Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-07-24

w est, u OSbCh tdilSu llIc IllGH
together and organized the Logan
militia, with Israel ]. Clark as
Major. On November 2Sth was
begun the erection of log school
house, the first building Of that kind
in Logan, which was completed and
occupied with meetings within less
than month.
By the opening Of the year 1860
Logan had assumed the character of
a thrifty and rapidly growing settle
ment, and during that year the
number Of inhabitants was greatly
increased by new settlers. During
the year 1860 the settlers had some
trouble with the Indians and several
Of both were killed.
By the spring of IS OF Logan had
grown so large it was deemed advis-
able to divide it into four wards,
which was done on the 18th OF April,
1861. Benjamin NJ. Lewis was
chosen president OF the First ward,
Henry Ballard of the Second, John
B. Thatcher ofthe third and Thomas
X. Smith OF the Fourth. In the fol-
lowing September the first agricul-
tural fair was held in Logan, which
was an indication OF the rapidity with
which the town had grown, and OF
the progressiveness of the settlers.
During the year 1889, on the re-
turn of the people of the northern
part of tine Territory from "the
move" a number of different settle
ments were found in various parts of
Cache valley, as its attractions were
drawing large numbers of settlers,
and during the year 1860 and suisse
quent years most of these settle
ments grew rapidly and their inhab-
itants prospered. The resources of
the valley were Of such a character
as to make it comparatively easy for
the settlers to sustain themselves
and build homes and provide the
necessaries Of life.
On January 3tst, 1873, the Utah
& Northern railroad was completed
to Logan, and soon afterwards rail-
road shops were established there.
The growth of Logan prior to this
time had been rapid as well as sub
stantial, but the completion of the
railroad to it gave to the town a
great impetus. From 1873 to about
1883 the advance in real estate val
ues, the commercial prosperity and
the standard progress in many di-
rections, were very gratifying.
| During this period the increase oil
the population was very rapid, and
many excellent public and private
buildings were erected. A remarkably
large proportion if the adult male in
habitants Of Logan were employed
on railroad contracts which had been
taken by some OF the prominent
citizens Of the county, their wages,
paid in cash, were circulated in the
city, making money more abundant
and business liyelier than it has ever
been since.
Logan was incorporated by act o
the legislature on January II, 1906.
Alvin Crockett was the first mayor
In March, 1872, William B. Preston
was elected mayor and served in tina
office continuously until March, 1882
a period of twelve years, the
Edmunds law disqualitying hin
from holding office longer.
During the year 1882 Logan city
came prominently to the front as ;
temperance town, making a record
in this regard that was probably
never paralleled by any town OF the
same or greater size in America
Previous to this year the city counci
had passed an ordinance absolutely
prohibiting the sale OF intoxicants
This action was taken in the belle
that the city charter fully authorized
it, but in the year 1882 number o
men engaged in the illicit selling o
liquor conspired to resist the en-
forcemcnt of the ordinance.
The city council were hcsitatinl
in regard to the adoption of strin
gent measures that were necessary t
suppress the traffic when prominen
clizens caused to be circulated yer,
thoroughly two petitions; one aske,
the city council to grant licenses 10
saloons, and the other asked for tn,
enforcement OF prohibition.
As far as practicable every citizen
T male or female, Of adult age, wa.
asked to sign one of these petitions
and a very large proportion Of tn
adult inhabitants Of the town ex
! pressed their views upon the subject
, by signing one of them. When tn,
= documents were presented to tn
{ city council it was found that fort,
( to one were in favor of prohibition.
t With such a tremendous majorit,
t in favor of prohibition the city Of
hcials could not do otherwise thai
( respond to its demand. The liquo
! dealers were arrested from time t
] time, and a long and expensive Wa
! upon the traffic was inaugurated.
l continued for about two years, whe
/ the supreme court Of the Territor,
! decided that the city council O