History of Salt Lake City, Part 115

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company
Number of Pages: 1194

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The city council afterwards granted the park to the public for the celebration of the 4th of July, 1882.

It was during the period of this council that the Edmunds Bill was passed, which, as interpreted by the Utah Commission, disqualified the elder members of the council from further service to the city.

The municipal election of February, 1884, returned the following gentlemen to the council :

Mayor-James Sharp. Aldermen-Adam Spiers, I. M. Waddell, Joseph H. Dean, Robert Pat- rick, and George I). Pyper. Councilors-Geo. Stringfellow, Orson H. Pettit, John Clark, Thomas G. Webber, Albert W. Davis, Joseph A. Jennings, Andrew N. McFarlane, Heber J. Grant, and Junius F. Wells. Recorder -- Heber M. Wells. Treasurer-Paul A. Schettler. Marshal-Wm. G. Phillips. Assessor and Collector-Wm. W. Taylor.

Undoubtedly the Hon. Wm. Jennings would have been returned a second term as mayor, but for the constrained interpretation put upon the Edmunds Bill, excluding from the suffrage and office all who had ever been in polygamy. He was legally eligible to the office, notwithstanding the Edmunds Bill. Considerable of the record of the public service of Mr. Jennings will be found interspersed throughout the foregoing chapters; also of his connections with the commerce of our city and the building and management of the Utah Central and Utah Southern Railroads .*

On the retirement of the late council Feb. 16th, 1884, it was ordered by the succeeding council, on motion of Councilor Junius F. Wells, that a portrait be painted of Alderman A. H. Raleigh, at the expense of the city, and suspended upon the wall of the council chamber.

It is becoming for his long service to the city, and he being probably also the " oldest alderman in America," to here give a brief biographical sketch of Alder- man Raleigh, accompanying his steel plate.

It is about thirty years ago since A. H. Raleigh was made an alderman of

For further respecting Mr Jennings, see his biography,

A. H. Raleigh

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HISTORY OF' SALT LAKE CITY.

Great Salt Lake City, which was the full name of our city when he first became a member of the municipal government. Speaking of the length of his service, as the oldest alderman in America, this fact alone would make his portrait quite a unique and very fitting illustrative plate in the history of Salt Lake City.

Alonzo Hazeltine Raleigh was born in Francistown, Hillsboro' County, State of New Hampshire, November 7th, 1818. His father's name was James L. Raleigh, and his mother's name Susan McCoy. They were also born in the State of New Hampshire. His grandfather, Major Raleigh, was born and bred in old Concord, Massachusetts, near the line of Lexington ; and he was in the battle of Lexington, so called, though grandfather Raleigh always claimed that it was fought on the Concord side of the line.

Great grandfather Philip Raleigh came to America, from Ireland, in 1744 and settled, being the first settler in the town of Antrim, Hillsboro' County, New Hampshire. At the time the place where he settled was a wilderness. The great- grandmother's name was Sarah Joiner. She was an English woman and emi- grated from England about the same time that Philip Raleigh came over from Ireland. The grandmother's name was Sarah Hazeltine, whose family name (Hazeltine) our alderman bears.

Alderman Raleigh in his youth received an ordinary common district school education. He left school early, and labored on a farm till he was fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to the mason's trade. He was a good bricklayer, became a master builder, and took contracts.

After learning the mason's trade Raleigh went to Boston, and in that great city he joined the Mormon Church, being baptized by that once famous elder, George J. Adams, who in the theatrical history of this country in his day ranked as one of America's great actors.

In the spring of 1843, Raleigh gathered to Nauvoo, where he: was at the time of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum. He left Nauvoo in the great Mormon exodus of 1846, but did not come to the mountains with the pioneers in 1847. However, on the second pioneer journey in 1848, he came in President Heber C. Kimball's company and arrived in the city of the Great Salt Lake in September.

In the spring of 1851 Alderman Raleigh was called upon and appointed by President Young to take charge of and carry on the mason department of the public works, which he continued to do until those works were suspended during the Buchanan war and the " move south."

In the year 1851 he was also called upon by President Young to preside over the Deseret Dramatic Association at its first organization, to which association he devoted his evenings for about three years.

In 1853, October 21st, he was made superintendent of and trustee for the Nineteenth Ward portion of the city wall, the building of which he accomplished satisfactorily.

