Westerners in Action

WESTERNERS IN ACTION The Y Athletic Field Ideal The location of the new athletic field at Brigham Young University is an ideal one. It is ;situated at the foot of University Hill, just north of the Maeser Memorial building, where the hillside may serve as an elevation for the bleachers. In the future some time a magnificent stadium will probably surround the field which has already been laid out. Just before school was out last Spring, President Franklin Stewart Harris, his secretary, Kiefer B. Sauls, and members of the graduating class led by their president, Elwyn Potter, of Bancroft, Idaho, visited the field. After looking over the plans for the gridiron and race track, Mr. Potter Center, President F. S. Harris; left, Secretary K. B. Sauls; right, Elwyn Potter, president of the class of 1926, looking over the plans of the B. Y. U. Athletic Field. and his class decided to make the field their project. As a result, at one time Mr. Potter handed to the president a check calling for $1,800, a sum donated by the class to be used in preparing the fiejd for athletic contests. When the new Y field is completed it will be one of the finest fields in the United States. It extends north and south at the base of the University Hill where bleachers may easily be constructed. According to the plans it is to be carfully drained in order that it may be as dry as possible in the rainiest kind of weather. This work of draining was begun last Spring, when every male student of the University donated one day's work. Y day was also used in digging trench and laying drain pipe. The president is of the opinion that the making of the field and the track will require at least two years. He declares that nothing short of the best will satisfy the Y. The new field is surrounded by spacious grounds also owned by the university which will serve as practice fields, baseball diamonds, and tennis

1068 IMPROVEMENT ERA and hockey courts for men and women. Archery ranges will also be provided for by the new scheme. — H. R. M. Bear River stake Y. M. M. I. A. male chorus, which took first place in the finals of the June conference contest, winning the $50 prize. Front row, left to right: John J. Shumway; Wendell Grover; Clifton Kerr; Mrs. Pearl Peck, accompanist; George O. Nye, conductor; J. DeLos Thompson; Charles H. Last; Lawrence Wortley. Second row: Marion Summers, Roy Haws, Parley W. Christensen, Henry Brown, James Walton, Oscar Koford, Fred L. Nye, Joseph H. Kirkham. Third row: H. M. Williams, Edward Kerr, Ariel Bradshaw, Alma King, Lee Nebeker, Lyman T. Thorpe. Picture to the Improvement Era, through courtesy of Geo. O. Nye. conductor. Blossoming Like a Rose By Harold L. Snow Elder Martin Christopherson, now president of the Norwegian mission, is one of the old time Salt Lakers who is in a large part responsible for the fact that the desert is "blossoming like the rose" here in Salt Lake Valley. He was the one who supervised the planting of most of the trees and shrubbery about the City and County building, the State Capitol building, and those on the University of Utah campus. Nearly a quarter of a century ago when the oldest buildings now occupied by the University of Utah were being newly constructed, Brother Christ- opherson joined the services of the University of Utah as landscape gardener, land was in charge of nearly all of the planting which has been done on the entire campus. Before that time the present University campus, which is a treat to the eyes of thousands of tourists who Visit Salt Lake City each month, was. a vast expanse of sage brush and weeds. During the years 1902 and 1903, when the first buildings were being constructed on the University campus, Brother Christopherson brought a hundred evergreens from the mountains and planted them on the University grounds. An extensive lawn was then put in to beautify the new University. Each year more and more shrubs and trees have been added to the campus to beautify it, and now there are more than 1000 assorted shrubs and over 600 shade trees as well as numerous beautiful flower gardens, hedges and wide stretches of lawn. The University students are greeted by no "Keep off the grass" signs. The lawns are well kept, and everyone is invited to

WESTERNERS IN ACTION 1069 The University campus looking east; before any buildings were erected. The accom- panying photo shows approximately the same spot today. Practically all the planting was done by Mr. Chris topherson himself. IfHi ^^ ^^^^&^ss?py^ ■~ ■ gffi3Bfc"13MSglt E-3:0^ Pfe"? ' , ■ -::i '-•"" **' y ■ j["'' * jBfe -5, * ►"/" ■■''■-"" mtmi ¥ ii| /.^.■l-Hj^^-'^1^ .■jj&Wvg^Bffl ? '- £ ajL» fyjjr ';'■'& " ;^."«| 3P=/& ;■ .'* ""- ^•; •%,, •• 5^ ■: •■• .' i 5 v***^ : . ;C ? J ?;.'■ -' ' .. . .'■ ^jfjgj &»'» fljr>. -' f- Mm ♦•»-'■' U 135»^t'&tiB* Ir* * - :**■-= -^ mm'^M^^%'''i^ m fmw^-r ,1,' 1 ■"■-•■ ' yjj |ga . • S*^ ~ ^ 3^-—*^^- - — - An Example of Mr. Christopherson's Work — The University Campus Today. Museum Building in center; Administration Building at left; Industrial Education Building at right.

