Events and Comments

EVENTS AND COIYIMENTS. BY EDWARD H. ANDERSON. Double Semi-Centennial Anniversary.—On Sunday, March 18, 1906, it was just fifty years ago since the Lion House, Salt Lake City, was completed, and since the first child, Susa Young Gates, one of the bright spirits in the large family of President Brigham Young, was bom therein. In honor of the occasion, Sister Gates arranged for the celebration of the semi-centennial anniversary therein, on Saturday evening, -March 17. The jubilee was fitly celebrated by from two hundred fifty to three hundred people, who enjoyed themselves listening to a program conducted by Col. Willard Young. President John R. Winder offered prayer, and a number of veterans who had labored for President Young, fifty years ago, entertained the audience by interesting reminiscences about the construction of the building. Among them were Bishop George Romney; William H. Foster, a pioneer tenor of the Tabernacle choir, as well as pioneer turner and worker in wood; Joshua Midgley, pioneer painter, and performer on the bass violin in 1852; Hamilton G. Park, one of President Young's right-hand business men and workers, in the old days, who had charge of the distribution of the wheat, grain, flour, meal and bread-stuff, which President Young had purchased for distribution among the poor during the famine of 1856; H. B. Clawson, steward of President Young's families; Susa Young Gates, the talented guest of the evening; Bishop Orson F. Whitney, who gave a speech full of laughable incidents connected with his own experiences in President Young's family; B. H. Roberts, who suggested that the house be preserved for a museum, where not only the curios of President Young might be seen, but also from which might be distributed, in literaiy form, the great thoughts to which Brigham Young gave birth, during his life. President Joseph F. Smith gave a twenty minute speech on life in Utah in the 50's, and President John R. Winder assured the people gathered, that as long as the present members of the First Presidency lived, the old landmarks would be cared for and preserved, and that the real estate owned by the Church in that locality, would be retained. Refreshments were served by fifteen lady students, under the direction of the Domestic Science Department of the Latter-day Saints' University. Conversation, reminiscences, visits to the relic room, and amusements were then engaged in, and a very enjoyable evening was spent in the historic old house. Congratulations were showered upon Sister Susa Young Gates, in which the Era heartily joins. Tribute to Mother.—At the young people's evening meeting of the regular quarterly conference of the Sevier Stake, on the 18th of March, State Superintendent of Schools A. C. Nelson, spoke to the congregation on the love of parents,

578 IMPROVEMENT ERA. and, in the course of his remarks, paid the following beautiful triButfe to his aged mother: About four weeks ago, I visited my mother, who is now seventy-six years of age, and an hour or so after I had retired, and she thought I was asleep, she came, just as she used to come when I was a little fellow, came with a lamp, as she used to come with a candle, in her hand. I saw her look at me, and then she ■ tucked in the quilts over her forty-one-year old boy, just as she used to do when he was only so many months, or fewer, perhaps, than that. She saw that I was • safely placed in bed, and protected from the cold of the night. After she had done that, she examined my clothing to see whether it needed mending, and the boy, before mother had left the room, turned to her, and once more his cheeks were moistened as by the tears of youth. And, my young friends, if there is one thing that gives me more pleasure tonight than another, it is the consciousness of the fact that, tonight, if mother has retired, an earnest prayer has been directed ■ towards the throne of grace, and in that prayer my name has received mention. New Chief-of-Staff for Governor Cutler.—For some time past considerable difficulty has been experienced in the National Guard of Utah, and it has been difficult to unite the soldier boys. Colonel Jos. Geoghegan recently resigned as Acting Adjutant-General and Inspector-General of the Governor's staff. On March 19, Governor J. C. Cutler named Lieutenant Raymond C. Naylor as Adjutant-General of the National Guard of Utah. He takes the rank of the Brigadier-General with the appointment, and becomes the chief-of-staff for Governor Cutler. Lieutenant Naylor served through the Spanish war and the Philippine - insurrection, with the Utah batteries, and has an excellent reputation as drillmaster, with a varied military experience extending over a long period of time. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1893, enlisted in the National Guard, where he served until the outbreak of the Spanish war, being promoted through-; the ranks from time to time. His record in the Philippines is well known, and though he has not been in military service since his return, his appointment is ■ hailed with satisfaction by those most interested, as a panacea for the internals troubles of the Guard, which have so seriously disturbed its usefulness of late. Company C, First Infantry N. G. U. was mustered into service on the 16th, with, A. 0. Miller as captain. Edward Pike and H. C. Hicks were chosen first and second lieutenant. John C. Graham Dead.—John C. Graham, actor, printer, editor, died in Provo on the 19th of March. For thirty years he edited and managed the Prove Enquirer, and took part in nearly all the important public discussions of the state. He was born in Liverpool, July 23, 1839. His parents, William C. Graham and Elizabeth Loveland, were among the first converts to the gospel as preached to the Latter-day Saints in Liverpool by the late President John Taylor. His parents come to Utah in 1861, locating in Salt Lake and later in Provo. For eight years, beginning at the age of seventeen, young Graham was connected with the Millennial Star, at Liverpool, becoming associate editor under President George Q. Cannon. He was on the ship Amazon when Charles Dickens, the novelist, visited it, and wrote of the "Mormon" emigrants: "They are in their degree the pick and flower of England." In 1864, Graham emigrated to Utah, and took.

EVENTS AND COMMENTS. 579a position in Salt Lake City in the business offices of the Church. He became associated with the Deseret Dramatic Association, and supported many of the leading stars that came to Utah in those early days, including Julia Dean Hayne, Edwin Adams, Jno. McCullock, Laurence Barratt, and Adelaide Nielson; and became manager of the Salt Lake Theatre, when Clawson andCaine retired, in 187L He went to Europe on a mission in 1873, and then became assistant editor of the Star under the late Albert Carrington, and later under President Joseph F. Smith. Returning from his mission, he settled in Provo in 1877, where he was identified with many of the leading enterprises in business, and in social and political affairs, having been chairman of the County Republican Committee, and the Republican State Executive Committee, trustee of the State Agricultural College, postmaster, and a member of the city council. In Church affairs he also took an active part. He was the father of twenty-eight children, fourteen of whom are living. He was an energetic, busy, genial and vigorous personality, kind and devoted to his friends, and stood uncompromisingly for the right as he understood it. Impressive services marked the last tribute of respect to John C. Graham, in the Provo Tabernacle, March 21; among the speakers were President Joseph F. Smith, Elders Seymour B. Young, Phil Margetts, Duncan McAllister and James Clove. . Connecting Farming Districts with Telephone Exchange.—A very interesting scheme is being carried through by the Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone Co., in its endeavor to connect farming districts with their telephone exchanges. The company, realizing the benefits to be derived by the farmers, has submitted propositions to them, in different places, as follows: The farmers are to associate themselves together, and build a telephone line to the limits of the company's exchanges, which are usually about one mile from the main telephone building. The company will then meet the farmers at this point, and continue the line to their switchboard, furnishing the farmers with exchange service, and also with telephone talking sets. All the expense that the farmer is to be put to is the original cost of building the line, the maintenance of the same, and rental of 50 cents per month. In this way farmers may unite, and for a very small expense be in touch with the market and with the news of the world. This scheme is also valuable to the merchants or other business men, as it enables them to instantly communicate with the farmers. It is said that the farmers of several places in this state, and in Idaho and Wyoming, are making arrangements for this telephone service. Ebenezer Beesley, the Musician.—Death has decimated the ranks, recently, not only of many of the old time actors of Utah, such as Bowring, Lindsay, Graham and others, btit has also entered the ranks of the musicians. Only a short time ago, Joseph G. Fones and Professor Radcliffe passed away, and on the 20th of March Ebenezer Beesley, another of Utah's veteran musicians, and a former leader of the Tabernacle choir, passed to his reward. He was sixty-six years old, and had spent forty-seven years of his life in Utah, arriving here on September 4, 1859, having crossed the plains in captain Geo. Rowley's handcart company. He was born in Bicester, Oxfordshire, England, December 14, 1840,

