Chapter News

New Statue Honors Brigham and his People

SUP Pres. Angus Relliston, left, and Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, With an applaud statue audible murmur unveiling. of appreciation followed by a thunderous standing ovation from the capacity crowd in the Utah State Capitol rotunda, a new heroic-sized statue of Brigham Young was unveiled during special commemorative ceremoniesJuly 25.

National SUP President Angus Belliston conducted the unveiling service, during which President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency of The Church ofJesus Christ of Latterday Saints praised Brigham Young as “a gifted, strong leader, a man of remarkable vision and faith," 'This statue will hopefully be a reminder for generations to come of the price paid in toil and struggle for the bounteous blessings we enjoy today in this valley,” President Hinckley said during brief remarks moments before the unveiling. The church leader also extended his thanks to all who made the cre¬ ation ofthe new Brigham Young statue possible and noted: “It’s been a long time coming,” As reported in the July issue of Pioneer„ there has never been a full-sized statue of the pioneer leader in the Utah capitol. There is a bust of Brigham Young, as well as full-sized stat¬ ues of Philo T. Farnsworth, Thomas L, Kane and the Indian chief Massasoit. Two years ago a state legislative commission was formed to raise private donations to correct what was, in the view of many, an over¬ sight. Utah artist Kraig Vamer was commissioned to create the sculpture based on the 21-inch model he had submitted for the committee’s consideration.

“The more 1 studied about the life and leadership of this great man, the more I realized that my Brigham Young could¬ n’t be static," Vamer said during the unveiling ceremonies of the young, dynamic* striding pio¬ neer he chose to portray, "In order to capture the essence of theman, I had to create a sense of movement, a sense of strength. "Brigham Young was a man of the people*” Vamer contin¬ ued, “I hope we've given you a man of the people.”

In accepting the statue in behalf of the people of the state of Utah, Gov. Michael O. Leavitt paid tribute to Brigham Young as “a man of remarkable insight.” He referred to Brother Brigham's far-sighted city plan¬ ning and his visionary efforts such as the Cotton Mission and the. Iron Mission as examples of the pioneer prophet's bold lead¬ ership during extraordinarily challenging times. He. indicated that contemporary citizens and leaders could learn much from Brigham Youngs example. "I accept this statue , . . not just as a monument to our past, but also as a symbol of our responsibility to future genera¬ tions of UtahnsC Gov. Leavitt said.

Others on the program expressed similar sentiments, including Salt Lake City Mayor Deedee Corradini (who observed that “few if any mod¬ ern-day leaders could have accomplished as much in such a shon period, oftime” as Brigham Young did) and Truman Claw¬ son, past president of the Brigham Young Family Associa¬ tion. Stirring music for the pro¬ gram was provided by the Utah Symphony Chorus.

But the final word on the event was given to Brother Brigham himself. Popular Utah actor-director-pLaywright James ArringLon, who has entertained thousands with his delightful one-man show, "Here's Brother Brigham!7’ appeared at the end of the program as Brigham Young. He looked the statue up and down appreciatively and expressed his approval: "While I am not unaware of Old Testa¬ ment restrictions regarding graven images, "1 don't think anyone is going to get down and worship this.”

However, he said, "it is the people who are commemorated by this statue. That’s how a leader becomes great — through his people. The people who followed me wrere great people.

They are the ones who you honor today,”

Standing ovations and all,

FOUR DAYS AFTER the unveiling, the new statue

NEW Let's MEMBERS give a big SUP wel¬ come to our newest members:

