Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-12-15
IRON COUNTY,.


Population O0.".,."...,.".ru. SAC
Assessed Valuation, 190ou,...lOi2. 72O
Gear City, Dec. Cedar City, locat-
ed twenty miles south OF the capital Of
IRON county and about the same dis
lance north Of the rim OF the basin, was
first settled under the direction OF the
late George A. Smith assisted by
Henry Lunt, now Of Mexico. George
Wood, Joseph Chatterley, Thomas
Dladen and others whose names are al.
most forgotten, but whose good works
stand out prominently and are land
morks Tor those who are now ASSUME
the responsibilities connected with our
growing town.
Like many OF our sister settlements.
Cedar City has undergone many re-
verses the present being the third town
built up since George A. Smith, with
his hardy band OF Pioneers. commenced
the colonization OF this part Of Iron
county. The necessity for changing
locations, being brought about mostly
through the treacher0us stream of Coal
Greek. the southern part OF the State
being noted for It's tremendous Hoods in
the summer season. The removal from
one location TO another being necessary
for safety until today we are measure
bly, secure from the effects OF Hoods.
In the commencement Of the settlement
Of this place, 1t was contemplated TO
make Cedar City Q manufacturing
town. and IN It's early experience. the
roar Of the blast furnace is something
that can be wildly called 10 mind. For
want OF sufficient capital this industry
was allowed TO anguish and finally
died, no traces Of which can be observed
today unless II Is the ruins Of
THE OLD FURNACE
on the north side Of town. and some OF
the crude iron ore lying about the site
Of the Iron Works that used to be-
When the Iron Works were abandoned
our Inhabitants numbered more than
today, and In consequence Of the clos.
ing down OF the works, many left Cedar
city some going to southern California,
while the majority sought homes In
other parts OF this State. Those who
remained took up with other pursuits.
such as farming and stockraising. Our
Isolated condition at that time. being IN
the years Of l6j1-5S. caused many who
had exhausted their supply Of clothing
10 look seriously about for the best
method 10 pursue In securing necessary
clothing for their families. the result
was that a great effort was made to Sc
cure a few sheep in order that wool
might be had from which clothing al
though OF a crude and coarse quality
was procured, and the inhabitants OF
our town thus enabled TO pass over the
trying days OF the late nftles and early
sixties. since which event our city has
prospeled commensurate with other To-
calities and the
IRON WORKS DAYS
are looked upon by the older portion Of
our community as the most trying in
the history of Cedar City. The condi-
lions OF the people at that time Of
which we write, made II an easy matter
10 introduce the principles Of co-opera-
ton; as there were few wealthy persons
In our midst combined effort was the
only one within our reach; steps were
Immediately taken to Introduce cooper
alton. In the year 1859 the present
mercantile institution Of this city was
commenced; It's first display being in a
small and discommodious granary,
which still stands and is a striking con-
trust to the institution Of to-
day. The history of Cedar City Coop
eratlve Institution Is before the people,
not only Of Cedar City, but the who'll Of
southern Utah and can justly claim the
distinction Of being the regulator OF
prices OF southern Utah; friend TO the
poor as well as the main feeder Of
every public enterprise that has been
started In our town. II has, and Is at
present managed by men Of ability
whose aim has been TO be content with
reasonable dividends and deal fairly
with the patrons OF the institution.
Like many similar institutions In our
State, its voyage thus far In life has
not been upon the smOOthest seas, and
at one period of its existence. run
against the shoals Of financial distress;
fortunately for the institution. how
ever, some Of our best citizens took
hold OF the almost sinking vessel and
with the assistance Of It's numerous
creditors were enabled 20 launch Il
forth again. II now sails on prosper
GUS waters and bids fair 70 rank with
our most stable institutions.
PRETENTIoUs BUSINESS EFFORTS
our town can boast Of one Of the
finest business blocks OF southern Utah,
its maiden effort was no less preten-
tlous than the one already mentioned,
although not In a granary, It's wares
were displayed In private residence In
one Of the back streets IN our city. and
II is safe to say It's stock In trade would
not total up more than five hundred
dollars when II commenced its branch
OF mercantile business we now refer TO
the Cedar Sheep association, whose
birth can be traced TO the early sixties,
when the effort was made 20 COM
mence the raising of sheep under the
cooperative system. this institution
was for many years, and Is yet the lead
ing sheep industry In southern Utah
IT'S capital stock being owned In nearly
every settlement Of the State. The trib- |
utaries connected with this company |
are numerous It's paid up capital is /
now over forty thousand dollars, and /
It's annual expenses reach about twelve |
thousand dollars, considerable Of which /
is paid out to employees OF the instltu- |
ton; its last yearly dividend was thirty !
per cent and has been no less for the |
past three years; dividends are general |
ly paid In cash and merchandise This |
company has six focks OF sheep with |
about twenty-seven hundred head 20 |
we IpCh, liN hHtep are lpohtl uiltl W ]
one man who Is the manager OF all the |
herds, The mercantile branch Of this |
Institution is favorably located on the !
main street OF our town, and Is ably |
conducted In one Of the most imposing |
brick structures OF southern Utah.
EDUCATIONAL.
Cedar City is now beyond doubt an .
educational center for southern Utah.
The gift OF the State OF Utah in ostaO-
fishing the branch normal here has ac-
c0mplished ibis beyond question, its |
capacity Is well taxed, the faculty Is |
composed OF both ladies ana gentlemen |
Of refinement aud ability the influence |
OF this institution Is being felt for good /
IN our town. and lie patronage bespeaks /
the high appreciation in which i Is .
held by the people Of southern Utah. |
our district school Is now taxed to It's
fun limit. we employ nine teachers, /
eight OF whom are females; last year .
The trustees paid for teachers as sal
aries, the munlhcent sum OF two thou