Part 8–Joseph S. Tanner–Sixth Mayor
Payson Historical Society
Wightman Hotel Built — First Bees Brought to Payson
“Joseph S. Tanner was elected Mayor in 1879. The Wightman Hotel the largest in this section at that time, was built in 1880. It was owned and operated by William and Lucretia Wightman.
In 1879 John D. Stark induced some of the young men to learn to play band instruments. Jacob Schaerrer was on a mission in Germany and Switzerland. Money was sent to him to purchase some band instruments. He brought them with him on his return home. Three or four of the instruments went to the old band, the rest to the new.
In March of 1880 the young band joined the old band, thus strengthening the old one. Also in this year the Huish Band was started. This band consisted of six brothers and one sister. The sister, Florette, was probably the first girl to play the drums in a Utah band.
John D. Stark organized a Sunday School Drums Boys in 1881. He taught the boys for two years. The boys were ten to fourteen years of age.
George Garner brought the first bees into Payson. Some of the people wishing to raise bees, bought some from him, but not knowing the proper method of their care, many swarms escaped into the mountains. January, 1882, a bee association was started. The officers were Parley Grigg, president; Thomas E. Daniels, secretary and John Done as treasurer. They held meetings occasionally at which bees, and kindred topics, were discussed.
Seeing the need of doctors or midwives, the Relief Society in 1882 sent th— women to Salt Lake to take a course in obstetrics, as it was then called. 1 instructor was Mrs. Romania Hyde. Those going from Payson were Lucinda Patten, Mrs. John Koontz and Mrs. Mary Oberhansley. Several other women w had been called in as midwives were Mrs. Phelps, Mrs. Rachel Drollinger, CIarissa Moore and Sarah Reece.”*
*Quoted from “The Payson Story” page 9, published by the Payson Centennial Committee, October 1950
I have very much enjoyed this series on the history of Payson. I have many family lines that settled in Payson - Spencers and Gardners and others. My 3x great grandmother was Mary Earnshaw Spencer who came to Payson in 1852. And my 3x great grandfather Elias Gardner who I believe was a founding father of the town. Great research, stories and photographs. Thanks !
ReplyDelete