Richard A, Asay (BE) Michael D, Bateman (AL) Russell R. Bateman (AL) Keith E. Black (AL) Kay Blackner (PH) David L. Buhler (OLYH) David B. Burnham (AL) Thomas Caswell (SOP) Robert W, Clayton (AL) Hazen Cooky (CC) Gar}' D. Boombs (AL) Charles Cox (CR) Stanford P. Darger (AL) Karl C. Dean (HOL) Keith G. Forsgren (MUR) Don E. Forshee (CM) Gram R. Fowles (CR) Robert B. Gledhill (AL) James M. Greenhalgh (BY) Brian T. Gubler (AL) Lee Milne-Hamblin (MUR) Russell P, Hammong (SC) Dale F Hansen (BE) B.W. Haslam (AL) Klyn Haws (HR) C Delynn Heaps (AL) Bruce S. Hutchinson (AL) Larry L. Jacobson (JRT) Clyde W. jarrett (BE) Victor D. Johnson (AL) Doylej.Jones (JRT) Roger K. Keddmgton (AL) D. Leon Kirman (SQP) Matthew P. Lawrence (SC) StevenJ. Lund (AL) Gary L. Matthews (SQP) Booth Maycock (JRT) William J. Maynes (BH) Dalton R. Meeks (HV) George L. Mitton (SQP) Nathanj. Morgan (AL) Arden C. Nichols (CM) DeVon M. Ogden (SQP) Charles W. Parker (TP) Kerby Parker (AL) L. Tom Perry (EMC) Merrill R. Peterson (CC) Lowell J- Robison (SQP) John W. Schwantes (HOL) Jack R. Selander (AL) Dana Simonsen (AL) Denalyin Smith (JR T) Kermit H. Smith (AL) Philip R. Smith (AL) R.G Smith (AL) Robert j. Smith (AL) Laird C. Stringham (BE) Claude E, Stuart (OGPI) Paul M. Tinker (AL) Waldo S. Topham (CC) Russell E. Tueller (TQ) Kay L Waite (BV) Daniel Myron Wheatley (BE) Walter WhippleJr. (AL) Ed Woodbury (BY) Charles Woodman (ESIE) Thomas Woodward (AL)

presided over Brother Brigham's Ball, a gala social event in the capitol rotunda Hosted jointly by the national presidents of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and Governor and Mrs, Leavitt, the July 29 Ball was attended by several hundred celebrants, including some in pioneer costume. TF HONORING TOMOR¬ ROW'S PIONEERS TODAY Two more SUP chapters paid tribute to Tomorrow's Pio¬ neers recently by awarding $1,000 scholarships to deserving local young people

The Ogden Pioneer Chap¬ ter selected Scott Moser as one of the area's outstanding pio¬ Scott Moser , Ogden Pioneer Chapter scholarship win ner

neers of tomorrow. Scott has a 3.983 grade point average, ranking him among his class" top 10 academically. He was his school's Sterling Scholar in English and a member of Utah's 1994 Academic AllState Basketball Team. He is an Eagle Scout, an accom¬ plished pianist and the owner of a successful landscaping and yard care business.

Chapter members also selected Melissa Ovard and Spence Comia as runners-up.

The Murray Chapter hon¬ ored Elizabeth Remington as one of Tomorrow's Pioneers, with Scott Evans, Cyndamarie Kle and Jeffry Nelson as run¬ ners-up. Each one of these young people is outstanding, with GPAs ranging from 3.87 to 4.0. All four received cer¬ tificates of special achievement and a wall plaque in recogni¬ tion of their accomplishments, and Miss Remington received the $1,000 scholarship, riT

OLYMPUS HILLS CHAPTER About 25 members of the Olympus Hills Chapter recent¬ ly toured theJoseph Smith Memorial Building in down¬ town Salt Lake City. As we toured the facility, the restora¬ tion process for each room and floor was explained in detail. We visited the FamilySearch Center, the chapel and special rooms that are avail¬ able for parties and meetings.

Following our tour we entered the theater to watch the Inspiring film, "Legacy,” which depicts the pioneer trek and the building of LD5 tem¬ ples. After the film, several members of the group enjoyed

dinner in the Garden Room, one of two restaurants on the buildings scenic 10th floor.

Chapter members who attended agreed that the tour was enjoyable and historically informative. We would recom¬ mend it as a wonderful trek opportunity for other SUP chapters. (Submitted by Earl S. Duerden) 'T'

NAME MEMORIALIZATIONS

Florence Yourtgberg of the National Office issues this reminder:

“If you have not memorial¬ ized your ancestors yet on the plaques in our Pioneer Hall, please consider doing so. We feel these people who made such a great effort and sacrifice to join the Saints in the valley should be honored. What bet¬ ter way than by putting their names on the plaques and, if possible, donating their histo¬ ries to our library holdings.

