SOCIAL LIFE

The first Christmas in the Weber Valley was celebrated by trappers, their Indian wives and relatives. Later the pioneers would celebrate Christmas each year. Alma Chambers remarked: A Christmas in the early days was very different from what it is today. There were no gifts, only candy. This was usually homemade molasses, or hard tack, or stick candy. The children enjoyed calling Christmas gift to members of the family, friends or neighbors, where by the one calling it first received a piece of candy. The day was usually spent at home and Mother prepared a good dinner. Very often the Sunday School gave a dance for the children in the afternoon and the day ended with a dance in the evening for the grown-ups. Though we did not have very much, we were happy and a spirit of peace prevailed. Levi Edgar Young wrote of the early pioneer period, A But in those far gone days the children were taught to appreciate any little gift. There was no store full of toys, as we have them today. The gift was always an expression of the great love of the giver. Sometimes a man gave a beaver skin or a buffalo robe to his wife and children. The gift made all happy. Often the head of a household provided venison and wild fowl for a feast, and all shared, and neighbors were invited to partake. There was no selfishness, no envy, no bigotry. People did not hold themselves aloof from others. There was social equality, and a regard for one another that was sincere....There was manifested a joy in living, and when they prayed they felt God' s watchful care, when they worked they knew of His helpful presence.

Besides Thanksgiving the other two certain holidays in early Ogden were the entry of the pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley-July 24 th and Independence Day-July 4 th . On March 9, 1882 the Utah Territorial Legislature declared July 24 th to be a holiday. The typical 24 th celebration would begin just at dawn. The town blacksmith would place gun powder and a fuse in the hole of the anvil. He then lit the fuse and the gun powder went off with a terrific noise. The flag was then raised while the Ogden City Brass Band played The Star Spangled Banner. The band then serenaded the towns people in front of their homes. The housewives responded by serving the band refreshments. Festive activities ceased for a few hours while breakfast was eaten and chores completed. Then the people dressed themselves in their newest suits and prettiest dresses in preparation for the most outstanding portion of the day's program - the parade.

After the parade the pioneers assembled themselves in public hall or bowery. The bowery was built especially for this occasion and was constructed of poles, branches and green leaves. Lorin Farr, James Brown, Apostle Franklin D. Richards, Chauncy West and other leading men of the community would sit on the stand. The congregation would then sing Utah We Love Thee, prayer was said and some more songs presented. Then Apostle Richards would rehearse the history of the how the Mormons had escaped their enemies and came to settle in the security of the Rocky Mountains. Special Mention was made of the advantages of settling in Weber County. Other leaders would then make remarks. After the meeting all the people took their lunches and spent the remainder of the day at groves, later at parks. After the meal there was a variety of games and sports there was a variety of games and sports for all interested. This consumed the afternoon and consisted of egg races, sack races, wheelbarrow races, rope pulling contests, climbing greased ropes and chasing greased pigs which contributed to the fun. There were wheelbarrow races where blindfolded young men pushed other young men to determine the winner. There were horse races, team pulling contests and finally a baseball game between the single and married men. The evening was capped off with a dance being held.

On the tenth anniversary of the pioneers entering the valley the Saints from several settlements were going to gather with Brigham Young and the Salt Lake Saints up Big Cottonwood Canyon to celebrate on a grand scale this momentous event. On July 20 th the Ogden settlers were preparing for the long trek to Salt Lake and then up the canyon. Clothes and food had to be packed along with preparing wagons and teams to make the journey. The next day about 75 men, women and children left Ogden accompanied by the Ogden City Brass Band and the Ogden Martial Band. Ogden leaders, Lorin Farr, Captain James Brown, Colonel Chauncy West and others were making the trip. Banners were flying and music playing as the Ogden contingent left Ogden for the full days journey to Salt Lake . That night they camped in Salt Lake. The next day the bands serenaded The City of the Saints. That night the group moved to the mouth of Big Cottonwood to camp. Lorin Farr and others had dinner with Winslow Farr who lived in Big Cottonwood. At daybreak about 3,000 Mormons headed up Big Cottonwood to go to Silver Lake at the head of the canyon. The next morning the 24 th celebration began in earnest. Present were Brigham Young, most of the church and territorial leaders, bands from Ogden and Salt Lake, military platoons with their officers and the Grand Marshall of the day, Jesse C. Little. The choir sang, On the Mountain Tops Appearing. Following the invocation the Stars and Stripes were unfurled on the two highest peaks in sight of the camp with two large trees serving as flagpoles. There was a salute to the First Presidency of three rounds from the artillery and three more rounds were given for the Hope of Israel. As the program drew to a close at noon, Abraham O. Smoot, Orin Porter Rockwell, Judson Goddard and Judge Elias Smith rode into the encampment with the news that federal troops were headed towards Utah. . Governor Young held a meeting of the leading citizens, including Lorin Farr, there to determine what course of action to take with the coming of troops. After the meeting the celebrants broke camp and headed back to their homes The determination of resisting the army's entrance into the Salt Lake basin was made and now the people would prepare plans to protect their homes and families.

