The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-26

| City, the municipal authorities saw nit
! to make grants of this square to COM
panies which designed it to be used for
| depot grounds and buildings Ii is a
matter of great regret hat success has
/ not yet crowned their laudable efforts.
| But in consequence of the terms of the
latest grant not having been complied
with, this square has reverted TO the
city. and the present municipal author
| tiles having determined that the Old
Fort square shall be retained by the
people, it is now to be dedicated as a
| public park, of which we cannot have
too many because this city commenced
with a few logs and adobe huts on the
/ place where we now assemble, is TO be-
come great intermountain metropolis,
with a vast population. immense COM
mercial interests and buildings suited
/ to its position, wealth and numbe-
The progress made in a half centnl,
is an indication of the advancement
that will be made before another ju-
bilee-
Il therefore congratulate you, my
! friends and fellow citizens. on this joy
ful event, and hope that this piece of
public property will be made a bsauti-
! full and pleasant retreat. where you
and your children may enjoy the fresh
air. the beautiful foliage and the lovely
| flowers which bloom and shed their
fragrance on this hallowed spot. And
while we enjoy the blessings of ad-
vanced civilization, of good government
and of region favored in many things
above other portions of our glorious
country. let us never forget those noble
Pioneers who opened up these valleys
for rs AID our Dosterity, and made it
possible for US to enjoy this rich
heritage Hail to the Pioneers of AZ.
joy and peace to their posterity and to
all the jewellers in the pleasant wales
of Utah."
PRESIDENT wOODRUFF'S RE-
MARKS.
In presenting President MILFORD
Woodruff, Mayor Clark remarked that
the honored guest, the most prominent
of the living Pioneers. needed no intro
duction. AS the venerable president.
now in his 92nd year, with the same
strength and vigor apparently that
characterized him a quarter OF a
century ago, approached the front OF
the platform. he was greeted with
cheers from the throng of people be-
fore him.
In an interesting reminiscent way
resident Woodruff told of his entrance
into this valley 81 years ago Sunday in
company with the late President
brigham Young. At IL o'clock in the
forenoon OF that eventful day they
reached the spot on which now sta2ds
the Knutsford hotel. President Wood
ruff had brought from beyond the
Missouri river a few potatoes for
planting He vowed that before he
would stop TO eat or drink on that
Pioneer day he would plant the pota-
tees. The hard ground was plowed up
and all the potatoes were planted for
future supply OF food, just as he had
vowed.
President Woodruff hen related how
on Monday morning of July %. 1917,
President Young. himself and others
had gone to the site of the temple,
where the departed leader announced,
Here we Will build the temple OF our
God" l. the afternoon of that day
they took drive across the valley to
the point Of the mountain, thinking the
distance was only about five miles,
when in realty it was three times
longer. Presidents Young and Wood
run were the first to take bath in the
briny lake at Black Rock. Probably no
other persons but Indians. had ever
preceded them. a negro was along with
the Pioneer party, and after emerging
from his bath it was noticed that he
had become almost White because or
the salt water crystalizing on his dark
skin. This was considered almost a
miracle.
Shortly after settling here a company
of Morrnors arrived rom California.
having come around Cape Horn by
sailing vessel from the eastern states.
The Pioneers were urged TO return to
California with the new arrivals, who
pointed out that there was everything
to be desired there, but nothing iavit-
ing in Utah. President Young re-
piled: mo. we will stay here. and
here we will build our temples, our
cities and cur common wealth
BUILDED BETTER THAN THEY
KNEW.
Judge for yourselves" said President
Woodruff, whether the wisdom of that
declaration has been fulfilled. God
hath wrought wonders. What of our
schools. our temples, and our churches?
They speak for themselves. In popula-
ton we Will continue 10 multiply by
the same ratio that has marked our
progress since the advent Of the first
company of 143 souls. 1t was fore
ordained by God that it should so come
to pass"
Il feel in duty bound" said Presi-
dent Woodruff Ito give due credit to
Brigham Young for having. as he did,
laid the foundations here for our city
and our state. He was inspired by
God /, with others. assisted in laying
out Salt Lake City on the grand. broad
scale you now see. In building our
temples we have moved mountains.
God directed ali that we have done.
Let us live our religion, honor God and
pursue a course for the remaining days
of our lives that will be justifiable be-
fore him. If we continue to do so he
will ever bless and prosper the people
who have shared in our blessings re-
ceived from him."