“Many of us can’t afford to do these names by ourselves, but by asking our families and family organizations to help, it can be done. Cost is $100 per name memorializatiom

“We still need about 100 names for the next plaque. Let’s get It filled so we can honor these people!”

Ralph Cannon of the South Davis Chapter recently memo¬ rialized 18 names. Other name memorializations were turned in by Morris Miller (BV), 3; Donald Fox (AL), 3; Hal Cov¬ ington, (GQH), 2; J.R. Odekirk (AL), 2; Frank Dunlavy (SC), 2; and Edgar Todd (TB\ 1. hT *

CHAPTER ETERNAL Darel Paul Bartschi, 83, East Mill Creek Chapter Gordon Crandall, 87, Mills Chapter AND FINALLY . . . Perrin L. Allen, president of the Box Elder Chapter, writes:

“On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Box Elder Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers, 1 would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the new and exciting Pioneer that we receive,

“Each month we receive many positive comments about the quality of that publication and the wide interest that it serves in bringing pioneer histories to members of our chapter and others who have opportunity to read the magazine.

“We have received one other comment concerning the magazine that in your future planning may be considered. In the old Pioneer magazine there were more pages reserved or allowed to cover the activities of local chapters within the society. The comment we have received and 1 am now passing on to you for your consideration is that the local chapter news is what in fact encourages and strengthens local chapters. There is nothing quite as well received as reports of what you yourself and other chapters are doing to foster the goals of the society. “We are sure with * * , OUR MOST IMPORTANT MISSION IS ONE WE CAN ALL the enlarged reading audience now of the AGREE UPON! SHARING THE STORY OF OUR NOBLE PIONEER magazine that some changes had to be FOREBEARS WITH AS WIDE AN AUDIENCE AS POSSIBLE* And made, but our execu¬ tive committee feels AS YOU SAID IN YOUR LETTER, THAT'S SOMETHING THE NEW that local chapter news is not the best thing to Pioneer is doing pretty well. cut out. A large portion of your readers remains the members

in the local chapters.

“Again we do thank you for the magazine and the fine work you do to make it happen. It is truly a magazine that we are all proud ofd

Thanks for the nice comments. SUP news has always been a high priority with Pioneer, and always will be. just look at this issue. There’s our Briefly Noted page and our President's Message, both of which are aimed primarily at the SUP audience. Then there's a nice little feature story about how the Cotton Mission Chapter helped turn a St. George eyesore into a beautiful plaza filled with historical significance. And then there's the Chapter News section, which is always among the longest features in the magazine. While it’s true that we edit the Chapter News articles to fit space and readership requirements, we print every chapter news story that we receive.

But there's one other issue that we have to consider as we put each issue of Pioneer together. At press time, total SUP membership was a little under 3,000 members; our magazine circulation is well over 20,000. While we continue to serve the SUP and its national and chapter needs, we also have to serve a readership that is predominantly non-SUP. It is a fine line that we must walk, and we do the best we can.

Besides, Our most important mission is one we can all agree upon: sharing the story of our noble pioneer forebears with as wide an audience as possible. And as you said in vour letter, that's something the new Pioneer is doing pretty well.

Thanks for writing. President Allen! But even more than that, thanks for reading! T

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Thomas L.Kane Continued from page 7

Kane told Johnston that President Young had agreed to send cattle and flour to the army, which the president had heard was short-rationed. John¬ ston's reply was an outburst, calling the Mormons “rebels.”

When an attempt was made to arrest Kane, he fumed out a challenge to Johnston for a duel. Gum¬ ming agreed to serve as Kane's second.

Kane remained at Camp Scott for three weeks, sleeping in falling snow several nights. He kept in constant touch with Mormon messengers on the fringe of the camp.

Kane learned that the Mormons would receive Gumming without an armed escort.

Gumming notified Johnston that he (Cumming) would accompany Kane to Salt Lake City; unescort¬ ed. As Gumming and Kane neared the city, a wel¬ coming band boomed “The Star Spangled Banner,” “Hail, Columbia" and “Yankee Doodle."

Cumming had several meetings with President Young and Kane.

