destruction. Nearly one hundred lives were lost, and a large number of the inhabitants were injured. The los3 of property is estimated at $350,000. — On the following day, the Cleveland express, on the Pennsylvania railroad, collided with a wrecked freight train at Harrisburg, Pa., and an explosion of dynamite followed, killing about thirty persons and injuring over one hundred others. President Roosevelt and a Third Term. — President Theodore Roosevelt declared most emphatically, on the 10th, that he would not be a candidate for another term as President of the United States. June, 1905. Collision on the Salt Lakh: Route.— The overland passenger train on the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake, which left Salt Lake City Sunday evening, 4th, collided with an east-bound special near Riverside, Cal., on the 6th, and two lives were lost. This is the first serious accident on the new road. The Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition.— The Exposition inhonor of the historical exploration of the Oregon country by Captain Merriwether Lewis and William Clark, one hundred years ago, was formally opened on the 1st, with a splendor never before witnessed in the Pacific northwest. President Roosevelt, at the White House, gave the signal by telegraph which started the machinery of the exposition moving. The ceremonies began promptly at 12 o'clock, and were directed by President H. W. Goode, of the exposition, in the presence of a vast assembly. Many leading statesmen were in attendance, including Vice-President Fairbanks and Speaker Joseph G. Cannon, who were the principal orators on the occasion. Foreign.— May, 1905. Defeat op the Russian Squadron.— What appears to be one of the greatest naval battles of modern warfare was fought Saturday, 27th, in the straits of Korea, not far from the western coast of Japan, between the Russian Baltic squadron, under command of Admiral Rozhdestvensky, and the Japanese fleet commanded by Admiral Togo. The battle resulted in an overwhelming victory for the Japanese. With very few exceptions, the entire fleet of the Russians was destroyed or captured, while the loss of among them was very great. The Japanese escaped life with very little damage to their fleet and with small loss of life. Admiral Rozhdestvensky was captured shortly after the battle and was found to be in a serious condition, his skull being fractured. Death of Baron Alphonse de Rothschild. —Baron Alphonse de Rothschild, head of the French branch of the banking house of the name of Rothschild, died Friday, 28th, in Paris, France. He was born in 1827, and was one of the greatest leaders in the financial world. The funeral services which were held in Paris,were quite simple for a man of wealth, but in keeping with the custom of the Rothschild family. June, 1905. The Norway-Sweden Union Dissolved.— On Wednesday, 7th, the Norwegian Storthing declared the union between Norway and Sweden, which has existed for nearly one hundred years, dissolved, and that the king had ceased to act as king of Norway. The Storthing, or parliament, also empowered the present state council of Norway to act as a government of Norway until further notice, and to exercise the power heretofore appertaining to the king. An address to King Oscar of Sweden was adopted, declaring that no ill feeling was entertained against him, his dynasty, nor the Swedish nation, and asking him to co-operate in the selection of a young prince of the royal house — that of Bernadotte —to occupy the throne of Norway. The dissolution of the union, or confederacy, existing between Norway and Sweden has been pending for some time, and had its growth in the desire for the establishment of a separate consular system for the two countries.