Lorin Farr was the master of the shorter speech. People were often heard to comment when they knew he was speaking, Well that's good, President Farr's speech is never too long.A report of such a speech was given by the Deseret News for July 4, 1963. The Mayor then delivered an eloquent address, in which he referred to the happy times when our nation was one and undivided-he reviewed the causes of the fraticidal war now raging in America, congratulated the people of these mountains on the peace, prosperity and happiness we enjoy and exhorted the people to continue to be loyal and prove themselves worthy of that peace and liberty which has been secured unto us by our Revolutionary fathers.

Baseball became a popular sport in Utah and was one of the first team activities played here. Abner Doubleday had originated the sport in Coopers town, New York in 1839. Utah became a pioneer of this sport for the west. As early as 1866 champion-ships were decided on a state wide basis in Utah . The first team in Ogden were known as the Quick Steps. The players made their own bats and caught the ball barehanded in the beginning until the development of more sophisticated equipment. Other amusements were wild horse breaking, peach cuttings, quilting and rage bees. Many social activities were built around the everyday work of these pioneers to reduce boredom and enhance social contact. Activities were only limited by the imaginations of the participants.

In light of the current generations emphasis on youth and beauty one is somewhat taken back by the church's organization of the first Old Folks Day! This was a day dreamed up by Charles R. Savage and given sanction by Bishop Edward Hunter, Presiding Bishop of the Church. It was meant to honor those in Salt Lake and surrounding territories for their contributions and give them a day of recreation. Typically those over the age of 70 were so honored. One can only imagine the lack of support that would be given today by the designated old folks at such a gathering, but back then apparently the term held no offense. The first Old Folks Day was held in Salt Lake in 1875 and then repeated by Ogden in 1878. A train came from Salt Lake bearing the participants along with such prominent church leaders as John W. Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Edward Hunter and Charles R. Savage. Lorin Farr had donated his grove for the party consisting of entertainment and food. 150 teams conveyed the celebrants to the party. It was an outstanding success with people mainly over 60 from all walks of life and religious affiliation being participants. There were 425 people who came by train and most of the town of Ogden turned out to greet them. All benefited from the generosity of Mayor Lorin Farr and hospitality of the people of Ogden. Many such events would be celebrated in future years.

In their hard working life the pioneers looked forward with enthusiasm to the dances and socials that broke up the monotony of their constant labor. Spring time brought out the young ladies finest dress featuring May Day Bonnets, dresses, plumed hats and other displays of women's finery. Games would occupy them in the evenings. There were all kinds of parties built around the harvesting of crops and cutting of fruit. After the harvest was in they had wonderful game hunting which included ducks, geese, wild chickens, deer, elk, mountain sheep, bear and other game. They also trapped fur bearing animals like muskrats and beaver.

DANCING, MUSIC AND DRAMA

Dancing and music has always been a big part of the entertainment for the Mormon people. Brigham Young encouraged the pioneers to participate in these past times as they crossed the plains. He knew it would lift tired spirits and give them increased zeal to go on. So it it was natural that the leaders of the Ogden settlement should encourage dancing and music. In the beginning dances were often accompanied by a fiddle and accordion. As time went on orchestras and bands were formed giving a greater variety and sound to the music of the dancers. There were no elaborate gowns or fancy tuxedos. The young women walked to Salt Lake to purchase calico to make into dresses of various bright colors. Young men danced in homespun handmade suits. Almost everyone in town participated, both young and old. The bishop announced the dance usually being held in church buildings. Then after prayer the musicians played a march in which all participated. After the march waltzes, polkas, Scotch reels, minuets and quadrilles were dances as the hours passed. Many square dances were called by those experienced. One of the favorite socials in Weber was that of a dance with a box lunch. Each lady would pack a fine lunch in a basket decorated gaily. The men would then bid on the basket giving them the right to share the lunch with the young lady. Often counsel was given by Apostle Ezra T. Benson to avoid the round dances (close dances) in favor of the square or group type dances. This counsel came direct from Brigham Young. There were rules of the dance just as we have today and some elaborate descriptions left on how to dance. Often the dances lasted through the night with people returning to their home at the break of dawn in time to do chores and eat breakfast.

