History of Salt Lake City, Part 126

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

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But the course of Mr. Lawrence is altogether and pre-eminently acceptable to the Gentile portion of the community. He prides himself in being represented purely as an American citizen rather than by his early connection with the Mormon people. Mr. Lawrence was among the carliest and ablest of our city fathers, and he was also Territorial marshal.

WILLIAM S. GODBE.

William S. Godbe, who was a member of our city council cotemporary with Mr. Lawrence, was born in London, England, June 26th, 1833. Endowed with much natural daring and that ele- ment of selfhood which so eminently characterizes all self-made men, these qualities manifested themselves in his early youth in leading him to choose the adventurous life of a sailor. His consti- tutional daring and natural love of enterprise, coupled with his organic sympathy for the grand and expansive, owned the charms of the mighty waters ; but it was chicfly the desire of travel to see the classical wonders of the great world that induced the boy to go to sea. Thus, early in youth, he read with the passion of a poetic nature of the classic lands, and longed to visit them himself. He had absorbed books on Egypt, Greece, Turkey and Russia and other places of historie interest, and was specially captivated with the question between the Greek and the Turk, He sailed up the Mediterrane in, visited Egypt and the Grecian Isles, and was for awhile in Constantinople, Southern Russia and the Danube. He also went to the coast of Africa, to Brazil and Northern Europe. When the ship which hore him neared some famous place, he was full of enthusiasm, and felt repaid for the toils and monotony of the sea if permitted to land and revel in the historic scenes

WILLIAM S. GODBE.

familiar to the dreams of his youth. He spent some time in France, Germany and Denmark and during his sea life more than once experienced the disaster of shipwreck. But, apart from this ar- dent desire to see the world, a nautical life was most unsuited to William S. Godbe, who is a man of . eminent aspirations and rare idealities. He would have soon reached the rank of captain, and, doubtless sailed his own ship, but in manhood's aspiring days, he never could have been satisfied with an unhumanized and unpeopled ocean. It was fortunate, therefore, for the general usefulness of his life, that at an early period his instinct for adventure was corrected and his constitutional am- bition directed to broader life purposes. His apprenticeship to the sea not having quite expired, young Godbe had to render service for a limited period to a shipchandler-which his captain had become-at Hull. There his life was one of severe drudgery and stingy fare. From day to day he dragged his truck, laden with ship stores, to the docks ; and it was while thus engaged that he was first attracted by the preaching of a Mormon elder. The preacher possessed considerable talent, and his themes were at once bold and new. Young Godbe was immediately captivated, and he com- menced a course of Mormon reading with the same avidity that he had before read books on travel. Parley P. Pratt's writings charmed him greatly, as they have charmed tens of thousands of ardent minds. The poetic fire of Parley's pen, dealing with the most glorious themes of prophecy, wrought up this youth's mind to a high pitch of inspiration and enthusiasm. A grand life of prophetic ro- mance opened before him in this wonderful Mormonism, as he pulled his cart through the streets of Hull, lost in glorious dreams. At the Mormon meetings the youth "bore his testimony, " ofttimes with such a passionate fervor and inspiration as to astonish strangers present. Mormonism was al- most a miracle to them in that lad.

After a time, young Godbe left Hull in a vessel to visit his mother in London. On the passage he got into conversation with a man of intelligence on the subject of religion, to whom he began in glowing phrases to tell the story of the restored gospel in all its former power and purity. "Stop," said his fellow passenger, interrupting him. "Is your name William ?" "Yes," was the answer. And then the man told the youth that a short time before, in response to much prayer and fasting, an angel had appeared to him in a vision and said that he would meet a boy by the name of William who would tell him what to do, and that he was to give heed to his words. On their arrival in Lon- don, the man was baptized into the Mormon Church. The history of Mormonism in England is full of such incidents.

These episodes are told of the boy's life to illustrate that William S. Godbe in his youth was deeply captivated with Mormonism ; for the fact also explains something of the part he has since played in Utah as the leader of a spiritual movement with his compeer, Elder Elias Harrison. Thus viewed, his commercial career expresses the direction of his life rather than his essential character and mission in society.