580 IMPROVEMENT ERA. and joined the Church September 22, 1849. At the organization of the theatre orchestra by President Young, Mr. Beesley became the leader of the orchestra, serving the first years without pay. In 1880, he became leader of the Tabernacle choir, succeeding Professor Geo. Careless, who had held the position for fourteen years, and he continued until Prof. Evan Stephens, the present director, was installed in 1889. At the time of his death he was president of the Beesley Music Co. Every child in Utah who is a member of the Sunday schools, and many who have grown up in the Sunday schools, are familiar with his many sweet songs: "Kind Words are Sweet Tones of the Heart," "Welcome, Welcome, Sabbath' Morning,'' and many others that might be mentioned, both in the Sunday School Song Book and in the Latter-day Saints Psalmody. He was one of a committee appointed by President John Taylor, who completed the Psalmody, being, in fact, the prime mover in its compilation, and since then took an active part in its revision. Ebenezer Beesley was one of the most modest, unassuming and yet most energetic and faithful laborers that the Church has had in its musical ranks, and his name will long be held in veneration by lovers of music. He was the father of sixteen children, eleven of whom are living. New President for the Latter-day Saints University.—President J. H. Paul, who has served many years as president of the Latter-day Saints University, in fact, who has built it up to its present advanced position, has resigned, and will engage in other business. On the 21st of March, the Board of Trustees of the University decided on his successor, who is no other than Colonel Willard Young, who has served with distinction in the United States army, and who has filled numerous civil positions of high responsibility for the government. He is a graduate of West Point, and was commanding officer of the second regiment of volunteer engineers in the recent war with Spain. He has been a resident of New York for some time, but has recently removed to this city. His services will begin on the first of the next school year. Ecclesiastical Changes.—At the regular meeting held in the Sixth ward, Pioneer Stake, Sunday, March 11, Bishop James C.Watson was honorably released and ordained a patriarch, after many years of faithful service, and Arnold G. Giauque was sustained bishop of the ward, with Albert E. Poulton and James M. Fullmer, counselors.—On the 25th, at the regular meeting held in the Third ward, Liberty Stake, Bishop Oliver Hodgson was honorably released from presiding over the ward, on account of ill health, and Roscoe W. Eardley was sustained bishop of the ward, with Andrew Smith, Jr., and H. Wallace Boden, counselors. The same day, at the regular meeting of the Fourth Ward, Pioneer Stake, Bishop Harrison Sperry was honorably released, and was ordained a patriarch, and Elder Charles H. Worthen was sustained bishop of the ward, with William D. Callister and Charles H. Sperry counselors. Also, on the same day, at the regular meeting of the Saints of the Peterson ward, Morgan Stake, Ezra Parrish was sustained bishop, succeeding Bishop J. B. Robins, who removed from the ward. Died.—At Springville, Thursday, March 1, Eli Ascroft, a pioneer of Utah veteran of the Mexican and Utah Indian wars, and a permanent resident of Utah

