| Show WET vs DRY IN GUNNISON Merrill Peterson Gunnison First Senior Honorable Utah Citizen Mention Lied July 11 81 84634 Division Historical Essay Gunnison was the last town to go dry in Southern Utah many of the oldtimers are still talking about those days result Gunnison wasprosperous city and alsopopulous People from all parts of Utah were attracted to Gunnison came from near and far by buggy and horse train or car were fortunate enough to own one There were three hotels meals and lodging two cafes two livery stables and three and Asone They if they with saloons all filled to capacity every day was newspaper boy for the Salt ll Lake Tribune at the time and never forget Gunnison population000 Little Chicago the Trib called Why was Cunnison the last town in the state to go dry have heardlot of pros and cons during my recemt research Gunnison had been wet before this time Those that wanted the sale of liguor by the drink were called wets those that were against the sale were called drys It was up to the local population to decide One had to be at least 21 years of age to vote to determine whether Gunnison City should have saloons and liguor by the drink for the next year or so This washotly contested election Politiclans were busy getting the dry voters to vote wet Supe of the wets had to be sobered up to get them in shape to vote properly Some of the dry voters tried to vote in both districts and on both sides of the street Many wagers were made on the outcome of the election According to the Gunnison Gazette December 15 1916 and from other records the last election for wet or dry in Southern Utah was held in Gunnison on June 29 1915 It wastie There were 163 votes cast for andlike mumber against the sale of 1iquor by the drink The recorder of Gunnison City recorded in the minutes By proclanation of the Mayor Joseph Christenson be it duly posted July 1915 that said city linits of Guanison City be dry This action by the City Council broughtlot of contention from the wets Marinus Beauregaard contestant for the wets trought sult against the City Council Marinus Beauregaard contestant versus Gunnison City Council to-wit Joseph Christenson Mayor John Knighton Axel Modeen Moroni Childs Swalberg and Gribble councilmen and Neil Sorenson City Recorder The case was tried before Joseph Erickson Acting Judge No defendants of Gunnison City entered in the case except the Ly |