1070 IMPROVEMENT ERA visit and to enjoy the beauty of the campus which has been nearly twenty-five years in the making. Martin Christopherson is a specialist in his line. The Utah State Fair has awarded him twelve gold medals and eight silver medals for the excellent trees, shrubs and flowers that he has grown. Last September, before he left on his mission, he resigned his duties with the University of Utah(, following many years of service. He is now seventy-six years of age. He came to Utah, as an immigrant, in 1871, and is at present filling his fourth mission. Nearly two years ago he and Mrs. Christopherson celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. They have five sons, four daughters and twenty-four grandchildren. Camp Kiesel (See Frontispiece) By Dilworth Young, Scout Executive Nestling under the age-old back-bone of the ridge dividing Loss Creek and the creeks flowing into the Ogden river, and lying at the base of Monte Cristo, 9,500 feet high, is Camp Kiesel. This is the property of tb(e Ogden Gateway Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Boys gather here in the Summer from Morgan, North Davis, Boxelder. and Weber counties for their Summer outing, and weeks of glorious camping. The camp this year has been under the direction of Scout Executive S. Dilworth Young, assisted by Field Ex. Geo. Bergstrom, Dep. Comm. O. H. Bybee, and Willis Smith, naturalist. The culinary department was handled in splendid style by Mrs. Nellie Rose and Miss Alissa Manning of Garland. Much character- building work was accomplished by the scouts. The boys hiked a total of 3.858 miles in nature study. They spent a total of 2,764 hours in nature work. They worked in handicraft a total of 2,937 hours, including archery -and leather handicraft. The daily program was divided so that each boy did the things he liked most to do. No forcing into work the boy disliked. The daily activity was of such variety that the boy always found something interesting to do. There was a weekly hike to Monte Cristo, eleven miles away. Cache Valley, glimpses of Salt Lake Valley, the Bear River Valley into Wyoming, The Ogden River Valley, and. far off in the distance, blue with white tips, the rugged peaks of the Uintah ranges can be seen. Camp Kiesel lies 25 miles east of Ogden, in the forks of two streams that roar and tumble in a succession of falls and cataracts. At the rear of the cabin stands the "Organ Loft" in majestic solitude. This great rock forms a perfect background as well as a sounding board for singers who climb into it's "Console" to sing to the scouts. On the opposite side of the canyon the profile of Brigham Young, carved from the solid rock by the Great Sculptor, seems to say. "This is the place." There are a total of fifteen caltaracts and water falls in the little canyon, all within the distance of a mile. The crowning work of nature is a great spring, gushing from the side of the mountain and tumbling down to the bottom of the canyon, the real source of the Ogden river. It is estimated that an average of 20 second feet of water throughout the year, gushes from this fountain. The famous water ouzel is there in large numbers. It braves the winter colds and remains throughout the year. The scouts have observed the nesting and rearing of its young. The whole canyon is a series of Alpine meadows, framed with aspen and fir, and crowned on all sides by richly colored cliffs rising hundreds of feet. Such authorities as Dr. Geo R. Hill. Dr. E. Lawrence Palmer, Cornell University, and Prof. Matthews of the U. of U., pronounced it an ideal spot for a scout camp. The rocks of the vicinity are of sedimentary limestone. Camp Kiesel occupies a section of ground comprising eighty acres. The cabin has a beautiful fireplace and a complete equipment for 70 boys.

WESTERNERS IN ACTION 1071 SCOUT GAMES AT CAMP KIESEL Bottom: The dressing race; Center: Water boiling race; Note the motto, "It's not whether you win or lose; but how you play the game. Nuf said;" Top: The knot-tying race.