Alderman Raleigh's services in the municipality of Great Salt Lake City commenced in 1854. On the 12th of September he received notice of his ap- pointment to the office of alderman of the Third Municipal Ward, and took the

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oath of office. At the next election, March 5th, 1855, he was duly elected to the same position. In 1857, Mayor Smoot having been called and appointed by Governor Young to go and establish a settlement at Deer Creek, near Fort Lar- amie, in the interest of the mail service, Alderman Raleigh was elected mayor pro tem., May 29th, which office he filled till the 4th of September, when Mayor Smoot resumed his duties.

Alderman Raleigh has also for many years filled the office of bishop of the Nineteenth Ward of Salt Lake City.

He was called to be a bishop at the April Conference of 1856, and was or. dained and set apart by Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter, May 6th of the same year, to preside over the Nineteenth Ward, he having been counselor to Bishop James Hendricks from about the organization of said ward.

In the " Utah War " he served as a commanding officer. He was elected major in the Nauvoo Legion, April 20th, 1857; was appointed adjutant, 2nd regiment, 2nd brigade, Ist division, September 12th, 1857. In the spring of 1858, March 31st, he started with 135 men for Echo; there his number was increased to 180. April 5th, he inspected the earth works and stone batteries and made his report to the lieutenant-general.

April 7th, Governor Cummings and Col. Thos. L. Kane passed through the camp in Echo for Salt Lake.

On the 13th, having been selected, he started for Lost Creek Station with two battalions of infantry (having been reinforced), and after exploring, sent on the 15th the entire force up the creek twelve miles to build a station, clear roads, etc., after which, on the 19th, he took 175 men four miles further up the canyon to build batteries, etc. After building nineteen batteries, at about equal distances apart for about a mile and a half, he was ordered to detail fifty men and station them at the mouth of the canyon, send twenty-five to Echo, and return with the remainder to Salt Lake City.

Before the organization of Great Salt Lake City the bishops acted as magis- trates of their wards, but on the incorporation of the city, A. H. Raleigh was elected justice of the peace for Salt Lake City precinct, for Salt Lake County, and occupied that office until the city was divided into five municipal precincts, since which for several years he was justice of the Third precinct.

He was appointed inspector of buildings for Salt Lake City, about the time of the passage of the law prescribing the duties thereof, March 17th, 1860, and has been the only incumbent of the office ever since.

As an alderman he has served the city from September, 1854, to February, 1884, excepting one term. Of his administration it may be said that A. H. Ral- eigh is not only the oldest of our " city fathers," but also a veteran legislator in this municipality. Raleigh, indeed, is very defined in the history of Salt Lake City as a strong, persistent man. He generally carried his measures, and showed remarkable self-reliance and independence of character. Our city could ill af- ford to lose from the public service such men as A. H. Raleigh, D. H. Wells, Henry Dinwoodey, and William Jennings, but the Edmunds law was more powerful than the people's will.

The municipal term of 1884-5 was critically related to general events, and it on

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several occasions required at once prudence and firmness in the council to sustain the dignity of the city, yet, to take such action as to meet the public approval. This was particularly the case relative to certain doings of city officers on the. Fourth of July, 1885.

On that day the flags of the City Hall, County Court House, Salt Lake Theatre, Z. C. M. I., Deseret News Office, the Tithing Office and the Gardo House, the residence of President Taylor, were placed at half-mast. This being observed a great excitement was produced, and finally a committee of citizens, consisting of Marshal Ireland, Major Wilkes, Captain Evans and C. L. Haines, and others went to the City Hall to ascertain the reason of the flag being at half- mast at the City Hall. The officers of whom the enquiry was first made knew nothing further than that Marshal Philips had ordered it. The Marshal, who with Mayor Sharp, was attending a meeting at the Tabernacle, was sent for, and on his appearance at the office, where the committee awaited him, Major Wilkes, as spokesman, said :

" Marshal, we are here as a committee of citizens to ascertain the reason for the flag of this building being at half-mast."

