Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-01-15

dldly observed To meet and greet the
last OF their returning compatriots all
the volunteers in the state whose
whereabouts could DE oscertaned, were
assembled In this city without expense
10 themselves. and the procession
which formed and which paraded the
principal streets amid lavish decora-
tIons and through hne triumphal
arches, excited degree OF proud en-
thusiasm probably never before
euuallcd IN the community
This was made the occasion for the
distribution OF the volunteer medals
which your predecessors two years ago
made generous provision for, ana amid
tears and cheers praise and patriotism,
feastng and thanksgiving the day
passed a delightful memory In our
history To meet the expenses of such
an occasion no public funds were avail
able, but adequate contributions nom
the citizens We're not less prompt than
cheerful, and an ample sum was imme-
diately nc hand 90 cover every neces-
sary outlay These contributions
reached the Ggure OF Sl3f1205. Drafts
Were made upon this fund 90 pay for ID
special train from San Francisco 90 salt
Lake, conveying the batteries home and
later TO assist In deiraylng the expenses
of entertainment of returning volun-
teers from noighb0ring states who tar
Tied with us temporarily on their home
ward Journey and an important dis-
buTsement. one which will appeal 90 the
heart of every citizen, was for the iu-
terment Of the bodies OF our gallant
dead, with military honors and With
that degree of sympathetic ceremony
which within our modest circum-
stances. their bravery and devotion en-
Titled them % receive. There remains
In the hands Of the treasurer Of this
fund an uneXpended balance Of $500.
] feel sure that had the legislative
representatives, Of the commonwealth
been In session when means were re-
quired for the execution OF the fOregO-
ing purposes no call for public contri.
buttons would have had TO be made.
The state Is proud OF SIS volunteers,
as II has reason 10 be, and It would
have been its slncerest pleasure 90 eX-
pend whatever sum might be necessary
In showing its appreciation Of them liy-
ing and It's honor for them
dead Impressed with this con-
Niction, ] recommend that an
appropriation be made from
the State treasury equal 10 the amount
OF the fund above named from which, II
desired and deemed advisable the dom
ors may be reimbursed. or. preferably,
that this constitute the nucleus OF
a fund for the erection Of a monument,
arch or other suitable memorial TO our
brave sons who marched forth at the
call Of duty beneath the national en-
blem 70 defend the national honor /
advise further that to such amount
there be added by legislative apprOpria-
ton sum sufficient FOR the constitute
ton OF such a memorial at some appr0-
pirate point within the State as shall be
an enduring external evidence, beyond
that which Ia held In the hearts Of their
fellow citizens OF the exalted esteem
in which these patriots forever viii be
held
In this connection / am reminded that
in many OF the States Of the Union laws
have been enacted making provision at
public expense for the lnterment ana
marking the graves Of honorably dis
charged soldiers, sailors and marines
who die within the state without leav-
ing sufficient means for their burial
The loyalty and patriotism OF Utah for
bid the thought that her statute book is
silent on n matter where
public gratitude for honest service can
De so easily shown; and ! earnestly
recommend the enactment OF measure
covering such cases
DISASTER.
a calamity almost unparalleled in the
history OF coal mine disaster throughout |
the world fell upon Utah on the morning |
Of May LIST 1900. An explosion I'm Win |
ter Quarters Mine No 4 al Sooheld, |
owned and operated by the Pleasant |
Valley Coal company, caused the death |
OF 200 men and injuries to 7 others A |
large proportion Of the men so killed |
were heads Of families and to the aw-
ful horror Of the disaster Itself were
added the tears. the cries, the misery |
Of widows and orphans. The whole |
country stood stricken and benumbed In |
the presence Of the appalling visitation.
On the Ord Of May / issued public APP
peal to the people OF the State. present
Ing such facts In connection with the /
disaster as We're obtalnable. asking FOR
assistance for the widowed and father
less. and appointing a central relief
with Hon. James Il. Ham
nond secretary OF state, as chairman
10 take charge OF and administer the
'unds and provisions contributed The
response was immediate, noble and gen
,rOus. The people OF Utah braYely sus-
aimed their reputation for OPEN heart-
.dness and sef-reliance In the dreadful
emergency Many thousands OF dollars
we're contributed by municipalities, cor
loratlons and religious organizations
ma individuals within the State. But
that the magnitude OF the dis
Ister fully Justified H.. on the 5th of May !
issued a further appeal for assistance
% the people Of the United States and
lts transmission 20 every por-
ion Uf the nation through the medium
II the Associated Press. Money was re-
'elved from all parts Of the Union and
messages ~ sympathy came from every
ectlon. the most distinguished Of
which, perhaps, were those OF the PRESS
lent OF our own republic and OF the
President Of France.
The total amount received and dis
ributed 60 the sufferers by the relife
was Sll6,2s9.Sl, and the bene-
Iclaries consisted Of llS widows and 3o6
hillren l2 fun orphans and 81 depend
M parents whose sons were killed,
The Pleasant Valley Coal company,
lthough exonerated from responsible
IT, has also donated $500 20 the family
Z each OF the men killed, a total %
100000 making grand total distribu-
]
cNef committee has been extremely
llgent IN Doe work and the money has
een distributed 90 the benelciarics not
My throughout the State. bat TO vari-
us other States of the Union and to
finland. France and Italy. The lab0rs
( the relief committee for the benefit OF
heir suffering fellows were So disinfer-
sled conscientious intelligent and
that. In my opinion. they /
al for some public expression OF arpre-
iatlon from you as the representatives.
{ the people. to which / should also be
lost happy TO subscribe The names OF
he committee are as follows j. T.
hammond r. W. Wilson. w. Il. Cotton.
IRA THOMPSON. a. W. Carlson. A. l..
'h0mas. William lgleheart. Mrs. o. J.
allshury Mrs Geo. NJ DOwuey. Of
at Lake City; Mrs. 4. II, Haywood OF |
lgden Lafayette Holbro0k OF Provo.
ohm Jones Of spanish Fork, o. G.. KIM
AN and r. j. Parmeloy OF sco6old
The state Coal Mine Inspector was on
he ground Immediately after the cas-