Lorin Farr and his family were pleased with the completion of the Social Hall in Salt Lake City on New Year's Day 1853. It was used for all types of entertainments, especially dances, banquets and dramas. Just before the legislature adjourned on January 17 th or 19 th there was a dramatic presentation by the Deseret Home Dramatic Company with Lorin and Nancy Farr present. There was also a banquet served as part of the celebration of the closing of the General Assembly of the Legislature. Nancy and Lorin would often attend the dramatic sessions in the social hall. Lorin enjoyed the drama but got a greater joy out of the music. He said, Let the ladies do the crying.

The first band organized in Ogden was the Ogden Brass Band which made its first public appearance on Pioneer Day, July 24 th , 1856. While Bishop Chaucy West presided over the European Mission he heard a band play in Cardiff, which impressed him enough to raise money to send for the band to come to Ogden. While this Cardiff band crossed the plains they gave concerts including one at Fort Laramie for the soldiers. The next day the soldiers escorted the band until they caught up with the next immigrant company headed for Utah. The band members settled in Ogden and were reorganized under the leadership of George Parkman. In 1864 $375 was raised by the locals to purchase new instruments. The band gave a minstrel show playing as far north as Logan. They raised over $1,000 with which they had Ogden tailors make them band uniforms. Outside of professionals this was the first uniformed and finest band in the territory of Utah. The band was often called to Salt Lake to play at conferences of the church. They played at the driving of the golden spike at Promontory Point, Utah in 1869 and at the visit of President U.S. Grant in 1875. One could have traveled far over the Western Territory and not found a band that could compare to this Ogden band.

To further illustrate the Saints musical and dramatic talents we can turn to the festivities of July 24, 1856. These activities began at daybreak with the firing of Captain J.C. Switzler's artillery. The mammoth flag of Deseret was raised on the Tabernacle block by Marshall Chauncey W. West. Thereupon the martial band, company A of the Life Guards (minutemen) and company B of the infantry, proceeded to the residence of Lorin Farr, mayor and Weber St general salute the band paraded through the principal streets of the town saluting President Farr's counselors and the ward bishops. At 7:00 A.M. almost every able bodied man assembled as part of the Nauvoo Legion and a procession was formed at 9:00 A.M. for a parade led by a young man bearing the marshal's insignia of the office, Order, heaven's first law. Next came the martial band with a banner, The Ten Thousands of Ephraim. This band was followed by twelve Indians, led by Chief Little Soldier, with a banner, The Thousands of Manasseh , a company of pioneers holding aloft the legend, Our Mountain Home. Then followed a Mormon Battalion company bore the inscription, The Ram in the Thicket, a company of Silver Greys (militia members over 45) carried the banner, Veterans of Deseret, twelve young men on horseback, dressed in white trousers, black coats, and red sashes, with a banner, Zion's Strength and a group of twelve young women on horseback dressed in white, with black riding skirts, wreaths of flowers on their hats, their banner reading, Daughters of Deseret. = Priesthood quorums followed with various banners reading, Peace and Plenty, Fathers of the People, Blessed are the Peacemakers, Pillars in the House of God, Heralds of Salvation, Elders of Israel, and a number of other marchers followed with their respective banners. At 9:30 a.m. the parade left the public square and made a circle around Tabernacle Block halting in front of Lorin Farr's residence, where the Presidency of the Stake was placed in front of the committee of arrangements with their banner reading, The Lord's Annointed. The parade then went to the Bowery to continue the celebration. After prayer, the Constitution of Deseret was read, followed by seven rounds from Switzler's artillery and three hosannahs from the congregation. There was music by the brass band and the martial band, then speeches by Counselor Palmer, President Farr and Major Clark.

Then several toasts were offered including, A God and Our Rights, we are the boys to defend them , A Brigham Young, the Lion of the Lord: When he roars, the wicked fear; when he speaks, hypocrites tremble; and when he shakes his mane, they flee away. And, A The martyrs of the last days: Their blood is the seed of the church; may they continue to grow in the garden of theLord until the earth is overspread with their immortal fruits. After more music, including some comic songs, the assemblage broke up and had a dinner at six long tables, each some 300 feet in length. There were spread the bounties of life, including homemade wine. Later, after the presidency had been escorted home, the citizens assembled in the bowery for dancing and other recreation, ending with a dramatic presentation by the Ogden City Dramatic Association entitled, A Luke the Laborer , followed by comic and sentimental songs and hornpipe dancing and the mirth provoking farce, Raising the Wind.