William S. Godbe soon emigrated to America to join the body of his people in the performance of their wonderful work of founding Utah. Landing in New York from Liverpool with but little means-the earnings of the passage-the stripling boldly set out on foot to walk the entire distance to Salt Lake City. Excepting the journey from Buffalo to Chicago, which 'was performed on the lakes, he measured every step of the road to the frontiers, from which point he worked his way across the Plains in a merchant train.

After his arrival in Salt Lake City in 1851, he engaged with Thomas S. Williams, a first class merchant, and in a few years, the youth whose energy and uncommon " grit " had made on foot a journey of thousands of miles, had himself grown to be one of the most substantial men in the Mor- mon community.

In the early days of Utah, an agent to go east ard purchase goods for the people was a necessity and W. S. Godbe was the man of their choice, for already his public spirit was recognized and ap- preciated by the community, even in a commercial career, where a public spirit is truly uncommon. Yearly, he went east on the people's commercial business as well as his own. The day of starting was advertised in season, and then men and women from all parts of the Territory thronged his office with their commissions. Thus, Mr. Godbe purchased hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of goods for the people of Utah, and the arrival of his trains gave periodical sensations to the city, so many being personally interested.

Prior to the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad, Godbe made no less than twenty-four trips across the Plains to the Missouri River, besides several passages to California by' the Northern, Central and Southern routes, aggregating a distance of nearly 50,000 miles-performed for the most part on horseback and with his own conveyance. In some instances, only one man would a'ccompany

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

him, owing to the hostility of the Indians, he deeming it safer to go that way than to attract atten- tion by a large party. He has also crossed the Atlantic seventeen times.

Ilus popular merchant was also the first who brought down prices. When there were any com- mercial aims to specially benefit the people, Mr. Godbe took the lead in working them out. In the cise in question, he purchased a large stock of goods to be sold off immediately at cost and freight. thus bringing down prices to a figure never before known in Utah. The result of this venture bene- titted the community more than it did the publie-spirited merchant; but benevolence was the policy of huis hfe, not only in his private but also in his commercial character.

Mr. Godbe, having by this time accumulated a substantial fortune, erected the "Godbe Ex- change Buildings, " which, with Jennings' " Eagle Emporium," first gave an important commercial appearance to Salt Lake City ; and the Walker Brothers soon afterwards followed the example in erecting their fine stores and pilatial residences.

But William Godbe's crowning mark in our Rocky Mountain civilization was in his becoming the patron of literature. It is true, from first to last, his civilizing mission has cost him a fortune- not less than two hundred thousand dollars-but it is just which will give him an enduring name, not only in Utah, but among America's representative men ; for the patrons of literature live for generations classed in the same genus with the architects and founders of civilization.

WALKER BROTHERS.

The career of the Walker brothers has constituted no inconsiderable part of the commercial history of Utah. In their sphere they are pre-eminently among her founders ; and without their rec- ord as a family and a firm, the social and commercial history of our city would be very incomplete ; While each of the brothers has a strong individual line of personal subjeet for biography that dis- tinguishes them to-day apart from the firm name.

The native place of the Walkers is the town of Yeadon, Yorkshire, England. Their father's name was Matthew Walker ; their mother's maiden name was Mercy Long. They had six children -four sons and two daughters. Samuel Sharpe Walker, the eldest of the sons, was born September 22d, 1834 ; Joseph Robinson Walker, born August 29th, 1836; David Frederick Walker, born April 1 ,th, 1838, and Matthew Henry Walker, born January 16th, 1845, all of the town of Yeadon, York- shire, England.

The elder Walker had amassed a competency in his extensive business transactions and he re- tired from business in 1845; but in 1847 he went into railroad speculations under IJudson, the Eng- lish railroad king of those times, and lost his fortune. It was during his days of adversity that the family became connected with the Mormon people, which was the direct cause of their emigration from their native land.

