The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-12-26
MORMON SHAFT DEDICATED.
Followers of Joseph Smith Stand Bare
Headed During Service in SnowstOrm.

Followers of Joseph Smith Stand Bare
Headed During Service in Snowstorm.
South Royalton, DEC. s5.-South Roy
alton people extended Saturday their
hospitality to the Mormons, the occa-
sion being the dedieation and unreiling
OF a big granite monument and on the
site OF the birthplace OF Joseph Smith,
the prophet, in the town Of Sharon.
Nearly 500 people gathered to witness
the exercises, held in the open air. a
hard snowstorm prevailed all day, but
the elements did not hinder the country
folk from making long journeys to see
these queer people. Fifty-three members
of the sect were at the services, 20 be-
ing from Salt Lake City and the rest
from New York and Boston, Fine
speeches and music Of high class char
aeteriyed the services, which were con-
Quoted by the heads of the Mormon
church
At eleven o'clock the ceremony was
opened with prayer by President Joseph
r. Smith Of Salt Lake City, nearly all
his male listeners standing with bare
heads in the driving snow, so impress
size were the ceremonies. The other
principal speakers included John Henry
Saith Of New York, an apostle, and
Arthur H. Lund Of Salt Lake City, Sec
ons councilman of the Mormon church.
The music included solos, duct and quar-
tette selections, the principal soloists
being Prof ]. D. Eastman OF New York
and Miss Clara Gates of the same city.
The latter Is granddaughter Of Brig
ham Young.
Aftag the monument was unveiled the
assemblage proceeded to a cottage which
the Mormons have built near the monu-
ment and lunch was served. After the
crowd dispersed the Mormons held a
banquet The service last Saturday
evening was Of religious nature, and
was held in Woodward hall, the largest
pubiis hall in town. Prior to the SER
yise, the Normons held reception, de-
string to meet al the towns people, and
hearty greeting we're exchsnRed
The monument was unveiled By Miss
Abbie Wells, a daughter Of Julian T.
Wells, prominent Utah Mormon, with
WEVfH WV RANffEe "a tiENNAHE tatH mum
lsnent originated, and who had charge
Of it's construction, transportation and
erection. Mr. Wells then formally turn
ed the monument over to the Mormon
chuYeh.
The monument has total height 81
SO feet ? inches snd weighs 100 tons.
The shaft is highly polished from base
to pinnacle, and is .urmonnted by pyr-
amid cap three feet high. 1t is the
largest piece Of Barre granite ever pol
ixhed, and from its commanding position
on the long hin leading up from the
village can be seen for great dis
lance
II is m five pieces, and rests on a
foundation OF concrete eight feet deep.
The secondary base is 1 foot inches
thick bottom base il 3 feet square and
2 feet thick, the die is a 6t-foot cube,
and two feet six inches thick. Sur
hunting the whole Is a shaft IS feet
inches in height, with pyramid top.
On the die is the inscription; ASa
cred To the memory Of Joseph Smith,
the Prophet, born here as December,
1908, Msrtyred Carthage, III"
Around the moulding is this quota
lack wisdom, let him ask of God that
Riveth 10 ali men literally, and uphraid-
eth not, and It shall be given him.
After definitely determining the site
Of the prophets birthplace, the Nor
mons last May bought about 20 acres
of lard, which YVES decided BY G. II.
Robinson and wife to Joseph F. Smith,
trustee, in trust. The records Of the
land are complete from the grant BY
George III, through Benning Wentworth,
to the present time, while the identity
of the prophets birthplace is youched for
b. men yet living.
The ancient farm is natural park,
with Bald Knob on ono side and the
roadway running across the other. Be
fore the work Of improving the grounds
was begun, last summer, the foundation
OF the old house was still in place, the
walls Of the cellars, the hearthstone
and doorstone. Clearing out dead tim
Der and making some roadways and
paths has converted the old farm into
q v3ann rf hno,,4,s