EVENTS AND COMMENTS. 581 since 1854; he came west in 1845, two years before the pioneers, with a number of trappers.—At Lehi, Friday, 2d, Peter Lott, a son of Peter Lott, and one of the oldest residents of Lehi; born in Nauvoo.—At Beaver, Saturday, 3rd, Thomas Parkinson, a pioneer of Beaver; born in Cambridgeshire, December 11, 1830.—In Salt Lake City, Thursday, 6th, Samuel Peterson, former bishop of the Second ward, aged 80 years.—In Ogden, Thursday, 8th, Ellen Fielding Burton, daughter of Joseph Fielding, and a veteran of Nauvoo. and Utah pioneer of 1848, born in Preston, England, February 9, 1841.—In Lyman, Wayne county, Utah, Thursday, 8th, Mary Ann Holden Cook, acquainted with the Prophet Joseph in Nauvoo, and a pioneer of Dixie; born in Tennessee, July 26, 1837, and crossed the plains in 1852.—At Bountiful, Sunday, 10th, Mary Brown Paice, a pioneer of 1847, and wife of Patriarch Edwin Paice.—In Salina, Sunday, 11th, Andrew Christensen; born October 5, 1829, in Denmark, joined the Church in 1877, and came to Utah in 1878.—At Taylorsville, Monday, 12th, Elizabeth A. Criddle, a pioneer of Davis county; born November 29, 1821, in Kentucky.—In Mayfield, Tuesday 13th, Patriarch Ole C. Olsen, bishop of Mayfield from 1877 to 1890; born in Bornholm, Denmark, February 7, 1823, joined the Church March 15, 1852, crossed the plains by handcart in 1857.—At Salina, Thursday, 15th, James A. Ivie, a frontiersman and veteran of Nauvoo, and of the Blackhawk and Walker Indian wars; born March 17, 1830, in Monroe county. Mo., and came to Utah in 1848.—In Provo, Saturday, 17th, Serrine S. Conrad, one of the oldest residents of Utah county, aged 68 years.—The same day, in Salt Lake City, Richard Matthews, a pioneer stereotyper and printer of Utah; born in Nottingham, England, and came to Utah in 1854.—In Salt Lake City, Sunday, 18th, Phares Wells, a pioneer of 1848, aged 92years; born in Bucks county, Pa.—In Hinckley, Sunday, 18th, Mary Holly Stokes, one of the first school teachers of Utah, a nurse, a pioneer of Dixie; born in Glasgow, Scotland, July 21, 1820, and came to Utah in 1855.—In Moroni, Monday, 19th, Jane Hutchison, a faithful mother of a family of twelve; born in England, May 9, 1847, joined the Church in 1857, and crossed the plains in 1862. —In Salt Lake City, Monday, 19th, Agnes Orr Lawson, one of the first converts to the Church from Scotland, aged 82 years.—In Sandy, Friday, 23rd, Harriet Bennell Wilson, mother of County Commissioner, W. W. Wilson; born in Derby, England, July 7, 1813.—In Salt Lake City, Friday, 23rd, Homer Duncan, pioneer, Church v/orker, and iron manufacturer, and an intimate acquaintance of Joseph, the Prophet; born in Barnet, Vt., 1815, and came to Utah in 1848. He filled missions to Canada, Eastern States, Texas and England.—In Ogden, Friday, 23rd, Thomas Keogh, a wealthy cattleman; born in Bellville, Canada, August 15, 1841, and came to Ogden in 1897.—In St. George, Saturday, 24th, Richard Bentley, pioneer merchant, and former mayor of St. George; born in England, in 1820, came to Nauvoo in 1843, and to Utah in the early 50's.—In Morgan, Saturday, 24th, Mary Ann Little, wife of the late Col. J. C. Little, secretary Relief Society for many years; born in Clay county, Mo., May 17, 1836, and came to Utah in early days.—In Logan, Sunday, 25th, Prof. Jacob Franklin Miller, one of the presidency in the B. Y. College Faculty, a teacher of history, Fellow Historical Society of America, and M. I. A. and Church worker; born in Farmington, Decem

582 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ber 10, 1856.—In Salt Lake City, Tuesday, 27th, William X. Jones, who crossed the plains in Capt. Bunker's handcart company in 1856, and a veteran of the Tabernacle choir, of which he was a member for 30 years; born Denbyshire, North Wales,May 8,1835.—In New York, Thursday,29th, Vivian McCune, a well known mining man, son of A.W. and Elizabeth McCune, born Nephi, Utah, 1875.—In Payson, Thursday, 29th, Elenor L. Peery; born in Tazewell county, Va., March 5, 1818. Came to Utah in 1889.—At Brigham City, Saturday, 31st, Mary H. Snow, widow of President Lorenzo Snow. She was born May 19, 1840, and came to Utah in 1847 with her parents. New D. A. and M. Society Offices.—On April 1st the Utah State Fair opened its commodious and attractive offices at No. 20 East, South Temple St., in the Templeton building, where a permanent exhibit of minerals, grains, fruits and other products of the State has been established. At present there is a splendid display of ores, building stone, grains, onyx and silk, and in the immediate future a fine assortment of fresh and dried fruits, salt, sugar and coal will be placed on exhibition. Secretary Horace S. Ensign is writing to the various manufacturers and producers of the State proffering them space to show their wares. An effort is being made to have, as far as possible, at the association offices, a display of all the products of the State, so that when strangers visit us they may get an idea of the wonderful resources of this intermountain region. New Church Officers.