In the spring of 1850, the mother with her four sons and two daughters embarked at Liverpool in a sailing vessel bound for New Orleans, being nine weeks on the ocean ; and thence by steamboat they continued their journey to St. Louis. Mr. Walker himself came to America by way of New York. On his arrival at St. Louis he commenced to purchase merchant goods by auction. In fol- lowing this line of business he became acquainted with Mr. William Nixon, a gentleman quite fa- mous in the early commercial history of Utah. Mr. Walker sold goods to Mr. Nixon, with whom he placed his son David F. Walker as a clerk in "Nixon's Store," No. 13, Broadway, St. Louis. At this period Mr. John Clark and Mr. Dan Clift had graduated as clerks under Mr. Nixon, but they Jeft for Utah at this date. In St. Louis, J. R. Walker and S. S. Walker obtained positions under Mr. Hill a merchant of that city ; thus the three eller of the Walker Brothers commenced their commercial training at St. Louis.

But Mr. Walker, the father, did not survive long in America. He died in St. Louis at the age of thirty-four, and within six weeks after his death his two daughters were carried off by the cholera, which was then raging in that city.

WALKER BROTHERS.

Shortly after this family bereavement. Mrs. Walker with her four sons concluded to go to Utah. They arrived in Salt Lake City, in September, 1852.

Immediately upon their arrival Mr. William Nixon commenced his career as a Utah merchant, and the youth David F. Walker began with him as a clerk ; J. R. Walker also soon engaged with

Mr. Nixon while the eldest brother, Samuel Sharpe Walker, went into farming life. It was at this period that the foundation of Utah's commerce was laid, William Nixon being decidely one of its founders and the commercial teacher of nearly all our first principal merchants: the Walker Brothers, Henry W. Lawrence, John Clark, John Chislett, Din Clift, and others.

In 1826, Mr. Nixon was called with other colonists to go to Carson, Nevada, to settle and build up that country. Joseph R. Walker was engaged by Nixon to go through in charge of his merchant train and also to take general charge of his business. After the breaking up of the Nixon store in Salt Lake City and the departure of his brother "Rob," "Fred" went into farming, in which pursuit the elder brother, "Sharpe," was still engaged.

While at Carson Joseph R. Walker frequently went to California to purchase goods for Nixon which he packed over the mountains on mules, there being no other way of transporting goods over the Sierra Nevada Mountains. While at Carson, just below where Carson City is now located, he took a small stock of goods and started a store in Gold Canyon, which lies near the present Com- stock Lode at. Johnstown, where a few miners were at work taking out placer gold. During the winter of 1856, while he resided there, the two Gouche brothers were at Gold Canyon working a placer claim, and having had some experience in silver mines in Mexico, they prospected the hills around Gold Canyon and brought in some silver ore; no doubt to them belongs the honor of being the real discoverers of the famous Comstock Lode. This was some time before Mr. Comstock ar- rived in that country.

During the absence of the merchant Nixon and Mr. J. R. Walker, the other brothers went into farming.

When the "Utah War" broke out the Carson colony was called home, and Nixon and J. R. Walker returned to Salt Lake City in the fall of 1857, and Nixon soon resumed business and Mr. D. F. Walker returned to his former employ,

On the establishment of Camp Floyd in the summer of 1858, an opportunity was offered for the enterprise of our Salt Lake merchants, and after awhile Nixon bought one of the suttlerships at Camp Floyd and Mr. "Fred " Walker went to take charge of the store in the soldier's camp, while Mr. "Rob" remained at Salt Lake City. They would, however, occasionally alternate.

Just at that time to plant the store of a civilian merchant, from the Mormon capital in John- ston's camp, with an army enraged by the proclamation of peace and with the idea burning in the minds of both officers and men that they had been betrayed by the Buchanan compromise, re- quired no inconsiderable nerve ; but the " Walker Boys " have never been known to be intimidated or subdued.

Soon after the establishment of Camp Floyd the firm of Walker Brothers rose. It occurred thus: A wholesale merchant by the name of P. J. Hickey every winter brought goods by the Southern route across the desert via San Barnardino with mule teams, and sold to William Nixon. This year in question-it being the first year after Camp Floyd was settled-the merchant offered to allow the Walkers to select $10,000 or $15,000 worth of goods. The Walker boys at that time possessed only very little capital ; but the merchant had entire confidence in their business integrity and was willing to let them have the goods. "Fred" accordingly wrote to "Rob" that if he viewed the offer favorably to come up to the city directly. He came and concluded to pick out a stock of goods suitable to a soldiers' camp. They immediately started to build a store at Camp Floyd and started business. They were very successful the first year. Thus commenced the firm of Walker Brothers.

