Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-08-17

r. HE building Of a modern dwell.
Ing with one pair OF hands
would be considered II herculean
task by young and robust
mechanic, and such project would
enter the mind OF perhaps not more
than ono octogennrinn IN 10000. fet
such a feat has not only been contem-
plated but carried to actual consum
nation. in recent months. by salt
1.aker whose years number more than
four score Thut man is Joseph III
Ridges But person who holds the
distinction of having built the great
tabernacle organ, at u tlmo and under
circumstances that marked that event
would be expected 20 attempt and ac-
complish almost anything that 1t is
possible for a mortal to do. As COM
pared to the work performed forts
years ago on the instrument that has
become world-famed, Mr.. Ridges con-
siders that the recent product uf hif
hunds is but child's play, bat his
friends look at the matter from u
somewhat different viewpoint, taking
into account the fact that the artesan
has already lived ten years beyond the
allotted age of man. The veteran.
however. scorns the inference that he is
aged. and the fact is that neither in
appearance nor in conversation does he
give the impression that he - a day
over sixty. When boldly asked by
person in conversation with him re-
Gently as to his age. Mr. Ridges, with
twinkle in his eye, said: The last
letter that | received from my father
gives a date that leads me to believe
that / am now 30 years old" But you
know you are over So laughingly said
his wife who was sitting by his side.
The cosy cottage of four rooms, stu
atod at i27 west Third North street.
in which Mr.. Ridges resides. is every
whit the workmanship OF his own
hands, plastering and chimneys ex-
cepted. from foundation to ridge. And
1t was built in a remarkably short time,
too. The first idea was to rent the
structure when completed, but when
the beauty and durability of the house
became apparent, the owner concluded
to make it his own home, and there.
doubtless. he will spend the remaining
years of his life
FOUNDATION SECURED.
when, at the instance of the Short
Line management, many trees were
feled on the stretch of ground IN the
region of Third and Fourth West
streets. Mr.. Ridges was given permits
sion to haul away as many of the green
timbers as he wanted He proceeded
certain number OF them. and these he
took home, one by one, on wheel
barrow. The logs served as the founda-
ton for a structure that he had planned
in his mind. 1t will readily he seen
that substantial beginning was made,
and those who know OF the painstak-
ing care that the veteran builder was
wont to bestow upon anything that he
had in hand. need not be told that
every part OF the building was put up
in a manner that will for long period
bid defiance to time and the elements.
In nothing is superfclaity SO glaring
and apparent as in the construction
illttuObS VI llNltIil DuuSt DullQETS.
With all the vigilance that can be ex-
ercised over workmen, the owner of
an edifice almost invariably finds that
he has been cheated and defrauded I'M
mercifully in its erection. The cottage
recently completed by Joseph III. Ridges
was put up in the good old way. Flaws
and Weak places are not covered with
driven into place by means of ham,
mer. Everything is fitted exactly into
place aud fastened there in n manner
prescribed by masters of the craft
The closest scrutiny of the Ridges
cottage fails to reveal the whereabouts
OF anything that would not pass muster
with the most exnctlng adept in the
line of building The pantry would be
coveted by any housewife that CHANGED
to view its interior Nearly every inch
of space is utilized, and for convenience
more desirable adjunct to the culinary
department of home could scarcely
be imagined, and this rule holds good
throughout the entire house.
BUILT THE GARDo HOUSE.
For period of 80 years Mr.. Ridges
has been engaged in contracting and
building In this city, his activity he
ginning Immediately after his adven
here III 1857. Many public and phi
vate buildings were constructed by him
and under his supervision, the most
important of which, perhaps, is The