The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-06-28
OLD LANDMARK Of
ZION TO Be RAzED
Building Occupied by First Sec
retary of Territory of
Utah to Go.
WAS LONG THE HOME
OF DANIEL SPENCER
Was Original Headquarters for
the First Railroad Built
in Utah.

Old landmarks in Salt Lake arc dis.
appearing rapidly, Now that the Ore
gon Short Line depot is nearing com.
| pletion, and will soon be occupied, many
changes are being made in that vicinity,
and nm old landmark will soon be razed.
This is the building now occupied by
Superintendent A. B. Stevenson of the
Utah division, and the train dispatchers
for the division.
This old adobe house was erected in
1850 by Almon W. Rabbit, who was
the first secretary Of the territory of
Utah. AT that time he owned tho on
tire block between North and South
Temple streets and Third and Fourth
West streets. A portion Of this ground
was planted in an orchard, and an old
apple tree still stands by the building.
Mr.. Babbitt was one of the three Nor
mons who in 1916, after the battle of
Nauvoo, signed tho document agree
ing to surrender the city. He came TO
Utah in lS4S and was elected delegate
to congress from The state of Deseret
by the general assembly OF the state
TO convey the memorial praying for
statehood 10 congress. He was refused
q seat in congress. Statehood was re-
fused also, and in 1850 the territory
of Utah was created and Mr.. Bahbitt
was appointed secretary, which position
he held until his death in August. 1856.
He was killed BIZ the Cheyenne Indians
near Fort Laramie. whilo on his return
from Washington TO Salt Lake with
train loaded with government property.
Purchased by Daniel Spencer.
After his death the building and
grounds were purchased by Daniel
Spencer, father OF Clsudirs D. Spencer,
now residing IN Social Hall avenue,
who is in MS oighty-fjfth year: John
D. Spencer, Henry w. Spencer. and the
grandfather of Daniel :. Spencer, as
sistant general passenger agent 81 the
Oregon Short Line railroad. Daniel
chusetts, born MT West Stockbridge,
Berkshire county, was one Of the pio--
neers Of Utah. He had been mayor OF
Narvoo, but wos sent or an exploring
expedition by Joseph Smith TO the
Rocky mountains This expedition Was
interrupted by the death of Joseph
Smith. When the exodus from Nauvoo
began, Mr., Spencer was the first 10
start for Sait Lake He remained at
Brigham Young, he started for Salt
Lake. He was president of two com
panies Of fifties. Brigham Young lead
ing the first party. He was member
of The first high council Of Salt Lake
stake in 1SfT In lS49 he was elected
president Of the high council, and held
that position until his death He was
g. member Of fhe territorial legislature
for several years. was senator IN the
senate of The state nf Deseret. In
1856. after his return from mission
10 England. he was made president Of
Salt Lake stake. which position he rc-
tanned until his death.
Headquarters for Railroads.
After he passed away the property
changed hands and finally passed into
the control Of the Utah Central and
Utah Southern railroads, now part of
the Short Line system. In the build
ing now about TO be RACED. Bishop John
Sharp and his corps Of assistants made
their general headquarters for the first
named roads. Among those who were
clerks ~ the building were D. 5. Spen-
ccr. James Clinton, now county commits,
siouer, Francis Cope. james Sharp ard
George Swan, now deceased. .,.
The building will be RACED within
week or two, and with II will disappear
another relic of the long ago.