When Camp Floyd was evacuated, in the spring of 1861, and the Government supplies were sold at an immense sacrifice, the Walker Brothers made another fortunate hit in their purchases. [See Chapter XXVII.] After the departure of the troops the firm removed to Salt Lake City and at the onset opened business in " Daft's old store." They subsequently built the "old Walker store" now occupied by Kahn Brothers, and at a later period the magnificent commercial block known as " Walker Brothers' corner."

Since their start in business their carcer has been extraordinary, indeed in their lives and suc- cessful enterprises has been nascent much of the commercial history and material prosperity of our Territory. [Relative to their engagement and operations in our Utah mincs see mining chapter LXXXI.]

HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY.

It has been the opinion of many of our leading citizens that when Utah becomes a State, Mr. J R. Walker will almost be certain to be one of its earliest governors. This subject was first started in the Salt Lake Tribune, in 1872, by the editors of that dlay. l'resident Grant in his mes- Sige had expressed himself in favor of "home rule" in the Territories, so far as the governors and other executive officers were concerned. Many of our sagacious citizens cast their eyes around for the most available man for governor, acceptable to both Mormons and Gentiles, and above all others that choice fell upon Joseph R. Walker. For a while the Salt Lake Tribune pursued the preliminary nomination vigorously ; Eli B. Kelsey came out in a strong letter, endorsing Mr. Wal- ker's name, and from all part of the Territory similar correspondence came in from old residents- of the Liberal party too-enthusiastically supporting our man for his manifest fitness. The idea of Joseph R. Walker being one of the most likely men, if he lives, destined to rank as one of the first governors of the State of Utah, still dwells in the minds of our citizens. The following sketch from Tullidge's Quarterly Magasine (July, 1885), written by an able writer well familiar with the men of whom he speaks may be here very pertinently quoted :

JOSEPH R. WALKER.

Among the familiar faces of Utah men with which this issue is adorned, none are more thor- oughly identified with the interests of our growing Territory than that of Joseph Robinson Walker, of the great mercantile and mining house of Walker Brothers. Accustomed to all the intricacies of modern business matters, with a mind sufficiently comprehensive, and an astuteness equal to every occasion, Mr. Walker has enjoyed the fullest confidence of his three brothers, who have al- ways accorded him the leadership of the firm.

Realizing the importance of the trust confided in him, he has never permitted the interests of the firm to suffer when its protection depended upon untiring attention, skillful manipulation and competent guidance Considering the vast and varied interests of the concern of which this gen- tleman stands at the head, it is but justice to acknowledge that his achievements are unexcelled by any man among us. Of course he has always been ably assisted by his gifted brothers, and as they are all unlike in many important qualities, one can readily understand that a mind which could assimi- late the views and plans of four prominently marked individualisms, and guide them without a jar, must certainly be of a high order. That he has shown himself capable of this, in no sense reflects upon the qualifications of his brother partners. It speaks well for their keenness of insight that they have allowed the utilization of such qualities as those possessed by Mr. Rob, as he is usually designated by those who are not sufficiently familiar to dispense with the prefix.

He is not, as is often supposed, the oldest member of the firm. His brother Samuel S. is the senior. Next comes Joseph Robinson, the subject of our notice. The four brothers have spheres of their own and are by no means merged in the central sun, so as to lose their identity, but all realize the value of the great acumen of their honored brother, and all repose in him the same con- fidence as they would have done in their talented father, had his life been spared to them.

The mercantile qualifications of these gentlemen are inherited. Each possesses characteristics peculiarly valuable, and indeed necessary to success, but the happy blending of pre-requisites was especially prominent in one and the others rallied to his support with a loyalty and sagacity which does them honor, and has resulted in the accumulation of princely fortunes and a name unques- tioned in the commercial marts of the world.