—At the final session of the seventy-sixth annual conference of the Church, on Sunday afternoon, April 8th, President Francis M. Lyman, in presenting the authorities of the Church, announced that Elders John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley of the quorum of Twelve Apostles, had tendered their resignations, as early as October 28, 1905, because they were not in harmony with their associates and the First Presidency on important matters; and he said, further, that their resignations had been accepted. The announcement was made with visible regret, but was acquiesced in by the great multitude without objection, but with apparent, profound sorrow. The vacancies thus caused were filled by the appointment of Elders Orson Ferguson Whitney and David 0. McKay, and George Franklin Richards was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Elder Marriner W. Merrill. One other death, that of Elder Christian D. Fjeldsted, had left a vacancy in the quorum of the first seven presidents of Seventy, which was filled by the ap" pointment of Elder Charles H. Hart of Logan. The choice of Elder Whitney to the Apostleship left a vacanpy in the staff of the Church Historian, which was filled by the appointment of Joseph F- Smith, Jr., to that position.. All the changes were made without a dissenting vote. Elder George Franklin Richards is a son of the late Apostle Franklin Dewey Richards, and was born at Farmington, Utah, February 23, 1861. He was baptized October 12, 1873; moved to Box Elder county in 1885, and Tooele in 1887, where he engaged in farming and ranching. He held many minor Church offices until 1890, when he was ordained a High Priest, and set apart as second counselor to Stake President Hugh S. Gowans. In 1893, he was ordained a patriarch, and was the first counselor to the stake president at the time of his selection to the

EVENTS AND COMMENTS. 583 quorum of Twelve. He is a graduate of the University of Utah, 1881, in English and literature, and v?as a representative from Tooele county in the State Legislature of 1899-1900. Bishop Orson F. Whitney has served as bishop of the eighteenth ward for twenty-seven years, and as a Church worker is well known by every Latter-day Saint. As a poet and historian he stands at the head of home writers. His Lifeoflleber C. Kimball was published in 1888, his Poetical Writings in 1899-90, and his History of Utah, in four great volumes, was begun in 1890 and finished only a short time ago. His great poem, Elias; An Epic of the Ages, appeared in 1905. As a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1895, he took an active part in framing the State Constitution. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1901 as senator, and since that time has given himself largely to work in the Historian's office, and to literary labors. His education was obtained in the common schools, and in the University of Deseret, now University of Utah. He was born on the 1st of July, 1855, and has, therefore, passed through many of the vicissitudes of the people, experienced in the growth of our commonwealth. David 0. McKay is the son of former Bishop David McKay of Huntsville, Weber county, where the new Apostle, who is now thirty-two years of age, was born. He received his education in the public schools at Huntsville, and later graduated from the University of Utah in 1896, leaving immediately thereafter for a mission to Scotland, where he served for three years as head of the Scottish branch of the Church. Returning home, he became a teacher in the Weber Stake Academy, and by his diligent application, soon became the principal of the school. He has been an active member of the organizations of the Church, and especially a diligent laborer in the Mutual Improvement associations, and Sunday schools. Joseph F. Smith, Jr., the new Assistant Church Historian, has been engaged in the Historian's office for several years. He is the son of President Joseph F. and Julina Smith, and a native of Salt Lake City, where he was born thirty years ago. He has filled one missson to Great Britain, and received his education in the Salt Lake City public schools, and in the Church schools. Charles H. Hart, of Logan, was born in Utah, and has served the people of northern Utah as judge on the district bench, also as a member of the State Constitutional Convention. Auditors Report of Church Funds.