Then President Young introduced Alfred Cum¬ ming to a tabernacle congregation as the new gover¬ nor.

Editorials in big eastern dailies such as The New York Times branded the Utah expedition with John¬ ston's army as a blunder.

President Buchanan subsequently sent a Peace Commission to Utah to “pardon” the Mormons.

President Buchanan hailed Kane's peace-making mission to Utah in his annual message to Congress.

From peace-making, Kane turned to wrar — the great Civil War. Physically frail as he was, Thomas L. Kane served heroically in the Civil War. He was among the first to volunteer to the governor of Pennsylvania. Kane was gallant in such blood-bathed battlefields as Gettysburg and Chancellorsville. Sev¬ eral times he was wounded. He was captive in that funnel of terror, the Shenandoah Valley.

He came out of the war as a major general.

Thomas Leiper Kane was born in Philadelphia on Jan. 27, 1822, son of John Kintzing Kane, a respecu ed attorney wTho later served as federal judge, and jane Duval Leiper. She was described as one of the “most beautiful women of her time.”

Kane married Elizabeth Dennistown Wood. She became a doctor of medicine. Two of the Kanes' sons and a daughter became physicians. A third son became a civil engineer.

Indeed, the Kanesville Tabernacle that will soon be restored in Council Bluffs (please see related story) is named for a noble, caringly kind man.

Abraham Lincoln spoke of Kane and comrades when the Emancipator gave his immortal Gettysburg Address on a field where Kane had fought:

“The brave men living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our power to add or detract ... It is for us the living, rather, to be dedi¬ cated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” y

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Edward H. A Brief History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Independence, Mo.: Zion's Printing and Publishing Co.), 1928,

Fiske, John. A History of t.he United States, (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Co.), 1899.

Guitteau, William B, History of the United States, (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Co.), 1924.

Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, VoLs, 1 and 2, (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press), 1901.

Journal History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Kane, Thomas Leiper, Private letters (unpublished), Historian’s Office, The Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Kane, Thomas Leiper. A Friend of the Mormons, edited by Oscar Osborn Windier, (San Francisco: Gelber-Lilienthal Inc.), 1937.

Ludlow, Daniel H. Encyclopedia of Mormonism, article on Thomas L. Kane by Donald Q. Cannon, Vol. 2, p. 779-780, (New York City: Macmillan Publishing Co.)., 1992.

Malone, Dumas (editor), Dictionary ofAmerican Biography, (New York City: Charles Scribner’s Sons), 1993.

McGavin, E. Cecil. US. Soldiers Invade Utah, (Boston: Meador Publishing Co.), 1937.

Millennial Star (England), Vol. 10 (1848), p. 113; Vol. 72 (1910), p. 113.

Nibley, Preston. Brigham Young, the Man and His Work, (Salt Lake City: Deseret News Press), 1937.

Patriarchal Record of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Roberts, B.H. A Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Independence, Mo,: Zion’s Printing and Publishing Co,), 1928.

Smith, Joseph Fielding. Essentials in Church'History, (Salt Lake City: Deseret. News Press), 1941,

The Contributor, Vol. 2 (1881), p, 151.

Wyoming Centennial (1890-1990), map, (Cheyenne, Wyo.: Wyoming State Highway Commission), 1990.

Zobell, Albert L. Jr. Sentinel in the East: A Biography of Thomas L. Kane, (Salt Lake City: published by Nicholas G, Morgan Sr.; printed by Utah Printing Co.), 1965.

Cotton Mission continuedfrom page 18 but they were willing and anxious to learn.M16

On Dec. 1, 1861, the main body of settlers formed a camp about half a mile northeast of where the St. George Temple stands today. Committees were formed and plans for a city were made.1'' At a mass meeting, the heads of families drew from a drum a card upon which was written a description and loca¬ tion of his assigned city lot. Arable farm land was apportioned the same way.18

Much has been written and said about the faith and backbone of those who settled this arid country — people like David H. and Wilhelmina Cannon, Upon receiving their land, David “drove his wagon up to a large mesquite bush, set the bed off under the shade, then with the running gears, went to the Santa Clara Creek and secured willows to make a shed. The family settled, ready for housekeeping, he could turn his attention to preparing land for crops, and to diverting the water of the spring to the lots of the now-established city. Then there was the digging of a canal to divert the water of the Rio Virgin, to cover the land in the south part of the valley; as the small streams of the valley would only provide water for gardens planted on the three-quarter-acre lots and for family use as culinary water.”19

