Utah Historical Quarterly Volume XXIX

Historical notes - 1

HISTORICAL NOTES An ardent supporter of historical organizations and their work is Mr. P. W. Tompkins, a professional chemist, of San Francisco, Cal-fornia. It is his belief - and he says, "Yours and similar organizations should be given all possible support and encouragement to the end that a full and permanent record be established of events and people that have laid the foundation for our development. . . . The trend of modern life, unfortunately, is to disregard the basic events that have contributed so much to our present successes." Mr. Tompkins not only supports organizations intent upon the preservation of our culture, but he himself contributes immeasurably to that end. The photographs on the opposite page are examples of the beautiful work he has done in his attempt to "preserve natural scenic and scientific values," which, he feels, "should be protected for the benefit of present and future generations, both for enjoyment and as an antidote to modern city life." Each summer for the past twenty-five years Mr. Tompkins has spent from one to three months traveling in Utah and photographing the matchless scenic attractions of the state. As a result of all this effort some fifteen albums of Western scenes, predominately of Utah, and a collection of about three thousand colored slides are now held by the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. Desiring to bring more clearly to the attention of the people of Utah die "fabulous wealth of scenic attractions so characteristic of the state, areas that should be more extensively known and appreciated," some months ago Mr. Tompkins presented to this Society a collection of beautiful, framed, sepia-toned photographs of Utah subjects. These pictures are now a most valuable part of the photographic and art collection of the library and are on display. From time to time several of them have been reproduced in the Quarterly. The quality of the photography and the artistic composition of Mr. Tompkin's work make it instandy recognizable. 92 UTAH HISTORICAL QUARTERLY The Society is proud that Mr. Tompkins' name is on its life mem­bership roll. In February of 1959 he requested life membership stat­ing: "At my age (86) this is largely in the nature of a tribute to the organization and its efficient management that renders such distinctive public service dirough its research and outstanding publications." More recently he says: "I note that life membership has been increased from $50.00 (the amount I paid) to $100.00 which, to express an outsider's opinion, is more in keeping with what it should be. . . . To express the above in a more tangible form $50.00 is enclosed as a donation to the good cause." It is through the generosity and support of men like Mr. Tompkins that historical organizations are enabled to continue the "painstaking search for facts otherwise forgotten and too little appreciated." The year 1960 marked the one hundredth birthday of a gracious home in Centerville, Utah, a home built on the land known for many years as Chase Park. This home is probably the oldest continuously occupied house in Davis County, or all of Utah, perhaps, at least re­maining in the hands of one family and occupied by family members during all that time. In 1859 Isaac Chase received diis property in exchange for his interest in the Chase Mill and farm at what is now Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. Isaac, being seventy years old at the time, gave up his interest in the property, retired, and thus turned over to his son, George Ogden Chase, the 110 acres of unfilled land at Centerville. Upon moving to Centerville, George and his family first lived in the little log cabin on the property built by Thomas Thurston in 1849 until he could build his own home. This little cabin, shown to the left of the main house in the picture, has a story in itself, for it has served over the years as a family bedroom, guest room, and as a relic hall. It has acquired a bath and kitchen with running water and electric lights, and a living-room. At present it houses a young couple and their child. The home itself has not been preserved in a museum sense. The original porch was moved from the front to the north side of the house and converted into a kitchen. The present front porch with its stately pillars was added about forty years ago. The house now has all the appurtenances of modern life, including automatic gas heat, but die fireplaces in dining-room and living-room