| OCR Text |
Show 91 In anticipation of Harding's visit, The Salr lake Tribune outlined the plans for his few hours in the park: "The hope is expressed that President Harding can be induced to don chaparrals and to view the beauties of the park ... in true western fashion, forgetting for the afternoon all semblance of the cares of a nation." 2li0 Against the advice of his staff, the president rode a horse to the top of Cable Mountain - a notoriously dangerous trail where horses had lost footing and fallen to their deaths. 261 The Salt Lake Tribune reported that the president's wife, Florence Harding, waited in the car. "During this time she contemplated the magnificent universe she beheld and reveled in admiration of its wonders." 262 The first photograph from the president's trip to Zion appeared on the front page of The Salt Lake Tribune - President Harding wearing chaps astride a horse against a background of sandstone cliffs. 263 The Salt lake Tribune began its story with the president's impressions of the canyon: "The greatest creations of the Almighty in the majestic natural wonders of Zion national park (sic], which he viewed today, inspired a deeper religious conviction in him, President Harding declared .... Mrs. Harding deviated from her usual quiet manner and made a speech also - the first she has made on the tour and her first public utterance for many months. She ... said that the trip to southern Utah was the greatest experience in her life and she 'would not have missed it for anything. ,,,2 64 The hope that the president's 160 Sult lake Tribune, "Southern Utah Trip Arranged," June 27, 1923, 15. 161 Woodbury, ··southern Utah and National Parks," 163. 161 Sah lake Tribune, "Wonderland of Utah Viewed By Nation's Chief,'' June 28, 1923, I. 263 Salt lake Tribune, "President Harding Before the Temples of Zion," June 29, 1923, I. 164 Salt Lake Tribune, "Wonderland Viewed By Chief," June 28, 1923. |