Life in these early days was stark and hard. For a time, Wilhelmina was discouraged over the dreary outlook. Encouraging her, David promised her the country would blossom as a rose. She replied, “If I could have but one flower I would be content.” In response, David hunted and found for her a Sego Lily, w'hich “he brought to her with love. She felt comforted, and she lived many years in this land, learning to love it.”20

The same thing could probably be said for many of those who settled St. George, as the early years saw great hardship and discouragement. “Too much praise cannot be given the people who built up that beautiful city in the midst of a barren desert . . . Dams built on the river were frequently washed out, especially during the severe floods of 1861-62 . . . Later, a canal, 11 miles long, was built, taking out water on both sides of the river.”21

But the faithful cotton missionaries pushed for¬ ward until the desert did indeed begin to blossom. St. George grew' from 748 people in December 1861 to 1,142 in 1870 and 1,332 in 1880.22 Today, the St. George Tabernacle, dedicated in 1876, and the beau¬ tiful St. George Temple, dedicated in 1877, stand as monuments to the faith and determination of those who laid the foundations.23

“St. George, founded by the cotton missionaries, became the center of Dixie, and the colonists were successful in producing sizable amounts of cotton . . . During the American Civil War the market demand for Utah cotton remained strong, but plans for a fac¬ tory at Washington, near St. George, had barely been carried to completion in 1866 when the falling price of imported cotton from the East destroyed most of the demand for the local product.”24

While not achieving the success hoped for by the cotton missionaries, the factory “proved a great bless¬ ing to the people of southern Utah, li was a clearing house for the products of the area, performing the functions of merchandising and trade, it provided script as a basic medium of exchange at a time when money was almost non-existent. It was a symbol of unity, courage, and strength . . , The settlements established by the Cotton Mission' are alive and well today, growing and prospering."25 (Julie A. Dockstader is a writer for The LDS Church News.)

1 Under Dixie Sun, A History of Washington County By Those Who Laved Their Forebears, Washington County Chapter of Daughters of Utah Pioneers, p. 22, 2 Biographical Encyclopedia, by AndrewJenson, p. 311. 3 Under Dixie Sun, p. 61. 4 Ibid., p. 23. 5 "A BriefHistorical Sketch ofthe St George Templefrom the Founding of the City to the Dedication of the Temple; with a Concentration an the Ground Breaking and Dedication Services" by William L. Riley, Jan. 4, 1968, p. 2. 6 The Immortal Pioneers, by Albert E. Miller, pp. 6-8. 7 Under Dixie Sun, p. 23; Our Pioneer Heritage, compiled by Kate B. Carter, published by Daughters of Utah Pioneers, vol, 13, p. 532. 8 Under Dixie Sun, p. 24-25; Under Dixie Sun, p. 62. 9 Ibid, pp. 63-64. 10 Ibid. 11 Ibid. 12 The Immortal Pioneers, p. 10. 13 Mountain West, “Dixie's Cotton Mission,” by Lee Reay, I960, vol. 6, no. 5, p. 15. 14 Under Dixie Sun, pp. 65-66. 15 Ibid. 16 Ibid. 17 Encyclopedic History of the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by AndrewJenson, p. 726. 18 “Dixie's Cotton Mission,” pp. 15-16. 19 The Immortal Pioneers, p. 31; Under Dixie Sun, p. 97-98. 20 Ibid. 21 Encyclopedic History, p. 726; Under Dixie. Sun, p. 66. 22 “Belie/ and Behavior in a Mormon Town; Nineteenth-Centuty St. George, Utah, A Dissertation in American Civilization,” by Larry Mor¬ gan Logue, p. 7. 23 Under Dixie Sun, p. 332; Deseret News 1993-1994 Church Almanac, pp. 331-332. 24 Utah's History, Richard D. Poll, general editor, p. 148. 25 “Dixie’s Cotton Mission/ p. 17.