are as efficient as they were HISTORICAL NOTES 93 The Chase Home in Centerville when they provided the heat for the front part of the house. The fireplace in the dining-room is especially charming with its English tile patterned with various kinds of animals. In the early years adjacent to the house there was a large stone granary, an icehouse, a smokehouse, and a laundry. A large barn and corral and other outbuildings accommodated the riding horses, work horses, cows, pigs, sheep and chickens. Mrs. Josephine Chase Bradshaw, the present owner and grand­daughter of the builder, purchased the house from her aunts, Kate M. Chase, Ella Chase, and Mrs. Joseph Mathews (Fanny Dean), who lived in the house for long years and lovingly preserved it. This charm­ing home, located on the upper highway at Chase's Lane, has suc­cessfully bridged a way of life from early pioneering to the modern present. Its walls could tell many a story of the living that has gone on under its roof, of happy times at Christmas and other holidays when the family gathered from far and near to be together. The annual meeting of the American Association for State and Local History was held in Iowa City, August 30 - September 3, 1960. Each year the Awards Committee of that organization meets to vote 94 UTAH HISTORICAL QUARTERLY on the nominations as submitted for Awards of Merit. For the pur­pose of screening nominations, the United States and Canada are divided into ten regions, the regional chairmen from each region composing the Awards Committee. The regional chairman receives nominations submitted to him by various state chairmen. He in turn rates those considered worthy of furdier consideration and submits them to the national committee for discussion and voting. A. R. Mortensen is national chairman of the committee, H. J. Swinney, director of the Idaho Historical Society, is chairman of the Mountain States Region which includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Winners of awards in the Mountain States for the year 1960 are: Colorado: Historical Society of the Pikes Peak Region Colorado Springs, Colorado President: Kenneth Engler For its effective use of modern devices, techniques, and programs to further the preservation and appreciation of local history. Saguache Crescent Saguache, Colorado Editor: R. I. Coombs For setting an outstanding example of how a public-spirited, his­torically- oriented newspaper can foster community enthusiasm for its history. South Park Historical Foundation, Inc. Colorado Springs, Colorado President: Leon H. Snyder For the establishment of a major outdoor museum in Fairplay, Colorado, to represent a mining town of the 1875-1885 period. Colorado State Dental Association Denver, Colorado For the publication of History of Dentistry in Colorado, 1859-1959. High Country Empire. By Robert G. Athearn Publisher: McGraw-Hill, Inc. HISTORICAL NOTES 95 Montana: Central Montana Historical Society Lewistown, Montana President: Asger Mikkelsen For developing a successful museum program which has enlisted widespread community support. Great Falls Tribune Great Falls, Montana Columnist: Clyde Reichelt For a continuing series of well-illustrated feature stories in the Sunday Supplement on early Montana cattle ranches. Nevada: Mrs. H. W. Sawyer Fallon, Nevada For her publications on Nevada history but especially for her guidance of school children in the production of competent his­torical research. New Mexico: The Old Lincoln County Memorial Commission Lincoln, New Mexico For the restoration and interpretation of one of the most im­portant buildings in die county's early history. Utah: Hole-In-The-Rock- By David E. Miller Publisher: University of Utah Press Wyoming: Wyoming Archaeological Society Casper, Wyoming President: Mr. Art Randall For undertaking major archaeological projects and maintaining professional standards. Mr. L. C. Bishop Cheyenne, Wyoming For his pioneering, scholarly work in charting the early trails of Wyoming. UTAH STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF (Terms Expiring April 1, 1961) LELAND H. CREER. Salt Lake City NICHOLAS c. MORGAN, SR., Salt Lake City JOEL E. RICKS, Logan RUSSEL B. SWENSEN, PrOVO (Ex-Officio Member) LAMONT F. TORONTO, Salt Lake City (Honorary Life Member) LEVI EDGAR YOUNG. Salt Lake City TRUSTEES (Terms Expiring April 1, 1963) J. STERLING ANDERSON, Grantsville RICHARD E. GILLIES. Cedar City j . GRANT IVERSON. Salt Lake City MRS. A. c. JENSEN, Sandy L. GLEN SNARR. Salt Lake City OFFICERS 1959-61 LELAND H. CREER. President