1072 IMPROVEMENT ERA It is a gift to the boys of this section of the state of Mrs. Wilhelmina Kiesel Shearman, given in honor of her father, Frederick John Kiesel, a leading early business man of Ogden. No gift could be more lasting and beneficial than this, to the boyhood of Northern Utah. The Tabernacle Choir Tour By Harold H. Jenson "Say it with music" was the motto of the Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir on their recent tour through California,1 which has advertised Utah in a way that could never have been accomplished otherwise. Papers were lavish in their praise, and their articles were illustrated with large pictures of the choir, including close-ups of officials and soloists. This was the third time the Tabernacle Choir had toured the Pacific coast; they have also made trips to Denver, Chicago and New York, in the years gone by. These visiting ambassadors of song were received "with open arms" and glad hearts wherever they appeared, and their singing and personalities made impressions that should result in much good for the Beehive state. Everyone praised the wonderful organization, which is said to be the largest unpaid volunteer choir in the world. The well-balanced chorus, perfect harmony and splendid techinque have been subjects for discussion by many music critics. The choir, numbering 206, including 18 soloists, left Friday afternoon, July 23, for San Fransisco, accompanied by 700 tourists. Three special trains were necessary to accommodate the crowd. Captains of cars were appointed, and one car was set apart especially for the ladies. Sociability and good fellowship were in evidence and helped materially to make the trip successful. Upon their arrival at Sacramento, Saturday, July 24, they were met at the station by members of the Chamber of Commerce and the fireman's band. They paraded nine blocks, through the hot sun, to the state capitol, where an outdoor concert was held. The numbers given were "Let the Mountains Shout for Joy," by Evan Stephens, former Tabernacle Choir leader, and "The Sunset Trail," by Cadman, California's noted composer. Speeches were made by Mayor Anderson of Sacramento, who was introduced by Manager H. C. Prince of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce; Mayor Neslen of Salt Lake City and Bishop David A. Smith, president of the choir. About twenty-five officials of the choir were entertained at luncheon at the Century Hotel; and peaches from "the golden valley" were given the visitors on the train. The Utahns were welcomed at Oakland in the evening, and a concert was held in the Civic Auditorium of that city, which was acclaimed a big success musically. In San Fransisco. Sunday, July 25, many of them availed themselves of the opportunity to attend religious services, some of them taking part en the programs. The company left at 10 o'clock Sunday night for Santa Barbara, where they arrived Monday at 8 o'clock. Mayor Adrian and friends greeted the visitors, who sang Stephen's anthem at the station, and a short stay was made in the city. Los Angeles was reached at 1:30, and newspaper men, photographers, a reception committee, and hundreds of friends, were awaiting their arrival. Boyle Workman, representing Mayor Cryer, and Charles A. Cook of the Chamber of Commerce welcomed the visitors. In the afternoon San Bernardino was the objective and busses took the party on a sixty-mile ride. The City Auditorium was filled to capacity at the evening concert. A similar crowd packed the Long Beach Pier Auditorium on Tuesday evening, and after the concert Senator Reed Smoot and Bishop Charles W. Nibley spoke. Many interested themselves in the sights on the beaches or at Catalina Islands. On Wednesday evening Hollywood Bowl was the center of attrac- tion. The concert was well advertised, and thousands sat in the great

WESTERNERS IN ACTION 1073 outdoor amphitheatre and listened to the rendition of the program. Cad- man heard his two numbers given, and was loud in his praise. Mayor Cryer of Los Angeles and party were present. No more impressive sur- rounding could be imagined than at this great outdoor auditorium, towering far above the stage to the mountains. It has wonderful ac- coustics and a seating capacity of 25,000; and it was estimated that 20,000 attended the concert, the largest attendance any concert has ever had there. A real surprise of this concert was a duet by Leon G. Smith and the Italian Top: Hollywood Bowl, where the Choir's largest concert was held. Bottom: Station at San Diego, where Choir Pullmans were parked. tenor, A. Capereni, which won well deserved applause, as also did the entire choir. Sir Henry Wood termed it "The greatest singing organization" he had ever heard. The choir left for San Diego at midnight. The San Diego visit was equally interesting, with the same genial hospitality shown; and the evening concert in the great outdoor theatre at Balboa Park, formerly Exposition Park, had a wonderful setting. The great Spreckles organ there enabled Edwin P. Kimball, Tabernacle organist, to perform his best, and two numbers were played in appealing style. Dur-

