Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-09-12
l|tahs First Capital City
Nov Fallen Into Decadence
Fillmore St the Same il Was Forty Years Ago-Once the
enter OF States Actively the Town Nova Side Station
Hope for Future

ingredients Is ~ mere bagatelle. and
a,s IN, nay + they prefer, get them sep
a,atelE ana mix them togethersat home.
Ks tiifoushout Its entire length, although
the contiguous soil the greater part of
tle way is quito different. lie construct
eu by human hands ii must have been
~ some very remote period, and when
ana how and for what purpose can.onlya
now be conjectured. II may possibly
nave served at some time away In the
distant past az Il bank for Il reservoir,
but II 50 the reservoir must have cov-
cred the cast side Of the valley, includ-
ing the present site of Fillmore.
UtrAH'S FIRST. CAPITAL.
On reaching Fillmore the writer could
not repress a feeling of disappointment
that greater Improvement had mot oc-
Cured In the appearance of the town
during the past 80 years. Fillmore, be
u KNOWN was the first capital of the
Territory Of Utah. A monument to that
fact sui stands In the shape Of "a sub
stantial two STORY red sandstone build.
ing, known as the State House--the
only building yet erected by the COM
inonwcalth. but which Is now used
by the municipality of Fillmore, the
upper story occasionally as a dance
hall. Fifty years ngo the Deseret
News was published at Fillmore
for period OF several months,
EAAiiu LII q ioiits Slliile II WIS the prlncl-
pal city of southern Utah. Its present
population is estimated at about 1,40O.
II could not have been very much less
when the writer first knew it. 40 years
ago In some respects It Is not SO
favofably situated as 1t was then 1t
was then the center of a sheen and cat
Tie range that was scarcely surpassed
anywhere in the west. Grass grew all
around the city, and nearly every inha-
4 1 :. ,,t..
Or horses on the range There being no
railways i'll the country at that time,
the travel was chiefly by wagons and
Flllinore was located on the main line
or travel to and from the Utah settle
lnelts farther south as Well as southern
california and the Pahranegat and Pr
oche mines, to anu from which there
was much tlelghting done. 1t was then
noted for It's fine fruits as well as veg
etables and cereals, all of which found
ready sale, much of tho fruit going 10
Sahpete county, AS a consequence.
FILLMORE tlonrished, Nov all is chang-
go. Sasebrush has supplantetl the grass
Athat formerly grew OH the range IN
SUCH luxurlance that it could be moved
iof nay without being fenced or culti-
waited. The range is now very poor
one. The railroads have skirted tt,
town at a distance Of % to 80 miles cast
and west Freight no longer passes
through the town to any great
extent, and many of the in
habitants have lost their occupation.
AS consequence many of the more
5enterplising citizens especially of the
younger generation have sought fair
or fields and pastures new
There are, however, many worse
places in Utah that are still con-
sidered good to locate In Its re-
sources ere not exhausted by any
means. That It's real estate Is not
without value is shown by the example
Robinson, whp 40 years ago was a
young man of very moderate means, is
now known as the land baron of the
county. AS fast as others Were willing
to sell at sacrifice he was willing to
buy. and managed his affairs so
to be by far the richest man In the
county. He is now getting into years,
and has no children, SO It Is probable
that a few years hence will witness
"a distribution Of that which he has
accumulated.
Ees, though It may be doubted whether
the present inhabitants all appreciate
that fact 1t Is surrounded by an
abundance Of excellent land, the
greater part of 1t in a wild state
though probably as well adapted for
being so cultivated successfully in 9TH
er portion of the state. Besides, it is
favored with number of reservoir
sites which at no very great cost could
be made to store up sufficient of the
water that now goes to waste every
winter and spring to irrigate many
thousands of acres. 1t Is a good place
TO raise fruit. in spite Of the fact that
this Is an off year In that respect. 1t
is still exempt from frost although the
vegetation in the lower part of the val.
ley is seriously affected by it.
WHAT FILLMORE NEEDS.
What Fillmore most needs now is a
united effort on the part of its citizens
to develop its resources. There is strong
talk, especially among the younger and
more progressive element, of establish
ing water system and electric light
ing plant, for which they have fine ia
5cilities, and which can be done by
bonding the city. The water should be
conserved and made to irrigate the ut
most possible area. The excellent land
surrounding the city should he utilized
especially for the raising of fruit and
intense cultivation made the rule. Arid
farming should be given Il fair trial,
and then it will be found that the re-
glon is capable of supporting In COM
fort many times its present popula-
ton. The city will then take on new
fore.
THE ENCAMPMENT.
The Indian War veteran encamp-
ment was q great success. The vet
Grams assembled in great numbers
from all parts OF the country. as we'll
as some from adjoining counties.
Many OF them brought their families,
also. The public square was con-
vcrted into a huge camp ground. its
grassy surface and numerous shade
trees rendering 1t well adapted for
the purpose. Interesting and en-
.thusastic meetings We're held during
three days In the handsome new
Westinghouse which the town affords.
Parades We're induged in which were
not lacking In military splendor. I'M
nense crowds assembled around a
huge camp fire every evening. whore
they were entertained With i'm
tpromptu speeches, songs and instru-
mental music A sumptuous banquet
was served by the ladies' of Fillmore
to all the visiting veterans and their
wives, and most thoroughly enjoyed.
Dances We're given every evening in
tie state House. to which the vetcr-
ans We're freely invited, and the pro-
ceetlings We're enlivened day and night
BIZ strains of music from the two brass