Mayor Lorin Farr requested that John Melling, a music teacher and tailor, (who had an offer to go to Willard and take charge of singing) remain in Ogden to take charge of the singing in the Ogden Tabernacle. Bishop Chauncy W. West erected a new barn at 2375 Washington Boulevard and turned it over to the young people as a recreational gathering place. Here a variety of entertainments were presented by a newly formed dramatic club. From this modest beginning, other theaters were built and the culture of Ogden improved as they further settled the city.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

From the beginning of its existence the church emphasized the importance of education and learning from the best books available on vast subjects. (See D.& C. 88:77-79). Ideas taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith included, > The Glory of God is Intelligence = , > Man can not be saved in Ignorance = , and > Man is saved no faster than he gains knowledge = . These were common phrases heard among the Mormon pioneers. The Mormon converts tended to be among the most highly educated and refined of their communities and there were college trained among them. Some of these were Dr. Willard Richards, Dr. John Bernhisel, Orson Pratt, Orson Spencer, Jesse W. Fox, William W. Phelps, Daniel H. Wells, William Clayton, John Taylor and Samuel W. Richards. With this kind of background there were many good books among the saints to share and pass around. Brigham Young said, > We earnestly solicit the cooperation of all the Saints, and particularly the elders in all nations, to gather, as they may have the opportunity, books in all languages, and on every science, apparatus, and rare specimens of art and nature, and everything that may tend to beautify and make useful; and forward or bring the same to Utah. = Besides the scriptures, the pioneers had access to eaders, Webster = s spelling book, books on language, arithmetic and many other books on varied topics. Wilford Woodruff brought two tons of school books to Utah in 1850. Some other pioneers had substantial libraries. William C. Staines had 900 books in 1849 and a Mr. Ritter had 300 books. The first extensive library, purchased in New York, contained many books and manuscripts of well known authors such as Shakespeare, Milton, Bacon, Virgil, Plato, Spencer, Mill, Luther, Wesley and Swedenborg.

A territorial library was set up for the Utah Territory, founded by an act of the legislature on March 6, 1852. All government documents, maps, charts, globes, papers and books were to be catalogued and published by the head of the library. He could loan books out and also had to follow up on getting the books returned. By 1866 all the older cities of Utah had established libraries and on January 22, 1864 the Ogden City Library Association was formed. Lorin Farr = s brother Aaron was among those responsible for funding, stocking and running of the library.

Newspapers became an important organ of communication and current education for the pioneers. T. B. H. Stenhouse brought the first newspaper - The Ogden Daily Telegraph - to Ogden in 1868. He moved his printing press and plant to Ogden from Salt Lake, where he had published The Salt Lake Daily Telegraph . This venture was short lived as he moved himself and plant back to Salt Lake in 1869. In December 1869, under the leadership of Apostle Franklin D. Richards the Ogden Junction Publishing Company was formed and a semi-weekly, > The Ogden Junction = was published. Charles Penrose, who later would become an apostle and member of the First Presidency, was appointed associate editor. In 1871 Charles Penrose became editor and under his capable leadership the Ogden Junction became quite successful. It had circulation in Utah, Nevada, Wyoming and Idaho. Penrose was quite suited for his occupation by education and experience. He showed great interest, vigor and a crisp and powerful style in writing. Demand grew to the point that the newspaper became the > Daily Junction = , with Penrose serving as business manager, editor and traveling agent. The paper was first located in the Seventies Hall, a two story building just north of the southwest corner at 25th and Grant. It was next located in the Tithing Office on the northwest corner of Washington Blvd. and 24th Street. In 1877 Charles W. Penrose was called by Brigham Young to move to Salt Lake and take over the editorship of the > Deseret News = . The Ogden newspaper was sold to Richard Ballantyne.

The Ogden Herald was formed in 1881 and published dailiy until it was merged into the > Ogden Standard = , published by William Glasmann. Many non mormons moved into the Ogden area with the completion of the railroad. Many brought with them a zeal to help solve the > Mormon Problem = of polygamy and treason that they had heard about back east. This intent found its expression in a number of anti-Mormon papers that usually were of short duration. One of the first of these publications was the > Ogden Freeman = , published by Leigh R. Freeman and his wife, Ada V. Freeman. At first Mrs. Freeman published the paper and it had a very conciliatory tone. When Mr. Freeman arrived in town and took over the editorship, the tone soon changed to a very bitter anti-Mormon direction. The paper failed in 1879 and he moved with his family to Montana. Other newspapers like the Ogden Daily Pilot , The Sun, The Standard , the Daily Union and the Intermountain-Merchant were some of the other publications that came and went in the late 1800 = s.

