Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-06-13
Pau,o by Johnson

Phuio ty Johnson.
"SHE opening of Whitney hall, the
new and beautiful structure
which stands at the corner OF
Second avenue and A street,
and was built as an annex to the Eigh-
teenth ward chapel, occurred on
Thursday evening, and was attended
by close upon 1000 people
The services began at o'clock in
the ward chapel and consisted of two
rousing numbers by the choir of so
voices, and a brief address OF welcome
from Bishop T. A. Clawson. who spoke
of the need the ward had long expert
enced for a meeting place for its auXil-
larry organizations, the quorums, and
an amusement hal for the young. The
entire assembly then marched into the
new building, first gathering in the
main hall on the top floor a view of
which is given in the accompanying
illustration. Christensens band was
stationed in the gallery in the west
end, and played march as the COM
pany assembled. On the stage were
number Of invited guests, including
Presidents Joseph F. Smith and John
r. Winder, and Bishop %. f. Whitney,
in whose honor the hall had been
named The choir sang The Palms,
with a solo by George u. Pyper which
was followed by two songs by Horace
S. Ensign.
Bishop Whitney was introduced,
and received an ovation as
he faced the big assemblage. which
covered every inch of space in the
building on the main floor and the gal
lery He spoke feelingly of his %
years connection with the Eighteenth
ward, which had extended from 1878
to 1906, and reviewed the herculean
labors performed by the people OF the
ward in building first q ward chapel,
then the old amusement hall enlarG-
ing the chapel, and now erecting the
beautiful structure in which tho meet
ing was being held His remarks
were brief, as the audience were all
standing, and when he closed, he was
followed by President Smith. who also
made brief address, mostly devoted
TO "reminiscences of the members Of
the Whitney family he had known. He
said that he came across the plains
In 1S4S with Bishop Newell *.
Whitney, Orson f. Whitnev's grand
father, and the bishop of the Eighteenth
ward, as well as the first presiding
bishop Of the Church IN this state. He
had also known Orsan +. Whimey's
father, Horace X. Whitney, and his
uncle. Orson K Whitney having fill
led mission with the latter in the
Sandwich Islands and he had known
intimately their brothers. He paid
~ tribute TO both Bishop Orson #.
Whitney and his brother Horace
G. Whitney, with whom he had
long been associated In business con-
nections President Smith congIatu-
lated the people OF The ward warmly on
their work in erecting such a beautiful
cdIfiCe and spoke df the pleasure II
gave him to meet with them in such
commodious quarters
H. g. whitney chairman of the
amusement committee OF the ward, ana
conductor of the choir, announced that
the formal opening OF the han would
occur IN about two weeks with a dra-
matte and operate sketch by members
of the old Home Dramatic club, and
the Salt Lake Opera company. Mr..
Whitney also proposed vote Of thanks
10 the hlshopr.a, Elders T. A. Clawson,
l.. Il. whitney and Ezra Stevenson,
for their untiring labors, and the vote
was given with big burst Of applause.