| Show UTAH PRESS ASSOCIATION It evidently wasnGibbs cup of tea for he remained only month And as 1895 came to an end the paper closed its doors and the plant was sold at SheriffSale Nearly seven years later he re-emerged journalistically by unveiling the Free Lance published in Marysvale mining boom town Its publisher declared it would be absolutely independent in politics and religion and that its inaugural issue would go to every taxpayer in Piute County as well as former subscribers to the Millard County Blade Reaction was enthusiastic Men interested in mining from several Eastern states subscribed and congratulations came in every mail delivery its publisher enthused Said the Deseret News on September 19 1902 We are pleased to see that Editor Gibbs is once more in the newspaper field He isgood writer and somewhat offree lance himself We wish friend Gibbs and the Free Lance abundant success So eloquently did he paint the status of mining though that Gibbs convinced himself and after turning the paper over to lessee George Russell on May 15 1903 he took his pick and went prospecting It required only nine weeks for him to be convinced hemademistake and he returned to the Free Lance on July 17 1903 On September 18 1903 he announced its sale to Williams and John Woodring of the Richfield Reaper who operated it briefly before suspending publication Gibbs reincarnated it on October 1904 but after four issues it came to an inglorious end Did the editor-turned-prospector have the last chuckle however gold mine he discovered but didnretain was still providing jobs to some 30 employees nearly 70 years later Gibbs continued to write His controversial anti-Church book Lights and Shadows of Mormonism March was published 15 1909 and he was still penning prose when in his 80s Included in his work wasseries called Reminiscences which was printed in DeltaMillard County Chronicle In his Beckwith such rare gift until April 1930 edition Chronicle publisher Frank commented So few are able at the age of 85 to have ability aswriter Gibbs has practiced this natural almost the end of his days The days of which he 522 Digital image 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah Al rights reserved |
