Payson First 100 Years--Part 6--Orawell Simons--Fourth Mayor

Salem Canal Dug–First Church Built

    “Orrawell Simons was elected Mayor in 1867. On January 27, the members of the teacher's quorum subscribed $863.50 towards building a meeting house.
    At a meeting held on the 24th, Feb. arrangements were made to buy instrument so a Wasshsmd could be organized. The instruments purchased], <all brass, were paid for by subscription. The citizens donated generously. The railroad only came to Ogden, and it cost $40.00 by stage coach to bring the instruments from Ogden to Salt Lake. T. H. Wilson, Sr., brought them from Salt Lake to Payson free of charge. A band was organized July 1, 1869 with William Clay-- son, Sr., as leader and president. This band was organized under Bishop John B. Fairbanks and his first counselor Orrawell Simons.
    In 1868, under the supervision of Lyman, George and Joseph Curtis, a canal to conduct a portion of the Spanish Fork River on to lands between Payson and Salem was started.  In three years the canal, seven miles long, two feet deep and eight feet wide on the bottom, and twelve feet wide at the top was finished. It irrigated about 2,000 acres.
    Aurora Nebeker Wilson writes: "The first Relief Society of Payson was organized in 1856. Mrs. Rachel Drollinger was president; Pheobe Hancock and Wealthy Patten, counselors and Sally Ann Curtis, secretary. This organization was active until Mrs. Drollinger left for the Muddy mission. Little was done until May 7, 1868 when the Relief Society was officially organized, with Betsy Jane Simons, president; Agnes Douglass and Mary Moore, counselors; Mary Ann Hardy, secretary and Sarah Fairbanks, Treasurer.
    January 9, 1869 a co-operative mercantile institution was organized: John B. Fairbanks, president; Orrawell Simons, Jonathan S. Page, James Finlayson, J. H. Moore and George S. Rust, directors; Isaiah M. Coombs, secretary and David Lant, treasurer, William Douglass was put in as superintendent.
    April 17, a fund was raised for a Sunday School circulating library. An early historian states: "This afforded good reading to the people." The books were mostly histories and biographies.
    In the early part of 1870 silver mines were discovered in the Tintic district. This caused much excitement among the citizens. Feb. 28, the first mineral was discovered in Eureka. The ore was picked up on top of the ground.
    A meeting was called on May 22 and it was decided to tax all the people belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in order to build a Church. Up until this time they had held their meetings in school houses, homes,ctc. A committee consisting of YVm. C. McClellan, George Curtis and George Pickering was chosen to superintend the erection and completion of this building. The building was finished and dedicated by Apostle Woodruff July 20, 1872.
    On June 26, 1870, a co-operative company was organized for raising stock, making butter, cheese, etc. This venture proved very successful.
    The city council in 1870 decided to build a City Hall according to a plan submitted by James Finlayson. This was the first brick building built in Payson. It was two stories high, the upper floor was a one room hall. Rooms were built on {Jig fjf§{ floor for the officers of the city, with a session and a court room; a jail ceii was btiilt in the basement.
    April 26, 1871, Bishop Johll Fairbanks left for a mission to England. On August 20, Joseph S. Tanner was sustained as bishop to succeed bishop Fairbanks.
    On September 18, Payson had telegraphic communication for the first time with Tintic district.
    On Oct. 25, the Payson Ward sent fourteen men and three women to assist in building a Temple at St. George.
    A literary society under the name of "Philomatheon Society" was organized by T. B. Lewis, Oct. of 1871. Mr. Lewis was considered one of the best school teachers in Utah and was Superintendent of the State School. This club met once a week in the upstairs of the old Tithing office. There was drafted a code of by-laws for the regulation of the institution. An organization was effected, consisting of president, and two assistants, secretary, treasurer, editors, male and female. They published a weekly paper with original pieces written by the Payson people. They also had a critic and a jonitor. A lecturer was appointed each week, and they also sang and had debates. The officers were changed from time to time. A very inspiring time was enjoyed by the members. The efforts of the lecturer, editor and declaimers were criticized. This organization continued for six years, at which time a similar organization was started called the Mutual Improvement Society.
    During the winter of 1873-74 a High School was started in the upstairs of the City Hall, J. L. Townsend, principal. This was the first High School south of Salt Lake City and it ran until the B. Y. U. started in Provo about 1875. A set of Andrew's patent school desks were purchased for this school. These desks were the first patented desks west of the Mississippi.”*

*Quoted from “The Payson Story” page 7-8, published by the Payson Centennial Committee, October 1950