—The following is a report of the auditing committee for the Church, which was appointed at the last semi-annual conference, in October, and approved by the Church at the April conference: Salt Lake City, Utah, April 4, 1906. President Joseph F. Smith and Counselors, Salt Lake City: Dear Brethren :—We, the committee appointed to audit the accounts of the Church for the year 1905, beg leave to report as follows: We examined the accounts of the trustee-in-trust, and are pleased to say that they are kept in a very business-like manner, that the mechanical part is very well done, and that as a matter of bookkeeping they leave nothing to be desired. We have also examined the accounts of the presiding bishop's office, together with the auxiliary accounts which are reported to that office. These accounts cover a very wide range, as you are aware, dealing with everv stake president and bishop in tho Church; and also dealing, as they do, with things other than cash,

584 IMPROVEMENT ERA. there is a large amount of labor and a great degree of technical knowledge of bookkeeping and executive ability involved in properly keeping them, and we are pleased to say that we found everything in a very satisfactory condition. The accounts are as accurately kept as those of any bank or mercantile institution of a high order. We also noted that the presidents of stakes and bishops of wards are so fully instructed in reference to the care of the'revenues of the Church which come into their hands that there is a very small percentage of loss or waste, and the accounting is made on an intelligent and comprehensive basis. We also audited the books of the Deseret News, and found that the accounts have been kept with care and accuracy. The Deseret News, in our judgment, is ably and_ judiciously managed, and the business is in a prosperous condition. It gives us pleasure to report to you finally, that the accounting in the different departments leaves no room for criticism, and so pleased were we with the condition in which we found things that our labors have occasioned us great satisfaction. The purposes for which disbursements of the tithing revenues have been made are exclusively for the use and benefit of the various interests of the Church, and therefore meet with our commendation and approval. We are satisfied from our investigations that the financial affairs of the Church, under the direction of the First Presidency, have been conducted in a most conservative and economical manner. Your Brethren, RUDGER ClAWSON, W. W. RiTER, Charles W. Nibley, A.. W. Carlson, , Members of the Auditing Committee. President Smith repeated a former statement that any tithe-payer, who is dissatisfied with the manner in which disbursements are made, has the privilege of inspecting the Church records at any time. The question of accepting the report of the committee was put to the conference by President Lyman, with the result that the report was accepted unanimously. Fearful Earthquake and Fire in San Francisco.—In the early morning of April 18, earthquake shocks visited San Francisco and the Pacific coast region thereabout, causing the greatest calamity that California or this nation has ever known. It is impossible at the present writing to estimate the number of persons who have perished, and it will be many days before the full tale of the horrible calamity can be told. At least two thousand people are dead. Great as was the damage by earthquake, it does not begin to compare with the loss by fire. The city practically was swept from the earth by flames, which broke out and, owing to the lack of water, could not be checked. Dynamite and powder were used to blow up great blocks of buildings, to check the fire, but all to no avail. The total loss will aggregate over four hundred millions, and many thousands of people were rendered homeless. Martial law was declared, and Federal soldiers assisted in guarding the streets, and dynamiting buildings. All the big factory buildings are wiped out of existence. Many of the handsome buildings of Stanford University suffered demolition. The University of California, on the other .hand, escaped as by a miracle, uninjured. Help has been offered by foreign nations, and by the principal cities of our country. President Roosevelt has wired Governor Pardee to let him know if there is anything that the National Government can do. Congress has appropriated $2,000,000 to relieve the distress and to aid the people. On the 19th, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave $10,000 for the same purpose, and there is talk of the State of Utah appropriating $25,000 and corporations, and cities throughout the state are aidino-.