| Show UTAH PRESS ASSOCIATION The Salt Lake Tribune its corporate stockholders the state of Utah its citizens and institutions F became the legend Fitzpatrickpithy letter of application to Tom Kearns remains today in his file at the Kearns-Tribune Corporation It isfile that is startlingly thin almost devoid of the expectable plaudits awards citations and acclaim thrust his way Indeed it totally belies the enormous influence for good he had on his newspaper and adopted community F wanted it that way planned it that way indeed demanded it be so Though he set the stage for vast civic good works and Tribune successes and though he orchestrated almost all the details he insisted on anonymity in the wings He was however coaxed and cajoled into accepting an honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service from Brigham Young University in 1956 As the citation put it This characteristic for anonymity can be attributed both to his fine sense of modesty and his conviction that much can be accomplished if work is uninterrupted by applause Fitzpatrick began to accomplish much right from the start as Tom Kearns secretary and confidant in 1913 He arrived back in Salt Lake City knowing little of the society or corporate affairs and absolutely nothing about the newspaper business He plunged into self education on all fronts especially with the Tribune as one thoroughly versed in spelling punctuation grammatical construction That area at least was familiar and composition While he quickly developedshrewd business sense and fondness for Kearns mining and real estate interests he fell in love with Tomnewspaper He developedfine instinct for all matters editorial sensitive nose for news insisting on clear concise writing and journalistic integrity Kearns was mightily impressed and drew him closer to the corporate soul On October 10 1918 Tom Kearns was struck bycar while crossing the street near the Brigham Young Monument Eight days later he died ofstroke The widowed Jennie Kearns turned instantly to John 500 Digital image 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah Al rights reserved |