The city marshal replied that it was " a whim" of his, and further added in explanation remarks to the effect that Salt Lake City had cause for mourning, and that the half-masting of the flag expressed the feelings of the majority of the cit- izens. The mayor, however, on his arrival ordered the flag to be raised to its proper position ; and the officers of Z. C. M. I. did the same at a later hour in the day, it having been placed at half-mast at that institution by an irresponsible person. During the entire day the city was greatly disturbed, and both at the City Hall and Z. C. M. I. riot was threatened. That there was any intention to dishonor the flag, few seriously believed, though many affected such an opinion. The Deseret News thus explained the case :

" The Mormon people have never at any time insulted the national ensign. They have sustained and upheld it under the most trying and extraordinary cir- cumstances. When they were, like the Pilgrim Fathers, driven from their homes and sought a place where they could enjoy liberty of conscience, they planted the emblems of union and liberty in these mountains, and they will continue to sustain it, and should the occasion arise, doubtless they will be ready to lay down their lives in the maintenance of the principles over which it should forever wave.

" Four years ago on Saturday the nation's flag was at half-mast throughout the land. The people had been thrown into the depths of sorrow because one of the leading sons of the Republic had been shot down by the bullet of an assassin. But the victim was not yet dead. The man who would have accused the country of insulting the flag because it was then placed in a drooping position, would have been treated as an idiot. The people of U ah joined in that universal grief. They are now sorrowful over the decadence of their liberties. And a feeling of depression was to some extent expressed on Saturday as it was on July 4th, 1881.

" Who could rejoice on the Fourth of July, and make it a day of revelry and mirth, and indulge in gratulations over liberty when some of our best men are

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

languishing in prison, committed there, as we believe, in gross violation of law and of every right that belongs to citizens of this Repul lie ?

" It will only be a few days until thirty-eight years have elapsed since the Latter-day Saints trod the soil of this valley. With reverent hands and patriotic hearts they hoisted their country's flag, unfurling it to the breeze, in these moun- tains, and from that day until the present they have maintained that flag loyally and truthfully, and have never feared to denounce every attempt of governors, judges, marshals, secretaries and other petty officials who have held office for a brief space, to trample upon the rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitu- tion under the flag of the country. 'These are the patriots of the land-men who knowing right dare maintain it, and who have never crouched nor been dis- posed to

" Crook the pregnant hinges of the knee That thrift may follow fawning-"

But have dared tell men the truth as it is, and stand up for the rights of men."

The Salt Lake Tribune under the head of " Insulting the Flag," said :

" The Mormons made a shameful record for themselves yesterday. As the people of the city awoke to the light of Independence Day they saw from the chief centres of Mormon power the American flag drooping at half-mast. It was a startling sight. Every one wondered what it meant, and many were the surmises. But no one hit at first on the true reason-that it was the Mormon method of ex- pressing their hatred of this Nation and their contempt for its power. * * And this is the boasted loyalty of the Mormon people ! We have all known, those of us who have been here any length of time, that all their profession in this respect was damnable hypocrisy, sheer falsity to deceive candid people. The occurrence of yesterday will forever stop them from pleading loyalty any more. In their despair they threw off their mask. They will not be able to escape the consequences of their treason. Let us hear no more of Mormon love for the Stars and Stripes."

It was this latter view that was telegraphed East, causing a great stir in the country ; and it was supposed an official report was sent to President Cleveland with a similar tone. For several days the eastern journals kept the public under the impression that troops were needed in Salt Lake City to quell Mormon treason, and President Cleveland ordered General Howard to hold troops in readiness for this service. It was expected that on the Twenty-fourth-the Mormon pio- neer day-the city, following its usual custom, would use the flag again. Would it be again at half-mast, was the sensitive question of the hour, but the death of General Grant gave the occasion of half-niasting by common consent.

The affair of half-masting the flag came up before the city council, and a committee was appointed to report on the case, which they did, giving a similar explanation to that of the marshal and the Deseret News-namely, that the city had cause for mourning. But this was not satisfactory to the non-Mormons, who held an indignation meeting, at which the speakers gave vent to many belligerent expressions.

At the close of the year 1885, there was again great excitement in the city over

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the shooting of Joseph W. McMurrin, a night watchman, by Deputy Marshal Collin. According to the evidence, it appears that Deputy Collin was approach- ing his residence near the Social Hall, on the evening of November 28th, 1885; when he and McMurrin came together, either accidentally or by design. It ap- pears that McMurrin struck at Collin, when the latter fired several shots from a revolver, severely wounding his assailant. Mr. Collin being a U. S. deputy mar- shal and Mr. McMurrin a member of the Mormon Church, coupled with the fact that other men were near and ran from the scene of the encounter, gave rise to many stories and much excitement. Rumors were started that the Mormons were arming for resistance. The city council promptly investigated the matter. The following is from the council minutes :

" CITY HALL, SALT LAKE CITY, " Saturday, December 5th, 1885.

