Jessie L. Embry The History of Wasatch County Health care is another area in which government became increasingly involved around the turn of the century. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, residents frequently shared contagious diseases. Lethe Belle Coleman Tatge of Midway described epidemic outbreaks of diphtheria and smallpox. At first the only ways to prevent spreading disease …
Captain Richard W. Young and Spanish-American War
W. Paul Reeve History Blazer, February 1995 On July 29, 1898, Captain Richard W. Young moved a platoon from Battery A, Utah Light Artillery, into place around the Philippine capital city of Manila. Two days later Captain Young’s artillery and men proved of great service in the bombardment of Manila and the eventual capture of that city during the Spanish-American …
Utah in the Spanish American War
Richard C. Roberts Utah History Encyclopedia, 1994 The Spanish American War, which lasted from March to December in 1898, was a short war; but it was significant in bringing the United States into the world arena as a major power. The United States defeated the Spanish forces in naval and land battles in the Philippine Islands, in Cuba, and in …
Utah State Capitol
Geraldine H. Clayton Utah History Encyclopedia, 1994 The classic simplicity and well-proportioned design of Utah’s State Capitol Building, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, have allowed it to remain as pleasing an architectural symbol of American democracy today as it was when the plans and architect were selected in 1912 in the most important architectural competition ever held in the …
Saltair
View Saltair: A Photographic Exhibit John S. McCormick Utah History Encyclopedia, 1994 The Great Salt Lake has been a popular recreation site since the earliest days of white settlement, and a number of resorts have been built on its shores since the first two were constructed in 1870. The most popular and the best-remembered resort was the early Saltair. An …
The Beginning of Public Support for Libraries
Max J. Evans and Miriam B. Murphy History Blazer, July 1996 During 1900–30 private groups and individuals in Utah still attempted to establish and operate public libraries as they had in the 19th century. Gradually they realized that enthusiasm and idealism were not enough. A steady and substantial source of funds was necessary for success. Most private groups could not …
Kanab Residents Chose Women to Run Their Town in 1912
W. Paul Reeve History Blazer, April 1995 In January 1912 the southern Utah town of Kanab made history when its newly elected mayor and city council took over governance of the small farming community. It was reportedly the first time in the history of the United States that an entire town board, including the mayor, was comprised of women. The …
How Utah Lost One of Its U. S. Senate Seats in 1899
Jeffrey D. Nichols History Blazer, March 1995 The crowded room was expectant but not hopeful. As the night wore on the long list of names was read aloud nine times, but the results barely changed. Finally, just after midnight, the last count ended. Some in the crowd seemed relieved and excited, while others were disappointed. On the 60th and last day …
Clarence E. Allen Was Utah’s First Congressman
Miriam B. Murphy History Blazer, December 1995 In November 1895 Utahns elected Clarence Emir Allen, the Republican candidate, as their first congressman. He took his seat in the House on January 7, 1896, some days before the new state’s two senators, Frank J. Cannon and Arthur Brown, were elected by the legislature. Although Utah had been represented in Congress during …
Party Politics and Utah Statehood
Stanford J. Layton History Blazer, July 1995 A. D. Richardson, a journalist visiting Denver in 1859, had this to say about the politics of settlement along the western frontier: “Making governments and building towns are the natural employments of the migratory Yankee. He takes to them as instinctively as a young duck to water. Congregate a hundred Americans anywhere beyond …