PAYSON–THE FIRST 100 YEARS
Part 13–James S.
Peery–Eleventh Mayor
Payson
Historical Society
Curfew Bell Bought —
Electric Plant and Water Wheel Purchased by the City
“James S.
Peery went into office as the eleventh mayor in January 1896. At the first meeting, plans were made for a statehood celebration
for Monday, Januray 6. Utah had just been admitted as a state.
The
businessmen felt the need of a night watchman to protect their places of
business during the night. They met with the city council and agreed to pay
part of the night watchman's wages if the city paid the balance.
The people
also felt at this time that an ordinance
should be passed to prevent minors from loitering about upon the
streets, byways or other public places late at night. A curfew bell was bought
on July 13, 1896 and a bell tower was built on the top of the City Hall for the
bell. The night watchman then rang the bell by means of a long rope about 9
o'clock p.m. and all
children under twelve,
unless with a guardian, had to be off the streets.
Up until
this time, each town did their own
assessing of taxes. The council raised
or lowered taxes as they wished. July 27, 1896 the County started to assessing
the taxes, the city then only had the power to remit and rebate for indigent
and infirm persons.
Fishing has
always been a sport that people liked to indulge in. November 30, 1896 black
bass were placed in all the reservoirs in the canyon. Maple Lake still has a
few.
The owners
of the Payson Electric light Plant wished to sell. Payson City was interested and appointed a
committee consisting of Thomas H. Wilson Jr., George A. Finlayson, J. M. Boyle
and Mayor J. S. Perry to investigate the possibilities of building a power
house at the mouth of the canyon and using water for power. The committee found
a site very favorable.
The city
then agreed to buy the plant for $2000.00.
Work was started on the building at the mouth of the canyon to house the
electric plant June 9, 1897. On Sept. 31, the old plant was bought from T. G.
Wimmer. On Oct. 25 a water wheel was bought and both were moved to the new
building. November 1, the plant started operations in its new home. Junior
Wightman was hired by the city to take charge. The people then had all night
light service instead of until twelve midnight.
April 1898
an ordinance was passed that all births and deaths occurring in Payson, City
had to be registered. Since that time, records have been kept.
The Globe-Header, printed August 27, 1898 makes this
statement: According to an announcement,
the Globe-Header makes its initial bow to the public today. We do not intend to
make any great spludge of a temporary nature, or any wonderful announcement,
but shall endeavor to issue a clean and creditable paper, and ask the people to
aid and assist us in our efforts." *
*Quoted from “The Payson Story” page 13-14, published by the
Payson Centennial Committee, October 1950
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