The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-07-08
FUND FOR C0NN0R
MONUMENT GROWS
Facts Concerning Life of Noted
Soldier and Mine Pro-
moter.
WHAT HE DID FOR UTAH
OF lNESTIMABLE VALUE
His Memory Is Entitled'to Utmost
Consideration by People
of Utah.

The action OF the Ladies' of the G.
a. R., Reynolds circle No l, In raising
funds for erecting suitable monu-
ment over the grave of Gen. Patrick
Edward Connor, at Fort Douglas, calls
for an explanation OF who Gen. Con-
nor was and what he did. especially
with reference TO Utah.
Gen. Connor was not only the found
or of Fort Douglas but he was the
father of the mining industry In
Utah. His work. either as a soldier
or as mine operator. entities him to
all the consideration that prosperous
people can now give him.
The fort has not only been a sure
means of safety to Utah through all
these years, but II has been source
of continued revenue to the business
interests of this region Gen. Connor
early saw the strategic advantage of
that position, and II was doubtless on
the recommendations that resulted
from his foresight that the fort be-
came a permanent institution,
Great Help TO Utah.
In furnishing supplies to that post
in the early days Of Its history, many
local business men not only got a
business start, but became independ-
ent Buildings from time TO time have
been added, and from this source vast
fortunes have been spent by the Gov
ernment, and the people of Utah have
been the chief benehciaries Of the
transactions,
From Tullidges Magazine a number
of facts arc CLEANED that are hero pre-
sented.
Gen Connor was born In the south
Of Ireland In 1920. He came TO New
York with his parents when child.
He entered tho regular army during
the Florida war, when but Is years OF
turned to New York. Earl" in the
year that war with Mexico broke out
he went to Texas. and, as Captain of
the Texas volunteers. he was the sec
| ord volunteer officer mustered into the
| service. He was In several engage
ments and at the battle Of Buena
| Vista he was severely wounded.
Went to California.
After the close OF the Mexican war
| Capt. Connor went to California,
where, at the beginning Of the War
| Of the Rebellion. he was appointed
| Colonel Of the Third California infan-
try, With this regiment and part
| OF the Second California cavalry he
started for Utah In July. 1862. and ar
| rived at Salt Lake October 20 OF the
| same year. and four days later eStab-
lished Fort Douglas.
In addition TO preserving peace and
preventing secession in this region al
that critical time, he fought and won
the battle OF Bear River in January
1863, in Cache valley. where there
were killed and captured nearly 400
| Indians. For bravery in this battle
| he was promoted TO the position OF
Brigadier-General of volunteers AZ
the close OF the war Gen, Connor was
mustered out under the final muster
| ing-out order in 1866.
First Daily Paper.
At Fort Douglas he published the
Daily Union Nidette, the first daily
paper published In Utah.
With % good force OF men, and be-
ing too far remoses from the seat OF
war for actual service during the War
of the Rebellion, he gave much at
tention to the development OF mines
in this region. With a party from the
fort he located the Jordan mino at
| Bingham. the first location of the kind
| In Utah He Suilt the f1rsd smelter IN
the Territory, at Stockton, and was the
first mine promoter In that camp ano
was instrumental In the development
of the camp at Alta. which soon be.
came famous.
Fund Is Growing.
After he retired from the service hc
devoted the rest OF his life TO mining
as u soldier and a miner in times OF
war
While the building OF fund for hi!
monument Is OF slow growth. IL 1!
gradually increasing. and that the pub.
lie may the better understand the deb
1t owes to this great man, whose
memory has been neglected. thi.