, 1922-08-17
HISTORIC BELL
TO Peal AGAIN
OLDEST CHURCH BELL IN WYOMING
WILL BEGIN THIRD PERIOD OF
USEFULNESS AT HANNA

Worthy of a place among h tales
of amous bells with which history
abounds is the story of the old bell
which is to be mounted over the new
St. Marks Episcopal Church of Han
ma, and which will enter a third per-
iod of service when 1t rings to an
nounce the visit of the special train
of Episcopal Convention delegates at
Hanna in September.
This bell became a part of WyOm-
ing history in 1870 when it was do
mated by Mrs. Mary E. Cox to St.
Thomas church of Carbon. not then
constructed. The bell is thirty inches
in diameter. weighing 300 pounds.
and was reputed to be one of the
most harmonious bells cast. Craven
on its surface is this inscription,
most appropriate for wyoming:
Donated by Mrs. E. Cox to
St. Thomas Episcopal Church,
of Carbon, Wyoming Territory,
1870.
"OH, YE MOUNTAINS AND
WINDS. PRAISE YE THE
LORD!"
The identity of Mrs. Mark Cox is
now unknown, and any information
which pioneer residents may be in
possession of would be welcomed, &C
cording to Rev. Morgan, present pas
tor at Hanna.
When building plans at Carbon
we're delayed indefinitely, the bell
was sent to Laramie. where it was
used in the old Pro-Cathedral and
afterwards in the present Cathedral.
until the donation of the chimes by
Edward 1vinson several years ago.
In 1886 the old St. Marks church
OF CHEYENNE was loaded on two flat
cars and moved to Carbon. but 1t
was found, when the building was
erected there that 1t was not stable
enough to bear the weight Of the
hell. which was left at Laramie.
When the town of Carbon was
moved to Hanna at the time the U,
p. track was re-routed the old
church was sold to Ed Fisher. who
used 1t for a hay barn for many years,
At his death 1t was sold to one Of the
Ouealy ranches. where 1t it still used,
During Fishers life time many ef-
forts were made to buy the cross
which stood on top Of the structure,
but Mr.. Fisher always refused ia
\ part with 1t, claiming hat 1t brought
good fortune to his ranching opera
lions. It "a finally bought from
the QueAlV OuLIlL ny ". =. "llIldiu-
son. president Of the wyoming Tim
Der Company Of Hanna, who has
donated it to the new church. The
GOOD of the cross has rotted, and 1t
has been decided to place 1t inside
the building as a historical relic. and
an exact replica has been made to
place on top of the new building.
Several pieces Of furniture from the
old church have also been acquired.
Including the base OF the lecturn. or
reading desk, and the old alter rail.
A number Of the pioneer residents
OF Carbon will attend the newly
erected adifice. including T. H. But
Ter. the superintendent Of the Hanna
mines, and Messrs. Robert Cardwell.
Colin Hudson. Mr.. Jackson and Mrs.
M. Reese. The old residents have
maintained a strong feeling of LOYALTY
to the old town. and the ACC uisition
OF the old bell. cross. and other relics
has a special interest for them. The
bell Is in a perfect state Of preserva-
ton. and will no doubt chime in
praise with rye mountains and ye
winds" for many long years to
come.
d. Rev. Morgan has had good success
at Hanna since coming there last
September. and has succeeded in
! raising all the funds required to de-
fray the building cost. He conducts
services at Medicine Bow, Elk Noun
tain and Rock River in addition to
h{a ~nrk ~ Hanna -pnnk nfvnp D.