Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-10-01
SEMI CENTENN|Al.
Of UTAH'S DIX|E|:
Pioneers Gather at Virgin City to
Celebrate Its First Set
Element. +.
AND FRUIT FESTIVAL.
Story OF Early Thcatricals-How the
Grapevine Was Introduced in
The Sunny South.

special correspondents.
Virgin City, Washington, Co., Sept
20.--sept. 16 was the fiftieth or Jubilee
anniversary of the first settlement of
Utah's Dixie, Virgin City being the
first settlement In the valley. Tho day
was fittingly commemorated BY the de-
scendants and survivors OF the pioneer
band.
The day opened with salute OF guns,
and at 10 o'clock the people assembled
at the Westinghouse where a well pre-
pared program was rendered, which
was continued in an afternoon session.
The opening number was a song by
the first choir OF Virgin City, five mems
bers OF which We're present, John and
Emily Hinton, James HUMPHREYS, Emil
ly Stratton and Alice Isom. After the
opening prayer by Bishop Norris VIII
son OF Hurricane, Bishop James Jepson
gave the address Of welcome to the
pioneers. many of whom had como over
100 miles to celebrate the Jubilee.
Seth Johnson. who drove the first
team--two yoke of5oXen-into the val
ley, and who helped build the first
houses in Virgin, and to dig the first
irrigatlng ditch, gave a very interesting
reminiscent address on the struggles
and hardships incident to pioneer daya
in Dixie, and described the modes Of
travel there before roads were made
over the lava DetlS.s
A. j. Workman related how grape
vines were introduced to the valley.
Six cuttings We're brought in by man
from San Bernardino, Cal. The cut
tings grew and one vine bore three
grapes the first year.
Alma Barney of Panguitch, related
some of his theatrical experiences In
the pioneer period, when entrance fees
We're paid in cotton. Half a pound was
paid to enter and IL one sat out the
entire show he paid a full pound. The
performances were given in a small one
roomed building erected for a meeting
house. A wagon cover was drawn
across one corner. behind which the
actors retired after each had said his
little piece.
a paper, prepared by Joseph Hilton,
was read. IT depicted in a touching
manner the scenes of pioneer days and
the changes which have occurred since,
thoughts in the following verses:
There is no rest, there is no peace,
Nor shall there ever be, until cease
To traverse earth or its wales explore
And my frail bark glides to the other
shore
Where are the joys of my early days:
The silver lined clouds, the SUMS bright
rays.
The beautious tints of the flower rare
And the cheerful notes of the song
birds--where?
Where now the comrades used to-
know,
AS we sroved tho dells in, the long ago?
And where the raptures that filed my
heart;
AS I mingled with dear ones so soon
to part?
oh, my soul is faint and my heart
grows cold. $50
AS my mind recalls the beloved or old;
Devotion sweet did our bosorns swelE
With love devine that no tongue can
tell.
And mine eyes grow dim with un-
hidden tears,
years;
OF the tender maiden then by my side
Whom of all that l loved was my Joy.
and pride.
There is no peace, there is no rest,
When those are gone whom We love the
The sun don't shine nor the flowers
And the birds only sing me a dirge of
gloom.
The Virgin ward choir furnished some
of the musical numbers. Seth john
son recited .Molasses Candy Pulling,
also sang a rollicltlng song OF early
day political troubles A ladies' quar-
tot. Lucy Jepson, yadna Isom, and
Mary and Percy Stratton was well
rendered. Mrs. Minnie Wilson, gave
a song, and duets were rendered by
Elsie Wright. and Mary 1som, Robert
stratton and Jesse Jepson and BY
Mary and Liza Lamb. REGULATIONS werss
given by Mary r. Workman, Miss Lucy
Jepson, Benjamin Bradsfliw and oth-
erS.
Four persons We're present OF the
first settlers of Virgin, viz: Seth
Johnson, Alma Barney, A. j. Workman.
and Martha Jane Stratton Johnson.
seventeen were present who came here
in 1862.
n During the afternoon session an adj
journnlent was taken to the old coop
building, where a fruit festival was
enjoyed by all, The display of fruit
was O fine one and truly character
istic of Dixie.s best orchard products.
dance in the evening closed the
festivities OF Virgin City's Jubilee an
niversary and fruit festival.
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