NICHOLAS G. MORGAN, SR., Vice-President A. R. MORTENSEN. Secretary ADMINISTRATION A. R. MORTENSEN. Director JOHN JAMES, JR.. Librarian r. T. JOHNSON. Records Manager, Archives DOROTHY SUMMERHAYS. Associate Editor ROBERT w. INSCORE. Registrar, Military Records Section EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS: The Society was or­ganized essentially to collect, disseminate and preserve important material pertaining to the history of the state. To effect this end, contri­butions of manuscripts are solicited, such as old diaries, journals, letters, and other writings of the pioneers; also original manuscripts by present-day writers on any phase of early Utah history. Treasured papers or manuscripts may be printed in faithful detail in the Quarterly, without harm to them, and without perma­nently removing them from their possessors. Contributions for the consideration of the Pub­lications Committee, and correspondence relat­ing thereto, should be addressed to the Editor, Utah State Historical Society, 603 East South Temple, Salt Lake City 2, Utah. The Editor assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts unaccom­panied by return postage. The Utah State Historical Society assumes no responsibility for statements made by contribu­tors to this publication. MEMBERSHIP: Membership in the Society is $4.00 per year. The Utah Historical Quarterly is sent free to all members. Non-members and institutions may receive the Quarterly at $4.00 a year or $1.00 for current numbers. Life mem­bership, $100.00. Checks should be made payable to the Utah State Historical Society and mailed to the Edi­tor, 603 East South Temple, Salt Lake City 2, Utah. VOLUMES UTAH HISTORICAL QUARTERLY VOLUMES 1-6 (1928-1933). By many authors. Single issues 75/. Vol. I, No. 1 (January, 1928), and Vol. II, No. 1 (January, 1929), OUT OF PRINT. VOLUME 7 (1939). Nos. 1-2-3 (January, April, July, 1939), Diary of Almon Harris Thompson. Paper, $1.50. No. 4, The Orderville United Order of Zion. OUT OF PRINT. VOLUME 8 (1940). No. 1, Journal of Leonard E. Harrington, Early Utah Legislator. Paper, $1.00. Nos. 2-3-4, History of the State of Deserert. Paper, $3.00, fabrikoid, $4.50. VOLUME 9 (1941). By many authors. Nos. 1-2, paper, $2.50. Nos. 3-4, paper, $2.50. Nos. 1-4 combined, fabrikoid, $6.00. VOLUME 10 (1942). Journal of Priddy Meeks. OUT OF PRINT. VOLUME 11 (1943). Father Escalante's Journal, 1776-77, edited by Her­bert S. Auerbach. OUT OF PRINT. (See Volume 18.) VOLUME 12 (1944). Nos. 1-2, by many authors, paper, $2.50. Nos. 3-4, A History of Southern Utah and Its National Parks. By Angus Wood­bury. Paper, $2.50. Nos. 1-4 combined, fabrikoid, $6.00. VOLUME 13 (1945). Nos. 1-4. The Utah War -Journal of Captain Albert Tracy. Paper, $3.00, fabrikoid, $6.00. VOLUME 14 (1946). Nos. 1-4. Spirit of the Pioneers - Biography and Diary of Lorenzo Dow Young. Paper, $3.00, fabrikoid, $6.00. VOLUME 15 (1947). Nos. 1-4. The Exploration of the Colorado River in 1869. Fabrikoid, $6.00. VOLUMES 16-17 (1948-49). Nos. 1-4. The Exploration of the Colorado River and the High Plateaus of Utah in 1871-72. Fabrikoid, $7.50. VOLUME 18 (1950). Nos. 1-4. Pageant in the Wilderness. The Story of the Escalante Expedition to the Interior Basin, 1776. Edited by Herbert E. Bolton. Fabrikoid, $5.00, deluxe red cloth, $5.50. Escalante maps, 50/. VOLUME 19 (1959). Nos. 1-4. West from Fort Bndger. The Pioneer­ing of the Immigrant Trails Across Utah 1846-1850. By J. Roderic Korns. Paper, $4.50, fabrikoid, $6.00. VOLUMES 20-28 (1952-1960). By many authors. All numbers are avail­able at $1.00 per copy except the following. OUT OF PRINT. Vol. 20, No. 2 (April, 1952). Vol. 23, Nos. 1 and 3 (January, July, 1955). Vol. 26, Nos. 1 and 2 (January, April, 1958). Vol. 27, Nos. 1 and 2 (January, April, 1959). The special summer four-color, highly illustrated numbers which were printed in large editions are available as follows: VOLUME 26, No. 3 (1958), "Utah's Parks and Scenic Wonders," 50/. VOLUME 27, No. 3 (1959), "The Valley of the Great Salt Lake," 50/. VOLUME 28, No. 3 (1960), "The Colorado - River of the West," $1.00. T A H S T A T E H I S T O R I C A L SOCIETY H I S T O R I C A L Q U A R T E R LY HE! •-.7:,-' April, 1961 The Dash to Promontory 5f% ' " ™fH^K^T7 &\7'~*^:77r.--m ABOUT THE COVER The 119 crossing the Union Pacific's "Big Trestle." Picture taken from the Central Pacific's "Big Fill" which paralleled the trestle on the west. Looking down Echo Canyon at the grades built by the Union Pacific Railroad. UNION PACIFIC HAILHUAU