10 74 IMPROVEMENT ERA ing the concert a comment was made on the great Tabernacle organ, called "Pipes of Pan in 1926." The return to Los Angeles on Friday was featured with an evening concert at Pomona, which was well received; and Saturday found them back in San Francisco, where a concert was given in the evening at the Civic Auditorium, attended by one of the largest crowds of the tour. On the return trip home, they stopped at Reno, Nevada, Sunday. August 1 , and held an outdoor concert on the steps of the City Hall at 12:30 o'clock. Thousands listened to the recital, which included Stephen's "Mormon" hymn and a special quartette. The Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, Maurice J. Sullivan, and Mayor E. E. Roberts of Reno, addressed the crowd. Monday morning, August 2, at 7 o'clock, marked their arrival in Salt Lake City, where they were met by relatives and friends, Edward M. Ashton of the Chamber of Commerce making an address of welcome. They were all tired from so strenuous a trip, but expressed themselves as having enjoyed it immensely. Aside from their own extreme pleasure, from the many scenes and experiences at the various places they visited, they had accomplished much for the good of the State, in the favorable im- pressions they left with the sixty thousand or more Californians who had listened to their entertainments. On Tuesday evening, August 3, at the Lake Theatre in Nibley Park, a home-coming celebration was held in their honor, and thousands ap- plauded the many choir numbers, the soloists and Charminade chorus. The speakers were Governor George N. Dern, Mayor C. Clarence Neslen, Bishop David A. Smith and Professor A. C. Lund. George N. Child acted as master of ceremonies. Utah's Greatest Outdoor Gathering By H. R. Merrill That the people of Utah and of the United States are gradually coming to realize that right here, within fifty miles of the Utah state capitol, is one of the finest mountains in the world is indicated by the fact that year by year the Annual Timpanogos Hike grows in numbers. This year at the time of the Fifteenth Annual Hike, which was held July 16 and 17, a crowd estimated as numbering at least 3,500 persons assembled at Aspen Grove for the pre-hike program on July 16, the evening before the hike. This increase in fifteen years from a party of fifteen or twenty to a party of 3,500 indicates that the mountain is attractive. Owing to the increase in the size of the crowds that assemble for the program, the old idea of a camp-fire program had to be abandoned. The crackling of the immense fire coupled with the spread of the crowd made it impossible for the majority of the people to see or hear. As a result relief was sought this year. In company with E. C. Shepherd, forest supervisor, and Vivian West, forest ranger, E. L. Roberts, founder of the hike, and a number of B. Y. U. and Provo business and professional men sought for a natural theatre. A location was selected on the toes of Timpanogos where a pine-clad hill offered ample space for a large audience. A collection was made among Provo citizens and soon a platform that would serve as a stage was erected at the base of the hill. The Forest Service, under the direction of Ranger West, began the work, and the citizens of Provo finished it in time for the program this year. Expert woodsmen were engaged to provide seats. These were made of unhewn logs, dragged on to the side hill and staked in place. Professor E. H. Eastmond, assisted by his heplers from the art department, decorated the new theatre with pennants and Chinese lanterns. On Friday night, July 16, when thousands of people assembled on

WESTERNERS IN ACTION 1075 the hillside for the program, the sight was one of the most charming ever seen in Utah or anywhere else. People, who had participated in many hikes and traveled in many lands, declared the spectacle to be one of the most thrilling they had ever seen. An excellent program, arranged by the general committee assisted by Gerrit de Jorg and other members of the college of Fine Arts of Brigham Young University, was one of the best .ever given at Aspen Grove. It was especially appreciated because every person who found a seat on the spacious hillside could hear every word and could see every act. During the program souvenir Timp Sticks were given away to those who had come the farthest to participate in the hike. Two ladies by the CO-ED FALLS, ASPEN GROVE TRAIL name of Barrett from long Island, New York, recieved sticks for the women who had come farthest with the hike in mind. Two men, Mr. Vaughan, and Mr. MacLaughlan, of Chicago, received sticks for the men; Dr. Sisson, of the University of London, received a stick also. Dr. Sisson was with the University of Utah party. A lady from Cedar city, 68 years of age, received the stick for being the oldest woman to attempt the hike, and Mormon Selman, 71, of Provo received the stick for being the oldest man. After the great program concluded, fifteen giant sky rockets an- nounced the age of the hike. This display was followed by the official lighting of the bonfire by Helen Taylor, of Provo, a daughter of Dr. Fred Taylor, an ardent lover of Utah's wonder mountain. The hike the next day, July 17, was one of the largest of the fifteen. It is not known how many were on the trails of the mountain, but it is safe to say that fully 1000 reached the top or points well up along the winding trail. Unfortunately, due to lack of snow, the glacier was not at its best There was plenty of opportunity, however, for the enthusiastic to slide The slide was not as long or as thrilling as those of most of the former years. The sights of hundreds of people winding up the long, long trail towards the summit of the hoary mountain was a spectacle that many will carry with them the remainder of their lives. The Provo Kiwani?