Brigham Young had instructed his people as follows, > Parents, I want you to teach your children no only to read but to love to read! = In conjunction with his admonition, Charilla Abbot arrived at Brown = s Fort in 1849 at age 20 and as asked to teach school. She was born on July 4 th , was a daughter of the American Revolution and gained a good education in her hometown area of Rochester, New York. In her diary, Charilla recorded, > The colony wished me to keep school, which in our meager circumstances I undertook. Finding a chicken feather, I made a pen, and never having seen the school articles, I made a trial at it... We had to collect letters from scraps of papers and from old books. These we pasted on paddles, and also made letters on the inside and outside of the hands. In this way, the children learned to read. = She taught school in a small log house left vacant. This was the first school house in Weber County and was located near 30th and Wall Street. The cracks in the house were filled with clay to keep out the wind and the roof was covered with dirt as protection from sun and storms. The children sat on benches with no backs and used charcoal to trace their letters. As previously stated, the first two buldings erected for school and church purposes in Ogden were at Farr = s and Brown = s fort. On January 27, 1853, Miss Abbot was married David E. Browning by President Lorin Farr. She raised eight children, did much public good, and died at age 85.

In 1851 the Ogden City Council under the leadership of Lorin Farr, James Brown and Joseph Grover passed a ruling that all children between the ages of four and twenty-one should have $3.00 spent on their education annually. Ogden then levied a tax on the pioneers to support this first effort in Utah at free public schools. The money soon dwindled due to the poor conditions of the people and this first effort at free schools was dropped. Then > Tuition Schools = were adopted with teacher salaries coming sometimes in the form of free boarding at student homes and other means of compensation from the parents. Taxation gradually took over the parents paying the tuition and many considered it a better form to accomplish the purposes of education. Brigham Young saw the need to provide a basic common education to al children, rich or poor, bond or free in the territory. He urged the State Legislature to get involved in the appropriation of some of the state revenue to meet this need. After years of debate, the territorial government finally provided $15,000 in 1874, increasing to $66,365 in 1879. In time, the counties of the territory became the taxing agents. Probate Judge Franklin D. Richards ordered that the first school district of Weber County be formed. Turstees were appointed and a system of education born to trial and error in furthering the cause of public education. Louis F. Moench, a succcessful teacher in Salt Lake and Brigham City, would come to establish a very successful private school in Ogden. So, under all hardships, the leaders of Ogden, including Lorin Farr, pushed forward in the cause of education for their children.

John Farr said that Professor Louis F. Moench was superintendent in 1878 when he attended school. Professor Moench first taught school in the Weber County Courthouse. Later a new school was built called Central School. Later John served as an assistant teacher when the professor would need to attend to other duties. In class work the professor = s desk was in the center of the room while each class would sit in a circle around him. Reading, spelling, geography, grammar and other subjects would be taught by reading and memorizing facts. John and the professor had a difference of opinion on what century they were in, which caused the class to side with John and brought a rift between them. They reconciled and became best of friends until Professor Moench = s death.

When a young man became old enought to work in the fields, the school year for him was shortened from October 15th to March 1st.

In the initial organization of the school the city council divided Ogden City into four Dictricts, on May 17, 1851, for the benefit of educating their children. The first district went from Weber Canyon to Birch and Clark = s Mill Dam on the Weber River, then east to the mountain. The second district commenced at said Mill Dam, thence north to Ogden River including all the inhabitants west of the Weber River. The third district commenced north of the Ogden River thence to the north line of Range No. 6 and finally the fourth district commenced at the north line of Range 6, thence to the north line of No. 10. The aforementioned trustees, including Lorin Farr, were to employ school teachers and inspect said schools twice in each quarter. The trustees were to keep the school in session for a term of six months in each year. They were to call meetings right away and determine the number of youth to be in the schools. At the end of each quarter they were to distribute half of the money collected to pay the teachers.

On July 7, 1852, Weber County was divided into ten school districts with Lorin Farr, David Moore and B.B. Cumminngs named a board of inspection to review all school teachers which might offer themselves for positions as teachers in any of the districts.

Other denominations, such as the Presbyterians, the Catholics, the Methodists, the Episcopalians and the Congregational Church established private religious schools for their children in the Ogden area. While these other churches established their means of education, so did the Mormon Church establish a series of some 21 academies between 1875 and 1911. Eleven of these were located in Utah and the rest in adjacent states. The first of these church schools was located in Provo and would become Brigham Young University. In 1889 under the direction of church authorities the Weber Stake Academy was formed under the leadership of local church leaders. This academy grew into the present Weber College.