" The city council met in special session at 3 o'clock P. M., pursuant to call of the mayor. Roll called.

" Present-Mayor Sharp ; Aldermen Spiers, Waddell, Dean, Patrick, Pyper ; Councilors Stringfellow, Clark, Webber, Macfarlane, Wells; Attorney Richards.

" Absent-Councilors Petit, Davis, Jennings, Grant.

" The mayor stated that the object of calling a special session was to con- sider the advisability of the council's investigating certain rumors' that were in circulation affecting the peace and good order of the city and its inhabitants, and which he was informed had been telegraphed to the national authorities in Wash- ington, with a view to securing military interference with the local government.

" After various inquiries by the members relative to the nature of the rumors and the impression they had created abroad, and a full and free discussion of the injurious effects likely to result to the community in case they were not thoroughly investigated and the exact truth ascertained and made known, on motion of Al- derman Waddell, it was decided that an official investigation of the many current rumors affecting the general welfare of the people of the city be made by the council, commencing Monday, December 7th, at ten o'clock A. M .; and that in- vitations be issued to persons who, there was reason to suppose, had any informa- tion concerning the rumors, to be present and make statements.

" On motion of Alderman Patrick, the recorder was instructed to address communications to the following-named gentlemen inviting them to be present at the investigation : His Excellency, Eli H. Murray, Governor of Utah ; Hon. Arthur L. Thomas, Secretary ; Major-General Alexander McD. McCook, com- manding Fort Douglas ; Lieutenant S. W. Groesbeck, Post Adjutant ; Hon. C. S. Varian, Assistant U. S. Attorney ; Hon. E. A. Ireland, U. S. Marshal ; Hon. William Jennings, Hon. John Sharp, Hon. Feramorz Little, Hon. John Q. Can- non, P. L. Williams, Esq., J. L. Rawlins, Esq., S. A. Merritt, Esq.

" On motion of Councilor Clark, the special session adjourned to Monday, December 7th, at ten o'clock A. M.

" CITY HALL, SALT LAKE CITY, " Monday, Dec. 7th, 1885.

" The city council met pursuant to adjournment in special session. Roll called.

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" Present-Mayor Sharp; Aldermen Spiers, Waddell, Dean, Patrick, Pyper ; Councilors Stringfellow, Clark, Webber, Pettit, Macfarlane, Wells, Grant ; At- torney Richards.

" Absent -- Councilors Davis and Jennings.

" The minutes of the special session of December 5th, were read and approved.

" The following report was submitted :

"SALT LAKE CITY, December 7th, 1885.

" The Hon. the Mayor and City Council:

Gentlemen-I have the honor to report to you that in compliance with your instructions of the 5th inst., I have forwarded to the gentlemen named by you each a communication, of which the subjoined is a copy :

"'Sir-At a special session of the City Council of Salt Lake City, held Saturday, December 5th, it was decided that an official investigation of the rumors in circulation at the present time affecting the pence and welfare of the city and its inhabitants be had, commencing Monday, December 7th, at 10 1. M. I am directed to respectfully invite you to attend said investigation, and to furnish the council any information concerning the mitter that you may be in possession of.'

"Very respectfully, "HEBER M. WELLS, Recorder."

" On motion of Councilor Stringfellow the recorder's report was accepted and approved.

" The following communications were read :

" FORT DOUGLAS, Dec. 6th, 1885. "Heber M. Wells, City Recorder, Salt Lake City, Utah:

" sir-Referring to your communication of yesterday, requesting my presence at an official investi- gation ordered by the city council concerning the origin of certain rumors 'affecting the peace and wel- fare of the city,' I have the honor, in reply, to say that I can only communicate facts coming to my knowledge in my official capacity to and through my superior officer.

"As to personal knowledge of said rumors and their origin, I know nothing which to me seems of material value, or could aid the council in its work.

" While appreciating the courtesy extended, I beg you will consider that in declining to appear as requested, I am acting within the customary and legal restraints of my office.