1076 IMPROVEMENT ERA Club, the organization that has fostered the bonfire and has provided the logs for it, was well represented on the hike. A great many of the men who had labored the day before to build the fire were found at Emerald Lake enjoying the upper cirques of the grand old mountain. That the Timpanogos Hike is an established institution is certain. Mountain lovers everywhere will eventually make the journey above the clouds to a land such as few mortals have ever had the pleasure of seeing. rfX^%f} 'MfflH 7/ ' Mp * 1 lifer* 11 ;i«-^V**w~-i Flashlight photo by George K. Lewis THEATRE OF THE PINES — ASPEN GROVE During the program given in connection with the Fifteenth Annual Timpanogos Hike, July 16 and 17, when 3,500 people from all parts of America assembled for the great pilgrimage. U. of U. Professors Explore Historic Trail By Harold L. Snow For many years following Escalante's journey through Utah, Span- iards frequented the Interior Basin. Brigham Young found Spaniards buy- ing slaves around about Utah lake long after the famous Spanish expe- dition, according to Professor Herbert Bolton, head of the history depart- ment of the University of California. Dr. Bolton was the speaker at the fifty-seventh annual commencement exercises of the University of Utah this Spring, and remained in Salt Lake City to teach in the Summer school. He spent his week-ends, accompanied by Professor A. I. Neff of the history department of the University of Utah, Dr. Leland H. Creer of the University of California and formerly of Utah, H. A. Pace, William McSwain, A. J. Atkins. Gustave Larson and Spencer Parratt of the University of Utah, exploring and identifying the historic Escalante trail across the state of Utah. Escalante's journey consisted of six months' continuous travel on horse- back; from Santa Fe the party traveled northwestward to the Gunnison River, Colorado, and at a Ute village south of Glenwood Springs they

WESTERNERS IN ACTION 1077 Split Mountain, east of the place where Escalante cros;ed the Green River. picked up an Indian who became their guide from that point to Utah lake. "Silvester," as he was called, was coming 'home, and Escalante's party came with him. So the first village visited by Escalante was the Ute or Timpanogos settlement, where the city of Provo now stands. It was by Cliff Creek that Escalante entered Utah, and he reached Andrew Frank and his race horse; a twen- tieth century Ute who lives near Vernal.

1078 IMPROVEMENT ERA the Green River at Jensen, Utah. It was from Jensen that Dr. Bolton and party have retraced the trail up Duchesne river to Strawberry valley; from there over the mountains, down Diamond canyon and Spanish Fork canyon, and thence down the valley to Provo, and to the Arizona line through A Ute Tepee near E;calante's Crossing of the Green River. Payson, Nephi, Mills, Scipio, Oasis, Milford, Cedar, Toquerville, and Hurricane. Speaking of the pre-pioneer days in the part of the United States now lying within the boundaries of the state of Utah, Dr. Bolton said: "In the opening of the Great West, Utah occupied a strategic place. Trails to the farther west crossed her territory. Her streams were favorite haunts for the Bear Rock on Cliff Creek, near Escalante's Crossing.

WESTERNERS IN ACTION 1079 Beaver, the "golden fleece" of the trapper. In her valleys dwelt the Utes, sought by the missionary, Indian trader and slave hunter. "It was several decades before the Latter-day Saint pioneers came out west, that a trail was opened from the Colorado line at Jensen to Utah Lake, and thence to the Arizona line near St. George. Escalante with nine other Spaniards blazed this historic path in 1776. The object that inspired so much sweat was the desire to find a road from Santa Fe to San Francisco, California. "It is interesting to know that the day set for the departure from Santa Fe was July 4, 1776. The ringing of the Liberty Bell that same day at Philadelphia meant a blow at the English Empire. The expedition staged to start north from Santa Fe the same day, aimed at the extension and defense of the Spanish Empire. But of these things the 'rebels' at Philadelphia and the Pioneers at Santa Fe were mutually ignorant." An Alien An Alien was I destined to be, Born in a land across the sea. My children there no freedom knew; Freedom alone to kings belonged, And those who grace the mighty throng. But never the humble or the meek Might for their rights in freedom speak, In that land beyond the sea. But "Liberty," her light shed forth And from the Islands of the North Came out the sons of servitude. And by her enlightening flame Called every man to grace his name And taste the freedom of the free, In God's own Land of Liberty. And so an Alien though I be, Born in a land across the sea. Your Flag of Sunbeams, Bars, and Stars, Shall be revered by me. My children, too, I'll strive to teach That Freedom is the right of each, And pray that they may always be Worthy of this Liberty. Mt. Emmons, Utah MRS. ELSIE GUN 1 1=