Four brothers working harmoniously and so successfully under the peculiar circumstances at- tending the growth of this great house, is something rarely seen, and their efforts can only be ap- preciated when thoroughly understood. Pulling steadily along, no matter what winds or waves were opposing, these gallant sailors on life's stormy sea have shown their skill and pluck to an extent unparallelled in Utah's history.

They are all young men ; their ages being approximately as follows: Samuel Sharpe 48, Joseph Robinson 46, David Frederick 44, and Matthew Henry 38. They have been able for some time to draw checks with seven figures, and their commercial standing is such, that if another were added their paper would be honored. Their growth has been steady, and their interests have been and are attached to Utah with hooks of steel. There is nothing ephemeral, nothing flighty or even specula- tive in their record. Sound business principles have been their helm, and sound business honor, las been their guiding star.

No one has a rightful claim upon them which will not be promptly met and adjusted upon

JOSEPH R. WALKER.

presentation. No one can show a flaw in the armor of these financial giants, whose four heads are practically one, whose interests are thoroughly identified with this region, and whose success is in- dicative of the growth of the surrounding country. To have achieved such a position, to have ac- complished such results, it is clear that vast executive ability has been utilized. To attempt to ex- plain the cause of such unqualified success by attributing it to fortuitous circumstances, is puerile to a degree, only appreciated by those who, like the writer, are cognizant of the untoward environ- ment.

The determination manifested, the hard labor expended, the privations endured by these men can never be known, unless they choose to detail their experience in these particulars.

The tenacity displayed by many of our self-made men, and the trying circumstances attendant upon their progress through life, have been delineated by histriographers for the instruction of the youthful mind the world over, but in many respects the history of the men of whom we speak, is vastly different from all others.

It is unnecessary to rehearse the many vicissitudes which form a part of the checkered history of the Territory of Utah. It is to be regretted that these vicissitudes have afforded scope for sensa- tion-mongers, who have been, and are, the great stumbling-block in the path of progress; but it is stating the fact to say that the history of the Walker Brothers has been so intimately interwoven with the Territorial existence as to render them a very important factor. Their influence has ever been on the side of progress. Their growth has been the harbinger of success to all. Their exem- plary commercial rectitude has given character to Utah enterprises everywhere.

So much of this is due to Joseph R. Walker, so much of his personality has been stamped upon the current result of his consistent adherence to well-tried commercial principles, that he stands in the ininds of the people as the very head and front of Utah's representative men, far above the reach or understanding of a few petty demagogues, whose inherent insolence inspires them to attain to honors as inappropriate as they are to them unattainable:

The crises through which our Territory has passed are numerous, and the sound judgment of this gentleman has always maintained its equilibrium, at critical junctures which have turned the heads of many prominent men of our times. His interests have for a long time been very extended, and his views have always been comprehensive an I entirely free from that unprincipled radicalism, which has been the curse of this Territory. His mind was always clear. His ideas were always based on practical experience and keen insight into human nature. He never faltered, never failed to stand true to his colors, and never viewed anything from one standpoint alone. He was quite reticent, very thoughtful and observant, ever on the alert to convince himself of the truth of his position, or to undo the falsity he may have accepted.

A close and intelligent contact with the various interests of our Territory, has given him a thorough knowledge of everything pertaining to its material welfare, and has developed his exper- ience to a point of perfection, which always leads to rational and conservative observation. Totally unlike many superficial observers, he has had at all times great faith in humanity, and human ca- pacity to right itself under all circumstances.

He has never seen the necessity of radical measures, and consequently has failed to gain the admiration of a small circle of irresponsibles, whose respect he however, holds against their will. The influence of petty cliques is fortunately growing "smaller by degrees and beautifully less," for which let us rejoice. No man has had greater cause to appreciate the importance of cool demeanor and constant vigilance, as they have served him faithfully in many trying situations, and kept him from extremes which good judgment thus always warned him against. If Mr. Rob. Walker, as the head of the influential firm of Walker Brothers, had but listened to the various schemes proposed by the different cliques which have held ephemerally the destinies of Utah in their hands, and had countenanced any one of the many schemes which the authors thereof would now blush to name, our thriving commonwealth would have been in a far less desirable condition.

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History of Salt Lake City, Part 126

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