" Very respectfully, " Your obedient servant, "S. W. GROESBECK, " First Lieut., Adjt. Sixth Infantry and Post."

"OFFICE U. S. ATTORNEY, SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 7th, 1885.

"Heber M. Wells, Esq., City Recorder, Salt Lake City:

Sir-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, late yesterday afternoon, of your communication of Saturday's date, wherein you inform me that the City Council had decided " that an official investiga- tion of the rumors in circulation at the present time, affecting the peace and welfare of the city and its inhabitants " be had, commencing Monday, December 7th, at 10 o'clock A. M., and that you were di- rected to request my attendance upon the occasion of said investigation, and that I furnish the council an8 information I possess concerning the matter.

" In reply thereto, I have to request that you be pleased to communicate to the Honorable the City Council my respectful acknowledgment of the Council's invitation. I regret to say that the obligations of office will prevent me from disclosing at the present time any information possessed by the district at- torney relative to the subject mentioned. Be also pleased to convey to the Council my desire to be ad- vised of any facts which can ail the office in its endeavors to secure the public tranquillity and enforce the laws.

" Very respectfully, "C. S. VARIAN, Asst. U. S. Attorney."

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HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

"TERRITORY OF UTAH, EXECUTIVE OFFICE,

"SALT LAKE CITY, December 6th, 1885.

" Sir-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, in which you state that 'at a special meeting of the City Council of Salt Lake,' held last night, 'it was decided that an official investigation of the rumors in circulation at the present time affecting the peace and welfare of the city, etc., be had,' and inviting me to attend, and to furnish the council any information concerning the matter that I may be in possession of. I have to state that I have for several days been engaged in investigating and communicating for the information of the President the condition of affairs pertaining to the peace and welfare of the people of this city in common with other parts of the Territory, and to say that I am pleased to know that the council of this city propose to investigate the matter. I beg that you will say to the council that I will be gratified to receive from that body any facts bearing on the sub- ject that may be of service to the President, the Governor, or the District Attorney, who is charged with the duty of the prosecution of offenses against the laws of the United States and of Utah, and that it will be my pleasure at all times to support the mayor in his efforts to preserve the peace and in uphold- ing the law.

" Respectfully, " ELI H. MURRAY, Governor. " To Heber M. Wells, Esq., City Recorder."

" UTAH TERRITORY, SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

" SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 7th, 1885.

"Sir-I have the honor to acknowedge the receipt of your communication, dated Dec. 5th, 1885, in- viting me, on behalf of the City Council, to be present at a special meeting of that body, called to inves- tigate 'the rumors in circulation at the present time affecting the peace and welfare of the city and its inhabitants,' and to return my thanks for the same.

" Please say to the gentlemen of the Council that I have no information bearing upon the subject mentioned, other than that which is now in possession of the Governor.

"I am, sir, very respectfully, "ARTHUR L. THOMAS, Secretary of Utah Territory. " Heber M. Weils, Esq., City Recorder."

" On motion of Councilor Wells the communications were ordered to be filed.

" On motion of Councilor Clark, it was decided to proceed with the investi- gation, by requesting those present who had any information on the subject to make their statements and be interrogated, beginning with his Honor the mayor.

"REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE

"SALT LAKE CITY, December 8th, 1885. " The Hon. the Mayor and City Council :

" GENTLEMEN-Your special committee to whom was referred the matter of drafting a preamble and resolutions embodying the result of the investigation by the council into the rumors that have been circulated throughout the country, det- rimental to the peace and welfare of the city and its inhabitants, beg leave to re- port the accompanying resolutions and recommend their adoption.

" Very repectfully, " JOSEPH H. DEAN,

" H. J. GRANT, "T. G. WEBBER, " JOHN CLARK, " GEORGE STRINGFELLOW,

" JUNIUS F. WELLS,

" JAMES SHARP, mayor,

"F. S. Richards, city attorney,

" ORSON F. WHITNEY, city treasurer, " Special Committee.

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" On motion of Alderman Pyper, the report was approved. The resolutions were read as follows :

" Resolutions in relation to current rumors respecting the peace, reputation and wel- fare of Salt Lake City.

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History of Salt Lake City, Part 115

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company Number of Pages: 1194

Author: Tullidge, Edward Wheelock
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Salt Lake City, Star printing company
Number of Pages: 1194